The TOP100 programme, created by e27 to provide early-stage startups with access to a platform that facilitates connections for partnerships, funding opportunities, and more in the Asia Pacific, returns this year with Echelon Asia Summit 2023.
Since its inception, the TOP100 pitching competition has brought the best-in-class early-stage startups to showcase and pitch onstage across various cities in Southeast Asia. Past winners and participants include 99.co, Softinn, and Carousell.
After a three-year hiatus, the 2023 programme will evolve and leverage on e27’s Pro Connect platform, which has powered close to 20,000 online connections between startups and investors since 2020.
The 2023 TOP100 programme and meetups will adopt a hybrid format of conducting the application and scoring online while retaining an element of evening networking offline in major Southeast Asia cities. Two key updates would include a special category for disaster tech (D-Tech) solutions as partnered and supported by Prudence Foundation’s SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards, and the second being the inclusion of Web3.0 startups, particularly projects targeting Web2.0 tech companies as their users or customers.
Thaddeus Koh, Co-Founder of e27, said: “”Expanding our reach beyond key cities, TOP100’s decision to conduct the initial pitching and showcase elements online opens up a world of opportunities for startups across Asia. This shift allows us to showcase a wider range of innovation and technology, and provide resources and fundraising opportunities to startups that may have been previously out of reach. We’re excited to bring the spotlight to startups from all corners of the region and highlight their solutions to the world.”
Throughout the selection period, all TOP100 participants will have e27 Pro Connect access, which allows them to connect with and pitch to 500+ verified investors on the e27 platform.
From the participants, 100 best-in-class startups will be selected to showcase at Echelon Asia Summit 2023 to exhibit in the TOP100 section and pitch in the crowd-favourite TOP100 Stage. Many will proceed to raise additional rounds of funding in the next 18 months to achieve their growth-stage status.
“TOP100 has always been a programme that facilitates startups’ connections with stakeholders who can best help their business. By giving the participants access to e27 Pro Connect and showcasing the semi-finalists during Echelon, we aim to help kickstart and boost their fundraising journey,” said Koh.
Interested startups can first apply through the TOP100 website at https://e27.co/top100-2023/.
Echelon Asia Summit is e27’s flagship tech conference, bringing APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore. The conference is scheduled from 14-15 June in Singapore. In 2023, the two-day conference is expected to draw in crowds of over 5,000 to discuss the latest in innovation, entrepreneurship, funding and more.
For more information visit, https://e27.co/echelon/asia
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