Pitch, Partner, Propel: Inside AsiaStartupExpo’s Q2 2025 Edition

The AsiaStartupExpo Q2 2025, hosted by beSUCCESS Media Group in collaboration with AsiaTechDaily and KoreaTechDesk, brought together some of the most promising startups, visionary investors, and global experts for a powerful afternoon of innovation, insight, and investor engagement.

This quarter’s edition focused on the future of AI, SaaS, and D2C Consumer Tech, spotlighting how Asian startups are solving global problems with local ingenuity. Held virtually, the event attracted a curated audience of founders, investors, corporate innovators, and ecosystem builders from across Asia and beyond.

Keynote Highlights: Actionable AI and Sensory Intelligence

The event kicked off with two high-impact keynote sessions:

• Devendra Singh Parmar, a global AI leader with experience at HSBC and State Street Bank, delivered a compelling talk on “Beyond the Buzz: AI’s Real Role in Fintech Innovation.” Parmar broke down myths around AI, offering a grounded, insider perspective on its application in fraud detection, risk modeling, and operational optimization within fintech.
  
• Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Principal Scientist at CSIR-CSIO, captivated the audience with his session on “AI and the Senses: Industrial Applications of Artificial Nose, Tongue & Beyond.” His work in sensory AI technologies showed how innovations in smell, taste, and vision sensing are transforming agriculture, food safety, and healthcare industries.
  

Going Global: A Rapid-Fire Global PR Panel

A panel titled “Global Voice: Helping Asian Innovation Speak to the World” offered founders a rare opportunity to hear directly from global PR experts. Moderated by Aditi Dave (Editor, KoreaTechDesk), the session featured:

• Jean Lee (bitsensing, South Korea)
  
• David Claxton (Wise Up PR, USA)
  
• Urska Vracun (EU-based Business Consultant)
  

Panelists shared what it takes for Asian startups to cut through the noise and connect with media, customers, and partners abroad—offering tactics on storytelling, localization, and media engagement that founders can apply immediately.

Investor Pitch Showcase: A Platform for Rising Stars

Five startups took the virtual stage during the Startup Pitch Showcase, delivering crisp 4-minute pitches followed by live Q&A with investors and mentors. The judging panel included:

• Sunay Kumat, Vice President, Investment Banking
  
• Mohd Akhtaar, Head of Accelerator & Partner, HASAN.VC (Singapore)
  

Both investors offered valuable feedback and demonstrated a strong interest in supporting bold, mission-driven startups, particularly in AI, fintech, and consumer tech. Other mentors and ecosystem partners also participated in evaluating business potential and scalability.

The startups will receive post-event support, including investor introductions, feedback, and follow-ups on any interest expressed during the showcase.

Organizers confirmed that they will be connecting all participating startups with relevant funding or partnership opportunities discovered during the event. Event highlights, founder interviews, and select pitches will also be featured on AsiaTechDaily and KoreaTechDesk in the coming weeks.

As AsiaStartupExpo Q2 2025 draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all speakers, investors, mentors, and founders who made the event a success. Your insights, energy, and ideas helped create an inspiring platform for collaboration and innovation. We will be following up with founders to share feedback, funding interests, and business development opportunities that emerged from today’s sessions. Stay tuned for event highlights on LinkedIn—and as always, we’re here to support you in your growth journey ahead.