Technological developments have dominated headlines this year, but every big name had to start somewhere, including homegrown companies like Osome and Carousell. At Echelon Singapore 2025, I was reminded of just how much is happening behind the scenes in Southeast Asia’s startup world.
Organised by tech ecosystem platform e27, Echelon Singapore 2025 brought together start ups and SMEs, corporates, government institutions and investors across the region. The event took place from 10 to 11 June 2025 at Suntec Singapore and aims to provide participants with access to market insights, growth programs, digital solutions, and a platform to connect with the region’s most exciting innovators.
I didn’t go with a pitch or a product but I left with fresh perspectives on where innovation is headed next.
Read Also: How Bruce Yang and Agnes AI are building Singapore’s digital brain
Excitement In The Air (Even Without Being There To Hustle)
From the moment I stepped in, there was a buzz or atmosphere of excitement. Not the “hustle culture” kind of buzz, but more like the “anything feels possible” kind.
It’s no surprise that Singapore ranks 4th globally in startup ecosystems, according to Eli Rokah, CEO of StartupBlink, a global research platform for startups. In his keynote speech, he highlighted how essential start ups are to the economy and the development of countries. With a supportive business environment and strong funding networks, he highlighted how Singapore was one of the best places to launch and nurture a startup.
AI Took Centre Stage, With Tools Built To Boost Output
AI was clearly the headline act at Echelon Singapore 2025 but what stood out wasn’t the hype. Instead of futuristic promises, much more emphasis were put into tools that help people work smarter, not harder.
Aaron Tan, CEO of Carro, a regional online car marketplace, sparked debate recently with his viral comments suggesting employees should work “007 hours” (midnight to midnight, seven days a week—essentially, always on call). In his fireside chat at the event, however, he took a more balanced stance, emphasising that AI should augment productivity rather than demand excessive hours from workers. He also highlighted how cost efficiency achieved from this is crucial for a startup’s survival. His comments echo the perspective of AI optimists who believe that AI tools can free employees from tedious administrative work, allowing them to focus on higher-value, revenue-generating activities.
Walking through the AI Zone, this optimistic view is on full display, with startups showcasing AI-driven solutions designed to reduce business inefficiencies. Osome streamlines corporate secretarial tasks, making company incorporation, tax filing, and bookkeeping seamless. Jaz AI automates accounting processes like reconciliation while providing AI-powered business insights. In more industry-specific applications, Tictag leverages AI for vision analytics in retail stores, optimizing layout efficiency and maximising space utilisation.
Beyond efficiency, AI is also being harnessed for creativity and personal well-being. My favourite was RunAI, an app that aims to make running (a dreaded sport for most) less monotonous. In the app, your daily run is gamified with virtual races against AI runners, with AI generated training plans that adjust to your performance, making running more interactive.
Startup Support Is Everywhere, If You Know Where To Look
At Echelon Singapore 2025, one thing became clear: there’s no single path to building a startup anymore. I used to think it was either bootstrapping or chasing venture capitals but the landscape today is far more supportive, with accelerator programmes, incubators and even universities stepping in to help founders to get started.
In fact, many of Singapore’s educational institutions are leading the space through programmes that provide structured pathways for entrepreneurs, offering training, early funding, mentorship, and investor networking opportunities. Some of these programmes include NUS’s Block71 and SUSS’ Venture Builder Program, which are open to the public. Meanwhile, Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s The Sandbox is only open to its students and alumni.
One company that caught my attention was Reedu.ai, founded by a group of NUS undergraduates. Emerging from the Block71 incubator program, the company leverages AI to assist teachers in streamlining administrative tasks like grading homework and lesson planning. It’s proof that with the right support, entrepreneurship can be within reach for anyone with a great idea.
Going Regional – Is That A Stretch Goal?
For many startups, going regional sounds like the natural next step. But when you’re caught up in the day-to-day of building a product, it can feel like a distant ambition.
At Echelon Singapore 2025, that idea felt more tangible. Whether it was through talent, partnerships or funding, the building blocks for regional growth were already in motion. Companies like JDI and Remote are helping startups bridge borders more easily, simplifying HR and operations so teams can scale without being limited by geography.
Japan’s NTT Group is actively investing in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem through its own accelerator efforts.
In a panel discussion on Vietnam’s Next Growth Engine, industry experts emphasised that Vietnam’s startup landscape is not just a source of talent, but also an emerging market for strategic collaborations and sales expansion. As Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem matures, opportunities for cross-border partnerships continue to grow—offering access to larger markets, more resources, and greater scalability beyond Singapore’s borders.
So, Was It Worth Going Without A Pitch?
100% yes.
I didn’t go to Echelon Singapore 2025 with anything to promote but sometimes, showing up with no agenda lets you absorb a lot more.
Whether you’re an aspiring founder looking for the right connections, an investor scouting the next unicorn, or simply someone eager to witness emerging tech firsthand, Echelon Singapore 2025 offers valuable learning insights. I came away feeling that there has never been a better time to build and innovate in Singapore.
Who knows- one of the ideas I saw might just be the next Grab or Carousell in the making.
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