Antler Summit 2023: showcasing the top startups in ASEAN

The event aimed to bring together the most recognised investors in the region and introduce them to the latest innovative companies emerging from Antler's portfolio.

The event gathered over 250 attendees to learn from the best in the tech ecosystem through a curated group of speakers, startup pitches, matchmaking sessions, and networking opportunities. It witnessed the participation of more than 100 selected investors and 39 emerging startups.

During the event, Jussi Salovaara, co-founder and managing partner of Antler in Asia, spoke about the firm’s mission to back the world’s most driven founders from day zero to greatness. He emphasised that Antler is fuelled by a passion that goes beyond traditional investing, having created and invested in more than 750 startups globally and over 220 startups in ASEAN. Antler is currently the most active investor in the region and worldwide.

A total of 39 startups have engaged with the top investors in Southeast Asia. Some of the prominent sectors represented by those startups include climate tech, health, property, finance, software as a service, and many more.

The event also attracted a diverse range of Vietnamese startups, demonstrating the thriving entrepreneurial landscape in the country. Among the participants were notable companies such as AirCity, Tribee, Vucar, and SOFTENMIND. These startups represent a variety of industries and sectors, showcasing the breadth of innovation and talent within Vietnam's startup ecosystem.

Salovaara said, “We seek out visionary founders who possess a proven track record of accomplishments, whether through successful ventures of their own or through their involvement with startups and established corporate entities.”

“With a sector-agnostic approach, we focus on early-stage investments and place significant emphasis on the calibre and potential of the founders themselves, recognising that business models may evolve and adapt over time to suit market dynamics and emerging opportunities,” he added.

Kevin Lin, a prominent figure in the tech industry and co-founder and former COO of Twitch - the leading social video platform and community for gamers, also brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the event.

“At present, we have not resorted to laying off any employees due to the integration of generative AI into our workflows. In fact, we encourage our team members to explore and utilise the tools that best suit their roles. We view generative AI as an instrument that enhances efficiency rather than a replacement for human creativity and expertise,” he said.

Lin also noted that talent acquisition knows no boundaries.

“We have been fortunate to assemble a diverse workforce from different corners of the globe. Our employees hail from Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Pakistan, Turkey, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, and numerous locations within the United States,” he said. “Working across time zones poses its challenges, especially for founders, but when executed effectively, the handoff between teams from one zone to another can operate seamlessly.”

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