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Echelon 2014: Startup Marketplace gets bigger

More than 100 companies – startups and enterprises, are expected to showcase their products at one massive hall at Echelon 2014, on June 10 & 11

Since its inception in 2010, Echelon has come a long way recognising the best of startups in the technology and digital domains in Asia.

Fifty startups through invitation, selected through a stringent four-stage process, will get a chance to showcase their product/s at Startup Marketplace, the exhibition space at Echelon 2014, to be held on June 10 & 11 at the Expo Drive in Singapore. This year, Startup Marketplace will share space with Tech Alley (the space for enterprises to showcase themselves), in one massive hall, allowing startups and enterprises to interact freely and build momentum and engagement. In all, there will be more than 100 technology companies exhibiting their wares.

A world event
The response of the startups in the form of their entries that we received this year for the Echelon Satellites – held across 12 countries around the world – shows the magnanimity, the brand equity of Echelon has achieved. We can no more call it just an Asia event. It’s a world event, as we stepped out of Asia this year, and camped ourselves in Silicon Valley too.

This year, we are hearing about 180 pitches at the Satellites, up from 120 last year. That just counts the number of selected entries. Keeping in mind the number of entries — more than 400 — received this year, the Startup Marketplace too will be bigger.

In Singapore itself, we heard 48 pitches in all. Besides Singapore, we have travelled to Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Silicon Valley, this year. In the coming weeks, we would be in Vietnam, Australia, Korea and India too.

The Winners at the Satellites so far are:

  • Hong Kong: Ambi Labs

  • Japan: iCHEF

  • Taiwan : QSearch

  • Philippines: YOYO Holdings

  • Malaysia: Tootpay

  • Thailand: Taamkru

  • Indonesia: Spavista

  • Singapore: Publishizer and Craftyful

In the following days, we at e27, will be featuring each of the winners – their side of the story. Not only what they do and how they do, but their human side challenges and inspirations as well.

Investors on the hunt
Besides, being a hotbed for startups to showcase their wares and interact with the enterprises, Echelon is also a hot-bed for investors to scout for potential funding ventures. Carousell, Hotel Quickly, TradeHero, Noonswoon and Waygo Visual Translator, are all Echelon 2013 alumni.

Post Echelon, while Carousell has raised S$1million seed funding led by Rakuten, and follow-on investments from Golden Gate Ventures, 500 Startups, and a few other angel investors; Hotel Quickly has raised HK$9 million from angel investors from three continents. TradeHero has raised US$10 million in Series A from KPCB China Fund and IPV Capital; Noonswoon managed to raise US$400,000 in its seed round with Golden Gate Ventures as its lead investor. Last, but not the least, Waygo Visual Translator raised S$900,000 in its seed round from 500 Sartups, Golden Gate Ventures, and AngelVest.

What’s more?
Also, this year, we are introducing a new product — Bundle Kit, an all ready-to-use services provided by the various Echelon technology companies and bundled into a kit for easy access. All exhibiting companies will have a chance to participate in the Kit. e27, will make the kit available at Echelon and on e27‘s digital assets for web downloads and easy access.

Connect with over 100 exhibitors and sponsors, over 500 regional investors, and over 2,000 delegates at Echelon 2014, on June 10 & 11. Get your Early Bird tickets before 30 April 2014 and save 50% off the Door Tickets

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