- Echelon has revealed the first 26 startups in its TOP100 Program for this year.
- Participants from beyond Southeast Asia will be spotlighted in 2024, with startups emerging from India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan.
- As the startup ecosystem matures, the program has shifted its mentorship focus to business resilience and sustainable regional growth.
Echelon, Southeast Asia’s leading tech and startup conference organized by e27, has unveiled the first 26 shortlisted participants for its TOP100 Program in 2024. Established in 2012, TOP100 serves as a carefully curated growth platform for startups throughout the region, offering visibility, mentorship, and funding prospects.
This year’s cohort spans diverse sectors, ranging from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, and extends beyond Southeast Asia, with startups hailing from India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan entering the fray. Mohan Belani, CEO and Co-Founder of e27, expressed pride in the program’s expanding reach, stating, “We are thrilled to witness applicants and candidates emerging from beyond our traditional Southeast Asian boundaries. This underscores the impact we’ve had on startups across Asia.”
Among the initial 26 shortlisted participants are startups from Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. Notable names include Careera (Singapore), Fina Fintech (Laos), Edge Tutor (the Philippines), dentall Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), The Mango Jelly (India), PriyoShop (Bangladesh), and Talent Hero Ventures (Singapore).
These startups will engage in the TOP100 program this March, benefiting from exclusive access to events, mentorship, workshops, and over 800 investors on the e27 PRO Connect platform. Additionally, they will actively participate in Echelon X through exhibition booths and present their ideas on the Pitch Stage during the milestone 10th event in Singapore on May 15-16, 2024.
Over the years, the program has showcased notable players in the startup ecosystem, including 99.co, Edukasyon.ph, FOMO Pay, Lalamove, Gojek, Carousell, and Carro. PriyoShop, a participant in 2023, has since secured US$5 million in funding and is returning to the stage in 2024 to propel further growth.
In its 10th year, the program has evolved to cater to the dynamic landscape, offering opportunities tailored to the needs of more mature startups. This includes workshops and mentoring aimed at fostering business resilience and sustainable growth. Belani remarked, “The TOP100 Program allows us to support and collaborate with emerging startups across the region. With a promising initial lineup of startups this year, we eagerly anticipate unveiling more to you soon.”
