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As part of the ASEAN AI Summit 2025, GUIDE delivered two dedicated founder pitching formats: Speed Pitch and Pitch Arena — designed to connect early-stage AI founders directly with investors through structured, high-impact engagement.
These sessions focused on creating meaningful founder–investor interactions, enabling startups to test their narratives, gain real-time feedback, and build momentum with regional venture capitalists in a time-efficient, outcomes-driven setting. GUIDE was responsible for the design, curation, and execution of both pitch formats, including founder selection, investor matching, session flow, and on-the-ground delivery. The formats were structured to prioritise signal over spectacle, ensuring focused conversations and practical next steps for participating founders.
Programme Format
Speed Pitch: pre-matched, one-to-one pitch sessions where early-stage founders met directly with venture capitalists in timed conversations. Each session allowed founders to validate investor fit, refine positioning, and receive immediate feedback in a focused, low-friction environment.
Pitch Arena: on-stage pitching showcase featuring a curated group of founders selected to present to a panel of venture capitalists and a live audience. Each founder had a short, high-impact window to share their vision, traction, and market opportunity, designed to drive visibility and post-session investor engagement.
Target Audience
Early-stage AI founders seeking investor exposure, feedback, and connection, alongside venture capitalists and ecosystem partners interested in identifying emerging teams and technologies across Southeast Asia.
Programme Partners
Venture ————— with less risk by leveraging our unparalleled entrepreneurial wisdom & network