ASEAN AI Summit 2025

Driving Sustainable & Inclusive

AI Development in ASEAN

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.

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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.

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