ASEAN Startup Connect

Bridging policy and innovation across ASEAN. 🇲🇾

At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from a powerhouse delegation from Malaysia, featuring Shalini Nadaruaju and Yin Li Ong from the of Science, Technology and Innovation (Malaysia), Nawal Binti Mohd Radzi from CEDAR (SME Bank), and Suhana Binti Ibrahim from the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development.

Reflecting on their time at ASC, they highlighted how refreshing it was to connect and learn directly from other representatives and founders across the region. For them, a major takeaway was the empowering experience of exchanging insights with policymakers from other ASEAN member states—diving into diverse startup regulations to gain a much clearer understanding of the wider regional landscape.

When decision-makers collaborate and understand each other's frameworks, the path to cross-border scaling becomes smoother for founders everywhere! Will you join us at ASC 2026 to contribute to designing a better startup ecosystem across ASEAN?

You can begin making an impact in the ASEAN ecosystem even earlier than the conference. Sign up for our Mentorship Programme to get dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion, and join 'The Unspoken Advantage', our Skool community made for business leaders and founders to network, learn, and grow alongside each other. Join at the links below!

Empathy. Impact. Honesty.

At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with Martalia Lo, the CEO and Founder of Academy of Careers and Technology (ACT) in Cambodia. Through her work, she is transforming the education landscape by empowering youth with 21st-century skills and project-based learning. 📚

Reflecting on her time at ASC, Martalia emphasized the profound value of the connections and relationships fostered across the region, creating powerful new opportunities for cross-border expansion and collaboration. One of her most powerful takeaways was: “If it’s not honest, it’s not useful.”

When founders lead with authenticity and build genuine relationships, the impact they can create is limitless.

Are you looking for a community that authentically helps eachother in building a business? Sign up for our Mentorship Programme to get dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion.

For more frequent support and resources, join 'The Unspoken Advantage', our Skool community made for business leaders and founders to network, learn, and grow alongside each other. Join at the links below!

What makes ASC NECESSARY in ASEAN 2026?

Digital. Collaboration. Networking. 🌐

At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, we caught up with Diboma KY, Under Secretary of State at the ក្រសួងប្រៃសណីយ៍និងទូរគមនាគមន៍ - Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (Cambodia), to hear his key takeaways from the event, and his insights highlighted a crucial part of our ecosystem: the bridge between innovation and policy.

He shared how incredibly valuable it is to gather founders, specialists, and policymakers from across ASEAN in one room to openly share their challenges. The true power of ASC lies in giving government officials an opportunity to understand the real hurdles and opportunities founders face. When policymakers have this deep understanding, they are better equipped to help startups scale and succeed across the region!

Are you looking for a community that understands the reality of building a business?

TODAY we are hosting Mentorship session #6 (6:30-8:30 KH time)! You can still sign up to get live, authentic and dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion.

Also check out 'The Unspoken Advantage', our Skool community made for business leaders and founders to continuously network, learn, and grow alongside each other. Join at the links below! 👇

TODAY (April 30th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm KH time), we’re kicking off ASC Mentorship Programme #6!

Here, we are creating a space for genuine support to help you smash through your any business roadblocks.

Here is the ASC formula for growth:

- Horizontal Mentorship: Founder-to-founder collaboration. We bounce ideas across different disciplines to help you establish absolute clarity.

- Vertical Mentorship: Once the goal is clear, we bring in an industry expert to help you demolish that specific bottleneck.

- Custom Matching: No random pairings here. The ASC team actively hunts down the perfect advisor for your unique profile!

Bring your biggest challenges, leave judgment at the door, and let’s build a community that actually moves the needle for each other. See you soon!

Space is limited, so secure your spot at the link in the comments!

MASTERING NETWORKING WEBINAR

Join us this Friday for an exclusive 90-minute live session on the skill that works across every culture, career stage, and time zone.

Register via link below 👇

"The ASC platform is not a monument - it is a utility, like a bridge."

At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, H.E. Dr. Visothy So delivered a profound and grounded message about the future of the ASC platform.
He reminded us that building the platform is only step one. Like a digital bridge connecting ASEAN member states and Japan, it requires maintenance, expansion, and continuous traffic to be valuable.

A bridge is only as powerful as the people who cross it. It is up to us—the founders, mentors, and ecosystem builders—to utilize this tool and keep the momentum going!

Are you looking for a community that understands the reality of building a business? Sign up for our Mentorship Programme to get dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion, and join 'The Unspoken Advantage', our Skool community made for business leaders and founders to network, learn, and grow alongside each other. Join at the link in the comments! 👇

「ASCプラットフォームはモニュメント（記念碑）ではありません。それは橋のような実用的なインフラなのです」
ASEAN Startup Connect 2025にて、Visothy So閣下（博士）が、ASCプラットフォームの未来について、深く地に足の着いたメッセージを共有されました。

彼は、プラットフォームの構築は単なる第一歩に過ぎないと私たちに喚起しました。ASEAN加盟国と日本をつなぐデジタルの橋として、それが価値あるものであるためには、メンテナンスや拡張、そして絶え間ない往来が必要です。

橋の価値は、それを渡る人々によって決まります。このツールを活用し、勢いを維持し続けるのは、起業家、メンター、そしてエコシステムを構築する私たち全員の役割です！

ビジネス構築の現実を理解し合えるコミュニティをお探しですか？ASEANでのクロスボーダー展開に向けた専門的なサポートを獲得できる私たちのメンターシップ・プログラムにご登録ください。そして、ビジネスリーダーや起業家たちがネットワークを広げ、学び、共に成長するために作られたSkoolコミュニティ「The Unspoken Advantage」にもぜひご参加ください。コメント欄のリンクからご参加ください！ 👇

Enabling Cambodia to not only drive locally but to scale globally 🌍

At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, we had the distinct honor of hearing from H.E. Dr. Visothy So as he shared his insights on the newly launched ASC platform.

Highlighting the power of international collaboration, he noted that this milestone achievement is not just a win for Cambodia, but a tremendous benefit for the entire ASEAN region—made possible with the support and enablement of Japan.

His words serve as a powerful reminder: when nations and ecosystems work together, we create the ultimate launchpad for founders to take their businesses to the global stage.

Are you looking for a community that understands the reality of building a business? Sign up for our Mentorship Programme to get dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion, and join 'The Unspoken Advantage', our Skool community made for business leaders and founders to network, learn, and grow alongside each other. Join at the links below! 👇

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If you are craving genuine connections over stale networking, this webinar is for you!

Friday, 24th April will change that. Join Mr. G - Galeno Chua live for 90 minutes on what genuine connection actually looks like and how to master this skill!

Register via link below 👇

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