We recently attended the ASEAN GenAI Startup Report Launch Roadshow 2024 in Bangkok, hosted by AWS. The event was an eye-opener, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-driven innovation across Southeast Asia. If you weren’t there, you missed a fascinating showcase of ideas and insights, all pointing towards the growing momentum of generative AI (GenAI) startups in the region.

Opening Remarks

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Wiboon Rugsancharoenphol, Secretary General of the Innovation One Fund. Wiboon set the tone with a compelling narrative on how ASEAN’s dynamic startup ecosystem is primed to harness the power of GenAI. His emphasis on fostering a supportive environment for startups resonated with everyone in the room — an essential ingredient for innovation to flourish.

Key Insights from the ASEAN GenAI Report

Next, Denning Tan, Partner at GenAI Fund, took the stage to share key insights from the much-anticipated ASEAN GenAI Startup Report. Denning’s analysis was sharp, highlighting the region’s burgeoning AI landscape. He walked us through the report’s findings, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities that ASEAN startups face. From funding trends to talent gaps, Denning painted a comprehensive picture that underscored the strategic importance of collaboration across borders to drive growth in this sector.

GenAI Programs & Resources

Nicha Suebwonglee, Senior Venture Capital Business Development Manager at AWS, followed with an overview of GenAI programs and resources available to startups. Nicha’s presentation was packed with practical advice and showcased AWS’s commitment to empowering startups with the tools they need to scale. She discussed everything from technical support to market access, making it clear that AWS is more than just a cloud provider — it’s a partner in innovation.

Fireside Chat

The panel discussion moderated by Laura Nguyen, Partner at GenAI Fund, was a highlight of the day. The panel brought together some of the brightest minds in the AI space, including Dr. Winn Voravuthikunchai, Founder & CEO of Botnoigroup; Nicha Suebwonglee from AWS; Tanwa Arpornthip, Senior Technical Advisor at SCB 10X; and Samuel Tan, APJ GenAI Specialist at Databricks. Each panelist shared unique perspectives on the future of AI in ASEAN, touching on everything from ethical AI to the importance of data privacy. The discussion was lively and insightful, offering deep dives into both the technical and strategic aspects of AI development in the region.

GenAI Startups Showcase

Then came the GenAI Startup Showcase, which was nothing short of inspiring. Each startup presented innovative solutions that not only demonstrated technical prowess but also addressed real-world challenges.

Spacely AI kicked off the showcase with a presentation by Nook Supakorn, Head of Product, and Thanapong Somjai, Head of Technology. Spacely AI is revolutionizing the real estate sector with its AI-driven platform that automates property management and enhances decision-making. Their use of AI to predict market trends and optimize property portfolios is particularly impressive, making them a startup to watch in the proptech space.

Next up was Gowajee, presented by its Co-Founder & CEO, Pisuth (Ren) Huang. Gowajee has developed an AI-powered conversational agent tailored for the e-commerce industry. Ren’s passion was evident as he demonstrated how Gowajee’s technology is streamlining customer interactions, reducing operational costs, and driving sales. With Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market booming, Gowajee’s solution is both timely and relevant.

Finally, Happily.ai took the stage, with its founder, Tareef Jafferi, presenting. Happily.ai focuses on employee engagement, leveraging AI to create more fulfilling workplace experiences. Tareef’s pitch highlighted how their platform uses AI to analyze employee feedback in real-time, helping organizations boost morale and productivity. In an era where employee well-being is more crucial than ever, Happily.ai’s approach is a breath of fresh air.

Conclusion

The event wrapped up with closing remarks from Laura Nguyen, who left us with a sense of excitement for what lies ahead in the ASEAN GenAI space. The networking session that followed was a perfect capstone, offering an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals over refreshments.

All in all, the ASEAN GenAI Startup Report Launch Roadshow 2024 was a resounding success. The insights shared and the innovations showcased reaffirmed the region’s potential to become a global leader in AI. For those of us fortunate enough to attend, it was a day well spent — full of learning, inspiration, and connections that will surely fuel our own ventures forward.