In a groundbreaking event hosted at the Google Singapore office, 13 high-potential startups from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan took center stage during the SouthXChange ecosystem and pitch night. This unique startup program aimed to secure capital for growth plans across diverse sectors, including AI, fintech, e-commerce, and agritech. Supported by Google Cloud, nVentures, Aspire, and USAID CATALYZE Sri Lanka PSD Activity, the event marked a collaborative effort to spotlight emerging entrepreneurial talent in South Asia.
Oscar Ramos, Managing General Partner of Orbit Startups and Venture Partner of SOSV, delivered a virtual address, emphasizing the vast potential inherent in emerging markets. The event witnessed participation from renowned regional investors, including Accelerating Asia and Tenity. Startups like Hishabee, Mintpay, and Bookme.pk presented their innovative solutions, showcasing the diversity and innovation within the South Asian entrepreneurial landscape.
SouthXChange, spanning two days in Singapore, facilitated knowledge exchange between startup ecosystems in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Google Cloud experts conducted roundtables on data monetization and customer acquisition, while startups received mentorship from industry veterans. The program aligns with Google Cloud’s expanded Google for Startups Cloud Program in Pakistan, providing additional benefits for AI-focused startups.
Singapore’s ascent in global startup rankings and its thriving ecosystem, home to 5,000 tech startups and 500 investors, underlines its position as a global innovation hub. Farhan S Qureshi, Google’s Director for South Asia Frontier region, expressed Google’s commitment to enabling startups to scale their innovative products and services, recognizing the potential of South Asia as the next innovation hub. The event served as a platform to bridge emerging ecosystems, fostering collaborative innovation and providing a gateway for startups to tap into the untapped market of over 430 million people in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
