Vientiane, 9 October 2024: ERIA has successfully completed the series of events for the One ASEAN Startup Award 2024, with the finals held today at Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This competition recognises outstanding startups across Southeast Asia, cultivating innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the region.

Startups in ASEAN play a pivotal role in the new economy through cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), while also offering innovative solutions to the region's pressing social challenges. This dual role contributes significantly to achieving sustainable development across ASEAN. ERIA is dedicated to highlighting these influential startups and attracting global attention to the burgeoning ASEAN startup ecosystem.

ERIA’s President, Tetsuya Watanabe, conveyed this purpose in his opening remarks.

‘We firmly believe that startups will be the engines powering the economic growth of ASEAN over the next decade. In this context, cross-border collaboration among startups, both within and beyond ASEAN, is more important than ever. Drawing on our extensive experience and deep knowledge of the region, ERIA is fully committed to contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.’     

Hiroshi Ishikawa, ERIA's Special Advisor to the President on Digital Innovation, highlighted findings from the newly launched ERIA One ASEAN Start-up White Paper 2024. Titled ‘Towards an ASEAN Innovation Ecosystem: Start-up Creation for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development,’ the paper delves into the current state of the ASEAN startup ecosystem, explores challenges and opportunities, and proposes policy recommendations.

This final event of the One ASEAN Startup Award 2024 was held during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC). Held from 8 to 11 October 2024, ABIS runs in parallel with the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane. ABIS brings together over 1,000 world leaders, CEOs, and senior executives from multinational and regional corporations. This high-profile conference seeks to enhance the private sector’s influence on policy reforms and solidify ASEAN's role in global economic integration.

Following a competitive selection process and insightful pitch sessions, ERIA is proud to announce the winners of the final event. In the Digital/AI Category, Toybox Creations and Technology from Malaysia claimed the top prize, while FINA Fintech from Lao PDR won the Impact Startup Category, both earning the title of the best startups for One ASEAN Startup Award 2024.

The awards were presented during the ASEAN Business Awards Ceremony 2024 on the second day of ABIS. President Watanabe, who presented the One ASEAN Startup Award 2024, praised the winners for their achievements.