Editor’s note: TNGlobal is a media partner of Techsauce Global Summit 2024
The world’s most advanced humanoid robot Ameca is expected to steal the limelight at the Techsauce Global Summit 2024 which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from Aug 7 to Aug 9.
“This year, we’re particularly excited to introduce Ameca, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, to the Southeast Asian stage. This is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI and sparking conversations about the future of human-AI interaction,” Techsauce Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, fondly known as Mimie, told TNGlobal in an email interview.
“Beyond the technology showcase, Techsauce Global Summit 2024 is a platform for collaboration and growth. We’re curating an environment where attendees can connect with potential partners, investors, and mentors, fostering meaningful relationships that can propel their businesses forward,” she said.
“I believe Southeast Asia is ripe with opportunity, and Techsauce Global Summit 2024 is the gateway for global players to tap into this vibrant ecosystem,” she added.
Oranuch also shared her views on the emerging trends in Southeast Asia for the next few years.
According to her, AI is expected to be a general-purpose technology.
“AI is transforming economies and societies by revolutionizing various sectors. It not only drives business growth but, if used positively, can also be a tool to address climate change, alleviate poverty, and reduce disparities in health and education. This is the aspect of AI for good that I want to encourage people and society to care about,” she said.
Sustainability and climate technology will be another emerging trend.
“The urgency of climate change will accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable technologies, from renewable energy sources to eco-friendly materials and practices. The opportunity for us to work together to achieve our sustainability goals may still seem distant, but with greentech and climate tech as crucial tools, they will accelerate the implementation of solutions, making problem-solving much more efficient,” she added.
In the interview, she also shared her views on the tech ecosystem in Thailand, the opportunities and challenges she sees, among others.
Below are the edited excerpts:
Techsauce Global Summit has become one of Southeast Asia’s most important tech conferences. What can we expect this year?
This year, we’re particularly excited to introduce Ameca, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, to the Southeast Asian stage. This is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI and sparking conversations about the future of human-AI interaction.
Beyond the technology showcase, Techsauce Global Summit 2024 is a platform for collaboration and growth. We’re curating an environment where attendees can connect with potential partners, investors, and mentors, fostering meaningful relationships that can propel their businesses forward.
I believe Southeast Asia is ripe with opportunity, and Techsauce Global Summit 2024 is the gateway for global players to tap into this vibrant ecosystem.
Techsauce Global Summit connects a diverse range of stakeholders in the tech ecosystem. How do you ensure a collaborative and inclusive environment at Techsauce Global Summit?
At Techsauce Global Summit, we foster a collaborative and inclusive environment by curating targeted networking opportunities that facilitate meaningful connections between attendees. Our diverse speaker lineup represents a wide range of backgrounds and expertise, ensuring a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. We design our agenda to cater to a broad audience, with sessions relevant to startups, investors, corporations, government officials, and tech enthusiasts alike.
We have introduced a dedicated “Meet the VCs” zone, providing a platform for startups to connect directly with potential investors. We strive to create an open and welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, asking questions, and learning from each other.
By prioritizing inclusivity and collaboration, we believe Techsauce Global Summit can serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth in the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem.
Many opined that the Thai tech ecosystem is dominated by corporate venture capital. What are your thoughts on this? How can Techsauce further bridge the gap between startups and established corporations in Thailand?
From my perspective, I believe that corporations in Thailand are very active and play a crucial role in supporting startups. In terms of synergy after investment, they help startups grow through various supportive processes, such as go-to-market assistance, improving internal processes with solutions, and creating business opportunities for further growth, especially in B2B and B2B2C sectors.
At Techsauce, in the realm of corporate innovation, we offer end-to-end services that bridge the gap between corporates and startups, acknowledging their different DNAs. What we do includes aligning strategies. We do not jump to designing execution plans or implementing them until we ensure that we have the right objectives and goals.
After that, we implement them by bringing startups to work on POCs (Proof of Concepts) with corporates until they reach the go-to-market stage. At each step, we also provide key metrics and KPIs to measure the results and bring feedback for improvement. Another key factor in innovation success is people. We have processes to select and develop personnel to be ready for innovation work as well.
What’s your general view on the tech ecosystem in Thailand? What are the opportunities and challenges you notice? Any suggestions for the ecosystem to improve further?
Thailand has a wealth of opportunities, particularly in the food and healthcare sectors. These industries are ripe for technological transformation, which can significantly enhance their efficiency, productivity, and overall growth.
Food Industry: Thailand, known as the “Kitchen of the World,” is one of the largest food exporters globally. Technological advancements can revolutionize this industry in several ways such as Precision Agriculture, Food Safety and Traceability and Process Automation.
Healthcare: The healthcare sector in Thailand can benefit immensely from technological innovation, improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency such as Implementing AI for diagnostic purposes, predictive analytics for disease outbreaks, and personalized treatment plans based on patient data.
In terms of challenges, it is quite hard not only for Thai companies but also for other tech companies across this region to raise funds. Another challenge is that focusing solely on the local market is not enough for Thailand; we need to scale abroad to expand market opportunities, which is a really important factor for VCs who consider investing in late-stage rounds as well.
The quality and quantity of startups in the startup pool are crucial. We need to increase the number of high-quality startups through various processes, such as incubators, accelerators, and creating opportunities for VCs, not only in Thailand but internationally, to meet these startups through different channels.
Beyond Thailand, what role do you see Techsauce playing in the broader Southeast Asian tech ecosystem?
We aim to foster stronger collaboration between countries across Southeast Asia. This year, instead of hosting our event in Bangkok, we are expanding our reach by organizing it in Indonesia and Vietnam. Our goal is to be the bridge that connects this vibrant region, facilitating opportunities for startups and large corporations alike. By doing so, we hope to create a dynamic network where businesses can collaborate, innovate, and grow together. This initiative is to encourage partnerships between tech companies and big corporates in each market, ultimately driving regional economic growth and technological advancement.
At the same time, if there are tech companies from outside Southeast Asia that want to expand into this region, we would also like to introduce them to our community partners in each market to support their growth.
The Southeast Asian tech landscape is constantly evolving. How does Techsauce plan to stay relevant and innovative in the coming years?
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: We actively monitor emerging trends, technologies, and market dynamics to ensure our events and initiatives remain relevant and impactful. We regularly engage with industry experts, thought leaders, and the broader tech community to stay informed and adapt our strategies accordingly.
Fostering Innovation: We strive to create an environment that encourages and celebrates innovation. This involves showcasing cutting-edge technologies, facilitating discussions on emerging trends, and providing platforms for startups to pitch their ideas and connect with investors.
Embracing Collaboration: We believe that collaboration is key to driving innovation. We actively seek partnerships with governments, universities, industry associations, and other stakeholders to co-create initiatives that address the needs of the ecosystem.
Cultivating Talent: We invest in developing local talent through mentorship programs, workshops, and training initiatives. We believe that empowering the next generation of tech leaders is crucial for the sustainable growth of the region’s tech ecosystem.
Expanding Our Reach: We are constantly exploring new ways to expand our reach and impact. This includes launching new initiatives, exploring new formats for our events, and expanding our network of partners and collaborators.
What emerging technologies do you believe will have the biggest impact on Southeast Asia in the next few years?
AI will be general-purpose technology: AI is transforming economies and societies by revolutionizing various sectors. It not only drives business growth but, if used positively, can also be a tool to address climate change, alleviate poverty, and reduce disparities in health and education. This is the aspect of AI for good that I want to encourage people and society to care about.
Sustainability and Climate Technology: The urgency of climate change will accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable technologies, from renewable energy sources to eco-friendly materials and practices. The opportunity for us to work together to achieve our sustainability goals may still seem distant, but with greentech and climate tech as crucial tools, they will accelerate the implementation of solutions, making problem-solving much more efficient.
Techsauce Global Summit 2024 reflects these trends through its diverse program and curated speaker lineup, showcasing the latest advancements in these areas and exploring their impact on various industries. We aim to foster discussions on how these technologies are shaping the future of society and how we can ensure responsible and equitable development.
Techsauce Global Summit 2024 Returns to Unveil the Future AI