As the year of 2024 comes to an end, we sought insights from prominent figures across the Southeast Asian tech landscape. These leaders reflected on their triumphs throughout the year, sharing valuable perspectives on their achievements and the challenges they overcame. Furthermore, they unveiled their ambitious aspirations, meticulously outlined their strategic plans for 2025, and offered insightful predictions on the trajectory of the tech industry in the coming year.
We talked to Techsauce Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Oranuch Lerdsuwankij (Mimie) to learn more about the company’s achievements in 2024, its plans and priorities in 2025. She also shared her views on the outlook of the tech ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia for the new year.
Techsauce is the leading source of all tech and business news in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The company has the combination of expertise in media, events and community. With the mission to drive Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem, the company said it has also created the first global startup summit of the region called Techsauce Global Summit.
1. How was Techsauce 2024?
For Techsauce Global Summit, it has been highly successful and has received excellent feedback from international audiences. We attract more than 18,000 participants from 60 countries, with over 1,000 business deals taking place at our event.
Additionally, the event features pavilions from 10 countries, showcasing their interest in collaborating with the Southeast Asia ecosystem. In terms of content and activities, the event has garnered significant attention. Last year, one of the highlights was the Humanoid Robot ‘Ameca’, making its first appearance in the region. This attracted great interest from attendees eager to learn about cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
2. What are your expectations/aspirations for 2025?
Our aspirations for Techsauce Global Summit 2025 are to deepen our focus on technology, particularly AI, while also placing greater emphasis on exploring its applications in various industries and its broader impact on society.
We aim to highlight content that connects AI innovation with sustainability across multiple dimensions, ensuring that technology is used not only for advancement but also for the betterment of our communities and the environment.
We also expect to continue attracting participants and delegations from around the world, fostering a global exchange of ideas. With a large number of attendees, we anticipate facilitating numerous business deals, both in terms of trade and investment, further strengthening the region’s position as a hub for collaboration and growth.
3. What are Techsauce’s plans in 2025? What is the focus in the new year?
Techsauce’s plans for 2025 remain focused on strengthening the tech ecosystem and fostering greater collaboration across Southeast Asia. Our goal is to connect businesses, governments, and global players while positioning the region as a thriving hub for innovation and technology.
This year, we aim to expand our reach beyond Thailand, with dedicated initiatives in Indonesia and Vietnam. Building on the success of last year’s Techsauce Global Summit, where we first extended our presence to these countries, we will continue to establish a stronger regional footprint by organizing events and activities that cater to the needs of local entrepreneurs, businesses, and tech communities.
In terms of outbound initiatives, we are committed to empowering Thai entrepreneurs to expand internationally. This will involve close collaboration with our partners to create programs, trade missions, and exposure opportunities for Thai startups and businesses to connect with global markets. At the same time, our inbound efforts will focus on attracting international organizations and investors to Southeast Asia. We are working closely with global partners to promote investment opportunities in the region while facilitating trade exchanges that support growth and innovation on both sides.
With a continued commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation, we believe 2025 will be another milestone year for Techsauce, helping to build stronger bridges across countries and supporting the growth of a more vibrant and inclusive tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
4. How is the outlook for 2025 for the tech ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia?
The outlook for the tech ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia in 2025 remains both promising and challenging. While global economic uncertainties and market volatility continue to pose challenges for investments in tech companies, we believe there are several key sectors that hold immense potential and still require significant development and support.
Sectors such as Food, Agriculture, and Healthcare are areas where technology can play a transformative role. By driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, these industries not only address pressing societal needs but also create opportunities for growth and impact in the region.
On the AI front, the focus is expanding beyond business applications and the development of the application layer. It is becoming increasingly critical to address foundational aspects of AI, including the readiness of infrastructure, the cultivation of skilled talent, and—most importantly—the establishment of robust AI governance frameworks. These are essential to ensure that AI adoption is both ethical and sustainable while maximizing its potential benefits for businesses and society.
Despite the challenges, Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. With the right investments, policies, and collaboration across borders, the region is well-positioned to become a thriving hub for innovation, contributing to economic growth and societal advancement on a global scale.