As we usher into the new year, we sought insights from prominent figures across the Southeast Asian tech landscape. These leaders reflected on their triumphs in 2025, sharing valuable perspectives on their achievements and the challenges they overcame.

They also unveiled their ambitious aspirations, meticulously outlined their strategic plans for 2026, and offered insightful predictions on the trajectory of the tech industry in the new year.

We talked to Oranuch Lerdsuwankij (Mimie), CEO and Co-founder at Techsauce Media, to learn more about the firm’s achievements in 2025 and its plans and aspirations for 2026. She also shared her views on the outlook of tech ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia for 2026.
Founded by community leaders of tech startups in Thailand, Techsauce is the hub to connect startups in various parts of the world through collaboration networks. 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.

How was Techsauce’s 2025?

2025 was another meaningful and successful year for Techsauce. We welcomed more than 18,000 participants from over 60 countries, bringing together founders, corporates, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from across the world.
Beyond the numbers, what made us most proud was the quality of connections and real business outcomes. We facilitated numerous business matching sessions and witnessed new partnerships, pilot projects, and cross-border collaborations emerge from conversations that started on our stage and exhibition floor.
For us, success is not just about attendance. It is about being a trusted platform where real deals happen and where both small and large players find opportunity. We are grateful to continue playing a role as a connector for Southeast Asia and beyond.

What are your expectations or aspirations for 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by uncertainty. Geopolitical shifts, rapid AI acceleration, economic volatility, and regulatory changes are forcing startups, corporates, and governments to rethink their strategies.
Rather than claiming to have all the answers, our aspiration this year is to create a space where people can collectively explore the big questions. Where is the world heading? What kind of future are we building? How do we remain relevant, resilient, and responsible in the process? This year’s theme invites participants not just to race forward blindly, but to reflect, recalibrate, and move with clarity.

What are Techsauce’s plans in 2026? What is the focus in the new year?

While AI has been widely discussed from a business efficiency and competitive advantage perspective, in 2026 we want to deepen the conversation around AI for Good. The dialogue so far has focused heavily on disruption, automation, and concerns about job displacement. These are valid discussions. However, we believe it is equally important to explore how AI can be intentionally designed and deployed to create positive impact in areas such as education, healthcare, climate solutions, public services, and inclusive economic growth.
Our focus is to bring together technologists, policymakers, and business leaders to move beyond fear-driven narratives and ask how AI can enhance human capability rather than replace it, and how it can strengthen society rather than widen inequality. Techsauce 2026 will emphasize responsible innovation, ethical deployment, and real case studies that demonstrate measurable positive impact.

How is the outlook for 2026 for the tech ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia?

The outlook for 2026 will require stronger regional collaboration. No single country in Southeast Asia can compete globally alone at scale, but together we can become indispensable. Each country has its own unique strengths. Some offer strong digital infrastructure, others have manufacturing capability, deep talent pools, financial stability, or regulatory agility. The key is to deliberately leverage these complementary strengths rather than compete in isolation. Collaboration may begin bilaterally, with two countries working closely together on specific sectors or initiatives. If those partnerships create tangible impact, they can expand into broader multilateral cooperation.
Southeast Asia’s growth is not a zero-sum game. By reinforcing one another and building stronger bridges across borders, we can position the region more firmly on the global innovation map. At Techsauce, our role remains clear. We aim to be a neutral and trusted connector that facilitates cross-border conversations and translates them into real action.

Techsauce Global Summit 2025: charting the path for Thailand as Southeast Asia’s tech gateway