Overview 

Singapore as a Leader in Innovation and Technology in S.E.A.

Why Hold Innovation & Technology Events in Singapore?

Connect With Innovation Leaders 

80 out of the world’s top 100 tech firms have operations in the city-state, including Google, Facebook and Alibaba, as well as regional leaders like Garena, Grab and Razer¹², many of which leverage Singapore’s infrastructure to reach global markets.

Google set up its first data centre in Singapore in 2011, which, by 2024, had expanded to four¹³, while Alibaba Cloud based itself in Singapore to reach the Southeast Asian market. Today, Visa uses its Singapore-based transaction processing centre to serve both its regional and global networks¹⁴, and LinkedIn has set up its first international data centre here to handle all its Asia Pacific traffic¹⁵.

Companies like Siemens, Hyundai Motor Group and ABB also have their key innovation centres in Singapore. These are just a few of many examples. As these industry leaders move their operations to Singapore, events held here gain access to thought leaders whom organisers can tap on as attendees and speakers. This is not only a strong draw for global attendees but also empowers events to advance knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Showcase the Fruits of Collaboration

The abundance of collaboration also offers opportunities to showcase the latest developments in tech and its impact across sectors.

Besides global players like IBM¹⁶ and Huawei¹⁷ working with local partners in manufacturing and finance respectively to trial new technology, home-grown innovators and entrepreneurs are also co-innovating with public and private sector counterparts. Notable examples include:

• Addo.ai

  Builds end-to-end data-driven platforms for clients to use AI and machine learning to increase revenue and reduce costs.

• ConnectedLife

  Worked with Intel to develop a smart home Internet of Things (IoT) sensor system. This includes using wearables to detect abnormalities and collect physiological information for analysis.

• MeshMinds

  Worked with both the Singapore Tourism Board and local gallery Chan + Hori Contemporary to use AR to provide an immersive experience for the Atypical Singapore travelling exhibition.

Further advancements are anticipated with support from the country's world-class infrastructure for research and development. Key hubs like one-north, Fusionopolis and Mediapolis (for media innovation) provide organisers with direct access to some of the most innovative minds and cutting-edge content across industries.

Inspire a Growing Wave of Entrepreneurs

The tech startup community in Singapore is thriving, having doubled in the last decade to 4,500 startups¹⁸. Startup incubators like BLOCK71 and LaunchPad @one-north boost collaboration between these companies, while a network of accelerators and venture capitalists help businesses scale.

This means that organisers will find a keen audience for cutting-edge topics like cybersecurity and FinTech. They will also find a high demand for trade conferences that inspire change, promote exploration and risk-taking, and cultivate entrepreneurial drive.

Be Part of the Robotics Revolution 

Singapore’s size and ageing population have motivated the country to leverage AI to fill the gaps in areas like healthcare, manufacturing and services, starting with the first National AI Strategy in 2019. In 2023, the nation launched the Singapore National AI Strategy 2.0 to accelerate AI development and harness the technology for public good¹⁹.

Today, the country is pushing to become a leader in the use of AI and has the third highest adoption rates by companies in the region²⁰. This has trickled down to a focus on robotics, which is supported by the LaunchPad Robotics Centre with a funding of over S$450 million between 2016 to 2019 to develop the National Robotics Programme²¹. In 2024, a further S$60 million will be invested in the programme to spur robot adoption in various sectors²².

Singapore is home to LionsBot’s state-of-the-art robot factory, Southeast Asia’s largest manufacturing and R&D facility dedicated to advanced cleaning robotics, placing the country at the global forefront of such technology²³. In manufacturing, Panasonic Singapore and the Precision Bearings and Automation Group are turning to robots to improve capabilities¹⁸. In hospitality, robot butlers are in use at Hotel Jen²⁴ and M Social²⁵. The healthcare sector is using wearables for rehabilitation of stroke patients, and has developed the SwabBot™ to carry out an automated nasal swabbing procedure that is safe, faster and more comfortable compared with manual swab tests²⁶.

Events held here can showcase these latest developments and case studies in AI and robotics to amplify their impact. With access to thought leaders, organisers can host events that not only foster meaningful connections but also drive discussions and advancements in tech and robotics.

Get Inspired 

SWITCH

The Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) convenes leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, accelerators and investors from the Global-Asia innovation ecosystem. With a robust line-up of innovation-centric and networking activities, SWITCH provides a global platform to catalyse meaningful collaboration between different fields and markets, including healthcare & biomedical sciences, smart cities & urban solutions, trade & connectivity, and emerging sustainable technologies. 

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Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 

Organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Informa Tech, and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), ATxSG is Asia’s annual flagship tech event for challenging conversations at the intersection of technology, society and the digital economy. It comprises two main segments, ATxSummit and ATxEnterprise. The high-profile event gathers leaders across industry and government for a series of conferences and marketplaces, delving into critical topics that shape our collective digital future.

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Global Space and Technology Convention and Exhibition (GSTCE)

GSTCE explores how satellite communication and data can transform urban cities, and their applications in critical areas like security, maritime surveillance and IoT. 

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