Online Event "ASEAN Connect: Understanding the ASEAN Market" to be held on Feb. 12
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:15 (JST), the ABC Platform Startup Subcommittee (Kansai Economic Federation) and TechShake will host an online event, "ASEAN Connect: Understanding the ASEAN Market"
The theme of the event will be the fast-growing ASEAN market, and leading experts will explain the latest trends in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore. This seminar will provide practical insights by comparing market characteristics, regulations, consumption trends, and entry strategies of each country. We look forward to seeing you at the seminar.
Rapidly growing Southeast Asia
The population of Southeast Asia (the 10 ASEAN countries) has reached approximately 700 million, accounting for about 8.5% of the world's population. The average age of the population is young, around 30 years old, and in addition to its existing role as an "abundant labor supply," the region is attracting global attention as a new market that is growing rapidly.
In this session, we will focus on Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which have large populations and are expected to develop further in the future, and invite top speakers who are active on the front lines of the industry to provide a comparative understanding of the situation and characteristics of each country. Singapore has established a firm position as a headquarters in Asia and plays an indispensable role in capturing the ASEAN market. This session will provide a practical perspective, touching on the strengths and potential of each country as well as the challenges they face.
In this session, we will focus on Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which have large populations and are expected to develop further in the future, and invite top speakers who are active on the front lines of the industry to provide a comparative understanding of the situation and characteristics of each country. Singapore has established a firm position as a headquarters in Asia and plays an indispensable role in capturing the ASEAN market. This session will provide a practical perspective, touching on the strengths and potential of each country as well as the challenges they face.
Session Summary
This session will provide the following information
・Macro Market Insights: Comprehensive overviews of Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
・Regulatory Navigation: Analysis of FDI environments and digital service regulations.
・Consumer Trends: Insights into localized business cultures and rapid consumption behaviors.
・Entry Pathways: Guidance on investment laws, supply chains, and go-to-market strategies.
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 15:00 - 16:15 (JST)
Organizers: ABC Platform Startup Group (by Kansai Economic Federation), TechShake
Format: Zoom Webinar
Language: English (*Japanese slides will be projected, with subtitles in Japanese)
Cost: Free (pre-registration required)
Registration: Please register via the link
h ttps:// luma.com/fmhcnbbj
Registration Deadline: Please register by February 9, 16:00
Zoom, URL for viewing: URL will be sent to you upon registration above.
・Macro Market Insights: Comprehensive overviews of Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
・Regulatory Navigation: Analysis of FDI environments and digital service regulations.
・Consumer Trends: Insights into localized business cultures and rapid consumption behaviors.
・Entry Pathways: Guidance on investment laws, supply chains, and go-to-market strategies.
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 15:00 - 16:15 (JST)
Organizers: ABC Platform Startup Group (by Kansai Economic Federation), TechShake
Format: Zoom Webinar
Language: English (*Japanese slides will be projected, with subtitles in Japanese)
Cost: Free (pre-registration required)
Registration: Please register via the link
h ttps:// luma.com/fmhcnbbj
Registration Deadline: Please register by February 9, 16:00
Zoom, URL for viewing: URL will be sent to you upon registration above.
Value for Attendees
・Clearer insights into the strengths and opportunities of each ASEAN market.
・Understanding of available support for businesses expanding into the region, including policy guidance, partnerships, and investment frameworks.
・Actionable roadmap for navigating the high-growth ASEAN digital economy.
・Understanding of available support for businesses expanding into the region, including policy guidance, partnerships, and investment frameworks.
・Actionable roadmap for navigating the high-growth ASEAN digital economy.
About the Speakers
1) Singapore
Mr. Kevin Leung
Program Director, GRIP, National University of Singapore, Singapore Enterprise
Kevin leads NUS GRIP, Singapore’s flagship $50M deep-tech venture creation program that has launched over 100 spinoffs. A seasoned technopreneur and former Venture Capital partner, he previously co-founded successful ventures like Smartron5 (acquired for $200M) and Drawcrowd.com. Kevin brings a wealth of experience in bridging world-class research with global commercialization.
2) Philippines
Mr. Atty. Leandro Aguirre
Undersecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Head, Office for Strategic Initiatives and Industry and Competency Development (OSIICD)
Atty. Leandro Aguirre is a distinguished legal expert and policy leader in the Philippines. Prior to his role as Undersecretary at the DICT, he served as Deputy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission. A Harvard Law School alumnus and member of both the Philippine and New York State Bars, he is a leading authority on information privacy, strategic initiatives, and digital industry development.
3) Vietnam
Mr. Cong-Thang Huynh
Co-Founder & Chairman, InnoLab Asia
Thang is a central figure in the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, having empowered over 500 startups across the region through InnoLab Asia. As a Fellow at the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute and the organizer of the Vietnam Innovation Summit, he specializes in fostering cross-border collaboration and driving corporate intrapreneurship to create sustainable regional growth.
4) Indonesia
Mr. Mulyawan Gani
Chief Transformation Officer, Sinar Mas Land / Living Lab Ventures
Gani is a global executive with an extensive track record across the digital and traditional economies of North America and Asia. Currently leading transformation at Sinar Mas Land, he leverages his deep expertise in organizational function and venture building to drive innovation within one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates and its tech investment arm, Living Lab Ventures.
Mr. Kevin Leung
Program Director, GRIP, National University of Singapore, Singapore Enterprise
Kevin leads NUS GRIP, Singapore’s flagship $50M deep-tech venture creation program that has launched over 100 spinoffs. A seasoned technopreneur and former Venture Capital partner, he previously co-founded successful ventures like Smartron5 (acquired for $200M) and Drawcrowd.com. Kevin brings a wealth of experience in bridging world-class research with global commercialization.
2) Philippines
Mr. Atty. Leandro Aguirre
Undersecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Head, Office for Strategic Initiatives and Industry and Competency Development (OSIICD)
Atty. Leandro Aguirre is a distinguished legal expert and policy leader in the Philippines. Prior to his role as Undersecretary at the DICT, he served as Deputy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission. A Harvard Law School alumnus and member of both the Philippine and New York State Bars, he is a leading authority on information privacy, strategic initiatives, and digital industry development.
3) Vietnam
Mr. Cong-Thang Huynh
Co-Founder & Chairman, InnoLab Asia
Thang is a central figure in the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, having empowered over 500 startups across the region through InnoLab Asia. As a Fellow at the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute and the organizer of the Vietnam Innovation Summit, he specializes in fostering cross-border collaboration and driving corporate intrapreneurship to create sustainable regional growth.
4) Indonesia
Mr. Mulyawan Gani
Chief Transformation Officer, Sinar Mas Land / Living Lab Ventures
Gani is a global executive with an extensive track record across the digital and traditional economies of North America and Asia. Currently leading transformation at Sinar Mas Land, he leverages his deep expertise in organizational function and venture building to drive innovation within one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates and its tech investment arm, Living Lab Ventures.
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number)
For inquiries regarding this seminar, please contact us at the e-mail address below.
ABC Platform Startup Subcommittee
abcplatform@kankeiren.or.jp
ABC Platform Startup Subcommittee
abcplatform@kankeiren.or.jp