Founders, we’re looking for more potential ESG unicorns

Dear community,

Startup Arena has always been a highlight of our annual Tech in Asia Conference. It’s an avenue for burgeoning startups to show what they’re made of as they compete for cash prizes and global visibility.

Last year, we teamed up with East Ventures (who is also our very first investor) to put the focus of Arena on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) startups for the first time. It saw AltoTech, a Thailand-based energy management platform, emerge as the champion.

In addition, one of last year’s finalists – Vietnam-based sustainability startup Equo – went on to raise US$1.3 million in a seed round led by NextGen Ventures and joined by Techstars, East Ventures, and professional golfer Michelle Wie-West.

This year, the Arena spotlight is once again on ESG startups. We are looking for firms that:

• Operate in Southeast Asia
• Offer an ESG product and/or program tackling at least one of the problem areas listed below
• Have raised less than US$10 million
• Have existing operations, or at least has a working minimum viable product or prototype
• Have a compelling English-language pitch deck explaining the problem, solution, risk, and potential of their business (you can find good pitch deck references here)

If that sounds like your startup, please apply! Submissions will close on September 1, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (GMT+8).

Problem areas

Problem areas include but are not limited to the following:

• Digital inclusion
• Financial inclusion
• Food security and agritech
• Renewable energy
• Mobility and battery technologies
• Cleantech and greentech
• Decarbonization
• Healthcare
• Education
• Circular economy and waste management

Judging criteria

Startups will be judged based on the following:

• Target problem statement and scale potential
• Sustainable impact on society and the environment
• Caliber of the founding team
• Business model and ability to generate future financial returns
• Technology and business innovation
• Execution abilities and traction

“ESG and its impact have been at the forefront of our minds. With energy, food security, and the climate crisis in sight, the impetus to develop and invest in tech solutions for a better planet and society is now,” said Avina Sugiarto, partner at East Ventures. “We are excited to meet the innovative and impactful companies joining Startup Arena this year.”

Prizes

Competing at Arena will get millions of eyeballs on your ESG startup and also serve as a bridge to getting to know other founders and investors in the space. Additionally, the three winning teams can look forward to prizes worth over US$24,500.

Startup Arena stats

Since 2012, Tech in Asia has run over a dozen Startup Arena pitch battles. We have seen thousands of submissions, choosing 105 companies across 17 countries to date. Out of the 105 startups, 92 are still operating (that’s 87.6%) and 56 have raised a total of over US$481 million in venture funding.

You could join this exclusive group by being one of the startups pitching on September 22. See you in the Arena!