Startups and investors get pumped up for speed dating

Founders waiting for their investor speed dating session at Tech in Asia Singapore 2015

The Startup-Investor Speed Dating and Office Hours sessions at Tech in Asia Singapore are a rare opportunity for startups to connect with VC firms, incubators, and large corporations all in one spot. This part of the conference, which runs today and tomorrow, offers immense value for startups, as they can easily meet with some of the most sought-after individuals in Asia’s tech world, back-to-back.

36 VC firms are currently participating in the speed dating sessions with founders at Suntec Convention Center. Founders can book a five minute slot with any of them, just enough time to introduce themselves and briefly pitch their idea. After the meeting, which establishes a first impression and hopefully a mutual interest, founders and VCs can connect to follow up for more detailed discussion.

Among the participating VCs are global players like Sequoia Capital, 500 Startups, Rakuten Ventures, East Ventures, and Fenox VC. (Disclosure: East Ventures also invests in Tech in Asia. See our ethics page for more details.)

Office Hours follow the same concept. Startup founders get a five-minute slot with representatives of incubators and corporations like Microsoft and Google to get feedback on their ideas and sow the seeds for potential partnerships.

The offer at this year’s conference is proving to be very popular, with founders queueing eagerly. Among those waiting for their turn to pitch was Oliver Duric, founder and CEO of Fire Runner, a fitness application. Duric chose Global Brain as his prefered VC to pitch to, as he felt their investment profile was a good match to his idea. Duric, who recently relocated to Singapore from Germany, is looking to raise funds to improve his product and grow the company.

The founders of Firerunner, a fitness app, at their booth on Bootstrap Alley at Tech in Asia Singapore 2015

Another founder in line was Chen Shiquin of Trace Asia. Shiquin said she was hoping to meet several investors and companies over the next days. “Right now, I am just trying to find out what different people have to say about our idea, which is still at a very early stage,” says Shiquin.

Y-Combinator’s Kevin Hale participated in Office Hours as well. Hale says he was at first worried about the short five-minute time frame, but then realized it actually worked quite well.

“I was happy to hear so many mature pitches. The startups I spoke with all had clear ideas and presentations. One of the really fresh ideas I still have in mind had to do with e-sports players. It’s not clear yet what the model will be, but e-sports is huge and I think if you gather the world’s top players on one platform, there could be something there,” said Hale.

Speed dating sessions and Office Hours will continue throughout both days of Tech in Asia Singapore (today and tomorrow, May 7), and interested startups can check the schedule here. Register at the desk on the left side at the back of the main hall to reserve your slot.

This is part of the coverage of Tech in Asia Singapore 2015, our event running on May 6 and 7.