Case study: How Tech in Asia’s SYNC lives up to its name

Time is money. Nowhere does this adage ring truer than at industry events.

Between rushing from one insightful stage session to another and networking with as many people as possible, achieving the greatest value for your investment is par for the course. This applies even more to event sponsors who spend a lot of time and resources connecting with new potential clients and partners.

To that end, quality matters as much as – if not more than – quantity when it comes to these functions. Tech in Asia’s SYNC event series stands behind this idea. As a closed-door and invite-only event that brings together 100 experts and thought leaders, SYNC promises a gathering of only the cream of the crop in a given field of the tech and startup world.

The first edition of SYNC took place in 2019, and the event has experienced significant growth since. Read on to see how it has evolved in recent years – all while still providing top-quality learning and networking opportunities for attendees and partners alike.

SYNC 2022: a chance to reconnect

SYNC’s 2022 run came in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. Holding it in Bali, Indonesia, was a deliberate decision to help revive and foster connections that Covid-19 had slowed. The first signs of the tech winter were also beginning to appear, so coming together as one community from different industries was important.

Taiwan-based VC firm and accelerator AppWorks was aligned with Tech in Asia in this mission and came aboard as a principal sponsor. With a wide range of activities planned – including in-depth roundtable discussions and stage presentations as well as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions on the beach and yoga by the pool – attendee experience was a point of emphasis from minute one. Everything focused on creating a real sense of camaraderie and growing as a community.

Objectives:

• Brand positioning: AppWorks sought to position itself as a thoughtful catalyst for connection and growth by helping gather key decision-makers after the pandemic
• Generate leads: The company aimed to connect with potential customers and partners in a meaningful way

Delivery:

• Main stage and roundtable discussions: These featured esteemed experts and speakers such as:
  • Tessa Wijaya, co-founder and COO at Xendit
  • Juliet Zhu, group president and CFO at Carsome
  • Jamie Lin, chairman and partner at AppWorks
  • Steven Kalifowitz, chief marketing officer at Crypto.com
• Experiential activities: Sessions like the aforementioned HIIT training and beach walks organically fostered connections and camaraderie among participants

Testimonials:

SYNC 2023: sustainability and climate tech come to the fore

The focus on sustainability in the tech world has grown exponentially in recent years. In response, SYNC 2023 took the opportunity to highlight climate tech and accelerate change by tapping into over 100 key individuals from the industry.

East Ventures, a champion sponsor and thought leader in sustainable and innovative technologies, partnered with Tech in Asia to bring this all-important edition of SYNC to life. In addition to sponsorship, the VC firm shared its expertise through partner Avina Sugiarto, who kicked off proceedings in a fireside chat on Southeast Asia’s climate tech opportunity. Several of its investment professionals participated in roundtable discussions, too.

Objectives:

• Strengthen thought leadership: East Ventures wanted to reinforce its position and brand as a thought leader in sustainable and innovative ventures
• Expand reach within the tech industry: The firm aimed to establish connections with key decision-makers in the climate tech industry

Delivery:

• A premium touch: Held at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, the event had a highly-curated guest list
• High-quality content: Leading industry experts and personalities were featured, including:
  • Grace Sai, co-founder and CEO of Unravel Carbon
  • Milena Nikolova, partner at Aera VC
  • Alina Truhina, founding partner and CEO of The Radical Fund
  • Leon Farrant, co-founder and CEO of Green Li-ion
  • Alan Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Beam

Testimonials:

SYNC 2024: stepping into the future of AI

SYNC’s forward-thinking agenda continued in its 2024 edition, with AI taking center stage, organized in collaboration with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB).

The city-state harbors ambitions of being a hub for AI development and growth, so partnering to host events like these goes a long way toward nurturing the scene and its players.

Objectives:

• Connect with key stakeholders: EDB wanted to foster discussions between key decision-makers in the AI industry
• Enhance brand awareness and perception: The statutory board sought to establish its position as a visionary changemaker in the latest tech

Delivery:

• A class above: The closed-door, invite-only event was held at Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island
• Leading voices: Stage sessions and roundtable discussions featured luminaries such as:
  • Oliver Jay, managing director at OpenAI International
  • He Ruimin, chief AI officer at Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information
  • Benjamin Chan, head of Nvidia’s Inception Program
  • Andreas Hauser, co-founder and CEO of Aiquris
  • Milena Nikolova, partner at Antares Ventures
  • Sherry Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Peek

Testimonials:

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