How joining forces for SYNC 2023 strengthened East Ventures’ brand positioning

Sometimes, less is more.

That’s usually the name of the game when quality is the priority, and that’s precisely the case with Tech in Asia’s SYNC. A closed-door and invite-only event, SYNC 2023 shone a light on climate tech and brought together over 100 key individuals from the industry to discuss its future.

Climate tech is a complex industry, particularly from the layman’s perspective. It is still in its infancy in Southeast Asia, especially in contrast to markets like the US, Europe, China, and India. With multiple paths forward available, SYNC 2023’s objective was to troubleshoot and uncover tangible solutions and opportunities.

In line with its positioning as a thought leader and enabler of sustainable and innovative technologies, East Ventures collaborated with Tech in Asia to create this event. Besides being SYNC’s champion sponsor, East Ventures offered its expertise by way of partner Avina Sugiarto kicking proceedings off in a fireside chat on Southeast Asia’s climate tech opportunity with Tech in Asia founder Willis Wee. The VC firm also brought in several of its investment professionals to participate in roundtable talks.

Quality of conversation

It wouldn’t be a Tech in Asia event without compelling content, and that was no different at SYNC 2023. In addition to the first fireside chat, macro and micro discussions on the main stage covered a wide range of topics including:

• Southeast Asia’s climate tech opportunity
• A global approach to the net-zero challenge
• The story of Singapore’s climate tech pioneers
• How Electrum is tackling Indonesia’s climate tech opportunity

After a networking lunch, small-group roundtable talks also allowed for participants to dive deeper into topics such as the role that deep tech can play in climate tech’s future, the financing gap in the industry, and the agritech and electric vehicles angles.

Quality of company

In line with the premium nature of SYNC, all these discussions – from the main stage to the roundtables – were hosted by and featured leading experts and changemakers.

For example, the net-zero challenge main stage session featured Jonah Goldman, managing director of Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy fund. As for the Singapore climate tech pioneers discussion, it was helmed by Lawrence Wu, co-founder and chief financial officer of solar company Sunseap Group, and Melvyn Yeo, founder and managing partner of VC firm Trirec. Sunseap, which was acquired for nearly US$1 billion in 2022, was Trirec’s first investment.

Among the many luminaries at the event were:

• 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

At a glance:

While the environment and scope of collaboration is different from its presence at Tech in Asia Conference 2023, East Ventures’ sponsorship and active participation in SYNC 2023 proves its long-term commitment to developing sustainable businesses in Southeast Asia. Consistent amplification of core messages is the key to maintaining both people’s perception of your brand and its position at the top of their minds.

Additionally, by using various mediums such as events of different scales or written and video content, East Ventures is able to connect with a variety of audiences, opening the doors to valuable conversations and relationships.

Objectives

• Connect with key decision-makers in the climate tech industry
• Strengthen East Ventures’ positioning and branding as thought leaders in sustainable and innovative ventures

Delivery

• Closed-door, invite-only event with a curated guest list
• Premium venue at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
• High-quality content featuring leading industry experts and personalities

Key results

• “I thoroughly enjoyed learning from serial founders and operators.” – Homam Alghorani
• “I liked the format of just 100 carefully selected participants and highly interactive content.” – Milena Nikolova
• “SYNC was perfect to connect with sharp and driven people.” – Thibaut Briere

“Tech in Asia approached East Ventures to sponsor SYNC. The idea was refreshing: Our focus wasn’t on sheer numbers; instead, we aimed to connect with 100 high-caliber individuals within the climate tech industry. The forum was flawlessly executed in a gorgeous venue, and we owe its success to the invaluable support of Tech in Asia.”

— Avina Sugiarto, partner, East Ventures

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