Innovation is key: Learn from founders of tech unicorns Sea, Carro, Carousell at SWITCH 2021

A flagship conference, the Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology 2021 (SWITCH), will be held from November 8 to 12. If you’ve been on the lookout for events, you’ll realise that SWITCH also coincides with the Singapore Fintech Festival.

This year’s theme is “Global Gateway to Innovation in Asia”, where 400 speakers will be sharing insights on the latest global technology and innovation trends.

There is something for everyone from the startup pitching competition, industry roundtable sessions, innovation lab crawls, and a physical showcase on novel tech solutions.

This year, SWITCH is also partnering online talent platform Glints for the first time to provide talent-employer matching service for SWITCH’s exhibitors and attendees. 

Notable speakers to lookout for

There is always so much to learn from the prominent figures in our community. With over 400 speakers, we are indeed spoiled for choice as they share innovative ideas and technologies that are shaping the future of our communities and economies.

Some talks you would not like to miss would be from Forrest Li, Founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Sea, delivering at SWITCH Beyond on November 9. Another would be a talk from Aaron Tan of newly-crowned unicorn Carro at the Innovation Insights session at SWITCH Beyond.

You can also have a chance to hear from Marcus Tan, the co-founder of Carousell, another newly-crowned unicorn in the mix. He will be on a panel discussing how startups shape the future of retail at SLINGSHOT on November 10.

SWITCH Beyond

In another line-up of events, SWITCH Beyond brings sessions that will discuss how technology can reshape industries in smart cities, mobility, clean energy, sustainability, and circular economy.

This year, new maritime shipping and tourism topics are being introduced to explore future innovation and tech opportunities, given the impact of COVID-19 on cross-border e-commerce sales and travel.

More interestingly, female entrepreneurs are increasingly playing leading roles in driving a new generation of disruption and technology.

This year, SWITCH will dedicate one full day to the women in tech on November 12.

This is in partnership with She Loves Tech, an annual thought leadership summit and the world’s largest startup competition for women and tech. She Loves Tech Global Conference@SWITCH will include discussions on the role of female leadership in the world of tech as well as wellness and sustainability.

Innovation meets creativity

To cultivate an environment of constant innovation and creativity, SWITCH will also be holding the finals of SLINGSHOT 2021.

As Asia’s latest deep tech startup pitching competition, the Top 100 Startups will vie for more than S$1.1 million worth of prizes at the finals. The stakes are high indeed for these competitors, which come from 31 markets, including Singapore, India, and the United States,

These Top 100 Startups have gone through preparatory workshops and mentor sessions to prepare for the finals. Here, they will pitch their solutions to corporates through the Corporate Challenge.

This challenge will provide them with partnership, co-innovation and test-bedding opportunities, and investors through a two-hour Investor Deal Mixer.

Not quite like Shark Tank, but just as exciting and brimming with boundless creativity and resourcefulness.

For more interactive and fun exhibitions, head over to the SG Innovation Gallery, where there will be more than 100 exhibitions featuring innovations and tech from more than 30 global markets.

Attendees who register will not only be able to gain access to the year-long calendar of webinars and activities. They can also connect with other attendees all year round. Click here to get tickets for SWITCH 2021.

Featured Image Credit: SWITCH Singapore