As the startup landscape continues to evolve across Southeast Asia and beyond, regional ecosystem enablers play an increasingly critical role in driving cross-border collaboration, innovation, and market access. From 5 to 14 May 2025, Faye Wongso (Chairperson) and Mega Prawita (Managing Director) of KUMPUL visited Japan and South Korea to deepen strategic partnerships and explore collaboration opportunities with key players at the heart of Asia’s tech and innovation ecosystem.

Strengthening Ties with Japan’s Innovation Ecosystem

Building on the strong ties formed through the X-Hub Indonesia Course, our Global Market Access initiative in collaboration with Japan External Trade Organization – JETRO, we are further strengthening our engagement with Japan’s Innovation Ecosystem. 

As Japan currently driving a national push to grow its startup ecosystem and aiming to foster unicorns, nurture global founders, and spark deep tech breakthroughs, we sees this momentum as aligned with our mission to foster regional startup flows and co-build the future of tech-enabled societies.

During the visit, Faye Wongso and Mega Prawita represented Indonesia at SusHi Tech Tokyo, Asia’s largest startup conference from 7 to 9 May 2025 where they engaging in high-level dialogues on deep tech, international expansion, and digital public goods. These conversations also surfaced key challenges faced by Japanese startups looking to enter Southeast Asian markets, a wake up call for the need for stronger cross-border understanding and ecosystem collaboration.

Launching Strategic Collaboration for APAC and Beyond

Alongside leading innovation enablers from across Asia Pacific, KUMPUL (Indonesia), TechShake (Philippines), Startup Island Taiwan (Taiwan), ERIA – Economic Research Institutefor ASEAN and East Asia (Jakarta-based ASEAN-East Asia think tank), Techsauce (Thailand), Innolab Asia (Vietnam), and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation – MDEC (Malaysia) co-hosted Asia MirAI Day 2025 in Tokyo to convening startup ecosystem leaders from ASEAN and Japan to explore cross-border collaboration, open innovation, and collective responses to shared challenges.

At the vibrant stage ahead of Asia MirAI Day 2025, together with its long-time ecosystem enabler partners in Southeast Asia, KUMPUL took a bold step forward by strengthening its commitment toward a stronger global alliance through the formation of ATLAS – Accelerating Transformation & Linkage for Advancing Startups on 07 May 2025. 

Co-founded by leading figures in Asia’s startup scene, the alliance includes Faye Wongso (KUMPUL, Indonesia), Mimee Lerdsuwankij (Techsauce, Thailand), Cong-Thang Huynh (InnoLab Asia, Vietnam), and Kotaro Adachi (TechShake, Philippines). Each co-founding member brings over a decade of experience in building innovation ecosystems and advancing regional startup growth.

Exploring Innovation Exchange with South Korea

Continuing the journey, Mega Prawita, Managing Director of KUMPUL, landed in Seoul from May 12–14, 2025, to explore cross-border collaboration with South Korea’s fast-evolving innovation ecosystem. During a full-day series of strategic engagements, KUMPUL connected with local startup enablers, industry players, and ecosystem leaders to identify co-innovation models between Southeast and East Asia.

With over KRW 3.29 trillion (~USD 2.4 billion) allocated to national startup funding in 2025 and a sharpened national focus on AI, bio-health, and green technology, South Korea is rapidly positioning itself as a regional innovation powerhouse. These priorities directly align with KUMPUL’s portfolio of AI and green startups, making South Korea a strategic partner for knowledge exchange, market entry, and collaborative growth.

Commitment for a Shared Innovation Future

This Japan South Korea business mission reaffirmed KUMPUL’s role not just as a connector, but as a long-term ecosystem builder committed to fostering entrepreneurial resilience across Asia Pacific and beyond. As we return to our headquarters in Indonesia, one message stands clear: Asia’s innovation future lies in shared purpose. When ecosystem enablers and key stakeholders unite, our region grows stronger together and beyond.

Grow Locally, Expand Globally with KUMPUL

KUMPUL accelerates growth by connecting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, exclusive resources, and expert insights. As Indonesia’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, KUMPUL strengthens local communities while facilitating two-way global market access, helping international businesses tap into Indonesia’s dynamic ecosystem and supporting local entrepreneurs in expanding worldwide. Through impactful collaborations with key industry players, KUMPUL empowers entrepreneurs to scale efficiently, compete globally, and drive meaningful impact.

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