On 16 May 2025, the world witnessed a momentous occasion-the first global debut of ATLAS, Accelerating Transformation & Linkage for Advancing Startups, at the Asia Matters Business Summit in Limerick, Ireland. This was not just another conference launch, but a defining moment in re-shaping the future of cross-continental collaboration. As Southeast Asia continues to carve out its position as the growth engine of the global digital economy, Europe, and particularly Ireland, has been strengthening its strategies to connect with Asia through education, technology, and business. Against this backdrop, ATLAS arrived as a bridge, one that seeks to unite entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders across regions, giving startups the means to scale beyond borders while accelerating their transformation on a global stage.
ATLAS Positions Itself as a Catalyst for Startup Transformation
ATLAS was conceived with a clear vision: to accelerate the journey of Asian startups by opening pathways for international collaboration and market access. Its global debut underscored its positioning not merely as a regional platform but as an international movement. At its heart lies the ambition to build expansive strategic networks, foster enduring alliances, and ensure founders have the right resources to grow globally. The launch in Ireland, as part of the Asia Matters Business Summit, sent a powerful message, ATLAS is not waiting to grow into a global role, it is claiming that space from day one. Rather than simply offering another ecosystem, ATLAS aims to serve as a catalyst, where collaboration transforms into tangible opportunities, and connections are converted into measurable impact. This is what sets ATLAS apart-its focus on turning collaboration into real opportunities and impact.
Asia-Ireland Partnership Comes Into Focus at the Summit
The Asia Matters Business Summit also became the stage for an important exchange of insights between Asia and Ireland. Faye Wongso, Chairperson of KUMPUL and Co-founding Member of ATLAS, delivered a keynote on “Building Asia Partnership and Competency in Ireland’s Workforce.” She emphasized that for Irish companies seeking to enter Southeast Asian markets, three factors will be decisive: an understanding of local context, a strategy built for long-term competitiveness rather than short-term speed, and the ability to leverage trusted networks. Wongso’s perspective highlighted that market entry is rarely about capital alone; it is about knowledge, relationships, and cultural fluency.
The summit itself brought together business leaders, educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from both regions. The dialogue underscored a mutual recognition that innovation, education, and trade can no longer operate in silos. For Ireland, which has already set its sights on reaching €100 billion in two-way trade with Asia by 2025, the timing could not be more critical. For Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, the opportunity lies in aligning with a European partner that boasts both a robust tech ecosystem and a globally oriented talent pool.
Data Underscores the Urgency of Building Bridges
The launch of ATLAS is supported by compelling data that demonstrates why collaboration between Asia and Europe is no longer aspirational but essential. Southeast Asia’s internet economy is projected to exceed US$330 billion by 2025, building on a base of US$194 billion just a few years ago. Every day, approximately 125,000 new users come online in the region, adding fuel to one of the fastest-growing digital markets in the world. At the same time, Ireland has steadily risen in the global startup rankings, now sitting at number 16 with more than 1,100 startups and annual funding surpassing US$1.5 billion. These figures tell a clear story: Asia has the scale, and Ireland has the access and capital. When combined, they form a synergy capable of reshaping global entrepreneurial networks.
ATLAS Builds More Than Trade, It Builds Purpose-Driven Collaboration
What makes ATLAS unique is not just its ambition to link startups across geographies but its insistence on creating partnerships that are based on innovation and shared purpose. The platform envisions alliances where startups co-create products, share know-how, and jointly navigate the challenges of scaling. It sees global growth not simply as a matter of expanding market share, but as an opportunity to embed inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term value into business models. In this sense, ATLAS offers a different narrative: collaboration as a force for purpose-driven growth, not merely transactional gain. By helping Asian founders connect with European investors, mentors, and partners, ATLAS provides the scaffolding for entrepreneurs to build companies that are not only competitive but globally relevant.
A Call to Be Part of ATLAS
The debut of ATLAS in Limerick is just the opening chapter of a much longer story. Its commitment is clear: to reinforce the entrepreneurial fabric of Asia, to open doors for founders seeking global access, and to inspire new models of collaborative, sustainable growth. For entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders worldwide, the invitation is open. This is a call to take part in a collective movement that has the potential to shape the future of entrepreneurship across continents. The message is simple yet powerful, Be Part of ATLAS. Explore how to join, contribute, and collaborate through s.id/BePartofATLAS. are builders of the future we collectively aim to create.
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