SWITCH Global

10:45AM - 11:25AM

Start Up with Flanders: Empowering the Next Stage of Your Internationalisation

Vibrant, adventurous and perfectly poised for growth – that is the least you can say about the startup ecosystem in Flanders, Belgium. The region is dedicated to enabling startups to succeed, thanks to a close-knit ecosystem and the unique advantages of Flanders, and is an ideal launchpad for companies looking to expand internationally.

In this session, representatives from government, industry, and the investor community will share on internationalisation strategies, access to funding and innovation programmes, and opportunities for collaboration between Singapore and Flanders. The discussion will highlight the region’s strengths in deep tech, life sciences, AI, and advanced technologies, as well as the support available through Startup.Flanders and its extensive network of partners. Whether you are a founder, investor, corporate innovator, or research spin-o, discover how Flanders can support your next stage of growth and serve as your gateway to the European market.

11:30AM - 12:10PM

Connecting with Brazil’s Innovation Ecosystem: From Local Strengths to Global Opportunities

Explore Brazil’s vibrant innovation landscape and the opportunities it offers to international companies, investors, and ecosystem partners. This panel brings together leading representatives from EMBRAPII, Brazil’s applied research and industrial innovation network; ACATE, a leading technology and entrepreneurship association; PIT São José dos Campos, a major innovation and technology hub; and the State of Santa Catarina, a national technology hub to discuss the forces shaping Brazil’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

The conversation will showcase the diversity of Brazil’s regional innovation hubs and the different pathways connecting startups, established companies, research institutions, technology parks, and government. Speakers will share perspectives on Brazil’s strengths in technology development, entrepreneurship, applied research, and industrial innovation, while highlighting initiatives that are creating new opportunities for international collaboration.

The session will also explore how international organizations can engage with Brazilian ecosystems, identify potential partners, and build connections that support market access, innovation, and business development. Whether you are discovering Brazil for the first time or looking to deepen existing relationships, this session offers a practical introduction to the institutions, networks, and opportunities that can help international businesses connect with one of Latin America’s most dynamic innovation markets.

12:15PM - 12:55PM

Funding innovation: How Eureka Network can support your market and internationalisation goals

In this session, you will learn more about Eureka, the world's largest network of ministries and funding agencies dedicated to supporting innovation and research projects, active in 47 countries, including Singapore.

Through two keynote speeches, you will discover how Eureka and its programmes provide funding, support and matchmaking opportunities to SMEs, startups, large companies, research centres and universities across all technological fields. Through Eureka, organisations can develop innovative products, processes and services, bring them to market, and prepare for scale-up.

As we believe that innovators are best placed to speak about the benefits our platform offers, you will also have the opportunity to hear directly from some of our beneficiaries. They will share how Eureka’s support was instrumental in helping them achieve their commercialisation objectives and reach new markets.

1:15PM - 1:55PM

Market Access for Innovation startups into Japan

Japan is embarking on a new phase of innovation-led growth, supported by its 2026 Growth Strategy, which prioritizes 17 strategic sectors and 62 key technologies across areas such as AI, semiconductors, digital transformation, cybersecurity, advanced healthcare, biotechnology, sustainability, energy, mobility, and food technology.

For innovative startups looking to expand internationally, Japan presents growing opportunities through increased public-private investment, active corporate innovation initiatives, and a robust startup support ecosystem. This session will provide practical insights into how startups can position their technologies and business models to align with Japan's strategic priorities, identify potential customers and partners, and navigate the market entry journey effectively.

Through perspectives from government agencies, investors, and experienced operators, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Japan's innovation landscape, available market entry support programmes, funding opportunities, business matching platforms, and regional ecosystems that can help accelerate expansion. The discussion will also cover common challenges faced by foreign startups and practical strategies for building credibility and securing successful partnerships in Japan.

Whether you are exploring Japan for the first time or seeking to scale your presence, this session will offer actionable guidance for entering one of Asia's most sophisticated innovation markets.

2:00PM - 2:40PM

Discover Korea’s Startup Ecosystem: From COMEUP to K-Startup

Korea has emerged as one of Asia’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, driven by innovative entrepreneurs, strong public-private support, and a growing focus on global expansion.

This session will provide an introduction to Korea’s startup ecosystem and highlight how K-Startup connects promising Korean startups with global investors, corporations, and innovation partners.

The session will also introduce COMEUP, Korea’s flagship global startup festival, as a gateway for international partners seeking to discover Korean innovation and engage with the wider Korean startup ecosystem. Finally, participants will learn how they can connect with promising Korean startups here at SWITCH. A diverse group of innovative companies is showcasing their technologies and solutions at the K-Startup Pavilion, offering opportunities for investment, business collaboration, and market partnerships.

Join us to discover Korea’s startup ecosystem, meet its next generation of innovators, and explore opportunities to build.

10:45AM - 11:25AM

Scaling into Europe: Why Startups Choose Austria

For startups expanding internationally, Europe offers significant opportunities, but navigating a fragmented market can be challenging. Austria has emerged as a strategic entry point for ambitious founders seeking access to the European market. Located at the heart of the continent, Austria combines a strong innovation ecosystem, world-class research institutions, highly skilled talent, and targeted support programmes for international companies.

Beyond serving as a gateway to the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Austria also provides a unique bridge to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Its geographic location, strong economic ties, and established business networks enable startups to efficiently access and scale across both Western and Eastern European markets.

11:30AM - 12:10PM

California Meets Asia: Bridging Innovation Ecosystems for Global Growth

California's innovation ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the world, and eight of its leading organizations are bringing that ecosystem to Singapore. From biomedical research and clean technology to smart mobility and entrepreneurship, this session puts California's universities, economic development agencies, and innovation hubs directly on stage to share what they're building, who they're looking to partner with, and how Singapore and Southeast Asian organizations can get involved. Opening with remarks from California's Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the session focuses on each organization sharing an introduction to their work and their goals. Eight distinct opportunities to spot the right partner for your business, research, or investment priorities. Whether you're an investor scouting deep tech, a corporate exploring cross-border R&D, or a government agency building trade ties, this session offers a fast, efficient way to connect with California's innovation economy.

1:00PM - 1:40PM

Scaling German MedTech to Asia's Health Innovation Hub

Germany engineers MedTech built to last. Asia is where to prove that at scale. This panel unpacks what it takes to bridge that gap.

Following opening remarks from the German Embassy, three speakers who sit at different points of the same pipeline take the stage together: a corporate innovation leader building and spinning out ventures from inside one of Germany's largest industrial groups, the co-founder of a Munich-based clinical AI startup navigating what it actually takes to move a certified product from a home market into a new one, and an innovation leader from within a Singapore public healthcare cluster who decides what gets piloted, what gets adopted, and what stalls.

Between them, they cover the full path from lab to hospital ward: regulatory pathways, procurement cycles, funding structures, and the institutional mechanics that determine whether innovation actually reaches patients or stays on a pitch deck.

Presented as part of the Germany-Singapore Year of Innovation (YOI), launched in February 2026 by the two countries' foreign ministers to advance joint work across AI, future technologies, and health innovation, this session turns a high-level strategic partnership into a working conversation about what scaling actually requires on the ground.

3:15PM - 3:55PM

Thailand: ASEAN's No.1 Application Layer Nation

Thailand is entering a defining decade of digital transformation — not as a follower, but as an aspiring leader. Under the Federation of Thai Industries' “Thai Digital and AI, Go Global” initiative, Thailand has set an ambitious national target: to become ASEAN's Number 1 Application Layer Nation by 2030.

This vision rests on three concrete pillars — cultivating 300,000 application-layer developers, growing 500 Thai digital and AI companies to ฿100 million+ in annual revenue, and building a ฿1.75 trillion digital ecosystem valuation. Rather than competing on infrastructure alone, Thailand is positioning itself where the real value is created: the application layer — the software, platforms, and AI-native solutions that industries worldwide actually run on.

This session will unpack why Thailand is uniquely positioned for this role — its industrial base, talent pipeline, government-backed programs, and growing startup momentum — and what this means for global partners looking for their next application-layer market. Attendees will hear directly how government, corporates, startups, and investors are aligning around one shared roadmap, and why now is the moment to build with Thailand, not just in Thailand.

The session closes with a clear invitation: join Thailand's Application Layer ecosystem as a partner, investor, or builder.