Fostering Cross-border AI/Deep Tech Innovation

22 October 2025 (Wed)
2:00PM – 6:00PM
Level 12, Sunway Resort Hotel

Fostering Impactful Partnership & Empower Cross-Border Innovation

FutureX Connect focuses on cross-border collaboration in AI and deep tech, bringing together cutting-edge startups from the region to exchange insights, network, and form meaningful partnerships.

What To Expect

Dialogues with the Visionaries

Cross-Border Innovation Spotlight

Keynotes from the Game-Changers

Networking & After Party

Thought Leaders

Prof. Dato' Sri Idris Jala

Non-Executive Co-Chairman of Sunway Group
Pro-Chancellor of Sunway University
Chairman of PEMANDU Associates

Chris (Yichen) Mao

Executive Director of CICC Capital

Cho Jeong-Hyun

Founder & CEO of Mithril

Choi Jung

Strategic Advisor of ROVIGOS

Datuk Ken Lee See Hu

Managing Director

Head of Enterprise Banking of OCBC Malaysia 

Dr. Helena Eian

Managing Director of Accel Graphic System Sdn Bhd

Chairman of FMM,

Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Branch

Engku Adila

Head, PR and Branding of Milieu Insight

Hiromi Nakashima

Chairman of Hitachi Sunway 
Information Systems

Kar Sin Ng

Head of Global Innovation Exchange

Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI)

Lavanya Venkateswaran

Senior Economist, Global Markets Research of OCBC Singapore

Masaki Ishibashi

Co-Founder & CEO of TOY EIGHT

Matt van Leeuwen

Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs

Michael Tan Kim Seng

Head of Global Market Access & Corporate Innovation

Industry and Ecosystem Division

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

Wan Hock Wei

Deputy Chief Information Officer of Sunway Group

Event Agenda

1:30pm - 2:00pm

Registration

2:00pm - 2:15pm

Welcome Remarks

2:15pm - 2:30pm

Opening and Officiating Remarks

2:30pm - 2:45pm

Partnership(s) Announcement

2:45pm - 3:15pm

Prelude - Market Overview

What’s Next 2026: Asia’s AI Outlook and Opportunities

Speaker: 

Chris (Yichen) Mao – Executive Director, CICC Capital

3:15pm - 3:50pm

Panel Discussion 1

From Borders to Breakthroughs: AI’s Role in Global Industry Transformation

This session will bring together leaders across industries, including smart manufacturing and industry AI solutions for operations efficiencies to discuss how artificial intelligence can break down barriers and accelerate global industry transformation.

Moderator: 

Kar Sin Ng – Head, Global Innovation Exchange, Mranti

 

Speakers: 
1. Jeong Hyun Cho – CEO, Mithril (South Korea)
2. Dr Helena Eian – Managing Director, Accel Graphic System & Chairman, FMM (Selangor and KL)
3. Wan Hock Wei – Deputy Chief Information Officer, Sunway Group

3:50pm - 4:05pm

Pitch & Pick (Track 1) - South Korea

A high-energy startup showdown where each founder gets to wow the crowd. Watch rapid-fire pitches, cast your vote, and crown the People’s Choice Champion on the spot.

4:05pm - 4:15pm

Short Break

4:15pm - 4:45pm

Keynote

Breaking Borders: Turning Local Potential into Global Impact

How bold vision, relentless innovation, and strategic leadership can transform a homegrown business into a global contender.

Speaker: 

Prof. Dato’ Sri Idris Jala

Non-Executive Co-Chairman, Sunway Group 

Pro-Chancellor, Sunway University

Chairman, PEMANDU Associates

4:45pm - 5:00pm

Pitch & Pick (Track 2) - Japan

A high-energy startup showdown where each founder gets to wow the crowd. Watch rapid-fire pitches, cast your vote, and crown the People’s Choice Champion on the spot.

5:00pm - 5:35pm

Panel Discussion 2

From Start to Scale: The Journey Into Malaysia
Malaysia offers a dynamic ecosystem for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth. This panel brings together leaders from government and industry to share diverse perspectives on establishing a presence in Malaysia and building long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Moderator: 

Engku Adila – Head, PR & Branding, Milieu Insight

 

Speakers: 

1. Hiromi Nakashima – Chairman, Hitachi Sunway Information Systems

2. Michael Tan Kim Seng – Head of of Global Market Access & Corporate Innovation, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

3. Choi Jung – Strategic Advisor, ROVIGOS (South Korea)

4. Masaki Ishibashi – Co-Founder & CEO, TOY EIGHT (Japan)

5:35pm - 5:45pm

Announcement - Crowd Favourite

5:45pm - 7:00pm

Networking & After Party
(Collaboration with ERIA)

Private Session

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Executive Lunch & Business Connections
(Collaboration with OCBC)
by invitation only

Speakers: 

1. Datuk Ken Lee See Hu – Head of Enterprise Banking, OCBC Malaysia

2. Lavanya Venkateswaran – Senior Economist, Global Market Research, OCBC Singapore

Side Events

10:00pm - 1:00pm

One ASEAN Startup Award - Main Event

1:00pm - 2:00pm

One ASEAN Startup Award - Networking Lunch

Come Join FutureX Connect Now!

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Past Event

Partners

Organiser

Strategic Partners

FXC Partners & Compiled (1)

Networking Partner

University Partner

Ecosystem Partners

Potential Partners

Uncover new possibilities of FutureX Connect

Join us to exchange insights, network, and form meaningful partnerships.