Fostering Cross-border AI/Deep Tech Innovation
22 October 2025 (Wed)
2:00PM – 6:00PM
Level 12, Sunway Resort Hotel
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 - 2:20pm
Welcome Remarks
Matt van Leeuwen – Chief Innovation Officer, Sunway Group and CEO, Sunway iLabs
2:15pm - 2:30pm
Opening and Officiating Remarks
2:20pm - 2:45pm
Partnership 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)
5:45pm - 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
1:00pm - 2:00pm
One ASEAN Startup Award - Networking Lunch
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