WOWS Global at SWITCH 2024: Uniting Innovation and Collaboration in the Heart of Asia

Last week, WOWS Global had the pleasure of attending the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). Jerome from WOWS represented us at this premier event, which showcased the immense potential of technology and collaboration in shaping the future. SWITCH 2024 brought together visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators, accelerators, and investors from across the Global-Asia innovation ecosystem.

This year’s SWITCH edition featured dynamic programs, including the SLINGSHOT startup pitching sector finals and grand finals, sectoral thought leadership stages with impactful panel discussions, market access sessions, industry exhibitions, and roundtable sessions. Over 300 global startups and nearly 30 pavilions displayed cutting-edge solutions across health, biomedical, AI, sustainability, and more.

Key Highlights from SWITCH 2024

1. Building the Next Deep Tech Revolution: Panel Discussion

One of the event’s highlights was a panel discussion on "Building the Next Deep Tech Revolution". Industry experts Dr. Wen Hsieh (Matter Venture Partners), Paul Santos (Wavemaker Partners), Xinyi Tow (Twynam Funds Management), and Christian Theriault (Material Impact) shared insights into scaling deep tech ventures. The panel emphasized the importance of:

• Sustained R&D and patient capital for sustainable growth.
• Alignment of innovations with market needs to ensure meaningful impact.

The speakers provided a fresh perspective on the funding challenges for early-stage deep tech in Asia, underscoring the need for finding the right product-market fit beyond financial returns.

2. SLINGSHOT Grand Finals: A Showcase of Visionary Projects

The SLINGSHOT Grand Finals stole the spotlight, with 10 startup finalists presenting visionary projects across sectors like Consumer Media, Goods, and Greentech. The finals celebrated the talent and ingenuity of Global-Asia startups, demonstrating how these innovators are driving transformative change and pushing the boundaries of technology.

SWITCH 2024 marked an inspiring milestone for the Global-Asia innovation community, and WOWS Global is thrilled to be part of this journey. We extend our warmest congratulations to the SLINGSHOT winners—their groundbreaking solutions are paving the way for a bright tech future. Looking forward to next year’s event!