Best Startup or Scaleup for going Big in Asia: A Pitch Competition at Latitude59
Enterprise Estonia in cooperation with NordicNinja VC, Presidio Ventures, Samyang Chemical Corporation is inviting mature startups and scaleups to participate in a pitch competition at Latitude59 to validate your product market fit for Asian markets.
Application open until May 12th.
In cooperation with:
Best Startup or Scaleup for going Big in Asia: A Pitch Competition at Latitude59
Are you part of a mature start-up or scaleup registered in Estonia? Are you looking to expand your product or service to Asian markets? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
Enterprise Estonia with its partners is offering the winning team a tailor-made package of advising and mentoring program on Japanese, South-Korean, and Singaporean market. The program will include online and face-to-face advising and mentoring by experts from our partners, two tickets to SWITCH in Singapore on 31 Oct – 2 Nov 2023, and a partly sponsored business trip for two persons to Japan or South-Korea (we will take care of your flight tickets). Not only will you have the opportunity to explore new markets, but you’ll also receive invaluable guidance and support from industry leaders.
But first, you’ll need to apply, get pre-selected by NordicNinja VC and Enterprise Estonia to TOP5 finalists and then convince a jury of experts that your product or service is the best fit for the Asian market. The jury consists of representatives from our partners from the Asia region like Samyang Chemical Group and Presidio Ventures (Sumitomo Corporation).
This is a unique opportunity to take your business to the next level and expand into new markets.
So, if you’re ready to take on the challenge and prove that your product or service has what it takes to succeed in Asia, apply now and get ready for going big!
– Registration in Estonia
– A market validated product or service
– At least 5 team members
– Turnover in 2022 at least 0,1 M EUR
– Interest towards expanding to Asian markets (Japan, South-Korea, Singapore)
To find the best product-market fit for mature start-ups or scale-ups registered in Estonia who want to get their product or service to markets in Asia
A tailor-made package of advising and mentoring program on Japanese, South-Korean, and Singaporean market. The program will include online and face-to-face advising and mentoring by experts from our partners, two tickets to SWITCH in Singapore on 31 Oct – 2 Nov 2023, and a partly sponsored business trip for two persons to Japan or South-Korea (we will take care of your flight tickets). A detailed program will be agreed in coordination with the winner taking into account as much as possible the winning company’s profile. The program will about 1-1,5 weeks long (including the business trip) delivered in one or several parts and take place during 6 months after the competition.
Deadline for applications 12 May 2023.
Finalists announced 19 May 2023 .
Jury members
Managing Director at Presidio Ventures Europe, Sumitomo Corporation Group. Investing in European exceptional entrepreneurs, now based in London UK. Born in Japan, Studied in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Experienced the infrastructure development, worked in Bangladesh, 4 years. Expanded carrier to digital and consumer business, TV Shopping, E-commerce. Worked in Corporate Planning, under CEO of Sumitomo Corp.
Mikel is a startup ecosystem evangelist at Venture Lab, Niterra Group, focusing on alliances and partnerships. With a background in chemistry and a natural entrepreneurial drive, Mikel brings international experience in open innovation, including digital health, pharma, energy, cleantech, and mobility. Known for expertise in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, Mikel excels in identifying strategic synergies between corporates and startups, essential for securing CVC funding.
Chang Hun (Douglass) Lee is the Senior Investment Manager at Samyang Chemical Group in Seoul, South Korea, where he leads due diligence and analysis on various existing investments, addressing risk mitigation. He has developed investor pitch-books, including executive and company overviews, valuation research, competitive analysis, niche markets and growth opportunities.
Tomosaku is one of the founding partners of NordicNinja. He was inspired by the vibrant Nordic and Baltic startup ecosystems while leading investments for growth funds at JBIC IG Partners and financing cleantech and mobility projects in Mexico and Europe.
The jury
Managing Director at Presidio Ventures Europe, Sumitomo Corporation Group. Investing in European exceptional entrepreneurs, now based in London UK. Born in Japan, Studied in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Experienced the infrastructure development, worked in Bangladesh, 4 years. Expanded carrier to digital and consumer business, TV Shopping, E-commerce. Worked in Corporate Planning, under CEO of Sumitomo Corp.
Mikel is a startup ecosystem evangelist at Venture Lab, Niterra Group, focusing on alliances and partnerships. With a background in chemistry and a natural entrepreneurial drive, Mikel brings international experience in open innovation, including digital health, pharma, energy, cleantech, and mobility. Known for expertise in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, Mikel excels in identifying strategic synergies between corporates and startups, essential for securing CVC funding.
Chang Hun (Douglass) Lee is the Senior Investment Manager at Samyang Chemical Group in Seoul, South Korea, where he leads due diligence and analysis on various existing investments, addressing risk mitigation. He has developed investor pitch-books, including executive and company overviews, valuation research, competitive analysis, niche markets and growth opportunities.
Tomosaku is one of the founding partners of NordicNinja. He was inspired by the vibrant Nordic and Baltic startup ecosystems while leading investments for growth funds at JBIC IG Partners and financing cleantech and mobility projects in Mexico and Europe.