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Regional qualifiers take place in 14 countries. The TOP100 will exhibit at the Echelon Asia Summit in Singapore in June

The TOP100 Startup Search will return this year — in conjunction with e27‘s Echelon Asia Summit 2016 in Singapore in June.

As part of the TOP100 Startup Search, regional qualifiers will be held in 14 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The TOP100 will be chosen to exhibit at the Echelon Asia Summit 2016. The top 10 of these startups will have the opportunity to pitch on stage during the event to an estimated 5,000 audience members comprising investors, corporate executives, government officials, and other players in the regional startup scene.

Last year, the Singapore-based Airfrov made it to the TOP100. Co-founder Cai Li says he found the experience valuable.

“Firstly, it helped to hone my pitching skills. Secondly, to be more sensitive to the needs of judges and the investors. Lastly, to stand out from the crowd,” said Li.

Also Read: TOP100 startups to headline Echelon Asia Summit

Airfrov, which allows users to purchase items only found overseas through travellers who are returning from specific destinations, would go on later in the year to take part in and emerge as one of two winners of the Singtel Accelerator Challenge.

Recollecting his experience at the Singapore leg of the regional qualifiers, Li said, “The pitching experience was nerve-wracking as you watch others’ pitches while waiting for your turn. But it is a good learning opportunity to further improve ourselves.”

Airfrov was one of over 500 startups which took part in the inaugural edition of the TOP100 Startup Search — which spanned 14 countries in Asia Pacific — last year.

Aspiring startups can start applying here for the TOP100 Startup Search 2016 regional qualifiers, which will all be held in March 2016. Applications will close on February 6, 2016, at 11:59 PM.

Not part of a startup but want to catch a peek of the action at the Echelon Asia Summit 2016? Limited early bird tickets on sale now.

The post The TOP100 Startup Search has begun. Apply now! appeared first on e27.

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