4 Startups Win the Pitch Competition Microsoft Emerge X in Asia Pacific

Microsoft is holding the inaugural pitch competition for the Microsoft Emerge X program in Asia Pacific. This program is part of Microsoft’s ‘Highway to a 100 Unicorns’ initiative. More than 70 leading startup ecosystem players and governments in 16 countries took part by nominating more than 300 teams.

Four startups from Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Singapore won the inaugural pitch competition for the Asia Pacific level of Microsoft Emerge X. The four startups were Abivin, Lifetrack Medical Systems, Agrithmics, and Milky Way AI.

“Through the ‘Highway to a 100 Unicorns’ and ‘Emerge’ X programs, we are committed to helping startups move towards innovation. They can meet industry needs that have not been articulated and help businesses become resilient,” said Microsoft Asia Pacific President Andrea Della Mattea, as quoted from Microsoft’s official statement on Friday (11/12/2020).

Here are the four startups:

1. Abivin from Vietnam

Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered platform, which optimizes supply chains in various sectors with efficient vehicle routes.

2. Lifetrack Medical Systems from the Philippines and Singapore

This is a cloud-based app that provides affordable access to medical imaging in emerging markets.

3. Agrithmics from Sri Lanka

Cloud-based solutions that enrich the agrarian industry by digitizing supply chains, and connecting farmers and buyers.

4. Milky Way AI from Singapore

This startup provides an artificial intelligent powered smart retail solution that leverages image recognition technology to help retailers manage inventory and maximize sales.

Asia Pacific Needs a Disruptor

Andrea Della Mattea, President, Microsoft Asia Pacific said that Asia Pacific needs disruptors, visionaries and futurists so that the region remains at the forefront of a global transformation.

No limit can be reached at a time when the world and technology reflect the diversity of everyone who uses it. That’s why at Microsoft, we build technology so that others can create technology, and to be successful we all need to come together, continued Andrea.

Through the Highway to a 100 Unicorns and Emerge X programs, Microsoft is committed to helping startups innovate. This program was launched in Asia Pacific in October 2020 after having achieved extraordinary success in India.

Microsoft is involved with more than 70 leading startup ecosystem players and governments in 16 countries, then nominating more than 300 of the most promising teams for the program.

Sixteen countries involved in this program are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

Selected Startups, Seven of which are from Indonesia

Among the participants, 21 Emerge X startups presented their ideas at the Emerge X Regional Pitching Competition, which was held at the Philippines Startup Week 2020. There startups are Agrithmics, Lifetrack Medical Systems, Abivin, and Milky Way AI. They are identified as the top startups in the whole region.

These startups were selected by a jury of leading investors and leaders of the startup ecosystem, including investors from BOV Capital, Cradle, Monk’s Hill Ventures, Movac, M12, Sequoia, SBK Tech Ventures, 54i Ventures and Vista Consulting Group, as well as ecosystem leaders from both Target Accelerator and GitHub.

Furthermore, 79 startups were selected to take part in the Microsoft Emerge X program, including seven from Indonesia namely GREDU, Crowde, Konvergen AI, Kiddo.id, Neurosensum, Tjetak and Ritase.

As an Emerge X startup, they will participate in a year-long mentorship program with Microsoft for Startups designed to help increase capacity and accelerate growth.

These startups will also receive Azure credits and GitHub. They also have the opportunity to attend Founders Bootcamp for three days, gain access to corporate clients globally through Microsoft’s unique co-selling program, and interact with Microsoft experts and industry players.

“We are proud to see startups from our nation able to compete on the world stage with startups from other countries in the Asia Pacific. This shows the huge potential for startups that Indonesia has,” said Microsoft Indonesia President Director, Haris Izmee.