Fresh Factory and Lista win the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Pitch for Digital Innovation

■Introduction

The ASEAN-Japan Business Leaders Summit serves as a vital platform to connect emerging business leaders from ASEAN and Japan, addressing pressing social challenges and fostering innovation for a sustainable future. ASEAN, recognized as a global growth center, faces various social issues, including inequalities, while Japan grapples with challenges such as an aging population but leverages its wealth of experience and assets from decades of development. Against this backdrop, the summit aims to cultivate meaningful connections among next-generation business leaders who are poised to drive transformative change. The summit culminated on 20th December 2024, with impactful pitch sessions and a panel discussion, showcasing innovative ideas and fostering dialogue among leaders.

■Winner Report

The ASEAN-Japan Business Leaders Summit concluded with an exhilarating pitch competition that showcased the cutting-edge ideas of next-generation entrepreneurs. Focused on the theme of Digital Innovation, the event brought together five promising startups from across ASEAN and Japan, judged by a panel of esteemed industry leaders. Ultimately, Mr. Andre Septiano and Mr. Aaron Villegas emerged victorious, impressing the judges with their visionary ideas and practical solutions.

■Judges:

Three distinguished judges presided over the competition, bringing a wealth of experience and insight:

• Aldi Haryopratomo: Vice Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Commissioner for Visinema, Halodoc, and eFishery. A serial entrepreneur, Aldi previously served as CEO of Gopay, where he spearheaded its growth into a leading financial services provider in Southeast Asia.

• Noriaki Sakamoto: Partner and COO at the University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC). With a strong background in venture capital and strategic management, Noriaki brings expertise in scaling innovative startups and driving economic impact.

• Nobutake Suzuki: President & CEO of MUFG Innovation Partners. Nobutake has extensive experience in venture capital and corporate innovation, leading investments in groundbreaking startups and fostering collaboration between Japan and global markets.

■The Presenters and Their Pitches

The competition featured five dynamic entrepreneurs presenting innovative solutions:

1. Angel Low (Malaysia): General Manager of the Advanced Semiconductor Academy, Angel pitched a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize Malaysia’s semiconductor industry through advanced training facilities and collaborative ecosystems.

   
   

   

   
   

2. Phillip An (Vietnam): Co-founder of Homebase, Phillip introduced “Prism,” a video AI platform designed to enhance efficiency and safety in manufacturing, driving value for ASEAN and Japanese businesses.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Kimihiro Katsumi (Japan): Founder of BaseMe, Kimihiro presented an AI-powered career platform that simplifies job matching and resume creation, targeting Gen Z job seekers in Japan and ASEAN.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Andre Septiano (Indonesia): Co-founder and CFO of Fresh Factory, Andre highlighted his smart cold chain logistics solution, leveraging IoT and WMS technology to optimize storage and distribution across Southeast Asia.

   
   

   

   
   

5. Aaron Villegas (Philippines): CEO of Lista, Aaron pitched a financial management app that empowers Filipinos with tools for expense tracking, credit score checking, and access to financial products, creating opportunities for FinTech collaboration between ASEAN and Japan.

   
   

   

   
   

■Results:

After a rigorous evaluation of pitches, Andre Septiano of Fresh Factory and Aaron Villegas of Lista were crowned winners. Their solutions embodied the spirit of co-creation, addressing pressing challenges while unlocking new opportunities for ASEAN-Japan collaboration.

• Andre Septiano captivated the judges with Fresh Factory’s smart cold chain logistics network, a transformative approach to reduce logistics costs and inefficiencies in Indonesia and ASEAN. His vision for collaboration with Japanese companies demonstrated the potential for scaling Fresh Factory’s model globally.

• Aaron Villegas impressed the panel with Lista’s groundbreaking financial management platform. His proposal for technology exchange between ASEAN and Japan in FinTech innovation highlighted the value of bridging expertise and markets to empower underserved communities.

The ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Pitch exemplified the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling regional challenges. As winners, Andre and Aaron not only earned recognition but also positioned their startups as key players in the ASEAN-Japan ecosystem. Their success underscores the potential of Digital Innovation to drive growth, enhance livelihoods, and build a sustainable future for both regions.

■Join the Movement

The ASEAN-Japan Business Leaders Summit is not just an event but a call to action for fostering innovation, collaboration, and transformative solutions to shared challenges. As we continue to build a stronger, more connected future, we invite businesses, organizations, and individuals to join us in driving impactful change across ASEAN and Japan. To explore collaboration opportunities or to become part of this dynamic initiative, please contact PoliPoli’s secretariat at:

asean-japan-business-leaders-summit@polipoli.io 

Together, let’s shape a future of sustainable growth and shared prosperity.