Tech entrepreneurs embrace challenges and innovation at Echelon

By Coconuts Bangkok

Nov 30, 2015 | 6:11pm Bangkok time

Ariya Banomyong, Managing Director of LINE Thailand

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs attended tech conference Echelon last week at Bangkok’s BITEC, including would-be investors, small startups showcasing their ideas and leaders sharing their secrets of success.

Notable speakers included representatives from Google, GrabTaxi, Amazon and MOXY.

LINE’s managing director for Thailand, Ariya Banomyong, was among the event’s notable guest attendees as he announced the new “Gift Shop” app and the expansion of LINE Thailand’s development team.

In his keynote speech he shared his thoughts on some entrepreneurs who “reach for low-hanging fruit instead of solving real problems,” urging his colleagues in the tech community to embrace new challenges.

“I think we, as a community, have to challenge ourselves. What are we disrupting and who are we doing it for?” he said.

Another highlight of the event was Startup Launchpad, where emerging innovators pitched their ideas to a panel of five judges. The winner was GIZTIX, a logistics service that will use an online platform to connect companies shipping goods with individuals and companies offering delivery services.

The firm won US$120,000 worth of cloud computing credits and free access to Microsoft tech software and tools. They will also have the chance as well as the chance to exhibit their services at next year’s Echelon summit in Singapore.

Microfund 500 TukTuks also made an appearance and announced US$2 million extra funding to the promising Thai startups it supports, taking its budget up to US$12 million.