ERIA Supports Start-up–Corporate Collaboration at Japan–ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair 2026

Bangkok, 2 July 2026: ERIA participated in the Japan-ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair 2026, organised by Krungsri. Bringing together 77 start-ups from ASEAN and Japan and 145 corporates, the event provided a valuable platform to foster cross-border collaboration.

Ms Chieko Tanabe, Programme Manager for the Startup Ecosystem at ERIA, joined the panel discussion 'Building Trust, Unlocking Value: Scaling Sustainable Partnerships Between Corporates and Startups', alongside representatives from Living Lab Ventures, True Digital Park, and Kanematsu (Thailand). The session explored practical approaches to fostering sustainable partnerships between start-ups and corporates, particularly in the context of cross-border innovation.

During the discussion, Ms Tanabe highlighted the challenges commonly encountered by start-ups when establishing overseas partnerships, such as difficulties in identifying suitable corporate partners and understanding market needs. Building trust with potential partners also requires sustained engagement, mutual understanding, and time, particularly when navigating different business cultures and working practices. She emphasised the importance of adopting a research-led approach to market entry, enabling startups to better understand local market conditions, customer demand, and regulatory environments before expanding internationally.

Ms Tanabe further underscored the important role of governments and ecosystem builders in strengthening start-up-corporate collaboration. Rather than facilitating generic networking opportunities, business-matching programmes should be designed around clearly identified corporate challenges and market needs to maximise the potential for successful partnerships. She also highlighted the need for supportive policy and regulatory frameworks that create a more enabling environment for start-ups seeking to expand across borders.

Beyond the panel discussion, ERIA also nominated start-ups for the business-matching sessions. Amongst those selected was rAIgine, a member of the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) community. The start-up had the opportunity to engage directly with potential corporate partners and explore future collaboration opportunities.

By connecting start-ups, corporates, and other ecosystem players, the Japan-ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair 2026 reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving innovation, accelerating technology adoption, and addressing shared economic and societal challenges. This aligns with ERIA's mission to foster an inclusive and dynamic regional innovation ecosystem. Through initiatives from E-DISC and strategic partnerships with regional stakeholders, ERIA will continue to support start-ups in scaling internationally while contributing to sustainable economic growth across ASEAN and East Asia.