Over the past 13 years, my work has taken me across the globe. I’ve been in the bustling street cafes of Bangkok and the sleek finance buildings of Singapore, the vibrant streets of Seoul and Kuala Lumpur, and the innovation hubs of Tokyo. These journeys have taught me a humbling truth: at the human level, the fundamentals of life are strikingly similar. What truly matters is our mindset;how we embrace our circumstances, find purpose, and create value for others no matter how rich or poor we are.
This perspective has led me to a simple conviction: innovation knows no borders, and neither should opportunity. This belief is at the heart of ATLAS. We’re not just an alliance; we are an operational force dedicated to unlocking the immense potential of the ASEAN region.
The ASEAN Moment is Now
The momentum in Southeast Asia is undeniable:
– A Digital Powerhouse: The digital economy is projected to hit $330 billion by 2025 and an incredible $1 trillion by 2030.
– Massive Consumer Base: Over 460 million digital consumers with internet penetration exceeding 80% in key markets.
– Global Leader: Already the third-largest digital market globally, behind only China and India.
– Vibrant Ecosystem: Venture funding has peaked above $15 billion, fueling over 50 homegrown unicorns in fintech, e-commerce, and clean tech.
Yet, this vast opportunity is wrapped in complexity: 10 nations, 10 regulatory systems, and more than 1,000 languages. These differences can be a barrier, but they are also a bridge. And that’s exactly where ATLAS comes in.
ATLAS: The Alliance Built by Doers
ATLAS – Accelerating Transformation & Linkage for Advancing Startups an alliance born out of shared frustration and shared hope. Four leaders, each deeply rooted in their local ecosystems, came together to make scaling across ASEAN smoother, faster, and smarter.
We are execution-first. Every member of our alliance runs accelerators, mentors founders, and builds real market pipelines. We don’t just talk about collaboration; we co-design programs, co-invest resources, and co-deliver results. From market entry soft-landings to cross-border demo days, we build, test, and scale our solutions one startup at a time.
Our partners: TechShake (Philippines), KUMPUL (Indonesia), Techsauce (Thailand), and InnoLab Asia(Vietnam)—are the trusted anchors for this fragmented yet promising region. Together, we bridge a market of over 680 million people with a combined GDP of $4.2 trillion.
Our mission is clear:
– To help smaller players punch above their weight through our collective strength.
– To unite a fragmented region with trusted systems and relationships.
– To create a seamless entry point for global players to access multiple ASEAN economies at once.
In five years, our vision is simple: When you think of ASEAN innovation, you think of ATLAS. The name you trust. The gateway you choose.
Because opportunity should never be held back by borders. We’re building the infrastructure to prove it.
By Huynh Cong Thang – founding member of ATLAS – Chairman of InnoLab Asia
