At BEYOND Expo, Asia’s tech landscape unfolds, connecting ideas across continents with every conversation.

Asia is rapidly becoming a melting pot for leading startups and vibrant tech ecosystems, brimming with opportunities for meaningful connections and collaborations. This year, BEYOND Expo, one of the largest annual tech conferences in Asia, took place in Macao, China from May 22 to 25, drawing attention to the continent’s tech leaders and their innovations. 

To gain deeper insights into BEYOND Expo, its origins and its impact on Asian tech startups, the Jumpstart Team spoke with Dr. Gang Lu, co-Founder of BEYOND Expo and Founder of tech media company TechNode Group.

The success of BEYOND Expo 2024

This year’s BEYOND Expo was a resounding success, drawing over 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. The event welcomed a diverse assembly of participants—from Asia’s Fortune 500 companies and multinational corporations to unicorn companies, emerging startups, investors and celebrities from across the globe. Together, they delved into the latest technological advancements, fostering rich discussions and potential collaborations.

The speaker lineup was particularly impressive, featuring luminaries such as David Beckham, Sands Global Ambassador; Robin Zeng, the influential Chairperson of CATL; Deng Yaping, an Olympic champion and table tennis grand slam winner; Guo Guangchang, the visionary Chairman of Fosun International and Jackson Wang, the dynamic creator and founder of TEAM WANG.

Adding a lively twist to the technical talks, BEYOND 2024 also spiced up the atmosphere with a variety of entertainment options. These included a bustling Food Market and the Fund at First Pitch—an innovative demo platform designed to connect startups with capital. The excitement continued into the evenings with events like the Charity Poker Night and the BEYOND Pool Party, creating memorable experiences for all attendees.

The inspiration behind BEYOND Expo

The origins of BEYOND Expo are traced back to Lu’s rich background in the tech media industry and his early experiences that shaped his perspective on the need for such an event. Beginning his career as an independent tech blogger, he launched TechNode in 2007—a Chinese-English bilingual media company that quickly became a cornerstone in reporting tech news. This venture significantly broadened his network and enhanced his understanding of the evolving technological landscape across Asia and beyond.

A key motivation for co-founding BEYOND Expo was the recognition of Asia’s fragmented tech ecosystems, characterized by diverse cultures, languages and unique regional challenges. While these factors make unifying these ecosystems a challenge, Lu sees tremendous value and opportunities that can enrich the broader Asian tech scene.

Lu also observed a significant gap in the availability of platforms for Asian tech ecosystems to showcase their innovations. His travels around the world covering global tech news highlighted a strong demand for such a platform. Inspired by major tech events like CES in Las Vegas and Web Summit in Lisbon, he envisioned a larger stage to spotlight and accelerate tech innovation across the continent.

This ambition materialized in the launch of BEYOND Expo, a conference designed to unite tech leaders and investors from various Asian countries. Through BEYOND, Lu aims to bring together the region’s fragmented tech ecosystems and provide a stage for startups to present their innovations.

Overcoming obstacles along the way

“Organizing a tech event like BEYOND Expo is challenging,” Dr. Lu admitted with a smile. Reflecting on his initial pitch for BEYOND Expo in 2019, Lu recalled it sounding like “a huge project” that seemed “almost impossible” to get off the ground. Such ambitious, large-scale projects need global recognition to attract participants. 

Adding to the challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, significantly limiting the first three editions of the expo to mostly Chinese exhibitors and attendees due to travel restrictions. This situation tested the organizing team’s resilience and inadvertently primed them for hosting a more diverse international audience once the restrictions were lifted.

As global conditions improved, BEYOND Expo managed to capitalize on the pent-up demand for international collaboration. Since its inception in 2020, the expo has celebrated four editions through three consecutive years of impactful gatherings, with each year expanding its global reach further than the last. Lu credits this growth to the trust and support he’s received from global tech leaders and partners, nurtured through his decade-long experience in the tech media industry.

Moreover, Dr. Lu acknowledges the need for continuous learning and adaptation, given the rapid advancements in technology. While BEYOND is only a four-day event, it requires a full year of preparation and extensive outreach. Dr. Lu expressed his deep gratitude for the invaluable assistance from BEYOND’s partners, who have been instrumental in curating top-notch content and lineups that bring cutting-edge tech innovations to the forefront of the expo. This collaborative effort has not only sustained the expo’s success but has also propelled it into the spotlight of global tech events.

Beyond BEYOND Expo: The impact on Asian tech ecosystems

For Lu, it is crucial to ensure the impact of BEYOND Expo extends well beyond the event itself. He hopes the connections forged at BEYOND will continue to benefit participants. In an effort to draw even more startups, the BEYOND team has actively engaged international media, tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. This strategic collaboration is designed to enhance networking, funding, exposure and market expansion opportunities, significantly boosting the visibility of Asian tech startups on the global stage. 

What’s next for BEYOND Expo?

When asked to encapsulate the essence of BEYOND Expo in just three words, Dr. Gang Lu chose “International”, “Technology” and “Entertainment”. These elements, positioned against the backdrop of Macao’s rich cultural vibrancy and lively entertainment scene, synergize to create a uniquely compelling conference experience.

Looking ahead, BEYOND Expo is determined to uphold these core themes as it strives to position itself as the Asian counterpart to CES. Lu and his dedicated team are committed to enhancing BEYOND’s reputation and attracting an elite cadre of tech companies, investors, media personnel and even government representatives. 

By spotlighting the latest technologies and innovations, BEYOND Expo strives to bridge the gap between the Asian and global tech markets, facilitating access and collaboration across continents.

All Images from BEYOND Expo