Denning Tan Shares Insights on AI in ASEAN at Microsoft Asia Digital Natives Kickoff 2025

On 24 September 2025, our Partner Denning Tan was invited to speak at the Microsoft Asia Digital Natives Kickoff session held at the Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur. The event was part of Microsoft’s “Enter the Minds of VC” series, designed to bring together venture leaders and Microsoft’s regional teams to explore the evolving landscape of AI-driven startups.

The session brought together key members of the Microsoft Asia Digital Natives Team, including Ross Kennedy (Microsoft WW VP, AI & Digital Natives), Smita Roy (Sales Director – Digital Startups & ISVs), and Julie Bulaklak (Account Director, Startup Lead – ASEAN), along with other Microsoft leaders across the region.

Winning the Hearts and Minds of AI Native Companies in ASEAN 💡

Denning spoke about the current trends in AI in ASEAN, including Generative AI adoption, startup funding climate, and the opportunities arising from digital-native enterprises. Drawing from over 15 months of experience since the launch of GenAI Fund, Denning shared key learnings from initiatives like:

  • The ASEAN GenAI Startup Report – 2024

  • GenAI Open Innovation programs

  • FastTrack AI Accelerator (powered by NVIDIA Inception)

These insights highlighted how AI startups and digital-native companies in ASEAN are scaling innovation and navigating challenges in go-to-market strategies.

Insights into Challenges and Opportunities for AI in ASEAN 🚀

Of particular note, Denning provided unique perspectives on the pain points of AI startups and digital-native enterprises in ASEAN. He also outlined opportunities where hyperscalers like Microsoft could support these startups to accelerate growth, strengthen AI adoption, and enhance regional innovation ecosystems.

The session emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration between venture capital, enterprise partners, and tech platforms to unlock the full potential of AI in ASEAN.

A Special Thank You to Microsoft Asia Digital Natives Team 🙌

The event brought together leaders such as Ross Kennedy, Smita Roy, Julie Bulaklak, and the wider Microsoft Asia Digital Natives Team. Their support and engagement made the session highly impactful, fostering dialogue that bridges the gap between investors, startups, and hyperscalers in the region.

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