Supporting Australia’s tech scaleups to soar in Southeast Asia

Australian tech scaleups explored opportunities in Southeast Asia through a series of Landing Pad programs across the region.

In April and May, Austrade ran 3 Landing Pad programs in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. These programs gave participants a chance to learn about sectoral challenges and opportunities from market leaders, and better understand how their solutions could meet market needs.

‘Southeast Asia holds many prospects for Australia’s tech firms – but each market has its own unique challenges and opportunities,’ says Scott Samson, Acting SEA Landing Pad Manager, Austrade.

‘Austrade’s Landing Pads program gives tech scaleups the practical insights, advice and key connections they need to navigate a complex and competitive business environment.’

Aussie tech makes waves in Singapore

In April, 10 Australian tech scaleups travelled to Singapore to participate in Austrade’s Maritime Week Landing Pad, held in partnership with Investment NSW.

The firms offered solutions for Singapore’s maritime sector, from underwater vessel-cleaning robots to software that helps save fuel by optimising shipping routes.

Over the three-day program, delegates pitched to PSA Ventures, BHP, AET Tankers, Seatrium and Jurong Port. They also presented to investors, venture capital firms and key maritime ecosystem players, including the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The Australian delegation visited the Jurong Port office.

The Landing Pad program ran alongside Singapore Maritime Week, one of the world’s leading maritime events. The tech firms engaged with maritime players, and attended pitching sessions, site visits, networking events and activities at the exhibition.

The Landing Pad program has created pathways to early commercial outcomes for Australian tech firms. One participant in last year’s program secured contracts in Singapore soon after taking part in the program. It has since established a regional hub in-market. Several companies in this year’s program are in project discussions with customers. These outcomes underscore the role of the Landing Pad program in creating new opportunities in global markets.

This was Austrade’s second consecutive maritime-focused Landing Pad, building on the momentum of the digital shipping cooperation initiative outlined in the Singapore–Australia Green Economy Agreement in October 2022.

Exploring fintech and regtech opportunities in Vietnam

Austrade hosted its fourth Landing Pad program in Vietnam in mid-April, building on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Austrade Vietnam and the Vietnam Banks Association. The MoU aims to strengthen fintech collaboration between Australia and Vietnam, with initiatives such as the Landing Pad program creating engagement opportunities.

Nine Australian fintech and regtech scale-ups participated in this year’s Fintech and Regtech Immersion Program. The delegation’s expertise ranged from digital asset solutions to technologies addressing fraud prevention, scam detection and cybersecurity. These capabilities complement Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen data governance and build a more resilient financial ecosystem.

Delegates travelled to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to explore opportunities, hear briefings from regulatory and legal bodies on in-market challenges, and build connections with Vietnam’s tech ecosystem. They also met with Vikki Digital Bank, Galaxy Holdings and Vietnam Military Bank.

Delegates met with Galaxy Holdings, a leading Vietnamese digital tech company.

A seminar by the Vietnam International Financial Centre explored Vietnam’s next phase of banking transformation. Discussions included high-level policy settings and ecosystem overviews to technical transformation needs within banks and financial institutions. These include cybersecurity, compliance (such as anti-money laundering and identity fraud), risk management, payment infrastructure and digital assets.

‘The aim of this program is to facilitate in-market exchange,’ says Emma McDonald, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam and Cambodia. ‘We are confident this engagement will generate additional Australia–Vietnam commercial partnerships, contributing to a financial ecosystem that is resilient, trusted and globally connected.’

Vietnam’s digital banking market is driven by strong growth in digital payments, rapid adoption of mobile financial services, and rising interest in AI and data-driven banking. Government initiatives support this momentum, including establishing 2 International Financial Centres and introducing regulatory sandboxes spanning credit scoring, open API data sharing, peer-to-peer lending and digital assets.

Building regional connections at Money20/20 in Thailand

Thirteen Australian fintech companies joined Money20/20 Asia 2026 in Bangkok, using the event to connect with local industry, explore partnerships, and pursue growth opportunities across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The event brought together leaders in banking, payments and digital finance. With support from Austrade and FinTech Australia, delegates showcased Australian capability and connected with banks, investors, regulators and commercial partners from across the region.

The visit was backed by the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI) and the Southeast Asia Landing Pads program. Delegates took part in market briefings, networking opportunities, and business-matching events.

Money20/20 Asia gave delegates a clearer view of local market priorities and where Australian solutions could meet industry needs, helping companies refine their propositions and support more diversified international growth. 

Delegates met with leaders in banking, payments and digital finance at Money20/20.

A highlight of the program was the Australia-Thailand Fintech Connect networking reception at the Australian Ambassador’s residence. With more than 60 senior government and industry representatives attending, the event allowed delegates to build relationships, deepen partnerships and generate commercial leads while strengthening Australia’s fintech profile in Southeast Asia.

‘Thailand is in an interesting transition period for payments, with a strong mix of alternative payment models, a growing focus on digital currencies and continued momentum in credit cards,’ says Cary Horenfelt, Business Development Director, Stanchion Payments (Singapore). ‘We see tremendous opportunity here, particularly as banks look to modernise their payment infrastructure to support this evolution.’

‘Money20/20 Asia is a key event for us because it brings together leaders from across the region,’ adds Malcolm Bourke, Business Development Manager, EFTLab. ‘The focus Austrade has placed on helping us connect with the right people has been the strongest we’ve experienced in recent years. Pound for pound, it’s probably the most valuable event for us in the region.’

Austrade’s Landing Pads program

The Landing Pads program helps tech scaleups to expand in new markets. It includes coaching, in-market connections, introductions to partners and advice on raising capital. The 5 Landing Pads (Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, San Francisco and Singapore) offer programs throughout the year. Learn more about the Landing Pads program.

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