Programme wrap up

EDS ASEAN SME Training 2025 Jakarta onsite experience

A curated in person finale that brought together top performing SMEs, ASEAN Foundation and Huawei in Jakarta to recognise achievement, deepen partnerships and explore the next phase of digital growth for the region.

24 November 2025 Jakarta, Indonesia Hybrid learning to onsite collaboration

Group photo from the onsite event in Jakarta

Top ranked SMEs and partners at the Jakarta onsite finale

Delivered by Growth Forum in partnership with

From virtual academy to real world momentum

The EDS ASEAN SME Training 2025 combined a seven day virtual academy with an onsite convening in Jakarta. One hundred SME leaders from across the region explored cloud, artificial intelligence and growth strategy, culminating in a pitching showcase and learning visit for the top three participants.

7 days

Immersive training journey

Live expert sessions, structured exercises and peer learning that turned concepts into practical next steps.

100

SMEs across ASEAN

Digital capability building for founders and senior decision makers from diverse sectors and markets.

Top ranked SMEs

High potential businesses recognised for their growth plans and invited to Jakarta for the onsite finale.

2 visits

Strategic partners in Jakarta

Engagements at ASEAN Foundation headquarters and Huawei Indonesia to explore future collaboration.

Recognising SME leaders and deepening regional partnerships

The onsite event in Jakarta provided a platform for the top three EDS participants to present refined growth strategies, receive feedback and connect directly with programme partners. Their pitches showed how cloud and artificial intelligence can be embedded into everyday business models, from ticketing and tourism to creative services and community solutions.

Growth Forum, ASEAN Foundation and Huawei used the session to align on how best to support these SMEs beyond the training, including mentorship, ecosystem connections and potential pilots. The dialogue underlined the importance of pairing technical capability building with strategic business design.

Following the showcase, the group visited ASEAN Foundation headquarters and Huawei Indonesia. These engagements gave SME founders behind the scenes exposure to regional initiatives, cloud solutions and potential new avenues for collaboration.

Onsite pitching session The three finalists shared their growth roadmaps, focusing on how digital tools can unlock scale and resilience.

Dialogue with ASEAN Foundation Discussion on how EDS learnings feed into broader efforts to empower SMEs as drivers of inclusive growth in the region.

Visit to Huawei Indonesia Exploration of cloud, artificial intelligence and digital commerce solutions that SMEs can leverage as they expand.

Who, why, what and when

A concise view of the story behind the Jakarta onsite finale and how it connects to the wider EDS ASEAN SME Training journey.

Who

Top ranked SME founders from the EDS ASEAN SME Training 2025 cohort, drawn from priority sectors across the region.

Programme partners from Growth Forum, ASEAN Foundation and Huawei Indonesia, together with invited advisors and supporters.

Why

To recognise the most compelling growth strategies developed during the virtual academy and give them a real world platform.

To deepen collaboration between SMEs and partners and explore how cloud and artificial intelligence tools can be scaled for practical use cases.

What

An in person pitching showcase with focused feedback from partners on business models, digital roadmaps and partnership options.

Learning visits to ASEAN Foundation headquarters and Huawei Indonesia, combined with time for reflection, peer exchange and networking.

When

A seven day virtual academy earlier in the year built the core capability base for one hundred SMEs across ASEAN.

The Jakarta onsite convening took place on 24 November 2025, bringing the top three participants together with partners to shape concrete next steps.

Thematic focus across the learning journey

The online academy and onsite convening were designed as a single learning arc, moving from foundational digital topics to growth strategy and pitching for investment or partnership.

Cloud introduction

Generative artificial intelligence for SMEs

Artificial intelligence driven growth strategies

Community and brand building

Startup marketing foundations

SME growth roadmap design

Pitching for impact

Reflection and feedback lab

What participating SMEs gained

By the end of the programme, SME leaders were better equipped to translate digital concepts into concrete decisions, investments and partnerships that support long term growth.

✓ Mastery of core digital tools that streamline operations and strengthen day to day decision making.

✓ Clearer artificial intelligence informed strategies for growth, branding and marketing that fit ASEAN SME realities.

✓ More resilient business models that respond to shifting demand and evolving regulatory contexts.

✓ New connections with peers, ecosystem partners and policymakers across multiple ASEAN markets.

✓ Practical experience translating insights into action through workshops and structured exercises.

✓ A stronger platform to position their SME for regional collaboration and global opportunities.

Growth Forum continues to work with partners to scale practical, high trust programmes for SMEs in ASEAN. Collaboration can include future cohorts, country specific pilots or bespoke advisory support.

Talk to us about collaboration