SINGAPORE, Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Plug and Play APAC has partnered with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) to support the international expansion of nine innovative Italian startups in the FinTech sector. As part of ITA’s Global Startup Program (GSUP), the cohort will embark on a four-week immersion trip to Singapore from October 21 to November 14, 2025.
The program’s objective is to enable access to the Singaporean and Southeast Asian markets, enabling Italian startups to build strategic partnerships, strengthen organizational and technical capabilities, and position themselves for global growth. During their time in Singapore, the startups aim to validate their solutions in the Southeast Asian market, assess product-market fit, explore commercialization pathways, and establish conversations with corporates and investors.
Commenting on the launch of the fourth edition of the Global Startup Program in Singapore, Giorgio Calveri, Trade Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency in Singapore, said:
“The Global Startup Program has become a key platform for showcasing Italian innovation, empowering our most promising entrepreneurs to compete and grow on the global stage. With the program being held in Singapore for the fourth time, we are proud to further strengthen Italy’s presence in major international hubs like Singapore, where FinTech plays a crucial role in shaping the future of business. By uniting our startups, global partners, and participation in the Singapore FinTech Festival through the Italian Pavilion, we are creating a bridge of opportunities that will enable Italian innovation to flourish worldwide.”
Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based global open innovation platform, has an established presence in Asia Pacific through its regional headquarters in Singapore. From this hub, Plug and Play connects corporates, startups, and venture capitalists within its vast ecosystem, driving cross-border collaboration and accelerating innovation across verticals.
A key highlight of this partnership will be the Italian Trade Agency Demo Day, held as part of the Plug and Play APAC Summit on 28 October 2025. The 9 startups will pitch their solutions to a global audience of corporates, investors, and ecosystem leaders. (https://www.plugandplayapac.com/apac-summit) They will also attend Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF).
“We’re proud to partner with the Italian Trade Agency to support Italian startups as they tap into the opportunities in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing tech markets. Through this program, we’ll connect these innovators with our extensive network of corporates and investors, and our APAC Summit is the perfect stage to showcase their solutions. We look forward to strengthening cross-border innovation between Italy and Southeast Asia,” said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, Plug and Play APAC.
