Since 2021, Forbes Asia has published four editions of the 100 to Watch list, which spotlights notable small companies and startups on the rise across the Asia-Pacific region.

Under the theme “Future Driven,” the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch Forum convened founders, CEOs and senior executives from the 100 to Watch companies, leading VCs, top investors from the region and members of selected Forbes lists to discuss strategies for growth and long-term success as the startup and funding landscape undergoes significant transformation.

“We try to align our cost structure to where the revenues are coming from,” said Julien Labruyere, Cofounder and CEO of Sleek.

“One of the most important decisions we made was in Q4 last year, when we decided we should control our ambition in exploring the technology and focus on diving deep with customers…three months later we made profit,” said Lu Jianfeng, Cofounder and CEO of WIZ.AI.

“One of the most fundamental decisions from the start is whether you build to operate or you build to fundraise. Fundraising is too risky for myself. I think we should find a risk solution first before scaling up,” said Dino Setiawan, CEO of AwanTunai.

“We are building a company for the next 50 or maybe 100 years. We don’t need to be aggressive. We learn from the journey,” Tubagus Syailendra, Cofounder and CEO of Chickin.

“We’re entering a new cycle and there are lots of opportunities,” said Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler.

“In the next few years there won’t be any software company without AI. It’s fundamental not just in changing consumer lives, but also in how enterprises manage their employees, supply chain and customers,” said Jing Hong, Founding Partner of Gaocheng Capital.

“There is the risk of raising too much capital at the wrong valuation,” Adrian Li, Founder and Managing Partner of AC Ventures.

“The holy grail for an application will be complete personalization for any kind of services and products,” said Annabelle Yu Long, Founding and Managing Partner of BAI Capital.

“Many of the best innovations come from a place where you have leeway to make mistakes.”