Diffusion Speaker Application

Thank you for your interest in speaking at Diffusion. Diffusion brings together founders, leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators to explore how ideas, talent, and opportunity spread across cities and ecosystems worldwide. Please complete the form below so our programming team can understand your expertise, topic focus, and availability.

As part of Diffusion Borneo, we are anchoring the programme around three core pillars:

- Energy Transition & Security
- AgriTech & Bioeconomy
- Creative Economy & Sustainable Tourism

We encourage speakers to align their topics with these focus areas to contribute to a unified narrative and strengthen Greater Borneo’s position as a regional green powerhouse.

ORIGIN STAGE

Where local innovation becomes global potential

Purpose:
Spotlights local ecosystems, early-stage founders, universities, and emerging innovation communities that form the foundation of diffusion.

Example Topics:

• "Building a startup ecosystem from the ground up in emerging cities"
• "University research to startup: commercialising innovation"
• "Early-stage founder journeys: from idea to first customers"
• "Local innovation solving local problems at scale"
• "Community-led ecosystem building models" 

 

CATALYST STAGE
The people who move ecosystems forward

Purpose:
Featuring high-impact founders, ecosystem builders, and industry pioneers sharing decisive moments, leadership lessons, and how they drove change at scale.

Example Topics:

• "The inflection point that changed our company’s trajectory"
• "Building a company that reshaped an industry"
• "Leadership under pressure: scaling through uncertainty"
• "From founder to ecosystem builder: creating second-order impact"
• "What it takes to build globally from day one"

 

NEXUS STAGE
Where ecosystems connect and opportunities scale

Purpose:
The flagship stage for conversations on cross-border growth, strategic partnerships, market expansion, and platform ecosystems. Focuses on how companies, cities, and industries connect to unlock new opportunities.

Example Topics:

• "Expanding from Southeast Asia to global markets: lessons from scale"
• "Building cross-border partnerships that actually work"
• "How platform ecosystems win new markets"
• "Entering emerging cities: opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs"
• "Corporate–startup collaboration models for regional growth"

 

FORGE STAGE
Turning ideas into scalable reality

Purpose:
Deep, practical sessions for builders, engineers, and product leaders focused on execution, tools, and scaling real systems.

Example Topics:

• "Shipping AI products from prototype to production"
• "Scaling infrastructure for rapid user growth"
• "Building lean product teams that move fast"
• "Integrating AI into existing enterprise workflows"
• "Lessons from failed products and what they taught us"

 

FLUX STAGE
Capital powering the next wave of growth

Purpose:
Focused on investment, funding strategies, and the financial engines that power innovation ecosystems.

Example Topics:

• "What investors are actually funding in 2026"
• "How founders should approach family offices and alternative capital"
• "Cross-border fundraising strategies for startups"
• "Structuring partnerships between corporates and venture funds"
• "Building sustainable funding ecosystems in emerging markets"

RIPPLE STAGE
How ideas spread, shape, and influence the world

Purpose:
Explores the cultural impact of technology, including media, gaming, storytelling, and how ideas influence behaviour, industries, and society.

Example Topics:

• "How gaming is shaping the future of digital communities"
• "The role of creators in the AI era"
• "Building global cultural IP from emerging markets"
• "Storytelling as a growth engine for tech companies"
• "The intersection of technology, culture, and influence"

Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing your exlusive speaker code and information on our Partner Hotels for discounted rates.

 

Diffusion has secured a limited number of rooms at exclusive discounted rates* with our Official Partner Hotels, Hilton Kuching & Sheraton Kuching Hotel.

CLICK HERE to access rates and information on our Official Partner Hotels.

If you require accommodation in Kuching, we strongly recommend making your travel arrangements as early as possible. Kindly note that demand for hotels in Kuching will be high, as the world-renowned Rainforest World Music Festival will take place immediately after Diffusion Borneo.

If you have questions on our Hotel Partners, please email us at hello@diffusion.asia

*Discounted room rates and room availability is limited and reservations will be on a first-come-first-served basis, and managed/processed by our Partner Hotels.