As it celebrates its fifth anniversary, BEYOND Expo 2025 has announced a major initiative aimed at increasing the international growth of Asian tech companies. The newly launched BEYOND BGlobal Network is designed to help Asian companies expand internationally by offering year-round support, global market insights, and access to strategic networks.

With many Asian businesses looking beyond domestic markets for long-term growth, the BGlobal Network aims to address the specific challenges of international expansion, such as localisation, cross-border operations, and global brand positioning.

“Globalisation is more than just entering new markets, it’s about creating meaningful, sustainable connections,” said Jason Ho, co-founder of BEYOND Expo. 

“The BGlobal Network connects Asian companies with key local players, resources, and expertise to help them thrive on the world stage.”

A Milestone Launch at BEYOND Expo 2025

The BEYOND BGlobal Network will officially launch during the closing ceremony of BEYOND Expo 2025 on May 24 at the Venetian Macao Cotai Expo. The ceremony will also feature a special edition of Fund at First Pitch, where selected startups will present their global ambitions to a panel of celebrity athletes and investors.

“As we celebrate five years of BEYOND, the BGlobal Network represents a bold next step in empowering regional innovation,” said Dr. Gang Lu, co-founder of BEYOND Expo. 

“This initiative is designed to help high-potential companies navigate their global journeys with confidence.”

Connecting Asian Talent to the World

The BGlobal Network provides member companies with access to a wide network of decision-makers across industries, ranging from global retailers and e-commerce platforms to venture capital firms, financial institutions, and localisation experts. It also opens opportunities for collaboration with global influencers and strategic partners, helping companies boost visibility and build brand equity overseas.

Throughout BEYOND Expo 2025, the initiative will be spotlighted through dedicated sessions such as the BGlobal Summit, the Global Investment Summit, and the BEYOND Wealth Summit. Sector-specific programming will explore topics including AI, HealthTech, FinTech, Robotics, Mobility, ClimateTech, and SportsTech.

Five Years of Cross-Border Impact

Since its launch in 2021, BEYOND Expo has become a leading platform for connecting innovation hubs across Asia with global markets. The 2025 edition is expected to attract over 30,000 attendees from more than 120 countries, with participation from startups, multinational corporations, investors, and media.

“The BGlobal Network reflects our commitment to helping Asia’s most ambitious companies turn possibility into impact,” said Jason Ho.

Looking Ahead

More than just a tech showcase, BEYOND Expo 2025 aims to serve as a launchpad for global success. With the introduction of the BGlobal Network and a strong focus on international collaboration, this year’s event sets the stage for a new era of cross-border innovation.

To learn more about the BEYOND BGlobal Network or register for BEYOND Expo 2025, visit www.beyondexpo.com.

Asia’s role in shaping global investment trends will be in the spotlight next month as senior financial leaders, family offices, and institutional investors gather in Macao for the second edition of the BEYOND Wealth Summit.

The invitation-only event will be held on May 23–24 at The Venetian Macao, alongside the wider BEYOND Expo 2025, one of the region’s noted technology and innovation gatherings. More than 300 participants are expected to attend the event, including family offices, market experts, and financial executives from across Asia and beyond.

This year, the summit adds a new dimension with the Greenwich Economic Forum (GEF) joining as a co-host alongside the Asian Family Legacy Foundation (AFLF) and BEYOND Expo. GEF is known for its global investment forums featuring high-profile names from the finance world.

The 2025 agenda seeks to cover a wide range of topics, including multigenerational wealth planning, institutional investment strategies, global market outlooks, technology-driven innovation, and philanthropy.

Over the years, some of the world’s most influential establishments have participated in GEF, including Dalio Family Office and Philanthropies, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Australian Retirement Trust, HESTA (Australia), Tamasek, TIAA, GE Pension, IBM Retirement Trust, Rockefeller Foundation, Blue Pool Capital, Cornerstone Group Family Office, Quilvest (France), Declaration Partners, Howard Family Office, and The Li Family Office.

While the full speaker lineup has not yet been announced, previous GEF events have featured renowned figures such as Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor of Bridgewater Associates; Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of US Federal Reserve; Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA); Michael Spence, Nobel Laureate Economist; Nouriel Roubini, Economist and Professor at NYU Stern; Cathie Wood, Founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest; David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, among others.

Expert panels, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities

The forum will cover topics such as:

• The Future of Family Wealth

• Institutional Investing & Market Outlook

• Frontier Technology and Cutting-edge Innovation

• Global Asset Allocation

• Sustainable Impact and collaborative philanthropy

• Industry Spotlights

Shining the spotlight on wealth and finance

Jason Ho, co-founder of BEYOND Expo, said the summit reflects Asia’s increasing influence in the investment world. “This platform helps spotlight the region’s growing leadership in wealth and finance, while also fostering global connections,” he said.

Dr Gang Lu, also a co-founder of BEYOND Expo, added: “Investment strategies and wealth preservation are evolving quickly. Through this summit, we aim to shape conversations that will influence the next decade of decision-making.”

Michael Zhu, Chair of AFLF, noted that the event has become an important meeting point for families and institutions navigating the complexities of legacy and investment. “We’re building on last year’s momentum with broader participation and deeper discussions,” he said.

GEF co-founder Jim Aiello said the partnership opens new pathways into Asian markets. “Bringing the forum to Macao allows us to tap into the region’s most dynamic opportunities and expand the global investment dialogue.”

Registration for investors and industry professionals

While the BEYOND Wealth Summit is limited to guests by invitation only, the BEYOND Expo, which runs from May 21–24, offers open registration for investors and industry professionals. Events include panel sessions, networking lounges, gala dinners, and a charity golf tournament designed to encourage informal engagement among participants.

To register for the BEYOND Wealth Summit 2025: View the full schedule of BEYOND Wealth Summit speakers and events, and to request an invitation, please visit: www.beyondexpo.com/wealth-summit/.

To register for the Investor Pass at BEYOND Expo 2025, GPs and investors: Secure your Investor Pass now to take advantage of the early-bird offer. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and network with peers, LPs, and the broader tech and innovation community. Book your pass at www.beyondexpo.com/registration.

For more details or to register, visit www.beyondexpo.com.

In an era defined by digital transformation and workforce localisation, Data Direct Group – a leading – Dubai-based business process outsourcing company – has emerged as one of the UAE’s largest and most enduring private employers.

Founded in 2002 with a vision to offer reliable, locally grounded customer experience (CX) solutions, Data Direct Group recently surpassed 1,000 + employee milestone in the UAE alone. The company, today employs, more than 1500 people across four GCC countries, quietly redefining what sustainable private sector impact looks like – with a workforce that today represents 35+ nationalities.

“Our story is Dubai’s story — built on ambition, innovation, and a belief in people,” says Rajiv Dalmia, Founder and Chairman of Data Direct Group that marks 23 years of operations this month. “When we started over two decades ago, back in 2002, we had a clear focus: build a company that not only delivers operational excellence but also contributes meaningfully to the economy and society around us. That vision has stayed the same.”

Supporting on-shore employment and Emiratisation

In an industry often driven by offshore outsourcing, Data Direct Group has doubled down on creating meaningful, on-shore employment opportunities within the UAE. Its diverse portfolio includes call centre services, digital onboarding, and IT support — all delivered by a workforce physically present in the country and trained to global standards.

“Our journey reflects not only business resilience, but a deep-rooted commitment to on-shore job creation, inclusivity, and economic value generation,” said Dalmia explaining how this ‘localisation drive’ has allowed the company to support both government and private sector entities across the UAE while aligning with national initiatives such as Emiratisation.

“We’ve never believed in exporting jobs; we’ve always believed in exporting  knowledge and capabilities,” Dalmia notes. “That’s why we’ve invested heavily in building local talent — our growth is measured not just in numbers, but in lives uplifted and careers shaped.”

A true UAE-grown success story

With its roots deeply embedded in Dubai, Data Direct Group has become a textbook example of homegrown enterprise success. From early challenges to regional expansion, the company has retained its core commitment to service, speed, and scalability.

Today, it is trusted by leading names in banking, healthcare, government services, utilities, logistics, and telecom, delivering bespoke business solutions that enhance customer experience and drive digital agility.

“The UAE allowed us to dream big. The leadership here created an ecosystem where entrepreneurs like myself could build something real and long-lasting,” Dalmia says.

One of the UAE’s largest employers in its category

Employing more than 1,500 people in the region and growing, Data Direct Group has carved out a reputation not only for its size but also for its inclusive work environment. With more than 35 nationalities represented, the company mirrors the cosmopolitan fabric of the UAE itself.

“We don’t just talk diversity — we live it every day,” says Dalmia. “Whether it’s a young graduate from Sharjah or a systems analyst from India, we’ve built a space where people from all backgrounds, walks of life and academic qualifications can grow and lead.”

The company’s female participation has also grown steadily over the past decade, particularly in middle-management and client delivery roles — a focus area it aims to accelerate in the coming years.

Driving economic impact beyond numbers

Beyond employment figures, Data Direct Group plays a pivotal role in supporting the business infrastructure of the UAE and wider GCC. From managing millions of customer interactions to helping clients streamline operations, the company’s services are woven into the fabric of everyday business in the region.

This impact translates to cost-efficiencies, customer satisfaction, and scalable support for public services — key drivers of GDP contribution in UAE’s digital economy.

“Economic impact is not just about revenue — it’s about relevance,” Dalmia adds.

“The fact that we’ve been around for over two decades, evolving every step of the way, is proof that you can be relevant, resilient, and responsible — all at once.”