Pic-A-Talk Showcases Transformative Innovation at 2024 GIST ASEAN Startup Competition in Singapore

In an era where technology and innovation are reshaping communities across Southeast Asia, Pic-A-Talk has emerged as a trailblazer in bridging communication gaps for diverse groups. At the 2024 GIST ASEAN Startup Training and Pitch Competition held in Singapore from October 8-10, Uma Roa, CEO and co-founder of Pic-A-Talk, proudly represented the company and showcased its groundbreaking app. Designed to empower individuals by providing accessible communication tools, Pic-A-Talk aligns with GIST’s vision of sustainable, community-centered innovation.

The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative is renowned for its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs who are tackling some of the most pressing regional issues. This year, the GIST ASEAN competition brought together 20 visionary entrepreneurs from across Southeast Asia. Over the course of a transformative week, these innovators participated in immersive training, high-level networking sessions, and an intense pitch competition, with each founder aiming to elevate their project to the global stage. They were selected not only for their entrepreneurial promise but also for their determination to address critical issues in fields ranging from health and sustainability to energy and advanced technology.

The 2024 GIST ASEAN Startup Training and Pitch Competition highlighted the diverse approaches and impact-driven solutions coming out of Southeast Asia, where entrepreneurs like Uma Roa are determined to create scalable, sustainable change. The initiative recognizes that the region’s unique challenges, from climate resilience to accessible healthcare, demand innovative and inclusive solutions. In this sense, the competition served as both a training ground and a launchpad for companies like Pic-A-Talk to propel their work beyond national borders and onto the global stage.

Representing Pic-A-Talk, Roa emphasized the app’s capacity to empower people with innovative communication tools. Pic-A-Talk, designed to support individuals who face communication barriers, provides a rich array of categories, including Animals, People, Clothes, Shapes, Colors, Activities, Numbers, Alphabets, Pronouns, Verbs, and Emotions. These tools open up a new world of self-expression and understanding, bridging gaps that can often lead to isolation. Through her pitch, Roa presented the app’s mission to redefine communication, positioning Pic-A-Talk as an essential resource for those needing enhanced communicative tools, especially in Southeast Asia, where linguistic diversity and accessibility needs are vast.

The event was also an invaluable opportunity for founders to learn from experts in various fields, exchange ideas with like-minded entrepreneurs, and form potential partnerships that could propel their solutions to new heights. For Roa and Pic-A-Talk, the competition served as a platform not only to showcase the app’s achievements but also to explore future expansions and collaborations across the region. Through GIST, participating innovators have access to networks that can help scale their ideas, bringing transformative technology to underserved communities and helping them overcome systemic barriers.

Pic-A-Talk’s involvement in the GIST competition is a testament to its vision and mission of inclusivity. The app’s innovative approach aligns perfectly with the ASEAN region’s focus on sustainable development and social impact, showcasing how technology can be a powerful tool for good. Roa’s participation underscores the region’s potential to produce globally influential technology solutions that meet specific needs, making Pic-A-Talk a prime example of Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurial energy and commitment to social progress.

This gathering of bright minds and ambitious founders underscores the region’s dedication to addressing complex issues through innovation. As Pic-A-Talk continues its mission, Roa’s success at the GIST ASEAN Startup Training and Pitch Competition serves as a milestone, bringing the company closer to its goal of redefining communication. The event not only highlighted the company’s accomplishments but also inspired a broader vision for what’s possible when entrepreneurship, technology, and social responsibility align.

For more details on the GIST ASEAN Startup Training and Pitch Competition, including the visionary cohort and competition highlights, click here.