Build and Deploy Real AI Workflows for Real Businesses
Bringing together SMEs with real operational challenges and builders who can design and execute AI workflow automation.
3 - 4 June 2026 | Suntec Singapore CEC, Level 4
The Echelon AI Advantage: Impact by the Numbers
150+
Elite Builders Competing
3
High-Impact SME Challenges
Awaiting Solutions
5 - 7
Finalists:
Live AI Execution on Stage
About the AI Workflow Competition
The AI Workflow Competition is an e27-led programme showcase at Echelon Singapore 2026, designed to explore how AI workflow automation can solve real operational challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Unlike traditional hackathons or idea-based challenges, this programme focuses on execution. Participants work on real business processes, design practical AI-enabled workflows, and demonstrate how these solutions function in real-world environments.
By bringing together SMEs, builders, mentors, and ecosystem partners, the competition aims to create a shared benchmark for what effective AI workflow execution looks like in practice.
How the AI Workflow Competition Works
From real SME challenges to executed AI workflows and live demos at Echelon Singapore.
Qualify
Real problems, real capability checks. SMEs submit real operational challenges that could benefit from AI workflow automation. Builders register and complete a short qualification task to demonstrate their ability to design and execute practical automation workflows.
Build
Hands-on virtual execution with support. Qualified builders work on real SME challenges to design, build, and test AI-powered workflow automations. Selected teams receive structured mentorship and access to platform credits to support development and validation.
Showcase
Live demos and next-step opportunities. Finalist teams present their working AI workflows live at Echelon Singapore 2026, demonstrating real execution and business relevance.Selected teams may continue post-programme discussions with SMEs to explore pilot implementation.
Where Leaders
& Innovators Converge
For SMEs
Solve Real Business Problems with AI Workflow Automation
The AI Workflow Competition invites SMEs to submit real operational challenges and explore how AI-powered workflows can improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability — without requiring technical expertise.
What do SMEs get?
- Submit a real business or operational challenge
- Explore AI automation without needing technical expertise
- Collaborate with builders and mentors during the programme
- Access pilot-ready workflow concepts and post-programme discussions
For Builders
Build, Test, and Showcase Real AI Workflows
The AI Workflow Competition gives builders the opportunity to work on real SME challenges and design end-to-end AI workflow automations that solve practical business problems.
What do Builders get?
- Work on real SME business challenges
- Design, build, and test AI workflow automations
- Receive guidance from technical and business mentors
- Access platform credits (for selected participants only)
- Demo working solutions live at Echelon Singapore 2026
Why This Programme Matters
For SMEs
See REAL ROI, Not Sales Pitches
Evaluate AI workflow solutions built around real business problems. See what actually works, what it costs, and where automation delivers measurable impact.
For Builders
Prove You Can Execute, Not Just Prototype
Work on real SME challenges, design production-ready workflows, and demonstrate execution skills under real-world constraints.
For Partners & Sponsors
Spot Teams That Actually Deliver
Enable practical AI workflow development through platforms, credits, and expertise while gaining visibility into how SMEs actually adopt AI.
For the Ecosystem
A Practical Benchmark for AI Workflows
Create a shared reference point for how AI workflows perform in real business environments, across tools, teams, and use cases.
Supported by Sponsors & Ecosystem Partners
Enabling real-world AI workflow execution through platforms, tools, credits, and practitioner expertise.
Our Sponsors
Community Partners
What This Is and What It Is Not
This is not a pitch competition, idea jam, or innovation theatre. It is a qualification-driven programme focused on execution. If you can’t demonstrate a working workflow, you won’t progress.
Real SME Problems, Not Hypotheticals
SMEs submit real operational bottlenecks that form the official challenge statements.
The 48-Hour Filter: Only Builders Progress
All participants must pass a technical mini-challenge to prove execution capability.
Workflows Are Built, Deployed, & Demonstrated
Builders develop working AI automations with real logic, error handling, and outputs.
Live Execution on the Echelon Stage
Finalists demonstrate their workflows running live, including edge cases and self-correction.
Why e27 Is Running This
e27 has spent a decade connecting Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem. We’ve seen thousands of startups, SMEs, and enterprises struggle with the same problem: AI potential is abundant, but execution is rare. This competition is our response. By surfacing builders who can design, deploy, and demonstrate working AI workflows, we are creating a regional standard for what “production-ready AI” actually means. The winners will define the benchmark. The finalists will become the mentors and leaders of the next wave of AI adoption in Southeast Asia.
Submit Your Business Challenge
Have a Business Challenge Worth Solving?
What we're looking for
- A specific business process that is currently manual, repetitive, or time-consuming
- A challenge that has clear operational impact (cost, time, errors, customer experience)
- A problem that happens frequently enough to benefit from automation
- Openness to exploring a pilot or next-step implementation after the competition
FAQs
Do I solve my own problem or the SME's challenge?
You will solve one of 3 specific SME challenge statements provided by the competition. This ensures a level playing field and establishes a technical benchmark. If you have an existing workflow that solves one of these challenges, you can adapt and submit it.
What kind of AI tools or platforms can we use?
You’re free to use any AI tools, platforms, or frameworks that help you build effective workflows—whether it’s automation platforms, LLMs, APIs, or custom integrations. The focus is on the solution’s impact, not the specific technology stack.
The focus is on the solution’s impact and reliability, not the technology stack. However, your workflow must be deployable and maintainable by the SME partner.
Who will be judging the competition, and what are the judging criteria?
Judging will be based on practicality, business impact, and deployability. We’re looking for solutions that SMEs can actually implement, solve real pain points, and demonstrate measurable ROI. Judges will include industry experts, SME representatives, and technology leaders.
Is this competition only for developers, or can non-technical teams participate?
While technical expertise is essential for building and demonstrating workflows, teams can include business strategists and domain experts. However, at least one team member must be able to explain the technical logic and handle debugging during the live demo.
Is there a fee to participate in the competition?
No, participation in the AI Workflow Competition is free for selected teams. If your workflow meets our criteria and you’re accepted, you’ll showcase your solution at no cost. However, space is limited, so we encourage early applications.
Do SMEs need to commit to full implementation?
No. SMEs are invited to submit a challenge and collaborate during the programme. If a viable workflow is developed, you may explore pilot testing or follow-up discussions — there is no obligation to implement.
Our mission is to create platforms that curate information and connect stakeholders, driving the sustainable growth of the Southeast Asia tech ecosystem.