To be honest, I almost skipped GDI 2023 last year. Schedules were packed, deadlines everywhere. But I’m glad I made time for it.

The event, held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, brought together some really sharp minds—founders, tech leads, people who’ve been building things long before it was cool. No flashy fluff, just good conversations. Some were formal, some happened over kopi at the back of the room. And those are the ones that stayed with me.

What hit me most wasn’t the tech. It was the mindset. Everyone’s chasing scale, yes—but the real talk was about building things that last. Stuff with real impact. And doing it while keeping your team aligned and your values intact. Sounds simple. It’s not.

As a CEO, I’ve learned that you don’t always need to speak the most—you just need to listen better. That’s what I did at GDI. I took notes. I asked questions. And I came back clearer, sharper, and a little more grounded.

One line someone said still sticks with me: “Don’t just build for growth. Build for trust.” That hit home. In our space, trust isn’t a feature—it’s the foundation.

So yeah, GDI 2023 reminded me why showing up matters. Why learning never stops. And why, even after all these years, I’m still excited to be part of this journey.

– Chan Eu Boon