Asia On The Edge (AOTE) began in 2008 in hope to create an occasion for the peoples of Asia to share their experiences and visions in their own point of view and language(s) amongst each other and with the rest of the world with the aim of engendering a better understanding of Asia. In the following year, the initiative became a signature event of the Singapore Grand Prix season with a focus on fashion, design and craft.

In 2011, with an entrepreneurial element being introduced in it, AOTE became a programme that aggregates in a single event the rich traditions and heritage of Asia together with emerging ideas and trends for the future, resulting in a total integrated platform for the rest of the world to engage with the creative communities of Asia.

To be held from 23 August to 9 September 2012, AOTE 2012 will gather 300 Asian creative entrepreneurs from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Myanmar and Singapore. The programme will see to business and lifestyle networking sessions, an idea generation workshop, thought-provoking breakout sessions, a pitching platform for the up-and-coming creative entrepreneurs and a joint arts and culture initiative between Malaysia and Singapore – Causeway Exchange

AOTE 2012 also features several lead up programmes, including Generating Ideas, Creative Cebu that was held from 16 to 18 March 2012,  Generating Ideas @ Jakarta that was held on 3 July and Generating Ideas @ Kuala Lumpur that was held on the 2 August.