Trends

Sponsor shock at APRICOT dinner: Canceled member now top supporter

AuthorAlan Tan

Reading Time3 min

PublishedFebruary 26, 2025

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Headline

Context

In what will be a surprise to those with access to the inner workings and communications of the Asia-Pacific internet community, LARUS Ltd was revealed this week as the key sponsor of the APRICOT dinner, taking place in Malaysia. APRICOT (Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies), the biggest internet conference in the Asia-Pacific region, is not just a forum of seminars, workshops, tutorials and conference sessions designed to help keep the region’s internet operating well. It is also a chance for companies and brands to put themselves in the limelight and attract business.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

But when LARUS tried to do this in 2023 and 2024, a mini furore erupted. At first, all seemed well. The sponsorship was agreed, the contract was signed, and the money (US$24,000 of it) was paid. Then came a letter from the APRICOT organisers . “We have become aware from our partner in the event, APNIC, that there is a current disagreement between themselves and LARUS ltd,” the letter stated. “APNIC said they would not be involved in APRICOT 23 while the dispute remains.” The result this time was not a termination of the sponsorship agreement – LARUS’ sponsorship continued, despite the complaint from APNIC.

Key Points

In APRICOT 2024, LARUS’ sponsorship at APRICOT was denied after complaints from event co-organiser APNIC, whose Director General was involved in a feud with LARUS CEO Lu Heng.
This year, sponsorship went ahead, a result, according to LARUS CEO, of Paul Wilson’s resignation from APNIC.