Wake up, check phone; eat lunch, check phone; go for a walk, check phone; watch TV, check phone; the phone is the new cigarette. Scrolling, clicking, liking, and sharing. A quick check-in turns into 15 minutes, then 30, and before we know it, we’ve lost hours of our day. The average internet user now spends […]
Inclusion and diversity is an interesting yet polarising topic — one that’s very close to my heart. Let me be clear upfront: this piece is not a research article with data studies and market facts about I&D boosting business performance. Rather, it’s a true reflection of how I’ve been personally lifted by women in my […]
The statistics are harsh: 90 per cent of startups fail. About 10 per cent shut down within their first year, and a staggering 42 per cent fail because there is no market need for what they offer. This raises an urgent question: what separates the startups that thrive from those that fade away? Interestingly, many […]
When guiding leaders and founders through the complex process of building a personal narrative online, I’ve repeatedly encountered three key questions that can slow down even the most experienced individuals who want to build their personal brand on LinkedIn. These three questions have resonated with a wide range of professionals and business owners, some with […]
With the IMF recently forecasting the next decade to have the lowest global growth in 40 years, or major corporates cutting resources and stating the need for “a year of efficiency” (Facebook’s Zuckerberg for example) and venture capital drying up, its clearly a time when productivity and efficiency are at the top on the management […]
In the fast-growing world of startups, a polished pitch deck is often seen as the golden ticket to securing funding and forging the path to success. But while a compelling presentation can capture investor attention, it’s the founders themselves who breathe life into the vision. This is because, fundamentally, people want to do business with […]
Almost 50 per cent of our waking hours are spent thinking about topics other than our current activities. Even though it’s normal, this mental straying might make it difficult for us to efficiently record and use our thoughts. So, the question is, is there a better approach to capture these transient concepts for later use? […]
This week we saw the downfall of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX, highlighting the lack of communication that caught employees and client’s completely off guard. The importance of transparency in leadership becomes even clearer when it promotes a workplace culture of an open community and responsible behaviours by employees and leaders. As we steer towards 2023, one […]
“Why would you choose to spend ten days in a self-imposed prison instead of ten days on a beach in Tulum?” Unsurprisingly that was the reaction of most of my friends when I announced I had signed up for a ten-day silent retreat called Vipassana. I signed up because I was about to make some […]
Southeast Asia (ASEAN) has experienced rapid economic growth. With a projected GDP growth rate of six-ten per cent per year compared to the global average of three-four per cent over the next five years, the region is on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030. With a literate population of 600 million and […]
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With the IMF recently forecasting the next decade to have the lowest global growth in 40 years, or major corporates cutting resources and stating the need for “a year of efficiency” (Facebook’s Zuckerberg for example) and venture capital drying up, its clearly a time when productivity and efficiency are at the top on the management […]
On the first day of Expand North Star event, part of the GITEX GLOBAL 2024 event in Dubai, SOSV Founder Sean O’Sullivan dubbed climate change as an “urgent existential crisis for humanity” and called for the tech investor community to “make it work” through investments in climate tech. He pointed out the increasing cases of […]
The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) is an international non-profit organisation with a mission to enable high-integrity voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). In case you are not familiar with it, VCM is a concept that allows carbon emitters to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits emitted by projects targeted at removing or reducing greenhouse […]
Dear reader, The latest State of the ASEAN Technology Ecosystem Report CY2024 underscores a paradox in the region’s startup landscape—while capital deployment is stabilising, early-stage founders continue to struggle with fundraising. This reflects a broader global trend where investors remain cautious, prioritising proven business models over speculative growth. The sharp 23% decline in deal volume […]
If you step back to consider just how big the internet is, it’s easier to understand why search engines lie at the heart of it. For decades, search engines have served as the primary gateway to the internet, enabling users to discover websites, articles, images, videos, products, and services and find the information they need. […]
A comprehensive report by January Capital, analysing the ASEAN technology ecosystem for the calendar year 2024, reveals a nuanced landscape characterised by stabilising capital deployment alongside a continued decline in overall deal volume. The State of the ASEAN Technology Ecosystem Report CY2024 draws extensively on data from Alternatives.pe, an affiliated platform providing private market data for […]
Southeast Asia’s agritech sector is blossoming into a vital force, poised to revolutionize agriculture and bolster food security across the region. With a projected market value of US$24 billion to US$48 billion by 2030, as estimated by Asia Fund Managers, this dynamic industry is riding a wave of innovation fueled by rapid population growth, urbanisation, […]
Think about this: You have spent innumerable hours setting up an Instagram-worthy online store with eye-catching photos, your logo is perfect, and the products are amazing. But it’s the moment of truth, and your customer has abandoned the checkout. Did you make sure everything has been covered so that your customer doesn’t get frustrated? Often […]
Despite ongoing tariff challenges, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to find new opportunities for cross-border expansion, especially in fast-growing e-commerce markets. Experts predict the e-commerce industry will grow by a staggering US$11 trillion by 2025, offering SMEs a fertile ground to expand internationally. According to Payoneer’s latest earnings report, SMEs selling on global marketplaces […]
Cryptocurrencies are carving a notable niche in Southeast Asia’s burgeoning digital economy, driven by the allure of speed and cost savings. Yet, according to a new on-chain report by Bitget Wallet, significant hurdles related to security and merchant acceptance persist. The “PayFi Unlocked” report, based on a survey of 4,599 global users, including a substantial […]
Echelon Startup Pitch The Echelon Philippines 2024 Startup Pitching Competition brought together 15 groundbreaking startups, each presenting innovative solutions to pressing challenges. This event not only highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit but also offered a platform for startups to gain feedback, connect with industry leaders, and explore investment opportunities. Among the standouts was BuildIt, which aims […]
Driving Innovation in Philippine Healthcare: Opportunities Beyond Telehealth At Echelon Philippines 2024, the panel ‘Driving Innovation in Philippine Healthcare: Opportunities Beyond Telehealth’ explored the evolving healthcare landscape, focusing on digital health platforms, medical devices, and personalised medicine. Moderated by Amanda Cua, Founder and CEO of BackScoop, the session featured insights from Hamilton Angluben, Founder and […]
Climate Tech: Seizing Opportunities in an Emerging Ecosystem At Echelon Philippines 2024, a panel discussion titled ‘Climate Tech: Seizing Opportunities in an Emerging Ecosystem’ brought together key voices in the climate tech space to explore innovations, funding opportunities, and strategies for navigating regulatory landscapes. Moderated by Katherine Khoo, Lead, Social Impact and Equity Action from […]
AI Leapfrog: Build an AI-first Tech Ecosystem for a Global Competitive Advantage At Echelon Philippines 2024, a panel discussion titled ‘AI Leapfrog: Build an AI-first Tech Ecosystem for a Global Competitive Advantage’ brought together experts from various industries to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Moderated by Bianca Cruz, Co-Founder of 10xme Academy and […]
Is the Philippines the Most Underrated Market in Southeast Asia? Storehub’s Bold Bet on Its Future At Echelon Philippines 2024, Wai Hong Fong, Chieftain and Co-Founder of StoreHub, joined Judge Calimbahin III of Endeavor Philippines for a fireside chat titled ‘Is the Philippines the Most Underrated Market in Southeast Asia? StoreHub’s Bold Bet on Its […]
From Digital to Traditional: Salmon Group’s Integration Strategy with Rural Banking to Enhance Financial Services At Echelon Philippines 2024, Pavel Fedorov, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Salmon (Fintech Holdings Ltd), joined Maansi Vohra of Monk’s Hill Ventures for a fireside chat titled ‘From Digital to Traditional: Salmon Group’s Integration Strategy with Rural Banking to Enhance […]
At Echelon Philippines 2024, Sabrina Tan, Co-Founder of Lhoopa, joined Adriel Yong of Ascend Network for an insightful fireside chat titled ‘Beyond Walls and Roofs: Lhoopa’s Journey of Empowering Individuals and Transforming Lives’. The session highlighted Lhoopa’s efforts to revolutionise homeownership in emerging markets. Lhoopa’s mission is to make affordable housing accessible while creating […]
Funding the Future: Navigating Emerging Sectors and Investment Opportunities Echelon Philippines 2024 hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Funding the Future: Navigating Emerging Sectors and Investment Opportunities’, shedding light on the growth potential of emerging sectors and strategies for startups to secure funding. The session brought together key investment leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges in […]
From Start-Up to Scale-Up: Building and Scaling for the Philippine Market The Echelon Philippines 2024 fireside chat titled ‘From Start-Up to Scale-Up: Building and Scaling for the Philippine Market’ explored key strategies and challenges for growing businesses in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets. Moderated by Joan Yao, Vice President of Investments at Kickstart […]
Leveraging Silicon Valley Networks: Zed’s Path to Growth and the Long Term Impact to Philippine Ecosystem As part of Echelon Philippines 2024, the fireside chat titled “Leveraging Silicon Valley Networks: Zed’s Path to Growth and the Long Term Impact to Philippine Ecosystem” examined how Zed has successfully navigated two ecosystems to drive innovation and growth. […]
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Dear reader, The latest State of the ASEAN Technology Ecosystem Report CY2024 underscores a paradox in the region’s startup landscape—while capital deployment is stabilising, early-stage founders continue to struggle with fundraising. This reflects a broader global trend where investors remain cautious, prioritising proven business models over speculative growth. The sharp 23% decline in deal volume […]
Malaysia-based venture capital firm 1337 Ventures has announced a strategic investment in Betterteem Technologies, an AI-powered HRtech startup headquartered in the Philippines. “At Betterteem, our mission is to equip business leaders with data-driven insights to navigate the complexities of talent management and retention. Partnering with 1337 Ventures marks a pivotal moment for us, providing the […]
A comprehensive report by January Capital, analysing the ASEAN technology ecosystem for the calendar year 2024, reveals a nuanced landscape characterised by stabilising capital deployment alongside a continued decline in overall deal volume. The State of the ASEAN Technology Ecosystem Report CY2024 draws extensively on data from Alternatives.pe, an affiliated platform providing private market data for […]
Malaysian semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) design firm SkyeChip has received a significant investment from Gobi Partners. The undisclosed funding, channelled through the Khazanah Nasional-backed Gobi Dana Impak Fund and Gobi’s regional funds with support from prominent domestic and international institutions, aims to bolster SkyeChip’s talent acquisition, business expansion initiatives, and working capital. Also Read: US […]
Singapore-based Flagright, an AI-native anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and risk management platform, has announced a US$4.3 million seed funding round. The investment was led by Frontline Ventures, with significant participation from existing investors including Y Combinator, Pioneer Fund, and Moonfire Ventures. Rubin Ritter (ex-co-CEO of Zalando), André Silva (ex-Global Head of Expansion at Revolut), Phillip […]
SeaX Ventures, a Thai and US-based venture capital firm, has announced the launch of SeaX Zero, a US$6 million climate-focused fund dedicated to supporting deep tech startups tackling global carbon emissions. The fund, which is part of SeaX’s broader US$100 million investment strategy, aims to back early-stage innovators with the potential to deliver scalable climate […]
The burgeoning tech startup ecosystem in the Philippines is witnessing a significant surge in activity, marked by record deal flow and an unprecedented rise in international investor interest, according to the Philippine Venture Capital Report 2025, a collaboration between Foxmont Capital Partners and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This upswing reflects the nation’s resilient economy, strong […]
Dear reader, Welcome to the latest edition of Ecosystem Roundup. Kicking things off, Indonesia’s premium coffee darling, Fore Coffee, is brewing up something big with its upcoming IPO on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Set to trade as “FORE”, the chain aims to raise up to US$23.2 million by offering 1.8 billion shares, a move that […]
Manila-based early-stage VC firm Kaya Founders has announced a series of new and follow-on investments at the start of 2025, demonstrating a strong belief in the potential of the Philippine tech startup ecosystem despite a more subdued funding environment across Southeast Asia in recent quarters. The latest additions to Kaya Founders’s portfolio include fintech company […]
Vietnamese solar energy firm Stride has announced that it has secured a Series A equity investment from new investor UOB Venture Management, alongside existing investors Clime Capital and Touchstone Partners. This round comes less than a year after the company secured US$3 million in a debt financing facility from the Swedish solar investment platform Trine. […]
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 16 January 2025 – Over 400 business owners, marketers, and advertisers gathered at Hotel Maya in Kuala Lumpur for TikTok’s highly anticipated Ramadan Ready for SMBs: Elevate Your Brand’s Story on TikTok event. This exclusive event provided small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with the latest strategies and tools to maximize brand […]
The customer engagement landscape is rapidly evolving. AI-driven innovations, shifting consumer expectations, and a dynamic business environment are fundamentally changing how brands connect with their audiences. Businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind—just as Kodak, Blockbuster, and Yahoo did when they ignored industry shifts. To stay competitive, organizations must embrace new strategies and technologies […]
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack access to the digital tools that larger companies use to transform their operations. With constrained budgets, they face challenges in acquiring, integrating, and managing new software, hardware, and technologies. Without the right tools, SMEs struggle to digitise workflows, collect and analyse customer data, and automate repetitive tasks. This […]
Raising capital is one of the biggest hurdles for startups. With fewer than one per cent of startups securing venture capital, most turn to angel investors. However, founders often struggle with finding relevant investors in their industry and geography, preparing professional investor-ready documents such as pitch decks and business plans, and effectively reaching out and […]
Omnichat, the leading all-in-one omnichannel customer experience platform in the Asia-Pacific region, announced its AI-powered conversational suite driven by Agentic AI for 2025. Notably, it is backed by prominent investors such as AppWorks, 91APP, Palm Drive Capital, Cornerstone Ventures and AVA Angels. Omnichat has achieved significant growth with an eightfold revenue increase over the past […]
SINGAPORE — e27 announced a new integration with Meta’s Llama Incubator Programme. This initiative is designed to accelerate AI adoption among startups and SMEs in Singapore. It features two specialized tracks: the Startup Track and the SME Track. Both tracks will equip participants with the necessary tools and expertise to integrate AI solutions effectively into […]
The wait is over! Applications for the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards 2025 are now officially open. This global platform is dedicated to recognizing and supporting innovative technologies that address the challenges posed by natural disasters. With a strong focus on solutions that save lives before, during, and after disasters, the Awards have become a cornerstone […]
Imagine pouring your heart and resources into building a brand and product you’re proud of, only to see a knock-off benefitting from your hard work and chipping away at your market share. For many businesses, this is an all too familiar reality. Copycats can take a real toll on your business. Counterfeit products might confuse […]
The Los Angeles wildfires have caused unprecedented devastation. Over 30,000 acres have been burned and more than 10,000 structures destroyed, including numerous homes. Approximately 180,000 residents have been evacuated and there have been at least five fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise. The economic losses are estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion. […]
On 30 October, SWITCH of TAIWAN: Networking Night with Taiwanese Startups took place in collaboration with StartUP@Taipei, the Taipei Government’s program supporting Taiwanese entrepreneurs. This dynamic event gathered a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate representatives. As a result, the event created a vibrant platform for cross-border collaboration between Taiwan, Singapore, and Japan. Powered […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – November 11, 2024 – SCB 10X, the disruptive technology investment and innovation arm of SCBX Group, in collaboration with SCB, Innovest X, Fireblocks, Elliptic, Circle and Base, announced the launch of Rubie Wallet. This digital wallet showcases how purpose-bound money (PBM) can facilitate a seamless closed-loop QR payments experience. These secure transactions […]
In today’s digital world, online gaming has become more than just a pastime—it’s a global community where players can access unique items, level up their skills, and enhance their gaming experiences. However, gamers face significant risks when trading or purchasing accounts and items online. In addition to challenges of time, expense, and fragmented access to […]
As Korean content continues to captivate global audiences, the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) is broadening its international footprint with the opening of a new office in Singapore. This expansion positions KOCCA at the centre of Southeast Asia’s financial and innovation hub. As a result, this will provide unparalleled opportunities for investors, startups and businesses […]
The Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), in partnership with SCB 10X, is pleased to announce its collaboration with Lightnet to enhance cross-border payments and remittances by using stablecoin for settlement on the public blockchain network. This groundbreaking project marks Thailand’s first use case of stablecoin for cross-border payments and remittances. As a result, this sets a […]
In the dynamic world of construction, BuildHub stands out as a modern and innovative online marketplace. Our mission is to streamline connections between hardware stores and construction suppliers across the Philippines, making it easier for them to thrive and focus on their core strength — delivering high-quality materials and solutions for successful building projects. Transforming […]
Manila, Philippines — Smile API, a provider of real-time, verified employment data across Asia, is aiming to redefine how HR and Fintech business operations work when accessing and utilising critical employment information. By empowering business operations through transparency and the use of user-consented data, Smile API plans to make waves by offering reliable solutions to […]
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organisation) or NIA is hosting “STARTUP THAILAND x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO 2024” or SITE 2024 under the concept of “Innovation for Growth and Sustainability” to accelerate the creation of sustainability for Thai businesses and start-ups in all dimensions. There […]
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