Singapore-headquartered global early-stage VC firm Antler has closed over US$300 million to date from Schroders, Vækstfonden, and Phoenix Group.

While its primary focus remains pre-seed stage investments, the VC firm will now start offering its portfolio companies follow-on capital as they grow and scale up to Series C.

Founded in Singapore in 2017, Antler invests in companies, helps them in building complementary co-founder teams, supports them with deep business model validation, and provides a global platform for scaling.

To date, it has invested in over 350 companies globally across 30 different industries. Of these, 40 per cent have at least one female co-founder, and the founders represent 70 nationalities.

Also Read: Antler to deploy US$100M in “priority market” India in the next 4 years

The firm has a global network of over 600 expert advisors and an online platform of resources, tools and supports its portfolio companies with introductions to international investors, hands-on assistance with new market entry, and access to a global network of expert advisors.

Antler’s current portfolio of startups includes HomeBase, Reebelo, Qashier, Volopay, Pathzero, Marco Financial, Xanpool, PowerX, and Xailient.

The firm has offices globally across most major entrepreneurial hubs, including London, Berlin, Stockholm, New York, and Sydney, besides Singapore.

It also announced that it has recruited new partners Naman Budhdeo, Erik Jonsson, Jiho Kang, and Subir Lohani to lead its new Canada, Vietnam, Korea, and Indonesia teams, respectively. It has put together a team to oversee ongoing investments led by Lazada co-founder Martell Hardenberg; Teddy Himler, formerly of SoftBank; Stefan Jung, previously managing partner at Venturra Capital; and Navi Singh, a researcher at MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Antler also intends to invest in companies outside of its portfolio at seed and Series A stages.

In January this year, Antler announced it would invest US$100 million in Indian startups over the next four years. The fund will support exceptional founders from the idea stage all the way to Series A and B.

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This October, investment app Ajaiab became the seventh unicorn of Indonesia within just two and half years after its launch. It is not surprising that Southeast Asia has risen to become a hub of personal finance startups riding on the young, internet-savvy middle-class in the region and supercharging the welfare for all. 

Here is a list of 27 startups that could help you save, invest, bank, budget, mortgage, get insurance, plan retirement and tax amid the pandemic. 

Also read: 21 Southeast Asian startups that help banks gain ground in fintech competition

Hugo Save

Co-developed in 2019 by David Fergusson, Ben Davies, and Braham Djidjelli, Hugo Save is a digital saving app helping users manage their personal finance. 

Hugo’s accounts are secured with DBS Bank. A member of the Singapore FinTech Association, Hugo allows customers to make purchases with a company-issued Visa debit card and save money according to their financial goals. They may also use the Hugo app to purchase and sell gold assets for under US$0.0074 (S$0.01) and convert their money into actual gold.

In June this year, the Singapore-based startup raised a US$2 million seed investment from 1982 Ventures.

Endowus

Endowus provides a platform for cash, central provident fund (CPF), and supplementary retirement scheme (SRS) funds to be invested by individual, accredited, and institutional investors.

The Singapore-headquartered startup offers professional tailored advice and “best-in-class” funds at a cheaper cost with no sales expense and a full trailer fee rebate.

Established in 2019, Endowus claims it has experienced a 20x rise in clients investing on the platform and 8x increase in funds under management.

Earlier this year, the company landed US$17 million in a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Kristal.AI

Asheesh Chanda and Vineeth Narasimhan created Kristal.AI in 2016. The firm employs artificial intelligence and provides customers with tailored portfolios that comprise exchange-traded assets such as equities, bonds, options, futures, and currencies. 

Founded in 2016, Kristal has an in-house investment committee comprising specialists with years of expertise in sectors, including banking and trade, according to reports. 

Kristal.AI now has over 10,000 active users on its platform, and the company manages assets worth more than US$100 million.

Early last year, the Singapore-headquartered startup secured a US$6 million Series A round from Chiratae Ventures and Desai Family Office.

ADDX

Launched in 2017, Singapore-based ADDX offers access to private equity, unicorns, hedge funds, private debt, and other alternative investments for accredited investors. The firm is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and is available to all non-US accredited and institutional investors.

ADDX was rebranded from private capital platform iSTOX following a US$50 million Series A funding round from Japanese state-backed investors.

Call Levels

Call Levels provides a cloud-based downloadable free app for users in Singapore. It assists clients to have rapid access to all of their financial investing data.

The app also offers a user-friendly dashboard for managing customer relationships and portfolios. Besides, it has created a platform for the administration of donations to give back to charity.

In 2015, after one year of its inception, the company closed a US$500,000 pre-Series A financing led by 500 Startups.

Dr Wealth

Launched in 2013 by Alvin Chow, Dr Wealth is a Singapore-based financial education firm that helps retail investors make better financial decisions.

In early 2020, the firm created a stock screener, research, and portfolio management platform. This platform provides stock data available to investors from a variety of Asian stock exchanges, including the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX), the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), and the Hong Kong Exchanges (HKSE).

In 2014, the company bagged US$640,000 in seed funding led by Puffer Ventures.

AutoWealth

Founded in 2015, AutoWealth is a National University of Singapore (NUS) Enterprise portfolio company. 

Regulated by the MAS, AutoWealth provides online financial counselling and investment management using a proprietary algorithm. It has developed an automated method that reduces processing time and intermediary expenses. 

Meanwhile, it still provides consumers with tailored personal finance advice on the asset composition, initial investment amount, and recurring investment instalments.

In 2019, the startup raised US$3 million in a funding round to expand into Malaysia’s market.

StashAway

StashAway is a Singapore-based online investment management firm founded in 2016. It offers a data-driven investing framework and a digital asset management platform. 

Individuals may open portfolios with a zero-dollar minimum deposit, unrestricted withdrawals, and yearly fees ranging from 0.2 per cent to 0.8 per cent. 

The platform uses a systematic asset allocation method to customise portfolios based on an individual’s financial assets, investing time horizon, and risk preferences.

Earlier this year, the startup bagged a US$25 million Series D funding round, led by Sequoia Capital India.

Infina

In January 2021, Infina launched its app in Singapore and has now extended to Vietnam. Most of its customers are in the 25-40 age group, seeking alternatives to long-term asset classes such as real estate. The app needs a US$25 minimum investment and allows investors to choose from various assets such as savings accounts, term deposits, fractionalised real estate, and mutual funds.

It counts among its investors the companies such as Dragon Capital, ACB Capital, Mirae Asset Fund Management and Viet Capital Asset Management.

Last June, the firm snagged a US$2 million seed round from Saison Capital, Venturra Discovery, 1982 Ventures, 500 Startups, Nextrans, and angels.

Finhay

Founded in 2017, Finhay is a platform that assists users in saving wisely and optimising idle cash by automatically transferring funds to reputed financial funds in Vietnam. 

A one-stop shop for financial services in Vietnam, Finhay focuses on assisting millennials in prudently building money. The firm strives to cater to the market’s underserved demographic.

Last year, the company secured seven-digit funding from Jeffrey Cruttenden, co-founder of the popular US savings app Acorns, local company Thien Viet Securities, and other investors.

Finsify

Built by Ngo Xuan Huy in 2013, Finsify is an online startup that focuses on offering personal finance solutions through mobile apps and web platforms. 

Finisfy, previously ZooStudio, has developed Money Lover, a personal money management software. Money Lover consolidates all of a user’s bank accounts to help them better track their finances.

Money Lover claims that it recently topped the chart as the number one app in personal finance. With plans to offer software aimed at accountants.

HelloGold

Created in 2015, HelloGold is a Malaysian personal finance firm that assists individuals in securing their money through gold investments.

Its Shariah-compliant technology helps users follow gold prices in real-time. The firm also offers investors to buy, save, and sell this precious metal.

In 2018, the startup raised undisclosed Series A financing from 500 Startups.

Akulaku

An Indonesian platform for consumer financing, AKulaku focuses on virtual credit cards, digital communication, and consumer products. 

Akulaku is also available in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. In Indonesia, the firm stated that its money management platform has over 100,000 monthly active users.

Launched in 2014, the company claims to have served over 6 million users and generating over US$1.5 billion in yearly transactions.

In 2019, the startup bagged US$100 million in Series D funding round from Ant Financial, Alibaba’s business line in the financial services sector.

Pluang

Pluang, established by Claudia Kolonas and Richard Chua, caters to Indonesia’s expanding middle class by allowing individual investors to spend as little as US$0.50 in gold, equities indexes, mutual funds, and cryptocurrencies.

It assists first-time users in reducing risk. It also emphasises financial education on investment and long-term wealth development.

Last month, the startup secured an additional US$53 million led by Square Peg, following a US$20 million funding round earlier in March. 

Ajaib

Stanford MBA classmates Anderson Sumarli and Yada Piyajomkwan launched Ajaib in 2019. It is a mobile-first stock trading platform leveraging Indonesia’s high smartphone penetration rate.

In Indonesia, the business claims to have attracted more than one million stock investors out of a total of 2.69 million retail equity investors.

Earlier this month, the startup added US$153 million led by DST Global to its kitty to become a unicorn.

Friz

Co-founded by Friz Ash Rhazaly and Nirali Zaveri, Friz is a Singapore-based fintech startup providing financial services for freelancers. 

The firm uses data insights to provide freelancers financial goods such as credit cards, personal loans, insurance, savings, and investment options. Friz allows freelancers to keep track of and manage their revenues, spending, savings, and borrowings all in one place, resulting in increased productivity and the closing of borrowing gaps.

Last April, the startup secured an undisclosed amount in pre-seed funding with participation from Y Combinator, 500 Durians, 500 TukTuks, Iterative VC and other angel investors

MFast

Phan Thanh Vinh and Phan Thanh Long co-founded fintech platform MFast in 2018. It allows Vietnamese to utilise, introduce, and access financial and insurance services.

The smartphone app connects disadvantaged communities with financial and insurance institutions to guarantee that everyone has access to basic financial services, allowing individuals to better their livelihoods, manage risks, and enhance their quality of life over time.

MFast claims to have helped almost 600,000 Vietnamese access financial and insurance services from reputable organisations after three years of operations in Vietnam.

Earlier this year, the startup raised US$1.5 million in pre-Series A funding round led by Do Ventures, a local early-stage VC firm.

Finory

Finory is a fintech business headquartered in Malaysia that analyses credit card statements and provides customers with crucial information such as the total amount due, the minimum amount required, and the due dates.

Founded in 2020, Finory utilises retrieved data to offer timely notifications reminding users about upcoming due dates and amounts payable. Users need to provide their monthly bank statement to Finory. It will then scan it and extract essential information for display on the app using machine learning techniques.

Seedly

Seedly was founded in 2016 in Singapore to assist people in making better financial decisions. In the last two years, the millennial-focused community features, such as crowdsourced Q&A and the Reviews platform, have experienced over 250 per cent year-on-year growth in users.

The firm also has a budgeting tool and app that helps over 130,000 customers to connect their financial accounts and better manage their cash flow.

In 2020, CompareAsiaGroup acquired Seedly to extend its personal finance community beyond Singapore. The acquisition comes two years after ShopBack purchased Seedly in an equity-cumulative cash deal in May 2018.

Makmur

Sander Parawira, a former Virtu Financial executive and Facebook programmer, created the personal finance company Makmur in 2019. It allows Indonesians to plan their financial objectives (emergency fund, retirement money, and children’s education fund) all in one place.

Makmur generates optimum plans suited to customers’ risk tolerance, investment horizon, and current economic conditions using a patented dynamic asset allocation technique used to its goal-based investing and Robo Advisory capabilities.

Last month, the firm scored “seven-digit” seed funding led by Beenext.

Halofina

Adjie Wicaksana and Eko Pratomo, both veterans in the financial industry, launched Halofina in 2017. It’s AI-powered personal financial planning software that helps users manage their finances and develop investment ideas.

The Indonesia-based startup said that most of its users are millennials and those in the middle-upper income bracket.

In 2019, the platform secured an undisclosed amount of pre-Series A funding round led by Mandiri Capital Indonesia.

PinjamWinWin

PinjamWinWin is an Indonesia-based fintech peer-to-peer loan firm created in 2015 by James Susanto, an alumnus of the University of New South Wales in Australia who worked in banking, mining, and trade.

Its mobile app connects lenders and borrowers with a processing period of less than a day, no collateral, and competitive interest rates. 

The startup landed funding from SOSV to help finance unbanked Indonesian in 2019. PinjamWinWin said it would provide around 185 million unbanked Indonesians with insurance-backed loans. 

Jojonomic

Indrasto Budisantoso, the former CEO of Groupon, established Jojonomic in 2015. It began as personal financial management software. Then in October 2015, it released Jojonomic Pro, a platform to assist businesses with employee reimbursement administration.

The app amplifies gamification to make the tedious process of tracking one’s spending more engaging and exciting.

In 2016, the Indonesian fintech startup bagged US$1.5 million in a financing round led by Maloekoe Ventures, with participation from Golden Gate Ventures, Fenox VC, and East Ventures.

Syfe

Syfe is a digital wealth platform located in Singapore developing the next generation of financial products for Asian consumers.

Dhruv Arora started Syfe in 2019 to change the way people manage their money and make high-quality wealth management services inexpensive and accessible to everyone.

Within two years of its inception in Singapore, Syfe raised more than US$52 million.

Last July, Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures led Syfe’s most recent Series B financing round.

Holdnaut

Hodlnaut is a Singapore-based company that offers financial services to individual investors looking to earn income on their cryptocurrency holdings.

In 2019, Juntao and Simon co-launched Holdnaut. The startup claims that it allows users to earn interest of up to 12.73 per cent APY on their crypto.

Last month, Hodlnaut partnered with Okcoin, the US-based crypto exchange, to improve users’ investment options and earnings potential.

Autumn

Autumn, based in Singapore, is a bank-agnostic and open platform created and funded by SC Enterprises, Standard Chartered’s innovation and ventures business. 

Founded by Mike in 2020, Autumn helps its consumers to plan and manage their financial and physical well-being by providing best-in-class goods and solutions. 

The firm takes a comprehensive approach to retirement planning, assisting people in understanding how their lifestyle choices affect their money and health, ensuring that they are well-prepared for retirement.

BetterTradeOff

BetterTradeOff was established in 2015 by Laurent Bertrand and Robert Lonsdorfer. It aims to democratise financial planning by providing consumers with accessible and comprehensible advice. 

Through its bespoke dashboards for banks and financial advisors and a free virtual platform for consumers, users can simulate life situations such as purchasing a new home or planning for retirement, making it easy for users to see and understand the impact of their decisions. 

BetterTradeOff has recently partnered with Zurich Malaysia and Standard Chartered Bank to simplify financial planning for their customers with its solution.

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Southeast Asia’s consumers currently lack access to financial services. Banking penetration in Southeast Asia (SEA) sits at a mere 50 per cent. In contrast, the banking penetration rate is 95 per cent in the US and UK.

This provides an opportunity for tech companies to bridge the gap in financial services. Looking to not only better serve customers, but also to empower stakeholders such as small businesses and delivery partners, Indonesian tech giants GoTo and Traveloka are ramping up their fintech offerings.

At a recent webinar by EDB with Patrick Cao, President of GoTo, and Caesar Indra, President of Traveloka, we discussed their tips for delivering and scaling fintech products across the region, building the right capabilities, and tapping Singapore as a globally connected tech node for growth in SEA.

Check out their key insights below.

Work with your customers to raise awareness of fintech products

Financial literacy varies across diverse SEA. For example, while 59 per cent of adults in Singapore are financially literate, it is 32 per cent in Indonesia, according to the S&P Global Finlit Survey. With a lack of knowledge in basic finances, customers are also leery of digital financial services.

For Traveloka with its start as an online travel agency, it was challenging to persuade Indonesian customers more comfortable with cash to use their platform for high-value transactions in travel.

Indra shared: “We needed to make a conscious effort to educate the market on basic finances. This is important for us, as we want to not only fulfil our customers’ lifestyle aspirations but also enable them to realise it in a responsible way.”

Also Read: A horse of another: Here’s the full list of Southeast Asia’s 24 unicorns

With GoTo’s platform offerings spanning from transport and food, to e-commerce and fintech, it is similarly key for the company to educate its stakeholders across the ecosystem.

“We are focused on providing a seamless and transparent product so the customer, the driver and the merchant know exactly what the terms and conditions are, and we continue to build that educational journey,” Cao explained.

Be transparent in your products and services to build customer trust

For both GoTo and Traveloka, customer education goes together with transparency: they are upfront with their offerings and help customers understand what they are signing up for.

“We build transparency into our products’ UX and UI,” said Indra. For example, Traveloka’s online credit lending service, PayLater, is explicit in the monthly instalments expected of customers.

Transparency is also integral in assuring customers that their data is managed securely. “Both of us are in the business of trust,” Patrick said.

Both companies are also stringent in ensuring that products are compliant with local regulations – once again, underscoring a responsibility to customers.

Identify the right expertise you need for your regional team

Building the right capabilities is at the core of both companies’ fintech achievements so far.

Risk management and control, data analytics and cybersecurity are a few of the critical skillsets GoTo and Traveloka cite in creating successful fintech products.

Traveloka has been building such teams in Singapore. Their Singapore-based data science, cybersecurity, and cloud-native architecture teams work closely with other regional teams to quickly innovate and launch products in SEA. “Singapore offers a world-class talent pool, bringing together the best talent locally and across the region,” Indra affirmed.

Similarly, for GoTo, while operating largely in Indonesia, “a large part of the talent and expertise that we need is based in Singapore. Most of the talent that we have in Singapore has quite a strong affinity for Indonesia, given that it is a short plane ride away,” added Cao.

Also Read: Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam the most attractive fintech hubs in SEA: Study

Find like-minded partners in Singapore, a tech node in the heart of SEA

Besides being a hub for talent, Singapore also provides access to key partners for GoTo and Traveloka.

“Singapore is a great place in terms of access to ecosystem partners and other areas of fintech expertise that our teams and leaders can tap on,” said Cao.

With Singapore home to 59 per cent of Asia regional headquarters for global tech companies, he added that a rich talent pool and presence of global companies “make Singapore an ideal place to have that regional ecosystem sharing and conversations that enrich our own knowledge and ability to build high-quality products.”

Singapore has also been a partner for Traveloka for innovating in a “vibrant, supportive” fintech ecosystem, said Indra.

A curious, experimental mindset serves you well in fast-growing SEA

Where once traditional financial institutions, such as banks and insurers, and fintech players might be competitors, they are now close collaborators in helping customers access financial services, as both GoTo and Traveloka attested.

Working across non-traditional lines is part and parcel of serving fast-changing SEA. Cao shared that it is critical to “have a curious and experimental mind, and the ability to unlearn, relearn and localise” successes from more developed markets such as the US and China.

Tech companies in SEA are well-positioned to pioneer solutions and meet the needs of increasingly affluent consumers. Where financial institutions might lack information, “we provide the technology to bridge the gap,” said Indra.

Cao added: “We are very much at the embryonic stage, where fintech could end up evolving similar to other fast-growing markets like China.”

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Whether we like it or not, personal branding is one of the most important things you need to be thinking about as an entrepreneur.

A poorly developed and poorly managed personal brand might cost you opportunities or destroy your chances of starting a successful business.

A poorly-developed but well-managed brand might confuse people as to who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.

A well-developed but poorly managed brand might waste your time and offer the wrong opportunities.

A well-developed and well-managed personal brand will get you the right traction in a timely manner and on a low-cost budget.

Our guest today is Stacey Ross Cohen, the founder and CEO of Co-Communications Inc, a personal branding firm that specialises in executives, entrepreneurs, and especially CEOs.

Co-Communications delivers high-impact, targeted communications programs to local and national clients across diverse industries, including real estate, education, healthcare, non-profits, hospitality, information technology and professional services.

Also Read: The business of social responsibility: Why brands are redefining their social conscience

She is a regular contributor to Huffington Post, and has to have been featured in a variety of national and local publications, including Entrepreneur Magazine, Crain’s, Sales & Marketing, and most recently Inside Chappaqua.

We discuss:

· Why is she so passionate about personal branding?

· Why is it necessary to have one?

· How can you refine yours?

· What is Sean’s personal brand?

· How to develop a consistent personal brand?

· What are the right channels for you to focus your energy?

· How to make your content get discovered?

· And much more!

Also Read: 6 pivot stories of Vietnamese F&B brands that are worth your time (and taste)

Thanks so much to Stacey for this great conversation, I hope you enjoy the show!

If you don’t see the player above, click on the link below to listen directly!

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This article about building personal brand for entrepreneurs was first published on We Live To Build.

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Gone are the days when a jobseeker could send a CV to many companies and get a call for an interview without any fuss.

Nowadays, candidates have to go through a seemingly never-ending number of hiring rounds while also overcoming innovative recruitment technology solutions that have entered the market recently. This issue is particularly prevalent in the tech, finance and energy sectors.

Candidates are now jumping over various hurdles, working their way through a maze of application forms, tests and using all sorts of technology, from TikTok resume applications to video recordings.

These additional steps in the hiring process have made it tedious, confusing, frustrating and demoralising. It seems there is a myth that the more extended recruitment formula will help companies weed out the perfect candidate for the vacant role.

In truth, the applicants who are persevering through this unsettling number of interviews are those who are desperate to get a job. They may not have other opportunities available or the necessary qualities to be successful in the role.

Unfortunately for the recruiters, bad interview experiences can drive talents away and damage a company’s reputation through word of mouth.

So, how can employers strike a balance between streamlining the hiring process and capture significant and granular assessments of the candidate without losing them?

Despite the advances in modern-day recruitment techniques, the current processes still face several challenges.

Also Read: impress.ai raises US$3M to make hiring less tiring for recruiters

Talent shortage

There is a high global demand for tech talent in the technology and digital industries and other sectors. Currently, the supply does not meet the market’s requirements, which means the power no longer resides with HR professionals but rather with the tech-trained applicants.

Recruiters are finding themselves forced to compete for the few qualified candidates, going as far as reaching out to them on job board platforms. In addition, companies now have to raise their salary offers and benefits to attract the best people.

Human touch versus technology

Another challenge is determining when and how to use recruiting technology and when the HR professional should step in to process the applications. Remember, the candidate’s hiring experience is crucial, and their journey through every stage will reflect positively or negatively on the company’s culture.

Chasing trends

Some job interview approaches are unsuitable for certain industries. For example, what a recruiter looks for in a coder will be different from an events coordinator.

Technology also faces a similar challenge, as the tools you might use in one sector might not suit candidates from other niches.

HR professionals have to grapple with outdated and recent interview techniques. The desire to reduce potentially making bad choices has resulted in conducting too many hiring rounds.

Additionally, the fear of missing out is bringing new and sometimes unsuitable recruitment methods to the fore.

Desperation

Lack of employment options and talent shortages create an unexpected issue for companies regarding quality and quantity. The damage to jobs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic creates gaps, and many unemployed candidates are desperate to find work.

Ultimately, recruitment is expensive, and the hiring managers have to get it right to prevent future costs. If a new hire ends up being unsuitable for the role, the whole process may require undertaking again, adding a further cost burden to the company. 

Choosing the best interview strategy

Presently, employers have access to technological tools for identifying the correct candidate for vacant positions. Experienced HR and talent acquisition managers define the hiring models and technologies needed for different roles. 

It is then vital to map out an interview strategy by first understanding your needs and adopting an agile recruitment process.

Also Read: Why we need to embrace HR tech adoption stat

Here are three areas to focus on:

Sourcing candidates

There is no one size fits all approach to recruitment. For example, various age groups and generations use different job application methods, and HR professionals may also use diverse hiring models. Even so, knowing whether a candidate fits the hiring criteria before moving forward to the interview stage ensures the possibility of success.

Using technology makes it possible to filter the ideal candidates without reviewing hundreds or thousands of resumes. Too many applications can be overwhelming, and failing to respond to them effectively can harm a brand.

A good recruitment strategy includes exploring many recruitment channels to source more suitable interviewees for the specific role.

Focus on one industry

Copying trends that are unsuitable for an industry can hurt the employment process. The latest hiring methods, such as video resumes, do not belong in every sector—these measures might work in more extroverted roles but may not be appropriate for a less client-facing position.

In some industries, tests are helpful to ascertain the applicant’s suitability, but in others, they are just time-consuming and irrelevant.

Versatility is essential in the digital age. Allowing adaptation to different interview and application processes depending on the sector or role can make a difference in finding the right talent.

Limiting interview rounds

Organisations should be aware of the talent shortage and not waste time during recruitment. The number of rounds needed in the interview depends on the nature of the role and its level in the company. Plus, the faster you complete the hiring process, the less likely the candidate will take up other competing offers.

Guide the candidates through the process and timelines to ensure they know what will occur. Limit the interviews to less than three rounds for minor roles and about four for senior positions. Having excessive rounds will only damage the perception of your company in the eyes of candidates.

Using a talent platform for recruitment

Recruitment technology such as the Grit job search platform is a game-changer with its talent-first approach to hiring. Instead of candidates applying to companies, the potential employers contact them directly on the website highlighting job opportunities that might interest the candidate.

It filters talent by geography, abilities and salary, and HR experts can target future employees, shortlist and contact them.

Moreover, the platform reduces the shortlist period to 24-48 hours and decreases hiring times from a maximum of 12 weeks to just three weeks. Candidates can register on the website in about a minute, and the profile stays anonymous until a potential employer requests to see the full details.

Also Read: What will the next wave of VC investment in HR tech look like?

This search approach is very different from the established job hunting and recruitment methods. It saves companies time, resources, and money by streamlining processes and cutting out unnecessary recruitment headaches.

Talent recruitment will continue to change and evolve as technological advances, including AI and machine learning innovations, and better hiring strategies emerge. Streamlining the process will initially involve using robot interviews and video resume applications before progressing to the stages conducted by humans.

Many recruits and HR personnel will find it easy to adapt, while others, unfortunately, may struggle to adjust to the new realities.

Recruiters must review their internal business processes as the latest technology enters the market. While no hiring model is perfect, it is possible to find a process that fits the positions candidates are applying for and the job level in the company.

Cutting down the length of the interview stages to avoid frustrating the applicants is essential. If the candidates feel the process is tedious, they might drop out believing the recruiter is undervaluing the time and effort to apply for the role.

It can also reflect poorly on the organisation, as the lengthy exasperating procedures may seem part of the work culture there.

The belief that a hiring process of one to three months is the best for securing the ideal employee is not entirely accurate.

While a company might find a fantastic candidate that way, it is also likely that the more desperate applicants and those who do not have other options will stick around longer than others will. The result is an ineffectual, drawn out and infuriating interview process.

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Indonesia’s boutique hospitality and lifestyle company Artotel Group has secured an undisclosed amount in a Series B financing round led by Indies Capital Partners, alongside creative industry-focused Benson Capital.

With the new capital, Artotel intends to pursue a merger and acquisition strategy to expand across Indonesia. 

Another portion of the funding will be used to strengthen the group’s core infrastructure, digitise its operations and enhance sustainability throughout the organisation.

“With Indonesia’s hospitality sector at a critical juncture, Artotel is investing heavily into future growth with a focus on quality guest experience and an enhanced geographic footprint,” said founder and CEO Erastus Radjimin.

Targeting Indonesia’s first and second-tier cities and upcoming tourism locations, Artotel is set to roll out 29 new properties around the country, bringing the total number of its properties to over 50 by 2023.

The company will also continue operating properties and building new two- and three-star hotels under the Kyriad brand, its latest acquired hospitality brand launched by France-based Louvre Hotels Group. 

Also read: From the contributor community: The future of travel, user retention strategies, and more;

Co-launched in 2013 by siblings Erastus and Christine Radjimin, Artotel has four integrated pillars: hotel (stay), food and beverage (dine), event management (play), and curated merchandise (shop).

The group offers a range of lodgings, ranging from cheap hotels to boutique hotels to premium stays, from mass-market to luxury.

Bobotel, Roomsinc, Artotel are among its hotel brands.

Today, Artotel’s hospitality portfolio has 3,000 rooms, including the 1,300 rooms added from its acquisition of Kyriad’s Indonesia operations. 

The group also provides autonomous management of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs in the food and beverage business. It employs a technology-driven strategy to enhance hotel operations infrastructure better to manage booking, management, and guest relations. This covers activities such as brand activation events, online cultural events, and food and beverage delivery.

“Although impacted in the last two years, we are optimistic that Indonesia’s tourism industry will continue to grow post-pandemic based on a burgeoning domestic middle-class and strong international appeal,” said Avina Sugiarto, senior VP at Indies Capital.

Artotel stated that it has consolidated and restructured the company through business planning, increasing business margins and customer satisfaction.

According to the “Hospitality Real Estate Sector In Indonesia” 2020 report, tourism is a significant growth driver for the hospitality industry in Indonesia. The hotel industry is said to be well-developed, offering from five-star hotels to humble guest homes. In 2018, five-star hotels accounted for 39.29 per cent of all the hotels around the country.

The region has also witnessed a clutch of rising travel-tech startups that attract good deals in 2020-2021, signalling the bounceback of the hospitality sector after the pandemic. This includes Singapore’s Vouch and PouchNATION, Indonesia’s Bobobox, and the Philippines’ Mosaic Solutions. Velocity Ventures has also closed its US$20-million fund dedicated to hospitality & travel startups in Southeast Asia this June.

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Image Credit: ARTOTEL Group

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Market trends may come and go, but one industry that remains relevant and is gaining ever-increasing importance is the energy sector. While some industries go through occasional dips, especially with the global health crisis upon us, the important role of energy has only been magnified by the unpredictable global events that shape how we live.

The energy sector now faces the crucial responsibility of spearheading innovations in many key areas and emboldening startups and companies from other relevant verticals to initiate growth and innovation within their own industries. 

PETRONAS, a global energy and solutions partner with a presence in over 50 countries, recently launched the second edition of its technology accelerator programme, PETRONAS FutureTech 2.0, as part of the company’s initiative to move towards a culture of open innovation within the startup landscape.

What is FutureTech 2.0?

FutureTech 2.0, led by PETRONAS via its corporate venture capital arm PETRONAS Ventures in collaboration with government-linked companies (GLCs) Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) as well as global venture capital firm 500 Global, complements PETRONAS’ commitment in delivering cleaner energy solutions to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. 

The accelerator programme, which is held from 30 August 2021 to 19 November 2021 also supports Malaysia’s aspiration to spur growth among local startups and venture capital ecosystem builders by working closely with the National Technology Innovation Sandbox programme — an initiative sparked by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. 

FutureTech 2.0 revolves around three key areas: Facilities of the Future, Future of Energy, and New Chemicals/Advanced Materials. These particular focus areas are aligned with PETRONAS’ technology agenda.

Also read: Japan’s Aichi prefecture all set to build the city of the future by co-creating with startups

Serving PETRONAS’ business needs as it explores new growth opportunities, the 12-week accelerator programme empowers both participating startups and PETRONAS’ business units to find best-fit use cases to address current pain points, catalyse growth and future-proofing. 

FutureTech 2.0 offers its cohort a blend of global and local learning experiences, which includes masterclasses from 500 Global, mentors and local industry experts. The bigger value proposition of the programme is that the participants are able to have access to the expertise and networks of PETRONAS and its corporate partners, where mentors share relevant pain points within specific business segments. 

Other programme benefits include fire-side chats with successful founders and global/local ecosystem builders, access to 500 Globals’ programme perks and networks, potential investors, GLCs, and partners.

FutureTech’s non-traditional approach

Apart from the intrinsically non-traditional framework of the accelerator programme which offers a unique two-way engagement between participating startups and corporate partners, FutureTech 2.0’s unique approach to present industry problems also manifests in PETRONAS Ventures’ drive to disrupt existing markets. 

Head of PETRONAS Ventures, Arni Laily Anwarrudin explained, “We need to go beyond just oil and gas, which means we have to move towards a broader energy sector. So partnering with startups is the way to go because it provides PETRONAS with the insider intelligence and insights needed to accelerate in areas we may not currently see [from the perspective of] a traditional oil and gas company.”

Through this framework, all participating parties gain value from each other’s wealth of knowledge and experience, harnessing key contributors that help accelerate each other’s journey towards a healthy market strategy.

Also read: IES-INCA partners with e27 to support deep tech innovators

The partnership, therefore, changes the corporate innovation landscape and trend by encouraging the innovation culture using agile approaches. By leveraging on the non-traditional thinking embedded in startup culture and the industry know-how of corporates, both stakeholders stand a better chance at fostering smarter, stronger, and more resilient forms of innovation.

Moreover, PETRONAS also believes in internalising important processes in approaching how startups operate. Through FutureTech 2.0, participating startups are able to extend their services and commercial offerings with PETRONAS and its corporate partners in ways that are lean and agile while still conforming with corporate governance standards. In a nutshell, this helps fast-track their ability to commercialise within PETRONAS and the partners’ ecosystem.

Focusing on energy, industry, and digital innovation as key areas

Following the success of the first FutureTech programme in 2019, PETRONAS recognised bigger prospects towards nation-building and saw collaborating with major corporations such as SDP and TM as the way to further nurture the ecosystem. 

FutureTech 2.0 also seeks to create socio-economic impact for the community through various channels, including education and skill investment. The programme also aims to foster tech-driven innovations that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Arni said, “Technology as a differentiator is the central thrust of our technology agenda. We are steadfast in advancing selective technologies whilst accelerating pace of delivery via critical and strategic collaborations that add to our resource and reserve.” On top of improving efficiencies and operational excellence, she added, PETRONAS strives to differentiate their offerings to gain a competitive and resilient advantage in the energy market.

Diversity in participating startups

FutureTech 2.0 prides itself on prioritising startups with breakthrough technology or innovative business solutions — “disruptors” that can exhibit exemplary talent in improving how we observe, strategise, and execute deployment in PETRONAS as well as its corporate partners, TM and SDP. As such, this year’s participants encompass a diverse slew of startups coming from a wide array of verticals.

Also read: Blue skies for Malaysia’s drone industry with Aerodyne

The FutureTech 2.0 cohort of 20 promising startups include Aerodyne, a drone-based enterprise solutions provider; Poseidon, a digital monitoring technology to assess onshore/offshore structural integrity in real-time; and Boom Grow, a 5G-connected vertical farm. They are only some of the most innovative tech-driven startups in Malaysia today.

Selected startups will receive continued support from PETRONAS, TM, and SDP after the programme, should future partnerships be deemed necessary.

PETRONAS Ventures’ reputable global stamp

PETRONAS’ commitment to raising the bar doesn’t end at inculcating global standards to local startups. Through PIVA Capital in San Francisco, PETRONAS Ventures has a strong partner to tap into the Silicon Valley ecosystem which boasts the largest pool of quality resources in terms of capital, talent, investors, mentors, and scaling experience. The company has also successfully pursued networking opportunities with the symbiotic ecosystem comprising universities, startups, large tech companies, and venture capitalists among others.

With its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, PETRONAS is able to create value upon investing in nine companies to date and help to redefine trillion-dollar markets such as agriculture, manufacturing, chemicals, transportation, and energy.

Startups chosen to participate in FutureTech 2.0 become part of the same legacy of excellence that the company has built. As PETRONAS moves toward revolutionising the energy sector not only in Malaysia, but also across the world, the FutureTech 2.0 cohort of startups and their innovations become instrumental in shaping the future.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by PETRONAS Ventures

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Visit us at e27.co/advertise to get started.

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Tiki raises US$136M in second tranche of Series E
UBS AG invested ~US$40M and Mirae Asset put ~US$27M; Tiki was valued at ~US$740M in the first Series E tranche, which came from investors such as AIA, Taiwan Mobile and Appworks.

Antler closes over US$300M, to provide follow-on capital for its portfolio startups
Backers are Schroders, Vækstfonden, and Phoenix Group; While its primary focus remains pre-seed stage investments, Antler will now start offering its portfolio companies follow-on capital as they grow and scale up to Series C.

InnoVen Capital launches new fund targetting SEA startups
InnoVen SEA Fund has completed its first close of US$50M with InnoVen Capital and will be seeking additional investors to participate in the fund; Its launch follows the recent launch of its US$100 million InnoVen Capital India Fund in September.

RHL Ventures looks to raise US$100M for Hibiscus fund
The VC firm has made the first close at US$50M; Hibiscus targets early-stage startups at Series A and B stages and writes cheques of US$1-5M; It has already invested in Naluri and has 3-4 investments in pipeline.

Draper Startup House Ventures launches new global fund, invests in Singapore’s Ferne Health
It will have an APAC predominance due to Draper Startup House International having Singapore as its HQs; Its reach potential includes 60 countries and 30 industries already represented on the company’s platform.

VE Capital Asia acquires Web Imp, Cashapon, TVP for US$37M to strengthen deeptech capabilities
Web Imp guides businesses in enabling digital transformation through intuitive UX/UI design and reliable web and mobile development; Cashapon acquires and elevates leading brands in the retail e-commerce market using AI and ML technology.

AUM Biosciences bags US$27M Series A to advance its targeted cancer therapies
Investors are Everlife and SPRIM Global Investments; AUM will expedite the clinical development and business growth of oncology therapies, particularly for cancers with a clear genetic marker.

Indonesian hospitality brand Artotel Group raises Series B
Investors are Indies Capital and Benson Capital; Artotel manages several hotels, restaurants, bars, and beach clubs across the country; The company, which focuses on promoting local art and artists, also has runs a branding, event management, and merchandising unit.

iSeller, the ‘Shopify of Indonesia’, nets US$8M to become a super-app for merchants
Investors are Openspace Ventures, AppWorks, Mandiri Capital and Indogen Capital; iSeller claims that it processes 1M+ transactions per month across all channels and serving more than 60K business owners in Indonesia.

ESB, the ‘Toast of Indonesia’, adds US$7.6M to its Series A kitty to develop new AI features
Investors are Alpha JWC, Beenext, Vulcan Capital; ESB is an all-in-one provider of culinary business operations software, connecting restaurants’ front-end, back-end, consumers, and supply chain partners.

ION Mobility lands US$6.8M as it prepares to launch smart e-motorbike in Singapore
Investors are Quest Ventures, TNB Aura, GDP Venture, Monk’s Hill Ventures, Seeds Capital and 500 Southeast Asia; ION Mobility will use the money to set up its manufacturing operations in Singapore and Indonesia.

Singapore venture studio to raise US$5M to invest in SEA startups
Xpdite Capital Partners focuses on seed-stage and pre-series A startups; Its portfolio focuses on travel, food, and health startups like Vietnam-based Innaway, Thailand-based Yindii, and Sri Lanka-based Findmyfare.

Pickupp extends its Series A round to US$20M with fresh capital injection from Reefknot
It will use funds to strengthen its operational efficiency to accommodate the growing use of online-to-offline services in Singapore, HK, Taiwan and Malaysia; It will also add 10+ new satellite warehouses across heartland areas in the city-state within the next six months.

Fefifo raises US$3.1M to double the scale of its pilot co-farms in Malaysia
Investors include RHL Ventures and KB Investment; Fefifo describes itself as a “cloud kitchen for farmers.” It aims to encourage the younger generations to explore agriculture as a career.

Creative Galileo rakes in US$2.5M to grow its fun, interactive learning app for kids
Lead investor is Kalaari Capital; Since its launch, Creative Galileo’s app claims to have clocked 4M+ downloads and over 500K MAUs in SEA, Nepal, Bangladesh, UAE and the US.

F&B and retail-tech solution provider eatcosys raises US$2.4M through ECG platform Fundnel
eatcosys is a platform that serves to further expedite the success journey of F&B and retail operators, supporting the progression of the business throughout; It utilises an interconnected system built on retail and financial technology, incorporating several digital platforms and fintech.

Vietnam’s AI-powered female-focused dating app Fika nets US$1.6M
Investors are Swedish firm VNV Global, Global Founders Capital and Keith Richman’s angel fund 31 Atlantic; Fika understands users’ interests, likes and the kinds of profiles they swipe for and against to create tailored matches, suggestions and recommendations to support long-lasting relationships.

Indonesian online lender’s US$1M lawsuit withdrawn
Japan’s Real Kapital sued UangTeman for alleged default on its loan obligations; However, on October 12, Real Kapital has submitted a letter to the South Jakarta District Court to withdraw its lawsuit against UangTeman; The letter also requests the lawsuit’s removal from the case register.

ThoughtFull banks US$1.1M in seed financing to scale digital mental health support across SEA
Investors are The Hive SEA, Flybridge, and Vulpes Investment Management; ThoughtFull connect users to accredited mental health professionals for daily conversations and personalised best-fit mental healthcare.

Ex-PropertyGuru, Carousell execs’ startup Surer nets US$1M to serve insurance firms in Singapore
Investors are Norway’s Kistefos, Markel Corporation’s insurtech investment arm, and unnamed angel; Surer drives network orchestration and efficient communication to help intermediaries and insurers better serve the end policyholders.

B2B e-commerce platform EI Industrial attracts seed funding from Cocoon Capital, Beenext
EI Industrial provides a SaaS e-procurement and warehouse management system to help manufacturers and construction businesses manage their purchasing processes; It currently focuses on the maintenance, repair and operation and mechanical and electrical supply sectors.

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Image Credit: Tiki

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In early-2020, a frequent topic of discussion at my family’s dining table was living sustainably and how we could overcome the hurdles that individuals, communities, and cities faced.

With a teen and a child below the age of ten, my wife and I have been passionate about infusing the right values and behaviours around sustainable living from a young age.

We sought to lead by example– trying our best to make better decisions, whether sorting our trash or setting up a hydroponic urban farm in our balconies.

As we assessed our household’s carbon footprint, there was certainly room for improvement – like using the air conditioner less often – and we definitely made an effort.

Then, like most of the world, our community was hit by COVID-19 last year. Circuit breakers, working from home, home-based schooling, and various restrictions disrupted daily routines.

Our focus on sustainability slipped away as we took care of our loved ones and prayed for vaccines. Cars disappeared from the roads, air travel ground to a halt, tourism vanished, and factory activities slowed down.

Amidst the whirlwind of changes, something amazing happened as well. With us marooned in our homes, the Earth began to heal itself. The air was suddenly (and momentarily) cleaner again. Nature thrived, and our planet seemed almost to take a deep healthy breath.

Also Read: COVID-19, the environment, and the tech ecosystem: what opportunity is available out there for us?

As our attention turned to health and economic recovery, more and more businesses, governments, and societies started to recognise a responsibility that extended beyond just ourselves. We had to bounce back not only stronger but also better – socially and environmentally.

Today, as I reflect on our progress over the past few years, especially amidst the pandemic, I realise that more than ever before, sustainability requires a stewardship mindset.

Every individual, family, and business needs to come together to ensure that our precious resources are cared for and used in ways that create a better tomorrow.

PropertyGuru started at home

While discussions around sustainability have now been around for years, it has remained a complex topic, with many people missing the link between eco-living and home choices. Today, sustainable living can take many forms– environment quality (ventilation, daylight, air quality etc.), energy and water efficiency (less power consumption, generate energy on our own), responsible resource usage (recycle and renewal of resources), and/or commutation (bicycle, access to public transportation, carpool etc.).

Singapore is my home, and the latest trends look promising.

Our latest Consumer Sentiment Study H2 2021 found that 82 per cent of Singaporeans are willing to consider paying more for an environmentally sustainable home. This includes millennials (83 per cent), Generation X (79 per cent) and Baby Boomers (86 per cent), indicating more ecological and socially conscious buyer behaviour across generations.

For these Singaporeans, the top three desired sustainability features in their future home are smart cooling systems (65 per cent), high insulation windows and doors (60 per cent), and solar panels (54 per cent).

It thus comes as no surprise that Singaporeans welcomed the government’s effort in its HDB Green Towns Programme, with 2 in 5 (46 per cent) willing to pay more to live in one.

As Singapore strives to become a smart and green nation, sustainable urban living should take centre stage. It starts right from the home we choose, and how we build and manage it plays a critical role in ensuring our cities and communities are healthy.

To make sustainability a key consideration in today’s consumers’ property search, we have just launched PropertyGuru Green Score, a sustainability rating attributed to condos and HDBs listed on PropertyGuru.

Also Read: How no-code platforms are providing a boost to the real estate industry

The Green Score parameters include the projects’ accessibility to public transport (within 400m), green building rating assessment such as BCA Green Mark certification, and sustainability awards won from ‘PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards’ to help property seekers understand how eco-friendly a project is.

 

When it comes to public transport accessibility, cars, buses, and trains are among the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, responsible for one-quarter of direct CO₂ emissions globally.

In fact, a car carrying only the driver uses nine times the energy used by a bus and 12 times that a train uses on a per passenger-kilometre travelled basis.

As such, choosing public transport over a private vehicle is the first and easiest step to lower our carbon footprint– and why we chose the number of MRT stations and bus stops within 400m of a project to be a key parameter for PropertyGuru Green Score.

The proximity to public transport reduces our reliance on private modes of transport, and by giving such projects a better Green Score, we encourage consumers to make sustainable choices.

By living near a bus interchange and/or MRT station, not only will you be more encouraged to use the bus and/or train to get around, but you will also walk to it to begin your commute.

On the other hand, construction accounts for over one-third of the world’s energy consumption and nearly 40 per cent of the total CO₂ emissions, urging developers to improve efficiency in their buildings’ design and infrastructure.

Also Read: Southeast Asia is in plastic waste crisis, and these 16 sustainable startups strive to turn things around

Environmental awards like PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards and the BCA Green Mark certification recognise such efforts to encourage more property seekers to take such attributes into account in the home buying process.

To check a development’s Green Score, property seekers can visit the project page for condos and HDBs on PropertyGuru.com.sg. The score ranges from 1-5, denoting average, good and excellent sustainability rating of the project.

Becoming the change, we want to see

Green Score is just the start for us. A transition to sustainability permeates the way we live, travel, and eat daily. Sustainable living goes beyond a corporate promise and is a way of life to address climate change.

Internally, we have undertaken a series of ‘GreenGuru’ initiatives motivating our community of over 1,700 Gurus to reduce their carbon footprint. All our offices across Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia have e-waste and recycling bins, and we have replaced single-use plastics with reusable food containers and bags.

Employees also participate in fun green challenges, such as switching to vegetarian lunches and using public transport for a month to reduce individual carbon emissions.

To increase transparency around sustainable living practices, our resources also include green living guides for property seekers in Southeast Asia.

We’re also working with property developers in the region and have seen an increase of 50 per cent in entries of green projects nominated for sustainability awards categories at our PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards.

This means that even when property seekers buy homes as an investment, making a greener choice will likely result in increased demand from renters and future buyers.

Today, we commit to making changes in our own business to meet the goals stated in the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and building a better home for our future generations.

In line with this, we are working on a Greenhouse Gas Emission Audit and Reduction Plan to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint further. The plan goes hand in hand with our Green Travel Policy for business travel decisions to be eco-conscious.

Building  better and greener homes and communities

It is heartening to see that since its soft launch in February 2021, nearly 2 million property seekers have viewed the Green Score.

With all of us spending more time at home, we have re-discovered the importance of sustainable living. In time, I hope this will be a natural way of life, and each of us will place environmental considerations top-of-mind.

Also Read: Life after COVID-19: How and why smart cities need to focus on sustainability

As a parent, a business leader, and a citizen of the world, I am clear on my role in helping build better homes and communities for the future.

Conscious that change starts from me, I have actively worked with my immediate circle of influence to catalyse change. Internally, as a company, we have become more mindful of our responsibility to fuel positive practices in the community we have been a part of over the last fourteen years.

My kids and their peers deserve a planet that is healing itself with the help of each of us who inhabits it. To build this future, we must choose to make better decisions and demand more from ourselves, collectively fighting against climate change.

This change needs to start now – in our mindsets, our behaviours, and our actions.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page

Image Credit: fizkes

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eatcosys, a provider of F&B and retail tech solutions in Malaysia, has raised RM10 million (US$2.4 million) via the equity crowdfunding platform Fundnel and a concurrent private placement.

Over 90 investors from the retail, financial services and consumer sectors participated.

This round brings the company’s valuation to more than US$24 million.

The funds raised will primarily expand eatcosys’s technological development and strategic investments in the fintech space. This, in turn, will help small retail businesses attract, retain and reward customers through existing platforms such as FoodAdvisor, MyCookingStory, FeedMyGuest, VMO, BoozEat, and Malting Point.

Also Read: How a few up and coming virtual kitchens revitalise the pandemic-hit F&B industry in Malaysia

eatcosys co-founder Tham Lih Chung said: “With the funds raised, we aim to uplift every aspect of the retail industry, from the small independent businesses to large enterprises. As a result of this, we hope to revive other areas of the Malaysian economy as well.”

eatcosys provides an integrated platform that works across three fundamental verticals: platform services, technology-enabled services, and fintech.

The platform utilises an interconnected system built on retail and fintech. It addresses the operational needs of businesses throughout their life cycle. Among these include formatting the framework for web pages, crowdfunding, management for engagement purposes, incubation in terms of development, and other services that fulfil the needs of their clients.

IPO plans

The homegrown retail & fintech solutions provider also has plans for an Initial Public Offering.

“We have a strong mission for supporting the growth of retailers in Malaysia. We want Malaysians to be able to share in our growth and the growth of our country. Crowdfunding is the first step. We have near-term plans for an IPO on the ACE Market, so I hope our fellow Malaysians will support us with this initiative,” said Chung.

Also Read: How cloud kitchen startup COOKHOUSE, started amidst COVID-19, managed to win 35 F&B clients in Malaysia within a year

Headquartered in Singapore, Fundnel has a presence in four countries across Asia Pacific. Since 2016, the platform has facilitated over US$500 million in essential funding for private companies and funds in Southeast Asia from its global network of 15,000 investors.

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