I landed in the world of tech by accident and never looked back. After a couple of internships at a few startups in Singapore and Hong Kong, I took up the opportunity to join a healthtech startup, DocDoc. It was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have made thus far.

For the next few years, the company launched new products, expanded into new markets, raised funds from notable investors, grew its employee base across Asia, and received recognition for its mission by the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.

As the company grew, my role and scope of work grew along with it. I got to wear several hats during my time here, from Digital Marketing to Brand building to Public Relations and Communications. I also got to pitch in my efforts on several other areas such as Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, investor relations, etc.

None of this would have been possible without a few key people. Some people take a chance on you and change the trajectory of your life. Or perhaps they put you on the trajectory you were always meant to be on but didn’t quite realise.

For me, Cole Sirucek and Grace Park, the co-founders of DocDoc, were two such people. While no amount of gratefulness will be enough to thank them honestly, I can only hope to pay it forward by embodying all the lessons I learnt from them and showing others the same level of kindness they had shown me.

And now, as I pass on the baton and move on to the next phase of my career, here is a look back at the last 4.5+ years and the lessons learnt from this incredible journey.

The evergreen lessons

• Say yes and then do whatever it takes to learn

I was the youngest person in the company reporting directly to the CEO, no pressure! Under his mentorship and guidance, I grew leaps and bounds.

I was thrown into the deep end a LOT, and I had to learn to swim. As a result, I learned Marketing and Communications related skills and a wide range of business skillsets. For example, how to hire the right team, fundraise, test go-to-market strategies, make critical decisions under pressure, etc.

Had I chosen to restrict myself to the usual scope of work, I would have missed out on countless growth opportunities. In most cases, when I was handed a task, I had little to no idea how to do it. I always said yes and then did whatever it took to learn.

Also Read: Millennials are attracted to startup culture, and businesses should address these needs to attract great talent

My takeaway? Don’t get too hung up on how each piece contributes to your specific career path. Instead, learn a wide breadth of skills if given the opportunity. The famous saying goes: You can only connect the dots looking backwards.

Of course, all of the above was possible because of the constant support of my mentors. They clearly stated their belief in my capabilities, patiently gave me constructive feedback at every step of the way and created a safe space to try and sometimes fail. This brings me to my second learning.

• Value mentorship and sponsorship, inside and outside the company

I didn’t even know I needed mentorship and sponsorship when Cole started mentoring me. Looking back, it made all the difference.

If there is one piece of advice I can give to folks at the initial stages of their career, it would be to focus on finding great mentors (and sponsors) who are invested in your growth.

While leaders in your company are a great place to start, always keep looking for opportunities outside the company. In Singapore, Advisory SG, Growth Mentor, Prospect Resourcing’s mentorship scheme, and Young Women’s Leadership Connection are a few avenues worth checking out.

Role-specific communities such as APAC Marketers Roundtable, Product Marketing Alliance, and RevGenius can also benefit immensely.

• Don’t be afraid to look stupid; keep asking questions

During my startup journey, I found it worthwhile to remember the Confucian proverb: “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

Most people don’t understand most things. Just because they aren’t asking questions does not mean they know what’s going on.

Be bold. Train yourself to ask questions, even those that seem silly. Getting a good grasp of the topic at hand will enable you to use your brainpower and add value to the project in the long run. You can’t meaningfully add value to something you don’t quite understand.

• Invest in building meaningful relationships; people want to work with you when they like you

Half the reason I was successful at my role was that people within and outside the company liked me as a human being. Of course, people liking you is not enough, but it makes things a lot easier.

Also Read: 5 ways to build incredible startup culture

This by no means implies becoming a people pleaser. Instead, be your authentic self and invest in building long term relationships based on honesty, respect, and hopefully mutual benefit.

Make time to truly know people, not just about their work but who they are as human beings. It helps if you are a naturally curious person like me who relishes hearing human stories. But even if you are not, make an effort in your way. It will pay off in unexpected ways in the future.

• Become comfortable with making decisions with little information

This is a skill that will prove to be valuable in your professional life and your personal life. Perfect information is a myth.

Remember that not making a decision is also a decision. It often comes at a high cost.

And finally, embrace the rollercoaster ride, don’t shy away from uncertainty. If there is one thing that the last few years have taught us, nothing is certain.

It’s all about the journey. Embrace it. Enjoy it. After all, what’s the fun if everything is to follow a predictable trajectory?

PS: All of the above is perhaps only possible when you work in a company with a great culture, a culture that provides you with a safe space to take risks, fail and learn. Ending up in a culture unsuitable for you is stressful and potentially disastrous for your career.

I highly recommend taking a few moments to reflect on your values and jot down what kind of culture you want to work in BEFORE you apply for a job.

–

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: dolgachov

The post I spent nearly 5 years at a fast-growing startup. Here’s what I learned appeared first on e27.

In an ideal world, machines would be 100 per cent reliable in performing their intended functions with no adverse effects. Unfortunately, such a world does not exist. Well, at least not for now. 

Machines today play an integral part in modern industrial processes. And while the use of machinery has accelerated operational processes, simplified tasks for humans, and reduced the risks involved in manual labour, machine failures are an unavoidable reality, and the price of that is costly. 

The rise in workplace injuries in the industrial sector

Over the years, we have been facing a significant increase in workplace injuries, and machinery fault is one of the key contributing factors. According to the National Statistics of Workplace Safety and Health Report in 2020, one of the top two causes of major workplace injuries was Machinery Incidents. 

Severe injuries, such as amputation accidents, can impact the workers’ lives and livelihood. In worst-case scenarios, it may even result in the death of workers. This is why measures must be put in place for a safe working environment.

As leaders, we strive to establish a safe environment for our employees. It is also a company’s moral and legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all its workers by ensuring that all grounds are covered for workplace safety.

The rise of workplace injuries resulting from malfunctioning machinery thus compels industry leaders to take up measures that help in the early prediction and detection of machinery faults.

A sound-first predictive maintenance solution

By using an AI-based predictive maintenance solution, companies can monitor their machines in real-time and be alerted about potential breakdowns or other malfunctioning issues so that necessary actions can be taken to neutralise the threat before any catastrophic incidents happen.

Also Read: Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Is the technology only as good as the human behind it?

This allows managers to better protect their workers from needless injuries and fatalities. AI should also be used to empower and protect workers by seamlessly integrating the technology into existing legacy systems in factories or operational sites, mitigating risks across all aspects of the industry and enhancing the intelligence and safety of our workers.

When there are underlying problems in a machine, it frequently produces a different sound, even before these problems escalate into something more severe. A sound-first predictive maintenance system would thus be key to early detection and condition monitoring.

Such sound-based approaches typically consist of two steps:

• Condition-based Monitoring provides real-time equipment diagnostics through sound detection, analogous to an “Apple Watch” for machines.
• Predictive maintenance acts as a “crystal ball” to help predict equipment breakdowns in advancSound sensors can easily pick up the differences in sound given offers. The system will flag them as anomalies for further action.

Round the clock surveillance

On top of that, AI predictive maintenance systems can work around the clock to provide real-time alerts and discover anomalies 24/7 to ensure that the workers can safely carry on with their work throughout the day.

Established AI systems even offer pre-existing data reservoirs that the AI can utilise as a reference to detect anomalies without requiring companies to start new training models from scratch.

Such databases help springboard companies by giving them a headstart in deploying the solution and identifying machine faults with minimal calibration time, making retrofitting easier. 

What’s more, over time, as more data is collected, the self-learning AI will learn to recognise the patterns of sound anomalies and make even more accurate predictions.

In some cases, simplified colour-coded alerts are also put in place to help less-skilled workers identify potential issues with machinery with ease and preemptively address them before they worsen, which is an effective use of resources and time.

This can also free up their capacity and time for upskilling, allowing them to take on value-adding responsibilities, become more versatile and diverse in their skillsets, which is critical in today’s economy.

Also Read: These Artificial Intelligence startups are proving to be industry game-changers

By tackling the right problem at the right time, organisations can also save on material costs from machine replacements and reduce their ecological footprint by minimising wastages incurred from redundant machine parts replacements. Essentially, such solutions save money, save time, and save lives. 

AI is the new inevitable

Just last year, the Singapore Government invested US$180 million in AI research and expanded funds to stimulate the use of AI technology across industries. As AI solutions become more efficient and effective, it is critical for asset-intensive industries to implement predictive maintenance systems to improve their overall efficiency, reduce downtime and enhance the safety of the workers.

According to a 2019 report by Allied Market Research, the global predictive maintenance market was initially estimated at US$4.3 million in 2019 and is now expected to expand more than sevenfold to US$31.9 million by 2027. 

Predictive maintenance is the cornerstone of a safe industrial environment. But it is with near certainty that with the help of machine learning technology, sound-based predictive maintenance solutions will become a vital tool across industries, like an OS layer for all industrial machinery, similar to what Microsoft achieved for PCs. 

We live in a society where machines are constantly functioning to fulfil the world’s ever-increasing needs. And with workplace safety becoming a rising concern, industries will need to ensure the fulfilment of these needs without compromising the safety of their workers.

By adopting sound-first predictive maintenance, industries such as maritime, construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas can do that.

–

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: ipopba

The post How can AI help reduce downtime and improve lives of industrial workers appeared first on e27.

Since the early 2000s, technology has been driving far-reaching revolutionary impacts.

Because of this, I held an unwavering belief in the unlimited potential of technology in improving our lives, keeping us connected, entertained, and safe while enabling people to make a living in a secure techno-environment.

My foray into technology stemmed from a keen interest in problem-solving and creating solutions, which led me to begin my first job as a Systems Engineer with ExxonMobil in 1993.

As I continued to pursue a career in this ever-evolving industry that predisposed me to many challenges, I decided to take the chance to contribute more actively in my chosen field. This led me to find my own digital solutions company, Complete Human Network (CHN).

Throughout my years as a technopreneur, I not only learned to navigate the ups and downs of running my own business but also to break glass ceilings as a female leader in a male-dominated industry.

Years in the industry were building blocks to starting my own company

Before starting CHN, I served as a country manager at Avaya, a multinational telecommunications company, assisting businesses in integrating with internet intelligence for increased productivity.

As businesses started to embrace technological advancements and became more reliant on digital tools, I realised how necessary digital transformation would be for every business to grow sustainably in the future.

Moreover, in taking a hands-on approach when assisting businesses across multiple industries manage the productivity and connectivity of their workforce, it became evident to me that enterprise mobility and cybersecurity would be key enablers for digital transformation.

This led to the inception of CHN in 2012, intending to help enterprises achieve exactly that. In partnering with prominent brands like Apple, Samsung and Microsoft to provide end-to-end mobility services leveraging state-of-the-art mobile devices, CHN was recognised by Apple as the Top Apple Enterprise Partner in Malaysia back in 2013, a boon for my first anniversary in the business.

Through CHN, I was able to help enterprises digitise and save capital costs, but I was also able to present eco-friendly solutions that could help prevent the upsurge of e-waste. More specifically, my team and I changed how companies and their workforce use devices.

Instead of purchasing new devices only to discard (sometimes, without taking the proper precautions) outdated ones, CHN enables companies, through their Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution, to ensure that all hardware is properly maintained and managed well so that it can be reconfigured to extend usability. This minimises the amount of e-waste produced by businesses.

Sharing the passion with other women in the industry

Despite successfully navigating the ups and downs of running my own business for the last ten years, I cannot deny that varying amounts of prejudice exist in every industry, and the technology sector is certainly no exception.

Also Read: 3 leadership lessons for women in tech

While we cannot control behaviour exhibited towards us by other people, we can control our reactions to them. In realising that there is widespread prejudice against female leaders, I believe that it’s very important for those in this position to be assertive and confident while never losing sight of the positive change they can affect.

Following the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia findings last year that reported women currently have less access to opportunities linked to the digital economy. I am on deck to call out to all women in the industry to stand firm in breaking these barriers. Do not be intimidated by your male counterparts, and instead, learn to practise the three ‘S’ more: speak up, stand up and show up.

I believe that women have important roles in contributing to the tech industry through their insights and skills.

Therefore, as we continue to encourage female talents in pursuing their passions and interests in tech, the community must do its part in providing a conducive environment for women to enter the industry, providing them with a growth platform on that they can rely and learn from.

–

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: SolStock

The post Women in tech: It’s time to reframe the conversation appeared first on e27.

Thai VC firm SeaX Ventures (Southeast Asia Exponential Ventures) has made the final close of its second fund oversubscribed at US$60 million.

The original target size was US$50 million, the company said in a press note.

SeaX Ventures’s Limited Partners include PTT OR International Holdings (Singapore), Central Pattana PCL, Singha Ventures Corporation, Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, MC Group, The Vacharaphol (Thairath News), Modernform, and BCH Ventures.

Fund II seeks to invest in companies in blockchain, web3, foodtech, biotech, life sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, and hardware.

SeaX Ventures will invest in the range of US$500,000 to US$5 million in pre-seed, seed, and Series A-stage startups. The goal is to accelerate the growth of global startups throughout Southeast Asia.

Also Read: Women of Web3: Top women contributors tell us all we need to know about Web3

Founded by Dr Supachai “Kid” Parchariyanon (founder of corporate innovation consulting firm RISE), SeaX Ventures invests globally in early-stage companies with game-changing “exponential” technologies. The VC firm leverages RISE’s relationship with over 400 listed companies, MNCs, and family businesses in Southeast Asia to explore business opportunities with its portfolio companies.

“Southeast Asia is a region of 650 million people with a combined GDP of US$3 trillion,” said SeaX Managing Partner Parchariyanon. “We can help innovative startups worldwide grow exponentially in this large and dynamic area through our relationship with over 400 corporates.”

SeaX Ventures maintains deep and cooperative relationships with RISE’s investors and corporate partners. According to reports, it will add value to the corporate innovation consultancy’s portfolio companies by helping to grow their businesses. This goal will be accomplished by connecting these startups to their investors and RISE clients, thus also assisting the larger entities in their quests to pursue innovative initiatives, launch new businesses, or reduce operating costs.

—

Ready to meet new startups to invest in? We have more than hundreds of startups ready to connect with potential investors on our platform. Create or claim your Investor profile today and turn on e27 Connect to receive requests and fundraising information from them.

The post RISE founder’s VC firm SeaX Ventures closes Fund II at US$60M appeared first on e27.

Despite the benefits of alternative investments, their penetration in investment portfolios of regular investors remains disappointingly low, for reasons we will come to. 

Alternative assets have been proven to drive growth in portfolios, serve as protection against inflation, and act as a hedge against volatility in public markets.

However, retail investors have invested only a fraction of their assets in alternatives. According to research by KKR, ultra-wealthy families had invested three times more into alternatives than affluent mass investors and ten times more than retail investors.

Examples of alternative assets include private debt and equity, hedge funds, managed futures, art and antiques, commodities, and derivatives.

In Singapore, access to private debt, which offers exposure to the booming buy now pay later (BNPL) segment, is creating an exciting proposition for institutional and accredited investors.

The hope is that in the not-too-distant future, regular investors will be able to more easily access alternative investments through homegrown fintech platforms that tout the mission of democratising finance. 

The reality is that individual investors today still face intense challenges in accessing alternative assets: it remains very much an insider’s game where opaque asset valuations reign, elitist groups of experts form opinions, and access is limited to high minimal entry tickets.

Investment in buy now pay later debt

The rise of BNPL has created a booming market for SMEs and consumer debt that is remarkably low-risk when pooled together while also offering investors attractive yields.

While every investor in Singapore is likely aware of the growth of BNPL (it’s hard not to see these payment options in most high street stores today), many are probably unaware that it’s already being added to portfolios of credit funds and wealthy clients as private debt.

Public equity markets in the US and elsewhere are near all-time highs. The Federal Reserve is expected to begin reducing its balance sheet (i.e. selling the assets it bought to support markets during the pandemic) and raising interest rates to nearly three per cent by the end of the year.

Also Read: The next fintech innovation will be a customer-led phenomenon

This monetary policy, which will spill over to markets in Asia, means that the primary investment class retail investors have access to (i.e. public equities) will likely be repriced with lower multiples.

For regular investors who have most of their net worth in public equities and bonds without any alternatives, this could mean they see a fall in the value of their portfolios over the coming months and even years.

However, with Asia’s growing private debt from areas like the BNPL boom still providing high yields of around 10 per cent per year and low volatility, it offers high-net-worth investors a way to diversify and hedge their portfolios against declines in public markets.

Addressing Singapore’s wealth inequality

High on the agenda of the Singapore government, as made clear in its recent Budget 2022, is to address the growing financial inequality of the population while at the same time continuing to support innovation and new technologies.

Fintech is a segment that the city-state is known to be a regional and global leader in, so it makes sense that it is the fintech start-ups and innovators who contribute toward solving domestic inequality.

As mentioned, alternative assets are not easy to access for the regular investor, so while they represent a possible solution to rising inequality in Singapore, the question of access first needs to be tackled.

This is precisely where fintech platforms can play a role: conditional on support from the regulator, a new breed of alternative investment platforms are emerging that give investors exposure to alternative investments with as little as US$100 starting investment. 

This will be a game-changer for Singapore and the whole world if it is delivered in a safe, regulated way combined with greater financial education and rising levels of financial literacy.

Just as today, there are online comparison platforms for consumer financial products like credit cards, personal loans, insurance, and mortgages. One day soon, fintech companies may offer greater transparency and access to comparisons of alternative investment platforms for the regular investor.

With the right public-private sector investment and effort, we can bring down the stark contrast between the alternative investment holdings of the regular versus an accredited investor.

That’s a noble mission for Singapore’s fintech and one I hope to be a part of it.

–

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: alexsl

The post How this homegrown fintech is helping Singaporeans with alternate investing appeared first on e27.