MindX, an online coding school in Vietnam, has secured US$15M a Series B financing round, led by Kaizenvest.

Aksorn, Mynavi Corporation, and Wavemaker Partners also joined the round.

The edutech startup will use the money to grow its platform, expand its reach into smaller cities and rural areas, as well as to create more educational content.

Established in 2015, MindX prepares users for technology careers by providing access to virtual or in-person classes. It claims to have trained 35,000-plus students of different ages.

Also Read: The future of edutech: Personalising learning for all

According to the firm, it has tripled its geographical footprint to over 32 campuses in Vietnam since the Series A investment round in 2021.

Additionally, MindX has expanded its offerings to include blockchain, data analytics, and UI/UX design courses.

The edutech company now aims to connect Vietnamese tech workers with employers worldwide. It has partnered with over 200 companies in countries, including Thailand, Singapore, and Australia, to provide global access to Vietnam’s digital workforce.

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e27’s Regional MeetUp 2023 seeks to gather regional disruptors and innovators and bring the latest insights on the regional tech startup ecosystem straight into their respective homes — and we’re heading next to Vietnam.

It’s happening at the WeWork E. Town Central, Ho Chi Minh on Thursday, 13 April. What to expect, you might ask?

The e27 MeetUp in Vietnam features a fireside chat with the topic “Southeast Growth Series: How can Vietnam’s tech ecosystem grow sustainably and where are future growth drivers”, with speaker Linh Thai, Founder and CEO of Skills Bridge and Shark Tank Vietnam investor; and moderator Thaddeus Koh, co-founder at e27.

Also read: Meet these 10 startups that are saving lives

This event is an excellent opportunity to connect with the local tech startup community at Ho Chi Minh, share insights with experts and your peers, and potentially get free tickets to the Echelon Asia Summit happening on June 14-15 in Singapore.

The e27 MeetUp is also a great opportunity to explore how you can work with the e27 community – and e27 – to help you achieve your goals.

This is an invite-only event. If you would like to be a part of it, leave us your details in this form.

This event is brought to you by e27, in partnership with WeWork and WebEngage.

The post Why you should go to WeWork and MeetUp with us at Ho CHi Minh appeared first on e27.

The Edgeof, a newly formed ecosystem builder and VC firm, has agreed to acquire SoftBank Ventures Asia Corp. (SBVA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SoftBank Group.

The strategic initiative aims to enhance support, development, and expansion of startups poised to transform the world, spanning from Singapore to the greater pan-Asian market.

The transaction details remain undisclosed.

The acquisition is contingent upon regulatory approval and is expected to be completed this year.

Following the deal, a fresh brand identity will be unveiled.

“Through this acquisition, we aspire to build an ecosystem that enables visionary entrepreneurs and their startups to effect significant, positive societal change,” The Edgeof Co-Founder and Chairman Atsushi Taira said.

The Edgeof Founder Taizo Son added: “We are confident that our collective strengths and resources will ignite a new era of revolutionary technologies and solutions, establishing us as a prominent influence in developing and expanding αStartups worldwide.”

Also Read: Rethinking venture capital: 5 ways it goes beyond investing

The Edgeof was created last month by Son and Taira. Son is the CEO of the Japanese VC firm Mistletoe and the youngest brother of Softbank Group Founder Masayoshi Son. Taira is the MD of Mistletoe Singapore.

The new entity aims to create a sustainable and better world by tackling pressing global challenges, such as climate change and sustainability, through innovative initiatives.

It aims to be Asia’s leading VC and ecosystem builder, helping alpha startups (αStartups) expand across borders and grow exponentially. αStartups are distinguished by their radical innovation, positive impact, and potential to scale globally. It will trigger fundamental changes in energy, water, agriculture, food, sustainability, AI/robot-driven changes in societies, healthcare, learning, and all things essential for the next generations.

SBVA will identify and invest in promising αStartups based in Asia or those with a global presence interested in the Asian market. To support the full lifecycle of these startups, multiple funds will be established, ranging from early to growth stages, enabling co-investment alongside similar-minded investors.

JP Lee, CEO of SBVA, said: “By joining forces, SBVA will be able to leverage its expertise, insights, and network to support visionary entrepreneurs in their endeavours and enable them to make a lasting global impact that transcends Asia.”

Founded in 2000, SoftBank Ventures Asia is an early-stage VC firm based in Seoul and currently operates approximately US$2 billion in funds under management. Since its inception, SoftBank Ventures Asia has focused on ICT investments, including AI, IoT, and smart robotics, with global investment professionals in Seoul, Beijing, Singapore, and San Francisco.

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Echelon Asia Summit 2023 brings together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore this June 14-15. Learn more and get tickets here. Echelon also features the TOP100 stage, where startups can pitch to 5000+ delegates, among other benefits like connecting with investors, visibility through the e27platform, and other prizes. Join TOP100 here.

The post Taizo Son’s new VC firm The Edgeof acquires SoftBank Ventures Asia appeared first on e27.

After months of submissions and hundreds of applications, we’re happy to share with you these 10 startups who will be pitching their innovative solutions at the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards Virtual Pitch on 13 April 2023.

Click here to join the virtual pitch.

The 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards has been launched to find, fund, and support innovative tech solutions that can help protect and save lives, before, during, and after disasters. The program is created by Prudence Foundation and supported by humanitarian partner: IFRC, technology partner: AWS, and strategic partner: e27, for its 2023 edition.

Also read: Meet these 10 startups that are saving lives

The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards recognises the crucial role of technology in enhancing disaster preparedness, recovery, and resilience. Climate change has led to more frequent and intense disasters worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where half of these events occur, resulting in staggering economic costs and human lives lost. Despite the pressing need for solutions, financial and non-financial support is lacking, hindering their potential for maximum impact.

Now in its third edition, the Awards looks to continue its work in catalysing a network of support, raising awareness of the sector, and helping the remarkable companies that operate in this space grow and scale.

10 more startups that will be taking part in the Virtual Pitch

ESASTHO

ESASTHO is a healthtech startup that bridges online and offline, paper-based solutions already established in the regular healthcare system. As a healthtech startup, ESASTHO creates several sequential channels like telemedicine, online hospital booking service, online pathology and virtual pharmacy, and emergency ambulance services.

ESASTHO’s solution ranges from remote medical consultations where they provide patients access to healthcare professionals and alleviate the burden on local healthcare facilities, partnering with local organisations involved in disaster response efforts, conducting health awareness campaigns during disasters where they provide accurate and reliable information on how to stay safe and healthy during a disaster, as well as emergency services during a disaster such as doctor consultations, medicine supply, pathology sample collection, and ambulance service, among others

Doh Eain

Doh Eain preserves heritage, improves public spaces, and organises activities that connect people with places, employing a user-centred, participatory approach. In doing this, Doh Eain aims to inspire and enable people to participate in reshaping their city while retaining cultural heritage.

Doh Eain set up the Yangon Neighbourhood Network (YNN) with the goal of creating a mechanism that would support the many neighbourhood-based informal and semi-formal groups undertaking relief and resilience activities that save lives during disasters. The platform improves the quality and accountability of these neighbourhood actors’ activities while making them more visible and easier to support for large donors.

NatureMetrics

NatureMetrics is a world leader in delivering nature data and intelligence. They use cutting-edge technology to generate biodiversity data at scale using environmental DNA. They make biodiversity measurable and support businesses to transition to a nature-positive economy by providing the data with which to drive good decisions for business and nature. The company’s mission is to transform the scale, comprehensiveness, and accessibility of biodiversity data around the world, creating a comprehensive database of life on earth which will help the world identify how best to protect it.

NatureMetrics aims to deliver comprehensive, actionable biodiversity data, from sample to biologically meaningful insight within 72 hours, compared to at least 8 weeks for conventional monitoring. This will enable rapid, robust evidence-based decision-making, minimising environmental damage, and protecting biodiversity. Critically, this will provide decision-makers with the data they need to use nature-based solutions to tackle the effects of climate change and extreme weather events.

Komunidad

Underscoring that the call by the UN Secretary-General on Early Warning for All needs to be made a reality to further save lives, livelihoods, and assets, Komunidad developed the Climate Operations Center (COC) — a web-based application that helps monitor and anticipate the risk of severe weather and other natural disasters with simple and easy to understand decision support tools such as online dashboards, automated reports, and early warning alerts.

Komunidad is a climate data and analytics software company providing digital transformation and decision support tools for climate resilience and sustainability. We help governments and enterprises harness the power of data and analytics to manage climate risk and optimise for the low carbon future.

Kinetic Analysis Corporation

Kinetic Analysis Corporation specialises in the generation and delivery of a multi-model view of hazards, damage, and impact data for tropical cyclones and other extreme perils occurring anywhere in the world. This information can provide crucial insights into the potential impacts from a peril and support planning and response perspective.

KinetiCast by Kinetic Analysis Corporation is a web app that helps you develop scenarios of what might happen so you can respond to what does happen. With a multi-model approach to generating high-resolution (~2 km) geospatial hazard footprints and economic impact estimates in near real-time, you will be able to develop scenarios and contingency plans and execute the optimal response as conditions evolve.

Maxi

Maxi is a mental health startup that leverages artificial intelligence to provide hyper-personalised care for mental health. The platform is designed to match users with the best-suited resources to address their specific needs. The Maxi platform utilises machine learning algorithms to analyse user behaviour, preferences, and other data points to create a personalised experience. Users are matched with various resources, including mental health professionals, audio exercises, self-screening tests, and discussion forums.

Disasters have a significant impact on mental health, and Maxi’s personalised approach can help disaster victims cope with their challenges. Maxi can provide disaster victims with resources tailored to their specific needs. For example, someone experiencing anxiety during a natural disaster can be matched with audio exercises and relaxation techniques to help them manage their symptoms. The platform can also connect users with mental health professionals specialising in disaster-related trauma and provide them with the support they need.

Solvation Analytics

Solvation Analytics is a Malaysian green tech company dedicated to developing sustainable energy solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Our team of experts works with clients to create customised strategies that optimize energy consumption, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

The company has developed a hazard mapping technology that provides early warnings to affected communities to protect the most vulnerable members of society during disasters such as children, disabled individuals, and pregnant women. Their solution incorporates cutting-edge AI and machine learning models to process satellite data, IoT data, and social media listening, generating visualisations and warnings to disaster-affected communities. This critical information is disseminated to emergency response teams, who share regular updates with communities. Their alerts are also broadcasted based on proximity to cell towers, ensuring the fastest possible response times.

DayZero Water LLC

DayZero Water LLC is a group of engineers, scientists, business professionals and even a philosophy professor working to address a disaster response need: safe drinking water. Often, cholera or other diseases follow disasters — such as in Malawi and Mozambique, following Cyclone Freddy. These diseases are easily prevented by DayZero Water’s product, the water box.

The water box is a household water treatment device using UV that quickly treats a 4-litre batch of water, whether electricity is available or not. It’s a batch process. This is important since people are often without running water after a disaster.

USHER

USHER is the most advanced earthquake and structural health monitoring system that ensures the integrity and resilience of infrastructures before, during, and after a seismic event.

IronYun

IronYun’s SIA award-winning Vaidio AI Vision Platform offers more than 30 advanced AI video analytics that works with any IP camera. AI vision analytics are deployed in many industries including smart cities, manufacturing 4.0, smart retail, building automation, public transportation, stadiums, and international airports.

Vaidio can search, monitor, alert, and analyze video with twenty AI-enabled video analytics on a single platform. Vaidio detects and alerts on objects, vehicles, behaviours and conditions with market-leading speed and accuracy. Vaidio adds layers of superhuman intelligence to existing camera and video infrastructure to deliver safety, security, and operational efficiencies. Vaidio next-gen AI delivers faster processing, faster alerting, and more analytics per stream using fewer resources than alternatives, which lowers overall solution costs.

Also read: Why you should go to WeWork and MeetUp with us at Ho CHi Minh

The 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards

The startups taking part in the 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards Virtual Pitch stand a chance to win 150,000 USD in cash prizes, AWS product credit worth 55,000 USD, and access to investor networks and mentorship. Finalists will be able to showcase at the Echelon Asia Summit 2023 at the Singapore EXPO on 14-15 June 2023.

Catch these amazing startups and more at the 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards virtual pitch! For more information, visit the official page here.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Prudence Foundation

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.

The post Check out 10 more startups that are saving lives appeared first on e27.

Happening this 14-15 June 2023 at the Singapore EXPO, the Echelon Asia Summit is one of the largest tech and business conferences in Asia that gathers entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts from across the region. The event aims to provide a platform for startups and businesses to showcase their innovations, network with peers and investors, and learn from renowned speakers and thought leaders.

The summit features a range of activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, that cover a diverse range of topics concerning today’s tech startup ecosystem. The event is also home to the TOP100, one of the region’s most prestigious pitching competitions, enabling startups to gain exposure, connect with potential investors, and forge new partnerships.

Also read: Check out 10 more startups that are saving lives

The Echelon Asia Summit provides a valuable opportunity for attendees to gain insights into the latest trends and developments in the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem, enabling all participating stakeholders to explore new opportunities for growth and expansion.

As an ecosystem enabler and community builder, it is important for Echelon to offer space for exciting new startups to showcase their innovations. With that, here are six startups that will be exhibiting at this year’s tech conference.

Six exhibitors to check out at the Echelon Asia Summit 2023

Anapi

Anapi is an intelligent platform that simplifies how businesses manage their insurance and saves them money.

Its AI-powered software is built using advanced technology and the latest in machine learning to derive accurate risk pricing and automation. Built for startups and enterprises alike, Anapi gives businesses advanced risk-management capabilities, turning risk into profit.

The Anapi Hub is a smart online tool to manage all your business insurance and ensure you never overpay again. It keeps track of key information such as insurance renewal dates, as well as coverages and policy documents in the same, easily accessible place while delivering an average of 20% savings on insurance premiums. Simply upload your existing insurance policies, and let the Hub take care of the rest.

For more information, visit https://www.anapi.co/

Buyandship

Established in 2014, Buyandship is an HK-based company providing global shipping services for customers that wish to shop across the US, the UK, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Australia, and Italy with ease and comfort. They have established a network of self-operating (US, JP) and dedicated (UK, KR, CN, TW, AU, IT) warehouses for users to ensure fast and efficient delivery services.

Scheduled flights from these warehouses back to HK are arranged weekly, while the delivery fee will be based on the parcel’s actual weight (not parcel size).

From now on, overseas online shopping can be fulfilled with just a click of a button. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and your parcel will arrive at your doorstep in no time.

For more information, visit https://www.buyandship.today/en/

fewStones

fewStones was founded in 2011 in Singapore by Sophie Normand and Jean-Christophe Bougle as a Video Production Agency. In 2014, fewStonges became the first agency in Singapore to be YouTube Certified for Audience Growth. Since its inception, fewStones has worked with numerous Singaporean and international customers on a wide range of videos. In 2015, fewStones added remarketing videos to its scope of services in order to help agencies and businesses improve their ROI on their website traffic.

fewStones Pte Ltd is a web service and digital marketing company based in Singapore developed around four main activities: Web Services, Digital Marketing, Video Services, and Mobile Applications.

For more information, visit http://www.fewstones.com/

Also read: Why you should go to WeWork and MeetUp with us at Ho CHi Minh

INK IDÉE

INK IDÉE is a full-service Intellectual Property Rights boutique firm. They coined this adage as their belief motto. For anyone and everyone who has an idea, be it an invention or an innovation or a product or a process, be it names or slogans, be it literary, artistic, or dramatic work; be it aesthetic enhancements, INK IDÉE divulges their experience in getting it down on pen and paper to define your legal rights, and to affirm them to you, consequently.

For the past decade or so, they have been indulging in these activities and, in their endeavour, have helped a gamut of entrepreneurs, corporates, individuals, SMEs, and businessmen to gain that extra mileage in flashing and creating a portfolio of intangible assets by protecting their Intellectual Property Rights.

For more information, visit https://www.inkidee.com/

Parlon

Parlon is a beauty technology platform where you can discover, book, and buy best-in-price beauty and wellness deals in the Philippines. Parlon is partnered with over 350 salon and wellness brands and 1,500 branches in more than 60 cities/provinces in the Philippines. With the widest salon network in the Philippines and expanding soon in Singapore, they are on the road to becoming Southeast Asia’s largest beauty services discovery and fintech platform.

They provide their merchant partners with a world-class multi-channel ecosystem, enabling them to accept bookings and payments, not just in the Parlon app and website, but also via the biggest platforms like Grab, Google, and GCash. With their proprietary technology, they have helped their merchant partners go digital by enabling them to sell their deals online and manage their daily operations.

For more information, visit http://www.parlon.ph/

WAOHire

The WAOHire company is a collective group of tech recruiters and developers. They help fast-growing companies connect with talented developers. They take a humanised approach to hiring and working with developers because they know that it’s the best way to find the best developers for businesses.

WAOHire prides itself on the following achievements:

• 8 years in the market
• Team of 60+ talent members
• Helped build offshore development team for 15+ trusted clients worldwide
• Organiser/contributor to multiple established tech communities in Asia.
• Partners with top universities such as HCMUT, VNUHCM, FPT, RMIT, UIT, NangYang, and SUSS

For more information, visit http://waohire.com/

Join us for this year’s Echelon!

Catch all six exhibitors as they showcase their unique and exciting innovations at the Echelon Asia Summit 2023 happening in Singapore EXPO on 14-15 June 2023. Attendees also get to enjoy a variety of activities including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants.

Also read: Meet these 10 startups that are saving lives

This year’s program theme will focus on “Building towards a sustainable and impactful tech ecosystem” which is a timely topic to be discussed among industry leaders concerning our ever-changing market and business landscape.

Interested in taking part in one of the biggest tech conferences in the region? Visit the official Echelon Asia Summit 2023 page for more information.

The post Six exhibitors to wow you at the 2023 Echelon Asia Summit appeared first on e27.