While ‘#beatplasticpollution’ is the main hashtag and theme of World Environment Day in 2023, we cannot ignore that there is so much more that can be done for the environment in our efforts to make Earth cleaner and greener for its inhabitants. As we work towards alleviating plastic pollution, we should also look at major environmental issues and aim to mitigate them.

Industrially, lithium batteries are used due to their energy density; you can put more energy into a lithium battery than lead acid batteries with longer lifespans. This resulted in the increased usage of lithium batteries in many applications and in the replacement of lead-acid batteries in transport vehicles and grid applications. However, lithium batteries are not being recycled due to the tripling of the price of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

On the other hand, vanadium redox flow batteries, as an alternative battery option for energy storage and a key BESS technology, is not only safer but also offer a highly favourable environmental footprint for large-scale energy storage solutions compared to the more widely used lithium-ion battery technology.

The reusability of the vanadium electrolyte and the ability to utilise material supply from waste is a good demonstration of how the circular economy should work. Most, if not all, the materials used in the vanadium redox flow battery are recyclable.

Additionally, heightened awareness towards the importance of investing in and developing sustainable solutions is already evident in Southeast Asia, where there is a strong drive to accelerate sustainable development to meet sustainability targets and mitigate climate change vulnerabilities.

Carbon emissions are especially concerning for the region considering soaring energy demand, with current projections estimating a 139 per cent rise in emissions per capita between 2015 and 2040.

As a result, Southeast Asia is steadily shifting to renewable energy to address these concerns and meet the requirements of a fast-growing population. Yet, discovering innovative ways to generate renewable energy is simply the first step; storing this energy is another crucial factor that cannot be overlooked.

Also Read: Awareness level about the potential benefits of energy efficiency is low in SEA: TablePointer CEO

Southeast Asia’s road to net-zero emissions

According to studies such as the Renewable Energy Outlook for ASEAN, Southeast Asia’s renewable energy sources could cover around two-thirds of its energy demand by 2030. However, renewable energy storage must be developed in tandem with energy generation capacity for a truly sustainable, optimised journey towards achieving net-zero goals.

Vietnam, for example, has undergone a solar boom in recent years, increasing its solar capacity from 85 MW in 2017 to approximately 17,000 MW in 2021. Yet, its present grid infrastructure has been unable to cope with supply spikes, prompting renewable energy facilities to restrict their operations.

Hence, as essential as renewable energy sources are, it is the availability of efficient energy infrastructure that will determine their viability – and effective, long-duration energy storage solutions will be a vital pillar in the success of developing renewable energy for mainstream use.

Long-duration energy storage optimises renewable energy systems

By peak shifting renewables and correcting power imbalances from dynamic intermittent loads, long-duration energy storage solutions enhance the energy system’s versatility, reliability, and stability.

Correcting power supply and demand imbalances

Unpredictable weather and environmental factors can often lead to inherent oscillations in wind and solar photovoltaic technology (PV) output, making the addition of renewables to the electrical mix a potential cause of power surplus and deficit incidents.

Thus, in the event of prolonged periods of insufficient light or wind, long-duration energy storage solutions will be critical for power grids to deploy as they can maintain a supply-and-demand balance that optimises such renewable sources.

Adapting to changes in power flow transmissions

Renewable energy can be obtained from many different sites, ranging from residential solar panels on homes to batteries in electric vehicles. These fluctuating geographical supply patterns can affect energy flow transfers, which can impair voltage regulation, stability, and even supply timeliness.

For example, renewable energy networks may have energy transmission delays since they are often located in places with abundant wind and solar supply, distant from metropolitan centres. Moreover, sudden spikes in energy flow could potentially trigger widespread power outages as an emergency countermeasure. Long-duration energy storage solutions will be critical in these situations because they can act as a buffer, mitigating risks associated with potential energy flow issues and disruptions.

Improving convenience and efficiency

While traditional electrochemical batteries have been criticised for being environmentally unfriendly and having storage capacity limitations, there is no doubt that they are necessary for the mass electrification of large-scale industries (automotive, etc.). This dilemma has given rise to innovations such as vanadium redox flow batteries, which aim to provide a viable battery solution for renewable energy storage.

Also Read: Financial models for Web3 startups: Guiding principles for success

As an example, vanadium redox flow batteries composed of reusable electrolytes can reduce carbon emissions associated with initial battery manufacturing processes, yet they are significantly more productive than their counterparts due to their ability to store greater quantities of power and having longer discharge durations from hours to a few days.

Increasingly varied battery designs also widen battery utility for both residential and commercial energy storage, unlocking the potential for more economical and infrastructural development in far-flung areas. Additionally, many such batteries can now be coupled with an intelligent smart energy management system to further improve energy optimisation.

Powering sustainability

Individuals and companies are becoming more empowered to join the net zero fight as sophisticated energy storage solutions become increasingly accessible. In fact, studies estimate that long-duration energy storage systems could result in the avoidance of 1.5 to 2.3 gigatonnes of carbon emissions annually by 2040.

Consequently, employing long-duration energy storage solutions certainly qualifies as ‘Investing in Our Planet’ since we are maximising renewable energy potential and avoiding the unnecessary consumption of non-renewable sources.

—

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: Canva Pro

The post Long-duration energy storage: Key driver for region’s net zero goals appeared first on e27.

Singapore-headquartered sector-agnostic global seed-stage VC firm Antler on Wednesday announced the final close of Antler Elevate, a US$285-million emerging growth fund.

The names of the investors haven’t been disclosed.

Managed from offices in London, Singapore, and New York, Antler Elevate invests in companies from Series A onwards across over 20 ecosystems. The fund has already invested over US$70 million in 30-plus companies, including Airalo (an e-Sim marketplace in Singapore), Earlytrade (a liquidity marketplace for the construction sector), and Two (a purchase financing solution for B2B e-commerce).

Martell Hardenberg, Partner at Antler, said: “Our mission at Antler is to be a long-term partner for the founders we work with, supporting them with capital, talent, mentorship, and network all the way from day zero to exit. Antler Elevate is a natural progression for Antler as our portfolio expands. It enables us to offer continued support throughout the growth journey of exciting companies globally, extending our support beyond the Seed stage up to Series C.”

Also Read: Antler to invest US$100M in Southeast Asia’s early-stage startups by 2025

Teddy Himler, Partner at Antler: “Amidst rapid changes in venture capital and entrepreneurship globally, Antler has developed a global magnet for the next generation of technology talent. Pairing our proprietary day zero residency model with unique investing and operating insights, we believe the introduction of our multi-stage platform gives our portfolio companies further advantage across major technology ecosystems.”

Antler has a significant presence in Southeast Asia, with investments in more than 125 portfolio companies. Among its investees are XanPool (open financial C2C software), Reebelo (a marketplace for affordable and sustainable tech devices), Appboxo (super-app), Sampingan (a blue-collar workforce platform), Airalo, and Homebase (a proptech startup).

Early last year, the VC firm said it would invest US$100 million in early-stage startups in the region to help with the expansion of more than 300 new companies over the next three-four years.

Two months ago, Antler announced the launch of a founder residency programme for Indonesian startups in Jakarta, beginning in June 2023. Since the firm’s expansion into Indonesia in 2022, Antler has financed 25 startups. Its portfolio consists of companies from 16 different industries, including healthtech (CareNow and Healthpro), edutech (Academix and Eduku), and fintech (Brick).

—

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 platform, and other prizes. Join TOP100 here.

The post Antler Elevate closes US$285M emerging growth fund appeared first on e27.

Use our special promo code: GO for 75% off your Echelon tickets!

The 2023 Echelon Asia Summit is happening at the Singapore EXPO on 14-15 June 2023. Are you a startup founder, investor, corporate, or tech enthusiast? Don’t miss out on one of the most anticipated tech conferences in the region! For more information, visit the official Echelon page.

A partnership is a critical aspect of any successful endeavour, and the upcoming Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is no exception. With the Asia Pacific tech conference happening in Singapore EXPO on June 14-15, 2023, sponsors are playing a crucial role in ensuring its success.

Also read: Echelon: It’s official, all exhibition booths are SOLD OUT!

Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is one of the premier events for technology professionals, bringing together experts from around the world to share knowledge and discuss the latest trends and innovations in the Southeast Asian tech startup ecosystem. This year’s conference will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops on a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital healthcare, and other emerging digital trends.

How these partners are helping us give you the best Echelon experience ever

Sponsors play a critical role in ensuring the success of the Echelon Asia Summit 2023 in several ways. Firstly, they provide various forms of support and coverage for the various activities and features that make the summit such an exciting and meaningful experience for attendees.

Moreover, sponsors bring their expertise and experience to the table, providing attendees with unique perks. By leveraging their networks and marketing channels, sponsors also help bridge the event to wider audiences, enabling access to valuable insights for different demographics.

Also read: Echelon: Unlocking global growth opportunities with Web3

One of the key roles of sponsors is also their presence at the actual Echelon Asia Summit. This provides attendees with the opportunity to network with them and get to know their products and services, which is an essential aspect of Echelon’s purpose as an ecosystem enabler that connects all stakeholders together. By supporting the Echelon Asia Summit 2023, founders can connect with other professionals, investors, and startups in the tech industry, forging new partnerships and collaborations that can drive business growth and success.

As such, e27 is proud to announce Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) as one of its sponsors for the 2023 edition of the Echelon Asia Summit!

Meet DARe at Echelon Asia Summit 2023!

DARe was established on 18th February 2016 to spearhead the growth of local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Brunei towards increasing contribution to the economy, employment and export. DARe bridges the public and private sectors to facilitate a conducive business environment. Their mission is to enable enterprise growth through a pro-business ecosystem with the necessary infrastructure, reliable support, and effective development programmes.

At the Echelon Asia Summit 2023, DARe will be bringing with them a slew of startups from the Brunei tech startup ecosystem to network, connect with, and hopefully build long-term partnerships with ecosystem stakeholders from across the region. “We are going to Echelon to give our startups the opportunity to attend the summit and to see what opportunities they can get while networking and attending,” shared Syuaib Rafie, Executive Officer at DARe.

Also read: Echelon: Charting a path for Southeast Asia’s fintech unicorns

“This is the first time our organisation and most of our startups are attending Echelon. Looking forward to a fruitful trip,” he added. “We are looking forward to networking with ecosystem builders and also learning what verticals are trending in different industries.”

Through Echelon Asia Summit 2023, DARe hopes to introduce to the world not only some of the most exciting innovators from Brunei but also the broader digital startup potential in the country’s budding tech startup ecosystem.

Join Echelon Asia Summit 2023

Get to know DARe and more at this year’s Echelon!

Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is happening on 14-15 June, at the Singapore Expo. Featuring a slew of speakers, exhibitors, business matching sessions, pitching stages, and more, the event enables participants to connect, network, and engage with the larger tech startup ecosystem.

To learn more about Echelon Asia Summit 2023 and sign up for the event, visit the official page here.

The post DARe: Connecting Brunei startups with the world appeared first on e27.

In this episode, we are excited to welcome Omar Zenhom, the Co-Founder and host of the award-winning $100 MBA Show, a top business podcast with over 90 million downloads. He’s also the Co-Founder & CEO of WebinarNinja, named one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in 2018.

Zenhom is a former educator and university manager-turned-entrepreneur. Today, he applies his passion for teaching and learning to the business world. In this conversation, we talk about Zenhom’s strategies for entering new markets and reaching customers, tips for giving timely and culturally sensitive feedback, examples of effective localised marketing campaigns, and why there’s no such thing as “over-communication” in a remote workplace.

Listen, subscribe, and leave a review now on Spotify or your favourite podcast platform.

This episode is sponsored by our partner ZEDRA. Learn more about how the ZEDRA team can support you in expanding to new markets here. ⁠

Get your copy of our Wall Street Journal Bestselling book GLOBAL CLASS, a playbook on how to build a successful global business⁠. ⁠⁠

Also Read: How startups are using Hong Kong as the launchpad of their international expansion

Show notes:

1:36 – Zenhom’s family history, starting from his parent’s immigration from Egypt to the US
2:42 – Zenhom’s career as an education and transition to the world
6:41 – The most common misconceptions about Dubai and Zenhom’s stories about overcoming cultural differences there
12:09 – WebinarNinja’s expansion story and why it’s important to do “localisation discovery” and dive deep into learning the culture
13:47 – Why the results of the customer interviews became the key to the marketing and sales strategy
17:36 – The Global Class’ Business Model Localisation Canvas
22:19 – How to not “water down” your marketing when you expand to other markets
24:54 – Keeping the company culture tied to the core values
31: 11 – WebinarNinja’s core value of “We are the number one live teaching tool” and how that set the tone for serving underserved communities
37:18 – How WebinarNinja implemented the Global Class Mindset vs Legacy Mindset
41:19 – Zenhom’s answer to the “three pieces of advice” section: Advice to someone interested in building a career around an international business, to an executive expanding a business to new markets, and to his younger self

—

The content was first published by Global Class.

Image Credit: Global Class

The post From zero to 90M downloads: Strategies for growing an audience in global markets appeared first on e27.

International early-stage VC fund Accelerating Asia has announced an undisclosed investment in ten new companies joining the Cohort 8 of its flagship programme.

This capital injection was made from its US$20 million Fund II, launched in 2021. Cohort 8 is the fourth batch of investments for Fund II, which will deploy capital across Southeast and South Asia pre-Series A startups.

The startups that raised funding are Pattern (Pakistan, SDG 8), Lemonade (Global, SDG 10 and SDG 13), Lister (Indonesia, SDG 4), Edutechs (Bangladesh, SDG 4), Fullfily (India, SDG 8, 11, and 13), On Demand Deals (the Philippines, SDG 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11), Sova Health (India, SDG 3), Proton (United Arab Emirates), Sparklehaze (Singapore, SDG 9), WEGRO (Bangladesh, SDG 1, 2, and 8). They hail from various industries, including education, e-commerce, logistics, insurtech, and agritech.

To date, the cohort 8 startups have collectively raised US$58 million, with a GMV of US$57,000 per month and average monthly revenue of US$27,000.

“​​The new cohort comes into the portfolio with strong early revenue and fundraising traction in their local markets. We look forward to helping them leverage this early success to scale into larger geographies and fundraise from a larger suite of investors worldwide,” said Craig Bristol Dixon, Co-Founder and General Partner at Accelerating Asia.

Also Read: Fave Co-Founder Joel Neoh to head Prenetics’s consumer health subsidiary CircleDNA

Licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Accelerating Asia is an accelerator-cum-VC fund investing in pre-Series A startups. It invests up to US$250,000 per deal, and the current portfolio covers over ten countries in Southeast and South Asia.

Across eight cohorts, there are now 70 startups in more than 20 verticals, which are led by over 100 founders. These startups have an average of over US$285,000 in monthly revenue and an annualised revenue growth of 520 per cent. 

In total, they have raised over US$63.8 million in venture capital, bringing the total portfolio valuation to US$600 million. 

—

The post Accelerating Asia invests in ten cohort-8 startups from its US$20M fund appeared first on e27.