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Surpassing the West: Vietnam’s potential in the field of Web3

Over the years, international investors have flocked to Vietnam and established investment funds specialising in blockchain. According to a Finder report, capital inflows into NFT assets will also skyrocket from US$37 million to US$4.8 billion in 2021.

According to experts, the reason is that Vietnam has about 5.9 million people, or 6.1 per cent of the population, who have had contact with assets applying blockchain technology such as cryptocurrencies or NFTs.

This number is predicted to increase 30 times by 2030 and make this market profitable. Vietnam, along with India, Pakistan, and Ukraine, is also among the top countries with the most significant cryptocurrency adoption rate in the world in 2021, according to data from Chainalysis.

Web3 and expectations of a global data revolution

Mr. Hung Dinh, CEO of RADA (Blockchain Investment Community), who has 15 years of experience in the field of technology startups on the Web2 platform, affirmed that the Web2 market was too crowded when the technology giants like Google, Facebook and Amazon have almost monopolised the market.

Therefore, CEO Hung Dinh has decided to put all his efforts into Web3 for more than a year, and he is not the only one. Appota Group, a provider of solutions and platforms for the digital entertainment industry in Vietnam with more than 50 million users globally, is also in the process of transitioning to Web3.

Mr. Jason Tran, Co-Founder of Appota Group and CEO of AceStarter Launchpad said, “Only one of my 10 friends knows about blockchain. This field is still new and has many opportunities for Vietnamese developers. South reaches out to the international market.”

Vietnam has many conditions for Web3 development

Many Vietnamese startups have seized the opportunity and made their mark in the world, such as Axie Infinity, Kyber Network or Coin98. Mr Jason Tran believes that the success stories of these projects have created a significant incentive for Vietnamese developers to participate in the Web3 market. Notably, in just the last six months of 2021, domestic projects have raised a total of more than US$500 million.

Also Read: To leverage Web3 technologies, Web2 companies may start by building the right culture

From the perspective of the investment fund, Mr. James Wo, Founder and CEO of DFG fund, emphasized that the founding and development team is the key factor determining the success of a Web3 project.

“With a community of talented programmers and a keen eye for new technologies, Vietnam is very likely to become an innovation hub in Southeast Asia or even around the world in the next growth spurt of the world’s blockchain market,” said Joanna Liang, Co-Founder and CEO of Jsquare Investment Fund.

Regarding the development potential of Web3 in Vietnam, Prince Heinrich Donatus, a descendant of the German Royal Family, once commented at a talk show called “The Next Power” at the end of July 2022 that developing countries like Vietnam The South has a much greater opportunity than Western countries in terms of Web3 technology.

According to him, Western countries with too solid infrastructure inadvertently become barriers to the implementation of new things. Meanwhile, countries like Vietnam have the opportunity to leapfrog and ignore the development steps of the West, even surpassing them.

According to experts, Vietnam is currently in the top 10 for outsourcing and sixth for programming skills worldwide. This proves that the domestic development team has the capacity and good enough background to go further in the technology field, specifically Web3.

Major blockchain ecosystems such as Solana, NEAR, and Polkadot have all expressed a deep interest in the community of talented programmers with strengths in building and developing end-user applications.

SubWallet is a prime example of Polkadot’s effort to improve user experience with Polkadot’s Web3 wallet from the Vietnamese development team. Ms. Riley Tran, Co-Founder and CIO of GFI Ventures, affirmed that user-friendly applications like SubWallet are essential for developing blockchain ecosystems.

Helena Wang, Director of Parity Technologies Asia-Pacific said, “The human resources for Web3 development and the blockchain user community in Vietnam will be an important driving force in the development of the Polkadot ecosystem.”

With the strong development of blockchain in recent years, Web3 is expected to be a breakthrough to make the Internet better and safer. This is also one of the important reasons why technology organisations and businesses decide to move and build Web3 projects.

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

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3 key strategies to master the art of value proposition pitching

You’d be surprised to see how many business owners try to sell stuff (including their own name card) without leveraging an impactful value proposition people can relate to. Worse, you’d be even more surprised to see how many of them don’t even have a value proposition at all!

I see the issue frequently in my work with entrepreneurs and business owners. And to be frank, it’s something I’m having a hard time understanding, if only because an introduction without a value proposition gives me absolutely nothing to play with and keep the discussion going.

Think about it. Someone introduces themselves in the flattest way possible. How do you get things going?

“I make money working for clients, whatever they throw at me, I’m doing it.” Uh?

“I’m a designer.” Oh? That sounds fun.

“I’m a developer.” Oh, that sounds technical.

“I’m a coach.” Meh, anybody is a coach these days.

“I run a restaurant,” Okay, that must be tough!

“I run a cosmetic company that wears my name.” Whooo!

“I run a company that sells insurance. Do you need one?” Oh, come on!

Does that sound familiar to you? I have no doubt.

Does it sound like something you’d say? Probably as well, even though you really shouldn’t.

The reality is this type of valueless introduction is so classic to me that I’m now surprised when someone tells me what they do in a language that turns me on. Sad, isn’t it?

So, here’s a question for you: Can you tell what pattern I’m describing here? Beyond a clear lack of pitch, I mean.

The answer is simple. Most business owners lack a value proposition they can rely on to turn people on, get them curious and excited, and turn chit-chat into a conversation that possibly leads to — building leads!

Now, I won’t go into the details of how to build a kickass value proposition here, but I’ll give you three ideas to use right now to leverage your own value proposition smartly and efficiently.

Think storytelling

Hint #1: Nobody cares about ‘what you do’ because it’s boring.

Too direct? Sorry if I punched your ego a tiny bit, but provoking people and ideas is what I do.

Being a designer, a developer, a coach, a restaurant owner, or an assistant is boring because it makes you sound like (pretty much) everyone else. And people don’t want to spend their time talking to random ‘everyone else’.

Also Read: How to embrace optimal efficiency in the future of work

They are, however, hoping to be surprised and stimulated by someone different who can tell some interesting stories about the impact they make day after day. And that’s precisely where you want to hit.

Put the expected transformation first

Hint #2: Putting a dose of storytelling in your introduction is only a first step. You also want to hit directly into the expected transformation your ideal client wants to achieve.

Two points here:

  • When introducing yourself, make sure your pitch resonates with the people you want to work with. Maybe the person in front of you won’t be receptive, but that’ll tell you they aren’t your target, so you’ll be able to move on faster. If they recognise themselves in whatever you are saying, however, the alchemy moment will start naturally because your pitch will resonate and turn into immediate value worth spending time on.
  • Replace the status with the impact. They won’t care about your insurance agent, developer, designer or coach tag, but they will want to know more about the exciting transformations you make. Especially if they are a potential target for you!

Shock people to hook them up

Hint #3: If you want to hook people up, shock them. In a nice way, obviously, but do it!

Give them something to click on. Give them something to remember. Give them something to be excited about and something to repeat to others.

Don’t be a designer. Create spaces and make people feel special at home.

Don’t be a developer. Create unique games and creative experiences everyone talks about because they are awesome.

Don’t be a restaurant owner. Work with the best organic suppliers and give their tastebuds a wow moment.

Don’t be a social entrepreneur. Change the world!

Don’t be a coach. Provoke, challenge, transform lives, scale businesses, and get them where they won’t go without a mindset change. And a kick in the butt, for what it takes.

Can you imagine the impact of this on your next pitch?

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

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Optimising finance made easy: Embracing AI-driven investment

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised various facets of human life, and the world of finance is not left out. In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, the utilisation of AI has become increasingly prevalent.

AI-driven investment has emerged as a powerful tool for optimising finance, revolutionising the way we approach investment strategies. This article explores the power of AI-driven investment in optimising finance, delving into its benefits and how it can reshape our approach to financial optimisation.

How AI is revolutionising the finance industry and simplifying investment strategies

The adoption of AI-driven investment has the potential to revolutionise the way we optimise finance in various ways:

Democratising access to financial markets

AI-driven investment platforms can break down barriers to entry by providing broader access to financial markets. With user-friendly interfaces and simplified investment processes, these platforms empower individuals with limited financial expertise to engage in investment activities.

By leveraging AI’s capabilities, even novice investors can make informed decisions and optimise their financial strategies effectively.

Real-time market analysis and adaptability

The real-time data processing capabilities of AI-driven investment platforms enable investors to stay updated with market trends, news, and economic indicators. This allows for quick adaptability to changing market conditions, ensuring that investment decisions are aligned with the current landscape. By harnessing AI’s ability to process and interpret vast amounts of data rapidly, investors can capitalise on emerging opportunities and mitigate potential risks effectively.

Continuous learning and improvement

AI-driven investment platforms continuously learn from data, feedback, and market behaviour. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, these platforms refine their models over time, improving their accuracy and performance.

This constant learning and improvement cycle ensures that investment strategies evolve and adapt to changing market dynamics, resulting in enhanced financial optimisation and better outcomes for investors.

AI has made a significant impact on finance, particularly in the area of investments. Automated data analysis, predictive analytics, and machine learning algorithms are now driving investment strategies, revolutionising portfolio management, risk assessment, and decision-making processes.

Robo-advisors, for instance, are now commonplace. According to a report by Deloitte, the assets managed by robo-advisors are estimated to exceed US$16 trillion by 2025, indicating their escalating popularity among both novice and seasoned investors.

Also Read: Finance your startup: 10 types of investors you should know

Benefits of AI-driven investment for optimising finance

AI-driven investment offers several significant benefits when it comes to optimising finance:

Enhanced decision making

By leveraging AI’s analytical capabilities, investors gain access to comprehensive insights that aid in informed decision-making. AI algorithms can quickly analyse complex financial data, identify trends, and recognise correlations that may be imperceptible to human analysts. This enables investors to make data-driven decisions with greater precision, reducing the impact of emotions and biases that often cloud judgment.

Improved efficiency and speed

AI-driven investment platforms can process vast amounts of data at a fraction of the time it would take for a human analyst to do the same. This enhanced speed and efficiency enable investors to stay ahead of market trends, identify emerging opportunities, and execute trades promptly. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes, AI-driven investment solutions free up valuable time for investors to focus on higher-level strategic planning.

Risk management

Effective risk management is paramount in finance, and AI-driven investment can significantly contribute to this aspect. By analysing historical data and continuously monitoring market conditions, AI algorithms can identify potential risks and provide timely alerts to investors. This proactive risk management approach allows investors to adjust their portfolios, diversify investments, and mitigate potential losses.

Personalised investment strategies

AI-driven investment platforms have the ability to create personalised investment strategies tailored to individual investor profiles. By considering factors such as risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizons, AI algorithms can generate customised investment recommendations that align with each investor’s unique requirements. This level of personalisation enables investors to optimise their financial portfolios based on their specific objectives and preferences.

Key considerations for implementing AI-driven tools in finance

While AI’s potential for investment is immense, it’s crucial to consider certain factors before incorporating AI-driven tools:

  • Choosing the right tools: It’s essential to select AI tools that align with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
  • Understanding the technology: A basic understanding of how AI works will help you better leverage the technology.
  • Security: Ensure the AI tool you choose complies with regulatory requirements and has robust data security measures.

Strategies to optimise your finances using AI-powered investment solutions

Implementing AI in your investment strategy involves a few key steps:

  • Choose the right platform: Different AI platforms offer various features. Choose one that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
  • Understand the AI process: Take the time to understand how the AI platform analyses data and makes predictions.
  • Set your investment goals: Clearly define your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon to ensure that the AI platform can provide personalised strategies.
  • Monitor and adjust: Regularly review your portfolio’s performance and adjust your strategy based on the AI’s insights.

Also Read: Is generative AI the game-changer for productivity?

Overcoming challenges and building trust

Despite AI’s promise, challenges such as data privacy concerns and a lack of trust in automated systems remain. Overcoming these obstacles involves:

  • Transparency: Ensure the AI systems used are transparent about their decision-making processes.
  • Education: Encourage financial literacy and awareness about AI among users.
  • Regulation: Implement robust data privacy and security measures.

How companies achieved financial optimisation with investments

Numerous companies have seen significant benefits from incorporating AI into their investment strategies:

  • Amazon: Amazon is known for its AI-powered recommendation systems, which have significantly contributed to its financial success. The company’s algorithms analyse customer data to provide personalised product recommendations, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.
  • JPMorgan: JPMorgan Chase uses AI for real-time fraud detection and risk management, and to provide personalised customer services, leading to increased profitability. JPMorgan uses AI to process legal documents, reducing the time taken from 360,000 hours to mere seconds.
  • Alibaba: Alibaba, a leading e-commerce giant in China, has successfully implemented AI technologies in various areas of its business. Additionally, Alibaba employs AI algorithms to enhance its logistics operations, optimising delivery routes and reducing costs.
  • BlackRock: BlackRock, a global investment management corporation, leverages AI to manage risk and optimise investment strategies. BlackRock’s AI engine, Aladdin, assists in managing approximately US$7 trillion in assets by providing detailed risk analytics and investment management services.

The future of finance

As AI technologies continue to evolve, their potential to optimise personal finances is limitless. From advanced predictive analytics to autonomous financial advisors, AI promises a future where finance is streamlined, accessible, and efficient.

By 2025, it’s expected that nearly 95 per cent of all financial decisions will be facilitated by AI. Embracing AI is no longer an option but a necessity for those looking to optimise their finances and stay competitive in this dynamic landscape.

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

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ZALORA’s e-fulfilment expansion with green initiatives

Global brands venturing into overseas markets often face a multitude of challenges. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia – with its unique complexities, nuances, and diversity. At the same time, the region’s e-commerce landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth.

In fact, according to Google, Temasek, Bain & Company’s e-Conomy SEA report 2022, the region’s digital economy is expected to reach US$330 billion by 2025, and its digital consumer population is expected to grow to 402 million by 2027 — equivalent to 88 per cent of the region’s total population of 15-year-olds and above. Therefore, businesses would need to prioritise providing seamless customer journeys to remain competitive.

As the region’s digital economy continues to grow, Southeast Asian consumers increasingly want faster delivery speeds, reliability, visibility, and ease of returns. But at the same time, sourcing, manufacturing, and production have all been impacted by the external economic climate. Demand is showing signs of a slowdown as a result, and this creates a situation where there is a bottleneck in production.

So the Regional Fulfilment Centre in Malaysia recently underwent a 50 per cent expansion, which increased its capacity to hold a new total of seven million items (4.7 million before expansion) and bolstered ZALORA’S capability to host a larger portfolio of global brands that Southeast Asia’s 8.3 million customers may not previously have had access to.

The technological upgrades of its facilities as part of the expansion have also helped to strengthen our centralised stock management, boost seamless local and cross-border deliveries, and streamline our return management system. This positions us to better help our brand partners gain a foothold in the region with our 1SS “Fulfillment-as-a-service” solution to address their operational needs.

But more orders can also mean more packaging, more energy, and more miles. So in an exclusive interview with the Head of Sustainability at ZALORA, Arvind Devadasan, we sat down to explore the cost of this expansion on the environment and how ZALORA plans to align its expansion strategy with its sustainability goals.

Investing in state-of-the-art sustainable infrastructure

Recognising the urgency of environmental challenges, ZALORA has identified three key Sustainability Pillars: climate action, circularity and conscious consumption, and fair and ethical sourcing. It has implemented various initiatives to minimise its environmental footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Also Read: Climate tech startups can play a role in helping SMEs bridge sustainability, digital transformation: Paessler

The company has reevaluated its product and brand design, incorporating lower-impact materials in its own-brand products. Sustainable collections now feature eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel, Lenzing, Ecovero, organic cotton, recycled polyester, and linen.

It also emphasises low or zero-carbon last-mile delivery options, such as bicycle and walking deliveries, reducing emissions associated with outbound logistics. Additionally, the company is actively working towards sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity for its fulfilment centres and offices by 2030.

Devadasan said they have incorporated advanced technologies and sustainable features into the facility to minimise our environmental impact like the use of energy-efficient lighting systems and equipment, as well as waste management practices that prioritise recycling and responsible disposal.

Efficient logistics to reduce carbon footprint

ZALORA’s expansion not only increases its logistics capacity but also focuses on optimising operations for maximum efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Devdasan said, “By streamlining our processes and enhancing our logistics system, we can minimise energy consumption and carbon emissions.” This emphasis on efficiency enables ZALORA to fulfil customer orders promptly while minimising the ecological footprint associated with transportation and storage.

In Hong Kong, they have partnered with delivery services to introduce walking deliveries for parcels within a 10-minute radius of their stations, reducing reliance on motor vehicles and resulting in over 164,000 foot-delivered parcels in 2022.

In Jakarta, where traffic congestion is a challenge, ZALORA has embraced bicycles for last-mile deliveries, successfully transporting more than 20,000 customer parcels to the city centre. These initiatives showcase ZALORA’s commitment to reducing emissions and driving sustainability in the fashion e-commerce industry through inventive and eco-friendly logistics solutions.

Their warehouse spaces are fitted with efficient LED lighting, air conditioning inverters, and motion sensors, and by 2030, they aim to have 100 per cent of electricity sourced for their fulfilment centres and offices to be renewable. As they lay the foundation to shift to these more direct sources of renewable energy, in 2022, they purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (“RECs”) recognised by the iREC Standard to cover our electricity consumption across all our warehouses, as was the case in the past years.

Circular fashion is gaining popularity

They focus on incorporating circular design throughout their product life cycle, aiming to minimise waste. ZALORA has introduced sustainable packaging options, including carton boxes made from recycled cardboard and delivery flyers with recycled plastic content.

To extend the lifespan of products, it launched its Pre-Loved category, offering second-hand luxury fashion items. This initiative has gained traction, with a growing number of customers engaging in circular fashion practices. And their Earth Edit category showcases a curated selection of sustainable products, providing customers with easy access to conscious shopping choices.

The Earth Edit category has gained popularity, accounting for 13 per cent of total sales and attracting 32 per cent of active customers. ZALORA’s collaborations with NGOs and organisations like World Cleanup Day Indonesia and Save Philippine Seas have empowered employees to engage in sustainability initiatives and community engagement activities.

One other area is packaging which generates tons of waste. In 2022, 91 per cent of our directly-procured packaging was made of more sustainable materials. All of our carton boxes are now made of recycled cardboard certified either by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). We also expanded the use of delivery flyers containing 80 per cent recycled plastic certified by the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to all our markets, as well as polybags (clear sleeves used to protect products in warehouses and transit) with 100 per cent recycled plastic content in some markets.

Also Read: What startups need to know about Claims Code, the new rulebook for making credible climate claims

“We are committed to actively contributing to climate action by significantly reducing the carbon footprint generated by our business operations. In 2022, ZALORA managed to slash our overall carbon footprint by one-third (33 per cent) relative to our 2019 baseline,” said Devdasan.

Upcoming initiatives They plan to expand the last-mile bicycle delivery service to the whole of Jakarta, and we are also exploring similar last-mile delivery options in other markets, which includes the use of electric vehicles.

“Furthermore, we aspire to launch a collaboration with organisations to offer our customers a take-back solution for their used items to divert them from landfill. The partner organisations will provide support with item collection, sorting, reselling, and recycling so that our customers can give a second life to their used items,” said Devdasan.

In conclusion

By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, optimising logistics efficiency, and promoting conscious consumption, ZALORA is transforming the fashion e-commerce industry in Southeast Asia. Through partnerships, customer education, and supplier engagement, it aims to lead by example and inspire other fashion e-commerce companies to prioritise sustainability.

With their sustainable expansion and ongoing efforts, ZALORA is shaping a more responsible and eco-conscious future for fashion in Southeast Asia. As Devdasan concluded, “We believe that sustainability is not just a trend but an essential aspect of doing business responsibly.”

The image featured in the article has been generated utilising an AI-powered tool.

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Contributor corner: e27’s weekly roundup of the industry insights

At e27, we cultivate the development of forward-thinking minds and provide a platform for exceptional individuals to share their expertise and distinctive perspectives. Through our Contributor Programme, we offer a gateway for passionate voices to contribute to the dynamic dialogue on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

This week, we also had the pleasure of organising a special community gathering exclusively for our valued contributors. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, share insights, discuss our individual contributor journeys, and brainstorm ways to enhance our vibrant community even further.

In case you missed it, we welcome your valuable feedback here, as it will contribute to the continuous improvement of our contributor programme. Your insights are instrumental in making it even better!

Join us as we present our carefully curated weekly collection of articles sourced from our esteemed Contributor Programme. This thoughtfully selected compilation showcases a diverse range of captivating perspectives, igniting fresh insights and inspiring contemplation on emerging trends, industry insights, and groundbreaking ideas.

Breaking barriers: How crypto is disrupting education funding

“Crypto-based financing models offer greater accessibility and transparency, bypassing the need for complex and often restrictive financial intermediaries. This opens up opportunities for education companies to directly connect with investors, showcase their vision and impact, and secure the necessary funding to fuel their growth.”

CEO and Head of School at NewCampus, Will Fan’s article explores the transformative impact of cryptocurrency on the education sector, highlighting how the decentralised and borderless nature of crypto enables education entrepreneurs to access new avenues of financing and overcome traditional funding limitations. It also delves into the benefits of crypto-enabled financing, the counter-cyclical nature of education, and the opportunities it presents for emerging economies.

3 key strategies to master the art of value proposition pitching

“You’d be surprised to see how many business owners try to sell stuff (including their own name card) without leveraging an impactful value proposition people can relate to. Worse, you’d be even more surprised to see how many of them don’t even have a value proposition at all!

I see the issue frequently in my work with entrepreneurs and business owners. And to be frank, it’s something I’m having a hard time understanding, if only because an introduction without a value proposition gives me absolutely nothing to play with and keep the discussion going.”

Business Coach and Co-Founder of Impactified, Antoine Martin’s article provides three essential strategies to master the art of value proposition pitching. It emphasizes the importance of crafting a clear and compelling value proposition that resonates with the target audience.

The first strategy focuses on understanding customer pain points and tailoring the pitch to address their needs effectively. The second strategy highlights the significance of differentiation and showcasing how the product or service stands out from competitors. Lastly, the article emphasizes the value of concise and impactful communication, ensuring the pitch is concise, engaging, and leaves a lasting impression. By implementing these strategies, entrepreneurs can elevate their value proposition pitching skills and drive business success.

Surpassing the West: Vietnam’s potential in the field of Web3

“Over the years, international investors have flocked to Vietnam and established investment funds specialising in blockchain. According to a Finder report, capital inflows into NFT assets will also skyrocket from US$37 million to US$4.8 billion in 2021.”

CEO and Co-Founder at Adamo Software, Kevin Nguyen’s article explores Vietnam’s potential in the field of Web3, surpassing the West with its booming tech industry and vibrant blockchain ecosystem. It highlights how Vietnam’s youthful population and tech-savvy entrepreneurs are driving innovation, leading to a thriving blockchain and cryptocurrency sector.

The country’s rapid economic growth, government support for technology, and rising interest in decentralised finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) contribute to its promising future in the Web3 space. As Vietnam continues to embrace blockchain and Web3 technologies, it positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Optimising finance made easy: Embracing AI-driven investment

“AI-driven investment platforms can process vast amounts of data at a fraction of the time it would take for a human analyst to do the same. This enhanced speed and efficiency enable investors to stay ahead of market trends, identify emerging opportunities, and execute trades promptly. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes, AI-driven investment solutions free up valuable time for investors to focus on higher-level strategic planning.”

Expert Venture Builder, Strategic Advisor at KingSwap and Technicorum Holdings, Malcolm Tan’s article delves into the realm of AI-driven investment and its potential to optimise finance effortlessly. It explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionising the investment landscape, offering personalised financial solutions and automated portfolio management.

The piece highlights the benefits of AI algorithms, including data-driven insights, risk management, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. By embracing AI-driven investment strategies, individuals and businesses can navigate financial complexities more efficiently, unlocking opportunities for growth and maximising returns on investments.

Threads: Revolutionising social media for creative entrepreneurs

“Despite being in its early stages, Threads shows promising signs of becoming an effective platform for fast content sharing, encouraging informal dialogues, and increasing brand exposure. Notably, Threads doesn’t currently have a paid advertising feature, which implies that any endorsements or reposts about your business are likely to come across as genuine and authentic.”

Founder of Creative For More, Geraldine Pang’s article discusses the impact of Threads, a new social media platform, on creative entrepreneurs. Threads is revolutionising the landscape by offering fast content sharing and authentic engagement. With its unique features and emphasis on informal dialogues, it enables entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Threads’ potential to become a key influencer in the social media world makes it a promising platform for creative individuals.

Empowering youth to drive sustainable change through finance and advocacy

“SMEs collectively account for over 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the business sector. Recognising their significant contribution to carbon emissions, I wanted to support startups and SMEs in integrating sustainability principles into their financial strategies to maximise the potential for positive change.”

Sustainability Manager at Golden Energy and Resources Limited, Chan Jin Wei Louis’s article highlights how youth can drive sustainable change through finance and advocacy. By empowering young people with financial literacy and advocacy skills, they can actively participate in creating a positive impact on society and the environment. Initiatives like youth-led sustainable investing and educational programs are instrumental in fostering a new generation of changemakers. With the right tools and knowledge, today’s youth can play a crucial role in building a more sustainable and equitable future.

Empowering families for a thriving future: Fammi’s vision for parenting and education in Indonesia and beyond

“The startup’s comprehensive and tailored social learning platform empowers parents through education, personalised guidance, and community support. Educational content, expert-led workshops, and webinars enable parents to learn new strategies to improve their relationships with their children.”

Journalist Surabhi Pandey’s article explores FAMMI’s vision for parenting and education in Indonesia and beyond. FAMMI aims to empower families by providing them with resources and support to ensure a thriving future for children. Through innovative education solutions and technology-driven platforms, FAMMI seeks to enhance parental engagement and create a nurturing environment for children’s holistic development. By harnessing the power of community and technology, FAMMI envisions a brighter future for families in Indonesia and hopes to expand its positive impact globally.

Mind the category curve: Are you driving it or will it drive right over you?

“Category Design thinking shows you that a category cannot exist around one company and needs an entire ecosystem of players. If you have truly mapped your category, then you have created a unique visualisation of the ecosystem and its constituents (with your company only being one slice of the entire category’s ecosystem).”

Founder of Out-Position, Darryl Dickens’ article highlights the importance of staying ahead of the category curve in business. It emphasizes the need for companies to be proactive in driving innovation and defining their own category rather than passively allowing market trends to dictate their fate. By understanding the dynamics of category creation and adopting a strategic approach, businesses can position themselves for success and avoid being overshadowed by competitors.

Barbie-fy your business with the power of PR

“PR agencies can be likened to Barbie. With their expertise in the field of publicity, PR agencies excel at creating and maintaining a positive public image for their clients. This is why it is highly recommended that companies seek assistance and guidance from PR agencies, much like Ken relies on Barbie for direction.”

Communications Strategist and CEO of iOli Comms, Yan Lim’s article explores how PR strategies can transform and elevate a business’s brand image, much like Barbie’s reinvention over the years. By leveraging the power of public relations, companies can effectively communicate their unique story, values, and offerings to the target audience. It’s important to craft compelling narratives, build relationships with media and influencers, and maintain a positive public image. Through PR, businesses can enhance their reputation, reach wider audiences, and ultimately achieve success in the competitive market.

Surviving the storm: Singapore SMEs look to global expansion as recession looms

“Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are already grappling with numerous headwinds — rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have significantly increased costs for businesses. What’s more, seven in 10 Singapore SMEs are also anticipating a potential recession, according to a survey conducted by Airwallex.”

Director at Airwallex, Cher Hao Low’s article highlights the challenges faced by Singaporean SMEs amid the threat of an impending recession. With the local economic landscape becoming uncertain, SMEs are exploring global expansion as a strategy to weather the storm. Going global offers these businesses a chance to diversify their markets, tap into new opportunities, and reduce dependency on the domestic market. By embracing innovative approaches and adapting to the changing dynamics, SMEs can position themselves for growth and resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.

From behind a women’s lens: Establishing a footing in the male-dominated VC industry

“From my experience, the benefit of having more women in the venture capital world is obvious. Women have different life experiences than men, which translates into unique perspectives on business and decision-making processes. Females may spot opportunities overlooked by men, as Janet Gurwitch – the only female partner in her firm – did when she fought to invest in Drybar, a cosmetics venture which is now a multi-million-dollar success story.”

Associate at Protege Ventures, Leong Pei Lin’s article highlights the challenges faced by Singaporean SMEs amid the threat of an impending recession. With the local economic landscape becoming uncertain, SMEs are exploring global expansion as a strategy to weather the storm. Going global offers these businesses a chance to diversify their markets, tap into new opportunities, and reduce dependency on the domestic market. By embracing innovative approaches and adapting to the changing dynamics, SMEs can position themselves for growth and resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.

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