Flux Series: Marketing Leaders is happening at the St. Regis in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 November 2023. Are you working in the field of marketing? Don’t miss out on this focused and curated event designed especially for marketing professionals!

Visit Flux Series: Marketing Leaders for more information! Read on to get discounted tickets.

Embracing AI technologies not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions organisations to thrive in an increasingly competitive and data-driven business landscape. By leveraging the power of AI, businesses can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and customer satisfaction, ultimately driving sustainable growth and success. The integration of AI technologies has become a pivotal factor for sustained growth and competitive advantage. However, implementing AI within existing operating teams presents both opportunities and challenges for organisations.

Also read: Explore how AI is changing the way we market at Flux

For starters, AI technologies encompass a wide array of applications, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and more. These capabilities have the potential to revolutionise business operations by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing decision-making processes, and providing valuable insights from data.

However, implementing AI within your organisation also comes with its own set of challenges. Because AI technology is relatively new, many companies do not yet have access to the necessary knowledge and skills needed to fully utilise AI. Employees still grapple not only with new software and tools but also with the mindset needed to fully harness AI’s potential.

Challenges when it comes to implementing AI

The field of AI is dynamic and constantly evolving. New algorithms, frameworks, and best practices emerge frequently. Keeping up with the latest advancements and ensuring that employees are equipped with current knowledge and skills can be a significant challenge for organisations, particularly those in fast-paced industries.

Access to high-quality training and educational resources in AI may be limited, particularly for smaller organisations or those in regions with less developed tech ecosystems. Quality training programs often come at a cost, and ensuring that employees have access to the most up-to-date and relevant information can be a logistical challenge.

Also read: This tech solutions provider is humanising AI through its unique approach

Bridging this knowledge gap requires a concerted effort to provide comprehensive training and educational resources. This entails not only technical training in using AI tools but also a broader understanding of how AI fits into the larger organisational framework. Additionally, organisations must invest in talent acquisition or upskilling programs to ensure that their teams have the expertise needed to effectively collaborate with AI technologies.

Furthermore, managing organisational innovation and change in the context of AI implementation demands a nuanced approach to addressing the knowledge gap. It’s essential to create a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, where employees feel encouraged and supported in their journey towards AI proficiency. This might involve setting up knowledge-sharing platforms, providing access to online courses, and establishing mentorship programs between employees with varying levels of expertise. Recognising and celebrating early successes in AI integration can also serve to boost morale and motivation, helping to overcome initial resistance or uncertainty related to the knowledge gap.

Bridging the knowledge gap through Flux

The successful implementation of AI technologies within current operating teams requires a strategic and holistic approach. By setting clear objectives, fostering a culture of innovation, establishing cross-functional teams, ensuring data quality, choosing the right AI solutions, providing training and support, monitoring performance, and addressing ethical considerations, organisations can navigate the path towards innovation and change effectively.

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Embracing AI technologies not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions organisations to thrive in an increasingly competitive and data-driven business landscape. By leveraging the power of AI, businesses can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and customer satisfaction, ultimately driving sustainable growth and success.

With this in mind, Flux Series: Marketing Leaders aims to address challenges when it comes to the AI knowledge gap by providing today’s top marketing professionals with a platform to co-create, ideate, and strategise ways to implement AI within their respective organisations. The conference will take place on Nov 15, 2023, at the St. Regis Jakarta, Indonesia.

Learn from the best

Flux Series is a curated, intimate, and focused gathering of top industry leaders to engage in active learning sessions, enabling access to in-depth knowledge and actionable insights that can propel sustainable growth and profitability for businesses everywhere. One of the key highlights of the Flux Series is a workshop session on “Case Study: Implementation of AI Technologies within Current Operating Teams, Managing Organisational Innovation, and Change.”

This panel seeks to provide participants with the practical knowledge to come up with solutions to challenges in the implementation of AI technology live and on the spot.

Facilitating the workshop is Adhitya Bhaswara, Vice President of AI and Machine Learning at PT. Bank Central Asia Tbk. With a remarkable career journey that transitioned from the world of physics to the cutting-edge realm of artificial intelligence, Adhitya brings a unique blend of scientific acumen and strategic vision to the banking industry through the work that he does at BCA.

Established in 1957, as the largest private bank in Indonesia, BCA is committed to always understanding various needs and providing the right financial solutions to achieve optimal customer satisfaction. BCA has achieved various achievements from year to year, such as Forbes’ List of The World’s Best Banks 2020 – 2021 and many others. The company has always strived to provide the best solution for every customer need, both individual, commercial and corporate. This is inseparable from their efforts to continue to carry out the commitment of “Always by Your Side”.

Also read: Leveraging AI for Growth: Learn about hyper-personalisation from the experts

BCA continues to grow with tens of thousands of employees spread across BCA offices throughout Indonesia. Various awards in the field of human resource management were also won by BCA, such as Gallup Great Workplace 2019, Indonesia Human Capital Award (IHCA) 2021, HR Asia Award 2021, Stellar Workplace Award 2021, and others. This is a clear proof that BCA always strives to create a pleasant work environment and always provide space for employees to continue to grow and develop.

Join Flux Series: Marketing Leaders

Join Adhitya Bhaswara and other industry leaders at the Flux Series and be a driving force in the AI-powered marketing revolution. To learn more about the event, you may visit the official Flux Series: Marketing Leaders page.

Get ready to embark on a journey that will not only deepen your understanding of AI-driven marketing but also equip you with the actionable insights needed to thrive in the dynamic world of modern marketing.

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As an entrepreneur, one of the key milestones on your path to success is securing funding from venture capitalists (VCs).

However, every VC pitch inevitably comes with a question that can make or break your chances of investment: “What’s your exit strategy?” This question is not to be taken lightly, as it reflects the VC’s interest in your long-term vision and commitment to value creation.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of an exit strategy, how to approach it, and what VCs look for in your response.

Understanding the why

Before delving into crafting the perfect exit strategy, it’s crucial to understand why VCs pose this question. Venture capitalists want to ensure that entrepreneurs have thought long-term, possess a laser focus on value creation, and are aware of the various potential avenues for exiting a business. In essence, they want to see that you are building a sustainable, successful enterprise and not just chasing short-term profits.

Being realistic

One common pitfall when responding to the exit strategy question is offering vague or overly optimistic responses. It’s essential to base your strategy on your specific industry and the stage of your business. Consider the three primary exit options: Initial Public Offering (IPO), acquisition, or staying independent. While it’s good to be ambitious, you should also be realistic about which of these options aligns best with your long-term vision.

Showing a clear path

To build credibility with VCs, you should provide a clear roadmap outlining the steps you’ll take to reach your chosen exit goal. Highlight key milestones, growth projections, and any previous successes that demonstrate your potential to achieve this goal. This roadmap demonstrates your strategic thinking and planning abilities, which are highly valued by investors.

Also Read: Is your exit strategy really an exit?

Demonstrating market insight

Your exit strategy should not exist in a vacuum; it should be grounded in your understanding of the market landscape. Showcase your insights into the industry and explain how your product or service fits into the bigger picture.

Articulate how your chosen exit strategy complements current industry trends. This demonstrates that your business is not just about making money but also about contributing meaningfully to the market.

Embracing flexibility

Venture capitalists appreciate entrepreneurs who can adapt to changing market conditions. Emphasize your willingness to pivot if necessary. This flexibility reassures VCs that you’re not rigidly committed to a single exit strategy and that you’re capable of adjusting your approach to achieve the best results.

Exit strategy as part of the bigger picture

It’s essential to convey that while the exit strategy is important, it’s not your sole focus. Your primary goal is to build a sustainable and successful business. This reassures VCs that you’re not simply looking for a quick exit but are committed to the long-term growth and success of your company.

In conclusion, when the exit strategy question arises during your VC pitch, view it as an opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking, your commitment to long-term value creation, and your vision for the future.

Remember that VCs are more than just investors; they are potential partners who want to be part of businesses that offer both financial promise and a clear roadmap for sustained success.

Crafting a compelling exit strategy is not only about securing investment but also about setting a strong foundation for your business’s future. So, approach this question with confidence, and make sure your response reflects your commitment to building a business that stands the test of time.

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Singapore-based healthcare and lifestyle company Perfect Nature announced that it has raised S$1 million (US$738,000) in a seed funding round for its subsidiary brand Snuugo which produces smart wearable breast pumps.

The funding round was led by angel investors Peter Tan, founder and former CEO of Fischer Tech Ltd, and Willy Koh, founder of Racer Technology Pte Ltd.

Perfect Nature will officially launch Snuugo in Singapore at the Babyland event on December 1-3, followed by expansion into Southeast Asia in mid-2024 and China. The company aims to create a complete ecosystem of nursing solutions, offering mothers freedom and versatility throughout their breastfeeding journey.

Perfect Nature also said that the funding has been strategically allocated for the development of prototypes, evaluation, and trials over the past two years. The company also have secured international patents for the product’s design and are streamlining the manufacturing process.

It also stated that a “significant” portion of the funds has been devoted to optimising the mobile application’s technology.

Also Read: Una Brands raises US$30M Series B to acquire e-commerce brands in home & living, mother & baby care

“This funding is a testament to our belief that mothers deserve the best when it comes to breastfeeding. Snuugo has been meticulously designed to address all concerns of Asian mothers, from the materials and technology to the design features and mobile application. With these funds, we’re not just building a product; we’re building a future where mothers can experience the joy of breastfeeding like never before,” shared Justin Tan and Charles Lim, Co-Founders of Snuugo.

The product was designed by Tan and Lim, inspired by their own personal experiences as fathers. Tan identified a gap in the existing market and an opportunity to create a meaningful difference by developing the first user-centric, innovative and ergonomic breast pump tailored to modern Asian mothers.

Lim came on board by bringing his mechanical product and software design expertise.

Founded in 2019, through Suugo, Perfect Nature designs a breast pump that includes Pump-to-Feed and Pump-to-Store systems, reducing the need to transfer milk to other containers, thus minimising wastage and spillage.

It aims to provide mothers with greater flexibility in their pumping routines.

The product’s minimalist packaging utilises biodegradable materials and maximises space.

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Image Credit: Perfect Nature

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Authentick, the creator of Authentickator, a wallet-free platform for easy browsing, purchasing, and authentication of digital collectibles, has successfully raised a US$4 million seed round, with Menyala as the lead investor.

The fresh funds will be used to execute the company’s roadmap, which encompasses expanding the marketplace, fostering collaborations with brands and creators, enhancing services, and advancing the product roadmap.

Authentickator has also announced partnerships with Southeast Asia’s leading e-commerce platform Lazada, social media giant TikTok, and Shopify to enable select users to easily purchase digital collectibles directly from each platform using traditional payment methods. 

Authentick’s vision is to bring digital collectibles to a Web2 audience by creating a seamless and secure shopping experience that enables anyone to purchase a digital collectible without a wallet or access to an exchange.

Also Read: How can your business benefit from the NFT phenomenon

To achieve this, the Authentickator platform transforms digital collectibles into a format that can be listed as a product on popular e-commerce platforms, including Lazada in Southeast Asia and Shopify worldwide. Customers can purchase these digital collectibles just like they would any other item on these platforms, using familiar payment methods.

In addition to easing the purchasing process, Authentick has developed a proprietary system to evaluate and verify digital collectibles using AI and human review to ensure safety, compliance, and authenticity. 

In the future, the company plans to roll out exclusive offerings for brand partners interested in gaining access to a broader audience. Authentick will work with brands entering Web3 by handling the distribution of digital collectible drops, ensuring that they are listed on major global online retailers, and expanding the reach of the brand’s drop to include web2 audiences where they already shop.

“We firmly believe that digital assets should be available to everyone, and our partnership with Lazada and TikTok removes all barriers when it comes to owning a digital collectible. This is the first step of our vision to become a digital asset platform that will eventually include services and products for Authentick-hosted wallets,” commented Boyko Draganov, CEO of Authentick.

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Fundraising or preparing your startup for fundraising? Build your investor network, search from 400+ SEA investors on e27, and get connected or get insights regarding fundraising. Try e27 Pro for free today.

Image credit: Authentick

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Flux Series: Marketing Leaders is happening at the St. Regis in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 November 2023. Are you working in the field of marketing? Don’t miss out on this focused and curated event designed especially for marketing professionals!

Visit Flux Series: Marketing Leaders for more information! Read on to get discounted tickets.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative powerhouse across many of today’s industries. The field of marketing, in particular, is experiencing a seismic shift with AI redefining strategies and approaches that marketing professionals may explore as we move further into our increasingly digital world. With new disruptive technologies sprouting everywhere, marketers get to explore tangible ways in which AI is reshaping the industry and how businesses can strategically adopt these technologies to gain a competitive edge.

Arguably, AI’s most significant contribution to marketing lies in its capacity to process and analyse vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds. This empowers businesses to make more informed decisions based on real-time insights. AI algorithms can sift through customer behaviour, preferences, and demographics to uncover patterns that might elude human analysts. This data-driven approach refines marketing strategies, allowing companies to target their audience with precision and deliver personalised messages.

Also read: This tech solutions provider is humanising AI through its unique approach

Moreover, the era of one-size-fits-all marketing campaigns is fading. With AI, businesses can create highly personalised experiences for their customers on a large scale. By analysing individual preferences and behaviour, AI algorithms can tailor product recommendations, content, and messaging in ways that align with the unique needs of each customer. This enhances customer satisfaction and increases the likelihood of conversion and long-term loyalty.

Engaging customers with efficiency

AI-powered chatbots have also transformed customer service by providing instant, 24/7 support. These intelligent bots can understand and respond to customer queries in a natural, conversational manner. They handle routine tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions or assisting with basic troubleshooting. This improves customer satisfaction and frees up human agents to focus on more complex issues, leading to higher overall efficiency.

Furthermore, AI enables bands to create high-quality, relevant content as part of their marketing efforts. AI tools can analyse trends and user behaviour to provide insights into what type of content resonates best with the target audience. Additionally, AI-powered platforms can assist in content creation by suggesting keywords, optimising headlines, and even generating portions of text. This not only saves time but also ensures that content is optimised for maximum impact.

Ultimately, by harnessing the power of data-driven insights, personalisation, and automation powered by AI, companies can not only increase their efficiency and effectiveness but also deliver a superior customer experience. Embracing AI in marketing is no longer a luxury but a necessity for staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Those who adapt and innovate with AI will be the ones who thrive on the edge of tomorrow.

Challenges in bridging the knowledge gap

One of the most significant challenges marketing professionals encounter in adopting AI-powered marketing is the knowledge gap within their teams. AI technology demands a level of technical proficiency and understanding that may not be present in traditional marketing roles. This creates a need for upskilling and reskilling efforts within the marketing department.

Therefore, professionals must invest time and resources in learning how to effectively implement and manage AI-powered tools and platforms. This process can be time-consuming and may require external training resources or the recruitment of new team members with the requisite technical expertise. Bridging this knowledge gap is crucial for ensuring that AI is utilised to its fullest potential in enhancing marketing strategies.

Also read: Leveraging AI for Growth: Learn about hyper-personalisation from the experts

With a rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies and platforms, marketing professionals also face the challenge of identifying the right tools that align with their business objectives. Understanding the nuances of different AI applications, from predictive analytics to natural language processing, requires a deep level of expertise. Selecting partners and technologies that integrate seamlessly with existing marketing ecosystems adds another layer of complexity.

Marketing professionals must navigate through a myriad of options, evaluating not only the technical capabilities of AI solutions but also their compatibility with existing processes and data infrastructure. This selection process demands a nuanced understanding of both marketing strategy and AI technology, further highlighting the importance of addressing the knowledge gap.

Get discounted tickets today!

With the goal of bringing the marketing ecosystem together is Flux Series: Marketing Leaders, a carefully curated, intimate, and focused convergence of top industry leaders dedicated to hacking growth opportunities in specific business areas such as marketing. Flux Series will be gathering top leaders in marketing this Nov 15, 2023, at the St. Regis Jakarta for a full day of growth-oriented learning aimed at addressing the knowledge gap in AI-powered Marketing.

The Edge of Tomorrow: How AI is Changing the Way We Market

At the Flux Series: Marketing Leaders, one of the event highlights will feature a keynote on “The Edge of Tomorrow: How AI is Changing the Way We Market,” an educational presentation on how to leverage AI-powered tools not only to empower your brand’s marketing efforts but with the specific goal of bolstering your customer engagement.

This keynote will be delivered by Joe Maulana, Country Lead for Indonesia at CleverTap. Joe specialises in the area of B2B software companies in Indonesia. Prior to leading the Indonesia market for CleverTap, he had spent more than 11 years in the industry from Adtech to Martech space and helping companies achieve what they wanted to achieve with the technology they wanted to explore.

CleverTap is the all-in-one customer engagement platform that helps brands personalize and optimize all consumer touch points to improve user engagement, retention, and lifetime value. It’s the only solution built to address the needs of retention and growth teams, with audience analytics, deep segmentation, multi-channel engagement, product recommendations, and automation in one unified product.

The platform is powered by TesseractDB — the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering both speed and economies of scale.

Also read: Learn how to achieve automation in operational processes and workflow at Flux

CleverTap is trusted by 2000 customers, including Electronic Arts, TiltingPoint, Gamebasics, Big Fish, MobilityWare, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco.

Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, and CDPQ the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with presence in San Francisco, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Jakarta.

With Joe’s wealth of experience and the support of CleverTap’s robust track record in customer engagement, participating marketing professionals will be able to access industry knowledge on how to unlock growth opportunities through AI-powered marketing.

Join Flux Series: Marketing Leaders

Join Joe Maulana and other industry leaders at the Flux Series and be a driving force in the AI-powered marketing revolution. To learn more about the event, you may visit the official Flux Series: Marketing Leaders page.

Get ready to embark on a journey that will not only deepen your understanding of AI-driven marketing but also equip you with the actionable insights needed to thrive in the dynamic world of modern marketing.

Join Flux Series: Marketing Leaders with discounted tickets here.

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In the midst of a tech funding winter, which is felt by fintech startups in particular, Investree recently announced a US$231 million Series D funding round. Apart from securing the funding round, the Indonesia-based company has also made several important milestones that contribute to its growth.

In an email interview with e27, Investree Group CEO Adrian Gunadi named the company’s collaboration with the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) through E-Catalogue and Electronic Procurement Services (LPSE) as one of its notable milestones.

He sees that the company’s strategy to provide a source of funding for MSMEs who are involved in government procurement projects has been a key milestone for its growth.

“So far, we have recorded a total of IDR1.2 trillion in loan disbursement specifically for MSMEs who won government tenders. This makes up around 10 per cent of our total loan disbursement figure since we started in 2015. Through this collaboration, we have assisted MSMEs from various industries to obtain a source of funding, including MSMEs providing goods & services for health facilities, electronic office supplies, and MSMEs in the creative industry. We have done this specifically through Garuda Financial, Investree’s sales channel specifically for government projects or tenders,” Gunadi elaborates.

“This is important as MSMEs are the backbone of the economy, especially throughout difficult times such as the pandemic. We are also proud of the collaboration that we have built, as we believe that collaborating with strategic partners enables us to leverage each other’s strengths and bring the best results for MSMEs in Indonesia, in line with our campaign #KolaborasiUntukTumbuh (#CollaborationForGrowth).”

Also Read: Investree completes acquisition of Amar Bank, increases stake to 18.4 per cent

What is the thought process behind these initiatives? According to the company, supporting and empowering MSMEs has always been its vision and mission since it started in 2015.

Investree acknowledges that the difficulty faced by the MSMEs may not come from the financial institution itself because, per law for loan disbursements, the requirement for legal documents and collaterals can be quite complex. This is the part where MSMEs usually face the issue of their loan application being rejected.

“Our goal is to support various industries in Indonesia, such as creative industries or service provision industries, to be able to grow at a rate they’re comfortable with and support them with the financial needs to grow. Thus, we wanted to reach as many MSMEs as possible in order to bridge the credit gap that remains in Indonesia through strategic initiatives, where one of them is to build collaborations with relevant stakeholders to increase our reach to more MSMEs,” Gunadi says.

“With LKPP and LPSE being the main government institutions that deal with MSMEs who are involved with government tenders, we decided that collaborating with them would be the right strategy to reach and support more MSMEs in various industries inside their ecosystem.”

When asked about why these initiatives are better at delivering success for the company, Gunadi says that the company did not see its initiatives in terms of better or worse, as they are all “developed based on the needs of our borrowers.”

“From a business point of view, we aim to provide a solution to a problem faced by a market, in this case, the problem faced by MSMEs in Indonesia when it comes to loan applications,” he explains.

Also Read: Investree attracts US$10M from Swiss firm to fund Indonesian MSMEs making social, economic impact

“It comes back to our vision and mission to provide access to financial tools for those that did not have access to it from conventional financial institutions.”

Across the SEA

Investree is one example of an Indonesian startup that has expanded its footprints across the region. With regards to their expansion across Southeast Asia (SEA), what lessons can Investree share with us?

It all begins with the differences between the countries that the company operates in, which include Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

“This became both a challenge and an opportunity for us, as we had to do our research to obtain a good understanding of the different needs and behaviours of MSMEs in these three countries, along with the different rules and regulations that apply in each respective market. Moreover, we also built positive relationships with the regulatory bodies that are responsible for fintech in each market, such as the Securities Exchange Commission in the Philippines and Thailand,” Gunadi explains.

“We are continuously committed to increasing our business performance sustainably in each market while keeping in mind our goal to empower the MSME sector as the backbone of the SEA economy. To do this, we have developed strong partnerships with local partners and stakeholders who are knowledgeable of each market’s behaviours and developed relevant strategic initiatives that answer the needs of MSMEs in each market.”

Gunadi gives an example of Investree Philippines’ partnership to launch an AI-powered credit scoring solution to increase accuracy and inclusiveness in assessing MSME players. Leveraging AI technology, Investree Philippines can now conduct extensive evaluations of potential borrowers, considering various data and factors beyond the traditional credit matrix.

Investree Thailand has also announced a collaboration with Thanachart Group subsidiary T Broker to maximise MSME credit access amidst the ongoing increase in interest rates in Thailand.

Also Read: Bank BRI-Investree partnership earmarks US$143M to support creative entrepreneurs in Indonesia

“Our various partnerships show how Investree is leveraging local knowledge and catering to the different needs of MSMEs in each market, which has also helped us in obtaining Series D funding from trusted investors as we continue to demonstrate our capabilities to create relevant solutions for MSMEs in various contexts,” Gunadi says.

“We are focusing our efforts on scaling our business in a sustainable manner instead of chasing unsustainable growth that will cost us in the future. We are committed to expanding our reach to more MSMEs in the region but still keeping our business growth efforts at a reasonable and sustainable level.”

So when it comes to building relationships with external parties, there is only one advice that Investree would like to share.

“We would advise other startups to build valued partnerships whenever possible to achieve things that would be difficult to do on their own. We believe that partnerships allow us to take advantage of each other’s strengths and bring more impactful results.

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Image Credit: Investree

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The edutech market is currently estimated to be worth US$271 billion, and by 2026, it is predicted to reach US$410 billion. This expansion has been genuinely global: in 2021, edutech investments in Latin America surged sixfold, and companies based in the Asia Pacific now account for almost 40 per cent of the worldwide edutech sector. 

As digital transformation continues to reshape the educational sphere, the promise of a brighter, tech-infused future for learners is on the horizon. Spark Education, a global player in edutech, stands as a notable example of how innovation and technology are driving the educational experience forward. Founded in 2017, Spark Education is taking its groundbreaking approach to education to new heights with the launch of its first learning centre at i12 Katong in Singapore.

In an exclusive interview with Wilson Li, CSO and CFO of Spark Education Group, we gain insights into their pioneering journey.

“We saw the opportunity for technology to truly advance education and help children develop a love of learning in the early years and build a strong foundation for their future,” Li reflects on the startup’s vision. This commitment to a tech-enhanced, early-stage educational foundation underscores Spark Education’s approach to edutech.

Adapting to new realities

The global pandemic disrupted traditional education, pushing edutech into the spotlight. Spark Education, which was conceived before the pandemic, experienced a surge in demand during this time as the need for interactive, technology-driven learning became more evident than ever.

Also Read: Post-pandemic education: Why edutech remains a game-changer

Li notes, “Moving forward from the pandemic era, now is an exciting time for the edutech industry, which is presented with a unique opportunity to push boundaries, reinvent ourselves, and showcase our continued value in the education ecosystem.” Spark Education’s journey reflects the adaptability of edutech to changing educational needs.

Unlike traditional education providers, Spark Education leverages captivating storylines, hands-on learning experiences, and a Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA) approach to make learning engaging and memorable. Their small-group and personalised instruction, coupled with a tailored learning experience, ensure that each student’s educational needs are met.

The power of gamified learning

According to the latest report by Market Business Insights, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the coming years in the use of gamification in education due to the growing number of mobile and internet users in the region.

In line with this, central to Spark Education’s approach is gamified learning, a method that makes learning enjoyable and effective. Li explains, “Gamification can provide a safe, yet familiar, environment for children to apply the skills they have learned.”

This approach helps children connect concepts with real-life situations, improves knowledge retention, and motivates them to practice. Gamified learning is a fundamental component of Spark Education’s strategy and contributes to making education enjoyable.

Redefining in-person learning with technology

Spark Education’s recent launch of its learning centre at i12 Katong in Singapore signifies a step toward redefining in-person learning with technology. “Our new centre has been fitted with high-tech learning spaces that feature animated and gamified courseware and interactive screens that students can touch and use to interact with objects, draw and more,” Li explains.

Also Read: Edutech in SEA is still “far behind compared to North America” — but there is some hope

The centre’s design is focused on providing personalised attention in small group settings. It aligns with the idea that a blend of technology and interpersonal interaction is the future of education, making the learning experience engaging and effective.

Global footprint, local focus

While Spark Education serves students in over 100 countries and regions, their approach is locally informed. Li emphasizes, “While fundamental skills and knowledge concepts in math and Chinese are the same globally, the cultural context, the local curriculum, and the stories and examples that students engage with can be different.”

This localisation ensures that their curriculum aligns with local standards, making edutech accessible and relevant to diverse educational systems.

The future of edutech in APAC

The future of edutech in APAC is marked by an exciting synergy between traditional and tech-enhanced learning. Li aptly concludes, “Our goal at Spark Education is to really light the spark for our students to achieve their goals and dreams.”

Innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge technology, and high-tech learning spaces are redefining the traditional classroom experiences across the region. From gamified learning to interactive courseware, the fusion of technology and pedagogy is setting a new standard in education across the APAC region. As edutech evolves, the future of learning promises a dynamic and tech-enhanced educational experience, offering students in APAC diverse and effective ways to engage with their studies.

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

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

Image Credit: Spark Education

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Imagine this: Wearing an Extended Reality (XR) headset, you look through digitised lenses and watch the world around you transform. Ergonomic controllers become your tools, spanning many worlds at command – magical obsidian swords in one, surgical instruments in another.

It is suddenly possible to live many lives, fending off zombies in dystopia or in an operating theatre practising a surgical technique to gestured precision. No matter the experience, the vision that surrounds you is realistic, fully immersive, and 360 degrees.

As I write this, I find myself in an uncanny déjà vu – transported two decades back, again standing between physical reality and an iteration of the great big metaverse beyond it.

In this memory, girlish chatter surrounds me on a too-sunny school day at Crescent Girls’ School, and I learn of my cohort’s privilege to become a pioneer in innovative education – the very first in Singapore to integrate ‘tablet learning’. (Look, ma, we’re in the news!)

While this article dates to 2014, my school had already adopted digital learning a good decade ago, in 2004, and was befittingly named by the Ministry of Education in 2007 as FutureSchools@Singapore.

The way we learn has been evolving for as long as we know how to learn. Fast forward to 2023, digital tools have become the universal language – students scroll endlessly on Wi-Fi channels or lavish stories by the art of typewriting keypad prodding – without too much conscious thought.

Backed by science: Virtual world with real impact

XR is essentially augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and all immersive technologies, including those still to be created. XR extends the reality that we physically experience by combining some physical sensations in full virtual immersion.

Surprisingly, XR does not need to look hyper-realistic for our brains to believe it, according to this Vox video, which explores how the tech ‘tricks’ our brains. The good news is how we benefit from this ‘trickery’.

Also Read: Is virtual reality the next big marketing channel?

Studies point to the real advantages and surprising legitimacy of XR as a training solution – XR can help improve access to quality care, create meaningful interactions with patients, connect global clinical consultations, and accelerate how fast you learn.

Besides gaming, there are countless sectors where XR is being applied and/or developed further, from education to training simulations. Importantly, XR has supported healthcare organisations in recent years with simulated surgical procedures for complex training.

French healthtech VirtualiSurg, for example, has been innovating XR simulations since 2017 to democratise surgical training and improve patient outcomes at scale. With XR simulators that uniquely combine virtual reality and haptic arm robotics modelled after real medical instruments, users experience multi-sensorial force feedback as they practise technical gestures requiring precision.

On tangible impact, VirtualiSurg improved on-site training at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, boosting skill proficiency across nursing staff and patient safety and enriching the learning experience, too.

When Zuckerberg introduced META a year ago, he shared plans to build the next chapter of social connection, envisioning a future where people have more ways to play and connect in the metaverse, albeit with cartoony avatars to start with.

Under a year later, he unveils a groundbreaking update when he speaks to Lex Fridman hundreds of miles away, but with the feeling of being in the same room, thanks to photorealistic Kodak Avatars in 3D with spatial audio. The technology is astounding and immersive, and the nuances of facial expressions are exactly captured. Fridman muses that it looks like the future of how humans can connect meaningfully on the internet.

What might the future look like? To start with, here’s an invitation to step beyond our physical world into the metaverse, where what’s real can be debated, and what’s reality can be extended in fascinating ways. You might just marvel at how far you get to see.

And if you’re feeling bold enough to be part of what the future can be, financial analytics projects great investment potential of up to US$900 billion by 2030, with just enough time to scale.

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Thailand’s AgBioTech Incubation 2023 has unveiled the startups showcasing on the demo day.

The programme was organised by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA) in collaboration with the Maejo Agriculture and Food Innovation District, the Institute of Agricultural Innovation for Industry, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the SynBio Consortium.

The ten agtech startups embarked on a comprehensive incubation programme designed to cultivate their expertise in various agricultural technology domains over a rigorous four-month training and demonstration period. The primary objective was to validate conceptual ideas and product offerings, thereby addressing gaps in consumption guidelines.

Also Read: How Full Circle-HydroNeo partnership empowers small-scale shrimp farmers

The ten participants are:

SoMush

A cutting-edge solution to produce pure mushroom culture in liquid form for PureMycelium. The startup also bagged the Best Engagement Award.

MYCO GARDEN HOME

An innovative growth enhancer designed for high-value economic crops and ornamental plants, leveraging the power of arbuscular mycorrhizae.

MaxBoost

A specialised substance hailing from the stable antisense group, engineered to proactively prevent Vibrio and yellowhead virus, safeguarding the health of aquatic organisms.

It also won the Judges’s Choice Award.

PurePlus

A highly effective microbial inoculum, bolstered by low-energy ion beam technology, adept at thwarting wilt and rot pathogens in economic crops.

Sentech Plus

A sophisticated biological substance harnessing the potency of Bacteriophages for holistic infection prevention in the realm of aquaculture.

Also Read: How Fishlog aims to revolutionise Indonesian fisheries with cutting-edge tech solutions

Bio Solution

A natural and sustainable pest control system utilising beneficial natural enemies to safeguard crops.

Gen-A-Tech

An advanced system for plant gender and agricultural characteristic determination, underpinned by cutting-edge DNA marker technology.

PLANTBIO

Pioneering the production of functional substances for cosmetic applications through the innovative use of plant cell culture technology.

EverFresh

A biomolecular peptide product engineered to extend the shelf life of agricultural products, ensuring freshness and quality.

Happy Plant

Offering highly purified mycorrhiza obtained through tissue culture systems, enhancing survival rates when transplanted into the soil and bolstering plant health.

The post Meet the 10 Thai startups showcasing at AgBioTech Incubation demo day appeared first on e27.

In an email interview with e27, Elevandi Executive Director Pat Patel explains that the integration of AI in Southeast Asia (SEA) has become a transformative force for businesses in various sectors. Its reach extends across verticals from e-commerce to agriculture. However, he stresses that “the brush strokes” of AI adoption in SEA are neither uniform nor simplistic.

“The speed, scale, and scope of AI adoption are influenced by a multitude of factors, from the technological infrastructure to talent availability, varying significantly from one SEA country to another,” he says.

“A further testament to AI’s growing influence is its increasing visibility at industry-specific platforms, such as the Singapore FinTech Festival, which seeks to bring together the industry leaders at the nexus of policy, finance and technology to drive the opportunities and align on the challenges. From healthcare to automotive sectors, AI solutions are being showcased in applications ranging from medical diagnostics to autonomous vehicles, underscoring its broad-based adoption and ongoing evolution.”

Despite its pervasiveness, the spread of AI in SEA is not without its own challenges.

“Talent scarcity tops the list; companies like Grab have found it challenging to attract AI and machine learning specialists, prompting them to initiate partnerships with academic institutions to cultivate local talent,” Patel says.

“Then comes the elephant in the room—data privacy. For fintech companies like Singapore’s GoBear, safeguarding sensitive financial data while complying with stringent regulations such as GDPR presents a monumental challenge.”

Also Read: Fintech growth in Asia: Why businesses should prioritise expansion in the region

Financial constraints add another layer of complexity, according to Patel.

“Companies like Tokopedia have had to invest heavily in foundational technology like cloud computing and data centres, significantly inflating operational costs. Market fragmentation, evidenced by the need for platforms like Lazada to customise AI models to suit varying consumer behaviours across countries, complicates implementation,” he elaborates.

“Moreover, in sectors like finance, ethical considerations around AI-based models become a convoluted territory to navigate, as seen with Malaysia’s CIMB Group, which has invested in transparent risk assessment mechanisms to alleviate ethical concerns.”

Getting SEA businesses to embrace AI

In order for SEA businesses to fully integrate AI in their operations, according to Patel, there are “a myriad of” strategies that they can implement. It all started with having the regulation to support that.

“Given AI’s dynamic landscape, governments must continually revise and adapt their regulatory frameworks, which should ideally offer crystal-clear guidelines on ethical AI usage. They need to stay ahead of the curve and not just follow technological advancements — anticipation and collaboration are key to harnessing AI’s full potential regionally,” he says.

“Second, data privacy laws akin to Europe’s GDPR or Singapore’s PDPA are non-negotiable for the credibility of AI. This isn’t merely a legal requirement but a trust-building mechanism. Ethics should not be an afterthought but a foundational element in AI implementation—ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

Patel also highlights the importance of workforce development and AI literacy as well as building a sufficient technology infrastructure. But expanding further on his point on regulation, Patel stresses that the concept of a monolithic, region-wide AI policy for SEA is enticing but fraught with complexities.

Also Read: Fintech VC Flourish Ventures banks US$350M to double down on emerging markets

“Given that the region is emerging as a significant player in the fintech sector and is poised to be the world’s fourth-largest economy, it is tempting to advocate for uniform regulations. However, the socio-political heterogeneity of SEA makes such a policy an uphill endeavour,” he explains.

“For example, ASEAN’s current framework for AI serves more as a guiding beacon rather than a set of enforceable laws. While each country within the region has a moral imperative to uphold these principles, the non-binding nature of this framework highlights the difficulties of implementing a singular, regional approach to AI governance.”

But this does not mean that the region is absolved from its responsibility to act collectively. Given the borderless nature of AI, Patel highlights that a vulnerability in one jurisdiction could reverberate throughout the region, creating a domino effect with potentially devastating implications on a global scale.

“Instead of aspiring for a one-size-fits-all policy, the region should place greater emphasis on two pivotal areas. The first is up-skilling its already technologically skilled workforce — creating a deep reservoir of AI talent that can serve as the intellectual cornerstone for the decades to come. The second focus should be on establishing robust platforms for regional dialogues. These platforms should serve as melting pots of innovation, fostering cross-pollination of ideas between technologists, policymakers, and financial experts — groups that have historically operated in silos,” he elaborates.

“SEA shares some common vulnerabilities and characteristics, especially in areas like climate change, labour migration, and infrastructural development. A cooperative approach in these areas could demonstrate how AI can be a force for collective good across varying national landscapes.”

This is why a balancing act between innovation and regulation in the context of AI is a delicate matter without a one-size-fits-all solution.

Patel points out that while Europe’s AI Act is comprehensive, its long-term impact on AI innovation remains to be seen. On the other hand, Singapore’s National AI Strategy exemplifies that through close and fruitful public-private collaborations, it is possible to steer responsible AI usage without the need for hard and fast enforcement.

Also Read: Despite decline, global fintech funding remains fairly stable: McKinsey report

“There are also a number of cross-industry initiatives that the Monetary Authority of Singapore is driving, such as Project MindForge, which seeks to examine the risks and opportunities for Generative AI use cases for the financial sector; Project Veritas which seeks to strengthen the financial sectors governance of AI management and data use, and lastly, Project NovA! which is an AI utility to help financial institutions to generate prompt and actionable insights using structured and unstructured datasets and advanced computing,” he says.

What is coming up in 2024

Elevandi is a not-for-profit entity set up by the MAS to foster an open dialogue between the public and private sectors to advance fintech globally with Singapore as the centre of gravity. The organisation works closely with governments, founders, investors, and corporate leaders to drive collaboration, education, and new sources of value at the industry and national levels.

As we are getting closer to the end of 2023, we asked Patel about what AI trends are going to arise in the near future.

“Taking a cue from the EU’s AI Act, one indisputable trend that we can anticipate is the continued roll-out of AI frameworks. These will span the spectrum from entirely voluntary to legally binding regulations, signalling a global recognition of the pivotal role AI is set to play in all facets of our social fabric,” he says.

He points out several key themes that are going to be dominant and will be captured in the upcoming Singapore Fintech Festival:

GenAI beyond text

ChatGPT may have stolen the spotlight in 2023, but according to Patel, it is just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to GenAI tools.

“Following the lead of Diffusion, Midjourney, and Dall-E, a plethora of tools will soon emerge, allowing users to generate images, videos, and more within seconds. The ramifications of such advancements will stretch beyond the creative industries, affecting everything from copyright law to the proliferation of disinformation.”

The explosion of data availability

“Back in 2018, the International Data Corporation predicted that by 2025, worldwide data will grow 61 per cent to 175 zettabytes, with 75 per cent of the world’s population interacting with data daily. That was before the meteoric rise of AI,” Patel points out.

“Particularly, in the last year, we have seen a surge in high-quality data sets, complemented by emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and cloud storage — which have spurred widespread experimentation in the AI sector. While these developments have led to more accurate and hyper-personalised AI applications, they have also birthed new inefficiencies and biases that are not yet fully understood.”

Enhanced human-AI cooperation

Patel acknowledges the recent discourse on the potential for AI to replace human roles across various professions. However, he sees that the immediate impact of such a shift is unlikely to materialise within the next year.

“This provides an opportune moment to refocus the conversation on how AI can augment human capabilities in the workplace, allowing us to delegate menial tasks and concentrate on the type of strategic thinking that makes us distinctly human.”

As a closing, he states that if we can reasonably anticipate these developments within the next year, the future landscape of AI innovation and its profound societal impacts are beyond imagination.

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Image Credit: Elevandi

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