Collaborations and partnerships are pivotal for any form of endeavour. They cultivate a blend of ideas, facilitate mutual discoveries, and refine solutions. Through this synergy, organisations are able to better mitigate risks and accelerate progress fueled by each other’s expertise, ultimately enabling all parties to achieve their goals.

With this ethos in mind, e27 and Techstars recently partnered together to launch the Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program Pitch Day 2022. The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,200 companies that today have a combined market cap valuation of $29 Billion.

Also read: Wateroam emerges victorious at the 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards

The Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program Pitch Day is one of Techstars’ many initiatives to help usher growth and innovation among tech startups, enabling them to explore transnational opportunities in Southeast Asia and Japan.

Since 2021, Techstars has partnered with JETRO to launch two cohorts of the Founders Catalyst Programme as part of Techstars x JETRO’s Startup City Acceleration Programme. The startups in the two cohorts — 15 startups in the global scale cohort and 11 startups in the cleantech cohort — are undergoing a series of sessions to help address the issues they are facing specific to their companies to help them build and grow their companies.

The e27 factor in making Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program Pitch Day 2022 a success

For the 2022 edition of the program, Techstars decided to tap e27 for our team’s unparalleled experience not only when it comes to organising events that cater specifically to the Southeast Asian tech startup ecosystem, but also for our ability to spotlight important programs and initiatives and connect them to the right audience.

This collaboration showcased e27’s indispensable role in delivering operational and promotional support for the event, underscoring our team’s commitment to nurturing innovation and forging crucial connections within the startup sphere.

At the heart of this collaboration is e27’s dedication to amplifying the reach of the Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program Pitch Day 2022. More than just putting the spotlight on the broader project, the event served as a platform for 15 startups to present their groundbreaking ideas and innovations to an audience of tech experts, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts.

The goal of the project is to fuel the growth of startups by addressing their unique challenges and facilitating connections — a key area that e27 is particularly experienced in.

An all-encompassing support from e27

e27’s promotional efforts played a pivotal role in ensuring that the Pitch Day garnered the attention it deserved. With a keen understanding of the startup ecosystem, e27 strategically targeted investors and companies, maximising the event’s visibility. This involved a strategic campaign plan that included promotional articles, media placement on e27’s platform, social media promotions, and features in e27’s daily digest.

By effectively raising awareness and generating buzz around the program, e27 acted as a catalyst in bringing together key stakeholders who could also contribute to the success of these startups. Moreover, e27 helped amplify Techstars’ call for applications well before the event proper.

Also read: Flux Series: Where industry leaders discuss actionable insights and disruptive technologies

e27’s support for Techstars extended beyond just pre-event promotions. The team also provided operational assistance in the form of technical logistics, creating and managing breakout rooms for networking, connecting with judges and ecosystem partners such as VCs, and even assisting the participating startups in their actual presentations. This allowed the startups to focus on what they do best — showcasing their innovations and building connections.

The Pitch Day itself was a testament to the collaboration’s success. Divided into two cohorts — Global Scale and Cleantech — the event spanned different stages to cater to the diverse startups participating. Each startup had the opportunity to deliver a succinct 4-minute pitch, followed by a networking session. The innovative setup of individual breakout rooms for each company fostered meaningful interactions between attendees and founders, opening doors to potential collaborations and partnerships.

The Global Scale Cohort Demo Day, with its sector-agnostic approach, showcased the diversity and depth of the startups’ innovations. The range of verticals and stages represented underscored the vibrance of the global startup ecosystem and the potential for groundbreaking ideas to emerge from various corners of the world.

A once in a lifetime experience for startups

The Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Programme itself has been a remarkable journey for the startups involved. With access to Techstars’ extensive network of entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners, the participating companies received unparalleled mentorship and guidance. The program’s success stories are a testament to Techstars’ expertise, having nurtured countless connections and relationships in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Also read: Strategic content via e27 amplifies CMI’s goals beyond numbers

Techstars’ commitment to fostering growth across the startup ecosystem through its Startup City Acceleration Programme has been truly inspiring. This initiative, backed by the Cabinet Office of Japan through the efforts of JETRO, has provided Japanese startups with the mentorship, investor connections, and business partnerships needed to thrive on a global scale.

In essence, the partnership between e27 and Techstars for the Techstars x JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program Pitch Day 2022 stands as a shining example of collaboration driving innovation. With e27’s unwavering commitment to promoting and supporting such initiatives, startups gained a platform to shine, investors found opportunities to fuel the next big thing, and the global startup ecosystem witnessed the power of meaningful partnerships. As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, it is partnerships like these that will pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future.

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We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Visit us at e27.co/advertise to get started.

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At e27, our dedication lies in fostering innovation by providing a platform for experts to share their specialised insights. Through our Contributor Programme, passionate individuals can engage in profound conversations about entrepreneurship, technology, and pioneering advancements.

Join our startup discourse this week as we explore contemporary trends, exchange viewpoints, and deliberate on strategies for excelling in the startup landscape.

How hyper-personal, AI tech can transform the US$1.5T wellness industry

The wellness industry in Singapore was worth US$12 billion and has constantly been on the lookout for hyper-personalised solutions.

AWHL Group CEO, Arich Tan’s article discusses the transformative potential of hyper-personal AI technology within the US$1.5 trillion wellness industry. It highlights how AI-driven personalization can revolutionise wellness experiences, catering to individual needs and preferences. Emphasizing the role of data analytics and AI in crafting tailored wellness solutions, from fitness to mental health, the article also underlines the significance of user privacy and ethical considerations in adopting such technology.

Blockchain beyond borders: A dive into global collaboration and innovation

As we navigate the evolving world of blockchain, collaboration, education, and problem-solving, emerge as pivotal pillars for success.

Early crypto advocate and Business Development Lead at Bybit, Jenny Zheng’s article delves into the world of blockchain technology, exploring its potential for fostering global collaboration and innovation. It showcases how blockchain transcends geographical boundaries, enabling diverse stakeholders to come together and create impactful solutions. The piece highlights real-world examples of cross-border collaborations driven by blockchain, emphasizing the transformative power it holds.

Empowering Indonesia with fintech: Dede Suherman’s journey

Fintech startups should develop their services to assist a growing number of people worldwide in resolving their financial challenges.

IVITECH.Drive’s Co-Founder and CEO, Artem Moskalev’s article profiles Dede Suherman’s journey in empowering Indonesia through fintech. It highlights his contributions to the country’s financial technology landscape and his role in driving innovation and financial inclusion. The piece showcases Suherman’s endeavours in co-founding a successful fintech company and discusses his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within Indonesia’s fintech ecosystem.

Human touch in tech: How exceptional customer service makes you stand out

Quality customer service, though not rocket science, requires the investment of time and money and is worth it.

Statrys Founder Bertrand Theaud’s article underscores the significance of exceptional customer service in the tech industry, emphasizing the role of the human touch. It delves into how providing a personalised and attentive customer experience can set businesses apart in the competitive tech landscape.

Also Read: Contributor spotlight: A roundup of this week’s startup discussions

Decoding the shift: The new era of B2B marketing

In the digital age, B2B marketing is set to expand, especially with the rising influence of AI and data-driven strategies.

Guest Lecturer at Sydney University, Luke Fitzpatrick’s article deciphers the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, highlighting the emergence of a new era. It explores the transformative shifts in B2B marketing strategies, focusing on the integration of digital platforms and personalised approaches. The piece underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making and the adoption of innovative techniques to engage and resonate with B2B audiences.

How AAT is preparing Southeast Asian accountants for an AI-driven future

AAT’s global community of accounting professionals serves as a powerful resource for its members in Malaysia and beyond.

Journalist Surabhi Pandey’s article delves into how AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) is equipping Southeast Asian accountants for an AI-driven future. It highlights AAT’s efforts to bridge the gap between traditional accounting practices and the technological advancements brought by AI. The piece showcases how AAT is providing relevant training and resources to empower accountants with the skills needed to navigate the evolving landscape.

How the right ecosystem energises greentech startups

Hong Kong is emerging as a greentech hub with leading startups in the space that are applying innovative technologies in their work.

Head of StartmeupHK at Invest Hong Kong, Jayne Chan’s article delves into the vital role of the right ecosystem in energising greentech startups. It explores how a conducive environment can foster innovation and growth within the greentech sector. The piece highlights the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and access to resources in nurturing the development of sustainable solutions.

Executing a winning ecosystem strategy: What we can learn from Arm and its upcoming IPO

Find out why ecosystem building is core to Arm’s corporate narrative and strategy and how it is enhancing the value of its IPO.

Out-Position Founder, Darryl Dickens’s article delves into the strategic approach of executing a successful ecosystem, drawing insights from ARM and its imminent IPO. It explores how ARM’s ecosystem strategy has contributed to its growth and positioning as a major player in the technology industry. The piece highlights the lessons that can be gleaned from ARM’s journey, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability.

From Seed to Series: Navigating different funding rounds with PR

In today’s competitive startup scene, the integration of PR into the funding journey is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

CEO of iOli Comms, Yan Lim’s article navigates the funding journey from seed to series rounds, highlighting the role of PR (public relations). It delves into how effective PR strategies can enhance a startup’s ability to secure funding across various stages. The piece showcases how tailored communication can establish credibility, attract investors, and build a positive reputation.

Also Read: Voices of innovation: Showcasing e27’s top contributors of the week

The power of diversity: Leveraging and building an inclusive workplace for all

Employees are more likely to stay with organisations that prioritise diversity and inclusion, reducing turnover and promoting long-term retention.

Founder of VV Consulting Group, Vaishana Vasuthavan’s article emphasizes the transformative impact of diversity and the creation of an inclusive workplace for all. It delves into how fostering diversity can drive innovation, productivity, and overall success within organisations. The piece showcases the benefits of a diverse workforce and highlights strategies for building an environment that welcomes and supports individuals from different backgrounds.

Unlocking angel investing: 6 key steps for making your first investment

In this article, I hope to share several steps that you should consider before cutting that first cheque as an angel.

Izwan & Partners Founder Izwan Zakaria’s article provides a roadmap for first-time angel investors to navigate the investment process successfully. It outlines six essential steps that new angel investors can follow to make informed and strategic investment decisions. The piece covers topics such as conducting due diligence, building a diversified portfolio, and understanding the investment landscape.

How data centres adapt to shortages with advanced tech solutions

Data centres harness advanced tech for global demand with hyperscale tech, AI integration, and sustainable growth strategies.

Guest Lecturer at Sydney University, Luke Fitzpatrick’s article explores the pivotal role of data centres in driving the digital age through innovation, security, and sustainability. It delves into how data centres have evolved to become critical infrastructure supporting the modern digital ecosystem. The piece highlights the importance of innovation to enhance efficiency, the significance of security measures to safeguard data, and the growing emphasis on sustainable practices within data centre operations.

Navigating the digital future: Innovations, collaborations, and transformations

The trends in smart telecom, enterprise solutions, and IoT applications are set to catalyse transformative change in future technologies.

Project Manager in Taiwan Trade Center Singapore (TAITRA), Janet Hsu’s article delves into the convergence of 5G, AI, and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) in shaping the digital future. It explores how the integration of these technologies is driving transformation across industries and reshaping the technological landscape. The piece highlights the potential synergy of 5G’s connectivity, AI’s intelligence, and AIoT’s interconnectedness.

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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: Canva

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Line Man Wongnai — an e-commerce platform for food delivery, grocery delivery, taxi, messenger, restaurant reviews, and restaurant solutions in Thailand, and Line Company (Thailand), have jointly acquired the majority shares of Rabbit Line Pay Company (RLP) from previous shareholders RabbitPay System Company Limited and Advanced mPAY Company Limited.

The details of the deal remain undisclosed.

The acquisition aims to bring RLP payment services closer to the Line ecosystem, including Line Man, Line Shopping, Line app, and Wongnai’s merchant network.

As per the agreement, Line Man Wongnai CEO Yod Chinsupakul and CFO In Young Chung will become the new CEO and CFO of RLP, respectively.

The merger will not impact RLP users, and they can keep using its payment services in existing channels, including the BTS Skytrain ticketing system and AIS’s bill payment services.

Also Read: Line Man Wongnai secures US$265M in Series B round, enters unicorn club

Chinsupakul stated, “RLP has a long presence among Thai e-payment users, covering a wide range of online and offline payment channels. As user’s behaviours toward e-payment and overall fintech are transforming quickly, it’s an exciting time to reframe the role of RLP under the new shareholders. We want to use our strength of over 10 million Line Man and Wongnai users, over 500,000 merchants, and over 100,000 riders to create a coherent transaction experience for all stakeholders. With the addition of RLP, we believe Line Man Wongnai is uniquely positioned to help digitalises the Thai economy.”

Rabbit LINE Pay (RLP) is an integrated online and offline payment platform. RLP offers payment services, including a digital wallet and quick, on-the-go payment options for purchases, money transfers, or top-ups. RLP services can be utilised within public transportation, for purchasing goods and services from partner brands, and for various utility bill payments.

Line Man Wongnai combines an e-commerce platform for food delivery, grocery delivery, taxi, messenger, local business reviews and restaurant solutions. It became a unicorn following its US$265 million Series B funding led by GIC and Line in September last year. Line Man Wongnai employs more than 1,000 people.

Established in 2014, Line Thailand manages local sales and marketing strategies and develops new businesses and services for Thai markets.

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Image Credit: LINE MAN Wongnai.

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Amidst the AI revolution, e27 presents a new series showcasing how organisations embrace AI in their operations.

Aaron Goldsmid is the Head of Product at Deel, where he oversees connectivity and fintech products, along with a team of hundreds of global, remote product professionals.

Goldsmid brings more than 20 years of product and engineering leadership experience from companies like Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and, most recently, Twillio. He joined Deel to help create the world’s friendliest worker platform, starting with the ability to work from anywhere.

In this edition, Goldsmid shares how Deel has embraced Artificial Intelligence.

Edited excerpts:

How do you perceive the AI revolution and its potential impact on your industry and workforce?

AI has and will revolutionise and reshape numerous industries and functions for the better, including the HR industry. There has always been much speculation about whether AI will eliminate jobs, but history has proven that false.

If we were to look into any time there has been a Newtonian revolution in technology, like the weaving loom, printing press or personal computer, it has only provided leverage. Humans didn’t get eliminated from the equation; they just became infinitely more efficient, and their tasks changed.

I believe that is precisely what we will see today with AI. It will allow humans to perform tasks more efficiently and scale faster.

In what ways has your company embraced AI technologies to improve operational efficiency or enhance business processes?

At Deel, we are building a system to understand our support volume and where it’s coming from, such as by identifying root causes and filtering them back into the product. We’re also leveraging predictive churn analysis and trying to determine how to be more efficient in marketing. These can be considered the newer aspects of the AI revolution, but it is essentially machine learning data science that many innovative firms are utilising now.

Also Read: AI’s distinction lies in its vast scale and accessibility: Raunak Mehta of Igloo

I’m particularly excited about how we will help customers using AI and what new products we are building with AI. We will be announcing these later this year.

Can you share specific examples of how AI has been integrated into your workforce to streamline operations or drive innovation?

We’ve built arguably the largest global employment compliance database, allowing our teams to query across all our data.  For example:

• What’s the average salary of software engineers in my organisation in Estonia?
• What is the parental policy in the Netherlands?
• What’s the prevailing tax rate?

Internally, we are now doing tens of thousands of queries against our knowledge base, saving us immense time.

Our data covers 120 countries, comes from expertise from over 100+ in-house Deel country compliance experts, and covers all of the typical questions and compliance law topics our customers ask us about. If used well, it could be a co-pilot to our employment lawyers or tax advisers.

AI takes on the repetitive queries, freeing our in-house teams to tackle the harder questions. It’s an oracle. It gives you the answers it knows and allows us to find and fill the current knowledge gaps.

What AI does as well is that it democratises that experience for everyone. For example, a business leader in a small organisation now has access to the answers to an HR or compliance question generated by AI within a couple of seconds, versus days later using human experts that they have to seek out.

What challenges or concerns did you encounter when implementing AI technologies within your organisation, and how did you address them?

The biggest challenge is trust and ensuring that data is completely secure. AI technologies are infinitely brilliant, but they are also incredibly naive at the same time. There is zero room for error when dealing with data as sensitive as employment data.

We solve this by creating sandboxes for specific data sets so there is no way for AI to access anything that is not supposed to. We have different logical instances with a specific set of permissions. Having the right guardrails in place is key.

How do you ensure transparency and uphold ethical considerations in using AI technologies within your organisation to mitigate privacy concerns?

We do this with assisted learning, where a human is involved. It can go awry with unassisted learning, where the computer tells itself whether it’s right or not. At Deel, we’ve ensured that there is human-assisted learning and that our centralised human experts are validating and training every query.

How do you ensure that AI technologies complement your workforce’s existing skills and expertise rather than replacing or displacing human workers?

There is much fear and speculation about whether AI might result in the eventual loss of the “human touch,” but we believe that it only enhances what already exists rather than fully replacing it because there are limits to the technology.

Even though AI continues to develop rapidly, it is still limited to the data that is made available to it. In this sense, there will always be a need for human intelligence or intervention to fill the gaps AI cannot.

How do you envision the future collaboration between humans and AI? What role do you see AI playing in augmenting human capabilities?

I and others see AI as a co-pilot. In flying a plane, a co-pilot’s job is to help manage the workload, filter the information and fulfil certain tasks so that the ‘captain’ can focus on what matters. This is how I see the collaboration between humans and AI.

Also Read: Balance AI tool benefits with end-customer needs: Jon Howard of Bud

Many of the tasks we do today are repetitive, and many don’t always need a high level of expertise to complete them, i.e., responding to certain emails or filling out forms. AI will hopefully make us more efficient by taking care of some of these less skill-required tasks.

AI also reduces the barrier of needing to be highly technical and democratises knowledge. For instance, before cloud computing existed, one of the advantages for bigger companies like IBM and Google was that they had data centres.

For a smaller company to build that same type of data centre required an immense amount of capital. It also used to be that the bar for programming was incredibly high. This is the next version of that. With AI, small businesses can have the same capabilities as larger enterprises, which is exciting.

What advice would you give to other company founders looking to leverage AI in their workforce?

With the ongoing developments, the market is expected to be noisy and frothy for quite a while.

AI lowers the boundaries and makes things easier. However, the underlying needs of the market have not changed; we just have a new tool now that enables us to create something that’s much more accessible and will likely make us more efficient.

Every company should have an AI strategy, but what does an AI strategy look like for every company? I would start with the assumption of infinite resources and then ask how you would deploy the resource. How would that change your business? For example, what would an advertising agency do if they had a million more copywriters?

What should not be done is to wrap ChatGPT and call it a product simply, the products still have to be built. So businesses need to invest in the people with the skills to build the right products for them.

If I were looking to invest right now, I would be looking for things with enduring prospects, helping a human or business need.

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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.

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Technology innovation has a critical role to play in disaster risk reduction and management, from mitigation, prevention and preparedness, to response, relief, and recovery. SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards was created by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc,  back in 2019 to find, fund, and support technology solutions that protect and save lives before, during, or after events of natural disasters.

Now in its 3rd edition, the competition received 110 applications across the world, with wide-ranging and high-quality solutions. Six finalists were chosen to compete, namely: Castomize Technologies, H3Dynamics, Kinetic Analysis Corporation, QUICKBLOCK Ltd., LivingWaters Systems LLC, and Wateroam.

The six finalists represent a vast range of solutions, from drone technology to immediate care technology to weather prediction software, and everything in between.

Wateroam emerges as the winner

The 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards recently concluded last June 15 at the Echelon Asia Summit 2023 Day 2 held at the Singapore EXPO. After a series of pitching competitions featuring startups from across the region, Wateroam emerged as the winner.

Also read: Strategic content via e27 amplifies CMI’s goals beyond numbers

Wateroam is the proponent of The ROAMfilter Plus 2, a community water filtration system that is simple to operate, long-lasting, lightweight, and cost-effective. The system’s hand pump operation requires no electricity, making it an ideal immediate solution for disaster-hit areas, particularly in rural regions. With the ROAMfilter Plus 2, a person becomes a mobile water station that can produce safe drinking water quickly for 100 people.

The ROAMfilter Plus 2 was developed after 3 years of deploying the original ROAMfilter Plus and improving its design and materials to make the ultimate disaster-proof water filtration solution that can be used to remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses from various freshwater sources.

Wateroam’s journey to victory 

According to Jaron Lim, Sales Director of Wateroam, “Wateroam was started with a shared vision to build a world without thirst. Everyone in our core team has had experiences with people in rural areas without access to safe drinking water, so we wanted to create products that could fulfil that vision.”

The ROAMfilter Plus was first conceptualised by UN Young Leader Vincent Loka to address the need for enough quality drinking water for communities that did not have electricity or elevated water tanks. The humble hand-powered bicycle pump could generate enough pressure, together with low-pressure ultrafiltration membranes, to provide sustainable safe drinking water.

Part of their successful journey came with the biggest challenge faced during the COVID period — the inability to travel across borders. Lim added, ”As a hardware product that you needed to “see to believe,” along with the fact that most of our customers were international and local NGOs that are overseas, it was difficult for us to develop those relationships and make sales to sustain ourselves.”

Lim further explained, “That’s when we developed the Home segment and developed products for urban and rural households, which we have continued to invest in. This allows us a more commercial angle to sustain the humanitarian aspect of our business.”

At the heart of Wateroam is its mission of helping communities grow

To date, Wateroam has provided safe drinking water to over 250,000 people across 40 countries and has been involved in over 10 major disaster responses. As per impact on the community, ROAMfilter Plus systems have been used in the 2017 Rohingya Refugee crisis, the 2018 Lombok earthquake, the 2018 Myanmar flood, the 2020 Vanuatu Cyclone Harold, the 2021 Myanmar refugee crisis, and the 2021 Philippines Typhoon Odette. The ROAMfilter Plus 2 systems have been deployed for the ongoing Myanmar refugee crisis, the ongoing Ukraine war, the 2022 Pakistan floods, and the 2023 Turkey earthquake.

Lim stated, “Every completed project is a milestone to us, especially the disaster relief ones since we get to partner with amazing humanitarian organisations to provide an immediate impact that saves lives.”

Wateroam seeks to expand its work in the humanitarian sector and become the go-to water filter for emergency response for government bodies, international NGOs, and the UN. The team is also developing remote sensor technology in the pipeline to increase the accountability of the water filters so that partners can track the performance of each filter product that is deployed and can provide real-time reports to donors and governments of the ongoing impact.

Also read: Redefining customer engagement via real-time interactivity

On top of that, Wateroam is also exploring the voluntary carbon market as an alternate source of funding for water projects so that it is possible to tap into non-CSR corporate funding to sustainably create long-lasting change for rural communities.

On behalf of Wateroam, Lim is grateful for the support. “We are very thankful to have won the D-TECH Awards and for the support from the Prudence Foundation. The prize money will support our expansion efforts and allow us to travel to more places to develop relationships with local and international NGOs and governments and collaborate on more water projects in these places. We are presently actively engaged in growing our impact in Indonesia and the Philippines which are amongst the world’s most vulnerable to disasters.”

Prudence Foundation as a catalyst in accelerating Wateroam’s growth

In the summary progress report released by the UN in 2021 on SDG Goal No. 6: Water and Sanitation for all, 26% of the world’s population (or 2 billion people) still lacks safely managed drinking water. When a disaster strikes, safe drinking water is critical to survival, yet is often unavailable.

Humanitarian organisations often face surmountable challenges in procurement, warehousing, transportation, and distribution, as well as managing the environmental impact, such as plastic waste, when delivering safe drinking water to disaster areas or in disaster relief operations. 

“Wateroam is a simple yet innovative and effective solution that addresses all the challenges mentioned above. It is easily deployable and scalable, not only in disaster relief situations to save lives but also for rural or underdeveloped communities with limited or no access to safe drinking water.”

“Through the D-Tech platform, we hope to raise awareness on Wateroam to as many organisations as possible, especially governments and NGOs, to bridge the supply and demand on technologies that can save lives,“ said Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

Also read: e27-Visa partnership fosters corporate-startup collaborations and growth

 Marc shared further, “Through the startup ecosystem partnership and collaboration, we hope to catalyse more investment to the D-Tech space, increasing knowledge, capability, and awareness to support the widespread adoption of solutions and tools that bring positive impacts to communities.

“It is our hope that the D-Tech Awards not only ignites but galvanises conversations and connections to bring together governments, business, and technology innovators to solve risks faced by individuals, communities and economies”.

While emerging victorious, Wateroam isn’t alone in seeking innovative ways to help save lives in the context of disaster. It was a tight race considering the quality of applicants for this year’s SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards. Some solutions are at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and Satellite Communications, and some are community-based applications. There are also med-tech and health-tech solutions that can be leveraged for disastrous situations, as well as very simple yet innovative products that can be deployed at scale and speed.

About Prudence Foundation

Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential Plc.  The organisation works closely with NGOs, Governments, Communities, and Private Sector partners to strategise and implement programmes focusing on Education, Health, and Safety across Asia and Africa.

As a company, Prudential provides health and wealth solutions to millions of customers across markets, essentially providing protection and peace of mind to individuals and families.

“As a Foundation,” Marc explained, “We aim to extend this effort by focusing on ‘creating a better future for our communities by making them safer and more resilient to life’s risks.”

For more information, visit Prudence Foundation.

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

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Visit us at e27.co/advertise to get started.

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ST Engineering Ventures

ST Engineering Ventures is the corporate VC unit of Singapore Technologies Engineering.
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: Singapore, Israel, and the US
Stages: Seed, pre-Series A /bridge, Series A, and Series B
Verticals: Aerospace, AI, AR, Big Data, cleantech, cybersecurity, defence & military, gov-tech, ICT, IoT, logistics/supply chain, maritime, robotics, smart cities, SaaS, and transportation
Investment range: Not specified
The startup invested: Miya Health.

Elev8.VC

Elev8.vc invests in and supports talented founders building technology solutions that redefine how business gets done.
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: All/any
Stages: Angel, seed, and Series A
Verticals: AI, automotive, healthtech, ICT, IoT, medtech, PR & communications, and transportation
Investment range: Not specified
The startup invested: Miya Health.

HealthXCapital

HealthXCapital is an early-stage investment platform providing smart, connected capital to healthcare startups focused on emerging markets in Southeast Asia and India.
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: Singapore, India, Australia, and the United States of America
Stages: Pre-seed and seed
Verticals: Healthtech, medtech, and marketplace
Investment range: US$4M to US$30M
The startup invested: Miya Health.

Antler

Antler empowers early-stage founders to find a co-founder or access capital to build and scale startups faster.
Verticals: All/any
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: All/any
Stages: Pre-seed, seed, pre-Series A, and Series A
Investment range: US$125K to US$8M
The startup invested: Qashier.

Cocoon Capital

Cocoon Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm focusing on early-stage, B2B enterprise tech companies across Southeast Asia.
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Cambodia
Verticals: Enterprise solution, ICT, media, real estate, agritech, AI, biotech, healthtech, medtech, SaaS, smart cities, robotics, logistics/supply chain, and insurtech
Stages: Pre-seed, seed, pre-Series A
Investment range: US$500K to US$750K
The startup invested: Qashier.

Wavemaker Partners

Wavemaker Partners invests in a broad range of technology-driven companies in the US and Southeast Asia.
Based in: Singapore
Investment locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States of America, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos
Stages: Angel, seed, pre-Series A, and Series A
Verticals: All/any
Investment range: US$250K to US$5M
The startup invested: MFast.

Headline Asia

Headline Asia is an early and seed-stage venture capital firm with an eye for winners.
Based in: All/any
Investment locations: Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia
Stages: Seed, pre-Series A, and Series A
Verticals: AI, Big Data, e-commerce, Web3, and robotics
Investment range: US$1M to US$5M
The startup invested: MFast.

Do Ventures

Do Ventures is an early-stage VC firm focusing on investing in IT companies in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Based in: Vietnam
Investment location: Vietnam
Stages: Seed, pre-Series A, Series A, and Series B
Verticals: E-commerce, education, enterprise solution, healthtech, ICT, insurtech, mobile, transportation, and travel
Investment range: Not specified
The startup invested: MFast.

Ascend Vietnam Ventures

Ascend Vietnam Ventures (AVV) is an early-stage VC firm with a mission to help Vietnam’s exceptional teams in building iconic companies
Based in: Vietnam
Investment locations: Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia
Stages: Angel, seed, and pre-Series A
Verticals: Education, finance, and ICT
Investment range: US$500K to US$2M
The startup invested: MFast.

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The image used in this feature is AI-generated.

The post 27 Connect investors fuel SEA startup ecosystem with strategic investments appeared first on e27.

In August, we republished the three listicles featuring the biggest headlines in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia that year—as part of the national day celebrations in these countries which happen to fall in the same month.

These listicles give us a bird-eye view of what is going on in these ecosystems. While each market is unique with its own situations and challenges, they can help us gauge the state of the ecosystem in the first half of the year.

In Indonesia particularly, we also published two stories that stood out when it comes to their portrayal of the state of Indonesian startup ecosystem. First, we published a report by AMVESINDO which revealed a “consistent growth” of VC investments in Indonesia in H1 2023. This sounds good enough, especially as we are going through what many believe to be a funding winter—challenging time as a result of back-to-back global crises.

But the interesting part comes with this report by Tracxn, which specifically looked at the state of fintech investment in Indonesia in H1 2023.

“While 2021 marked the peak of fintech funding, subsequent years have witnessed a decline. Funding in the fintech sector fell by 46 per cent in 2022 compared to the previous year, with the first half of 2023 experiencing a 38 per cent drop in funding compared to the second half of 2022. This decline has led to the least funded half-year period (H1 2023) since 2020,” the report elaborates.

Does this mean bad news? We do not think so.

Also Read: (Updated) How GREENS building a hyperlocal food ecosystem in Indonesia

There are many reasons that could contribute to a decreasing number of VC investments going to a particular vertical. Does this mean the trend is fading to the background? People are no longer seeing this vertical as promising? (Ahem, Web3). Possibly. But when it comes to a popular and “evergreen” verticals such as fintech, the lack of VC investments in one particular year does not mean things are falling apart.

“As a consequence of the global macroeconomic slowdown, investor sentiment has been cautious, affecting funding across regions, which has led many Indonesian startups to focus more on their domestic market. However, despite the recent challenges, long-term prospects for the sector remain optimistic,” the report stated.

If anything, investors being more selective and careful with where their money is going might lead to a stronger startup ecosystem—where only the best, most resilient players are given the right kind of support.

In the past one year, the narrative about being a more resilient and sustainable startup ecosystem has been circulating in the region. The idea that VC investments are no longer the only reliable source of lifeline for a startup means that the message has been delivered: (Fintech) startups are able to self-sustain and make money.

We are certain that this is the direction that many will take in H2 2023. The pressure to become sustainable is no longer viewed as a burden; if anything, this will become the norm for most of us.

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Image Credit: RunwayML

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In the ever-evolving saga of startups, securing funding isn’t just about pitches and financial projections; it’s about telling a story that resonates with investors and being the first one that they think of when the moment arrives to fuel growth. I have been in the trenches for almost a  decade now, and I’ve witnessed how startups and clients often turn their heads to PR professionals when it is time to raise funds. 

As startups kick off their journey from seed funding to series rounds, it’s crucial to recognise the significance of planning PR efforts early on. Establishing a cohesive PR strategy from the outset ensures consistent and strategic achievement of PR milestones throughout various stages.

In this article, I will explore the correlation between funding rounds and PR tactics, emphasising the need for startups to proactively map out their PR approach to secure financial support, foster growth, and enhance their positioning.

The Seed Stage: Planting the PR seed

Every startup’s story begins at the seedling stage, where the kernel of an idea is planted and nurtured. However, the early stages of a business often lack the capability to attract and entice the right people at the right time. This is where PR steps in. 

During this phase, the primary goal is to create positive visibility while establishing credibility and laying the groundwork for future fund-raising exercises. A well-crafted and consistent PR strategy can help position the startup as an industry thought leader.

Thought leadership articles, expert commentaries and strategically angled interviews for media appearances in relevant publications allow startups to showcase their expertise and demonstrate their market potential. Sharing insights on industry trends, challenges, and milestones not only sets the startup apart but also piques the interest of potential investors.

Also Read: Mastering your Growth Equation: A practical guide to dominating your niche

Moreover, PR aids in building a solid online presence through thoughtfully crafted news releases, compelling article content, and engaging social media campaigns. Startups can leverage PR to create a consistent brand narrative that resonates with both investors and customers/clients. This narrative becomes the foundation upon which subsequent funding rounds are built.

The Series A Round: Amplifying the story

As startups progress to their Series A round, they need more than just an idea; they need a story that resonates with a certain group of people. PR can help startups to step up their game by amplifying the startup’s story to a wider audience. At this stage, media exposure becomes a crucial driver of credibility and investor interest.

By harnessing the power of media relations, startups can secure coverage in industry-specific outlets, business magazines, and, more importantly, mainstream media. The right media placements can catapult a startup into the spotlight, catching the eye of potential investors who are actively seeking innovative ventures. PR professionals facilitate these connections, ensuring that the startup’s narrative is conveyed accurately and compellingly.

In addition to media coverage, events and speaking engagements, PR strategies can offer startups with opportunities to showcase their products and services to a captive audience while enhancing their profiling. PR experts can secure speaking slots at industry conferences, webinars, and panels, enabling startups’ spokespersons/founders to demonstrate their value proposition and connect with potential investors face-to-face, even in a digital world.

The Series B and beyond: Consolidating momentum

Series B and subsequent funding rounds mark a pivotal moment in a startup’s journey, representing validation of its business model and growth potential. However, with increased attention comes increased scrutiny. PR strategies need to evolve to meet the demands of more sophisticated investors.

At this stage, the PR’s role shifts from merely increasing visibility to reputation management. The startup’s brand identity and messaging must align seamlessly with its growth trajectory. It is our job as PR professionals to ensure that communication remains consistent and transparent, especially as the startup expands its operations and attracts larger investments.

As startups engage with more stakeholders, managing relationships becomes complex. PR professionals act as intermediaries, facilitating effective communication between founders, management, and investors. Timely updates, investor newsletters, and regular touchpoints keep investors engaged and informed, fostering trust and loyalty.

Takeaway: The PR-powered funding continuum

The journey from seed funding to series rounds is not a linear progression; rather, it’s a continuous cycle of growth and refinement. PR serves as the thread that weaves together these stages, connecting the startup’s evolving story with the right audience.

Also Read: Barbie-fy your business with the power of PR

The power of PR lies in its ability to amplify the startup’s voice, enhance its credibility, and nurture relationships with its target audience, including its stakeholders like the investors. PR isn’t only necessary for one stage or the other. It needs to be consistent throughout all the stages.

In today’s competitive landscape, where startups tend to vie for the attention of investors, the integration of PR into the funding journey is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The startup that embraces PR as a strategic partner will not only help it secure funding but also establish a lasting brand presence that will ultimately position itself for sustainable growth.

At iOli Comms, we’ve witnessed the transformative synergy between strategic PR efforts and startup funding rounds. The startup landscape is a challenging terrain, but with the right PR strategy, you can navigate it with confidence, turning your visions into reality, one funding round at a time.

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The post From Seed to Series: Navigating different funding rounds with PR appeared first on e27.

Smart access company igloohome recently sent eight purpose-built Space Edition Smart Padlocks to 33 kilometres above sea level via a bespoke launch vehicle suspended by a high-altitude hydrogen balloon to celebrate its eighth anniversary.

The Singaporean startup iterated more than 500 prototypes, designing them in line with seven MIL-STD 810H reliability standards to create what it calls the toughest smart padlock in the world. According to the Co-Founder and CEO Anthony Chow, padlocks’ journey to space is the perfect metaphor for his journey as an entrepreneur.

In this interview, Chow discusses the objectives behind the padlock’s Space journey, the technology behind it, and the challenges the team faced.

Excerpts:

Can you take us through the journey of developing the World’s First Smart Padlock for Space? What were the key challenges you faced during the iteration process?

While the earth’s outdoor conditions can be challenging, Space takes it to a whole new level. Imagine sending a lock 33 kilometres above the surface, where challenges like -65°C temperatures, intense UV radiation, and thin air density become significant hurdles. Our mission was to ensure Padlock 2 not only survives but thrives in these extreme conditions.

Could you elaborate on the technology behind the Space Edition Smart Padlock? What makes it uniquely suited for space applications?

The Padlock 2 has been coated with a heat-cured sandstone powder coating that boasts exceptional resilience against environmental stressors. This coating substantiates its capability to perform even in the most demanding conditions.

Also Read: igloohome raises US$15M afresh to expand its smart access solutions to real estate

Furthermore, the electronic components have been meticulously redesigned for the space edition to facilitate operation within a temperature range spanning from -50°C to 50°C, further attesting to its suitability for a broad spectrum of environments.

Tell us about the significance of reaching 33 kilometres above sea level with your purpose-built Space Edition Smart Padlocks. How does this achievement open up new possibilities for your technology?

This achievement demonstrates the robustness and resilience of our technology in the harshest conditions, affirming its capability to perform exceptionally even in extreme environments. With this, it opens up new horizons for applications, such as remote and challenging terrains where reliable access is paramount — think North America, Canada, the Middle East, the Nordics and many places with extreme temperature swings.

For example, we are working with large enterprises in these areas, which require us to deploy our enterprise software platform iglooworks, to manage thousands of these smart padlocks in remote sites.

These can be enterprises from the telco industry, mining companies, critical infrastructure installations and more, where they have tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of facilities spread out remotely across the country that require access to by staff, contractors, managers and more. A highly robust, reliable and resilient hardware + intelligent software solution will completely change the game for them in terms of access management.

Developing over 500 prototypes is quite a feat. What were the major breakthroughs or pivotal moments that led to the successful creation of the Space Edition Smart Padlock?

The inception of the Padlock 2 platform commenced over 1.5 years ago. We’ve embarked on a journey to redefine the concept of a smart padlock, crafting a product of unparalleled durability and dependability. Our relentless pursuit led us to subject the product to rigorous trials, including 7x US Military grade reliability assessments encompassing physical shock, exposure to saline water, and extreme temperature variations.

Following these tests, we conducted more than 300 user trials from consumers to businesses, distributing samples across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia for extensive real-world evaluation. Through numerous iterations and meticulous refinement, we have reached the design that stands before you today.

Could you walk us through the launch process? How did you ensure the secure attachment and functionality of the padlocks during the high-altitude balloon journey?

The locks were secured with a bespoke 3D-printed bracket, which clamped around the shackle, along with a discreet wire tether in case the lock became separated in a turbulent landing.

It is also worthwhile to note that this is done in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. No debris was left in Space, and everything was recovered, including the padlocks that went to Space!

For the hydrogen balloon, undyed natural latex balloons for our flights. These are biodegradable, breaking down at the same rate as an oak leaf, leaving no harmful chemicals where they land. Because of their unique design, the majority of the balloon material remains with our spacecraft and is recovered by the launch team.

Beyond space applications, how do you see the Space Edition Smart Padlocks technology influencing or benefiting other industries or everyday use cases?

The technology behind the Space Edition Smart Padlocks goes beyond space exploration, promising a significant impact on various industries and daily scenarios. The same durability that withstood the harsh conditions of Space can translate into applications such as securing high-value assets or enhancing security in remote areas.

Moreover, the technology’s resilience and smart capabilities can contribute to creating more secure and convenient access experiences in sectors like facilities management, critical infrastructure management, property management, and beyond.

One example will be helping a large kayak rental company in the Nordics (where temperatures can drop precipitously low during winter) do unmanned kayak rental with our Smart Padlock and smart access sharing software platform. We have helped them scale quickly with little manpower due to the durability and reliability of this hardware.

Another example is a large retail chain in Germany using our Smart Padlocks to secure click-and-collect locations for self-pick-up of products bought online. Temperatures in Germany can be harsh during winter, and the Smart Padlock needs to stand up to the test of snow, ice, rain and extremities of the German weather!

You might also see customers using our Smart Padlock 2 to secure their work sheds or garage next to their homes (especially in the US) or a parcel dropoff box placed outside the home porch to allow delivery people to drop off e-commerce packages. This can help change e-commerce deliveries completely!

Collaboration must have played a role in achieving this milestone. Can you tell us any key partnerships or alliances instrumental in making this project a reality?

We partnered with Sent Into Space. Sent Into Space is the world’s leading provider of commercial Near Space launches.

Founded in Sheffield in 2011, Sent Into Space has conducted over 1,000 flights to the upper stratosphere, combining cutting-edge aerospace engineering with video production and marketing expertise to create incredible campaigns.

Their engineers worked with igloo engineers to ensure the set-up was thoroughly tested before embarking on the flight.

Looking ahead, what exciting prospects does this achievement unlock for igloo? Can you share any upcoming projects or advancements in the pipeline with us?

We’re excited about upcoming projects that will harness the technology’s potential to provide even greater convenience, security, and peace of mind to people across the globe.

One example of an enterprise partner we are working with within the United States in the self-storage space manages over 500,000 storage units across the country, with many of them in remote places exposed to the weather elements of snow, rain, typhoons and temperature swings.

Our smart access enterprise software, coupled with our Smart Padlock 2, is starting to help them change how they manage access into one that is much more seamless, secure, efficient and transparent.

In addition to our smart padlocks, we offer an array of smart locks tailored for the residential market, particularly in regions like Singapore.

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Image Credit: igloohome.

The post igloo’s journey to Space with its resilient smart padlock technology appeared first on e27.

Our country is the epitome of cultural diversity that is further solidified by the many holidays that we tend to celebrate as Malaysians. Within the first quarter of 2023 alone, we celebrated Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Wesak. As Malaysians, we come from various different backgrounds, and this promotes social cohesion and harmony within the workplace and the larger society.

According to the PwC’s Global Culture Survey 2021 report, almost 63 per cent of Malaysian participants believe that their organisation has a unique workforce culture that makes them stand out from competitors.

Meanwhile, around 86 per cent of respondents said their organisational culture still should evolve in the next three to five years to succeed, grow, and retain the best talents, as it can influence employee motivation, efficiency, and productivity.

It goes without saying that embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. Embracing workplace diversity enables organisations to tap into this diverse knowledge base and effectively communicate with customers and clients from various cultural backgrounds. Understanding cultural nuances and adapting business practices accordingly can enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen business relationships.

Cultivating unity in diversity

After being in the human resource (HR) industry for over 13 years in my career, I, too personally, have witnessed instances where diversity practice has successfully bred creativity and driven innovation to greater heights.

Organisations that understand the diverse preferences, traditions, and values of customers from different ethnic groups allow them to tailor their offerings and marketing strategies accordingly. This targeted approach builds stronger customer relationships and increases brand loyalty within the diverse Malaysian market or even globally.

Also Read: Inclusion matters: How GitHub enhances accessibility for individuals with disabilities

When individuals from various cultural backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique insights, ideas, and problem-solving approaches. This diversity of thought stimulates innovation, leading to the development of new products, services, and strategies that cater to the diverse needs of the Malaysian market.

Having the ability to view issues from varying angles can also help solve organisational and managerial problems while meeting stakeholders’ expectations in new and exciting ways. This concept is especially useful when the organisation has plans to expand its business overseas because it can improve marketing strategies by equipping the company with better cross-cultural understanding and local market knowledge. 

Promoting workplace diversity and inclusion aligns with the principles of social responsibility and equality. By fostering an inclusive work environment, organisations demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunities, respect, and fairness for all employees.

This positively impacts their reputation among customers, investors, and the larger community, positioning them as socially responsible and ethical entities in Malaysia.

However, unknown to most, unconscious biases tend to happen in the workplace more than people realise, especially if there is an apparent language barrier between peers. From my professional observation, the biases can relate to gender, age, ethnicity, and professional training, just to name a few.

Therefore, practising and adapting inclusivity will foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among employees. When individuals feel valued and respected for their unique qualities, they are more engaged and motivated in their work. Moreover, employees are more likely to stay with organisations that prioritise diversity and inclusion, reducing turnover and promoting long-term retention.

In a multicultural country like Malaysia, embracing workplace diversity and inclusion goes beyond compliance with legal requirements; it becomes a strategic advantage that enhances employee engagement, innovation, customer relationships, and overall business success.

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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

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