In the relentless thrum of our globalised world, the issues of mental health quietly weave an intricate, often invisible web. They stretch out across continents, from the skyscraper-shadowed streets of New York to the sun-drenched villages of rural country. Mental health challenges are profoundly universal.

In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, one out of every four people will be impacted by poor mental health or mental illness at some point in their lives. Moreover, around 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, a number equal to roughly the entire population of the United States.

Yet, their struggles, whether it’s the banker in a metro city or the farmer in a village, aren’t bound by geographical or socioeconomic boundaries. Instead, they share a common struggle—a desperate need for accessible mental health care.

Understanding the global mental health care gap

Now, imagine, for a moment, that you require mental health support. Where do you turn? If you’re in a bustling urban centre with access to professional mental health care, you might have various options. But what if you’re in a remote village with no therapists for hundreds of miles? That’s where the global mental health care gap bites the hardest.

Disparities across the globe

In many Western nations, therapy sessions are just an appointment away. But in underprivileged areas, they might be a distant dream. Mental health issues profoundly burden our world, and yet they rank among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide, affecting one in four people at some point in their lives.

Barriers to access

This inequality in mental health support stems from multiple barriers:

• Distance: Many regions lack mental health facilities entirely, leaving individuals isolated from the care they need.
• Cost: Even when services are available, they can be prohibitively expensive. Therapy is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity, especially in low-income communities.
• Stigma: Cultural factors can play a significant role. In some societies, seeking mental health support is seen as a sign of weakness, further discouraging individuals from seeking help.
• Lack of trained professionals: A dearth of trained therapists and psychiatrists often leads to a lack of access, especially in areas that need it most.

These barriers aren’t just numbers and bullet points; they translate into real-life suffering.

As information indicates, untreated mental health conditions have far-reaching effects: “escalating incarceration rates, economic costs reaching up to four per cent of global GDP, and more.”

Effects of the gap

And what of the individual caught in this gap? The effects are debilitating. Untreated mental health issues can lead to a reduced quality of life, increased unemployment rates, and a higher risk of physical health problems.

So, where do we go from here?

Also Read: Data driven healing: The potential of analytics and AI in advancing mental health

The problem is identified, and the stakes are clear. Now it’s time to explore solutions. The next frontier in mental health care could very well lie in technology, as it offers a novel way to bridge this gap. But how?

Let’s delve into how innovative minds are working to create more accessible, empathetic, and effective mental health care for all.

The emergence of AI therapists

AI’s entry into mental health began on a humble note, tracing its roots back to modest applications that analysed troves of health data to detect patterns and foresee mental health crises. Simple, yes, but at the same time, revolutionary, sowing the seeds of change.

As technology evolved, so did its utility.

The advent of AI therapists, a paradigm shift in mental health care, emerged from this continual refinement. If we peer under the hood of an AI therapist, we discover an intricate network of complex algorithms and machine-learning techniques designed to simulate human conversation, offering mental health support in a unique, responsive manner.

“The beauty of AI therapy is its ability to listen, process, respond, and learn from each interaction, akin to human therapists,” explains Ricardo Luz, Founder of Mind-r.ai.

Amid the growing field of AI therapists, one name stands out: Mind-r.ai’s Solace. It’s an AI-driven, voice-based platform offering personalised and immersive therapy experiences. Solace’s uniqueness lies in its ability to demolish the barriers of time, language, and geography.

Harnessing the power of AI and advanced algorithms, Solace curates individualised therapy experiences, aligning with user preferences. After each session, Solace generates a summary and practical actions, equipping individuals with actionable insights and empowering them on their mental health journey.

Also Read: Why Khailee Ng puts mental healthcare support as key to successful founders-investors relationship

The potential benefits of AI therapists like Solace are multifold. Firstly, they bring unparalleled accessibility to the table. Available round the clock, unencumbered by geographical limitations or language barriers, Solace is a constant presence.

Secondly, AI therapists significantly decrease therapy costs, democratising mental health care and making it accessible to a broader population. Finally, they offer a secure, private space for those wrestling with the stigma surrounding mental health.

The future of mental health care, it seems, will witness a harmonious fusion of the human touch and AI technology. With new-age tools like Solace leading the charge, we inch closer to a reality where mental health care is not a privilege but a universally accessible right.

The future of AI therapists: Hopes and challenges

While the promise of AI therapists shines bright, it does not come without its set of complexities. As we stand at the cusp of this revolutionary intersection of technology and mental health care, it’s crucial to acknowledge and address these challenges.

One of the most pressing concerns is the ability of AI to empathise at the same depth as a human therapist. Empathy, after all, is a distinctly human trait, one that’s critical in therapy. Can a machine truly understand the subtleties of human emotions and react accordingly?

“Empathy is indeed a challenging aspect to replicate,” says Luz. “However, we strive to design our AI, Solace, to be as understanding and responsive as possible. The goal isn’t to replace human therapists but to provide immediate, accessible support when needed.”

The issue of data privacy and confidentiality also comes to the fore. In an era of data breaches and cyber threats, ensuring user confidentiality is paramount. Addressing these concerns, Luz states, “All interactions on our platform are confidential and user-centric. We hold a deep respect for user privacy and are committed to maintaining it.”

As AI continues to forge its path in mental health care, the question of regulation and ethics also arises. How do we ensure that AI therapy adheres to the stringent ethical standards set for human therapy? Luz acknowledges this challenge, noting that “continuous monitoring, refining, and stringent regulations will be key to maintaining ethical standards in AI therapy.”

Indeed, the road ahead for AI in mental health care is filled with potential pitfalls and hurdles. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that challenges often serve as catalysts for innovation. As we grapple with these issues, they’ll only spur us towards developing better, more robust AI therapy solutions.

In the grand scheme of mental health care, AI therapists are just the tip of the iceberg. We’re at the precipice of what could be a seismic shift in how we understand and address mental health. As we move forward, let’s not forget the ultimate goal: a world where mental health care is not just accessible for some but achievable for all.

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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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Joseph Phua needs no introduction.

An active entrepreneur-turned-investor, Phua has built Southeast Asia’s leading dating platform Paktor and live-streaming entertainment unicorn 17LIVE Inc. before assuming the Chairman of his single-family office Turn Capital. Over these years, he raised over US$200 million for his ventures from 50-plus investors. He also invested in and processed various M&As throughout his years in the industry.

Phua believes that investors, including VC and venture debt, play a crucial role in keeping the startup ecosystem. By investing in a company, they create value for all the stakeholders — startups, founders, and even employees, besides themselves. Their advice and involvement give confidence and courage to the founders to experiment and scale greater heights.

Phua was the guest in the second episode of e27‘s LinkedIn #AskMeAnything series. He answered LinkedIn users’ questions about investors’ role in creating value for the ecosystem.

Also Read: ‘Companies shut down not because of crises but only when founders give up’: Joseph Phua of M17

Darl Chung, BD Director at JDI: While operating Paktor and 17LIVE, what was your biggest challenge in expanding beyond domestic shores into new markets, and how did you overcome the challenge?

Phua: Product market fit was the biggest challenge. A product that works in one market won’t necessarily work in another. Hire a local team to work with headquarters, try, try and try. Hiring an excellent local team is another challenge in itself.

Darl Chung: Paktor and 17Live are mainly B2C businesses. What is your view on B2B opportunities in emerging Southeast Asia, and will Turn Capital invest in companies operating in this space?

Joseph Phua: We’re primarily focused on B2C consumer tech but have a few B2B businesses in our portfolio, most with a consumer angle (e.g. Zuvio education SaaS). So, we will invest in B2B opportunities as well.

Enricko Lukman, COO at ContentGrow: How often did you ping your investors for help back in those days? Can you mention one of the biggest supports you got from investors besides funding?

Joseph Phua: I ping my investors like Kee Lock Chua, Joo Hock Chua and Akio T. frequently for guidance, even today, to bounce ideas and thoughts and get their advice in areas where they’re much more experienced than I am.

My relationships with them over the last ten years have been crucial in overcoming obstacles in my journey. It is hard to pinpoint one specific instance since there are many.

Sidhant Gupta, Founder, Clearbot: Are good old-school incumbent businesses in Asia open to M&A opportunities with startups? How mature are the corporate VCs in opening up market opportunities/supporting startups?

Joseph Phua: I have seen the treatment of startups by incumbents in the region evolve in the last decade. In addition, corporate investment strategies have become more aggressive and mature over time, which also speaks to the maturing of the whole ecosystem.

Also Read: ‘We want to create a news media outlet that embraces tech in its true form’: Joseph Phua on Apple Daily Taiwan’s assets acquisition

‘Ain Omar Aid, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AINAID: What is your perspective on the organic growth strategies in startups and the role of marketing and communications in them?

As startups evolve and scale, it is critical to ensure their marketing and comms strategies adapt and grow with them. Based on your experience, how have you evolved those strategies to maintain organic growth? Budget constraints are also a common struggle for startups, especially when it comes to marketing in the early stages. Do you have any advice for startups on maximising their marketing budget for sustained organic growth?

Joseph Phua: Organic growth strategies for different products would look very different. E.g. organic growth strategies for consumer apps would be different from a core tech B2B solution. At the crux of it, though, is communication. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.

You can’t go wrong if the focus is relentless communication with the high-value target audience.

Anisa Menur, Editor, e27: There’s an opinion that M&As are a much preferred/recommended exit in Southeast Asia compared to IPOs. What are your thoughts about this?

Joseph Phua: It depends; this is all relative. If the M&A offer is fair value, it should be equally attractive compared to a listing. The question then really is what is fair, which becomes a question of who is the receiver of the offer.

Some of our portfolio firms received M&A offers in the past—some we rejected and have been glad about it, while others we regretted later. One thing is for sure, always speak to as many people as possible, gather as much information as possible, then make a call and don’t look back.

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Singapore-based Qashier has been quite busy recently with the launch of its newest products.

In an email interview with e27, co-founder and CEO Christopher Choo details the new products that Qashier is releasing recently, starting with its flagship smart point-of-sale (POS) terminal Qashier X2 and the lightweight and portable QashierXS.

According to the company, this is a first-of-its-kind POS terminal that combines both POS and payment solutions. These next-generation pieces of hardware aim to deliver Qashier’s newly integrated capabilities on a single, sleek device.

“In addition, we are cementing our vision to champion and support SMEs through the launch of Qashier SME Support Package in Singapore. Open to all Singapore-registered businesses, we will immediately approve eligible applicants and provide up to 53 per cent sponsorship of its POS and payment solutions,” Choo says.

“This initiative will further extend our reach to a wider pool of merchants to help them digitalise their business operations.”

To complete the milestones, Choo has also been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 – Asia – Finance & Venture Capital (2023).

To understand more about how Qashier approaches growing their business and what is coming up next for them, check the edited excerpt of our conversation with Choo.

Also Read: Leveraging blockchain: A new era for small business innovation

As a growth stage startup, is there any difference in how you approach your business strategy compared to how your company was in its early stages?

In the early stages, it was all about achieving product-market fit as fast as possible. The question we often asked ourselves was: “How quickly can we build a product that serves a deep need in our target market and are our customers willing to pay for it?”

To this end, Franklin and I spent months speaking to hundreds of SMEs across various sectors to understand their deep pain points before consolidating insights and then building and launching the first version of our product, QashierX1.

Now at the growth stage, we’re focused on deepening the product suite, solving a broader set of needs for our merchants, and building scalable and repeatable growth engines to acquire more merchants on our platform.

What is your approach to growing your business?

We believe that merchant success is our success. We are relentlessly focused on the needs and successes of the merchants we serve, helping them achieve their goals by increasing revenue, decreasing costs and streamlining operations. Personally, I also subscribe to the belief in thinking big, starting small and, most importantly, moving fast.

What is your revenue model, and how did you come up with it?

We have two main revenue streams: software subscriptions and payment processing fees. As we are hyper-focused on serving and empowering SMEs, we designed our pricing model so that our services remain affordable for these companies.

Also Read: Going solo: Legal considerations for starting a small business in Singapore

Can you tell us about the profile of your users and how you acquire them?

We serve primarily SMEs in the food and beverage, retail, beauty, events and service sectors. Our merchant acquisition channels include a mix of inbound and outbound sales, as well as a network of third-party referrals and reseller partners.

Which aspect of your business plays a crucial role in helping you build a sustainable company?

My co-founder Franklin and I started Qashier to solve a real-world problem and bring true value to our merchants. We continuously listen to the needs of our merchants to improve both the hardware and software of our platform so that we cater to the evolving needs of businesses in today’s digital economy.

What is the most valuable insight you get when it comes to building a sustainable tech business today?

People are the greatest asset of any organisation. From day one, we were intentional with building a culture that values openness and transparency, empowerment and excellence, and speed and innovation. We are rigorous in our hiring process, and we look out for talented individuals who are strongly aligned with our values and culture.

Today, we have 150 team members in four countries across Southeast Asia, and we’re proud to have built a team that is both efficient and passionate. We would not have been able to come this far without the dedication and commitment of the Qashier team.

Also Read: Exploring the impact of organised cybercrime on small businesses

How do the back-to-back global crises affect your business? How do you deal with it?

We pride ourselves on being flexible and adaptable so that we can respond quickly to the changing needs of the market and merchants.

For example, the pandemic hit months after Franklin and I started Qashier. We very quickly transformed Qashier’s platform into one that offered omnichannel capabilities, aligning with businesses that had to pivot to e-commerce. We then introduced solutions such as online and QR code-based ordering, ad delivery platforms and e-commerce integrations, among others.

As the pandemic also accelerated the adoption of cashless and contactless payments, we ensured that our platform allows merchants to accept a wide variety of these payments (such as cards, e-wallets, and BNPL) with just one account.

What opportunities do you plan to seize in the next few years?

We’ve set our sights beyond Asia Pacific (APAC) and look forward to preparing our foray into new markets. Qashier’s unique proposition lies in having a powerful, first-of-its-kind POS terminal that combines both POS and payment solutions, so we are optimistic that we can help the commerce landscape of the future become a level playing field for businesses of all sizes.

As we continue to scale and grow Qashier, we are also keen to explore various ways to give back to the SME community. As such, we started Qashier for Social Enterprise last year to provide sponsorships to social enterprises and NGOs like Don8uri, allowing them to use our solutions for the betterment of their businesses.

We also recently launched Qashier SME Support Package (QSP) in Singapore to bring our solutions to more businesses by offering an in-house subsidy.

Also Read: Big wins for small businesses: Supercharging growth with online content

What kind of improvement do you wish to make to your platform?

Launching the new edition of our flagship device QashierX2 and the lightweight and portable QashierXS is just the beginning for Qashier.

We’re working toward creating a fully integrated solution that is device agnostic and that also seamlessly integrates with other commonly used business tools such as HR, marketing, procurement, and more. We envision our platform as one that can help digitalise the business operations of SMEs from end to end.

What is your major plan for the remainder of 2023?

At the moment, APAC will continue to be a key focus for Qashier as we look towards strengthening our position as a trusted, omnichannel commerce partner for merchants. We will also be launching a new suite of software and payment products later this year, so do keep a lookout for those, too.

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Image Credit: Qashier

The post How Qashier plans to continue on supporting SMEs with its product innovation appeared first on e27.

Singapore’s fintech group FOMO Group has acquired capital markets service and asset custody entity CapBridge and private securities exchange firm 1exchange.

With this deal, FOMO aims to become a fully integrated, regulated, licensed digital payment and digital asset solution provider in Asia.

The group has received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for the acquisition and also obtained the Capital Markets Services (CMS) and the Recognised Market Operator (RMO) licenses in Singapore.

CapBridge operates as a digital investment syndication and distribution platform with a CMS License. It allows access to capital market products, such as securities, collective investment schemes, and custody solutions.

1exchange, on the other hand, is an RMO-licensed exchange tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), corporates, and institutions, providing a cost-effective listing venue.

Also Read: FOMO Pay raises US$13M in Series A funding round to accelerate growth

With this acquisition, FOMO plans to introduce value-added products in the capital markets domain.

Founded in 2015, the FOMO Group offers integrated digital payment and digital banking solutions to facilitate global collection and payout for merchants, corporates and financial institutions. Regulated under the Payment Services Act, it can conduct services such as cross-border and domestic money transfers, digital payment tokens, and merchant acquisition services.

The firm is building a licensed gateway helping institutions and businesses connect between fiat and digital currency.

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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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At e27, we are committed to cultivating innovative minds and providing a platform where extraordinary individuals can share their unique insights and expertise. Our Contributor Programme is designed to be a portal that invites passionate voices to participate in vibrant discussions around entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

Each week, we present a meticulously curated collection of articles from our esteemed community. These articles, exploring everything from evolving trends to in-depth industry analysis and revolutionary concepts, are guaranteed to expand your understanding and ignite your curiosity. Join us in this exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Tried-and-tested marketing strategies for startups across all stages in Singapore

“When I led foodpanda’s marketing in its early stage, I was tasked with increasing the brand’s sales with a limited budget. Taking inspiration from Tripadvisor’s and MICHELIN’s eye-catching window stickers, my team and I planned and executed a branding campaign where we increased the visibility of the foodpanda brand logo through other businesses’ storefronts, riders’ jackets and bags, and DBS Bank-owned ATMs in Singapore.”

OtterHalf’s Founder, Cassandra Ong’s article explores the crucial stages of marketing strategy development for startups and mature brands. It highlights the effectiveness of brand partnerships in the early stages, the role of marketing analytics for customer acquisition during growth stages, and the importance of User Generated Content (UGC) to maintain competitiveness in the mature stage. Examples from foodpanda, Chope, and Tripadvisor illustrate the implementation of these strategies.

In the age of AI, which human skills increasingly stand out?

“Like it or not, AI is like a genie that is out of the bottle and impossible to put back. It will be a huge part of our lives- from healthcare to banking, from transportation to education- and its influence is likely to grow in the coming years.”

Fundomni’s Founder, Daniel Tan’s article discusses the pervasive use of AI and automation, their potential to replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025, and the utility of AI tools like ChatGPT in saving professionals’ time. Demonstrating the utility of various AI tools in obtaining information and acknowledging their limitations and the need for human intervention and double-checking, the article highlights the importance of human skills such as common sense, emotional intelligence, and creativity in the era of AI.

How Society Pass is revolutionising customer loyalty in Asia Pacific’s fast-paced business landscape

“Inspiration for Society Pass came from recognising a significant gap in the market – the absence of a universally accepted, open-loop loyalty platform serving consumers and merchants throughout Southeast Asia. Nguyen saw an opportunity to create a seamless rewards experience that transcends geographical limitations, providing a unified platform for users across the region.”

Journalist Surabhi Pandey’s article explores the rise of Society Pass, a unified loyalty platform targeting a market gap in Southeast Asia. Founded by Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass focuses on customer engagement, fostering merchant-consumer relationships, and reducing acquisition costs.

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

Should ChatGPT chat with your customers?

“Since ChatGPT has replaced Blockchain and Web3 as the most talked-about topics, suddenly, the internet is full of AI experts. However, AI is a complex matter and a tool that needs to be used in the correct way. Also, AI is not new, but the rise of computing power has made AI much more broadly available, usable, and powerful.”

Executive Chair of Chmiel Global Advisory, Georg Chmiel, reflects on his experiences with early chatbots in the real estate and automotive industries and their evolution to more advanced forms like ChatGPT. His article recognises the productivity-enhancing benefits of AI but provides insights about risks such as fabricated information, emotional volatility, inherent biases, and privacy issues. He advocates for the controlled and regulated use of AI to maximise its potential while mitigating risks.

Achieving a communal goal: How digital tools are changing the game for the Malaysian sporting experience

“As with many other industries, digitising the multiple touchpoints in sports will open up a myriad of opportunities, starting with a more connected sports ecosystem that brings all the different stakeholders together, from casual sporting fans and small establishments to professional athletes and larger sporting organisations. “

Group CEO of AFA, Raymond Hng’s article discusses the challenges of organising sports activities in Malaysia, such as finding suitable, available facilities and coordinating participants’ schedules. To solve these problems, the author and friends created the AFA Sports app, which consolidates information on sporting facilities and allows for easy booking. Hng predicts digitisation in sports will boost Malaysia’s digital economy, connect various stakeholders, and create opportunities for new markets and businesses.

Data-driven healing: The potential of analytics and AI in advancing mental health

“AI is an amazing tool when added to the healthcare toolbox, but not a silver bullet at its current stage of development. It is most powerful when combined with other technologies for a more comprehensive and practical solution.”

Kitty Lee’s article explores AI’s potential in mental health, highlighting benefits like precision in diagnosis, combining physical and mental well-being, and immediate cost savings. However, challenges persist, such as the need for collaboration among technologists, medical practitioners, and financiers and the lack of frameworks to evaluate AI’s efficacy in healthcare. Despite these barriers, the author emphasises AI’s role as a powerful, transformative tool in the healthcare sector.

Striking the right balance: Financial health, talent retention, and business growth

“To maintain a delicate balance between talent acquisition and financial stability, thorough financial planning and analysis are essential. This involves considering different scenarios, cost management strategies, and the impact of wage changes on profitability. This analysis should also be robust and flexible, allowing for quick adjustments as needed.”

Paloe’s Community Development Manager, Benjamin Wong’s article explores the economic challenges Singapore faces, including wage inflation and talent shortages amidst a slowing economy and the looming threat of a global recession.

Emphasising the importance of thorough financial planning and analysis for businesses to balance talent acquisition and financial stability, the article also discusses outsourcing as a strategic response to these challenges, highlighting its benefits and potential risks. Despite market uncertainties, it underscores the availability of effective tools and strategies for businesses to adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty.

Startups don’t need PR agencies, sirius-ly?

“Needless to say, having a PR agency to handle the image and publicity side of your business is a convenience that not many leaders leverage. Everyone knows that the company’s image can make or break a business – so what’s the harm in ensuring that you’ve got yourself covered if anything goes wrong?”

PR Maestro and CEO of iOli Comms Yan Lim’s article discusses the importance of public relations (PR) agencies for startups, highlighting the key roles they play in crisis management, brand image enhancement, and networking.

Also Read: Contributor corner: Weekly round-up of e27’s latest insights and perspectives

Leveraging blockchain: A new era for small business innovation

“Businesses of all sizes would do well to start using blockchain technology immediately, whether to broaden their payment options or to reassure customers that their information is stored in an immutable record. This is a great way for business owners to increase the safety and efficiency of their operations.”

Converco’s Founder and CEO, Moch Akbar Azzihad M’s article highlights the benefits of blockchain technology for small businesses, including the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments, cost-effective, secure cloud storage, use of smart contracts, and capital raising through Initial Token Offerings (ITOs). It emphasises that blockchain isn’t just for major corporations but can enhance operations, customer service, and security for businesses of all sizes, including traditional brick-and-mortar ones.

How startups can help solve Indonesia’s environmental crisis

“It is important to note that a startup’s cooperation dedicated to state goals can help a startup grow. Support for government initiatives can cause a mirror effect and bring investments aimed at further cooperation.”

IVITECH’s Co-Founder, Artem Moskalev, discusses how startups are tackling Indonesia’s environmental crisis, focusing on air pollution in Jakarta. Companies like Algenesis, Paboco, CarbonEthics, and IVITECH are creating eco-friendly solutions, ranging from biodegradable materials to electric bikes. Despite societal and infrastructural challenges, these efforts are encouraging public-private partnerships and fostering comprehensive ecological initiatives.

Embracing AI in education: Expanding horizons for students

“Resistance might be a natural response, but progress is inevitable. Organisations must champion how AI can help students so that schools and universities can embrace this technology with a more progressive attitude. This task may be slightly afield of their core product marketing, but it’s one that must be done.”

Hazel Hernandez’s article explores the contentious debate surrounding the use of AI in the education sector. While some academics fear that AI, particularly generative AI, might promote plagiarism and undermine educational integrity, others view it as a revolutionary tool for learning.

The article cites various instances of AI application in education, such as Canva’s AI-driven design features, Anthology’s course-building tools powered by generative AI, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT for research and brainstorming. It argues that rather than resisting AI, educators should embrace its potential to enhance personalisation, comprehension, and efficiency in learning.

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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

The post Community voices: Weekly compilation of expert insights on marketing, AI, and blockchain appeared first on e27.

growth solutions platform tailored for new-economy businesses such as e-commerce and fintech, announced today its strategic partnership with BuzzAR, the leading generative AI travel tech company headquartered in Singapore, which has expanded to Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to support BuzzAR’s expansion plan in Saudi Arabia and caters to the needs of a targeted 100 million inbound travellers by providing localised ChatGPT services in Arabic and other languages. As part of the agreement, Choco Up will provide funding of up to US$5 million over the next 24 months, enabling BuzzAR to solidify its position as the go-to AI solution for the tourism industry.

The decision to invest in BuzzAR comes at a crucial juncture after successfully expanding its operations to Saudi Arabia since its arrival in December 2022. With its innovative generative AI technology, BuzzAR has emerged as the frontrunner in the travel tech sector, collaborating closely with tourism government bodies. The company has rolled out its ChatGPT on Whatsapp since January 2023, and the funds are used to serve three projects worth over US$10 million, promising to revolutionise the tourism experience in the region in the next 24 months.

Also read: Leave a Nest: Bridging gaps in science and technology for global impact

Choco Up’s funding will bolster BuzzAR’s mission to provide enhanced experiences for travellers and promote seamless communication through a localised Arabic-friendly ChatGPT solution, together with 8 other commonly used languages. By leveraging Choco Up’s growth analytics and financing solutions, BuzzAR aims to scale its operations and refine its AI technology further, specifically tailored for the Saudi Arabian market.

“We are thrilled to partner with BuzzAR and support their expansion plan in Saudi Arabia,” said Percy Hung, Co-Founder & CEO of Choco Up. “BuzzAR’s innovative approach to generative AI and their collaboration with tourism government bodies, tech giants, and their strong track record in gaming and transformative technologies make them an ideal partner for Choco Up as we explore to expand into the MENA market. With our funding, we aim to accelerate BuzzAR’s growth trajectory, enabling them to serve a massive audience of visitors travelling into Saudi Arabia,” Hung added.

Bridging language and cultural gaps through BuzzAR and Choco Up

BuzzAR’s localised ChatGPT in Arabic and 8 other languages are poised to revolutionise the way tourists engage with technology during their travels. The advanced AI technology not only provides seamless language translation but also offers personalised recommendations via its Buzz Insights Engine, real-time assistance, and immersive virtual experiences. By tailoring the ChatGPT solution specifically for the Saudi Arabian market, BuzzAR aims to bridge the language and cultural gaps in the region, ensuring a delightful and customised experience for visitors.

Also read: Experts from Indonesia’s business landscape share Marketing best practices

“We are honoured to have Choco Up as our strategic growth partner in this crucial phase of our expansion,” said Bell Beh, Co-Founder & CEO of BuzzAR. “The funds and network effect will enable us to accelerate our growth plans and realise our vision of transforming the tourism industry in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With Choco Up’s support, we will be able to serve 100 million visitors, offering them localised ChatGPT in 9 languages including Arabic by the end of this year, and revolutionising the way they interact with technology during their travels.”

Choco Up and BuzzAR’s partnership signifies a significant milestone in the travel tech industry, emphasising the importance of generative AI and localisation for enhancing the visitor experience. By combining Choco Up’s financial backing and industry insights with BuzzAR’s innovative AI technology, the companies are well-positioned to reshape the tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia.

About Choco Up

Choco Up is a global technology and financial services platform that offers revenue-based financing and growth solutions for e-commerce brands. With data analytics and machine learning at its core, Choco Up employs vast integrations to automate fund deployment, providing fast-growing companies with zero-equity funding in a quick and seamless manner. Choco Up has offices in Singapore and Hong Kong and serves e-commerce businesses worldwide, providing smart-growth analytics and global payment solutions to fuel their growth. Learn more at choco-up.com.

Also read: How WAOHire is bridging businesses with today’s most talented developers

About BuzzAR

BuzzAR is the leading generative AI travel tech company specialising in enhancing the visitor experience through personalised recommendations, real-time assistance, and immersive virtual experiences. With a strong focus on localisation and collaboration with tourism government bodies, BuzzAR aims to revolutionise the way travellers engage with technology, ensuring a seamless and tailored experience. Learn more at https://buzzar.app/chatBae.html

For media inquiries, please contact media@buzzar.app

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Photos by Choco Up

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by BuzzAR

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In the fast-paced world of business, customer loyalty has become a vital cornerstone for success, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is no exception. As companies vie for a competitive edge, loyalty programs have emerged as a powerful tool to engage customers, drive repeat business, and foster lasting relationships.

The APAC loyalty market, already valued at US$2.69 billion in the present year, is poised for remarkable growth, projected to reach a staggering US$6.99 billion by 2028, at an impressive CAGR of 21.06 per cent. In this ever-evolving landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to innovative solutions to capture a slice of this exponential growth.

With such promising growth prospects, businesses are keenly aware of the need to stay ahead in the loyalty game. Society Pass, a brainchild of Dennis Nguyen, recognises the untapped potential and steps in to address a significant gap in the market.

Bringing together consumers and merchants across Southeast Asia on a single, universal loyalty platform – this is the vision that sparked the creation of Society Pass. Founded by Dennis Nguyen in 2018, the platform has quickly risen to become a major player in the region’s tech landscape.

A unique problem, a pioneering solution

Inspiration for Society Pass came from recognising a significant gap in the market – the absence of a universally accepted, open-loop loyalty platform serving consumers and merchants throughout Southeast Asia. Nguyen saw an opportunity to create a seamless rewards experience that transcends geographical limitations, providing a unified platform for users across the region.

Also Read: Society Pass unit NusaTrip acquires Vietnamese travel marketplace VLeisure

To achieve its vision, Society Pass set out to integrate numerous global partners, offering users an expansive rewards network. To manage the complexities of such a vast network and ensure consistency, the platform initially rolled out its services to companies within its ecosystem.

By limiting the platform to Society Pass members initially, the team could control the quality of the user experience. As the platform matures and operational hurdles are resolved, it plans to expand its offerings to merchants outside the ecosystem.

Nguyen’s extensive experience in consulting, investment banking, and venture capital in Southeast Asia played a pivotal role in building and scaling Society Pass in the region. His expertise in identifying market trends, raising capital, hiring talented executives, and navigating regulatory frameworks allowed the platform to scale rapidly.

Benefits for consumers and merchants

Society Pass takes pride in cutting across various consumer verticals, offering a seamless user experience for both consumers and merchants. Users can earn and redeem rewards across multiple partner brands within the ecosystem, creating a compelling loyalty program that drives customer retention and engagement. For merchants, Society Pass offers a permanent customer loyalty solution, significantly reducing the cost of customer acquisition and increasing revenues.

In a world dominated by social media and digital channels, Society Pass has taken an active approach to branding and marketing. Leveraging platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and Twitter, the company stays connected with its audience, shareholders, and the media. Regular press releases and financial updates keep investors informed about the company’s progress.

As the Founder, Nguyen oversees multiple aspects of the company, including management, acquisitions, HR, and investor relations. However, he attributes the company’s success to an exceptional executive team comprised of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in Southeast Asia’s retail, technology, and finance sectors.

Going public and looking at the future

Becoming a publicly-listed company on Nasdaq was a major milestone for Society Pass. It provided liquidity for investors, access to public markets for expansion funding, and the distinction of being the first Vietnam-based company to complete a traditional IPO on the US stock market.

Also Read: Rapid execution is paramount for our success: Angeline Seah of Virtualtech Frontier

Looking ahead, Society Pass envisions becoming the go-to payments platform in Southeast Asia, serving millions of consumers and merchants. Continual upgrades to the technology offerings aim to deliver a seamless user experience, solidifying Society Pass’s position as a market leader.

Society Pass, with its innovative approach to loyalty and rewards, is undoubtedly redefining customer engagement in Southeast Asia. With Dennis at the helm, the platform is poised for further growth and success, unlocking the true potential of permanent customer loyalty and cash discount replacement.

By the end of Q4 2023, Society Pass has set its sights on seamlessly connecting all ventures within the ecosystem to the Loyalty App, ensuring a smooth shopping experience across its extensive network of over 650k merchants.

As the world embraces fintech innovations, these pioneering companies embody the spirit of transformation, reshaping the loyalty landscape and revolutionizing customer-business relationships for years to come. With visionary leaders at the helm, these solutions hold the key to unlocking the true potential of permanent customer loyalty and driving business growth in the dynamic APAC region and beyond.

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In the world of business, marketing is king, and the iconic doll brand Barbie’s recent success showcases this perfectly. Leveraging its iconic brand image, extensive product line, and carefully planned “pink publicity” campaigns to attract its diverse target audience, Barbie embodied the power of strategic marketing with its US$90 million movie revenue during its opening weekend. 

For startups or emerging brands, marketing matters more than ever to ensure that they stand out and succeed in their respective markets. But with their limited resources and different sets of priorities, emerging brands tend to need a different starting point in their marketing efforts compared to their more established peers. 

Thus, here are some lessons I’ve learned from my time driving marketing strategies in different stages of startups, from those still in their infancy to those that have matured over the years. 

Early stage: growing your brand name by tapping into brand partnerships

New brands typically focus on raising brand awareness as their starting point to generate leads. However, a lack of proper planning can lead to expensive and ineffective marketing efforts that waste an already limited budget. 

Also Read: Experts from Indonesia’s business landscape share Marketing best practices

This is where partnerships can come in. In 2020, 55 per cent of brands enjoyed increased revenue from partnerships, with 29 per cent of D2C decision-makers projecting at least a 20 per cent growth in their revenue for the previous year. Partnerships can be a cost-effective way to grow your brand as you can tap into each other’s resources for your cross-promotional needs.

However, many businesses fail at their collaborations for various reasons, such as failing to communicate or maintain the alignment of goals. Therefore, it is crucial for startups to find brands that share their goals and target demographic before designing a marketing plan addressing these factors. 

When I led foodpanda’s marketing in its early stage, I was tasked with increasing the brand’s sales with a limited budget. Taking inspiration from Tripadvisor’s and MICHELIN’s eye-catching window stickers, my team and I planned and executed a branding campaign where we increased the visibility of the foodpanda brand logo through other businesses’ storefronts, riders’ jackets and bags, and DBS Bank-owned ATMs in Singapore.

This strategy was a great example of free advertising at a low cost. That, coupled with other digital marketing strategies we were running at that point in time, resulted in an average of 15 per cent to 25 per cent increase in order count every month.

Other examples of co-branding partnerships you can tap into include affiliation programs and content partnerships. Brands can also run joint product marketing campaigns where they collaborate to develop a product that showcases the uniqueness of each brand. Some popular joint product marketing campaigns include the collaboration between Apple and Nike (Apple Watch Nike) and McDonald’s, and Hello Kitty. 

Growth stage: Increasing your customer base through marketing analytics

When new brands have now gained enough traction, the marketing strategy should shift from brand awareness to customer acquisition. To increase your customer base, businesses should first thoroughly understand their audience and strategise accordingly. 

Also Read: Influencer marketing strategies: Driving engagement and reach in Indonesia

However, to improve the effectiveness of your marketing strategy and the allocation of your businesses’ resources, marketers should prioritise analysing data obtained from the results of previous campaigns. From there, you can see what has worked in the past and experiment with what may work in the future, taking the opportunity to improve your future campaigns. Analytics also help further personalise your marketing efforts, which 97 per cent of marketers said results in increased business outcomes. 

My Chope team and I successfully turned a Korean-drama-inspired brand video viral with more than 1.2 million views in two months. The app also saw an increase in downloads by more than 25 per cent MoM, four times the average, truly showcasing the effectiveness of viral marketing. 

Viral marketing isn’t a shortcut to instant results, of course, and it wasn’t by chance that we managed to achieve these wins. Behind many viral videos are countless tedious hours spent researching available data and channelling these data-driven insights into various experiments and failures.

After all, behind many successful high-quality campaigns lie an equally high quantity of operations to learn from; for quality cannot be drawn from inspiration alone. Thanks to the insight we have gained from data analytics, my team and I more than doubled the projected growth in reservations in 2016 and doubled it again in 2017 compared to the prior year.

Mature stage: staying in the competition with User Generated Content (UGC)

At this point of growth, brands should focus on trying to remain competitive in the market while making full use of the available resources. User Generated Content (UGC) is an excellent asset that brands can and should leverage and utilise effectively.

98 per cent of users read online reviews for businesses, showing their increasing reliance on the internet and/or social media platforms as their source of trusted information. Due to this, UGC are valued for their authenticity as they originate from customers instead of the brand.

During my time at Tripadvisor, traveller pictures and reviews were my team’s and my main source of assets for campaigns. The platform allows visitors to discover places when they travel and encourages them to leave reviews at any point of their trip.

The reviews that we collected were used to drive industry-leading campaigns like Travelers’ Choice Awards and Year in Travel 2021 that market to audiences across the whole travel ecosystem. By launching campaigns like this, we are able to remain top of mind and maintain market dominance while reaching new potential customers. 

Finding the strategy that works for you

As a marketing enthusiast, I’ve had an exciting journey learning from industry giants such as foodpanda, Chope, and Tripadvisor, and I hope the lessons I’ve learned will be valuable for businesses out there hoping to boost their marketing efforts, no matter which stage they are at right now. 

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Prepare to be surprised since this mind-blowing article about ChatGPT was not written using ChatGPT! This is the product of a true, knowledgeable human mind!

Since ChatGPT has replaced Blockchain and Web3 as the most talked-about topics, suddenly, the internet is full of AI experts. However, AI is a complex matter and a tool that needs to be used in the correct way. Also, AI is not new, but the rise of computing power has made AI much more broadly available, usable, and powerful.

I am a big believer in AI complementing the work of humans, allowing for greater productivity and speed of execution. I don’t see mass unemployment or poverty, I see opportunities ahead.

My experience with early chatbots

I first dealt with chatbots (kind of early forms of ChatGPT) as CEO/MD of iProperty Group, where we implemented the first chatbot in ASEAN to replace website-based search in 2016 with free text search and the ability to ask follow-up questions.

The result was mixed; while the search was more comfortable and powerful, the chatbot at times showed irrational, emotional behaviour and was not useful enough to be maintained. After the chatbot started to insult journalists during the launch, despite being well-trained, we realised more work had to be done.

Also Read: How ChatGPT and automation are revolutionising so-called ‘traditional’ industries

Later, as Executive Chair of iCarAsia, I tried again to introduce a chatbot in 2018, specifically trained on all new car models and knowledge about cars. It worked much better as the focus was narrower than last time. The only new side effect was that chatbot lacked the ability to verify information on the web. This resulted in the bot fabricating information, a trait which is still around with the latest ChatGPT version.

So we funnelled the usage even further and ended up using the chatbot for providing car dealers with a channel to receive incoming requests after office hours and for the bot to pass on these leads to the human, like an outside office hours receptionist.

Current use cases of chatbots

A few years later, with bots having become smarter, now at Juwai IQI, where I am Co-Founder and Chair, we use chatbots as assistants for our warriors (agents) to do simple analysis (sales information), reminders of birthdays of clients, and other administrative tasks, thereby increasing the productivity of the warriors by allowing them to focus on more value-adding tasks. We also use ChatGPT for the drafting of marketing material; however, anything created is reviewed by a human afterwards. To me, this is a perfect example of how bots are usable at this stage.

I see a great opportunity for chatbots to become more prominent in consumer service as first-level support to help sales and support staff be more productive. However, a few things need to be resolved first.

Challenges and misconceptions

The big advantage of ChatGPT is that it is always available and very fast, but the inherent risks and specific characteristics of a chatbot need to be monitored and factored in. I want to list a few of those here and also end misconceptions.

And most recently, the interface to interact with ChatGPT and GenerativeAI has become much, much easier.

Many people say ChatGPT’s biggest weakness is its lack of empathy. I don’t think that’s correct; this depends on the way it is set up. The latest research, as referenced in Frontiers in Psychology (May 2023), shows that ChatGPT actually outperforms humans in empathy.

Also Read: Is ChatGPT a great invention or is it being ‘hyped’?

Empathy can turn into negative emotions. There is still a risk of ChatGPT becoming emotional and, at times, aggressive if left unattended or unsupervised.

The other misconception is that humans are more creative than ChatGPT. Again, this is not scientifically validated. However, where humans outperform ChatGPT is “giving context” and not taking statements “at face value”. It will take many years of learning and future variations of ChatGPT or other chatbot languages to handle this; related to the lack of context is the inherent biases that ChatGPT and similar programmes have. Like humans, ChatGPT’s frame of reference is based on what they learn.

Learning is happening via technology, so the risk is that whoever controls the technology controls the bias. In consumer service, bias is very risky as wrong advice can be given, which leads to significant liability (and probably no insurance cover) — think robo-advice. Bias and inconsistency in responses are two significant shortcomings of ChatGPT at the moment.

Also, security concerns (refer to the Samsung data breach) need to be factored in. Nothing that gets discussed in ChatGPT is private.

Conclusion and future outlook

In summary, there are still a few areas to resolve, but we have made significant progress over the last decade in the use of chatbots.

As long as we control the process, we are heading for a bright future, control and regulation are essential. Unsupervised, however, there is a risk that AI becomes a large threat to future generations.

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Sports is hands down one of the best stress-busters after a long, hard day of hustling at work. This is a sentiment often brought up during my conversations with friends both within and outside of the industry, and — according to a sports culture index study — one echoed by more than two-thirds of the Malaysian population.

The challenges and joys of organising sports activities

Understandably so, considering sports offer far more than just the physical benefits of better bodily health; it also has a proven correlation with stress relief and improved psychological well-being. This is especially important for younger Malaysians like university students or working adults, many of whom do try to squeeze in time for a sports session with friends to unwind amidst a busy schedule.

Therein lies the problem: while group sports sessions are always fun, coordinating them usually isn’t.

Finding a date and time that works for everyone can already be a hurdle, but the real problem sometimes begins after. Slots in sporting facilities can fill up quickly, particularly in popular neighbourhoods and student hotspots, which can leave many groups scrambling to find a suitable alternative that is equally accessible and can accommodate the group’s needs. This in itself is a very time-consuming process, looking up courts’ availability on social media or even calling them directly. And this doesn’t even factor in last-minute cancellations!

I have personally encountered each layer of this problem — but let’s face it, who in the sporting community hasn’t at some point?

Also Read: How e-sports is evolving with blockchain gaming

This was a topic of heated discussion over a round of mamak with friends, which, as it turns out, ultimately led to us developing AFA Sports. AFA became a mobile app that specifically collates sporting facility information (such as opening hours, availability, and court options) from multiple sites, which will help fellow Malaysians easily find and book courts from just one platform.

But more than just being the brainchild of a few sporting aficionados, the AFA app was a real awakening for all of us who share backgrounds in data processing and information technology (IT). Sport is never solely about the on-court, in-game experience. It is also about how that experience can be altered and amplified within a community of like-minded sports enthusiasts.

In this sense, digitisation can be a game-changer — literally.

Digitisation: Transforming the sports landscape

Digitising and automating processes the way the AFA app does is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, digital tools have the potential to completely transform the way Malaysians approach, enjoy, and engage with the sports they love.

There are already app features and platforms that bring sporting fans together for a friendly game or a community event. But more than helping consumers find each other, digital tools can also help connect the wider Malaysian sporting community to businesses that matter — sports facilities, equipment makers, even trainers and part-time coaches.

I am happy to share that AFA has recently introduced the highly anticipated “Activities” feature, which empowers hosts to organise both public and private events, providing users with exciting opportunities to participate in a variety of sports activities. With a seamless payment tracking system and user-friendly interface, AFA ensures a smooth and convenient experience for all.

Also Read: The changing face of gamers and what it means for e-sports startups in SEA

But that’s not all — AFA has even more in store! In the coming month, we are thrilled to unveil our upcoming Academies and Tournament features, further expanding our platform’s capabilities and offering users an even more comprehensive sports experience.

With a wider network at their fingertips, businesses can also look to expand their presence and infrastructure to keep pace. For instance, project management systems will ensure even large volumes of appointments (or any related data) can be made and tracked more seamlessly with minimal manual upkeep. Cloud-based booking infrastructure can also help sync data across multiple platforms or servers in live time, which is essential for time-sensitive or constantly shifting items like bookings.

In the larger picture, stronger integration of digital tools in the sporting industry will put it in a prime position to benefit from Malaysia’s rapidly expanding digital economy — which is projected to contribute a whopping 25 per cent of the nation’s overall economic growth.

The power of community

As with many other industries, digitising the multiple touchpoints in sports will open up a myriad of opportunities, starting with a more connected sports ecosystem that brings all the different stakeholders together, from casual sporting fans and small establishments to professional athletes and larger sporting organisations. The landscape will also be ripe for new markets and businesses to flourish, which can, in turn, attract more investors to grow sports locally.

The ‘big picture’ benefits may sound like very top-level business jargon, but ultimately the growth of the industry as a whole will trickle down to us: the everyday Malaysians who love sports and who love playing sports with the people we love (or people we will come to love)!

Nothing unites us quite like a Harimau Malaya or badminton match, a testament to how vibrant and dynamic the sports community already is in Malaysia. So just imagine how much more we can do when they’re supercharged with digital tools — and highly connected opportunities to do more together!

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Image credit: AFA

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