The Parentinc, the Singapore-based content, community, and commerce ecosystem for parents in Southeast Asia, recently snapped up Motherswork, a luxury retailer for mum, baby, and kids’ products in Singapore and China, for an undisclosed sum.

In this interview, The Parentinc’s Group CEO Roshni Mahtani delves into the strategic vision behind the acquisition and its implications for Southeast Asia’s parenting retail landscape.

How does the acquisition of Motherswork align with The Parentinc’s long-term strategic vision and goals for the parenting retail industry in Southeast Asia?

The Parentinc’s overarching vision is not only to dominate the online market but also to establish a significant offline presence. Motherswork’s existing brick-and-mortar stores complement our online efforts, providing a holistic approach to meeting the diverse needs of our target audience.

By integrating its established physical retail footprint with our digital platform, we aim to create a seamless omnichannel experience for our customers. This strategic move positions us to capture a broader market share, enhance customer engagement, and solidify our position as a leader in the parenting retail sector across SEA.

Also Read: The Parentinc acquires luxury retailer Motherswork to expand offline presence in SEA

Ultimately, we don’t identify as a typical retail company or an FMCG brand; we position ourselves as a parent-tech company with our community at its core. This fundamental aspect has been well-established for several years. Our portfolio includes key brands such as Mama’s Choice and now Little Ray, which we retail through Motherswork. Additionally, we exclusively distribute over 20 other brands.

We aim to ensure seamless synergy between these elements and expand into new territories and markets. Little Ray, currently exclusive to Singapore, will soon be introduced to all other SEA markets. Mama’s Choice is available in five out of six markets within our operational scope.

Furthermore, we are set to make a strategic entry into physical retail in Vietnam, with plans to replicate this model in several other countries. The upcoming year promises to be dynamic for us, marked by expansion and strategic initiatives.

Can you elaborate on the Southeast Asian markets where The Parentinc plans to expand Motherswork stores and distribute Mama’s Choice exclusively? What factors influenced the selection of these markets?

While we can currently disclose our entry into physical retail in Vietnam, our expansion strategy extends beyond this market. A meticulous analysis of various factors drives the decision to enter specific markets in SEA: evaluating the demographic landscape, consumer behaviour, economic indicators, and the competitive environment in each potential market.

Vietnam, a dynamic and rapidly growing economy that targets 6-6.5 per cent GDP growth in 2024, presents a strategic opportunity for The Parentinc to establish a solid physical retail presence. The decision to distribute Mama’s Choice exclusively through Motherswork in these markets is rooted in the brand synergy and the unique value proposition it brings to our customers.

You mentioned that 70 per cent of SEA retail is still offline. How does the acquisition of Motherswork contribute to The Parentinc’s efforts to establish a significant offline presence, and what challenges do you anticipate in this transition?

Motherswork’s existing brick-and-mortar stores provide a ready-made infrastructure, allowing us to integrate our online and offline operations seamlessly. This move allows us to cater to the sizeable portion of the market that prefers in-person shopping experiences.

However, we anticipate several challenges in this transition. One key challenge is adapting to SEA’s diverse retail landscapes across different countries. Each market has unique consumer behaviours, regulatory environments, and logistical considerations. Overcoming these challenges will require careful localisation strategies and a nuanced understanding of each market’s nuances.

The Parentinc has successfully implemented a content-to-community-to-commerce business model online. How do you envision refining and adapting this model by adding offline stores through the Motherswork acquisition?

In today’s digital age, customers seek more than just online transactions; they crave immersive encounters with the brands they support. The addition of Motherswork’s physical stores aligns with this consumer demand—and we aim to provide an avenue for our community to engage with our products in a tactile and experiential manner.

Also Read: I don’t think true-blue text-based digital media companies exist anymore: theAsianparent Founder Roshni Mahtani

This offline expansion not only satisfies the need for a more profound brand experience but also enables our community to receive personalised assistance and answers to their queries in real-time, fostering a deeper connection between us.

Could you share more about how The Parentinc plans to integrate media solutions into Motherswork? What benefits do you foresee for both parties and the parenting community?

We’re nurturing a symbiotic relationship between our media and retail platforms. By leveraging the reach and influence of our media platforms, theAsianaprent and Webtretho, we aim to provide robust promotional support for Motherswork’s partner brands.

Simultaneously, we plan to capitalise on these media platforms to drive customer engagement and traffic to Motherswork. Through targeted content, campaigns, and promotions, we envision a seamless flow of interested customers from our media channels to the Motherswork retail ecosystem. This reciprocal approach not only maximises brand exposure for Motherswork but also enriches the overall experience for our parenting community by offering them curated content and exclusive promotions.

Integrating media solutions presents a win-win scenario, providing valuable promotional avenues for Motherswork’s partner brands while enriching our parenting community’s content and engagement opportunities across theAsianaprent and Webtretho platforms.

What challenges and opportunities do you anticipate in integrating the online success of The Parentinc with the offline expertise of Motherswork, and how do you plan to navigate them?

One challenge lies in harmonising the digital and physical aspects seamlessly. The transition from online to offline retail involves adapting operational processes, inventory management, and customer experiences. Ensuring a cohesive and unified brand presence across both channels is crucial to maintaining consistency and meeting customer expectations.

On the flip side, this integration brings forth numerous opportunities. Combining online and offline channels allows for a holistic approach to customer engagement. The offline stores provide a tactile and experiential dimension, enhancing the brand experience. It also opens avenues for targeted marketing strategies, utilising data from both channels to create personalised campaigns and promotions.

Navigating these challenges and capitalising on opportunities involves a strategic and adaptive approach. A robust technology infrastructure will be key in seamlessly connecting online and offline operations. Training and empowering staff to provide consistent and quality service across channels will contribute to a positive customer experience. Additionally, leveraging data analytics to gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences across both realms will inform decision-making and enhance overall performance.

Also Read: How theAsianparent aims to help reduce stillbirth rates in Southeast Asia

Ultimately, the success of this integration hinges on maintaining a customer-centric focus, ensuring that the benefits of the online and offline synergy translate into a seamless, enriched, and satisfying experience for our diverse customer base.

The recent IPO valuations for Mamaearth and FirstCry have been substantial. How does the acquisition of Motherswork position The Parentinc in terms of future IPO plans, and what factors contribute to the valuation expectations for your organisation? When do you plan to hit the bourses? Will you merge with an SPAC or go for a direct listing?

We do not rule out an IPO within the next three years. But at this point, we are bringing the retail tech footprint into other markets in SEA, so we’ll be expanding the Motherswork store. We’ll add the data and analysis from our community into how mums can experience retail.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Why is The Parentinc aggressively venturing into offline spaces? appeared first on e27.

Southeast Asian startups secured US$439 million in venture funding across 31 rounds in January 2024, a 43.65 per cent drop from December 2023 but a 107.1 per cent jump over January last year, according to a report by startup research platform Tracxn.

Of the 31 rounds, 17 were seed-stage deals and 13 early-stage ones.

Silicon Box topped the chart with a US$200 million investment, followed by Motorist (US$60 million), Sygnum (US$40 million), Be Group (US$31.2 million), and FlyORO (US$16 million).

See the picture below for more details:

 

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Startup funding in SEA sees a 44% monthly drop in January: Tracxn appeared first on e27.

Hong Kong-based MediConCen, a startup automating insurance claims using AI and blockchain, has raised US$6.85 million in its latest Series A round.

HSBC Asset Management led this round, with support from existing investors G&M Capital and ParticleX and new investor Wings Capital Ventures.

Also Read: Wealthtech, insurtech, SaaS fintech are the new hot verticals in Indonesia: AC Ventures report

This brings MediConCen’s total raise to US$12.7 million.

The capital will be used to expand into the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

“Insurance does good for the society, but often it is not felt by the customers. There is much frustration dealing with the medical claim process for both customers and insurers alike. We are changing the paper-based and human-based claim process to digital and AI-assisted journey, utilising the latest AI and blockchain technology,” said William Yeung, CEO and co-founder of MediConCen.

MediConCen is an insurtech company that utilises Hyperledger blockchain technology to provide clients with an automatic experience in insurance claims. MediConCen has secured a blockchain patent in the US and Hong Kong. The company serves over 16 insurers and over 1 million insured individuals, and its cashless claim platform has over 1,200 medical providers participating.

Also Read: Welcome the new game changer in town: Insurtech

MediConCen is a Cyberport community startup that joined its incubation programme in 2018. With the support of Cyberport Macro Fund, a fund that provides seed to Series A stage and beyond funding to Cyberport digital entrepreneurs, MediConCen has secured extra co-investments to facilitate its growth in 2020.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post MediConCen bags US$6.85M to take its AI, blockchain-powered insurtech platform to SEA appeared first on e27.

Dear reader,

The recent turmoil surrounding Byju’s, a prominent player in India’s edutech arena, has escalated with major backers advocating for a leadership overhaul and board restructuring.

This demand, echoing concerns over governance and financial mismanagement, underscores a deepening rift within the company’s stakeholders.

Think & Learn’s assertion of shareholders’ limited authority to influence management decisions contrasts sharply with investors’ calls for an extraordinary general meeting to address pressing issues.

Amidst this internal strife, Byju’s faces additional challenges on the global front, with its US division embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings following substantial debt defaults. Allegations of financial impropriety, including claims of fund misallocation, further tarnish the company’s reputation.

The involvement of notable investors such as General Atlantic and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative underscores the gravity of the situation, casting a shadow over Byju’s once formidable position in the edtech landscape.

As the saga unfolds, restoring trust and stability appears paramount for the company’s future viability amidst a landscape of heightened scrutiny and financial uncertainty.

Sainul,
Editor.

NEWS & ARTICLES

Byju’s US division files for bankruptcy protection
The move comes after the unit, Byju’s Alpha, defaulted on US$1.2B in debt. According to a document filed by the US entity’s CEO Timothy Pohl, Byju’s Alpha lacked the funds to pursue its conflict with its parent firm over the debt.

Byju’s investors call to oust founder
This development comes days after its parent Think & Learn said it was looking to raise US$200M via a rights issue; This would mean a plunge of nearly 99% from the company’s peak valuation of US$22B.

Mobile crypto payment app Oobit raises US$25M in Series A
Investors include Solana Labs’s Anatoly Yakovenko and stablecoin issuer Tether, 468 Capital, and CMCC Global’s Titan Fund; The Singaporean startup will use the funds to expand across APAC, Latin America, and the UAE.

Validus banks new funding to boost SME financing in Vietnam
The investor is Japanese firm Reazon Holdings; Singapore-based fintech firm Validus uses data analytics, AI, and supply-chain partnerships to provide financing for SMEs in the region.

Shopee lawsuit against ex-employee dismissed by Singapore judge
Shopee had sued Lim Teck Yong – who last held the executive director of operations position at Shopee Brazil – for joining ByteDance weeks after leaving his Shopee post in mid-2023.

Genesys acquires Singapore SaaS startup Radarr to flex more AI muscles
Radarr helps companies make decisions based on relevant real-time online conversations – on social media and other digital platforms – through data visualisations, dashboards, and insights reporting.

Temasek exits Policybazaar investment for US$290M
Temasek held a 5.42% stake in the Indian insurtech marketplace; Policybazaar had recently posted its first quarterly profit of US$4.4M as demand for insurance bolstered revenue during the December 2023 quarter.

Jio Financial says not in talks to acquire Paytm’s wallet business
Paytm and Jio Financial Services have reportedly been engaging for months for a deal, something that escalated after the Indian central bank widened its crackdown on Paytm’s Payments Bank.

Pyxis bags US$3.4M to help make the maritime industry greener
Investors include Motion Ventures, Shift4Good, Seeds Capital, and MarImpact; Pyxis will use the new funds to accelerate its electrification tech development and expand the production of its electric harbour crafts.

Web3 gaming IP company Pixelmon secures US$8M seed funding
Investors include Animoca Brands, Delphi Ventures, Amber Group and Bing Ventures; Pixelmon delivers ownership of IP and in-game assets through its fractionalised IP ecosystem Mon Protocol.

Indian EV ride-hailing firm Snap-E Cabs secures US$2.5M
Inflection Point Ventures is the lead investor; Snap-E currently operates with 600 electric cars in India’s eastern city of Kolkata and looks to add 300 to 400 more by the end of this financial year

Snapchat’s parent lays off 10% of workforce
The layoffs would impact roughly 500-plus employees; The layoffs were announced in an SEC filing, where Snap explained the move was necessary to support its further growth; In November 2023, it conducted a saw small-scale layoff.

Chinese EV sales drop in Jan amid decreased demand
The decline was especially marked for BYD, which accounted for nearly a third of the country’s green energy vehicle sales last year; BYD, the biggest Chinese EV maker, witnessed a 41% sales decline compared to December.

CONTRIBUTORY POSTS

Nagoya University transforming from Singapore beyond Six Nobel Laureates
How Nagoya University empowers students, faculties, researchers, and startups as they explore growth and innovation in Singapore beyond its global accomplishments such as Six Noble Laureates.

AI transforming LinkedIn content: Our custom GPT journey
We plan to refine our custom GPT further, exploring broader applications in storytelling and thematic content.

Tech firms in Southeast Asia poised to ‘leap’ forward with gender equality
Within the tech industry, Southeast Asia is seen as a force leading the way for change by steadily narrowing the gender gap.

Beyond the union: Understanding the complexities and impacts of M&As
More often than not, M&A between organisations involves more stakeholders and impacts more people than a marriage between two families.

AI and ethics in digital marketing: Building trust in the tech era
AI presents a world of opportunities in digital marketing, but it also demands a new level of ethical responsibility.

Leveraging AI and ML in supply chain management for smarter decision making
By leveraging the convergence of AI and blockchain, future supply chains will become intelligent, self-learning networks that maximise value.

Breaking the myth: The reality of social entrepreneurs and their business approach
Pragmatically and operationally, social entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs as their endeavours are rooted in entrepreneurial principles.

Using AI to save your time by 50 per cent in your business operations
By integrating AI into our processes, we’ve not only increased our productivity but also improved our job satisfaction.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Web3 needs novel prevention tools for novel attack vectors: AI saves the day
AI is Web3’s security lifeline, enabling tools to protect millions and billions of dollars worth of user funds.

Embracing AI’s promise: Navigating the future of marketing
In an era where AI is reshaping the marketing industry, we explore how marketers, particularly in Singapore, can unlock AI’s potential.

Embracing global entrepreneurship: Redefining startup success beyond Silicon Valley
Throughout our quest to support founders, we have found that a collaborative and strategic approach is always required when building startup communities.

Financial models for Web3 startups: Guiding principles for success
By comprehending the dynamics of the Web3 landscape, startups can leverage the power of decentralised technologies in their financial models.

Oh my cash: Navigating cash flow management in today’s market
Learn how to effectively manage cash flow in today’s market by implementing strategies that prioritise financial stability and flexibility.

How to unlock new horizons with generative AI
In the current search engine paradigm, information synthesis is a manual process. Generative AI models like ChatGPT bridges this gap, internalising and summarising vast amounts of data, offering succinct and accurate responses.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

M&A process in SEA is stuck in the dark age: say match.asia co-founders
Singapore-based match.asia disrupts M&A in SEA with a free marketplace, data-driven matching, and global buyer network collaboration.

What is next for Indonesian e-commerce scene after GoTo, TikTok Indonesia merger?
This deal is a major blow for Shopee, and it would be interesting to see what strategy will come up next.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: Byju’s in deep mess | Temasek exits Policybazaar investment | Oobit secures US$25M appeared first on e27.

Singapore-based crypto payment app Oobit has concluded its US$25 million Series A investment round.

The backers in this round include the investment arm of USDT parent company Tether, CMCC Global’s Titan Fund, 468 Capital, and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko.

The startup plans to use the funds to expand into Latin America, the UAE, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Australia beyond its primary markets in the European Union and the UK.

Also Read: ‘Young, tech-savvy population contributes to cryptocurrency growth in Vietnam’

Oobit provides a gateway to spending cryptocurrencies in traditional commerce settings. Consumers pay with crypto, but merchants receive fiat money, like a typical credit card transaction.

Using Oobit, crypto holders can tap and pay at over 100 million retailers across the globe, anywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted, similar to using Apple Pay.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said: “Oobit, in our perspective, stands as a catalyst, breaking down barriers and facilitating frictionless transactions for crypto holders worldwide.״

Also Read: Tether under scrutiny: A deep dive into cryptocurrency crime allegations

In the near future, Oobit intends to open up the same capability to any external third-party wallets, creating a bridge between Web3 and spending. This will transition Oobit into a non-custodial crypto payments app, allowing external wallets to tap & pay with crypto anytime, anywhere, just by connecting via the Oobit app.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Tether, Solana co-founder back Oobit’s US$25M Series A round appeared first on e27.

Angel investors and syndicates are just some of the alternatives that tech startups can tap into for their fundraising. In its operations, angel investors and syndicates may face unique challenges, including dealing with hefty paperwork when setting up their syndicate or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). This is the area where Auptimate aims to make a difference.

Auptimate is an online platform that aims to help angel syndicates, founders, and fund managers set up and operate SPVs and Syndicates. It has helped more than 70 syndicates and SPVs raise over US$40 million from at least 400 investors for deals across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

As a one-stop solution, Auptimate solutions do not require users to use different kinds of services for different purposes. It also offers a fully digital experience without needing papers or face-to-face meetings.

Since launching in 2022, Auptimate has been through the incubation programme with SMU IIE’s BIG programme and Accelerating Asia in 2023.

Also Read: Angel investor Mike Flache shares his tips to begin investing in startups

In an email to e27, Auptimate co-founder Davin Dedhia explains that the company’s users consist of angel investors, syndicate leads, startup founders who are fundraising, and fund managers.

It has three different products catering to all of these users: Angel Syndicate, Founder SPV and Venture SPV for syndicates, startup founders and fund managers, respectively.

Auptimate charges a one-time set-up fee of US$500 for each of these three products. It also charged between US$6,000 and US$11,500 for the Angel Syndicate- this fee is to cover 10 years of coverage.

For the Founder SPV and Venture SPV, the company charges between US$750 to US$4,000 as annual recurring fees.

“We recently closed our 75th client and have onboarded over 400 investors on our platform. We are seeing a lot of network effect and are now seeing a lot of referral business coming in, thus enabling us to reduce our marketing spends.”

In reaching out to its potential users, Auptimate uses a multi-channel approach and reaches out to prospects via digital marketing channels as well as events.

Also Read: Your investors are your number one fan: Tina Di Cicco of Manila Angel Investors Network

The company attempts to make its process as seamless as possible with the use of technology.

“We are investing heavily in technology and automation, which will require us to have fewer interactions with clients. This helps us not require a very large team to handle many clients,” Dedhia explains.

What’s in the future

There are many exciting things coming up for Auptimate in 2024. With the upcoming launch of more SPV products and fund administration, Auptimate aims to exceed US$1 million in revenue this year.

But for the company, that is not the only thing on their agenda.

“We are only a one-year-old startup, and our KYC and customer onboarding is already fully automated. We expect to focus on the three products we have for the large part of this year, and we see ourselves expanding into more regulated structures with Fund Administration,” Dedhia says.

“We are also going to expand our team with key hires across Sales, Operations and Technology functions to bolster our efforts to reach the milestone.”

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Image Credit: Auptimate

The post Auptimate facilitates US$40M raised across 70 syndicates, SPVs with its one-stop digital solutions appeared first on e27.

We are thrilled to welcome back Prudence Foundation as the Disaster Tech Partner for Echelon X 2024!

Over the past three years, our collaboration with Prudence Foundation has centred around the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards, a platform dedicated to recognising and supporting startups with innovative technologies capable of mitigating the impact of natural disasters, preventing them, or expediting recovery efforts.

This year, Prudence Foundation takes centre stage at Echelon X 2024 with a dedicated pavilion that will showcase the groundbreaking work of 10 disaster tech startups. These startups, carefully curated for their exceptional contributions to disaster resilience, will not only be exhibiting their cutting-edge solutions but will also have the opportunity to present their innovations onstage.

Get Echelon X  tickets: Check today’s discounted rates

The partnership between Echelon and Prudence Foundation has always been rooted in a shared commitment to fostering technological advancements that make a positive impact on communities facing natural disasters. The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards have been instrumental in unearthing and promoting transformative solutions that have the potential to save lives, protect communities, and accelerate recovery in the aftermath of calamities.

At Echelon X 2024, attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with these disaster tech startups, gaining firsthand insights into the technologies that could shape the future of disaster preparedness and response. The pavilion will serve as a hub of innovation, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the groundbreaking work being done in the disaster tech space.

In addition to the pavilion, the 10 selected startups will take the stage to share their stories, challenges, and triumphs. The presentations promise to be enlightening and inspiring, offering a glimpse into the transformative potential of technology in addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters.

Also read: The opportunities and future of disaster tech (D-Tech) in Southeast Asia

Come and be a part of this extraordinary opportunity to connect with the disaster tech pioneers, witness live demonstrations of their solutions, and contribute to the collective effort of building resilient communities.

Echelon X 2024 is not just a conference; it’s a convergence of minds dedicated to driving positive change through technology. As we embark on this journey with Prudence Foundation, we invite you to explore, learn, and be inspired by the incredible strides being made in the field of disaster tech. Together, let’s build a future where innovation becomes a powerful force for safeguarding our communities in times of need.

Join us at Echelon X 2024, where innovation meets impact, and together, we shape a more resilient and secure world. Get your tickets here.

The post Prudence Foundation returns as Echelon X 2024 Disaster Tech Partner appeared first on e27.

Singapore-based global invoice financing marketplace Incomlend has acquired LC Lite, a specialised Web3-powered trade finance marketplace, for an undisclosed amount.

The merger will empower Incomlend to operate through a new fintech platform, reaching crypto and fiat investors through trade finance as it looks to accelerate its expansion in the Middle East. The deal will also enable the fintech firm to bring a fresh offering of Web3 technology to its platform, creating a new asset class.

Also Read: Incomlend raises US$20M Series A for Asia, Europe expansion

Investors will have access to both platforms, which will coexist and continue to offer their own standalone fintech solutions. The firm plans to expand the fintech platform to support stablecoins transactions in the future.

Founded in 2016, Incomlend is an alternative cross-border trade finance platform. It claims to have processed over 6,000 transactions in over 50 countries worldwide.

Commenting about the deal, Incomlend Co-Founder and CEO Morgan Terigi said: “It empowers us to link the crypto and fiat spaces which is going to be crucial as both markets continue to expand and new technologies become available. The merger will also increase the liquidity of the marketplace, which will help to boost the UAE economy.”

Also Read: Why blockchain is instrumental for the future of trade finance

According to the ASEAN Briefing, the value of Singapore’s net inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) is projected to trend around SGD27.7 billion (US$21 billion) in 2024. A Statista report predicts crypto revenue in the country will show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 8.8 per cent, resulting in a total amount of SGD642.7 by 2028.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Invoice financing marketplace Incomlend acquires LC Lite to reach crypto, fiat investors appeared first on e27.

In the quest for impactful LinkedIn content, we’ve embraced a cutting-edge approach: creating our customised Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), built upon the foundations of ChatGPT. This initiative addresses the challenge of producing authentic, engaging content that resonates with our LinkedIn audience.

Implementation and impact

Our journey with ChatGPT began not just as users but as innovators. By leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities, we developed our unique version of a GPT tailored explicitly to our content needs. Our process involves:

• Initial drafting: We write a raw, unfiltered draft, embedding our insights and experiences.
• Consultation with our custom GPT: This draft is then reviewed by our GPT, which we’ve trained to ask critical questions like, “What works? What doesn’t? How can this be improved?”
• Analytical enhancement: Our GPT, equipped with ChatGPT’s analytical strengths, evaluates the draft, aligning it with our specific content pillars.
• Refinement: Suggestions from our GPT guide us in streamlining and enhancing the content.
• Finalisation: We apply the final touches, refining vital elements like the opening line and call to action based on our GPT’s feedback.

Also Read: Are large Vietnamese tech enterprises ‘indifferent’ when competing with ChatGPT?

This approach has led to a noticeable improvement in our content’s impact and engagement, significantly enhancing our branding on LinkedIn.

Challenges and solutions

A primary challenge was ensuring that the AI-assisted content retained our authentic voice. To address this, our initial drafts are always self-written, preserving the essence of our narrative. Our custom GPT then steps in as a collaborative partner, not a content creator, providing insights and suggestions while maintaining the authenticity of our voice.

Future outlook

Our future with AI in content creation is promising. We plan to refine our custom GPT further, exploring broader applications in storytelling and thematic content. This integration of AI offers an exciting glimpse into a future where human creativity synergises with technological efficiency.

Integrating a custom GPT, developed from ChatGPT, into our LinkedIn content strategy has been transformative. It illustrates the powerful role AI can play in augmenting human creativity, ensuring content is engaging and deeply resonant with our audience. As we continue to explore this synergy of AI and human insight, the potential for innovation in content creation seems boundless.

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Image credit: Canva

The post AI transforming LinkedIn content: Our custom GPT journey appeared first on e27.

Singapore-based digital M&A platform match.asia aims to address the traditional challenges of the mergers & acquisitions (M&As) process, such as inefficiency, limited outreach, low success rates and high costs — through a marketplace model. The free-to-list platform leverages its 1,000-plus global buyer network and expertise to improve the traditional approach.

In this interview, its founders Marcus Yeung (MY) and Patrick Linden (PL) discuss the inefficiencies, costs, and manual processes plaguing traditional M&A, sharing insights into the creation of match.asia.

Edited excerpts:

Can you elaborate on the specific challenges in Southeast Asia’s M&A landscape that led to the creation of match.asia and how your platform addresses them?

PL: Traditional M&A is complicated, inefficient, expensive, and only available to larger companies. From a founder’s perspective, it is a hit-and-miss process on an ad-hoc basis.

Having been through several M&A processes as a tech founder, I find it rather painful. You tend to spend US$10,000-20,000 on fixed retainers each month and spend probably 25 per cent of your time as a founder preparing and accompanying that process. After months of preparation, the advisor starts reaching out to potential buyers, which is very manual and slow. Things often only work out after spending over US$100,000 and a lot of time and effort.

Also Read: M&As: Key to building an embedded finance ecosystem

MY: We solve this through our unique marketplace, which has thousands of sellers and buyers and our data-based matching system, enabling sellers and buyers to match quickly. We do not charge sellers or buyers to list; all listings are done on a no-names basis, making it easy for sellers to list without risk.

What inspired the marketplace model for match.asia, and how does the data-based matching system contribute to ensuring high-quality matches in M&A transactions?

PL: The typical M&A process in Southeast Asia is basically stuck in the dark ages. With match.asia, we aim to revolutionise that. We use a curated marketplace model with thousands of sellers and buyers, utilising technology that underpins our data-based matching system. This will lead to a much higher number of successful transactions, ultimately benefiting the whole ecosystem significantly.

MY: Buying and selling property, cars, household goods, services — these have all moved to marketplace models. Even dating. M&A is one of the last markets, which is still largely manual and hit-and-miss.

As founders and M&A experts, we know the pain points of M&A and can see that M&A is ripe for disruption. We work closely with sellers to present their data to buyers so they can be easily found through data-based matching. Sellers like us as we are a no-risk way for them to explore opportunities with 1000s of buyers. Buyers like us because we make it easy for them to find serious sellers.

Could you share examples of how match.asia’s innovative approach has already increased the success rates of M&A transactions, particularly for Asian SMEs? How many deals have you facilitated so far?

PL: Since we went live two weeks ago, we have been inundated with requests to list on our platform. We have onboarded over 100 sellers and offer access to over 1,000 global buyers. Several matches have already been made between buyers and sellers.

Given your extensive combined experience in M&A and entrepreneurship, how do you see match.asia impacting the accessibility of M&A as a strategic option for SMEs in the region?

PL: Our vision for match.asia is to significantly enhance the accessibility of M&A activities for SMEs in SE Asia. Leveraging our deep experience in M&A and entrepreneurship, we aim to democratise the process, making it more transparent, efficient, and cost-effective. Our platform serves as a bridge, connecting sellers with a global pool of buyers and providing tools to streamline the process, thereby enlarging the ecosystem for everyone involved.

MY: Most SMEs cannot access M&A as a strategic option. In their eyes, it is too expensive, risky, and often unsuccessful. We aim to change this. Through our M&A marketplace, data-based matching and free confidential listings, all good SMEs of any size will be able to get on the radar screen of 1000s of potential buyers.

Can you walk us through the decision-making process behind the platform’s pricing model, where it is free to list for sellers and buyers, with a success fee payable only upon transaction closure?

PL: Our decision to make match.asia free for listing both sellers and buyers, with a success fee only upon closing a transaction, stems from our commitment to promoting accessibility and trust. We understand SMEs’ hesitancy regarding upfront costs and fixed retainers in traditional M&A processes. By eliminating these costs, we open doors for more businesses to explore strategic growth opportunities without financial risk. Our success fee model aligns our interests with those of our clients, ensuring we are successful only if our clients are successful. This will encourage more SMEs to list on our platform, attracting more buyers.

In what ways does match.asia maintain confidentiality for sellers, considering that listings are on a no-name basis? How has this feature been received in the market?

MY: M&A is a very sensitive topic, and many sellers do not want to be openly seen to be interested in M&A. That is why we list all sellers and buyers on a no-name basis, to allow them to exchange information without reservation. We also list key data in ranges and aim to strike the right balance between giving enough information for buyers to be able to decide whether the opportunity is attractive to them and not being too detailed to be a concern to the seller. If a buyer is interested in a seller, they can ask to contact the seller and request detailed information once an NDA has been signed. This way, the seller maintains complete control over its confidential information.

How does match.asia leverage the global buyer network and expertise of its sister company, Seabridge Partners? In what specific ways does this collaboration enhance the capabilities of match.asia?

MY: match.asia collaborates closely with its sister company, Seabridge Partners, leveraging its 12-plus years of experience and extensive global buyer network to enhance the platform’s capabilities.

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This partnership enriches match.asia with a vast pool of potential buyers, elevating the platform’s ability to facilitate successful M&A transactions quickly. SEAbridge is a leading IB boutique in SE Asia with deep expertise in running M&A processes and an extensive global buyer network.

Can you share insights into the role technology plays in disrupting the traditional M&A processes and how match.asia maximises efficiency and successful outcomes through its platform?

PL: At match.Asia, technology disrupts traditional M&A by automating key phases like preparation, marketing, and matching, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency. Our online marketplace of sellers and buyers and data-based matching system makes it easy for buyers and sellers to find their ideal partners. We have plans to leverage key technologies such as generative AI for broader automation across the M&A workflow, increasingly optimising outcomes over time.

As co-founders, how do you envision match.asia evolving in the future, and what impact do you hope it will have on the broader M&A ecosystem in Southeast Asia? How does match.asia align with the broader mission to make M&A more 
successful, accessible, and cost-effective for all parties involved, including 
sellers, buyers, and intermediaries in the M&A ecosystem?

PL: As co-founders, we envision match.asia not just establishing itself as the premier M&A platform in Southeast Asia but also as a catalyst for systemic change within the M&A ecosystem. Our ambition is to harness cutting-edge technology to redefine how M&A transactions are prepared, marketed and executed, making the process as seamless and efficient as possible. By doing so, we aim to significantly increase the volume of successful deals, bringing measurable benefits to sellers, buyers, and intermediaries alike. This vision extends beyond simplifying transactions — it’s about fostering a more vibrant, accessible, and dynamic M&A environment that propels economic growth and innovation across the region.

MY: Take the evolution of the real estate industry, for example. Just as property platforms like PropertyGuru revolutionised property transactions by increasing the numbers massively of sellers and buyers, making them more transparent and efficient, match.asia aims to transform the M&A landscape. Previously, property sales were cumbersome and limited in reach, just like the traditional M&A process today. Now, platforms enable broader access and smoother transactions, a model match.asia seeks to emulate M&A, thereby enlarging the ecosystem for all participants.

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