Today, the question of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) still looms large. But how well are we really doing, and why should founders take note?

Surprisingly, the social sector (which is my sector) scores lower than expected in DEI. According to Forbes, 3.7 per cent of US nonprofits are transparent about their diversity data. This lack of openness raises questions, especially since the DEI concept has been around since the 1960s. No one, it seems, can truly claim to be leading the way in DEI.

The consequences of getting DEI wrong can be severe

Google Gemini AI’s mistake resulted in a black George Washington and a US$90 billion loss in market value. 

And that is the entire GDP of Luxembourg!

This example highlights that DEI missteps are not only detrimental to company culture but can also have significant financial repercussions.

As founders, we should care about DEI for several reasons. It’s not just about doing the right thing; it’s also about building a successful business. I am an eternal optimist and believe that everyone wants to do the right thing. 

Change requires trust

And the current lack of trust is hindering our progress in DEI. DEI is not a zero-sum game. 

By unlocking the potential of women, minorities, and marginalised communities, we can create a better world for everyone. 

Also Read: Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever

Here are three key steps to consider:

• Build trust: Trust is the foundation of any successful DEI initiative. As leaders, we must foster an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This means being transparent, open to feedback, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Embrace the truth: Acknowledging the hard truths about our biases and systemic inequalities is crucial. We must be honest about where we stand and where we need to go. This honesty will guide our actions and help us make meaningful progress.
• Catch our own biases: We all have biases, but recognising and addressing them is key. By being aware of our own biases, we can make more inclusive decisions and create a more equitable environment for everyone.

DEI is not about one group losing for another to win. It’s about creating a world where everyone can thrive together.

As founders, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example and make a lasting impact. Let’s embrace DEI not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic advantage for a better future.

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Since its inception in 1851 by Western Union, the finance industry has experienced significant transformations in its operational frameworks and methodologies. The evolution from the introduction of the first money telegraph service to the advent of the Internet and mobile banking has revolutionised the landscape of financial transactions, particularly in the realm of cross-border payments. 

Cross-border transactions have experienced significant growth, with B2B cross-border transactions representing a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of US$39.4 trillion in 2023. Projections indicate that this figure is expected to reach US$56.1 trillion by 2030, reflecting a substantial 43 per cent increase.

Cross-border transactions have become a fundamental component of international trade and commerce. However, the industry’s slow uptake in fully embracing and integrating innovative solutions while sticking to traditional finance (TradFi) approaches is why cross-border transactions remain expensive, slow and inefficient.  

In a study conducted by Oliver Wyman and J.P Morgan among multinational corporations (MNCs), for a transaction volume of US$23.5 trillion, the cross-border transaction costs amounted to US$120 billion, with a long settlement period of two to three days. As such, it is unsurprising that one of the key goals of G20 is prioritising enhancing cross-border payments with a keen focus on improving transaction speed, cost, access and transparency. 

The challenges experienced can be attributed to the existing deficiencies in traditional financial approaches. The absence of interoperability among correspondent banking systems in various countries has led to the engagement of multiple intermediaries from different regions, time zones, and operating procedures.

Consequently, the lack of transparency and consistency among correspondent banks has resulted in delays and increased costs. Moreover, the absence of a uniform legal and regulatory framework across nations complicates compliance with regulatory standards, further prolonging the processing time required for cross-border transactions.

This is where Web3 comes in as a game-changer. 

Preventing another SVB-like situation: Why the shift to Web3 is necessary for TradFi institutions 

One of the potential models for TradFi institutions to overcome challenges faced in cross-border transactions is by integrating the technological solutions offered by Web3 technologies, particularly tokenisation. In the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2022 Global Financial Stability Report, the IMF has found that DeFi’s nuanced approach to financial markets results in outstanding cost savings as compared to TradFi systems due to its strong ability to increase security and transparency, which decreases costs and long transaction times. 

Also Read: Animoca Brands invests in Singaporean Web3 entertainment startup Imaginary Ones

By utilising smart contracts and blockchain technology brought forth by Web3, the process of tokenisation involves the substitution of “individuals” or “institutions” with “codes”. This approach enables trustless transactions, where there is no reliance on any single party, permissionless execution and verification of transactions by any participant, and immutability of records once finalised, preventing any single entity from altering the state of the transaction. 

The largest bank run of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) provides a strong testament to the importance of transparency. The failure of the bank can be attributed to several underlying issues, one of which pertains to the “liquidity gap.”

By tokenising both assets and liabilities, the bank would have been able to provide customers with immediate visibility into its reserves and capital, thereby assuring them that the bank was not insolvent and had not engaged in excessive leveraging. This, in turn, could have prevented the spread of panic through social media channels.

Beyond cross-border payments: Tokenisation also paves the way for greater access and inclusion

Tokenisation is set to reimagine the finance industry by shifting the way real-world assets are perceived and managed in the digital realm. Tokenisation essentially entails the conversion of entitlements to a valuable digital asset, whether tangible, such as real estate, or intangible, like intellectual property, into a digital token residing upon a blockchain.

These tokens, predominantly on decentralised platforms, symbolise ownership or a stake in the underlying asset, facilitating effortless transferability, divisibility, and ease of trade within Web3.  

The St. Regis Aspen Resort case offers a real-world example that showcases the untapped potential of tokenisation, especially in real estate investments. Real estate firm Elevated Returns took the unconventional approach of offering digital tokens representing equity (tokenising) to accredited investors. The low capital requirement, increased investor access, and high liquidity led to the resort’s price increase of 32 per cent with the investment growth.

Also Read: Financial models for Web3 startups: Guiding principles for success

Now, consider the potential for replicating the achievements seen in the real-estate sector to other real-world assets, including infrastructure, financial assets and even intellectual property — the opportunity is endless. 

Tokenisation is now a rapidly expanding frontier reshaping the finance industry

While the Web3 market is currently facing a bear market, with Global Web3 Market Sales Revenue dropping from US$3.34 billion in 2022 to US$0.45 billion in 2023, there is a positive outlook for the expansion of real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation. The tokenisation of real-world assets is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace due to the vast opportunities presented by Web3.

Particularly noteworthy is the multi-trillion-dollar potential, US$16 trillion by 2030, of tokenising real-world assets. This growth is further supported by the increasing interest from private entities and government bodies in Asia, who are embracing RWA tokenisation and implementing new regulations to safeguard investors. As a result, the industry is poised for exponential growth in the upcoming years. 

The benefits of RWA tokenisation have led to a substantial accumulation of assets in the off-chain TradFi realm awaiting tokenisation. It is anticipated to significantly expand the DeFi landscape by enabling off-chain assets to be acknowledged on-chain.

This convergence of traditional finance practices with digitalised Web3 fintech approaches presents a promising opportunity for the financial sector to leverage the best of both worlds, paving the way for a more efficient and interconnected financial ecosystem. 

Asia is well-positioned to be the next frontier for tokenisation and will take the lead

With its vast and diverse population, advanced technological infrastructure, and progressive regulatory environment, Asia is well-positioned to take the lead in adopting and implementing tokenisation. For greater widespread adoption of RWA tokenisation, it is crucial for both private entities that work on overcoming technical challenges and government bodies that work on improving the regulatory barriers to come together to improve the ecosystem 

For instance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore is supporting the rise of RWA tokenisation by evolving the traditional regulatory framework to accommodate the unique characteristics of Web3 and RWA tokenisation. The regulators are now working with 17 financial institutions (FIs) to test promising asset tokenisation use cases which would scale the tokenised market in the city-state. 

Also Read: How to launch collaborations that grow communities: A guide for Web3 founders

For private entities, apart from working on overcoming technical challenges such as bridging the decentralised on-chain (Web3) and centralised off-chain world seamlessly, increasing education and awareness through conferences, such as ONCHAIN 2024, is also vital in driving mainstream adoption and trust in the decentralised platform. Only through conferences that focus on advancing the exchange of knowledge and innovations on the intersection between TradFi and Web3 will we continue to see a boom in tokenisation and Web3. 

Web3 is the key to unlocking the multi-trillion industry of tokenisation 

The rise of Web3 in the Fintech industry cannot be dismissed as just another hype or cash grab. Its potential to unlock a multi-trillion dollar opportunity globally is evident in the increasing adoption and integration of decentralised technologies.

While there may be challenges and uncertainties in this new era of finance, it is clear that Web3 can revolutionise how we transact, invest, and manage our finances. As the industry continues to evolve and innovate, businesses and individuals must stay informed and adapt to these new developments to thrive in the digital economy.

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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

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1Long is an AI-powered wealth management platform that enables individuals in Vietnam to start investing with as little as 10,000 VND (approximately less than US$1). The platform allows daily transfers and withdrawals without fees, thus removing barriers to accessing funds.

Founded by a team of former investment banking and Y Combinator-backed veterans, 1Long last month bagged US$500,000 pre-seed funding from Iterative, Monk’s Hill Ventures, R2VP, and Orionis Capital.

In this interview, co-founder and CEO Michael Do discusses the product, the USP, and its new diversification plans.

Edited excerpts:

What specific gaps or challenges did 1Long see in the Vietnamese financial landscape that 1Long aims to address?

There is an urge to speculate on asset classes rather than hold long-term without realising that the more you trade, the more likely you are to lose because speculative assets have high bid-ask spreads before fees — meaning you’re at a loss the second you transact.

Furthermore, access to fixed-income assets like corporate bonds is reserved for professional investors yet offers great risk-adjusted returns. Vietnam and other countries in the region are growing comfortably into the middle class; it will be just as much about capital preservation as capital growth.

None of the current investment apps properly addresses this evolving customer demand.

With the rise of mobile trading apps, how does 1Long differentiate itself and promote a “relaxed, non-trading-centric approach” to wealth management?

We don’t offer trading. We focus on a subscription approach that incentivises long-term capital management over a transaction-value-based model that stimulates dopamine-charged decision-making.

Also Read: ‘Resistance to digital wealth management has almost disappeared in SEA’: Bambu CEO Ned Phillips

Money is a means to an end, and we prefer that our customers focus on the end rather than the means of accumulating it. We offer tools and value-added services that help customers achieve their goals most efficiently.

Furthermore, we’re labelling and segmenting customers to be fed into an AI-powered CRM that has omnichannel interactions. With tech, we can always be there for our customers.

What specific efforts are being made to democratise wealth building and make 1Long accessible to a broader range of Vietnamese individuals, especially those starting with minimal funds?

For our initial products, we allow regular retail customers to access corporate bond yields. To be able to buy bonds, retail investors must have a minimum of about ~US$50,000 in assets and apply for professional investor status.

Furthermore, we democratise access to these yields for as low as US$1 by aggregating and rationalising fractionalising the lot requirement.

Lastly, our philosophy is to treat our customers like educated limited fund partners. We frequently update their portfolio holdings and our investment decisions while sharing resources that an investor relations department typically offers.

Beyond savings products, what excites you most about expanding 1Long into investment products and value-added services?

We approached savings first because it’s the most ubiquitous customer need, and currently, Vietnam banks have over US$200 billion in inflexible termed deposits. At the same time, some of the largest mutual funds and ETFs here don’t surpass US$$50 million AUM.

There’s a big disconnect here as savings and mutual funds are passive investments, yet banks almost exclusively own the AUM.

We’re up for the challenge of figuring out why, and we’re excited about being able to support the financial products ecosystem with lead generation to build a more integrated solution set for all customers, no matter their age or wealth level.

Can you describe how 1Long plans to reinvest in charitable and green initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to social impact alongside financial success?

We want to be a force for good and believe that financial institutions should spend much time with the community to understand their needs.

Our first initiative was to work with Room to Read (a nonprofit for children’s literacy & girls’ education programmes at work) to donate to their efforts to promote literacy among children. We received great feedback and over 400 installs from the campaign.

Also Read: Shifting the global paradigm of wealth management with digital assets

Concurrently, we are discussing with universities and other organisations for collaborations we can do to promote responsible savings and investments. We are okay with losing some margin on our profit to support sustainability projects with preferential rates, and our customers would be okay with both.

How does 1Long plan to cater to both domestic and international investors interested in the Vietnamese market?

Currently, our focus is only on domestic investors. We believe the domestic market here is substantial and growing, so “rising tides will lift all boats.”

We plan to be fully regulated soon so we can properly serve domestic and international investors. Once that is the case, we see the story of Vietnam is not hard to sell to international investors, including the four million overseas Vietnamese. As a SEA turtle myself, I am confident 1Long can convince others to take the journey home for an opportunity.

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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 ‘We want to treat our customers like educated LPs of a fund’: Michael Do of wealthtech startup 1Long appeared first on e27.

Malaysian fintech-as-a-service (FaaS) company Soft Space has announced an undisclosed investment from its long-standing partner and Japanese payment processing company GMO Financial Gate (GMO-FG).

This alliance, coming before Soft Space’s planned Series C funding round, aims to provide cashless payments across various industries in Japan, including transportation, hospitality, and the extensive food and beverage (F&B) sector.

Also Read: Malaysian fintech-as-a-service firm Soft Space closes US$31.5M Series B1 round

Japan has a US$650 billion cashless payment market.

Founded in 2012, Kuala Lumpur-headquartered Soft Space offers merchants and consumers solutions, such as contactless payment through mobile devices and white-label e-wallet services. It serves over 90 financial institutions and partners across 30 global markets.

Leveraging GMO-FG’s extensive client network, Soft Space looks to explore new opportunities in sectors traditionally reliant on cash transactions. With Japan being a prime destination for international tourists, this move towards cashless payments is anticipated to boost tourist spending.

Kentaro Sugiyama, CEO of GMO-FG, said, “Since our collaboration began in 2018, Soft Space and GMO-FG have cultivated a strong relationship by integrating Soft Space’s SoftPOS services with GMO-FG’s payment network, with an initial focus on the transit segment. This capital alliance is a step towards deepening our collaboration and expanding Japan’s face-to-face cashless payment market.”

Also Read: Japan’s JCB injects US$5M into Malaysian fintech firm Soft Space

In April last year, the Malaysian firm tannounced the completion of its Series B extension round at US$31.5 million, led by Southern Capital Group. Returning investor transcosmos, strategic investor JCB, and Hibiscus Fund (jointly managed by RHL Ventures and South Korea’s KB Investment) also participated.

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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 Japan’s GMO Financial Gate infuses capital into Soft Space appeared first on e27.

Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Echelon is back this year and it promises bigger and bolder things for all stakeholders from across the Southeast Asia tech startup ecosystem.

With a focus on fostering connections, facilitating knowledge exchange, and catalysing growth, Echelon X is a platform for startups to gain visibility, secure funding, and forge strategic partnerships. Attendees can expect insightful keynotes, panel discussions, startup pitches, networking sessions, and more, all aimed at driving forward the dynamic and vibrant tech ecosystem in Asia.

With this in mind, Echelon X will feature insights and learnings from some of the top industry leaders in the region. Meet the 21 voices in the Southeast Asia tech startup ecosystem who will be speaking at Echelon X!

21 industry leaders who will share their insights

Caela Tanjangco, Director for Endeavor Catalyst, Endeavor

Caela Tanjangco serves as the Director for Endeavor Catalyst at Endeavor, where she holds the role of Head of Asia, overseeing Endeavor’s first global support office outside the US. In this capacity, she collaborates closely with Limited Partners (LPs), co-investors, and deals within the region. Endeavor Catalyst, the co-investment fund of the nonprofit organisation Endeavor, focuses on investing in Endeavor Entrepreneurs across emerging and underserved markets, thereby contributing to the sustainability of Endeavor’s mission. With Endeavor being the leading community of High-Impact Entrepreneurs spanning over 40 markets and boasting more than 2500 founders, Caela plays a crucial role in nurturing the entrepreneurship ecosystem and fostering venture development in Southeast Asia. Beyond her daytime pursuits, she dedicates her nights to crafting projects aimed at improving societal well-being while also facilitating connections between impact startups and investors on the side.

Dr Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Addo

Dr Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Addo, is an AI and data advocate dedicated to empowering companies and individuals through innovative data usage. She advises CEOs and Boards on becoming globally competitive, data-driven organisations, while leading Addo’s team in building intelligent data platforms for major enterprises. Dr Khanna is also a passionate advocate for women in AI, founding the charity 21st Century Girls to teach coding and AI basics to young girls. She is also a huge believer in human-centred technology. Throughout her college years, she volunteered in human rights organisations and she strongly supports movements for data dignity, digital justice, and AI ethics.

Aaqib Alvi, Singapore Country Manager of Sustainable Living Lab

Providing global program management for Sustainable Living Lab’s client, Intel, Aaqib Alvi is on the frontlines of the AI revolution, deploying cutting-edge technology to national governments in over 35+ countries. His passion for using AI to bridge the technical gap and empower non-technical populations has driven him to work on sustainable development goals by providing sustainable innovation consultancies to MNCs and communities.

He is proud to be at the forefront of future thinking and foresight planning, helping to shape policy on a global scale.

Admond Lee, Founder of The Runway Ventures

Admond Lee is a physicist turned data scientist, now a founder, building The Runway Ventures — a weekly newsletter to help people learn from startup mistakes and become better founders. He spent the first 3 years of his career helping companies solve business problems as a data scientist. Meantime, he was also a corporate trainer, speaker, and writer in data science. After 3 years of building startups, Admond is convinced that mistakes are the best teachers to become a better founder.

For any startup, there are many ways to succeed, but only a few ways to die. This is why Admond Lee started The Runway Ventures.

Catherine Shu, Director of Media and Content for PR Group

Catherine Shu is the Director of Media and Content for PR Group, bringing over a decade of experience as a Taiwanese-American journalist based in Taipei. Notably, she spent twelve years at TechCrunch, where she extensively covered the technology industry across Asian markets, with a particular focus on Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Catherine’s expertise is contextualising these developments for international audiences while observing the interplay between culture, human behaviour, and the startup and venture capital ecosystems. This passion has shaped her journalistic approach. Fluent in Mandarin, she has a keen eye for cultural nuances and their impact on business landscapes. Before her tenure at TechCrunch, Catherine worked as a features reporter for the Taipei Times, delving into topics such as culture, entrepreneurship, and policy in Taiwan. Her insightful reporting has graced the pages of esteemed publications including the New York Times, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Barron’s, and the Village Voice, showcasing her versatility and depth as a journalist.

Ahmad Kashfi Alwi, Former Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development at Cradle Fund

Ahmad Kashfi Alwi, former Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development at Cradle Fund, is a visionary leader pioneering the future of startups. At Cradle Fund, he helped lead MYStartup, a groundbreaking capacity-building initiative supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). With a knack for regional development, strategic partnerships, and marketing, Ahmad drives growth in dynamic corporate environments. His expertise spans strategic and operational domains within microinsurance, FinTech, and advanced digital services. Holding an MBA with Distinction from the University of Nottingham, Ahmad is currently pursuing a PhD in Innovation Management. He is passionate about igniting innovation, shaping the startup landscape, and propelling the frontiers of entrepreneurship.

Albert Lucius, Group CEO & Founder of TipTip

Albert Lucius is an Indonesian entrepreneur with 10+ years of global experience at Fortune 100 companies. His career at three distinct industry leaders: Goldman Sachs, BCG, and Apple provided him with a unique blend of experiences in finance, consumer goods, and technology industries. His past professional work includes product development, user interface design, financial modelling, and corporate strategy. Albert earned his MS and BS degrees in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with the highest honours, specialising in user interface and data mining. Upon finishing his MBA from the Haas School of Business at Berkeley, Albert moved back to Indonesia to start Kudo. Kudo is Indonesia’s leading O2O acceptance network.

Evan Heng, Founder & CEO of Zenith Learning Group

Evan Heng is the CEO and founder of Zenith Learning Group (Zenith). He has scaled Zenith Education Studio (Zenith’s flagship brand) to become the largest pre-university-focused education company in Singapore, with over 15% of all Singaporean Junior College (high school) students attending lessons at Zenith in preparation for their university entrance exams. He also launched Zenith Education Technologies in 2022 with the mission of building the future of education and democratising quality education in Southeast Asia.

He aims to build an end-to-end education ecosystem for students to receive a world-class education, regardless of their financial background. To achieve this, he works with his team to develop education technology to transform the traditional education experience of students and impact millions of lives in the region, in a scalable and sustainable way.

Antonny Liem, Founding Partner at GDP Venture

Antonny Liem is a Founding Partner at GDP Venture, where his passion for people, technology, and marketing converges into a dynamic career trajectory. With a background in Finance and Management, Antonny initially delved into Enterprise IT before transitioning seamlessly into branding, advertising, and digital marketing. His journey eventually led him to the realm of technology investment, incubation, and venture building. Antonny boasts a deep understanding of the technology ecosystem, particularly the internet industry, and plays a pivotal role within GDP Venture, actively contributing to the development of the internet industry in Indonesia and the broader region. With extensive experience as a key member of management and senior executive teams, Antonny has co-founded companies, led incubation efforts, made strategic investments, managed portfolios, secured external funding from international investors, scaled companies, and orchestrated exit rounds through mergers and acquisitions.

Arvind Appavu, Deputy Managing Director for Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures

Arvind Appavu is the Deputy Managing Director for Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a seasoned management executive. His expertise spans setting up successful programs and operations globally, executing business transformations, and cultivating high-performance teams. Arvind is renowned for his adeptness in building companies from inception, showcasing proficiency in ideation, direction setting, securing funding, and assembling talented teams. His strength lies in fostering connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds and facilitating opportunities within emerging technologies and business models.

Fatima Almubbad, Director for Singapore and Southeast Asia Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

Fatima Almubbad serves as the Director for Singapore and Southeast Asia at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), bringing over a decade of expertise in regional strategy and investment trade across the public and private sectors, with a focus on IMEA and East Asia. An eternal optimist, Fatima believes in overcoming challenges with determination, guided by the mantra “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Starting her career in consultancy, she now applies her extensive cross-cultural experience to drive business development, strategic planning, and operations. Specialising in inbound and outbound trade investment, problem-solving, networking, stakeholder management, and partnership building, Fatima is dedicated to fostering economic growth and collaboration in the region.

Harprem Doowa, Founder of Eazy Digital Co., Ltd.

Harprem Doowa, Founder of Eazy Digital Co., Ltd., is a seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in e-commerce management, business analysis, and project execution. Known for his drive and people-centric approach, Harprem successfully built Thailand’s top online pet store, petloft.com, before transitioning to CEO of Moxy, a leading women’s e-commerce platform.

Under his leadership, Moxy’s team grew from 2 to 65 members in two years, showcasing his ability to drive growth and optimize operations. Harprem excels in strategy, efficiency, and achieving targets.

Henry Motte de la Motte, CEO & Founder of EDGE Tutor

Henry Motte-Muñoz is the Filipino-French founder of Edge Tutor International, which provides high-quality, engaging and competitive English and Maths tutors from the Philippines to online tutoring companies in 20+ countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

He is also the founder of Edukasyon.ph, the leading EdTech platform in the Philippines, improving education outcomes for 8 million students a year through three pillars: K-12 academic support, 21st-century soft skills, and college & career guidance. He has been recognized as a WEF Young Global Leader, and an Asia Society Young Leader.

Dominic Schacher, Chief Executive Officer at Aument Capital Partners

Dominic Schacher serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Aument Capital Partners, leveraging his extensive experience and expertise as a finance professional. With a robust background in banking and investment, Dominic boasts a proven track record in navigating financial products and markets. His skill set encompasses strategic planning, risk management, and effective leadership, all of which contribute to his success in driving organisational growth and profitability. As a CFA charter holder and a graduate of the University of Bristol with a Master’s in Accounting, Finance & Management, Dominic brings both theoretical knowledge and practical insights to his role, ensuring the firm’s strategic objectives are met with precision and efficacy.

Jane Lee, VP of APAC GTM @ Remote

Jane Lee, Vice President of APAC GTM at Remote, champions a paradigm shift in the world of work, emphasising the freedom from traditional constraints like desks and offices. Remote’s mission aligns with this vision, facilitating global talent access for companies of all sizes by offering a comprehensive Global HR platform and expertise in legal, financial, and cultural matters across 150+ countries. Founded in 2019 by Job van der Voort and Marcelo Lebre, Remote has garnered support from esteemed investors like SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Accel. In her role, Jane is committed to delivering top-notch solutions to clients, building and scaling a premier sales and GTM organisation, and fostering individual career growth within the sales domain.

Fandy Cendrajaya, Founding Partner at Kopital Ventures

Fandy Cendrajaya is a Founding Partner at Kopital Ventures, a dynamic venture capital firm operating in Southeast Asia. At Kopital Ventures, Fandy plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the region. Specialising in pre-seed and seed-stage investments, Kopital Ventures is dedicated to supporting early-stage startups across various sectors, from technology to consumer goods and beyond. With a forward-thinking approach, Fandy and the team at Kopital Ventures strive to bridge the gap between today’s industry pioneers and the transformative leaders of tomorrow. Their commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering growth opportunities underscores their vision for a vibrant and thriving startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

Yanqing Hou, Head of Product Growth for APAC at AppsFlyer

Yanqing Hou, Head of Product Growth for APAC at AppsFlyer, is a seasoned digital analyst adept at distilling actionable insights from big data. With expertise in web analytics, social media analysis, and advanced Excel, Jane excels in generating reports and optimising campaigns for clients.

Her proficiency in SEO, PPC, and learning agility, honed through experiences at Rise Interactive and Weber Shandwick, underscores her success in the dynamic realm of digital analytics. Drawing from her experiences at Rise Interactive and Weber Shandwick, Yanqing emphasises the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the ever-evolving field of digital analytics.

Jingjing Zhong, Co-Founder of Superbench

Jingjing Zhong, Co-Founder of Superbench, brings a unique blend of experience as an ex-investment banker turned startup operator, driven by a passion for leveraging technology and talent to revolutionise traditional businesses such as cleaning and F&B. Believing in the power of integrating people, processes, and technology to effect meaningful change, Jingjing is committed to creating impactful solutions.

Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, she dedicates her free time to organising professional and social events for the Berkeley Club of Singapore, showcasing her commitment to community engagement and networking.

Lars Voedisch, Group CEO for PRecious Communications

Lars Voedisch is an experienced communications and business professional with 20 years of expertise in growing, managing and defending leading global brands’ reputations across industry sectors in traditional media and digital environments.

With his strong background in business development, integrated communications and team leadership, he drives impactful communications strategies that contribute to brands’ strategic objectives. His areas of expertise include advising leading global brands on strategic media, issue and reputation management across traditional and social media channels.

Kevin Fitzgerald, Managing Director for Asia at Employment Hero

Kevin Fitzgerald serves as the Managing Director for Asia at Employment Hero, driven by a passion for assisting SMEs in overcoming operational challenges through technology solutions. With a focus on alleviating the burdens of employment regulations for SMEs, Kevin believes in the transformative power of technology to streamline business processes. Armed with ACCA accreditation and over two decades of experience spanning accounting, recruitment consultancy, sales, and coaching, Kevin has been instrumental in guiding SMEs towards scalability and operational efficiency through innovative technological approaches.

Michael de Waal-Montgomery, Co-Owner of Ellerton & Co. Public Relations and Marketing

Michael is the Co-Owner of Ellerton & Co. Public Relations. His career has spanned both sides of the media industry from journalism to public relations — both in-house and in agency roles. Michael started his career as a journalist, writing for leading tech publications including VentureBeat and e27, where he reported on the nascent startup and technology scene in Southeast Asia. Michael covered some of Asia’s — and the world’s — leading startups, learning to discern a good story from a bad one and attracting millions of page views to his articles. Michael has also written for major newspapers in Asia including the front pages of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post.

Get to know these industry leaders and more at Echelon X!

Get ready to mark your calendars for May 15th and 16th, 2024, as Echelon X gears up to take the Singapore EXPO by storm! Transforming into a vibrant epicentre of tech and innovation, these two days dedicated to tech, innovation, and business growth will unite industry giants, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from across the region.

Whether you’re craving knowledge, eager to expand your network, or ready to unveil your game-changing ideas, Echelon X guarantees an unforgettable journey. Secure your spot now, whether as a participant or an official partner and prepare to be part of a transformative experience that reshapes the future and leaves a lasting impact. If you’re interested in becoming one of our speakers, feel free to check out the application form here. Learn more about Echelon X through our official website.

Join us at Echelon 2024, where innovation knows no bounds and the possibilities are endless!

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