Last week witnessed a surge of investment activity in Southeast Asian startups, with a diverse range of investors pouring funds into the region’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.

From early-stage venture capital firms to angel investing platforms, a multitude of players displayed confidence in the potential of Southeast Asian companies. These investments signal a growing interest in the region’s digital markets, underscoring its emergence as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

Let’s delve into the varied e27 Connect investors who participated in this funding spree.

M Venture Partners (MVP)

MVP is an early-stage VC investor. Based in Singapore, the company invests in companies across Southeast Asia, from pre-seed to Series A stages. The average cheque size is US$500,000 to US$2 million.

Cento Ventures (e27 connect)

Cento Ventures specialises in under-invested emerging digital markets, primarily in ASEAN. It invests in emerging digital markets, primarily Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It backs Series A and B-stage companies. The average ticket size is US$1 million to US$4 million.

Also Read: SEA startups get a funding boost in latest investment wave

Gobi Partners

Founded in 2002, Gobi is one of the most active early-stage investors in digital media and technology in Asia. It manages four funds with over US$300 million under management. Since its establishment, Gobi has funded dozens of early to traction stage companies and continues to invest actively in the region. It invests from the seed stage to Series C and above. The focus markets are China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan.

All three VCs invested in ProCredit, a tech-enabled SME lender in the Philippines.

Iterative

Iterative Capital is an accelerator exclusively investing in companies based in Southeast Asia. Founded by co-founders of Decide.com (acquired by eBay), Iterative differentiates itself with partners, mentors, advisors, and investors who have all previously started, sold, and operated startups. It invests in angel and seed startups. The average cheque size is US$150,000.

The startup invested in is the Vietnam-based wealth management platform 1Long.

Monk’s Hill Ventures

MHV is an investor in early-stage technology startups in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs Peng T. Ong and Kuo-Yi Lim, MHV invests in early-stage technology companies throughout Southeast Asia, mainly Series A. It takes a first-principles approach and is sector agnostic, investing across industries and sectors including healthcare tech, edutech, fintech, and logistics.

The startup invested in is the Vietnam-based wealth management platform 1Long.

Indelible Ventures

Indelible Ventures is a seed-stage VC investor in Malaysia funding tech-enabled seed-stage startups with B2B products that can expand internationally. It invests in seed to pre-Series A. The average ticket size is US$150,000 to US$500,000.

The startup backed is K-LINK, a Singapore-based provider of a unified contact centre platform.

A2D Ventures

A2D is an angel investing platform. Based in Thailand, it invests from pre-seed to pre-Series A companies. The average ticket size is US$100,000 to US$1 million.

The startup backed is K-LINK, a Singapore-based provider of a unified contact centre platform.

Accelerating Asia

Accelerating Asia is an early-stage fund headquartered in Singapore that invests in pre-Series A startups in Southeast and South Asia. Licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Accelerating Asia invests up to US$250,000 in pre-Series A startups, and the current portfolio covers ten Southeast and South Asian countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

The startup backed is K-LINK, a Singapore-based provider of a unified contact centre platform.

500 Global

500 Global is a multi-stage VC firm that invests in founders building fast-growing tech companies across 30-plus sectors. A multi-stage VC firm with US$2.7 billion in assets under management, it focuses on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. 500 Global has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,700 companies operating in 81 countries.

The startup invested in is Komerce, an e-commerce enabler for SMEs in Indonesia.

Protege Ventures

Protege is a Singapore-based student fund with two distinct characteristics: it is run by students and only invests in startups with at least one student co-founder. A joint initiative by Kairos ASEAN and the Singapore Management University (SMU), it leverages Kairos’s network in the regional startup ecosystem as well as SMU’s expertise in entrepreneurial know-how to prepare university students for real-world success in venture capitalism and entrepreneurship.

Also Read: Generative AI: Unprecedented adoption rates in 2024

The startup it invested in is ZOLO, an AI-powered B2B software company started by two alumni from two Singapore universities.

Pi Ventures

Pi Ventures is an early-stage venture investor based out of India. The fund focuses on backing product and technology companies in the areas of AI, machine intelligence and IoT. It aims to invest in startups at different stages ranging from early proof of concept and product/market fit stages to the Series A stage.

The startup it backed is Silence Laboratories, a cybersecurity startup focusing on Web3 technologies.

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Singapore-based Rider Dome, which specialises in AI-driven safety solutions for motorcycle fleets and riders, has announced the completion of its US$2.3 million seed funding round.

The investors are local mobility startup investor Goldbell, Radha Rani Holdings Family Office, and undisclosed angels.

Also Read: Generative AI: Unprecedented adoption rates in 2024

“With the strategic partnership of our investors, Rider Dome not only gains financial support but also taps into a wealth of experience and market understanding within the automotive industry. Our investors play a prominent role with a vast network that extends far and wide,” said Yoav Elgrichi, co-founder and CEO of Rider Dome.

Established by Elgrichi, Kineret Karin, and Guy Ron, Rider Dome leverages artificial intelligence to reduce motorcycle accidents and enhance overall rider safety, focusing on the needs of large fleets. Its technology, Advanced Rider Assistance System (ARAS), based on computer vision algorithms, analyses real-time data and detects potential threats on the road.

The startup has worked with companies in various sectors that use motorcycles as part of their operation, including logistics fleets, delivery services, motorcycle rentals, ride-sharing, and emergency services.

Also Read: Diverse investors fuelled Southeast Asian startup growth last week

Rider Dome’s notable clients include Coca-Cola, Singapore Post (SingPost), and The City Council of Barcelona.

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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.

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Imaginary Ones, a Singapore-based Web3 entertainment company, has secured undisclosed capital from an oversubscribed funding round led by Cypher Capital.

Animoca Brands, ED3N Ventures, and MH Ventures also participated.

The company will use the money to fast-track the development of its entertainment ecosystem.

Also Read: Animoca Brands to drive Web3 initiatives in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM City

Founded by Clement Chia and David Lee, Imaginary Ones integrates interactive gaming experiences, curated merchandise offerings and content to provide better immersive entertainment.

The Web3 startup shot to fame when it sold out a limited NFT collection of 8,888 fully animated 3D characters on the Ethereum network in a record time.

It has partnered with an international fashion brand, HUGO BOSS, for a 360 metaverse experience. Most recently, Imaginary Ones launched its Web3 gaming series – Bubble Rider and Bubble Rangers – featuring HUGO BOSS Riders and Rangers, which claims to have garnered 6 million plays in three weeks.

With gaming and merchandise under its belt, Imaginary Ones now adds content and film to its Web3 entertainment roadmap.

“Imaginary Ones is built on the promise that if you can imagine it, we can build it. Our Web3 entertainment roadmap brings together gaming, merchandise and content to create the Imaginary World. In the same way that our imagination knows no divide between Web2 and Web3, Imaginary World unites experiences in both the metaverse and in real life, where users play, interact and build together. And within Q1 this year, we will be rolling out our $BUBBLE coin, which will give users access to the entire entertainment ecosystem within the Imaginary World,” said co-founder Chia.

Also Read: Animoca partners with Honda to co-develop vehicle-related gameplay

“The Web3 entertainment ecosystem of Imaginary Ones targets the young adult audience, a segment that plays an important role in facilitating the mass onboarding that will make Web3 ubiquitous,” said Yat Siu, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands.

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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.

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Getting a business idea off the ground is a dream for an entrepreneur, and this dream becomes a reality and eventually, a success when the idea is backed by funding.

But don’t let money hold you back.

A start-up is a dream visualized by a group of ambitious individuals who want to make a difference. And letting dreams die due to lack of money isn’t a good idea. At the same time, we also cannot deny the fact that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Not every app idea succeeds; not every start-up grows. 

The numbers show that about 30 per cent of small businesses fail to complete two years of operations while only 50% continue to operate after five years.

That may sound a bit harsh, but that’s the truth.

Also, there is a misconception that great ideas secure funding quicker than usual. It is important to understand that investors don’t fund just ideas, but the core team behind the idea, their passion towards achieving goals, their operational capacity, capabilities, skills and management and various other things. 

With increased competition in the mobile space, entrepreneurs need to prove their as well as the app’s capabilities to finally grab funding and sustain the confidence of investors in their idea.

Stats show that investors, today, are rather interested in doubling their bet on proven ideas and established companies than seeding an entirely new start-up. This is probably due to the maturity this market has witnessed over a period of time.

 

Source

How does start-up app funding works?

Broadly, it works in either of two ways, debt or equity.

Either you raise money for your business in the form of debt or make investors believe in your idea and barter your company’s stake with money.

Debt can be in the form of loans from a bank, a microfinance company or any other third-party lender. The repayment of loans involves interest rate, fixed timeline, complete risk and obligation to repay the borrowed amount.

To minimize risk, some entrepreneurs look for equity funding by splitting their ownership with investors. By taking this route, they not only reduce risk but also are under no obligation to repay the borrowed money. However, there are other clauses associated that are discussed and penned down in the form of an agreement between the app’s founders and investors.

How much money do I need?

There are essentially three different areas you’d be requiring funds for, first is for the development of the app, second is for marketing and promotions and lastly for multiple post-launch services like traffic generation, customer service and more.

You need to estimate funds required for each before pitching your idea to investors. Even if you are funding your app from your savings or borrowing money from your friends and relatives, having an estimated amount in mind would certainly help the cause.

Although in the majority of the cases, this estimation proves to be false than what’s required, it helps you start with a planned mindset.

What do I need to do to get my app idea funded?

First things first, you need to have a plan and a process to see things as they come – one at a time. Next comes the way you are going to present your app idea to the investors for securing funds.

Multiple things demand attention, so, to simplify things, we have created a list for you. Before anything else focus on the following.

1. Build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Building an MVP not only helps you take things from paper to a graphical and functional front but also portrays your app’s idea and vision in a better format.

While building a full-fledged app is a tedious and an expensive affair, MVP is cost-effective, do not require much technical knowledge and serves as the proof-of-concept that’ll help you draft an efficient roadmap for the final version of your app.

Moreover, it helps you gain constructive feedback from users, testers and community of professionals highlighting areas that require improvement and also the areas that carry the least importance and hence, can be omitted from the future app versions. For instance, there was a trend to make utility app like- private vault, lock app, Screen locker etc. we had tons of app MVP, but now a days only few survived after MVP launch.

2. Make your brand visible online

Establish your brand on all possible online channels with consistency depending on the personality of your brand. Let your audience be aware of your style of operation and character. Put out things that are easy to remember, relatable and worth remembering, including your brand’s logo, tagline, colour scheme, fonts and everything that can catch the eye of a viewer.

Define the look and feel you want to offer. Learn about the tone of voice your target audience is familiar with. Research your industry, gain insights from your competitors, analyse users and brands in the segment to prepare a plan that works. Later you can build on the feedback from an MVP launch.

3. Prepare an investor pitch

The app deck is the next important thing you’d like to master to secure funding for your app start-up. You cannot leave anything to chance here. You need to prepare a pitch that communicates well. Here are the pointers you need to keep in mind while designing the perfect investor pitch.

1. It should be crisp and clear

2. It should include details about the problem, the solution, the product and the business model

3. It should contain market stats, a brief competitor analysis and potential-to-grow figures

4. It should also have basic financials like investment required, burn rate, revenue projection

5. Don’t forget to include the team’s details

 

4. Shortlist your potential investors

 

It is evident that in the beginning, you’d not be heading to Sequoia Capital for raising funds for your app. Also, not every investor will be interested in funding your app. You need to scrutinize the list of investors for the same finding only the ones who could potentially invest.

Trust plays an important part in raising funds, so skipping the rapport building part by directly looking for investors in your known circle is always a better option. It can be your family, relatives or friends who trust you, believe in you and have faith in your idea and efforts. Research reveals that family and friends invest the most in start-ups.  

Some websites to find investors are AngelList, Funded.com and Angel Investment Network.

5. Ask for referrals

Don’t shy to ask for a referral. Check with your network if anyone has a connection with or knows someone who could lead you to a reputed investor. Getting noticed through a referral would be a great start to the process, who knows you might end up securing funds for your app start-up in the first shot. 

6. Presentation/Demo

Right then, you are finally going to deliver it in front of investors. The real work starts here. Make sure you are well prepared with the deck containing at max 20 slides. Try to sum up things within ten minutes. Make sure you leave room for a Q/A session.

Also, be prepared for queries. You might encounter questions related to your go-to-market strategy, customer acquisition cost, differentiating factor and app validation, so better you do the spadework.

7. Continue trying

Raising funds for an app start-up is not a cakewalk. You, as an entrepreneur, need to be more practical than being optimistic. You might end up getting money, but the offer may not be the most befitting one, and you might decline it, while in some other cases, investors may reject it straight away. You’d hear a lot of NOs than YESes. Make sure to fill in the loopholes and be presentation-ready for the next investor encounter.  

What are my funding options?

Here are a few funding options for you to raise funds for your mobile app start-up.

1. Bootstrapping

This is, by far, the most preferred form of funding. Also known as self-funding, bootstrapping means you build your start-up from scratch with your own money, either through day-to-day sales or savings you had secured for starting your own business. With bootstrapping, you get full control of your start-up and focus on developing and financing your product through sales rather than external financing.

 

2. Equity

Equity funding means you share the ownership of your company in return for capital. The investment companies invest in your idea/concept knowing the risk involved for exponential results they’d gain in the later stages by selling part of their ownership based on the valuation of your company.

Here, you minimise your risk considerably by generating funds from investors; however, you need to prove your mettle and produce exponential results. Depending on the stage your business is at, you can raise money from investors. Following are the different types of funding you can raise, as per your business’s stage, starting from the first to last.

1. Seed funding
2. Accelerators and Incubators
3. Series A funding
4. Series B funding
5. Series C+ funding
6. IPO/Acquisition

3. Debt

Debt funding means you take loans from a financial body to satisfy your short-term business needs like working capital, payroll and other miscellaneous expenses for a stipulated time at a fixed interest rate.

You can approach banks, microfinance companies or any other third-party financing organization for loans. In case of debt funding, you remain in full control of your company but are obligatory to repay the amount with interest rate to the concerning body within a set timeframe.

 

4. Crowdfunding

 

Crowdfunding means accumulating small amounts from a lot of people rather than gaining a big sum of amount from a limited set of people. With crowdfunding, you let people pre-order your product and the funds generated from the sales are used to build the product and ship it to the customers.

It’s an unconventional way of raising funds for your app start-up which requires proper planning, execution and delivery. To get your product crowdfunded, you need to have a business plan, let your customers know about the product – a prototype might help, share your plans, milestones and timelines. 

Crowdfunding websites like Indiegogo, Wishberry and Ketto can help you raise funds for your next big start-up.

It’s time to make things happen

Raising funds is important only to scale and capture a more significant audience base. However, people consider it as a deciding factor for success. History is proof of many start-ups which failed to grow despite securing thousands of dollars of funding and were, eventually, shutdown.

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Image Credit: William Hook

This article was first published on November 12, 2019

 

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In 2020, the world was turned upside down by the news of the pandemic. People were forced into their homes, forever changing the way that we live our lives. Part of this change included the shift to remote work.

During the pandemic, millions of people worked from home nearly exclusively. However, even years after the initial lockdown, reports show that approximately 40 per cent of U. employees still work remotely at least once weekly. Although these numbers have steadily declined since the conception of remote work, there are still many opportunities across the country to work from home. Even years into the post-pandemic world, this business model’s benefits to employers and employees cannot be ignored.

Having and maintaining distributed teams both in and outside the office presents many benefits for the employees within the system. When working from home, a commute is no longer necessary. Not only does this mean saving time at either end of the workday, but it also means that some expenses can be eliminated. Workers no longer have to spend money on gas or food and have greater flexibility before, during, and after the workday.

Under this system, the time given back to employees can be spent with family or friends or enjoying other extracurricular activities and hobbies. Some employees even report fewer meetings during the day when working remotely. Overall, the benefits of remote work help to promote a better work-life balance, which in turn boosts the success and efficiency of the company.

When employees are satisfied with their work environment, their employers and companies also profit. There are several ways that businesses benefit from a remote or hybrid work schedule, most of which stem from employee satisfaction in their position. First, studies have shown that offering work-from-home opportunities can reduce absenteeism. Businesses have seen nearly 60 per cent fewer employee absences and have reported 50 per cent fewer employee sick days. In addition, productivity is on the rise under these parameters.

Also Read: Examining global hybrid and remote work trends beyond the West

Many businesses have seen a 68 per cent increase in employee productivity. Employing this business model also has the potential to lower turnover, reducing employee churn by a shocking 50 per cent. Companies are not only seeing higher employee retention but also saving money per employee. Reports have even gone as far as to estimate that a remote or hybrid work schedule can reduce employee costs by US$20,000 to US$37,000 annually.

Even now, four years after the initial lockdown and the conception of remote work, nearly 100 per cent of people say that they have an interest in working remotely some or all of the time. To make this a reality, businesses have to take several necessary steps to keep up with this demand.

The recipe for keeping teams out of the office starts with strong connectivity platforms. There are many reliable platforms to take advantage of, some of the most well-known being Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Regardless of which platform a business decides to utilise, ensuring that it is working efficiently is imperative to success. When employees are calling in and working from all corners of the country or even the world, making sure that everyone stays connected and communicative is a must.

Another important step is to strengthen cybersecurity and IT tools. When much of a business is taken care of in the digital space, there is an increased risk of cyber attacks. To keep employees and company information safe from such threats, a strong IT team and the subsequent tools are non-negotiable.

Finally, new technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be used to optimise business proceedings. For example, advanced software can make schedules and other organisational decisions to ensure that each workday is efficient and runs smoothly. Using this technology will only streamline important processes and take the organisation to the next level.

Combining these techniques and tips can and will prepare a business for the future of the modern workday. Remote work is not going anywhere, and the companies and organisations that embrace it will quickly realise the benefits and find success.

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Running a tech startup is exciting, but you’ve got to be on your game every day, making smart decisions and leading your team through ups and downs. It’s a lot, and sometimes, you might wonder how you can keep up without burning out.

What if the key to enhanced productivity isn’t working harder but understanding how your brain functions? Neuroscience has some great insights that can change the game for tech founders.

I’ll show you brain tricks that can make a big difference in your daily life and your business. These aren’t just any tips; they’re backed by science to help you do your best without wearing yourself out.

Ready to see what they are? Let’s dive in and find out how you can tweak your routine for the better with these neuroscience-backed rituals:

Dawn simulation for enhanced cognitive function

Ever wondered why you feel supercharged after catching the sunrise? It’s not just the beauty; it’s science at work. Our brains are tuned to respond to natural light, kicking our cognitive functions into a higher gear.

Dawn simulation is a simple concept. It involves using artificial light that mimics the natural light of sunrise to trick our brain into thinking it’s morning. This nifty trick can do wonders for your decision-making and creativity.

Why? Because our brain loves light. It helps regulate our circadian rhythms, telling our bodies when it’s time to wake up and get going. When we align our internal clocks with natural light patterns, we’re essentially tuning our brain to operate at its best.

Studies have shown that light exposure, especially early in the day, can significantly improve cognitive performance. One study found that people exposed to bright light in the morning were more alert and had better reaction times compared to those in dimmer environments.

Also Read: Sana Ross: Elevating performance coaching and neuroscience in business

Another research piece highlighted that workers in offices with windows not only had more light exposure but also reported higher levels of creativity and satisfaction.

What does this mean for you? Using dawn simulation in your morning routine is like giving your brain a natural boost, preparing you to tackle complex problems and think outside the box.

And the best part? It’s a simple change that can yield significant results. Whether it’s through smart lighting in your home office or a dawn simulator alarm clock, making light work for you could be the edge you need in the fast-paced tech world.

Monotasking over multitasking

You’re juggling emails, slinging code, and brainstorming your next big project — all at the same time. Sounds like a typical day for a tech founder, right? But trying to do it all at once might actually be slowing you down. Welcome to the world of monotasking, the unsung hero in the neuroscience of productivity.

Our brains are phenomenal, but they have their limits, especially when it comes to multitasking. While we like to think we can handle numerous tasks simultaneously, the truth is, that our brains are just switching between functions really fast, not processing them simultaneously. This constant switching is where things get sticky.

Research has shown that the brain’s capacity for handling tasks concurrently is limited. A study from Stanford University found that heavy multitaskers were less competent at organising their thoughts, filtering out irrelevant information, and switching between tasks than those focused on one task at a time.

Essentially, multitasking can lead to decreased productivity and creativity because our brains are in a constant state of overdrive, trying to catch up.

The beauty of monotasking lies in its simplicity: by focusing on one task at a time, we allow our brain to dedicate its full attention and resources to that task. This focused attention not only improves the quality of our work but can also enhance our creativity. When we’re not distracted by constantly switching gears, our brains can delve deeper into problem-solving and innovative thinking.

The 20-20-20 rule to combat screen fatigue

In a world where screens are our constant companions, eye strain has become as common as coffee breaks. But what if I told you there’s a simple trick to give your eyes a breather and boost your focus? The 20-20-20 rule is like a mini-vacation for your eyes, and who wouldn’t want that?

Also Read: 7 things to consider when distributing leadership roles among founders

Here’s the deal: every 20 minutes, you take a brief pause to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That’s it. This little break can work wonders for reducing eye strain and refreshing your mind.

Why does this work? When we stare at screens for too long, we blink less, which can lead to dry, tired eyes. Looking away allows our eyes to reset and moisten, keeping them fresh.

But it’s not just about feeling good; there’s science to back it up. Research suggests regular breaks can significantly reduce eye strain and improve overall health. A study published in the Journal of Optometry and Vision Science found that participants who followed the 20-20-20 rule reported fewer symptoms of eye strain and improved focus throughout the day.

Another benefit? These short breaks can also help your brain switch gears and look at problems with a fresh perspective, boosting creativity and productivity.

Nature walks to boost innovation

Imagine stepping out of the tech bubble and into the tranquillity of nature. Sounds refreshing, right? Now, what if I told you that this simple act could crank up your creativity and problem-solving skills by up to 60 per cent? That’s right, trading concrete for greenery isn’t just a breath of fresh air for your lungs but also for your brain.

A study from Stanford University found that participants who went for walks in natural surroundings showed a significant increase in creativity and problem-solving abilities compared to those who walked in urban settings or didn’t walk at all. We’re talking a whopping 60% boost.

The reason? Nature has a unique way of engaging our brains that refreshes our attention and mental resources, which are often depleted by the constant demands of the digital world.

This is where the concept of Attention Restoration Theory (ART) comes into play. ART suggests that natural environments have a restorative effect on our attention. In the hustle and bustle of city life and endless screens, our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions, leading to fatigue.

Nature, on the other hand, provides gentle, engaging stimuli that allow our directed attention to recover and reset. This restoration process is what gives our creative thinking and problem-solving abilities a serious boost.

Final thoughts

Now that we’ve explored some incredible, neuroscience-backed rituals that can supercharge your brain and creativity, it’s your turn to implement these insights. Whether it’s waking up to a dawn simulator, embracing the power of monotasking, taking regular breaks with the 20-20-20 rule, or immersing yourself in nature, each of these rituals uniquely enhances your cognitive function, creativity, and overall well-being.

So, which ritual will you adopt first? Give it a go and see the difference for yourself. Who knows? It might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

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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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The gaming industry is undergoing a creative shift, driven not just by cutting-edge graphics but by the rise in user-generated content (UGC). 

Games like Roblox and Minecraft are already incorporating UGC, with tools for players to create, trade, and even sell in-game items. Creators on Roblox alone earned a substantial US$525 million in 2021. 

As the gaming industry embraces UGC, a new dimension also emerges where players are not just creators but also contributors to a game’s ecosystem. This evolution signifies a distinctive shift in the gaming world, where community input and creativity become integral to a game’s direction.

Unlocking the power of user-generated content

While the gaming industry has achieved significant success over the years, it now faces a paradox of prosperity: innovation is beginning to stagnate. Game studios, in their quest for control, have created a development ecosystem that is largely “walled off” from its most vital component – the players. 

This has led to a growing concern regarding a decline in innovation emanating from game studios. The lack of ideas poses a significant challenge, as there is a limit to the “newness” that can be injected into graphics, storylines, and game modes each year.

The constant demand for fresh content creates an extremely challenging environment for game studios, leading to concerns about team burnout and pressure from stakeholders to generate more revenue.​​​​

Also Read: How gaming innovations in Web3 are rewriting entrepreneurial playbooks

Building on its success, Roblox, with over 70 million players, is harnessing the potential of generative AI to revolutionise the gaming industry with advanced UGC experiences. Dan Sturman, CTO of Roblox, emphasises the community’s vital role, “We envision the community as a force multiplier for generative AI, creating an ecosystem that our creators and users can leverage to create content and tools more effectively.” 

Enriching the creative gaming experience 

In the broader context of UGC, it has successfully demonstrated strong brand engagement for multinational companies. For example, the “IKEA At Mine” campaign significantly boosted the company’s social media engagement and 3.54x higher conversion rate by inviting customers to share content featuring IKEA products in their homes​.

In the mobile industry, Apple’s “Shot On iPhone” campaign garnered billions of impressions and significantly positive social media feedback, showcasing the power of UGC in enhancing fan engagement​.

For gaming, one example is led by a team of BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning veterans incorporating the UGC model in Shrapnel, a moddable shooter title on the Epic Games store. Its focus on player-created content (PCC) extends beyond character cosmetics or avatars, expanding even to entire playable maps. In this model, players can purchase land, alter the terrain as custom maps, and engage in collaborative decision-making to vote on the community’s favourite creations.

“The creator economy is accelerating, moving us towards a world where individuals can create careers within video games. This shift is not just about bringing enjoyment to others but also about offering creators a means to earn through their player-created content in video games, providing a new stage for the next generation of creator rockstars,” says Don Norbury, CTO and Studio Head of Shrapnel.

Also Read: The future of gaming is female and mobile

This benefit to players and developers is significant, as it not only enriches the in-game experience but seamlessly integrates gamers, creators, and curators. It intricately weaves gameplay and strategy within the community for a more creative and dynamic experience. This kind of approach bolsters community engagement by enabling players to create and trade content, thereby increasing player retention.

Toward a new epoch of player ownership

In the dynamic evolution of the gaming industry, projected to reach US$269 billion by 2025, how can users truly “own” the content they create? A new horizon emerges with the integration of blockchain technology into the creator economy, enabling UGC to be tracked as authentic digital assets that players can directly own and control. 

It ensures verifiable ownership and traceability of digital content,  both in-game and within the broader creator economy. For instance, games such as Fableborne and Shrapnel are being powered by the customisable Avalanche Subnet, enabling users to generate, own, play, and transfer in-game items, all transparently recorded on the public blockchain. 

For indie startups, studios, and entrepreneurs in the gaming industry, integrating blockchain into the gaming ecosystem is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements; it’s a strategic decision to cultivate a more dynamic, engaged, and sustainable gaming community. 

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Business financing solutions encompass a diverse range of strategies and mechanisms designed to help businesses and organisations acquire the capital necessary for various financial endeavours. These solutions operate on the fundamental principle of providing access to capital through various instruments, including loans, credit, and investment vehicles.

Currently, financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, are key players in providing traditional financing solutions. However, the landscape has evolved with the emergence of alternative financing options, such as crowdfunding platforms and peer-to-peer lending, offering additional avenues for securing capital. 

Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), have long struggled with funding shortages due to information asymmetry, lack of collateral, and high interest and other transactional costs. Specifically, according to the World Bank, about 40% of micro and SME companies had unmet financial needs amounting to $5.2 trillion annually with companies in the East Asia and Pacific making up the greatest proportion (46%) of the total global funding gap. 

Noticing the gap in the market, GB Helios was founded in 2015 as a member of the Goldbell Group to offer financial solutions to businesses, especially SMEs, in Singapore. In response to the dynamic market landscape, the company was recently rebranded as GB Helios in August 2023, reflecting its commitment to evolution and innovation.

GB Helios envisions itself as an Accelerator, driving partners towards seizing new market opportunities, a Game-changer pioneering innovative solutions, and an Enterpriser strategically championing growth through intelligent financing. Today, in collaboration with Venture Builds – Polaris, GB NXT, and Pilon, GB Helios stands at the forefront of financial ingenuity as an institution that invests, finances, co-builds, and accelerates local businesses. 

GB Helios’ comprehensive range of tailored and innovative financial products and services

Firstly, GB Helios’s tailored financing solutions wield transformative power, especially for SMEs facing challenges in securing credit. GB Helios, having originated as an SME itself, empathises with the struggles that small businesses encounter. The company’s commitment to innovation has resulted in a comprehensive suite of financial solutions. This flexibility allows the team to customise offerings to address diverse business needs and foster partnerships that contribute to shared growth.

“We started from an SME, therefore we can understand the difficulties SMEs face when trying to secure a credit line. This is why we try our best to help SMEs, and our team is always thinking out of the box to help them,” shared Alex Chua, Founder of GB Helios.

Rooted in a belief in relationship-building, GB Helios takes pride in understanding the ever-changing market and customer needs. The company’s comprehensive financial suite, combined with an agile and flexible approach, aims to empower startups and SMEs, a commitment best exemplified by their venture build, Polaris.

Also read: Fostering sustainability through education

“Our venture build, Polaris, was set up to provide tailored solutions to the new economy businesses which may face difficulties in securing credit lines due to different business models resulting in the lack of the necessary data required for traditional financing,” shared Tan Chun Hao, Head of Sales & Strategic Partnerships.

Secondly, another strategic financial solution provided by GB Helios is embedded financing, which has emerged as a game-changer, offering a seamless one-stop solution where customers can obtain financing alongside their purchases. “Imagine when your customer purchases from you, and besides purchasing what he requires, he is also able to get the necessary financing for the purchase at the same time. Embedded financing provides the convenience of a one-stop service to your customers, and this in turn builds loyalty and returning customers,” Tan elaborated.

GB Helios envisions this approach not just as a transactional service but as a means to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business. In a business-to-business scenario, through embedded financing, GB Helios is able to offer simplified financing to businesses of all scales through their partners such as Oddle. Back in 2020, when a famous second-generation Hokkien Mee stall was looking to take up another hawker space for expansion, and needed extra funds for the deposit and renovation. They approached various financial institutions but were rejected due to the complexity of their business structure. When they heard of GB Helios (Polaris) through its partner, Oddle, they decided to give it a try and were surprised when they were granted a loan based on their average monthly sales. Today, they have continued to take up funding to cater for higher demand during festive periods, after their expansion. This in turn, helped Oddle to foster loyalty and encouragement to stay with their platform.

Thirdly, GB Helios also offers venture debt, a strategic capital solution, that distinguishes itself from traditional equity funding where shares are issued. With venture debt, startups can secure capital without diluting ownership, facilitating strategic growth by providing capital through an agreement for principal repayment with interest.

Various SMEs and startups have been empowered by GB Helios’s venture debt programs. For example, Circular’s success story exemplifies how GB Helios’ Venture Debt supported a business model at the forefront of the circular economy transition. The tailored approach, including a working capital revolver and asset leasing facility, demonstrated GB Helios’ understanding of the client’s unique business model and commitment to propelling startups to success. Consequently, Circular enthusiastically recommends GB Helios as a supportive partner in their business journey.

Nick Ramsay, CEO & Founder of Circular, said, “Consumer Electronics subscriptions is a new business model at the forefront of the circular economy transition. As such, finding partners to work with is not easy. GB Helios (Polaris) had the right entrepreneurial mindset to understand the potential of what we are building. They were able to tailor their products to better support our unique business model. We have used both a working capital revolver facility as well as an asset leasing facility. GB Helios (Polaris) really took the time to understand our business model and how they can best support us.”

Success stories with GB Helios

GB Helios emphasises the importance of partnership and growth, showcased through success stories such as the one with KILATS, an emerging startup in the field of green mobility.

Founded in 2021 by passionate motorcycle riders who shared a common environmental consciousness, KILATS aimed to revolutionise the motorcycle fleet industry by providing an end-to-end solution for a seamless transition to electric mobility. One of the key challenges faced by KILATS in its early days was securing funding and credit to fuel its ambitious vision. However, GB Helios, deeply entrenched in fleet mobility as part of the GoldBell Group in Singapore, quickly grasped the potential of KILATS. Hence, GB Helios provided KILATS with a revolving line of credit that effectively bridged the funding gap between suppliers and customers.

The flexibility of this financial arrangement allowed KILATS to draw on credit during critical times, ensuring smooth operations and growth. “We certainly recommend GB HELIOS to our peers as we can see the relationship with GB HELIOS is not only financial but there are a multitude of synergistic opportunities within the GoldBell Group and its network,” shared KILATS.

Also read: Exploring emerging tech at the Future Stage in Echelon X

Other clients that have gained invaluable support from GB Helios include Ritual Gym and MoneySmart, both of whom shared glowing opinions about GB Helios for its timely support of their financial needs.

“Working with GB Helios has been extremely pleasant and easy. It was impossible to have a conversation with the banks about our business needs and how they could help us. This is something that we appreciated being able to do with GB Helios and what we valued most. We were struggling with cash flow post-COVID, and GB Helios helped us out of a tight spot. I would definitely recommend them to friends,” shared Sharma Das, COO of Ritual Gym. Meanwhile, Vinod Nair, CEO of MoneySmart expressed, “GB Helios (Polaris) was accommodating in providing MoneySmart with a flexible solution for our unique situation. They made certain that our concerns were taken care of in a professional and orderly manner.”

GB Helios’s strategic networks and plans

GB Helios, positioned at the intersection of innovation and strategic collaboration, boasts a comprehensive network within the logistics sector in Singapore as a proud member of the Goldbell Group.

The company aligns its vision with government bodies, notably Enterprise Singapore, forging collaborative partnerships that contribute to the broader economic ecosystem. Beyond national borders, GB Helios has strategically established networks in Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand, showcasing a commitment to regional growth and market penetration.

Also read: The first 27 key innovation leaders who will speak at Echelon X

Looking towards the future, GB Helios is set to embark on new ventures and initiatives, including the recent launch of KRONOS, a digital supply chain platform, which signifies a leap into digital transformation, enabling suppliers to seamlessly apply for financing online. Furthermore, GB Helios recently launched AutoMate — a free-to-use online platform for automotive dealers. 

AutoMate is designed to help automotive dealers simplify their work processes through digitalisation and automation. With AutoMate, dealers can apply for car loans, car insurance, auctions, and floor stock financing with a click, on a single platform.

To explore the transformative potential of GB Helios’ tailored financing solutions and strategic connections, please visit the website here.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by GB Helios

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According to Statista, inbound tourism is one of Spain’s major economic drivers. The number of international visitors was 104.6 million, and expenditure was 69.2 billion. Barcelona stands out as the most visited Spanish city for overnight visitors. 

When you are on the ground, it is easy to see why. The markets, the food, the buildings, the beach, what more do you want? Well, this has come at a cost, and now the mindful tourist is becoming ever-conscious of its footprint. Today, Barcelona is suffering a major ongoing drought. 

Reading an article in Le Monde provides some stark statistics. “Catalonia has had little to no rain for over three years now. Since autumn 2020, the accumulated rainfall deficit has exceeded 500 millimetres, the equivalent of a year’s rainfall in Barcelona.”

What will the beautiful coastal towns of Catalonia look like if the current drought continues, which has made it impossible for government officials to ignore the consequences of climate change? 

Strolling through the bustling streets of Barcelona, the eye-catching billboards featuring a simple red plastic bucket and the poignant message “Water doesn’t fall from the sky” serve as a stark reminder of the critical water scarcity gripping Catalonia and beyond. 

With over six million residents in the region facing strict water usage restrictions amid an official drought emergency, the daily rhythms of life are profoundly altered. From barren parks to dry fountains and shuttered showers, the impact reverberates through every facet of daily life. 

This isn’t an isolated plight confined to Catalonia; the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast, and indeed much of Europe, grapples with the sobering reality of climate disruption. As temperatures soar and rainfall becomes increasingly scarce, the consequences are felt far beyond parched landscapes and barren fields. 

Also Read: The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business

Hotels resort to filling swimming pools with seawater, farmers face the gut-wrenching decision to abandon entire fruit crops, and iconic industries like olive oil production falter under the relentless heatwaves.

Amidst this turmoil, frustrations simmer, boiling over into protests that echo across Spanish cities, highlighting not only the immediate grievances of farmers but also deeper concerns about bureaucratic hurdles, international competition, and environmental sustainability. 

Against this backdrop, political discourse often seems detached from the urgent realities on the ground, leaving citizens disillusioned with mainstream politics and vulnerable to the allure of populist rhetoric.

As Catalonia grapples with a drought emergency, the glaring dissonance between political priorities and pressing environmental challenges underscores the pressing need for meaningful action and collective resolve in confronting the existential threat of climate disruption.

Will virtual environments provide an alternative for eager tourists?

The metaverse offers a taste of a place, a culture, and a set of values that may otherwise be foreign to us. Virtual landscapes exist to be explored but also to be designed.

Could Barcelona residents re-imagine the city in a virtual space? Projects like Upland mimic themselves in the real world as they understand the importance that the vast majority of people place on their homes. 

A country is an identity, a flag, a set of values, and a cultural representation of where you come from and what you like. Most of all, it is a sense of belonging and a community feeling that nobody from the outside can understand 

Yes, in practical terms, Barcelona residents will have the chance to regain how tourists experience their city. However, they may not enjoy the interpretation of their city, culture or neighbourhoods if they stay removed from the design.

With this said, let’s encourage all to explore, discover and provide an escape from societal woes via the metaverse.

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I’ve heard this a few times when I broke the news that I was leaving my previous company to join a (series C) startup.

While there have been a lot of romanticized notions of working for a startup, understandable there have also been perceptions of immense hard work and long hours.

I held my own opinions of what it would be like working for a startup, some of which admittedly misguided, but not in what you’d think it is. Being ‘one of those’ who made the jump, I’d like to share if such transitions are really hyped up to be what they are.

1. “Goodbye to having a life”

The most common words of a deterrent I’ve heard. No founder I’ve known works marathon 18 hours days, 7 days a week- the notion people build the assumption on that working for a startup will give you no life.

Founders, including my boss, don’t work such ‘punishing’ hours. Rather, I think it is more appropriate to say that they live and breathe what they do and that it comes through not just in emails or company memos but also conversations and observations.

Similarly, as an employee, I don’t watch the clock either when I am doing what I love. Inspiration and the ‘call of duty’ strike when it does, and you simply get down to it. Even if it’s past 6 pm …or 10 pm.

It definitely is not the separation of work and personal life, rather the integration of the two – and that can’t be quantified by hours nor is it confined to the walls of an office.

2. “You’re going to get a major culture shock”

Maybe it’s because I’ve joined companies that weren’t so ‘stiff’, Visenze’s more casual and flexible culture and structures weren’t so much of a shock to me than say someone from a Big 4. Flip-flops or sneakers to work? Sure. Not having an army of executives to help you run the show? Okay.

Also Read: 6 strategies to reduce your e-commerce startup expenses

There is a lot of autonomy and fluidity, and how you adapt and thrive really depends on your working style and agility. This would come hand in hand on what was presented during the recruitment cycle- what was communicated realistically of the company’s culture and what you expect. If those two are aligned, you shouldn’t be in for (too much) of a shock.

But if you do, I hope it’s a good shock.

3. “Joining a startup is risky”

The statement above is often accompanied by “You’re giving up working for an established company for an unknown?”. I think joining ANY new job is a gamble or a risk you take. Whether calculated or reckless.

We have seen startups launch and crash, but we have also seen big companies doing massive layoffs or going bankrupt. Yes, most startups don’t have the deep pockets that MNCs have. But that’s when your depth of belief in the company and it’s purpose makes up for it.

Obviously, before you join any company, you make your own assessment on the success rate of that company or the role. Anything is a risk or a gamble, you just go with the one that yields the rewards (monetary and/or experience) that drive you.

4. “Oh wow, so cool you’re joining a startup”

Pantries with endless food, cool and fun perks, pool tables, PlayStation…etc. Funnily, Visenze checks the box on all! But those are not what makes the company cool, or in my opinion, any startup cool. Do you know what I think is cool?

The technology that the Visenze has built, our purpose and mission, the culture, and the crazy s**t that I get to do. Those are what are cool. After all, I’m nowhere good at playing pool.

Also Read: How startups should approach public relations

Transitioning from an MNC to a startup? Is it all that different or is it not? It is as different from one MNC to another, or one startup to another. I realized that ‘startup’ is not so much your physical office space or the company.

‘Startup’ is a mindset. You don’t have to be in a startup. Sometimes you could be in a very big company but go about your work with a startup mindset, or some would say ‘entrepreneurial spirit’.

So if you are making a transition or vice versa, remember that it’s also about your mindset, what drives you and what you want. If you can’t figure those out, you’ll be in for a shock no matter where you go.

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This article was first published on October 29, 2019

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