Building a startup is a complex process that requires careful consideration and decision-making. Typically, the company’s founders serve as its directors following incorporation. As the startup progresses through various equity funding cycles, it is natural for the board membership to expand. Lead investors in these rounds often request a board seat to oversee matters at the board level.

However, the inclusion of independent directors on the board is a topic that has not been widely discussed. Some assume that independent directors are only necessary for public-listed companies or those with a large shareholder base, where regulations require stronger corporate governance. Since startups are private and require less governance, the need for independent directors at an early stage is often questioned.

As an independent director for a tech startup during its Series A fundraising round, I was able to contribute my VC expertise and governance experience gained from serving on various boards.

This experience has been beneficial for both the startup and myself, and I believe that the advantages of having independent directors for startups should be shared.

What constitutes an independent director

According to the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), “An independent director is one who is independent in conduct, character and judgement, and has no relationship with the company, its related corporations, its substantial shareholders or its officers that could interfere, or be reasonably perceived to interfere, with the exercise of the director’s independent business judgement in the best interests of the company.”

Also Read: Beyond the Hype: How startups can scale sustainably through compelling communications strategies

It sounds very complex, but in essence, it is a person who does not have any conflicts of interest with the company. The SID continues further with guidelines like tenure not exceeding three years will be defined as an independent director.

The case for independent directors

Having independent directors can bring several benefits to an early-stage startup. Here are some key advantages:

Objective decision-making

Free from any ownership in the company, these directors offer an unbiased perspective on company matters. This can be particularly valuable for startups, where founders may be driven by enthusiasm and a willingness to take risks in order to grow the company.

For example, a founder might be eager to use company resources to develop a new product, but this decision could be based more on euphoria than sound business assessment. By having an independent voice weigh in on the situation and ask probing questions, the company can make more informed decisions. In some cases, this might even mean deciding not to pursue a particular course of action in order to protect the company’s interests. With an independent director on board, the decision to do so carries greater weight and authority.

Expertise and experience

Independent directors bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to the table. Their insights, guidance, and mentorship can prove valuable to the management team. In the case of investment deals, particularly for deep tech companies, it is not uncommon to see a tech or science expert serving as an independent director on the board. This is important because it immediately instils a credible belief that the technology IP being created is viable while also providing the founder with a technical and scientific resource to draw from during the technology’s development.

Also Read: If there is one thing investors are afraid of, it is lack of commitment from founders

In addition, successful operators and entrepreneurs are often seen serving on the board as independent directors. They lend their reputation and networks to the company, which can be valuable in attracting stakeholders and building strong relationships to secure good partners and potential first clients. This is particularly important for very young startups that are in the angel-to-seed stages.

According to a report from startupsventurecapital.com, some top reasons why startups fail are due to product market fit, poor marketing, being outcompeted, and other relevant business issues. The presence of former entrepreneurs and operators as independent directors on the board is vital to advising the management team in their business operations and strategy.

Corporate governance and compliance

Corporate governance and compliance are essential aspects of any startup’s success. Independent directors play a critical role in ensuring that the company follows good corporate governance practices. They provide oversight and accountability, helping the startup establish and maintain robust governance frameworks, internal controls, and ethical standards. This, in turn, can enhance the startup’s reputation, mitigate risks, and foster long-term sustainability.

While it may not be necessary for startups to have an independent director until they reach Series A, it is still an excellent foundation for developing a culture of accountability to the board. Having an independent director on board can help the startup establish good governance practices early on, which can be crucial for its long-term success.

Conflict resolution

As someone who has advised and mentored startups over the past decade, I have observed that conflicts between startup founders are quite common. This is especially true among male co-founders, who tend to suppress their emotions until a breaking point is reached, leading to highly contentious discussions. According to a report by startupsventurecapital.com, 13 per cent of startups fail due to disharmony among team members and shareholders.

To address this issue, independent directors can serve as mediators to resolve conflicts within the startup. Their impartial perspective and neutrality can be beneficial in resolving conflicts effectively and preventing them from escalating, thereby safeguarding the interests of the startup.

When to include an independent director

Selecting the right independent director for a startup board is a complex process that requires careful consideration. It is essential to note that the benefits of appointing an independent director may vary depending on various factors such as the industry, startup’s needs, stage of development, and the expertise of the director.

Some potential candidates may be more suitable as technical advisors or mentors if they lack experience in governance or an understanding of their limitations.

Above all, this article hopes to encourage startup founders to adopt the mindset of selecting the most appropriate independent directors to facilitate their startup’s growth to the next level.

—

This article first appeared on TRIVE’s blog.

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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We are 4 days away from Echelon X! Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Customer engagement is vital to fully understand  how brands can maximise their reach and convert customers into avid supporters of their product or service offerings. To create truly lasting impressions, especially within an increasingly competitive landscape, brands need to hone and optimise their physical and digital customer experience strategy to meet their customers’ evolving needs.

To adapt to the constantly changing customer behaviour and ensure healthy growth and ROI, the savviest brands are working to build a connection and ensure high retention with their most valuable customer segments. To do this, businesses need to understand their customers through insights that span all touchpoints. All key activities aim to focus on two critical imperatives: reducing friction and fostering customer loyalty.

Supporting brand journey of building customer relationships that last a lifetime

Apart from reducing acquisition costs, customers who stay with a business for a longer period of time tend to generate 50% higher revenue than other customers due to their increased willingness to spend and pay a premium.

To make a lasting impact, brands should craft curated, personalised, and memorable experiences that reshape customer perspectives. Using technology, companies can also reshape strategy and capture data that would bolster confidence in their future decisions and pivots, if necessary.

With this ethos in mind, CleverTap developed an all-in-one customer engagement platform that helps brands personalise and optimise all consumer touch points to improve user engagement, retention, and lifetime value. At its core, CleverTap’s solution is built to address the needs of retention and growth teams, with audience analytics, deep segmentation, multi-channel engagement, product recommendations, and automation in one unified product.

Also read: Nurturing real-world design innovation in Singapore

Unifying interactions between people, processes, and technology, CleverTap is built to convert everyday customers into customers for life with in-moment experiences designed and optimised for scale in real-time. It enables brands to create truly cross-channel experiences, transcending boundaries between channels, journeys, and outcomes.

The platform is powered by TesseractDB, the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering speed and economies of scale. Their mission is to be the ultimate growth partner, providing businesses with the insights they need to truly understand their customers and deliver.

CleverTap is trusted by 2000 customers, including Air Asia, Carousell, Globe Telecom, MAYA, Blue Bird Group, Burger King, M1, GCash, TouchnGo, Boost, and PLDT, among others.

Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, and CDPQ, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and has a presence in, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, and Jakarta.

Endless possibilities await you with CleverTap as your growth partner

CleverTap sees potential growth within the Asian market, specifically in the Southeast Asian region. Currently, its biggest markets are Indonesia and the Philippines, and it is seeking opportunities to further expand in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Brands interested in creating synergies with CleverTap have numerous opportunities to do so this May in Singapore for Echelon X, where sessions such as keynote speeches, workshops, and exhibition booths are available to explore.

Marc-Antoine Hager, Regional Head of Southeast Asia, will deliver a keynote speech on Day 1 of Echelon X, titled “Unlocking Customer Lifetime Value”. This keynote will delve into the strategies and technologies that businesses can employ to maximise the value of each customer over their entire relationship with the brand. Insights will be shared on how to identify, nurture, and retain high-value customers, as well as strategies for increasing customer engagement and loyalty.

Also read: SanchiConnect: Fostering sustainability in innovation programs

A more in-depth workshop on “Unraveling the Value of Customer Engagement” will also be facilitated by CleverTap. This session will cover:

1. The role of personalisation and segmentation in driving effective customer engagement strategies.
2. The significance of engaging customers across multiple channels and touchpoints for a seamless experience.
3. How data analytics and insights drive more targeted and effective customer engagement initiatives.

Any customer-facing businesses with mobile applications are also welcome to visit their booth and inquire about growth, product marketing, data analytics, and best practices for cultivating customer experience through the use of CleverTap’s platform.

Get to know CleverTap at Echelon X!

CleverTap is one of the many exciting industry leaders from across the Southeast Asian region who will be joining us for Echelon X. Joining them are other key leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region who will be gathering together for two packed days. Echelon X will feature dedicated content stages, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more — all to support and empower the tech startup ecosystem with actionable insights through a series of knowledge-sharing activities.

Also read: Echelon X: 10 Pavilion exhibitors shaping the future of innovation

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

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

The post Explore hyper-personalised customer experience with CleverTap appeared first on e27.

As an entrepreneur in Singapore’s booming e-commerce industry, I’ve witnessed the meteoric rise of emerging founders eager to create their own e-commerce empires. My journey with Heavenluxe, a million-dollar brand that I built and strategically exited within nine months, serves not just as a success story but as a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking success in this trillion-dollar industry.

Now, I’m on a mission to empower more e-commerce brands to do the same, too.

By leveraging niche opportunities, cultivating a compelling brand identity, prioritising customer satisfaction, and embracing innovation, founders can navigate the complexities of the e-commerce landscape and build brands that resonate with consumers while achieving long-term success.

Identify a profitable niche

The journey towards a successful e-commerce venture often begins with identifying a niche market ripe with potential. Through comprehensive market research and trend analysis, entrepreneurs can uncover unique opportunities that resonate with their target audience’s preferences and demands.

I observed a growing demand for luxury home decor products in Southeast Asia, particularly among discerning consumers with a taste for exclusivity and quality. This insight led me to create Heavenluxe, which caters to the sophisticated preferences of affluent customers.

Develop a unique selling proposition (USP)

In a fiercely competitive landscape, standing out is imperative – to understand the significance of offering something truly unique to capture attention amidst the noise. Whether it’s a focus on superior quality, innovative designs, or personalized experiences, having a distinct offering that resonates with customers can differentiate a brand.

Prioritise authentic branding

Crafting an authentic brand identity is essential for building trust and loyalty among customers. 

Also Read: Embracing AI’s promise: Navigating the future of marketing

When I founded Heavenluxe, I meticulously curated every aspect of the brand, from its sleek aesthetics to captivating visuals and cohesive storytelling. This approach enabled the brand to evoke feelings of opulence, sophistication, and exclusivity, forging a deep connection with customers.

By aligning brand values with customer aspirations, brands are able to create a compelling narrative that resonates with their audience, fostering long-term relationships.

Scale strategically with omni-channel marketing

In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is indispensable. I leveraged omni-channel marketing strategies, tapping into social media platforms, forging strategic partnerships with influencers, and deploying targeted advertising campaigns to amplify reach and engage effectively with audiences.

Focus on customer experience

Beyond product sales, exceptional customer experiences are important. I went above and beyond to ensure that every touchpoint, from website navigation to product delivery, was seamless, personalized, and memorable. This customer-centric approach fostered loyalty and advocacy, driving a brand’s growth.

The ecommerce landscape is ever-evolving, requiring constant adaptation and innovation.  I learned that it’s important to remain agile and receptive to feedback, continuously refining offerings, expanding product range, and exploring new avenues for growth because prioritizing the customer experience is a cornerstone of success. 

Plan for a successful exit

Strategic planning for an eventual exit was a crucial aspect of my Heavenluxe journey. After nine months of rapid growth and success, I made the strategic decision to exit Heavenluxe, seizing the opportunity to maximize value while leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about innovation, resilience, and strategic foresight in navigating the complexities of the e-commerce landscape. My mission now is to empower more e-commerce brands to achieve similar success by sharing the insights and strategies that propelled Heavenluxe to eminence.

The roadmap to building a successful e-commerce brand is anchored in niche identification, differentiation, authentic branding, strategic scaling, customer-centricity, and thoughtful exit planning. 

By leveraging niche opportunities, cultivating a compelling brand identity, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and embracing innovation, founders can navigate the complexities of the e-commerce landscape and build brands that resonate with consumers while achieving long-term success.

Embracing these principles and drawing inspiration from my journey with Heavenluxe, aspiring entrepreneurs can chart a course towards building thriving e-commerce brands that resonate with consumers and leave a lasting legacy in the digital realm.

—

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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Image credit: Canva

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We are 5 days away from Echelon X! Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

India’s population, exceeding 1.3 billion, offers substantial market potential across diverse sectors. A nation with a wealth of skilled IT professionals becomes an ideal hub for fostering tech-driven startups. 

According to Startup India, “[the country] has the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world; expected to witness YoY growth of a consistent annual growth of 12-15%.” The Economic Times reported that “the country has become a global powerhouse with more than 112,718 startups recognised by the [Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry], placing them after the US and China.” Government initiatives that foster startup growth, such as tax incentives, funding opportunities, and relaxed regulations, complement this opportunity for businesses to flourish in its dynamic landscape. 

As support by the Indian government propels more incubators to emerge, the importance of sustainability for these organisations comes into question. Traditional incubators often rely on government funding or corporate sponsorship, which can eventually be limited. There needs to be a shift towards sustainability, where incubators generate revenue through services, partnerships, and investments. By becoming financially self-sufficient, incubators can better support startups and contribute to the long-term growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Also read: Echelon X: 10 Pavilion exhibitors shaping the future of innovation

What started as a passion for empowering the deep tech community and startups has become a full white-labelled support software for incubators looking to digitalise and automate some of their processes. While SanchiConnect still focuses on helping deep tech founders with its partnerships, mentorship and fundraising opportunities, the company recognises that incubators might also need a plug-and-play SaaS service to increase their program scope exponentially. 

Enabling cross-border business and funding opportunities

SanchiConnect (an initiative of Sanchi Connect Pvt Ltd) is India’s largest deep tech startup-investor-mentor community, started with a vision to support the early stage IP-led startups with early PoCs, funds and industry mentorship. The company started as a subsidiary of Baring PE Fund-India, later ventured into unique democratisation and scale ecosystems and became a preferred tech partner for leading incubator and acceleration programs in India.

SanchiConnect is committed to helping startups, incubators, and innovation teams with the potential to drive sustainable growth. Their team believes that India’s trillion-dollar economic agenda will depend heavily on the success of these incubation and innovation centres.

In line with its vision to support early-stage deep tech startups, Sanchi Connect runs two cohorts of thematic accelerators (PreSeed Accelerator) for IP-led startups, which have funded and contributed to the GTM of cutting-edge tech startups in the pre-revenue stage. Their mission is to drive growth and enable resource access to cutting-edge deep-tech startups from India. 

Besides nurturing its deep tech community, SanchiConnect has developed two products designed for incubators and other ecosystem players.

Also read: NTT Group to expand business in Southeast Asia

PowerConnect is a plug-and-play system designed to address all incubation-related challenges. It aims to simplify application sourcing and evaluation at scale, automate routine tasks to supercharge productivity, provide real-time reporting, data management and performance tracking, monetise existing resources, and generate new revenue. PowerConnect’s platform replicates programs end-to-end digitally, giving visibility to both the program office and stakeholders. 

As a DIY platform built to customise for different program needs, PowerConnect is used by reputed incubators, associations, and enterprises to decentralise operations and knowledge sharing in a dynamic networking hub. The goal is to facilitate meaningful collaborations and learning opportunities digitally. PowerConnect can power different innovation programs, from incubation and acceleration to social innovation and other open innovation programs available in the market.

To supplement the application phase further, SanchiConnect created PowerPitch, a platform that has made sourcing and screening easier with dedicated software for processing applications, video-based evaluation, and intelligent communication.

PowerPitch is available for the following use cases: startup and VC programs looking to support innovation challenges and hackathons. Businesses and other industry executives can also use PowerPitch as a one-stop destination to support awarding organisations. 

Other use cases include grants, research funding applications, CSR programs and sponsorships, community funding, scholarships and program admissions, fellowship program management, portfolio management, pitch competitions and art contests. Their customised and brand-centric approach aims to reduce decision fatigue and actualise a more dynamic and collaborative environment for applicants.

Evolution from a deep tech community to a global brand

SanchiConnect which is keen to showcase its startup companies is leading a delegation to Singapore where these companies can showcase tech and business capabilities on the global stage. SanchiConnect has partnered with ‘ThinKuvate,’ a Singapore-headquartered investment firm, which invests and advice early-stage tech startups globally and has 22 portfolio companies and has recently floated an SEBI-registered AIF fund in India for investing in emerging tech opportunities. SanchiConnect is seeking partnerships with professionals, incubators, accelerators, venture funds, and corporate innovation teams aiming to scale their programs. 

Believing that actions speak louder than words, ‘SanchiConnect’ and ‘ThinKuvate’ have also invited selected startups from the deeptech ecosystem. These include ‘Swapp Design’ and ‘Simatricals’ from the EV infrastructure space, ‘Manastu Space’ from the space Tech industry, ‘Docker Vision’ in the maritime Industry, and ‘Dresma’ and ‘Travsie’ catering to content creation and the tourism industry, respectively.

Also read: Transforming IT operational efficiency for businesses globally

Pushpendra Vishal Kaushal, Program Director atSanchiConnect, expresses their anticipation over joining EchelonX, which “now in its 10th year, has achieved a remarkable position in the Singaporean and SEA ecosystem, where VCs and enterprises join the intent to explore collaborations.” Their team hopes to explore exciting synergies with the rest of the regional landscape.

SanchiConnect is one of the many exciting industry leaders from across the Southeast Asian region who will be joining us for Echelon X. Joining them are other key leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region who will be gathering together for two packed days. Echelon X will feature dedicated content stages, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more — all to support and empower the tech startup ecosystem with actionable insights through a series of knowledge-sharing activities.

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

The post SanchiConnect: Fostering sustainability in innovation programs appeared first on e27.

Dear reader,

The lawsuit filed by TikTok and ByteDance against the US government’s law to force divestiture or ban the app reflects the escalating tensions between the US and China in the realm of technology and national security.

TikTok argues that the law violates constitutional rights, including free speech protections. This legal battle underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the challenges of balancing security concerns with the global digital economy.

With TikTok’s vast user base and economic impact at stake, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and international relations.

Moreover, it sheds light on broader issues surrounding data privacy, regulatory oversight, and corporate governance in the digital age.

As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders navigate these intricate dynamics in the evolving landscape of Internet governance and technology diplomacy.

Sainul,
Editor.

—

NEWS

TikTok, ByteDance sue to block US law seeking sale or ban of app
The companies argued that the law violates the US Constitution on a number of grounds, including running afoul of First Amendment free speech protections; The law, signed by Biden on April 24, gives ByteDance until Jan. 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban.

Ex-Google chief once considered buying TikTok
Eric Schmidt is “not currently looking” at a deal; After leaving Google, he focused on US-China tensions through a think tank that aims to boost the Western country’s competitiveness in AI and other emerging tech sectors.

Singapore has to be realistic on global trends plaguing its stock market: DPM Wong
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also the country’s finance minister, said that the conditions for Singapore’s stock market to attract companies to list remain challenging.

Singapore surpasses US in AI investment: Study
Although being placed tenth in the amount of money spent, Singapore invested an amount equivalent to 1.5 per cent of its GDP in 2022, according to the AI statistics report curated by AIPRM.

Amazon to train 15K individuals in AI skills in Singapore
The multifaceted collaboration will help accelerate the adoption of AI and generative AI; Furthermore, Amazon Web Services plans to invest an additional US$9B into its existing cloud infra in Singapore from 2024 to 2028.

Carsome hits first EBITDA positive quarter in Q1 2024
It did not disclose hard numbers, but it partly attributed the development to a “significant” improvement in gross profit per unit, which rose 48% year on year.

India’s Oyo, once valued at US$10B, seeks new funding at 70% discount
The budget-hotel chain startup is engaging with investors, including Malaysia’s Khazanah, for the new funding; The round is likely to see some secondary transactions as well that will value the startup at as low as US$2.5B.

SG crypto firm Galaxis nets US$10M to expand Web3-based community builder
The investors are Chainlink and ENS and its co-founder Nick Johnson; Galaxis offers a community management platform that uses digital membership cards in the form of non-fungible tokens to build and reward communities.

aCommerce mulls share sale at up to US$300M valuation
aCommerce claims to have reached net income profitability in Q4 2023, following three consecutive quarters of EBITDA breakeven; The Thai firm helps businesses manage, market, and develop their online stores.

Biotech co-working provider NSG BioLabs concludes US$14.5M financing round
The investors are Celadon Partners, ClavystBio, and Temasek; NSG BioLabs partnered with Enterprise Singapore and Merck to bolster the biotech landscape by providing funding, expertise and networks to startups.

Rize seeks to decarbonise rice cultivation in Asia with US$14M Series A raise
The lead investors are Breakthrough Energy Ventures, GenZero, Temasek, and Wavemaker Impact; Rize’s technology captures vital agri data essential for implementing sustainable farming practices, making rice farmers more climate-resilient.

ByteDance founder calls Singapore home, TikTok lawsuit against US shows
Legal documents of the lawsuit show Zhang owns 21% of the company – worth around US$40B when taking into account ByteDance’s US$268B valuation as of December 2023; The remaining 79% is held by global investors and employees.

Indonesia’s farmtech platform Elevarm raises US$2.6M
The investors are Insignia Ventures, 500 Global and eFishery’s Gibran Huzaifa; Elevarm will use the money to develop 15 new organic products and set up a new fertiliser production factory equipped with advanced technology.

Indonesia’s restaurant management startup Runchise bags US$1M
The investors are East Ventures and Genesia Ventures; Runchise’s solutions encompass front-store operations, back-office functionalities, integration with online food delivery platforms, and customer engagement.

VinFast to enter Philippine EV race this month
VinFast also aims to build a dealer network across the Philippines as EV adoption has been picking up the pace; Sales in the country are expected to reach 6.6 million by 2030.

PepsiCo names 10 finalists for APAC Greenhouse Accelerator Program 2024
A committee of PepsiCo leaders selected the finalists based on the potential to deliver groundbreaking approaches to sustainability challenges.

Gapai nets US$1M to empower Indonesian workers to pursue global careers
The investors are Wavemaker Partners and Antler; Gapai connects prospective employees with suitable employers for cross-border job placements; It aims to onboard 70K Indonesian workers this year, matching 2,200 with global job opportunities.

Earth VC, Tesla co-founder invest in French aerial inspection startup HyLight
Y Combinator, Ring Capital, Kima Ventures, and Collaborative Fund are the other investors; HyLight’s hydrogen-powered airship drone HyLighter is capable of collecting vital data over extensive distances without emitting GHG.

Wavemaker Impact backs Australian climate-tech startup MetroElectro
MetroElectro is a renewable energy company focused on unlocking the potential of commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops; It aims to transform overlooked swathes of rooftops in industrial parks.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

How xcube’s CVPE initiative seeks to transform venture capital in tech startups
xcube founder Sebastien P delves into CVPE initiative, highlighting its benefits, risk management strategies and startup selection criteria.

Wizly seeks to revolutionise startups’ growth journey by streamlining access to knowledge
Wizly aims to transform how companies scale and how domain leaders earn, providing a revolutionary knowledge monetisation platform.

These 5 marketing analytics platforms are taking the field into the future
Marketing analytics play an important role in the ever-evolving landscape of business as data becomes increasingly complex.

Top 7 startup funding deals in Southeast Asia in April 2024
In April 2024, Southeast Asian tech startups raised a total of US$263M in funding across 36 rounds, according to Tracxn.

One doctor for every family: Good Doctor wants to make healthcare accessible for all Indonesians
Good Doctor allows customers to consult doctors online, buy medicines from Health Mall, and book offline doctor appointments at hospital partners.

Gig workers crave traditional benefits enjoyed by their fulltime worker peers. Jod aims to bridge the gap
Jod, a mobile-first digital platform, aims to streamline the process for employers to find and manage their workforce efficiently.

FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Embracing the NFT revolution: Insights from Anndy Lian’s NFT.NYC speech
Lian highlights the transformative potential of NFTs, signalling a future where digital ownership and creativity thrive in a secure, inclusive ecosystem.

Young, tech-savvy, unbanked: Southeast Asia ripe for digital finance
The combination of rising digital adoption and low penetration of financial services left a gap easily bridged by digital finance.

Breaking silos and building sustainable synergy: The importance of an integrated sustainability strategy
Integrated sustainability strategies streamline business efforts, ensure cohesiveness across various units and seize green economy opportunities.

The future of numbers: Automation’s transformative impact on accounting jobs
Automation profoundly impacts accounting jobs, presenting challenges in skill requirements and role changes, yet also offers significant opportunities for adaptability.

Beyond connectivity: DePIN & DeWi decentralise power in telecoms industry
DePIN and DeWi could bring about a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable era of connectivity by decentralising digital infrastructure.

From gold rush jeans to digital skills: Edutech’s Levi Strauss moment
For edutech companies, it’s crucial to align with sectors showing robust growth potential and nearing widespread adoption.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Navigating success in the digital era: The crucial role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in leadership
We have seen increased employee engagement, improved morale, and greater innovation as a result of our commitment to DEI.

Crafting compelling problem statements: Captivating VCs with your vision
Your problem statement is your reason for being, says Ine Jacobsen from Cocoon Capital. Here’s how to get better at it.

Unveiling the eco gender gap: Essential insights for a sustainable future
Eco gender gap is when solutions to tackle climate change seem to be geared only toward women. How should businesses deal with this?

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

Cultivating loyalty in live commerce: A lesson in progressive ownership
The best way to target niches within a crowded e-commerce landscape: theme-based live streaming. Uncover the potential of Mela’s progressive ownership model to cultivate user loyalty.

The hidden cost of bad hiring decisions and how to avoid them
The Harvard Business Review points out that as much as 80 per cent of employee turnover is due to bad hiring decisions.

The unseen link: How cybersecurity and sustainability converge on Earth Day
Strong cybersecurity practices not only protect data but also contribute to a sustainable digital future, safeguarding our planet.

The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business
While there is a distinct relationship between gender inequality and climate change, investment mandates rarely combine both of these lenses.

ECHELON X

8 AI startups to showcase cutting-edge solutions at Echelon X
Get to know Pixcap, Finbots, azgo, Staple, DevRev, Automa8e, Inspius, and Locofy as they champion AI at the upcoming Echelon X.

These 14 fintech innovators are shaping the global financial landscape
Despite the funding downturn, the resilience of early-stage investments indicates sustained interest within the fintech sector.

These 5 companies showcase the power of martech in driving efficient, personalised marketing strategies
One critical advantage of martech is its ability to provide valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences.

Echelon X: 10 Pavilion exhibitors shaping the future of innovation
Check out the organisations bringing cutting-edge and innovative brands from across Southeast Asia to Echelon X.

—

The post Ecosystem Roundup: ByteDance in court against law banning TikTok | S’pore surpasses US in AI investment | Amazon to train 15K individuals in AI skills in SG appeared first on e27.

Venture capital continues to flow into Southeast Asia, with startups securing significant funding across diverse sectors.

From AI-powered customer support platforms like Brainfish to innovative agritech solutions like Rize, these investments reflect the growing interest in tech-driven innovation.

Companies like Runchise are revolutionising restaurant management, while NSG BioLabs provide essential infrastructure for biotech startups. International job placement platforms like Gapai are also attracting attention.

With renewable energy startups like MetroElectro gaining traction, the funding landscape showcases the region’s potential for innovation and growth.

Let’s delve into the latest funding rounds and explore the dynamic startup ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific.

Brainfish (Singapore)

Brainfish is an AI-powered self-service customer support platform for businesses. It is an AI product expert that helps customers understand a product and helps businesses understand their customers. The Brainfish search function combines a company’s knowledge documents and contextual understanding of the user to deliver instant, real-time answers that are personalised to the specific customer scenario.

Capital raised: US$2.5 million
Round: Seed
Investors: Peak XV’s Surge, Macdoch Ventures, Black Sheep Capital, Justus Hammer (CEO MadPaws), angels.

Runchise (Indonesia)

Runchise is a restaurant management and culinary franchise startup. It is designed based on a comprehensive understanding of the business process and restaurant operation, creating a user-centric platform with an end-to-end ecosystem. With the online or cloud-based platform, Runchise ensures that all the information from the restaurant outlets is connected transparently, accurately, and consistently into one platform. The startup was founded in 2022 by Winoto and Ivana Widjaja (COO).

Capital raised: US$1 million
Round: Not specified
Investors: East Ventures, Genesia Ventures.

NSG BioLabs (Singapore)

NSG BioLabs is a provider of biotech co-working laboratories and office spaces in Singapore.
Started in 2019, NSG BioLabs develops solutions in the health, biomedical, agrifood, and industrial biotechnology sectors, working in precision medicine, nucleic acids, AI-enabled drug discovery, and synthetic biology. The co-working space firm provides biotech startups and multinational companies private and shared laboratory spaces, offices, equipment, privileged access to service providers and suppliers, and community engagement.

NSG BioLabs currently houses over 40 innovative companies in its co-working biotech laboratory in Singapore. The residents include several multi-billion-dollar multinationals and promising startups that have achieved key milestones.

Capital raised: US$14.5 million
Round: Not specified
Investors: Celadon Partners, ClavystBio.

Elevarm (Indonesia)

Elevarm is an integrated farming productivity platform. Launched in 2022, the Elevarm platform of interconnected horticultural services and products empowers farmers with affordable quality inputs for higher farming productivity, broader market reach, and safe and accessible financing. With a growing base of over 13,000 agricultural partners and 5,000 active farmers as customers, Elevarm claims to have grown its 2023 revenue up 7x from the previous year.

Capital raised: US$2.6 million
Round: Seed
Investors: Insignia Ventures Partners, 500 Global, eFishery founder and CEO Gibran Huzaifa.

Gapai (Indonesia)

Gapai provides international job placement services for overseas Indonesian workers. The platform connects prospective employees with suitable employers for fast and safe cross-border job placements. The company operates by screening candidates, conducting interviews, and providing upskilling opportunities for Indonesian workers to build a network of ready-to-work talents that can meet international labour demands.

Capital raised: US$1 million
Round: Seed
Investors: Wavemaker Partners and Antler.

MetroElectro (Australia)

MetroElectro is a climate tech startup in Australia. Founded by veteran digital business entrepreneur Lloyd Heinrich, MetroElectro is a renewable energy company focused on unlocking the potential of commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops. The startup, built from a venture-studio model, has developed its solution by collaborating with industry experts, investors, and businesses in the C&I sector.

MetroElectro’s solution aims to transform overlooked swathes of rooftops in industrial parks, turning these difficult-to-address assets into efficient energy generation resources. The approach simplifies the complexities, eliminates onerous capital requirements on owners and their tenants, and mitigates risks associated with distributed solar power on commercial rooftops.

Capital raised: US$690,000
Round: pre-Seed
Investor: Wavemaker Impact.

Rize (Singapore)

Rize is an agritech platform aiming to make sustainable rice cultivation viable through innovative and data-driven practices. Rize is building a platform to identify and implement effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rice cultivation and the right economic incentives across the value chain to drive the adoption of sustainable cultivation techniques.

Its technology stack captures vital agricultural data essential for implementing sustainable farming practices, making rice farmers more climate resilient, increasing their crop yields, lowering costs, and facilitating efficient access to finance. Rize aims to eliminate 100 metric tonnes of carbon emissions while improving farmer livelihoods.

Capital raised: US$14 million
Round: Series A
Investors: Breakthrough Energy Ventures, GenZero, Temasek, Wavemaker Impact.

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We are 4 days away from Echelon X! Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Universities and academe have set aside multi-million dollar budgets to nurture innovation in young minds. Working with industry needs, top educational institutions have developed integrated, multidisciplinary programmes to enhance education and research offerings and prepare their graduates for future economic and national growth priorities.

Initiatives include research collaborations to develop state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities to support industry transformation, in-depth faculty-staff learning and training exchanges, co-development of specialised, skills-based courses, access to advanced facilities and equipment for teaching, education, and research, and enhanced internship and mentorship programmes focusing on job placements, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

With Singapore at the forefront of innovation globally, keeping up with the growing innovation demands of the regional landscape requires a dedicated university that can adapt to changes and nurture technically grounded leaders and innovators to serve societal needs.

Trailblazing in design and technology

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was one of the first universities in the world to incorporate the art and science of design and technology into a holistic, interdisciplinary education and research experience that culminates in real-world design innovations.

In line with its vision of “Trailblazing a Better World by Design”, SUTD’s mission is to redefine design, education, and research by drawing on multiple disciplines to impact society positively. Its academic programmes aim to nurture technically grounded leaders who embrace risks and continuously innovate for a better tomorrow.

Also read: SanchiConnect: Fostering sustainability in innovation programs

SUTD is one of the most innovative universities in the world. Significantly, almost a third of SUTD faculty members made it to the list of the top 2% of scientists worldwide, according to the database by Stanford University and Elsevier BV, in September 2022.

The tech industry’s focus includes groundbreaking solutions in data science and artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, smart cities, sustainability, and aviation. Their courses equip graduates with industry insights and perspectives that support growth in these sectors. 

Fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurial talent

Besides knowledge transfer, the SUTD ecosystem provides resources that support its students in their entrepreneurial journeys. Last year, SUTD launched the Baby Shark Fund to support student-led innovation at every level. In addition to looking for collaborations and partnerships for their startups, SUTD is also looking for key players within the ecosystem to support these student-led innovations in terms of mentorship, validation, funding, or even providing problem statements so that students can work on the solutions. 

That is why SUTD’s participation in  Echelon X is timely as it looks to increase awareness of its startup ecosystem. Said Ms Celestine Khoo, Senior Director of SUTD’s Office of Venture, Innovation and Enterprise (VIE): “Echelon X provides a great opportunity for SUTD to showcase the solutions developed by our SUTD-affiliated teams, most of which are focused on software and AI.

Also read: Echelon X: 10 Pavilion exhibitors shaping the future of innovation

“Through this, SUTD hopes to meet industry partners such as corporates, venture capital, and other key players in the ecosystem, and even establish new partnerships to support our students in their entrepreneurial journey.”

Startups and ecosystem players can visit the SUTD booth to learn about the university’s involvement in the ecosystem and chat with the team from the Office of VIE. This is an excellent opportunity to explore synergies and forge new partnerships that support students in their entrepreneurial journeys, empowering them to become the disruptors of tomorrow’s world.

Get to know SUTD at Echelon X!

SUTD is one of the many exciting industry leaders from across the Southeast Asian region who will be joining us for Echelon X. Joining them are other vital leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the area who will be gathering together for two packed days. Echelon X will feature dedicated content stages, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more — all to support and empower the tech startup ecosystem with actionable insights through a series of knowledge-sharing activities.

Also read: NTT Group to expand business in Southeast Asia

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

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

The post Nurturing real-world design innovation in Singapore appeared first on e27.

We are 6 days away from Echelon X! Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Echelon X is a dynamic platform that fosters collaboration among startups, investors, corporations, SMEs, governmental bodies, and other vital players in the ecosystem. It provides valuable resources and insights for all stakeholders to cultivate synergy and drive innovation. This annual event, attracting esteemed brands and influential thought leaders, delivers unparalleled opportunities for attendees to gain market intelligence, devise growth strategies, access a digital marketplace, explore market entry tactics, elevate their brands, and engage in networking and collaborative ventures among the region’s most promising innovators.

Also read: NTT Group to expand business in Southeast Asia

Scheduled for May 15-16, 2024, at Singapore EXPO Hall 2, Echelon X is dedicated to fortifying the resilience of the tech ecosystem. By nurturing deeper collaboration, disseminating cutting-edge knowledge, and fueling collective innovation, this edition is poised to ignite transformative progress.

Pavilion exhibitors at Echelon X

A highlight of Echelon X is the Exhibitors feature, showcasing the most innovative products and services from today’s most exciting startups across the region. Participants will have the opportunity to explore groundbreaking solutions, forge strategic partnerships, and chart the course for future success in the dynamic landscape of technology and entrepreneurship.

With that, here are the 10 organisations who will be joining Echelon X as Pavilion exhibitors:

1. Remote is the global leader in building, managing, and supporting globally distributed workforces with its innovative Global HR Platform, empowering companies and individuals to thrive in the global economy.
2. Prudence Foundation is Prudential Asia’s community investment arm dedicated to sustainable impact, focusing on Children, Education, and Disaster Preparedness in collaboration with NGOs and governments for lasting change.
3. The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE is a sector developer, supporting social enterprises through advisory services, training, financing, and networking to foster sustainability, share best practices, and promote awareness.
4. Tech JDI has been a Venture Catalyst since 2016, propelling innovation by empowering companies with strategic resources with a focus on disruptive tech and impactful global growth.
5. Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) is a government-owned Company, entrusted to lead the implementation of Sarawak’s Digital Economy initiatives.
6. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is an innovation platform and investor backing over 1,000 startups globally, with offices in 30+ locations, including Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok.
7. The National Innovation Agency (NIA) drives Thailand’s innovation system through collaboration across academia, technology, industry, finance, and investment, with a focus on knowledge management to enhance economic competitiveness and quality of life.
8. Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was established to advance knowledge and nurture technically grounded leaders and innovators to serve societal needs, through a focus on design and multi-disciplinary curriculum and research.
9. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) of Indonesia oversees telecommunications, broadcasting, IT, and public information. It strives to improve the nation’s future and develop a top-tier communications and IT sector.
10. SanchiConnect is India’s premier tech-focused community for deep tech startups. With its proprietary software platform, available for others as a white-labeled SaaS, SanchiConnect amplifies stakeholder engagement and streamlines program management for startup incubators and accelerators.

Get to know these organisations and more at Echelon X!

Meet some of the most exciting startups from across the Southeast Asian region at Echelon X. Joining them are industry leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region who will be gathering together for two packed days. Echelon X will feature dedicated content stages, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more — all to support and empower the tech startup ecosystem with actionable insights through a series of knowledge-sharing activities.

Also read: Transforming IT operational efficiency for businesses globally

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

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

The post Echelon X: 10 Pavilion exhibitors shaping the future of innovation appeared first on e27.

SMEs and scaling startups grapple with fragmented processes when tackling growth challenges, often wasting valuable time in disjointed searches for knowledge and experienced professionals. While organisations resort to multiple platforms such as LinkedIn, AI tools, and talent agencies, the process remains inefficient and uncoordinated.

“Many professionals on LinkedIn with a high following also position themselves as ‘experts’ but are more content creators or influencers who have not done the work or operations in a company and do not have the skillset or execution ability to do the work needed by the company. This is a wild goose chase for companies trying to find skilled and experienced professionals,” explains Samir Khadepaun, Founder of Wizly, in an email to e27.

In response, Wizly emerges as a comprehensive solution, centralising resources for companies seeking to build, grow, and scale at any stage. By empowering knowledge owners to securely share and monetise their expertise through various avenues such as recurring fees, paid advisory, and project-based engagements, Wizly offers a streamlined approach to addressing growth challenges.

Wizly aims to transform how companies scale and how domain leaders earn, providing a revolutionary knowledge monetisation platform. Its exclusive community of vetted domain and fractional leaders, comprising former senior executives from renowned companies such as Google, Meta, and Netflix, reinforces its position as a trusted hub for expertise exchange and professional growth.

“We streamline the process for companies finding solutions through our platform as they get to work in a structured, productised, and verified manner. We let them source and interact with vetted experts and knowledge on the platform,” Khadepaun says.

Also Read: Long-term impacts of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse loom: experts

“They can see our database with the detailed digital bios of the experts, case studies, and their rates and can access individuals who are the best in their fields at an affordable price, based on the deliverables they need vs large retainer fees and minimum commitment times. Experts also state their daily rates for fractional work and their availability on their Calendars, and companies can start engaging with them for smaller projects before doing more, making it less risky and giving them the ability to ‘try’.”

Some examples of how companies can use the Wizly platform are growth marketing, to name a few. According to Wizly, a Series B fintech company needed a fractional CMO to increase its leads and customer base through organic and paid growth marketing. After consulting experts at the Wizly platform, they experienced a 30 per cent increase in new customers.

“Every content or knowledge asset on Wizly is monetisable for the knowledge owner. From a simple TikTok-style audio-video Q&A where users ask experts questions to get a feel for their knowledge to advisory calls, curated webinars, projects, and fractional work, experts earn through the knowledge they share through various channels on the platform as well as the work they execute on the platform,” says founder Puja Bharwani.

“They can create knowledge directly on the platform through our tools and earn recurring fees from people who download their work or listen to their content. The fees are integrated into the platform and their profile through all their activities.”

The platform has a global community of over 700 rigorously selected fractional leaders and domain experts from 20 countries to ensure top qualifications and experience. These experts apply by submitting resumes and undergoing referral checks.

Also Read: Are you a human resource?

The expert community includes prominent domain leaders such as Arvinder Gujral (ex-MD, Twitter), Diana Stepner (ex-head of Product, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative), Aki Taha (ex-head of Talent, Netflix, Google, Uber), Deepak Kasthwal (ex-CFO, OLA), and Rob Bier (ex-partner, Monitor Group).

Empowering companies in their growth journey

Wizly has garnered a clientele list of renowned companies such as Blackpanda, MoneyHero Group, Upmesh, Rewardz, Tookitaki, and BondbloX. These companies leverage Wizly’s platform to address various growth challenges and scale their operations effectively.

Backed by Antler and prominent angel investors such as Gokul Rajaram, Arjun Dugal, and Turochas T Fuad, Wizly has solidified its position as a trusted resource hub for tech-enabled companies in the growth stage, particularly within the B2B SaaS, D2C, and fintech sectors.

The company was founded by Samir Khadepaun, Kapil Shah, and Puja Bharwani through the Antler programme.

At Echelon X, Bharwani will moderate a roundtable session on “Demonstrating Value and ROI: Positioning HR Tech Solutions as Strategic Enablers for HR Success” at the Singapore Expo on May 15, 2.15 PM. This session will explore strategies for HR tech companies to position their solutions as strategic enablers for HR success, emphasising key benefits such as automation, data analytics, compliance management, and employee experience enhancement.

It will also examine case studies and success stories of HR tech companies that effectively demonstrate value and ROI for HR leaders, driving adoption, retention, and advocacy among companies of various sizes and industries.

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Image Credit: Wizly

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Singapore-based corporate venture studio xcube recently launched corporate venture portfolio equities (CVPE), an equity-based ecosystem of tech startups.

CVPE features a combination of venture-building initiatives, external early-stage startups and corporate partnerships. It introduces a holistic approach by investing in an interconnected ecosystem of tech startups.

How does CVPE work, how is it different from traditional venture-building models, and what are its objectives?

xcube founder and director Sebastien P discusses CVPE, its modus operandi, and its objectives.

What inspired xcube to launch the CVPE?

The CVPE initiative was driven by a few key insights:

Adapting to market evolution: In today’s corporate landscape, competition is no longer against a single business but rather entire business ecosystems. Having a competitive edge and strong economic moat nowadays means building mutually beneficial partnerships rather than relying on isolated endeavours.

Sustainable business model: Startups from venture studios have a higher scale potential; research shows that one in eight corporate ventures grows into a large-scale business while only one in 500 for typical startups.

Also Read: SDTA revamps venture building programme for deep-tech startups in Singapore

Addressing industry challenges: The current corporate venturing landscape is often characterised by a low level of symbiosis due to organisational resistance, lack of top management support and rigid control mechanisms.

How does CVPE differ from traditional methods of venture capital investment?

CVPE uniquely combines the benefits typically associated with venture capital (VC) investments and direct investments in startups. Investing in an ecosystem company allows investors to gain access to a portfolio of startups working together to address significant market needs.

Diversification: Similar to a VC fund, CVPE provides a diversification advantage. The collective strength of the ecosystem offers built-in resilience, enables to which helps safeguard investments against startup setbacks.

Enhanced equity value: Investing through an ecosystem company allows investors to access significant additional equity value since the company acts as the founder and co-founder for the startups in the ecosystem.

Could you elaborate on how CVPE fosters synergistic operations among invested startups?

The ecosystem company foster synergies thanks to its dedicated venture team whose role is to build:

Cost synergies: offering support/resources and functions to the startups such as HR, finance, marketing, etc.

Go-to-market synergies: combining startup products and entering markets that were previously inaccessible to them.

Innovation synergies: leading co-innovation or combining the capabilities of various startups to create new products.

Ecosystem synergies: enhancing the overall productivity, efficiency, and resilience of the ecosystem as a whole, often resulting in outcomes that are greater than the sum of the individual contributions.

In other words, being part of the ecosystem offers a competitive advantage to each startup.

What market needs does CVPE aim to address through its ecosystem of tech startups?

xcube is industry agnostic. We do not have specific verticals but two transversals: Web3 and AI technologies. These enable us to develop disruptive solutions for different industries. We currently have ecosystems focusing on finance, HR, and education.

How does xcube plan to engage family offices and VC firms with the CVPE model?

We have a team dedicated to raising funds for these ecosystem companies, as well as creating partnerships with financial advisors and private banks.

Can you provide examples of the types of startups that will be part of the CVPE initiative?

The startups that we create and engage with are tech companies (Web3/AI-driven) at the seed/pre-series A stages. Currently, we are focused on three main ecosystems: fintech, skillstech, and wealthtech.

Also Read: An unfair advantage: How government-linked ventures are giving startups a run for their money

The startups within each ecosystem cover different aspects within the same field. For instance, in our fintech ecosystem, the startups involved include investment platforms, trading technologies, Real-world asset (RWA) financing, know-your-customer (KYC) solutions and more.

What criteria does xcube use to select startups for inclusion in the CVPE ecosystems?

The interview delves into xcube’s CVPE initiative, blending VC and direct startup investments. It highlights the model’s benefits, risk management strategies, fundraising plans, and startup selection criteria.The criteria are product complementarities, vision compatibility, strength and commitment of the entrepreneurial teams, and early-stage startups (seed/pre-series A).

How does xcube plan to ensure diversified risk management within the CVPE model?

In our CVPE model, we work with various startups, each focusing on a specific market segment. This variety helps spread out our risks because the startups are not all dependent on the same market conditions. If one of the startups fails, xcube has the first right to refuse to buy the assets to ensure the continuity of the products and the ecosystem.

Additionally, at the ecosystem level, by pioneering into several countries, our CVPE model naturally diversifies business risks, reducing the impact of having one single go-to-market strategy.

What are the expected benefits for startups participating in the CVPE initiative?

The startup’s advantage is to access hands-on expertise and shared capabilities, reducing costs. They can indirectly enter markets they do not target individually, enjoying additional traction and revenues through profit sharing.

Additionally, they gain peer support from the other entrepreneurial teams to solve their challenges. And finally, they can leverage xcube’s corporate psychologist to build and support their entrepreneurial teams.

Can you outline the fundraising strategy for the four distinct corporate venture ecosystems?

First, we ideate and validate each ecosystem, then present each ecosystem to the VC funds we’ve partnered with. They stress-test the ecosystem strategy and soundness, then act as a lead investor to enable to kickstart the development of the ecosystem. This initial backing also instils confidence in other potential investors to participate.

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