We are 7 days away from Echelon X! Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

At its core, Echelon serves as a platform dedicated to gathering key innovators with the goal of fostering collaboration among startups, investors, corporates, SMEs, government bodies, and various ecosystem players by offering valuable tools and knowledge.

This annual gathering, attracting top brands and industry figures, grants attendees exclusive access to market insights, growth initiatives, a digital marketplace, market entry strategies, brand enhancement opportunities, and a platform for networking and collaboration among the region’s most promising innovators.

Scheduled for May 15-16, 2024, at Singapore EXPO Hall 2, Echelon X embarks on a mission to fortify the resilience of the tech ecosystem. By fostering deeper collaboration, disseminating cutting-edge knowledge, and propelling collective innovation, this edition promises to be a beacon of transformative change.

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.

AI at the forefront of today’s most exciting emerging technologies

AI  stands at the forefront of technological innovation, captivating industries and individuals alike with its transformative potential.

As an emerging technology, AI holds the promise of revolutionising nearly every aspect of human life, from healthcare and transportation to finance and entertainment. Its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, recognise patterns, and make autonomous decisions surpasses human capabilities, offering unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. Moreover, AI’s adaptability and continuous learning capabilities mean that it can evolve and improve over time, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The allure of AI lies in its capacity to tackle complex problems and streamline processes in ways that were once unimaginable. By automating routine tasks, AI liberates human labour, allowing individuals to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and creative endeavours. Furthermore, AI-driven insights and predictions empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, optimise operations, and gain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced world.

Its potential to enhance productivity, drive innovation, and solve some of society’s most pressing challenges make AI one of the most sought-after innovations of our time, promising a future where technology serves as a powerful force for positive change. With that, get to know these exciting AI startups that will be exhibiting their products and services at Echelon X!

8 AI-driven startups to showcase at Echelon X

1. PixCap is the first to deliver a cloud-based 3D Animation Solution for collaborative 3D animation creation with AI motion capture, drag-n-drop animations, and user-friendly UX.
2. FinbotsAI offers an AI-powered credit scorecard system, enabling rapid development of high-performance risk models across the credit lifecycle, with intuitive management and accessibility for small lenders.
3. azgo is an AI-driven travel price comparison app aiming to reshape trip planning with AI-powered price comparison, diverse experiences, and rewards, fuelled by a community of adventurers.
4. Staple’s deep learning platform allows users to see extracted data, and make edits to continuously improve data capture behaviour — all with a simple point-and-click interface.
5. DevRev’s OneCRM, purpose-built for the SaaS vertical, comprises three modern CRM apps for support, product, and growth teams. It connects end users, sellers, support, product people, and developers, reducing 9 business apps and converging 6 teams onto a common platform.
6. Autom8e transforms small businesses globally to thrive by operating efficiently, reducing costs, saving time and achieving scalable profitability using Automa8e’s AI-powered finance and accounting systems.
7. Inspius helps you headhunt, technically interview, HR-manage, and hire remote software engineers in Vietnam for Singapore & US companies.
8. Locofy.ai, founded in 2021 by Honey Mittal and Sohaib Muhammad, accelerates development by converting designs to code, enabling faster launch of web and mobile products.

Get to know these startups 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.

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!

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When we examine the trajectory of fast-growing sectors such as fintech and crypto, it’s evident that these industries have harnessed the power of momentum markets to achieve exponential growth. For edutech companies looking to replicate this success, there’s much to learn from the strategies employed by these sectors.

Drawing inspiration from the Levi Strauss approach, which involved selling jeans to gold miners during the gold rush, edutech companies can similarly position themselves by focusing on upskilling individuals in booming industries like AI and Web3.

Understanding momentum markets

Momentum markets are characterised by rapid growth, high investor interest, and significant consumer demand. In these markets, products and services often experience accelerated adoption rates. Fintech and crypto are prime examples, having transformed financial services through innovative technologies like blockchain, digital currencies, and mobile banking. The key lesson for edutech companies is the importance of aligning with sectors that possess strong growth potential and are on the cusp of widespread adoption.

Levi Strauss’s strategy was brilliantly simple: instead of searching for gold himself, he sold durable jeans to those who were mining for gold, thus capitalising on the gold rush in a unique and profitable way. edutech companies can adopt a similar approach by providing educational products and services tailored to individuals seeking to enter or advance in high-growth industries such as AI and Web3. By doing so, they can create a valuable niche for themselves, catering to a market with a high demand for specialised skills.

Also Read: Bold moves: Capitalising on market dips in edutech

Spotlight on innovation

Two tech companies that have adeptly capitalised on the fintech and crypto wave are Stripe and Coinbase. Stripe, a fintech giant, simplified online payments, making it easier for businesses to accept payments from anywhere in the world. Their platform democratised e-commerce for small businesses, aligning perfectly with the ethos of accessibility and innovation. On the other hand, Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform, has made buying, selling, and holding cryptocurrencies more accessible to the general public, further fueling the crypto boom.

Both companies exemplify how understanding and leveraging momentum markets can lead to exponential growth. For edutech, these examples serve as a beacon, highlighting the importance of innovation and the strategic foresight to tap into emerging trends.

AI and Web3 represent two of the most promising areas for future growth. As these technologies continue to evolve, there’s a burgeoning demand for skilled professionals who can navigate these complex fields. edutech companies can seize this opportunity by offering courses, certifications, and training programs specifically designed to equip learners with the skills needed to excel in these industries. This not only benefits individuals looking to advance their careers but also addresses the talent shortages faced by companies operating in these sectors.

To truly learn from fintech and crypto, edutech companies must also embrace innovative learning models that reflect the dynamism of these sectors. This could include leveraging blockchain to issue verifiable digital credentials, employing AI to personalise learning experiences, or creating immersive learning environments using virtual reality. By integrating cutting-edge technologies into their offerings, edutech companies can enhance the effectiveness of their educational programs and appeal to a tech-savvy audience.

Also Read: In this age of digitalisation, is edutech a bane or boon for educators?

Strategies for edutech growth

To harness the potential of momentum markets, edutech companies must adopt a multifaceted approach:

• Tailored upskilling programs: Just as Levi Strauss provided the gold miners with what they needed most, edutech firms should focus on offering specialised courses that cater to the burgeoning demand for AI and Web3 expertise. This involves not just teaching technical skills but also providing insights into industry trends, regulatory environments, and emerging technologies.
• Embrace cutting-edge technologies: Incorporating advanced technologies such as blockchain for secure certifications, AI for personalised learning experiences, and VR for immersive learning environments can significantly enhance the value proposition of edutech offerings.
• Cultivate communities and ecosystems: Building vibrant online communities where learners can collaborate, share insights, and network can mimic the communal and networking strengths of the fintech and crypto sectors. These communities can serve as a support system, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual growth.
• Forge strategic alliances: Partnerships with industry leaders in AI and Web3 can provide edutech students with invaluable real-world experience and exposure. These alliances can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making the learning experience more robust and industry-relevant.
• Innovative marketing: Drawing from the fintech and crypto playbook, edutech companies should craft compelling narratives around their courses, highlighting how they can catapult individuals into high-growth career paths. Success stories and alumni testimonials can play a pivotal role in illustrating the tangible benefits of their educational programs.

Looking forward

By observing and integrating the successful strategies of fintech and crypto companies like Stripe and Coinbase, edutech firms can navigate the momentum markets with confidence. The key lies in offering tailored educational services that meet the current demand for specialised skills in AI and Web3, leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences, and building a supportive community that fosters growth and innovation. 

Through these concerted efforts, edutech companies can not only contribute to shaping the workforce of tomorrow but also secure their place in the rapidly evolving educational landscape.

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In today’s interconnected world, environmental sustainability stands as a cornerstone for organisations striving to balance growth with responsible stewardship. Yet, many companies are overwhelmed by the challenge presented by this balancing act.

We recognise the challenges these companies face. This article delves into how Doxa can be a part of solving these challenges faced by many companies.

At Doxa, environmental sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle ingrained in our operations. Leveraging digitalisation and data management, we streamline processes to minimise our environmental footprint. By embracing digital workflows, we reduce paper consumption and enhance efficiency, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability through action.

Doxa Connex is a platform that we offer to companies to practically put environmental sustainability into action and not just words.

A big part of environmental sustainability in the built environment sector is the Embodied Carbon calculation. In fact, governments around the world are pushing for this calculation and making it mandatory reporting to be effective as early as 2025, as evident in the EU Taxonomy. The complex calculation is even more daunting when you consider the amount of data and effort required to perform them effectively.

With Doxa Connex, working with Razer’s Restorify, we believe the best approach forward is by taking the life cycle approach towards measuring carbon footprint.

Also Read: 11 easy strategies that are important for every startup to succeed

Doxa Connex automates the calculations of Embodied Carbon, enabling real-time tracking and reporting of carbon emissions associated with purchased goods. When the procurer and suppliers key into the required datasets, Doxa Connex applies an activity-based approach to modelling what the emissions are like for our customers. Through such initiatives, we strive to set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship.

Our first use case will be within the construction industry. By using Doxa Connex for your procurement workflow, starting from purchase requests through goods receipts, embodied carbon calculation happens automatically and is allocated to the right categories under your organisation’s Scope 3 reporting standard.

With a measurable life-cycle approach, partners have a dependable platform to ensure quantifiable reporting instead of vague claims running into the risks of greenwashing.

Our solution is validated as we are an official partner with SGTraDex in its green and sustainable trade finance. With SGTraDex, Doxa Connex is able to push data seamlessly to all participating financial institutions.

We are seeking future independent audits for our solution and will be moving towards supporting a net zero vision for our built environment sector. By using the activity-based approach, we endeavour to encourage our partners to set ambitious goals and utilise dashboards to track progress transparently.  Sustainability is a collective movement requiring collaboration across stakeholders.

As such, we are working closely with multiple market leaders to not only provide a technological solution but also provide incentives in the area of green trade financing.

Through strategic alliances with financial institutions, we facilitate green financing and sustainable trade finance, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship beyond organisational boundaries.

In conclusion, Doxa hopes to be your preferred partner in the collective efforts of every company to make a move to net zero a success. It may be a chore for many, but we can help in making it less painful.

Let us help you and your companies in this journey to drive a positive impact on our world. We invite you to join us in this collective pursuit of a greener, more sustainable world.

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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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TWdecoman, a one-stop matching platform for interior designers and renovation companies in Taiwan, has completed a strategic investment round from Jan Cheng Lighting, the owner of LED lighting brand DANCELiGHT.

The capital will enable TWdecoman to expand its renovation matching business actively.

TWdecoman, a unit of Hong Kong-headquartered Decoman Group that entered Taiwan in 2022, helps homeowners find and match with the most suitable interior designers and renovation companies. It utilises AI and big data to “accurately analyse data through an algorithm, thereby matching up homeowners with the most suitable interior design or renovation companies”. In addition, it provides do-it-yourself (DIY) home repair courses.

Also Read: Bridging Taiwan and Southeast Asia through innovation and tech

Currently, TWdecoman provides services in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. It now plans to expand in Q2 this year and will launch in the Tainan area.

At the same time, its DIY home repair courses are currently available in five major counties/cities of Taiwan, attracting over 250 students monthly, totalling over 1,500 students.

Benny Liu, Founder of Decoman, said: “Over the past year or so, not only have we achieved results in online media and offline operations, but we have also made great efforts in our local AI system and database. Now we can further deepen our big data analytics through Jan Cheng Lighting’s expertise, years of rich experience and available relevant info of the Taiwan market, while embarking on the Tainan market through Jan Cheng Lighting’s strong business networks in the southern region. Consequently, both our groups can reach supply chain synergy, creating a more flexible and resilient ecosystem structure.”

Also Read: e27’s role in empowering Taiwan startups through the Vision Program

Decoman also operates in several markets, including Singapore and South Korea. It is actively preparing to expand its business to the Australian market.

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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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Brainfish, an AI-powered self-service customer support platform for businesses, has raised US$2.5 million in seed funding.

The latest round was led by Peak XV’s Surge, with participation from Macdoch Ventures, Black Sheep Capital, existing angel Justus Hammer (CEO MadPaws), and new angels.

This brings its total capital to US$3.3 million.

Brainfish will use the new funds to double down on product innovation and accelerate international expansion.

Also Read: From chatbots to therapists: How AI breaks ground in bridging the mental health care divide

For online businesses today, customer service is based on the premise of helping people understand how a product works. Customers do not want to sift through numerous help articles or go through a chatbot workflow just to get through to a human to answer their questions. They just want their question answered instantly.

Brainfish is an AI product expert who helps customers understand a product and helps businesses understand their customers. The Brainfish AI 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.

“Customer support has not changed much in decades. The tooling might be better today, but primarily people want to speak to a human when they have a problem because human support is armed with institutional knowledge of a product. We’re turning this on its head at Brainfish. We aggregate complex data to create one digital source of truth, eliminating 90 per cent of the need for humans to support and interact with the customer and saving companies countless hours,” said Daniel Kimber, CEO and Co-founder of Brainfish.

AI has emerged as a transformative force in the customer service market and is poised to reach US$7.08 billion by 2030. Businesses have begun to leverage machine learning and automation to streamline customer interactions, optimise efficiency, and develop personalised experiences to revolutionise customer experience (CX) for the future.

Also Read: Microsoft to empower 2.5M Southeast Asians with AI skills by 2025

While businesses are predominantly using AI for customer support, it has yet to trigger a significant decline in the number of human agents required2. Brainfish addresses this issue by deflecting queries from a human interaction altogether and has recorded the highest deflection rate of any AI self-service solution on the market.

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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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ASEAN countries have consistently achieved high economic growth rates, which are attributed to careful macroeconomic strategies, relatively open trade and investment policies, and access to export markets in developed nations.

A key driver of the ASEAN economies is the manufacturing supply chains. From 2015 through 2019, manufacturing exports from ASEAN’s ten member states averaged five per cent annual growth—outpacing the global average of three per cent.

As governments across the world implement ESG and reporting regulations, businesses and manufacturers in ASEAN are faced with increased urgency and pressure to adopt sustainable practices to maintain competitiveness in the global supply chains. More than that, there are significant opportunities to extend its capabilities in manufacturing and establish competitiveness in green manufacturing.

The rise of ESG regulations and sustainable procurement in ASEAN and beyond

Globally, regulatory frameworks have evolved rapidly, led by the European Union with parallel initiatives in Asia.

Under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), exports to Europe will be subjected to carbon tax on their emissions starting in 2026, posing major trickle-down effects for ASEAN businesses by affecting export competitiveness.

The release of the International Financial Reporting Standards’ (IFRS) inaugural ISSB standards in June 2023 has also placed renewed attention on the ASEAN ESG regulatory landscape. Many ASEAN governments have started taking a phased adoption approach in incorporating new global sustainability reporting standards, with Scope three emissions reporting due to become mandatory under regulatory standards from 2025 onwards. Reporting is also no longer confined to just publicly listed companies but also non-listed and smaller companies.

Also Read: The future of finance: ESG integration in tokenised funding

Digital tools needed to accelerate corporate sustainability

Today, sustainability reporting, especially for businesses with extensive supply chain activities, involves the demanding and manual process of collecting data from various sources such as SMEs, suppliers, clients, and other stakeholders within the supply chain.

In the ASEAN context, where SMEs dominate the market and supply chains, accounting for 98 per cent of existing businesses, this challenge is particularly pronounced. SMEs face difficulties in commencing their corporate sustainability and sustainability reporting journey efficiently, mainly attributed to the absence of streamlined digital processes, sufficient resources, and requisite expertise.

As such, a gap has emerged in ASEAN between the growing data needs for comprehensive ESG reporting and the actual availability of such data in SMEs and entities in their supply chain, presenting a challenge around compliance.

Embracing supply chain transparency for green manufacturing

While local reporting is not yet mandated across most ASEAN countries as of 2024, foreign corporates and MNCs, which ASEAN manufacturers serve, are increasingly adopting sustainable procurement, causing major trickle-down effects on ASEAN businesses.

There is a need for ASEAN businesses to prove their green-ness in order to set themselves up for greater business and investments opportunities.

This is where ESG tech and digital solutions come in to play a key role in empowering ASEAN businesses and manufacturers towards corporate sustainability and ESG compliance.

Digital solutions like ESGpedia play a pivotal role in helping to facilitate easier and more robust self-serve reporting for ASEAN companies, with subsequent third-party assurance and certification. They help support efforts to navigate the evolving ESG regulatory landscape by digitalising country-specific and international reporting frameworks (e.g. ISSB, TCFD, GRI, etc.) for a streamlined and guided way for businesses, especially those with limited resources and expertise, to easily access and input. This is particularly beneficial in times when regulations are becoming increasingly complex and soon to be mandatory.

Third-party assurance and certification can also be digitally facilitated by technology. This is important as they offer credibility and recognition to companies so that they can effectively prove their sustainability commitment to global MNCs and stakeholders, mitigating the risk of greenwashing. For instance, an ISO14064 aligned report produced under the renowned ISO standard serves to recognise company’s commitment towards establishing, validating, and reporting its GHG emissions in accordance with international standards.

Establishing Scope three GHG metrics with full value chain calculations​ is a fundamental step for the ASEAN manufacturing sector to embark on sustainability. However, Scope three GHG calculation is typically a time-consuming and complex process, requiring great ESG expertise and manual data collection from each supplier.

Also Read: 6 reasons why startups should invest in sustainability

To lower the barriers to this seemingly massive ESG challenge, businesses and manufacturers in ASEAN can leverage technology solutions to digitally streamline the end-to-end process, from data collection to mapping both the value chain and product lifecycle, accurately calculating the company’s Scope three emissions in accordance with industry methodologies, and to take actions to actively engage suppliers in order to drive compliance with regulations across the entire supply chain.

Government support to facilitate doing well while doing good

It is no doubt that sustainability equates to profitability in the long run. It is time for ASEAN countries to extend their focus and capabilities from manufacturing to green manufacturing to maintain competitiveness in the global market.

ASEAN countries can benefit by engaging in cross-border collaboration to build their green economy and workforce. For instance, the Singapore government’s Budget 2024 covered a tiered support approach for businesses on their digitalisation roadmap, particularly focusing on financial support for training and digital adoption as well as digital technologies such as AI. This is something that the other ASEAN governments can consider emulating in order to advance ESG initiatives across the region.

Governments across ASEAN can also consider introducing a standardised set of guidelines in relation to ESG disclosures to help companies future-proof against upcoming mandatory sustainability reporting to be implemented in 2025. Relevant examples already implemented in the region include the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) Adopter Programme in Malaysia, as well as the Sustainability Report (SuRe) Form in the Philippines.

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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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Dilip Krishnan steps into the role of President & CEO at Vatic AI, succeeding Arthur Becker, who transitions to Executive Chairman.

Krishnan, who is based in Singapore, will also join the board of directors. With over 16 years of experience in Digital Innovation and Corporate Strategy, Krishnan brings a wealth of expertise. His responsibilities will encompass overseeing Vatic AI’s global expansion into new markets, managing mergers and acquisitions, and spearheading the development of new AI products, mainly focusing on predicting creditworthiness within anonymous online audiences.

Having previously served as the Global Lead for Digital Transformation at Mastercard Data & Services, Krishnan boasts a proven track record in driving growth and innovation. His background includes stints at esteemed financial institutions such as OCBC Bank, Citi, and HDFC Bank, where he played pivotal roles in designing and executing transformative strategies and fostering fintech partnerships. Moreover, Krishnan’s involvement as a mentor with Enterprise Singapore and SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship underscores his commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem across the region.

Under Krishnan’s leadership, Vatic AI aims to leverage its Qscore product, which uses AI to predict the credit qualifications of anonymous online audiences.

“In the longer term, we envision being the audience intelligence platform of choice across industries, helping to strengthen credit access by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI),” he says in an email to e27.

Also Read: Artificial intelligence and the art of building presentations

By harnessing proprietary algorithms, the company seeks to optimise advertising expenditures at the Top of the Funnel while simultaneously driving down customer acquisition and processing costs for the finance industry. With Krishnan’s vision and experience at the helm, Vatic AI is poised for strategic growth and continued innovation in artificial intelligence and financial services.

“We saw that traditional digital advertising platforms use broad keyword categories for audiences, which can lead to irrelevant targeting. With more precise keyword categories, we can create more value to the online experience for both brands and consumers. Combining this with our data refreshes happening every hour, instead of DSP data normally 30 days or more old for audience categories, we can be the most relevant and reach the most in-market users,” Krishnan explains.

Regarding its Qscore product, he says, “We have developed our Qscore product for the finance industry, which uses AI to predict the creditworthiness of our audiences based on multiple factors, indicating the individual user would be qualified financially for a wide range of products. This AI technology allows brands to optimise their top-of-funnel advertising and only advertise to the audiences qualified for their products, massively reducing customer acquisition costs.”

This is why the financial services industry will be the company’s focus today.

“We are actively engaging in acquiring digital banks and lenders as key clients, using our marketing efforts to show our AI’s value and solve their issues of unqualified leads, high decline rates, and ad waste. We are working on strategies in key growth markets in Asia Pacific where we can solve these issues,” Krishnan says.

Also Read: These Artificial Intelligence startups are proving to be industry game-changers

Vatic AI has raised funding from investors such as Jenny Johnson (President & CEO of Franklin Templeton) and Arthur Becker.

The company said that it currently works with around 300 paying clients.

“Our inception was over five years ago, when we built a team offering managed services for our core AfterSearch technology. We used keyword targeting for our clients to improve their results in display advertising. Post that, we’ve scaled substantially with our executive team based in Singapore and improved our product development and focus to become a data tech SaaS company.”

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Image Credit: Vatic AI

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In addition to running their businesses, startup founders have another important responsibility to take: To stay in tip-top condition throughout the day. They are expected to be in 100 per cent condition all the time; not only for the business that they are running but also to set up an example for their team members. It is also known that a productive day begins with a good morning routine that is able to improve one’s mood and organise their activities.

DailySocial sits down with several Indonesia-based startup founders –Fabelio, Gadjian, e-Fishery– to learn about their go-to productivity hacks. Hopefully, this can serve as a reference for those who are struggling with time management.

The first tip comes from Christian Sutardi, one of the co-founders of Fabelio, who happen to have a unique morning routine. He wakes up after seven hours of quality sleep –without the help of alarm clock. The founder then proceeds to check the company’s performance report from the previous day while enjoying a glass of sugarless iced americano. He also responds to incoming messages according to their priority.

“Then I moved to the living room, have a glass of water, and check the news headlines of the day. Usually, I would read international news on Bloomberg. I start with international politics, COVID-19 updates, the stock market, and any other news that Google recommends. My news preference includes furniture industry, startups, stock market, football, and other sports,” Sutardi elaborates.

Sutardi officially begins his office hour at 8.30 AM. To maintain his productivity, he implements a framework known as “eat the frog first” or to start with the most urgent tasks (the “frogs”). The framework demands users to start with just one of the most pressing task as the first thing to do in the morning. The task does not have to be finished in one go; users are allowed to continue the next day.

Also Read: SEA tech founders playbook: A to Z of becoming a fundraising legend (Part 1)

The next tip comes from Afia Fitriati, CEO of Fast8 Group, the company behind the Gadjian, Hadirr, and Benefide platforms. For Fitriati, getting enough sleep is crucial in maintaining productivity. By getting enough sleep, according to her, the brain will be able to take a moment to recuperate after a long day at work. I will also be able to gain clarity in thoughts.

“There will never be enough time for everything, so it is very important for founders, or anyone in the startup ecosystem, to be able to prioritise. If you are doing it wrongly, you risk wasting precious time that you can never get back, doing insignificant activities. So, my advice is to always ask yourself every day: Do the things that I am doing today matter or not?” Fitriati points out.

The last tip comes from Gibran Huzaifah, CEO and Founder of eFishery, who considers himself as a morning person just like the other two founders. He prefers to use the morning to exercise, plan his day, and learn new things.

“The morning hours are the brightest, most exciting time of the day, that is why I always start with activities that make me feel pumped: Exercise, planning the day. The exercise can include a jog around the house or a seven-minute workout. It helps to improve energy and maintain mental health,” he explains.

“Then I spare a slot to learn or read. If I don’t get to read, I’m going to take an online course on Udemy. On Saturdays and Sundays, I like to spare four hours for learning activities like this, in the morning and evening. With this learning slot, whenever there is a new task or role to take, we can hit the ground running because we always spare the time to learn,” he continues.

Huzaifah also believes that every urgent or impactful task need to be done in the morning, such as strategic thinking or planning, followed by an internal update and problem-solving. If there is a key project or metric that he has been delegating, he is going to spend time in the afternoon to work on something meaningful for the project.

Also Read: 5 productivity hacks for successful people

“The other crucial moment happens in the evening after family time, once the children are asleep when I would review the agenda of the day. Which one goes well, which one doesn’t. It usually involves a simple question: What do I need to do to be five to 10 per cent better than now? Especially on Sundays, I have one more sheet to track my time management. It becomes a base for my improvement plan next week,” he continues.

All three sources agree on the importance of time management. For Huzaifah, having a good system will enable founders to manage their mind, energy, and time. This includes building a good daily routine, complemented with constant evaluation.

“A great part of our life is spent doing things related to work. By becoming more productive, we can do more in a much shorter time. This will enable us to allocate more to other parts of our life, maximise our potentials as a human being, and contribute as much as possible,” Huzaifah closes.

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This article was written by Prayogo Ryza in Bahasa Indonesia for DailySocial. English translation and editing by e27.

Image Credit: Tim Foster on Unsplash

This article was first published on October 26, 2020

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