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Blackpanda, a cyber emergency response startup based in Singapore, has raised US$6.7 million in strategic funding from Singtel Innov8, Gaw Capital Partners, and WI Harper Group.

This brings the firm’s total Series A round to US$21.7 million.

The fresh financing will accelerate Blackpanda’s expansion across Asia and enhance its IR-1 cyber security solution.

Blackpanda provides solutions for businesses to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks. Its IR-1 solution addresses the entire cyber attack lifecycle. It ensures readiness through incident response preparation services enhanced by proactive attack surface management (ASM), expedites response with 24/7 incident response, and delivers automated access to financial recovery via comprehensive cyber insurance.

Also Read: Cybersecurity firm Blackpanda closes US$15M Series A to deepen its Asia presence

This unified approach simplifies cyber security management, reduces costs, and provides businesses with immediate access to enterprise-grade protection and emergency response services.

“With the growing demand for cost-efficient and effective cyber incident response and cyber insurance across Asia Pacific, we see a significant opportunity for Blackpanda’s localised and segment-focused product suite to expand and grow in the region,” said Wan Kum Tho, MD Investments, APAC of Singtel Innov8.

Blackpanda counts major telecommunications providers as strategic partners of its cyber protection solutions across Asia, including Singtel, Macroview (an HGC group company), and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau (CTM).

In January last year, Blackpanda secured US$15 million in its Series A funding round led by Primavera Venture Partners and Gaw Capital Partners.

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Qist Bazaar, a buy-now-pay-later company based in Pakistan, has received US$3.2 million in Series A financing led by Indus Valley Capital, with participation from Gobi Partners.

The capital will accelerate the fintech startup’s growth by expanding its product portfolio, enhancing its technology infrastructure, and scaling operations across Pakistan. The company plans to establish a presence in Islamabad, Sukkur, Faisalabad, and Multan and increase capacity in Karachi and Lahore.

Also Read: How BNPL can provide lower-income households with new opportunities

Additionally, new product categories, such as solar power generators for small households, are being introduced.

Qist Bazaar provides installment-based payment solutions to unbanked and underbanked segments of the population. It enables Pakistanis from all walks of life to purchase essential goods, such as mobile phones and home appliances through affordable monthly payments.

Since its inception three years ago, the platform claims to have disbursed over 55,000 product-based loans amounting to US$12 million,

The platform caters to a wide range of customers, from those with no financial history to individuals already banking at established institutions.

Qist Bazaar’s customers include domestic workers, rickshaw drivers, students, and micro-entrepreneurs to access installment-based financing.

The company has also introduced a hybrid scoring model that leverages traditional and alternative methods to assess creditworthiness, making it easier for unbanked consumers to participate in the formal financial system.

Qist Bazaar has benefitted from an early equity partnership with Bank Alfalah, which led their seed round. As part of this strategic collaboration, It will get access to debt financing from some of Pakistan’s leading financial institutions, further enhancing its capacity to serve customers with limited or no access to formal credit.

Also Read: Report: BNPL remains popular amongst Indonesian fintech services users

Aatif Awan, founder and managing partner at Indus Valley Capital, said, “We see enormous potential in Qist Bazaar’s ability to fundamentally reshape consumer financing in Pakistan, similar to what Bajaj Finance did for India.”

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In a new research released today, Bain & Company revealed that the market for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related hardware and software is expected to grow between 40 per cent and 55 per cent annually, reaching between US$780 billion and US$990 billion by 2027.

The fifth annual Global Technology Report provides insights on the new waves of growth in the technology sector as a result of disruptions from the fast-changing AI advancements.

According to the report, three areas could enable the AI hardware and software market to come close to a trillion-dollar industry in the next three years: Bigger models and larger data centers, enterprise and sovereign AI initiatives, and software efficiency and capabilities.

As AI scales, the demand for computing power will drive rapid growth in large data centers over the next five to 10 years. Currently, these centers operate at 50–200 megawatts, but AI advancements could push this to over a gigawatt.

The cost of building large data centers, now ranging from US$1 billion to US$4 billion, is expected to soar to US$10 billion to US$25 billion within five years.

Also Read: Seizing the e-commerce wave: Unveiling opportunities in Southeast Asia

This surge could also lead to a semiconductor shortage. AI’s increasing reliance on GPUs could boost demand for upstream components by over 30 per cent by 2026.

The research highlighted that, if data centres double their need for current-generation GPUs, suppliers of key components will need to increase output, while chip packaging producers will likely need to triple capacity.

Geopolitical tensions may exacerbate this challenge, leading to potential semiconductor supply issues.

The rise of generative AI has also pressured software developers to improve efficiency. Generative AI can cut software engineering time by 10 per cent to 15 per cent, pushing companies to optimise processes and derive greater value from AI integration.

“Generative AI is the prime mover of the current wave of change, but it is complicated by post-globalisation shifts and the need to adapt business processes to deliver value. Companies are moving beyond the experimentation phase and are beginning to scale generative AI across the enterprise,” said David Crawford, chairman of Bain’s Global Technology practice.

He also said that this will impact the role of CIOs in promoting innovation. “As they do, CIOs will need to maintain production-grade AI solutions that will enable companies to adapt to a landscape that is quickly shifting. Essentially, they need to adopt an ‘AI everywhere’ approach.”

Also Read: Unlocking the potential: How the digital ecosystem drives transformation in the insurance industry

How this will impact tech M&A

The research also explored the topic of tech mergers and acquisitions (M&A). It concluded that tech M&As have become more unpredictable, with companies now focusing on acquiring new capabilities, products, or markets rather than scaling up.

It also revealed that “scope deals” in the tech industry grew from 50 per cent to 80 per cenr between 2015 and 2018, maintaining this level ever since. Scope deals now account for nearly 80 per cent of all tech M&A, a far greater share than in most other sectors.

Despite this, regulatory scrutiny remains high, and there is no indication of a return to large-scale deals soon.

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In an era where technology influences nearly every facet of life, education is no exception. As a global leader in technological adoption, Singapore is pioneering a significant shift in education through the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) EdTech Masterplan 2030, which seeks to integrate technology into classrooms fully, enhancing teaching methods and learning outcomes.

As the world rapidly moves toward a digital future, schools and parents need to ensure that students are not only prepared to navigate this landscape but are also equipped to lead in it.

The move towards tech-driven education

Digital literacy has become a critical focus as Singapore’s education system evolves, extending beyond basic tech skills that encompass the ability to manage, analyse, and critically evaluate digital information. Central to this evolution is the emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, with the MOE equipping students not only to use AI but also to understand its potential and limitations.

AI is swiftly becoming a cornerstone of modern technology, and its significance is expected to grow. Singapore’s educational approach is designed to ensure that students are prepared to harness AI effectively, both in their academic pursuits and future careers. This forward-thinking strategy aims to provide students with the skills needed for a future where AI will be central to nearly every industry.

Edutech’s role in personalising education

The integration of EdTech into Singapore’s classrooms is more than just adding new tools — it signals a shift towards transforming educational practices to better meet the diverse needs of students. Traditionally, education has relied on a “one size fits all” model, where uniform teaching methods and curricula were designed to cater to the average student.

While this approach has served its purpose for generations, it often falls short in accommodating the varied learning styles, paces, and abilities of today’s students. EdTech offers a transformative alternative, enabling personalised learning experiences that cater to individual needs, fostering a more inclusive and effective educational environment.

This shift from a teacher-centric to a learner-centric approach reflects a broader movement in education, where technology plays a crucial role in facilitating differentiation. For example, edutech platforms offer features that allow teachers to engage in personalised, one-on-one interactions with students, providing targeted support based on individual requirements.

Additionally, these platforms can adapt to the level of difficulty in classroom questions, challenging students of all abilities appropriately. Higher-order questions can stimulate advanced learners, while foundational exercises help those needing additional support.

Why is edutech poised to become the next big thing?

As global education systems increasingly turn to technology, the potential of edutech to reshape learning is immense, with innovations on the brink of revolutionising how we educate future generations.

Among these innovations, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and gamification are emerging as powerful tools that can elevate education by transforming traditional classrooms into immersive, experiential environments. These technologies offer dynamic learning experiences that engage students in ways conventional methods cannot.

Also Read: Edutech is surging, but here are the 3 issues it is facing

Imagine history lessons brought to life through VR, where students can “visit” ancient civilisations and witness historical events firsthand. Consider AR in science classes, enabling students to visualise complex biological processes or chemic al reactions in three dimensions, making abstract concepts more tangible and easier to grasp.

Gamification is another trend gaining momentum in education, as it integrates game-like elements into learning, turning lessons into interactive and engaging challenges. By tapping into students’ natural affinity for play, gamification can transform learning from a routine task into an exciting adventure.

By using real-time dynamic representations of virtual manipulatives in mathematics lessons, students can understand abstract concepts more effectively, making learning both enjoyable and productive.

Looking ahead: Shaping the future of education

The integration of these technologies is not merely about adopting new methods, but about fundamentally reimagining the educational experience.

In Singapore, the future of learning involves harnessing technology to foster a more inclusive and adaptive educational environment. This shift aims to turn students into active participants, driven by curiosity and exploration, while extending learning beyond the traditional classroom into a dynamic digital realm.

Initiatives like the EdTech Masterplan 2030 are leading this transformation, setting a global benchmark for innovation in education. As Singapore continues to pioneer in this space, it exemplifies how the digital classroom is not a distant dream but a current reality shaping the future of education.

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