In the ever-changing world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we’ve seen a profound shift in the way teams collaborate and innovate. As these technologies rapidly advance, the ability to effectively work with remote teams has become an essential skill for AI professionals and organisations alike.

It’s no longer just about building incredible AI systems; it’s about doing it in a way that fosters connection, productivity, and seamless cooperation across distributed teams.

This article dives into three key strategies that can help AI experts navigate the challenges of remote teamwork. Drawing on industry insights and best practices, we’ll explore how to maximise productivity, drive innovation, and maintain strong connections, even when your team is miles apart.

Distributed tech and data architecture

Imagine you are part of an AI team, each member contributing their unique expertise. Whether it’s data collection, model development, or system integration, everyone plays a vital role. But how do these disparate pieces fit together?

Communication is key. Team chats, mandatory documentation on shared drives, and well-defined API interfaces and JSON documents are examples of items that keep everyone on the same page.

Think of it as building bridges between islands—bridges made of version control systems and collaboration tools on the cloud. Even when one teammate is sipping coffee in an office in Hong Kong while the second one is working from an outdoor cafe in Oxford, UK, our team is still working in sync over a conversation on great coffee.

Collaborative AI training

AI training is another area where remote teams can effectively collaborate. At our AI tech company, WealthRyse, our algorithms allow partial retraining in real time. Picture this: different teams working on various parts of the AI model simultaneously, without waiting for one another. It’s like a relay race where the baton keeps moving.

Also Read: Meet the finalists championing sustainable solutions at the Climate Impact Innovations Challenge 2024

Collaborative AI training gives us a significant advantage, allowing us to provide an outcome similar to the real-time retraining of our Genisys AI around the clock, automate many aspects of wealth management, and create the best possible rebalancing services so our professional investment manager users can scale their businesses.

Component-based strategy

Flexibility is key. We should never be tied to a single tool or technology. For example, we use AWS Comprehend for natural language processing today, but tomorrow? Who knows! The temporary unstructured data is saved in NOSQL databases, and then we can adapt whichever AI tech to turn the data into structured data for digestion by the AI engine.

The modular, component-based approach makes everything easier for our team members to experiment with emerging AI models and techniques, quickly test and deploy them, and remap the workflow using programmatic tools such as Apache Airflow, resulting in the most powerful AI models to provide the best rebalancing services to our clients.

As a result, Genisys is a powerful all-in-one package that is able to handle time-consuming tasks, enhance various efficiencies in operations, and hyper-personalisation. Besides using a set of parameters similar to those used by the largest asset managers, Genisys also allows users to adjust any of its weight and parameters, which provides the users with the ability to maintain the distinctive branding of your services.

This is a significant advancement over the primarily sentiment-driven generative AI models in fintech today and our track record of improved outcomes by two to three times as compared to traditional portfolio managers.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the future of AI is not just about building remarkable systems but doing so in a way that fosters collaboration and innovation among remote teams.

By leveraging distributed tech and data architecture, embracing collaborative AI training, and adopting a component-based strategy, AI professionals can overcome the challenges of remote work and drive success in this rapidly evolving field.

With these strategies, AI teams can create powerful solutions that enhance efficiencies and hyper-personalisation and drive improved outcomes for their clients.

—

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.

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page.

Image credit: Canva Pro

The post How to streamline AI development with distributed tech and data architecture appeared first on e27.

The Southeast Asian (SEA) startup ecosystem is off to the end of 2024 on a high note, with significant funding and acquisition activities shaping the landscape.

Singapore-based Tyme Group has become the region’s first unicorn of the year, raising US$250 million at a valuation of US$1.5 billion, according to DealStreetAsia. This milestone underscores the continued investor confidence in the region’s digital banking and fintech potential.

In the proptech space, EQT has completed its acquisition of PropertyGuru, signalling its ambition to strengthen its foothold in Southeast Asia’s real estate technology sector. EQT plans to leverage its resources to accelerate innovation, expand PropertyGuru’s market reach, and enhance operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, Eureka Robotics, a leader in factory automation solutions, has secured US$10.5 million in fresh funding to advance its AI-powered robotics technologies. Eureka’s solutions—widely applied in precision handling, AI-based inspection, and assembly—highlight the growing importance of automation in manufacturing.

After a period of difficulties, these milestones help us feel more hopeful about the upcoming year. We can look forward to a much brighter future in 2025.

Anisa,
Editor

—–

NEWS & VIEWS

Singapore’s Tyme Group raises US$250M, becomes first SEA unicorn in 2024
The company raises fresh funding at the valuation of US$1.5 million, DealStreetAsia writes

EQT completes PropertyGuru acquisition, seeks to strengthen its position in SEA proptech sector
EQT aims to provide PropertyGuru with resources to accelerate tech development, expand market reach, and improve efficiency

Eureka Robotics raises US$10.5M to power the future of factory automation
Eureka Robotics’ solutions are commonly used in AI-based inspection, precision handling, 3D picking, assembly, and dispensing

Funding the green transition: Southeast Asia’s climate tech leaders of 2024
In this feature, we spotlight the region’s notable climate tech startups that raised substantial funding rounds in 2024

VCs eye exits in 2025 as funding winter begins to thaw
This year has not been a good one for players in the venture capital (VC) space, Tech In Asia writes

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

Empowering innovation: The role of government in scaling ASEAN’s GenAI ecosystem
GenAI’s future in ASEAN is bright, driven by government initiatives shaping its path toward greater innovation and economic growth

How Circular Unite tackles the unique challenges of promoting green tech solutions in SEA
Circular Unite is working in the area of waste management and recycling which remains “very” traditional. How do they deal with this?

What AWS has in store for SEA startups to support their innovation
At the recent AWS re:Invent 2024 conference, AWS announced its allocation of US$1 billion in Activate Credits for global startups in 2025

Temu’s Vietnam pivot could trigger direct showdown with Shopee
Cross border shopping platform Temu is feeling the heat in Vietnam, Tech In Asia writes

Indonesia’s warung-techs make strategic shifts to navigate tough times
While some have pivoted, others have switched on to asset-light model, DealStreetAsia writes

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Securing the future: Transforming industries through blockchain’s immutable ledgers
Advancing blockchain into mainstream acceptance necessitates innovative business models that empower creators through automated commissions

From gigabytes to zettabytes: How to develop a data-driven mindset
There’s so much data going around, that it’s become invisible, ubiquitous and all-encompassing in our lives

How to streamline AI development with distributed tech and data architecture
The future of AI is not just about building remarkable systems but doing so in a way that fosters collaboration and innovation among remote teams

How companies can successfully drive digital transformation through consolidations
The amount of planning and alignment that goes into a company’s internal processes will “make or break” its digital transformation

AI and ethics in digital marketing: Building trust in the tech era
AI presents a world of opportunities in digital marketing, but it also demands a new level of ethical responsibility

Fertile ground for partnership: How agritech boom in SEA holds a promise for Latin America
While the two regions may be separated by geography, culture, and language, they both share the realities of emerging economies and developing agricultural spaces

What Asia’s smallholder farmers really need and why startups should lead this uncontested race
If a tech company could tap into the smallholder farmers market, they would help lift a lot of people out of poverty

Genetics AI in Asia: Pioneering the future of technology
One of the most significant areas of innovation is genetics AI—a fusion of artificial intelligence and genetics research

The future of medtech in Singapore: Innovation amid regulatory challenges
The future of medtech in Singapore is bright, but only if we continue to innovate and adapt to the regulatory landscape

Healthtech data: The race for new oil in Southeast Asia
How similar are oil and data in the emerging healthtech sector in Southeast Asia, where valuations are rising but exits remain unproven?

How Malaysia is championing regenerative medicine technology
The risk of rejections occurring post-surgery can be significantly reduced by replacing artificial implants with tissue regeneration technology

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Are you selling a product or a solution?
Shifting to value creation and solution selling changes the focus, making you 100 per cent dedicated to meeting your customers’ needs

Startups and economic cycles: Navigating growth and recession
Gain insights into economic cycles and their impact on startups to enhance your understanding and improve your fundraising efforts

Why continuous learning is key to employee retention in the modern workforce
To retain Gen Z employees, it’s crucial to understand their workplace values and why continuous learning is important to them

How Web3’s open-source technology will create a more equitable world
Open-source code and protocols shape the internet’s future, enabling global participation and driving the evolution of technology

—

Image Credit: 123RF

The post Ecosystem Roundup: Tyme Group becomes a 🦄 | PropertyGuru acquisition completed | Eureka Robotics gets US$10.5M appeared first on e27.

In the fiercely competitive landscape of generative AI (GenAI), ASEAN startups are discovering the crucial importance of building moats—defensible advantages that protect against competition and market changes. The ASEAN GenAI Startup Report 2024 offers insights into how startups in the region are navigating challenges by developing unique value propositions, fine-tuning their models, and focusing on niche applications. This strategic focus not only helps startups stand out but also establishes a sustainable foundation for growth.

Differentiation through specialisation

One of the most effective strategies for ASEAN GenAI startups is to specialise in niche applications. By targeting specific industry needs or complex problems that larger players may overlook, startups can develop deep expertise and customised solutions that are highly valued by their customers.

For example, companies like Mesolitica in Malaysia focus on creating fine-tuned language models that cater to the local linguistic diversity of Southeast Asia. This specialization in regional languages provides a competitive edge over global players that might not address local nuances as effectively.

Similarly, startups like Botnoi Group in Thailand leverage their local market knowledge to develop AI solutions tailored to the specific cultural and business contexts of ASEAN countries. This focus on local customisation helps them create more relevant and effective products for their target markets.

Leveraging data and AI capabilities

To build a moat, ASEAN GenAI startups are increasingly leveraging unique datasets to train their AI models. Access to exclusive or hard-to-replicate data sets allows these companies to offer superior predictions, analytics, and user experiences.

Also Read: Big Tech and ASEAN startups: Navigating the friend-foe dynamic in the GenAI era

For instance, Singapore’s Shieldbase uses proprietary datasets to enhance its AI-driven enterprise search and data privacy solutions. This not only improves the functionality of their offerings but also makes it difficult for competitors to replicate their success without access to similar quality data.

Creating high barriers to entry

Startups can create high barriers to entry by integrating their technologies deeply within customer workflows or by developing intellectual property that is legally protected. This approach not only discourages competitors but also increases the switching costs for customers, fostering long-term loyalty.

KeyReply, a Singapore-based startup, integrates its AI-powered virtual assistants so deeply within healthcare providers’ systems that replacing them would involve significant cost and disruption, thereby securing KeyReply’s position in the market.

Partnerships and ecosystem integration

Building strategic partnerships with other technology providers and integrating deeply with the broader ecosystem can also strengthen a startup’s moat. By collaborating with established players, startups can gain not only credibility and trust but also access to a wider customer base.

Startups like Pixel ML in Vietnam enhance their market positions by partnering with major cloud service providers like AWS to offer integrated solutions directly to enterprise clients through the AWS Marketplace. These partnerships make it easier for startups to reach a global audience while also benefiting from the scale and reliability of a larger platform.

Continuous innovation and adaptation

In the fast-evolving field of AI, continuous innovation is crucial. ASEAN GenAI startups must constantly evolve their offerings to stay ahead of technological advancements and changing market needs.

The commitment to ongoing R&D allows startups like ArcanicAI in Vietnam to continually improve their products and adapt to new market opportunities. By consistently introducing innovative features and capabilities, these startups not only reinforce their market positions but also keep competitors at bay.

For ASEAN GenAI startups, building a moat is essential for surviving and thriving in a competitive market. By focusing on niche applications, leveraging unique datasets, creating high barriers to entry, forming strategic partnerships, and committing to continuous innovation, these startups can secure a sustainable competitive advantage.

As the GenAI landscape continues to mature, those startups that have effectively built and maintained strong moats will be well-positioned to lead the market, drive innovation, and deliver significant value to their customers and investors alike. In a world driven by rapid technological change, the ability to sustainably differentiate oneself in the market is not just a strategy—it’s a necessity.

—

This article is the seventh in a series from the ASEAN GenAI Startup Report 2024. GenAI Fund invests in early-stage GenAI startups across Southeast Asia, focusing on growth strategies and exit opportunities. Stay updated with new articles in this series by subscribing and following us on our channels. For more articles, visit: https://e27.co/category/reports/.

The post Building moats: Strategies for ASEAN GenAI startups to create sustainable value appeared first on e27.

Singapore-based fintech company Tyme Group raised US$250 million in an oversubscribed Series D funding round led by Brazilian neobank which injected US$150 million, according to various media reports. M&G’s impact strategy Catalyst, with existing investors Tencent, Apis Partners, BII, and Blue Earth, also participated in the funding round.

With this funding round, Tyme Group became the first company to secure a unicorn status this year with a US$1.5 billion valuation.

It plans to use the funding to scale operations, diversify product range, and expand customer base while pursuing growth plans in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Also Read: How Zed aims to set itself apart in the Philippines with its credit-led neobank

Launched in 2022, Tyme Group operates GoTyme Bank in the Philippines which offers a range of banking services. In South Africa, the group’s banking app TymeBank provides cash advances to low-income and rural communities in return for future sales to support small enterprises.

In a previous interview with e27 in 2023, Tyme Group Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Coenraad Jonker said that its flagship operation in South Africa, TymeBank, has joined the five per cent of neobanks globally to be profitable—which it managed to achieve in just four years.

“After successfully launching in South Africa, we looked for structurally similar markets with a larger addressable market and lower cost efficiency, which were ripe for disruption,” he said.

—

Image Credit: Tyme Group

The post Tyme Group secures unicorn status with US$250M Series D funding appeared first on e27.

In traditional finance, investors have long relied on methods that require locking up capital to generate reliable income. Certificates of deposit (CDs) and certain mutual funds, for example, offer predictable returns but require funds to be held for a set period, often with penalties for early withdrawal. These systems provide stable income opportunities through committed capital and support financial stability.

Building on principles from traditional finance, the Web3 industry introduced crypto staking as a profitable approach. Users earn rewards by holding and locking up cryptocurrency tokens to support a blockchain network, similar to how traditional investors gain returns through committed capital on financial products.

Why staking works

Previously, staking was limited to niche assets. Ethereum (ETH), one of the largest and most well-known blockchain networks, has significantly expanded its reach. Ethereum’s shift from the energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to proof-of-stake (PoS) has popularised staking, with Ethereum validators increasing over 30 per cent in the past year, surpassing the one million mark for the first time by mid-2024.

“The rise of liquid staking and more recently restaking has enticed institutions interested in both immediate liquidity and enhanced capital efficiency from restaking,” says Carlos Mercado, data scientist at Flipside Crypto.

Staking is more than a passive income method; it functions similarly to holding shares in a company in terms of decision making, albeit in a more decentralised manner. The more tokens a user stakes, the greater their influence in network governance. This model aligns interests, rewarding those committed to the ecosystem with transparent, automated governance and returns through newly minted tokens or transaction fees.

Challenges in staking

Despite its advantages, staking also comes with some drawbacks. For one, the minimum staking requirement to become a validator is 32 ETH (about US$96,000), which can be a high barrier for individual investors. A further challenge lies in centralisation risks, as validators with large staked holdings can dominate the network, reducing the decentralised aspect of the PoS mechanism.

Also Read: Liquid staking:  Bridging the gap with traditional finance

In addition, some assets impose lock-up periods that can limit liquidity. For example, unstaking Polkadot (DOT) requires a 28-day waiting period, while Cosmos (ATOM) involves a 21-day lock-up before assets become accessible. These restrictions can limit investors’ flexibility, as they must wait through the designated periods before accessing their staked assets.

The rise of restaking

Fintech innovations have addressed many of these challenges. Staking pools allow users to combine their assets, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for validators. Platforms are also building shared governance mechanisms to counteract the potential centralisation effect of big stakes.

Restaking builds on staking by letting users leverage staked assets across multiple platforms, boosting their earning potential. Unlike traditional staking, which locks tokens to one network, restaking allows Ethereum validators to secure additional services and earn extra rewards.

Staking and restaking are emerging as niche opportunities in fintech, similar to the evolution of certificates of deposit (CDs) in the past. However, instead of leveraging traditional financial systems, these products rely on decentralised platforms, where yield accumulation and disbursement are managed transparently and efficiently through blockchain technology.

Simplifying staking and restaking with established platforms

Several platforms are advancing staking and restaking with features that optimise rewards and user experience. Here are three leading platforms—Lido, EigenLayer, and StakeEase—that offer diverse solutions for crypto holders seeking flexible and efficient staking options.

Lido

As the largest liquid staking platform, Lido supports assets like ETH, SOL, and DOT. It utilises the Lido DAO to manage governance and employs a set of professional validators to secure the network. It uses liquid staking tokens like stETH for Ethereum, which can be traded or used across different applications, maintaining liquidity while earning staking rewards.

Lido’s growth is reflected in its Total Value Locked (TVL), which has surged from USD 1.48 million in December 2020 to USD 32.17 billion in November 2024.

EigenLayer

EigenLayer, a restaking platform, enables users to leverage their staked ETH to secure multiple protocols beyond Ethereum. By participating in EigenLayer, stakers can extend Ethereum’s security to new services and earn additional rewards.

As of February 2024, EigenLayer has raised a total of USD 171 million over three funding rounds from 27 investors, including notable firms such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Coinbase, and Blockchain Capital.

Also Read: Cross-chain interoperability: The key to unlocking crypto’s true potential

StakeEase

StakeEase simplifies the complex process of staking and restaking across multiple networks and platforms, offering users an intuitive, unified interface that goes beyond Ethereum. Built on Router’s Cross-Chain Intent Framework (CCIF), the platform allows users to deposit any token, including ETH, USDT, or USDC, and receive their desired Restaked Token (RST). Users aren’t restricted to a single chain and can choose from various restaking platforms such as Kelp, Ether.Fi, and Renzo Protocol, or let the platform select the optimal options based on its path discovery algorithm.

StakeEase simplifies the complex process of staking and restaking across multiple networks and platforms, offering users an intuitive, unified interface that goes beyond Ethereum. Built on Router’s Cross-Chain Intent Framework (CCIF), the platform allows users to deposit any token, including ETH, USDT, or USDC, and receive their desired Liquid Restaked Token (LRT). Users aren’t restricted to a single chain; they can choose from various restaking platforms such as Kelp, Ether.Fi, and Renzo Protocol, or restake into an index that includes all of them along with sxETH.

StakeEase brings staking and restaking services together in one platform, making it simple and easy for users. It combines rewards from projects like Etherfi, Swell, and Taiko, so users can earn multiple rewards without hassle. The platform also helps maximise yield while keeping things secure with an insurance pool and a system to manage risks if any Liquid Restaked Token (LRT) becomes unstable.

Looking ahead: The path for staking and restaking

Web3 staking and restaking are creating passive income opportunities, promoting decentralisation and network security. Supported by fintech, these innovations are steadily becoming more accessible, driving the industry toward broader adoption.

—

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.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay connected.

Image credit: Freepik

The post A modern approach to earning: How staking and restaking are reshaping investment opportunities appeared first on e27.