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!

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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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Rize, an agritech platform aiming to make sustainable rice cultivation viable through innovative and data-driven practices, has closed its USD$14 million Series A funding round.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures, GenZero, Temasek, and Wavemaker Impact co-led the round.

This round will enhance Rize’s technology stack, including its measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) technology.

Also Read: Wavemaker Impact backs Australian climate-tech startup MetroElectro

The capital will also enable it to expand its operations deeper into Indonesia and Vietnam and help strengthen its team of agronomists to over 100 by the end of 2024, potentially reaching over 20,000 farmers. The firm also plans to expand into other rice-producing South and Southeast Asian countries in 2025.

Rize was formed through a joint venture between Temasek, Wavemaker Impact, Breakthrough Energy Ventures and GenZero to decarbonise rice cultivation in Asia. It 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.

“We are confronted with the challenges of addressing the high levels of methane emissions and the water-intensive practices prevalent in rice farming, which accounts for 10 per cent of global methane emissions, a figure that is set to rise if unchecked,” said Dhruv Sawhney, CEO of Rize.

“Another hurdle is the lack of precise data, particularly among the numerous smallholder farms across South and Southeast Asia, as well as the increasingly high cost of farming due to increased input prices and a changing climate. Our technology stack seeks to tackle these challenges. By doing so, we are not just aiming to cut down 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions, we are also enhancing the economic stability of farmers, ensuring that improved farmer livelihoods and reduced emissions go hand-in-hand,” he added.

Also Read: Wavemaker Impact debut fund makes final close at US$60M

Rize aims to improve over 7,000 hectares of rice farming this coming season. These initiatives are projected to lower emissions by 50 per cent, reduce water usage by 20 per cent, and increase farmer incomes by up to 30 per cent, making sustainable rice farming a viable and attractive option.

“Our platform, and the data it captures, is pivotal in modernising rice farming, leveraging technology to enhance yield and efficiency sustainably,” remarked Sawhney. “Given that producing a single bowl of rice requires over 200 litres of fresh water, and considering that the entire rice industry accounts for more than a third of the world’s irrigation water, the urgency to adopt sustainable methods is clear.”

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With Singapore aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, everyone, including corporations, has a part to play in reducing their carbon emissions. Earlier this year, the nation announced that large non-listed and listed firms will have to report climate-related information from 2025, with scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions soon to follow.

It is thus imperative that companies, regardless of size, find a way to not only incorporate environmental sustainability reporting into their business operations but also actively find ways to reduce their emissions.

There remains a pressing need for businesses to align their business operations with sustainability targets. Despite that, the multitude of portfolios and business units present in each company proves it difficult to integrate all sustainability efforts into a seamless and cohesive solution.

This often results in fragmented and siloed sustainability strategies, isolated within various business units rather than being integrated across the entire organisation, which affects the overall effectiveness and impact of such efforts.

Sustainability silos: More harm than good?

Although working in silos can be efficient at times, it often results in overlooking combined efforts to achieve sustainability and business goals. Exploratory strategies in sustainability require oversight across all business units to ensure the net meaningful impact is maximised. Simply put, we must ensure that a positive impact in one area does not cause a negative impact in another.

Also Read: Unveiling the eco gender gap: Essential insights for a sustainable future

To better explain this, take tree planting, for example. While planting trees is a great way to restore nature back to our city, the net impact will be minimised or even negated if substantial amounts of paper are still used in the company’s day-to-day operations. There needs to be a bird’s eye view across such activities for a better, more comprehensive understanding of how our intended sustainability efforts can actually result in a trackable positive impact.

Economic and environmental gains through integrated sustainability strategies

Research has shown that a unified sustainability strategy not only drives progress but also enhances an organisation’s credibility and provides long-term guidance for its business model, thus securing future profitability. Weaving sustainability into the fabric ethos of a business, where each business unit plays a unique role in advancing our sustainability efforts, allows us to form a network of sustainable collectives that deliver tangible value, including financial.

An example of how that is exemplified at LHN Group is our Space Optimisation business, where we revitalise old, unused spaces to their fullest potential. Through unique design techniques honed over three decades of experience in the industry, we enhance buildings’ interior facilities and usability without demolition, mitigating noise and air pollution. These are then transformed into productive environments such as vibrant co-living spaces or storage solutions, which are as efficient as new buildings.

Furthermore, each property we manage is retrofitted with solar panel installations and electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities from our energy business, LHN Energy, facilitating the use of renewable energy to power our buildings and offering EV charging facilities to our tenants.

This forward-looking approach, where each business unit complements one another, not only futureproofs our operations but also empowers us to diligently monitor and diminish our carbon footprint at every link in the chain.

Tackling diverse portfolios

For larger enterprises like LHN Group, determining where to begin can be daunting, but there are solutions to create greater synergy across various business units.

Starting with an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework that aligns with industry regulatory mandates, national targets, and Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) can allow us to assess and understand the various components in our portfolios to apply sustainability initiatives.

Establishing a dedicated sustainability committee enables the creation of action plans, goals, and targets to integrate these initiatives. LHN’s Sustainability Innovations Committee consists of Heads of Department and members of the Board of Directors, who regularly explore new technology, exchange ideas, and identify areas in daily operations where sustainability strategies can be effectively incorporated.

Also Read: Can a small business owner be sustainable in a sustainable manner?

This approach provides us with specialised expertise and focus and, more crucially, promotes collaboration amongst the various business units. Through this, companies will be able to ensure ESG efforts are implemented effectively and contribute to broader local, regional, and even global sustainability objectives.

Getting everyone onboard sustainability synergies

While climate-related activities are crucial in working towards a greener future, a key aspect that is often neglected is the part that employees play. There is a need to highlight the importance of cultivating a culture of environmental sustainability across all levels; beyond direction from top management, even on-ground staff must be informed and educated, getting them excited about the topic.

To foster widespread understanding and adoption of sustainability, company’s ESG strategy should be communicated in an engaging and easily understandable manner for all employees. Besides high-level corporate messages, clear instructions for integrating sustainable practices into daily operations and personal lives should be provided. This approach allows employees to gradually acquaint themselves with the concept without feeling overwhelmed by jargon.

Moreover, providing opportunities for employees to engage in practical environmental activities, such as tree planting, upcycling workshops, or learning about new sustainability technologies, is an effective way to expand their knowledge and cultivate awareness in this field.

In addition, it’s important for companies to engage the supply chain in the ESG communication to ensure a thorough alignment on sustainability vision. This process goes beyond open discussions and sharing of best practices; it entails setting expectations, benchmarks, and targets for ESG compliance across the supply chain.

Sustainable success through integrated environmental stewardship

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability can no longer be considered an afterthought for businesses, but rather an essential consideration in day-to-day operations. Companies must develop a holistic and actionable approach across all teams, be it supply chains, procurement, people and more.

Implementing an integrated sustainability strategy allows businesses to streamline sustainability efforts, ensure cohesiveness across various business units and, more importantly, seize new opportunities in the green economy fuelled by consumer and investor demand. Only then can we create and maximise proper, trackable positive impact in the world that we live in today, paving the way forward for a more sustainable tomorrow.

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Indonesia’s integrated farming productivity platform Elevarm has secured US$2.6 million in a seed funding round led by Singapore’s Insignia Ventures Partners.

500 Global and eFishery founder and CEO Gibran Huzaifa also participated.

The strategic raise, completed in two phases, will be used to scale Elevarm’s seedlings and organic fertiliser production capacity threefold to meet growing demand.

Also Read: Unlocking agritech’s potential: Can Southeast Asia rise to the challenge?

The company will also make significant investments in NextBio, its in-house R&D engine, to develop new products to improve biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem resilience. It aims to introduce 15 new organic products this year, including biostimulants, fertilisers, and plant and bio-pesticides solutions.

The fresh capital will additionally be channelled towards a new factory equipped with advanced manufacturing technology to expand its capacity for fertiliser production and more.

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.

“We see incredible value in uplifting our local smallholder farmers, the backbone that makes up half of Indonesia’s entire farming industry. Our mission is to democratise access to farming essentials that not only boost crop yields for them, but contribute to the circular economy in the long run, through our proprietary research, technology, and solutions,” said Bayu Syerli Rachmat, co-founder and CEO of Elevarm.

Also Read: New year, new funding strategies: Powering up sustainability tech startups

Elevarm plans to collaborate with new research institutions and strategic partners to engineer affordable, deeptech horticulture solutions tailored to uniquely local challenges at different stages of the farming journey. On top of servicing over 400 hectares of farmland through its current farming partners, Elevarm’s B2B marketplace for farmers and wholesalers facilitates monthly crop sales of up to 1,000 tonnes.

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

Implementing automation and technology to improve the efficiency of each business function is paramount in today’s digital world. Numerous SaaS applications have entered the market as a result. However, companies spend an average of $1,040 on SaaS apps per employee, and 50% of licenses are not entirely maximised according to the Gartner 2022 Market Guide. 

As organisations grow, IT teams need more support in tracking, securing, and optimising their technology stack. Gone are the days of managing SaaS subscriptions through spreadsheets and databases. Centralised IT management software becomes crucial to oversee the entire SaaS landscape, ensuring centralised control and visibility.

Access and data security are important to ensuring internal stakeholders have appropriate access permissions, thus securing customer and company-owned information. “Shadow IT” refers to the unauthorised use of IT hardware or software within an organisation, often involving cloud services, software, or hardware, without the knowledge of the IT or security department. A SaaS management platform can illuminate the use of shadow IT, helping businesses secure their tech stack, optimise their investments, and enable informed decision-making.

Also read: 6 SaaS startups to showcase cutting-edge solutions at Echelon X

Another benefit of a central SaaS Management Platform is gaining end-user utilisation insights. Many subscriptions are purchased, but without proper oversight into how well they are being used, organisations begin overspending on licences and apps they are no longer using. A dashboard would also help teams proactively negotiate contract renewals, reeling in licence leakage and regaining control over the IT budget.

By integrating with hundreds of applications and external data sources, this Tokyo-founded company provides IT with a single platform for tracking all approved applications, streamlining employee onboarding, monitoring shadow IT, and managing SaaS sprawl. With Josys’s power, IT teams can eliminate manual tasks, optimise their licence footprint, and reduce risk.

A holistic approach to equipping IT with 360-degree control over SaaS inventory

Josys is the SaaS and Device Management Platform that simplifies how IT works by making it easier to visualise user access, analyse utilisation trends, and automate provisioning processes. 

By leveraging APIs and integrating with hundreds of applications, Josys empowers IT with a single portal for assigning licences and devices to employees, monitoring user access, and tracking adoption.  IT teams can save time by eliminating dependencies on multiple spreadsheets and disparate tools,  easily optimise IT costs, and securely govern access to company data with Josys.  

The following features and benefits are available for Josys users:

• Users can expose blind spots by cataloguing apps and devices through a real-time dashboard that integrates hundreds of apps and data sources. Managers can easily create custom views and quick filters for fast navigation and automatically identify shadow apps and users on their network.
• IT can prevent licence leakage by analysing usage and controlling costs. Management can grant role-based permissions, identify utilisation trends, and track device refresh cycles to secure company assets and optimise IT spending. Business owners can also make more informed decisions by comparing licence consumption trends to minimise redundancies. They can view summary reports of departmental IT expenses and immediately spot access violations and revoke permissions.
• Lastly, the dashboard can eliminate manual tasks and implement workflow automation to expedite provisioning during employee onboarding, offboarding, and everything in between. Josys allows managers to efficiently onboard employees with bulk licence provisioning, proactively schedule employee access for a seamless Day 1, and systematically de-provision access with a single click.

Also read: 8 AI startups to showcase cutting-edge solutions at Echelon X

Achieving rapid success, Josys secured $32M in Series A funding in September 2022, followed by an impressive $93M in Series B funding a year later to take its solution from Japan to the global market. Now boasting over 400 clients and 150 employees worldwide, Josys drives efficiency, governance, and cost optimisation for IT teams and organisations worldwide.

Empowering Southeast Asian companies with effective SaaS app management

With its proven track record, Josys is now interested in catapulting its growth and empowering entrepreneurs as the upcoming SaaS Management Platform vendor in Singapore and the rest of the ASEAN markets.

Josys has recently enrolled in IMDA’s Spark Programme, which shows the company’s commitment to expanding in Singapore and is a testament to Josys’ adherence to the highest standards of product quality, security, and financial integrity.

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

At Echelon X, Josys’ team aims to connect with companies of all sizes that are increasingly relying on various SaaS applications to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and foster innovation. They believe that this shift towards cloud-based solutions marks a significant transformation in businesses’ operations, making software more accessible and collaboration more seamless.

Visit Josys’ booth at Echelon X

Josys is one of the many exciting industry leaders from across the Southeast Asian region who will join us for Echelon X. Joining them are other key leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region who will gather 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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In April, Tracxn, the SaaS-based market intelligence platform, unveiled its latest Geo Quarterly Report focusing on the Southeast Asia (SEA) fintech scene for Q1 2024. Despite the typically vibrant nature of the region’s ecosystem, the report reveals a significant decline in funding, plummeting to US$530 million during this quarter. It also reported that amidst this challenging financial landscape, there has been a notable surge in acquisitions, with the count reaching 10 in Q1 2024, surpassing the figures of both Q4 2023 (six acquisitions) and Q1 2023 (five acquisitions).

Despite the funding downturn, the resilience of early-stage investments indicates sustained interest and potential avenues for growth within the SEA fintech sector. Moreover, the increase in acquisitions points towards a dynamic landscape ripe for strategic partnerships and consolidation. This trend underscores the adaptability and opportunity within the region’s fintech sector, despite the temporary setback in funding.

Next week, at Echelon X, the SEA fintech scene will be one of the topics that we covered. We will look at the prospect of the industry and figure out how to make them come true–despite all the challenges in the market today.

To prepare yourself for the conversation on fintech on May 15-16, we have compiled a list of notable fintech companies in SEA and beyond.

2C2P

2C2P is a worldwide payments platform aiding businesses in securely accepting payments across online, mobile, and in-store channels. Based in Singapore, the company operates throughout Southeast Asia, North Asia, Europe, and the US. It holds the position of the preferred payments platform provider for regional airlines, travel firms, and global retailers.

Also Read: Fintech Nation integrates thought leadership and community into its startup support initiatives

Wise

Wise is dedicated to creating the optimal method for transferring money worldwide. Through the Wise account, individuals and businesses gain access to over 40 currencies, enabling seamless money transfers between countries and convenient spending abroad. Notably, Wise’s technology is utilised by major corporations and banks, fostering an innovative cross-border payments network with the vision of enabling borderless money transfers for all. Whether for personal or business needs, Wise is committed to simplifying lives and reducing costs for its users. Founded by Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus, Wise began its journey in 2011 under the name TransferWise.

Today, it stands as one of the world’s swiftest growing and profitable technology firms, publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE. With a global user base of 16 million individuals and businesses, Wise facilitates £9 billion in cross-border transactions each month, delivering approximately GBP1.5 billion in annual savings to its customers.

Xtransfer

XTransfer is a comprehensive cross-border financial and risk management service provider, specialising in aiding SMEs in reducing the barriers and costs associated with global expansion while enhancing their global competitiveness. Headquartered in Shanghai, with branches in key foreign trade hubs such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as offices in major export destinations including the UK, US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and the Netherlands, XTransfer has established itself as a significant player in the industry. With local payment licenses secured in Hong Kong, the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, XTransfer collaborates closely with renowned international banks and financial institutions.

Leveraging a global multi-currency settlement network and an advanced, data-driven, automated, internet-enabled, and intelligent risk management infrastructure, XTransfer offers a suite of integrated solutions including foreign trade collections, multi-currency networks, risk management services, and customer relationship management. Through technological innovation, XTransfer bridges the gap between large financial institutions and SMEs, enabling the latter to access cross-border financial services on par with multinational corporations.

Wallex

Wallex offers streamlined overseas payment and cash management solutions for businesses, simplifying the process. Beyond facilitating cross-border payments at improved rates and quicker speeds, Wallex empowers users to convert and retain balances across various currencies, enabling effective planning, management, and hedging of currency requirements, all within a single platform.

Also Read: The future of fintech innovation will be a constant dance between progress and security: AND Global

Stripe

Stripe serves as a financial infrastructure platform catering to businesses worldwide. From the most prominent enterprises to aspiring startups, millions of companies utilise Stripe to facilitate payment acceptance, boost revenue, and expedite the exploration of new business ventures. With headquarters in both San Francisco and Dublin, the company’s overarching goal is to enhance the GDP of the internet.

Revolut

Revolut has been dedicated to revolutionising the way people interact with their finances since 2015, striving to provide enhanced visibility, control, and freedom. With a suite of impressive products, the company has empowered over 40 million customers to maximise their financial potential.

As Revolut continues its rapid expansion, the key drivers of its success remain its people and culture. Recognised as a Great Place to Work, Revolut boasts a workforce of over 10,000 individuals worldwide, operating from both office spaces and remote locations, all united by a common mission. The company seeks talented individuals who are passionate about crafting exceptional products, challenging traditional notions of success, and simplifying the complexities of the modern world into elegant solutions.

Rapyd

Rapyd empowers businesses to revolutionise global commerce by providing all-encompassing tools necessary for creating seamless payment, payout, and fintech experiences worldwide. Recognising the diverse preferences of customers globally and the need for swift transactions, Rapyd facilitates businesses and consumers in receiving payments faster, alongside offering developers the flexibility to innovate and create new products. With Rapyd’s comprehensive suite of solutions, businesses can effortlessly accept and send payments to a wide array of recipients, all while enjoying faster, cheaper, and more efficient transactions.

Notably, Rapyd clients experience an average return on investment of 196 per cent and spend 70 per cent less time managing payments. Whether businesses are focused on app development, product sales, payment transfers, or multifaceted financial activities, Rapyd provides solutions that enable them to confidently excel in their endeavours, offering services such as fund transfers, integration of hundreds of payment methods globally, issuance of prepaid virtual and physical cards, simplified money management, and seamless integration of fintech through APIs.

Also Read: How fintech infra firm Decentro leverages collaborations to capture SEA market

M-DAQ

Based in Singapore, M-DAQ is a financial technology firm dedicated to empowering businesses and individuals in cross-border transactions through data-driven insights that offer clarity and certainty in foreign exchange. Established in 2010, M-DAQ operates under the premise that while resources may be finite, aspirations are boundless. The company’s overarching vision is to foster a World without Currency Borders®, enabling universal participation and prosperity in the global economy.

Airwallex

Airwallex stands as a prominent global financial platform catering to modern businesses, providing reliable solutions spanning payments, treasury, spend management, and embedded finance. Leveraging its proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex streamlines global payments and financial operations, enabling businesses of every scale to expand their horizons and seize new opportunities across borders.

Founded in Melbourne, Airwallex boasts a client base exceeding 100,000 businesses worldwide, including renowned brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN, and numerous others, attesting to its trustworthiness and efficacy in the industry.

Worldfirst

WorldFirst emerged from a commitment to foster financial inclusivity. In 2004, Jonathan Quin and Nick Robinson departed from their corporate roles in global banking to establish WorldFirst, realising their vision. Since then, the company has experienced significant growth, now operating in seven locations worldwide. With over US$200 billion transferred for more than one million customers and over one million payments sent annually, WorldFirst has become a pivotal player in the industry.

In 2019, WorldFirst became part of Ant International, a comprehensive digital payment and financial services platform catering particularly to SMEs engaged in international trade. Today, WorldFirst offers a diverse array of tools and services extending beyond global money transfer, encompassing hedging through forward contracts, local overseas currency accounts, and seamless integration with platforms like Xero and online marketplaces. Committed to facilitating business anywhere, WorldFirst continues its mission with fervour.

Also Read: AI in fintech: Boosting your revenue by utilising top 5 CEO’s choices

Adyen

Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) stands as the preferred financial technology platform for prominent companies worldwide. Offering comprehensive end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and a suite of financial products within a unified global solution, Adyen empowers businesses to realise their goals swiftly. With a global presence through its offices, Adyen collaborates with renowned entities such as Meta, Uber, H&M, eBay, and Microsoft, facilitating their financial operations and driving their success.

Thunes

Thunes operates as a B2B entity, facilitating payments for some of the world’s fastest-growing businesses, ranging from Gig Economy behemoths like Uber and Deliveroo to Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, Grab, and global Fintech leaders such as PayPal and Remitly. With a straightforward connection, businesses and their customers gain the ability to seamlessly send and receive payments across the globe, instantly reaching every corner of the world. Thunes supports transactions in 79 currencies, facilitates payments to over 130 countries, and enables the acceptance of 300 payment methods. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes maintains regional offices in key global cities including London, Paris, Shanghai, New York, Dubai, and Nairobi.

Brankas

Established in 2016, Brankas is committed to democratising access to modern financial services for consumers and businesses worldwide. Collaborating with multiple banks and financial institutions, Brankas aims to enhance market accessibility, enabling technology companies to develop superior financial experiences within their own products.

Recognising the prevalence of unbanked or underbanked populations, particularly in developing or emerging markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines where over 70 per cent lack adequate banking access, Brankas is dedicated to addressing this issue by providing secure and cost-effective alternatives to informal banking services. Through the development of robust solutions and IT infrastructure, Brankas endeavours to foster a more competitive and customer-centric financial services industry.

Perfios

Perfios Software Solutions stands as India’s leading SaaS-based B2B fintech software company, empowering over 1,000 financial institutions to make informed decisions in real-time. Based in Bangalore, India, Perfios specialises in a range of services including real-time credit decisioning, analytics, onboarding automation, due diligence, and monitoring. Its core data platform is adept at aggregating and analysing both structured and unstructured data, offering vertical solutions that combine consented and public data for the BFSI sector, addressing their stringent requirements for scale, performance, security, and other SLAs.

Recently, Perfios secured a significant Series D funding round of US$229 million from Kedaara Capital, with additional investment from Warburg Pincus and Bessemer Venture Partners, bringing its total funding raised to US$384 million.

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In 2003, the World Summit on the Information Society was convened under the United Nations and made a Declaration on the importance of the internet in maintaining and strengthening human rights. This was reaffirmed by several multilateral bodies and countries in their own respective declarations.

While not necessarily a human right, per se, internet access is now considered a necessity as it facilitates information exchange and interaction. The UN itself released a resolution in 2016 condemning the disruption of internet access by governments.

With the help of decentralised physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and decentralised wireless (DeWi), connectivity is becoming more than just a service, but a universal right and a reward-generating opportunity for the average person. With the benefits of decentralisation embedded into innovative blockchain-based technologies, these networks are creating a link between the digital and real worlds in ways not possible only a few years ago.

Blockchain is increasingly becoming embedded into our everyday lives, and DePIN and DeWi are set to provide a practical solution to the challenges of internet connectivity, especially at the last mile.

Potentially revolutionising the US$1.8 trillion global telecommunications industry, this shift is not just about introducing new technologies to a traditional sector, but also about democratising access and benefitting individuals instead of the conglomerates that have ruled the telecoms space until now.

Democratising communications

Unlike technological advancements of the past, DePIN and DeWi don’t just improve efficiency – they democratise access to essential services. They are dismantling the barriers erected by the sheer scale of investment and regulatory complexities that plague the telecoms industry, helping to create a more level playing field in delivering network infrastructure.

“This shift was facilitated by the advent of blockchain technology, which powers peer-to-peer wireless networks,” says Tim Kravchunovsky, CEO of decentralised telecommunications network Chirp. “For the first time, cryptocurrencies facilitate a simple distribution of rewards across network participants, allowing individuals to challenge the status quo in the telecoms sector.”

This year, DePIN and DeWi have already seen significant growth, with a current market capitalisation of over US$30 billion. From the ongoing collaboration between Sui and Chirp that aims to leverage DePIN and DeWi technologies for enhanced connectivity, to the US$15 million raised by DePIN Peaq and the emergence of new decentralised communications projects like Karrier One, the sector is quickly booming.

These projects are particularly making an impact on the internet-of-things or IoT sector, which is expected to drive growth in the DePIN sector. “Scooters for rent or car sharing are perfect examples of how DePIN benefits the community. All of these devices need a network to communicate,” adds Kravchunovsky.

Benefitting the individual

So how exactly do these projects propose to turn the telecommunications sector on its head? Consider that the industry today is dominated by a handful of global giants, which makes it a challenge to develop and build sustainable telecom networks in emerging economies.

The telecommunications industry is characterised by high barriers to entry and limited competition. This monopolistic tendency not only stifles innovation but also leaves vast swathes of the global population in a connectivity void.

This is the very real problem that DePIN and DeWi are setting out to solve. A real-life example of this is Chirp’s Blackbird antenna – a device that allows individuals to provide wireless connectivity to their surrounding area and earn rewards for this service.

As an added benefit of providing decentralised internet access, DePIN and DeWi solutions are also an ideal solution for redundancy in communications, especially during disasters when the regular telecommunications infrastructures are usually overloaded or rendered useless.

“[E]ven if the global internet network is no longer available, it is still possible to stay connected,” writes Jonathan Deyoung of Cointelegraph and The Agenda podcast. “The solution lies in decentralised and distributed local networks known as mesh networks, which could serve as the technological backbone of a disaster-ravaged future.”

These technologies could be particularly game-changing for rural, developing areas and underserved communities where traditional telecom companies have hesitated to invest, resulting in a lack of reliable wireless connectivity in these regions.

An equitable economic model

However, while developed countries tend to enjoy ample connectivity at incredible speeds, DePIN and DeWi can also lead to benefits for individuals living in regions with well-developed telecom infrastructure.

By introducing a new incentivised economic model, these peer-to-peer wireless networks can drastically cut costs and provide earning opportunities for the owners of antennas that provide coverage. This distributes economic benefits more evenly across the network’s participants at the community level, ultimately fostering a more equitable society.

From an environmental standpoint, DePIN and DeWi also offer several benefits. In a world grappling with climate change and inequality, these innovative technologies offer the ability to deploy energy-efficient, decentralised infrastructure. By enabling peer-to-peer energy consumption, for example, DePIN can facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing the carbon footprint of digital networks.

The takeaway

The rise of DePIN and DeWi technologies heralds a sea change for the telecommunications industry. By decentralising the infrastructure that underpins our digital world, DePIN and DeWi could usher in an era of connectivity that is more accessible, equitable, and sustainable.

As we embrace these changes, we’re not just flipping an established industry; we’re redefining the very fabric of our digital society, ensuring that, in the future, connectivity is a universal right, not a privilege.

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

As the market globalises and technological competition intensifies, longstanding conglomerates have adeptly integrated into the innovation and startup scene. This shift opens avenues for collaboration, investment, and partnerships, fostering growth and diversification.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT Group) facilitates cultural exchange and knowledge transfer between Japan’s tech hub and the burgeoning markets, as evidenced by alliances within the ASEAN landscape. This engagement fosters regional development, stimulates economic growth, and positions the conglomerate as a pivotal player in the global tech landscape.

Corporate-startup collaborations enhance the distribution of new technologies and product offerings, achieving results with fewer resources and in less time. NTT is leading the way into the digital age by focusing on innovative technologies and partnerships in Southeast Asia.

Strengthening Connections and Innovation in Southeast Asia at Echelon X

NTT Group is a leading global player in the IT and telecommunications industry. Operating in diverse domestic and international markets, it has contributed over 150 years of technological innovation to society. The core of its business is providing services that enhance people’s lives and contribute to client success. With $97 billion in revenue and more than 330,000 employees across over 80 countries and regions, serving over 190 of them, NTT Group is committed to being a long-term trusted partner and consistently contributing to society through its business operations.

As part of the expansive NTT Group, their line-up has broadened to wider industries, job roles, and demographics. Their operations span a range of sectors, including telecommunications, IT infrastructure, and digital services, among others. This wide-ranging operational scope allows them to serve a broad market base, from startups in emerging tech sectors to established enterprises in traditional industries. NTT Group is equally open to exploring collaborations across various technological domains, whether they involve cutting-edge AI and IoT solutions or foundational IT services.

Also read: Transforming IT operational efficiency for businesses globally

NTT Group is currently developing the NTT Startup Challenge, a leading platform designed to foster the startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has attracted over 3,300 startup applications and has supported 50 startups in achieving significant business breakthroughs. Through its participation in Echelon X, NTT Group is committed to engaging directly with startups and establishing key partnerships.

Yasuhiro Nishino, Manager of the Global Business Department at NTT, added, “This event is an ideal place for us to connect with pioneering startups, share our advancements, and promote collaborative growth within the tech ecosystem.”

Enhancing ASEAN presence in Echelon X

Together with other industry leaders, Yasunori Kinebuchi, Director of the Global Business Department at NTT, will participate in one of the panel discussions about AI in Southeast Asia. This session offers a thought-provoking discussion on the ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the region. 

Kinebuchi, Nishino and the rest of the team look forward to connecting with other industry tech innovators and thought leaders. NTT Group is excited to gain insights into emerging trends, explore new technologies, and discuss challenges and solutions, enriching their understanding and inspiring future collaboration within Southeast Asia.

Also read: 6 SaaS startups to showcase cutting-edge solutions at Echelon X

NTT Group 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.

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

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