Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Financial literacy and inclusion have been gaining major traction in the recent decade. Digitalisation is playing a major role, and plenty of platforms have come up over the years to help facilitate and create a more comprehensible investing experience. Individual users often require insightful perspectives in investing and wealth building, and expert tools are often judged based on their accessibility, product offerings, and features. 

Introducing the super app for investing in global financial markets, a tool that could streamline access and provide a unified platform for diverse investment opportunities worldwide. This technology offers unparalleled convenience, allowing users to manage portfolios, execute trades, and access market insights seamlessly, putting the power of global investing in the palm of your hand. 

The goal is to democratise investing by offering educational resources and tools for novice and experienced investors. Ultimately, a super app grants more straightforward access to global markets, fosters financial literacy, and empowers individuals worldwide to participate in wealth creation opportunities.

Investing in financial inclusion and technology innovation

Modern innovation has allowed for the emergence of a professional, reliable, and innovative digitalised investment experience with Moomoo, a leading global investment and trading platform dedicated to empowering investors with user-friendly tools, data, and insights. As of 5 April 2024, every 1 out of 3 adults between 20 to 70 in Singapore is a user of Moomoo.

Moomoo Singapore is an advanced fintech firm transforming the investing experience through its digitalised brokerage and wealth management platform. Their platform is designed to provide essential information and technology, enabling users to make well-informed investment decisions. With advanced charting tools and pro-level analytical features, Moomoo evolves alongside users, fostering a dynamic community where investors can share, learn, and grow together.

Also read: Transforming the creative economy and entertainment industry with TipTip

In recent months, Moomoo SG launched the RSP (Regular Savings Plan) and US Treasuries which enable investors to invest for the long term with relatively stable returns and fight market volatility. Investors may choose between RSP or US Treasuries and trade with peace of mind with potential stable returns.

Moomoo’s features include being able to trade on the go and access a world of asset classes across stocks, ETFs, options, and funds within the super app. Investors are given easy access through one unified account, where they can deposit and trade away in a few easy steps. The super app allows for one-tap access to comprehensive professional-grade tools, real-time quotes, level 2 market data, and a robust investment community of over 21 million users globally managing their D-I-Y Investment Portfolio in real-time.

Moomoo operates globally serving investors in the US, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Canada and Malaysia. Users can trade globally in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan markets.

As a subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed company, they take pride in their role as a global strategic partner of the Nasdaq, earning numerous international accolades from renowned industry leaders such as Benzinga and Fintech Breakthrough. Moomoo has also received multiple awards in the US, Singapore, and Australia for its cutting-edge, inclusive approach to investing.

Being at the forefront of the financial markets

Moomoo’s platform is tailored to transform the way people invest and empower global investors with the tools and resources they need not only to participate but also to succeed in the financial markets. Their mission allows individuals to capture a world of opportunities and own a piece of their favourite companies from other parts of the world. Starting from US$5 (or 0.0001/ order), Moomoo SG users may now invest with small capital amounts in US fractional shares without having to burst their wallets.

To explore this further, Erika Chiang, Chief Marketing Officer for SEA, will join Echelon X’s panel on “How Fintech Companies Can Lean into the Fintech Landscape in SEA to Create Opportunities”. The panel will explore how fintech companies can leverage Southeast Asia’s dynamic landscape to create new opportunities and drive growth. With its diverse markets, rapidly evolving regulatory environment, and innovative technologies, Southeast Asia presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for fintech companies.

Also read: What is Remote? Meet this top global HR platform at Echelon X!

Moomoo’s goal in participating in Echelon X is to empower attendees with advanced tools and data such as heat maps, high-dividend yield, institutional trackers, and more to trade like smarter investors. Technology that was once difficult to use and expensive, is now accessible to all. Exclusive promotions will also be available for users who visit Moomoo’s booth located at T47 & T48!

If you are unable to visit Moomoo’s booth in Echelon, fret not. Check out their online new user promotion by clicking on the “Get Started” button and sign up for your free account to claim your S$970* worth of rewards!

Moomoo Singapore 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!

The post Empowering financial resilience with Moomoo Singapore appeared first on e27.

In the Southeast Asian nations of Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where agriculture remains a vital source of income and employment, addressing challenges like climate change and sustainable food production is paramount. The region, home to nearly 100 million of the world’s 500 million smallholder farmers, finds itself at the heart of this multifaceted challenge.

Across the globe, a remarkable 1,400 digital agricultural technology (D4Ag) solutions have emerged to address these needs. Southeast Asia accounts for a mere seven per cent of this supply while seeing its own surge from just 59 digital agritech solutions in 2018 to 92 by 2022.

However, the active adoption of digital tools among the region’s farmers remains concerningly low at merely six per cent — on par with sub-Saharan Africa and just a third of Latin America’s rate. Compounding this, not a single solution has reached the one million registered users mark, hinting at a vast untapped potential.

The shifting landscape toward digital commerce

The focus of these D4Ag solutions is shifting, increasingly leaning towards providing market linkage services for farmers. This mirrors a global pivot away from pure farmer advisory offerings that proved to be challenging to monetise for the startups, catalysed further by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet obstacles like users’ digital literacy gaps, infrastructure deficits, and limited access to capital persist, tempering the pace of digital adoption in the region.

Also Read: Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever

Empowering women, fostering inclusion

Crucially, D4Ag promises to reconfigure long-standing gender dynamics within agriculture. While gender-disaggregated data on usage patterns remains lacking, a growing body of evidence supports claims that D4Ag positively impacts women’s economic empowerment. Digital tools enhance productivity and income by improving access to knowledge, resources, financing, and professional skill development.

In Southeast Asia, this potential is palpable – women constitute over 46 per cent of farmers in the region. However, only 30 per cent of digital agritech users are female. The current 54 per cent gender gap in D4Ag adoption underscores significant growth opportunities. With concerted efforts, this divide could halve to 26 per cent within a decade, onboarding an additional 8 million women into digital agriculture.

The climate action catalyst

As the fight against climate change intensifies, digital agritech is rapidly aligning with climate tech — empowering farmers to adapt and mitigate environmental impacts. Digital agricultural tools enable sustainable practices like reducing input use (water, fertilizer, and pesticides), optimising production practices to decrease waste, and reducing emissions. Besides, they often allow farmers to rapidly identify and respond to emerging climate threats.

Despite progress, daunting hurdles remain in unlocking climate-smart D4Ag’s full potential. Adoption of affordable, digitally-enabled insurance lags, with only around three per cent of farmers in Asia outside China and India covered (GIZ, 2021). The lack of adequate and affordable products, as well as limited farmers’ understanding and trust, create barriers to unlocking the potential of digitally enabled agricultural insurance.

Also Read: Can agritech solve the world’s growing food security problem?

The scope of digital monitoring, reporting, and evaluation (d-MRV) products also remains narrow. Granular, reliable local baseline emissions data is scarce, while high costs, technical complexity, and shortages of critical skills like data analytics and environmental science expertise further hinder implementation.

Lastly, ‘climate-smart’ digital advisory services are often challenged by a lack of access to high-quality, granular, and context-specific data, as well as farmers’ limited abilities to act on the provided recommendations. Monetising such services also proved to be difficult, with most startups still struggling to find a viable business model.

An immense opportunity

Yet the promise is transformative — digital agritech could reduce up to 78 megatons of CO2 equivalent annually over the next decade for Southeast Asia under optimal conditions. This highlights the sector’s capacity to drastically cut emissions while underscoring the urgent need to overcome persistent barriers.

As Southeast Asia stands at the crossroads of innovation and tradition, the role of D4Ag in forging a sustainable agricultural future has never been more vital. Realising digital’s full potential demands coordinated efforts between technology providers, governments, and farming communities. Overcoming current obstacles will not only propel climate action but secure an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector.

In an era where agriculture both drives and bears the brunt of climate change, digital technologies offer a path to empowerment — helping farmers adapt, mitigate impacts, and thrive amid adversity. By embracing D4Ag’s transformative capabilities, Southeast Asia can unlock a future where gender equity, social inclusion, and climate resilience are woven into the fabric of its agricultural practices and rural landscapes.

To read the full report, please download here.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Asia’s tech industry is booming, but so is the competition for top tech talent. One of the critical challenges facing startups in this region is the skills gap—where the demand for certain technical skills far exceeds the supply. How do we close this gap?

The answer might just lie in innovative, tailored Learning and Development (L&D) programs designed around the latest insights from neuroscience.

Let’s dive into how we can develop these initiatives to not only meet the current demands but also anticipate future needs.

Understanding the skills gap in Asia’s tech industry

The Asian tech sector is diverse, spanning advanced economies like Japan and emerging tech hubs like Vietnam and Indonesia. Despite this diversity, many of these markets face common challenges, such as shortages in data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing expertise.

A report by AWS found that by 2025, there will be a demand for several million cloud computing jobs in Asia that the current talent pool is unprepared to fill.

These gaps can cripple growth and innovation, leaving many startups scrambling to find or develop talent that can drive their technological ambitions forward.

Neuroscience and learning: Tailoring L&D for tech

Modern neuroscience offers fascinating insights that can drastically improve how we approach L&D in tech. Understanding the brain’s learning processes helps in designing programs that are not only more effective but also more engaging for tech professionals.

Neuroplasticity and continuous learning

Tech fields evolve rapidly, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Neuroscience tells us that adult brains are still very capable of forming new neural connections—neuroplasticity—which can be enhanced by the right learning conditions.

Also Read: Rewiring our world: How neuroscience unlocks the secret to sustainable tech

Neuro fact: Engaging the brain’s reward system through gamified learning experiences can significantly boost motivation and retention in technical subjects.

Personalised learning environments

Tailoring learning experiences to individual needs can increase effectiveness, particularly in diverse environments like Asia. Customised pathways can cater to varied educational backgrounds and professional experiences, which are common in rapidly developing tech sectors.

L&D strategies you can try now

Peer learning and tech mentorship programs

Create a peer learning environment where more experienced tech professionals mentor newcomers or less experienced team members. This not only helps in transferring tacit knowledge but also strengthens team cohesion and communication.

Example: Establish a “Tech Guru” program where senior developers host weekly coding sessions and challenges, fostering a culture of learning and curiosity.

Role rotation and cross-functional training

Rotate employees through different roles or departments to broaden their understanding of the business and develop new skills. This exposure can enhance adaptability and cross-functional understanding.

Example: Implement a six-month rotation program for tech staff to spend time in different areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and user experience to gain a holistic view of the tech operations.

Reflection and metacognition

Reflecting on what one has learned and how one has learned it (metacognition) solidifies knowledge and enhances learning capacity. Encouraging learners to think about their learning strategies can improve their ability to acquire new skills independently.

Also Read: Sana Ross: Elevating performance coaching and neuroscience in business

Implementation: Use regular reflection sessions where employees can discuss what techniques worked best for them, share insights, and plan how they can apply what they’ve learned to their current projects.

Using the power of emotional learning

Emotional experiences can enhance memory retention. Incorporating storytelling and real-world scenarios that evoke emotions can make learning more memorable and impactful.

Implementation: Develop case studies that relate to common challenges faced in the workplace or remarkable tech breakthroughs that emotionally resonate with learners. Use these narratives as a base for problem-solving exercises and group discussions.

Leveraging dopaminergic learning paths

Dopamine plays a crucial role in motivation and the reinforcement of learning. By designing L&D programs that release dopamine through gamification, achievable milestones, and rewarding challenges, you can enhance engagement and retention of information.

Implementation: Create a gamified learning platform where tech employees earn points, badges, and levels for completing training modules. Introduce a leaderboard and real rewards, such as bonuses or extra vacation days, to maintain high levels of motivation and competition.

By bridging the skills gap through tailored L&D programs informed by neuroscience, startups in Asia can cultivate a workforce capable of propelling them to new heights of innovation and success.

Staying ahead doesn’t just require the latest tools, but also the most innovative approaches to learning and development. By tapping into the power of neuroscience, startups, and scaleups can craft L&D programs that not only fill the skills gap but do so in a way that maximises retention, motivates engagement, and harnesses the full potential of their teams.

Imagine the possibilities when every training session is fine-tuned to how the brain works best. Isn’t it time your organisation took advantage of these cutting-edge strategies to turn learning into your competitive edge?

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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In global commerce, the traditional notion of distance has long been a formidable barrier to cross-border payments. The inefficiencies of legacy systems often translate into slow processing times, exorbitant fees, and limited accessibility, posing significant challenges to businesses and individuals alike.

However, the tide is turning as the advent of financial technology (fintech) is dismantling these distance-related hurdles, heralding a new era of seamless international transactions.

How fintech is revolutionising cross-border payments

Fintech has emerged as a powerful force reshaping the landscape of cross-border payments through various means. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), fintech companies are enabling faster and more secure transactions. With its decentralised ledger system, blockchain ensures immutable and transparent transactions, while AI streamlines processes and enhances fraud detection.

Moreover, the rise of neo-banks and peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms has democratised cross-border payments, making them more convenient and user-friendly. Services provided by companies like Revolut and TransferWise offer competitive exchange rates and minimal fees, disrupting the dominance of traditional banking institutions.

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

Transparency and reduced fees are hallmarks of fintech-powered cross-border payments. Unlike traditional methods, fintech platforms prioritise transparency in fees and exchange rates, empowering users with complete visibility and control over their transactions.

Benefits of tech-powered cross-border payments

The benefits of fintech-powered cross-border payments are manifold. Perhaps most notable is the dramatic reduction in processing times, transforming what once seemed like lengthy transactions into near-instantaneous transfers. This acceleration has redefined the user experience, making international payments feel as seamless as domestic ones.

Furthermore, fintech solutions have significantly lowered costs associated with cross-border transactions. By cutting out intermediaries and leveraging digital infrastructure, fintech companies pass on savings to consumers, democratising access to affordable international finance.

Accessibility is another area where fintech shines. By leveraging innovative technologies and embracing financial inclusion, fintech platforms are expanding access to cross-border payments, particularly in underserved regions. This inclusivity not only benefits individuals but also fosters economic growth and development on a global scale.

Decentralisation using blockchain technology, particularly within cryptocurrencies, holds promise for further enhancing security and speed in cross-border payments. Blockchain-based systems offer unprecedented trust and efficiency by removing centralised authorities and enabling peer-to-peer transactions.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s fintech funding plunges by 44 per cent in Q1 2024 amid dynamic ecosystem

The future of cross-border payments

Looking ahead, the future of cross-border payments is undeniably intertwined with the continued evolution of fintech. However, regulatory compliance and interoperability must be addressed to widespread adoption. Yet, these challenges also represent opportunities for innovation and collaboration as stakeholders work towards creating a more interconnected and efficient global financial ecosystem.

We are also empowering a few large global customers with their cross-border payments across Asia and the West using our payments stack from Singapore. One of these is Walcy Bank, a payments and business expense management solution for SMEs based in Asia.

The advent of fintech has ushered in a paradigm shift in cross-border payments, rendering the concept of distance obsolete. Through emerging technologies, streamlined processes, and enhanced accessibility, fintech is making international transactions faster, cheaper, and more convenient than ever before. This transformation benefits businesses and individuals and contributes to the broader goals of financial inclusion and global economic growth.

As we embrace innovation, the world becomes increasingly interconnected, paving the way for a future where borders are no longer barriers but opportunities for collaboration and prosperity.

The future is here, and we couldn’t be more excited about this. 

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) runs a unique incubation and acceleration programme for global startups. Since its launch in 2001, it has created a thriving I&T ecosystem, grooming 12 unicorns, more than 14,000 research professionals, and over 1,700 technology companies from 27 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

Last Friday, HKSTP held its flagship Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) 2024 in Hong Kong, where German Li-ion startup tozero was crowned the champion. HKSTP invited several tech journalists from Asia and Europe to witness the EPiC event. On the event’s sideline, the journalists were introduced to several startups that have developed path-breaking products.

Below are the snapshots of the five innovators we met at the HKSTP.

Aero Systems

Based at the University of Queensland, Aero Systems specialises in applied technology and is engaged in the R&D of aviation training tools. The focus is on using the possibility of modern technology to encourage institutions and partners across Asia Pacific to adopt flight simulators and autonomous learning solutions in establishing training facilities. Established in 2017, Aero Systems aims to expedite learning even with complex flight procedures and simulate a hands-on operation environment, thus fostering career advancement and increasing safety levels and mission success.

AI Guided

Founded in 2020 in Hong Kong, AI Guided specialises in AI, haptic-reflex actuation, and environmental visualisation, especially for smart cities, social connectivity, and social welfare applications. It develops high-tech and innovative assistive platforms and portable devices for the visually impaired and the elderly. The startup’s flagship solution is GUIDI, an AIoT-based visual guiding system, which is equipped with advanced night vision cameras, immediate object recognition and path planning features, and speechless communication for directional guidance.

SAMBO

Sambo Group is engaged in the R&D of innovative technologies and nano-advanced functional materials for environmental protection and energy conservation.

It currently offers three products:

Light Fresh: A light self-cleaning sterilisation, disinfection, deodorisation, and air purification technology used mainly for indoor air purification and sterilisation and disinfection of places.

Cool Fresh: A nano thermal insulation coating technology used mainly for energy conservation, insulation and cooling of buildings.

Solar Fresh: A dust-proof, self-cleaning technology used mainly in self-cleaning designs for glass, ceramic tiles and metal substrate surfaces. It has excellent application and economic potential in self-cleaning and power generation of solar photovoltaic panels.

RaSpect Systems

RaSpect offers a cutting-edge Al platform for property inspections. It is designed for building owners, facility management, and building professionals, streamlines risk assessment, and improves performance evaluations.

The startup harnesses the power of AI and robotics technology to enhance infrastructure inspection and monitoring. It develops an intelligent platform for achieving higher safety, serviceability, and sustainability levels in a built infrastructure.

TIME Medical

TIME Medical develops cost-effective imaging systems and AI-based tele-imaging to bring advanced, accessible and affordable medical imaging products and services to global markets. It develops innovative imaging technologies for specialised applications in neonatal care, women’s health, and elderly care.

The company’s open MRI system is suitable for claustrophobic patients, provides better patient comfort with six-directional patient table movement for optimal ISO centre positioning, and its permanent magnet requires very low power to operate, minimising operation costs. It uses advanced technology to replace existing X-ray technology, which poses dangers to patients.

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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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Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

A flourishing innovation ecosystem has resulted in future investors noting the lucrative opportunities presented by allocating their assets to the venture capital space. In Southeast Asia, early-stage venture capital is thriving, with angel investors playing a crucial role in nurturing startups, especially in underserved markets like Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. These emerging economies offer a wealth of untapped talent and innovative ideas, allowing investors to participate in what could be the best vintage of young startups from across the region.

Unfortunately, access to these startups has proven difficult, with a high barrier to entry. If their profile is anything but a founder, a family member, or a close friend of one, it is unlikely an investor will be able to join a startup from its inception. Becoming an angel investor is more feasible if they are a wealthy, accredited investor.

With the power of technology, A2D grants access to early-stage startups and empowers investors by lowering the knowledge gap, broadening access to venture investing, and breaking down entry barriers.

Unlocking opportunities for founders and accredited investors

A2D Ventures is Thailand’s fastest-growing angel investing platform. The platform connects angel investors, family offices, and venture capitalists to come together and discover game-changing startups all across Southeast Asia.

Part of their USP is the simplified startup investing process with a seamless digital model. This approach allows investors to build a diversified startup portfolio alongside trusted VCs from across the globe. A2D Ventures is armed with its philosophies of accelerating regional growth, building a promising portfolio of startups, capitalising on trusted investment opportunities, and democratising the world’s most exclusive asset class: venture capital.

A2D Ventures founders’ expertise comes from extensive backgrounds across consumer technology, business building, growth strategy, angel investing, and venture capital, consisting of Shopee, McKinsey, ECG Venture Capital, Triumph Motorcycles, and Avareum. Their dynamic team and advisors of ex-operators, angel investors, investment managers, and corporate leaders collaborate closely with portfolio companies, providing not just funding but strategic guidance and hyper-local network access.

Also read: Empowering financial resilience with Moomoo Singapore

“We’re empowering investors to pioneer change and foster innovation across Southeast Asia, A2D Ventures is the bridge between promising startups and world-class investors. Together, we’re not just investing in companies; we’re investing in the future of a region, unlocking potential, and shaping tomorrow’s success stories. By streamlining the investment process and breaking down barriers, we’re helping founders navigate the complexities of funding fragmentation and ensuring that every innovative idea has the chance to flourish,” says Ankit Upadhyay, Founder & General Partner, of A2D Ventures.

They aim to expand access to innovative, early-stage startups across Southeast Asia and positively impact the region by enabling job creation and economic growth. As a result, the cycle continues, and startups can empower individuals and communities and contribute to the region’s sustainable development. Apart from providing accessible funding access to investors, A2D Ventures focuses on diversity by creating an inclusive ecosystem where everyone can succeed regardless of background.

Empowering entrepreneurs and investors to come together, fostering collaboration and innovation

A2D Ventures is looking forward to showcasing its team’s expertise and insights through speaking engagements and workshops. Joining other investors, Ankit Upadhyay, Founder & General Partner, will speak at the panel titled “Unveiling VC 2.0 or Navigating the Chaos? Decoding the Future of SEA Venture Capital in 2024”. In this session, investors will head into the rapidly evolving landscape of venture capital in Southeast Asia and explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping VC 2.0. With the region experiencing unprecedented growth in startup activity and investment, understanding the future of venture capital is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem players alike.

Ankit will also moderate a roundtable discussion on “Beyond Borders: Angel Investing Across Southeast Asia (by A2D Ventures).” The roundtable event aims to shed light on how to identify promising startups and investment opportunities and how the Southeast Asian investment landscape has evolved in the last few years.

Fund managers, general partners, family offices, angel investors, accelerators, and ecosystem enablers can also benefit from meeting A2D Ventures to facilitate strategic partnerships and co-investment opportunities for their respective portfolios. A2D Ventures looks forward to engaging with industry associations and communities to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge and insights, and build connections within the startup ecosystem.

Also read: Transforming the creative economy and entertainment industry with TipTip

A2D Ventures 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 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. Let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact together.

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

The post Discover promising early-stage startups across Southeast Asia with A2D Ventures appeared first on e27.

At Echelon X next week, participants will immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of conference themes, spanning Agile Business Practices, Sustainability & Responsibility, Collaborative Ecosystems, and Fostering Creativity. Each theme delves into essential aspects of modern business dynamics, offering insights and strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape.

Regardless of industry verticals, attendees will find common ground in their reliance on robust and dependable cloud services. The popularity of cloud services stems from various factors, including cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and scalability, which are vital for businesses seeking to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments. Notable trends in cloud computing, such as the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), underscore the transformative potential of cloud technology in driving innovation and efficiency across diverse sectors.

In this listicle, we are looking at some of the biggest names in the field of cloud computing. If you are new to cloud computing, they could help provide you with a map of the ecosystem and help you find the most suitable services for your business needs.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Launched in 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) emerged as a trailblazer in exposing critical infrastructure services to businesses through web services, revolutionising the concept of cloud computing. The fundamental advantage of cloud computing, embodied by AWS, lies in its capacity to transform capital infrastructure expenses into variable costs, ushering in a new business model. Businesses no longer contend with planning and procuring servers and IT resources well in advance; instead, they can harness AWS to access resources precisely when needed, leveraging Amazon’s expertise and economies of scale for swifter results and reduced costs.

AWS is a cornerstone in the global landscape, offering a highly reliable, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure platform that empowers hundreds of thousands of businesses across 190 countries. With strategically located data centre facilities in the US, Europe, Singapore, and Japan, AWS caters to customers from diverse industries, providing them with a low-cost, elastic, open, and secure platform to meet their evolving needs efficiently.

Also Read: 2024 cloud trends: AI-powered machine learning, distributed databases, and more

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation, an esteemed American multinational corporation and technology giant, has its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Renowned for its innovative software offerings, Microsoft boasts a distinguished portfolio, including the iconic Windows operating system line, the comprehensive Microsoft 365 suite comprising productivity applications, and the user-friendly Edge web browser.

Microsoft excels in hardware innovation alongside its software prowess, with flagship products such as the Xbox video game consoles and the versatile Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Moreover, Microsoft Azure, previously known as Windows Azure, stands as the company’s cutting-edge public cloud computing platform, catering to the evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

Alibaba Cloud

Established in September 2009, Alibaba Cloud is a pioneer in developing highly scalable cloud computing and data management services, catering to the diverse needs of large and small businesses, financial institutions, governments, and various other organisations. As a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, a global leader in e-commerce, Alibaba Cloud operates the extensive network that fuels Alibaba Group’s vast online and mobile commerce ecosystem.

Leveraging its expertise, Alibaba Cloud offers a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services tailored to support sellers and third-party entities participating in this thriving ecosystem. These services provide them with flexible and cost-effective solutions to fulfil their networking and information requirements.

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean, dedicated to simplifying cloud computing, empowers businesses to focus on creating transformative software that shapes the world. Through its mission-critical infrastructure and comprehensive managed services, DigitalOcean facilitates the rapid development, deployment, and scaling of applications for developers at startups and burgeoning digital enterprises.

Whether establishing a digital footprint or crafting digital products, DigitalOcean provides a seamless blend of simplicity, security, community, and customer support. By minimising the time spent on infrastructure management, DigitalOcean enables its customers to allocate more resources towards building innovative applications that fuel business expansion and drive technological advancement.

Also Read: From threat to transparency: Inside Cloudflare’s response to a holiday breach

VMware

VMware by Broadcom is a leading provider of software solutions that harmonise and simplify hybrid cloud environments, catering to the needs of the world’s most intricate organisations. Through the amalgamation of public-cloud scalability and flexibility with the security and performance of private clouds, VMware empowers its clientele to modernise, optimise, and safeguard their applications and businesses across diverse landscapes.

With the versatility to be deployed in software-defined data centres, cloud environments, various applications, and the enterprise edge, VMware’s comprehensive software portfolio enhances the innovation, connectivity, resilience, and security of global enterprises, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

Oracle

As a cloud technology company, Oracle provides organisations worldwide with essential computing infrastructure and software, fostering innovation, enhancing efficiencies, and driving effectiveness. Pioneering the world’s first and only autonomous database, Oracle prioritises the organisation and security of customer data. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers superior performance, security, and cost-effectiveness, enabling seamless workload migration between on-premises systems and the cloud and across different cloud platforms.

Their suite of cloud applications equips business leaders with modern tools to foster innovation, achieve sustainable growth, and bolster resilience. Beyond revolutionising business operations, Oracle’s work extends to defending governments and advancing scientific and medical research. Millions of users, from nonprofits to corporations of all sizes, rely on Oracle’s solutions to streamline supply chains, humanise HR functions, adapt swiftly to new financial strategies, and facilitate global data connectivity.

F5

F5, a leading multi-cloud application services and security company, is dedicated to realising a superior digital world. Collaborating with the globe’s largest and most sophisticated enterprises, F5 strives to enhance and safeguard every application and API, regardless of their location – be it on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. By empowering organisations to deliver outstanding, secure digital experiences for their clientele, F5 ensures they maintain a competitive edge and proactively mitigate evolving threats in the digital landscape.

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Give me a good headline for the following news article:

Tech giant Microsoft has committed to equipping 2.5 million Southeast Asian people with AI skills by 2025.

Per a statement, the skilling initiatives will be implemented in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organisations and communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The new programme aligns with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 to build an AI-ready talent pool in the region.

Also Read: iFLYTEK exec on why SEA is crucial for the development of global AI landscape

Microsoft’s skilling initiatives will focus on four areas: building an inclusive, AI-ready workforce; bridging the cybersecurity talent gap; enhancing developers’ AI skills; and empowering nonprofit organisations to maximise their social impact.

Building an inclusive, AI-ready workforce

Microsoft will help strengthen vocational education systems across the region to provide AI skills in partnership with the ASEAN Foundation and education ministries in the ten member states, benefitting an estimated 644,000 vocational students.

Through the AI TEACH for Indonesia and AI TEACH Malaysia programmes, Microsoft and the foundation will provide technical and vocational education and training students with AI skills. Microsoft is also training and educating 100,000 underserved youths and job seekers in AI, data, and security through its partnership with Kartu Prakerja, a pre-employment programme in Indonesia.

In addition, the software honcho is launching the AI Skills for the AI-enabled Tourism Industry programme to skill 100,000 young entrepreneurs involved in tourism businesses across minor-tier geographic provinces in all five regions of Thailand.

In the Philippines, it aims to equip 1 million Department of Education learners from kindergarten to grade 12 with AI and cybersecurity skills, ensuring their readiness for future careers and employment opportunities. Furthermore, it will strengthen its collaboration with the nation’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) by investing in a new initiative to equip 100,000 TESDA female learners with AI and cybersecurity skills.

Microsoft will also expand its partnership with the UNDP Asia Pacific in Indonesia to Malaysia and Vietnam, helping 570,000 youth from underserved communities enhance their employability and work readiness through access to AI fluency skills.

Helping bridge the cybersecurity talent gap

Under its Ready4AI&Security programme, Microsoft will train 15,000 young individuals in Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on providing opportunities for women to build cybersecurity careers. This will include access to Microsoft’s Security training and certifications. The region is experiencing the largest skills gap in its cybersecurity workforce globally, with a shortfall of 2.7 million people in 2023.

Enhancing developers’ AI skills to foster innovation

Microsoft has launched the Asia AI Odyssey campaign to support the ASEAN region’s seven million-strong developer community, highlighting how Microsoft’s AI Applied Skills validate the specific technical competencies required to build transformative AI applications. The campaign runs across Asia and aims to train 30,000 developers in ASEAN countries, encouraging greater use of AI services in the digital economy.

Also Read: AI: Boon or bane? Workers fear job loss despite productivity gains

Empowering nonprofit organisations to maximise their social impact

The company will also provide nonprofits in ASEAN countries access to the Microsoft Resources Hub and the LinkedIn for Nonprofits Resource Hub to help maximise their social impact and lead change in the AI era.

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When we talk about sustainability and climate change, we immediately associate our thoughts with big, lofty ambitions and initiatives from government agencies and big organisations.

However, can we also talk about how smaller businesses can contribute to this bigger picture? As a business owner of two small product-based e-commerce brands, I am often thinking about how to be more sustainable in my business practices yet maintaining the cost-effectiveness of it all.

Let’s face it: being sustainable could be expensive and negatively affect our bottom lines. I may not have reached the level that I want my businesses to be at in terms of sustainability, but I am taking baby steps.

Through design and mindset change

When we talk about sustainability to a normal consumer, they will probably be most familiar with the 3Rs that have been inculcated in us since young. But how many of us really went out of our way to put all that into practice? The lowest-lying fruit would probably be household recycling, but even then, the domestic recycling rate in Singapore itself stood at only 12 per cent in 2022.

The products that are designed for my two brands, Playand and A Mighty Mum, are specifically designed to be multi-functional for these purposes — to prolong the usage and lifespan (reuse) and also to promote lesser purchase since one item can fulfill many uses (reduce).

These 2Rs are harder to achieve, but through the multifunctional nature of my product designs, I believe that changes in consumer behaviour can be invariably achieved when consumers buy the products and cut down on the purchases of other products habitually.

Packaging vs protection

Another all too common problem faced by smaller business owners is costs associated with being sustainable. Being sustainable comes at a cost, and with small business owners already struggling with so many aspects of running the businesses, sustainability could be the last thing on their minds.

Also Read: Rewiring our world: How neuroscience unlocks the secret to sustainable tech

As a product-based business owner, I believe that packaging is an integral and essential part of my business. They matter a lot because not only do they protect the contents during transportation, they carry the brand name on them.

For A Mighty Mum, which is a clothing line, we have already taken steps to minimise our environmental footprint by ensuring that every piece of our clothing does not come tagged with a plastic/paper tag. We have considered switching to biodegradable or paper packaging to house each individual piece of clothing, but the risks associated with water damage during transportation would create an even higher wastage since these clothes cannot be sold and need to be discarded if soiled or damaged.

For Playand, we have cut out the use of printing explainer postcards in each package by printing them directly on the boxes itself. We are also in the midst of cutting out printed branded tapes since these have no additional direct benefit in making the brand stand out more.

A Mighty Haven social initiative

Lastly, we have also recently launched a social initiative — A Mighty Haven, where we collect preloved maternity, breastfeeding-friendly, work-appropriate clothing, baby clothing, and toys to redistribute to other mummies and children who are in need. The redistribution of clothings and toys will be done in a comfortable and inviting retail space, where these mummies in need can shop for three to five pieces of items for free.

In this way, we are saving these items from landfills and also giving the mummies in need a chance to shop joyfully without any financial guilt while preparing for pregnancy, breastfeeding, motherhood, or the workforce in general. If you reside in Singapore and would like to find out more about contributing to this initiative, visit this link.

Also Read: Building future sustainable business: The role of rural commerce platforms

As a mother of two young kids, I realised the costs of buying all these maternity, baby, and children’s clothes could be an astronomical sum to mummies who are struggling to make ends meet. I have come to realise that beyond my products and what I do within my business to be sustainable, I can also lobby the community of mummies and customers who are in my network to contribute to this social cause while promoting reuse and expanding the lifespans of these clothing and toys.

Why is there a specific focus on clothing items? Because textiles are one of the hardest to recycle among all waste, they often involve labour-intensive processes and consume a lot of energy and resources.

Starting small goes a long way

Being sustainable is a sustainable (pun intended) game. If we keep chipping at it in small incremental ways, it will one day amount to much. Collectively, if all small businesses can tweak or even pick one thing to change while keeping costs low in a sustainable way, the impact of the efforts adds up.

We may not have fanciful metrics to showcase or lofty ambitions to change the world, but we are doing what we can within our own spheres of influence and control, one baby step at a time.

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In recent years, financial services worldwide, particularly in Europe, have been undergoing a transformation with increased attention paid to sustainability and innovative technologies. Investors are increasingly seeking to finance sustainable solutions to respond to regulators and meet customer expectations.

In addition to this pressure, the reporting requested and the quality of the benchmarks increased with a clearer framework, and the expected information regarding sustainability became more solid. As stakeholders step up their demands for greater transparency, the demands for realistic and auditable sustainability measures will be even greater.

Indeed, the growing range of themes linked to sustainable development, including biodiversity, transition, adaptation, and inclusive finance, play an increasingly important role, while the market for green, social, sustainable financial instruments linked to sustainable development (GIS) continues to grow rapidly.

Furthermore, the growing urgency to combat climate change is driving demand for climate risk management, voluntary carbon offsets, increasing consumer incentives and promoting sustainable cities, industries, and agriculture – reflecting a reinforced commitment to carbon neutrality.

Also Read: The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business

These trends reflect the increasingly holistic approach taken by the public and private sectors around the world towards sustainable finance and sustainability in general, as they commit to solving environmental and sustainability challenges constantly evolving.

Sustainable finance and technology in the European banking sector today

Globally, the logic behind innovative solutions embodies a paradigm shift aimed at encouraging actions by companies or countries to accelerate socio-economic transformation.

Innovative solutions, in this context, are neither inventions nor limited to technology, even if naturally, these are most often inventions focused on technologies.

The financial sector in Europe has sought to invest in these innovative technological solutions with creative approaches that integrate sustainability across global value chains.

These innovative solutions that integrate the environment are also challenges that modify well-established processes. These creative “green” technological solutions are applied to ecosystem services, products, processes, market approaches and organisational structures that should lead to improved sustainability, productivity and “sustainable” (ecological and economic).

Innovative solutions require thinking about the life cycle while integrating all aspects of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental and promoting partnerships across all value chains.

Indeed, in the financial sector, like any other sector, technology plays an essential role in enabling sustainable finance to intensify action in favour of climate commitments. European banks are using technology to deliver their ESG commitments in a way that improves sustainability credentials.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain are helping to overcome challenges in developing sustainable finance while improving accessibility, impact, and reach.

AI

AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI, improves sustainability insights and assessments. The application of AI can unlock untapped value from large amounts of available data, helping to pave the way for more comprehensive and faster implementation and adoption of green and sustainable frameworks and practices in finance.

Predictive modelling techniques powered by machine learning can help develop risk models that consider sustainability risk factors. They can also help fill gaps in sustainability disclosures by using AI simulations to predict potential outcomes that would otherwise not be obvious.

Also Read: Critical considerations: Address these 5 questions before scaling your tech startup

AI can also be used to detect inconsistencies in company reporting with other data sources to address money laundering concerns. These approaches, based on the intersection of data and AI techniques, provide a more solid basis for more informed decision-making and capital mobilisation regarding sustainability.

IoT

IoT and sensor technologies also include spatial information technologies and satellite remote sensing. More generally, they contribute to improving data collection and enable continuous monitoring and reporting of sustainability-related measures. Climate data collected from IoT devices and telemetry sensors is used to assess and verify the impact of large-scale sustainability projects, enabling proactive management of sustainability requirements. The proper use of IoT technologies can accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral banking and adaptation to climate change.

Certain banks are mainly studying two use cases. The first is specifically linked to sustainable buildings (and bank branch network) management using IoT. They collect real data from their employees, their devices, and their assets. This data also allows them to define KPIs and make the best decisions for “facility management”.

The second use case is customer-oriented to improve the customer experience while reducing costs. Banks are turning to IoT by using beacons to send personalised offers to customers, and they are no longer in bulk (less storage data) in particular.

Blockchain

Blockchain, this decentralised and secure electronic ledger often considered “the biggest technological upheaval in several decades”, is still in its infancy but promises countless applications that could simplify investments in sustainable development. Blockchain technologies support sustainable finance by improving data transparency, making claims irrefutable, and detecting inconsistencies in disclosures.

Blockchain digital identities and self-executing smart contracts add the ability to streamline consensus between parties undertaking climate finance streams, from verifying ESG measures to creating new sustainable finance products.

Solutions using blockchain capabilities fortify investor and market confidence through the prevention of greenwashing, heightened transparency, traceability, security, and efficiency. Future possibilities include the issuance of sovereign green bonds from governments, micro-credit and collateral security platforms, digital identity, and funds transfer infrastructures.

Collaboration and openness to the world of platforms, beyond European borders, with the ecosystem and the high-tech community will thus be able to make a great contribution to all these actors who truly aspire to a sustainable world considering consciousness, transparency, accountability, and the required degree of urgency towards a sustainable global economy.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

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