Singapore-based global early-stage VC firm Antler has announced pre-seed investments of US$5.1 million in 37 startups across Southeast Asia.

The diverse portfolio of startups spans 19 sectors ranging from AI and B2B SaaS to fintech and healthcare to address specific regional challenges.

Below is the full list of startups Antler has invested:

Also Read: Antler invests US$2M in startups across Singapore, Indonesia

ReelBlend: Marketplace for virtual product placement, utilising AI and Computer Vision to facilitate accurate ad insertions in various media.

EigenAI: No-code AI/ML platform specialising in analysing customer behaviour and building comprehensive Customer Lifecycle Management models.

RapidaAI: LLM router and prompt engineering platform for businesses to experiment, test and deploy LLM-powered applications quickly.

Emereg: AI-first platform focused on risk management automation tailored to the fintech sector.

CapGo: Platform to deploy AI agents for fast and autonomous data acquisition, specifically tailored for market research.

Buildas: Human-assisted AI platform that aids businesses in planning, customising, and maintaining software without requiring extensive technical expertise.

Lunash: AI-driven solution to improve debt collection performance across all stages from pre-delinquency to recovery.

ZOLO: AI-powered assistant for food suppliers to streamline order management details and convert from messaging platforms to back office systems.

SmartViz: Provides AI-powered modules for automated visual inspection in manufacturing, aiming to eliminate defects and enhance production efficiency.

Levit8: HR analytics platform that uses data to track employee experiences and detect early signs of potential churn.

Also Read: Antler partners with Khazanah, to invest in 30+ Malaysian startups over next three years

PingMi: AI co-pilot and product management platform designed to expedite the development and launch of revenue-driving ideas.

Cleve: AI-powered tool that assists creators and thought leaders scale their online presence by generating personalised content optimised for different platforms.

COEX: A platform designed to maximise capital and operational efficiency in the construction industry, digitalising project claims and bills of quantity management.

Dash Electric: Sustainable logistics for B2B clients, offering rental electric vehicles to build Indonesia’s largest EV fleet for on-demand delivery services.

glorious: A care operations platform for care suppliers, aiming to digitise operations and improve care work with innovative workforce tools.

OmiConvo: An omnichannel business suite that integrates various messaging channels with backend services, enhancing social commerce management for traditional business owners.

AssetFindr: An end-to-end asset maintenance management ecosystem for real-time insights, advanced risk management, and data-driven decision-making.

UniiD: Smart access solutions for buildings and cities, transforming how entry and security are managed through a mobile-based platform.

Konstruksi.ai: SaaS solution for construction companies and contractors to systemise document workflow and real-time quality inspection.

XFLO: A B2B SaaS solution to increase business productivity via a hyper-automated workflow engine.

Barely Skin: Provides accessible dermatology-level personalised skin treatment, offering online consultations and bespoke skincare products.

Ternakin: IoT solutions for fish farmers to increase productivity by optimising pond utilisation and streamlining the procurement of supplies.

Seafoody: A seafood supply chain enabler for direct sourcing to businesses.

YOBO: Sales CRM and sales automation solution that pinpoints high-value customers.

BorderDollar: Provides accessible cross-border trade finance for SMEs, offering invoice financing as an alternative asset class to private investors.

Mailpass: Offers a device-based login manager, creating unique, anonymous email addresses for users per service to enhance online safety and privacy.

flaex: A decentralised margin trading exchange leveraging the liquidity of lending protocols to offer competitive rates for traders.

Hybr1d: End-to-end IT management platform for businesses to automate and streamline workforce processes.

Naki: A platform enabling Generation Z to create AI friends tailored to their needs and personalities, offering a unique, personalised interaction experience.

Spun: Permit creation and management platform for non-leisure travellers, utilising AI and automation to simplify and accelerate the permit process for professional opportunities globally.

MessengerCo: A one-stop corporate gifting platform to optimise B2B gifting with a global distribution solution.

Zappy: Provides unified and affordable business communication tools, integrating various work conversations into one unified inbox.

Upbrand: A D2C brand and e-commerce enabler for local fashion manufacturers to transition into global brands with cutting-edge services and market intelligence.

Just Ping: An omnichannel conversational recruitment tool leveraging mobile-first experiences for social hiring, integrating with various messaging and social media platforms.

Finna: An end-to-end platform for solopreneurs, simplifying the workflow from managing customers and creating proposals to processing payments.

—

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.

The post Antler invests US$5.1M in 37 Southeast Asian startups appeared first on e27.

In the internet-driven era, billions partake in data-sharing across countless platforms, raising significant concerns about how consumer data is used. 

Given the alarming number of over eight billion data breaches in 2023, it’s no surprise that the majority of consumers are seeking enhanced protection and control over how their data is used.

The mainstream use of social media is contributing to a hyper-digital age that intensifies the challenges of digital privacy. This extends beyond social media, encompassing a wide array of digital platforms where sensitive information is constantly accessed by various parties.

Despite progress in digital privacy regulations, data breaches have not been eliminated.

Privacy pitfalls in the digital-first era

In 2023, the digital protection firm DarkBeam exposed over 3.8 billion records due to an unprotected database. The firm’s CEO attributed the data leaks to “human error”.

Notably, a massive leak in India exposed the personal details of over 815 million people, reportedly originating from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A threat actor named ‘pwn001’ disclosed the breach, promoting the sale of sensitive data, including passport details, names, phone numbers, and addresses. 

These data breaches, stemming from both technical and human errors, highlight the dual nature of data security risks. The integration of robust technology is essential to automate cybersecurity measures and better safeguard against unauthorised breaches.

Also Read: Securing tomorrow’s finances: Navigating the rise of digital banks with cybersecurity

This encompasses the emerging digital asset sector, gaining momentum as innovative financial solutions. “From the security of a wallet to the solvency of the firm facilitating your buying, selling, and trading of digital assets — security is paramount. Protecting your crypto and digital assets, in general, has become a priority that grows every day as the digital finance industry evolves,” according to Blake Harris, an Asset Protection Attorney. 

The next phase of data protection

Moving towards a more decentralised internet, secure multiparty computation (MPC) technology enables a refined solution for data privacy. First introduced in 1982 as a secure two-party computation (2PC), MPC has substantially evolved, operating as a distributed cryptographic system that allows the confidential processing of encrypted data without revealing sensitive details.

Highlighting the advantages of MPC, Brian Gallagher, Co-Founder of Partisia Blockchain, says, “MPC can perform any computation on any private input. Or, in other words, MPC is a completely distributed encrypted computer.”

According to Bloomberg data, the first-day trading volume across eleven US SEC-approved Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) reached US$4.7 billion. The surging demand for digital asset-related products underscores the heightened importance of data protection, not only for the existing internet but also to secure emerging digital solutions in the next phase of the internet known as Web3.

The integration of MetaMask Institutional with Fireblocks, known for its enterprise-grade digital asset wallet security, exemplifies the importance of such solutions. Fireblocks provides digital asset solutions for institutions, including the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

To establish a heightened standard in data security for the Web3 internet, solutions such as Partisia Blockchain embed secure MPC data privacy and protection at the protocol level. Through this approach, over 100 million Web3 users gain access to privacy-preserving data protection measures, facilitated by the integration between MetaMask Snaps and Partisia Blockchain.

Moreover, the relevance of secure MPC in the digital world is reflected by organisations such as the MPC Alliance, which includes members like Bosch, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Salesforce, among others. This global collective fosters advancement through comprehensive cross-industry education, case studies, and collaborative efforts to address ongoing data challenges. 

Also Read: Two decades of digital defence: Why cybersecurity must remain a top concern for everyone

For example, Polygon, the Layer-2 blockchain powering Starbucks’ NFT Loyalty program, has joined forces with MPC Alliance member Partisia Blockchain. This partnership empowers developers to focus on building smart contract apps with advanced data privacy features.

Enhancing trust in a user-centric internet

With the integration of secure MPC technology in the Web3 ecosystem, developers can construct a more secure, transparent, and user-first internet. 

“Where Web3 meets MPC, consumers can control their private data even though the same data is being used in more and more data-driven reality. While this empowers the end users to get a fair share of the generated values, it also paves the way for the next generation of the internet. An internet that is moved from an information-centric model to a user-centric one – it’s as easy as MPC,” says Brian Gallagher, Co-Founder of Partisia Blockchain.

By embracing secure multiparty computation technology, the ongoing commitment to data protection paves the way for a more resilient and privacy-preserving digital landscape. 

—

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

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

Image courtesy of the author

The post Safeguarding digital frontiers in the next phase of the internet appeared first on e27.

The seemingly unending wave of tech layoffs has left many anxiously wondering whether the impending end of the tech hiring boom is nearing — instead, a paradox has emerged.  

In Southeast Asia, despite recent layoffs in Meta, Google, and Amazon, tech talent is still a coveted resource, with engineers and data scientists in high demand in Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, according to a study conducted by staffing platform Glints and Monk’s Hill Ventures. The rising trend towards digitalisation and technological adoptions in businesses is evidence that tech hires have not yet gone obsolete, at least for everyone other than big tech companies.  

As increasing frustration mounts from frequent and seemingly erratic layoffs, what has remained in the wake of big tech’s struggle to stay afloat is the hiring potential of tech talents, where the opportunity to benefit from the technological revolution has shifted to smaller-scale startups.  

Startups have been massively overlooked as a robust opportunity for tech employment. Today, the demand for specialised tech talent has reached non-tech sectors as businesses transform to stay competitive in the digital space. Still, a paradigm shift within the hiring landscape of startups is needed to fully harness and attract tech talents.  

The potential of startups

The potential of startups lies in their unique qualities that can attract job seekers who are on the lookout for fulfilling careers. One of the main appeals is the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, innovative environment where individuals can make a tangible impact from the outset. Also, startups often offer a hands-on approach to work.  

Also Read: Are you a human resource?

Unlike the hierarchical structures found in larger organisations, startups encourage collaboration and idea-sharing across all levels. By encouraging creativity, collaboration, and rapid growth, startups create an enticing atmosphere for those seeking accelerated career development and a chance to contribute meaningfully to a company’s success.  

What tech startups are looking for  

On the flipside, tech startups, which are now positioned as sought-after employers, are actively seeking individuals with skill sets acquired through experiences in major corporations. The valuable expertise and knowledge gained from working in large tech companies can be seamlessly applied to startups looking to transform their operations and remain competitive.

The challenge lies in striking the right balance between qualifications, experience, and specific skill sets. Specialisation is key. TG Group’s statistics reveal a significant increase of 20 per cent in startups searching for hires with specific skill sets in the past year, indicating a growing demand for specialised expertise in the startup ecosystem. 

The way forward

To fully capitalise on this paradigm shift, tech startups must recalibrate their hiring strategies. By leveraging this transformation, startups can create a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.

Implementing innovative talent retention strategies, including mentorship programs, mental health support, and fostering an efficient organisational structure are vital steps in sustaining growth. Startups must prioritise offering attractive remuneration packages, growth opportunities, and supportive work culture to retain talents.

Furthermore, adopting scalable operational models and cost-saving measures will contribute to long-term success and expansion. 

The people-as-a-service (PaaS) model presents a valuable opportunity for tech startups to ride the wave of change and adapt to evolving employment patterns. By capitalising on the skill sets of individuals who are only needed part-time, startups can optimise their resources while providing employees with the potential to earn according to their capabilities.

The growing demand for on-demand staffing platforms is projected to reach US$83.93 million by 2028, signalling the significant potential for tech startups to benefit from this model. 

TG Group, known for operational efficiency and cost-saving measures, is well-positioned to assist tech startups in navigating this paradigm shift. 

Embracing this transformative change in hiring practices will undoubtedly pave the way for a prosperous future for tech startups in an ever-evolving industry. 

 —

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

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

Image credit: putilich

This article was first published on July 11, 2023

The post A paradigm shift needed: Hiring within the tech startup ecosystem appeared first on e27.

In a recent fireside chat, Anndy Lian, an intergovernmental blockchain expert and author of the book Blockchain Revolution 2030, engaged in a profound discussion on real-world tokenisation. This engaging conversation, moderated by Faraj Abutalibov, Chief Commercial Officer of the Venom Foundation, provided a deep dive into the evolving landscape of tokenisation, offering insights that resonate with both seasoned professionals and those new to the blockchain space.

Lian’s journey into the world of blockchain began in 2013 with his first Bitcoin purchase. Beyond personal involvement, his extensive experience advising governments underscores the practical application of blockchain at the highest levels of governance.

His role as a blockchain advisor to an intergovernmental group further solidifies his expertise. As an investor and fund manager holding a CMS license in Singapore, Lian brings a multifaceted perspective, enriching the fireside chat with a wealth of practical insights.

Tokenisation overview

The discussion commences with Lian providing an overview of the evolving perception of tokenisation. He notes a substantial shift from initial scepticism, especially from governments, to the current scenario where significant players, including prominent banks and governments, actively advocate for the tokenisation of Real World Assets (RWA). Lian emphasises the technological readiness for tokenisation, underlining the momentum behind the RWA wave.

His assertion on the shift in perception echoes a broader transformation in the financial and regulatory landscape. The acknowledgement from major players, traditionally cautious about emerging technologies, signifies a turning point. The active endorsement of tokenisation by influential entities not only validates its legitimacy but also sets the stage for widespread adoption. The emphasis on technological readiness is crucial, highlighting that the infrastructure and tools required for efficient tokenisation are now more accessible and robust than ever before.

Also Read: I use strategies such as diversification to manage risks: Blockchain expert Anndy Lian

However, he introduces a critical concern that often goes unnoticed – the lack of a clear revenue model for companies engaged in tokenisation. Drawing from personal experience with a Registered Market Operator (RMO) investment, he highlights the complexities surrounding assets like properties, where achieving liquidity and establishing revenue models pose intricate challenges.

Lian’s insight into the revenue models of tokenisation ventures sheds light on a fundamental challenge in the industry. While the momentum for tokenising assets is palpable, the path to sustained profitability remains nebulous for many.

This observation prompts a critical examination of the business models associated with tokenisation, urging stakeholders to address this gap for long-term viability. His example involving a Registered Market Operator investment offers a tangible illustration, emphasising the need for innovative solutions to navigate complexities, particularly in traditionally illiquid markets like real estate.

Monetisation models

Lian delves into the monetisation models prevalent in the tokenisation space, distinguishing between established companies and startups. Larger companies with diverse income streams might find a more stable footing, but startups face hurdles in raising substantial funds due to uncertainties surrounding their revenue-generating capabilities. Here, he underscores the necessity for innovation among startups, citing examples such as the introduction of new ERC standards and novel approaches to tokenising assets.

The exploration of monetisation models unravels the varied landscape within the tokenisation space. Lian’s differentiation between established players and startups highlights the nuanced challenges each category faces. Larger companies equipped with diverse income streams possess a more resilient financial foundation.

In contrast, startups grapple with the intricacies of fundraising, compounded by uncertainties in proving their revenue-generating potential. Lian’s call for innovation becomes a rallying cry, emphasising the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry, where adaptability and novel approaches are prerequisites for success.

An interesting highlight is the success story of tokenising art, particularly through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Lian points to the added value brought to physical artworks through NFTs, presenting a compelling case for the broader integration of tokenisation in the art world.

The success story of art tokenisation, especially through the lens of NFTs, accentuates the transformative power of blockchain in traditionally non-digital domains. Lian’s emphasis on the added value of physical artworks highlights a paradigm shift in how we perceive and interact with art.

The integration of NFTs not only unlocks new revenue streams for artists but also democratises art ownership, allowing a broader audience to participate in the art market. This success story becomes a beacon for exploring similar opportunities in other industries where tokenisation can bring about significant value addition.

Challenges of tokenisation

Transitioning to the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of tokenisation, Lian and Abutalibov identify two significant hurdles: regulatory complexities and the prevailing reality. The lack of standardisation across different asset classes and varying regulations in different jurisdictions present formidable obstacles.

Also Read: From potential to prosperity: Blockchain’s role in reshaping Southeast Asian economies

The identification of regulatory complexities and the prevailing reality as significant hurdles offer a sobering reflection on the impediments to the widespread adoption of tokenisation. Lian and Abutalibov’s emphasis on the lack of standardisation across asset classes signals the need for a unified regulatory framework that accommodates the diverse nature of tokenised assets.

The jurisdictional variations compound the challenges, requiring a concerted effort from global stakeholders to streamline regulations and foster a conducive environment for tokenisation to flourish.

Lian expands on the scepticism that still exists around the necessity of tokenisation. He observes that despite technological advancements, a sizable portion of the population questions the practical utility of tokenisation, slowing down its accelerated adoption.

Lian’s exploration of scepticism unveils a crucial aspect of the adoption curve for tokenisation. Despite the undeniable technological advancements, a segment of the population remains unconvinced about the practical utility of tokenisation.

This scepticism, rooted in a lack of understanding or clarity, becomes a barrier that extends beyond regulatory challenges. Lian’s observation underscores the importance of comprehensive education and awareness campaigns to demystify tokenisation, fostering a more inclusive and informed approach to its adoption.

Potential tokenisation use cases

The conversation explores potential use cases beyond traditional assets. Lian expresses optimism about the tokenisation of carbon credits, emphasising the traceability benefits it can bring to this sector. Additionally, he notes the increasing recognition of stablecoins by government bodies, especially in the context of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

The exploration of potential use cases propels the conversation beyond the realms of traditional assets, opening up new vistas for tokenisation. His optimism about tokenising carbon credits underscores the broader environmental and sustainability applications of blockchain. The emphasis on traceability aligns with the growing demand for transparent and accountable solutions in sectors crucial for global well-being.

Furthermore, stablecoins and their recognition by government bodies signal a shift in the perception of digital currencies, with central banks exploring their own digital versions. This recognition not only validates the concept of stablecoins but also marks a step toward mainstream acceptance of blockchain-based financial instruments.

Future impacts on the financial industry

Looking ahead, Lian speculates on the transformative impact of tokenisation on the financial industry. Envisioning increased efficiency in transactions, he anticipates faster and cheaper money transfers if tokenisation is embraced on a large scale. Lian underscores the importance of translating technological potential into practical applications to realise these transformative benefits.

Also Read: Understanding the role of fintech, blockchain in transitioning to net zero

Lian’s foresight into the future impact on the financial industry offers a glimpse into the transformative potential of tokenisation. The anticipation of increased efficiency in transactions aligns with the fundamental promise of blockchain technology.

Faster and cheaper money transfers emerge as tangible benefits, resonating with the ongoing quest for streamlined financial processes. His emphasis on translating technological potential into practical applications becomes a rallying cry for stakeholders to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world implementation, unlocking the full spectrum of transformative benefits.

Drivers of mass adoption

Considering the drivers of mass adoption, Lian emphasises the crucial role of everyday people using crypto. He envisions a “wow” moment when the retail investor base grows substantially, contributing to the next surge in crypto adoption. Drawing parallels to China’s widespread adoption of digital payments, he hopes for a similar scenario where people seamlessly use crypto for everyday transactions more effectively and economically.

His reflection on the drivers of mass adoption shifts the focus to the end-users – everyday people using crypto. The anticipation of a “wow” moment parallels the disruptive shifts witnessed in other technological revolutions. The envisaged growth in the retail investor base becomes a pivotal catalyst for the next surge in crypto adoption.

His comparison to China’s embrace of digital payments underscores the transformative power of widespread user acceptance. The aspiration for seamless crypto integration into everyday transactions highlights the need for user-friendly interfaces and widespread accessibility, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive crypto landscape.

The role of NFTs in tokenisation

Lian concludes the conversation by referencing his book, “NFT from Zero to Hero,” born out of a desire to guide friends away from potential scams in the NFT space. He aims to simplify the tokenisation of loyalty programs for companies. Contrary to the notion that NFTs are losing relevance, Lian points to successful projects like Oracle Red Bull Racing’s NFTs as evidence of the continued vitality of the NFT space.

Also Read: Tether under scrutiny: A deep dive into cryptocurrency crime allegations

His conclusion encapsulates the multifaceted role of NFTs in tokenisation. His book not only reflects a personal commitment to guiding others but also underscores the need for education in navigating the dynamic NFT space. The simplification of tokenising loyalty programs emerges as a practical application of NFTs in the corporate realm, showcasing their versatility beyond the art and gaming sectors.

Lian’s debunking of the notion that NFTs are losing relevance becomes a testament to their enduring impact, with successful projects like Oracle Red Bull Racing’s NFTs serving as proof of concept. Far from losing vitality, the NFT space continues to evolve and find new applications, contributing to the ever-expanding narrative of tokenisation.

In conclusion 

In this fireside chat, Lian provides a nuanced perspective on the current state and future possibilities of real-world tokenisation. The challenges and opportunities discussed paint a comprehensive picture of an industry on the cusp of significant developments.

As the conversation delves into potential applications, regulatory hurdles, and the transformative impact on the financial sector, it becomes clear that real-world tokenisation is a dynamic space with immense potential yet to be fully realised.

His perspective emerges as a guiding light for industry stakeholders navigating the intricate landscape of real-world tokenisation. The challenges outlined serve as waypoints for strategic considerations, urging a proactive approach to address impediments. Simultaneously, the opportunities highlighted become beacons for innovation, signalling the untapped potential awaiting exploration.

The fireside chat, rich with insights and foresight, positions Lian as a key influencer in shaping the trajectory of real-world tokenisation, inspiring a collective journey towards unlocking its transformative power.

World Tokenisation Summit was held on the 21st of November, 2023, in Dubai. More information on the fireside chat can be found here.

—

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

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

Image courtesy of the author

The post Real world tokenisation fireside chat with Anndy Lian: Unpacking the landscape appeared first on e27.

On January 16, venture capital (VC) firm 1337 Ventures announced the launch of its women-focused pre-accelerator programme, Alpha Startups for Women.

By participating in the programme, women-founded startups will have the opportunity to receive VC funding of up to MYR50,000 (US$10,500) for the top two teams. These startups will also receive mentoring sessions with seasoned female founders and MYR20,000 (US$4,200) in digital credits to amp up their infrastructure.

The four-week programme is open to women-led startups in the idea and MVP stage, particularly those based in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Held as a virtual and in-person session in Kuala Lumpur, the programme is available for free and will close its registration on February 19 and start on February 27.

In the Alpha Startups pre-accelerator programme, new and aspiring entrepreneurs will go through an intensive boot camp to learn about starting a business. Selected teams of entrepreneurs, developers and designers will get to work together to test and validate their scalable product or startup idea. There will also be daily deliverables and mentorship available.

Also Read: Manis Leting, Triphie win 1337 Ventures’s Alpha Startups pre-accelerator programme in MY

In an email interview with e27, 1337 Ventures said that the programme will provide the same materials as its usual accelerator programme, but this one will provide more opportunities for female founders to learn.

For 1337 Ventures, both men and women in the startup ecosystem face the same challenges. However, as investors, they believe in playing a role in promoting diversity and providing equal opportunity for all.

“We do see an increase of events and programmes in the direction of women empowerment. We are looking to provide everyone despite their gender, race, religion, and location, the same equal opportunity of accessibility to be able to learn the basic knowledge of starting a startup so they can take this and build their startup. We also have an online Pitch Tuesday session where we listen to all the pitches (with minimal filtering), so they all get equal opportunity to pitch to us as a local homegrown VC,” the firm said.

“This is our first time doing an all-exclusive women batch, and depending on the outcome, it might be a once-in-a-blue-moon thing. As all our other accelerators provide equal opportunity, we’re doing this batch mainly to encourage more female founders to join simultaneously; it is more exclusive for them.”

1337 Ventures recently hosted an online panel discussion featuring Nadia Ismadi (Co-Founder of Pod), Anabelle Co-Martinent (Co-Founder of La Juiceria Superfoods), and Parmeet Kaur (Founder of Joyed Consulting), with journalist and author Freda Liu as moderator.

Also Read: 1337 Ventures partners with Malaysia’s central bank to launch fintech accelerator programme

Liu revealed that according to the Department of Statistics in Malaysia, in 2016, 20 per cent of businesses in the country were owned by women, and the government aims to get more women in decision-making roles.

This is especially urgent considering only less than 18 per cent of funding in Southeast Asia are raised by women founders, according to DealStreetAsia.

In the panel discussion, the female founders spoke about how they were inspired by the impact that they could create by creating a business.

Ismade spoke about how her financial education platform allows users to learn how to save money and achieve their goals. “We could have built something simpler like an e-commerce platform, but it wouldn’t have an impact like we did,” she said.

The post 1337 Ventures launches women-focused accelerator to provide greater accessibility for founders appeared first on e27.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in mobile advertising, enabling advertisers to craft more relevant, targeted, and engaging ads. Leveraging AI allows for a refined approach to ad design, placement, and targeting, enhancing the overall impact of advertising campaigns.

AI’s multi-faceted benefits in advertising

AI’s power extends beyond creating superior ads; it reduces costs and boosts conversions. Industry reports from eMarketer reveal that AI has led to a 27 per cent decrease in customer acquisition costs. Furthermore, Epsilon’s research found that AI-driven Personalisation Images influenced 80 per cent of consumers to purchase. These findings underscore AI’s potential to enhance ad reach and efficacy.

Another significant advantage is AI’s ability to generate and optimise ad creatives based on audience preferences, behaviours, and emotions. It facilitates experimentation with various ad elements, such as copies, images, colours, and layouts, enabling advertisers to choose the best-performing ones. AI also determines mobile ads’ optimal placement and frequency, considering the ad’s content.

The future landscape and ethical considerations

The future of digital advertising is intertwined with AI and machine learning. Their adoption for creating personalised, engaging consumer ads will empower advertisers to optimise campaigns, measure ad performance, and analyse data for deeper insights. Social media and influencer marketing have also revolutionised consumer outreach, with user-generated content and social proof amplifying ad appeal and credibility.

Also Read: Evolution of advertising industry with the rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT

Cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), voice search, and interactive videos redefine ad experiences, offering immersive and memorable ways to showcase products and services. AI tools such as chatbots, voice assistants, and sentiment analysis enhance customer service and outreach in e-commerce. 

AI’s influence is also evident in growing sectors like travel, where specialised apps cater to diverse traveller segments by understanding their unique needs and preferences. This understanding allows for targeted promotions during off-seasons, ensuring a consistent business flow.

Mobile trends in 2023 significantly influenced consumer behaviour and advertiser strategy. Platforms like TikTok pioneered short-form video advertising, and mobile gaming and in-app ads experienced substantial growth. However, integrating shopping features within social media apps raised privacy concerns, necessitating advertisers to devise strategies to address these issues while ensuring user data safety.

In 2024, advertisers are expected to embrace immersive and cohesive ad formats, creating a holistic advertising experience. The shift towards a more automated, data-centric, and integrated advertising experience is anticipated.

AI’s primary advantage is its ability to minimise human intervention and manual work, leading to faster, more accurate results and substantial cost savings. Marketing companies even utilise AI-powered dashboards for real-time analytics and reporting, providing timely insights on campaign performance and enabling informed decision-making.

Regarding data privacy, companies must ensure ethical data usage, transparency in AI usage, and allow consumers to opt out of data collection systems. Data should be anonymised or aggregated to prevent individual identification. 

While traditional advertising methods retain relevance for specific demographics, the trend is unmistakably toward more targeted, data-driven advertising, promising more precise and accurate marketing.

—

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

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

Image credit:

The post AI in mobile advertising: Transforming relevance, efficiency, and immersive experiences appeared first on e27.

BlokID, a next-generation developer of privacy protection solutions for the digital advertising industry, has completed its US$1.25 million seed round of financing led by Ascend Vietnam Ventures and AppWorks.

The Vietnamese startup will use the capital to accelerate product development, focus on user acquisition, and initiate market expansion, with an outlook to launch by Q2 2024.

The company plans to roll out Google Analytics plug-ins and Financial Identity features to empower users further and safeguard their information.

Also Read: Bitcoin and Ethereum simplified for a five-year-old

Founded in July 2023, BlokID leverages blockchain technology to bring an independent, immutable source of truth to digital advertising. Using BlokID, advertisers can verify ads, conduct attribution audits, and guarantee privacy with bonded privacy insurance through one-click campaigns integrated with Google, Facebook, DV360, Xander, and The Trade Desk.

BlokID solves three key problems:

Ad attribution: allowing clients to verify attribution of ad conversion and detect variances against data reported,

Privacy insurance: utilising blockchain timestamping to notify clients of any third-party access of information immediately,

GA4 transparency: moving to GA4 away from Universal Analytics to offer event transparency to all Google Analytics users for free.

Following major privacy violations and litigation cases in recent years, brands understand the severity and the high costs of data breaches as major threats to business reputation and user loyalty, requiring them to allocate a significant portion of their budget to brand safety.

Also Read: Expert speak (Part I): The biggest disruption in blockchains and cryptocurrencies is yet to come

BlokID prevents breaches from occurring and sends immediate notifications to clients of any third-party access to their information, providing control and security to help brands and agencies build and maintain trust with their customers.

“In an era where digital advertising faces unprecedented challenges, BlokID aims to be a beacon of hope. They are not just solving complex problems of ad attribution but are also navigating the intricate landscape of privacy regulations,” said Binh Tran, General Partner, AVV.

—

The post BlokID nets US$1.25M to provide privacy protection for digital ads industry appeared first on e27.

Singapore-based impact investor Silverstrand Capital has invested in a funding round of California-based water technology company Porifera.

The money will be used to accelerate its growth into new sub-sectors within the food & beverage category.

With its membrane processing equipment, Porifera enables beverage and ingredient manufacturers to remove water efficiently and retain all the components of their products to create high-value concentrates with a smaller environmental footprint. Porifera also helps customers efficiently reuse water in their industrial processes.

Also Read: Singapore’s Silverstrand invests US$10M in Carbon Growth Partners’s fund II

Porifera claims it has delivered significant distribution and warehousing savings for top global F&B companies through commercial pilots with reduced environmental impact. Its technologies can potentially reduce over 2 million MT of CO2e in the orange juice segment alone. The technology is also used to concentrate beer, coffee, tea, juice, world-class wine, and many other beverages and ingredients.

“Today, an excessive volume of water is transported thousands of miles away from its source,” said Kelvin Chiu, Founder and Principal of Silverstrand Capital. “Shipping fruits from drought-prone regions to make juice in areas where water is plentiful, for example, is not only ecologically damaging for already stressed water basins – it also results in huge greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and refrigeration. Porifera’s unique technology addresses these issues, and is aligned with our mission to protect nature.”

Also Read: How Meals In Minutes tackles food waste with ready-to-cook meal kits

“Our customers come in as skeptics and leave as converts after tasting the samples we produce,” said Olgica Bakajin, Porifera’s Founder and CEO. “They are surprised that a beer reconstituted from 6x concentrate, tastes just like the brand we start from, even after being stored for more than 12 months, or when 65 Brix watermelon concentrate looks, smells and tastes like freshly cut watermelon.”

—

The post Silverstrand backs US water tech startup Porifera appeared first on e27.

Despite its popularity and increasingly widespread use, there is a problem of cultural gap that can be found in today’s most popular AI tools, such as ChatGPT. Since 40 per cent of the existing models in the market today are produced by US-based companies, they are more aligned to Western culture, creating a distance for users in markets such as Southeast Asia (SEA).

AI Singapore aims to tackle this challenge through SEA-LION, its first open-sourced SEA Large Language Model (LLM) that is catered specifically for regional use cases, industries, languages, and contexts.

According to the organisation’s statement, unlike many current models, SEA-LION will confer users the benefits of the ability to understand nuances in native languages and demonstrate greater awareness of cultural context specific to the region.

“This lowers the bar for adoption by governments, enterprises, and academia while effectively expanding the SEA languages and cultural representation in the mainstream LLMs, which are currently dominated by models predominantly trained on a corpus of English data from the western, developed world.”

In a presentation at the National University of Singapore on January 24, Dr Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products at AI Singapore, explained that the project does not intend to compete with the big producers of AI tools such as OpenAI. “Instead, we want to complement the existing tools,” he stressed.

Also Read: How Transparently.AI uses Artificial Intelligence to detect accounting manipulation, fraud

At its beginning in November 2023, the SEA-LION project initially focused on the developer side, but then it began receiving business queries. This led to the project to create a public infrastructure that is necessary in the AI space.

SEA-LION works through a partnership of different institutions, where each contributes to the data and metrics required to develop the technology. SEA LION works with non-copyrighted (“kosher”) materials in putting together data.

“The data used for pre-training the model was primarily sourced from the internet, specifically the CommonCrawl Dataset, which is publicly available. This data is downloaded, cleaned, and pre-processed for use in pre-training SEA-LION. The proportion of various SEA languages in the pre-training dataset was also adjusted to reflect the distribution of languages more accurately in our region,” the project stated.

In a demo that e27 witnessed, SEA-LION was placed side-by-side with popular LLMs such as OpenAI, Llama, and SEA LLM. All the tools were given the same questions in regional languages such as Bahasa Indonesia and Thai to answer, and the differences are interesting to see.

Of all the LLMs, SEALION, SEA LLM and OpenAI were the ones who were able to generate answers in Bahasa Indonesia and Thai.

SEA LION and OpenAI tended to give straightforward answers that were tailored for the chatbox. While OpenAI was slower in generating its answer, it was able to have a better understanding of context. In terms of accuracy, these two LLMs were also the most accurate.

Also Read: AI in mobile advertising: Transforming relevance, efficiency, and immersive experiences

What is next for SEA LION

When it comes to its practical, day-to-day use, SEA-LION aims to help enterprises in SEA incorporate AI into their workflows. For example, it can be used to enable customer service chatbots that have the capacity to capture local nuances in SEA languages, enhance fraud detection on online marketplaces in SEA, and enable more accurate translation and summarisation of information in regional languages.

In his presentation, Dr Teo also mentioned a use case where SEA-LION is used to help with legal advice.

For the development of SEA-LION, AI Singapore collaborated with companies such as Amazon Web Services and Google Research. It also partnered with communities such as SEACrowd to build a diverse data corpus in native languages.

The model is set to be piloted by enterprise users such as NCS and Tokopedia. Additionally, SEA-LION has garnered interest from regional government-linked entities such as KORIKA in Indonesia, which is pioneering the use of SEA-LION for various applications.

SEA-LION is publicly accessible on platforms such as Huggingface and Github. In the near future, it will also be available on AWS Jumpstart and Bedrock, as well as Google’s Model Garden. The model is free, encouraging research and commercial use to stimulate innovation and applications across various industries, languages, and contexts.

Also Read: In the age of AI, which human skills increasingly stand out?

SEA-LION initially prioritises commonly used languages in SEA, including Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Thai, and Vietnamese, with plans to expand its coverage to other Southeast Asian languages such as Burmese and Lao in the future.

In an interview with e27, Dr Teo highlighted that despite its commercial use cases, SEA LION was not built as a commercial project. Instead, the project aims to build a public infrastructure.

“If we are successful, then we will see commercial things happening … Hopefully, because of that, we will be able to keep investing in the data and metrics because language changes–everything has to be continuously updated.”

The post How SEA-LION aims to bridge the cultural gap existing in popular AI tools appeared first on e27.

Indonesian digital ecosystem giant GoTo Group has announced the completion of its merger with TikTok Indonesia, the e-commerce arm of the global entertainment platform TikTok.

Tokopedia and TikTok Shop Indonesia’s businesses are now officially combined under Tokopedia, jointly owned by GoTo and TikTok as strategic partners in Indonesia, with TikTok holding a controlling stake.

As part of the deal, TikTok will invest over US$1.5 billion in the enlarged entity over time to provide future funding the business requires without additional dilution to GoTo. The group benefits from the growth of the enlarged entity. It remains an ecosystem partner to Tokopedia through its digital financial services via GoTo Financial and on-demand services via Gojek.

Also Read: The evolution and regulation of social commerce in Indonesia: The TikTok Shop ban

In addition, GoTo Group claims to have achieved positive adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter while exceeding the top end of its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance range.

GoTo Group CEO Patrick Walujo said: “Having reached positive adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023, we can now look forward to accelerating our progress, driven in part by supportive ecosystem partners. As our profitability and cash flow continue to improve, we will optimize our capital usage in line with a newly developed capital allocation plan, which may include a share buyback initiative, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.”

GoTo also receives an ongoing revenue stream in the form of an e-commerce service fee from Tokopedia commensurate with its scale and growth.

TikTok and Tokopedia have initiated an MSME empowerment programme through the #MelokalDenganBatik campaign, involving hundreds of local batik entrepreneurs in Solo and Yogyakarta. This initiative aims to support small businesses by providing them with production support technology, including advanced production tools, insights on trends and inventory management.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transform Indonesia’s e-commerce sector, creating millions of new job opportunities over the next five years, particularly in the MSME sector.

—

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.

The post GoTo completes merger with TikTok Shop Indonesia appeared first on e27.