Asia, home to more than half of the global population, offers vast potential for impact investments, according to Tan Shao Ming, Chief Investment Officer at ABC Impact, a Singaore-based private equity firm investing in companies creating positive change in Asia.

“Since we began our work, the Asia impact investing space has grown rapidly in awareness, volume, diversity, and standards,” Ming said in an interview with e27. “More investors and companies now recognise the relevance and importance of positively impacting our society and the environment. The deal flow in Asia has also increased in both value and segments.”

Also Read: How climate tech companies in Asia measure the impact of their work

While the region is diverse in its impact needs and challenges, we have observed that impact capital can help address bottlenecks in crucial areas such as agricultural productivity, bioenergy, and healthcare, particularly in Southeast Asia. “China and India continue to hold massive potential for such outcomes in healthcare, education, and financial inclusion. Positive transformation in these segments can help uplift entire generations and communities,” he added.

Founded in 2019, ABC Impact invests in companies driving positive change by addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity, and deepening inequality. Its investment themes include financial and digital inclusion, better health and education, climate and water solutions, and sustainable food and agriculture.

Its founding investors are Temasek Trust, Temasek, Pavilion Capital, Mapletree Investments, Seatown Holdings, SP Group, and Sembcorp Industries.

Recently, the PE firm announced the first close of its second impact fund. Launched in August 2023, ABC Impact Fund II now has over US$550 million in assets under management (AUM). The final close is expected later this year.

Fund II will continue to focus on the climate & water, sustainable food & agriculture, better healthcare & education, and financial & digital inclusion themes.

“Since our inception, more sovereign investors and family offices have become increasingly interested in impact investing in Asia. With the new investors that have joined us in Fund II, we can now extend our collective influence to further the impact agenda,” Ming shared.

Also Read: Temasek, SeaTown invest in ABC Impact’s Fund II

The investment firm is also focused on catalysing climate technology for the Asia region. Last May, the firm and sustainable chemical company Indorama Ventures led a £20 (US$25) million Series B funding round in Polymateria Limited, a biotransformation technology company combating plastic pollution.

“Since our investment, we have introduced our portfolio companies to potential Asian customers. Given our access to Asia and to the impact ecosystem, we are well placed in helping innovators from around the world deploy and deliver their solutions in Asia to address the region’s pressing environmental challenges,” Ming concluded.

In 2022, the fund exited Singapore-based solar company Sunseap.

As per a study, impact investing is expected to see faster growth compared to other ESG investing approaches, with the main drivers being institutional adoption, next-generation wealth, and Asia transition progress.

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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.

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A new study has revealed that Singapore’s Artificial intelligence (AI) investment rate has outpaced the US by 16 per cent per thousand $GDP.

This is despite the US being the largest investor in AI, with US$328,548 million spent in the last five years.

Although being placed tenth in the amount of money spent, Singapore invested an amount equivalent to 1.5 per cent of its GDP in 2022, according to the AI statistics report curated by AIPRM.

As of 2023, the AI market size was valued between US$136.55 billion and US$454.12 billion. The largest share is in North America, with an estimated value ranging from US$87.18 billion to US$167.3 billion, accounting for more than a third (36.84 per cent) of the global AI market share.

Also Read: DANA Indonesia advocates fintech companies’ vital role in advancing financial inclusion

Asia Pacific contributes significantly (23.93 per cent) to the total AI market size. Japan and South Korea, in particular, are key players in AI, valued at US$20.2 billion and US$16.3 billion, respectively, as of 2022.

The survey was conducted in December 2023 and engaged 6,000 US adults.

The global AI market is an economic powerhouse worth almost US$455 billion. The market size could exceed US$2.5 trillion by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate of +19 per cent.

According to the report, the predominant workplace use of AI is email spam filters, utilised by 78.5 per cent of respondents. Around three in five (62.2 per cent) workers employ chatbots for customer service questions.

For the complete study on AI statistics, please find the link here. 

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VETA Finance, an on-chain platform supporting margin trading of structured products, has closed its US$2.85 million strategic funding round.

Matrixport Ventures, the VC arm of Matrixport, led the round with the participation of imToken Ventures, WT Capital, Future Money Group, and 280 Capital.

The money will be used further to optimise the supply of the platform’s structured products, strengthen its IT system, and achieve a new round of business growth.

Also Read: What is cryptoeconomics and why is it crucial in decentralised networks?

“Digital assets are among the world’s most volatile yet fast-growing asset classes. To enable investors to navigate the opportunities within the crypto industry, VETA Finance transforms the ‘volatility bonus’ of these assets into financial products that are convenient and accessible. With the support of our investors, we plan to enhance our offerings, maximising safety and returns, said Founder Daniel.

VETA Finance specialises in structured products for digital assets, including the entire service chain of decentralised financial platforms, structured product quotations and operations for exchanges and other channels. Backed by its trading desk, it has developed a Margin System for ‘exotic options’, allowing investors to buy structured products by pledging mainstream assets like BTC and ETH so that investors can earn from both the collateral and the structured products while holding onto their assets.

Exotic options are hybrid financial securities that offer unique and customisable payment structures, expiration dates, and strike prices. The assets that underlie these options also include non-traditional assets and securities.

Together with its OTC Request for Quotation System, Automated Dynamic Hedging System, and Pool Valuation Monitoring System, VETA Finance creates a secure and efficient on-chain structured product platform.

Also Read: Zignaly’s DAO aims to remove boundaries from your crypto investment portfolio

VETA Finance offers a variety of products with different returns and risk structures, such as Snowball, Snowball with Floor, Enhanced Snowballs, FCNs, Shark Fins, and Dual Currency to meet the needs of diverse customers. The core structured product “Snowball” has exceeded sales of US$20 million.

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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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Omnichat, the one-stop messaging integration platform that offers conversational commerce solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, announced a significant revenue growth of 10 times in the second half of 2023 compared to its first half in the Southeast Asian market. 

“We are shaping the business world with conversational commerce,” Alan Chan, Founder and CEO of Omnichat, remarked. “The outstanding results encourage us to go further in the Southeast Asia market, and we are confident that our innovative solutions are going to empower more businesses to achieve sustainable growth,” Chan added.

With 300% Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth in the past three consecutive years, Omnichat is loved and trusted by over 5,000 international companies including Dyson, OSIM, FILA, Logitech, Sa Sa, Venchi, and Eu Yan Sang, among others.

Unlock the power of conversational commerce with a proven track record

Leveraging Omnichat’s chat commerce solutions, Singapore’s leading apparel label iORA has successfully improved customer journeys and efficiency through 80% automation. Ng Hao Ping, Marketing Manager of iORA, commented on the implementation of an omnichannel strategy, “With the rising trend of ‘Online-merge-Offline Retail’ in the Asia-Pacific market, we can divert traffic across online and offline seamlessly and increase the overall conversions, thus providing a superior customer shopping experience.”

The exceptional efforts and achievements of Omnichat have garnered award recognition from prestigious organisations and clients. The company has received the Gold Award for Best Pandemic Response at the Loyalty and Engagement Awards from Marketing Interactive, the Silver Award for Best Use of Digital Solution at the MARKies Awards, and the Digital Strategic Partner Award at the Watsons Health, Wellness, and Beauty Awards from Watsons.

Also read: Echelon X: 10 years of empowering the SEA startup ecosystem

Omnichat, in collaboration with the international health and beauty retailer and leader, achieved a significant accomplishment by securing the Gold Award for “Best Use of AI/Chatbots” at the esteemed Asia eCommerce Awards 2023, presented by Marketing Interactive. This achievement stands as a testament to Omnichat’s unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation in the industry.

The campaign allows customers to consult with pharmacists, dietitians, Chinese medicine practitioners, or beauty consultants on WhatsApp, which is available to customers worldwide and helps them purchase suitable products easily and conveniently.

Deliver cutting-edge marketing technology to achieve personalisation in the digital age

Omnichat’s recent introduction of the Social Customer Data Platform (Social CDP) and Omni AI has further enhanced operational efficiency and has generated higher conversions for brands. The Social CDP collects customer identities from various social media platforms, maps them to unique customer profiles, and consolidates the data into a comprehensive customer database, facilitating automated and personalised shopping journeys. 

With the integration of ChatGPT, Omni AI serves as a digital assistant for content generation and product recommendations, allowing brands to create seamless communications and optimise customer support, marketing, and sales services with artificial intelligence.

Also read: Empowering businesses: Lalamove’s impact on local enterprises

“The digital world is ever-changing, we have all witnessed the evolution of AI technology this year,” said Alan Chan. “We believe our AI-powered chatbot Omni AI can further enable brands to drive revenue growth to the next level. We are excited to bring our clients more cutting-edge features and solutions.” 

Achieving record-breaking business growth in the Southeast Asian market, Omnichat is planning to extend its strategic market penetration in the global market and is looking to close the Series B round of funding this year.

For more information, visit www.omnichat.ai.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Omnichat

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Visit us at e27.co/advertise to get started.

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Earlier this week, Indonesian fintech startup DOKU announced the launch of its Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS) offering, a
complete e-wallet infrastructure APIs, which allows businesses to add e-wallet capabilities within their ecosystem and offer embedded wallets for their customers.

In introducing this service, the company teams up with Tomoro Coffee and Coda, which already use WaaS services in their routine operations.

DOKU provides a complete suite of online and offline payment solutions, serving over 150,000 merchants across many industries, including TikTok, Google, Garuda, Prudential, and Traveloka. As one of Indonesia’s oldest-running fintech startups, the company has seen it all. Established in 2007, it entered the market when cash was the most popular payment method in the country.

But today, digital payments have become an integral part of the lives of Indonesians. How did DOKU adjust to the changes in the market, and what plan do they have to stay relevant amidst tight competition?

In this email interview with e27, DOKU Co-Founder & COO Nabilah Alsagoff reveals them all. The following is an edited excerpt of the interview:

After years in the industry, what valuable changes have your company gone through? What is the most important milestone that you have achieved?

We will proudly celebrate our 17th anniversary in the Indonesian fintech landscape in early April of this year. Our journey began with a mission to assist international tourists in making digital payments for hotel bookings, aimed at contributing to the recovery of Bali’s tourism following the 2005 bombing incident.

Also Read: DANA Indonesia advocates fintech companies’ vital role in advancing financial inclusion

Over the past 17 years, we have evolved from being a payment gateway to establishing ourselves as a prominent fintech payment company to over-industry solution products, serving a diverse clientele of over 150,000 merchants ranging from enterprises to SMEs.

We earned trust and received challenges from our merchants. As we committed to bringing solutions for payment fintech challenges, we came up with solutions, which is why we have a wide range of products and services. Of course, this is followed by the comprehensive licenses. Our merchants’ pain points actually helped us shape our product strategy over time as we witnessed the fintech industry evolve in Indonesia.

On top of that, our mission remains the same: to make payments easy for everyone by streamlining complex enterprise payment processes and making them more efficient.

In addition to launching this wallet-as-a-service product, what other strategy do you use to adapt to changes in the local market?

Indonesia’s market is very fragmented, and people have different behaviours related to payments according to their needs and surroundings.

Moreover, merchants’ business requirements change dynamically; thus, we believe the industry would need a scalable payment infrastructure that can grow together with their business. DOKU offers a single payment platform with a complete range of payment products that can easily be mixed and matched by various businesses from different categories and scales for a smoother payment experience.

What valuable lessons have you learned from operating in Indonesia?

Our industry is regulated by Bank Indonesia (BI, the Indonesian central bank). Hence, it is important that we pay attention to all the guidelines, especially when releasing new services. We are expected to innovate fast to keep pace with the market demands, and it is necessary for us to balance this with compliance requirements. There is no shortcut to it.

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

What do you think will be the most important fintech trend in Indonesia this year?

BI foresees a continual surge in digital banking transactions, with projections indicating a 23.2 per cent growth in 2024 and 18.8 per cent in 2025.

Open Banking will start to be mainstream, as it gives customers more control over their financial data, enabling them to access a wider range of products and services. This drives innovation for new players such as digibank or even the smaller banks to enter the market and compete.

Another notable trend is QRIS payments, especially now with the option of cross-border acceptance. We will see many merchant apps embedding QRIS in their ecosystem, whether online or offline, for a seamless and customised checkout experience.

What other innovation do you plan to launch in 2024?

As DOKU moves towards payment fintech solutions, we will still focus on providing merchant-facing solutions beyond payments. For example, there will be more products and services designed ‘as a service’ to support the backroom operation of a company, on top of our bread-and-butter ‘accept payment’ solutions.

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Image Credit: Doku

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Dear reader,

Terraform Labs’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing adds a new chapter to the saga of the 2022 collapse of stablecoin TerraUSD. The Singapore-based company, now navigating legal complexities in both the US and Singapore, lists assets and liabilities between US$100 million and US$500 million.

Despite the financial turmoil, Terraform Labs commits to honouring obligations to employees and vendors without seeking additional funding. The filing aims to facilitate the execution of the company’s business plan amid ongoing legal battles, including litigation involving the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC’s civil case, tied to the collapse of TerraUSD and Luna, postponed due to co-founder Do Kwon’s extradition proceedings, underscores the global impact of the alleged US$40 billion cryptocurrency fraud.

Terraform Labs faces a challenging road ahead, balancing legal obligations while planning the expansion of Web3 offerings.

Sainul,
Editor.

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News

Terraform Labs files for bankruptcy protection in US
The firm behind the stablecoin TerraUSD, which collapsed and roiled cryptocurrency markets in 2022, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US; Singapore-based Terraform Labs listed assets and liabilities in the range of US$100-500M.

Clime Capital raises US$127M in first close of new greentech fund
Key investors include Allied Climate Partners, Australian Development Investments, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet; The fund will be putting money into renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and electrical grid businesses.

Insignia backs US$6M round of SG bookkeeping startup Bluesheets
Bluesheets helps businesses process financial data through automated workflows; As of mid-2022, Bluesheets had over 10,000 corporate clients, including Fidelis Capital, Guzman y Gomez, and Osome.

French digital asset firm Flowdesk raises US$50M to secure licenses in SG, US
Investors are Cathay Ledger Fund, Eurazeo, ISAI, Speedinvest, BPI, and Ripple; Flowdesk offers services such as market making as a service (MMaaS), OTC trading, and treasury management.

TikTok usage is starting to slow — is TikTok Shop to blame?
While TikTok’s growth remains positive, that growth is decelerating; In 2022, TikTok’s MAUs grew an average of 12% y-o-y per quarter, but this figure fell to 3% y-o-y per quarter in 2023.

FinAGG raises US$11M to expand MSME financing in India
Lead investors are BlueOrchard and Tata Capital; Founded in 2019, FinAGG has reached over 85K borrowers in 100 Indian cities, disbursing over US$629M to date; The firm also provides loan management systems customised to the needs of local and international financial institutions.

Hackers breached Microsoft to find out what Microsoft knows about them
The firm said the hacking group, Midnight Blizzard, widely believed to be sponsored by the Russian government, hacked some corporate email accounts, including those of the company’s senior leadership team and employees in its cybersecurity, legal, and other functions.

Animoca partners with Honda to co-develop vehicle-related gameplay
Honda and Darewise (an Animoca subsidiary) will co-develop new gameplay and game assets for Life Beyond, including in-game items, activities, and Ordinals featuring Honda.

Razer Fintech taps BillEase for BNPL
Through the partnership, clients of Razer Merchant Services will be able to offer BillEase’s BNPL services to their customers; These include card-free installment options that enable users to pay within 10 to 20 days or over the course of several months.

From our contributors

Empowering women at work: Pre-hiring stage is the key
The greatest push for gender equality at work starts from the very beginning of the funnel: even before the hiring stage.

From potential to prosperity: Blockchain’s role in reshaping Southeast Asian economies
Blockchain integration in nations like Malaysia marks a transformative era, addressing real-world challenges; a robust solution, not just a trend.

The rise of unlicensed money lenders and their impact on Malaysian society
The issue of unlicensed money lending casts a long shadow over Malaysian society, causing immense harm to individuals and communities.

Why investing in women entrepreneurs is a smart move for the future
We should take a moment to salute the rising number of successful businesswomen in Asia who have shown remarkable passion, resilience, and belief.

Hacking your way into angel impact investing with just US$10K
As the Head of Special Projects at Top Tier Impact, I will give you these much-needed tips on how to start angel impact investing.

The great EV transition: Is Asia ready?
As the EV market matures, we can expect a surge in innovation with insights and experiences from one influencing the other regional markets.

How to revolutionise the banking and finance industry with Robotic Process Automation
Unlock efficiency, save time and costs, and ensure regulatory compliance — just a glimpse of RPA’s myriad benefits in banking.

From the archives

Having the right team is the single biggest determinant of your success: 123RF Co-founder Stephanie Sitt
123RF co-founder Stephanie Sitt strongly encourages young entrepreneurs to be opportunists and approach as many investors as possible.

Startup funding rounds: A handbook from seed to exit
Funding rounds mark important milestones for a private business as it often comes up with a new valuation of the firm in the market.

‘SEA needs to grow together and produce more quality unicorns’: Vertex Ventures’s Carmen Yuen
‘The purpose of a business is to achieve profitability. This is a discipline that all companies should have, regardless of macroeconomic conditions.’

3 things I have learned about the SEA startup ecosystem in the last 8 years
One of them includes refraining from doing harm. Because, in this close-knit startup ecosystem, someone will always find out.

Move fast, save things: How StartupX adapts to changes in the events industry during the pandemic
Durwin Ho of StartupX explains why the team always have the role of a “station master” in their every event.

Features & Interviews

‘Young, tech-savvy population contributes to cryptocurrency growth in Vietnam’
Cryptocurrencies have found more takers in Vietnam because nearly 70% of adults lack access to formal financial services, says Nicegram CPO.

SEA startups secure millions in funding, unveiling diverse innovations
The surge in funding signals a collective belief in the potential of the startups to drive innovation and address pressing challenges.

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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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Will AI add to creativity and productivity, or will it unleash destructive forces that will decimate jobs and industries as we know it? Amid the polarising debates, there is no question that  AI technology already has and will alter how we work across sectors – including the Public Relations profession.

Industries need to get proactive about AI guidelines

With regulatory responses lagging behind technological advances, it falls on individual sectors to determine how to use AI. At Milk & Honey, we have spent time understanding the specific uses of AI technology within the PR industry. We have also studied important topics of compliance and strategies for agency self-regulation. These have been documented in our newly launched AI Ethical Playbook.

Yes, AI can solve pain points for the PR industry

A hybrid human/AI approach can bring about substantial time-saving solutions for creatives in the public relations industry. For example,

• Generate initial ideas for design: this type of AI solution can create a starting point, encompassing colour and brand language to create a range of visual identities. This would not replace a designer; instead, it would support them in delivering early mock-ups. We see this as speeding and reducing the cost of the design process — with benefits for the agency, its designers and clients.
• Content summary: this type of AI solution allows an agency to rapidly summarise large text sections without employing significant human resources. This capability can help teams quickly get to grips with an issue and identify salient points – again reducing agency resources and cost to the client without compromising quality.
• AI transcription tools: an agency pain point is often deploying many team resources in, for example, a client meeting or story mining session. The ability to cut down on the number of human attendees will reduce costs to the client – removing the need for a dedicated human note-taker brings benefits to both parties. An added benefit of an AI transcription tool is that it doesn’t miss anything being discussed – which humans often understandably do.
• Writing support tools: The most obvious example of these is ChatGPT, but we would only use this technology in very specific circumstances – where it adds and does not detract. These circumstances could include providing initial ideas to a human writer (e.g., suggesting story angles), assisting in research or the early stages of brainstorming.

Also Read: Sapna Chadha: Navigating Southeast Asia’s tech landscape and AI trends

The human differentiator in PR remains critical

The fundamentals of good PR are rooted in human context, understanding and empathy. At the moment, AI-generated content is only “virtually indistinguishable” from human outputs and, even then, only at “first glance”. Very soon, the hype will die down, and people will be able to differentiate between the human and AI.

If brand storytelling, a thought leadership article, or a social post is left to a machine, imagine how our clients would feel if they realised an algorithm led the thinking. Would they think their agency is taking them for granted and doesn’t care about thoughtful output? If clients feel that all PR is now sounding the same — relying on the same algorithms that scrape the same content from the same sources — why would a client retain a PR partner?

They could easily cut out the middleman and access technologies directly. For the public relations profession to provide true value to clients, we at Milk & Honey believe that human-led PR is the differentiator — a symbol of excellence, engagement and respect.

Businesses are excited yet cautious and challenged about AI adoption

Based on a survey conducted with Milk & Honey’s global clients, we found that 9 in 10 companies said it is extremely or fairly important that their PR agency stays up to date with and adopts AI tools. At the same time, 83 per cent expressed concerns about data security, over 65 per cent were worried about potential errors, and over 40 per cent were concerned about the lack of regulation in this space.

Research suggests that Asia Pacific will see significant adoption of generative AI to enhance productivity in 2024. However, due to risk-averse corporate cultures and insufficient data management capabilities, only 30 per cent of companies will be able to leverage AI’s advantages. Challenges exist for APAC firms needing help to operationalise customer trust via their marketing and sales functions.

Trust by design

As regulation races to catch up, PR agencies need to set up safeguards to lessen the risk of misuse — both intentional and unintentional. Milk & Honey sees the Warsaw Principles as comprehensive and indicative — and they inform our ongoing work in AI:

• Transparency, disclosure, and authenticity: mandating clear disclosure when generative AI is employed, especially when crafting reality-like content.
• Accuracy, fact-checking and combating disinformation: highlighting the need for rigorous fact-checking, given AI’s potential for disseminating misinformation and producing disinformation.
• Privacy, data protection, and responsible sharing: prioritising data protection, compliance and dissemination.
• Bias detection, mitigation, and inclusivity: advocating for the detection and correction of biases in AI-driven content and the promotion of inclusivity.
• Intellectual property, copyright compliance, and media literacy: stressing the respect for intellectual property and copyright laws.
• Human oversight, intervention and collaboration: reinforcing the necessity of human oversight in AI-powered processes.
• Contextual understanding, adaptation, and personalisation: encouraging tailored content approaches for different audience channels.

Also Read: ‘AI is a race for innovation; regulation will only develop effectively once winners are announced’

Responsible use of AI needs to be the norm

As an agency, we believe in embracing AI responsibly. The Milk & Honey AI Ethical Playbook serves as a guide towards human-centric use of AI in the realm of Public Relations. The Asia Pacific region has unique cultural, social and economic contexts. As brand communicators serving local and global clients in Asia, a human-led AI approach is essential in ensuring authentic, trusted and culturally nuanced messaging.

The AI Ethical Playbook, with a foreword from Dr. Christian Stiegler, an award-winning researcher and internationally renowned expert on emerging technologies, including XR, AI, technology ethics and the metaverse, is available 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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Remember the grainy days of influencers hawking products from their cluttered bedrooms? Yeah, that quaint trend faded faster than a filter trend. Forget messy backdrops and mumbled pitches — think catwalks bathed in neon, celebrity chefs whipping up magic in futuristic kitchens, and a whole lotta production polish. Welcome to the future of online sales, where high-impact, brand-controlled ‘livestreams’ are beaming straight from the runway (or the lab) to your phone.

Take Zara’s recent Douyin debut. Five hours of pure fashion bliss hosted by a supermodel, not just showcasing clothes but taking viewers on a sensory journey through design studios, fitting rooms, and even the camera crew. No pushy sales pitches, just an immersive brand experience. And guess what? It snagged over a million viewers — a far cry from your average bedroom-based influencer haul.

So, why the shift? Why ditch the “influencer BFF” routine for the slick production dance? Here’s the decoder ring:

Control is king (and queen)!

Influencers, for all their charm, come with baggage. Brand messages get diluted, competitor products sneak in, and let’s face it, not every bedroom screams chic fashion haven. Livestreams give brands the reins. They curate the story, highlight their aesthetic on their terms, and build a direct connection with the audience. It’s the difference between renting someone else’s apartment and throwing a rager in your own mansion, complete with velvet ropes and laser light shows.

Production value matters

Sure, authenticity resonates, but let’s be real — polished visuals are like dopamine drips for our eyeballs. High-quality productions grab attention, elevate brand perception, and create a buzz that bedroom banter rarely can. Think fashion film meets interactive shopping spree, and you’ve got the picture.

Building brand identity is paramount and permanent

Influencer collaborations are cool, but they’re like yesterday’s hashtag – fleeting and often forgettable. Livestreams let brands tell their own story, showcase their values directly, and forge lasting connections with consumers. It’s not just about selling a dress; it’s about making viewers feel like they’re part of the Zara world like they’re invited to the exclusive backstage after-party.

Brand safety becomes a nightmare. Influencers are influencers because of their followers; one wrong word about the brand and the brand is doomed. There are too many examples of this to fill up a listicle.

Also Read: Why live commerce is here to stay in Asia

However, before we crown the high-production emperor, let’s consider the dark side:

Cost can be galactic if done one brand at a time

Building a production studio / VR studio, hiring special effects wizards, and luring celebrity chefs isn’t exactly pocket change. This high-gloss approach might leave smaller brands feeling like they’re stuck with a flip phone in a smartphone world.

Authenticity fatigue comes too quickly

Can too much polish backfire? Overproduced streams might feel sterile, lacking the genuine spark that draws viewers to influencers. Finding the balance between brand control and relatable charm is key. Imagine a fashion show where the models recite pre-scripted lines — it’s just not the same. A baby care product livestream need not be just about polish. It can be about a young mother who is a stand-up comedian alongside a specialist. Done well, the game changes.

Influencers bring personality, humour, and relatable quirks

Can pre-scripted streams, however dazzling, ever truly replace that organic connection? The challenge lies in weaving brand narrative with personality to keep viewers engaged. Think witty hosts, surprise guest appearances, or interactive polls — anything to keep the human element alive in the digital stream.

In conclusion

High-production livestreams are the new playground for brands across industries. They offer unparalleled control, build deeper connections, and create an immersive experience that bedroom vlogs can’t match. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Finding the sweet spot between polished production and genuine connection will be the key to ruling the future of online sales. So, brands, put down the influencer contracts and hit the runway (or the holodeck) — it’s showtime!

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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

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

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Today, Indonesia-based venture capital firm AC Ventures announced the final close of its fifth investment fund ACV Capital V LP (ACV Fund V), totalling US$210 million. This also included co-investment funds.

In a press statement, the firm stated that the fund is backed by global limited partners, of which 90 per cent are institutions, with returning investors making up over 50 per cent of the capital.

Key investors backing the fund include the World Bank’s IFC and prominent financial institutions from the US, the Middle East, and North Asia.

AC Ventures has already started deploying and announcing investments from the fund, including leading rounds in Indonesian electric vehicle manufacturer MAKA Motors and sustainable farming startup Koltiva.

Also Read: AC Ventures aims to drive positive societal change, economic impact in SEA

“With ACV Fund V, we are not just investing in companies with significant financial upside, but in a future where economic success and societal impact go hand in hand,” explained Founder and Managing Partner Adrian Li.

“Our focus on financial returns and sustainability is not only a reflection of what is trending in the market. It is a fundamental cornerstone of our long-term investment philosophy to create significant value for all stakeholders.”

AC Ventures stated that it has increased its emphasis on sustainable impact alongside high financial returns in approaching its investment by prioritising companies that deliver strong economic value and environmental and social impact.

The firm stated that its third fund delivered an overall net impact ratio of +37 per cent as measured by The Upright Project in Finland. “This ranks the firm and its portfolio above the Nasdaq Small Cap Index (NQUSS) average of +29 per cent by a significant margin.”

Also Read: Merchants selling via TikTok could be harming Indonesian economy: AC Ventures

It also stated that within the firm, 50 per cent of senior leadership roles are filled by women with 41 per cent C-level female leadership in their portfolio companies.

AC Ventures aims to differentiate itself in Indonesia by providing hands-on value-creation services to its portfolio companies, which include functional support in business development and strategic partnerships, talent advisory, government relations, financial planning, and fundraising.

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Image Credit: AC Ventures

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Venture capital firm Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP), with a portfolio nearing MYR5 (US$1.25) billion, is investing as a limited partner in Vynn Capital’s latest Mobility and Supply Chain Fund.

The Mobility and Supply Chain Fund, with a targeted size of US$30 million, aims to innovate Southeast Asia’s technology landscape in the mobility and supply chain sector.

Malaysian venture capital firm Vynn Capital established a fund to tackle challenges and opportunities in Southeast Asia’s mobility and supply chain sectors. The fund is directed towards early-stage startups in the region raising Seed to Series A rounds.

YAM Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Partner at Vynn Capital, commented, “As one of the most experienced venture backers in the region, MAVCAP will continue to provide us access to institutional networks, allowing us to provide better support to our portfolio companies. This is especially important in the world of constantly changing market dynamics.”

Also Read: DANA Indonesia advocates fintech companies’ vital role in advancing financial inclusion

With the backing of experienced partners, startups can access essential resources and expertise to drive innovative solutions for the future of vehicle and transport infrastructure. The Mobility and Supply Chain Fund also aims to address current challenges in fostering a more sustainable and greener environment through technological solutions. This positions Malaysia at the forefront of fostering innovation in the mobility industry and promoting regional collaboration by strategically investing in companies targeting the broader Southeast Asia market.

“This collaboration aligns with our mission to catalyse innovation and growth in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia,” said Shahril Anas bin Hasan Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MAVCAP.

With support from Sime Darby Berhad, the Fund is also enabling greater private partnerships and encouraging industry players to invest in technology companies, thereby enhancing the future of mobility across Southeast Asia.

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