I grew up in a remote village where farming was the main work. Family came first. Fields came first. Three generations often worked side by side. Life moved with the seasons. We trusted our elders and community wisdom, prayed for rain and good harvests, and when we felt sick, we used both home remedies and clinical medicine when we could get it.

Over the last 30 years, technology has changed things. First, there was one shared phone at the shop, then basic mobiles, and now smartphones are in everyone’s hands. Today, many things are easier. Farmers check crop prices on a phone instead of waiting for market day. Money transfers arrive in minutes. Short weather messages help us pick a planting day. A video call can save a long bus ride to see a doctor. Children can review lessons on the same phone their parents use to pay for fertiliser.

But new problems also showed up. False prices and rumours spread fast on chat groups. Scammers send links, and some people lose their savings. Apps add small fees that eat into a farmer’s profit. Signals drop during storms, so advice can arrive late. Some elderly people find the apps hard to use. Online classes help, but kids can get pulled into games and short videos. Easy loans on phones help at harvest time, but if prices fall, families can sink into debt. And not every app speaks our language or works well offline.

So, the test is simple: did the tools lower the “survival tax”? In the key areas of farming, health, and education, the answer is complex and demands a closer look at what success truly means.

Driving social impact with tech in SEA

As the introduction makes clear, technology in Southeast Asia is not a simple story of progress. The real measure of its impact is whether it truly reduces the “survival tax”, the daily burden of time, cash, and stress for the people it’s meant to serve. This is a story of nuance, where the same tool that provides a lifeline can also create new vulnerabilities if not designed with empathy and rigour.

Farming: More income this season, not someday

Farmers care about four things: yield, price, cost, and risk. A good tool should improve at least two of these in one season.

• Proven practice that pays: In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a rice method called mechanised direct seeding helped farmers use about half the usual seed, cut fertiliser by about one-fifth, grow about five per cent more, and earn around US$200 more per hectare. That is money in hand, not just a nice story.
• Data and better deals: In Thailand, the startup Ricult reports that farmers have raised yields by up to 50 per cent by using better weather and price information, and by getting fairer deals. They also shortened payment times, so farmers get paid in about 48 hours instead of waiting two to three months. Faster pay means fewer costly loans.
• Why trust matters: Not every startup helps. In Indonesia, police detained the founder of a big fish-farming startup in August 2025 during a fraud probe. This is a reminder: farmer data and claims should be checkable and open. Trust is part of the tool. Even with a good app, small transaction fees can accumulate, eating away at a farmer’s thin profit margins. And when a storm knocks out the signal, that embedded climate advice arrives too late.

Also Read: Homegrown solutions for a hungry future: Why Southeast Asia must localise agritech by 2050

Design principles for agri-tech

• Offline-first, local language UX: The technology should be accessible even with patchy connectivity.
• Price transparency + guaranteed off-take: Farmers need to know they can sell their products at a fair price.
• Embedded climate advice: Tools should provide actionable advice on planting times and input optimisation.
• Outcome metrics: The impact should be measurable in terms farmers can feel on a weekly basis, such as feed saved or cash in hand.

Health: Care that arrives earlier and costs less

In many parts of Southeast Asia, the first place people go for help is a phone and the nearest pharmacy. Tech should strengthen that path.

• Lower cost, quicker help: In Indonesia, a study using national telehealth data found a telemedicine visit (with meds) costs about one-third of an in-person visit. When care is cheaper and closer, families don’t wait as long to seek help.
• Platforms at scale: Halodoc serves over 20 million monthly users with doctor chats, medicine delivery, and lab services. This shows that when the service is simple and reliable, people use it at big scale.
• Specialists without a trip to the city: Indonesia has about one skin doctor for every 100,000 people, mostly in big cities. Tele-dermatology has handled hundreds of thousands of cases, saving long and costly travel.
• Pharmacies as the front door: The SwipeRx platform links about 50,000 pharmacies across seven countries. They report reaching ~145 million patients, training 30,000+ pharmacists, and giving 8,000+ pharmacies access to loans so medicines stay in stock. When the local pharmacy is stronger, care gets better for everyone.

Design principles for digital health

• Equip community health workers: Treat community pharmacies, midwives, and Community Health Workers (CHWs) as the “digital front doors” to the healthcare system.
• Zero-rate essential health apps + device financing: Offer affordable access to digital tools, potentially with device financing for low-income users.
• Measure and publish metrics: Track and transparently share key metrics like time-to-care, adherence to treatment plans, and avoidable hospital admissions.

Also Read: Healthtech in South and Southeast Asia – Seeing beyond the “obvious”

Education: Beyond access, toward equity and outcomes

• Evidence that simple works: Simple, phone-based tutoring models have shown some of the most compelling results in SEA. In the Philippines, a model using weekly SMS messages and a 20-minute phone call boosted children’s math scores by about 40 per cent. This low-cost approach, which can be delivered with basic mobile phones, is a powerful example of “equity-by-design” because it reaches families who lack access to laptops, tablets, or broadband internet, directly combating the educational survival tax.
• Platforms must prove learning, not just logins: The measure of a system’s true health is whether it serves its most vulnerable members. Large edutechs must lean into this playbook: formative assessment to spot gaps, targeted tutoring vouchers for the bottom quartile, and teacher tools that cut paperwork. The bar is simple: can a student sharing a single phone still make weekly progress? If not, the platform is likely perpetuating, not closing, the Alignment Gap in education.

Design principles for edutech

• Low-bandwidth content + printable modules: Ensure learning materials are accessible with limited connectivity.
• Caregiver nudges via SMS/WhatsApp: Engage parents and guardians with simple text message reminders and tips.
• Public dashboards: Use transparent dashboards to track mastery gains for the most vulnerable learners, not just the overall average.

Also Read: Bold moves: Capitalising on market dips in edutech

Conclusion

The test for technology in Southeast Asia is not about innovation for its own sake, but about its ability to make life more livable for the millions of people who live on the margins. It is about whether it genuinely reduces the survival tax, the time spent walking to a clinic, the money lost to a scam, the stress of a failed harvest.

The most powerful tools are those that are simple, reliable, and designed to empower people, not just to connect them. They must be built for the reality of the village, not just the promise of the city.

—

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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As markets navigate a tense pre-speech calm ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s pivotal address at the Jackson Hole Symposium, global financial conditions reflect a complex interplay of economic uncertainty, shifting capital flows, and sector-specific pressures.

Investors worldwide have adopted a notably cautious stance, with major asset classes exhibiting muted but telling movements that collectively paint a picture of heightened vigilance rather than outright panic. This careful positioning stems from the profound influence Powell’s remarks could exert on interest rate trajectories, inflation expectations, and ultimately the global economic narrative for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.

The Jackson Hole gathering, historically a venue for significant policy signalling, carries exceptional weight this year as central bankers grapple with persistent inflationary pressures alongside growing concerns about economic deceleration. Market participants scrutinise every potential nuance in anticipated communications, knowing that even subtle phrasing adjustments could trigger substantial reallocations across trillions of dollars in global assets.

Recent equity performance reveals a telling pattern of consolidation and slight retreat. Major US indices closed modestly lower yesterday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipping 0.34 per cent, the S&P 500 falling 0.40 per cent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declining 0.34 per cent. This synchronised pullback across diverse market segments suggests broad-based caution rather than sector-specific concerns. The movement reflects institutional investors strategically reducing exposure ahead of the Powell speech, a common pre-event pattern observed during periods of anticipated policy clarity.

Historical analysis of Jackson Hole symposia shows that markets typically enter a period of compressed volatility immediately preceding key speeches, followed by significant directional moves once policy intentions become clearer. The current equity retreat aligns with this established behavioral pattern, indicating sophisticated market participants are preparing for potential volatility rather than reacting to immediate adverse developments.

Simultaneously, the fixed-income market tells a complementary story through rising Treasury yields. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed three basis points to 4.328 per cent, while the two-year yield increased more substantially by five basis points to 3.79 per cent. This steepening of the yield curve carries important implications. The greater movement in shorter-dated yields suggests market participants anticipate the Federal Reserve maintaining restrictive policy for an extended period, potentially delaying anticipated rate cuts.

Also Read: Bitcoin’s big moment: Can crypto shine as stocks stumble before Jackson Hole?

The two-year yield’s sensitivity to Fed policy expectations makes its sharper rise particularly noteworthy, signaling that traders are adjusting their pricing to reflect a higher probability of prolonged higher interest rates. This dynamic creates significant pressure on growth-oriented sectors and valuation-sensitive assets, as the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding investments increases. The yield movement also reflects persistent inflation concerns, with recent economic data showing services inflation proving stickier than anticipated despite goods inflation moderating.

Currency and commodity markets further illustrate this complex risk landscape. The US Dollar Index strengthened 0.41 per cent to 98.62, demonstrating the greenback’s enduring appeal as a safe haven during periods of policy uncertainty. This dollar strength exerts additional pressure on emerging market economies and multinational corporations, creating a secondary layer of global economic constraint. Gold, traditionally a hedge against uncertainty, experienced a slight decline of 0.3 per cent to approximately US$2,400 per ounce.

This counterintuitive movement likely reflects the powerful gravitational pull of rising real yields, which diminishes gold’s appeal as investors compare its non-yielding nature against increasingly attractive Treasury returns. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil gained 1.24 per cent to US$67.67 per barrel, supported by robust US demand indicators and persistent geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict. The energy market’s resilience highlights how physical supply and demand fundamentals continue to exert significant influence alongside financial market dynamics.

The cryptocurrency sector presents a particularly volatile snapshot of current risk sentiment. While the broader narrative suggests caution, the digital asset market experienced pronounced turbulence with significant divergences among major tokens. Cardano’s ADA suffered the most severe decline among larger capitalisation alternatives, plummeting over eight per cent to struggle around US$0.85. This substantial drop reflects specific project-related concerns, including perceived delays in network upgrades and developer activity, compounded by broader market risk aversion.

Ripple’s XRP faced its own challenges, falling below the psychologically important US$3.00 threshold to approximately US$2.90 after a four per cent decline. This breach of a key technical support level raises questions about the token’s near-term trajectory within its current market cycle. Ethereum’s movement toward US$4,200 following a one per cent decline, alongside similar losses for BNB, Dogecoin, and several other prominent tokens, indicates widespread profit-taking and position reduction ahead of the Powell speech.

Notable exceptions included Chainlink’s three per cent gain and modest advances for Solana, Tron, and a few others, suggesting selective strength in specific protocol narratives. The total cryptocurrency market capitalisation experienced a significant contraction, losing approximately US$70 billion to settle around US$2.2 trillion according to verified industry trackers, reflecting the sector’s heightened sensitivity to macroeconomic signals and interest rate expectations.

These market movements collectively underscore several critical dynamics shaping the current financial landscape. First, the persistent disconnect between bond market signaling and equity valuations continues to create tension. While equities have maintained relative resilience despite elevated interest rates, the steepening yield curve suggests bond markets anticipate either prolonged restrictive policy or eventual economic weakness that might force the Fed to cut rates.

Second, the Jackson Hole symposium represents more than a routine policy discussion; it serves as a critical inflection point where the Federal Reserve must balance competing mandates of price stability and maximum employment amid increasingly mixed economic data. Third, the cryptocurrency market’s extreme reaction highlights its evolution from an isolated speculative playground to an asset class increasingly integrated with traditional financial market psychology, particularly regarding interest rate sensitivity.

Looking ahead, Powell’s speech tonight will likely focus on the Fed’s evolving assessment of inflation dynamics, labor market conditions, and the appropriate path for monetary policy normalisation. Market participants will parse every phrase for clues about whether the Fed remains committed to its “higher for longer” stance or is preparing to pivot toward rate cuts. Historical precedent shows that Jackson Hole speeches often lay conceptual groundwork for future policy shifts, even if immediate actions aren’t announced.

Also Read: Jackson Hole looms: Can Powell save markets from a global risk meltdown?

The 2012 symposium featured Bernanke’s introduction of forward guidance, while 2020 saw the formal adoption of average inflation targeting. This year’s speech may address the evolving framework for assessing maximum employment or the balance of risks between inflation and recession. Any indication that the Fed perceives inflation as sufficiently subdued to begin rate cuts could trigger significant market repositioning. At the same time, reinforcement of restrictive policy could extend current pressures across risk assets.

The current market environment demands careful navigation. Investors must balance recognition of persistent inflationary pressures against growing evidence of economic slowing in certain sectors. The bond market’s yield curve dynamics suggest caution about near-term growth prospects, while equity markets continue to reflect corporate earnings resilience. Cryptocurrency markets, having demonstrated their sensitivity to macroeconomic forces, now require analysis through the same fundamental lenses applied to traditional assets.

As we await Powell’s remarks, the financial world holds its breath, understanding that the coming hours could significantly reshape the investment landscape for months to come. This moment encapsulates the delicate balancing act central bankers face in managing complex economies through turbulent times, where communication itself becomes a powerful policy instrument with immediate and far-reaching market consequences.

The true test lies not just in Powell’s words tonight, but in how markets interpret and act upon them in the critical days and weeks that follow, potentially setting the stage for the next major phase in the global economic cycle.

—

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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Artificial intelligence may reshape customer experience (CX), but consumers say empathy can’t be automated.

Verizon’s latest report shows that while AI excels at efficiency, it still falls short on the emotional intelligence customers expect when problems arise. A striking 88 per cent of consumers favour human agents for online interactions, compared to just 60 per cent satisfaction with AI-only systems. The biggest frustration? Nearly half of the respondents said being unable to reach a live agent left them stranded.

The brand lesson is straightforward: CX’s future is not about choosing between humans and machines, but about blending the best of both. With 44 per cent of companies planning balanced investments across AI and human-led solutions, forward-thinking businesses are already embracing hybrid models. AI can streamline transactions and queries, but the human touch resolves complaints, rebuilds trust, and leaves lasting loyalty.

Crucially, the report stresses upskilling the workforce. From handling chatbot frustrations to navigating data privacy concerns, employees need tools and training to work confidently alongside AI. Done right, this partnership doesn’t replace people; it empowers them.

Technology may drive the process in CX, but humanity will always define the experience.

REGIONAL

Indonesian prosecutors seize TaniHub ex-CEO’s land in US$25M fraud probe
Ivan Ari Sustiawan’s land, located in Bandung, West Java, covers 4,700 square meters | Ivan Ari Sustiawan was named a suspect alongside MDI Ventures director DW and former TaniHub director ET on July 28, 2025 | Investigators are also tracking assets linked to other individuals involved in the case.

Indonesia’s e-commerce transactions hit US$2.7B in July 2025
Bank Indonesia deputy governor Filianingsih Hendarta said this marks a 6.41% year-on-year rise and a 2.32% increase from the previous month | The total number of e-commerce transactions hit 466.93 million, up 16.89% year-on-year and 6.64% month-on-month.

Foxconn makes its first big leap into robotics with US$30M bet on Robocore
Proceeds from this latest funding round will be primarily allocated to strengthening Robocore’s telemedicine business across the US, Europe, and Japan | Additionally, funds will be used to launch new products for mainland China’s consumer market and expand global sales and marketing operations.

Agridence acquires ‘farmer connect’ in bid to tackle EU supply chain regulations
This strategic move, supported by newly secured investment, will enable Agridence to build a unified offering designed to help agribusinesses “efficiently” meet stringent regulatory compliance and supply chain transparency requirements across numerous commodities.

Singapore fintech firm Nium reports US$50B annual transactions
The cross-border payments firm reported its first EBITDA-positive month in July 2025 | Nanu said this was the company’s highest month for both revenue and transaction volumes since its founding ten years ago.

ShopBack turns profitable this quarter
The Singapore-based cashback platform said users earned US$40 million in cashback | Its merchant partners saw US$1.2 billion in sales driven by the platform | ShopBack operates across Asia Pacific, connecting consumers with online and offline retailers through cashback rewards.

AnyMind Group launches AI avatar livestreaming to power the future of creator commerce
AnyLive for Creators is a platform that lets influencers develop AI avatars capable of hosting livestreams and driving affiliate commerce, even while the creators themselves are offline.

Kozystay raises Series A to scale Indonesia’s short-term rental market amid hospitality shift
Investors include Integra Partners, Cercano Management, Intudo Ventures, and Cercano | The Indonesian hospitality company aims for 1,000+ properties by 2025 as extended-stay demand reshapes travel and real estate in Southeast Asia.

Aspire unveils yield product to help SMEs optimise idle cash
Aspire Yield enables SMEs access Singapore and US dollar-denominated money market funds, earning up to 2.04-3.88 per cent per annum | This is significantly higher than the standard 0.01 per cent to 0.25 per cent offered by traditional business savings accounts.

AMD taps Sunny Gandhi to strengthen APJ commercial channel strategy
In his new role, Gandhi will oversee channel enablement, driving operational excellence, and executing robust sales strategies throughout AMD’s extensive commercial channel ecosystem in the region | The appointment is expected to play a central role in advancing AMD’s commercial channel strategy in APJ.

Indonesian QR code payments to launch in China by end of 2025
The central bank has tested QRIS in China since August 2025 with partners including the Indonesian Payment System Association, UnionPay International, and payment providers | Bank Indonesia said it is in the final phase of sandbox testing.

REPORTS, INTERVIEWS & FEATURES

88% of consumers favour human agents; AI alone fails to deliver CX satisfaction
The most prominent frustration consumers cite in automated interactions, by a large margin, is the inability to speak or chat with a live agent when needed, affecting 47 per cent of respondents | Brands concur, noting a similar proportion of customer complaints regarding this lack of human access.

Verizon report: Businesses hail AI in CX, but customers still prefer humans
While 60 per cent of consumers express general satisfaction with automated interactions, a significant 47 per cent report frustration primarily due to a lack of access to human agents when needed.

Salesforce study 2025: Only 4 per cent of CFOs still play it safe on AI
Just five years ago, a striking 70 per cent of global CFOs adhered to a conservative AI strategy, a figure that dropped to 34 per cent two years ago | Today, that number has plummeted to a mere 4 per cent, indicating a widespread recognition among financial leaders that AI is now a crucial tool for enhancing efficiency.

Quantum computing’s double-edged sword could threaten cybersecurity: Report
Quantum computing has the ability to render current encryption obsolete | Today’s data security largely depends on encryption techniques that quantum computers could eventually crack—potentially exposing everything from financial data to state secrets.

Forget the rest: ChatGPT alone drives more traffic than 10,500 AI tools combined
ChatGPT remains the undisputed leader, cementing its position as the global default for AI interaction | The OpenAI flagship recorded an unmatched 46.59 billion total web visits from August 2024 to July 2025, demonstrating a robust 106 per cent year-over-year growth.

AI personalisation isn’t working; more consumers say it hurts CX than improves it
Verizon’s 2025 CX Report reveals that more consumers (30 per cent) believe AI-driven personalisation has detracted from their overall CX than those who feel it has improved it (26 per cent).

Agentification is one of the top tech trends of 2025. Here is what you need to know
Agentification refers to the development of AI systems that function as independent agents rather than mere tools for singular tasks | These AI agents are designed to interact, collaborate, and manage increasingly complex processes with minimal human intervention.

PocketSmith wants to put every ‘household CFO’ back in control of their money
CEO Jason Leong reflects on the company’s international journey, his Malaysian roots, and the opportunities emerging in Southeast Asia as digital banking and open finance take hold.

How Jaslyin Qiyu is redefining marketing leadership with flexible talent models and real impact
At Mad About Marketing, Qiyu focuses on brand building, client experience, MarTech, and performance marketing, while championing flexible, fractional talent models that empower women to pursue both career and personal goals.

INTERNATIONAL

OpenAI to open first India office this year
The move comes after OpenAI launched its lowest-priced monthly ChatGPT plan in India at US$4.6, aiming at the country’s nearly 1 billion internet users | India has the highest number of student users on ChatGPT, and weekly active users in the country have quadrupled over the past year.

OpenAI chief people officer to exit, company says
Julia Villagra joined the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence maker in February 2024 as the head of human resources, according to her LinkedIn profile | In March, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced, opens new tab that she had been promoted to the chief people officer role.

Asia’s wealthy investors boost crypto investments
High-net-worth families and family offices in Asia are increasing their investments in cryptocurrencies, driven by rising interest and recent regulatory changes | Wealth managers in HK and Singapore report more enquiries from these investors, while crypto exchanges and funds have seen higher demand.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Intel in talks with investors for equity boost at discount
Shares of Intel dropped nearly 7% on August 20, 2025, after a brief surge when the company announced a US$2 billion investment from SoftBank | Intel is seeking more external funding as it works to recover from several years of declining sales and reduced market share.

Nvidia halts H20 AI chip work under China pressure: report
The firm has told suppliers, including Samsung Electronics and Amkor Technology, to halt work on its H20 AI chip | The move comes after Chinese authorities reportedly advised local firms not to use the H20 chip.

Trump weighs US$2B CHIPS Act funding for critical minerals: sources
This move would shift funds intended for semiconductor research and factory construction to projects aimed at reducing US reliance on China for minerals used in electronics and defense.

AI

Singaporeans are among the most optimistic about the economic impact of AI
Singaporean users engage with AI for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, work-related tasks, personal communication, and education | In the workplace, AI is commonly used for writing and communications, problem-solving, brainstorming, and document summarisation.

Ethical implications of using AI in hiring
Recruitment is an area of decision-making where biases are rampant and affect a significant fraction of society | While there has been considerable social and legal innuendoes and aspersions building pressure to make this process fair and equitable, we are far from any utopic realm of unbiased recruitment.

Exploring the boundaries of AI: What AI can or cannot do?
AI has transformed the customer-business relationship, making it more personal and tailored to individual preferences | Advanced ML techniques and AI analyse vast amounts of data to understand customer preferences, purchase history, browsing behaviour, and demographic information.

Securing Singapore’s leadership in AI Innovation
Singapore’s journey towards AI leadership is evident in the wide-ranging impact of AI technologies across different sectors, enhancing productivity, risk assessment, and decision-making processes.

The AI age is changing the data centre industry – Here’s how Singapore can pivot
The country has limited space for data centres that are pivotal to AI workloads, as there is no shortage of competing uses for land | It needs more data centres to continue to support technology innovations but not at the cost of resource efficiency.

Embracing AI in education: Expanding horizons for students
AI is not a threat but an aid to educators, capable of improving personalisation, comprehension, and efficiency for all students | AI for education isn’t about offloading our thinking to robots but about building a base of more educated citizens.

Talents remain an issue in AI proliferation, but here are 6 steps that businesses can do to tackle it
A report reveals widespread difficulties in hiring AI specialists, such as data scientists and machine learning engineers, as well as non-specialists trained to use AI tools | Although the demand for AI capabilities continues to rise, companies are struggling to build a workforce equipped to meet it.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Bitcoin’s big moment: Can crypto shine as stocks stumble before Jackson Hole?
Markets brace for Powell’s Jackson Hole speech as tariffs, Fed politics, and crypto resilience shape a fragile global risk sentiment.

Climate tech’s shift from doing good to doing well
Climate tech is shifting from principle-driven projects to profitable ventures, with investors backing innovations from cement to clean aviation.

From peak scrolling to personalised communities: The Gen AI solution
As AI drives change, creators aiming to build a Gen AI app must reassess data flows to craft a magical, creative Gen-AI experience with meaningful data.

Two decades of digital defence: Why cybersecurity must remain a top concern for everyone
Cybercriminals are using AI to develop much more sophisticated and automated attack strategies | AI-powered cyberattacks also have the potential to adapt in real-time as they learn how a targeted organisation’s cyber defences work.

Why digitalising SMEs matters for Southeast Asia’s economic resilience
If the purpose of tech is to amplify human effort, then giving SMEs access to simple, affordable automation is one of the most direct ways to strengthen Southeast Asia’s economic resilience.

Inside Zara’s value chain: Speed, scale, and the cost of fast fashion
Zara’s operations rely on processes that are resource-intensive and polluting | Dyeing and fabric finishing contribute to water contamination, while the transportation of materials and products across continents adds to fashion’s estimated 10 per cent share of global GHG emissions.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: Consumers want humans in CX | TaniHub ex-CEO hit in US$25M fraud | Salesforce: 4% CFOs still cautious on AI appeared first on e27.

Cashku, a digital financial planning platform in Malaysia, has concluded a strategic investment round, securing RM 10 million (US$2.4 million).

The investors include Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, former Securities Commission Chairman Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, 1337 Ventures, and seasoned private equity professionals from the UK.

The capital will be used to expand its digital financial planning services locally. It will also enable the company to enhance its technology, scale its outreach, and continue to develop its platform.

Cashku combines digital advisory, goal-setting, and execution into one single platform. Locals can consolidate their unit trust portfolios, managed funds, and retirement plans.

Also Read: Wealthtech, insurtech, SaaS fintech are the new hot verticals in Indonesia: AC Ventures report

Raevendren Ramachandran, co-founder and CEO of Cashku, said: “Our mission truly is to ensure every Malaysian has a financial plan in place and help them execute it, thereby empowering them on their path to financial freedom.”

The investment arrives amid a rapidly accelerating global digital wealth market, with significant developments highlighting its strength. For example, Japan’s largest bank MUFG recently acquired Wealthnavi, a leading robo-advisory platform, for over US$660 million. At the time of the transaction, Wealthnavi’s assets under management (AUM) were approximately US$8.7 billion, reflecting a transaction value of roughly 8 per cent of AUM.

These global market trends demonstrate strong momentum and investor confidence in the digital wealth sector. According to Cashku, this environment aligns perfectly with its trajectory as it prepares to raise its Series A funding round.

The post Cashku closes US$2.4M round as digital financial planning heats up in Malaysia appeared first on e27.

Startups in the Philippines are entering a new chapter of growth, one that extends beyond technology and capital. At its heart lies the principle of diversity and inclusion (D&I).

For founders and investors alike, embedding D&I is no longer an afterthought or a symbolic gesture. It is a critical strategy for building resilience, driving innovation, and winning the trust of a complex, rapidly digitising market.

Digital inclusion as the foundation

The momentum for inclusion in the Philippines first became visible in financial technology. In 2013, only one per cent of Filipinos were actively using digital payment methods. Recognising the missed opportunity, the government pushed to accelerate adoption, supported by the Better Than Cash Alliance, a global partnership hosted at the United Nations.

By 2018, usage had increased to 10 per cent, and merchant payments emerged as the main driver of growth. Other important use cases included government-to-people transfers, peer-to-peer transactions, and transport payments. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) then rolled out its digital payments transformation roadmap in 2020, laying down infrastructure that would prove critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Philippines had started talking about this back in 2015 … building the retail payments infrastructure and building consensus with the private sector,” explains Isvary Sivalingam, Regional Lead for Southeast Asia at the Better Than Cash Alliance, in a past interview with e27. Without that foresight, the pandemic-driven surge in digital payments would not have been possible.

Also Read: Driving social impact with tech in Southeast Asia: Building for outcomes, not optics

Digital inclusion, however, is only the first layer. To fully unlock opportunities in the Philippines, startups must think more broadly about what inclusion means in the context of its people and communities.

Beyond financial inclusion: diversity as innovation

As Alea Ladaga, a long-time observer of the Philippine startup ecosystem, notes in her contributed post: while financial and digital inclusion dominate the conversation, it is time to expand the dialogue to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The Philippines, with its multilingual population, layered inequalities, and relational business culture, provides fertile ground for DEI-centred innovation.

Despite evidence that diverse teams are linked to stronger innovation and long-term resilience, many still view DEI as a distraction or a drag on efficiency. This mindset is particularly entrenched in Southeast Asia, where speed of scaling is often prioritised over inclusivity. Yet, the region’s complexity makes it uniquely positioned to lead in designing systems that reflect diversity at every level.

The challenge lies not in appetite but in infrastructure. As Ladaga highlights, systems, capital flows, and institutional support to make inclusion actionable are still catching up.

Venture capital firms play a strategic role here. Kickstart Ventures, backed by Ayala Corporation and Globe Telecom, has shown that long-term investment success can coexist with a strong DEI lens. Their experience demonstrates that backing inclusive, globally relevant startups is not only possible but commercially sound.

Sari-sari stores and women at the forefront

At the grassroots level, inclusion plays out in distinctly Filipino ways. A recent study by Packworks, in collaboration with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), sheds light on the outsized role of sari-sari stores—small neighbourhood shops that provide daily essentials to 94 per cent of the population.

Also Read: 88% of consumers favour human agents; AI alone fails to deliver CX satisfaction

These stores are more than retail outlets. Run predominantly by women, they act as micro-business hubs that foster psychological, social, and economic empowerment. Women storeowners often see themselves as entrepreneurs, deriving self-confidence, purpose, and independence from their work. Their shops enhance social standing, strengthen community ties, and showcase how even the smallest enterprises can embody inclusive growth.

This underscores an important truth: innovation in the Philippines is not limited to digital platforms or venture-backed startups. It also lives in the micro-economies where women entrepreneurs are rewriting their social roles and shaping local markets. For startups aiming to succeed in the country, engaging with these realities is as important as scaling technology.

Winning the Philippine market through inclusion

The story of D&I in The Philippines is one of both infrastructure and imagination. Digital payments and financial accounts have laid the groundwork for formal inclusion. But the bigger challenge—and opportunity—lies in broadening this inclusion to reflect the diversity of the Filipino people, from multilingual communities to women micro-entrepreneurs.

Startups that embrace diversity and inclusion not as compliance, but as a design principle, will be better positioned to build products and services with deeper relevance. In a market as relational, diverse, and rapidly evolving as The Philippines, inclusion is not only the right thing to do—it is the winning strategy.

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Held in partnership with brainsparks, Echelon Philippines will be back at Hall 4, SMX Convention Center Manila, on September 2-3. Get your tickets now to meet the best of the Southeast Asian tech startup ecosystem.

Image Credit: Gerald Escamos on Unsplash

The post Why diversity and inclusion are key for startups to succeed in the Philippines appeared first on e27.