Siam Validus, a crowdfunding platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand, has announced its official membership with the Thailand National Credit Bureau (NCB).

This integration is expected to significantly enhance Siam Validus’s ability to provide digital, efficient, and responsible credit access to Thai SMEs.

Becoming an NCB member will enable Siam Validus to access credit bureau reports in real-time with SME consent, drastically reducing current turnaround times from two weeks to almost instantly.

Also Read: Venture debt: How it stacks up against loans and equity

Crucially, the platform will also be able to report SME exposures and payment records back into the national system, fostering a ‘virtuous cycle’ of transparency, faster decision-making, and stronger credit profiles for SMEs.

Anand Periwal, CEO of Siam Validus, said: “Access to credit continues to be a key barrier for SMEs, which account for a large proportion of Thai businesses and contribute over 35 per cent of GDP. By joining the NCB, we are not only accelerating loan approvals through faster access to credit data but also ensuring that SMEs’ positive repayment histories are recorded to unlock larger opportunities in the future.”

Siam Validus, which holds over 50 per cent market share in SME crowdfunding in Thailand, is a joint venture between Validus Group, a leading digital supply chain financing platform that has facilitated over US$5 billion in SME loans across ASEAN, and SCG Distribution. The platform provides unsecured lending to SMEs within closed-loop supply chains through its crowdfunding licence.

Looking ahead, Siam Validus is in advanced discussions with leading domestic and international financial institutions to raise additional funds for deployment within transaction-backed supply chain ecosystems. The company is also actively exploring opportunities to expand its offerings to large companies, providing financing solutions to ease their account receivables and accounts payables by granting easy access to unsecured financing for their suppliers and buyers.

Also Read: Tech SMEs play key role in fuelling Asia’s digital economy boom

In May this year, Validus Group and Fintech Nation, which builds sustainable and inclusive ecosystems for startups and SMEs, formed a US$10 million Embedded Finance Fund to support SMEs across Thailand and Indonesia.

A month earlier, Singapore-based digital bank GXS Bank acquired Validus Capital, the Singaporean subsidiary of Validus Group.

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Singaporean consumers are early adopters of artificial intelligence, drawn to its efficiency and speed in everyday interactions. However, a new report by customer communications firm Sinch reveals that a strong demand for trust, relevance, and human connection tempers this enthusiasm.

The State of Customer Communications report, released on September 9, surveyed over 600 consumers across Singapore, India, and Australia. It highlights a critical balancing act facing businesses in Singapore: leveraging AI without undermining consumer expectations for safety and personal interaction.

The research highlights a nuanced adoption curve. While 45 per cent of Singaporean respondents said they would use AI-powered customer support if backed by credible brand information, only four per cent would choose AI or chatbots as their first choice for resolving issues—underscoring ongoing concerns around privacy and accuracy.

This selective comfort with AI extends to sectors such as healthcare and finance. Although 57 per cent of respondents are fine with using AI for tasks such as booking appointments, 68 per cent express doubts about the accuracy of AI-generated medical responses.

Also Read: Southeast Asia startup capital falls 21 per cent, lowest in over six years

Similarly, half of all Singaporeans would still prefer to talk to a human when dealing with fraud concerns in financial services.

The report also outlines a growing tension between consumers’ desire for tailored experiences and their unease over data usage. While many Singaporeans appreciate AI-driven recommendations, 44 per cent say they only welcome them if they are genuinely helpful. Misguided or irrelevant suggestions could lead to customer churn rather than loyalty.

This phenomenon, dubbed the “personalisation paradox,” has strategic implications for brands. Getting personalisation right can deepen customer engagement. Get it wrong, and it risks eroding the trust companies are trying to build.

“Singaporean consumers are proven early adopters, embracing the efficiency and convenience that AI brings to their brand experiences,” said Wendy Johnstone, EVP APAC at Sinch.

“Our research makes it clear that trust and human connection remain essential. The businesses that will win are those that blend digital efficiency with the human touch, giving customers control and choice at every step.”

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Image Credit: Andy Kelly on Unsplash

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When I became a certified personal trainer, I didn’t imagine that some of my most meaningful insights would come from the quiet, determined strength of women in midlife. What started as a weekend commitment to coach a few clients slowly evolved into something more meaningful: a front-row seat to how overlooked and underserved this demographic often is in both health and technology.

These women weren’t chasing six-pack abs or trying to squeeze into pre-pandemic jeans. Many were quietly navigating menopause, post-pregnancy shifts, career transitions, and the emotional weight of caring for both children and ageing parents. Through every hesitant squat and self-conscious glance in the mirror, they offered a window into a user group that is rarely considered in product design.

Health equity, I’ve come to learn, isn’t only about access for rural or low income groups. It also means asking who’s being left out of the conversation and which products are unintentionally being excluded.

The midlife gap in health innovation

In Southeast Asia, we’re seeing a surge in digital health startups. AI-powered diagnostics, mindfulness apps, wellness platforms, they’re all booming. But scan through pitch decks, and the typical user personas often fall into two camps: young, tech-savvy urban millennials or elderly patients in rural areas.

Also Read: How the global growth of fintech defies age and gender

Left in the shadows? Women aged 35 to 55. They’re juggling careers, caregiving, and their own changing bodies. They are usually financially independent and digitally literate, yet their needs often go unaddressed or get generalised under broader user categories.

During training sessions, I often hear:

“I just want to feel strong again.”

“I’m not sure if this is stress or age.”

“Everything feels like it’s made for 20 year olds.”

These aren’t one off comments. They’re recurring patterns, insights hiding in plain sight.

Confidence before conversion

Confidence, not capability, is often the invisible barrier. These women are disciplined. They show up. But their bodies are changing, and that makes them second guess themselves.

When a health app asks them to count macros without accounting for perimenopause, it can feel out of touch. When a program suggests simply “sleep more,” they might laugh or cry. A wearable might praise their step count while ignoring chronic insomnia or low energy.

Through personal coaching, I found that celebrating small, consistent effort worked better than chasing metrics. Replacing “burn 300 calories” with “you made time for yourself today” had a bigger impact than expected.

And when that message landed, commitment followed.

Also Read: Singapore’s ageing population: Tech and new scientific discoveries may calm the silver tsunami

What inclusive design could look like

If more health tech builders sat in my coaching shoes, they might notice the same quiet needs I did. Based on these lessons, here are a few gentle design nudges that could go a long way:

• Menopause aware design: Acknowledge the experience. Add resources for hormonal changes, disrupted sleep, or joint discomfort. Sometimes, just seeing those words in an app is a relief.
• Flexible goals: Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics or performance, offer goals like increased energy, reduced stress, or simply being able to carry groceries with ease.
• Respectful, empowering tone: Avoid cheerleading or condescension. Speak as if to a peer, not a patient.
• Supportive communities: Leaderboards and competitive stats can backfire. What resonates more are peerled spaces for sharing stories and setbacks without judgment.
• Real-world feedback loops: Test new features with real women in this demographic. Their input is often more nuanced and more valuable than what metrics alone can show.

The coach’s perspective

Coaching taught me to observe what’s not being said. If someone skips a session, is it because they’re too busy or because they feel they’ve failed? The difference matters.

When a client quietly admits she almost didn’t come because she felt ashamed of her progress, that’s not a personal failure; it’s a design challenge waiting to be solved.

Founders often say, “we want to solve real problems.” But that takes more than user surveys. It takes sitting in discomfort, showing up with empathy, and noticing the unspoken.

Designing with, not for

If we’re building health tech for real impact, we might ask:

Are we acknowledging confidence changes with age? Are we including those juggling care and career? Do we invite users back kindly when they miss a day or do we guilt them with streak reminders?

These aren’t just design tweaks. They reflect whether a product truly sees the user or just their data.

Closing reflections

Working with women in midlife continues to shift how I view inclusion. It’s no longer about checking boxes for representation. It’s about listening better, designing more gently, and recognising that strength looks different at different stages of life.

In tech, we often ask: “Does the market need this?” But perhaps another question is just as vital: “Would this make someone feel seen?”

If we start there, we don’t just build for health equity. We build with it.

—

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Investors appear to shrug off the ongoing global uncertainties, focusing instead on positive economic signals and the prospect of monetary policy easing from central banks. This resilience comes at a time when the world economy navigates a complex landscape of inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and shifting alliances.

Markets have demonstrated an ability to adapt, with equity indices pushing higher and volatility remaining contained. Yet, beneath this calm surface lies a web of risks that could unsettle the balance if not managed carefully. The ongoing conflicts in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East add layers of unpredictability, influencing everything from energy prices to investor confidence.

Despite these challenges, the broader appetite for risk assets suggests that participants believe in the underlying strength of global growth, particularly in developed economies.

The latest data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics has painted a clearer picture of the labour market’s trajectory, revealing a significant downward revision in payroll numbers. Officials adjusted the figures by 911,000 jobs for the 12-month period ending in March, exceeding estimates of a 700,000 reduction.

This equates to roughly 76,000 fewer jobs per month than previously reported, signalling a softer employment landscape than many had anticipated. Such revisions often stem from more comprehensive data sources, like tax records, which provide a fuller view of hiring trends. This adjustment has reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will act decisively to support the economy, with a rate cut appearing imminent at the next meeting.

Lower interest rates typically stimulate borrowing and investment, helping to sustain growth amid signs of cooling. However, this data also highlights vulnerabilities, as slower job creation could translate into reduced consumer spending if not offset by wage gains or other supports.

Analysts have noted that while the revision implies average monthly gains of about 71,000 jobs, the overall labor market remains robust by historical standards, avoiding the sharp contractions seen in past downturns.

Tariff escalation and trade tensions

President Trump’s escalation of tariff threats has introduced fresh volatility into international trade relations, targeting key players like India and China while proposing up to 100 per cent duties on Russia to pressure it into de-escalating tensions with Ukraine.

This move, contingent on similar actions from the European Union, aims to use economic leverage to influence geopolitical outcomes. Tariffs of this magnitude could disrupt global supply chains, raising costs for importers and potentially slowing economic activity in affected sectors.

Also Read: Navigating tariffs and uncertainty: Why software, data, and AI startups are Asia’s path forward

For instance, India’s role as a major processor of Russian oil has drawn scrutiny, with US imports of these products highlighting the interconnected nature of energy markets. Critics argue that such policies risk retaliatory measures, echoing the trade wars of previous years that hampered growth. Russia has responded by downplaying the threats, suggesting efforts to strengthen ties with alternatives like China and India.

This tariff strategy reflects a broader shift toward protectionism, which could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve conflicts. While intended to bolster US negotiating power, the approach may strain alliances and complicate recovery in a post-pandemic world still grappling with inflation and debt.

Equity market rally on Fed hopes

US equities have surged to new record highs, buoyed by the payroll revision that has heightened anticipation of Federal Reserve intervention to prop up the economy. The S&P 500 advanced 0.3 per cent, the Nasdaq gained 0.4 per cent, and the Dow Jones rose 0.4 per cent, reflecting broad-based optimism across sectors.

Technology stocks led the charge, as investors bet that lower borrowing costs would benefit growth-oriented companies. This rally occurs against a backdrop of solid corporate earnings and improving consumer sentiment, though some caution that valuations are stretched. The market’s reaction underscores a belief in a soft landing, where the Fed engineers a slowdown without tipping into recession.

Historical precedents show that rate cuts often ignite equity booms, but they also carry risks if underlying economic weaknesses persist. With futures indicating mixed openings, traders are closely monitoring upcoming data releases for confirmation of this trajectory.

Bond yields and dollar movements

Bond yields have rebounded after a brief dip, with the 2-year Treasury yield climbing 7.2 basis points to 3.558 per cent and the 10-year yield up 4.8 basis points to 4.088 per cent. This movement suggests that investors are adjusting to the likelihood of a rate cut while pricing in persistent concerns about inflation. Higher yields typically signal expectations of stronger growth or stickier prices; however, in this context, they may reflect a normalisation following recent declines.

The dynamics of the yield curve play a crucial role in banking profitability and lending activity, influencing everything from mortgages to corporate debt. As the Fed prepares to ease, these shifts could ease financial conditions, encouraging investment. However, if yields rise too sharply, they might tighten conditions prematurely, countering the central bank’s intentions.

Also Read: Global markets ride the Fed wave, but can the rally last?

The US Dollar Index strengthened 0.3 per cent to 97.79, benefiting from safe-haven flows amid global uncertainties. This appreciation pressures emerging markets, making dollar-denominated debt more expensive to service. Gold, conversely, retreated 0.3 per cent to US$3,674 per ounce, as the stronger dollar and rising yields diminished its appeal as a non-yielding asset.

Brent crude oil edged up 0.6 per cent, driven by escalating tensions between Israel and Qatar, which raise fears of disruptions in key supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Oil’s sensitivity to geopolitical events underscores its role as a barometer for global stability, with prices fluctuating based on perceived risks to production and transit.

Asian equity indices opened mostly higher today, extending the positive momentum from Wall Street. This uptick reflects regional resilience, though concerns over trade tariffs linger. US equity futures point to a mixed start, suggesting caution as investors digest the latest developments.

Metaplanet expands Bitcoin strategy

Turning to the cryptocurrency space, Japan-based Metaplanet has announced plans to issue 385 million new shares, aiming to raise approximately US$1.4 billion to fuel its Bitcoin acquisition strategy. The company priced the shares at ¥553 each, upsizing from an initial 180 million shares, with proceeds primarily allocated to purchasing Bitcoin and enhancing its income-generation operations.

As of September 1, Metaplanet holds over 20,000 Bitcoins, accumulated since early 2024, and has generated significant revenue from Bitcoin options trading, reporting ¥1,904 million in the second quarter of 2025. This move positions Metaplanet as Asia’s equivalent to MicroStrategy, emphasising Bitcoin as a core treasury asset.

The firm’s strategy includes using earnings to pay dividends on preferred shares, blending yield generation with cryptocurrency holding. Institutional interest, such as a US$30 million investment from KindlyMD’s subsidiary Nakamoto, underscores growing confidence in this approach.

Metaplanet’s actions highlight a broader trend where corporations integrate digital assets into balance sheets, seeking inflation hedges and growth potential.

Bitcoin and Ethereum stance

Bitcoin’s price path depends on a dynamic interplay between institutional adoption and regulatory advancements. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen inflows of US$14.8 billion year-to-date, providing a buffer against selling pressures and indicating sustained demand from traditional finance. Legislative efforts to establish a US Bitcoin reserve, holding around 198,000 BTC, could solidify its status as a strategic asset, anchoring long-term value.

Technical upgrades like BIP-119, which introduces covenants for enhanced scalability and security, are under debate and may reach consensus by year’s end, potentially reshaping Bitcoin’s utility. These factors collectively suggest Bitcoin is maturing beyond speculative trading, evolving into a foundational element of global finance.

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

Ethereum has encountered resistance in its recent price movements, declining below US$4,450 and consolidating around key levels. The asset struggles to breach US$4,400, trading below this mark and the 100-hourly simple moving average. A bearish trend line forms resistance at US$4,340 on the hourly chart, with immediate hurdles at US$4,350 and US$4,380. If Ethereum clears these, it could initiate a recovery wave, targeting higher zones.

However, failure to do so might lead to further tests of support near US$4,260. Analysts predict Ethereum could fluctuate between US$4,000 and US$5,000 in September 2025, driven by network upgrades and institutional interest. The cryptocurrency’s performance ties closely to broader market sentiment, with potential for upside if rate cuts materialise and DeFi adoption accelerates.

Outlook and risks ahead

In my view, the current market environment demonstrates a remarkable capacity for adaptation in the face of adversity. Equities reaching records despite downward data revisions and tariff escalations point to a collective bet on central bank support and economic resilience. The Fed’s likely intervention could extend this bull run, but overreliance on monetary easing risks inflating asset bubbles.

Geopolitically, Trump’s tariff tactics, while bold, may backfire by fragmenting trade and inviting retaliation, reminiscent of past protectionist pitfalls that deepened downturns. On the crypto front, initiatives like Metaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin stacking and potential US reserves signal a paradigm shift, where digital assets transition from fringe to mainstream. Ethereum’s technical challenges notwithstanding, the sector’s institutional inflows and innovations bode well for long-term growth.

Overall, while short-term volatility looms, particularly with September’s historical weakness, the foundational trends favor cautious optimism. Investors who navigate these waters with diversified strategies stand to benefit, as the interplay of policy, technology, and sentiment continues to shape outcomes in unpredictable ways. This moment underscores the importance of vigilance, as today’s robustness could swiftly give way to tomorrow’s corrections if key supports falter.

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As AI tools increasingly become a staple in daily life for Singaporeans, a new survey by Milieu Insight shows a nuanced relationship between usage and trust. While 80 per cent of Singaporeans now use AI in some personal capacity, only a small fraction rely on it for more sensitive decisions such as financial planning (16 per cent) or mental health support (14 per cent).

The findings come at a time when AI is under growing public and governmental scrutiny spurred by incidents of deepfakes, rising scams, and a broader conversation around AI’s role in jobs and society.

The fieldwork, conducted in June with 1,000 respondents aged 16 and above, underscores how quickly AI has permeated Singaporean lifestyles. Younger people, particularly those aged 16 to 24, are leading the charge: 40 per cent report regular use, and half of that group say they employ AI for creative tasks such as writing or image generation.

Despite this enthusiasm, engagement remains casual. Eighty-seven per cent of users spend less than 30 minutes a day on AI tools, often for planning, creative prompts, or general information.

But the line between novelty and necessity is still firmly drawn.

Also Read: Singapore’s AI revolution and how SMEs can win in a high-risk landscape

“The findings show a fascinating duality: AI has become a mainstream tool for everyday efficiency, but Singaporeans continue to draw clear lines when it comes to trust and human expertise,” said Juda Kanaprach, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Milieu Insight.

Concerns about misinformation and over-reliance are most prominent among younger users, with 61 per cent worried about fake or misleading content. Meanwhile, older users (55+) are more anxious about the diminishing “human touch” in an increasingly automated society.

The fear is not unwarranted. Though 94 per cent say they have never personally been targeted by deepfakes, more than a third of affected respondents reported negative impacts on their mental health. Yet, reporting remains low: most victims simply adjust privacy settings or confide in friends.

The low uptake of AI for financial and mental health services signals a hard boundary: Singaporeans may appreciate AI’s utility but stop short of replacing expert human judgment. This reflects broader societal and policy perspectives, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent National Day Rally emphasis that Singaporeans (and not AI) will remain at the center of the nation’s economic future.

Generational preferences also reveal an interesting paradox. While younger users are more willing to experiment with AI, they also express discomfort with it replacing genuine human interaction. Nearly 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents voiced unease about AI supplanting social or emotional exchanges.

Also Read: Trust, not just technology: What I learned building AI finance tools for SMEs in Southeast Asia

Singapore’s regulatory gaps are also telling. Only 38 per cent of survey respondents felt existing legal protections against deepfakes were effective despite broad consensus (94 per cent) that the issue is serious.

As Southeast Asia doubles down on AI integration across services, from banking to education, Singapore’s nuanced experience offers important lessons. High engagement does not equate to deep trust, particularly when dealing with sensitive domains.

Governments and tech developers in the region must therefore focus not only on innovation, but also on building robust safeguards and clear ethical frameworks.

—

Image Credit: Julio Lopez on Unsplash

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At Bain & Co., Daphne Tay often found herself stuck in the same frustrating loop: spending hours reformatting translated documents, fixing broken tables, and restoring layouts that existing translation tools had mangled. The translation itself was never the problem; the “last mile” of formatting ate up precious time.

“I realised this wasn’t just my problem. It was a universal inefficiency across law firms, consulting, finance, and multinational companies,” recalls Tay, now co-founder and CEO of Bluente. “That’s when it clicked: translation isn’t only about language. It’s about workflow and precision.”

Building a translation engine for documents, not just text

Founded in 2021, Bluente is an AI-powered translation platform designed to solve that last-mile pain point. Its one-click engine translates to and from more than 120 languages while preserving exact formatting (text, images, numbers, tables, and units) across contracts, PDFs, and PowerPoints.

Also Read: Bluente lands US$1.5M to scale AI-driven document translation worldwide

“Most translation tools are built around text. Bluente was built around documents,” Tay explains. “Our engine doesn’t just translate words; it preserves structure, context, and compliance. In regulated, format-sensitive industries, a misplaced clause isn’t a typo but a liability. That’s where Bluente stands apart.”

Rethinking a legacy industry

According to Tay, traditional translation companies still run on human-heavy workflows, treating technology as an afterthought. Even when artificial intelligence (AI)  is adopted, it’s typically layered on top of legacy systems, leading to patchy outcomes, slow turnarounds, and high costs.

Bluente, by contrast, reimagined the process end-to-end. But that came with its own challenges. “PDFs, for instance, are image- and layout-first, not text-first. Extracting and reinserting content accurately is extremely error-prone,” she says. “Tables with merged cells, multilingual footnotes, scanned contracts; these were nightmares. We had to build custom engines for parsing, layout reconstruction, and multilingual character support. Refining that took years.”

Backed to scale across borders

The effort is paying off. Bluente recently closed a US$1.5 million seed round led by Informed Ventures, targeting expansion into the Middle East, wider APAC, and the US–regions dense with international firms navigating cross-border transactions.

“Each region presents a distinct need: Arabic requires right-to-left formatting, APAC brings multilingual complexity, and the US has sheer market opportunity. Our platform is designed to scale while adapting locally,” Tay says.

The AI question: Job killer or productivity engine?

With Microsoft research suggesting translators are among the most at-risk professions from AI disruption, Tay is quick to reframe the narrative.
“Translation isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving,” she argues. “Humans shouldn’t waste time fixing formatting or repetitive clauses. Bluente eliminates that grunt work so professionals can focus on nuance, strategy, and value creation. We’re not killing jobs; we’re killing tasks.”

Beyond translation: A multilingual OS for business documents

For Tay, translation is only the wedge. “It’s the most painful entry point, but our vision is much broader: multilingual document infrastructure,” she reveals. “Ultimately, we want to build the operating system for global business documents.”

Also Read: Is AI making it harder for tech startups to survive?

On being a female founder in a deep-tech sector, Tay is candid: “If you build something genuinely useful, gender becomes secondary. That’s been true in our product journey and in this fundraise.”

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Tevo, an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) applications and services startup based in Hong Kong, has closed an undisclosed amount in a seed funding round.

The investment was led by EZTech and UX Foundation.

Concurrently, Tevo announced a strategic partnership with MobiFone Global, a subsidiary of one of Vietnam’s largest telecom corporations.

The Tevo-MobiFone collaboration aims to jointly introduce mobile applications to global markets, with the short drama application, Dramini, being their inaugural joint venture.

Van Vu, CEO of MobiFone Global, commented, “We have entered a strategic partnership to export technology products to global markets and introduce international premium digital services into Vietnam.”

Also Read: How Agentic AI will create telecom’s first truly autonomous workforce by 2030

Thanh Luu, CEO and founder of Tevo Global, said the firm is in progress for a pre-Series A funding round with several leading Asian funds, which will further accelerate its growth, global reach and AI initiatives.

According to market research by Statista, the global mobile app market is projected to generate US$522.67 billion in total annual revenue in 2024. Advertising contributes significantly to this figure, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all app revenue, at over US$344 billion. Gaming and social networking applications are identified as the highest-earning categories, each generating over US$150 billion annually.

Tevo’s ambition is to become a leading company in AI applications and services and rank among Southeast Asia’s top five most prominent firms in the mobile apps and games industry by 2030.

Established in 2007, MobiFone Global Technology Joint Stock Company is a subsidiary of MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation, one of the top three largest telecommunications providers in Vietnam. The company has expanded its domestic and international operations, with established subsidiaries in the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

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The AI boom is reshaping the future of work. For Southeast Asian startups, the challenge isn’t just adopting AI fast enough — it’s holding on to the talent that makes growth possible.

Retention and up-skilling have always been issues, but in this new era of AI-driven change, they’ve become existential.

Why employees are leaving

In Southeast Asia’s hyper-competitive talent market, salary jumps remain the most common reason people leave. I’ve seen it first-hand.

One of my favourite designers, who had been with me for years, quietly applied for another job. When I asked why, her answer was simple: She needed more money as her expenses kept rising.

I didn’t want to lose her, so I increased her salary by 40 per cent. That’s the reality many founders face — employees will move for better pay unless companies are willing to match their expectations.

But salary isn’t the only factor. Employees also leave because of culture, lack of growth, or simply boredom. And here’s where AI complicates things: It fuels both fear (“Will this replace me?”) and frustration (“Now I need to learn all these new tools?”).

Also Read: Web3 can absorb SEA’s talent glut, only if education evolves

How startups can retain talent with AI

Here’s the paradox: AI can either accelerate attrition or strengthen retention, depending on how you use it.

At People’s Inc. 360, we take a simple approach:

• AI gives freedom. Our team works from anywhere. If a task can be reduced from one day to two hours with AI, I don’t expect people to fill the rest with busywork. They get time back.
• AI as leverage, not replacement. My designer uses AI tools, but her human creativity is what makes the work unique. AI speeds her up, but she stays indispensable.
• AI as up-skilling. Every employee has access to the same AI toolkit I use. Learning it isn’t “extra work” — it’s a career advantage they’d otherwise have to pay for outside.

The companies that frame AI as empowerment, not replacement, will retain their best people.

What employees must do

If you’re an employee in a SEA startup today, your job security depends on one thing: Your willingness to work with AI.

• Build your own AI toolkit: The tools that make your work faster and smarter.
• Focus on human skills that AI can’t replicate: Leadership, creativity, storytelling, and emotional intelligence.
• Keep training your AI: Rubbish in, rubbish out — the more you feed it, the more powerful it becomes as your digital assistant.

A case study in up-skilling

One of my best experiments is with Kelly Kam, a member of the Royal Visionary Society and a graduate of our Speakers Society Accelerator. She built her own AI twin — Diana.

Is Diana as advanced as my Seraphina? Not yet. But Kelly is already creating content, engaging her audience, and converting leads into sales. That’s what up-skilling looks like in action: AI-powered humans outperforming both machines and humans alone.

This experiment sparked a bigger question: If individuals could train AI twins to capture their voice and workflows, what would that mean for talent retention?

That’s how my framework was born. The idea is simple: When employees learn how to train their own AI assistants, they gain leverage. Instead of fearing replacement, they see AI as a partner. The more they teach their AI — feeding it context, preferences, and knowledge — the more it supports them.

Also Read: Beyond vibe coding: How AI can build true tech talent

And here’s the retention angle: Employees who feel empowered by AI are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay. Training the AI isn’t just about technology. It’s about creating alignment between company goals and employee growth.

The retention framework: Retain, retrain, re-skill.

For startups, the formula is simple:

• Retain by paying fairly and giving employees freedom.
• Retrain by integrating AI tools into daily workflows.
• Re-skill by helping employees step into hybrid AI-human roles.

The tangible outcomes? Lower turnover, faster innovation, higher engagement. For employees, it means faster career growth, higher income, and most importantly, relevance in a changing world.

Closing thought

AI won’t replace your employees. But bad leadership might.

The startups that survive this era won’t be those that chase the latest tools, but those that retain, retrain, and re-skill their people — building companies where AI and humans grow stronger together.

—

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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The widening TaniHub corruption probe has now drawn Indonesia’s financial regulators into the spotlight.

With the CEOs of BRI Ventures and MDI Ventures named as suspects, OJK moved quickly to issue a statement: the scandal, it insists, does not represent the state of the venture capital industry as a whole. Instead, OJK doubled down on the importance of venture capital in fuelling startups and MSMEs, stressing its commitment to supervision, governance, and compliance.

Yet the case is hard to ignore. What began as questions over TaniHub’s meteoric rise and abrupt decline (warehouse closures, layoffs, and TaniFund’s loan defaults) has escalated into allegations of fictitious projects, manipulated data, and more than US$25 million in questionable investments. The presence of marquee investors, including Telkom subsidiaries and global VCs, underscores how systemic blind spots may have allowed enthusiasm to outrun accountability.

For Indonesia’s startup ecosystem, the moment is sobering. The promise of venture capital as a growth engine is now clouded by governance failures at some of its most prominent institutions. The sector’s resilience will depend on whether transparency, oversight, and trust can be restored–not just by regulators, but by the industry itself.

REGIONAL

Prosecutors name TaniHub, VC execs as corruption suspects
The South Jakarta District Attorney’s Office announced that Nicko Widjaja (CEO of BRI Ventures), William Gozali, (former VP of investment at BRI Ventures), and Aldi Adrian Hartanto (VP of investment at MDI Ventures in 2021) were detained on September 3, with detentions lasting until September 22.

GoTo says Gojek founder Nadiem has no role in company
The company clarified that Nadiem stepped down as president commissioner in October 2019 and has had no involvement since | It also said he is not a controlling shareholder and that its activities are not linked to his work as a minister.

Ex-Gojek execs, founders react to Nadiem Makarim corruption case
Most of the reactions so far seem supportive of Makarim, particularly those who once worked with him at Gojek | Michaelangelo Moran, who co-founded the company with Makarim, said in an Instagram post, “We cannot stay silent in the face of injustice.” | He believes Makarim is innocent.

SGInnovate leads US$1.5M seed round of biopolymer startup Greenitio
Greenitio uses a patented process to produce biopolymers from fungal chitosan, targeting the replacement of microplastic- and petrochemical-based ingredients | The company plans to use the new funding to scale manufacturing, pursue regulatory approvals, and grow commercial partnerships.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

Navigating the gender divide in the Southeast Asia’s fintech landscape
A Fintech Nation study reveals that only 33 women founders or CEOs are identified across SEA fintech companies, constituting a mere nine per cent | Post-Series-B funding, this number dwindles to just six per cent, highlighting the challenges women face in attaining leadership roles as companies mature.

Can Malaysia build a home-grown battery industry?
Despite growing enthusiasm, Malaysia’s battery sector remains young. According to Dr. Rezal Khairi Bin Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia, the local lithium-ion based battery industry is still at its infancy stage and primarily driven by foreign direct investments and technologies from abroad, leaving little room for local intellectual equity.

Inside Thailand’s EV and battery push: Balancing growth with sustainability
While shifting from combustion engines reduces tailpipe emissions, Thailand must also tackle the carbon footprint of battery production and electricity generation | With fossil fuels still a mainstay of the national grid, greening the electricity supply is vital to realising the climate benefits of mass EV adoption.

INTERNATIONAL

MENA startup funding drops to US$337.5M in August
Funding was concentrated in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi startups raising US$166M across 19 deals and UAE startups raising US$154M from 11 deals | Egypt recorded US$14.7M in funding, continuing its recent slowdown, while Iraq fell to fifth place with a single US$1.5M deal.

South Korea launches AI strategy committee, boosts funding
The committee, led by President Lee Jae Myung, will coordinate AI strategy and policy across government and private sectors | The committee includes 34 private sector members, working across subcommittees on infrastructure, data, applications, social adaptation, global cooperation, science, skill development, and defense and security.

CoinShares to go public in US via US$1.2B SPAC merger
The agreement will see CoinShares list on Nasdaq, with a US$50M commitment from an institutional investor as part of the deal | CoinShares manages about US$10B in assets and is currently listed on Nasdaq Stockholm | The merger, if completed, would make CoinShares one of the largest publicly traded digital asset managers globally.

Global investors boost bets on S Korea’s beauty sector
KKR acquired Samhwa, a Seoul-based maker of plastic containers and pumps for cosmetics, for US$528M from TPG Capital Asia | Blackstone also agreed to invest in Juno Hair, Korea’s largest hair salon chain with over 180 locations in Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

China to launch at least five AI models for energy by 2027
Together with the National Energy Administration, it plans to create a framework for integrating AI into power grids, coal, oil, and gas by 2027 | The policy outlines more than 10 pilot projects and 100 application scenarios in smart power regulation, resource exploration, and renewable energy forecasting.

Ex-Redmi chief fired by Xiaomi over leaks
Xiaomi said an investigation found Thomas Wang Teng, General Manager of Xiaomi China Marketing and Redmi, engaged in unauthorised disclosure of sensitive data and had conflicts of interest | The company cited violations of its disciplinary and integrity codes as the reason for the dismissal.

HK venture accelerator Brinc acquires web3 community OG Club
OG Club is a decentralised autonomous organisation focused on Web3, and will rebrand its community as VentureVerse | OG Club has organised more than 300 Web3 events, built partnerships with over 100 companies, and has a community of more than 25,000 members and 10,000 wallet holders across 10 countries.

China’s e-commerce giants burn billions in price war
Alibaba, Meituan, and JD.com are offering deep discounts and subsidies in the one-hour delivery segment, leading to higher cash burn and squeezed margins | Analysts at Nomura estimate industry-wide cash burn surpassed US$4.1 billion in Q2 2025.

SEMICONDUCTOR

TSMC faces operational risks after US ends China waiver
The US government has revoked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) authorisation to freely ship US-made chipmaking equipment to its Nanjing facility in Jiangsu, China, effective December 31, 2025 | Analysts warned that if license approvals are delayed, the Nanjing plant could face operational disruptions within months due to equipment shortages.

Nvidia opposes GAIN AI Act, warns on global chip trade
The Act, part of the National Defense Authorisation Act, would require AI chipmakers to prioritise US domestic orders over foreign customers and mandate exporters seek licenses for chips that exceed certain performance thresholds.

Chinese chipmaker firm YMTC launches US$2.9B chip venture
YMTC holds a 50.2 per cent stake, while the rest is owned by state-backed Hubei Changsheng Phase III Investment Development Co. | The venture will operate across the chip supply chain, including design, manufacturing, and sales, though specific products have not been disclosed.

Nvidia-backed firm Nebius to supply AI infra to Microsoft
Operations will begin later this year from a new data centre in Vineland, New Jersey | The Amsterdam-based AI infrastructure provider is listed on Nasdaq | The company will finance capital expenditures through cash flow from the deal and debt secured against the agreement.

OpenAI to launch first AI chip with Broadcom in 2026
The chip will reportedly be used for OpenAI’s internal operations and not sold to external customers | OpenAI needs massive computing power for training and running its AI models, including ChatGPT | The company has also worked with Broadcom and TSMC on chip development while still relying on AMD and Nvidia.

AI

Global investors turn to Asia on AI boom: report
Browning noted that Asia is seeing more investment, particularly in tech and AI sectors, as valuations offer a buffer compared to expensive US stocks | BofA estimates the global AI market will rise from US$300 billion in 2025 to nearly US$1.2T by 2030, with about US$1T potentially in Asia Pacific.

AI disruption unveiled: Hidden opportunities for startup survival and success
At its core, startup success isn’t about having the “perfect” plan—it’s about having the agility to execute, adapt, and scale in a constantly evolving market | In an era where AI is revolutionising industries at an unprecedented pace, the ability to implement and iterate will separate the true innovators from those who simply follow the trend.

Accelerating financial inclusion with AI: Unleashing potential with prudence
AI is transforming industries at a rapid pace, and Southeast Asia’s consumer finance landscape is no exception | By speeding up data collection and analysis, AI-powered technologies enable quicker pre-lending assessments and lending procedures.

Unleashing AI’s potential: The vital role of human guidance in AI’s growth and learning
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, 60 per cent of people expect significant changes in sectors like education, transportation, shopping, entertainment, and safety within the next three to five years | ChatGPT, with its one hundred million monthly active users as of January 2023, has been a game-changer in the recent excitement around AI.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Job security in the gig economy: Do employees still seek stability?
In the gig economy, job security is redefined as trust, inclusion, and growth—values that tech leaders must embed across all workforce models.

The Goldilocks office: Finding the sweet-spot where space, experience and value converge
Finding the right office space balance boosts experience and cuts costs by shifting focus from capacity provided to desks actually used.

The rise of AI-powered investors: How technology is reshaping retail investing in Southeast Asia
AI is reshaping retail investing in Southeast Asia by making financial tools more intuitive, accessible, and psychologically empowering.

When your story unravels: The hidden risk in Southeast Asia’s startup boom
eFishery’s collapse shows how disciplined, culturally attuned communication is now critical to trust, funding, and survival in SEA’s startup scene.

Riding the affluence surge: How Generative AI can power growth in financial advisory
Banks in SEA are starting to roll out Generative AI tools, starting with internal ‘co-pilots’ like virtual assistants to improve productivity.

VC deal-breakers: How anti-dilution clauses could sink your startup
Every term sheet is negotiable, and it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel to ensure your startup’s future remains secure.

Mastering the art of fundraising: Winning strategies to engage investors
The VC financing landscape is constantly evolving so new businesses must know how to successfully approach investors while fundraising.

Operators turned investors: Navigating the shift to startup investing
The involvement of experienced operators in the investment process brings a multitude of advantages | Their industry-specific knowledge enables them to conduct more thorough due diligence, identifying not only the strengths and potential of startups but also the risks and challenges that lie ahead.

Is your investing game defined by your emotions?
Emotional investing is using different emotions to make investment decisions, relying more on one’s reaction to the market trends than investing fundamentals such as technical analysis | Emotional investing is more common among those who manage their own portfolios, rather than those who engage with a financial consultant.

Venture debt: How it stacks up against loans and equity
Venture debt can be a powerful tool for startups looking to extend their financial runway without diluting equity | However, its suitability depends on the company’s specific needs, growth stage, and ability to handle repayment.

Why agritech is the key to Asia’s food security
Food security, once treated as a distant policy matter, is now a pressing economic challenge | Without innovation to help farmers produce more with less, yields will drop, produce will become scarcer, and the costs of living will spiral | The stakes are high not just for farmers but for everyone who relies on affordable, stable access to food.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: TaniHub, VC execs in graft probe | TSMC hit by US curbs | Investors chase Korea beauty appeared first on e27.

A fresh analysis by consumer research firm Milieu Insight shows a major shift in Vietnamese e-commerce consumer behaviour. While affordability still matters, the rising middle class is placing higher value on consistent service, dependable delivery, and streamlined problem resolution via a single point of contact.

This evolution signals a strategic pivot for Southeast Asia’s e-commerce landscape, where competitive differentiation is no longer rooted solely in price but in trust and quality of experience.

Vietnam’s e-commerce sector is booming, recently crossing the US$25 billion threshold. But as digital adoption deepens, with 41 per cent of consumers report increased online spending over the past six months compared to the regional average of 25 per cent, expectations are rising.

Milieu’s research, which spans Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, finds that Vietnamese shoppers are increasingly driven by product variety (52 per cent) and emerging features such as livestream shopping (50 per cent) and AI-based recommendations (32 per cent).

“Vietnamese shoppers are raising the bar for e-commerce,” said Juda Kanaprach, CMO at Milieu Insight. “They want more than bargains. They expect platforms to stand behind every step of the shopping experience, from accurate product descriptions and transparent fees to, most critically, dependable delivery.”

Also Read: The quiet ambition: How Vietnam is winning AI without the noise

Milieu’s findings reveal that Vietnamese consumers are not only more engaged, but also more demanding. A striking 90 per cent of respondents believe that platforms, instead of couriers, should enforce delivery standards.

Furthermore, 79 per cent said they do not care which courier is used, as long as deliveries are reliable.

This expectation for “centralised accountability” where platforms act as the single point of contact for service issues represents a meaningful shift. It is no longer acceptable for platforms to deflect blame onto logistics partners or sellers.

While affordability (64 per cent) remains a significant factor, reliability (53 per cent) and better package handling (51 per cent) now rank higher than lower delivery fees (45 per cent) for Vietnamese shoppers. This is in stark contrast to regional counterparts, where 56 per cent prioritise cost savings.

Loyalty is directly tied to performance: 70 per cent of shoppers are willing to pay more to sellers who offer reliable delivery, while a third will stop purchasing from those who falter.

Transparent return policies also influence buying decisions, with 46 per cent of shoppers abandoning purchases when returns aren’t guaranteed.

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Image Credit: Andreea Popa on Unsplash

The post As Vietnam’s e-commerce market surpasses US$25B, shoppers are no longer satisfied with low prices alone appeared first on e27.