For startups, visibility has always been a survival skill. You need to win investor trust, attract talent, and convince customers to bet on you instead of an established player. In today’s environment, that challenge has a new dimension. It is no longer just about reaching people; it is about connecting with them. It is about ensuring your brand is part of the knowledge base that powers Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and DeepSeek.

A recent Forrester survey found that 89 per cent of B2B buyers already use GenAI in their decision-making process. This technology is no longer optional. It is integrated into every stage of the buyer journey, from scanning the market to comparing vendors to validating ROI.

For startups trying to punch above their weight, this shift can either level the playing field or make you invisible. The question is: how do you ensure that when AI platforms answer, your brand is part of the story?

The media hierarchy that AI listens to

Unlike Google, AI models do not crawl the web in real time. They rely on training data and high-credibility sources. That creates a new hierarchy of influence that every startup founder should be aware of.

• Mainstream media: Outlets like BBC or The New York Times set global credibility. One strong placement here can echo in countless AI-generated answers.
• Industry publications: Coverage in places like TechCrunch or e27 defines trends and categories. For startups, this is often the most attainable and highest-leverage tier. A TechCrunch profile or an e27 founder story is more likely to be referenced in AI explanations of “emerging fintechs in Asia” than a single blog post on your site.
• Branded thought leadership: Whitepapers and founder essays, if picked up by respected platforms, become frameworks AI repeats when offering strategic advice.
• Academic and policy reports: Data-driven research remains gold. If your startup contributes to or is cited in these, you gain durable authority.
• Forums and Q&A: Communities such as Reddit or Quora shape how AI models learn conversational tone. A viral founder AMA can have more downstream influence than you think.

For startups, the takeaway is clear. Visibility is not about chasing one channel. It is about showing up across the spectrum so you influence both the authoritative and conversational layers of AI.

Also Read: The agritech challenge in Indonesia: Can AI and mobile apps enhance productivity?

Why content structure matters more than ever

Startups often have fewer resources, which means your content must work harder. AI models prefer structured, example-rich material that they can reuse. Three formats stand out.

• How-to guides: Step-by-step advice on how to solve a problem. For startups, this could be “How to set up cross-border payments in Southeast Asia.” AI picks these up for “how do I” queries, giving you authority by default.
• Frameworks and lists: Clear models, even if simple, travel well. If your startup coins a framework such as “3 ways SMEs can digitise their logistics,” AI is more likely to replicate it in answers.
• Case studies: Concrete stories with metrics. “In 90 days, our pilot customer cut costs by 25 per cent” is more valuable than aspirational messaging. It teaches AI to ground advice in evidence.

The rule for founders: if you want your insights to spread, package them in ways that machines can easily copy and humans can quickly grasp.

From SEO to GEO: Generated exposure optimisation

Startups are used to thinking about SEO. Now there is a new layer: Generated Exposure Optimisation, or GEO. This is the discipline of making sure AI platforms see, trust and repeat your story.

That means:

• Strategic placements: Secure founder bylines and expert commentary in outlets that AI training data prioritises.
• Thought leadership: Share unique insights that AI can adopt as reference points.
• Mentions in reports: Contribute data or commentary to analyst or ecosystem reports to expand your footprint.
• Answer optimisation: Position your startup in trusted sources so you appear in AI-curated responses.
• Amplification: Use your owned channels to reinforce earned placements, ensuring humans and machines keep encountering your message.

We have seen this with startups we work with. One e27 story amplified across podcasts and LinkedIn ended up cited in AI responses months later. That is reach and credibility no paid ad could replicate.

Also Read: The story of an ‘accidental entrepreneur’

The amplified value of earned media

Startups cannot outspend incumbents on ads. Earned media is the smarter path. In the AI era, its value compounds.

• Multiplier effect: One profile or byline can spawn thousands of algorithmic mentions.
• Trust transfer: AI inherits the credibility of the sources it quotes. A mention in e27 carries more weight than your own blog.
• Longevity: Paid campaigns expire. A respected article or interview can live inside AI knowledge bases for years.

For founders, this means investing in PR early is not vanity. It is infrastructure.

Where to start

Audit your assets. Do you already have:

• Practical how-to guides you can publish externally?
• Frameworks you can brand and share?
• Case studies with measurable proof points?

If not, build them. Then target one flagship placement this quarter. For startups, even a single strong article can be amplified by AI into enduring visibility.

Final thought

PR is your megaphone. In the AI era, it does more than win human eyeballs. It teaches the algorithms that will advise your customers, investors and partners. For startups, this is not a nice-to-have. It is how you make sure your brand is heard in the conversations that shape your future.

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The World Economic Forum’s prediction of a US$3.5 trillion decentralised physical infrastructure network, or DePIN, by 2028 is almost certainly giving investors in each and every DePIN project a warm, fuzzy feeling of self-validation. I have a hard time arguing with a trillion-dollar market cap…but most of these investors are focused on the trees and not the forest, marvelling at individual projects like Helium’s wireless network or Render’s GPU marketplace without addressing the underlying bottleneck: an entire multi-trillion-dollar physical infrastructure sector trying to bootstrap itself onto decentralised networks that are fragmented islands unto themselves.

DePIN’s existing US$27 billion market cap is less than one per cent of the expected US$3.5 trillion opportunity by 2028. And the US$11 billion total value locked across cross-chain bridges today is being exploited every few months with quarterly major hacks, over US$2.5 billion stolen since 2021. We are collectively trying to build the next interstate highway system using nothing more than rope bridges.

The fact is that DePIN, as a sector, is held back by the lack of fundamental infrastructure needed to function at scale. Right now, each individual project is like a country, building its own border controls to admit people from other networks. Consider how these projects actually work: A single transaction might involve sensor data from IoT devices on one blockchain, compute resources on another, data storage on a third, and then finally a payment settlement layer on a fourth chain. At the moment, every bridge is a choke point that requires expensive, centralised relayers, repeated O(N2) security checks, and adds latency and fees that make large-scale use cases economically infeasible.

Core Scientific pivoting from Bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure is an excellent example. A subsidiary, Core Scientific Cloud, is already generating 80 per cent gross margins by repurposing their miners for AI compute! But only because it’s a fully integrated system, 100 per cent centralised with no real dependencies on other chains. If they had to bridge that compute power with storage networks or IoT sensor data streams on separate chains, those margins evaporate.

Also Read: How to launch collaborations that grow communities: A guide for Web3 founders

Recent legislation such as the GENIUS Act aims to provide clearer regulatory frameworks for stablecoins and digital commodities. Jurisdictions that establish regulatory clarity may gain an advantage over regions still working through fragmented approaches. But before we can build that cross-chain DePIN infrastructure, three things need to happen:

First, we need to build cross-chain communication natively, not through wrapped assets or centralised relayers. The Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol has seen over US$30 billion in volume across over 12 chains per year with zero exploits as of today’s date. Interoperability is possible on a massive scale if we build it correctly from the ground up.

Second, we need liquidity layers that unify value transfer instead of fragmenting capital across chains. The user capital efficiency of current DePIN networks is orders of magnitude worse than the traditional web because every project forces you to hold a separate wallet with its own native token just to participate. A farmer using DePIN-powered blockchain coordinated irrigation should not need to hold five different wallets and five different tokens to receive payment.

Third, standardised physical-world attestation data. Every DePIN network will have validators attesting to some piece of physical world truthiness, whether it’s Helium validators attesting to wireless coverage, or Filecoin nodes validating data storage proofs. All of that data must be readable and interoperable cross-chain, or we risk building an entire digital infrastructure industry version of the Tower of Babel.

The use cases for DePIN go far beyond speculative opportunity. McKinsey estimates that value unlock through tokenisation of real world assets could reach US$2 trillion by 2030. But DePIN is the last missing puzzle piece to actually bridging the gap between digital tokens and real world utility, but only if we build the infrastructure to support it.

Projects based in jurisdictions with clearer regulatory frameworks are better positioned to capture this value, and recent market performance reflects investor appetite for certainty. Global capital is already flowing into DePIN initiatives in regions such as the United States, where legal clarity and technical capacity offer stronger foundations for scaling.

The counterintuitive part is that DePIN doesn’t need to anoint one or two big winners. Helium doesn’t have to completely beat traditional telecom. Render doesn’t have to bankrupt AWS. Each DePIN network is competing against centralised infrastructure, not other DePIN networks. The real revolution will happen when those networks all interconnect and coordinate in a completely new way to provide emergent value that the legacy systems can never replicate.

Also Read: How AI and blockchain collaborate for a transparent Web3 future

Think of a supply chain where IoT sensors track physical shipments, decentralised compute optimises the route, distributed storage acts as the immutable ledger, and smart contracts auto-execute payments — all coordinated across different blockchains, with no centralised choke points or single points of failure. It’s all technologically possible right now. The missing part is the infrastructure that connects it all.

This is an infrastructure moment. Just as the interstate highway system transformed commerce in the 20th century, a new generation of cross-chain physical-digital infrastructure is now emerging to define the next era of convergence. Recent legislative efforts, such as the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts, illustrate how regulatory frameworks can lay the foundation for growth. What is needed next is the vision to move beyond siloed DePIN projects and begin constructing the connective tissue that can bind them into a unified network.

The reason DePIN is a US$3.5 trillion opportunity isn’t because someone is going to pick three or four winner projects. It’s because each of those thousands of projects will win when we build the infrastructure to connect them all. Every nation and company that understands that is going to own a piece of the future of physical infrastructure. The future will be shaped by the regions that build scalable, interoperable infrastructure first. 

The trillion-dollar question is not if DePIN will revolutionise physical infrastructure. The question is which regions will succeed in building the cross-chain highways to capture that value. With regulatory clarity beginning to emerge in multiple markets, the race has officially begun.

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As platforms like Meta race toward fully automated ad creation — where AI builds entire campaigns from a single product image and budget — the advertising industry is entering a new phase of hyper-personalisation. This isn’t just about performance; it’s about resonance.

Emerging AI advertising technologies, from neural networks to interest and habit targeting, are evolving rapidly to help brands deliver more culturally relevant, emotionally resonant campaigns. These tools promise more than just efficiency: by analysing nuanced user behaviours and preferences, AI can tailor ads that truly connect across languages, cultures, and contexts — minimising miscommunication and boosting engagement.

Yet, there’s an inherent tension. As AI-generated content becomes more common, critics warn of a growing sameness: templated ads, generic visuals, and a lack of emotional spark — all signs of creativity being flattened by automation. The risk? A sea of blandness where no brand stands out.

But ironically, AI may also hold the key to solving this. Rather than replacing human creativity, AI’s strength lies in precision targeting — allowing brands to craft bespoke experiences for micro-audiences, and freeing up creative teams to focus on strategy, storytelling, and emotional nuance. When used right, AI doesn’t dull the message — it sharpens the delivery.

The cross-cultural advertising challenge

Too often, “localised” ads are just translated versions of global campaigns. While technically correct, they often miss the cultural mark — either failing to resonate or, worse, turning off the audience completely.

In today’s globalised digital economy, cultural context matters more than ever. According to Google and Bain’s e-Conomy SEA report, 72 per cent of Southeast Asian consumers expect brands to personalise communication based on culture, not just demographics. A well-placed emoji or influencer-style callout might work in Vietnam or Thailand, but that same message could fall flat or feel inappropriate to a CIS audience.

Meanwhile, demand from Russian-speaking consumers is rising fast. In the first half of 2024, Yango Ads data reveals there were 570 million tourism-related search queries in Russian-speaking markets. 23 per cent of “Travelling to Asia” queries focused on Thailand, with destinations like Phuket seeing surging interest. Yet many Southeast Asian hotels, retailers, and restaurants still rely on translated materials rather than culturally adapted campaigns.

The consequence: ad dollars that fail to convert because the message feels wrong.

Also Read: Storytelling: A humane way to advertise your startup

AI’s new role from translator to cultural interpreter

Newer neural network–based systems can generate dozens of ad variations in multiple formats, adapting tone and imagery to different audiences.

By leveraging large language models (LLMs), AI tools can quickly spin up many creative variations across formats. The idea is to better match audience behaviour and context, though the quality still depends on human oversight.

And for campaigns targeting Russian-speaking audiences, native language support is baked in — helping APAC brands communicate with emotional fluency, not just functional grammar.

The potential is significant, but the real value depends on how well these tools are applied:

• Early studies suggest that AI-optimised campaigns often outperform traditional approaches on both efficiency and conversions, though results vary by sector and execution.
• Compared to campaigns without any AI optimisation, they deliver 17 per cent more conversions on average.
• The system even analyses visual content — identifying which image elements attract the most attention and automatically enhancing those creatives, all while preserving brand identity.

This marks a broader trend in AdTech: creative is no longer just designed, it’s trained.

Context-aware targeting: not just who, but how they think

Tone is only half the equation; precision targeting is the other. Beyond demographics, effective campaigns are increasingly shaped by long-term interests (for example, wellness travel or boutique hotels) and short-term behaviours (like last-minute bookings or halal dining searches).

For example, a Phuket hotel can target users who’ve recently searched for eco-stays or who show a pattern of browsing spa retreats. An F&B brand could target Russian-speaking tourists actively seeking Japanese cuisine or healthy dining options.

The engine behind this? First-party data. Yango Ads data reveals that 33 per cent of search queries about travelling to Asia are about Thailand in Q1 2025 — more than any other country.

With this kind of behavioural insight, brands can avoid broad-stroke messaging and instead build micro-targeted creative designed for intent-rich audiences.

Also Read: Why building user communities is far better than paid advertising

The commercial payoff for APAC brands

Southeast Asia is quickly becoming a global nexus for cross-cultural consumer flows, from outbound Chinese travellers to inbound Russian tourists, Indian remote workers, and more. But most regional brands don’t have large in-house localisation teams or endless creative bandwidth.

This is where AI becomes an equaliser. It allows smaller players — boutique resorts, family-run F&B chains, or regional e-commerce sellers — to scale creative adaptation without scaling headcount.

But creative targeting isn’t the only underused growth lever. Even seemingly passive user actions, like taking a screenshot, can signal high intent. Retail and travel apps that recognise when a user captures content (like a hotel listing or restaurant menu) can turn that moment into action: prompting a share, follow-up, or even a referral.

Even passive actions, like taking a screenshot, can signal strong intent — a reminder that engagement doesn’t always look like a click. They show what users care about, not just what they tap on.

This kind of screenshot-driven engagement, when paired with AI-personalised ad creatives and behaviour-based targeting, creates a loop of contextual relevance that drives higher conversions and loyalty, especially in mobile-first, socially driven markets like Southeast Asia.

That said, AI isn’t perfect. Generated content, particularly in non-English languages, still benefits from human review. Local context and linguistic nuance can’t always be assumed — even by the smartest models.

Still, the strategic opportunity is clear: while generic automation creates a risk of sameness, smart automation enables uniqueness. When used right, AI doesn’t just make campaigns more efficient, it makes them more emotionally precise.

The next frontier

The future of AI in advertising isn’t about removing the human, it’s about empowering it. Emerging tools for creative optimisation, behavioural targeting, and even intent tracking free up marketers to focus less on churn and more on meaning: what their message feels like, how it lands, and whether it resonates across cultures.

And that might be the most human outcome of all.

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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, businesses must find ways to leverage its potential to stay competitive, innovate, and improve efficiency. However, integrating AI into an organisational strategy requires thoughtful planning, a clear vision, and a phased approach.

This article outlines a step-by-step guide on how organisations can successfully incorporate AI into their strategic framework to drive long-term growth and success.

Define clear objectives and goals

The first step in integrating AI is to define clear objectives that align with the organisation’s overall business goals. Without a clear understanding of why you’re implementing AI, it’s easy for efforts to become fragmented or misaligned. Consider the following questions:

• What specific problem is AI solving?
• How can AI help improve existing processes?
• What measurable outcomes do you hope to achieve, such as reducing costs, improving customer experience, or increasing productivity?

By setting clear, achievable goals, you ensure that AI implementation is focused and measurable, helping to build momentum and demonstrating value early on.

Assess your current capabilities and infrastructure

AI integration requires a robust technological foundation. Assess your organisation’s current data infrastructure, software tools, and workforce capabilities. Consider the following:

• Do you have the necessary data? AI thrives on data, so having quality, well-organised data is essential.
• Is your IT infrastructure capable of supporting AI tools, such as cloud services, machine learning platforms, or processing power?
• Does your team have the skills required to develop and manage AI systems, or will you need to invest in training or hiring new talent?

Understanding your current capabilities will help you identify gaps and prioritise investments to ensure your organisation is ready for AI integration.

Choose the right AI tools and technologies

AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and selecting the right tools and technologies is critical for success. Depending on your objectives, you might explore various AI solutions such as:

• Machine Learning (ML): For predictive analytics, recommendations, or optimising business processes.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP): To enhance customer service with chatbots, sentiment analysis, or automated document processing.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): To automate repetitive tasks and free up employee time for more value-added work.
• Computer vision: To interpret and process visual data, useful in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, or security.

Selecting the appropriate AI tools requires careful consideration of your organisation’s specific needs, industry, and available resources.

Foster a data-driven culture

AI relies heavily on data, so fostering a data-driven culture is essential for success. This involves not only collecting and storing data but ensuring that it is clean, structured, and easily accessible. Encourage departments across the organisation to make data-driven decisions, and promote collaboration between data scientists, business leaders, and domain experts.

Also Read: How is AI transforming the future of cancer diagnosis

To build a data-driven culture, invest in data literacy programs for your team and provide tools that make data analysis easier. When employees across the organisation embrace data and AI insights, the benefits of AI integration will multiply.

Start small with pilot projects

Rather than implementing AI across the entire organisation all at once, start with smaller, manageable pilot projects. A focused pilot allows you to test AI’s effectiveness on a smaller scale before committing to larger, organisation-wide changes. Pilot projects can:

• Demonstrate AI’s potential value and feasibility.
• Help identify any challenges or obstacles that need to be addressed.
• Provide insights that will inform broader AI integration efforts.

For example, you might start by using AI for customer service automation or inventory management before expanding its use to other areas of the business.

Invest in employee training and change management

Integrating AI can be a significant cultural shift for many organisations, as it may change how employees perform their tasks or even the roles they occupy. To ensure a smooth transition, invest in training programs to equip your team with the necessary skills to work with AI tools. Offer training in areas such as:

• Understanding AI concepts and their applications.
• Using AI-powered tools effectively in daily tasks.
• Analysing AI-generated insights and making data-driven decisions.

In addition to training, prioritise change management to help employees adapt to new workflows and technologies. Communicate the benefits of AI integration clearly and show how it can enhance their work, rather than replace it.

Monitor, evaluate, and optimise

Once AI solutions are deployed, ongoing monitoring and evaluation are essential to ensure their effectiveness. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of AI initiatives, such as cost savings, productivity improvements, or customer satisfaction scores.

AI systems also require continuous optimisation to adapt to changing conditions. Regularly review the AI models to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. This might involve updating algorithms, retraining models with new data, or incorporating feedback from users.

Ensure ethical AI use and data privacy

As AI plays an increasingly central role in decision-making, it is critical to prioritise ethical considerations. Implement policies and frameworks that ensure AI systems are transparent, fair, and unbiased. Consider the following ethical principles:

• Bias mitigation: Regularly audit AI models for biases that may result in unfair or discriminatory outcomes.
• Transparency: Make AI decisions explainable and understandable to stakeholders, especially when they impact customers or employees.
• Data privacy: Comply with data protection regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, and ensure that AI tools handle personal data responsibly and securely.

By focusing on ethical AI practices, you help build trust with customers, employees, and other stakeholders while minimising risks associated with AI implementation.

Also Read: Unlocking a sustainable future: A new model for green building management

Scale gradually and continuously innovate

Once initial AI projects have been successfully implemented and refined, consider expanding the use of AI across other areas of the business. Scaling should be done thoughtfully, with continuous innovation and adaptation to new technological developments and business needs.

AI is a rapidly evolving field, so staying up-to-date on new advancements and opportunities is crucial. Encourage experimentation and innovation within your organisation to unlock new AI use cases that drive value.

Conclusion

Successfully integrating AI into your organisational strategy is a multifaceted endeavour that requires a clear vision, careful planning, and a willingness to evolve. By defining clear objectives, assessing current capabilities, investing in the right technologies, and fostering a data-driven culture, your organisation will be well-positioned to harness the power of AI.

Remember, the integration of AI is a continuous journey of learning, optimisation, and adaptation. With the right approach, AI can become a powerful driver of growth and innovation for your organisation.

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This article was first published on December 2, 2024

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The financial landscape of Southeast Asia (SEA) is on the cusp of a dramatic shift. By 2030, a staggering 79 per cent of the fintech narrative will be written by Millennials and Gen Z, making this a significant redefinition of what the future generation will expect from their financial partners. These generations aren’t just digital natives, but they are also value-driven, experience-focused, and deeply discerning.

Therefore, for fintechs to stay relevant, it’s no longer enough to just digitise the traditional products, but reimagine finance from a perspective that is relatable through empathy, clarity, and a deep understanding of how these users think, feel, and act.

Why innovation alone isn’t enough to close the widening empathy gap

Much of fintech innovation to date has centred on making complex financial products more accessible through technology. But despite this progress, the core challenge of an empathy gap that outlines what users say they want, and how they actually behave.

This is most evident in recent research that revealed Gen Z and Millennials seeking a “trifecta” of “money, meaning, and well-being”, or the equivalent of financial tools that support their goals, not just bank accounts. Yet one in four Gen Zs aren’t saving, investing, or insuring enough, suggesting a disconnect between their aspirations and their current financial actions.

The reality is that many offerings today still focus on features over feelings. So how do we move beyond purely transactional relationships and truly resonate with the unique needs of these generations, all while navigating an increasingly crowded market

Also Read: The fintech ‘Wild West’ in Southeast Asia is over and maybe that’s a good thing

Guided simplicity that is designed for confidence, not complexity

To bridge this empathy gap, fintechs must transform their approach from mere digitisation to profound user-centricity. It’s no longer enough to just offer educational content and hope users will piece everything together. The responsibility now lies with fintechs to embed financial literacy and confidence directly into the user experience itself.

This means embedding real-time, personalised guidance into the solution, rather than relying on passive content or dense dashboards. Smart designs that gently nudge users towards positive outcomes like showing the potential benefits of saving a little more, or illustrating trade-offs in an actionable way, have proven to be non-disruptive and less overwhelming. 

Visual clarity, bite-sized insights, and contextual suggestions can shift a user from confusion to confidence. When done right, users report not just better understanding but reduced stress and more consistency in their pursuit of their financial goals. 

Meeting the emotional need by moving from utility to experience

Today, we’re also in the ‘experience economy’ whereby Gen Z’s prioritise solutions that simplify their lives, and Millennials expect excellence in customer experience. Both expect digital products to be highly responsive to their personal context and goals. 

For fintechs, this translates into a need for agile, user-centric development that incorporates emotional design and continuous feedback. The challenge isn’t just solving current pain points, but also anticipating future issues, before it happens. Every part of the journey, from onboarding to notifications, should quietly reinforce confidence. Whether it’s a message about a successful transaction or a reminder to save, each touchpoint is an opportunity to build trust and signal progress.

Doing so would align to an emerging insight of younger users wanting to feel in control of their finances, not just track it. This means using everyday language,, and ensuring that interfaces don’t overwhelm with jargon or data overload. 

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

Solidifying the relationship through trust, transparency, and alignment

Ultimately beyond the user experience and education, establishing, building and sustaining trust with users is key for longevity. For today’s users, trust is built on transparency and shared values — does it serve my long-term goals? Does it align with how I see the world? Is it honest about what it offers and genuine about wanting to help me? 

For fintechs, this means rising to the challenge of designing products that prioritise ethical clarity, not just in how fees, terms and products are explained, but in how the product itself supports the user’s broader well-being. That means using clear, everyday language, being upfront about trade-offs, and removing hidden catches. When a product says, “This is a safe place for your spare cash,” and then proves it with behaviour, it shifts the tone from persuasion to partnership. That’s when users feel informed, respected, and genuinely understood—not just marketed to.

More importantly, trust is built through consistency. When products behave the way users expect and reflect a commitment to their financial success, not just conversion metrics, is when you’ve truly convinced them to stay with you for the long term. 

So what does the future need?

Looking ahead, fintechs that lead with empathy will lead the market. In a landscape where the finish line constantly moves, the true differentiator is not just functionality, but emotional resonance. 

This requires more than feature innovation or hype. It requires a consistent culture of listening, learning and co-creation with the very users we aim to serve. It’s about recognising that financial decisions are deeply personal and shaped by context, mindset, and emotion. 

As Millennials and Gen Z continue to reshape the fintech ecosystem, success will belong to those who don’t just build for them, but build with them. In doing so, these shared experiences will not only support their wallets, but truly resonate with them and their aspirations.  

This article has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

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The e-commerce landscape in Southeast Asia is on the cusp of a profound transformation, evolving from AI-assisted to truly “AI-native” platforms.

This shift, detailed in a recent report by Momentum Works and Lazada, signifies a future where AI is not merely a tool but the very fabric of how consumers shop and sellers operate. The implications for tech startups and established players in the region are immense, pointing towards highly personalised interfaces, intuitive interactions, and largely automated operations.

Also Read: Alibaba’s AI muscle supercharges Lazada across Southeast Asia

The report outlines three distinct phases of AI-driven e-commerce platform transformation, illustrating a clear progression towards this AI-native future:

• Interface layer: AI as a tool (2022-2024): In this initial phase, AI functionalities are integrated at the user interface level, acting primarily as helpful tools. This includes applications such as AI chatbots and assistants, as well as AI-assisted copywriting and content generation for product listings. While useful, AI here primarily augments existing processes without fundamentally altering the core interaction model.
• Embedded intelligence: AI throughout the funnel (today): In this phase, AI is woven throughout the entire e-commerce funnel, providing deeper, more integrated functionalities. Examples include personalised search and feed ranking, smart product recommendations that learn from user behaviour, and seller insights dashboards equipped with AI-generated suggestions. This level of integration moves beyond simple tools to actively influence and optimise various stages of the buying and selling journey.
• AI-native platforms: Smarter shopping and selling, personalised for all (the future): The ultimate vision is the emergence of truly AI-native platforms. In this future state, the interaction between users and the platform will be profoundly personalised. Interfaces will dynamically change based on individual user intent and preferences, making every shopping experience unique. This will facilitate interactive discovery, where AI agents guide consumers through product exploration, potentially even simulating virtual try-ons or offering real-time, context-aware advice. On the seller side, AI agents will manage complex tasks, from inventory optimisation to dynamic pricing, freeing human operators to focus on strategic growth. This represents a complete paradigm shift, moving beyond merely assisting human tasks to intelligently orchestrating the entire e-commerce ecosystem.

The competitive imperative for sellers

The transformation to AI-native e-commerce is not merely a technological evolution; it is a profound competitive imperative. Sellers who effectively tap into this transformation will “leap ahead of their peers,” gaining a significant advantage in areas like operational efficiency, personalisation, and customer acquisition.

Also Read: AI at the core: Lazada shows how tech can supercharge sellers and shoppers

With AI capable of unlocking an additional US$131 billion in annual GMV for Southeast Asia by 2030, the question is no longer if AI will shape e-commerce, but who will capture the growth it unlocks.

The report stresses that success with AI extends beyond mere tool adoption; it demands “AI-aware leadership, teams empowered to test and iterate, and organisations structured for continuous learning and adaptation”.

AI has the unique ability to distil individual strengths and discoveries into powerful organisational capabilities, enabling faster iteration and smarter decision-making at scale.

This new “AI-led E-commerce Growth” flywheel, which links AI-driven personalisation, better customer experience, improved conversion, operational optimisation, better prices, and marketplace expansion, will be key to sustained success.

As platforms like Lazada continue to build upon advanced AI foundations established by Alibaba, the trajectory towards AI-native e-commerce is clear and accelerating.

For tech startups in Southeast Asia, this means a future filled with both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. Developing AI-native solutions, understanding hyper-personalisation, and fostering an agile, AI-savvy culture will be crucial for any entity aiming to thrive in the region’s evolving digital commerce landscape. The time to embrace this shift is now.

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The closure of CXA Group marks the end of a significant chapter in Southeast Asia’s insurtech story. Founded in 2013, CXA pioneered the idea of an integrated digital marketplace for employee benefits–long before “AI-driven HR” became a buzzword.

At its peak, the firm, once a local success story, attracted marquee backers including HSBC, B Capital, and EDBI, raising over US$58 million (including a US$25 million Series B round in 2027) and expanding across Asia. Yet despite its early promise, sustaining scale in the highly regulated, low-margin world of insurance proved elusive.

Rosaline Chow Koo’s announcement reflects both the ambition and challenges of building in this sector. CXA’s technology itself has not disappeared; it continues to operate under Pacific Prime, HSBC Life, and other licensees.

However, the original company could not maintain its independent path. This trajectory mirrors a common theme in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem: innovation can outpace the business fundamentals needed to survive funding cycles and competition from entrenched incumbents.

The extraordinary general meeting to decide on liquidation is a formal closing of the books, but also a reminder of how capital-intensive and compliance-heavy B2B insurtech remains. For founders and investors, CXA’s rise and fall underscores the importance of aligning visionary technology with sustainable revenue models and disciplined scaling strategies.

REGIONAL

CXA that raised US$58M in funding shuts down after 12 years; moves to liquidate assets
The group has convened an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders on September 25 | Shareholders will vote on whether to liquidate the company’s assets under Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018, which governs voluntary winding-up procedures in Singapore.

Singapore hit by 6.4M cyberattacks in 2024 as AI supercharges threats
Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky warns that AI is significantly amplifying these threats, enabling cybercriminals to launch “stealthier and less predictable” campaigns across the highly digitalised hub and the wider Asia Pacific region.

GoTo secures US$281M loan to strengthen balance sheet, fuel growth
A portion of the proceeds will be allocated to settle the outstanding amount from GoTo’s previous facility, which stood at US$28.2M as of June 2025 | The remaining funds are designated for general corporate purposes, including investments that will drive the company’s ongoing expansion.

SGX tightens climate reporting rules, expands green products as sustainable finance demand grows
Investor appetite for climate-focused ETFs surged, with AuM in SGX’s six sustainability-themed ETFs rising 133 per cent y-o-y to US$2.2B | The iShares MSCI Asia Ex-Japan Climate Action ETF tripled in size since its 2023 launch, driven by inflows from Finnish pension fund Ilmarinen, while the CSOP FTSE APAC Low Carbon ETF added US$75M.

Philippine fintech firm Salmon raises US$50M in oversubscribed bond
The company said the bond was oversubscribed, bringing its total bond financing to US$110M under a US$150M framework | This follows a US$60 million bond issued in April 2025 | Salmon Group offers credit lines, cards, loans, and deposit services.

Saison Capital launches US$50M Onigiri fund to bridge global blockchain with Asia
Onigiri Capital, which has already secured US$35M, will focus on startups building real-world asset solutions across five pivotal sectors: stablecoins, payments, tokenised assets, DeFi, and financial markets infrastructure.

Dat Bike teams up with Japan’s FCC in US$22M Series B round
Other investors are Rebright Partners, Jungle Ventures, Cathay Venture, and AiViet Venture | Vietnam’s two-wheeler EV sector braces for a monumental shift, propelled by substantial government support for green mobility and a global decarbonisation agenda.

Atomionics bags US$12.7M to map earth’s subsurface with quantum sensors
Investors include BHP Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Wavemaker Partners, VU Venture Partners, SG Growth Capital, and Alex Turnbull | Atomionics’s core innovation lies in its Gravio device, a portable, basketball-sized sensor that functions as a “virtual X-ray” for the earth | This quantum gravimetry technology enables high-resolution subsurface mapping up to ten times faster than conventional methods.

Terra Oleo emerges from stealth with US$3.1M to reinvent palm oil and cocoa
Investors include ADB Ventures, The Radical Fund, Elev8.vc, and Better Bite Ventures | Terra Oleo offers sustainable alternatives to palm oil derivatives and cocoa butter–crucial ingredients in the personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food sectors.

Quantum investor QAI Ventures picks Singapore for APAC headquarters
The Swiss VC firm has partnered with EnterpriseSG to bring its acceleration and venture-building activities to the island nation | It will also run a 5-month QuantumAI Accelerator programme, designed to scout and scale global startups.

VinFast, BDO Unibank team up to expand EV network in Philippines
The agreement aims to help expand electric vehicle availability, charging stations, and electric taxi operations in the country, with BDO Unibank providing financial services such as leasing, insurance, and tailored financing.

US$16M boost: NUS Enterprise joins forces with SG Growth Capital, Lotus One
These initiatives will provide greater support for NUS-affiliated startups and broaden co-investments in VC funds, complementing the US$116M NUS VC Programme launched in July 2025.

Openspace Ventures rebrands as Openspace Capital, launches funds
The venture capital firm is launching the Orbit Listed Growth Fund in partnership with Australian fund manager Perennial Partners, aiming to help companies list on the SGX | Onyx Growth Credit targets US$200M to provide loans between US$15M and US$30M to companies seeking growth capital.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

Alibaba’s AI muscle supercharges Lazada across Southeast Asia
Alibaba’s multilingual machine translation model, known for its strong performance in low-resource languages, underpins Lazada’s AI translation features | This symbiotic relationship allows Lazada to implement advanced AI solutions tailored to the diverse needs of the Southeast Asian market without having to build every component from scratch.

AI in e-commerce: Big promise, bigger hesitation among sellers in SEA
A new report by Momentum Works and Lazada highlights this paradox: a vast majority of sellers acknowledge AI’s long-term benefits, yet remain hesitant due to perceived costs and usefulness concerns | This presents both a challenge and a clear opportunity for those ready to embrace the shift.

DigiCert CEO: Quantum computing’s “ChatGPT moment” is coming
The aggressive race by tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and AWS toward quantum supremacy as a signal that the tipping point is not far off | With 24 per cent of organisations still in denial about the risks quantum computing poses to current encryption systems, DigiCert urged a collective move toward preparedness.

INTERNATIONAL

SoftBank-OpenAI Japan venture reportedly delayed to November
The JV aims to provide AI services for Japanese corporate clients | The venture, first announced in February, was scheduled to launch in summer 2025 | The venture will be owned by OpenAI and a company established by SoftBank and its domestic telecom unit.

Alibaba invests in Ant Group-backed Hello for robotaxi market
The Chinese ride-hailing firm said on September 17 that Alibaba’s investment will support joint work on AI algorithms and smart driving technology for commercial robotaxi fleets | The move comes as global tech companies, including Tesla and Alphabet’s Waymo, compete to commercialise driverless taxi services.

SoftBank said to cut 20 per cent of Vision Fund staff for AI push
The Vision Fund, with over 300 employees, is moving away from broad startup investments to concentrate on founder Masayoshi Son’s AI projects, including a proposed US$500B Stargate data centre network with OpenAI.

Uber to test drone food deliveries by end of 2025
Uber will begin testing deliveries with Flytrex in select Uber Eats pilot markets by the end of 2025 | The company is also investing in Flytrex, a US-based drone delivery startup | This marks Uber’s return to logistics experiments after exiting its in-house drone program due to regulatory challenges and pandemic cost-cutting.

PayU increases stake in Indian fintech firm Mindgate to 70 per cent
This follows its initial 43 per cent acquisition in March 2025 | The remaining 30 per cent is held by founders George Sam and Guhan Muthusamy, who will continue to run the company | PayU also plans to invest an additional US$5M to US$10M to drive synergies with its other business verticals.

Panasonic to develop new EV battery in two years for Tesla
The “anode-free” EV battery removes the anode during manufacturing and forms a lithium metal anode after the first charge | Panasonic said this could boost battery capacity by 25 per cent, extending the driving range of vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y by up to 90 miles.

ECHELON

AI agents at work: The future of productivity
At Echelon Singapore 2025, Prahlad Jaya of kurate opened a fireside chat with Clare Leighton of fileAI by reflecting on the company’s evolution from Blue Sheets into a key player in AI workflow automation.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Nvidia to invest US$5B in Intel for AI products
The partnership, pending regulatory approval, aims to develop custom data centre and PC products for AI applications | Intel has struggled to keep up with competitors, missing key technology shifts and facing rising competition from Asian manufacturers like TSMC and Samsung.

Huawei unveils AI infrastructure to compete with Nvidia
At its Huawei Connect conference in Shenzhen, the company announced SuperPoD Interconnect technology, which can link up to 15,000 graphics cards, including Huawei’s Ascend AI chips | The new system is positioned as an alternative to Nvidia’s NVLink, which enables high-speed communication between AI chips.

Nvidia plans US$2.7B UK AI investment in partnership with VCs
The chipmaker will work with VC firms including Accel, Air Street Capital, Balderton Capital, Hoxton Ventures, and Phoenix Court | It will allocate capital to UK startups and researchers, with funding sourced from its balance sheet.

Nvidia spends US$900M to hire AI startup Enfabrica CEO, staff
Enfabrica, founded in 2019, develops technology that connects large numbers of GPUs for AI systems | Nvidia had previously invested in Enfabrica during its US$125M Series B round in 2023 | Nvidia’s last billion-dollar acquisition was the US$6.9B purchase of Mellanox in 2019.

AI

AI’s silent sorting: How you get filtered, priced, and denied
When many firms adopt similar pricing algorithms—or license the same vendor—markets can drift toward tacit collusion: agents “learn” that undercutting gets punished and orbit around higher prices without any chatroom cartel | Competition authorities have mapped this risk and the evidentiary challenge of distinguishing “parallel algorithmic play” from unlawful coordination.

Why AI-driven influencer marketing is the future of B2C in 2025
Consumers today want to feel like a brand is speaking directly to them | AI has made it possible to create that kind of personalisation, even across dozens of campaigns | And when people feel the message is tailored just for them, they’re more likely to engage.

AI assistant or replacement? A PR pro’s take on using ChatGPT
ChatGPT gobbles up and thrives on the information you feed it | Tailor your prompts by supplying specific details, facts and information, and guide them with desired parameters, such as length and tone, for optimal results.

The future of work with AI: 2025 and beyond
According to Singapore’s second National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0), AI has progressed “from opportunity to necessity”, and people “must know” AI, not just see it as a “good to have” | The strategy goes on to add that rather than seeing AI as a threat, it can be the great equaliser, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.

AI: Boon or bane? Workers fear job loss despite productivity gains
According to the 2023 Work Trend Index, most business leaders are looking to leverage AI to improve employee productivity, not reduce headcount | High on the list of priorities are automating repetitive yet necessary tasks, eliminating low-value activities, and augmenting the capabilities of existing talent to accelerate the pace and quality of their output.

Building trust in the age of AI: Lessons for Southeast Asia’s startups
Southeast Asia is tightening data-protection rules. Countries like Singapore and Indonesia emphasise localisation, while others are exploring AI-specific governance | Startups must design for compliance across borders, not just at home | Retrofitting privacy later is far costlier than building it in from day one.

AI is eating the world and startups are riding the infrastructure wave
AI isn’t just a software revolution | It’s an energy-hungry, capital-intensive transformation that’s reshaping the foundations of the internet | For small businesses and founders, understanding this wave and its risks, could be the key to surviving and thriving in the next decade.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Liquidity dreams meet reality: How the Fed’s 25-basis-point cut is (and isn’t) changing everything
This adjustment brought the fed’s funds rate target range down to 4 per cent to 4.25 per cent, marking the first cut in the current easing cycle.

A new era of impact: Beyond the bottom line in Southeast Asia’s tech revolution
Across the region, impact-oriented investors are increasingly adopting a ‘Theory of Change’ approach that channels capital toward technology solutions addressing Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges | This lens guides much of TNB Aura’s investment activity.

The great corporate flip: Why Korean startups are caught between dreams and tax bills
Across Seoul’s bustling startup districts, from Gangnam’s tech towers to Hongdae’s co-working spaces, founders face the same brutal reality: to play on the global stage, you need the right passport—a corporate one.

DePIN’s US$3.5T opportunity: Turning fragmented projects into unified infrastructure
DePIN, as a sector, is held back by the lack of fundamental infrastructure needed to function at scale | Right now, each individual project is like a country, building its own border controls to admit people from other networks.

PR is your megaphone: Why startups must master visibility in the AI era
PR is your megaphone | In the AI era, it does more than win human eyeballs | It teaches the algorithms that will advise your customers, investors and partners | For startups, this is not a nice-to-have | It is how you make sure your brand is heard in the conversations that shape your future.

Decentralised, intelligent, unstoppable: The future of the internet with Web3 and AI
Unlike traditional software, AI can process vast amounts of data, recognise patterns, and make decisions autonomously | It introduces intelligence to Web3, allowing decentralised applications to evolve in real time, predict changes, and optimise themselves without external input.

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A new report, the 2025 State of Design & Make Report – APAC, sheds light on the evolving landscape of architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO), design and manufacturing (D&M), and media and entertainment (M&E) industries across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, including key Southeast Asian nations.

The study, based on surveys and interviews with over 2,152 industry leaders, futurists, and experts, reveals a region grappling with economic headwinds and technological disruption, even as digital transformation continues to yield significant benefits.

Digital transformation delivers, but challenges persist

The report underscores the overwhelmingly positive impact of digital transformation efforts, with most APAC leaders reporting over 50 per cent return on investment through improvements in customer satisfaction, innovation, and productivity.

Digitally mature companies, defined as those approaching or having achieved their digital transformation goals, are notably more resilient, better equipped to diversify supply chains (by 61 per cent), and faster in developing products and completing projects.

Also Read: Building a better future: How sustainable architecture is leading the way for the built environment

However, the path to digitalisation is not without obstacles. Cost remains the primary barrier to digital transformation for 40 per cent of APAC leaders, a rise from 32 per cent in the previous year. Time investment and a lack of necessary knowledge or technical skills follow as significant challenges.

Notably, more digitally mature organisations in APAC are less concerned with cost and talent, focusing instead on the limitations of current digital tools.

Sustainability gains momentum, AI emerges as key enabler

Sustainability transitions are moving from being solely pressure-driven to becoming a source of profitability, with 94 per cent of leaders in APAC reporting their organisations are taking steps to be more sustainable.

This shift is driven by a growing understanding of the business value of sustainability, with 71 per cent of business leaders in APAC believing sustainability measures can generate more than 5 per cent of their annual revenue. Stakeholder influence on sustainability initiatives is declining, suggesting organisations are increasingly incorporating sustainability into their long-term strategies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has solidified its position as the top sustainability enabler for Design and Make organisations in APAC for the third consecutive year, with 39 per cent of leaders using it for sustainable outcomes, up from 37 per cent in the previous year. Applications range from natural disaster mitigation to project lifecycle management.

Interestingly, India has taken the lead in AI adoption for sustainability within APAC, with 52 per cent of business leaders utilising it. South Korea has witnessed the most significant and consistent increase in AI adoption for sustainability.

AI hype meets implementation realities

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding AI, sentiment towards the technology has cooled across APAC. While 72 per cent of leaders believed AI would enhance their industry in the 2024 survey, this figure has dropped to 68 per cent. Concerns about industry disruption from AI have risen, with 50 per cent of leaders now agreeing it will destabilise their sector, a notable increase from 43 per cent in the previous year.

Also Read: Optimising workplace design for employee engagement and organisational success

Fumihiro Ojima, General Manager at Japan’s Tokyu Construction Co. Ltd., observes, “I think that generative AI is important, but when generative AI first appeared, there was an excessive sense of expectation towards generative AI and AI in general, and I think that we have just passed the peak of that. There was an impression that generative AI could do anything, but in fact there are things that it is suited to and things that it is not suited to, and I think that we have finally come to understand that”.

This adjustment reflects the realities of AI implementation, the ongoing shortage of technical skills, and the technology’s current limitations.

Consequently, leaders are adopting a more conservative outlook on their AI roadmaps. However, investment in AI remains strong, with 68 per cent of respondents in APAC stating their AI investments will increase over the next three years.

Digitally mature organisations are leading this charge, with 78 per cent planning increased AI investment compared to 58 per cent of less digitally mature companies.

Yongsik Jeong, Vice President at South Korea’s Samoo Architects & Engineers, notes, “AI requires a much larger investment than we expected. So, there is a bit of a delay moving forward. And, not all things related to AI are positive signals; there are clear limitations… We clearly believe that we will be able to reach ROI when we invest in AI for new business opportunities and business areas”.

Cost, technology, and talent remain key concerns

Amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties, cost control has emerged as the top business challenge for 34 per cent of leaders in APAC. Technological advancements, including AI, are a close second, cited by 32 per cent of leaders as a major challenge, particularly concerning implementation. Talent acquisition and retention also remain a significant hurdle, with 29 per cent of leaders identifying it as a top concern.

Notably, Japan stands out as the only surveyed country where attracting, training, and retaining talent is the most pressing challenge. Leaders in Australia, India, and Singapore are primarily focused on cost.

The search for skilled talent is intensifying, with 62 per cent of APAC business leaders reporting that a lack of access to skilled talent hinders their company’s growth, a significant increase from 50 per cent in 2024.

Alarmingly, 50 per cent of leaders report having had to let people go due to a lack of technical skills, up from 37 per cent, exacerbating labour shortages.

When it comes to future hiring priorities, AI skills top the list for 45 per cent of leaders in APAC, up from 41 per cent, highlighting the continued strategic importance of AI despite implementation challenges.

Cautious near-term outlook despite strong investment intent

Overall sentiment across the design and make industries in APAC has cooled, with most business leaders feeling more uncertain about the future and less prepared to handle unforeseen changes. Sixty-eight per cent of leaders agree that the global landscape is now more uncertain, a 9-point jump from the previous year. Confidence in their organisation’s ability to weather future obstacles has also declined.

Despite this caution, 68 per cent of business leaders in APAC still anticipate increasing their investments over the next three years, although this is a decrease from 72 per cent in 2024, reflecting a more conservative approach.

Notably, China is the only country in the region where a greater percentage of leaders plan to increase investment. India continues to lead the region, with 84 per cent of leaders indicating increased investment.

However, companies generally pull back on expansion efforts, with reduced enthusiasm for entering new markets and offering new services.

These findings present a mixed bag for Singapore and Southeast Asia’s burgeoning tech startup ecosystem. The strong emphasis on digital transformation and AI skills highlights significant opportunities for startups offering solutions.

Also Read: Why the future of AI needs more diversity and the arts

However, the challenges related to cost control and the need for practical AI applications suggest that startups must offer demonstrable value and return on investment. The intensifying search for talent, particularly with AI expertise, also indicates a competitive landscape for skilled professionals.

Ultimately, the report underscores the critical importance of digital maturity and strategic technology investments for companies in the Design and Make sector to navigate current uncertainties and secure a competitive edge in the APAC region.

The post Beyond the buzz: How AI and sustainability are reshaping design, manufacturing, and construction in APAC appeared first on e27.

Southeast Asia’s tech and business landscape is growing at lightning speed. Across the region, companies are raising funds, expanding to new markets, building game-changing products, and finding creative ways to solve everyday problems. From fintech breakthroughs to AI-powered tools, there’s no shortage of innovation happening right now.

At e27, we love seeing these exciting updates straight from the companies themselves. Milestones are more than just announcements, they’re a window into how businesses are growing, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the impact they’re making in their industries and communities. Whether it’s a new feature launch, a funding win, or a big market expansion, these moments deserve to be celebrated.

Want to shine a spotlight on your own company’s progress? It’s simple:

•        Create your company profile: https://e27.co/startupprofile
•        Post your milestone: https://e27.co/milestone/post/

Sharing your milestone on e27 is an easy way to get noticed by other founders, potential investors, and the wider community, and maybe even get featured in our next listicle, just like the companies below.

Here are 10 of the latest milestones from companies across the region

LenderLink – Scaling access to credit in the Philippines
LenderLink has grown to 36M+ borrower records and 600K+ monthly credit record exchanges. This makes it easier for lenders to confidently provide financing to more Filipinos, especially those who’ve been left out of traditional banking systems.

Kredit Hero – AI fraud checks for smarter lending
Kredit Hero launched a new AI-powered Fraud Analysis tool on its Marketplace and KreditOS platform. It helps lenders quickly spot tampered documents or inconsistencies, making loan approvals faster, safer, and smarter.

ChatterBooth – Meet Memo, a new way to leave notes
ChatterBooth just dropped Memo, a feature that lets you leave a note for someone who can’t reply in real time — think of it as a digital sticky note. No more missed messages, just simple, seamless communication.

Smart-Wares – Smarter clinic management with AI
Smart-Wares launched MedibotX (Alpha), an AI-powered clinic management system that helps healthcare professionals manage everything in one place — from appointments and billing to inventory and staff scheduling.

Good Bards – Taking students on an AI journey
Good Bards hosted a session with the Institute of Technical Education, walking participants through the history of AI and into today’s era of AgenticAI. Big thanks to Senior Lecturer Amos Lim and everyone who joined in!

Unified Intelligence – Joining Indonesia’s AIIP program
Unified Intelligence was selected to join Indonesia’s AIIP program, where they’ll be contributing to national AI innovation and development while collaborating with other leading tech players.

Serbiz – Early funding from Antler Vietnam
Serbiz, a Gen Z-founded flexible employment platform, just raised pre-seed funding from Antler Vietnam. Using ChatGPT to ride the latest TikTok trends, they’re building a platform that resonates with young job seekers.

PriyoShop – AI-powered credit scoring for MSMEs
PriyoShop teamed up with Community Bank and Insights Genie to launch Bangladesh’s first AI-driven alternative credit scoring system, giving small businesses faster and fairer access to short-term financing.

OTONOCO AI – Helping financial firms stay compliant
OTONOCO AI rolled out a system that tracks daily updates from regulators like MOHA and AGC. It keeps a full record of changes, helping companies prepare for audits — with plans to add UN sanctions tracking next.

Arches Corporation – Expanding to the Americas
Arches Corporation is going global! They’ve opened a new office in Bogotá, Colombia, connecting APAC expertise with U.S. and LATAM clients and creating more opportunities for cross-border growth.

Also Read: From funding wins to product launches: 10 SEA startups sharing milestones on e27

These milestones show how Southeast Asia’s companies are taking bold steps forward, whether it’s through AI innovation, market expansion, or helping communities gain access to better opportunities.

Got something exciting to share?

•        Create your profile: https://e27.co/startupprofile
•        Post your milestone: https://e27.co/milestone/post/

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Photo by Thirdman

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Global risk sentiment has improved markedly in recent days, driven by the Federal Reserve’s decision to lower interest rates, which has injected fresh optimism into financial markets worldwide. Investors appear to view this move as a signal that policymakers are prioritising economic growth amid signs of a cooling labour market, even as inflation remains somewhat elevated. The cut has ripple effects across asset classes, from equities to commodities and cryptocurrencies, fostering an environment where risk-taking feels more rewarded. In this context, Wall Street has pushed to new heights, while emerging trends in digital assets suggest a sector on the cusp of broader institutional acceptance.

The Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point reduction in its benchmark rate on September 17, bringing it down from previous levels and marking the first easing since late last year. This adjustment aims to support hiring and prevent a sharper slowdown in employment, as recent data showed initial jobless claims dropping significantly to 231,000 for the week ending September 13, the largest decline in nearly four years. Officials emphasised that the move addresses risks to the job market while keeping an eye on inflation, which ticked up slightly to 2.9 per cent in August but remains within a manageable range. Markets had largely anticipated this step, with probabilities exceeding 75 per cent leading up to the announcement, though some volatility ensued as traders digested the forward guidance indicating potential for two more cuts by year-end.

In contrast, the Bank of England opted to hold its key rate steady at four per cent on September 18, citing persistent inflationary pressures alongside uncertainties in growth and the jobs landscape. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to maintain the status quo, with members expressing caution that the UK economy is not yet out of the woods on price stability. Looking ahead, the Bank of Japan is set to reveal its policy stance today, with expectations leaning toward no change from the current 0.5 per cent short-term rate, as officials navigate tariff risks and a potential US slowdown. These divergent approaches among major central banks highlight a global economy at a crossroads, where easing in one region could spill over to influence others.

Also Read: Quantum investor QAI Ventures picks Singapore for APAC headquarters

Equity markets have responded positively overall, with US indices scaling fresh peaks on September 18. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.27 per cent to close above 46,000, the S&P 500 advanced 0.48 per cent to around 6,600, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 0.94 per cent to over 22,200, buoyed by strength in technology shares. This rally reflects investor confidence that lower borrowing costs will sustain corporate earnings and consumer spending. Yields on US Treasuries moved higher in response to the robust jobless claims figure, which eased fears of a rapid labour market deterioration. The 10-year Treasury note rose three basis points to above 4.11 per cent, while the 2-year yield increased two basis points to 3.56 per cent. Such movements suggest markets are pricing in a soft landing rather than a recession, though the bond market’s reaction also underscores ongoing sensitivity to economic data.

Currency and commodity dynamics have shifted as well. The US dollar index strengthened by 0.49 per cent to 97.35, benefiting from the perception of relative US economic resilience amid global uncertainties. Gold prices dipped 0.4 per cent to US$3,643.40 per ounce, as profit-taking followed a recent record high, with the metal’s appeal dimming slightly in a risk-on environment. Brent crude oil fell 0.9 per cent to US$67.32 per barrel, pressured by concerns over US demand despite the rate cut’s potential to stimulate activity. These declines illustrate how commodities are caught between supportive monetary policy and lingering worries about global growth, particularly with trade tensions simmering.

Asian equities displayed a mixed performance, trimming some gains post the Fed’s meeting but still showing resilience in key benchmarks. Japan’s Nikkei 225 crossed the 45,000 threshold for the first time, closing higher amid a tech-led advance, reflecting spillover optimism from US markets. Early trading today saw varied movements across the region, with US futures pointing to a positive open, suggesting the upbeat sentiment may persist. This regional response highlights the increasing interconnectedness of global markets, with policy shifts in the US often setting the tone for Asia’s trading sessions.

Also Read: How a 10-day silent retreat made me a better investor

Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, have shown remarkable vigour, with Bitcoin maintaining momentum around US$117,000 despite initial sluggishness following the rate cut. Technical indicators point to a bullish setup, with a trend line support at US$115,800 and recent breaks above resistances at US$116,200 and US$116,500. The price peaked at US$117,920 before a minor retracement to the 50 per cent Fibonacci level near US$116,750. Analysts anticipate resistance at US$117,500 and US$117,850, with a clear breach of US$118,000 potentially propelling it toward US$118,500 or even US$118,800. On-chain data reveals strong institutional accumulation, with ETF flows and whale activity supporting the floor. Social media discussions on platforms such as X highlight this breakout potential, with traders noting that a close above US$117,000 on high volume could ignite further upside. However, overbought signals from the RSI above 88 suggest a possible short-term pullback, with supports at US$116,550 and US$115,800 if resistance holds firm.

Solana has emerged as a standout performer, rallying beyond US$250, its highest in nearly eight months, and outperforming the altcoin market by 25 per cent over the past month. Institutional adoption drives this surge, with corporations holding over 17 million SOL tokens valued at US$4.3 billion. Notable players include Forward Industries with 6.82 million SOL, Sharps Technology at 2.14 million, and others like Defi Development Corp and Upexi Inc., nearing 2 million each. Helius Medical Technologies’ $500 million SOL treasury program echoes strategies like MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin reserves, bolstering SOL’s case as a reserve asset. The blockchain’s total value locked stands at US$14.6 billion, making it the second-largest DeFi ecosystem, while a 6.8 per cent staking yield surpasses Ethereum’s 2.9 per cent. Options data shows higher call premiums, indicating bullish trader sentiment, with predictions eyeing US$300 as the next target amid ETF approval hopes. X conversations amplify this enthusiasm, with users pointing to treasury strategies and network upgrades as catalysts.

Regulatory developments have further catalysed crypto’s ascent. The US and UK signed a memorandum to collaborate on quantum computing and AI, impacting blockchain security. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed confidence in the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act passing through Congress, clarifying the roles of the SEC and CFTC. Australia’s ASIC eased stablecoin licensing, while the SEC approved Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund—the first multi-asset crypto ETF and proposed rule changes to expedite ETF listings. These steps signal a maturing framework, reducing uncertainty and attracting institutional capital.

Also Read: The Fed, tariffs, and digital assets: What investors are watching

From my perspective, this moment feels pivotal for cryptocurrencies. The convergence of monetary easing, regulatory clarity, and institutional inflows positions digital assets for sustained growth, potentially eclipsing traditional markets in volatility but also in returns. Bitcoin’s resilience above US$117,000 amid broader economic shifts suggests it’s evolving from a speculative play to a legitimate hedge, much like gold in past cycles. I remain cautious. Rate cuts don’t erase risks like stagflation or geopolitical tensions, and crypto’s history of sharp corrections warrants prudence. Investors should diversify their portfolios and closely monitor macroeconomic indicators.

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Image Credit: Mathieu Stern on Unsplash

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