H3 Zoom, a Singapore-based deeptech startup specialising in AI-powered inspection and asset management for critical infrastructure, has announced a US$1.8 million first close in its Series A funding round.

The investment was led by JRE Ventures, the corporate VC arm of JR East, with participation from SGInnovate and M7 Holdings.

The capital is earmarked to significantly expand H3 Zoom’s Asian footprint, with an immediate focus on Japan and Hong Kong, while simultaneously deepening current operations in Singapore.

Also Read: Transforming asset inspections: How WaveScan’s smart sensors and AI are shaping predictive maintenance

The funding will also accelerate product R&D, as well as strengthen engineering and go-to-market teams.

Shaun Koo, CEO and founder of H3 Zoom, commented: “This funding allows us to turn building data into actionable maintenance decisions at scale — shortening inspection cycles, reducing rectification costs, and improving public safety.”

Founded in 2016, H3 Zoom combines proprietary vision language models and robotics-enabled data capture to help asset owners and operators transition from manual, labour-intensive inspections to scalable, data-driven solutions.

Through the use of drone capture and automated defect analytics, the platform delivers tangible efficiency gains. This includes lowering operational and access costs compared to traditional inspection methods, improving safety by reducing the need for prolonged work-at-height activities, and standardising reporting for the Building and Construction Authority’s Periodic Façade Inspection (BCA PFI) submissions with greater traceability.

Its technology has been deployed across multiple high-rise buildings, transport assets, and critical infrastructure within Singapore.

For the JR East Group, ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of diverse assets—including railways, stations, commercial facilities, and hotels—is a shared priority. JRE Ventures intends to accelerate H3 Zoom’s business expansion and proof-of-concept activities in the Japanese market, while actively exploring broader collaboration opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Also Read: Operva AI elevates facade inspections with autonomous drone, collaborative cloud platform

Looking ahead, the startup is fast-tracking its AI roadmap, which includes launching the AI Engineering Co-Pilot, deepening multimodal workflows (360° imagery with voice notes), and strengthening enterprise-grade APIs. The company is also piloting robotics-assisted inspections to surface latent defects more safely.

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NTT DOCOMO Ventures and NTT Finance Corporation today announced at the NTT Startup Challenge Pitch Day event in Jakarta that they will jointly establish a new investment vehicle, Synexia Ventures.

The investment vehicle will be established on December 15 and aims to strengthen collaboration with promising startups in Southeast Asia (SEA). For Japanese companies, the region is increasingly transforming from a manufacturing base into a hub for innovation creation.

Synexia Ventures will target startups in countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, focusing on fields that are NTT Group’s strategic priorities: AI, IoT, smart cities, robotics, and drones.

Based in Singapore, it will be jointly managed by Kuan Hsu (General Partner of KK Fund), along with NDV and NTT Finance. Kuan Hsu will lead on-the-ground operations in SEA, leveraging his deep VC experience in the region while working closely with NDV and NTT Finance’s investment teams.

Also Read: H3 Zoom lands US$1.8M to accelerate AI-powered building inspections in Japan, HK

Since 2017, NTT Group has promoted collaboration with SEA startups through the NTT Com Startup Challenge, organised by NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS. In response to the strong momentum for new business creation among NTT Group companies in Southeast Asia, the programme was expanded in 2024 to encompass the entire NTT Group and evolved into the NTT Startup Challenge.

On November 11, at the NTT Startup Challenge Pitch Day in Jakarta, approximately 1,200 startups from across Asia interested in collaborating with the NTT Group have applied. Ten startups selected from among the applicants will present their businesses and collaboration proposals with NTT Group.

NDV and NTT Finance will promote the NTT Group’s business development in SEA and the creation of new value through open innovation by leveraging this new investment vehicle.

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Image Credit: NTT Group

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The long-rumoured merger between Southeast Asia’s tech titans, Grab and GoTo, has once again captured headlines; this time with the highest level of political validation yet.

Indonesia’s Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, confirmed that talks between the two companies are indeed underway, even hinting that one could soon absorb the other. His remarks add fresh weight to speculation that the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, may play a role in managing assets tied to the merger, aligning with broader regulatory plans to formalise the status of online motorcycle taxi drivers.

Yet, GoTo continues to push back. In an official statement, the company denied any merger agreement or ongoing corporate action with Grab, reaffirming its commitment to good governance and stakeholder protection. Its upcoming extraordinary shareholders’ meeting in December, it insisted, is unrelated to any consolidation plans.

This tension—between government confirmation and corporate denial—reflects both the sensitivity and potential magnitude of a Grab-GoTo deal. If realised, the merger could reshape Indonesia’s digital economy, streamline competition, and influence regional dynamics in ride-hailing and fintech.

For now, the market waits, watching closely as whispers of consolidation grow louder in Southeast Asia’s increasingly competitive super app arena.

REGIONAL

Indonesia’s minister confirms Grab-GoTo merger is on the table: Minister Prasetyo Hadi confirms Grab and GoTo are moving toward a merger, with state agency Danantara possibly managing assets and oversight.

GoTo says no merger decision made with Grab: The company said there has been no decision or agreement regarding any merger or corporate action with Grab. The company said its follows regulations for public companies and will prioritise the interests of shareholders, drivers, small businesses, and consumers.

SoftBank, other shareholders seek to remove GoTo CEO: They want Patrick Walujo to be replaced after the company’s market value dropped by more than 40% during his tenure. Shareholders have requested an extraordinary general meeting to propose a vote on leadership changes.

Kaya Founders raises US$25M fund to back early-stage startups: The new fund comprises two vehicles targeting founders from pre-seed through series A stages. Kaya Founders has backed more than 40 startups in sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare.

Philippines lending fintech firm OneLot raises US$3.3M to expand used car loans: Investors include Accion Ventures, 468 Capital, and Seedstars. The platform provides inventory loans and digital solutions to help used car dealers manage and finance vehicle purchases.

MAS, Indonesia’s OJK renew fintech partnership to boost innovation: MAS and OJK plan to share knowledge, promote industry cooperation, refer fintech firms to each other’s regulatory sandboxes, and enable cross-border information sharing within legal boundaries.

SEA digital economy to surpass US$300B by 2025: report: E-commerce GMV is projected to hit US$185B, with video commerce contributing about 25%. Food delivery GMV is expected to reach US$23B, while revenue nears US$2.4B, with most platforms now profitable or close to it.

Philippine startup funding drops 32%: Gobi Partners: The deal volume declined 54% year-on-year. The report cites the slowdown to tighter global liquidity, governance issues, and corruption scandals affecting investor confidence.

Temasek shifts focus to growth, late-stage startups: It will reduce direct investments in early-stage startups. The Singapore state investor aims to prioritise businesses with established models and clearer unit economics.

Asia rises in the AI chip race: China to outgrow US by 30% by 2030: AI chip revenues will hit US$330B by 2030, with China leading global growth at 283%—outpacing the US and reshaping Asia’s role in semiconductor innovation.

Transcelestial secures additional funding to strengthen Japan’s disaster-resilient networks: Backed by MPower and SEEDS, Transcelestial will deploy laser links across Japan’s defence, disaster response, and satellite networks.

H3 Zoom lands US$1.8M to accelerate AI-powered building inspections in Japan, HK: Investors include JRE Ventures, SGInnovate and M7 Holdings. H3 Zoom helps asset owners and operators transition from manual, labour-intensive inspections to scalable, data-driven solutions.

Singapore’s Bioactivx nets US$1.4M seed led by Cocoon Capital: The company develops synthetic regenerative implants, including its main product, Bioactiv Matrix, a bio-inspired skin substitute for wound care. Bioactivx said the funding will support clinical trials and regulatory approval for Bioactiv Matrix.

Singapore’s AI startup PowerCred raises US$1.1M to accelerate expansion: Lead investors are TNB Aura and Tenity. PowerCred focuses on transforming unstructured documents for enterprises. It said it processes over 1M documents quarterly for clients in SEA.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

High adoption, low understanding: The Philippines’s blockchain knowledge gap: Philippine blockchain adoption is driven by speculation, not comprehension — education, regulation, and transparency are key to long-term progress.

Inside Philippines’s blockchain paradox: Strong adoption, weak foundations: Blockchain innovation in the country lags due to poor connectivity, scarce venture funding, and narrowly focused crypto regulations.

INTERNATIONAL

Subsidiaries shine, parent falters: The real story of Kakao’s Q3: The most striking detail hidden within the strong headline figures is the divergence between the consolidated net profit and the amount attributed to Kakao’s core shareholders.

SoftBank profit jumps on soaring AI valuations: The Tokyo-based conglomerate reported a net income of US$16.2B in Q2, beating analyst expectations by a wide margin. It saw its profit rise mainly due to higher valuations of its holdings in AI and chip companies such as Nvidia and Intel.

Microsoft’s Copilot taps influencers to rival ChatGPT, Gemini: The company’s Copilot assistant has 150M monthly active users, trailing behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT with 800M weekly users and Google’s Gemini at 650M monthly users.

South Korea’s WeMakePrice declared bankrupt by Seoul court: A Seoul court has ordered the liquidation of the e-commerce platform operator, after ending its rehabilitation process in September. WeMakePrice and TMON entered court-led rehabilitation in July 2024 due to missed payments to vendors amid liquidity problems.

Japanese investors back US$38.1B into European tech startups: This marks a sharp rise from the US$6.1B invested in the five years before the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement took effect. Mitsubishi, Sanden, Yamato Holdings, and Marunouchi have been active backers.

Intel CTO exit to join OpenAI, CEO Tan takes over AI oversight: Sachin Katti, who became Intel’s CTO and chief AI officer in April, will help design and build OpenAI’s compute infrastructure for artificial general intelligence research.

ECHELON

From legacy to lift-off: How AI is driving scalable growth in complex industries: By prioritising practical adoption over radical change, AI innovators can drive sustainable impact across traditionally intricate industries.

From prospects to progress: Unlocking a thriving climate tech ecosystem in SEA: Referencing an ESCAP report that warns the region has just five years left to meet its decarbonisation goals, speakers underscored that urgency often drives innovation.

Hiring for AI startups: Building high-impact teams from day one: Despite automation reshaping roles, demand remains strong for data scientists, UX/UI designers, and other AI-related professionals who can bridge technical and human-centred aspects of innovation.

SEMICONDUCTOR

SoftBank sells its entire stake in Nvidia for US$5.8B: The firm said in its earnings statement that it sold 32.1M Nvidia shares in October. SoftBank’s investments in OpenAI and PayPay helped it post a US$19B gain on its Vision Fund in its fiscal second quarter.

TSMC posts record October sales on AI demand: The Taiwan-based chipmaker generated US$11.9B. Sales rose 16.9% year-on-year and 11% from September, surpassing its previous monthly high of US$10.8B set in April. For Q4, TSMC projected revenue between US$32.2B and US$33.4B.

Nvidia CEO sees strong demand for Blackwell chips: Jensen Huang noted that Nvidia relies on TSMC to produce the wafers needed for these chips but did not disclose specific order numbers. He added that Nvidia’s success depends on TSMC’s support, marking his fourth trip to Taiwan in 2025.

AI

South Korea to invest US$960M in developing AI talent: The plan, called “AI Talent Development Plan for All,” aims to support AI education from elementary school to postgraduate research, and seeks to address a shortage of skilled AI professionals in the country.

The use of GenAI is turning innocent employees into insider threats: Here’s how to fix it: GenAI use in workplaces exposes new insider threats, making hardware-level zero trust vital to protect data beyond traditional security.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Turning turmoil into opportunity: Singapore’s playbook: Amid global trade wars and slowing growth, Singaporean leaders urge diversification, digital innovation, and ASEAN cooperation to safeguard competitiveness and ensure long-term business resilience.

The hustle’s toll: Why some of Southeast Asia’s brightest founders are stepping back: Startup founders in the region are quietly redefining resilience as burnout and mental health awareness reshape the region’s startup culture.

Open source: The secret to boosting Singapore’s startup ecosystem: Singapore’s startups face talent shortages and rising competition. Embracing open source offers faster innovation, global collaboration, and secure scaling to stay competitive.

On-chain data and Web3 security: Insights from industry experts: Experts from SlowMist, BugRap, Bybit, and SMU explored how on-chain data analytics enhances Web3 security through real-time monitoring, fraud detection, and predictive risk intelligence.

Why Bitcoin decoupled from Nasdaq and what it means for the US$112K breakout: Markets rallied as the US shutdown nears resolution, with crypto buoyed by CFTC regulation hopes, Uniswap’s token overhaul, and Bitcoin strength.

The essential authority: Redefining influence in an age of endless noise: Amid the noise of performative leadership, real influence demands self-mastery, clarity, and courage to shape the unspoken conversations defining tomorrow’s world.

Resource Multiplier Effect: How smart teams create more with less: The Resource Multiplier Effect shows how founders achieve outsized growth by combining time, talent, capital, and networks—turning limited resources into compounding advantage.

How to build a scalable IT infrastructure for your startup: Building scalable IT infrastructure early ensures startups can grow efficiently, reduce legacy costs, and stay competitive with emerging technologies like AI and cloud-based solutions.

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How food is produced, how food is consumed and how food is distributed is ripe for substantial changes.

Addressing the challenges posed by our ever-changing climate requires an agile approach with policies, education and technology taking centre stage. From diminishing water resources to extreme weather events, the impacts cascade through every link of the food supply chains. 

Food waste has exposed vast inefficiencies in our food supply chains. It is estimated that between 691 and 783 million people in the world faced hunger in 2022. The number of people facing hunger in Africa has increased by 11 million people since 2021 and by more than 57 million people since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Milder winters and warmer springs may seem like a win for some of us who enjoy the sunshine-filled days. However, it can cause major disruption to our food supply chains. In many regions now dealing with extreme heat, such as the Mediterranean, farmers are facing challenges with the optimal production of their fruit and vegetables. Both require seasonality to achieve the right levels of production. 

Furthermore, climate vulnerable countries are exporting more than ever when they may themselves be short in supply, given the increased demand and stagnant production. 

Today, many of us take our nicely packed supermarket shelves for granted. However, the future may present a very different picture as scarcity creeps in, and we continue to feel the effects of climate on our food security.

Record numbers of people visiting food banks 

Across the United States, according to the US Department of Agriculture, food insecurity occurs when households are unable to acquire adequate food because they have insufficient money and other resources. The cost of living crisis is having a widespread impact on the food security of the general population, with many food banks struggling to meet the record demands. 

Also Read: The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business

Just last year, the Guardian newspaper reported a record number of households in the UK depending on food banks. This isn’t a remote problem in the UK. It is also being reported on in the US and Canada with supply issues and out-of-control costs affecting the working class. 

This is a great concern as most working families are not eligible for government assistance because of their working status. If the average family working a full-time job cannot put enough food on the table, then what hope do the poorer classes have?

The complexities involved demand robust, reliable technology as well as expert insights. Projects like Morpheus.Network leverage blockchain technology to streamline complex processes. Using a mixture of advanced technologies, including Blockchain, Automation and AI, they can address the food waste inefficiencies identified earlier. 

By providing supply chain managers with unparalleled shipment and item visibility, Morpheus. The network empowers automation and optimization, ensuring the safe and secure movement of food while simultaneously saving valuable time and resources. 

Tackling the issue at source

Food producers are a critical and often silent component in the high risks to our food supplies brought about by climate change. EthicHub is one of many projects focused on incentivizing farmers to produce by connecting them with lenders globally and facilitating direct sales to buyers. 

Financial rewards for farmers are crucial for sustaining agricultural livelihoods. EthicHub not only provides farmers with access to much-needed capital but also enhances the economic viability of their production. 

By leveraging coffee as collateral for loans and improving unit economics, EthicHub tackles the root causes of food supply problems, ensuring that farmers receive the financial rewards they deserve while contributing to the future of sustainable food systems.

Some of the findings in the recent European Climate Risk Assessment Report should scream alarm bells for policy makers and consumers. One section notes that Risks from heat and drought to crop production are already at a critical level in southern Europe. Blockchain is one of the most promising technologies that will enable us to address the ongoing issues in food production, consumption and distribution.

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From AI and semiconductors to mobility and finance — behind every wave of innovation lies power and energy infrastructure. It is the invisible engine that sustains modern industries, shaping not only technological progress but also the flow of global capital and industrial order.

Energy transition today is no longer just an environmental cause; it represents a structural reallocation of markets and influence. In the AI era, true competitiveness depends not on designing innovation, but on managing the energy that drives it.

Energy as capital, not just conservation

The global energy industry is not merely a sustainability topic—it is the gateway of capital and the backbone of the global economy. Every major industrial revolution has been powered—literally—by an energy shift: coal in the 19th century, oil in the 20th, and now renewables in the 21st.

AI, semiconductors, mobility, and finance all rely on a stable and scalable energy foundation. Yet many people fail to grasp its true scale and strategic value. Having long enjoyed relatively cheap electricity, we’ve forgotten the volatility of the oil shocks and the geopolitical weight of resources.

Korea’s major conglomerates are prime examples. Their industrial empires were built on energy-intensive foundations—and today, they’re evolving those same roots by merging energy transition with finance, renewables, and emerging tech. Beneath all visible innovation lies a deep layer of infrastructure and capital flow.

The world’s largest industry is the energy business—because without energy, even AI and finance are abstractions

How fossil fuel titans are reinventing themselves

Consider ExxonMobil, once the emblem of fossil dominance. It’s now investing billions into CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage) and DAC (Direct Air Capture) technologies—tools designed to bridge the old energy world with the new.

These companies are adopting what might be called “dual-transition logic”: continuing traditional oil operations while channeling profits into carbon reduction and renewable technologies. This balancing act carries the risk of self-cannibalisation, yet they accept it as the price of long-term survival.

What’s truly remarkable is how universal this shift has become. Nearly every global energy player—from Shell and BP to Saudi Aramco—is now part of the same race toward transition. The question is no longer if or when the shift will happen; it already has.

Also Read: On the precipice of energy transition

Why tech giants are leading the charge

Global tech leaders such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are not joining the energy transition for image or compliance. They are doing so because their business survival depends on it.

AI data centres now consume staggering amounts of electricity. Power supply and efficiency have become the defining variables for corporate scalability and resilience. As AI continues to shape every sector, these companies understand one truth:

Whoever controls energy, controls computation—and therefore, the future.

Their investments in renewable projects, direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), and green hydrogen aren’t just eco-initiatives; they’re strategic moves to secure their operational lifeline. In essence, these tech giants are saying:

“If this transition is inevitable, we’ll shoulder the cost and lead the change.”

In doing so, they’re transforming sustainability into a competitive advantage—positioning themselves not only as technology leaders but as architects of the next industrial era.

Mobile power plants: How EVs are opening a new electricity market

Global automakers are no longer competing solely on design or performance—they are entering the power market. As the industry accelerates toward electrification, the EV battery has evolved into a mobile energy asset. While vehicles consume electricity on the road, when parked, they can act as Energy Storage Systems (ESS), capable of storing—and even trading—power.

If electricity trading becomes fully liberalised, automakers could unlock a new layer of business: power monetisation. Vehicles would not only drive but also buy, sell, and stabilise electricity flows, effectively functioning as mobile energy platforms.

This convergence of energy and mobility creates a new ecosystem where automakers operate as both manufacturers and distributed energy providers. As in-car entertainment, charging networks, and connected lifestyle services expand, these platforms will deepen user engagement and brand stickiness, turning vehicles into personalised hubs of both energy and experience.

In essence, the car is no longer just a mode of transport—it is becoming a node of the power grid and a core interface of the energy economy.

Also Read: Will hybrid schooling break walls for the next generation?

The age of energy hegemony

China builds control

China’s dominance in renewables is no coincidence—it is the result of a deliberate, whole-of-nation strategy to own the next general-purpose infrastructure: energy. Under the national vision of “Energy Rise (能源崛起)”, Beijing has systematically built an ecosystem spanning the entire value chain—from raw materials and components to manufacturing, construction, and operation.

This full-stack control gives China unmatched cost efficiency, production speed, and geopolitical leverage; a single supplier’s pause can disrupt global wind or solar projects. Beyond scale, the country’s “Carbon Neutrality by 2060” goal functions as a roadmap toward energy sovereignty, reducing vulnerability to external shocks while consolidating influence over global standards. In essence, China’s energy rise fuses technological sovereignty, economic power, and industrial hegemony into a long-term strategy of control.

Canada builds trust

Canada combines resource abundance with a high level of energy security and self-sufficiency, providing it with substantial influence in global trade and diplomacy. Its independent and stable energy base strengthens its negotiating position—even in periods of US trade tension—and underpins competitiveness across oil, LNG, and electricity.

Today, Canada’s energy sector is shifting from extraction to innovation, integrating LNG with renewables and investing in low-carbon infrastructure. The country approaches this transition in a systematic, partnership-oriented manner, viewing energy not only as an industry but as part of its national identity. Through this lens, Canada positions itself as a trusted partner in global sustainability, demonstrating how a resource-based economy can evolve toward innovation-led growth.

Korea builds integration

Korea’s energy transition is characterised by pragmatic sequencing, using hydrogen, fuel cells, and advanced batteries as bridge technologies to balance decarbonisation with economic stability. Large industrial groups (e.g., Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK) are active across the hydrogen value chain and next-generation battery systems. A principal differentiator is systems integration: combining power electronics, semiconductors, materials, and precision manufacturing into cohesive solutions.

This integration capability is relevant to complex domains such as fusion and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), where engineering depth and cross-sector coordination matter. Demonstrations and concept models presented at international forums have emphasised modularity, safety, and deployability for export-oriented markets. While commercialisation timelines remain uncertain, the integration-led approach positions Korea as a potential system integrator in the broader clean-energy ecosystem rather than a single-technology player.

With AI, data, power, and capital intertwined, true competitiveness today lies not in “designing innovation,” but in managing the energy that powers it. This is the essence of the energy business—the engine of capital and infrastructure that drives the transition.

Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Ms. Calli Seunghee Moon, Business Development Expert of the Global Manufacturing Division at SK AX, and author of Energy Business (2025) and The Age of Climate Technology (2023), for her insights and contributions to this article.

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