Across Southeast Asia and beyond, startups, SMEs, and investors continue to move the ecosystem forward with bold ideas, partnerships, and innovation. At e27, we believe in spotlighting these milestones — not just as success stories, but as proof of the region’s collective progress. Every achievement, whether it’s a global collaboration, product launch, or industry recognition, represents the resilience and creativity that define our ecosystem.

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

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

Good Bards completed Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First (Singapore)

Good Bards successfully completed the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First (Singapore) program — a transformative three-month journey that culminated in Demo Day on October 17, 2025. The experience refined the company’s AI-driven marketing vision and connected the team with a network of industry leaders, mentors, and investors driving innovation in artificial intelligence across the region.

AccessReal by i-Sprint Technologies listed on Microsoft Marketplace

AccessReal, an advanced product authentication and anti-counterfeit platform from i-Sprint Technologies, was officially listed on the Microsoft Marketplace. This milestone expanded its reach to a wider audience and enabled more businesses to leverage its technology for enhanced brand protection and supply chain transparency. The listing underscored i-Sprint’s growing influence in identity and security innovation.

NCSpeech open-sourced a production-oriented ASR model for Tagalog

In a boost for the Filipino tech community, NCSpeech open-sourced its production-oriented Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) model for Tagalog/Filipino. The lightweight, fast, and highly accurate model outperformed Whisper in Tagalog benchmarks and approached the quality of leading commercial APIs. This milestone reflected NCSpeech’s commitment to advancing regional language technologies and supporting open innovation in AI.

PriyoShop connected with investors in Singapore

PriyoShop’s CEO, Asikul Alam Khan, and CMO, Dipty Mandal, attended the Investor Networking Night hosted by Accelerating Asia Ventures in Singapore. The event brought together visionary entrepreneurs and global investors for meaningful discussions about growth, funding, and innovation across the region. The PriyoShop team strengthened relationships and shared their vision for empowering retail and distribution networks across South Asia.

Also Read: 7 milestones from ecosystem players: Celebrating wins from startups, SMEs, and an accelerator

TechTitans Creative Technology Hub expanded through partnerships and recognition

TechTitans Creative Technology Hub marked a season of growth and innovation through new partnerships with schools and innovation hubs across Europe and Asia. The company launched its gamified EdTech platform and gained recognition from Product Hunt, G2, and HundrED.org for excellence in creative technology education. These achievements reinforced TechTitans’ mission to make digital learning more engaging and accessible globally.

i-Sprint innovations strengthened SME cyber resilience in Singapore

i-Sprint Innovations partnered with Singapore’s SME Cyber Resilience Centre to help small and medium enterprises enhance their digital security. Through identity and credential management solutions, i-Sprint supported businesses in assessing, preparing for, and responding to cyber threats — a crucial step toward a safer and more resilient digital ecosystem for SMEs.

Wookco partnered with FasterCapital to transform global travel booking

Travel tech company Wookco announced a partnership with FasterCapital EquityPilot to accelerate the growth of its innovative travel booking platform. The collaboration aimed to strengthen Wookco’s presence in Asia and Latin America, positioning the company to capture new opportunities in the fast-evolving online travel agency (OTA) market.

Bear Capital Ventures offered SBLC and Bank Guarantee finance solutions

Bear Capital Ventures Limited introduced its Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) and Bank Guarantee (BG) finance solutions designed to give businesses greater financial flexibility. Through its BG and SBLC monetisation services, the firm helped clients turn financial instruments into actionable business opportunities, unlocking new pathways for funding and growth.

Electe won Le Fonti Awards 2025 for AI innovation and leadership

Electe Srl, an AI-powered data analytics platform for SMEs, was recognised with the Excellence of the Year – Innovation & Leadership in AI Solutions award at the XV edition of the Le Fonti Awards 2025. The recognition celebrated Electe’s contributions to democratising data-driven decision-making for smaller enterprises through its accessible and intelligent AI solutions.

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From AI and cybersecurity to travel tech, edutech, and open-source innovation, these milestones demonstrate how Asia’s entrepreneurs and investors continue to build momentum across industries. Every step forward — no matter the size — shapes the future of the region’s digital economy.

Have a milestone to share? Let the community celebrate your progress.

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Coolmate, Vietnam’s leading online direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brand, has completed its Series C funding round led by Vertex Growth Fund, the growth investment vehicle under Vertex Holdings (a subsidiary of global investment group Temasek).

The financial details are not known.

The round also saw strategic participation from Japanese government-backed Cool Japan Fund and YoungOne CVC, the corporate venture capital arm of the Youngone Group, a leading global manufacturer of sports apparel and outdoor gear. Existing investors, including Vertex Ventures SEA & India and Kairous Capital, also participated.

Also Read: Coolmate gets Vertex backing to scale its eco-friendly D2C apparel brand beyond Vietnam

Launched in 2019, Coolmate offers a range of apparel and accessories for men and women, focusing heavily on sportswear, including items for running, swimming, cycling, yoga & pilates, and pickleball. It has focused on building an internal supply chain and applying technology to offer “high-quality”, accessible products. The company claims to have delivered over 5 million orders in more than six years.

The capital raised in the Series C round will fuel three strategic acceleration pillars between 2026 and 2030:

Expansion into the female customer segment: Coolmate launched its female sportswear line in March 2025, betting on this segment, which is projected to be one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing markets. The goal is for the female sportswear line to drive growth, expanding the brand from a “men’s brand” to a “sports brand for all,” with 40 per cent of total revenue expected to come from this segment by 2030.

Moving into physical distribution channels: Coolmate plans to open its first physical store by late December 2025. These stores are intended to be destinations where customers can experience the “value of Vietnamese quality” through superior functionality and meticulous detail. Offline retail is targeted to contribute 40 per cent of total revenue by 2030.

International expansion, with a specific focus on Southeast Asian countries. This strategy aims for international revenue to constitute 50 per cent of total sales by 2030. Coolmate has already established a strong foundation globally; in 2025, its athletic socks achieved “Best Seller” status on Amazon (US) within months, recording over 25,000 orders per month.

Commenting on the funding, Pham Chi Nhu, CEO and founder of Coolmate, stated: “Coolmate was founded with the simple belief that Vietnam can absolutely create global standard products, designed and produced with national pride. This investment helps us realise that belief, expand into new markets and continue to build a brand that represents the innovative spirit of Vietnam.”

Also Read: How young D2C brands are using AI to transform customer growth and retention

James Lee, CEO of Vertex Growth Fund, emphasised the company’s potential for scale: “Coolmate is a prime example of Vietnam’s new generation of consumer brands — built on a digital foundation, possessing a vertically integrated model and aspiring to global reach. Their disciplined operational mindset and product innovation capability have laid a solid foundation for scaled growth. We are proud to partner with Coolmate in realising their vision of becoming a leading performance lifestyle brand, from Vietnam to the world.”

Coolmate had in 2022 raised US$2.3 million in its Series A round from GSR Ventures and Do Ventures.

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Indonesia-based VENTENY announced that it raised US$5.5 million from Women’s Livelihood Bond 7, a cross-sectoral global initiative by Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) that aims to empower women and girls in building economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

As a financing platform for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), that is also behind the employee welfare platform VENTENY Empoyee Super App, VENTENY intended to use the new funding to accelerate its business in Indonesia by channeling funds to women-owned SMEs. They will specifically target low income, rural communities with limited access to financial services.

“Our collaboration with WLB7 is meant not only to support the growth of our company, but also to strengthen our commitment to financial inclusion and social impact in Indonesia. This funding is an acknowledgment for our business model which combines technological innovation with economic empowerment for both business owners and employees,” said Jun Waide, Founder and Group CEO of VENTENY, in a press statement.

Also Read: Vietnam’s D2C fashion leader Coolmate secures Series C to power global push

“Through the Women’s Livelihood Bond 7, IIX continues to channel private funds to support inclusive growth and gender equality in priority market such as Indonesia. We are happy to support VENTENY in widening access to financial inclusion and improve economic resilience for women and SMEs in Indonesia,” said Robert Kraybill, CIO at IIX.

VENTENY has also recently received the Orange Seal Certification from IIX as an acknowldgment of the company’s operational standard.

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Image credit: VENTENY

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Over the past decade, wearables have become one of the world’s largest and most dynamic health data ecosystems. Smartwatches, rings, and fitness bands now track everything from heart rate variability to sleep cycles and stress signals, generating trillions of data points every day.

While new smartphones enable faster, real-time processing, most users and even health professionals face the same challenge: the data remain fragmented, technical, and hard to interpret in ways that lead to meaningful action.

This gap has become increasingly urgent as AI, biosensors, and longevity science rapidly evolve. Around the world, healthcare is shifting from treatment toward prevention. Individuals are seeking reliable ways to translate data into daily action. 

The ability to interpret wearable data in real time is now a key advantage for both personal wellbeing and organizational health programs. Platforms like Signsbeat aim to make that transition easier by connecting everyday tracking with meaningful insight.

Most wearables can tell you what is happening, such as a dip in recovery or a spike in stress, but they rarely explain why or how to respond. This gap between raw data and real health outcomes is where next-generation platforms like Signsbeat come in.

Also read: The most-funded healthtech startups in Southeast Asia: A decade in review

Translating signals into science: The Signsbeat Scores

Signsbeat turns wearable data such as heart rate, sleep, and stress into personalised health intelligence. Its algorithm, validated across diverse user groups, converts raw biomarkers into real-time lifestyle and recovery insights.

It is built on three pillars, namely data-driven decision-making, cellular pathway insights, and professional coaching guidance. Altogether, Signsbeat trains its ecosystem to identify the optimal “stressor dose” based on the hormetic effect. This principle describes how moderate stress can strengthen resilience, while excessive stress accelerates aging and disease risk. It is a key biological mechanism behind the body’s ability to adapt to environmental challenges.

Signsbeat’s research shows that the optimal stressor dose is highly individual, shaped by lifestyle, genetics, socioeconomic conditions, and other factors. Managing this balance is crucial for effective health outcomes.

For Signsbeat founder Lew Hon Kean, solving this challenge was deeply personal. After witnessing how his patients could have prevented diseases with early diagnosis and advice, Lew set out to create a platform that could decode what the body was signaling before burnout or illness struck. 

Now, the founder, in his 3rd startup aims to pursue a solution between genes to wearables. Lew envisions a tool that could turn new technologies into something more meaningful, such as a daily feedback loop that helps people understand the balance on when to push harder and when to recover.

Decoding resilience through data-driven health intelligence

Signsbeat’s proprietary Scores — Pro_Recovery, Pro_Mild Stress, Pro_Stress, and Pro_Positive — translate biometric data into clear insights on recovery and resilience. Early adopters have used the platform to track inflammation, sleep quality, and adaptive capacity, gaining a non-invasive view of their healthspan.

Case in point: one businessman in his 40s signed up for four months of coaching experiencing symptoms from unavoidable business dinners and long hours at work. As a result, the user’s Pro_Stress score dropped from the red zone at 0.214 to a healthier state at 0.036, reflecting a clear improvement in physiological resilience. They reported steadier energy and focus at work, fewer physical discomforts, better-quality sleep, and a more relaxed, balanced state even after potential stressors like social drinking. Such results underscore how small, consistent behavioral adjustments guided by personalised data can compound into measurable physiological improvement.

Unlike typical wearables that stop at metrics, Signsbeat bridges the gap between devices and human insight. Compatible with Oura, Ringconn, Ultrahuman, Amazfit, and Apple Health, it acts as an interpreter layer turning passive tracking into proactive wellbeing. For organisations, it provides a scalable tool for workforce health optimization; for individuals, it offers a simple way to translate stress and sleep data into actionable habits.

Developed in Southeast Asia, Signsbeat emphasises clear communication, responsible data use, and professional boundaries. By ensuring ethical collaboration between technology, users, and clinicians, it promotes both empowerment and trust in the growing field of health intelligence.

Also read: Decoding digital preferences: A glimpse into the future of health tech ecosystem in SEA

Blending human expertise with AI intelligence

Leading the development of Signsbeat’s technology is a simple philosophy: the future of health is both human and intelligent. The platform combines AI-powered analytics with the guidance of the personalised Longevity Science Health (PLSH) Coach network, a multidisciplinary group of doctors, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, to translate wearable data into guided, measurable wellbeing outcomes.

By interpreting biometric signals alongside daily habits, Signsbeat maps patterns of stress, inflammation, and resilience. These insights are distilled into a Signsbeat Score and Longevity Color, giving users an easy snapshot of their overall wellbeing. From there, the platform provides practical recommendations for rest, nutrition, and balance. For deeper support, users can work directly with PLSH Coaches for tailored coaching and feedback.

Responsible, compliant, and built for trust

Signsbeat defines itself as a wellness and intelligence platform, not a medical device. Its insights are designed to complement, not replace, professional healthcare advice. Accuracy depends on data consistency and proper sensor use, such as wearing a compatible device during sleep to ensure reliable scoring.

The platform’s digital-biomarker framework delivers interpretable health patterns while maintaining strict data standards. Its architecture supports GDPR and HIPAA readiness, flexible data residency options, and clear boundaries on emergency monitoring. This ensures that all data processing aligns with enterprise-grade compliance and ethical use.

As Signsbeat empowers users and organizations to move toward preventive, data-driven wellbeing, it aims to simplify complexity by reducing cognitive overload and easing anxiety around technical health data. The result is a trusted, humane approach to longevity intelligence where AI interpretation and human insight work seamlessly together.

Looking ahead: Extending healthspan through data and science

The need for actionable, personalised health data has never been more urgent. Across Asia, chronic stress, burnout, and lifestyle-related diseases are rising even among young professionals. Meanwhile, companies spend billions on wellness initiatives with limited proof of impact. By translating everyday data into measurable insight, Signsbeat helps close that accountability gap. This gives users and employers alike a concrete way to track recovery, resilience, and progress in real time.

Signsbeat positions longevity intelligence as the next frontier of wellness. Its hybrid model of algorithmic insight and human coaching offers a measurable, trustworthy path to improving performance and extending healthspan. Further, its device-agnostic approach lowers barriers to adoption across organizations and individuals alike. 

Beyond wellness tracking, Signsbeat represents a broader shift in healthtech. It is where data, science, and human insight converge to create measurable, assisted and preventive health intelligence. Their commitment to continuous research and patient-focused approach present a glimpse into how platforms built in Southeast Asia could help people and organisations live smarter, perform better, and stay healthier for longer.

To learn more about the platform, visit their website: www.signsbeat.com

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Architecture is everywhere, yet we rarely pause to notice it. It’s in the way light filters through a window in the morning. It’s in the rhythm of city skylines, in the old buildings that carry memories, and in the sleek new towers that stretch toward the future. Architecture is the silent language of human intention — a blend of art, engineering, culture, and emotion.

A dialogue between space and soul

At its core, architecture isn’t just about construction. It’s about creating experiences. Every structure, no matter how ordinary it seems, speaks a certain dialect of human need and imagination. Think about how a cathedral pulls your eyes upward — not just toward its ceiling, but toward a sense of awe. Or how a cosy café feels intimate simply because of how its corners fold in, how the light is dimmed just enough, and how the seating pulls people closer together.

Architects are storytellers who use walls, materials, and voids instead of words. They choreograph how people move, what they feel, and even how they behave in a space. A well-designed library doesn’t just hold books — it invites quiet reflection. A home with open spaces and large windows doesn’t just provide shelter — it nurtures a sense of connection and freedom.

Balancing function and fantasy

Architecture has always balanced between two worlds: utility and beauty. On one side, there’s the logic — the math, the structure, the constraints of gravity and regulation. On the other, there’s emotion — the creative spark that transforms steel and stone into living poetry.

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Form follows function — that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.” That statement captures the timeless struggle and harmony at the heart of architecture. A building must work before it can inspire. But when both merge seamlessly, something magical happens.

In today’s world, that balance is more crucial than ever. Cities are growing denser, environmental concerns are louder, and technology is reshaping how we live. Architects are rethinking the very foundations of design — not just in terms of what looks good, but what feels right for the planet, for communities, and for the human mind.

Also Read: Hong Kong’s Metro just turned into Asia’s biggest smart ad network

Sustainability as a new language

Modern architecture is increasingly guided by sustainability. Green roofs, energy-efficient facades, and adaptive reuse projects are becoming more than trends — they’re the new vocabulary of design. A great place to explore such evolving ideas in design philosophy and innovation is e-architect, which showcases global perspectives on how architecture can be both functional and emotionally resonant.

The idea isn’t just to minimide harm, but to create systems that heal. A building can generate its own energy, recycle its water, and even clean the air around it. Materials are evolving too — bamboo, recycled glass, rammed earth, and even mycelium (mushroom-based) composites are redefining what’s possible.

But sustainability isn’t only environmental. It’s cultural and emotional too. Architects are revisiting traditional designs that naturally worked with climate — like courtyard homes, shaded verandas, or jalis (lattice screens) — and fusing them with modern materials. The result is a dialogue between the old and the new, between memory and progress.

Technology: The invisible partner

Then there’s technology — the quiet revolution shaping architecture’s future. Digital modelling, parametric design, and AI-assisted planning allow architects to simulate light, airflow, and human movement before a single brick is laid. 3D printing has entered construction, making it possible to “print” entire homes in days rather than months.

Yet, despite all this innovation, the soul of architecture still lies in human empathy. Algorithms can optimise, but they can’t feel. They don’t know the smell of wet concrete after rain or how nostalgia settles in when you revisit your childhood home. That’s why architects must remain both dreamers and problem-solvers — rooted in the human experience even as they explore new frontiers.

Architecture as memory

Every generation leaves its story in its architecture. Ancient temples, modern skyscrapers, forgotten warehouses — all are chapters of our collective autobiography. A city, in this sense, is a living museum of its people’s aspirations, fears, and transformations.

Also Read: Beyond smart cities: The IoT startups engineering Asia’s tomorrow

Take any street in an old neighbourhood. The peeling paint, the uneven staircases, the makeshift balconies — they’re imperfect, yet profoundly human. They hold traces of time. Contrast that with the precision of glass towers in financial districts — sleek, efficient, but often impersonal. Somewhere between the two lies the sweet spot: buildings that are both alive and enduring.

The future is adaptive

The future of architecture might not be about building more, but about building better. Adaptive reuse — transforming old structures into new purposes — is becoming a philosophy in itself. An abandoned factory becomes an art gallery. A worn-out school turns into co-working space. It’s a poetic reminder that progress doesn’t always mean demolition; sometimes, it means listening to what’s already there.

Conclusion: The poetry of the built world

Architecture, at its best, is a form of poetry. Not one that rhymes in words, but in shadows, textures, and proportions. It tells us who we are and who we hope to become. It teaches patience — because good design takes time. It teaches empathy — because buildings must serve people, not egos.

Every beam, every doorway, every space we inhabit is a quiet invitation to feel, to connect, to exist more meaningfully. And that’s what makes architecture not just an art of building — but an art of being human.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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e27 has been nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Programme offers a platform for sharing unique insights. As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’ series, we shine a spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.

In this episode, we feature Jun Pham, a B2B marketeer currently working at Alano.ai. The platform was built for people like her who did not come from tech but wanted to break into it one step at a time.

Jun has a knack for translating complex ideas into something everyone can understand and maybe even enjoy. Her work lives at the intersection of creativity, curiosity, and a whole lot of “let’s figure it out.”

She describes herself as “an explorer who loves to play with words and live with unlimited creativity,” bringing both strategy and flair while thriving in the tech world.

In the sections below, she reflects on her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and what keeps her going.

How I got here

Starting my journey in a small B2B tech startup changed everything. It threw me into the fast-paced, high-energy world of innovation where I learned to love the chaos, curiosity, and creativity that come with building something from scratch.

Before this, I worked mostly with advertising agencies, and with more creative, aesthetic kinda concepts. Going in “all-tech” was never in my mind before, but I am grateful that I get to overcome my fear of this new aspect of my life.

If I had to explain my work to a kid

I help people understand complicated tech stuff in simple words, like explaining it to a 5-year-old, too. I started out as a total non-tech girlie, so I know how confusing it can be. Now, I break it down in a way that feels human and approachable, not robotic.

Lessons learned along the way

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that tech is not actually hard. It just speaks a different language. Once you find your own way of “talking” to it, everything starts to click.

Also Read: Inside SEA’s new work culture: A look into Vietnam’s hybrid transformation

What more people should notice

Work-life balance, especially in startups. We talk a lot about scaling fast, but not enough about sustaining well. Building systems that are efficient and human-centred should be part of every startup’s growth story.

Why I write

Creativity and curiosity are at the heart of it. e27 gave me the space to put my thoughts into words and explore tech from a more human angle.

My process starts with a spark: something I notice, question, or feel strongly about, and I just follow that curiosity until it turns into a story.

My advice for aspiring thought leaders

Write like you talk, then edit like you mean it. Clarity always beats complexity. The best communicators don’t try to sound smart—they make others feel understood.

What drives my curiosity

I’m curious about how fast we move through micro-trends–obsessing one day and forgetting the next. I’m fascinated by how this constant “refresh” shapes our culture, attention span, and sense of identity.

Influences that shaped me

Honestly, myself and the people around me. Every conversation, every experience leaves something behind. I see inspiration in the small things: how people think, talk, and create.

Take a look at Jun Pham’s articles here for more insights and perspectives on her expertise.

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Join the e27 Contributor Programme and become a valuable voice in our ecosystem.

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The recent Federal Reserve policy decision has injected a fresh wave of caution into global financial markets, and the cryptocurrency sector has not been spared. On the surface, the Fed delivered exactly what many had anticipated: a 25 basis point rate cut, accompanied by the early termination of quantitative tightening. Beneath that veneer of predictability lies a more complex and nuanced message, one that has unsettled investors across asset classes.

Chair Jerome Powell’s explicit pushback against the market’s assumption of another rate cut in December has recalibrated expectations, triggering a repricing of risk and a retreat from speculative positioning. This recalibration is now rippling through equities, bonds, commodities, and digital assets alike, underscoring just how tightly crypto remains tethered to macroeconomic sentiment despite its purported independence.

Powell’s assertion that further easing is not a foregone conclusion marked a clear departure from the dovish momentum that had built over recent weeks. Until this week, markets had priced in near certainty of a December rate cut, with implied probabilities hovering close to 100 per cent. That confidence has now evaporated, with the odds collapsing to roughly 60 per cent. The shift has immediate consequences.

Treasury yields responded sharply, with the two-year US note jumping 11 basis points to 3.6 per cent, while the benchmark 10-year yield climbed 9 basis points to 4.07 per cent. Even the long-end 30-year yield rose, advancing 7 basis points to 4.61 per cent. Higher yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin and gold, both of which retreated in the wake of the announcement. Spot gold fell 0.6 per cent to close at US$3,929.36 per ounce, while the crypto market as a whole shed 1.22 per cent over the past 24 hours.

Equity markets also reflected this growing unease. Although the Nasdaq managed a modest 0.6 per cent gain, the broader S&P 500 ended flat, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2 per cent. More telling than the headline moves was the underlying volatility sparked by signs of internal division within the Federal Open Market Committee. When central bank consensus fractures, markets lose their anchor.

This uncertainty manifests not just in price swings but in a broader retreat from risk, which explains why crypto, despite its unique technological underpinnings, continues to trade in close correlation with tech-heavy equities like the Nasdaq 100. Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin’s price action showed a 0.61 correlation with QQQ, reinforcing the idea that macro drivers, not on-chain fundamentals, are currently setting the tone.

Also Read: Between diplomacy and panic: Markets navigate a fractured narrative

Within the crypto ecosystem, the reaction unfolded across three distinct but interconnected layers: macro policy impact, derivatives behaviour, and altcoin-specific dynamics. In the first layer, the Fed’s hawkish tilt acted as the primary catalyst. By tempering expectations for further easing, Powell effectively removed a key tailwind that had supported risk assets throughout the latter half of the year.

Traders who had positioned for a dovish December were forced to unwind those bets, leading to a broad-based pullback. Bitcoin’s seven-day Relative Strength Index now sits at 55.36, indicating neutral momentum, but market psychology tells a different story. The Fear & Greed Index has dipped to 34, signalling that fear, not greed, is dominating sentiment. This emotional backdrop often precedes either capitulation or consolidation, depending on what policymakers do next.

The second layer derivatives activity offers a more nuanced picture. Perpetual futures volume surged by 9.15 per cent to US$1.62 trillion, suggesting heightened trader engagement. This surge was not accompanied by bullish conviction. Instead, average funding rates collapsed by 81.63 per cent to just 0.000974 per cent, a clear sign that leveraged long positions are being scaled back. Funding rates, which reflect the cost of maintaining long or short positions in perpetual contracts, serve as a real-time gauge of market sentiment.

When they turn deeply negative or collapse toward zero, it typically indicates that traders are either hedging or actively shorting, rather than chasing upside momentum. Open interest inched up by 2.33 per cent, hinting at new positions being opened, but without liquidation data, it is difficult to assess whether this reflects fresh shorts or defensive longs. What is clear is that the derivatives market is not signalling a return to aggressive risk-taking. A rebound in funding rates would be needed to confirm any meaningful shift back toward bullish positioning.

The third and most volatile layer lies in the altcoin segment, where event-driven sell-offs have amplified broader macro weakness. Tokens like Flamingo (FLM) and Concordium (CCD) experienced sharp declines of 5.59 per cent and 19.04 per cent, respectively, driven by idiosyncratic factors rather than systemic ones. In Flamingo’s case, the impending delisting from Binance, effective November 12, has triggered a wave of preemptive selling.

For Concordium, the drop appears to be classic profit-taking after an extraordinary 428 per cent rally year-to-date. Similarly, Giggle Fund (GIGGLE) corrected by 19.59 per cent following a staggering 541 per cent monthly surge. These moves highlight a recurring theme in crypto markets: low-liquidity assets are especially vulnerable to sharp reversals when macro conditions turn unfavourable. Without deep order books or institutional backing, even minor shifts in sentiment can trigger outsized price swings.

Also Read: Marketing’s next big challenge? Making AI feel human

Looking ahead, all eyes will turn to Friday’s US nonfarm payrolls report. This data point carries outsized importance because it will offer the first major labor market signal since the Fed’s latest decision. Strong employment numbers could reinforce Powell’s cautious stance and further diminish expectations of a December cut, deepening the risk-off mood. Conversely, a softer print might revive hopes for additional easing, potentially stabilising or even reversing recent losses.

For Bitcoin, the technical picture adds another layer of intrigue. With a market capitalisation of US$3.74 trillion, the leading cryptocurrency is currently testing the 78.6 per cent Fibonacci retracement level, a key support zone closely watched by both algorithmic and discretionary traders. Whether this level holds will likely depend less on on-chain metrics and more on the macro narrative that emerges from the jobs data and subsequent Fed commentary.

In sum, the current crypto dip is not an isolated event but a reflection of broader macro caution. The Fed’s decision to cut rates while pushing back against further easing has created a policy gray zone in which markets must navigate conflicting signals without clear guidance.

In such an environment, risk assets tend to consolidate or correct until a new consensus forms. Derivatives data suggests that traders are not yet capitulating but are certainly treading carefully. Altcoins, meanwhile, remain exposed to both macro headwinds and project-specific risks.

The path forward hinges on whether incoming economic data validates the Fed’s caution or forces a pivot back toward accommodation. Until then, expect volatility to persist, and sentiment to remain fragile.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Enjoyed this read? Don’t miss out on the next insight. Join our WhatsApp channel for real-time drops.

Image credit: Canva

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IndustrialMind.ai, an AI company founded by former Tesla manufacturing AI leaders, has announced the closing of a US$1.2 million pre-seed funding round.

Investors include Antler, TSVC, Plug and Play, and Gang Song, who previously served as Tesla’s Vice President of Manufacturing.

Also Read: How AI and automation are shaping the future of work

The capital injection is earmarked to speed up the development and customer deployment of IndustrialMind.ai’s flagship offering, the “AI Engineer”.

The startup was founded by Steven Gao, Jeff Wang, and Justin Li, who built an AI manufacturing platform that successfully tackled crucial bottlenecks within Tesla’s Gigafactories. The team now translates that “decision-making brain” to the broader industry.

Despite widespread adoption of digital tools and robotics on factory floors, converting raw data into timely operational decisions remains challenging, particularly during complex new-product launches and rapid production ramps.

IndustrialMind.ai builds an AI Engineer for manufacturing that understands engineering drawings and production data, recommends and validates process changes, and lifts yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness.

Its functions include:

• Process automation: The AI understands drawings and automatically drafts bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and should-cost quotes, turning the “drawing to process” step into a task completed in minutes.
• Real-time monitoring: On the production line, the system continuously monitors production, predicts and detects anomalies, and proposes engineer-ready adjustments to maintain process stability and quality control.
• Root-cause analysis: When issues arise, a multi-agent engine blends operational data and knowledge to quickly surface fixes and automatically generate required reports, significantly closing the loop faster than traditional manual methods.

Also Read: Tesla plans multibillion-dollar EV plant in India

IndustrialMind.ai, which supports manufacturers across the Asia-Pacific and North America regions, is already deploying its “AI Engineer” with industry leaders such as tesa, Andritz, and Siemens.

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The future of work is here — are you ready?

Let’s be real — AI and automation aren’t coming; they’re already here, shaking up industries faster than we can say “machine learning”. 

Southeast Asia, one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, is witnessing a massive shift in how we work. Businesses aren’t asking if they should adopt AI anymore. They’re scrambling to figure out how fast they can integrate it before they get left behind.

As someone who’s been deep in the AI and automation space — running People’s Inc. 360, building Royal Visionary Society, and working on Seraphina AI — I’ve seen first-hand how AI is revolutionising the way we work, scale businesses, and reclaim time.

But here’s the thing: The real conversation isn’t about AI replacing jobs. It’s about how we can make AI work for us — to create a more flexible, efficient, and empowered workforce.

AI and automation: Transforming the nature of jobs

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Will AI take away jobs? The short answer is not in the way most people fear.

The reality? AI isn’t here to replace humans — it’s here to amplify human potential. Businesses leveraging AI aren’t just automating tasks; they’re freeing up talent for higher-value work.

AI-powered workflows: Enhancing, not replacing

At People’s Inc. 360, we integrate AI into everyday operations to automate repetitive tasks, allowing our teams to focus on creativity, strategy, and problem-solving.

Some of the biggest game-changers in AI automation today include:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI): Your go-to for automating communication, customer support, and content generation.
• Zapier: The connect-everything automation tool that links apps and streamlines workflows – no coding needed.
• Notion AI: Turns messy thoughts into structured documentation and brainstorms like a pro.
• People’s Inc. Unify: Our own marketing automation tool that helps businesses scale effortlessly.
• Seraphina AI: An AI-driven digital twin designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses automate decision-making and daily workflows.

The takeaway? AI isn’t the enemy — it’s the ultimate sidekick for scaling operations, optimising workflows, and unlocking human creativity.

The hybrid work revolution: A blueprint

The hybrid work model is no longer an experiment — it’s the default.

At People’s Inc. 360, we built our entire company culture around flexibility, automation, and gamification to keep remote teams engaged and productive.

What makes an AI-powered hybrid model effective?

• Work-from-anywhere flexibility: Because let’s be honest, if we’ve learned anything post-pandemic, it’s that work isn’t a place — it’s an experience.
• Gamification and engagement: We use a quest-based system where tasks become missions, making work more interactive (and honestly, more fun).
• AI-powered automation: AI takes care of the busy work so employees can focus on innovation and growth.
• Digital collaboration tools: Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Trello integrate AI-driven workflows to eliminate inefficiencies.

The result? Less burnout, more productivity, and a team that actually enjoys their work.

Also Read: Transforming customer service: AI’s ‘artificial empathy’ holds the key

How AI helped me reclaim time and sanity (yes, sanity)

Let me get personal for a second.

When I first started integrating AI into my business, it wasn’t just about efficiency — it was about survival. Running multiple ventures, scaling People’s Inc. 360, and juggling countless responsibilities meant I was always on.

And then, life threw a curveball — divorce. If you’ve ever tried managing a business, personal stress, and mental exhaustion all at once, you know how overwhelming it gets. I was stretched thin, emotionally drained, and honestly? Running on fumes.

That’s when AI became more than just a tool — it became my lifeline.

I automated everything I could:

•  Customer follow-ups? Handled.
• Marketing emails? Set on autopilot.
• Daily operations? AI-optimised.

The biggest game-changer? Seraphina AI — my AI-powered digital twin, helping me automate responses, manage tasks, and free up mental space.

And let me tell you — the difference was night and day. AI didn’t just help my business scale — it helped me breathe again.

This is why AI isn’t just about productivity hacks. It’s about creating space – for mental wellness, for relationships, and for the things that actually matter.

Preparing for the future: Re-skilling and up-skilling in an AI-driven world

With AI transforming industries, businesses must prioritise re-skilling and up-skilling initiatives to prepare their workforce for the future of jobs.

How can companies prepare?

• AI training and literacy: AI isn’t going anywhere – employees need to learn how to work with it, not against it.
• Encourage adaptability: The most valuable skill in an AI-driven world? Learning how to learn.
• Develop soft skills: AI may take over technical tasks, but human creativity, problem-solving, and leadership? That’s irreplaceable.

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are already offering AI-focused courses – the smartest companies are investing in their people now.

Also Read: Bridging the gender gap in GenAI learning: Strategies to get more women involved

The gig economy and AI: A power combo

The gig economy is booming, and AI is fuelling its growth. Freelancers and solo-preneurs are leveraging automation to scale their businesses faster and smarter.

How AI supports the gig economy:

• Automating repetitive tasks: AI takes over admin work, freeing up time for actual income-generating projects.
• Enhanced client management: AI-powered CRMs like HubSpot and Zoho help freelancers manage multiple clients seamlessly.
• AI-generated content and insights: Tools like Jasper AI and Copy.ai help entrepreneurs streamline content creation.

Platforms like Seraphina AI are designed to empower independent professionals, providing custom automation tools that help them work smarter, not harder.

What’s next? The future of work in 2025 and beyond

Looking ahead, the future of work will be defined by:

• Seamless AI-human collaboration: AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement.
• Hybrid and flexible work models: Work on your terms, not by outdated corporate rules.
• AI-driven personalisation: Work experiences tailored to individual needs and productivity styles.

Businesses that embrace AI, automation, and continuous learning? They’ll be the ones thriving.

Final thoughts: Are you ready for AI-powered work?

AI isn’t a trend — it’s the new normal.

How is your company preparing for AI-driven work models? Are you leveraging automation to free up your time and focus?

Let’s shape the future of work together. 

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The post How AI and automation are shaping the future of work appeared first on e27.

Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem is in a phase of scrutiny and recalibration. It has entered a leaner phase. With scepticism about the region, early-stage capital is increasingly being directed toward deep-tech rather than consumer playbooks. Thus, founders are under pressure to stretch their runway and hit revenue milestones, and prove resilience.

As Edgar Hardless of Singtel Innov8 observes, “companies have had to tighten their belts and accelerate their plans to get to break even more quickly, so they can extend their runways”.

This raises the stakes for B2B startups, the bar is even higher, because enterprise clients demand governance, reliability, and repeatable processes from the outset.

The challenges facing B2B founders

B2B founders in Southeast Asia face a unique mix of scaling hurdles compared to their consumer counterparts:

• Complex enterprise sales cycles: Unlike growth hacking tactics familiar in consumer tech, B2B founders must often traverse long, multi-stakeholder deals—especially in regulated verticals—requiring patience and structured pipelines.
• Scaling across fragmented markets: From Indonesian provinces to Vietnam’s industrial zones, each market has distinct business norms and compliance regimes, slowing expansion.
• Governance and investor reporting: structured updates such as monthly dashboards, KPI tracking, and board-ready narratives are now the norm. Lack of rigour here can stall next-round progress.

These are not hypothetical concerns. Founders who lack operational maturity (such as investor reporting cadence or sales playbook clarity) often see slower fundraising or flat valuations. Without maturity in finance, GTM, and operations, many promising startups risk stalling before they reach Series B.

Also Read: Investing for her future: Why women should take control of their finances

What VCs should look for in investment-ready founders

Savvy VCs now anchor their decisions on three pillars:

• Operational readiness: Startups ready for scaling often present clear financial models, forecast cash flows accurately, manage burn with discipline, and offer budget variance analyses. Visibility into burn and runway signals founder discipline and investor stewardship. Tools like Visible emphasise that operational due diligence dives into internal systems and scalability capabilities, not just financials.
• Enterprise sales muscle: Investors look for structured customer acquisition, for instance, defined sales stages, customer success workflows, churn management, and realistic funnel projections. Founders who can manage the sales lifecycle, from lead generation to contract renewal, impress as being evergreen-ready.
• Regional scalability: Top VCs assess whether founders understand market segmentation and can localise value propositions across SEA’s diversity: logistics, compliance, pricing, and pay behaviours vary widely. Favourable founders build repeatable processes for expansion across markets. Those with go-to-market plans that account for market heterogeneity show depth and strategy. As one investor I speak to has observed, “investors fund predictability, not just potential.”

Best practices for operational excellence in B2B startups

Where investors are concerned, for B2B startups, customer success is more than support, as it is the engine of sustainable economics. Structured onboarding, adoption tracking, and expansion frameworks turn contracts into recurring revenue.

This is where unit economics come alive: lifetime value (LTV) grows when customers renew, upgrade, or expand; acquisition costs (CAC) pay back faster when churn is low; and gross margins improve when service processes are efficient. By embedding customer success discipline early, founders create predictability in growth, the signal investors prize most.

Also Read: Empowering youth to drive sustainable change through finance and advocacy

These practices turn promising startups into investment-ready companies, reducing friction for VCs in later diligence rounds.

The rise of fractional advisory

One approach gaining traction is fractional advisory. Instead of relying solely on full-time senior hires, early-stage companies are increasingly turning to seasoned experts who step in part-time to deliver CFO, COO, or go-to-market leadership precisely when it’s needed most.

Firms such as Salamander Advisory are redefining what it means to professionalise early. By embedding financial discipline, operational clarity, and commercial structure long before startups reach scale, they help founders build investor-ready businesses with stronger foundations and lower risk profiles.

While many VCs concentrate their resources on their top performers, fractional advisory extends that lift to the rest of the portfolio: transforming promising ventures into resilient, execution-driven companies capable of sustainable growth.

Because in the end, capital ignites growth, but capability sustains it. In Southeast Asia’s B2B landscape, the true winners of the next decade will not be those who raise fastest, but those who scale with precision, discipline, and purpose.

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The post From runway to revenue: Building investor-grade B2B startups in Southeast Asia appeared first on e27.