The pandemic interrupted businesses worldwide, with offline corporations, particularly restaurants, bearing the brunt of the worldwide lockdown. Despite the ease of restrictions, customers were too reluctant to dine out.

The global crisis has altered the user experience by balancing technology and authentic experiences and the customer’s role in the value chain. Market disruption has compelled restaurants to innovate and go digital in nearly every aspect of their operations.

The turning point in the food tech and online ordering space was the introduction of third-party delivery apps, also known as food aggregators. Consumers accustomed to doing everything online increasingly expected the same experience, convenience and transparency when ordering dinner.

Aggregators offer access to multiple restaurants through a single portal where consumers can opt for one-tap delivery, compare menus, prices, and reviews. The players in this category provide the logistics for the restaurant and are compensated by the restaurant with a fixed margin of the order.

While food aggregators give restaurateurs a good customer base and order volumes, paying commissions to aggregators takes away restaurants’ revenues. Also, the app owns customer data, not the restaurant.

While third-party apps offer restaurant delivery through their network, the last-mile delivery experience for the customer is still powered by the aggregator and not the restaurant.

Customer loyalty in the food industry is unparalleled to anything I’ve ever seen. Once you like food from a restaurant, you’ll end up ordering from them, no matter how difficult it is to order from them.

During the lockdown in Malaysia, a person got in a helicopter to get food from his favourite restaurant. Even on third-party aggregators, most orders that a restaurant receives are repeat orders. 

Therefore, restaurants soon realised it’s not enough to digitise just the ordering process. Restaurants that are successful develop strong relationships with their customers. This compelled restaurants to invest in technologies that aid in building a solid customer bond and delivery automation.

Taking control of both sides of the experience– ordering and delivery have helped restaurants engage customers with their brand experience and boost direct business, allowing the company to become self-sufficient in order fulfilment, thus supporting customer loyalty.

Restaurants went digital by introducing new technologies to automate ordering, like progressive web apps (PWA) and SMS/Whatsapp ordering. PWAs are Web-based experiences that resemble mobile apps but do not require users to download anything.

A PWA for restaurants would display menus, enable selection, place orders, and pay. With SMS or WhatsApp ordering, users can place their orders through messaging apps. Restaurants use both these technologies and multiple CX tools to maximise customer engagement.

Also Read: The spotlight on foodtech: Why we believe that what we put on our plate will determine the future

And, for all of these techniques to work around each other, they must be linked to the restaurant’s existing point-of-sale (POS) systems. While traditional POS systems enable restaurant operations to perform smoothly, new-gen restaurant Operating Systems (OS) will proactively help restaurant owners to make insightful decisions using data and help provide a superior UX for their customers.

In the future, restaurants will become more and more dependent on an ever-changing digital ecosystem. Apps, services, and personal AI assistants will serve as the eateries’ primary contact points with their customers. AI will play a significant part in consumer decisions, and restaurants will require access to relevant and detailed data.

The data collected would be used to create new menus or implement real-time pricing based on supply and demand changes. With all this new digital ecosphere evolving, restaurants will be forced to adapt or build entirely new data collection methods and IT structures.

Also Read: Meet the 10 agritech, foodtech startups pitching for Future Food Asia’s US$100K grand prize

Virtual assistant platforms would be used as direct marketing channels for brands, with algorithms responding to price fluctuations and other data. Because of these large datasets available, consumers’ choices will become easier to determine and will effectively lower costs for restaurants, both acquiring cost per user and delivery cost per user.

Initially, technology apps were intended to serve as two-sided marketplaces, connecting customers and restaurants. They were concerned with being a resource, joining the two parties, and stepping aside.

However, the perimeter between technology and the physical world is now being infringed due to consumption shifting to the digital turf.

It has become more critical than ever for restaurants to build self-sustained capabilities and become truly autonomous.

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We are living in an era defined by an explosion of data and digital content. The sheer volume of information available today is growing exponentially, fuelled by the internet, advanced computing, and now, generative AI.

By 2035, the world is projected to generate more than 200 zettabytes of data annually. AI can now produce high-quality articles, detailed reports, designs, and even medical analyses in seconds—tasks that used to take humans days or weeks.

This flood of data is both a benefit and a burden. While AI can quickly generate and process information, humans are best at using it for human needs. We excel at functional thinking, planning for the future, and making decisions that require ethics and context. But our ability to process large amounts of information is limited.

Take Nia Patel, a financial analyst. Her work involves analysing market trends, regulations, and customer feedback—a task that becomes harder each year as the data piles up. Despite her skills, she often found herself overwhelmed, wondering, How can one person keep up with so much information?

The reality is no one can. Human brains are powerful, but they have limits. When the volume and speed of data outpace our abilities, fatigue, bias, and errors set in. That’s where AI comes in, not to replace humans, but to help them succeed.

Humans and machines: A partnership for the future

The idea of humans working alongside machines isn’t new. During the Industrial Revolution, machines helped humans produce more goods faster and more efficiently. In the future, AI will do for knowledge work what steam engines did for physical labor—freeing us from repetitive tasks so we can focus on creativity, strategy, and innovation.

Also Read: The benefits of custom skills based training in the modern workforce

In the 21st century, businesses aren’t driven by war or borders; they’re shaped by consumers and their ever-changing needs. The focus is on understanding people’s preferences, behaviours, and lifestyles. Instead of mass-producing generic goods, companies use AI to create personalised products and services that align with specific customer needs.

By 2040, businesses will rely on AI to predict trends, analyse markets, and adapt to demographic changes in real time. The companies that succeed will be those that use AI to understand their customers on a deeper, more scientific level. This will allow businesses to stay ahead in a world where consumer expectations evolve faster than ever before.

Humans have always sought to build better, more powerful tools. From the plow to the printing press, from steam engines to computers, each invention has pushed society forward. AI is the next step in this journey. It will help humans tackle challenges that once seemed impossible, giving us capabilities we’ve never had before.

The science of future consumerism

In the 21st century, businesses use neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural science to create products that people can’t resist. AI analyses brain activity, emotional triggers, and decision-making patterns to design products and services that meet consumers’ needs perfectly.

For example:

• Retail: AI personalises your shopping experience, suggesting products you didn’t even know you wanted.
• Advertising: AI makes sure you see ads that feel relevant and timely, boosting sales and satisfaction.
• Product design: AI gathers feedback and market trends to design products that match what consumers want.

Companies that embrace this AI-driven, data-rich approach will thrive in the future economy. Those that ignore it risk falling behind.

Also Read: Human-driven interaction in an AI driven world

The future of work: A new collaboration

The partnership between humans and AI will transform industries:

• Healthcare: AI analyses medical data and scans quickly and accurately, helping doctors make more diagnoses and treatment plans per day, addressing doctor shortages.
• Law: AI handles legal research, finding relevant cases in seconds, while lawyers focus on strategy and client advocacy, solving backlogs and reducing errors.
• Engineering: AI runs simulations and stress tests, giving engineers the freedom to innovate and solve complex problems.

Humans will excel at planning, decision-making, and creative thinking, while AI handles data processing, automation, and routine tasks. Together, they will create a seamless workflow where each does what they do best.

The workplace will no longer be about humans vs. AI. Instead, it is about humans and AI thriving together. Productivity will soar, errors will drop, and people like Patel will be free to focus on meaningful work—creating, strategising, and imagining the future.

In this world, knowledge workers won’t be limited by their own minds. AI’s processing power will amplify human creativity and judgment. This new era—the Age of Symbiosis—will be one where humans and AI lift each other to new heights.

The future is collaboration

As Patel closed her laptop at the end of the day, she knew her AI partner was still at work, analysing and refining data. She smiled, knowing the future wasn’t about humans or AI working alone, but about what they could achieve together.

It’s not the end of work; it’s the beginning of better work.

The future isn’t people or machine. The future is people with machine.

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At Echelon Singapore 2025, a panel delved into Southeast Asia’s progress in tackling climate change and the growing role of its climate tech ecosystem.

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—and climate change presents one of the most pressing opportunities for entrepreneurship. They emphasised the importance of regulation in setting clear decarbonisation standards, noting Europe as the global benchmark and Singapore as Southeast Asia’s closest example of effective implementation.

The discussion also explored how to nurture and accelerate climate tech startups, focusing on building sustainable, investment-ready business models that balance environmental impact with financial viability. The panel ultimately highlighted collaboration among governments, investors, and innovators as key to achieving meaningful and scalable progress in the region’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

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At Echelon Singapore 2025, a panel explored how artificial intelligence is driving scalable growth in complex industries. Speakers discussed both the short- and long-term implications of AI, highlighting how sectors such as law and banking have already undergone transformation, while others like mining are still on the cusp of disruption.

For AI startups to succeed in these industries, founders must understand the current technological landscape, anticipate what’s next in development, and plan for both immediate and future integration. The panel emphasised that complexity within industries—particularly in areas like supply chain—creates rich opportunities for innovation. However, startups must approach these sectors thoughtfully: rather than aiming for disruption, they should focus on enhancement, enabling AI solutions to integrate seamlessly and deliver measurable value.

By prioritising practical adoption over radical change, AI innovators can drive sustainable and scalable impact across traditionally intricate and regulated industries.

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Home security cameras are everywhere. They promise peace of mind, but often deliver the opposite: endless pings, meaningless alerts, and hours of footage that no one has time to sift through.

It’s a paradox of the smart home age: the more devices we add, the less clarity we seem to have. Notifications blur into background noise. Families ignore them. And when something truly urgent happens, it’s often discovered too late.

This is not a failure of hardware. It’s a failure of design.

Noise without context

Take the typical experience: you’re at work and your phone lights up, “motion detected in the living room.” You check, and it’s sunlight moving across the floor. Minutes later, another ping: the dog rolling over. Eventually, you swipe them away without thinking.

The pattern is familiar across smart home products: endless “automation” that still requires constant user intervention. Devices monitor, but they don’t interpret. They record, but they don’t advise. They’re smart in name, not in function.

The real promise of smart

A truly smart device should understand context. It should know the difference between background noise and a genuine event. It should anticipate patterns, act proactively, and communicate in a way that feels natural.

This means shifting from machine-like notifications to human-like conversations. Not “motion detected,” but “Your baby has been crying for ten minutes, do you want me to turn on the nursery camera?” Not a flood of raw data, but a single, timely message that matters.

Designing for real users

The most overlooked truth about smart home technology is that its core users aren’t technophiles, they’re everyday parents, caregivers, and seniors. These are people who don’t want to manage a complex interface. They want reassurance, quickly and simply.

That’s why design matters. Instead of forcing users into yet another app which needs to be learned, imagine if cameras could be managed through chat, a user behaviour that everyone is familiar. . Instead of navigating tabs and toggles, imagine texting a device the same way you text a friend.

This is what the next generation of smart homes should look like: intuitive, contextual, conversational.

Also Read: Smart nation, smart homes: How Singapore’s proptech ecosystem is redefining urban living

Privacy must evolve, too

With smarter systems comes a bigger responsibility: privacy. The EU’s GDPR has already flagged a critical flaw in current cameras: static “masking” that either blocks out too much or too little. A neighbour’s window might be masked to protect privacy, but that means you also can’t see what’s happening at your own front door.

New approaches, such as dynamic unmasking, can solve this. By using AI to identify and reveal only the relevant subject, say, a person lingering outside your door, it balances security with compliance. Privacy and protection don’t have to be at odds.

Toward agent AI

The real frontier is not just better cameras, but better agents. Devices that learn patterns over time and take small, appropriate actions without needing to be told. If every night at two am, you silence a stray motion alert, the system should learn. If you always ask for packages to be left at the door, the system should handle it for you.

This is what makes technology truly smart, not automating tasks after you ask, but anticipating needs before you do.

A call to rethink “smart”

The term “smart device” has been diluted by products that add features without solving problems. What users need now is not more information, but more clarity on the information relayed.

This shift will only happen when design centres on context, conversation, and care. As more innovators adopt this philosophy, we move closer to technology that earns trust — less noise, more clarity, and the quiet confidence that your home is truly looked after.

Designing for peace of mind

The future of smart home technology doesn’t lie in more sensors or sharper cameras. It lies in better judgment, systems that understand context, reduce noise, and communicate in ways that make sense to real people.

To get there, design priorities need to shift. Instead of piling on features, we need to focus on usefulness. Instead of flooding users with data, we need to deliver clarity. And instead of forcing people to adapt to technology, we should build technology that adapts to people.

“Smart” should mean more than being connected. It should mean considered, quiet, and genuinely helpful. Only then can these devices live up to their promise of not just monitoring our homes, but giving us the peace of mind we expected in the first place.

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Living Lab Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Sinar Mas Land, has partnered with Spiral Ventures to launch the Japan Thematic Fund, a cross-border investment initiative designed to accelerate economic and innovation collaboration between Japan and Southeast Asia (SEA).

The fund had its first close formalised during a high-profile signing ceremony in BSD City, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

Backed by a syndicate of prominent Japanese and Indonesian investors, the fund positions Indonesia as the strategic gateway for Japan’s capital and innovation to scale across SEA. The list of investors includes the Cool Japan Fund, Bank Danamon Indonesia (a member of MUFG Group), Rohto Pharmaceutical, Advasa, and Culture Convenience Club.

The Japan Thematic Fund reflects a growing urgency among Japanese investors to tap into SEA’s startup growth and consumer momentum. Cool Japan Fund, a major Japanese public–private initiative known for backing cultural and lifestyle-linked innovations, joins as a key investor, further underlining Japan’s commitment to integrating with the region’s tech ecosystem.

“The Japan Thematic Fund reflects Indonesia’s emergence as a key innovation hub and gateway for international collaboration,” said Bayu Seto, Partner at LLV. “With Cool Japan Fund’s involvement, we are creating an enduring platform for founders to grow beyond borders.”

Also Read: Why digital parks are becoming the backbone of the Philippines’ emerging tech ecosystem

Living Lab Ventures leverages BSD City to offer startups and investors a high-functioning testbed and launch environment. Developed by Sinar Mas Land, BSD City combines infrastructure, business networks, and a digitally-driven ecosystem, creating a landing point for global ventures.

According to Living Lab Ventures, this strategic positioning enables the organisation not only to deploy capital but also to serve as a bridge between Japan’s advanced technology and SEA’s entrepreneurial dynamism.

The organisation has recently made investment in INCREASE.

Spiral Ventures brings deep operational expertise across Asia and a focus on companies addressing social challenges.

“This initiative goes far beyond investment—it represents true integration,” noted Yuji Horiguchi, CEO and Managing Partner of Spiral Ventures. “By uniting Japan’s technological precision and cultural excellence with Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurial energy and speed, we aim to create new business models and generate social impact.”

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Image Credit: Living Lab Ventures

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True transformation doesn’t start with technology. It always starts with people.

AI adoption isn’t about rolling out software; it’s about building confidence, curiosity, and capability. Because transformation doesn’t happen when AI gets smarter. It happens when people do.

AI is like raising a capable child

When I help organisations design their AI transformation journey, I often remind leaders: We’re not building people to work for AI —we’re building AI with people, for people.

Doing AI is like raising a capable child. You don’t want your child fixed to one solution. You want to coach them to think, explore, and find their own way.

That’s how I see AI too — as a capable assistant that learns and grows through guidance.

A real moment from my team: We hit a limitation in LLM 1. My developer said, “Let’s incorporate a second LLM.” Another teammate added, “Or maybe we can just change the file format so LLM 1 can read it.” Two paths — both brilliant.

That’s the mindset we want to see in every organisation — not “Can this tool do it?” but “What else is possible, and what works best for us?”

When people start thinking this way, something shifts. The focus moves from using AI to collaborating with it. The best outcomes emerge when technology becomes a creative partner, not just an automation tool. That’s when innovation starts to feel natural rather than forced.

You can’t outsource mindset

I’ve seen it too many times — the CEO announces, “We must start embracing AI!” A vendor comes in, a few workshops are held, dashboards are built… and six months later, the enthusiasm fades.

Why? Because adoption doesn’t start with instructions. It starts with ownership.

You can outsource some parts of the build — but you can’t outsource the mindset.

When employees understand the why, they start curating, designing, and refining AI like insiders. That’s when adoption sticks — because it’s their solution, not the company’s system.

Culture and mindset are the invisible infrastructure behind every successful transformation. Without them, even the best tools fail to deliver impact. It’s not about how advanced your models are — it’s about how ready your people are to evolve alongside them.

Also Read: Building a sustainable future, from Sierra Leone to Southeast Asia

Start from 101 — Awareness first, always

In any organisation, people come with very different AI baselines. Some are curious. Some are cautious. Some still think AI means ChatGPT. And that’s okay.

Transformation doesn’t begin with tools; it begins with awareness.

At stage one, focus on helping people:

• Debunk myths (“AI will take my job”)
• Remove fear (“I’m not technical enough”)
• Build curiosity, language, and confidence

When people start seeing AI as a capable assistant — not a threat — that’s when transformation takes root.

Awareness turns into action only when people feel included in the process. It’s not about pushing adoption; it’s about inviting participation. Each conversation, each experiment, and each small success story builds collective confidence that sustains the change.

Build AI with people, not for them

Real transformation is a shared journey. It’s not about experts “rolling out AI” for everyone else. It’s about learning, experimenting, and building capability together.

Start small. Start with your people.

So I curated a transformation journey called “Let’s AI Together.” It’s built on one belief — that when we teach people how to work with AI, they’ll know how to make it work for them.

Because at the heart of every AI journey lies a human one. When people feel empowered, the technology naturally follows — smarter, faster, and more purpose-driven than ever before.

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For years, our digital representations have been instruments of control. We carefully curate social media profiles, choose flattering profile pictures, and craft personas in virtual games. These are static masks we present to the world.

However, the next generation of AI avatars is undergoing a seismic shift: they are transitioning from being puppets to becoming partners, and in some cases, even autonomous agents. This evolution pushes us beyond simple representation and into the uncharted territory of digital beings with a semblance of agency, challenging our perceptions of creativity, ownership, and connection.

The initial wave of AI avatars was largely synchronous—you provided input, and it generated an output. You type a script, your avatar reads it. This is a powerful tool, but it’s still a sophisticated form of ventriloquism. The frontier now lies in asynchronous interaction.

Imagine an avatar that can attend a virtual meeting on your behalf, not just to deliver a pre-recorded message, but to actively listen, process the discussion, and contribute points based on your known opinions and data. This isn’t about replacing you; it’s about extending your presence in a way that was previously impossible. It functions as a true digital proxy, operating with a degree of autonomy within a pre-defined framework.

This autonomy sparks both excitement and profound unease, directly tapping into the concept of the “uncanny valley.” As these avatars become more lifelike and independent, the gap between human and simulation narrows, creating a sense of eeriness. When a digital twin can debate, crack a joke, or express empathy based on algorithmic learning, we are forced to confront a new kind of relationship. Is interacting with such an entity a form of conversation or merely an advanced simulation of one? The discomfort arises because it challenges the uniqueness of human interaction, a cornerstone of our social fabric.

Also Read: Using AI on e-commerce analytics: Data quality, availability remain critical obstacles

Perhaps the most fascinating and disruptive potential of autonomous avatars lies in the realm of creativity and legacy. We are approaching an era where the essence of a creative mind could be perpetuated beyond a lifetime. An author’s avatar, trained on their entire bibliography, personal letters, and interview style, could potentially generate new stories that feel authentically “theirs.”

A musician’s avatar could compose new pieces in their signature style. This raises breathtaking possibilities for preserving artistic voice but also nightmarish questions of authorship, copyright, and intent. Is a posthumous novel generated by an AI avatar a tribute, a forgery, or something entirely new? It forces us to decide what we value more: the tangible output or the irreplicable human journey that led to it.

Furthermore, the economic model of the self is poised for disruption. If your avatar can generate income—by starring in commercials, providing customer service, or teaching online courses—who does that revenue belong to? The individual whose likeness and data trained the model? The developers of the AI platform? This will necessitate a new legal and economic category for digital identity, likely built on blockchain technology to ensure verifiable ownership and royalty distribution.

The path forward is not to halt this innovation but to navigate it with intentionality and robust ethical guardrails. Transparency is non-negotiable; humans must always know when they are interacting with an AI agent. Consent must be the foundation, ensuring individuals have absolute control over if and how their digital twin is used. Finally, we must cultivate digital humility—an understanding that these avatars, no matter how advanced, are reflections and extensions, not replacements, of the messy, brilliant, and unpredictable human spirit.

The autonomous AI avatar is more than a technological marvel; it is a philosophical forcing function. It compels us to define the boundaries of self, the value of authentic experience, and the ethics of a world where our digital shadows can walk and talk without us. In learning to build them responsibly, we may just learn something invaluable about what it means to be human.

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At this year’s SWITCH 2025 in Singapore, the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) K-Startup Pavilion featured some of South Korea’s most promising startups in advanced manufacturing and materials. From AI-driven semiconductors to copper-clad glass substrates, the exhibits highlighted the country’s technical depth. Among them, two companies approached innovation from a more human angle: mobility and vision as essentials for everyday life.

First, Studio Galilei Co., Ltd., a mobility startup, introduced demand-responsive transport (DRT) services to enhance mobility access in rural areas of Korea and is now scaling its technology to deliver safer and more reliable travel experiences across Southeast Asia.   Second, HYBO Inc. is developing ultra-compact LiDAR sensors with built-in AI, designed to improve automation and workplace safety. Together, they show how Korean startups are pairing technical precision with practical solutions that meet real human needs.

Studio Galilei leading the future of smart mobility through Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT)

Studio Galilei began its journey to address the mobility challenges faced by rural areas in South Korea. Notably, their limited public transportation often leaves communities and residents disconnected. “Mobility is a basic right, yet many rural communities in Korea still lack reliable transportation,” said Hyunmyung Kim, CEO of Studio Galilei. “That’s why I started my business, to ensure equal access to mobility for everyone through technology and innovation.” Founded in 2021, the startup has sought to bridge this accessibility gap. Thus, it is entering regions often overlooked by larger corporations due to low profit potential.

At the heart of Studio Galilei’s operations is its Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) system, which is powered by TAMOS, an integrated mobility platform that leverages AI and Big Data. “The core of our technology lies in generating optimized routes in real time based on passenger demand,” Kim explained. By optimizing both timing and costs, this system has been deployed across 17 rural areas in Korea. This has significantly reduced waiting times and improving operational efficiency.

This socially conscious approach caught the attention of investors such as Kakao Mobility and Hankook Tire. This validates Studio Galilei’s blend of innovation and impact. As founder Kim noted, “During peak time, there is not enough transportation… but without peak time, you still have to run the bus, which costs money.” The company’s ability to solve such inefficiencies proved that technology born in rural areas can scale effectively. This transforms local insights into a model for global mobility innovation.

Also read: How Startup Island TAIWAN is turning SWITCH 2025 into a launchpad for ASEAN expansion

Expanding through Singapore into Southeast Asia’s tourism market

After refining its mobility technology in Korea, Studio Galilei is setting its sights on Southeast Asia. It has chosen Singapore as its strategic hub. “We plan to expand our services to the B2C sector and recognize significant potential in Southeast Asia’s tourism mobility market,” said CEO Hyunmyung Kim. “We consider Singapore the ideal location for our regional headquarters.” The company aims to resolve a common regional challenge. That is, most travelers stay within city centers due to limited transport options and safety concerns.

To address this, Studio Galilei is launching RIKAride, a platform powered by DRT technology. It is designed to deliver safe, reliable, and accessible mobility solutions for travelers. “Many tourists rarely go beyond city centers due to limited transportation options,” said Daeun Choi, CFO of iChiangmai and Global Market Strategist for Southeast Asia and the Middle East at Studio Galilei. “Our goal is to enable travelers to explore more, with ease and safety.” Partnering with Thai OTA Eiiga, the startup combines “South Asian creativity and cultural operation power with Korean technology.”

Redefining LiDAR with HYBO’s compact AI-powered solutions

At the K-Startup Pavilion HYBO Inc. introduced its breakthrough in LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. It is an innovation set to transform smart systems across robotics, mobility, and urban infrastructure. Team Leader Jae Won Jang explained their competitive edge: “The competitive price, the customizing ability, and… it’s a very ultra-compact size of LiDAR. But it has the AI solution inside.” By integrating artificial intelligence into a miniature sensor, HYBO offers a compelling alternative to larger and more expensive LiDAR systems.

HYBO’s compact LiDAR sensors are already in use across smart factories in South Korea, helping improve automation and worker safety. “I think Singapore’s big companies can use our sensors for the workers’ safety,” said Jang. “Also, they need our sensors for their parts of products.” The technology is highly adaptable and can be applied to robotics and drones, security systems, smart parking, and manufacturing, making it versatile for different industries looking to embed intelligence into their operations.

By merging compact design, AI capability, and affordability, HYBO is expanding the possibilities of LiDAR technology..

Singapore as the gateway to Southeast Asia’s smart future

As HYBO expands globally, Singapore has emerged as its base for Southeast Asian operations. “I have a strong interest in the Singapore market because Singapore is one of the centers for the Southeastern Asia market,” said Jang. “Our next target is Southeast because there are so many manufacturers and very high technology enterprises in Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.” For HYBO, Singapore offers both a stable business environment and access to regional industries eager for advanced sensing and automation technologies.

HYBO is now seeking collaborations with local AI firms and design partners to customize its compact LiDAR solutions for industry-specific needs. Jang noted that such partnerships could speed up innovation and bring the company’s technology to new markets more efficiently. Already supported by KISED, HYBO is also open to Singapore-based investors. With strong regional partnerships, the company aims to strengthen Southeast Asia’s smart technology ecosystem and build new opportunities for growth.

Also read: Why Hong Kong’s metro just became every marketer’s dream

Cementing Singapore’s role in the Korea–Southeast Asia tech pipeline

Singapore is fast becoming the cornerstone of the Korea–Southeast Asia tech pipeline, as seen in the growing presence of Korean startups like Studio Galilei and HYBO at SWITCH. They are part of a 31-strong delegation led by KISED, the largest group since 2022. Over the past five years, more than 100 Korean companies have entered the Singapore market, drawn by its strategic position and strong innovation ecosystem. This surge reflects how South Korea’s highly competitive domestic landscape and advanced R&D culture are driving agile startups to expand abroad.

For Singapore and its regional partners, this wave of collaboration offers more than just new entrants. It brings tested, high-quality technologies ready to be adapted for Southeast Asia’s fast-growing economies. From smart mobility to AI-powered sensing systems, these innovations are helping local industries evolve faster and smarter. The ambition is not only to make Singapore a landing point for Korean startups but to establish it as the launchpad for long-term, cross-border growth and investment between the two dynamic tech ecosystems.

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This article was published in partnership with the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED).

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The Philippine government is making significant strides in leveraging blockchain technology, shifting its focus beyond regulating cryptocurrencies to actively implementing distributed ledger technology (DLT) across critical public sectors.

Through a series of high-impact projects, government agencies are exploring blockchain’s potential to enhance transparency, improve bureaucratic efficiency, and expand financial access for citizens.

Also Read: Institutionalising innovation: How Philippines is building the rules for its crypto future

These findings were revealed in the Philippine Blockchain Report 2025, prepared by Gorriceta, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, Gobi Partners, Gobi-Core Philippines Fund, and Tether.

Revolutionising public finance and document security

Government adoption is projected to be a pivotal factor in shaping the country’s future blockchain landscape. One key area of implementation is enhancing the security and accountability of public documents:

• Project Marissa and Prismo: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) launched Project Marissa, a blockchain-based initiative aimed at enhancing the security of budget documents. Leveraging hybrid blockchain technology from local firm BayaniChain, the system seeks to ensure data confidentiality and tamper-resistance. A functioning Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Prismo, has already been implemented within the DBM to safeguard critical documents, including the controversial intelligence fund, demonstrating a clear commitment to using DLT for fraud reduction.
• eGovChain initiative: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) introduced eGovChain in 2024, a major blockchain-based government project intended to improve transparency, security, and efficiency in public services. The first node is already integrated with the Digital National ID and the eGovPH SuperApp, with additional nodes planned.

Tokenisation and financial modernisation

In public finance, the government has successfully piloted the use of blockchain for tokenised assets, signalling institutional confidence in the technology’s utility:

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• Tokenised treasury bonds: In partnership with the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) issued the nation’s first Tokenised Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) to the public. These bonds are issued in the form of digital tokens and maintained in the BTr’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Registry. This initiative not only modernises public fundraising but also democratises access to government investments, particularly through features like the “GBonds” feature being tested with GCash.
• CBDC development: The BSP is strategically moving towards implementing a wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Projects like Project CBDCPh and Project Agila are pilot initiatives testing interbank transactions to improve payment systems, liquidity management, and financial stability. Testing for Project Agila concluded in December 2024, and the BSP plans to develop a medium-term roadmap for wholesale CBDC, with estimated implementation by 2029.

Special economic zones and regional development

To attract foreign investment and foster a localised blockchain hub, the Philippines leverages its special economic zones:

• Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB): AFAB introduced the Offshore Digital Asset Licence (ODAL), allowing blockchain-based businesses to operate within a regulated framework, positioning Bataan as a potential blockchain hub in Asia. AFAB actively supports emerging industries and views blockchain as a practical tool for building better systems.
• Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA): CEZA, known for its “Crypto Valley of Asia” initiative, has continuously updated its licensing rules. The Offshore Financial Technology Licensing Rules and Regulations (OFTLRR), issued in January 2024, update previous rules to integrate both offshore financial technology business activities (including blockchain) and Digital Asset Token Offering (DATO) activities.

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These varied initiatives across MARINA (Blockchain-enabled system for transactions – BEST, enhancing maritime services), DICT, DBM, BTr, and the BSP underscore a robust public sector openness to DLT. By moving from theoretical exploration to operational pilots, the government is building trust, enhancing public awareness, and demonstrating blockchain’s tangible value in reducing corruption and administrative delays.

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