While the benefits of digitalisation have been well established, many businesses have been slow to embrace it for themselves.  However, with COVID-19 disrupting business-as-usual, companies were forced to adapt to new technologies for business continuity and survival.

Adopting digital marketing strategies and developing e-commerce capabilities became necessities that few businesses could ignore. Yet, even during these economically turbulent times, there are success stories.

Businesses that have successfully digitalised their processes are now reaping the benefits of their technology investment and many have changed their perception towards digitalisation.

If you’re looking for new ways to transform and digitalise your business processes, here’s are some practical ways you can do so.

Payments

Maintaining a healthy cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Delays in payments can be just as deadly as a stoppage in a person’s bloodstream for a business.

Financial automation through digital processes helps provide support on accounts payable/receivables. Businesses can tap on APIs to enjoy seamless, convenient, and fully automated B2B payments that ensure that you never miss a payment and have accurate and up-to-date reports on your business’ financial health.

At the same time, businesses can tap on global borderless virtual accounts for sending and collecting money easily around the world. These add a great deal of value to corporations and SMEs who are exporting and selling products from Singapore and need to find a way of collecting funds from overseas.

Additionally, managing cash flows and maximising a competitive edge in local markets for cross-border transactions is made simpler with transparency in fees and foreign exchange rate conversions.

Also read: Digital transformation is now real: How COVID-19 has sparked innovation in tech companies

At TranSwap, our Global Borderless Virtual Accounts allow businesses to hold 34 different currencies and easily make international payments with competitive foreign exchange rates.

Global supply chain

In this increasingly globalised world, speed and reliability is king. Suboptimal operational processes, regulatory or legal hoops, and unexpected delays can slow down your supply chain.

Every bump in the road can cause cascading delays, and with all these different factors, it can really add up. And that’s just considering supply chains within a single country.

Global delays on masks shipping during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of having strong supply chain processing.

If you look into it, it was the most efficient companies and countries in terms of their ability to cut through red tape and establish smooth operations throughout their logistical pipeline that managed to get masks shipped. Invariably, those companies and countries had strong digitalisation.

Businesses can tap on e-platforms to reduce data duplication, improved data flow, access to up-to-date goods movement.

For example, Global eTrade Services (GeTS) enables the orchestration of physical logistics, compliance, and financial requirements of trade and supply chain seamlessly, smartly, and securely.

This means that businesses can make their global trade easier by using this trading platform. We have also partnered GeTS to digitalise and facilitate payments to more than 180 countries in over 120 currencies, for quick cargo clearance and shipment fulfillment.

What this means is that trade businesses can ensure smooth and seamless trade processing that can be easily managed all from their computers. At the same time, it also paves the way for future partnerships and makes it easier for sourcing and procurement in different countries.

Leverage on cloud-based collaboration tools

With remote working becoming a norm, it has been more difficult to create a collaborative environment for efficient work. Without clear visibility on timelines or progress updates, people are unable to plan workflows or set priorities.

The need for effective communication with a transparency of information has never been more urgent. Using cloud-based collaboration tools or productivity suites are available that are easy to use and cost-effective, such as Google’s G Suite, Slack, and Monday.com

Also Read: How getting digital transformation right can help businesses get through a pandemic

How to successfully implement these processes

To reap the full benefits of these improvements, it is essential to follow these steps to ensure that the new processes are implemented correctly and effectively.

• Do it incrementally – It is crucial to add on new processes incrementally. By breaking down tasks into smaller pieces and ensuring that each team learns each process in-depth, you can isolate and address problems without severely compromising your operations as a whole. For example, incrementally integrate collaborative tools into one business unit first before incorporating it into the next.
• Communication is key –These process changes must involve your team at all levels. Getting their understanding, buy-in and support is equally as important for the process change to be successful as having the best technology or latest digitalisation tools
• Tailor-make a solution that fits your needs- Work closely with your partners to customise a solution that meets your specifics needs. For example, we developed a payment solution with API integration into the client’s payments system for seamless transfer from collection to settlement. The solution allows small transfers in large volumes to be credited directly to beneficiaries’ wallets and bank accounts in realtime
• Understand your objective –The process improvements should contribute to your overall service/product quality. It is essential to have a clear understanding of where you are bringing value to your clients or partners. With that firmly in mind, you can be assured that process improvements do not detract or dilute the value that your business is offering.

These are just some ways to get the process going. I hope it brings about some improvements in your business processes and increases efficiency for you.

–

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The tech layoffs of 2025 did more than shrink payrolls; they exposed how fragile the world’s most celebrated innovation hubs have become. Rather than a global downturn shared evenly, job losses clustered tightly around a handful of geographies, revealing a new and uncomfortable map of economic risk.

Nowhere was this clearer than the US. Nearly 70% of global tech layoffs came from US-headquartered firms, with California and Washington State absorbing the shock. Silicon Valley’s dominance has turned into a liability: when giants like When tech titans blink: 2025 exposed the Old Guard’s fragility, entire regional economies feel the tremor. Washington’s dependence on just two corporate titans — Microsoft and Amazon — underscores how concentrated power amplifies vulnerability.

New York’s late surge in layoffs adds another layer to the story. As tech, consulting, and enterprise software embed deeper into traditional business centres, disruption is no longer confined to the West Coast.

Europe’s experience was equally sobering. Accenture’s cuts in Ireland and Northvolt’s collapse in Sweden highlighted how Western ambitions in AI and clean tech still struggle against Asia’s entrenched manufacturing and supply chain advantage.

The bigger shift, however, is geopolitical. While the West retrenched, Asia quietly consolidated its grip on hardware, batteries, and advanced manufacturing. As 2026 approaches, the lesson is stark: the places once seen as safest bets in tech may now be the most exposed, and the global workforce is adjusting accordingly.

REGIONAL

SPUN raises US$1.8M to fix SEA’s broken visa infrastructure: Investors include Genesia Ventures, Antler, Iterative, and Kopital Ventures.
The Indonesia startup digitises visa processing for governments, slashing approval times and positioning itself at the heart of Southeast Asia’s mobility boom.

Qubitra wants to be the AWS of quantum computing: Fujitsu and Standard Chartered’s innovation arm build a marketplace making quantum resources accessible without massive infrastructure investment. Qubitra functions as a digital marketplace and collaboration hub for quantum computing.

Salesforce launches startup program in Malaysia, Philippines: The program offers startups access to Salesforce’s ecosystem, AI-powered products, mentorship, and joint go-to-market opportunities. This marks the company’s presence in five markets across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

Alibaba, Instapay partner to accelerate financial inclusion in Malaysia: The deal uses Alibaba Cloud’s local infrastructure to support Instapay’s digital payment platform, including its e-wallet and prepaid Mastercard, with a focus on scalability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.

Osome revenue surges, names Eugenio Ferrante as new CEO: New customer revenue doubled year on year in November and rose 85% in December. Key metrics also improved, with ARR up 22% and ARPU increasing 25%. Ferrante, who joined Osome 16 months ago as an advisor, will focus on predictable revenue and market-specific services.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

As the West cuts jobs, Asia tightens its grip on hardware: The RationalFX report highlights a stark geopolitical reality: while Europe and the US are shedding roles, battery production and high-end hardware manufacturing remain firmly centred in Asia.

When tech titans blink: 2025 exposed the Old Guard’s fragility: The latest figures from UK-based forex company RationalFX paint a grim picture: Intel alone accounted for nearly 34,000 layoffs in 2025, the most significant single contribution to the global total of 244,851.

INTERNATIONAL

WeLab’s US$220M Series D signals fintech capital’s Hong Kong comeback: Hong Kong’s fintech funding landscape has seen substantial activity, with WeLab’s raise topping the charts for 2025. These deals highlight a concentration in lending and payments, with total fintech funding in Hong Kong exceeding US$1.2B since 2020.

AI boom to support Taiwan’s 2026 growth at 4.1%: CIER report: The forecast does not include potential impacts from recent US-Taiwan trade agreements, which could further boost growth. For 2025, CIER estimates Taiwan’s GDP will increase by 7.4%, slightly above the government forecast of 7.14%.

India needs faster AI upskilling, Coursera co-founder says: Andrew Ng said AI is transforming the skills required across sectors. He warned that without rapid upskilling, significant job displacement could occur as AI tools make many roles more efficient.

S Korea charges three Chinese nationals in US$102M crypto case: The suspects are accused of transferring ~US$101.7M from 2021 to 2023 through an illegal foreign exchange operation. Authorities said the suspects used domestic and overseas cryptocurrency accounts to move funds under the pretence of legitimate expenses.

Temu owner PDD faces China probe after regulator altercation: Chinese authorities widened a probe into PDD Holdings after clashes at its Shanghai headquarters, deploying 100 investigators to examine fraud and tax allegations, sending shares down over 12% since January.

Saudi Arabia tops MENA VC with a record US$1.7B in 2025: The country accounted for 45% of all VC funding in the region, with international investors representing 58% of total participation.

More young South Koreans exit labor market as AI reshapes jobs: The central bank reported a rise in young adults aged 20-34 who are neither working nor seeking employment, increasing from 14.6% in 2019 to 22.3% in 2025. The number of individuals in this group who do not want to work at all grew to around 450K last year, up from 287K in 2019.

CYBERSECURITY

AI vs AI: Inside Southeast Asia’s new cybersecurity war: For founders and executives, the mantra is clear: invest in AI defences, embrace zero-trust, and align with regional regs. As digital transformation accelerates, those who fortify now will thrive in tomorrow’s connected frontier.

How AI and automation can shape the future of farms: Global food shocks exposed supply vulnerabilities, pushing Singapore toward food resilience. Artisan Green leverages vertical farming, automation, and AI to scale local, sustainable production and strengthen long-term food security.

Coupang market cap drops US$14B after user data breach: The company’s market capitalisation has decreased by over US$14B since late November, dropping from around US$51.4B to US$38.6B. The company has disclosed its investigation results into the data breach to the US SEC, prompting concerns over potential sanctions and legal risks.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Khazanah to support local chip firms, boost power grid: Khazanah will boost power grid and renewable investments, back Malaysian semiconductor firms into advanced packaging, support US$123.4 billion chip ambitions, and sees ringgit upside tied to dollar and rates globally.

Chinese AI chipmakers top 2025 global ranking: As per 2025 Hurun China AI Top 50 ranking, China’s AI chip companies occupied seven of the top ten spots, with Cambricon, Moore Threads, and MetaX leading the list. Ten of the 18 newly added companies focus on AI chips, reflecting China’s push for self-reliance amid the US restrictions.

Korean chipmaker FuriosaAI targets up to US$500M funding: The funds are intended to support mass production of its second-generation RNGD chips, expand its global operations, and develop a third-generation chip. FuriosaAI, founded in 2017 by ex-Samsung and AMD engineer June Paik, focuses on high-efficiency AI inference chips.

AI

Gen Z most concerned about AI’s impact on jobs: survey: According to Randstad survey, 80% of employees believe AI will influence their daily tasks, with job postings requiring AI agent skills increasing by over 1,500%. Nearly half of workers fear AI will benefit corporations more than the workforce.

AI’s tipping point: Why 2026 will separate the leaders from the laggards in financial services: Enterprise AI’s bottleneck isn’t technology but execution: organisations must move from pilots to autonomous, production-scale deployment, led by strong governance, data readiness, and C-suite commitment to unlock real ROI.

From deepfake porn to deadly advice: In Singapore and Malaysia, deepfake audio scams surged, with fraudsters impersonating bank officials to siphon US$25K from victims in one notorious case. Globally, 18%of deepfake incidents involved non-consensual porn.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Greentech revolution: Catalysing software’s success to drive a sustainable future: Software became intrinsic, measurable, and participatory across business; the same forces will drive greentech adoption, valuation, and category creation, reshaping operations, investment decisions, and competitive advantage worldwide.

How China is winning the global gaming industry: China’s global gaming dominance stems from structural advantages: mobile-first design, service-oriented development, data-driven iteration, integrated ecosystems, and long-term retention-focused monetisation, not population size or short-term hype.

China’s rerouting boom: How major firms are bypassing the impact of US tariffs: Despite a US-China trade deal, high effective tariffs are pushing Chinese exporters to reroute goods via Southeast Asia and North America, reshaping global supply chains and sustaining China’s export dominance.

Time is the new currency: Why APAC’s SMEs can’t afford slow financing anymore: APAC SMEs don’t lack funding options; they lack speed. Fintech’s next edge lies in collapsing time-to-capital, enabling founders to seize fleeting growth moments instantly.

Bitcoin pulls back to US$92,500 as market sentiment turns cautious: Trade tensions over US tariff threats triggered global market volatility, pressuring equities and crypto as investors shifted toward defensive assets.

From clicks to conversations: Why your next customer in Southeast Asia is an AI agent: By 2026, commerce shifts from human browsing to AI agents deciding purchases, forcing brands—especially in Southeast Asia—to optimise for machine buyers and “share of model,” not human attention.

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The top benefits of a Customer Data Platforms (CDP) are a unified customer view (88 per cent) and enhanced analytics (54 per cent), as highlighted by the CDP Institute. In today’s rapidly changing, data-driven world, people want insights such as customer behaviour, insights, contacts, and other data gathered from call centres, marketing teams, sales teams, or any relevant tools.

However, in the age of data privacy, customers are increasingly prioritising the protection of their personal data. As a result, businesses face considerable challenges and obstacles in customer data utilisation since access to personal data is often restricted. Yet, while access to certain personal information might be restricted, CDPs empower you to extract actionable insights from consolidated customer data.

What is a CDP?

A CDP is a centralised hub that seamlessly collects and manages customer data from across your business touchpoints. This comprehensive approach facilitates the creation of unified customer profiles, offering a holistic understanding of individual behaviour, preferences, interactions, and much more. By unlocking these granular insights, CDPs empower data-driven decision-making and help you tailor experiences and interactions that resonate with each customer’s unique needs.

The data typically captured by CDPs includes:

Personal information

• Name
• Contacts (e-mail, phone number, address)
• Social media profiles

Demographic information

• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Location

Behavioural data

• Website activity
• Product preferences
• Purchase history
• Marketing email engagement
• Social media interactions

Transactional data

• Purchase history
• Purchase detail
• Registration detail

Customer support interactions

• Interactions with the customer support team
• Support detail
• Suggestions and reviews

Marketing activity engagement

• Campaign participation
• Click-through rates on advertisements
• Communication channel preferences and opt-in/out status

Device and channel usage

• Device utilisation
• Channels used (such as websites, mobile applications, or social media)

Geolocation information

• Location of the device being used (for mobile applications)

Preferences and permissions

• Communication channel preferences
• Consent for data access for marketing activities

CDP, DMP, and CRM – What are they and which ones suit your business?

Customer Data Platforms (CDP), Data Management Platforms (DMP), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are created to serve different business purposes.

Also Read: What the post-cookie era means for programmatic marketing

To better understand the differences (and similarities) between the three, we can compare them based on objectives, data utilisation, and target audience.

Customer Data Platform (CDP)

CDPs are designed to consolidate customer data from various sources into a single customer profile. They allow businesses to store, merge, and manage this data, providing an overview of each customer. Marketers primarily implement CDPs to enhance customer experiences, personalise marketing campaigns, and gain insights from customer behaviours, thereby improving products and services.

Data Management Platform (DMP)

DMPs focus on managing and organising data from anonymous sources, such as IP addresses or a large amount of cookies. DMPs analyse online user behavioural data to create a target audience for advertising. Advertisers and marketing experts typically use DMPs to refine their advertising strategies and reach specific audience segments effectively.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

CRMs are designed to manage interactions and relationships with existing and prospective customers. CRMs store and track your customers’ data, contacts, communication history, and sales opportunities. Sales, marketing, and customer support teams primarily use CRMs to enhance customer communication, identify sales opportunities, and improve overall customer relationships over time.

Ten benefits of using a CDP for your business

CDPs offer a range of advantages, empowering businesses to navigate the complexities of modern data ecosystems and leverage valuable data in unprecedented ways.

Here are ten key benefits that businesses can expect from implementing a CDP:

A 360-degree customer view

A CDP aggregates customer data from diverse sources, providing businesses with a holistic understanding of each customer. This enables businesses to analyse customer behaviour, preferences, and engagement across channels without bias.

Greater personalisation

Armed with detailed customer profiles, businesses can create personalised marketing campaigns designed specifically for their target audience. This personalised approach ensures that messages, offers, and content resonate with customers, elevating their experience.

Increased customer engagement

Personal messages and quick responses delivered by a CDP foster greater customer engagement. By sending the right messages at the right time, businesses can impress customers and get greater engagement.

Improved ROI for each campaign

Companies can run better campaigns with personalised marketing that’s tailored to the target audience and powered by data insights from a CDP. This optimisation allows for more efficient resource management and a higher return on investment.

Seamless cross-channel marketing

A CDP facilitates the integration of marketing channels, ensuring consistent messaging and a cohesive brand identity across platforms. This allows customers to have a seamless experience across websites, mobile apps, emails, social media, and other touchpoints.

Faster responses with real-time data

Some CDP platforms provide access to real-time data, enabling businesses to respond quickly to customer engagement. Real-time insights allow for prompt adjustments to marketing strategies, ensuring campaigns stay relevant and continue to meet customer needs.

Higher customer retention and brand loyalty

By understanding customer needs and expectations, businesses can deliver personalised experiences that build deeper relationships with their customers and enhance brand loyalty, ensuring sustainable brand growth.

Data governance that stays compliant with regulations 

CDPs typically offer features for data governance and regulatory compliance, ensuring businesses adhere to data privacy laws. This compliance gives customers peace of mind and protects businesses from potential legal issues.

A more agile way of working

Centralising customer data on a single platform increases agility in marketing teams’ work processes. With access to all data in one place, teams can work more effectively, reducing time and effort spent on data management while enabling analysis from anywhere.

Scalability for future growth

CDPs are designed to be scalable, accommodating your growing data needs. This scalability provides businesses with a flexible solution to maximise the use of customer data as they develop their products and accelerate their growth.

Also Read: Balancing personalisation and privacy in business marketing

Best practices for using a CDP in your business

For those seeking to leverage the full potential of a CDP in their business operations, implementing the following best practices can prove highly effective:

Centralise data storage

Begin by consolidating data from both internal and external sources. Develop a robust data onboarding process to seamlessly integrate data from various touchpoints into the CDP. Conduct compatibility tests and filter and verify incoming data. Establish standard templates using APIs and connectors to integrate with existing systems such as CRM, marketing automation, and data storage.

Create comprehensive customer profiles

Focus on creating detailed customer profiles within the CDP. This allows for precise editing of customers’ personal information, removal of duplicated data, and continuous real-time updates to ensure data accuracy. Invest in tools that allow you to edit personal data to link customer data across different channels and devices. Regularly verify and correct customer profiles to maintain data quality. Additionally, enrich customer profiles with related data to gain a deeper understanding of each customer.

Implement customer segmentation and set strategic goals

Utilise effective segmentation strategies and set strategic goals to optimise customer engagement. Leverage insights from the CDP to create target audiences based on customer behaviours, preferences, and demographics.

Employ a real-time personalisation strategy

The last step is applying real-time personalisation based on insights from the CDP to enhance customer experiences throughout the campaign lifecycle. Access customer data from various touchpoints to configure personalised content on websites, mobile apps, and other marketing channels. Track and optimise your personalisation strategy based on customer engagement and feedback.

Drive all business decisions with 360-degree customer data

A CDP is a very useful platform for businesses that need 360-degree insights to decide on improving services, optimising marketing campaigns, or solving issues their customers are facing.

If you seek for CDP strategy and path you will discover their so many vendors or so many way to build solutions you ought to consider to find a expert who can help you to navigate to ensure you have fitted CDP for your business model and growth.

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One of the most difficult challenges for freelancers, creatives, and small business owners is setting the right price for their services.

Whether you’re a designer, consultant, writer, or artist, putting a dollar value on your work can feel like walking a tightrope—charge too little, and you risk burnout and resentment. Charge too much, and you fear driving potential clients away.

So, how do you strike the right balance and truly charge what you’re worth?

The emotional side of pricing

Pricing is rarely just a numbers game. It’s deeply emotional. Many professionals struggle with impostor syndrome and self-doubt, asking themselves: Am I good enough? Will anyone really pay that much for what I do?

These feelings are normal but dangerous. Undervaluing yourself not only hurts your bottom line, but it can also harm your brand image. Clients may associate low prices with low quality, leading to a vicious cycle of undercharging and being underappreciated.

Understanding the value you provide

Instead of focusing solely on time or effort, think about the value you deliver. A photographer doesn’t just take pictures—they capture memories. A designer doesn’t just create logos—they build visual identities that drive business. When you communicate the impact your work has on your clients’ goals, it becomes easier to justify higher rates.

Ask yourself:

• How does my work solve problems?

• What results do my clients see?

• What makes my service unique?

The answers to these questions should influence your pricing strategy.

Also Read: The art behind scientific pitch decks: 6 design principles to sell your science

Know your market

While it’s essential to know your worth, it’s equally important to understand your market. Research what others in your industry and experience level are charging. Don’t copy them blindly, but use this information as a benchmark. Your pricing should reflect a combination of your skills, demand, and positioning.

Also, consider your ideal client. If your rates are too low, you might attract bargain hunters who don’t value quality. On the other hand, charging premium prices can help you target serious clients who respect your expertise.

Confidence is key

One of the most powerful tools in pricing is confidence. If you’re not sure about your rates, clients won’t be either. Practice stating your prices without hesitation or apology. Instead of saying, “I usually charge $500, but I can offer a discount,” say, “My rate for this service is US$500, which includes [list deliverables].”

Remember: clients are not just paying for your time—they’re paying for your experience, creativity, reliability, and the results you deliver.

Conclusion

Charging what you’re worth isn’t about being greedy—it’s about being fair to yourself and to the value you provide. The struggle of pricing is real, but it can be overcome with clarity, confidence, and a deep understanding of your worth. The sooner you learn to price your work properly, the sooner you’ll attract the right clients and build a sustainable, rewarding business.

—

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For most of my career, work came with clear boundaries.

Everyone had a title. Everyone had a territory. And as long as you found the right person within that territory, things usually got done properly, and “accordingly.” There was comfort in that clarity.

In corporate environments, people are often careful not to step into someone else’s territory. Sometimes it’s about respect. Sometimes it’s about process. And sometimes, jokingly but not entirely untrue, it’s because stepping in might mean someone else doesn’t have enough work.

Then I stepped into the startup world — and everything flipped.

In a startup, people want you to step into their territory. Resources are constantly stretched. Time is limited. Headcount is tight. An extra pair of hands, or even just another brain thinking through a problem, is more than welcome.

No one asks which team you’re on or what your job title is. If you can help, you’re in.

Only later did I realise this mindset closely resembles a company slogan I once heard from China: “As long as you can do it, you step up.” Back then, it sounded motivational. Now, I finally understand it.

Learning to manage my own “highway”

Another adjustment came from something seemingly small, yet deeply telling: how people collaborate.

For years, I worked in Google Workspace — shared documents, real-time edits, seamless collaboration. It felt efficient and natural.

Then I joined the startup and found Excel files being emailed back and forth. Versions of versions. Updates layered on top of updates.

My first instinct was disbelief. My second was to change it.

But I learned quickly that changing how people work isn’t just about better tools. It’s about timing, trust, and shared readiness.

So I took a deep breath. I swallowed my internal commentary. I kept my head up, my smile on, and worked with what the team was comfortable with.

My way was not the highway — even if, in my opinion, it was still the better one (well, says a Xoogler).

Also Read: Value creation: When startups die surrounded by capital

In startups moving at light speed, getting things done matters more than rebuilding infrastructure. There will be time to improve systems later — if the business survives long enough to get there.

Sometimes, progress starts with letting go of your own fixation.

Being ready to pivot — constantly

My title on this journey has been “Head of Special Projects.” In reality, that meant being thrown into operations, marketing, customer service, sales, hiring, training, PR, procurement, and whatever else came up.

If you ask me, honestly, which of these I had experience in before, the answer is simple: none. Absolutely none.

My background was in partnerships and business development. That was my comfort zone.

But I chose not to let my past experience define what I could do next.

This journey has been a long series of saying “yes, and” to projects I had no idea how to handle — and then figuring things out along the way. What made it possible was knowing I wasn’t alone. Most people on the team were facing steep learning curves, too.

There were no formal training programmes. No certifications. No colour-coded belts like in corporate life. There was orientation, and then there was reality.

We learned by doing. By talking to people. By making mistakes — and fixing them fast.

That’s the fun part. And also the hard part.

Also Read: Cruising the startup ocean: Building without a playbook 

Do I miss the corporate version of myself?

Yes, I do.

Corporate work feels easier now — familiar systems, predictable rhythms, fewer daily surprises. Well, except for the politics.

Have I burned out in my startup journey? Absolutely.

But burnout here feels different. It’s not just exhaustion — it’s a process of rebuilding and reshaping your internal shield for something tougher. In startups, there is no floating. Every day brings new problems that can save or break the business.

In corporate roles, challenges often drive incremental growth. In startups, challenges are about survival.

Who am I becoming?

What I’ve realised is this: the startup world sharpens you. It keeps you on your toes. You have less time to sit with sensitivity, because everyone, including yourself, is focused on moving forward or finding a way forward.

Empathy still matters. But so does the ability to set things aside quickly, change gears, and keep going.

So who am I now, deep in the startup ocean?

Maybe I’m still learning how to swim. But with less panic. More calm. And a better relationship with the panic itself.

Panic is part of the daily routine anyway. The goal is no longer to avoid it — but to learn how not to drown.

—

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Global markets shifted sharply into risk-off mode as President Trump announced proposed 10 per cent tariffs on eight European countries that opposed US plans regarding Greenland. The move reignited trade-war anxieties, triggering a broad retreat from risk assets and sending haven assets to new highs.

US equity index futures reflected the unease, with the S&P 500 down 0.9 per cent and the Nasdaq 100 falling 1.1 per cent. European stock futures dropped 1.2 per cent, while most Asian markets followed suit except China, where equities rose 0.3 per cent after official data confirmed the economy grew by five per cent in 2025, meeting its annual target despite a fourth-quarter slowdown.

The flight to safety propelled gold to a record US$4,635.88 per ounce, up 0.9 per cent, while silver also surged. In contrast, oil prices declined as geopolitical tensions around Iran eased. Currency markets mirrored the shift in sentiment, with the US dollar weakening broadly. The euro climbed 0.3 per cent to US$1.1627, and the Japanese yen strengthened to 157.66 per dollar. Cryptocurrencies did not escape the selloff. Bitcoin plunged 3.2 per cent to US$92,310.23, and the broader crypto market shed 2.9 per cent over the past 24 hours.

Also Read: Building trust in turbulent times: The new security paradigm for crypto exchanges

Three interlocking forces drove this downturn.

First, renewed US–EU trade tensions created immediate policy uncertainty. With US cash markets closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, futures bore the brunt of investor anxiety, and crypto, which often correlates with tech-heavy equities, got caught in the downdraft. The threat of retaliatory tariffs by February 1, coupled with a 54.5 per cent probability of a formal US move on Greenland according to prediction markets, kept volatility elevated.

Second, excessive leverage in crypto markets turned a modest dip into a cascade. As Bitcoin broke below US$92,000, over US$357 million in leveraged long positions were liquidated within an hour, contributing to total crypto liquidations of US$865 million. Open interest stood at US$645 billion, up nearly 20 per cent recently, signalling crowded bullish positioning. Negative funding rates of –0.000255 per cent further revealed that longs were paying shorts to stay in the market, a classic sign of overheated optimism vulnerable to reversal.

Third, technical breakdowns accelerated the decline. Bitcoin’s failure to hold the US$95,000 support level triggered algorithmic sell orders and panic among retail traders. The global crypto market cap fell below its 30-day exponential moving average of US$3.12 trillion, and the RSI dipped to 41.8, indicating waning momentum. Altcoins suffered disproportionately, with Solana down 10.63 per cent and Filecoin sliding 10.86 per cent. Among the top 50 assets, Aster posted one of the steepest losses, dropping more than 15 per cent.

Despite these headwinds, underlying fundamentals in parts of the crypto ecosystem remain robust. Ethereum continues to see record staking demand, suggesting strong conviction in its long-term utility. Macro fears have temporarily overridden such positives.

For now, the path forward hinges on two variables: whether the US and EU can de-escalate tariff rhetoric before the February 1 deadline, and whether Bitcoin can reclaim the US$93,000 level to signal short-term stabilisation. If trade tensions ease, altcoins may find relief, but until then, the market will likely remain hostage to geopolitical headlines and the fragility of overleveraged positions.

—

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SPUN, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup building digital infrastructure for visa processing, has raised US$1.8 million in seed funding.

The round was led by Japan’s Genesia Ventures, with participation from Antler, Iterative, and Kopital Ventures.

The capital will support SPUN’s expansion across Southeast Asia amid rising demand for streamlined cross-border travel tech.

Also Read: What Japan and Southeast Asia teach us about co-creating innovation

SPUN operates as a backend platform that simplifies visa applications and approvals for governments, travel agencies, and businesses. In essence, it provides APIs and software tools that integrate with national immigration systems, automating document verification, eligibility checks, and application tracking. Users submit details through partner apps or websites, and SPUN’s system handles the rest — routing data securely to authorities and delivering real-time status updates.

This technology addresses longstanding friction in global mobility. Traditional visa processes rely on paper forms, embassy queues, and manual reviews, often take weeks, and are prone to errors or fraud. SPUN’s digital layer reduces processing times to days or hours, cuts administrative costs by up to 40 per cent, and enhances security through biometric matching and AI-driven risk assessment. Its importance lies in enabling scalable, contactless travel infrastructure, critical as international tourism rebounds post-pandemic and remote work fuels digital nomadism.

For Indonesia, the funding marks a milestone in its tech ecosystem. As Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia issues millions of visas annually to tourists, workers, and investors, but its system has faced bottlenecks –evident in 2024 delays during peak travel seasons. SPUN, founded in 2023 by Jakarta-based engineers, already powers parts of Indonesia’s e-visa portal.

The investment signals growing investor confidence in local startups tackling public sector inefficiencies. It could accelerate Indonesia’s digital transformation goals under its “Making Indonesia 4.0” roadmap, potentially boosting tourism revenue (which hit US$20 billion in 2025) by making entry smoother for 15 million annual visitors. Critics note risks, like data privacy concerns in a country with patchy cybersecurity regulations.

SPUN is now expanding into three Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. These markets were selected for their high visa volumes — Thailand alone processes over 30 million tourist visas yearly — and openness to tech partnerships.

Also Read: Japanese startups seek strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia

The company has partnered with immigration authorities in six countries so far. These include Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and one additional Southeast Asian nation not publicly named. Partnerships involve co-developing APIs tailored to each country’s regulations, such as Singapore’s strict biometrics standards or Malaysia’s labor migration focus.

Customers — ranging from travel platforms like Trip.com to corporate relocators and government agencies — gain tangible benefits. Processing times drop from seven to 14 days to under 48 hours in tested pilots. Costs fall via automation, eliminating physical handling fees. Fraud detection improves with machine learning that flags inconsistencies in 95 per cent of cases, per SPUN’s internal metrics. Applicants receive mobile notifications and one-click submissions, while governments get analytics dashboards for demand forecasting.

Competition is heating up. Regionally, Singapore-based Visa2Fly offers similar API integrations but focuses more on airline partnerships. In Southeast Asia, Travel Visa Pro competes with agent-facing tools.

Globally, players like iVisa (US-based) provide DIY application portals, while Atlys (India) emphasises consumer apps with embedded visa services. Larger incumbents such as VFS Global dominate outsourced processing with physical centres in over 150 countries, though they lag in full digitisation. SPUN differentiates through its government-first approach, embedding directly into official systems rather than third-party facades.

Also Read: East meets Southeast: How Japan can empower a new wave of SEA startup innovation

Genesia Ventures, known for early bets on Southeast Asian fintechs like Gojek, sees SPUN as a fit for a US$50 billion regional travel tech market projected to grow 15 per cent annually through 2030. “Visa infrastructure is the hidden bottleneck in SEA’s mobility boom,” said a Genesia partner in a statement. SPUN plans to use the funds for engineering hires and compliance certifications.

The deal underscores Japan’s deepening ties with Indonesia’s startup scene, following investments in firms like Xendit. However, challenges remain: navigating diverse regulations across ASEAN and ensuring data sovereignty amid US-China tech tensions. As SPUN scales, it will test whether niche infrastructure plays can thrive amid giants.

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As Southeast Asia’s digital economy surges past the US$1 trillion mark in 2026, propelled by rapid fintech adoption and AI-driven enterprises, the region’s cybersecurity landscape is a battlefield of innovation and peril.

With over 400 million internet users across ASEAN nations, cyber threats have evolved into sophisticated, state-sponsored operations and AI-augmented attacks.

Also Read: Super apps, fintech wallets and mobile payments: Southeast Asia’s next big cyber risk

According to the “ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2025” report, incidents rose 28 per cent year-on-year, costing businesses an estimated US$12 billion. Yet, amid this turbulence, startups and governments are forging resilient defences. Here are the pivotal trends defining 2026.

1. AI-powered threat detection and the rise of ‘defensive AI’

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of cybersecurity in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA) reports that 65 per cent of enterprises now deploy AI-driven tools for real-time threat detection, a sharp rise from 42 per cent in 2025.

Indonesian startup SekurID, fresh off a US$15 million Series A, exemplifies this with its AI Sentinel platform, which uses machine learning to predict ransomware patterns with 94 per cent accuracy.

The flip side? Adversaries are weaponising AI too. ‘Deepfake phishing‘ attacks spiked 150 per cent in the Philippines and Vietnam, per Interpol data, where generative AI crafts hyper-realistic executive impersonations. Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) thwarted a US$50 million scam targeting Bangkok banks using voice-cloned calls.

Defensive AI countermeasures, like multimodal verification from Malaysian firm CyberShield, are gaining traction, integrating biometrics and behavioural analytics to outpace attackers.

2. Quantum-resistant cryptography amid Quantum breakthroughs

Quantum computing‘s commercial dawn in 2026 has the region scrambling. IBM’s Singapore quantum hub and Alibaba’s Kuala Lumpur lab accelerated hybrid quantum attacks, cracking legacy RSA encryption in lab tests. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) mandated quantum-resistant algorithms for financial institutions by Q3, spurring a boom in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) startups.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s cyber boom is fuelled by fear—and AI

Vietnam’s QuantumSafe Tech raised US$20 million to develop lattice-based encryption tailored for IoT devices in smart cities. Regional adoption, however, lags behind; only 22 per cent of Indonesian firms are PQC-ready, per a Deloitte survey, exposing supply chains to ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ threats. Governments are responding: Malaysia’s MyDigital blueprint allocates RM500 million for quantum-safe infrastructure, fostering collaborations with startups like Qryptix.

3. Zero-trust architectures go mainstream in hybrid workforces

The pandemic’s hybrid work legacy persists, with 70 per cent of SEA firms operating distributed models. Zero-trust architectures (ZTA) — verifying every access request — have become non-negotiable. Gartner’s 2026 forecast predicts 80 per cent adoption in Singapore and the Philippines, driven by tools from local innovators like Node42 in Jakarta, whose ZeroGate platform reduced breach dwell time by 60 per cent.

Supply chain vulnerabilities, highlighted by the 2025 SolarWinds-style attack on Vietnam’s VinGroup, underscore ZTA’s urgency. Brunei and Cambodia are catching up via ASEAN Digital Economy Framework pacts, integrating ZTA into national cloud mandates.

4. Ransomware-as-a-service targets SMEs and critical infrastructure

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of SEA’s US$300 billion digital economy, face existential ransomware threats. Groups like LockBit 4.0 offer ‘RaaS’ kits, hitting 40 per cent more Indonesian SMEs in 2026, per Check Point Research. Critical infrastructure (ports in Singapore, power grids in Thailand) saw 35 per cent attack surges, with Laos’ hydropower network offline for 72 hours after a US$10 million demand.

Philippine startup RansomBlocker uses blockchain for immutable backups, securing over 500 SMEs. Regional initiatives, like Singapore’s SGSecure+ and Indonesia’s BSSN Cyber Drill, emphasise resilience training.

5. Regulatory harmonisation and the ASEAN cyber shield initiative

Fragmented regulations are unifying under the 2026 ASEAN Cyber Shield Initiative, standardising data protection akin to GDPR. Singapore’s PDPA amendments impose fines up to 10 per cent of global turnover, while Thailand’s PDPA enforcement netted US$5 million in penalties. This spurs cross-border startups: for e.g., Hanoi-based SecureNet, offers compliance-as-a-service for 1,000+ firms.

Also Read: Why does cybersecurity training for employees in Malaysia matter and how to go about it?

Talent shortages persist; SEA needs 2.5 million cyber experts by 2030.

Looking ahead: Resilience through innovation

Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity in 2026 is a tale of dual forces: escalating threats met by agile innovation. Startups like SekurID and QuantumSafe are leading the charge.

For founders and executives, the mantra is clear: invest in AI defences, embrace zero-trust, and align with regional regs. As digital transformation accelerates, those who fortify now will thrive in tomorrow’s connected frontier.

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Fujitsu Limited and SC Ventures have unveiled a roadmap for Qubitra Technologies, a joint venture designed to accelerate quantum computing adoption and innovation across Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia.

By combining Fujitsu’s quantum expertise with Standard Chartered’s innovation ecosystem, the partnership seeks to transform how organisations access and leverage quantum resources.

Understanding Qubitra: Quantum made accessible

In simple terms, Qubitra functions as a digital marketplace and collaboration hub for quantum computing. Think of it as a bridge connecting quantum researchers, developers, and enterprises who need quantum solutions but lack the infrastructure or expertise to build them independently.

Also Read: How quantum computing moved from components to applications in 2024

Here’s how it works: The platform integrates quantum computing resources (including hardware, software, and algorithms) alongside a curated network of quantum talent and expertise. Organisations can access quantum capabilities on demand through a unified digital interface, eliminating the need for massive upfront capital investments in quantum infrastructure.

Whether a financial institution needs to optimise portfolios or a pharmaceutical company requires molecular simulations, Qubitra provides the tools and talent to solve complex quantum problems without building quantum labs from scratch.

Accelerating innovation through strategic partnership

The Fujitsu-SC Ventures collaboration creates an innovation multiplier effect:

• Fujitsu’s contribution: As a pioneer in quantum computing, Fujitsu brings cutting-edge quantum technology, including its Digital Annealer and quantum-classical hybrid systems, alongside decades of enterprise computing expertise.
• SC Ventures’s network: Standard Chartered’s global financial services network and innovation platform provides immediate access to enterprise clients across banking, finance, and other sectors hungry for quantum solutions.

Also Read: Quantum’s inflection point: Why the smart money is watching now

• The synergy: By combining these strengths, Qubitra removes traditional barriers to quantum adoption. Organisations gain access to enterprise-grade quantum resources without vendor lock-in, while quantum developers and startups find a ready market for their innovations. This ecosystem approach dramatically reduces the time-to-value for quantum applications and attracts new talent to the field.

Asia Pacific and SEA: A quantum growth story

The quantum computing sector in Asia Pacific is experiencing remarkable momentum:

• Regional investment surge: Asia Pacific has emerged as the second-largest quantum computing market globally, with government initiatives and private investment flowing into quantum research centres across China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and India.
• Government backing: Singapore has positioned itself as a quantum hub through initiatives like the National Quantum-Safe Migration Programme. Japan continues significant quantum R&D investment, while India has launched its National Quantum Mission to develop indigenous quantum technologies.
• Enterprise adoption: Financial institutions, particularly in Singapore and Hong Kong, are actively exploring quantum applications for portfolio optimisation, risk analysis, and cryptography. Pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors are investigating quantum simulations for drug discovery and materials science.
• Southeast Asia’s emerging role: While still nascent, Southeast Asia is rapidly becoming a focal point for quantum development. Countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand are establishing quantum research initiatives, creating fertile ground for platforms like Qubitra to accelerate adoption.

The quantum future of Southeast Asia: Opportunities and challenges

The outlook for quantum computing in Southeast Asia is decidedly optimistic, though nuanced:

Growth catalysts

• Regulatory advantage: Southeast Asian nations are establishing quantum-friendly regulatory frameworks ahead of the curve, potentially attracting quantum startups and talent from more restrictive markets.
• Talent pipeline: Universities across the region are expanding quantum education programs, creating a new generation of quantum engineers and researchers.
• Problem-solving urgency: SEA faces unique challenges—from managing complex supply chains to optimising energy grids—where quantum computing offers transformative solutions.

In the long term, Southeast Asia could transition from quantum consumer to quantum producer, with homegrown quantum technologies and intellectual property. The region’s position between global quantum leaders (China, the US, Japan) and emerging markets creates unique opportunities for quantum applications tailored to Asian business challenges.

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

Critical success factor: Platforms like Qubitra that democratise quantum access will be essential. Without such bridges, quantum computing risks remaining an exclusive tool for well-funded enterprises, missing the opportunity to unlock innovation across Southeast Asia’s diverse economy.

The Qubitra announcement signals a strategic shift: quantum computing is moving from laboratory curiosity to practical business tool, and Asia Pacific is positioning itself as the epicentre of this transformation. For Southeast Asia specifically, this joint venture may represent a pivotal moment– the chance to leapfrog traditional technology adoption cycles and establish genuine quantum computing capability before the window closes.

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China’s rise in the global gaming industry is frequently attributed to surface-level factors such as population size, low production costs, or aggressive monetisation. While these elements exist, they do not adequately explain the durability or consistency of China’s success. Many countries have large populations. Many industries rely on monetisation. Few achieve sustained global leadership.

China’s advantage in gaming is structural. It lies in how games are conceptualised as systems, how players are understood as long-term participants, and how operations are optimised for longevity rather than short-term performance. To understand why China is winning, it is necessary to examine the underlying mechanics of its gaming ecosystem rather than individual success stories.

Market scale as an iteration engine

China’s domestic gaming market functions less as a revenue endpoint and more as a continuous testing environment. The sheer volume of players allows developers to observe behaviour at scale, producing reliable data on how users interact with mechanics, progression systems, difficulty curves, and monetisation options. Patterns that might take years to emerge in smaller markets can be identified quickly.

This scale enables extensive iteration before global release. Developers can adjust pacing, rebalance systems, or refine reward structures based on real engagement rather than assumptions. Importantly, failure within the domestic market does not necessarily end a project; it becomes part of the learning process.

In contrast, many Western studios face high pressure at launch, as international markets are often required to validate a game’s success. This compresses experimentation into limited post-launch windows and increases financial risk. Chinese studios, by stabilising systems domestically first, enter global markets with greater confidence and predictability.

Why mobile-first design became a structural advantage

China’s early gaming environment was shaped by constraints rather than choice. Limited access to consoles and uneven PC availability meant that mobile devices became the primary gaming platform for a broad segment of the population. This forced developers to design for mobile conditions from the outset.

As a result, Chinese games were built around short, repeatable play sessions, intuitive controls, and immediate feedback loops. Progression systems were calibrated to feel rewarding even within minutes of play. These design principles aligned closely with real-world user behavior, especially among working adults.

When mobile hardware evolved to support advanced graphics and complex gameplay, Chinese studios did not need to rethink their design philosophy. They simply expanded on an existing foundation. Western studios, which historically prioritised console and PC experiences, often struggled to adapt their mechanics to mobile platforms without compromising usability or engagement. Over time, this divergence became structural rather than temporary.

Also Read: Gaming in SEA: Understanding the growing opportunity for SMEs and payment providers

Games as services, not products

Chinese developers generally treat games as long-term services rather than finite products. This perspective influences every stage of development, from system architecture to content planning.

Instead of designing toward a launch milestone, teams design toward multi-year operation. Systems are modular, so they can be expanded or adjusted without destabilising the game. Content pipelines are continuous, ensuring that players encounter regular updates rather than sporadic expansions.

Success is measured by retention stability, player lifetime value, and engagement consistency rather than peak sales. This encourages sustainability and discourages short-term design decisions that might generate immediate revenue but harm long-term participation. Western studios, particularly those with legacy business models, often struggle to adopt this mindset fully due to publisher expectations and production constraints.

Monetisation as system architecture

In the Chinese gaming ecosystem, monetisation is embedded into the design process rather than appended after development. This integration allows monetisation systems to align closely with progression and engagement mechanics.

Features such as gacha draws, VIP tiers, seasonal passes, and limited-time events are designed to distribute spending across a player’s lifecycle. Rather than pushing for immediate high-value purchases, these systems encourage gradual commitment and long-term participation.

This approach produces more predictable revenue streams and reduces reliance on a small number of high-spending users. While these monetisation models are often criticised externally, their effectiveness lies in their ability to sustain development and content creation over extended periods without destabilising the player base.

Retention through routine, not novelty

Chinese studios prioritise retention by integrating games into players’ daily routines rather than relying on constant novelty. Daily incentives, recurring events, and predictable progression milestones encourage habitual engagement.

Instead of overwhelming players with continuous new content, these games emphasise consistency and familiarity. Characters and narratives evolve slowly, allowing emotional attachment to develop over time. This reduces cognitive fatigue and lowers churn rates.

Western studios frequently focus on content volume and novelty, which can generate short-term excitement but often leads to burnout. By emphasising routine and continuity, Chinese games achieve longer player lifespans and more stable communities.

Also Read: How sailing as a teenager prepared me for a career in tech and gaming

Operational discipline in live operations

Live operations are treated as a core competency within Chinese studios. Dedicated teams monitor player behaviour, event performance, and system balance in real time. This data-driven approach allows developers to respond quickly to emerging issues.

Features that underperform are modified or removed without hesitation. Successful mechanics are expanded and optimised. Event schedules are adjusted based on player engagement rather than fixed calendars.

This operational discipline allows games to recover from weak launches and adapt to changing player preferences. Western studios, often constrained by slower production pipelines and higher coordination costs, struggle to achieve the same level of responsiveness.

Ecosystem integration and control

China’s gaming industry benefits from vertically integrated ecosystems that encompass development, publishing, distribution, payments, social interaction, and streaming. This integration reduces friction across the player journey.

User acquisition, community engagement, and monetisation occur within interconnected platforms, lowering costs and improving efficiency. Feedback from players flows directly into development cycles, shortening iteration timelines.

In contrast, Western studios operate within fragmented ecosystems dominated by external platforms. This fragmentation increases dependency risks, raises acquisition costs, and limits control over player relationships.

Also Read: Cybercriminals launch 6.3M fake shopping scams; gaming platforms also under fire

Regulation as a catalyst for maturity

China’s regulatory environment has imposed strict controls on game approvals, monetisation practices, and playtime. While often perceived as restrictive, regulation has forced studios to become more disciplined and efficient.

Domestic constraints reduced reliance on rapid growth and encouraged operational optimisation. To sustain revenue, studios expanded internationally, investing in localisation, cultural adaptation, and compliance infrastructure.

Rather than weakening the industry, regulation accelerated its maturation. Studios capable of navigating regulatory complexity developed the organisational resilience needed to compete globally.

A structural shift, not a temporary trend

China’s leadership in the global gaming industry reflects long-term structural alignment rather than short-term advantage. Mobile-first design, service-oriented development, monetisation integration, operational discipline, and ecosystem control collectively form a durable framework.

This does not signal the decline of Western or Japanese gaming, but it does indicate a redistribution of industry leadership. Creative excellence remains global, but operational and economic influence has shifted.

China is winning the global gaming industry not through isolated successes, but through systems that prioritise longevity, adaptability, and scale.

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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.

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