Across Asia, startups are continuing to execute across markets, sectors, and stages. While macro conditions may shift, founders are still expanding operations, launching products, strengthening intellectual property, and building partnerships that push their companies forward.

Many of these developments are shared directly through company profiles and milestone updates on e27. For investors, corporates, and ecosystem players, these updates provide real-time insight into where traction is forming. For founders, publishing milestones creates visibility, documents progress, and signals credibility in a competitive landscape.

If you are building a startup in Asia, creating your company profile and posting milestones on e27 ensures your updates are discoverable by the wider ecosystem. Product launches, expansions, patent filings, partnerships, and event participation all contribute to your public track record. Below are some of the latest milestones shared by startups on e27.

Also Read: As Asia’s startup ecosystem moves forward, these milestones show what founders are building

Recent milestones from startups on e27

• PriyoShop: Scaling up with seven new hubs

PriyoShop expanded its footprint by launching operations in Sonargaon in partnership with Grameenphone, followed by six additional hubs across Netrokona. The expansion enables local grocery retailers with streamlined ordering, timely delivery, and transparent transactions to support their digital transformation.

• ExpertOps AI: Formation of Advisory Board of Industry Leaders

ExpertOps AI announced the formation of its Advisory Board, bringing together senior leaders with experience across analytics, AI, and enterprise software. The move strengthens strategic guidance as the company scales its AI and enterprise capabilities.

• Demokraft AI: Demokraft AI Studio Beta Launch

Demokraft AI launched the beta version of Demokraft AI Studio, enabling B2B teams to convert raw product recordings into polished videos and interactive guides within minutes. The accompanying AI Hub transforms these assets into conversational, self-guided demos that qualify leads and support revenue generation around the clock.

• Unified Intelligence: SFAIX IP milestone with patent filings in Singapore and the United States

Unified Intelligence filed patents in Singapore and the United States for SFAIX, its Secure Federated AI eXchange. The privacy-preserving network layer is designed to support governed intelligence exchange and expand the company’s intellectual property portfolio toward scalable network effects.

• Good Bards: 2026 product enhancements now live

Good Bards released its 2026 product updates, strengthening its AI-powered MarketingOS platform. Enhancements include full campaign creation, advanced planning tools, AI-driven audience segmentation, native email marketing, integration with SEA-LION, and seamless connectivity with Google Suite.

• FEHA: Showcased solutions at Cybersec Asia Thailand

FEHA participated as an exhibitor at Cybersec Asia Thailand, connecting with cybersecurity leaders across APAC and presenting its compliance and risk management solutions. The event reinforced its positioning in supporting ISO 27001 implementation and automated risk workflows.

• 2nd.digital: Launch of dotSpotlight

2nd.digital launched dotSpotlight, a new platform dedicated to highlighting the human stories behind digital builders and creators. The initiative focuses on elevating narratives within the digital ecosystem.

Also Read: Celebrating innovation and momentum across Asia’s startup and SME ecosystem

Turning milestones into visibility

Each of these updates reflects progress that founders chose to share publicly. When milestones are documented on e27, they become part of a broader ecosystem narrative that investors, corporates, and partners actively monitor.

If your startup has expanded, launched a new product, formed a partnership, filed intellectual property, or participated in a major industry event, consider publishing that update on your e27 company profile. Visibility compounds over time.

From online visibility to in-person opportunities

Your emails are not getting opened. Your booth will. Echelon Singapore 2026 brings together 300+ investors, 500+ corporates, and 100+ media over two days, focused on meaningful connections and outcomes. Founders leave with term sheets, pilot projects, and partnerships, not just business cards.

Secure your Startup a booth now at 40 per cent OFF here.

Unsure if you are the right fit? Reach us at events@e27.co.

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Oneteam, a Singapore-headquartered SME acquisition platform focused on succession solutions, has secured a dedicated M&A financing facility from Polaris, the alternative financing arm of GB Helios, to fund its second acquisition, completed in September 2025.

The facility is designed to help Oneteam scale its approach to what it describes as long-term stewardship of profitable local SMEs, with an initial push into essential services within the built environment.

Also Read: Oneteam nets US$2.6M funding to revolutionise SME succession planning in Singapore

The bigger story here is not simply “startup raises money” but that a non-bank financier embedded in Singapore’s SME ecosystem is backing an acquisition-led operator with a model that aims to keep businesses alive after founders retire, without defaulting to trade sales, shutdowns, or fire-drills inside the family.

Financing the “missing middle” of SME M&A

Polaris’s facility introduces a dedicated financing structure for SME acquisitions with annual revenue below about SGD 10 million (US$7.4 million), a segment that Oneteam and its partners say is often underserved by traditional M&A lenders.

That gap matters because many succession-driven deals sit in an awkward band: too small and operationally messy for conventional acquisition finance, but too important to the real economy to be left to chance. In practice, the hardest part of SME succession is rarely “finding a buyer” but structuring a deal that is responsible, financeable, and operationally survivable once the founder steps away.

GB Helios, which has supported local enterprises through multiple economic cycles and is a Participating Financial Institution under Enterprise Singapore’s Enterprise Financing Scheme, is betting that Oneteam’s platform can turn succession from a cliff-edge into a repeatable process.

How employee ownership tackles the succession crisis

Oneteam’s core pitch is an employee ownership succession model: it acquires profitable SMEs from retiring owners and transitions them into employee-owned entities, with a focus on developing next-generation leaders from within the company rather than flipping the asset for a short-term exit.

This addresses several structural failure modes that show up repeatedly in SME succession:

• Continuity risk: When a founder exits abruptly, institutional knowledge often walks out the door. Transitioning ownership and leadership to internal talent reduces operational shock.
• Talent retention: Employee ownership can turn key staff into long-term stewards, not flight risks. In labour-tight sectors, that can be as valuable as a new sales pipeline.
• Alignment over extraction: Traditional buyouts can incentivise aggressive cost-cutting to service debt. A permanent-ownership approach is positioned as prioritising durability, service quality, and compounding operational improvements.
• “No heir, no sale” dead-ends: Many SMEs are not easily sold to competitors (who may dismantle teams) or passed to family (who may not want the business). Employee ownership offers a third route.

Matthew Pay, CFO of Oneteam, framed the constraint bluntly: “Access to financing options is one of the biggest missing pieces in local SME succession. This partnership with GB Helios gives us the ability to scale our acquisition strategy prudently, while continuing to invest in people, systems, and long-term value creation.”

What Oneteam has done so far, and the growth it is claiming

Over the past 12 months, Oneteam — which in November last year secured US$2.6 million in seed funding — has completed two acquisitions of profitable businesses within the facilities and property management ecosystem, part of a broader strategy to build a suite of services for Singapore’s built environment sector.

The company has not disclosed broader pipeline numbers or a run-rate of acquisitions beyond these two completed deals. However, it said the portfolio companies have delivered double-digit growth since acquisition, which Oneteam is using to argue that its operating playbook is more than financial engineering.

Also Read: Growth-minded Singapore SMEs turn to fintech amid cost pressures: Airwallex survey

That matters because acquisition platforms live or die on post-deal execution: upgrading systems, professionalising processes, retaining frontline teams, and maintaining customer satisfaction while leadership changes hands.

Joel Ang, Principal at Wavemaker Ventures, said: “From day one, our conviction in Oneteam was built on its mission-driven approach and disciplined execution. Seeing GB Helios come onboard as a strategic financing partner validates both the model and the long-term opportunity. This is exactly the kind of ecosystem collaboration needed to strengthen Singapore’s SME backbone.”

Strategic synergies with the GB Helios ecosystem

The Polaris facility is the headline, but the partnership is also setting up practical synergies that matter in the unglamorous, day-to-day reality of SME operations.

According to the release, the collaboration can extend into:

• Working capital support, which is often the difference between a smooth transition and a cashflow crisis
• Operational financing and equipment leasing, especially relevant for facilities and property management businesses that rely on vehicles, tools, and equipment uptime
• Human resource management solutions, to standardise hiring, retention, and performance processes across a fragmented sector

For Oneteam, this can compress the time needed to stabilise an acquired business post-transition. For GB Helios, it creates a pipeline of SMEs being professionalised and digitised — a healthier credit and operating profile over time, rather than one-off lending.

Global alternatives: not a new idea, but a local execution game

Globally, Oneteam’s model resembles a few well-established approaches:

• Search funds/entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA): common in the US and increasingly elsewhere, where operators buy a “boring but profitable” business and run it long-term.
• Employee ownership trusts (EOTs) and ESOP-style transitions: used in markets like the UK and US to move ownership to employees while preserving business continuity.
• Permanent capital holding companies: such as Permanent Equity (US) and other long-term hold buyers that prioritise durability over quick exits.
• SME roll-up platforms: some tech-enabled acquirers focus on standardising operations across many small businesses, though not all are explicitly employee-ownership-led.

Also Read: From admin headache to AI-driven insights: How Earlybird AI empowers SME founders

The difference in Southeast Asia is the operating terrain: fragmented industries, uneven digitisation, and a financing landscape that can leave sub-scale deals stranded. That is why the Oneteam-Polaris partnership is worth watching. It is trying to make succession financeable at the size band where most real businesses actually live.

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Image Credit: Oneteam.

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Office space might only account for around 10 per cent of a company’s operating costs, but it sets the stage for everything else. The decisions made about space shape how people work, what kind of culture forms, and how much money and carbon is quietly lost in the background.

Too much space creates dead zones. Too little, and things get tense fast. The challenge is not just about cost-saving anymore. It is about creating the kind of working environment people want to show up to without overcommitting on a footprint you do not need.

Why space still matters more than you think?

Even with hybrid work becoming the norm, office costs have not caught up. CBRE’s 2024 research found that although three-quarters of companies see decent midweek attendance (above 60 per cent), only 28 per cent sustain that across the whole week.

In other words, we are paying for a space that works well for three days and sits underused for two.

The lease does not pause on Thursdays and Fridays.

The bias towards empty chairs

There is a strong, often unspoken bias in favour of oversizing. As researcher William Fawcett points out, leaders are more likely to be blamed when people cannot find desks than when space sits unused.

But the costs add up. Fawcett’s long-term studies suggest that carrying excess capacity can raise lifecycle costs by 20–30 per cent. Even after COVID-19, fewer than one-third of organisations are averaging more than 60 per cent desk use.

We keep renting chairs no one is sitting in. Not because it is rational, but because running short feels riskier than running wasteful.

Also Read: Top 5 strategies on how startup founders can drive healthy, rapid growth in an uncertain economy

Introducing the Goldilocks curve

Through years of client work, we have noticed a pattern. As space per person increases, employee experience initially improves but only to a point. After that, it dips.

• Too tight (Red) – It’s noisy, hard to book a meeting room, and mentally tiring.
• Just right (Green) – There’s just enough density for a sense of energy, casual learning, and spontaneous collaboration.
• Too loose (Red again) – Floors feel empty, culture thins out, and the office starts to feel optional at best, irrelevant at worst.

Quantifying the sweet spot

• What the data says

Space-time surveys back from 2005 in large portfolios show a typical 57  per cent desk utilisation during any half-day —remarkably close to CBRE’s numbers 20 years later! Pushing utilisation from 60 per cent (historical “full” demand) to 85 per cent (modelled “expected” demand) lets organisations drop about one-third of fixed desks yet maintain service quality.

• Cost-and-capacity trade-offs

When you plot desk count (cost) against probability of “no-desk” events (service risk), returns diminish fast. Each extra desk buys a little more certainty but at escalating cost and detriment in employee experience.

In practice, portfolios that aim for ~95-97 per cent seating certainty (≈ 1–2 “no-desk” moments in entire years, usually over 200 effective working days) capture most savings without harming morale. The right KPI therefore shifts from cost per desk provided to cost per desk actually used (CPDU).

Three-step method for CRE + CFOs

Also Read: Strategic investment 101: A founder’s playbook for winning without losing control

Implementation roadmap

You do not have to commit to everything at once. Start small and scale.

• Pilot for five days in one hub.
• Map the full regional portfolio within a month.
• Roll out internally over 6–12 months: dashboards, lease reviews, and workplace improvements.
• Create a review loop: quarterly usage checks, annual KPI refresh.

Track progress using:

• Cost per desk used
• Workplace experience scores (e.g., Leesman)
• Carbon per employee

Takeaways for 2025

Too much space quietly eats into profit. Too little makes people uncomfortable fast. But there is a middle ground, one that is informed by real usage patterns and supported by flexible tools.

We have seen what happens when companies find that sweet spot: the office becomes useful again, budgets become manageable, and people actually want to show up.

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Well, both yes and no.

Yes, these tools are a boon for non-tech-savvy individuals who want to create aesthetically pleasing and functional websites—whether for blogs, small businesses, or startups. They’re affordable for businesses aiming to enhance their digital presence to drive sales and conversions.

No, because they can’t entirely replace the expertise of professional developers. Building a high-quality (or even mid-quality) website often involves plugins, domain and hosting management, UI/UX optimisation, and ongoing maintenance. No one wants to face a dreaded “404 Error” on their site due to poor oversight.

So, what’s all the buzzabout low-code and no-code web builders? And how can businesses make the most of them?

What is a no-code builder?

As the name suggests, no-code website builders allow users to create websites without writing a single line of code. These platforms rely on intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and design elements, making the process accessible even to those with no technical background.

No-code platforms simplify website development, enabling users to launch professional-looking sites quickly while saving time and resources. However, creating a powerful, polished site still requires understanding web design basics and advanced practices.

While these platforms accelerate the design and development process, they don’t necessarily make it “easier”. Choosing a no-code website builder for your site will give you much better results in a shorter time, but you’ll still have to burn the midnight oil to get there. They make it faster and more efficient, particularly for users who are willing to invest effort in learning the system.

What is low-code builder?

For developers with limited time and non-techies with a vision, low-code platforms are a game changer—you only need to have little to no knowledge of writing codes. It’s the same, but also very different from no-code website builders—a kind of halfway place between no-code and complete human coding.

Unlike no-code platforms, low-code solutions offer greater flexibility. They combine drag-and-drop simplicity with the ability to write custom code, enabling developers to build scalable, feature-rich websites without starting from scratch. Features like open APIs, scalable designs, and deployment options (cloud or on-premises) make low-code platforms a robust choice for more complex projects.

Also Read: The year in clicks: 2024’s top 20 startup headlines

No or low? Which one is the best?

Low-code and no-code platforms primarily provide the means to build apps without writing code. With a visual approach, developers don’t need to understand various types of programming languages. Both options in a Platform as a Service (PaaS) form factor also remove the overhead of setting up environments and maintaining infrastructure.

But that’s where the similarities between low-code and no-code end.

This is where they draw the lines.

• No-code platforms: Designed for users with no coding expertise. Best for simple websites or applications with limited functionality.
• Low-code platforms: Require some basic coding knowledge. Suitable for developing more complex applications or integrating with existing systems.

Choosing between the two depends on your specific needs. No-code platforms might suffice for straightforward projects but could create challenges when scaling or integrating with advanced tools. On the other hand, low-code platforms offer more flexibility and scalability but require a basic understanding of coding.

Top five no-code builders for 2024

Softr

• A no-code app builder designed for integrating data from Airtable or Google Sheets. With Softr, you can create apps and websites step-by-step using its comprehensive and versatile toolkit.
• Pricing: Starting from US$49/month
• Rating: G2: 4.8/5 (200+ reviews)

Glide

• Ideal for mobile app creation, Glide ensures your app’s design stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends. It’s a great choice for beginners or anyone looking to create a straightforward app with ease.
• Pricing: Starting from US$25/month
• Rating: G2: 4.7/5 (350+ reviews)

Studio Creatio

• Perfect for AI-powered app development, Studio Creatio features a composable architecture that facilitates configuring and deploying AI-driven use cases, especially for CRM and app development tasks.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month
• Rating: 4.9 /5

Zeroqode

• Best for template-based app building, Zeroqode simplifies data management through integrations like Google Sheets. Their extensive template library caters to various needs, including e-commerce, project management, CRM, and dashboards.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month (billed annually)
• Rating: None yet

Bubble

• Ideal for visual web application development, Bubble stands out for its ability to turn ideas into fully functional web apps without requiring knowledge of complex programming languages. Its emphasis on a visual-first approach solidifies its reputation as the top choice for building web applications visually.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month
• Rating: G2: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)

Also Read: Remote hiring in 2024: The pros, cons, and everything in between

Top five low-code builders for 2024

Zoho Creator

• Best for database-driven application design, Zoho seamlessly integrates with its suite of products while also connecting to external platforms like Salesforce, MailChimp, and Slack, enhancing its versatility within a business ecosystem.
• Pricing: From US$10/user/month (billed annually) + US$20 base fee per month
• Rating: 4.3/ 5

Xano

• Best for scalable backends, Xano is a no-code API builder that empowers users to create and manage APIs effortlessly. Its integration with a flexible PostgreSQL database enables handling complex data relationships and executing advanced queries—eliminating the need for a traditional SQL database administrator.
• Pricing: From US$85/month (billed annually)
• Rating: 4.8 /5

Appsmith

• Best for rapid low-code development, Appsmith provides extensive customisation options, including in-line JavaScript and reusable code blocks. It features a built-in IDE-like editor with advanced tools such as autocomplete, multi-line editing, debugging, and linting. Additionally, Appsmith supports self-hosting and role-based access control for enhanced flexibility and security.
• Pricing: From US$40/month
• Rating: 4.7 / 5

Superblocks

• Best for building secure internal apps, Superblocks streamlines development cycles with drag-and-drop components, robust database and API integrations, and Git-based version control. It supports a variety of databases and APIs, including Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, Snowflake, and Salesforce, making it a versatile choice for internal application development.
• Pricing: From US$15/user/month + US$49/creator/month
• Rating: 4.7 / 5

Mendix

• Best for agile development, Mendix’s Epics feature functions as an integrated project management tool, enabling teams to work seamlessly with Scrum or Kanban methodologies. It offers customisable workflows with sections like backlog, refinement, to-do, in-progress, testing, and done, ensuring efficient project organisation and progress tracking.
• Pricing: From US$58/user/month (five seats included, billed annually)
• Rating: 4.4 / 5

Takeaways

Low-code and no-code web builders have now proved that they are valuable, especially for those non-techies who are looking to make the perfect DIY website without having to know what coding is.

For startups and small businesses, these platforms offer a cost-effective, fast-track solution to establishing an online presence. However, investing in low-code platforms—or hiring experienced developers—remains crucial for more sophisticated projects.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy entrepreneur or a seasoned developer, embracing the strengths of these tools can help you build smarter, faster, and more impactful digital experiences.

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The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host two prominent exhibitions from 13-16 April 2026 — InnoEX and Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, presenting global innovation and technology (I&T) achievements, latest electronics products and advanced technology solutions.

Industry professionals, investors, buyers, and technology users from different sectors, including SMEs are encouraged to attend the fairs. In 2025, the two fairs successfully brought together more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions. It also attracted around 88,000 industry buyers from 148 countries and regions. 

Secure your spot and register now to be part of the global innovation showcase.

InnoEX highlights innovation focus and industry partnerships

InnoEX is a core event of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, driven by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and global innovations. Under the theme of “Innovate • Automate • Elevate”, InnoEX 2026 will spotlight five dynamic areas. These are: AI+, Robotics, Low-altitude Economy (such as unmanned aerial vehicle and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), Property Technology, and Retail Technology.

Last year, the fair successfully helped buyers and exhibitors establish important partnerships. Philippine buyer Digital Pilipinas and International Digital Economies Association signed a distribution agreement with the United Kingdom’s exhibitor Unifi.id. They will introduce its smart card system for buildings to the Philippines, with hopes of expanding into other emerging markets in the future.

Xi’an Meinan Biotechnology Co. Ltd also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with H & Y Building Decoration Electrical Engineering (HK), aiming to enhance the quality of construction projects in Hong Kong and internationally by utilising Meinan’s waterproof mortar technology, promoting sustainable development.

Electronics Fair expands global tech showcase and product zones

Entering its 22nd edition, the Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) continues to connect international exhibitors with buyers worldwide, displaying groundbreaking electronics products and solutions aligned with evolving tech trends. The 2026 fair will spotlight products and solutions in the sectors of Smart Home & Solutions, Health Tech and Pet Intelligence.

The fair will host over 20 product zones, including the Hall of Fame that will feature more than 500 global renowned electronics brands and their creation; the Tech Hall will showcase next-generation electronics and modern lifestyle solutions; the Immersive Experience Zone will offer visitors hands-on experiences with wearable technology and interactive games; and the Start Up Zone will highlight the latest innovations and creative ideas from entrepreneurs. 

Other thematic product zones will cover categories such as Energy Storage & E-mobility, Home Appliances, Audio-Visual Products, Computing & Gaming, Automotive & In-Vehicle Electronics, and more.

Also read: Innovation on display: Discover the tech shaping Asia’s future at Hong Kong’s leading fairs

Exhibitor momentum and robotics innovation take centre stage

Shenzhen Antop Technology Co. from Chinese Mainland, exhibitor of last year’s Electronics Fair stated, “We have made contact with many potential buyers from India and South America at the exhibition, and in the first two days, we received about 50 potential leads, with at least one third showing significant collaboration potential.”  The company was also discussing a contract for an order valued at approximately USD2.5 million. Additionally, Hong Kong medical technology exhibitor CYBERMED, discussed business deals with two buyers from Mainland China and the Middle East, with each order valued at approximately USD200,000.

The two fairs will also introduce the RoboPark, unveiling robots’ potential and innovations through immersive scenario-based demonstrations and live robotics performances. From humanoids and robotic arms to quadrupeds and autonomous mobile robots, visitors can explore how robotics is reshaping business, daily life, healthcare, and industries today.

During the fair period, forums, presentations, and other events will be held. Experts are invited to share insights and provide valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals. Additionally, start-ups will have excellent platforms to promote innovative ideas, seek support from investors, and gain advice from experts on business development.

Hybrid exhibition format and digital networking opportunities

The fairs will be held in EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, complemented by the “Click2Match.” It is an online smart business matching platform that will operate from 6 to 23 April. This provides a convenient and efficient platform for traders to connect. In addition, the “Scan2Match” function also enables offline-to-online connections. By using the HKTDC Marketplace App, buyers can scan the dedicated QR codes of exhibitors to bookmark their favorite exhibitors, browse product information, view e-floor plans, and chat with exhibitors even after the fair to continue the sourcing journey. 

Register now for free admission.

For more details, please visit the fair websites at InnoEX and HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition).

13 – 16 April 2026: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

 6 – 23 April 2026: Click2Match (Online)

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This article was sponsored by HKTDC

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