Dear reader,
South Korea’s AI landscape is a dynamic fusion of cutting-edge technology and robust investment, underscoring its emergence as a global AI powerhouse. From AI accelerators to NLP-driven platforms, startups such as Rebellions, Wrtn Technologies, and DeepX exemplify the country’s innovative spirit. These ventures are not just redefining AI’s potential but also driving economic growth through technological excellence and global partnerships.
The government’s strategic focus on AI, including significant investments like the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, complements the efforts of industry giants like Naver and Kakao, creating a nurturing ecosystem for startups. These firms benefit from South Korea’s unmatched semiconductor expertise, positioning them as indispensable players in the global AI supply chain.
What sets South Korea apart is its ability to balance innovation with collaboration. Partnerships with international entities like NVIDIA, Google Cloud, and OpenAI amplify local advancements, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
Additionally, diverse applications—from AI processors in autonomous vehicles to AI-enabled legal translations—showcase the versatility of these startups.
As South Korea continues to blend technological prowess with visionary policymaking, its AI startups are evidently not just participants but leaders in shaping the future of artificial intelligence on a global stage.
Sainul,
Editor.
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NEWS & VIEWS
Doctor Anywhere trims 8.1% workforce across Southeast Asia
The move is believed to have affected dozens of employees; The company has operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Zomato faces US$95 million India tax bill
The tax demand specifically relates to non-payment of goods and services tax (GST) on delivery charges, a matter that may have broader implications for India’s fast-growing food delivery sector.
CarDekho SEA lands US$60M funding for regional expansion
The investors include Navis Capital Partners and Dragon Fund; CarDekho SEA provides a range of services, including used car financing and refinancing options, dealer inventory funding, and classifieds.
Singaporean fintech firm KAST secures US$10M in seed round
The lead investors are HongShan Capital Group and Peak XV Partners; KAST offers payment cards and USD-denominated accounts to people in over 150 countries, the ability to receive and send cash, working with partners such as Bridge.
Omni HR raises US$7.4M to simplify multi-country workforce management
The investors are Picus Capital, Alpha JWC Ventures, January Capital, and Ratio Ventures; Omni HR provides a unified, data-driven workspace for teams to automate HR tasks, manage teams, and handle multi-country payroll from a single platform.
Singapore’s Cove nets US$4.5M to scale co-living in South Korea, Japan
The investors include Eurazeo, Keppel, and Manchharam; Cove offers furnished homes and flexible co-living spaces across major cities in Asia and has close to 6,000 rooms under management.
Jumppoint bags US$3.5M to streamline logistics for e-commerce in SEA
The investors include MindWorks Capital, IMM Global, Headline Asia, and the Hong Kong Government; By optimising routing and resource allocation with AI algorithms, Jumppoint claims to achieve over 50% cost savings and 40% faster deliveries.
Malaysia launches national AI office for policy, regulation
The Southeast Asian country has secured billions of dollars in investment in the past year from global tech firms seeking to build critical infrastructure to cater to growing demand for their cloud and AI services.
US asks court to reject TikTok’s bid to stave off law that could ban the app
The Justice Department said the court should not delay the law’s effective date arguing “continued Chinese control of the TikTok application poses a continuing threat to national security.”
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
Rebellions to Weavel: Unveiling South Korea’s most promising AI ventures
South Korea’s vibrant AI ecosystem, bolstered by government support and robust international collaborations, has made it a hotspot for innovation.
Funding the green transition: Southeast Asia’s climate tech leaders of 2024
In this feature, we spotlight the region’s notable climate tech startups that raised substantial funding rounds in 2024.
Echelon Philippines 2024: Driving innovation in Philippine healthcare beyond telehealth
The Echelon Philippines panel highlighted opportunities in Philippine healthcare, showcasing the impact of innovative approaches.
Big Tech and ASEAN startups: Navigating the friend-foe dynamic in the GenAI era
The evolving relationship between ASEAN startups and Big Tech highlights the concept of “co-opetition”—a blend of competition and collaboration.
What AWS has in store for SEA startups to support their innovation
At the recent AWS re:Invent 2024 conference, AWS announced its allocation of US$1 billion in Activate Credits for global startups in 2025.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
TWG Tea’s founder on how a luxury food brand can tap third party digital marketplaces to expand business
As an established brand, TWG Tea learns that it can continue to register significant online sales growth — as long as it stays nimble.
Improving food safety in SEA with tracking and tracing technologies
Manufacturers are confronted with issues of food supply chain transparency as they need to meet safety standards and earn customer trust and loyalty.
How small and medium-sized restaurants in Taiwan leveraged digital tools to survive
The need for restaurants to streamline in-house ordering websites and manage multiple platforms efficiently emerged strongly post-pandemic.
How my startup enables homemakers to make 2x the minimum wage in Jakarta
Dishserve is a network for ghost kitchens helping F&B brands reach customers faster and more efficiently. But this is how we are different.
What new digital solutions mean for Indonesia’s F&B sector
Indonesia’s digital F&B has been growing rapidly at a CAGR of 38.2 per cent. However, competition appears to have reached a state of oligopoly.
AI infrastructure: The unsung hero of technological innovation
While AI’s applications and ethics dominate discussions, the crucial infrastructure powering its development remains a silent force shaping our future.
How product growth helps both you and your users succeed
When a customer becomes an advocate, they not only maximise product use but also foster a community of advocates, promoting it to others.
Founders, stop listening to mentors who tell you to build an MVP
Only if you understand the concept well, your space, and your competition can you decide what your MVP should constitute.
Is AI the end of originality or a new dawn for creativity?
The future of creativity extends beyond adapting to AI; it’s about riding the wave to unlock new imaginative dimensions.
Friction vs value: The key to engaging users in immersive experiences
Uncover the balance between the benefits and friction of immersive experiences across various tech and insights for effective project design.
How small businesses can boost brand visibility via videos and messaging
With Meta platforms and products such as video and messaging, small businesses around the world are becoming more visible in their communities.
Why the ‘Downfall’ of Boeing is a big lesson on diversity for all of us
If we were not biased towards Indonesia’s Lion Air, we might have caught the default in Boeing 737 Max earlier, and avoided the second crash.
Big wins for small businesses: Supercharging growth with online content
A playful approach to producing content via online content platforms will provide success for SMBs in engaging consumers.
How to use email sequences to win more B2B sales deals
By embracing email sequences as part of your sales strategy you are going to save yourself more time to work on things that actually matter.
Web3’s Coca-Cola moment: Tapping into incentive design to catalyse better ad experiences
We can expect to see more users onboard to Web3, generating more demand, which creates a positive flywheel effect for web3 advertising.
A marketing map to the world beyond third-party cookies
While cookies have been the bedrock on which online advertising is built, its phasing out should be welcome news to advertisers.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Harnessing AI for robust backup and disaster recovery
With AI, organisations can ensure their data is securely backed up, protected against evolving cyber threats, and recoverable during disasters.
B2B payments: The emerging battleground for Asian banks
The opportunity for B2B payments in Asia-Pacific is huge, and financial institutions must move swiftly to capitalise on it.
How to eliminate cyber threats with an all-in-one solution
Kaspersky’s essential tools and extensive threat detection network protect organisations worldwide from growing cyber threats.
Is the future of AI decentralised? Cloud computing holds the key
The varying stages of blockchain and AI development across APAC countries present a unique landscape for collaboration.
Southeast Asia’s digital future: Blockchain, AI, and sovereign clouds
A sovereign cloud ensures localised data governance, control, and security under strict jurisdictional oversight.
Is job hopping a new form of career mobility?
Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly pursuing career growth through job hopping over traditional internal development within a single organisation.
How to use AI to reduce startup employee turnover
Workforce turnover is costly and disruptive, so boosting retention is crucial to improving your startup’s chances of success.
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