A comprehensive and well-thought-out fundraising strategy is crucial for any startup to succeed. As the world steps into the second half of 2024, now is the ideal time to revisit and revise your approach to business. 

Fundraising plans are meant to be flexible. Therefore, you need to account for the unexpected and address any issues in your existing strategy. Determine whether your current plan is effective and consider the following changes to meet this year’s fundraising goals. 

Why revisit your fundraising strategy?

Nobody ever said venture funding would be a breeze. In fact, startup fundraising in Asia decreased by four per cent to US$17.3 billion from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024 — an eight per cent year-over-year drop and the lowest funding amount since Q4 2016. 

This news could dampen any startup venturist’s spirits. After all, few things are as frustrating as hitting a fundraising plateau when you’re on a streak. Yet, situations like these are bound to arise eventually. If you aren’t in the habit of reviewing your approach monthly or quarterly, you should rethink your plan mid-year.

There are many benefits to re-strategising your funding approach:

• Ensure your organisation can meet its goals structurally, operationally and financially
• Prepare for an impactful event, like a recession or pandemic, and acclimate to new circumstances
• Improve donor segmentation to ensure it best aligns with your startup’s priorities
• Gain insight into fundraising efficiency and identify the most effective and underperforming campaigns

Also Read: Short runway, big dreams: Strategies for startups when growth outpaces funding

Five tips to revise your fundraising approach 

How much of your company’s 2024 fundraising objectives have you reached? All startup owners hope to be ahead of the game, but if you’re not, there is still plenty of time to catch up.

Here are five tips to revise your mid-year strategy and boost donor investments.

Adopt a milestone-driven mindset

Every startup venture is different, meaning there isn’t a set amount of money you must raise to thrive. Instead, your approach should be to raise enough funds to hit your startup milestones, such as launching a product, seeking regulatory approvals, hiring staff, finding a customer base or reducing the sales cycle time.

Your startup will be risky initially because of the vast amount of uncertainty. A milestone-driven mindset toward fundraising allows you to de-risk your company through trial products and business models. Determining the appropriate metrics will indicate whether your company is moving in the right direction and if you’re ready for the next level of fundraising.

Offer more secure payment options

Donors are more concerned about payment security and convenience than ever before. Therefore, startup business owners should incorporate innovative payment solutions with greater transparency.

For instance, the days when donors wrote a check to a startup company are long gone. Quick response (QR) codes are easy for donors to scan with their smartphones and allow contactless donations. These payment features are also faster during donation events with immediate receipts and expense tracking, attracting more donors from the digital landscape. 

According to a Future Markets Insights report, QR codes are increasingly popular in the Chinese and Japanese markets. In China, QR code labels have risen by 12.1 per cent, particularly in e-commerce and the food and beverage industry. The transition to the digital wallet has also caused a 10.3 per cent increase in the QR code market in Japan by 2033.

Measure areas of improvement

During your mid-year fundraising check-in, garner insights about your startup’s donor channels, digital campaigns, retention rates, and average donor amounts. Then, make the necessary changes to your approach.

Are there effective donor channels you should allocate your resources toward? How can you reinforce your relationships with existing donors? Surveys, panels and direct conversations are excellent ways to gauge donor preferences and receive valuable feedback on your efforts.

Also Read: Funding winter is the best time to build a startup

Integrating a customer relationship management system is practical for tracking donor information, delivering exemplary customer service and simplifying your startup’s operations more efficiently.

Revise your goals

Revise your fundraising goals mid-year to better support your company or organisation’s mission and financial demands. This could include breaking the amount into manageable results or lowering or raising the bar. Also, include deadlines for reaching specific amounts.

You might even optimise existing strategies while expanding your partnerships and efforts. Review emerging opportunities and trends — including your company’s communications, technology use and engagement strategies — for a more diversified revenue stream.

Start a mid-year campaign

Is there a better way to dive into mid-year fundraising than hitting the restart button with a new campaign? After careful data analysis of your current strategy, it’s time to implement a new fundraising approach for the remainder of 2024.

Highlight your startup’s impact and demonstrate what previous investments in your company have helped achieve. Then, use comprehensive segmentation to personalise correspondences with donors and stakeholders.

Strategic planning triumphs fundraising goals

As a startup business owner, you understand the importance of developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy. However, it’s equally essential for your plans to remain flexible along the way.

Take this time to review your current goals and optimise your mid-year approach accordingly for the latter half of 2024.

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This article was first published on July 16, 2024

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EDGE Tutor International, an online tutoring outsourcing company in the Philippines, has closed a US$1 million pre-Series A funding round.

The round was led by Seaborne Capital, M Venture Partners, Kaya Founders, Orvel Ventures, IdeaSpace, Lorinet Foundation, and unnamed angel investors.

This round follows a US$800,000 seed funding in 2023.

Also Read: Why the education sector needs a lesson in ad fraud

With this new capital, EDGE Tutor will scale operations and expand further into North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. These regions have collectively grown from 5 per cent of revenue in 2022 to 30 per cent in 2024, with projections to surpass 50 per cent by 2026.

The company also plans to scale its tutor capacity from 1,000 today to 5,000 by 2026 and invest in AI-driven automation for teacher training, quality control, curriculum development, and lesson delivery.

Present in New York, London, Singapore, and Manila, EDGE Tutor aims to bridge the gap between high-quality Filipino educators and tutoring companies worldwide. Through its B2B model, the startup provides global education companies with skilled tutors and end-to-end management, delivering live instruction at scale under their brand through a fully managed, white-labelled service.

The company’s rigorous selection process accepts just 3 per cent of the thousands of certified teachers who apply every month, ensuring only the best educators are matched with education companies worldwide.

Since launching in 2023, EDGE Tutor claims to have delivered 800,000 lessons and is on track to surpass 1 million in early 2025.

While AI is transforming education, EDGE Tutor stands as a contrarian bet on what learners ultimately crave: affordable, human-centric learning experiences.

Also Read: The future of edutech: Personalising learning for all

“There’s nothing artificial about the passion and dedication of our 1,000+ tutors. We see it every day in the way they connect with students and make learning come alive. Our 50 clients across 30 countries are experiencing firsthand that live instruction isn’t just valuable—it’s in demand.

AI makes for a great co-pilot and a powerful supplement between live sessions, but we (along with our clients and their learners) find that nothing replaces the power of human connection,” said Henry Motte de la Motte, CEO and founder of EDGE Tutor.

The global tutoring market is valued at US$200 billion, with its online component growing at 15 per cent year over year, even post-pandemic. Despite this surge in digital education, 80 per cent of tutoring still takes place in person, with only 20 per cent conducted online—highlighting a vast opportunity for the online tutoring companies that EDGE Tutor supports.

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Your health as a founder is a priority — it affects how well you run your company. But you may be time-crunched, a frequent flyer, on a tight cash flow, etc. Such circumstances can make it hard to exercise.

I am the Founder of a bootstrapped health startup, and similarly, I face such challenges.

Thankfully, I have a decade of personal trainer and coaching experience, and last year, I decided to practice what I preach. The result? I tangibly improved my health, and leading my company became more enjoyable.

Here are five tips I have for fellow founders who want to take back their health; we start with the obvious, then go into the magic.

Set workout goals based on your health needs

Not all workouts are created equal. For example, a particular type of workout is better for you if you have high blood pressure (isometrics). Likewise, if you are going through perimenopause, on weight loss drugs, etc.

It is essential to find out what health goal you should set as the target for your workouts. Without an informed goal, you will likely spend mindless effort improving your fitness instead of your health. Sometimes, your fitness goals may even hamper health improvements.

Takeaway: utilise health screening, past health records, etc. to determine what health goals to set for your workout routine.

Systemise your routine

James Clear wrote in his best-selling book Atomic Habits, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” This is true for both your company and workouts. Like many people, your regime might falter across the year due to other commitments.

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

Thankfully, you can plan for that. The tip here is to find a system that still produces results despite expected decreases in effort.

It is easier said than done. Hence, I’m sharing what worked for me in the following three tips and the video below.

Takeaway: find a workout ‘system’ that gives you the best chance of success

Set a Northstar metric for your workouts

The main workout metrics that usually matter for health goals are cardiorespiratory fitness, power, strength, balance, and mobility. For some people, it is weight. Just note that, if so, there are health improvement limitations when you use it as a Northstar metric. Hence, it might not be a true north.

Ultimately, your health goal determines which metric to focus on. There are then tests to help you quantify and track these metrics.

In various cases, these test results also inform you how best to work out. For example,

• Strength tests help you find out your weakest areas – these areas can have the largest potential for improvement and require the least effort to see gains
• Cardiorespiratory tests can give you the heart train ranges to exercise – working out accordingly is the most efficient way to improve your cardiorespiratory fitness

Takeaway: create a system that optimises the main metric(s).

Find the minimum viable workout

Here’s a quick story to better convey this point. In January last year, I spent four seconds per day working out for 22 consecutive days, increasing my maximum strength by 30 per cent. All I did was an isometric mid-thigh pull.

The data below shows the force measured when I do the pull exercise for four seconds daily.

My result aligns with a study by Danny Lum, PhD, head of strength of conditioning at Singapore Sports Institute. He shared more about the study in a podcast I shot with him. Check out the timestamp here for more details.

Also Read: Finding your groove: Balancing the hustle and emotional health as a startup founder

Coming back, this is an example of a minimum viable workout to gain strength, which, with a simple inelastic band, can be done anywhere, anytime. There are other ‘minimum viable workouts’ that you can create for the metric you are optimising too.

Essentially, such workouts get you through the days you can afford minimum exertion. And as a founder, you will likely have many of those days. The key here is that with your minimum viable workout, you should be able to improve your health and performance regardless.

Takeaway: Find the minimum viable workout for your Northstar metric that would fit nicely into your system

Look for a group

My last tip is to look for a community to get healthier together. As the cliche goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

I started a Healthy CEO Club that practices my aforementioned system because it aligns with my startup’s work of building community-based health solutions.

Nevertheless, there are other options for founders if you search for them. At the end of the day, having a community makes your health journey more fruitful, sustainable, and rewarding. Whether it’s running a company or traversing your health journey, it boils down to people and relationships, isn’t it?

Takeaway: search for a health-centric community that works for you

Conclusion

If you have any questions about the above sharing, please feel free to contact me. I’m passionate about founder’s health, having sacrificed mine for close to a decade, and am on a mission to help everyone eat, sleep, and exercise for their health.

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

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With the sudden end of Hong Kong’s Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) on December 31, 2024, many businesses are now searching for new funding options to support their digital and operational improvements.

The TVP grant had been instrumental in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt technology to stay competitive. While this closure marks a shift, several alternative grants are still available to assist businesses in digital transformation, market expansion, and e-commerce.

Here’s a breakdown of the most viable funding options as of early 2025.

Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP)

Designed for SMEs in the retail, food and beverage (F&B), tourism, and personal services industries, the DTSPP supports the adoption of ready-to-use digital solutions such as digital payments, CRM tools, and online marketing platforms. Originally focused on F&B businesses, the programme expanded in mid-2024 to include more sectors.

To ensure quality and reliability, businesses must use pre-approved solution providers, available at DTSPP Cyberport.

Key programme features:

• Funding support: Up to 50 per cent of project costs
• Maximum grant: HK$50,000 (US$6,423) per business
• Eligible projects: Digital payments, CRM systems, and online marketing
• Who can apply: SMEs registered and operating in Hong Kong
• More info: DTSPP Official Website

Branding, Upgrading & Domestic Sales (BUD) Fund

The BUD Fund supports businesses looking to expand into international markets by funding branding, business development, and digital sales initiatives. Many companies leverage this grant to develop e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and localised websites that enhance their overseas presence.

Key programme features:

• Funding support: Up to 50 per cent of project costs
• Maximum grant: HK$7 million (US$899,000)per enterprise
• Eligible projects: Market expansion, digital branding, and website/app development
• Who can apply: Hong Kong-based SMEs with post-revenue status
• Application portal: BUD Fund

Easy BUD

A streamlined version of the BUD Fund, Easy BUD simplifies the application process for businesses looking to expand their online presence and sales. This grant focuses on digital marketing, cross-border e-commerce, and mobile app development.

Key programme features:

• Funding support: Covers 50 per cent of project costs
• Maximum grant: HK$1 million (US$128,400) per business
• Eligible projects: Digital marketing, website and mobile app development for international markets
• Who can apply: SMEs in Hong Kong with existing revenue streams

Also Read: From Seed to Series: Navigating different funding rounds with PR

E-commerce Easy BUD

Tailored for businesses targeting China’s booming e-commerce sector, E-commerce Easy BUD supports digital marketing, website integration, and mobile apps for cross-border sales. Companies can use this funding to establish a presence on leading platforms such as Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Douyin (TikTok China), and Taobao.

Key programme features:

• Funding support: 50 per cent of project costs
• Maximum grant: HK$1 million (US$128,400) per enterprise
• Eligible projects: Online sales platforms, mobile apps, and e-commerce marketing
• Who can apply: Hong Kong-registered SMEs targeting China’s digital market

SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF)

The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) assists businesses in expanding their presence in international markets through trade fairs, digital marketing, and promotional activities.

Key programme features:

• Funding support: 50 per cent of eligible expenses covered
• Grant limits: Up to HK$100,000 (US$12,840.86) per application, with a lifetime cap of HK$1 million (US$128,400) per business
• Eligible projects: Overseas advertising, trade shows, and online marketing campaigns
• Who can apply: SMEs registered and operating in Hong Kong
• Application details: EMF Grant Portal

Conclusion

While the closure of the TVP Grant marks a significant shift, several alternative funding options remain available for businesses in Hong Kong. Whether you’re focused on digital transformation, expanding into new markets, or boosting e-commerce sales, these grants provide valuable support to drive growth and innovation.

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Una Brands co-founder Kiren Tanna has announced his departure from the CEO role four years after building the e-commerce aggregating startup, he announced in a LinkedIn post.

Cho Weihao, the current CFO, has taken over the CEO’s role.

Tanna said he would spend more time with his family and explore new ideas at the intersection of consumer and AI while advising founders and the venture ecosystem. He is particularly interested in company building, fundraising, GTM/expansion strategies, and scaling businesses.

Una Brands was established in 2020 by Tanna, the former CEO of Rocket Internet Asia and founder of Foodpanda and ZEN Rooms, with Adrian Johnston, Kushal Patel, Tobias Heusch, and Srinivasan Shridharan.

The company acquires brands selling across multiple e-commerce channels such as Shopify, Shopee, Lazada, Tokopedia, and Amazon. It primarily focuses on profitable independent brands with revenue between US$1 million and US$50 million.

Also Read: Una Brands rakes in US$30M to acquire e-commerce brands in home & living, mom & baby segments

Una Brands has acquired over 20 brands so far and has grown its revenue from zero to a US$70 million run rate. Its flagship brands, ErgoTune and EverDesk, are now in multiple countries across the APAC region and beyond.

According to Tanna, the firm has achieved Group EBITDA profitability. Looking ahead, Una Brands will focus on maintaining profitability with targeted investments in sustainable growth.

The startup has offices in Asia-Pacific, with a presence in Singapore, Australia, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.

“The journey has not been without its challenges,” Tanna noted in the post. “As global credit tightened and Covid-driven growth waned, the Amazon aggregator business model was not as hot as when we started. The team had the foresight to make strategic shifts -slowing acquisitions and optimizing spending to achieve profitability, which we have successfully done over the last 18 months.”

Since its inception, the e-commerce aggregator has raised US$115 million in funding from a variety of investors, including White Star Capital, Alpha JWC, 500 Startups, 468 Capital, Claret Capital Partners, and Ninja Van co-founder Alvin Teo.

Rainforest is Una Brands’s key competitor in this space. The Singapore-based startup is backed by Canopy Tropics, Monks Hill Ventures, Insignia Venture Partners, and January Capital.

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Southeast Asia’s (SEA) insurtech market has faced a challenging funding landscape, experiencing notable fluctuations over the past couple of years.

After a record high of US$495 million raised in 2023, 2024 saw a significant 61 percent drop to US$193 million. According to data intelligence platform Tracxn, this decline mirrors a global funding downturn influenced by macroeconomic uncertainties, elevated inflation, and increased interest rates, resulting in a more cautious investment environment.

Despite these financial headwinds and geopolitical complexities, the region has showcased resilience and economic adaptability.

Also Read: Why now is the right time for disruption in the insurance industry?

A closer look at the funding stages reveals a mixed bag. Seed-stage funding experienced a 16 per cent decrease, falling to US$7.7 million in 2024 from US$9.2 million in 2023. Early-stage investments suffered a sharp drop of over 80 per cent, plummeting to US$38.5 million in 2024 from US$353 million in the previous year.

Late-stage funding, however, saw an 11 per cent increase, reaching US$147 million in 2024 compared to US$133 million in 2023.

Interestingly, Q4 2024 emerged as the most active quarter, securing US$105 million, which accounts for nearly half of the year’s total funding. The second half of 2024 proved more fruitful than the first, with US$111 million raised, marking a 35 per cent increase from H1 2024 (US$82 million) but still a 50 per cent decrease from H2 2023 (US$231 million).

In terms of investment focus, Insurance IT companies attracted the most funding, securing US$135 million in 2024. While this figure represents a 47 per cent decrease from 2023’s US$256 million, it shows an 8 per cent increase from 2022’s US$125 million.

Internet-first insurance platforms received US$51.7 million in funding in 2024, a 78 per cent decrease from US$236 million in 2023. The employer insurance segment raised US$6.5 million in 2024, a 65 per cent drop from US$18.5 million in 2023.

The SEA insurtech sector witnessed only one acquisition in 2024, Roojai’s acquisition of Lifepal. No new unicorns emerged in this space in 2024.

Bolttech, an insurance-as-a-service provider, raised US$100 million in its Series C funding round, representing the largest round of the year.

Singapore continues to be a leading hub for insurtech investments, ranking fourth globally in 2024, behind the US, UK, and India. The country attracted US$135 million in insurtech funding in 2024, followed by Jakarta (US$50.5 million) and Kuala Lumpur (US$1.2 million).

Also Read: AI’s transformative role: Making insurance accessible and affordable globally

Key investors active in the SEA InsurTech sector include Wavemaker Partners, East Ventures and Openspace Ventures.

Despite the funding downturn, Southeast Asia’s growing economy and increasing government support offer optimism for the insurtech sector. The region’s ability to attract global corporations and maintain its status as a tech hub highlights its potential to drive future growth.

The post From boom to bust: SEA’s insurtech market faces funding slump in 2024 appeared first on e27.

At e27, we love celebrating the innovation and progress of startups across Southeast Asia and beyond. Our Startup Milestones feature has become a go-to platform for founders to share key updates—from product launches to funding successes and strategic partnerships.

Why sharing your milestones matters

Startups thrive on momentum, and each milestone represents a significant step forward. Whether it’s securing funding, expanding into new markets, or launching a groundbreaking product, these achievements shape the startup landscape and inspire others in the ecosystem.

By showcasing these moments, startups not only build credibility but also attract potential investors, partners, and customers.

Also Read: e27 Startup Milestones: 6 inspiring milestones you need to know this week

This week, we’re thrilled to highlight ten startups that have shared their latest milestones.

Here’s a look at their incredible progress:

1. SkilledIn Green (Product: Recognised as a Top 50 edutech in SEA by HolonIQ): SkilledIn Green has been named among the 2024 Southeast Asia Top 50 edutech startups by HolonIQ! As one of only four startups recognised in the Workforce and Skills category, this milestone underscores the startup’s impact on the future of education and skill development.
2. xcube.co (Expansion: Launched xcube.academy): xcube.co has introduced xcube.academy, a corporate university designed to equip leaders in Southeast Asia and the Middle East with the knowledge and skills needed for venture building and strategic innovation.
3. Defy (Customer: Secured a strategic customer partnership): Defy has entered into a strategic partnership with Shamsaha to provide underserved women with financial tools. This expansion marks their first step beyond the GCC region into Indonesia, reinforcing their mission to close financial gaps globally.
4. Mela Platforms (Customer: Shoppable content for Flipkart & Housing.com): Mela now powers shoppable content for Flipkart and Housing.com, transforming passive browsing into interactive shopping. This development is a major leap forward in video commerce and seamless purchasing experiences.
5. The Iterative Collective (Funding: Raised US$1.2M in seed round): The Iterative Collective, an indie game publisher, has successfully secured US$1.2 million in seed funding. This funding will support its mission to empower independent game developers and bring innovative games to the market.
6. AutoKon (Partnerships: Strategic collaboration with DGT): AutoKon has forged a strategic partnership with PT Duta Graha Teknika (DGT), leveraging 40-plus years of construction expertise from NKE. This collaboration strengthens its capabilities in the construction and engineering sectors.
7. AutoKon (Team: Assembled a mission-driven founding team): AutoKon has built a strong, execution-focused founding team with the right mix of expertise and leadership, setting the stage for long-term venture success.
8. VFlowTech (Funding: Secured first SEA venture debt financing by CCIS): VFlowTech has secured non-dilutive venture debt financing from CCIS, a subsidiary of Hokkoku Bank Group. As the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, this milestone paves the way for further innovation and expansion.
9. EDGE Tutor International (Funding: Raised US$1M in pre-Series A round): EDGE Tutor has closed a US$1 million pre-Series A round to fuel its global expansion. With ambitious plans to scale its tutor capacity to 5,000 by 2026, this funding also strengthens its AI-driven training and quality assurance.
10. ChatterBooth (Expansion: Now available in multiple countries): ChatterBooth has expanded its availability, allowing users across Australia, Austria, Brunei, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US to download the app.

Be part of the Startup Milestone movement!

These remarkable milestones highlight the resilience and creativity of the startup community. If your startup has a major achievement to share, don’t miss out on the opportunity to gain visibility and connect with investors and partners.

Log in to your e27 user account, update your startup profile, and start sharing your milestones today!

Alternatively, you may share your milestones through this form: https://tally.so/r/mRvYyp.

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Image Credit: Cien Nguyen 

The post e27 Startup Milestones: 10 noteworthy achievements this week appeared first on e27.

Dear reader,

The Southeast Asian insurtech landscape in 2024 tells a story of resilience amid challenges, presenting both concerns and opportunities for the sector’s future. While the headline numbers – a 61% year-on-year decline in funding to US$193 million – might raise eyebrows, a deeper analysis reveals a more nuanced picture of market maturation and strategic shifts.

The contrasting trajectories across funding stages are particularly telling. While early-stage funding saw a dramatic 80% decrease, late-stage investments bucked the trend with an 11% uptick, suggesting investors are becoming more selective and focusing on proven business models. The strong finish to 2024, with Q4 securing over half the year’s total funding, hints at returning investor confidence.

Singapore’s position as the fourth-largest global hub for insurtech investments, behind only the US, UK, and India, underscores Southeast Asia’s enduring appeal in the global insurtech ecosystem. Bolttech’s impressive US$100 million Series C round demonstrates that quality companies can still attract substantial capital even in a challenging environment.

Looking ahead, while the funding winter has undoubtedly impacted the sector, the fundamentals driving insurtech innovation in Southeast Asia – including digital transformation, rising middle class, and supportive regulatory environment – remain strong. The current market conditions may well be setting the stage for a more sustainable and focused growth phase.

Sainul,
Editor.
—

NEWS & VIEWS

From boom to bust: SEA’s insurtech market faces funding slump in 2024
Early-stage insurtech investments suffered a sharp drop of over 80%, plummeting to US$38.5M in 2024 from US$353M in the previous year.

Grab’s revenue grows 19% y-o-y to US$2.8B in 2024
The steady revenue was attributable to robust on-demand GMV growth and increasing contributions from our financial services segment and advertising business.

Parkwise lands US$250M to modernise parking in Philippines
Parkwise plans to construct state-of-the-art parking facilities near healthcare institutions, educational establishments, and transport hubs.

Kiren Tanna departs Una Brands CEO role to explore AI and consumer ventures
CFO Cho Weihao has assumed the chief’s role as Una Brands will focus on maintaining profitability with targeted investments in sustainable growth.

25% US tariff poses challenge for Malaysia – Foreign Minister
Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this is because 60% of Malaysia’s total trade with the US comprised electrical and electronics exports | “This is a huge blow if we can’t get this resolved soon”.

Sonar acquires NUS spin-off AutoCodeRover to automate code reviews and debugging
AutoCodeRover automates key tasks in the software development life cycle (SDLC), such as debugging, issue remediation, and code refactoring.

Pokémon Go maker Niantic is reportedly selling its games division
The company is reportedly exploring a deal with mobile game developer Scopely, which is owned by Saudi Arabia-based Savvy Games Group, to sell the unit for about US$3.5M.

Ant Group launches humanoid robot subsidiary in AI push
The Chinese fintech giant aims to develop a “self-controlled technology system” in robotics, potentially reducing dependency on external technologies.

EDGE Tutor nets US$1M to connect Filipino teachers with global learners
The investors include M Venture Partners, Kaya Founders, and Orvel Ventures; EDGE is a B2B model startup providing global education companies with skilled tutors and end-to-end management.

Malaysia’s Segi Fresh invests in Mandalay Venture Partners
Segi Fresh is investing in the Australia-based early-stage agrifood tech VC firm to embed cutting-edge Aussie agritech in fresh food supply chains.

East Ventures unveils platform for AI innovators in Indonesia
This initiative brings together AI talents and tech ecosystem players to explore new untapped opportunities and accelerate AI adoption in Indonesia.

X in talks to raise money at a US$44B valuation
The news comes as Fidelity Investments marked down its Twitter stake back in December by around 70% from the 2022 sale price as the social network struggled to retain advertisers.

Mark Zuckerberg’s charity U-turns, ends DEI efforts
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will end internal DEI programmes and no longer provide “social advocacy funding,” which provided grants for racial equity and immigration reforms.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

From classrooms to code: Meet the edutech startups driving SEA’s learning boom
Founders across Southeast Asia use technology to tackle education gaps, from remote learning access to upskilling in digital economies.

Cloud, community, and cost-Savings: GCS’s triple play for startup success
Cloud provider GCS reveals its startup-focused strategy, international expansion plans, and upcoming IPO in an interview with leaders.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Why AI needs context and curiosity, not toxic positivity
Savvy data practitioners now realise that governance, while never sexy, has taken on a new and heightened importance in the age of AI.

AI: Boon or bane? Workers fear job loss despite productivity gains
Most business leaders see AI as a tool to boost employee productivity rather than cut jobs, suggesting it will replace tasks, not entire roles.

Angel investors vs Venture Capitalists for startup funding: Which is right for you?
Choosing the right investors, whether angels, VCs, or a mix, is crucial for providing both financial support and invaluable guidance to ensure startup success.

Don’t drink the Kool-Aid: Remembering why we build
Startup culture often leads founders to focus on pitching and personal branding over building their business and realistic team expectations.

What if drawing just 6 pictures is all it takes to take your business to the next level?
When faced with a problem, our brains naturally perceive it from six angles: why, who/what, how much, where, when, and how.

The great breakup: Why women are leaving tech leadership & what we can do
Women in leadership are making strides, but many are leaving the tech industry due to challenges and a lack of support.

The power of belief: How a positive mindset can transform your life
Whether we are trying to fix a bug, pitching to a new client, or building new software – we have to believe that we can do it.

The high performer’s toolkit: Key thought patterns for success and growth
Embracing a high-performance mindset is about adopting the right thought patterns and consistently applying them in your life.

Rewriting the narrative about motherhood and career: Insights from a female tech leader
Navigating the tech industry as a female minority leader presents unique challenges, often requiring me to prove myself twice as much.

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Key highlights:

The recent retreat in global risk sentiment, sparked by a cascade of events that began with a disappointing outlook from retail titan Walmart. This development, coupled with a slew of economic data and policy commentary, has painted a multifaceted picture of where markets might be headed.

Let me walk you through what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for investors, consumers, and the broader economic landscape.

The news broke earlier this week when Walmart, a bellwether for the US consumer economy, issued guidance that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. The retail giant projected net sales growth of just three per cent for the current year, a figure that rattled investors who had grown accustomed to more robust forecasts from the world’s largest retailer. Walmart cited an “uncertain geopolitical landscape” as a key factor, pointing to ongoing tariff jitters and broader economic headwinds.

Shares of the company dropped over six per cent in response, dragging down the Dow Jones Industrials and sending ripples through the Consumer Discretionary sector, which shed 1.2 per cent according to the MSCI US index. Financials weren’t spared either, declining 1.6 per cent, as the broader MSCI US index slipped 0.4 per cent. This wasn’t just a Walmart story—it was a signal that investors were starting to question the resilience of the US consumer and the economy at large.

Adding fuel to these concerns, the latest US jobless claims data didn’t offer much reassurance. Both initial and continuing claims rose week-over-week, coming in slightly above what analysts had anticipated. While the uptick was modest—described by some economists as “trivial” or “just noise”—it nonetheless chipped away at the narrative of a rock-solid labor market.

For months, the US economy has been buoyed by a tight jobs picture, with unemployment hovering near historic lows. But even small cracks in that foundation can amplify worries, especially when paired with Walmart’s cautious outlook. After all, if the labor market starts to wobble, consumer spending—the engine of the US economy—could follow suit, hitting retailers like Walmart hardest.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s voice has added another layer of nuance to this unfolding story. St. Louis Fed President Raphael Musalem weighed in with a sobering take, arguing that monetary policy should remain “modestly restrictive” until inflation is firmly on track to hit the central bank’s two per cent target. Despite recent data showing inflation cooling somewhat and the labor market holding steady, Musalem isn’t convinced the battle is won.

He warned that the risks of inflation stalling above two per cent—or even climbing higher—are “skewed to the upside.” This hawkish stance suggests the Fed isn’t ready to pivot to rate cuts anytime soon, a prospect that’s kept markets on edge. Investors had been hoping for a more dovish signal, especially after a string of solid economic reports, but Musalem’s comments underscore the Fed’s laser focus on price stability, even if it means squeezing the economy a bit longer.

Also Read: The future of job market: Dramatic changes and cultural shifts

The bond market reflected this tension. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note slipped 3 basis points overnight to 4.50 per cent, a subtle but telling move. Over the past week, yields have declined in four out of five sessions, pulling back from the upper end of their recent range.

This shift hints at a market that’s recalibrating—moving away from fears of runaway inflation and toward a more neutral outlook. With tariff details still murky and the US data calendar looking light until the January PCE inflation report drops on February 28, yields might stay anchored around 4.50 per cent for now. That stability could offer a breather for equity markets, but it’s hardly a green light for a sustained rally.

On the currency front, the Japanese yen stole the spotlight, surging to its strongest level against the dollar since December. Speculation is rife that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) might hike rates sooner than expected, a move that would mark a significant shift from its long-standing ultra-loose policy.

The yen’s strength weighed on the US Dollar Index, which slid 0.8 per cent to 106.4. Gold, meanwhile, edged up 0.2per cent, inching closer to the US$3,000 mark as safe-haven demand ticked higher amid the uncertainty. Brent crude also nudged up 0.5 per cent to US$77 per barrel, buoyed by a mix of supply concerns and cautious optimism about global demand. Asian equity indices, however, were a mixed bag in early trading, reflecting the uneven sentiment rippling across markets.

Now, let’s pivot to an intriguing subplot in the financial world: the SEC’s approval of a yield-bearing stablecoin from Figure Certificate Co., dubbed YLDs. Unlike traditional stablecoins like Tether’s USDT, which generate billions in reserve income for issuers but offer no yield to holders, YLDs promise to share the wealth. By investing reserves in US Treasuries and commercial paper, Figure aims to deliver returns to investors while maintaining the stablecoin’s peg to the dollar.

The SEC’s decision to classify YLDs as “certificates” under securities regulations sets a new precedent, distinguishing them from the unregulated wild west of other crypto assets. This move could shake up the stablecoin market, offering a model that balances stability with profitability—a rare combo in the crypto space.

Speaking of crypto, the broader market is grappling with its own demons. Nearly a quarter of the top 200 cryptocurrencies have hit their lowest levels in over a year, with 24 per cent tumbling to 365-day lows after a sharp decline on February 7. Analysts are split on what this means.

Some, like Juan Pellicer from IntoTheBlock, see it as a temporary correction—a healthy shakeout after a period of exuberance. Others aren’t so sure, warning that this could signal a deeper capitulation, reminiscent of past bear markets. The debate over whether crypto is in a bull or bear cycle rages on, but one thing’s clear: sentiment is fragile, and these price drops are testing the resolve of even the most ardent believers.

Also Read: Market wrap: US equities muted amid tariff news, gold hits near record high, digital assets is the future

So, what’s my take on all this? I see a world in flux, where optimism and caution are locked in a tug-of-war. Walmart’s warning is a red flag, no doubt—it’s hard to ignore when a company that touches millions of consumers signals trouble ahead. Pair that with rising jobless claims, and you’ve got a recipe for unease.

But I’m not ready to call it a full-blown crisis just yet. The labour market still has muscle, and the Fed’s steady hand—while frustrating for growth-hungry investors—shows a commitment to avoiding the inflationary spirals of the past. The pullback in Treasury yields and the yen’s strength suggest markets are finding a new equilibrium, not plunging into chaos.

The YLDs stablecoin experiment fascinates me—it’s a glimpse of how crypto might evolve beyond speculative mania into something more practical and regulated. As for the broader crypto downturn, I lean toward the correction camp. Markets need to breathe, and this could be a reset before the next leg up—or down.

Ultimately, we’re in a holding pattern, waiting for clearer signals on tariffs, inflation, and Fed policy. Until then, expect volatility, but don’t bet on a collapse just yet. The data’s too mixed, and the world’s too resilient, for that.

—

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The United States’ decision to levy a 25 per cent tariff on automotive, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports presents a significant challenge for Malaysia.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan highlighted that 60 per cent of Malaysia’s trade with the US comprises electrical and electronics (E&E) exports, making this a critical issue, according to a news report by The Sun Malaysia.

“This is a huge blow if we can’t get this resolved soon,” he said.

During a parliamentary session in the Dewan Rakyat, Mohamad Hasan stressed the urgency of addressing this matter. He mentioned that ASEAN is planning an immediate special ASEAN-US summit to present its concerns to the new US administration, aiming to mitigate the tariff’s impact on ASEAN countries.

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The minister characterised the US policy as “reshoring,” designed to incentivise large companies operating outside the US to return and establish domestic operations through high taxes.

In response to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Teggara) of Malaysia about leveraging the 2nd ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit and the ASEAN – GCC – China Summit to enhance economic cooperation, trade, and investment, Mohamad suggested a collaborative approach. He advocated for discussions between ASEAN, GCC, and China to address the situation.

Mohamad noted that China has one of the largest markets, the GCC possesses substantial capital, and ASEAN is rich in natural resources. He posited that negotiations between these three blocs could foster intra-ASEAN economic development, potentially positioning ASEAN as the fourth-largest economy globally by 2030.

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