Across Asia and its neighbours, impact-first startups are tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges, like helping farmers increase their income, bringing healthcare to remote areas, and making education more equitable.

But in markets where trust in new technology can be low, digital literacy uneven, and access to infrastructure inconsistent, having a brilliant product is not enough. Without marketing that connects with people’s real needs, habits, and contexts, adoption stalls.

These three startups show why impact-savvy marketing isn’t about flashy ads or clever slogans, but about empathy, trust-building, and translating value in ways that resonate with the communities you’re trying to serve.

iFarmer: Building trust through local partnerships

When iFarmer set out to connect smallholder farmers in Bangladesh with finance, buyers, and agronomy advice, it faced a barrier bigger than technology: trust. Many farmers had been burned before by outsiders promising quick profits or easy loans. Years of scams and failed projects left them wary of anything new, no matter how well-intentioned.

Rather than pushing its app through mass advertising, iFarmer went local, partnering with microfinance institutions, agricultural cooperatives, and NGOs that already had strong community relationships. These organisations became iFarmer’s bridge to credibility, introducing the platform in settings where farmers felt safe and respected. Village meetings and in-person onboarding sessions gave people the chance to ask questions face-to-face, see demonstrations, and hear from early adopters.

Also Read: Need of the hour: How agritech platforms can protect farmers from climate change

This approach worked because it placed human trust ahead of digital adoption. Once farmers felt confident that iFarmer was an ally rather than a risk, word-of-mouth referrals took over. Today, the platform supports over 100,000 farmers.

Halodoc: making the unfamiliar feel safe

Telemedicine offers enormous potential in Indonesia, where reaching a doctor in person can require hours of travel and high costs. Yet when Halodoc launched, many people were sceptical. Could a doctor on a screen really replace one in person? Concerns about misdiagnosis, data privacy, and affordability slowed adoption, particularly outside major cities.

Halodoc tackled this hesitancy by grounding its marketing in real human stories. Campaigns showed relatable situations like parents getting timely care for a feverish child and elderly patients avoiding long and exhausting trips, always with the reassurance of qualified doctors on the other side of the screen.

To reach rural communities, Halodoc partnered with local health workers who could explain the service in person, often in local dialects. Offline events gave people a chance to try the app on the spot, removing the mystery from the experience.

By combining high-tech healthcare with high-touch outreach, Halodoc transformed telemedicine from an abstract concept into a trusted household service.

Edmicro: making schools their strongest advocates

Vietnam’s education market is crowded with free online content and a deeply rooted tutoring culture. For Edmicro, which offers an adaptive learning platform aligned to the Vietnamese curriculum, the challenge wasn’t just proving that it worked—it was convincing teachers and parents that it was worth integrating into daily learning.

Rather than trying to sell directly to parents through ads, Edmicro embedded itself in schools. It ran free pilot programmes in low-income districts, allowing students and teachers to experience the platform without financial risk. Crucially, the company worked closely with educators to adapt the platform to their needs, providing training and support so it became a tool they enjoyed using rather than a burden. Teachers who saw results began sharing their experiences online, often through personal Facebook posts that reached far into their networks.

Also Read: Redefining marketing in 2025: How AI will drive deeper connection and purpose

These endorsements carried far more weight than any marketing campaign could have achieved. By making teachers advocates rather than just users, Edmicro built a growth engine powered by trust and community credibility.

Marketing, the bridge between tech and trust?

If there’s anything that these companies prove, it’s that that startups often don’t scale on good intentions alone. In Southeast Asia and surrounding markets, the leap from “great idea” to “widely adopted solution” is built on trust, and trust is built through marketing that’s grounded in local reality.

For founders, this means marketing can’t be an afterthought or a final step before launch. For investors, it’s a reminder that funding the tech is only half the battle.

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By 2030, Southeast Asia’s population will grow by more than 80 million, demanding more food than ever while farmland and water resources are under strain. The region’s agricultural sector, long rooted in traditional methods, is at a turning point.

Agritech—tools like IoT sensors, AI-powered crop monitoring, and blockchain-based supply chains—is no longer a “nice to have.” It is the decisive lever for productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

For investors, this is a rare alignment of urgent demand, supportive policy, and scalable innovation. The question is not whether agritech will reshape Southeast Asia’s agriculture, but who will lead—and profit—from the transformation..

Understanding agritech in SEA: Trends and innovations

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Southeast Asia’s economy and livelihoods. Approximately 120 million people across SEA are engaged in agriculture. In countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, this makes up 60–65 per cent of the rural workforce.

Agriculture accounts for about 10-15 per cent of GDP on average in the region, reaching as high as 23 per cent in countries like Cambodia. Despite this economic significance, productivity growth has stagnated in many subsectors due to fragmented farming practices, limited access to quality inputs, and climate-related risks.

Against this backdrop, agritech is transforming the landscape by integrating emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and mobile fintech. These innovations address inefficiencies in input management, pest detection, supply chain transparency, and farmer financing. They create an ecosystem that boosts yields and reduces risks.

From fish feed to blockchain: Who’s driving SEA agritech?

The agritech landscape in SEA is shaped by a dynamic interplay of startups, corporate players, governments, and development agencies.

Startups like eFishery in Indonesia use IoT-enabled fish feeders and real-time data analytics. This has improved feed efficiency by up to 30 per cent, boosting farmers’ profits. They raised US$200 million in a Series D round in 2023, reaching unicorn status. This highlights the US$11.1 billion SEA aquaculture tech sector, projected to grow 4.8 per cent annually to 2033.

Logistics and supply chain startups such as Ninja Van facilitate efficient produce delivery, reducing spoilage and increasing margins. Others, like Susu Tani in Vietnam, focus on digitally monitoring livestock health. PlantSnap in Singapore uses AI to identify crop diseases.

Also Read: Need of the hour: How agritech platforms can protect farmers from climate change

Multinational agribusinesses, including Olam International and Wilmar, are increasingly investing in digital agriculture to secure supply chains and meet stringent sustainability criteria. Governments in the region are developing digital agriculture policies and funding programs. Examples include Singapore’s Smart Agriculture and Malaysia’s National Agro-Food Policy.

Development finance institutions and aid agencies provide catalytic capital and technical assistance. They help build innovation ecosystems, bridge technology gaps, and support farmer adoption.

Investment opportunities: Why now is the time to invest in agritech

Now more than ever, agritech in Southeast Asia offers compelling investment opportunities. Here’s why:

• Untapped market potential: While SEA’s agricultural sector is among the largest globally, it remains relatively underdeveloped compared to other regions. The growing middle class and urbanisation are driving a shift towards modern, technology-driven farming solutions.
• Government support: Many SEA governments promote agritech with subsidies, grants, and favorable policies to attract investment. For example, the Philippine government’s “Agri-tech and Financial Literacy” initiative aims to digitise smallholder farming.
• Sustainability as a growth lever: Global focus on sustainability is driving agritech investment. Key areas include precision farming, sustainable crop protection, and food waste reduction.
• Increased consumer demand for transparency: Consumers are increasingly demanding more sustainable and traceable food sources. As a result, companies that can offer transparency and ensure the sustainability of their agricultural processes are becoming increasingly attractive investments.
• Technology advancements: The continued development of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, drones, AI, and machine learning technologies makes investing in agritech more promising than ever. These technologies enable real-time data collection, improving decision-making, productivity, and supply chain management.

Challenges facing agritech startups in SEA and how to overcome them

While the potential is immense, agritech startups in Southeast Asia face significant challenges:

• Fragmented market: SEA’s agricultural market is highly fragmented, with millions of smallholders, often lacking access to the resources needed to scale. Startups can overcome this by adopting scalable digital platforms and targeting multiple smallholder farmers through cooperative models or B2B2C models.
• Regulatory hurdles: Agricultural technology is subject to varying regulations across SEA countries, creating complexity for startups looking to expand regionally. However, startups can mitigate this challenge by working closely with governments to navigate these regulations and ensure compliance.
• Limited access to capital: Despite growing interest in agritech, securing capital can be a challenge for early-stage startups. By partnering with investors, accelerators, and agritech-focused funds, these companies can gain access to the capital needed to scale.
• Technological adoption barriers: Farmers in SEA may be reluctant to adopt new technologies due to cost concerns, lack of training, or cultural resistance. Agritech companies should deliver low-cost, high-impact solutions with clear value and provide education to build trust.

Also Read: Why agritech startups will call for the next e-commerce revolution

Overcoming these hurdles often requires a mix of technology and strong local networks. Partnerships and iterative product development tailored to farmers are essential.

Success stories: Remarkable agritech ventures transforming agriculture

Several agritech startups have already shown how the sector can drive meaningful transformation in Southeast Asia:

• RiceHub (Vietnam): This platform connects rice farmers with buyers, providing them with fair market prices and facilitating direct transactions. By leveraging technology, RiceHub has been able to streamline the rice supply chain and increase incomes for smallholder farmers.
• aTfarm (Thailand): A leading player in Thai agritech, aTfarm connects farmers with a comprehensive platform that offers smart farm management tools, weather forecasting, and access to financing options. Their work has significantly boosted farm productivity and profitability.
• Nurture.farm (India/SEA Expansion): Nurture.farm uses AI to provide precision agriculture tools to farmers, improving yields and reducing input costs. The company has successfully scaled across India and is expanding into Southeast Asia with promising results.
• IndoAgri (Indonesia): IndoAgri’s focus on aquaculture technology is improving the efficiency of fish farming by optimizing feed and disease management. Their data-driven approach has resulted in healthier fish stocks and higher profitability for farmers.

These ventures demonstrate that a clear value proposition, coupled with a deep understanding of local farming ecosystems, can deliver scalable impact and attract growth capital.

Future outlook: The potential of sustainable farming technologies in SEA

Looking forward, the potential of sustainable farming technologies in Southeast Asia is immense. The region aims to boost food production for its growing population. These technologies support long-term food security while reducing environmental impact.

Investment in precision agriculture, sustainable water management, alternative proteins, and circular economy practices will boost productivity. These efforts will also build a more resilient agricultural sector.

In addition, technologies focused on farm-to-table traceability will become increasingly important as consumers demand more transparency about the origins of their food. Startups and investors who are at the forefront of these innovations will likely shape the future of Southeast Asia’s agricultural economy.

Agritech is evolving rapidly with strong government support and rising demand for sustainable solutions. Combined with advanced technologies, it offers a promising investment frontier. SEA agritech is not just an emerging sector—it’s a dynamic force that is set to reshape the future of agriculture in one of the world’s most crucial regions. For investors looking to make an impact, the time to enter is now!

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In November 2024, I attended a retreat with Ken Honda, together with Chloe Lin, Kelly Kam, and Ken Ku. I went in thinking it would be another session on money mindset — useful, reflective, but familiar.

What I didn’t expect was to walk away with a realisation that had very little to do with numbers, and everything to do with who I had become.

At that point in my life, my relationship with money was good, but not great. On paper, things were working. Businesses were running. Cash flow existed. Opportunities were there. But emotionally, there was always a quiet tension running underneath it all.

There was pressure to perform. Pressure to keep proving. Pressure to constantly think, “What’s next?” — even when things were already fine. I struggled to truly rest. I struggled to enjoy money once it was earned. It wasn’t fear exactly — it was responsibility, obligation, and an invisible weight that never fully left my shoulders.

If I had to describe my relationship with money back then, it was productive… but transactional.

When success stops feeling like you

The biggest insight during the retreat wasn’t about money at all. It was about identity. I realised, quite suddenly, that I wasn’t the person I wanted to be.

Growing up, I always wanted to stand out. I wanted to be seen, to make an impact, to do something meaningful. As I got older, especially after years of building businesses, I learned to step back. To be careful. To not impose. To let the work speak for itself.

Somewhere along the way, I became quieter. Not because I had nothing to offer, but because I didn’t want to overwhelm, overstep, or overexpose.

During the retreat, it clicked.

I do have a skill set that can help people. And the only way to help… is to show up.

If I don’t show up, no one knows I can help them.

That realisation wasn’t loud or dramatic. It was calm, grounding, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way. And it reshaped how I saw not just my work, but also my relationship with money.

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

Money is not something you dominate

For most founders, money becomes something to control. We track it. We forecast it. We optimise it. We worry about losing it. And without realising it, we treat money the way we’d treat a system under stress — not a relationship.

But here’s the thing. You don’t control your friends. You don’t micromanage people you love. You stay with them. You listen. You spend time. You let them go, trusting they’ll still be there.

There are boundaries, yes. But there’s also trust. There’s faith, not pressure. Enjoyment, not anxiety.

I’ve always been a control freak. That part of me built companies, systems, and results – but it also created unnecessary tension.

So I made a conscious decision to stop controlling what didn’t need to be controlled.

• Today, I only control my actions — never others.
• I share when asked, never enforce what I share.
• And I show up consistently, without attachment to outcomes.

That shift softened everything — including my relationship with money.

Stress repels more than it attracts

In 2025, things started moving faster again. But this time, it felt different. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t reactive. It wasn’t driven by fear or urgency.

I started working on projects that genuinely excited me — not ones that drained me simply because they were “logical” or “expected”. To date, I manage close to 40 portfolios. And instead of feeling stretched thin, I feel aligned.

Money started flowing more easily — not because I pushed harder, but because I stopped stressing it out.

This may sound obvious, but it’s something most of us overlook:

When you feel stressed about money, money feels stressed coming to you.

Think about it. Would you want to spend time with someone who’s constantly anxious, tense, and demanding?

Most people wouldn’t. Money works the same way.

From “I need” to “I want”

Previously, my internal dialogue sounded like this: “I don’t have enough.” “I need to make more.” “I should be doing better.” Money felt like an obligation.

But relationships aren’t obligations. They’re a want. And when something shifts from obligation to desire, the entire dynamic changes.

Today, my relationship with money feels healthy and secure. There’s cash flow. There are investments. There’s movement — without panic.

It’s not very different from my relationship with my partner now. I don’t add pressure. I don’t force timelines. We trust one another.

Because real relationships aren’t extremes. They’re balances. And maybe that’s why we call it a balance sheet, because nothing works unless it balances.

Also Read: I built multiple MVPs in a month: Here’s what vibe coding really changed

A reflection for founders

As founders, we’re good at building systems. We build systems so we don’t overstretch ourselves. We build systems so we can scale. We build systems so life doesn’t collapse when we step away.

But we forget that systems only work when the environment is healthy. We build environments where our teams can thrive. We build environments where ideas can grow.

Yet many of us never stop to ask: What kind of environment am I creating for money?

When you get these fundamentals right — not just in business, but in how you relate to money — flow stops being something you chase. It becomes something that stays.

Look at money as your friend. Create an environment where it feels safe being with you.

Because in the end, whether it’s people or money, the principle is the same: Be the person you would want to be with. And the right things — and people — tend to follow.

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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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