Asia, home to over 60 per cent of the global population, is facing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century—water scarcity. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), 12 out of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world are in Asia, with nations like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh experiencing severe water shortages exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and population growth.

As the region continues to industrialise and its population increases, demand for water is expected to rise dramatically. In this context, innovative technologies are emerging as critical tools to address Asia’s water crisis and create sustainable water management systems that can meet future demands.

The scope of Asia’s water crisis

Asia’s water crisis is multifaceted, involving both physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity. Physical water scarcity occurs when water resources are insufficient to meet demand, while economic water scarcity results from a lack of investment in water infrastructure and management systems. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the region needs to invest over US$800 billion in water infrastructure by 2030 to address these challenges.

The agricultural sector, which accounts for 70 per cent of the region’s water usage, is particularly vulnerable. Many countries in Asia depend heavily on irrigation for their food production, and unsustainable agricultural practices have led to over-extraction of groundwater and degradation of water quality.

Additionally, rapid urbanisation has put immense pressure on water resources in cities, with megacities like Delhi, Jakarta, and Bangkok experiencing acute water shortages during dry seasons.

The role of technology in water management

Innovative technologies are now playing a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by improving water efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainability. Among the most promising technologies are blockchain, IoT (Internet of Things), and artificial intelligence (AI), which together form a powerful combination for tackling water scarcity.

Also Read: Climate conferences won’t save us: How to start taking action all year round (Part 1)

Blockchain technology, known for its decentralised and immutable nature, is being utilised to enhance transparency and accountability in water resource management. By using blockchain, stakeholders can track water usage, distribution, and quality in real-time, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and equitably. For example, Dubai’s Water Authority has implemented blockchain to monitor water consumption and detect leaks in real-time, reducing water waste and ensuring more sustainable usage.

Blockchain companies are also pioneering new avenues for investing in water sources, creating an additional layer of nuance to solving infefficiencies in sustainable water management. At LAKE, individuals can invest directly in water sources through the platform’s launchpad, essentially becoming shareholders in these critical resources.

This model unlocks the potential for increasing water availability and generating value for investors, providing an innovative approach to meet the growing demand for water in Asia and beyond. By linking capital with water conservation efforts, blockchain technology can empower sustainable management systems and help address the region’s water scarcity in more meaningful ways.

In a region where corruption and mismanagement often plague water distribution systems, blockchain offers a reliable solution for verifying transactions and ensuring that water resources reach the communities that need them most. Smart contracts, enabled by blockchain, can automate water distribution based on real-time data, reducing human intervention and inefficiency.

IoT and AI for smart water grids

IoT and AI are also transforming water management by enabling the creation of smart water grids. IoT sensors can monitor water levels, detect leaks, and assess water quality in real-time, providing actionable data that can inform decision-making. In cities like Singapore, which is often hailed as a model for water sustainability, IoT sensors are used to monitor the city’s water supply, ensuring that no water is wasted and that consumption patterns are optimised.

AI algorithms can analyse this data to predict water demand, identify inefficiencies, and suggest solutions. For example, AI can forecast future water needs based on weather patterns, population growth, and economic activity, allowing governments and utilities to plan for shortages and implement conservation measures in advance.

Desalination and water recycling technologies

In coastal regions of Asia, where freshwater resources are scarce, desalination is often proposed as a solution. However, it is not without significant drawbacks. Desalination processes can harm marine ecosystems, disrupt fish populations, and result in a high environmental cost.

Also Read: Balancing economic growth and climate action: Decarbonising SEA’s built environment

While advances in membrane technology have made desalination more energy-efficient, these environmental risks make it a less viable long-term option for sustainable water management. A more balanced approach would focus on reducing water demand and improving water efficiency before turning to such ecologically damaging methods.

Similarly, water recycling technologies are being deployed in countries like Singapore, where reclaimed water, known as “NEWater”, is used for industrial purposes and even treated for human consumption. These technologies are helping to close the water loop, ensuring that every drop of water is used as efficiently as possible.

Asia’s path to sustainable water management

While technology offers promising solutions, the adoption of these innovations requires strong political will, investment, and public-private partnerships. Governments in Asia must prioritise water management in their national development strategies, investing in infrastructure and creating regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation. The private sector also has a crucial role to play, particularly in financing and developing new technologies.

For example, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has launched initiatives to support the development of smart water technologies, while companies like Panasonic and Hitachi are pioneering water-efficient solutions for both urban and rural areas. Similarly, in India, government initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission aim to provide clean water to every household by 2024, leveraging technology to monitor water distribution and ensure transparency.

Asia’s water crisis is complex and urgent, but innovative technologies offer a path forward. Blockchain-enabled transparency and AI-powered smart grids offer the tools necessary for sustainable water management; however, the successful implementation of these technologies will depend on collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society. By embracing these innovations, Asia can not only address its current water challenges but also build a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.

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For years, Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurial culture has been defined by speed — raising fast, building fast, scaling fast. Founders learned to survive by keeping up with the pace. But beneath the noise of acceleration, something quieter, more human, has been reshaping the landscape.

Entrepreneurs are craving connection, not just contacts. Meaning, not just metrics. Belonging, not just business.

And at the centre of this shift is a new kind of leader: The community architect — someone who doesn’t just bring people together, but designs how people grow within a shared space.

One of the most compelling examples of this emerging leadership is found in Singapore’s Rainmaker community, shaped by Richard Giam, whose approach reflects a broader cultural movement transforming how entrepreneurs interact, learn, and evolve.

The networking session that didn’t feel like networking

At a recent Rainmaker gathering, attendees walked in expecting the usual: fast-paced introductions, surface-level exchanges, and business card juggling.

Instead, the room was arranged in circles. The tone was reflective, not rushed. And the focus was on listening, particularly to those who often go unheard in typical networking environments.

The session was intentionally designed for introverted entrepreneurs.

Extroverts in the room found themselves sitting in silence, learning to listen rather than lead. Introverts found themselves speaking without interruption for the first time at a business event. Conversations deepened. People slowed down. Reflection replaced performance.

These outcomes weren’t accidental. They were crafted.

Giam didn’t host an event, he engineered an environment.

This is community architecture: Designing the room so the room can change the people.

How a hawker stall shaped a community architect

Giam’s ability to read people didn’t come from textbooks or workshops. It came from growing up in a hawker family, where human behaviour was on display every single day — stress, resilience, survival, connection. His corporate years were layered in business development, major-donor fundraising, and the emotional intelligence required to build trust with people from vastly different backgrounds.

Entrepreneurship then sharpened a skill many overlook: The ability to create safe spaces where people feel seen.

Rainmaker’s 600-strong network isn’t built on marketing funnels. It’s built on trust, values, consistency, and culture, and culture is something you shape intentionally, not accidentally.

Also Read: Culture-led marketing: Helping partners activate community moments at scale

Belonging is becoming the new currency

What Giam has created is not unique in intent, but it is unique in execution.

Across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, communities are beginning to structure themselves not around information, but around identity.

People are joining:

• Groups for founders exploring clarity and reinvention.
• Speaker communities practising communication and visibility.
• AI and digital transformation circles navigate new technologies together.
• Peer-learning tribes sharing financial literacy and market knowledge.

These communities aren’t growing because of content.
They’re growing because of belonging.

The shift is subtle, but profound:

People don’t join communities to learn something. They join to become someone.

This is the “cult-ure” shift — not cult in the fanatical sense, but in the cultural sense: Shared identity, shared language, shared rituals, shared growth.

The community architects behind the shift

Giam isn’t the only one designing belonging in this way.

In the speaking landscape, Speakers Society — which I co-founded together with community builder Kelly Kam — emerged from the belief that people improve not by consuming advice, but by practising in safe, structured environments. Growth comes from showing up repeatedly, receiving feedback, and learning collectively. It’s a community that behaves more like a training ecosystem than a classroom.

Across female entrepreneurship, I’ve seen the same pattern. Women founders don’t gather for tactics — they gather for clarity, confidence, identity realignment, and the emotional support that strengthens their leadership. These spaces often look less like business groups and more like growth circles.

In AI and digital learning, communities form to help people decode technological change. No one wants to navigate emerging tools alone; people instinctively seek out rooms where curiosity is shared, and uncertainty becomes less intimidating in collaboration.

Also Read: Navigate in a cookie-less world, leverage AI and think community-first

Different verticals. Different audiences. Different intentions. Yet the underlying architecture is unmistakably the same.

TEDx chapters worldwide show this — ideas creating micro-communities around storytelling and shared purpose. Toastmasters clubs have thrived for decades because transformation happens in ritual, repetition, and collective encouragement. Even e27’s own ecosystem has long served as connective tissue, fostering a sense of shared identity among founders navigating Southeast Asia’s evolving tech landscape.

Communities don’t succeed because of their topic. They succeed because someone intentionally shapes the environment in which humans grow.

Giam does this in the business world. Kam and I do this in the speaking and developmental landscape. Founders, educators, technologists, and facilitators across SEA are doing it in their own spheres.

Together, they form a new layer of cultural infrastructure in the region.

Why this moment matters

Why is this happening now?

A few converging forces explain the rise of community architects:

• Entrepreneurial isolation in a world of solopreneurs and distributed teams.
• Information overwhelm is making curated environments more valuable.
• Post-pandemic behaviour shifts, where people prioritise meaning over speed.
• Accelerating AI, which makes human connection feel more essential.
• A regional hunger for reinvention, driven by economic and technological change.

Entrepreneurs don’t just want strategies anymore.
They want spaces where they can learn, grow, and feel human again.

This is why the leaders who shape these spaces matter.

The invisible infrastructure: What makes community work

Despite appearing organic, strong communities rely on structure:

• Rhythm
• Ritual
• Shared norms
• Emotional safety
• Behavioural design
• Guided interaction
• And increasingly, digital systems that support consistency

Culture makes people stay. Structure makes a community last.

This combination explains why certain ecosystems feel magnetic, and why others collapse quickly.

Also Read: Rethinking communication, connection, and empathy in the age of AI

The future of entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia will be built on community

As technology accelerates and the world becomes more automated, entrepreneurs will increasingly rely on the one thing AI cannot replicate: A human connection built on trust, identity, and shared transformation.

And the people who know how to build these environments — like Giam, Kam, and countless other quiet architects across the region — are shaping the next era of entrepreneurial life in SEA.

Different communities. Different missions. Different cultures.

But all contributing to a bigger truth: Belonging is becoming the new operating system for growth. And the leaders who design that belonging will define the future of entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia.

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Eluvo, a health-tech startup focusing on women in the Philippines, has closed a funding round led by Foxmont Capital Partners.

The transaction details remain undisclosed.

The money will be used to accelerate the growth of the startup’s doctor-led, women-led healthcare clinic in the archipelago, according to a statement.

Also Read: Foxmont secures US$30M in Fund III first close with Grab, DGGF as investors

The Philippines faces several acute systemic healthcare problems, including rising costs, limited specialist availability, and cultural stigmas that frequently deter women from seeking necessary support. The country underperforms against regional peers in nearly all measures of sexual and reproductive health tracked by the UN Population Fund, despite having established regulatory frameworks. Compounding this issue, 46-58 per cent of women report difficulty navigating the conventional healthcare system, highlighting significant structural obstacles.

Eluvo was launched to tackle these issues. It aims to deliver quality, personalised, and stigma-free healthcare across every stage of a woman’s life, integrating clinical expertise, evidence-based diagnostics, and digital access. It offers a modern, personalised, and premium standard of care across fertility care, sexual health, hormone health, family planning, pregnancy & postpartum care, and perimenopause & menopause support.

Eluvo brings “consultations, diagnostics, and treatment together in one location,” supported by omnichannel care and designed to be part of a woman’s lifestyle rather than a sterile medical experience. The approach is encapsulated in the “Talk, Test, Treat model,” an intuitive pathway designed to reframe healthcare as proactive and personalised. This involves compassionate, “stigma-free conversations” led by women-focused providers (Talk); accessible diagnostics through both at-home kits and in-clinic assessments (Test); and evidence-based, tailored treatment plans (Treat).

Strategic partnerships and expansion

To strengthen its leadership in fertility services, Eluvo has established a partnership with GenPrime, a premium fertility clinic with a proven track record across Southeast Asia, China, and the US. This collaboration expands access to “world-class” fertility services by bringing high-end, modern facilities to an underserved market.

The institution is led by Dr Jaycy Olivarez, an OB-GYN who draws on deep personal insight, having undergone IVF herself, providing both professional expertise and an understanding of the patient journey.

Also Read: The most-funded healthtech startups in Southeast Asia: A decade in review

Eluvo has already opened its first clinic in Parqal, Aseana City, offering a safe and empowering environment. Proceeds from the funding round will be channelled into the next phase of growth across Metro Manila. This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to making “top-notch healthcare more widely available” while maintaining the personalised, high standard of care established by the brand.

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Higala, an inclusive banking infrastructure startup in the Philippines, has closed its seed funding round at US$4 million.

The investors include Talino Venture Studios, Chemonics International, Kadan Capital, Tenco Capital, and 1982 Ventures.

This round follows Higala’s seed extension round led by 1982 Ventures in March this year.

Also Read: Talino Venture Studios launches, invests in inclusive instant payment system Higala

The fresh capital will support the company’s push to digitise rural banks and microfinance institutions operating in underserved parts of the Philippines, where access to financial services remains limited.

“This funding will help us bring unprecedented growth to financial institutions and their customers in places bereft of digital enablement,” said Higala founder and CEO Winston Damarillo.

Higala, a registered operator of a payment system, promotes inclusion by lowering the cost of real-time payments, helping financial institutions price their instant payments reasonably. It also aims to provide inclusive financial solutions to the underbanked and rapidly enable merchants to accept digital payments.

The fintech startup’s open payments platform, SynerFi, is designed to lower entry barriers for smaller financial institutions participating in InstaPay, the Philippines’ real-time payments network. Rural banks already onboarded to SynerFi include Rural Bank of San Antonio, Rural Bank of Lipa City (Batangas), Progressive Rural Bank, Banco Abucay, Rural Bank of Hermosa (Bataan), Money Mall Rural Bank, First Philippine Partners Bank (A Rural Bank), and Lagawe Highlands Rural Bank.

A significant portion of the funds will be used to strengthen SynerFi.

Also Read: How digital banking is driving financial inclusion in SEA

“Connecting rural banks to Instapay and the wider digital ecosystem is not simply an act of digitalisation, but a deeper commitment to accelerate financial inclusion in underserved areas,” said Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).

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In Indonesia’s increasingly competitive and cautious economic climate, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing a complex set of challenges.

According to Arthur Adisusanto, Country Head for Indonesia at Funding Societies, the slowdown in consumer spending has had a direct impact on SME revenues and their ability to grow. While inflation and global headwinds contribute to the uncertainty, the bigger issue is that Indonesia’s economic expansion has not met expectations. As Adisusanto notes, first-quarter GDP growth fell short of the government’s 5.2 per cent target, dampening the growth prospects of the very businesses that power much of the country’s economy.

Against this backdrop, the demand for financing among SMEs remains strong. Yet, not every business is positioned to secure credit. Funding Societies—long recognised as a leading SME digital financing platform in Southeast Asia—has adapted its strategy in response to this evolving landscape. The company has shifted its focus away from ultra-micro and micro enterprises, such as sole proprietors and home-based operations, and is concentrating on SMEs with more established structures, financial records and cash-flow visibility.

This shift is part of a broader effort to ensure sustainable growth and responsible lending. “We obviously want to be there and bridge the financing gap,” Adisusanto says in an interview with e27. “But at the same time, we also need to protect the lenders. If the clients that come to us don’t meet our criteria, then we have to reject them.”

Operating across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, Funding Societies adapts its offerings to the unique needs of each country. In Malaysia, the company has established a strong presence in dealer financing, supporting vehicle dealerships with inventory funding. Singapore has developed a niche in fixed-asset financing backed by property.

Also Read: Starting off with the goal to empower Malaysian SMEs, Fiuu reveals the secret sauce behind its growth

Indonesia, however, takes a distinctly horizontal approach. Rather than focusing on specific industries, Funding Societies assesses SMEs based on their financial fundamentals. “We don’t necessarily look at verticals. We assess the business, the financials, the cash flow and the credit history,” Adisusanto explains.

This enables the platform to support a diverse range of Indonesian SMEs, particularly those that traditional banks often overlook.

How institutional investors power growth

Indonesia has nearly 3,000 financial institutions, from commercial banks to rural banks and multifinance companies. While banks generally serve larger SMEs, many lack the infrastructure to lend to smaller businesses. This is where Funding Societies sees tremendous potential. Through partnerships, banks can channel funds to smaller SMEs via the platform, using Funding Societies’ technology, underwriting and monitoring capabilities.

Apart from that, Funding Societies often steps in when banks decline credit applications. While this places the company in a higher-risk segment, it also fills a critical financing gap for businesses that still have strong fundamentals but lack the collateral, credit history, or scale required by banks.

When SMEs compare financing alternatives, three factors typically matter most: pricing, speed and certainty of capital. Adisusanto is candid that Funding Societies is not the cheapest provider and does not promise the fastest disbursements. Its due diligence process takes more time compared with lenders that offer approvals in minutes because SME financing is inherently more complex and demands careful assessment. However, the company excels where it counts: reliability.

“Where I think we would win is the guarantee that the capital is there when they need it,” he says.

A key driver behind Funding Societies’ ability to guarantee capital lies in its growing partnerships with institutional investors. While the platform once maintained a balanced mix between retail and institutional funders, retail investor participation has dwindled amid negative perceptions of the wider peer-to-peer lending industry.

Institutional investors, ranging from funds to financial institutions, have become Funding Societies’ primary source of financing. These institutions are more receptive to data-driven risk assessments and can appreciate the platform’s differentiated approach and robust credit evaluation.

Also Read: Higala closes US$4M round to bring real-time payments to rural banks in Philippines

“With institutions, you can reason with them,” Adisusanto notes. “[With retail investors,] there’s a lot more pre-work to make them understand how we’re different and how we manage our risk.”

In the next two to three years, Adisusanto envisions deeper collaboration across the financial sector, enabling more SMEs to “graduate” to better, cheaper facilities, whether through Funding Societies or traditional banks. “If they grow and get better facilities, that means we’ve done our job,” he says.

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Image Credit: Prabu Panji on Unsplash

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When I was working with an EV brand in Indonesia last year, I was impressed to see that over 70 per cent of the vehicle components were locally sourced. It was a rare glimpse into what a more self-reliant Southeast Asian manufacturing ecosystem could look like.

But behind that milestone lurked a deeper question: can our region scale up as a global alternative without repeating the environmental and social missteps of past industrial booms? 

The region’s industrial rise

Southeast Asia is increasingly emerging as a viable alternative to China for manufacturing Electric Vehicles (EVs) and semiconductors.

In the Southeast Asia semiconductor market, revenue is projected to reach US$95.89 billion in 2024, with integrated circuits dominating the market, accounting for US$86.54 billion of the total revenue. The market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.25 per cent (CAGR 2024-2029), reaching a market volume of US$163.40 billion by 2029.

The hidden costs of rapid growth

However, while Southeast Asia’s manufacturing potential is undeniable, it comes with a critical caveat: many of the region’s industrial gains have historically come at a high cost—to both the environment and local communities.

Also Read: The secret weapon of marketing? Why every business needs a CDP

In Indonesia, for example, the rapid expansion of nickel mining—driven by soaring global demand for electric vehicle batteries—has resulted in widespread deforestation and ecosystem degradation.

The Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Halmahera has been linked to the clearing of thousands of hectares of forest and the pollution of rivers and coastal waters, with severe consequences for local livelihoods and biodiversity.

Across the region, industrial growth has consistently outpaced environmental safeguards. Studies show that unsustainable resource extraction and pollution not only harm ecosystems and public health, but also undermine long-term economic growth.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution alone causes over 500,000 premature deaths in Asia annually—representing both a human tragedy and a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and productivity.

Aligning strengths across borders

But the challenges facing Southeast Asia’s industrial future are not inevitable—they are solvable. With the right policies, partnerships, and priorities, the region can build a manufacturing ecosystem that is not only competitive, but also clean, inclusive, and resilient. Despite the missteps of past industrial booms, each country in the region brings unique strengths to the table.

Indonesia, for instance, is home to vast nickel reserves, estimated at 17.7 billion tons of ore and 177.8 million tons of metal, with accessible reserves reaching 5.2 billion tons of ore and 57 million tons of metal. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s manufacturing and processing sectors continue to attract significant investment, with 106 new projects and US$3.13 billion in newly registered capital recorded in November 2024. 

Singapore is reinforcing its global semiconductor supply chain position with a SG$500 million investment in the upcoming National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC).

These examples highlight the immense potential of Southeast Asian nations to lead in next-generation manufacturing. But in my view, the region’s future success won’t depend on which country takes the lead—it will depend on how well we integrate and collaborate as a unified ecosystem. 

Also Read: From burn rate to break even: Why Southeast Asia’s startups must rethink growth

Without a coordinated, ethical industrial strategy, Southeast Asia risks becoming a low-cost manufacturing zone at the expense of its people and environment. The opportunity to lead the EV and semiconductor future must not be built on the mistakes of the past—but on a shared ASEAN framework that enforces sustainability, inclusivity, and cross-border innovation.

Despite encouraging bilateral moves, such as Indonesia-Vietnam digital cooperation and ASEAN clean energy commitments, these remain fragmented and often lack regulatory teeth.

Without a unified ASEAN mechanism to enforce ethical sourcing, transparent technology transfer, and just industrial transition, the region risks exporting its future while importing its problems.

A shared path for a stronger tomorrow

Southeast Asia doesn’t need to wait for global frameworks—it can lead. An ASEAN Green Manufacturing Charter could set enforceable ESG standards across borders, while a shared tech-sharing protocol would turn isolated innovation into collective leverage.

Most importantly, the region must treat its mineral wealth not as a quick win, but as a shared trust that demands ethical stewardship.

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Asia-Pacific (APAC) is at the forefront of the global green revolution, but the region still faces several challenges in accelerating its clean energy journey. Chief among them is the need for robust support in transitioning from fossil fuels to greener power. This transition requires the widespread deployment of low-carbon technologies to enable high-emitting industries to decarbonise effectively and transition toward a cleaner future.

The investment challenge

Addressing these challenges demands not only technological innovation but also substantial investments in new infrastructure and financial mechanisms. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that Asia will need to invest approximately US$1.7 trillion annually in infrastructure through 2030 to sustain economic growth, combat poverty, and address escalating climate risks.

When it comes to climate financing specifically, the challenge is even more acute, with the region facing a shortfall of at least US$800 billion annually, according to the International Monetary Fund. This underscores the urgent need for innovative financial tools, such as “transition finance,” to bridge the capital gap for both large-scale renewables projects and early-stage climate tech ventures.

APAC’s pivotal moment

Asia is leading the charge in creating investor opportunities, nurturing groundbreaking innovations, and establishing itself as a global hub for the incubation of low-carbon technologies.

The region stands at a pivotal moment, with a unique opportunity to act decisively and leverage the green transition not only as a pathway to decarbonisation but also as a catalyst for long-term competitive advantage and economic growth. To fully unlock this potential, there is an urgent need for actionable decarbonisation strategies and transformative accelerators that can drive immediate progress and scale sustainable solutions across the region.

According to a 2024 study by Boston Consulting Group, by 2030, renewables could account for 30–50 per cent of the power generation mix in many APAC markets, underscoring the region’s vast potential. To move the needle further, private-sector organisations can play multiple roles. Collaboration between corporations and startups offers a powerful opportunity to leverage their respective strengths, with two key objectives: supporting climate tech startups in Asia and fostering a robust Asian investment community.

Also Read: What does Trump mean for SEA climate scene?

Companies like Towngas are paving the way by creating ecosystems that bring together climate tech startups and innovative ideas. Besides directly funding or operating renewable energy projects, they can serve as platforms for incubating and amplifying early-stage innovations.

Global competitions like the TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition offer a case in point. Such competitions gather the brightest ideas in hydrogen, carbon neutrality, energy storage, and more—then connect emerging innovators to venture capital and the broader industry ecosystem.

Bridging the gap between innovation and commercialisation

By doing so, they bridge the critical gap between concept and commercialisation, allowing impactful clean-tech solutions to scale quickly in APAC’s fast-moving markets. This synergy not only drives the growth of climate tech in Asia but also strengthens the region’s position as a global leader in sustainable innovation.

APAC industries are accelerating the adoption of sustainable fuels like hydrogen, green methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to advance decarbonisation across marine, land, air, and industrial sectors. Past TERA-Award winners have showcased novel approaches to hydrogen production, energy storage solutions, and other clean-energy breakthroughs.

The path to a sustainable future

From advanced methods of manufacturing green hydrogen to high-efficiency systems for capturing and reusing carbon, these teams demonstrate how emerging technologies can help public and private sectors alike meet ambitious sustainability targets.

As more companies step up with funding, partnerships, and platforms for innovation, APAC’s green tech leadership is set to flourish—positioning the region as a key driver of the sustainable, low-carbon future that the world urgently needs.

Also read: Balancing economic growth and climate action: Decarbonising SEA’s built environment

Achieving emission targets requires unified, collective action from all stakeholders. Collaboration between governments and private enterprises is paramount to overcoming regulatory hurdles and ensuring a well-orchestrated rollout of green initiatives that can truly transform marine, land, air, and industrial sectors.

As the region accelerates the development of its green technology ecosystem, it is rapidly closing the gap with global leaders in clean energy and solidifying its position as a key player on the international stage.

At Towngas, we reflect our commitment to combating climate change through innovation, actively contributing to green tech development and fostering strategic energy partnerships. These efforts highlight APAC’s critical role in driving a sustainable, low-carbon future and shaping global climate action.

The fourth edition of TERA-Award is now open for application. Learn more from here.

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Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay connected.

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For over two decades, corporations compensated for inefficiency by adding layers of coordination instead of fixing the system. When something didn’t work, they didn’t redesign it — they hired someone to “manage” it.

Soon, entire ecosystems of meta-work emerged — jobs that existed to describe, oversee, or justify other jobs. They multiplied inside large organisations — roles that filled reporting gaps, not production gaps.

As anthropologist David Graeber famously wrote: “A bullshit job is one that, even the person doing it, secretly believes need not exist.”

These positions kept the corporate machine comfortable — absorbing graduates, padding hierarchies, and maintaining the illusion of growth.

These roles didn’t produce value — they performed it. Their output was visibility: reports, alignment sessions, status meetings, dashboards, updates.

But when AI arrived, it became the ultimate performance review. Anything that didn’t create measurable value became a candidate for deletion.

The great correction

When AI arrived, it didn’t have the patience for this theatre. Algorithms don’t need “alignment calls. They only need inputs and clear parameters.

AI didn’t just automate repetitive work — it audited the entire white-collar economy.

It isn’t just replacing labour — it’s revealing how much of it never created value in the first place.

It exposed:

• How much of “knowledge work” was actually administrative overhead?
• How many middle layers existed to repackage data and PowerPoints?
• How many decisions could be made faster, cheaper, and more accurately by algorithms?

Suddenly, entire strata of “pseudo-productive” roles were wiped out, and the pendulum swung from overemployment to over-efficiency.

What’s left now is a leaner economy — one that prizes execution, creativity, and synthesis over attendance, meetings, and memos.

Also Read: Levelling the playing field: How AI can transform SME hiring

The new problem: The missing middle

The irony? This over-correction might have been a step too far.

Automation isn’t just transforming industries — it’s compressing the career ladder. Across every sector, entry-level roles once considered “training grounds” are disappearing.

Many of those “bullshit jobs” accidentally functioned as incubators. Junior staff learned how organisations worked, how decisions were made, and how to navigate pressure.

Customer service? Now handled by AI chatbots. Data entry and basic analysis? Automated by APIs. Assistant and junior admin functions? Replaced by workflow software.

What looks like efficiency today creates an invisible problem tomorrow: A generation entering the workforce without ever learning how to work.

A leadership gap in the making

For decades, career development followed a predictable rhythm:

Learn by doing -> Manage a small process -> Lead a team.

But when the doing gets automated, the learning disappears. Graduates who might have started as analysts, assistants, or coordinators now face a jump directly into mid-level roles without the muscle memory of execution.

This creates a silent bottleneck:

• Fewer people trained in operations -> fewer competent managers.
• More theoretical graduates -> less real-world decision-making skill.
• An over-supply of “strategy talent” but an under-supply of “execution talent.”

That’s how an economy ends up with brilliant resumes but brittle organisations.

Also Read: AI bubble fears trigger market rotation: What it means for crypto and tech stocks

The opportunity: Build value, not vanity

This is where the real entrepreneurs and builders step in. The correction creates room to rebuild the work ecosystem around true value creation.

It’s not about bringing the old jobs back — it’s about building smarter ladders. If the bottom rungs are gone, we need new scaffolding:

• Apprenticeship ecosystems: partnerships between companies, startups, and governments to provide project-based learning.
• Fractional roles: part-time or remote junior assignments across multiple SMEs, giving broad exposure fast.
• AI-assisted training: using automation not as a replacement, but as a coach — teaching new workers how systems think and operate.

These are the new entry points into experience.

What businesses can do

For companies, this isn’t just a social issue — it’s a strategic one. Without a functioning entry pipeline, your future management pool shrinks.

Forward-thinking firms are already experimenting with:

• “Shadow roles” where junior hires train alongside AI systems.
• Cross-border internships connecting young professionals in emerging markets to remote SMEs abroad.
• Skill micro-certifications that replace old job titles with verifiable execution capability.

This is where companies can make a difference, building the frameworks that connect ambition to apprenticeship, learning to leadership.

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Financial markets stand at a pivotal intersection where technical pressures, valuation concerns, and shifting monetary policy expectations converge to create both opportunity and risk. The S&P 500 index recently breached key moving averages, though the 200-day moving average remains a robust support level. This technical development suggests short-term volatility remains likely, yet it does not warrant abandoning core equity positions.

Instead, prudent risk management through strategic hedging becomes essential as markets digest mixed signals. Professional fund managers currently maintain exceptionally low cash levels, while exchange-traded funds drive the majority of market flows, creating a paradoxical environment of high liquidity and stretched positioning that could amplify any sudden market reversals.

The concentration of market leadership within the Magnificent Seven technology stocks has begun to show signs of fragmentation, with valuations now trading below 30 times earnings and performance dispersion widening significantly. This development marks a crucial transition point where passive indexing strategies may underperform active stock selection.

Investors must avoid crowded trades and instead focus on selective exposure to genuine outperformers within the technology sector. The recent relief rally across US equities on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing 1.1 per cent, the S&P 500 gaining one per cent, and the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.9 per cent, reflected improving risk sentiment driven by growing expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Market participants now price in a 62 per cent probability of a December rate cut, with UOB economists maintaining their expectation for a 25 basis point reduction at the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The Fed will enter its mandatory blackout period from November 29 to December 12, 2025, limiting official communication during this critical decision window.

Fixed income markets responded to these shifting expectations with Treasury yields edging downward, the 10-year note settling at 4.063 per cent, and the 2-year note at 3.507 per cent. This movement signals growing defensive positioning among institutional investors, supporting the strategic case for maintaining duration exposure in the four to five year range. The spread between equity and bond valuations has widened sufficiently to make quality fixed income increasingly attractive as a portfolio diversifier ahead of anticipated Fed easing.

Simultaneously, currency markets exhibited nuanced behaviour with the US dollar gaining strength for the week while the Japanese yen rose sharply on Friday following Japan’s strongest warning yet regarding recent currency weakness. This intervention risk near the 160 yen per dollar level requires close monitoring as currency volatility could spill over into broader market stability.

Commodity markets reflected geopolitical sensitivity with Brent crude oil dipping on prospects of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal, while gold maintained its position above the psychologically significant US$4,000 level. Gold’s resilience underscores its continued role as a defensive hedge against market uncertainty, while oil prices remain acutely sensitive to geopolitical developments that could disrupt supply chains.

Also Read: 43 per cent chance of a Fed rate cut isn’t enough: Markets brace for a volatile December

Asian equity markets declined on Friday as concerns over stretched artificial intelligence valuations weighed on investor sentiment, though US futures pointed higher at the start of the new week. Within regional allocations, technology exposure combined with dividend-paying stocks appears preferable for maintaining Asian market participation while managing valuation risks.

The cryptocurrency market experienced a modest 1.36 per cent gain over the last 24 hours, rebounding from extreme fear sentiment and oversold technical conditions. However, this recovery appears fragile when viewed against a 6.62 per cent weekly decline and a substantial 19.44 per cent monthly drop. The Relative Strength Index reached an extremely oversold reading of 18.98 before the recent bounce, suggesting technical exhaustion rather than fundamental conviction.

Regulatory developments provided temporary support as Grayscale’s Dogecoin and XRP exchange-traded funds received approval for NYSE Arca listing, scheduled to begin trading on November 24. These approvals, alongside Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF launch and BlackRock’s staked Ethereum ETF filing, signal institutional demand and regulatory progress that temporarily offset broader market anxiety. XRP and Dogecoin outperformed Bitcoin during this period, with XRP gaining 1.58 per cent compared to Bitcoin’s 1.36 per cent rise, though early trading volumes for the new ETF products will determine whether this optimism sustains.

Binance continued to demonstrate ecosystem strength, maintaining its position as the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange with over US$2 trillion in monthly trading volume, representing 41.1 per cent of global crypto trades. BNB token rose 1.35 per cent, supported by ecosystem updates including the CMC20 index token launch on BNB Chain. While Binance’s liquidity depth provides price stability benefits, derivatives trading volume fell 52 per cent over 24 hours, indicating cautious leverage usage among sophisticated traders. This mixed signal highlights the market’s transitional nature, where retail enthusiasm meets institutional caution.

From a global asset allocation perspective, US equities appear relatively expensive compared to international value-oriented strategies that have begun showing strong relative performance. This valuation disparity creates a compelling case for strategic diversification beyond US borders while maintaining exposure to high-quality American companies.

Selective non-US value investments and mid-cap strategies offer opportunities to generate alpha as market leadership broadens beyond the narrow technology concentration that dominated recent years. The combination of reasonable valuations in international markets and attractive entry points in quality fixed income creates a unique opportunity for portfolio rebalancing.

Also Read: Markets on edge: Fed ambiguity fuels risk-off mood as Aster surges amid crypto bloodbath

My perspective on this market juncture emphasises cautious optimism tempered by rigorous risk management. The technical breakdown in major indices, combined with stretched positioning metrics, suggests near-term volatility will persist, yet the fundamental case for equities remains intact, given anticipated monetary policy easing.

The widening dispersion within technology stocks represents not a warning sign but rather a healthy maturation of the market cycle where stock selection matters more than sector allocation. The approval of cryptocurrency ETFs marks genuine institutional acceptance, though the asset class remains highly speculative and should represent only a small portfolio allocation for most investors.

The most critical factor for investors remains maintaining discipline amid conflicting signals. The 200-day moving average’s resilience as support for the S&P 500 provides a valuable technical anchor, while the 62 per cent probability of December rate cuts offers fundamental justification for maintaining equity exposure.

However, the extremely low cash levels among professional managers and the dominance of ETF flows create vulnerability to sharp reversals that could test even the strongest support levels. Bond markets offer increasingly attractive risk-reward characteristics as yields remain elevated relative to expected inflation and growth trajectories.

Geopolitical risks continue to influence commodity markets disproportionately, with oil prices sensitive to peace negotiations while gold maintains its safe-haven appeal. Currency markets require particular attention as central bank policies diverge, with the yen’s intervention risk near 160 representing a potential flashpoint for global volatility. Asian markets face the dual challenge of high technology valuations and economic growth concerns, making selective exposure to dividend-paying stocks and established technology leaders more prudent than broad regional bets.

The cryptocurrency market’s fragile recovery underscores the importance of distinguishing between regulatory progress and fundamental value. While ETF approvals represent significant milestones, the 19.44 per cent monthly decline and extremely oversold technical conditions suggest caution remains warranted. Binance’s ecosystem strength provides stability, but the 52 per cent drop in derivatives volume reveals underlying caution that contradicts surface-level price gains.

Also Read: The hidden growth engine: How offshore creative teams are powering global marketing innovation

Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve’s December meeting will likely serve as the next major catalyst, with markets already pricing in significant easing. This expectation creates both opportunity and risk, as any deviation from anticipated policy could trigger substantial volatility.

Investors should focus on quality across all asset classes, maintaining core equity exposure while strategically adding high-grade fixed income as yields remain attractive. International diversification offers valuable valuation benefits, particularly in value-oriented strategies that have underperformed during the recent technology-driven rally.

The crossroads markets face today require neither panic nor complacency, but rather thoughtful adaptation to changing conditions. Technical support levels, valuation disparities, and monetary policy expectations all point to a transitional period in which active management and risk-aware positioning will outperform passive approaches.

By maintaining core exposures while hedging downside risks, selectively participating in institutional adoption trends like cryptocurrency ETFs, and diversifying globally toward more attractive valuations, investors can navigate this complex environment while positioning for long-term success. The path forward demands patience and discipline, recognising that market leadership transitions rarely occur smoothly but ultimately create stronger, more sustainable growth foundations.

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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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Touchstone Partners has unveiled a new US$10 million Green Transition Fund at the Grand Finale of the Net Zero Challenge 2025, marking a major boost for climate-tech innovation in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The firm said the fund will begin deployment in December, targeting startups working in sustainable agriculture, the circular economy, waste management and new energy tech.

The initiative aims to strengthen the region’s fast-developing climate-innovation landscape. Each funded startup will receive capital alongside hands-on coaching and strategic guidance from Touchstone Partners and its international advisory network.

Since 2021, Touchstone Partners has positioned itself at the forefront of climate-tech investment, backing notable companies such as Selex Motors, Stride, Alterno, Enfarm, Neorice and Forte Biotech.

According to the firm, this portfolio has “consistently outperformed while supporting Vietnamese SMEs and farmers to leapfrog to sustainability,” showcasing what it calls the “high-impact, high-return” potential of the new green economy. Several of its investees — including Alterno, Enfarm and Forte Biotech — have expanded into markets such as China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Also Read: How to tackle climate change by choosing a career in cleantech

Beyond equity investment, Touchstone Partners works closely with major international grant-making organisations, such as the Temasek Foundation, P4G, and the Global Green Growth Institute.

Between 2023 and 2025, startups within its climate-tech portfolio secured more than US$3 million in catalytic funding through these collaborations. The new Green Transition Fund aims to deepen such partnerships, offering blended finance packages that combine non-dilutive grants with targeted investment to help investors de-risk and startups scale responsibly.

The fund’s launch comes amid a surge in global and local interest in Vietnam’s climate innovation potential. Since 2023, Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation have co-hosted the Net Zero Challenge — supported by the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies — attracting over 1,600 startup submissions from 60 countries and territories.

Agriculture remains a critical sector for Southeast Asia, accounting for 30 per cent of jobs, generating 54 per cent of the region’s emissions and using 31 per cent of its land. A recent Project Drawdown assessment found Vietnam’s greatest opportunities lie in improving rice production and converting agricultural waste into value-added products.

Vietnam’s policy landscape is also shifting. Following the country’s pledge at COP26 to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Ho Chi Minh City implemented Resolution 98 to pilot special mechanisms that accelerate green initiatives. National frameworks now aim to enhance climate resilience, strengthen urban planning and foster low-carbon growth driven by the private sector.

Also Read: Will climate change force us to re-imagine travel in the future?

“While most impacted by climate change, Vietnam and Southeast Asia also flourish with advanced agriculture and adaptation innovations … We’re standing at a turning point in our sustainability journey,” said Ms Tu Ngo, General Partner at Touchstone Partners.

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Image Credit: Touchstone Partners

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