The customer engagement landscape is rapidly evolving. AI-driven innovations, shifting consumer expectations, and a dynamic business environment are fundamentally changing how brands connect with their audiences. Businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind—just as Kodak, Blockbuster, and Yahoo did when they ignored industry shifts. To stay competitive, organizations must embrace new strategies and technologies to engage customers effectively. This new eBook from CleverTap explores five critical customer engagement trends for 2025 that businesses cannot afford to ignore.

From push to pull: The next wave of customer interaction

First, traditional marketing methods, such as push notifications and email campaigns, are losing their effectiveness. Consumers are overwhelmed by excessive notifications, leading to engagement fatigue. Instead of brands pushing content onto users, customers now prefer to take control, actively seeking out information when needed and on the channel they want it.

To stay relevant, businesses must integrate AI-powered chatbots and interactive interfaces that facilitate dynamic, two-way interactions. These intelligent systems should respond contextually to customer queries, providing relevant information on demand rather than relying on disruptive push-based engagement tactics. The shift from “push” to “pull” will define the next era of customer engagement.

Balancing personalization and privacy

Second, consumers want personalized experiences, but they are also increasingly aware of data privacy concerns. With stricter regulations such as GDPR and a growing emphasis on first-party data collection, businesses must strike a balance between personalization and ethical data practices.

Transparency and trust will become the foundation of customer relationships. Companies need to prioritize explicit user consent, provide clear data usage policies, and ensure that personalization efforts genuinely add value to the customer experience. The future of personalization will focus on delivering meaningful, contextually relevant interactions without compromising customer privacy.

Also read: Ecosystem Roundup: SEA’s insurtech funding drops 61% in 2024 | Grab’s revenue grows 19% to US$2.8B | Kiren Tanna steps down as Una Brands CEO

The rise of AI agents in customer engagement

Third, AI-powered digital assistants and copilots are revolutionizing how businesses interact with their customers. These AI agents go beyond simple chatbots by providing real-time sentiment analysis, optimizing product adoption, and offering hyper-personalized customer support.

By leveraging AI-driven tools, businesses can enhance operational efficiency while improving customer satisfaction. AI agents will play a crucial role in automating customer engagement, enabling brands to provide 24/7 assistance, predict customer needs, and deliver seamless user experiences across multiple touchpoints.

Customer retention remains the number one priority

Finally, as economic uncertainties persist, acquiring new customers is becoming more expensive and challenging. Businesses must shift their focus from aggressive acquisition strategies to strengthening customer retention. Those who don’t adapt to this trend will fail to grow their brand.

Personalized loyalty programs, predictive analytics, and data-driven engagement strategies will be key to keeping customers engaged and reducing churn. By investing in customer experience and building long-term relationships, businesses can ensure sustained growth and profitability.

Why this matters for your business

These trends are clearly reshaping customer engagement across industries, including retail, fintech, BFSI, ecommerce, gaming, and hospitality. Businesses that adapt to these shifts will not only stay relevant but also foster stronger customer relationships, enhance engagement, and drive revenue growth.

CleverTap stands out in the customer engagement landscape for its comprehensive solutions and innovative AI-powered capabilities. The latest Gartner Magic Quadrant report outlined several of its key strengths. First is customer appeal, boasting one of the highest growth rates in 2023. This is largely due to its ability to automate customer journeys across multiple touchpoints, ensuring seamless engagement.

Another key strength is embedded AI, which enhances customer engagement through intelligent automation. CleverTap’s AI-driven tools enable businesses to optimize customer journey routing and leverage generative AI (GenAI) for content creation, such as its Scribe feature that generates emotionally relevant messages across multiple channels.

Additionally, CleverTap’s sales viability is a significant differentiator. With a robust reseller network, an established global referral program, and a dedicated customer advocacy initiative, CleverTap has successfully expanded its reach in trusted environments, accelerating its growth and market influence.

Also read: The smarter way to fundraise: How Marquee Equity helps startups secure investment

Conquer the future of customer engagement

Learn more about these trends and get actionable strategies from CleverTap’s 2025 Customer Engagement Trends eBook. Download now to stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your customer engagement strategy!

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by CleverTap

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The government of Indonesia has officially launched its new sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara Indonesia (Danantara Indonesia), with a massive US$20 billion earmarked for its initial investment phase.

President Prabowo Subianto unveiled the fund, also known as Danantara Indonesia, at a formal ceremony.

According to a Reuters report, Danantara aims to boost Indonesia’s economic growth from approximately 5 per cent to 8 per cent through strategic investments.

Danantara Indonesia is designed to manage over US$900 billion in assets to stimulate development within Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It will operate independently from the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s first sovereign wealth fund, which currently manages US$10.5 billion in assets with co-investors like the Dutch pension fund APG Asset Management and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

The fund will consist of two units: a holding company to oversee state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and an investment arm.

Also Read: Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah leads US$15.3M Series B round of PolicyStreet

A significant portion of Danantara’s initial investments will target technology and innovation. This includes:

Artificial intelligence development: Specific projects in AI are set to receive funding, signalling Indonesia’s ambition to become a key player in the AI landscape.

Metal processing: Investments in nickel, bauxite, and copper processing indicate a focus on leveraging Indonesia’s natural resources with advanced technologies.

Renewable energy: Renewable energy projects are included in the investment plan, highlighting a commitment to sustainable technology.

The fund will be led by Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, formerly of Recapital Group, as Chief Executive. Pandu Sjahrir, from Indies Capital and AC Ventures, will head Danantara’s investment arm.

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Aung Kyaw Moe, founder of Singapore-headquartered global payments company 2C2P, has announced his departure from the CEO position after leading the company for 22 years.

Moe announced on LinkedIn that he will be stepping down in the first week of April 2025.

Thai Khun Piyachart, CEO of 2C2P Thailand, will also be stepping down.

“With 2C2P in good hands, I am thrilled to embark on new adventures. As a DBA Candidate at the Sasin School of Management, I will dedicate some of my time to my research: How Southeast Asia Startups Succeed and Fail—Understanding the Growth Gap. I am also working on my memoir, “Red Kite,” recounting my personal and entrepreneurial journey. And I can’t wait to spend more time flying my little plane to new places and meeting new people,” Moe said in the post.

Also Read: 2C2P sets up VC arm to make strategic investment in payments firms in Southeast Asia

Moe reflected on the journey, acknowledging the failures, triumphs, setbacks, and encounters that have shaped the fintech firm.

Founded in April 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand, 2C2P emerged even before the term fintech gained widespread recognition. The firm helps businesses securely accept payments across online, mobile and in-store channels.

Headquartered in Singapore, 2C2P operates across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

In April 2022, Ant Group’s international business arm acquired a majority stake in 2C2P to develop integrated products and solutions with its Antom merchant payment and digitisation platform.

In a separate LinkedIn post, Gary Liu, General Manager, Antom, said: “Under Aung’s visionary leadership, 2C2P has achieved remarkable milestones, solving complex payment challenges for enterprise merchants across the region and earning its reputation as a trusted payments partner. These accomplishments stand as a testament to Aung’s unwavering dedication, strategic foresight, and ability to inspire teams to deliver excellence.”

Liu also noted that the company would appoint a capable CEO to guide the team forward, building on the strong foundation Aung has established. “Antom and 2C2P have built on our joint innovation and ecosystem reach to serve leading global and local merchants, driving their transformation and growth in Southeast Asia. Amidst the region’s evolving digital transformation and payments landscape, Antom and 2C2P will remain at the forefront of this evolution as one unified team. Our shared mission is to empower merchants of all sizes with cutting-edge solutions and world-class services, continuously fueling their growth so that they can thrive in a digital era.”

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The recent retreat in global risk sentiment, driven by a cocktail of weaker-than-expected US economic data and shifting investor moods. The numbers coming out of the US last week painted a concerning picture: manufacturing growth slowed more than anticipated, services took an unexpected dive into contraction territory, and consumer sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan, slumped to its lowest level since November 2023.

Add to that the spectre of rising inflation expectations, and it’s no surprise that markets reacted with a collective wince. Major US equity indices ended Friday in the red, with the MSCI US index dropping 1.8 per cent, led by steep declines in Consumer Discretionary (down 2.7 per cent) and Information Technology (down 2.5 per cent). Treasury yields also pulled back, with the 10-year dipping seven basis points to 4.42 per cent and the 2-year falling 6 basis points to 4.20 per cent.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index edged up 0.2 per cent, hitting a high of 106.74 before settling at 106.61. Gold, despite a slight 0.1 per cent dip on Friday due to profit-taking, is still on track for an eighth consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by safe-haven demand tied to uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals. Brent crude, however, slid 2.7 per cent, reflecting jitteriness over a potential Ukraine peace deal.

Over in Asia, the mood was a bit more upbeat, with the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index climbing 1.76 per cent to notch a sixth straight week of gains, powered by a rally in Chinese tech stocks—Hang Seng soared 4.0 per cent, CSI 300 rose 1.3 per cent, and TAIEX gained 1.0 per cent. Germany’s election results, announced this morning, aligned with polls, with Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc taking nearly 29 per cent and the far-right Alternative for Germany doubling its share to over 20 per cent. Asian markets opened mixed today, but US equity futures suggest a rebound might be on the horizon.

Let’s unpack this a bit.

TheUS data from S&P Global was a double whammy—manufacturing PMI for February came in weaker than economists had hoped, signaling a slowdown in one of the economy’s key engines. Even more surprising was the services PMI, which flipped into contraction after months of resilience. This isn’t just a blip; it’s a red flag that the US economy might be losing steam faster than anticipated.

The University of Michigan’s sentiment index dropping to its lowest in over a year only adds fuel to the fire. Consumers are clearly rattled, and the culprit seems to be inflation expectations creeping higher. With Trump’s tariff threats looming large—potentially slapping hefty duties on imports from China and elsewhere—households and businesses alike are bracing for higher costs. That fear is palpable in the equity markets, where riskier sectors like Consumer Discretionary and Info Tech bore the brunt of the sell-off.

Investors appear to be rotating out of growth stocks and into safer bets, as evidenced by the drop in Treasury yields. Lower yields typically signal a flight to safety, though the modest uptick in the US Dollar Index suggests some lingering confidence in the greenback as a haven currency amid global uncertainty.

Also Read: Navigating the capital winter: Strategies for successful fundraising in a slow market

Gold’s performance is particularly telling. Even with Friday’s slight retreat, its eight-week winning streak underscores how jittery investors are. Trump’s tariff talk isn’t just a domestic issue—it’s a global one. If he follows through, we could see supply chain disruptions, higher input costs, and a ripple effect across commodity markets. Gold thrives in times like these, and its resilience despite profit-taking shows that safe-haven demand isn’t going anywhere.

Brent crude’s decline, on the other hand, reflects a different dynamic. The prospect of a Ukraine peace deal could ease geopolitical tensions and reduce oil supply risks, but the uncertainty is keeping traders on edge. A 2.7 per cent drop isn’t catastrophic, but it’s enough to signal that energy markets are grappling with mixed signals.

Asia’s story offers a glimmer of hope amid the gloom. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index’s 1.76 per cent bounce on Friday, driven by Chinese tech giants, suggests that some pockets of the global economy are still finding their footing. The Hang Seng’s 4.0 per cent surge was a standout, fueled by optimism around China’s tech sector, which has been clawing back ground after years of regulatory crackdowns.

The CSI 300 and TAIEX followed suit, though gains were more modest at 1.3 per cent and 1.0per cent, respectively. This resilience could be a sign that Asian markets are decoupling—at least temporarily—from US woes. China’s stimulus measures and a weaker yuan might be giving exporters a boost, while tech firms benefit from renewed investor appetite. That said, Monday’s mixed start in Asian equities hints that the rally might not have legs unless US markets stabilise.

Switching gears to Europe, Germany’s election results are worth a closer look. Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc securing nearly 29 per cent of the vote isn’t a shock—polls had been pointing that way for weeks. What’s more eyebrow-raising is the Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubling its share to over 20 per cent. The far-right’s gains signal a growing populist undercurrent that could complicate Merz’s coalition-building efforts.

A Merz-led government might lean toward fiscal conservatism and tougher trade stances, which could clash with Trump’s tariff agenda and add another layer of uncertainty to global markets. For now, though, the immediate market impact seems muted—Asian equities didn’t flinch much this morning, and US futures are pointing to a higher open, suggesting traders are more focused on domestic data than Berlin’s political shuffle.

Then there’s the crypto angle, which feels like a subplot that’s gaining traction. Deribit’s push into Hong Kong is a fascinating development. The city, alongside Singapore, is racing to become Asia’s crypto hub, and Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric is fanning the flames. Deribit’s chief commercial officer, Jean-David Péquignot, hit the nail on the head—Hong Kong’s appeal lies in its status as a financial nexus and its growing pool of family offices and asset managers dabbling in digital assets. This isn’t just about retail speculation anymore; institutional interest is picking up, and Hong Kong wants a piece of the pie.

Also Read: Looking at the global market dynamics: Cryptocurrencies, regulatory challenges, and the potential for market abuse

Singapore’s in the game too, with both cities rolling out regulatory frameworks to lure crypto firms. The broader market, however, is showing some cracks—AI Agents like ai16z, Fartcoin, and Turbo tanked over five per cent in the last 24 hours, though AIXBT bucked the trend with a 4.06 per cent gain. Ethereum’s holding steady, up 0.58 per cent, thanks in part to buzz around the Ethereum Ecosystem Conference.

But the real wild card is Ye’s “Swasticoin” stunt. His now-deleted posts teasing a token launch next week—after years of slamming similar projects—reek of provocation. Whether it’s a serious move or just Kanye being Kanye, it’s a reminder of how chaotic and hype-driven the crypto space can be. Investors would be wise to steer clear until the dust settles.

So, what’s my take on all this?

The retreat in global risk sentiment feels like a natural response to a US economy that’s flashing warning signs. Manufacturing and services data don’t lie—growth is slowing, and consumers are spooked. Trump’s tariff threats are amplifying the unease, pushing investors toward gold and away from equities. Asia’s resilience is a bright spot, but it’s fragile—dependent on China’s tech momentum and broader market stability.

Germany’s election adds a political twist, though it’s not the main event yet. And the crypto boom in Hong Kong and Singapore? It’s exciting, but the Ye drama underscores the sector’s volatility. We’re in a choppy phase—markets hate uncertainty, and there’s plenty of it to go around.

My gut says we’ll see more turbulence before any clear trend emerges, but if US futures are right, a short-term bounce could be in the cards. Long term, though, it’s anyone’s guess until we get more clarity on Trump’s policies and the US economic trajectory. Stay sharp—this ride’s far from over. Hope you like my observations for 24 February 2025.

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Let us pause and reflect on some of the shifts and changes that we have have experienced over the past five years:

• We were jolted from a seemingly calm pre-COVID-19 world to one of chaos while navigating a global pandemic and are now still in the midst of adjusting to a post-COVID-19 reality.
• War, inflation, migration, and global disruptions have reshaped markets and supply chains.
• The rapid rise of AI over the past two years has caught many off-guard.

While this paints a chaotic picture, there is a silver lining: human adaptability. Despite the relentless pace of change, we have continued to adjust, proving that resilience is our greatest asset in shaping the future of work.

The rise of AI at work

When discussing the impact of AI at work, there tends to be an uncomfortable mix between fear, awe, excitement, and anxiety, from “Wow, it’s amazing!” to “Is AI going to replace my job?”.

According to Singapore’s second National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0), AI has progressed “from opportunity to necessity”, and people “must know” AI, not just see it as a “good to have”. The strategy goes on to add that rather than seeing AI as a threat, it can be the great equaliser, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.

According to Gartner, by 2028, 50 per cent of organisations will replace traditional bottom-up forecasting with AI-driven autonomous planning. Organisations should prioritise piloting such solutions in small pockets so that users will become more comfortable with AI in their decision-making process. This would benefit in guiding the culture change.

Based on the World Economic Forum’s “Start vs Scale” model, “successfully deploying and scaling GenAI in the workforce is not about the technology but ensuring people are open to change and experimentation. Therefore, it is important to create a people-centred approach that empowers employees to adapt and promotes the right mindsets and behaviours across the organisation”.

AI can no longer be seen just as a tool; it is a fundamental driver in reshaping industries, organisational structures, ways of working and decision-making processes.

How AI is reshaping the future of work

The biggest misconception about AI in the workplace is that it will replace humans. But the reality is quite different. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025:

• Generative AI will empower less specialised employees to perform expert-level tasks, expanding roles in fields like accounting, healthcare, and education.
• AI will augment skilled professionals, equipping doctors, engineers, and electricians with cutting-edge knowledge to solve complex problems more efficiently.
• However, without the right governance and ethical frameworks, there remains a risk that technological development will be focused on replacing human work, which could increase inequality and unemployment.

What might this augmentation of AI-human work look like? Humans currently handle 47 per cent of tasks, with 30 per cent augmented by AI and 22 per cent fully automated. By 2030, automation will climb to 34 per cent, reshaping industries, creating an almost equal one-third mix of human-driven, augmented and automated.

The disruptor is not AI, it is the human mindset.

Those who cling to “I can do this on my own” will struggle. Those who embrace ambiguity and shift towards a “We can do this better, with AI” will thrive.

Also Read: Can AI truly connect? The emotional dilemma of virtual influencers for women

What can organisations do?

• Invest in re-skilling and up-skilling employees to keep up with AI advancements.
• Start small and scale: Run small experiments in different parts of your organisation, not just in your tech teams. 
• Re-design Workflows with Human-AI Collaboration, but always have a human in the loop.
• Adopt an adaptive, scenario-based strategy. We have to assume that the current version of AI is the worst, so we need to use scenario planning to anticipate the unexpected. Two drivers of these scenarios would be our level of Trust vs Ability in relation to AI.
• Continuously refine mental models to balance analytical and experimental thinking.

Shaping the future

As AI reshapes work, it will also redefine learning. The complexity of future problems demands radical new approaches:

• Experimentalism: Encouraging risk-taking, ambiguity, and trans-disciplinary knowledge
• New mental models: Rethinking how we develop skills in a constantly shifting landscape
• Human-machine partnerships: Leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, human intelligence

To prepare ourselves for an AI-augmented future, we need to think not just about work, but education as well. The way we develop skills and mindsets must evolve to meet the demands of a world where analytical thinking, adaptability, critical thinking and AI fluency are essential. This shift is not just the responsibility of a handful of organisations; it is global. These 4 models developed by UNESCO it will help us shape our world responsibly:

• Learning to study, inquire and co-construct together

Learning is no longer meant to be an individual activity; it is a collective process of discussing and creating knowledge together. A commons-based approach to education emphasises connecting individuals across generations to co-create shared knowledge of humanity. Education must be framed as a shared endeavour, where knowledge is not just accessed but continuously refined through collaboration.

• Learning to collectively mobilise

The future of work is not about learning to do what within a narrow, task-based scope. A core skill and competency that would help individuals thrive in the future of work would be developing collaborative capabilities that enable collective action. Trans-disciplinary learning would be one way to begin collectively mobilising individuals and organisations.

Also Read: Accelerating financial inclusion with AI: Unleashing potential with prudence

• Learning to live in a common world

With the disruptions over the past 5 years, humanity has been reminded just how closely we are linked to one another biologically, politically, and socially. New forms of learning must prepare individuals and organisations not just for coexistence. The challenge for humans living on planet earth today and in the future is to make healthy, sustainable ways of co-living: with one another and with the planet. This change enables us to reshape common living as intertwined and a fundamentally shared experience.

• Learning to attend and care

While autonomy, critical thinking and innovation remain essential, they must be balanced with a deeper understanding of relational and self-responsibility. We have seen the dangers of acquisitive individualism and diminished empathy that appear when autonomy comes at the expense of an understanding of relationality. Learning to attend and care would entail understanding ourselves as persons who are simultaneously capable and vulnerable. It would force us to reflect on how we affect and are affected by others and the world.

Considering this as one of the fundamental pillars of education would put our relationships with one another and with a more-than-human world at the centre of educational practice, which is crucial at an inflection point of human vs AI.

Let us create a more-than-human world.

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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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Sonar, a Swiss provider of code quality and security solutions, has acquired AutoCodeRover, a Singapore-based autonomous AI agent platform for software development, for an undisclosed amount.

According to a press release, the acquisition aims to enhance developer productivity and improve software development processes using AI.

Also Read: The DeepSeek debate: Opportunity or overhype for startups in ASEAN?

AutoCodeRover, a spin-off from the National University of Singapore (NUS), uses large language models (LLMs) for coding and code maintenance. It has demonstrated results on the SWE bench, a benchmark for automatically evaluating systems’ ability to fix software issues. The platform infers developer intent from project artefacts to evolve software projects.

Key benefits:

AI-driven automation: AutoCodeRover automates key tasks in the software development life cycle (SDLC), such as debugging, issue remediation, and code refactoring.

Enhanced code quality: The integration of AutoCodeRover with SonarQube is expected to expedite code reviews and instantly remediate issues, ensuring the agile delivery of high-quality applications.

Reduced development costs: AutoCodeRover helps lower development costs by autonomously handling laborious coding tasks.

Focus on innovation: Developers can spend less time on fixing issues and more time on creating innovative business solutions.

Tariq Shaukat, CEO of Sonar, stated that AI agents provide developers with powerful new tools to build better and faster. He noted that developers spend significant time fixing bugs and addressing technical debt, which impacts productivity and happiness. Agentic AI can work alongside developers to free them up to focus on writing code, creating new products, and driving innovation.

AutoCodeRover’s LLM-agnostic design ensures compatibility with various language models, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta. This allows users to select the best solution for their specific needs. Sonar plans to integrate AutoCodeRover with its SonarQube offerings later this year.

Also Read: Beyond the hype: Taking Gen AI mainstream with next-level automation

Ridwan Shariffdeen, CEO and co-founder of AutoCodeRover, believes that combining their advanced agent technology with Sonar’s code quality and security solutions will have a greater impact on developers and organisations.

Sonar’s solutions support over 30 programming languages, frameworks, and infrastructure technologies and are used by over 7 million developers and 400,000 organisations worldwide. The acquisition of AutoCodeRover underscores Sonar’s commitment to investing in AI to help developers and organisations build high-quality, secure applications more effectively.

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In a recent episode of the Startup Project podcast, I spoke with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with decades of experience funding early-stage tech companies. Blumberg, who began his investment journey in the 1990s and was an early investor in the Israeli ecosystem, shared his insights, successes, and lessons learned over the past three decades.

Blumberg’s path to venture capital was anything but typical. Initially drawn to government service, his experiences in Washington, D.C., coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit he discovered running a student business at Harvard, led him to the world of finance and technology.

Early investments and the rise of Israeli tech

Blumberg’s early investment experience at T. Rowe Price exposed him to the burgeoning tech scene. He recalls one of his first investments, Sitex, an Israeli company, at a time when Israel was still perceived as a socialist economy. Blumberg’s contrarian view that the perceived risks were already priced into the stocks led T. Rowe Price to begin investing in Israeli companies.

He also discusses his involvement in the Yozma program, a government initiative that incentivised venture capital investment in Israel. While acknowledging the program’s role in fostering collaboration between international and local investors, Blumberg emphasises that the key to Israel’s tech success was the government ultimately “getting out of the way” and allowing entrepreneurs to flourish.

Also Read: Yoshiaki Murakami’s daughter launches early-stage VC firm Kadan Capital in Singapore

The importance of strong teams and repeat founders

Blumberg’s investment philosophy centres on the importance of strong teams, particularly at the pre-seed stage. He believes that a great team’s ability to adapt and pivot is crucial in the unpredictable world of startups. He cites examples of successful repeat founders like Oren Netzer (Double Verify, Data Heroes) and Dan Sanker (CaseStack, SupplyPike) whom he has backed multiple times, highlighting the value of long-term relationships and trust built through shared experiences.

Bloomberg Capital’s investment strategy: Data-intensive companies in leading democracies

Blumberg Capital focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, typically investing US$1-5 million initially, reserving half for follow-on investments. They also manage a growth fund focused on late Series A and early Series B rounds, with investments ranging from US$5-15 million.

The firm’s current investment thesis centres on data-intensive companies leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms within specific vertical domains. Their portfolio includes companies like Vair-AI (AI for mining), Imogene (cancer detection), Joshua (insurance policy writing), and Telen (automated receipt inspection).

Blumberg’s personal investments and mentors

Beyond his work with Bloomberg Capital, Blumberg invests personally in diverse areas, including real estate and, unconventionally, oil and gas. He describes himself as an “energy humanitarian,” emphasising the need for reliable energy sources to address global energy poverty.

He acknowledges the influence of mentors like Fred Adler, Abby Joseph Cohen, Alan Patricoff, Charles Bronfman, and, notably, the entrepreneurs he’s worked with over the years.

Key takeaways for aspiring investors

Blumberg’s advice to young investors is simple yet crucial: “Get everything signed up front.”  Ensure clear contracts and agreements to avoid future disputes and protect your hard work.

The episode offers a wealth of insights from a seasoned investor, spanning his journey into venture capital, the evolution of the tech landscape, and the enduring principles of successful investing.

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

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

Why revisit your fundraising strategy?

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

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

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

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

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

Five tips to revise your fundraising approach 

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

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

Adopt a milestone-driven mindset

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

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

Offer more secure payment options

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

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

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

Measure areas of improvement

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

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

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

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

Revise your goals

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

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

Start a mid-year campaign

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

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

Strategic planning triumphs fundraising goals

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

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

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This article was first published on July 16, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Set workout goals based on your health needs

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

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

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

Systemise your routine

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

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

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

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

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

Set a Northstar metric for your workouts

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

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

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

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

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

Find the minimum viable workout

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look for a group

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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