Echelon Philippines 2024, hosted by e27 in partnership with Brainsparks, is set to be the premier gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors in the Southeast Asian (SEA) tech startup ecosystem.

Scheduled to take place on September 26-27 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, this event promises to be a dynamic platform where visionaries and industry leaders converge to shape the future of technology and business in the region.

A hub for innovation and collaboration

With the momentum of the global startup movement behind it, Echelon Philippines 2024 is designed to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and create new opportunities for growth.

The event will bring together over 2,000 attendees, representing a vibrant mix of corporates, SMEs, startups, and investors. Whether you are a startup founder looking to network with potential investors, a corporate executive seeking the latest in tech trends, or an investor scouting for the next big thing, Echelon Philippines 2024 offers a unique opportunity to connect with key players from across the SEA tech landscape.

An immersive experience: Keynotes, panels, and more

The event will feature over 30 stage sessions, with more than 80 speakers at the industry’s forefront. These thought leaders will share their insights on the latest developments in the Filipino and SEA startup ecosystems, providing attendees with a deep understanding of the trends and challenges shaping the region’s future.

Also Read: Echelon X: Why does tech matter in disrupting the creative industry in Indonesia?

From keynotes and panel discussions to fireside chats, the content is curated to inspire, educate, and drive meaningful conversations.

Exhibition Zone: A marketplace for innovation

The Exhibition Zone at Echelon Philippines 2024 will be a bustling marketplace where 50 companies will showcase their latest products, services, and innovations. This is more than just a display; it is an opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to engage in meaningful transactions that can lead to digital growth and new business opportunities.

The Exhibition Zone is designed to facilitate collaborations that can drive the ecosystem forward, making it an essential stop for anyone looking to stay ahead in the competitive tech world.

Roundtable Discussions: Tackling the big issues

At the heart of Echelon Philippines 2024 lies the Roundtable Zone, where 12 roundtable sessions will be held to discuss the pressing issues facing the tech ecosystem today. These intimate discussions are where the real work gets done—where challenges are addressed, solutions are brainstormed, and strategies are developed.

The Roundtable Zone offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry peers in a focused setting, making it a must-attend for those who want to contribute to solving the challenges facing the SEA tech landscape.

Spotlighting innovation: The Startup Pitch

One of the highlights of Echelon Philippines 2024 will be the Startup Pitch, where 20 of the most promising startups in the Philippines will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas to a panel of judges and an audience of potential investors. This competition is a key feature of the event, as it provides a platform for startups to gain visibility and offers attendees a front-row seat to witness the innovation that is driving the future of the Filipino startup ecosystem.

Also Read: Echelon X: Building a skilled AI workforce in Southeast Asia

Whether you are an investor looking for the next big opportunity or a startup seeking inspiration, the Startup Pitch is not to be missed.

Be part of the future

Echelon Philippines 2024 is more than just an event; it is a movement driving the growth of the tech startup ecosystem in SEA. Sponsored by leading organisations such as Gateway of Asia, AHG LAB, inDrive, KwikCare, Kickstart Ventures, NGCP, A2D, and TictTag, this event is backed by the very entities shaping the future of the region.

As the date approaches, the excitement is building, and the stage is set for an event that will define the future of technology and innovation in SEA. Do not miss the chance to be part of this transformative experience.

Whether you want to make connections, gain insights, or find your next investment opportunity, Echelon Philippines 2024 is the place to be. Join us at the SMX Convention Center in Manila on September 26-27 and be part of the delegation driving the future of the tech startup ecosystem in the Philippines and beyond.

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SurplusLoop, a Malaysian startup focusing on surplus asset management for asset-heavy industries, has secured US$110,000 in pre-seed funding from Antler.

With the investment, SurplusLoop’s immediate priority is to test and validate its solution with current pilot partners and build the first iteration of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The funding will be crucial for developing its MVP’s technology and services components.

Also Read: Antler’s Southeast Asia focus: Nurturing the next wave of AI, fintech startups

SurplusLoop addresses challenges faced by companies in construction, manufacturing, and hospitality in liquidating surplus assets. The current process is often time-consuming and complicated by market fragmentation.

Companies frequently deal with brokers who buy low and sell high, resulting in an average recovery of only about 10 per cent of the asset’s market value. In cases where buyers cannot be found, surplus assets continue to incur warehousing costs and depreciate. They may eventually end up in landfills when they could be sold and utilized by other companies instead.

SurplusLoop aims to match buyers and sellers seamlessly. The platform uses predictive analytics, employing various statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms to connect a network of companies and accurately value assets like equipment and machinery.

This approach is intended to efficiently turn surplus assets into liquidity for companies to reinvest while providing buyers with better value.

The startup’s vision includes building integrated SaaS tools, fintech, and supply chain solutions to streamline the entire end-to-end liquidation and sourcing process for companies in the secondary market.

By approaching an enterprise partnership level and leveraging digital technology, SurplusLoop aims to streamline the entire surplus asset management process for companies.

Also Read: ByteGami gets Antler’s backing for its plug-and-play gamification platform

The startup aligns with the rising trend of the Circular Economy by extending the lifecycle of assets through circularity in the B2B world. This approach allows companies to acquire quality assets at favourable prices while reducing waste, contributing to sustainable growth and fostering a circular economy in the B2B sector.

By extending the lifecycle of assets through circularity, SurplusLoop empowers companies to acquire quality assets at good value while reducing the amount that ends up as waste.

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As we pass the halfway mark of 2024, it is clear that this year has been a pivotal one for e27, marked by significant milestones that reflect our continued growth and innovation.

We continue to strengthen our commitment to the Southeast Asian (SEA) tech startup ecosystem by providing entrepreneurs with the tools to build and grow their companies, as reflected in our various products and services. We have also collaborated with various partners in the ecosystem to realise our common goals.

While this is a tad late, I am excited to share some key milestones and celebrate our incredible progress at e27!

Our company is in robust health

We proudly announce that H1 2024 has been our strongest financial performance to date, a clear testament to our products and services’ tangible impact across the tech ecosystem. This achievement underscores the value we bring to the community as we continue to empower innovation, growth, and collaboration across the region.

We concluded Echelon X 2024

Echelon X 2024 was our largest and most impactful conference yet, doubling the floor space from previous years and featuring 153 speakers, moderators, and facilitators across over 100 sessions on four stages, in private rooms, and round tables.

We were honoured to have Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How to open the event, emphasising AI adoption, upskilling, and growth in Singapore’s digital economy.

With support from 150 sponsors and exhibitors and nearly 60 partners, we facilitated thousands of business-matching connections and meetings, creating new opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the tech ecosystem. We also showcased over 50 companies in our TOP100 programme this year, with multiple of them raising fundraising rounds and securing partnerships across the region.

We recorded all our content sessions, and you can access all the videos here with a Pro account.

Announced Echelon Philippines 2024 in partnership with Brainsparks

We are thrilled to witness the rise of the Philippines’ tech ecosystem. While e27 has held smaller events in the country over the years, I have personally engaged with the local community—speaking at events and mentoring numerous startups.

Today, we have over 1,000 companies from the Philippines in our database and nearly 350 investors on e27 expressing interest in investing in this vibrant market. The growth is undeniable, and we’re committed to deepening our involvement in the region.

We recently showcased a list of 30 exciting startups in the Philippines to give the community a sense of the kind of companies being built locally. Some of the Founders will speak at Echelon, so do check them out!

To give you a better sense of the opportunity, check out our interview with Foxmont Capital Managing Partner Franco Varona and Founding Partner Jelmer Ikink on the middle class population in the Philippines and our showcase of Cento Ventures’s report on investment flow in the region.

Join us for Echelon Philippines 2024 and be part of the rising local tech ecosystem.

Refreshed our homepage

While it may seem like a small update, refreshing our homepage was a thoughtful and user-centric effort to better serve the 450,000+ users we have welcomed over the past three months. We listened closely to user feedback to create a more holistic experience catering to our community’s diverse needs.

Whether you are diving into insightful articles, discovering startups, connecting with investors, or exploring job opportunities, our goal is to make e27 even more intuitive and engaging. With enhanced visibility and accessibility of content, revamped widgets for contributors, startups, investors, and jobs, and a spotlight on partner events, we’ve ensured that every user can seamlessly find value and stay connected to the ecosystem.

Privileged to have continued support from partners

Our partnerships have driven innovation and created meaningful opportunities across the region. We have had the privilege of working alongside visionary partners who share our commitment to fostering growth in the startup ecosystem.

A standout example is our collaboration on the Future of Capitalism Startup Competition, offering startups a unique chance to secure up to US$1 million in funding. Additionally, through the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub in partnership with the Prudence Foundation, we continue to help organizations scale their disaster tech operations globally.

H1 2024 also marked the beginning of our exciting new partnership with Oceanbase, where together, we took steps to empower Indonesia’s digital economy—projected to reach US$330 billion by 2030. These partnerships reflect the strength of our collaborative spirit and the collective impact we can make when we work together to support the tech community.

Introduced Contributor Dashboard for our Community

The one thing our community wanted to know was when their posts were getting published and how well they were doing. We decided to launch a dashboard to streamline  article management, monitoring, sharing, and writing and this has been a hit among our users.

Our team

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and brilliance of our amazing team. I want to thank every member of the e27 team for their relentless commitment and passion. You have driven innovation, navigated challenges, and worked tirelessly to push our mission forward.

Gratitude to our Community:

To our users, partners, and friends in the tech ecosystem, thank you for your unwavering support. Every interaction, partnership, and shared insight helps us grow and continue to deliver value to you.

We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you as we strive to create even more opportunities in the second half of 2024.

Here’s to the next chapter!

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When you ask teens or young people in their 20s when they last stepped into a bank, you may hear “never” in response. However, ask them about their most recent wire transfer, and they’ll likely say, “Just a few minutes ago.” In today’s world, visiting a bank in person feels outdated.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitalisation, and young generations, as top consumers, are driving significant changes in the banking industry. Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the financial landscape with their digital-first mindset and preference for convenience, accelerating financial inclusion globally.

Let’s explore three key ways they’re driving this change.

Embracing digital finance

Young people are digital natives who have grown up with technology at their fingertips. This has made them early adopters of digital financial services. Millennials (born 1981-1995) and Gen Z (born 1995-2010) are becoming central to all economies, including banking. Their preference for fintech platforms goes beyond simply fulfilling an unattended population’s needs. Unlike previous generations, today’s young individuals are more inclined towards embracing technological inclusion in the banking arena.

A June 2021 survey by EY found that 51 per cent of Gen Z consumers name a fintech company as their most trusted financial brand, while only 23 per cent name a national bank. According to The Wall Street Journal, three patterns explain why Gen Z leans toward fintech for managing their finances:

• A dislike of credit-card debt.
• An expectation that brands will reflect their values.
• A desire for community, networking, and self-education within financial services that invest in fun and recreational activities.

Fintech companies innovate by reflecting the values and addressing the social concerns of new generations—such as climate change, diversity, and inclusion—areas where traditional banks often fall short. Fintech presents itself as an easy, fun, and relatable alternative that speaks the same language and understands the needs of young consumers like no other business.

• Cryptocurrencies: While still a nascent asset class, cryptocurrencies have captured the imagination of many young people. Platforms like Coinbase and Binance have made it easier for individuals to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. While their role in mainstream finance is still evolving, cryptocurrencies have the potential to disrupt traditional banking systems and increase financial inclusion by providing an alternative to conventional financial institutions.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Gen Z is increasingly embracing BNPL for smaller ticket items (70 per cent use it for purchases of less than US$100). This seems driven by BNPL’s ease of use, availability, and attractiveness as an alternative to credit cards. Data shows nearly 32.8 million Gen Zers will use mobile wallets this year, and 43 per cent will use BNPL. Very few in this generation use physical cards.

Also Read: The synergy of AI and DeFi: Shaping the future of finance

Driving financial literacy

Younger generations are increasingly aware of the importance of financial literacy. They are more likely to seek out financial education and share their knowledge with peers. Millennials, also known as Generation Y, grew up amid rapid economic change, which gave them higher career expectations than previous generations.

They are poised to reshape the economy, having entered the workforce during economic instability and approaching critical financial decision-making points. Their high aspirations and the reliance on technology for information are shaping their financial behaviour, which will significantly impact the global economy.

• Social media and financial education: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become hubs for financial advice, with influencers sharing tips on budgeting, saving, investing, and more. Accounts dedicated to financial education are demystifying complex financial concepts and making them accessible to a broader audience.
• Demanding financial transparency: Young people are less likely to accept financial jargon and complex terms. They are driving a demand for clear and transparent financial products and services. Fintech companies that offer straightforward, no-nonsense products are gaining favour among these consumers.
• Entrepreneurship and financial innovation: Many young people are starting their own businesses and developing innovative financial solutions. This entrepreneurial spirit is contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem. Startups founded by younger entrepreneurs are often focused on solving specific financial inclusion challenges, such as providing micro-loans or building tools for underserved communities.

Shaping consumer behaviour

The spending habits and preferences of younger generations are influencing the financial industry.

• Contactless payments: Mobile wallets and contactless payments have become the norm for many young people. This shift is driving the adoption of new payment technologies and infrastructure. Services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are seeing widespread adoption, pushing merchants to upgrade their payment systems to accommodate these preferences.
• Subscription economy: Younger generations are more comfortable with subscription-based services, leading to the growth of subscription-based payment options. This trend is influencing everything from entertainment (Netflix, Spotify) to software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365), and even physical products (subscription boxes, meal kits).
• Data privacy and security: This generation is more concerned about data privacy and security. Financial institutions must prioritise these concerns to build trust. Companies that demonstrate robust security measures and transparent data handling practices are more likely to earn the loyalty of younger customers.

Case studies and examples

• Kenya, M-Pesa: A mobile money service that has revolutionised financial inclusion by providing access to banking services for millions of previously unbanked individuals.
• China, WeChat Pay and Alipay: Mobile payment platforms that have transformed the payment landscape and contributed to a cashless society.
• United States, Chime: A digital bank offering no-fee banking and early direct deposit, appealing to younger consumers.
• Sweden, Klarna: A fintech company that popularised the “buy now, pay later” model, making it easier for consumers to manage their finances.
• India, Digital India: A government initiative to expand internet access and digital literacy, bridging the digital divide and promoting financial inclusion.
• Philippines, GCash: A digital wallet partnering with rural banks to provide mobile banking services to remote communities.

Also Read: Navigating the complexities of Southeast Asia’s fintech landscape: Challenges and opportunities

Addressing challenges and opportunities

While younger generations are driving financial inclusion, challenges such as the digital divide and the need for supportive regulations persist. By addressing these issues and leveraging the power of technology and innovation, we can create a more inclusive and equitable financial future for all.

By leveraging technology, prioritising financial education, and driving consumer behaviour change, younger generations are playing a pivotal role in expanding financial inclusion and creating a more equitable financial system. Their influence is driving innovation, transparency, and accessibility, ensuring that financial services are within reach for a broader segment of the global population.

As these trends continue, the financial landscape will undoubtedly become more inclusive and user-centric, benefiting not only younger generations but society as a whole.

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Farquhar VC (FVC) has joined the pre-A investment round of South Korean AI-powered edutech startup Catius, along with lead investors Smilegate Investments and STIC Ventures.

Also Read: Infobank, Farquhar to help Korean startups seeking global expansion

Separately, the Singaporean VC firm signed partnerships with The Goyang Investment Authority (to support the mutual advancement of startups between South Korea, Singapore, and Southeast Asia) and Twin Ventures (to enable and support cross-border startup collaborations between the two countries and geographical regions).

The VC firm expects these deals to deepen its presence in South Korea.

In addition, FVC is currently in talks with potential fund collaborations with various Korean government and industry stakeholders. At the same time, its innovation-advisory subsidiary will embark on a joint accelerator programme to enable startups in southern South Korea to explore global expansion opportunities.

Also Read: Farquhar, Korea’s S&S Lab collaborate to support biotech, foodtech startups

Established in 2020, FVC has invested in more than 40 global startups. Its latest investments include EMERGE Group and Aevice Health. In 2024 and 2025, Farquhar plans to invest in high-growth Korean startups via its Green Future Fund.

In February this year, S&S Lab, a shared research lab and the operator of IRIS Lab in South Korea, announced a strategic partnership with Farquhar VC to foster and deepen relations among Korean and global novel food and biotech startups.

Under this partnership, S&S Lab and Farquhar will collaborate on exchanging innovation ecosystem insights and mutually supporting each other’s biopharma/foodtech portfolio companies.

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Vietnam-based global climate tech VC firm Earth Venture Capital (Earth VC) has invested in US-based nuclear energy startup Aalo Atomics’s US$27 million Series A funding round.

Other investors in the round are 50Y and Valor Equity Partners (co-leads), Harpoon Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Preston-Werner Ventures.

Aalo Atomics develops small reactors in gigafactories to deliver scalable, cost-effective, clean energy anywhere, anytime. It has made strategic agreements like a sitting MOU with the DOE and a pathway to deploy its Aalo-1 reactors at Idaho National Laboratory.

Also Read: Earth VC backs Sparxell that replicates vibrant colours in nature using fully plant-based cellulose

The energy startup will use the funds to scale its team, establish a new Factory HQ in Austin, and continue de-risking the licensing process. The company is also set to build a non-nuclear prototype to validate its technology and prepare for its Aalo Fuel to hit the market.

“We’re on a mission to make small nuclear reactors in gigafactories,” Aalo Atomics CEO Matt Loszak said. “The goal is predictable low costs and a short construction timeline, making clean energy a reality, any place, any time.”

“The path to net zero simply doesn’t exist without nuclear energy,” said Tien Nguyen, Founding Partner at Earth VC. “Aalo Atomics’s groundbreaking innovations—modular reactors, advanced liquid coolant systems, and UZrH fuel—are setting a new benchmark for safety and scalability in the industry.”

In June, Earth Venture Capital made a strategic investment in US-based cultivated meat startup Orbillion Bio. This investment round was co-led by The Venture Collective and At One Ventures and joined by Y Combinator and Metaplanet. This brings its total funding raised to date to US$15 million.

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BrightCHAMPS, a global company providing online, offline, and hybrid STEM-accredited life skills classes, has closed the acquisition of Vietnam-based English communications platform Schola for an undisclosed sum.

After the deal, Schola was renamed BrightCHAMPS Vietnam.

Also Read: ‘High cash-burn growth strategy is ultimately unsustainable’: BrightCHAMPS’s Ravi Bhushan

The deal was first announced in August 2022.

According to Schola co-founder Nhu Tran Le Thanh Schola has four centres for offline and hybrid learning in Ho Chi Minh City, along with thousands of students taking the online 1:1 classes in English communication. BrightCHAMPS Vietnam now aims to run 20 offline hubs by May 2026, 10 each in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

BrightCHAMPS Vietnam has earmarked a US$10 million corpus to set up these centres and hire and train local and international staff in global best practices.

Additionally, the company will invest heavily in working with local educational institutions and government bodies to integrate future-ready skills into existing educational frameworks.

The edutech firm will also provide scholarships to deserving students. Schola’s students and parents will now have access to BrightCHAMPS’s pool of global educators across 30+ geographies, including the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada.

The venture will also foster more high-quality collaborations, such as the global entity’s recent partnership with Harvard Business Publishing Education, to enable more students to access Harvard ManageMentor courses at no additional cost.

Also Read: BrightCHAMPS acquires SEA-focused edutech startup Schola for US$15M

Currently, Vietnam is BrightCHAMPS’s second-largest global market, and a crucial element of the company’s aim is to be the biggest co-curricular institution in the world by AY2027.

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Sarana AI, an AI-powered human resource services startup in Indonesia, has concluded an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round led by Fortress Data Services (FDS), a tech-based services provider for the banking and financial services industry.

The fresh capital will be used to incept and bolster Sarana AI’s platform.

Also Read: Future-proofing businesses and talent through technology

Sarana AI was established to address the critical need for advanced workforce development in Indonesia, where only 27.6 per cent of the workforce is skilled in digital literacy, technical skills, and problem-solving (Badan Pusat Statistik, 2021).

With the rapid adoption of technology, it is projected that by 2025, 50 per cent of all employees globally will require reskilling to align with industry demands (World Economic Forum, 2020).

Sarana AI’s platform is designed to close this gap. It provides a real-time pulse on organizational talent health with measurable metrics to improve employee retention and facilitate the rapid regeneration of workforce capabilities.

Aktsa Efendy, co-founder and President of Sarana AI, said: “Our goal is to empower businesses to increase their revenue per employee without the need to expand headcount proportionately. We firmly believe that AI is here to augment, not replace, human talent.”

Also Read: Envisioning the future: The critical challenges and opportunities of AI investment

Pak Sutjahyo Budiman of FDS added, “Talent recruitment, retention, and regeneration are the core components that enable scale and growth for all institutions. An automated and independent recruitment, feedback, and upskilling system will undoubtedly play a pivotal role to enact people development functions efficiently. We believe Sarana AI’s solutions will reshape the future of talent and HR function across collar spectrums in our country.”

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The 2011 film Moneyball depicted the innovative challenge of the Oakland Athletics, an underdog team in Major League Baseball. General Manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, led the team to a 20-game winning streak using a data-driven approach despite operating on a shoestring budget. This isn’t just a cinematic tale; it exemplifies a core strategy in modern business.

The ‘Moneyball theory’ of achieving maximum impact with minimal resources offers valuable lessons for Korean startups looking to enter Southeast Asian markets.

Since 2006, I’ve been immersed in Singapore’s venture capital and startup ecosystem, advising numerous Korean companies on their Southeast Asian expansion strategies. Throughout this process, I’ve consistently emphasised the ‘Moneyball approach’. The Southeast Asian market is more receptive to a ‘small ball’ strategy—focused on precise tactics—rather than a ‘big ball’ approach that relies on massive capital investment. This is akin to a baseball strategy that prioritises improving overall on-base percentage over relying solely on home run hitters.

The rationale behind this approach is as follows:

Firstly, Southeast Asia is not a single, unified market. While grouped under the ASEAN banner, each country has distinct legal systems, economic structures, and cultures. For instance, Singapore and Cambodia, though both Southeast Asian nations, have vastly different levels of economic development and business environments. Therefore, the approach used for large, homogeneous markets like the United States or China is unsuitable here. Instead, a tailored strategy considering each country’s unique characteristics is necessary.

Secondly, the economic scale of the Southeast Asian market is often overestimated. In fact, the combined GDP of the six major countries is about US$3.5 trillion, merely twice that of South Korea’s US$1.7 trillion. A significant portion of this is concentrated in Indonesia, which accounts for one-third of the total. Vietnam, despite having twice South Korea’s population, has only a quarter of its GDP. This suggests that the market may be more limited than Korean companies anticipate. However, considering the region’s high economic growth rates and young demographic structure, its potential remains significant.

Lastly, the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem is still in its infancy. While the region boasts around 30 unicorns, the startup ecosystem has only been developing in earnest for about a decade. The overall infrastructure, human resources, and capital markets are still immature compared to not only the United States but also South Korea. For example, there are significant disparities in startup founder resources and the number and scale of domestic listed companies. Consequently, it’s challenging to directly apply the startup growth models we’re familiar with, such as rapid expansion through large-scale funding and quick exit strategies.

Also Read: Digital transformation & AI revolution: Shaping Singapore’s F&B industry with Korean restaurant tech

In this context, an effective expansion strategy is the ‘Point-Line-Plane Strategy’. This approach doesn’t view Southeast Asia as a single market but focuses on individual countries or major cities. For example, concentrating on metropolises like Singapore, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh City, and combining this focus with specific industry sectors to accumulate small successes. In other words, it involves concentrating small-scale investments on ‘points’ where specific cities and sectors intersect, thereby increasing ROI and success rates. The strategy then involves connecting these successful ‘points’ to form ‘lines,’ and ultimately expanding into ‘planes’.

This approach is well-suited to the Southeast Asian environment, where achieving economies of scale through large-scale investments at a regional level is challenging. Starting from small points and gradually expanding—this strategy embodies the true ‘Moneyball theory’ for entering Southeast Asia.

The film ends with the song lyrics, ‘I’ve got to let it go. And just enjoy the show. Just enjoy the show’. For startups stepping onto the stage of entrepreneurship and global expansion, I hope they embrace this journey without fear and enjoy it wholeheartedly. As the saying goes, ‘Genius cannot overcome a person who tries, and a person who tries cannot overcome a person who enjoys’.

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In the high-pressure world of startups, burnout and resilience are major concerns for founders striving to build sustainable businesses.

The Echelon X panel discussion titled “Sustainable Hustling and Resilience for Startup Entrepreneurs: Tactics Founders Have Implemented to Reduce Burnout and Play the Long Game When Building Their Startups” offered valuable insights into navigating these challenges.

For founders grappling with burnout or seeking ways to bolster resilience for themselves and their businesses, the panel provided effective tactics for reducing burnout and fostering a sustainable approach to entrepreneurship. The discussion covered practical tips on managing stress, staying motivated, and ensuring long-term success while avoiding common pitfalls.

Moderated by Terence Chia, Co-Founder of Folklory, the panel featured:

• Joan Low, Founder and CEO of ThoughtFull
• Jx Lye, Founder and CEO of Acme Technology
• Evan Heng, Founder and CEO of Zenith Learning Group
• Henry Motte de la Motte, Founder and CEO of EDGE Tutor

By sharing their personal experiences and strategies, the panelists provided a roadmap for maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being while navigating the challenges of startup life. Their insights underscored the importance of self-care, community support, and a balanced approach to work and life, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to play the long game and achieve sustainable success.

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Fundraising or preparing your startup for fundraising? Build your investor network, search from 400+ SEA investors on e27, and get connected or get insights regarding fundraising. Try e27 Pro for free today.

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