We often celebrate innovation when we see faster machines, sleeker designs, or smarter systems. But the deeper question is: are we truly reinventing, or simply improving efficiency?

Recently, I watched a video on modern car manufacturing. Robots worked with flawless rhythm, welding and assembling at incredible speed. It was impressive. Yet, what rolled out of the factory was still a car. The production had changed — the product had not.

This tension between process and product runs through not just technology, but also education.

Process vs product

Improvement focuses on process. It makes things easier, faster, or more automated. But it doesn’t always change the essence of what’s being created.

Take assistive technology. The wheelchair has seen countless upgrades: lighter frames, motorised wheels, even smart navigation. Yet, a wheelchair is still a wheelchair. The product has not been reimagined.

The bigger question is: can we move beyond improving the chair to enabling mobility itself? Can we reimagine human movement rather than refining the tool?

Why this matters in education

Education mirrors this dilemma. Classrooms have adopted digital tools, online platforms, and AI-powered grading systems. But are we reinventing learning, or just making the old system more efficient?

• Are students still memorising facts — just now on tablets instead of paper?
• Are tests still the ultimate measure of intelligence — simply graded faster by algorithms?
• Are we still chasing the same narrow definitions of success, wrapped in digital packaging?

When efficiency becomes the main goal, we risk modernising the delivery while leaving the purpose untouched.

What reinvention looks like

Reinvention requires imagination, not just efficiency. In education, some models are already pointing the way:

• Montessori and project-based learning shift focus from memorisation to exploration, nurturing curiosity and independence.
• Finland’s education system prioritises problem-solving, collaboration, and well-being over exam performance.
• AI tutors and adaptive platforms personalise learning instead of just digitising it, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.

These aren’t simply upgrades. They represent a deeper rethinking of what learning is for.

The reinvention mindset

The difference between improvement and reinvention can be summed up as:

• Improvement = polishing → doing the same thing, but better.
• Reinvention = rethinking → asking if the “thing” itself should be different.

Also Read: To what extent will AI affect the media industry?

If we want to prepare future thinkers, we must stop glorifying efficiency alone and ask bigger questions:

• What is the purpose of education in an age where knowledge is everywhere?
• How do we measure success when creativity, adaptability, and empathy matter as much as grades?
• Are we teaching children to use tools, or to reimagine tools altogether?

Application for future thinkers

To adopt a reinvention mindset, start small:

• Question assumptions – Instead of asking, “How can this be improved?” ask, “Why does this exist at all?”
• Prioritise human outcomes – A “better” system isn’t one that produces higher scores, but one that nurtures stronger thinkers and happier lives.
• Prototype boldly – Reinvention often begins with experiments: a flipped classroom, a hands-on project, or a community collaboration.

Conclusion

Whether in technology, healthcare, or education, the same question applies:

Are we just improving the process, or are we reinventing the product?

Because in the end, a car is still a car, a wheelchair is still a wheelchair, and a classroom is still a classroom — unless we have the imagination to reimagine what mobility, learning, and living could mean altogether.

That’s where true innovation begins.

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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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Indonesia’s electric vehicle (EV) sector experienced a sharp  49 per cent year-to-date (YTD) growth through Q3 2025, contrasting significantly with a 11 per cent contraction in the country’s overall light vehicle (LV) market. These findings were highlighted in the PwC ASEAN-6 eReadiness 2025 report, which analyses consumer sentiment and market readiness across the region.

While the total industry volume (TIV) for light vehicles across the ASEAN-6 bloc remained relatively stable, dropping only 1.5 per cent overall, Indonesia’s automotive sector faced a significant downturn. This contraction was primarily driven by increased luxury vehicle taxes, reduced government expenditure, and a weakening rupiah, which collectively suppressed purchasing power amidst economic instability.

Also Read: Electrifying Southeast Asia: Unleashing the radical potential of electric vehicles

Despite the challenging environment for conventional vehicles, EV adoption in Indonesia reached 18 per cent of total vehicle sales, slightly exceeding the ASEAN average of 17 per cent.

Lukmanul Arsyad, PwC Indonesia Industrials and Services Leader, confirmed the divergent trends: “In the midst of the 11 per cent contraction in the Indonesian automotive market in YTD Q3 2025, electrification is moving in the opposite direction.” He added that the segment’s growth confirms a “significant opportunity for EV acceleration,” bolstered by tax incentives and battery investment, even as the conventional market is under pressure.

However, Indonesia’s 49 per cent EV growth rate trailed the overall ASEAN rise of 62 per cent. Regional counterparts displayed more aggressive electrification, with Thailand and Vietnam recording growth rates of 45 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively.

Furthermore, Vietnam and Singapore showed standout light vehicle growth, recording +18 per cent and +25 per cent respectively, supported by EV incentives, registration policies, and economic strengthening.

Consumer satisfaction and skepticism

Indonesian EV owners demonstrate high loyalty, with 99 per cent reporting satisfaction with their vehicles, marking the highest satisfaction rate across the ASEAN region (up from 93 per cent in PwC’s report last year). This satisfaction is broadly attributed to quicker charging times (50 per cent) and lower operational costs (47 per cent) across ASEAN users.

Also Read: How electric luxury cars are reshaping the industry

Despite this high satisfaction, 33 per cent of Indonesian EV owners are considering reverting to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The primary reasons cited for this potential reversal are higher-than-anticipated maintenance costs (71 per cent), driving experiences that did not meet expectations (61 per cent), and insufficient range (52 per cent).

For the 70 per cent of Indonesian respondents identified as EV prospects, price remains a critical barrier. Nearly half (48 per cent) of prospective users in ASEAN-6 expect prices to be under US$46,000, with 15 per cent specifically interested in the low-price segment starting below US$11,000. Sceptics, comprising 17 per cent of the Indonesian market, cited limited range (55 per cent), battery durability concerns (53 per cent), and charging time (42 per cent) as their primary concerns.

Infrastructure gap looms large

The PwC report assessed ASEAN nations on their EV readiness across metrics, including supply, demand, government incentives, and infrastructure availability. Indonesia showed progress, with its overall EV readiness score increasing to 2.8 (out of 5) in 2025, up from 2.0 the previous year.

The most significant improvement was recorded in the government incentive dimension, which jumped to 4.0, making Indonesia the country with the highest incentive score in the ASEAN-6 bloc. Furthermore, consumer demand remains robust, scoring 3.7.

However, the success of the transition is constrained by significant structural deficiencies, particularly in infrastructure. Indonesia’s infrastructure score stands at a low 1.4, significantly trailing Singapore’s score of 4.3. Supply chain readiness in Indonesia is also noted as relatively low at 2.3, below Vietnam’s score of 3.0.

Also Read: EV adoption in the Philippines gains momentum, but challenges in financing and technicalities remain

Arsyad concluded, “With a solid policy foundation and the highest incentives in ASEAN at 4.0, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to attract investment and accelerate the EV transition. However, success will depend on closing the infrastructure gap… as well as strengthening the supply chain. These structural gaps underscore the urgency of coordinated action to maintain momentum and secure Indonesia’s competitive position in the region.”

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For Southeast Asian founders and investors, 2025 presents a powerful paradox. We’re living in a time of extreme volatility—geopolitically, climatically, and technologically. Yet, in that volatility lies opportunity.

For decades, supply chains were a backend function—something startups outsourced, optimised, or ignored. But this assumption no longer holds. In today’s world, supply chains aren’t just operational—they’re strategic, visible, and investible. They define your startup’s resilience, sustainability, and ultimately, its valuation.

At the Fosus Asia Pacific Supply Chain Sustainability Summit 2025, I presented why global trade is shifting under the weight of multipolarity, climate change, and AI-driven digitalisation. For Southeast Asian founders, these aren’t distant megatrends. They’re the tectonic forces shaping how you build, scale, and exit in this decade.

Through this article, I hope to shine light on the opportunities startups and founders like yourself can capture in this geopolitically volatile world.

Multipolarity: Startups can’t be neutral in a fragmenting trade world

In a multipolar world, neutrality is a myth. The post-Cold War era of globalism, led by US-dominated institutions like the WTO, is fracturing. Regional blocs are replacing multilateral consensus.

• BRICS+ now includes not just Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but also Indonesia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia—emerging as a counterweight to the G7.
• The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ties together ASEAN with China, Japan, and Australia, unlocking intra-Asian growth.
• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), led by the US, focuses on digital standards and clean economy norms.

For SEA startups exporting hardware, electronics, or even food products—this fragmentation means regulatory balkanisation. You’ll face divergent data privacy rules, compliance requirements, and tariff barriers based on which markets or investors you align with.

To give an example, if your supply chain touches Taiwan, Singapore, India, and Europe—you’re no longer just managing logistics. You’re navigating a complex geopolitical chessboard. And you need to be good at it.

Also Read: Rethinking supply chains and trade in Southeast Asia amid global tariffs

Trade is a weapon, and you’re probably in the crossfire

Startups relying on AI chips, electric vehicle parts, or rare earths need to know this: access to critical resources is now political.

• In December 2023, China banned the export of rare earth extraction technologies, reinforcing its grip on materials that power EVs, drones, and smartphones.
• In early 2025, the US expanded AI chip export controls, placing Southeast Asian nations into “tiered compliance categories” that limit access to cutting-edge compute for data centres and LLMs.
• Ukraine peace talks now include rare earths in the negotiation table, which the long-awaited deal on the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund was recently signed in May 2025.
• Grain shipments out of Ukraine are conditional.
• LNG is rerouted via Singapore due to energy realignments in Europe.

These aren’t abstract events. They will shape your cost of goods sold, your product timelines, and whether your next big AI product even gets the compute power it needs.

So ask yourself: is your startup’s tech stack or component source geopolitically vulnerable?

Climate change will break your supply chain (or rebuild it smarter)

The IPCC’s 2023 report made clear: global infrastructure—especially its ports and coastlines—is highly vulnerable to extreme weather.

Take the Panama Canal drought in 2023. El Niño triggered severe water shortages, reducing ship capacity from 50 feet to 44 feet. Vessels had to offload cargo. Shipping delays stretched for weeks. Costs ballooned—groceries, parts, everything.

If you’re a founder building a physical product in the SEA region, and you don’t have climate disruption contingencies—you’re already behind.

But here’s the upside: climate change is also opening up new frontiers.

• Arctic trade routes are becoming navigable, slashing 30–40 per cent off shipping time between Asia and Europe.
• Countries like Russia are investing in Arctic infrastructure. The Northern Sea Route could become the next BRI. Who will build the predictive shipping platforms, port automation systems, and insurance products for these new lanes? That’s startup territory.

Sustainability isn’t just policy—it’s a funding advantage

Climate regulation is no longer a regulatory burden. It’s a market signal and a capital attractor.

• The IMO’s carbon reduction targets and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) mean your startup needs a carbon data story.
• If you’re in manufacturing, logistics, or agri-tech, expect Scope 3 emission disclosures to be part of tender requirements, partnerships, and funding due diligence.
• Green shipping corridors like Singapore–Rotterdam are leading the way in scaling zero-emission shipping, with clear investor interest.

If your startup contributes to carbon tracking, waste-to-value loops, or port-side optimisation, you’re building not just a business—you’re de-risking national infrastructure. Investors are watching.

Also Read: Enhancing cyber supply chain resilience: A vision for Singapore

AI and digitalisation: The supply chain itself is becoming smart

If you think AI is just for apps, think again. It’s transforming the physical layer of how trade works.

• 77 per cent of WEF Lighthouse Factories now use analytical AI for predictive maintenance and logistics optimisation.
• Generative AI is already being used to automate procurement workflows, simulate design specs, and validate manufacturing feasibility.

Midea in China, for instance, slashed product design lead times by 45 per cent using an in-house PLM platform. That’s not a SaaS unicorn—that’s what smart manufacturing looks like in 2025.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Su7 EV factory has gone fully “dark”—718,000 sqm of space, 700 robots, only 30 humans. Car produced every 76 seconds.

The opportunity? Founders building for factory intelligence, robotics coordination, predictive quality control, or blockchain-tracked ESG compliance are sitting on untapped verticals.

DAOs, tokenised trade, and the borderless supply chain

Enter the next frontier: Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs).

Imagine a smart contract-based procurement system that doesn’t rely on a central platform—but executes payments, delivery terms, and ESG verification automatically. With blockchain as a backbone, carbon data becomes immutable. Trade financing becomes instantaneous. Supplier compliance is no longer manually audited—it’s verified on-chain.

Sounds fringe? Ethereum did it. Supply chains will do it next.

And if you’re building infrastructure for DAOs, smart contract standards, or cross-border digital trust layers—you’re not early. You’re right on time.

To conclude: In 2025, supply chains are a founder’s edge

At the Fosus Summit, I said that supply chains are no longer invisible—they’re now geopolitical chess pieces, climate resilience testbeds, and digital battlegrounds.

Founders who master this space—who understand that the new battlegrounds of commerce are not only price and product but route, regulation, and resilience—will lead the next generation of SEA unicorns.

And investors: if your thesis doesn’t include supply chain resilience, digital trade infrastructure, or decarbonisation platforms, you may be underestimating where the next breakout opportunity will come from.

Supply chains and geopolitics are no longer in the back office anymore. We’re at the frontlines.

Follow ‘Geopolitical Action 4 Leaders‘ for actionable insights in a Geopolitically VUCA world.

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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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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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