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Ecosystem Roundup: EV sales will pick up in SEA: Maybank | EDBI, SEEDS Capital merge | AI Singapore releases SEA-LION v2

Dear reader,

The ASEAN electric vehicle (EV) market is poised for significant growth, driven by favourable regulations, partnerships with Chinese automakers, and a robust automotive production base.

Maybank Investment Bank highlights that countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand are witnessing a notable uptick in EV sales.

In Malaysia, a 142% increase in fully electric car sales is fuelled by potential cuts in fuel subsidies, which would make EVs more competitive. Indonesia’s market is buoyed by government incentives like sales tax discounts and import duty suspensions, encouraging companies like BYD and VinFast to establish local facilities.

Singapore and Thailand also show impressive growth, with Singapore’s EV sales surging by 218%, aided by significant tax incentives and a shift towards greener transportation. Thailand’s market, although currently experiencing a slowdown, is set to benefit from substantial investments by Chinese automakers despite a broader decline in overall car sales.

Globally, the EV market faces challenges such as the end of European subsidies and tariff increases on China-made cars.

However, the overall trend remains positive, with global EV sales expected to reach 17 million units in 2024. Hybrid vehicles are also regaining popularity as a transitional solution, addressing range anxiety and infrastructure concerns, particularly in regions like Japan and the US.

This dynamic landscape suggests a promising future for EV adoption, especially in ASEAN, as regulatory support and strategic partnerships continue to drive growth.

Sainul,
Editor.

NEWS & VIEWS

Maybank says electrical vehicle sales will pick up in ASEAN
The research house said favourable regulations, local brands and penetration of Chinese carmakers would drive EV sales higher in ASEAN; ASEAN is witnessing a pick-up in electric car sales, mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

EDBI, SEEDS Capital merge to form SG Growth Capital
This brings together the investment expertise and networks of EDBI and SEEDS Capital to support the growth of innovative enterprises and anchor key operations and capabilities in Singapore. The change will take place on April 1, 2025.

Ayala acquires an additional 8% stake in Mynt for US$394.54M
Mynt is the parent of the finance super app and digital cashless ecosystem GCash in the Philippines; This transaction values Mynt at approximately US$4.93 billion and increases Ayala’s ownership in Mynt to about 13%.

Grab-led GXBank to invest US$333M in Malaysia over the next five years
It will also establish the GX Untuk Semua initiative, which is designed to focus on nurturing local tech talent, developing core competencies and best-in-class industry practices, and innovative solutions.

‘Amazon for fresh farm produce in SEA’ Secai Marche raises US$3.5M
The investors include Beyond Next Ventures, Spiral Ventures Asia, and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital; The funds will be used to expand its fulfilment centres, enhance the accuracy of demand forecasts using AI, and optimise last-mile deliveries.

AI Singapore releases SEA-LION v2 designed to understand SEA’s linguistic, and cultural diversity
SEA-LION v2, built on Meta’s Llama 3, is part of AI Singapore’s mission to develop AI capabilities, create social and economic impacts, and nurture local talent.

OpenAI co-founder John Schulman leaves for Anthropic
Schulman said it stemmed from a desire to deepen his focus on AI alignment—the science of ensuring AI behaves as intended—and engage in more hands-on technical work.

Flipkart blitzes into India’s 10-minute quick commerce battle
The new service offers customers the ability to have a wide range of items, from groceries to smartphones, delivered to them within 10 to 15 minutes; The e-commerce firm is offering customers free delivery on orders priced at INR 100 (US$1.20).

US expected to propose barring Chinese software in autonomous vehicles
The US administration will also propose barring vehicles with Chinese-developed advanced wireless communications abilities modules from US roads, according to sources.

Google loses massive antitrust case over search, will appeal ruling
A US District Court judge found the tech giant acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search; It’s a major defeat for Google that could alter the way it does business.

YouTuber files class action suit over OpenAI’s scrape of creators’ transcripts
A YouTube creator alleges that OpenAI trained its generative AI models on millions of transcripts from YouTube videos without notifying or compensating the videos’ owners.

Five US states push Musk to fix AI chatbot over election misinformation
Social media platforms have been under scrutiny for years over the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories; There’s been growing concern that AI-generated content could mislead voters in the November presidential and congressional elections.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

From standalone to lead magnet: How SugarOKR will fuel Happy5’s global expansion
Happy5 CEO Doni Priliandi and SugarOKR CEO Timothy Kua discuss the strategic acquisition and their expansion plans, starting with the US.

Echelon X: Peng Ong of Monk’s Hill Ventures on AI’s transformative impact in Southeast Asia
The Echelon X fireside chat took a retrospective look at the evolution of AI and the trends in investing within Southeast Asia.

Lydea Quek: Championing cybersecurity innovation in APAC
Quek is passionate about guiding customers through their security challenges and customising solutions to meet their specific needs.

Meet the founder who built and sold a US$600M enterprise software startup from Sri Lanka
Sanjiva Weerawarana’s WSO2, an open-source enterprise software provider with customers such as Samsung, Axa, and AT&T, recently agreed to be acquired by PE giant EQT at a valuation of US$600 million.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Genetics AI in Asia: Pioneering the future of technology
One of the most meaningful areas of innovation is genetics AI—a fusion of artificial intelligence and genetics research.

How a data-driven approach can optimise decarbonisation in the built environment
Granular data is key to decarbonising real estate, enabling targeted improvements and optimising ESG goals for greater sustainability.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Why the right framework creates impactful apps
While this leap to a new framework might seem daunting at first, this article explores why it can be worth making that change.

The future of mobility is in public-private collaboration
Foxconn-initiated MIH Consortium and Techstars are paving the way as they engage startups in Southeast Asia and globally.

How do angel investors source opportunities?
This article is meant to help angel investors build a routine in order to make sure they get to see the great opportunities out there.

Angel investors vs Venture Capitalists for startup funding: Which is right for you?
Choosing the right investors, whether angels, VCs, or a mix, is crucial for providing both financial support and invaluable guidance to ensure startup success.

The pros and cons of signing on an angel investor for your startup
They are seeking to invest their hard-earned savings in your venture in hope of cashing out if your company ends up being a future unicorn. But there are a number of trade-offs you must consider before taking an angel investor’s money.

All you need to know about how angel investors evaluate their opportunities
It is important to take a step back and see if the founder is persistent and pursues the investment opportunity or if we simply feel a deal is not ready for our investment yet but might be in several months; We want to spectate.

How technology is making our food safer
Emerging technologies, including blockchain, RFID tags, and sensors, offer the ability to fight food fraud efficiently.

Why finding your co-founder is a lot like meeting your soulmate
What I learned about finding co-founders from my experiences at MaGIC, Entrepreneur First, and Singapore-Deep Tech Alliance.

The business of social responsibility: Why brands are redefining their social conscience
Here, we examine best practices and guidelines for brands looking to publicly communicate their social conscience.

Is generative AI the game-changer for productivity?
While Generative AI can automate various tasks, it cannot entirely replace human creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

Pivoting beyond product: You need to look at your company culture, too
During a crisis, getting the team on board with pivoting amidst a very palpable crisis requires shifts in culture.

What are some networking benefits that are essential for startups?
From trading information to cultivating relationships with mutual benefits, networking should be a part of any startup’s marketing efforts.

How Southeast Asian businesses can overcome employee training challenges
The challenge of bringing employees aboard the digital transformation ship is not exclusive to SEA. However, most firms admit to not being adaptable enough.

Image Credit: 123RF.

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