Dear reader,
GCash’s reported plans for a US$1 billion to US$1.5 billion IPO could mark a pivotal moment for the Philippines’ fintech sector, potentially becoming the largest IPO in the country’s history. As the dominant fintech platform serving 94 million Filipinos, GCash has transformed how the nation manages money, from bill payments to peer-to-peer transfers.
The move toward public listing signals the company’s confidence in its sustained growth and strategic ambitions, bolstered by investments from major players like Mitsubishi Corp and MUFG, which value GCash at US$5 billion.
The IPO aligns with a broader regional trend of fintech companies seeking to capitalise on their robust user bases and expanding service ecosystems. However, market conditions and investor sentiment will heavily influence the offering’s success.
If GCash achieves its target, it could not only redefine the Philippine IPO landscape but also solidify the country’s position as a burgeoning hub for fintech innovation in Southeast Asia.
Sainul,
Editor.
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NEWS & VIEWS
GCash said to weigh record Philippine IPO of up to US$1.5B
The Filipino fintech giant intends to list in the second half of next year; An IPO of that size would likely make it the biggest ever in the country.
Figma sues Singapore rival for copyright infringement
The case’s outcome could throw Motiff – a startup that was established just over two years ago – off its brief growth trajectory; Like Figma, Motiff offers collaborative UI/UX design tools for product teams and software developers to build digital products.
Partior adds Deutsche Bank as strategic investor in US$80M fundraise
The fintech startup’s blockchain-based network aims to address the inefficiencies inherent in traditional payment systems, including delays, lack of transparency, and high operating costs.
ByteDance sues intern over AI sabotage claims
ByteDance claims that the former intern with the surname Tian tampered with code, disrupting the training of an LLM and allegedly led to substantial resource wastage.
Amazon Japan raided by anti-monopoly authorities
The e-commerce giant is under suspicion of inappropriately urging vendors to lower their prices on its online shopping platform in return for better product placement.
Pi-xcels secures US$2.7M to lead retail’s shift to paperless transactions
The investors include Headline Asia, Wavemaker Partners, and Hustle Fund; Pi-xcels allows customers to receive digital receipts with a simple tap, replacing traditional paper receipts with an eco-friendly, interactive alternative.
Former Peak XV MD Piyush Gupta launch Kenro Capital for investments in India, SEA
Kenro Capital plans to deploy US$20-30M per investment, with the flexibility to invest larger amounts through co-investment opportunities.
SGX-listed 17LIVE acquires Japanese VTuber company mikai
This strengthens 17LIVE’s virtual IP business, enhancing its platform with mikai’s well-established virtual influencer portfolio; With this, 17LIVE will accelerate its V-liver business by integrating mikai’s strong brand and expanding its portfolio.
AI helps India’s Meesho cut some customer call costs by 75%
The Softbank-backed online shopping site has rolled out a GenAI-powered voice bot among Indian e-commerce firms for customer support; The AI bot currently handles 60,000 customer calls daily in English and Hindi.
TikTok Shop to launch in Spain
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, aims to increase its presence in the ecommerce sector by inviting store owners in Spain to join the platform since August.
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
How tech is transforming the pet care market in Asia, Oceania, and Africa
Machine learning, AI, and computer vision are all emerging technologies that are used by startups to solve pet owners’ pain points.
How Polymatech advances semiconductors with sustainability at the core
Polymatech has invested significantly in automation, with robots playing a key role in reducing human intervention, and its goal is to achieve zero manpower in certain verticals.
Following MAS’s in-principle approval, Gemini flexes its growth muscle in Asia
Outside of Singapore, Gemini’s growth relies on organic user discovery rather than targeted marketing exercises.
Echelon Philippines 2024: Funding strategies for startups in emerging sectors
The Echelon Philippines session brought together key investment leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges in the Philippine market.
The future of payments in SEA: Regional cooperation remains critical in pushing for progress
Southeast Asia’s early adoption of IPS and commitment to collaborative payments innovation provide valuable lessons for other regions.
Rouge Ventures: To succeed, agritech startups need to go out, experience field work, and produce data from it
Rouge Ventures MD Desmond Marshall notes that agritech founders often position themselves as “scientists working in the lab”.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
What I learned after launching a successful business in Asia
Learn from Statrys’ founder as he shares practical advice on entrepreneurship, including risk-taking, timing, location choice, and performance measurement.
Leadership is key in promoting data literacy, governance in organisations: Qlik’s Geoff Thomas
The most pressing issue that companies are facing today is finding balance between protecting data and using innovative tools.
Data-driven healing: The potential of analytics and AI in advancing mental health
I presented three ‘calls’ that are thematics of what will drive real-world application in mental health and here are some examples of global innovators that showcase these themes.
How data centres adapt to shortages with advanced tech solutions
Data centres harness advanced tech for global demand with hyperscale tech, AI integration, and sustainable growth strategies.
How to stay creative in the age of Generative AI and Web3
Amid an avalanche of technology news in creative industries, we navigate an unprecedented era of fear of being left behind.
Beyond blocks, we need builders for Singapore’s digital domain too
We need to boldly prepare and empower locals to lead Singapore’s digital journey, ensuring wider participation in our digital workforce.
Breaking into the data centre sector: Beyond technical expertise
Data centres are complex projects, and the exponential growth of demand in this sector infers tight design and construction program timelines.
Connecting clouds in SEA: How to ensure interoperability in the hybrid and multi-cloud context
Understanding the importance of direct connections to clouds empowers Asian companies in their digital transformation journeys.
The future of startup fundraising in Singapore
Taking a deeper look into Singapore’s startup ecosystem by exploring some of the more popular means for startup fundraising.
Banks must solve their core banking conundrum – or fail
While the prospect of modernising a bank’s core may seem daunting, the right roadmap can indeed pave the way for lasting success.
Holding tight or letting go: A paradox I face as a father and a corporate venture builder
The age-old parenting paradox of holding tight and letting go holds true for corporate venture builders aligning corporates and ventures.
Money talks: How tech can boost Filipinos’ financial literacy
With parents and schools silenced by cultural taboos, money management apps are filling the gaps in Filipino youths’ financial knowledge.
The evolution of investing: How fintechs and neo-brokers are empowering retail investors
Fintechs and neo-brokers have made stock trading more accessible & affordable for retail investors, empowering them to take control of their financial futures.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
My journey with Lushair: Bringing AI-powered scalp diagnostics to life
Despite the obstacles, I am committed to bringing Lushair to as many people as possible, inspiring other young innovators along the way.
How does audience intelligence help startups make informed decisions?
Startups can use real-time audience intelligence to gather demographic and psychographic data, improving consumer insights.
Showcasing the future of healthcare, the Estonian way
Estonia’s healthtech ecosystem is focusing on integrating AI and machine learning, particularly in preventive care and early diagnosis.
You are what you eat: Opportunities in Southeast Asia’s agri-food sector
Explore the agri-food market potential in Southeast Asia, where startups leverage test beds and corporate support to scale products.
AI isn’t magic: Why smart marketers should be skeptical of the hype
Discover why AI isn’t a silver bullet in marketing and how to harness its power while keeping human elements central to effective strategies.
Save and invest as you shop: The triple ‘A’ of financial accessibility
The post-pandemic financial challenges Malaysians face are undoubtedly formidable, yet we now have potent tools to shape our financial futures.
Mastering the VC pitch: Crafting your winning exit strategy
Crafting a compelling exit strategy is not only about securing investment but also about setting a strong foundation for your business’s future.
The entrepreneur’s dilemma: Fundraising or taking a loan?
This article will break down all the pros and cons so that any entrepreneur deciding between the two may make a more informed decision.
Ethiopia: A haven for Bitcoin miners?
Ethiopia is becoming a Bitcoin mining hub due to its abundant renewable energy, low electricity costs, and improved regulations.
The post Ecosystem Roundup: GCash said to weigh IPO of up to US$1.5B | Figma sues Singapore rival | 17LIVE acquires Japan’s mikai appeared first on e27.