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Ecosystem Roundup: Temasek in talks to invest in OpenAI | Carro acquires HK’s Beyond Cars | Sunday snaps up KSK Insurance

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Dear reader,

Singapore’s state-owned investment giant Temasek Holdings is reportedly in preliminary talks to support OpenAI, signalling a potential collaboration that could significantly impact the AI landscape.

This development aligns with the island nation’s strategic ambition to emerge as a dominant force in AI within Asia, supported by substantial financial backing of around US$742 million for the sector. If finalised, this would mark OpenAI’s first partnership with a state-backed investor.

While neither Temasek nor OpenAI have confirmed the discussions, reports suggest that the dialogue has evolved from considering investment in OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman’s VC fund to a direct investment in OpenAI itself. This move underscores the growing importance of AI in global investment strategies and the recognition of OpenAI’s potential in this field.

The potential investment not only signifies a financial boost for OpenAI but also aligns with Singapore’s broader vision of nurturing local AI talent and establishing itself as a hub for AI innovation.

However, OpenAI faces challenges such as financial losses and a scarcity of AI-focused chips, which underscores the significance of securing substantial investments to fuel its ambitious initiatives. Despite hurdles, OpenAI’s recent valuation surge and sustained global interest underscore its potential and significance in the AI landscape.

Sainul,
Editor.

NEWS

Carro acquires Beyond Cars, bets big on Hong Kong’s strong EV growth
Carro will work towards expanding Beyond Cars’s network of partnerships and further developing ancillary services across insurtech, financing, and aftersales in Hong Kong.

Temasek, OpenAI in early-stage talks for funding
The talks come as Singapore looks to become an Asian AI powerhouse, having set aside roughly US$742M for investments in the sector; Should the deal materialise, Temasek would be the ChatGPT developer’s first state-backed investor.

NBA star Jeremy Lin joins Indonesian proptech firm Rukita’s US$15M round
The backers also include MPower Partners, BNI Ventures, and Openspace Ventures; Rukita claims to be EBITDA positive and doubling its supply growth y-o-y with 1.4M rooms under its ecosystem and unique users of over 3M per month.

AI-powered insurtech startup Sunday acquires KSK Insurance Indonesia
KSK Insurance offers car, property and cargo insurance through agents and brokers across several cities in Indonesia; Sunday uses AI and digital platforms to offer personalised insurance products and services.

TikTok begs users to tell Congress not to ban it
TikTok has been under scrutiny in the US for a while; The app is banned on government-issued phones in dozens of states; The platform has previously tapped its community to support its battles in Congress.

Ai Palette, a provider of real-time insights into consumer trends, raises US$5.8M
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Tokocrypto founder’s new AI-powered gifting startup Untukmu bags seed funding
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Sea’s Free Fire India relaunch in limbo six months on
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Thai EV startup Sleek raises funding from Krungsri Finnovate
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AI-driven food waste reduction startup Winnow raises funding for Asia expansion
ABC Impact is the investor; Winnow provides AI-enabled solutions, which are trained to recognise waste as it is thrown in the bin, whether during preparation or from a customer’s plate.

A sneak peek into the six edutech startups joining EduSpaze’s cohort 8
The six Southeast Asian edutech startups are Yaho Lab, Edvance, Quippy, School on Cloud, Safe Space, and Salatech; They will receive seed funding and mentorship from industry experts.

Studio 30 50 unveils maritime-tech startups joining its latest cohort
The cohort comprises two pre-revenue startups and eight pre-idea founders exploring solutions across crew training, safety, and engagement; predictive vessel maintenance; marine insurance; and circular economy in maritime operations.

Former McKinsey exec Marco Breu joins ThinkZone Ventures as venture partner
Breu previously founded The Mekong Business Challenge; He will accelerate the growth of ThinkZone’s Series A+ portfolio companies in terms of strategy consulting, fundraising, and partnership connections.

FEATURES

A deep-dive into Wavemaker Impact’s decarbonisation strategies in SEA
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Dolbomdream’s HUGgy vest provides a calming effect for those with developmental disabilities, aiming to improve access to mental healthcare.

Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever
Investing in women is not only morally imperative but also essential for driving economic growth and fostering social progress.

Inside MixCare Health’s expansion plan: Seizing a US$1B opportunity in Asia
In its expansion to SEA, MixCare Health wants to focus on Thailand and Singapore, followed by Malaysia and the Philippines.

Staple CEO: SEA countries can benefit from cross-border collaboration in AI governance
According to Benjamin Stein, sharing best practices, regulatory frameworks, and learnings can lead to a more cohesive approach to safe AI usage in the region.

Following triumph at global startup competition, RizqX aims to further promote its halal investments platform
RizqX focuses on empowering Muslims to make informed financial decisions following Shariah principles.

CONTRIBUTORY ARTICLES

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Beyond the money: How small angel cheque fuel startup success
Small angel cheques in startup fundraising showcase the dynamic interconnectedness of the investment ecosystem.

Grab’s new programme aims to bring more women drivers on board
As part of Grab’s Women Programme, we are rolling out tailored onboarding and training sessions, setting up women-only communities and testing a new safety feature.

Empowering enablers: How Athena Dynamics fosters innovation
Athena Dynamics’ strength lies in its people, who identify innovations, stress-test them rigorously, and seamlessly apply them in real-world scenarios.

2024 financial forecast: Growth strategies amidst uncertainty
Disruptive technologies are revolutionising how we live, work, and handle money, promising transformative shifts in the financial landscape.

What did we learn from failing to raise VC funding?
Securing funding from venture capitalists is not assured, with statistics indicating that less than one per cent of startups receive such funding.

Fintech’s hidden power: Women leading the charge for a more equitable future
Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Research also shows women are more likely to create social ventures rather than only economic ventures and pursue environmental ventures rather than economic-focused ventures.

AI will change the game of tech business in Vietnam by 2024. This is what you need to know about it
Often, businesses only realise the importance of digital infrastructure as they use new tech such as AI to increase productivity.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

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Most business successes rely on the ability to build a strategic partnership; At a pitching competition, you get to meet like-minded people who can add value to your business in some way.

How to use the psychology of gamification to grow e-commerce sales
Gamified smart promotions provide the perfect motivation for your potential customers by rewarding them for making purchases on your online store.

6 key things to consider while hiring an individual to handle tax for your startup
As a startup owner, you often tend to take tax filing lightly and do not give much attention to hiring a tax professional. However, you should make sure to hire an experienced tax preparer.

ECHELON NEWS

BRI Ventures CEO to share insights on chasing Indonesia’s next Unicorn
At Echelon X, BRI Ventures CEO Nicko Widjaja will be speaking to e27’s Anisa Menur Maulani on navigating Indonesia’s investment landscape.

X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

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