The robotics industry in Southeast Asia is experiencing notable growth, with projections indicating an increase from US$1.2 billion in 2025 to US$1.75 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.92 per cent. This expansion is driven by advancements in sectors such as automotive, electronics, and logistics, alongside supportive government policies and a focus on Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Singapore leads the region in robotics adoption, particularly in manufacturing and service industries, due to its robust research and development infrastructure and favourable investment climate. The city-state’s emphasis on automation has attracted significant investments, further solidifying its position as a regional hub for robotics innovation.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the deployment of robots across various applications, including healthcare, logistics, and public safety, highlighting the technology’s role in enhancing efficiency and reducing human contact. This period saw robots undertaking tasks such as medical supply delivery, disinfection, and monitoring public spaces.

Despite the positive trajectory, challenges persist, including high initial costs, the need for skilled labour, and cybersecurity concerns. Addressing these issues is crucial for sustaining growth and ensuring the successful integration of robotics across industries.

Also Read: The transformative potential of humanoid robots: A VC perspective

Overall, Southeast Asia’s robotics industry is poised for continued expansion, supported by technological advancements, government initiatives, and increasing recognition of automation’s benefits in enhancing productivity and operational efficiency.

We have compiled Southeast Asia’s 20 prominent robotic startups below:

MEGAROBO

A provider of robotic solutions for industrial laboratory automation. It leverages robotics and AI technologies to enhace productivity and productivity in various life sciences applications, including drug discovery and clinical diagnostics. It provides solutions for throughput drug screening, automated cell line development, and synthetic biology.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2016
Total investments raised: US$427 million
Investors: Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Pavilion Capital Partners, Starr Group, Redview Capital, Taihecap Capital, GGV Capital, Asia Investment Capital, Harvest Capital, Sinovation Ventures, Joy Capital, Chuangxin Innovation Works, Matrix Partners China, Future Capital, WuXi AppTec, Liandong U Valley, Bosch, Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Inno Angel Fund, PowerCloud Venture Capital, and Zhulu Capital.

Fourier Intelligence

The company provides rehabilitation robotics development and redefining services.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2015
Total investments raised: US$83 million
Investors: Prosperity7 Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund, Vision Plus Capital, Qianhai Ark Asset Management, Shenzhen Guozhong Venture Capital Management, Volcanics Venture, IDG Capital, and Prosperico Venture.

Rotimatic

Rotimatic develops a fully automatic flatbread-making robot. The robot comes with built-in artificial intelligence and IoT capabilities with a 32-bit microprocessor that harmoniously orchestrates 10 motors and 15 sensors. Users load the machine with the required ingredients and select the number of bread they wish to make, for it to prepare up to 20 loaves of bread in one go. It claims that the robot mirrors human judgment to adjust the proportion of flour and water in real time.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2008
Total investments raised: U$48.5 million
Investors: Credence Partners, EDBI, Openspace Ventures, Robert Bosch Venture Capital, SPRING Singapore, NUS Enterprise, Enterprise Singapore, ABCOM Investments, and Rikvin Ventures.

Biobot Surgical

It develops surgical automation devices. The products include a robotic transperineal biopsy device (rTPB), developed through a collaborative partnership that enables surgeons to extract prostate biopsy tissues through two small needle puncture incisions on the perineal skin.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2010
Total investments raised: US$17.9 million
Investors: ZIG Ventures.

LionsBot

LionsBot develops cleaning robots for commercial applications. It offers vacuuming and scrubbing. Its characteristics include the ability to convey its emotions through its eyes and voice. Some of the other features include obstacle avoidance, auto-docking capabilities, AI-enabled batteries, and multiple cleaning modes. It comes with soft bumpers, an emergency stop button, and clear lights and sounds to avoid collisions with people.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2018
Total investments raised: US$17 million
Investors: TransLink Capital, Supersteam, and Kyra Ventures.

Eureka Robotics

Eureka provides robotic arms and control software for multi-utility. It develops software and systems to automate jobs requiring both high accuracy and agility in a variety of sectors, including optics, electronics, telecom, electronics, automotive, and more. It offers application-providing features such as coating lenses, cleaning and inspecting lenses, shaft assembling, connector insertions, and more.

Also Read: Navigating challenges and opportunities in the Malaysian robotics industry

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2018
Total investments raised: US$14,750,000.
Investors: B Capital, Airbus Ventures, Maruka Machinery, G. K. Goh Holdings, UTEC, ATEQ, and Touchstone.

EndoMaster

EndoMaster is involved in developing a robotic-assisted surgical system for endoscopic surgeries (minimally invasive surgery). The company claims that the system will enable surgeons to perform incision-less surgery. EndoMaster has tested its prototypes in first-in-man trials and showed positive results. The system can be used for the removal of gastrointestinal tumors endoscopically.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2011
Total investments raised: US$14.6 million
Investors: Chuang Capital, HOYA, NTUitive, Nanyang Technological University, and SysteMED.

SESTO Robotics

SESTO develops AGVs for warehouses. Its features include payload transfer in warehouses and factories, onboard LIDARs for localization, navigation, and obstacle detection, job tasking and routing, as well as multi-purpose adaptability. It also provides disinfection robots for the healthcare sector. It caters to manufacturing, commercial, warehousing, and healthcare facilities.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2017
Total investments raised: US$10 million
Investors: Trive Capital, WTI, Singtel Innov8, Heliconia Capital Management, SEEDS Capital, TRIVE, Temasek, and Great Noble International.

NDR Medical Technology

It provides an AI-enabled robotic-based device for image-guided procedures. The company offers Automated Needle Targeting (ANT) system that facilitates accurate and precise needle punctures in the minimally invasive image-guided procedures for lung, liver, kidney, spine, etc.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2014
Total investments raised: US$5.8 million
Investors: K-Startup Grand Challenge, SGInnovate, NTUitive, MedTech Innovator, and JLABS.

Botsync

Botsync provides robotic solutions for material movement in the logistics industry. Products include material mover and ground mobile robot platform. The material mover features include lift racks or pallets through the lifter module to move it across the facility, it has a lock and pulls option to drag the item from one point to another with automatic lock & unlock, it can move based on size using a free and open module and it also comes with custom-designed rack based on the type & size of the material.

Also Read: Botsync closes US$5.2M Series A financing to further develop autonomous mobile robots

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2017
Total investments raised: US$5.2 million
Institutional investors: Capital 2B, Betatron Venture Group, IvyCap Ventures, AppWorks,
Iterative, ZB Capital, Ascend Angels, Wong Fong, Seeds Capital, AngelHub, Artesian, Venture Catalysts, Locus Ventures, Brinc, Nanyang Technological University, RISE,
Kharis Capital, SAP.iO, CoE-IoT, K3 Ventures, WFVEN, Ntuitive, Ecolabs, CapFort Ventures, and SEEDS Capital.

Augmentus

Augmentus is an online platform offering no-code robot programming. It provides a no-code computer vision and robot motion planning, enabling the programming of industrial robots. The platform is hardware-independent and provides end-to-end integration.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2019
Total investments raised: US$5 million
Investors: Sierra Ventures, Cocoon Capital, StartupX, and GROW.

DF Automation and Robotics

It manufactures and maintains automatic guided vehicles. The AGVs can be magnetic strip guided or programmed to follow a particular path. Apart from the AGVs, they also develop and market universal robots and autonomous mobile robots.

Headquarters: Malaysia.
Established in: 2012
Total investments raised: US$3.7 million
Investors: Vynn Capital, MTDC, Leave a Nest Capital, pitchIN, Cradle, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Crown Digital

Crown Digital manufactures automatic coffee-making robots. Its system takes customer orders using an app and provides real-time notification when the coffee is ready.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2015
Total investments raised: US$3.7 million
Investors: Momentum, ParticleX, Leave a Nest, Glocal Link, East Japan Railway Company,
Heliconia Capital Management, SEABD, and Momentum Ventures.

Quantum Intelligence

Quantum Intelligence is a manufacturer of inspection robots. It specialises in automation applications in mining, smelting, and other scenarios and has developed special operation robots.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2016
Total investments raised: US$2.1 million
Investor: Tianying Capital

BeeX

It develops unmanned underwater vehicles and surface vessels. Its features include hover, robotic, and autonomous marine capabilities for underwater inspections. The company integrates with a software platform so that owners and service providers can collaborate on inspections.

Also Read: BeeX scores US$2M to accelerate autonomous inspection of offshore wind farms

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2018
Total investments raised: US$2 million
Investors: SEEDS Capital, Earth Venture Capital, ShipsFocus, Nus Technology Holdings,
Infinita, ema.gov.sg, Cap Vista, Quest Ventures, IMC Ventures, National University of Singapore, PIER71, and Origgin.

Movel AI

It develops a computer vision system for robots. The company intends to employ camera-based computer vision instead of Lidar. It is working on software that will be able to make sense of the image and identify objects and pathways from it. It caters to the construction, healthcare, and commercial industries.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2016
Total investments raised: US$1.51 million
Investors: 500 Global, Avi-Tech Electronics, Seeds Capital, SGInnovate, Entrepreneur First, SparkLabs Global Ventures, PT Prasetia Dwidharma, Antares Capital, Founders Capital, 500 Durians, and August One.

CtrlWorks

CtrlWorks has developed and deployed a cloud-based navigation infrastructure and add-on kit that helps reduce robot size and weight. The company’s flagship product, Axon, is an autonomous guidance system that can be integrated into existing platforms via its CloudNav system.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2011
Total investments raised: US$1.4 million
Investors: Wavemaker Partners, National Research Foundation, Qualcomm, Techstars, NTUitive, and Blue InCube.

AITREAT

AITREAT designs and manufactures assistive robots for doctors and surgeons to aid them during clinical processes. The flagship product is a robotic arm called TCM2R which is a messaging robot. The robot can be pre-programmed with the reference points on the patient’s body and pressure to be maintained. The robot also monitors the patient’s stress and endurance levels to ensure a bearable and therapeutic experience.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2015
Total investments raised: US$1 million
Investors: Brain Robotics Capital, NTUitive, Bowery Residents Committee, Tasly, Mega-Tech, AIRX, and Blue InCube.

JAZRO

It provides an online platform offering coding courses.
Headquarters: Malaysia
Established in: 2019
Total investments raised: US$280,000
Investor: Gobi Partners.

Maitian.ai

Maitian.ai provides smart vending machines for fully autonomous retail stores. It offers an AI-based self-service smart cashier solution that helps retail owners convert their stores into self-functioning, unmanned retail stores. Its computer vision-enabled technology solution has features like automated payments, marketing tools, shopping path analysis, customer purchasing behaviour analysis, and others.

Headquarters: Singapore
Established in: 2018
Total investments raised: US$125,000
Investors: Y Combinator and TRIVE.

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Image Credit: Pexels.

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It’s an exciting year for telecommunication services (telco) industry. Global data usage is on a steep climb, set to triple by 2027, with billions of dollars invested in network upgrades. At the same time, competition is heating up, with everyone from tech startups to retail giants jumping into wireless services.

Customers, too, are demanding quick, top-notch service and better experiences. The convergence of these factors has pushed traditional telcos to embrace digitisation and automation to reimagine growth, efficiency, and service quality.

What are telcos hoping to achieve from digital transformation?

A study by Forrester Consulting commissioned by EdgeVerve found that telcos are striving for operational efficiency and connectivity and exploring new technology operating models, prioritising speed and responsiveness. Their digital transformation agendas are characterised by a clear focus on enhancing customer experience (CX) through operational improvements, data-driven insights, and AI and other emerging technology integration.

Telcos are depending on digital transformation to:

• Amplify operational strengths: Improve IT security and privacy, IT operating model performance, and efficient query resolution.
• Become an insights-driven business: Unlock the potential of data and enhance intelligence and automation across IT and business processes.
• Breakdown silos and build seamless connectivity: Connect strategic data and network silos, establish peer-to-peer networks and partner integrations, harness emerging technologies holistically rather than in isolated pockets, and drive business and IT synergies.
• Achieve greater operational visibility and efficiency: Merge human insight with AI’s analytical prowess to drive straight-through processing and enhance customer experience (CX), operational efficiency, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.

What happens when telcos embrace digital at scale?

Telcos that are leading the digital charter are witnessing immense gains. Take the case of world’s leading telecom service provider whose contract enforcement teams were overwhelmed with a large volume of tower rental contracts. Heavy dependence on manual review of these contracts affected visibility, efficiency, and accuracy.

They automated the contract review process to identify, extract, and manage data from over 700,000+ contracts. The new platform processed contracts from upstream repositories- building a structured contract summary and enabling teams to exchange important information.

Also Read: How efficient communication drives positive relationships in product development

The platform also assessed risk and flagged high-risk contracts, which augmented negotiation teams’ capability to make decisions that were favourable to the business. This helped the telco optimise rent and utilisation and minimise risk, saving them US$21 million while improving productivity by 60 per cent.

To the discerning leader, the gains from digital transformation success are obvious. However, despite their strong focus and informed intentions, many telecommunications services firms are struggling to drive strategic change with their digital transformation initiatives.

Forrester found that even after pouring over US$100 million annually into digital transformation, a staggering 86 per cent of telco firms struggle to cross the chasm between investment and impactful business outcomes. Few survey respondents could attribute their organisations’ transformation initiatives to any business value. Instead, they resulted in reduced productivity, efficiency, and customer outcomes.

What is holding back digital ROI in telecom?

While the intention to digitise and automate is clear, the execution often falls short. These initiatives often involve complex, long-term projects with a high risk of failure, particularly in today’s volatile market.

Most companies are unsure of where to start their digital journey. The lack of a cohesive digital experience (DX) framework only compounds the problem, making the already challenging issues of siloed operations and fragmented data and networks even more pronounced. Even coveted technologies like AI are unable to scale due to technology immaturity, security concerns, and user trust issues.

These challenges are only widening the divide between digital transformation leaders and laggards in the telco industry. Almost three-quarters of telco organisations are currently in the beginner or intermediate stage of connectivity. Most of these lack concrete execution plans or struggle with the high total cost of ownership and siloed organisational structures that stifle innovation and efficiency.

How can they overcome these challenges and achieve digital success?

Key Recommendations for digital success to optimise their digital processes toward effective outcomes telcos need to:

• Build connectivity that drives a customer-centric tech strategy. Strategically align business and IT stakeholders on transformation priorities from the early stages. Ensure tools, systems, and metrics come together to build a connected enterprise.
• Prioritise AI and automation capabilities that remain accountable to employee outcomes. Focus on AI and optimise automation tools and processes to drive more self-service at scale. This focus augments human potential and impacts employee productivity, and, ultimately, CX.
• Embrace emerging technologies with clearly defined use cases. Define a set of use cases and map capabilities and outcomes to devise a clear strategy to prioritise the right emerging tech capabilities for business success.
• Optimise partner ecosystems to drive accountability and efficiency while co-creating new approaches. Navigate the complexity of partner ecosystems with platforms that enable visibility and accountability- priming them for scale without hindering success.
• Leverage a platform strategy that enables you to capture value through efficiencies, insights, and growth. Adopt a platform-based approach that builds the visibility required across internal and external ecosystems, drives the automation agenda to build efficiency, and provides insights for accountable decision-making.

Also Read: Connecting clouds in SEA: How to ensure interoperability in the hybrid and multi-cloud context

The platform-centric approach: A gateway to digital success

A platform-centric approach is emerging as a key enabler for enhancing operational resilience, addressing modernisation and efficiency challenges, and gaining a competitive edge. This strategy connects business, IT, and partner ecosystems, ensuring seamless interaction across systems, data, and processes.

A platform model also gives unparalleled flexibility to telcos by shifting development decisions from traditional build approaches to buy-to-customise or compose models. It enables organisations to minimise technical debt by easily replacing underutilised or expensive modular components.

For telcos looking to future-proof their business, a platform-based approach is key to laying the foundation for a digital ecosystem that not only streamlines integration and automation but also fosters intelligence across processes.

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Skor Technologies, the fintech firm behind Skorlife and the newly launched Skorcard credit card, has raised US$6.2 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Argor Capital.

The round involved both existing investors, such as QED Investors and Saison Capital, and new investors, such as Digital Currency Group.

This latest injection of capital brings Skor’s total funding to over US$12 million. The new round will help the business scale while growing the team with key talent across the organisation. Skor has set clear sights for 2025, with a target of crossing US$100 million in transaction volume.

The company aims to address the underpenetrated Indonesian consumer credit market. Credit card usage in the archipelago remains low, below 3 per cent, compared to regional peers like Thailand (8 per cent) and Malaysia (20 per cent).

A 2022 national survey indicated that less than half of Indonesians understand their finances well. Skor aims to bridge this gap, offering both a digital-first credit card and a credit education platform.

Also Read: Ex-Stripe Indonesia Head’s credit-tech startup SkorLife US$2.2M pre-seed capital

Skor’s journey began with its credit-education product, Skorlife, which launched in May 2023 with a US$4 million seed round led by Hummingbird Ventures.

In March 2024, Skor expanded into credit cards with Skorcard, in partnership with Bank Mayapada International. Skorcard is designed as a digital-first product, with a purpose-built mobile app that uses “gamification” to engage users. The card leverages data in unique ways to assist and engage users.

Skorcard has already surpassed US$10 million in annualised spending volume in its first year. Skorlife, the credit-education platform, has achieved over 2 million downloads.

Ongki Kurniawan, co-founder and CEO of Skor, notes that Indonesia is a supply-constrained market for credit products, and the timing is right to solve this growing consumer need. He believes there is potential to build a 2 million card base customer, and they are highly motivated to achieve this goal with their bank partners. The partnership between Skorcard and Bank Mayapada International is intended to be mutually beneficial, with the bank expanding its BaaS platform for growth.

Skor’s leadership team combines domain expertise, market understanding, and strong financial service networks.

The company recently strengthened its team with the additions of Kush Srivastava, Kirill Odinstov, and Surendra Singh.

In 2022, Skor raised US$2.2 million in pre-seed funding round from a group of investors, including AC Ventures, Saison Capital, OneCard founders, Advance.ai’s Jefferson Chan, and KoinWorks’s Will Arifin.

The post Skor scores US$6.2M funding to tackle Indonesia’s credit market appeared first on e27.

iMyanmarMarket, a new consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace, has launched in Myanmar. The platform is the brainchild of the team behind iMyanmarHouse, a leading property portal, and CarsDB, a car portal it acquired in 2023.

iMyanmarMarket’s emergence comes after the late 2022 exit of OneKyat, a C2C e-commerce platform previously owned by Carousell.

Also Read: From real estate to automotives: How iMyanmarHouse is expanding through strategic acquisitions

According to Nay Min Thu, Group CEO of iMyanmarHouse and CarsDB, this exit left a significant gap in the market for a reliable and trusted C2C platform. The new marketplace has seen thousands of users and listings within just two months of its soft launch, he said.

Building on this initial success, iMyanmarMarket is now looking to expand into the business-to-consumer (B2C) sector. The company plans to partner with major mobile phone, electronics and consumer brands to reach Myanmar’s growing online market.

This expansion will include the sale of brand-new handsets, supported by a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service. This innovative approach aims to make high-quality products more accessible to a broader customer base.

To facilitate this, iMyanmarMarket has strategically partnered with AYA Bank, one of the country’s largest banks, to integrate AYA Pay into its mobile apps. This partnership will enable mobile payment services and implement the BNPL service, which is expected to enhance the overall shopping experience.

Also Read: Exclusive: Proptech company iMyanmarHouse acquires used cars listing portal CarsDB

iMyanmarMarket is leveraging its expertise from iMyanmarHouse and CarsDB to reshape how Myanmar shops, sells and connects online. “We are thrilled by the rapid adoption of iMyanmarMarket and the overwhelming positive feedback from our users,” added Nay Min Thu. “As we expand into B2C e-commerce, we remain committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, ensuring our platform meets the evolving needs of Myanmar’s consumers.”

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Dear reader,

The Southeast Asian fintech sector’s funding decline in 2024 marks a pivotal moment in the region’s post-pandemic economic narrative. With investments dropping to US$1.6 billion—returning to pre-pandemic levels—the sector reflects the broader impact of global macroeconomic headwinds, rising interest rates, and geopolitical instability.

However, the challenges have not dampened its innovative spirit.

While late-stage and early-stage funding bore the brunt of the downturn, certain segments demonstrated exceptional resilience. Payments technology, with its 53 per cent growth to US$366 million, highlights the region’s ongoing digital transformation.

Similarly, cryptocurrency and banking tech saw notable funding surges, emphasising investor confidence in these areas despite broader sectoral setbacks.

Singapore’s dominance in fintech funding, raising US$955 million, reiterates its position as a regional hub. Jakarta and Bangkok, while trailing, showcase emerging growth potential, supported by active investors like East Ventures and 500 Global.

The absence of IPOs in 2024 and the limited number of new Unicorns suggest a cautious investment environment. Yet, the sector’s fundamentals remain strong, driven by a youthful, tech-savvy population and government-led financial inclusion initiatives.

As fintech continues to adapt and innovate, its enduring potential to reshape SEA’s financial landscape is clear, promising a dynamic recovery and long-term growth trajectory.

Sainul,
Editor.

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NEWS & VIEWS

SEA fintech sector faces 23% funding drop in 2024; payments and crypto shine
The decline is attributed to macroeconomic headwinds, rising interest rates and geopolitical tensions | The sector saw 27 acquisitions, a slight uptick from 26 in 2023.

Mirxes raises US$40M to expand early cancer detection solution into SEA, Japan, China
R-Bridge Healthcare Fund is the investor | Mirxes creates a blood-based multi-cancer early detection test to alleviate cancer burden, save lives and reduce healthcare costs.

Lewis Ng replaces Hari V. Krishnan as PropertyGuru CEO
Krishnan, who played a key role in transforming PropertyGuru into a market leader, will play the role of Senior Advisor to the Board | The new CEO Ng has experience in leadership positions at big brands such as Apple, TripAdvisor, and Carousell.

Indonesian AI character generator Bythen nets US$5M seed
The investors include Vector Inc., Skystar Capital, East Ventures, Beenext, Osk, and AppWorks | Bythen allows users to create personalized digital characters called “Bytes.”

Vietnam’s Kyna English raises Series B to enhance AI-powered edutech platform
The investors include Asia Business Builders and DTP Education Group | This financial injection will allow Kyna English to extend its reach beyond Vietnam, into markets such as Thailand, Indonesia and Laos.

Vingroup to launch robotics research firm
VinMotion will be 51% owned by Vingroup and will have a charter capital of US$39M | The company aims to specialise in researching and developing multifunctional robots.

Meta disbands global DEI team amid policy shifts
Meta is no longer factoring diversity into hiring, training, or supplier selection and has ended US fact-checking policies while relaxing content moderation.

Saudi government launches accelerator for 32 startups
The 10-month program offers mentorship, consulting services, co-working spaces, and opportunities for international exposure | Participants will receive 192 hours of expert guidance and travel abroad twice to understand global market trends.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

Bobobox aims to expand to 12 new locations in Indonesia with Bank Mandiri partnership
The growing trend of business and leisure travel, especially among remote workers, has created a need for accommodations supporting work and relaxation, says Indra Gunawan, co-founder and CEO of the capsule hotel network.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Zero-Error Systems: Safeguarding space travel from satellite collisions and debris
Zero-Error Systems’s radiation-hardened solution safeguards commercial off-the-shelf semiconductor devices, which are not designed to withstand the harsh conditions in outer space.

Revolutionising retail: A blueprint for future success
The speed of change in the retail landscape is not slowing down anytime soon, but the technology available to retailers is also quickly advancing.

Is there a future for Buy Now Pay Later?
Rather than waning popularity, the loss of Pace and ShopBack highlights one of the key challenges faced by BNPL providers: the capital-intensive nature of the business model and the imperative of achieving scale for profitability.

Building future sustainable business: The role of rural commerce platforms
Rural commerce platforms have emerged as transformative tools, unlocking the potential of rural economies and empowering local entrepreneurs in the process.

Why Soul Ventures’s Warren Hui looks for founders with a vision “so big it seems impossible”
With extensive ties throughout Asia and the US, Soul Ventures has been instrumental in helping companies in both regions grow and expand internationally, especially in the AI space.

Can Singapore unlock Gen Z’s spending power with unified commerce?
Singapore’s retail sector can be revitalised by adopting unified commerce, capitalising on Gen Z’s significant global spending power.

Cultivating loyalty in live commerce: A lesson in progressive ownership
The best way to target niches within a crowded e-commerce landscape: theme-based live streaming | Uncover the potential of Mela’s progressive ownership model to cultivate user loyalty.

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.

From idea to reality: Why an MVP is essential before full-scale development
An MVP helps identify opportunities and challenges, minimise risks, and ensure the final product meets your audience’s needs and preferences.

Unleashing the power: The fierce talent battle in deeptech innovations
The rise of these inspiring deeptech entrepreneurs and the ecosystem around them is one of the more exciting business developments of our time.

Are brands ready for the future of loyalty?
As customers increasingly seek to feel valued and connected with brands, businesses must prioritise listening, visibility, and recognition to earn and maintain loyalty.

Small country and market? Punch heavier with an ecosystem strategy
Exploring LEGO’s enduring success through ecosystem strategy and its parallels with ARM’s semiconductor dominance.

Charting the roadmap for the era of pervasive AI
Leaders need to grasp the current AI landscape, its key technologies, opportunities, and how organisations can advance AI technology.

MADCash develops a ‘unique’ approach to micro-funding to empower woman entrepreneurs
MADCash combines zero per cent micro-funding with entrepreneurship development for the women entrepreneurs that it serves.

Securing tomorrow’s metaverse today: Why safety in the new frontier must leverage on hardware
As the metaverse continues to evolve and draw nearer to reality, securing data within this virtual landscape becomes increasingly vital.

How to scale voluntary carbon markets with DeFi and Web3
DeFi and Web3 protocols are the way forward to create a secure, liquid and scalable decentralised carbon markets infrastructure.

The role of corporate pathfinders and activators in deep tech
Deep tech startups experience a very different evolution cycle than a traditional B2B company, let alone a B2C company.

Is ChatGPT taking over financial management?
Will the emergence of ChatGPT’s advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities replace the need for human expertise?

How Web3 will revolutionise borderless banking in Southeast Asia
The evolution of Web3 marks the beginning of a financial revolution across Southeast Asia, and its potential is boundless.

Rethinking wastewater treatment to support Singapore’s ambitious water goals
One area with immense potential for enhancing water self-sufficiency lies in improving industrial wastewater treatment.

A new era of automation: Establishing best practices for intelligent automation and generative AI
Done right, generative AI can support an automation strategy that is even more innovative, cost-effective, and productive.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Singapore aims to lead in AI — but where’s the talent?
AI talent remains largely immobile, and Singapore faces additional challenges due to its limited domestic talent pool as a city-state.

Elevating your e-commerce strategies with livestreaming and hero products
With the opportunities available today, brands have a unique advantage to propel their sales to new peaks of success previously uncharted.

The future of digital payments and cross-border transactions
In a global economy, businesses entering new markets need flexible digital payment solutions for local and international users.

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Bythen, an online platform that enables users to create and use personalised digital characters, has announced a US$5 million seed funding round.

Vector Inc. (Japan) and Skystar Capital led the round, which also included East Ventures, BEENEXT, OSK, and AppWorks, as well as angel investors William Tanuwijaya and Ryan Lee.

The funding will be used to support a global launch and Bythen aims to onboard 15,000 virtual influencers from diverse sectors including Web3 and gaming. The company also plans to launch original IP collections and collaborate with international IP owners. Vector has committed to assisting Bythen in acquiring high-value content and establishing strategic partnerships.

Also Read: Blockchain not a magic wand to solve everything that’s wrong with the digital world: Sankalp Shangari of Lala World

Founded in 2024, Bythen aims to democratise the virtual influencer space, allowing anyone to create their own AI-powered “Bytes”. These digital twins can be used to generate content, livestream, and engage with audiences across various social media platforms, thus providing users with new avenues to build an online presence and monetise their influence.

The startup operates on a revenue-sharing model, ensuring that creators benefit directly from their digital work. The platform provides users with tools to create content and video replies autonomously, which can be used across multiple platforms. Bytes can also be used for video calls on Zoom or Google Meet and for live streams on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

The founding team behind Bythen has a history of collaboration, having previously co-founded Magnivate and Bridestory. The team consists of Kevin Mintaraga, Erick Saputra, Ferry Dianto, and Nathalia Isadora, along with William Nagata.

The firm’s launch is motivated by the shifting preferences of younger users towards pseudonymous social media personas, prioritising privacy, freedom of expression and the ability to shape digital identities independent of physical attributes. This trend is occurring alongside a booming global creator economy, valued at US$325 billion, with over 200 million content creators, an area Bythen aims to reshape.

Also Read: The future is virtual: Inside 17LIVE’s plans for avatars and immersive experiences

“Bythen is all about amplifying creators’ potential,” stated Kevin Mintaraga, co-founder of Bythen. “By providing an accessible platform and revenue-sharing model, we’re cultivating an environment where anyone can thrive as a virtual creator.”

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The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), a prominent university-led startup challenge in Asia, has announced the opening of applications for its 12th edition.

The biennial competition, organised by Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE), is focused on Urban Solutions and Sustainability, inviting young founders globally to develop cutting-edge solutions for future cities.

This year’s LKYGBPC is enhancing its support for participants by connecting finalists with Southeast Asia’s leading business families, as well as offering exclusive access to senior venture capitalists at the region’s largest Venture Capital Office Hours.

Also Read: German startups MEDEA Biopharma, PlasticFri win LKYGBPC competition

The competition also welcomes the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) as its first official Scientific Knowledge Partner, to evaluate applications for scientific excellence and mentor startups. ASTAR will collaborate with teams to transform their ideas into real-world solutions.

The competition has grown significantly since its inception in 2002, attracting over 1,000 entries from 1,100 universities across 77 countries in its 11th edition. LKYGBPC alumni have raised US$1 billion in the past five years, with some startups expanding into Singapore.

SMU’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, Professor Lim Sun Sun, stated that this edition will focus on urban solutions and sustainability. She added that the competition’s global reach will enable them to drive positive change for a better future.

The competition is popular among founders because of its increasing prize pool, which is over S$1 million (US$730,000), its global exposure platform, and access to international industry leaders.

Fifty finalist teams will be flown to Singapore for BLAZE, a week-long innovation festival that culminates in the LKYGBPC Grand Finale from 29 September to 2 October 2025. BLAZE will also include innovation showcases and networking opportunities and will coincide with the Singapore Grand Prix night race, creating an extraordinary platform for startup founders.

Key events during BLAZE include:

Southeast Asia’s Largest VC Office Hours

• Networking with Southeast Asia’s Business Families
• Grand Finals, featuring live pitches
• Fireside Chats & Changemaker Conversations
• Mixer Night

Participants can enter individually or as a team in one of two categories:

• 0 to 1: For pre-revenue teams
• 1 to Infinity: For revenue-generating early-stage start-ups.

The winners will share a prize pool supported by partners including Kajima, Lee & Lee law firm, TRIREC and Wavemaker.

In the 11th edition, held in 2023, MEDEA Biopharma from the Technical University of Munich (Germany) and PlasticFri from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) were declared Grand Final winners.

Applications are now open and can be submitted here.

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The pressing need for credible and efficient carbon abatement solutions has led to the birth of Qatalyst, a due diligence platform aimed at transforming the carbon finance market. This initiative, developed collaboratively by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s fintech and innovation arm, and ENGIE Factory, the startup studio of French utility multinational ENGIE Group, promises to streamline investment processes in support of global climate goals.

Qatalyst’s platform was incubated and developed in collaboration with carbon teams from both ENGIE and Standard Chartered. The goal is to simplify and expedite the identification, due diligence, and oversight of carbon abatement projects, thereby addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the sector.

As Poyan Rajamand, Venture Lead at SC Ventures, explains, “Financiers currently face extensive due diligence requirements to ensure projects deliver the promised carbon impact. Qatalyst brings credibility to this market, enhancing funding opportunities.”

The platform leverages advanced technology, including AI-enabled tools, to provide investors with greater confidence in project outcomes. By integrating requirements from external registries, internal compliance needs, and evolving regulations, Qatalyst seeks to address the credibility gap that has long plagued the carbon finance market.

Addressing key pain points

Carbon abatement projects often suffer from fragmented workflows, prolonged documentation processes, and challenges in aligning with regulatory changes.

Also Read: Urban solutions, sustainability take centre stage at SMU’s LKYGBPC startup challenge in 2025

Rajamand notes, “A misconception exists that generating carbon credits from nature-based solutions simply requires allowing nature to grow. In reality, significant funding is needed to kickstart these projects.”

Qatalyst tackles these pain points by providing a streamlined digital environment where financiers and project developers can efficiently exchange information and make informed decisions.

This efficiency has already been demonstrated during the platform’s development phase, where it enabled ENGIE and Standard Chartered to conduct evaluations in a fraction of the usual time. Such time savings open doors for financiers to consider smaller or unconventional projects previously deemed unfeasible due to resource constraints.

Rajamand highlights, “As more financiers join, projects seeking funding will increasingly turn to Qatalyst, creating a virtuous cycle.”

A growing market for carbon offsets

The global carbon market is poised for substantial growth as awareness of climate challenges intensifies. Developing nations have significantly increased funding commitments to carbon projects, with figures tripling to US$300 billion.

Despite these positive signals, Rajamand acknowledges that challenges remain: “The road ahead will be bumpy, but the signs point to a bright future for carbon markets.”

Also Read: Need of the hour: How agritech platforms can protect farmers from climate change

The urgency to achieve 2030 climate targets is another driving factor. As the deadline approaches, reliance on carbon credits and offsets is expected to grow. “Reducing carbon footprints will become increasingly challenging, making offsets a critical component of the transition,” Rajamand explains.

Qatalyst’s inception and development underline the importance of collaboration in addressing complex global challenges.

Rajamand also highlights the role of digital strategies in scaling the platform’s impact. As legislative and market awareness around carbon credits grows, Qatalyst is positioned to attract stakeholders through both traditional networks and digital outreach.

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Image Credit: Qatalyst

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In the shadow of a global slowdown and uncertainty, where discussions of a VC winter persist, Southeast Asian startups are defying these economic headwinds. Forbes’s bold prediction of a trillion-dollar valuation by 2025 – nearly tripling the region’s tech worth from 2020 – begs the question: what is driving the region’s success?

The answer isn’t found in Silicon Valley playbooks or traditional economic models. Southeast Asia’s startup success is a nuanced symphony of unique drivers that defy conventional wisdom. At the heart of this innovation ecosystem lies an unprecedented confluence of factors: a young, digitally native population, rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, supportive government policies, and a crucible of cultural diversity that turns potential fragmentation into a competitive advantage.

From the bustling tech hub of Singapore to the emerging startup scenes in Jakarta, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City, the region demonstrates how difference can be a source of strength, not division. Unlike monolithic tech environments, this region thrives on its complexity.

Yet, the very complexity that fuels innovation can also erect formidable barriers, especially for fledging startups seeking to expand and scale their businesses across national borders. Language differences, varied communication styles, and distinct work practices can create substantial barriers to seamless collaboration.

Fortunately, technology emerges as a great equaliser, transforming potential obstacles into highways of collaboration and innovation.

Bridging cultural gaps for seamless collaboration

According to a Forbes Insights survey, two-thirds of executives reported that language barriers between managers and workers in diverse workplaces have led to inefficiencies. This issue extends beyond logistical difficulties; it poses a serious threat to innovation. Consider the cautionary case of Dolce & Gabbana and its ill-fated “DG Loves China” campaign. The root of such failures isn’t just linguistic difference, but a fundamental lack of nuanced, cross-cultural communication.

It’s in situations like these that technology can provide practical solutions to language and cultural barriers. No science fiction reminiscent of Star Trek’s universal translator required, just smart, accessible tools. Such translation tools do more than convert words; they have the potential to decode cultural contexts, bridge understanding, and transform potential miscommunication into collaborative insight. With this simple feature, teams can communicate without hesitation or misunderstanding, transforming what could be a cumbersome exchange into fluid dialogue.

Also Read: Building bridges to close gaps in cross-border payment

Imagine a startup team spanning multiple Southeast Asian countries. A marketing strategist in Bangkok can now share a creative concept in Thai, have it accurately and instantly translated to receive nuanced feedback from a Bahasa-speaking colleague in Jakarta. No more lost-in-translation moments. Just pure unfiltered collaboration, free from language hindrances. In Southeast Asia’s vibrant startup ecosystem, such technologies are more than conveniences – they are strategic infrastructure.

An intentional mobile-first strategy

For Southeast Asian startups, productivity and efficiency is not just a work ethic – it is an intricate part of the cultural DNA of the region. Picture a startup founder who transforms a casual Kopitiam meeting into multimillion dollar opportunity. Meanwhile, a software engineer from the same startup, balances her coding sprint with picking up her children from school, embodying a workplace philosophy that defies conventional workplace boundaries.

A 2022 study reveals the heartbeat of the region’s fluid workplace ecosystem: eight out of ten professionals reported increased productivity through mobile technology, with over two-thirds highlighting enhanced connectivity as their secret weapon.

The days of rigid hierarchies and fixed working hours are behind us. But with great technology and connectivity comes great responsibility – the same technologies that enable this dynamic work culture, must also provide intelligent guardrails. For a team that spans multiple time zones from Singapore to India, the challenge isn’t just connectivity but creating sustainable work rhythms.

So, while the hustle remains a fundamental expression of the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, technology must help work evolve to a more conscious system that prioritises both innovation and individual well-being. There is a need for a more fluid, dynamic ecosystem where work is less about physical space and more about continuous innovation and unbounded potential.

Intelligent notification systems, focused work modes, and clear communication boundaries are as important as project momentum. Advanced platforms now offer not just connectivity, but mindful connectivity. Features that enhance collaboration by nudging team members to review documents, alerting them on project status, and encouraging natural interactions. What may seem like a minor feature such as a chat interface or expressive emojis, actually play a crucial role in spreading micropositivity, transforming digital interactions from mere transactional exchanges to more human, nuanced communications that subtly boost team morale and engagement.

Fostering an agile and innovative roadmap

As entrepreneurs embark on their journey, they often dive headfirst into the immediate demands of their business, grabbing readily available tools that promise quick solutions. However, as they experience success and begin to scale, their teams may inadvertently develop fragmented workflows, juggling various applications – each one addressing a specific need but collectively creating a chaotic digital landscape.

Also Read: Scaling beyond borders: ASEAN GenAI startups and their global expansion strategies

What initially appears to be minor inconvenience, can quickly escalate into a productivity bottleneck, particularly, when startup teams are spread across multiple countries. The entanglement in tool sprawl can lead to inefficiencies and communication breakdowns, making it challenging to navigate the patchwork of platforms.

In fact, according to a Harvard Business Review study, an average employee toggles between different apps and websites nearly 1,200 times each day. This constant switching results in almost four hours a week spent reorienting themselves after each transition. Over the course of a year, this adds up to five working weeks, equivalent to nine per cent of their annual time at work, lost to inefficiency.

There is also the deeper issue of siloed information, a critical challenge that chokes off the smooth information flow across organisations. These information silos create barriers that impede communication from decision-makers to action-takers, effectively fragmenting organisational knowledge and undermining collaborative potential. According to a McKinsey report, employees spend nearly nine hours each week searching for information across various applications. This inefficiency stems from siloed tools that hinder organisational productivity and slow down workflows.

In the fast-paced environments of Southeast Asia, the ability to pivot swiftly is crucial. Yet, tool sprawl can hinder this agility by tying teams down with cumbersome processes and inefficient workflows. This is where a strategic approach to technology becomes essential. By implementing all-in-one tools that align to the region’s diverse work cultures, startups can streamline their operations while maintaining the robust capabilities needed for resource-intensive tasks.

Consolidating essential functions, such as video conferencing, task management, and extensive data analytics, into a single platform, startups can eliminate the inefficiencies associated with the toggle tax, the silent productivity killer. This approach not only reduces costs but also delivers the agility needed for fast-growing startups, where business goals and objectives can shift overnight. Embracing a cohesive workflow from the outset empowers teams to work more effectively and adapt quickly to changing demands.

The journey of Southeast Asian startups represents more than a regional success story – it offers a blueprint for global technological collaboration. By turning complexity into competitive advantage, entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of innovation. These startups show that technological solutions are most powerful when they transcend mere functionality, becoming platforms for genuine understanding, collaboration, and shared growth. The Digital Silk Road they are constructing is not just about connecting markets, but about connecting people – breaking down barriers, celebrating differences, and unlocking collective potential.

For entrepreneurs worldwide, the message is clear: innovation thrives not in isolation, but in collaboration. The future belongs to those who can navigate complexity with empathy, leverage technology with wisdom, and view diversity and cross-border operations not as a challenge, but as the most potent source of creativity and progress.

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Mirxes, an RNA technology firm headquartered in Singapore, has raised US$40 million in structured financing from R-Bridge Healthcare Fund, which is owned by CBC Group, according to reports.

The funding will fuel global expansion, primarily in high-growth Asian markets, including Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.

Also Read: ‘We aim to make early cancer detection accessible on a global scale’: Mirxes CEO

The latest injection comes about a year and a half after Mirxes secured US$50 million from existing and new investors, Beijing Fupu, EDBI, Mitsui & Co., NHH Venture Fund, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Established in June 2014 as a spin-off from A*STAR, Mirxes was conceptualised and developed by co-founders Dr Zhou Lihan, Prof. Too Heng-Phon, and Dr Zou Ruiyang.

The company makes early cancer detection solutions accessible globally. Its flagship initiative, Project CADENCE (Cancer Detected Early caN be CurEd), leverages its RNA technology platform, deep expertise in PCR diagnostics, and population-scale next-generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities to create a blood-based multi-cancer early detection test to alleviate cancer burden, save lives and reduce healthcare costs.

Last June, its fully-owned subsidiary, Mirxes Japan, secured a grant of up to 20 million yen (US$127,000) from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The grant will support the development and validation of a new non-invasive cancer biomarker screening test service specifically for the Japanese market.

Also Read: Harnessing the power of AI to help improve gastric cancer detection

Previously, Mirxes raised US$77 million in a Series C financing round led by CR-CP Life Science Fund and joined by global healthcare investment firm Rock Springs Capital, Charoen Pokphand Group (Thailand) and EDBI.

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