Dear reader,

The Southeast Asian startup ecosystem has faced significant headwinds in 2024, with total funding dropping by 59% in the first nine months, according to Tracxn’s latest report. This sharp decline reflects global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and the ongoing funding winter, which has dampened investor confidence.

Early-stage investments have been more resilient, declining by 30%, while late-stage and seed-stage funding experienced steeper drops of 79% and 39%, respectively. Despite this, fintech and enterprise applications remain top-performing sectors, though both saw double-digit declines compared to 2023.

A notable shift is the scarcity of large funding rounds, with only two $100M+ deals recorded this year, compared to nine last year. This indicates a more cautious approach from investors, prioritizing early-stage ventures over larger bets.

However, Singapore continues to be a stronghold, attracting US$1.4 billion in funding, followed by Jakarta and Bangkok. Meanwhile, acquisitions and IPOs have slowed, further reflecting a challenging landscape for exits.

While the drop in overall funding is concerning, Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem remains robust, with over US$85 billion raised to date and a growing number of unicorns. Investors and founders will need to navigate these challenges strategically to weather the storm and drive future growth.

Sainul,
Editor.

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NEWS & VIEWS

Southeast Asia’s startup scene sees 59% drop in funding amid economic headwinds
Eearly-stage investments dropped 30%, late-stage funding dropped 79%, and seed-stage financing fell 39% in the 2024 year to date; Fintech and enterprise applications were the top-performing sectors in 2024 so far.

Philippine fintech firm Salmon secures US$30M
The investors are IFC and Abu Dhabi’s Lunate; The funds raised will be used to expand Salmon’s lending operations and develop new financial products addressing the needs of over 50M Filipino consumers underserved by traditional banks.

Funding Societies grows losses, top line in ‘toughest year’ yet
The digital lending company is “behind” on its Q4 2024 operational profitability target; Still, it grew its revenue to US$48.7M in 2023 – 33% higher compared to the previous year; However, the bump wasn’t a result of a rise in loans.

Ola Electric stock tumbles as complaints add up and market share erodes
The company’s shares fell by as much as 9.1% on Monday to ₹89.14, sending its market cap below US$4.75B for the first time since its IPO in August; The startup reportedly receives over 80,000 customer complaints monthly.

Meta launches AI Accelerator program for APAC
The program will empower innovative companies and developers to integrate Llama, Meta’s open-source AI model, into their products; The firm also plans to launch an incubator program to support 100 enterprises in deepening their understanding of GenAI and Llama.

Swiss startup BE WTR raises US$45.45M for expansion into Singapore, Asia
This new round of funding will accelerate BE WTR’s mission to provide eco-friendly, premium water solutions, ensuring access to high-quality drinking water while reducing reliance on single-use packaging and plastics.

Ouch! nets US$1.2M to expand market share, drive insurance innovation
PPB Ventures is the investor; Ouch! is now working to secure a DITO licence from the central bank BNM, which would enable it to close critical protection gaps for Malaysians.

JAZRO gets Gobi’s backing to expand robotics learning in Malaysia
JAZRO develops digital talents in STEM fields for students from 7 to 17 years old to learn, discover and explore robotics and coding via fun learning methods.

Southeast Asian startups secure US$202M across 12 rounds in September
This marks a 28.66 per cent rise in funding over August 2024 and a 27.86 per cent decline from September 2023; The region witnessed seven seed-stage, six early-stage, and three late-stage funding rounds last month.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

In promoting AI adoption, SoftServe believes in implementing a hackathon-like approach
In this interview, Dipen Mehta of SoftServe explains the common barriers that businesses face in adopting AI and what they can do about it.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sparkline CEO on exit strategy: Valuation is what someone is willing to pay for your startup
Analysing trends to determine exit strategies and approaches is a complex process. It involves considering numerous factors, such as market growth rates and potential technological advancements that could disrupt your business.

Infrastructure and talent are challenges finance industry faces in adopting AI: Provenir
Despite increasing use cases, Provenir sees that there are challenges that the finance industry has to tackle to successfully adopt AI.

Using AI on e-commerce analytics: Data quality, availability remain critical obstacles
Data accuracy, cleanliness, and consistency are essential for building reliable AI models for e-commerce analytics.

What you should –and should not– say when fundraising for a crowdfunding project
Research revealed that claiming your product to be both “novel and useful” may actually ruin your chance to reach the crowdfunding goal.

How to attract the first thousand users to your marketplace
Given that an online marketplace is a platform service, owners need to acquire users from both supply and demand sides.

AI in journalism: Thai media show 95% adaptation rate despite concerns
A contrasting attitude was expressed by journalists in the Philippines with only 52 per cent have integrated AI into their work.

How Bangkok Bank worked with Pand.ai to develop a conversational AI engine to better service customers
Digitalisation has become a must-have, as it drives competencies for banks in this digital age. This is how Bangkok Bank aims to get there.

Accelerating Asia on building a company culture that fosters innovation and inclusion
To achieve its mission, Accelerating Asia needs to implement an organisational culture that supports and promotes the values they live by.

How Warung Pintar builds tech solutions to help warung owners embrace the future
Warung Pintar tries to get their users involved in product development process as much as possible. This is how they do it.

The evolution and regulation of social commerce in Indonesia: The TikTok Shop ban
Orderfaz Founder & CEO Reynaldi Gandawidjaja shares his thoughts about the recent TikTok Shop ban in Indonesia and how it will impact us all.

Key to success: Digitising customer communication and investing in a multi-channel approach
The new mantra for 2020 is that customer communication should always involve heavy tech use. This is how you can excel in it.

Is Singapore the “Delaware” of Southeast Asia?
The city-state has also made it relatively easy and quick to incorporate your business in the country—if you are a local.

How a great back-end tech helped GrabFood capture half of SEA’s food delivery pie despite being a latecomer
Launched only in 2018, a Momentum Works report found that GrabFood already amassed an estimated GMV of US$5.9B in 2020.

Ex-Gojek CMO reveals the 3 things that marketers should stop doing today
In this article, Piotr Jakubowski also shares examples of his favourite marketing initiatives by top global companies.

Want to work at a leading tech company? Here’s how
As the lead recruiter at social media giant Twitter, this is what I can tell you about making a CV that is fit for a leading tech company.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

5 ways leaders can use the power of allowing to manage stress and enhance focus
When leaders master the art of allowing, they shift their energy away from stress-inducing distractions and towards what truly matters.

BorderDollar: Adapting and innovating in a high interest rate environment
BorderDollar reflects on how high interest rates impacted their startup and their pivot to blockchain for future growth.

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Singapore-based travel eSIM provider Truely recently completed a US$3.5 million financing round led by 1982 Ventures. Founded in July 2023, the startup provides access to mobile data across over 200 destinations and regions, with services in multiple languages. Unlike its competitors, such as Airalo, Truely offers Switchless eSIM technology, which the company claims will revolutionise the eSIM space.

Also Read: eSIM startup Truely raises US$3.5M to give Airalo a run for its money

We spoke with Truely founder and CEO Simon Landsheer to learn more about the company, its eSIM technology, and the sector.

How do you plan to allocate the US$3.5 million, and what are your top priorities in terms of product development and market expansion?

Our primary focus is team expansion and accelerating marketing efforts to fuel global growth. We’re committed to building the ultimate travel companion for frequent travellers, offering unparalleled convenience, connectivity, and peace of mind.

Airalo is probably the largest player in this segment. What differentiates your approach from Airalo’s, and how do you see yourself competing in the global eSIM market?

While Airalo has paved the way in this space, we’re focused on elevating the eSIM experience to a new level. Truly is a Gen2 eSIM platform designed for frequent travellers who value convenience and reliability.

Unlike traditional eSIMs, Truely’s Switchless technology allows users to install it once and forget about the hassle of reconfiguring it each time they travel.

It’s one eSIM, which can be controlled by our mobile or web app, which gives access to mobile internet services at local rates in over 200 destinations without having to install a new eSIM each time you travel. You get to stay connected everywhere you go with Truely Switchless travel eSIM. Install once — no roaming fees, no hassle.

Your plan to release B2B2C services for travel operators, airlines, and OTAs is interesting. Can you share more details about these services and how they will benefit businesses and travellers?

Our B2B2C model allows businesses to seamlessly integrate Truely’s services into their platforms, offering travellers the convenience of booking their trips while securing reliable local internet connections in over 200 destinations.

For our partners, this generates lifetime additional revenue while enhancing the customer journey. For travellers, it removes the hassle of staying connected, allowing them to focus on enjoying their trip without worrying about connectivity.

Truely claims it offers mobile data across over 200 destinations. What challenges did you face in achieving this level of global coverage, and how do you plan to expand further?

We work with many telecom networks around the globe. In my previous business, Silverstreet, we operated a network that processed billions of SMS messages for application to persons (A2P), such as 2FA and O2P messages.

Also Read: Use Airalo eSIM and stay connected wherever you go in the world

Developing those relationships over 20 years has been beneficial as we are now dealing with the same telcos around the globe to purchase petabytes of data.

The real challenge was creating our Switchless eSIM tech, which had to include support for so many telcos in just one eSIM for our users. In contrast, our competitors mostly use ‘burner’ eSIMs, which you can temporarily use to connect to another network. However, this comes with the hassle of setting it up each time and with different settings each time. In my view, this is confusing for first-time users and, at best, annoying for frequent users.

Do you also provide voice call services in all these countries? Companies like Airalo only offer voice call facilities in some countries where they operate. What are the challenges in terms of introducing voice call services?

Voice services and mobile numbers are part of our roadmap and will be offered on our mobile app. We believe there is a demand to make occasional calls to book a restaurant or receive 2FA messages.

I can’t comment on other companies’ difficulties in introducing different services. In our case, it’s about ensuring we understand customer needs, getting the right infrastructure in place and then rolling that out once we are confident it addresses the problem we’re trying to solve.

With the eSIM market expected to grow nearly 50 per cent annually, how do you plan to stay ahead of this trend and capitalise on the rapid growth of eSIM retail sales?

We plan to stay ahead of the eSIM growth curve by making Truely available across multiple channels and platforms at every touchpoint where travellers plan their journeys.

Our approach to localisation ensures that we meet the unique demands of each market, tailoring our offerings to resonate with local preferences. With our focus on constant innovation, user experience, and strategic partnerships, we’re well-positioned to lead the charge in the growing eSIM market.

Many travellers are concerned about seamless connectivity while abroad. How does Truely’s flexible data plan offering address the specific needs of different types of travellers?

We are not tied to specific networks in the countries we cover. In most countries, our eSIM can connect to at least two of the best-known networks, which gives it great resilience and a low chance of being in a ‘black spot’ of 4G or 5G coverage areas.

Users can buy our data plans for a country or region they are travelling to (for example, we have plans that cover all of Europe and the UK or all Southeast Asia countries).

A plan can be purchased and is always valid for a minimum of 30 days. We will soon provide an option for unlimited days validity, meaning you don’t get your data to expire and can use it on your next trip(s).

Also Read: Etisalat’s VC arm, Singtel Innov8 join Airalo’s US$60M Series B round

We will soon launch our ‘always on’ feature, meaning you can still buy a data plan or top-up even when you are not connected to WiFi, when you run out of balance, or when you arrive in a new country. As long as the Truely app is on your phone, you can always use it to purchase a data plan.

The eSIM space is evolving rapidly with new players and innovations. How do you see the market changing in the next few years, and what role do you envision Truely playing in that future?

This is accurate, and it’s fantastic for users and for us to stay sharp. Many resellers, aggregators, price fighters, and innovators are popping up with offers, including mobile operators who have ripped off customers with their roaming charges for decades. We aim to keep innovating with the best possible teams around the globe, the best possible tech, solutions, and customer experience for our users. Ultimately, the customer in each segment will judge who offers the best experience and will stick with that.

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Image Credit: Truely.

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Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP), an event of Constellar with international partner Deutsche Messe, is the must-attend event for businesses and governments across the Asia Pacific region eager to embrace Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies.

As a flagship HANNOVER MESSE event, ITAP is a dynamic platform where innovation meets collaboration, providing unparalleled opportunities for companies to kick-start, scale, and sustain their I4.0 adoption. With its rich learning content and interactive themed zones, ITAP empowers organisations at every stage of their digital transformation to explore cutting-edge solutions, co-create the future, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industrial landscape.

ITAP 2024 will feature the AI Discovery Journey, a self-guided experience offering attendees an in-depth look at AI’s transformative impact on manufacturing. This insightful guide will help visitors explore the latest AI innovations, real-world applications, and engaging showcases throughout the event. By facilitating thought-provoking discussions and practical insights, ITAP 2024 will demonstrate how AI can drive secure, resilient, and sustainable industrial practices.

Key exhibitors specialising in AI will make a notable impact at ITAP 2024. Companies such as AWS and Red Hat will showcase AI tools that optimise productivity through cloud-based solutions. Delta Electronics and SAP will spotlight innovations aimed at improving operational efficiency and optimising supply chains.

A dynamic mix of startups and industry leaders in automation, robotics, and data analytics will contribute to an immersive experience that showcases AI’s transformative role in shaping the future of manufacturing.

AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) leads in cloud technology, empowering organisations to innovate across industries. At the ITF Conference, Vikram Rao, Managing Director for ASEAN Enterprise, AWS, will deliver a keynote on unlocking the potential to empower smart manufacturing.

Also Read: Startupbootcamp, EnterpriseSG launch TradeSpark programme to drive supply chain innovation in Singapore

At AWS booth 3E11, demonstrations will showcase generative AI applications using Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker Canvas. Highlights include AI-driven predictive maintenance to reduce costs and large language models (LLMs) for streamlined documentation. Attendees can also explore innovations such as Amazon Q and IoT SiteWise, designed to enhance efficiency, scalability, and security for manufacturers.

Red Hat
Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of enterprise open-source solutions, offers innovative technologies such as Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes. Their solutions simplify cross-platform operations, from core data centres to the network edge, empowering businesses to accelerate growth and achieve operational excellence in the digital age.

At the ITAP HatVille booth 3C11, Red Hat will showcase how their solutions optimise factory operations, reduce downtime, and lower costs. Attendees can also join the Red Hat Tech Summit on October 15, featuring workshops for manufacturers. David Rapini, Industrial Technology Strategist at Red Hat, will join a panel discussion at the Industrial Transformation Forum to discuss IT-OT integration with AI.

Deloitte
Deloitte, a global leader in audit, assurance, tax, legal, and consulting services, is pivotal in shaping industries worldwide.

At the upcoming Industrial Transformation Forum, Britta Mittlefehldt, Director, Germany Manufacturing Lead, Deloitte Germany, will moderate a panel on the “Factory of the Future: A Leaders’ Perspective on Software-Defined Manufacturing and AI-Driven Innovation,” exploring software-defined manufacturing and AI-driven innovation. Joining her will be Stephen Laaper from Deloitte and Denis Tan from Mitsubishi Electric Asia. Together, they will offer insights on how advanced technologies transform manufacturing.

Also Read: Ecosystem Roundup: Startup funding in SEA sees 59% drop in 2024 YTD | Funding Societies’s losses grow in 2023 | Salmon secures US$30M

Serving nearly 90 per cent of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies, Deloitte delivers results that reinforce public trust, drive client transformation, and contribute to a stronger, more equitable global economy.

Delta
Delta, a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management since 1971, will showcase its cutting-edge technologies at ITAP 2024. At the Delta Intelligent Sustainable Connecting Hub (3G11), the company will present solutions driving smart manufacturing and sustainable urban development, including its Smart Manufacturing Solutions for the semiconductor industry, integrating OT, Edge, and IT layers for greater efficiency.

Delta will also unveil its AX-5 Series, a PLC-based motion control solution, and its DIATwin digital twin solution, which optimises production through 3D modelling and AI. The company will also demonstrate its scalable LFP battery energy storage system, underscoring its commitment to smart, energy-efficient technologies.

SAP
SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, will showcase its innovative solutions at ITAP 2024, booth 3C15. Designed to support digital transformation, SAP’s technologies include AI-driven tools, real-time analytics, and intelligent supply chain solutions, helping businesses streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and build operational resilience.

With a focus on sustainability and industry-specific solutions, SAP remains committed to helping organisations adapt to evolving market conditions. At the Industrial Transformation Forum, Peter Moore, Chief Revenue Officer, SAP Enterprise Cloud, SAP Asia Pacific & Japan, will deliver a keynote on AI, Leadership and Innovation from the SAP perspective.

SIEMENS
Siemens is a technology company that focuses on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The company aims to drive digital transformation across various sectors and plays a significant role in developing and implementing AI and IoT solutions for industrial applications.

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Image Credit: ITAP 2024

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Global accelerator Startupbootcamp has partnered with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) to launch TradeSpark, a programme designed to catalyse advancements in the island nation’s supply chain innovation ecosystem.

This initiative aims to bring together multinational corporations, local corporations, and global startups/scale-ups to collaborate on cutting-edge supply chain solutions.

Also Read: How companies are using AI to prevent supply chain disruptions?

Under the TradeSpark programme, participating corporates will work with Startupbootcamp to identify industry challenges and jointly source solution providers, including startups and scale-ups offering best-in-class technologies to address these challenges across areas, including supply
chain forecasting, mobility and transport solutions, warehouse optimisation, and trade financing.

The programme will feature intensive workshops on methodologies and processes for collaborating with startups, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities for participating corporate partners. These sessions will help organisations expand their innovation capacity while enhancing their supply chain operations’ efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.

Participating companies will also gain early access to new solutions that could address their unique organisational needs, transform their businesses and drive competitive advantage in the evolving global market.

Victor Sim, Director of Supply Chain and Logistics Resilience at EnterpriseSG, added: “The supply chain landscape has been greatly impacted by geopolitical events, rising costs, and emerging technologies. It is now more pressing for the transport and logistics industry to innovate and transform to remain relevant and competitive. The partnership with Startupbootcamp allows us to develop supply chain tech startups that are anchored on actual use cases from industry corporates such as supply chain visibility, predictive analytics, digital twins, robotics and automation. Such collaborations will strengthen the supply chain ecosystem and result in more business and trade flows.”

Also Read: What entrepreneurs should know about delivery management in 2024

Launched in 2010, Startupbootcamp has helped startups scale internationally through mentorship, funding, and direct access to corporate partners. It has so far supported 100-plus Fortune 500 companies and 1600-plus portfolio companies across the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Singapore, the UK, and several other countries.

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These non-standard terms can be detrimental to founders, especially first-time founders who encounter such terms often without realising their long-term implications.

This article explores several non-standard terms we’ve encountered in our past experience and explains why they should be approached with caution.

Excessive liquidation preference

Liquidation preferences are usually anticipated in a term sheet, designed to protect investors holding preference shares in the event of a startup’s sale or liquidation.  

The usual practice is to have a 1x liquidation preference (i.e. the investor gets back the 1x amount they originally invested) before any proceeds are distributed to other shareholders. 

Be wary of non-standard term sheets that allow for liquidation preferences of higher multiples 2x or 3x, which entitles investors to two or three times their initial investment before the rest of the shareholders will receive any return of capital.

Additionally, a liquidation preference may also be a non-participating or participating liquidation preference. Participating liquidation preference provides more protection for investors since they can get both their original investment back as well as a portion of any remaining proceeds from the sale or dissolution pro rata with the remaining shareholders. 

Why it’s non-standard

Excessive liquidation preferences  are particularly problematic because they can leave present shareholders including founders and employees with little to no payout, even in a successful exit. 

For example, if a startup is sold for US$10 million but a VC has a 3x liquidation preference on a US$3 million investment, the VC will receive US$9 million, leaving just US$1 million for distributing pro rata between all shareholders (including the investors if there is participating liquidation preference). 

Full ratchet anti-dilution protection

An anti-dilution clause serves to protect investors in the event of a “down round” (i.e. a future funding round where your startup’s valuation is lower than in the previous round). 

A full ratchet anti-dilution protection allows investors to reset the price of their shares as if they had invested at the new, lower valuation. 

This form of anti-dilution clause can lead to severe dilution for founders and early shareholders. 

For example, if an investor originally invested at US$5 per share, but the startup later raises money at US$2 per share, full ratchet anti-dilution would allow the investor to convert their shares as if they had invested at US$2 per share. This dramatically increases their ownership stake at the expense of the founders.

Also Read: From mean to lean – how to build a great startup brand

Why it’s non-standard

Full ratchet anti-dilution is considered an aggressive protection for investors. As a founder, you may wish to propose a more common and balanced approach which is to use a “weighted average” anti-dilution, which adjusts the share price based on the overall effect of the new round but does not reset it entirely. 

Excessive investor control over daily operations

The founders and the management team are responsible for the daily operations of the startup, while investors usually serve more of an advisory role. Non-standard term sheets may include provisions that give investors disproportionate control over daily operations. This could include the ability to veto hiring decisions, control budgeting, or even approve product launches.

Why it’s non-standard

Investors generally reserve veto rights for significant matters like acquisitions, raising new rounds of funding, or changing the startup’s business model, but not routine business decisions. As a founder, granting excessive levels of controls can slow down decision-making in a startup.

Excessively long “no-shop” or exclusivity clause

A “no-shop” or exclusivity clause, limits your startup from negotiating with other potential investors for a specific period, usually 30 to 60 days. 

However, excessively long no-shop periods for 60 days or more, should be resisted as this may stop you from seeking alternative funding if the deal falls through.

Why it’s non-standard

While exclusivity may be expected, anything beyond 60 days may be considered as non-standard. You should negotiate for a shorter no-shop period as a long no-shop period may leave your startup vulnerable and may even lead to missed opportunities (particularly if the round fails).

Mandatory redemption rights

In simple terms, redemption rights allow investors to demand that your startup “buys back” their shares after a certain period (usually between five to seven years depending on the VC fund’s life). 

While redemption rights should be anticipated, non-standard term sheets may include mandatory redemption clauses that force the startup to repurchase shares at a high price, regardless of you startup’s financial condition. Standard redemption rights are typically discretionary, meaning investors can request redemption but are not guaranteed it. 

Why it’s non-standard

Compulsory redemption can create significant financial strain on your startup, especially if your startup does not have the necessary liquidity i.e. profitability to complete the buy back upon issuance of the redemption notice. In extreme cases, mandatory redemption rights can drive your startup into insolvency as the condition can lead to extreme financial burden on your startup.

Unrestricted Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

A right of first refusal (ROFR) clause allows a shareholder in a startup the right but not the obligation to purchase shares from the other existing shareholders before the shares may be sold to any third party. 

While this is a common term, non-standard term sheets may involve unrestricted ROFRs, allowing an investor to block any sale of shares, even nominal or small transactions between other shareholders i.e. angels or employees, limiting liquidity among the present shareholders.

Also Read: Tried-and-tested marketing strategies for startups across all stages in Singapore

Why it’s non-standard

Most term sheets may anticipate a ROFR with reasonable limits, such as the ability to buy shares only above a certain threshold or for strategic reasons. An unrestricted ROFR may be considered restrictive and should be resisted as it may be uncommon in a VC funding.

Cumulative dividend

A dividend is usually a cash distribution of a startup’s profit to its shareholders. 

As a preference shareholder, dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative at a certain rate (eg, six per cent to eight per cent annual dividend preference of the original invested sum). 

If the dividend is cumulative, if your startup is unable to pay the dividends in a given year, they will accrue and must be paid before any dividends are paid to ordinary shareholders. If dividends are non-cumulative, unpaid dividends do not accrue, and there is no obligation to pay them in the future.

The rate will be a fixed return the VC expects to receive, but it can accumulate over time until a liquidity event i.e. an acquisition or IPO, triggering the payout.

Why it’s non standard

Startups rarely pay dividends because they generally prefer to reinvest their profits into expanding the business. 

Agreeing on cumulative dividend terms can be detrimental, although it may be generally more common in later-stage financing rounds, where the startup is more mature and may likely be already profitable. Even in these cases, dividends are still relatively rare compared to the primary focus on capital appreciation.

Investor rights to force an IPO or a trade sale

Non-standard term sheets may give investors the right to force the startup into an initial public offering (IPO) or sale within a certain timeframe, regardless of whether the startup is ready or not. This can be harmful if your startup is not financially ready or even the market conditions are not unfavourable. This may force a premature exit.

Why it’s non-standard

Forcing an IPO or sale within a specific time frame may not be typical in early stage venture deals. Founders should be wary of this term, as it can push your startup into a premature exit (usually at a lower valuation than you may likely with more time to grow).

Final thoughts

Signing a bad term sheet can be detrimental down the line when you plan to raise further rounds from other investors. As a first time founder, it may be hard to distinguish between a standard or a non-standard term. Engaging a startup lawyer before signing a term sheet can help you pinpoint the red flags in a term sheet to avoid friction or even likely dispute in the future. 

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Funding secured by startups in Southeast Asia in the first nine months of 2024 declined 59 per cent to US$2.3 billion from the US$5.7 billion raised in the same period last year, revealed a Tracxn report. The decline is a staggering 80 per cent compared to 2022.

According to Geo YTD Report: SEA Tech 9 M 2024, the ongoing funding winter, geopolitical headwinds, and global economic challenges impacted investment deals in the current year.

Also Read: Healthtech, edutech dominated SEA’s funding scene in past 5 years: Tracxn

Eearly-stage investments dropped 30 per cent to US$1.2 billion in 2024 year to date compared to the same period in 2023. Late-stage funding dropped 79 per cent to US$721 million, while seed-stage investments fell 39 per cent to US$341 million.

Only two US$100 million+ rounds (Ascend Money’s US$195 million and ANEXT Bank’s US$148 million) were recorded in 2024 compared to nine in 2023.

Fintech and enterprise applications were the top-performing sectors in 2024 so far. The fintech sector secured total funding of US$1.34 billion, an 11 per cent drop from US$1.51 billion raised in the same period in 2023. The enterprise applications segment raised US$606 million in funding, a 30 per cent decline from 2023.

The number of acquisitions observed in the region was 58 in the first nine months of 2024, similar to 57 recorded in 9M 2023 but far lower than 79 in 9M 2022.

Four IPOs were recorded in 2024 so far, as against ten and two in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. GoHub, MaNaDr, RYDE, and Topindoku are the four companies from this space that have gone public in 2024.

Singapore retained its top position in terms of city-wise funding, attracting US$1.4 billion in 2024. Tech startups based in Jakarta and Bangkok raised US$313 million and US$265 million, respectively.

Also Read: Insurtech shines amidst overall funding decline in Indonesia in H1

East Ventures, 500 Global, and Wavemaker Partners are the all-time top investors. While Antler, 500 Global, and East Ventures led seed-stage rounds, SEEDS Capital, Peak XV Partners, and Gobi Partners were the most active early-stage investors.

Southeast Asia’s tech startup landscape has raised more than US$85 billion to date and is home to 44 active unicorns.

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Meta announced the launch of an AI Accelerator program for Asia Pacific (APAC) startups in its regional headquarters in Singapore on October 3, in conjunction with the Meta APAC AI Accelerator Finals.

The new long-term program, witnessed by Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg, will empower innovative companies and developers to integrate Llama, Meta’s open-source AI model, into their products.

By providing access to the latest open-source models and resources in AI, Meta aims to support these organisations in creating pioneering solutions to help shape the next wave of innovation.

During the event, Clegg announced plans to launch a Singapore-focused incubator program that will support 100 enterprises in deepening their understanding of GenAI and Llama. The program will help connect 20 participants with technical and business experts who will mentor them as they develop, refine, and launch Llama-powered solutions for their businesses.

Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) supports the initiative, which is aligned with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0) to promote the development and adoption of AI by businesses and startups.

Also Read: Using AI on e-commerce analytics: Data quality, availability remain critical obstacles

“Meta’s AI Incubator programme is a strong example of how Singapore continues to support businesses in embracing cutting-edge technologies such as Generative AI. By empowering local enterprises with both technical expertise and mentorship, this initiative fosters innovation and helps businesses unlock new opportunities through AI,” said Philbert Gomez, Executive Director, DISG.

“We are proud to collaborate with Meta in this programme, which aligns closely with our National AI Strategy 2.0 to deepen AI capabilities and ensure that Singapore remains a key hub for AI development in the region.”

According to Meta, over 720 companies and developers from across the region, including Singapore, submitted their projects showcasing impactful use cases of Llama to tackle challenges in education, public services and economic development.

The top finalists from 13 markets came together at Meta’s headquarters in Singapore to showcase their solutions and win a grant to further their work.

The event named Traversaal.ai from Pakistan, the winner of the regional finals, entitling the company to a US$100,000 grant for its innovative use of Llama to create a state-of-the-art Urdu Llama model aimed at connecting 250 million Urdu speakers worldwide.

The first and second runners-up from Indonesia and New Zealand also received grants of US$15,000 and US$10,000, respectively, to further develop their proposals.

Also Read: AI in journalism: Thai media show a 95 per cent adaptation rate despite concerns about overreliance

“We are beyond thrilled to be representing Pakistan at this level. It’s a great honour to be here in Singapore, the hub of technology, and we are extremely grateful to Meta for enabling us to convert our dreams into reality,” said Hamza Farooq, the founder of Traversaal.ai.

Supporting the ecosystem

Meta has been advancing AI innovation globally through partnerships with governments, AI associations, and incubators.

The company recently awarded Llama Impact Innovation Awards to startups that used Llama 2 or 3 to address social challenges. One recipient was AiSee by the National University of Singapore, which developed an affordable wearable assistive device using AI to help visually impaired individuals “see.”

At the event, Minister Teo and Clegg participated in a fireside chat, discussing responsible AI development, including generative AI, and how Singapore fosters AI innovation. Minister Teo highlighted Singapore’s collaborations with industry leaders such as Meta and the open-source community, noting their role in realising the nation’s vision of AI for the Public Good, which aligns with the refreshed Smart Nation strategy.

Clegg said, “It’s been incredible to see examples of the work that startups are doing with our Llama models to address major societal challenges within the Asia Pacific region. Open-sourcing AI helps ensure more people can access the opportunities that AI provides, and this is evident in the strong submissions that we have received. I’m very encouraged to see the vibrant developer community in APAC, how governments welcome AI innovation and the benefits it will bring to the region.”

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Image Credit: Meta AI

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Southeast Asian startups raised US$202 million across 12 rounds in September 2024, a 28.66 per cent rise over August, according to Tracxn.

On a yearly basis, the funding marked a 27.86 per cent decline from September last year.

The region witnessed seven seed-stage, six early-stage, and three late-stage funding rounds last month.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s startup scene sees 59% drop in funding amid economic headwinds

The top deals of September were SDAX (US$50 million), Finture (US$30 million), and Momos (US$10 million).

Peak XV Partners, Gobi Partners, Craft Ventures, and The Rise Fund were the most active investors.

Check the infographic below for more details:

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Ouch!, a Malaysia-based next-gen, tech-enabled insurance platform, has raised RM5 million (US$1.2 million) in strategic funding from PPB Ventures.

The startup will invest the money to expand its market share, enhance technology infrastructure, and drive product innovation.

Separately, Ouch! has received an additional one-year extension to operate under Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Regulatory Sandbox. It is now working to secure a DITO licence from BNM, which would enable it to close critical protection gaps for Malaysians, especially young families.

A small percentage of the new funds will also be earmarked as reserve capital for BNM’s Sandbox testing and support for the DITO licence process.

The company is planning to initiate a subsequent fundraising round later this year to meet the minimum capital requirements for the DITO licence.

Also Read: OUCH! secures funding to become a Shariah-compliant digital insurer in Malaysia

“The sandbox extension and DITO licence will both be major game-changers, enabling us to offer even more personalised and accessible Takaful solutions for Malaysians,” CEO Shazy Noorazman said.

Founded in September 2019, Ouch! utilises technology to make the insurance process pain-free—from plan purchasing to claims and policy management. It offers insurance solutions across life, home, travel, and motor, all powered by an app platform that makes the process and tracking easy and transparent.

As a Shariah-compliant one-stop platform, it aims to make family takaful more accessible to all Malaysians.

Last year, it secured an undisclosed sum in a pre-Series A investment round. Its other key investors are OSK Ventures, RHL Ventures, and Vynn Capital.

According to the Malaysian Takaful Association, the country’s family takaful gross contributions increased by 7.55 per cent, reaching almost RM9 billion.

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In a digital landscape dominated by innovation and competition, fintech and decentralised finance (DeFi) businesses are transforming how people manage money and how they market themselves. Copying competitors’ best content creation practices is a tactic that has helped many fintech companies in Singapore and Indonesia gain traction.

Let’s explore how most prominent fintech companies adopted this strategy, refined it, and created a significant impact on both their SEO performance and brand exposure.

Xfers (Singapore): Elevating SEO through strategic blog content replication

Xfers, a prominent Singapore-based fintech platform facilitating payment infrastructure, found success by mirroring content strategies of established payment platforms such as PayPal and Stripe. As the global fintech space became saturated with payment gateways, Xfers needed to differentiate itself but also ensure that it ranked highly on search engines.

The strategy

Xfers observed how its competitors, particularly Stripe, dominated search rankings by leveraging educational, keyword-optimised blog posts about fintech trends, payment APIs, and regulatory updates. Xfers meticulously studied the most shared and linked content from Stripe and then created similar articles tailored to the Asian market, particularly with a Southeast Asian regulatory focus.

Impact

By focusing on high-performing topics like “The Future of Payments in Southeast Asia” and “Understanding API Integrations for E-commerce Businesses,” Xfers quickly gained domain authority and enhanced its SEO. Within six months, their organic traffic increased by 60 per cenr, primarily from long-tail keywords that Stripe previously dominated.

Analysis

Xfers successfully adapted a strategy that wasn’t original but was contextualised. They took the framework of Stripe’s educational approach and localised it, thus creating a unique value proposition for regional businesses. This not only improved SEO but also increased brand credibility in a competitive landscape.

KoinWorks (Indonesia): Using competitor’s video content strategy to enhance brand awareness

KoinWorks, an Indonesian peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform, initially struggled to capture the attention of the digital-savvy millennial generation. While its competitors, such as Akseleran, were rapidly growing their user base through YouTube content and influencer collaborations, KoinWorks decided to take a similar approach but with more refined targeting.

The strategy

After analysing Akseleran’s most viewed content, which focused on educating young Indonesians about the basics of P2P lending, KoinWorks adopted a more comprehensive video content approach. They not only replicated Akseleran’s educational videos but also added expert interviews, case studies, and in-depth tutorials on managing personal finances through P2P lending.

Impact

By mirroring this strategy and adding value to the content, KoinWorks’ YouTube subscriber base grew by 150 per cent over a year. Their videos were not only helping with brand awareness but also served as an effective SEO strategy as the videos ranked high for critical fintech-related search terms.

Analysis

This case demonstrates how KoinWorks didn’t merely copy a competitor’s video strategy but improved upon it. By providing additional layers of expertise and making their content more practical, they established themselves as thought leaders. This approach increased their credibility and enabled their content to be more shareable, which amplified both SEO and brand awareness.

Also Read: All you need to know about the fintech boom in Vietnam

Tokocrypto (Indonesia): Copying competitor’s content funnel for DeFi education

As one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in Indonesia, Tokocrypto faced the challenge of onboarding users in a market still unfamiliar with decentralised finance (DeFi). Binance, a global leader, offered a wealth of educational resources through its Binance Academy, helping new users understand the complex world of DeFi.

The strategy

Tokocrypto replicated Binance’s content funnel strategy by creating an “education-first” approach. Tokocrypto launched its version of an academy, which housed blog posts, e-books, and explainer videos that closely mirrored Binance Academy’s top-performing content. Topics like “What is DeFi?” and “How to Get Started with Cryptocurrency” were optimised with local language keywords to target Indonesian users specifically.

Impact

The results were staggering. Tokocrypto saw a 45 per cent increase in organic search traffic within the first quarter of launching their educational content. Their on-page time and user engagement metrics increased as well, signaling that users found the content both helpful and engaging. Brand loyalty also improved as customers appreciated the platform’s commitment to educating them.

Analysis

Tokocrypto’s ability to replicate Binance’s content funnel model shows that sometimes the key to success lies in the details. While the content was nearly identical, the localisation of language, regulation, and culture made Tokocrypto’s educational content resonate deeply with their target audience. This not only helped drive SEO but also strengthened the brand’s authority in the Indonesian crypto space.

Here are additional case studies for Singapore fintech companies that effectively copied competitor content creation strategies to boost their SEO and brand exposure:

Revolut (Singapore): Mimicking competitor landing pages for targeted SEO optimisation

Revolut, a global fintech company providing banking alternatives, sought to expand its user base in Singapore. However, the challenge lay in the saturated mobile banking space, with local competitors such as GrabPay and DBS Digibank dominating search rankings for personal finance and digital banking solutions. Revolut decided to adopt a tried-and-tested content strategy by analysing and replicating the top-performing landing pages of these competitors.

The strategy

Revolut identified GrabPay’s landing pages that targeted highly specific audiences, such as “personal savings accounts” and “multi-currency wallets.” They created similar landing pages but optimised them with content tailored to expatriates and international students in Singapore. By focusing on long-tail keywords related to “global transfers” and “multi-currency accounts,” Revolut differentiated their landing pages from competitors while using proven SEO tactics.

Impact

Within four months of implementing this strategy, Revolut saw a 50 per cent increase in conversions from organic search. Not only did they rank for key competitive search terms, but the highly targeted landing pages helped Revolut acquire users who found the platform’s global banking features more attractive than local solutions.

Analysis

Revolut didn’t just replicate GrabPay’s strategy—they improved it by addressing the needs of niche market segments like expatriates, who required global banking services. This not only improved SEO but also increased brand recognition in key demographic groups that were previously underserved by local competitors.

Also Read: South Asia, SEA rank high in potential for fintech lending in Asia: Study shows

Validus Capital (Singapore): Using competitor whitepapers and research reports to build authority

Validus Capital, a leading peer-to-business lending platform in Singapore, sought to boost its authority in the crowded SME lending space. Competitors such as Funding Societies had already established themselves by offering in-depth research reports and whitepapers on fintech lending trends, making it difficult for Validus to stand out.

The strategy

Validus adopted a similar approach by producing high-quality, research-driven whitepapers. They analysed the most downloaded and shared reports from Funding Societies, focusing on topics like “Fintech Lending for SMEs” and “Digital Transformation in Small Businesses.” Validus not only replicated the format but also added local data, customer success stories, and government policies affecting SMEs in Singapore.

Impact

These reports were widely shared, leading to a 30 per cent increase in backlinks from industry websites and news platforms, significantly improving Validus’s domain authority. Their SEO rankings surged for keywords related to SME lending, and their brand visibility increased among small businesses and financial analysts.

Analysis

By focusing on localised, research-driven content, Validus Capital effectively positioned itself as a thought leader in the fintech lending space. Replicating a competitor’s whitepaper strategy enabled them to reach a new audience while building trust with small businesses looking for capital solutions. The key was in the localisation of insights and the use of real-world case studies, which made their reports both more actionable and relatable.

Nium (Singapore): Replicating competitor case studies to target B2B clients

Nium, a global payments platform headquartered in Singapore, faced stiff competition from major fintech players like Payoneer and TransferWise in the B2B cross-border payment sector. These competitors were already dominating search rankings and thought leadership by using extensive client case studies to highlight how their services could reduce costs and improve operational efficiency for businesses.

The strategy

Nium decided to replicate this approach by creating a dedicated “Success Stories” section on their website. They analysed Payoneer’s most successful case studies, specifically those targeting industries like e-commerce and logistics. Nium then replicated this content by featuring detailed case studies from their own B2B clients in Southeast Asia, showcasing how their platform helped reduce payment processing times and costs.

Impact

Nium’s case studies were shared across industry forums, news outlets, and LinkedIn, contributing to a 40 per cent increase in B2B leads within six months. Their SEO rankings for key terms related to “cross-border payments” and “B2B payment solutions” improved dramatically, allowing them to compete directly with Payoneer and TransferWise for top positions on Google.

Analysis

The success of Nium’s strategy lies in the careful selection of case studies that resonated with their audience, particularly in industries that were underrepresented in competitor content. While the format of the case studies was similar, the focus on local and regional success stories made the content more relatable and valuable to their target clients.

StashAway (Singapore): Copying competitor email marketing campaigns to boost customer retention

StashAway, a robo-advisory platform, faced challenges in retaining customers in Singapore’s growing investment platform market, where players like Syfe and Endowus were gaining ground. StashAway noted that Syfe’s email marketing campaigns consistently focused on providing educational content such as “weekly market updates” and “investment tips.”

The strategy

StashAway analysed the structure and content of Syfe’s email newsletters and decided to replicate a similar campaign. They sent weekly investment insights, market trend analysis, and personalised portfolio recommendations based on user behavior. By integrating keywords related to “retirement planning” and “passive income” into their email content, StashAway ensured their emails contributed to both customer retention and SEO.

Impact

Within three months, StashAway reported a 25 per cent increase in customer engagement metrics, such as email open rates and click-through rates. Their SEO rankings for terms like “robo-advisory Singapore” also improved as customers began to engage more with the educational content shared in their emails.

Analysis

StashAway’s ability to replicate Syfe’s email marketing strategy while tailoring the content to the needs of different customer segments proved highly effective. By focusing on customer education and long-term financial planning, they built trust and loyalty among their user base. This case demonstrates how email marketing, while not directly influencing SEO, can have a significant impact on brand exposure and user retention, contributing to a company’s overall visibility.

These case studies of fintech companies in Singapore demonstrate how replicating the best content creation strategies of competitors—whether through landing pages, research reports, case studies, or email marketing—can drive significant improvements in both SEO and brand exposure. The key takeaway is that while these strategies may be modeled after successful competitors, the most impactful results come from localising, optimising, and enhancing the content to fit the specific needs of the target audience.

Also Read: How is fintech different in Asia

From imitation to innovation: How fintech leaders are shaping their success

The case studies of Xfers, KoinWorks, Tokocrypto, Validus Capital, Nium, and StashAway demonstrate how fintech and DeFi companies can leverage competitor content strategies to achieve remarkable outcomes. By analysing successful tactics from their peers, these firms refined their approaches to not only boost SEO but also enhance brand visibility and authority.

What stands out is that while mimicking competitors might seem like a straightforward strategy, the real impact comes from the ability to adapt and personalise content to fit local markets and address specific cultural and regulatory nuances. This thoughtful adaptation allowed these companies to move beyond simple imitation, transforming their strategies into powerful tools for innovation and leadership in their regions.

To effectively copy competitor strategies for your fintech brand, consider the following approaches:

• Analyse competitor content: Dive deep into the content that performs well for your competitors. Examine which topics, formats, and styles resonate most with their audience. Look at engagement metrics like shares, comments, and likes to identify successful elements.
• Benchmark best practices: Identify the standout practices employed by your competitors. This could include their SEO techniques, social media tactics, or content formats. Understand their approach to content distribution and audience engagement to gauge what might work for your brand.
• Adapt and innovate: While it’s important to understand and leverage competitor strategies, it’s equally crucial to tailor these insights to your own brand’s unique voice and objectives. Customise their tactics to align with your brand’s identity and goals, and find ways to add distinctive value or innovative twists.
• Monitor and measure: Implement the adapted strategies and closely monitor their performance. Utilise analytics tools to track key metrics such as engagement, conversion rates, and traffic. Use this data to refine and optimise your strategies continuously.
• Leverage tools and analytics: Employ advanced tools to gain insights into your competitors’ digital presence. These tools can help you uncover trends, identify content gaps, and understand their audience’s preferences, providing a strategic advantage in shaping your content approach.

By following these strategies, fintech companies can not only emulate successful tactics but also carve out their own path to success in the competitive digital landscape.

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