e27 has been dedicated to nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Programme offers a platform for sharing unique insights.

As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’, we shine a spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.

In this episode, we feature Karen Kim, CEO of Human Managed, an ASEAN cloud-native data platform that empowers businesses to make smarter decisions and faster actions for cyber, digital and risk outcomes.

Kim shares her personal and professional journey in this episode of Contributor Spotlight.

Thoughts, goals, and journey

Kim’s unconventional tech journey began after graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Politics. For over ten years, she has explored customer-facing roles in industries such as telecommunications (British Telecom), recruitment (Hays), and social networking platforms (LinkedIn). This experience provided firsthand insight into the challenges organisations face and the impact of innovative products coupled with excellent service in driving outcomes.

Taking on the role of CEO of Human Managed in 2018 was a new challenge for Kim. Leading a bootstrapped company was unfamiliar territory, but Kim has always been one to embrace the unknown, following her curiosity and inspiration with purposeful steps.

Kim noted, “The past five years have been marked by tremendous personal and professional growth. I have led the team to define what value means to us intrinsically and to our customers and partners. Everything has flown from there — mission, culture, products. Today, my responsibility in Human Managed is to align its purpose to strategy and strategy to operations.

I enjoy combining my learnings, love for design-thinking, and service-first mindset in various domains, including branding, service design, and business development. I am proud to lead a different kind of company that dares to solve the complex problems of today’s data-flooded world.

Human Managed is consistently delivering value to our customers, trying new things and being able to learn from our mistakes quickly. In doing so, we are building an agile and fearless culture, something I am very proud of.”

The driving force

Human Managed’s mission is to assist enterprises in organising their data for smarter decisions and faster actions, enhancing cyber, digital, and risk outcomes. Over the past five years, the focus has been on crafting solutions that tackle various complex problems of the digital age, delivering significant value to customers. This year, recognising the need for broader visibility, the team explored e27 as a platform to build brand awareness.

Also Read: Geraldine Pang: Mastering digital success through expert marketing and AI insights

Kim said, “I knew that e27 is very well regarded as a media title that has created a vibrant ecosystem for startups and new technologies.

I am also aware that the e27 readership consists of various decision-makers spanning a range of industries that could benefit from our services. Hence, the Contributor Programme is an excellent opportunity to share our work at Human Managed.

My thought leadership piece published on e27, Data Decisions To Make in 2024 For Businesses To Become AI Native, is at the core of what we deliver to our customers every day.”

 On evolving industry trends

Kim specialises in design thinking for efficient decision-making. With firsthand experience across industries, she understands the complex challenges faced by enterprises. Throughout her career, she has focused on developing products and services to improve decision-making for optimal results, having observed how decisions can lead to costly outcomes if based on irrelevant premises or inadequate processes.

Talking about noteworthy industry trends within her area of expertise, Kim emphasised, “Today, in a data-fuelled world, decision-making for enterprises has become even more complicated. Building on the disruption unleashed by Gen-AI in the past year, the rapid rate of innovation in AI and cloud-native tech solutions will see an explosion in data in the near future. By 2025, global data volume is expected to reach 175 zetabytes. Experts predict that data will be embedded in every decision, interaction and process.

With companies operating in complex data environments with various technologies working independently, it is challenging to achieve scalable digital transformation due to legacy architecture and talent skill gaps. As a result, businesses may use technology solutions without fully understanding their business context or relying on incorrect metrics, eventually leading to information overload. This, in turn, can cause indecisiveness and inaction, exposing companies to potential threats and making it difficult to identify and act on scalable opportunities. Additionally, it can also lead to difficulties in managing risk.”

Advice for budding thought leaders

“Thought leadership is about having a viewpoint that brings readers value,” Kim explains. “It’s less about your product and company and more about how you can solve a problem for the audience by sharing your knowledge and real-world experience. It begins with deep diving into your expertise and developing a set of topics within that field that can showcase your knowledge.”

According to Kim, staying updated on the latest trends in her relevant area of expertise is crucial to providing essential background data and context. Drawing on industry knowledge and personal experience, she highlights the necessity of effectively framing a problem, which acts as the hook to engage the audience. Following this, the focus shifts to developing the flow of the piece, establishing the problem, and ultimately providing the reader with a rewarding solution.

Also Read: Sapna Chadha: Navigating Southeast Asia’s tech landscape and AI trends

“Ultimately, creating a thought leadership piece is a business storytelling exercise. And the more you practise, the better you get at it. So read widely, write authentically and edit with your audience in mind,” she advises.

Juggling too many things?

Kim highlights the intricacies of work-life balance: “Balancing work-life is again about efficient decision-making- knowing what is essential. I don’t believe in making minute-by-minute plans, but I generally focus on two or three big daily tasks I must complete.

Delegating and collaborating are also essential in leveraging collective strengths and expertise at work: we can achieve more while lightening individual workloads. Leading a startup and delivering under tight timelines with limited resources can result in long working days at a time.

However, setting boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. I carve out dedicated time for personal activities, exercises, and self-care. I also appreciate the value of self-reflection and growing inward; whenever possible, I spend time journaling, practising yoga and mindfulness, and walking in the lush gardens of Singapore.”

Staying in the loop

Kim and her team remain attentive to data issues in the cyber, digital, and risk sectors, collaborating closely with customers and partners to understand critical challenges like asset management, posture detection, compliance management, extended detection, and threat management. This firsthand knowledge forms their strategies and product development for enterprises.

She also stays updated on industry developments by attending networking events and conferences and subscribing to various tech publications and platforms.

Kim recommends the following resources:

• Book: Machine, Platform, Crowd by Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson explores how the collective intelligence of human and machine minds, product and platform dynamics, and core and crowd interactions will shape the digital-native future.
• Website: GZERO AI, a valuable resource for insights into AI and its impact on global affairs.
• Resources: Farnam Street, offering articles and blogs on decision-making and clear thinking.

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Are you ready to join a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and industry experts? Do you have insights, experiences, and knowledge to share?

Join the e27 Contributor Programme and become a valuable voice in our ecosystem. 

The post Karen Kim: Leveraging design thinking for efficient decision-making in data management appeared first on e27.

Southeast Asia’s tech startup sector kicked off 2024 with a bang, securing over US$439 million in venture funding across 31 rounds in January. From pioneering chiplet design to AI automation and neo-rural banking, this wave of investments highlights the region’s growing innovation and global potential.

Below are the top deals of January 2024:

Silicon Box (Singapore)

Funding: US$200 million
Round: Series B
Investors: BRV Capital, Event Horizon Capital, Maverick Capital, Prasedium Capital, Tata Electronics, TDK Ventures, UMC Capital

Bio: Silicon Box is an advanced semiconductor packaging company specialising in cutting-edge chiplet integration services. Founded in 2021 by semiconductor design and packaging industry titans Dr Sehat Sutardja and Weili Dai and CEO Dr Byung Joon Han, Silicon Box aims to bring affordable, high-performance, power-optimised, scalable solutions that enable next-gen large language models (LLM), generative AI, automotive, data centres and mobile computing.

The startup enables chiplet architecture, allowing chip designers freedom from the constraints of a single, monolithic chip for processing. By leveraging multiple smaller chips interconnected in a single package, chip designers can create the equivalent of a “system-on-a-chip” (SoC) in a package.

Sygnum (Singapore)

Funding: US$40 million
Round: Strategic growth
Investors: Azimut Holding (lead)

Bio: Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. It empowers professional and institutional investors, banks, corporate, and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust.

In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking licence and has CMS and Major Payment Institution Licences in Singapore.

Be Group (Vietnam)

Funding: US$30 million
Round: Not specified
Investors: VPBank Securities
Be Group is the Vietnamese startup behind the multi-service consumer platform ‘Be’. Started around five years ago, Be Group has worked with over 300,000 drivers. In 2023 alone, the company facilitated over 120 million rides, maintaining a dominant 35 per cent market share in the ride-hailing sector across 40 cities and provinces in Vietnam.

The platform currently offers more than 15 services, including multimodal transportation, express delivery, food delivery, insurance, and telecommunications.

GDMC (Singapore)

Funding: US$21 million
Round: Series A
Investors: Celadon Partners, WI Harper Group, SEEDS Capital, NSG Ventures

Bio: Genetic Design and Manufacturing Corporation (GDMC) is a design and manufacturing organisation focusing on next-generation advanced genetic therapies. Established in 2021, GDMC focuses on manufacturing advanced therapy modalities, including customised mRNA, plasmid DNA, AAV and Lentiviral Vectors. It has developed a Partnership for Drug Manufacturing Organisation model, offering support to companies, including startups, from drug design to being the one-stop shop for innovators from design and manufacturing to quality assurance and regulatory support for eventual market entry.

Bluesheets (Singapore)

Funding: US$6.5 million
Round: Series A
Investors: Illuminate Financial, 1982 Ventures, Insignia Ventures Partners, Antler Elevate Fund

Bio: Bluesheets is an AI automation software company. It leverages financial data points to train AI models for process automation across various industries. It aims to help businesses process unstructured data in multiple formats, languages, currencies, and from both digital and physical sources.

The company has a client base across Asia Pacific, the US, and Europe, which includes Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group (MSIG), SCG, Teckwah, Gamuda Berhad, Leong Hup International and Commonwealth Capital.

Komunal (Indonesia)

Funding: US$5.5 million
Round: Series A+
Investors: Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia, Jafco Asia, Skystar Capital, Sovereign Capital, Gobi Partners

Bio: Komunal is a fintech company offering neo-rural bank services in Indonesia. Launched in 2019, Komunal digitises rural banks by combining funding access and hyperlocal lending to support economic growth in Indonesia. It provides financial services to the underbanked population through its unique partnership with the rural banks in Indonesia. The firm’s vision is to elevate rural banks and SMEs in the archipelago to serve their local community better.

It has so far partnered with 376 rural banks and channels productive loans to MSMEs predominantly based in tier 2 and 3 cities. Through its digital-based DepositoBPR offering, Indonesians can deposit funds in hundreds of rural banks, eliminating the conventional need for face-to-face processes. These deposits also offer higher interest rates than deposits offered by commercial banks.

Semaai (Indonesia)

Funding: US$4.7 million
Round: Equity and debt financing
Investors: CyberAgent Capital, Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia, Ruvento, MyAsiaVC, Heracles Ventures, Peak XV’s Surge, Accion Venture Lab, Beenext

Bio: Semaai is a ‘farmer-first’ company building full-stack agritech solutions to help farmers and rural MSMEs such as toko tanis in Indonesia maximise their earning potential and access better financing, services and new markets.

Mesh Bio (Singapore)

Funding: US$3.5 million
Round: Series A
Investors: East Ventures, Elev8, Seed Capital

Bio: Mesh Bio is a chronic disease management startup. Founded in 2018 by Wu and Arsen Batagov (CTO), Mesh Bio delivers digital solutions to help healthcare providers with patient management. Its solutions offer patient data and predictive analytics that equip doctors with information and intelligence about their patients and the diseases they live with.

The company develops clinical decision support analytics and automation solutions for managing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Its DARA Health Intelligence Platform enables data-driven care delivery, which improves patient engagement and health outcomes. It has been used by more than 120 medical centres across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia for preventive health screening.

Meiro (Singapore)

Funding: US$3 million
Round: Pre-Series A
Investors: Wavemaker Partners, Angel Central, angels

Bio: Meiro is a customer data platform. Founded in 2018 by Pavel Bulowski, Jana Marlé-Zizková, and Vojtěch Kurka, Meiro’s Customer Data Platform (CDP) empowers brands to better understand customer preferences and behaviours across various touchpoints. Through Meiro, brands can use data to improve customer experience and marketing campaign performance, ultimately maximising customer satisfaction and business profitability.

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

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

The post SEA’s startups shine in Jan funding boom: Chiplets, AI, rural banking lead the charge appeared first on e27.

Mocaverse, a membership network project by Animoca Brands, has formed strategic partnerships with major Web3 wallets — OKX Wallet, Crypto.com DeFi Wallet, and Halo Wallet.

The collaborations aim to bridge the gap between Centralised Finance (CeFi) and the on-chain cultural economy.

Through its recently launched decentralised identity, Moca ID, Mocaverse will foster user growth by integrating with the aforementioned leading self-custodial wallets. Moca ID will serve as the gateway for users to explore various Web3 cultural experiences, including PointFi, GameFi, and SocialFi, and simplify the onboarding process to the Mocaverse ecosystem.

Also Read: Animoca Brands nets US$20M in new round for its ‘Mocaverse’ project

OKX Wallet, Crypto.com DeFi Wallet, and Halo Wallet users will soon be able to claim their unique Moca IDs in-app to enter the Mocaverse ecosystem and access various rewarding culture and entertainment experiences. Moca ID holders can earn Realm Points through participation and active engagement in partner ecosystems and experiences and redeem the points to receive exclusive access to real-life benefits and rewards provided by Mocaverse and Animoca Brands.

Kenneth Shek, project lead of Mocaverse: “This partnership encompasses the values and mission we set out when we envisioned Moca ID, which is to make interoperability a new standard to onboard new users and redefine the Web3 network effect through the Mocaverse Partner Network.”

Jason Lau, chief innovation officer of OKX, added: “OKX Wallet is the best way to discover and explore the growing realm of Web3 gaming, culture, and entertainment experiences. Our collaboration with Mocaverse to support Moca ID gives our users the seamless experience and interoperability they’ve come to expect from OKX Wallet.”

Mocaverse is Animoca’s ambitious project to bring together the company’s portfolio projects, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and partners through a unique NFT collection. Mocaverse features 8,888 Mocas, which are NFT profile pictures (PFPs) that serve as a membership pass for Animoca Brands team members, investors, partners, and certain token holders.

Mocaverse aims to unite the Web3 community through shared purpose and values by allowing holders to exchange ideas, learn, connect, play games, and build the future of Web3.

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

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

The post Mocaverse partners with Web3 wallets to expand Moca ID ecosystem appeared first on e27.

On February 16, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the country’s 2024 budget in Parliament.

As quoted by the Straits Times, Budget 2024 aims to “keep Singapore moving forward” and “equip our citizens to realise their fullest potential and give more assurance to our families and seniors amid a more troubled world.”

As the global political and economic situation challenges local startups, e27 spoke to several tech companies in Singapore to understand their aspirations for the Singapore Budget 2024 and how the government can further support the startup ecosystem.

Several notable themes surfaced in our email interview with founders and executives from Human Managed, Payoneer, and Qashier.

Talents in the ecosystem

Talents are a crucial part of a tech startup ecosystem, and there is an urgency for support that helps them keep up with market changes.

According to Human Managed CEO Karen Kim, academic courses and industry certifications for developing talent should be boosted.

Also Read: Uncovering the rise and challenges faced by deep tech startups in Singapore

But this is not the only dimension of talent development that the government needs to consider.

According to Christopher Choo, Co-founder & CEO of Qashier, “Shortage of manpower, especially in industries with high turnover rates, can pose a challenge for many startups. This is because they may not have as deep pockets as large enterprises to hire extensively.”

“As such, technology plays a key role in automating processing and streamlining operations, allowing startups to operate more efficiently with limited manpower,” he stresses.

Funding and international expansion

Another key challenge that supports in Singapore are facing includes securing capital and maintaining healthy cash flow, according to Choo.

“Grants from public and private sectors are essential for startups and SMEs to scale their operations. Qashier is also constantly finding ways to support SMEs through various efforts such as Qashier Support Package (QSP), an initiative designed to help SMEs digitalise their operations without breaking the bank,” he says.

This funding is crucial in supporting tech companies in their expansion plan, which remains a popular option for Singapore-based startups.

“It’s crucial to grasp the significance of businesses venturing into new markets. At the crux of it, building scale improves the productivity of any business, and unlocking cross-border capabilities will undeniably help businesses become more efficient. It is also part of Singapore’s DNA and identity as a financial hub to help business realise their full potential. While internationalisation efforts are no longer solely the domain of large corporations, it also implies a greater need for support,” says Nagesh Devata, the SVP and President of APAC for Payoneer.

Also Read: Is Singapore the “Delaware” of Southeast Asia?

As a platform that works closely with SMEs, Payoneer notes the challenges that SMEs can face in their international expansion effort.

“Global expansion is undoubtedly challenging for businesses of all sizes, much less SMEs. While many SMEs have achieved remarkable success through global expansion, venturing into new markets can be daunting with unique risks and complexities, and many don’t know how. Launching a business in new countries is one of the most salient areas in which SMBs surveyed in our recent SMB Barometer Report believe they have the weakest performance. That said, it is not an unsurmountable feat,” says Devata.

On supporting innovation

Apart from challenges related to talent and funding for expansion, Kim also highlights the importance of building an ecosystem that supports innovation.

“While Singapore has a vast number of innovations, with NTU and NUS reporting a combined amount of 4,000 inventions and disclosures, Singapore lacks a venture-building ecosystem. The Singapore Budget 2024 should prioritise initiatives that promote the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, alongside investments in robust cybersecurity infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and educational programs,” she says.

According to Kim, these endeavours are essential for fostering trust among citizens, businesses, and investors while improving transparency, accountability, and the ethical handling of data.

“Increased support for collaborative endeavours involving the government, private sector and academia would be welcome. Corporations looking to adopt new technologies should have access to grants to get started. Pre-qualified startups in Singapore would benefit from introductions to potential corporate clients and VCs.”

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Image Credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash

The post Singapore Budget 2024: For startups, talents and funding remain key challenges this year appeared first on e27.

The post Why your first angel cheque should be via a syndicate appeared first on e27.

East Ventures, a leading sector-agnostic VC fund based in Indonesia, has appointed Sang Han as a Partner for its South Korea fund.

Han will manage the operations of East Ventures South Korea, a US$100 million fund formed in partnership with SV Investment in October 2023.

Also Read: East Ventures, SV Investment launch US$100M fund to bridge SEA, Korea startup ecosystems

“My focus will be on strengthening the bridge between Southeast Asia and South Korea to tap into the complementary synergies of both regions,” said Han.

Han brings 20 years of extensive experience and has held key leadership roles within asset management and VC firms covering Southeast Asia, Korea, and the US. His professional journey includes overseeing diverse corporate development responsibilities and directing investments.

He also played a pivotal role in nurturing the growth of startups, notably during his tenure as the MD of Temasek Lifesciences Accelerator (TLA).

Sang holds a BSc in Computer Engineering from Seoul National University and an MBA from INSEAD.

Founded in 2009, East Ventures provides multi-stage investment for over 300 tech companies across Southeast Asia, from seed to growth stage. It is an early backer of prominent tech companies in the region, such as Tokopedia, Traveloka, Ruangguru, ShopBack, Waresix, Xendit, IDN Media, KoinWorks, Sociolla, Tech in Asia (acquired by SPH), Kudo (acquired by Grab), Loket (acquired by Gojek), and MokaPOS (acquired by Gojek).

Also Read: East Ventures launches US$30M fund to back Indonesian startups

Recently, East Ventures and The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) launched Emission Calculator & Visualization Southeast Asia (ECOVISEA). A free web-based global greenhouse gas calculator, ECOVISEA helps companies calculate and measure their environmental impact.

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

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

The post Former MD of Temasek Lifesciences Accelerator Sang Han joins East Ventures Korea appeared first on e27.

US-based ContextLogic has agreed to sell all the operating assets and liabilities of its e-commerce unit Wish to Singapore-based Qoo10 for approximately US$173 million in cash.

This marks a considerable discount to the previous valuation of Wish, whose parent ContextLogic raised US$1.1 billion in its IPO in 2020 at a US$14.1 billion valuation. Wish, once a leading shopping destination in the US, faced massive competition from Temu and Shein, forcing it to sell its assets.

Also Read: Looking abroad: Capturing the e-commerce opportunity in SEA

The transaction is expected to be complete in Q2 2024. Following the closing, the Wish brand and platform will become a part of the Qoo10 family of businesses.

Post the transaction, ContextLogic will have limited operating expenses and a balance sheet that will be debt-free, with net cash proceeds from the asset sale, approximately US$2.7 billion of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and certain retained assets. The Board intends to use the proceeds from the transaction to help monetise its NOLs.

ContextLogic CEO Joe Yan said: “Integrating the Wish platform into Qoo10 will create a true global cross-border e-commerce platform to support the massive market demand. Upon close, we expect the new Wish platform will have an improved customer experience through increased product assortment and merchant selection.”

Qoo10 CEO and Founder Young Bae Ku remarked, “Wish has innovative technology that provides highly entertaining, personalised shopping experiences for its users while serving as one of the largest global e-commerce platforms. By combining our operating expertise and Wish’s technology and data science capabilities, we expect to drive greater success for merchants while providing an even greater marketplace for consumers globally.”

Also Read: What is next for Indonesian e-commerce scene after GoTo, TikTok Indonesia merger?

In 2019, Qoo10 acquired ShopClues, an online marketplace in India, for US$70-100 million. This all-stock deal was the culmination of a prolonged hunt for a buyer by ShopClues, which at its peak was valued at US$1.1 billion in late 2015.

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

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

The post Qoo10 to acquire US e-commerce platform Wish’s operating assets, liabilities for US$173M appeared first on e27.

Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Echelon X, one of the most anticipated tech and business conferences of the year, is not just about networking and insightful discussions; it’s also about offering attendees a tailored experience. Happening on 15-16 May 2024 at the Singapore EXPO, the two-day conference serves as a gathering for all stakeholders from across the Southeast Asian tech startup ecosystem.

At Echelon X, you’ll find top-notch speakers delivering cutting-edge insights on the latest trends in tech and innovation, panel discussions on firsthand experiences from some of the most sought out industry insiders, and a showcase of some of the most exciting new startups from across the region. As such, e27 is dedicated to making sure that your Echelon X is customised specifically for your needs.

Also read: Echelon X: 10 years of empowering the SEA startup ecosystem

Whether you’re an industry veteran checking out the latest in tech, an up-and-coming founder exploring growth opportunities, or a tech enthusiast looking to satiate your hunger for innovation, Echelon X has got you covered. With its range of ticketing options, Echelon X ensures that participants can choose the level of access and perks that best suit their needs and preferences.

Echelon X’s customised experience

Let’s delve into the offerings of each ticketing tier and what they bring to the table:

1. Starter Pass:

The Starter Pass is the introductory, no-frills ticket option, ideal for individuals eager to fully engage in the Echelon X experience on a basic level. Despite being the entry-level choice, the Starter Pass provides a wide range of benefits:

• 2-day Echelon X pass: Gain access to both days of the conference, ensuring you don’t miss out on any crucial sessions or networking opportunities.
• Access to all conference stages: Dive into a diverse range of talks and panel discussions across multiple stages, covering various topics from technology trends to startup success stories.
• Access to the Marketplace zone: Explore the bustling Marketplace, where you can check out and even purchase products straight from the innovators behind them.
• Access to the Exhibition zone: Get up close and personal with cutting-edge products and services showcased by exhibitors.
• Access to the TOP100 showcase zone: Witness the excitement of the TOP100 startup showcase, where promising startups pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.
• Access to roundtable discussions: Engage in intimate discussions on specific topics, allowing for deeper insights and networking opportunities.
• Access to side events: Participate in networking sessions, workshops, and other side events happening alongside the main conference.

2. Premier Pass:

The Premier Pass takes the Echelon X experience up a notch by offering additional amenities to enhance your comfort and convenience:

• All benefits of the Starter Pass: Enjoy everything included in the Starter Pass package.
• Lunch and water: Refuel and stay hydrated throughout the day with complimentary lunch and water provided onsite.

Also read: Vonage to lead customer engagement deep dive in Indonesia

3. Gold Pass:

For those seeking a premium conference experience with exclusive perks and privileges, the Gold Pass is the ultimate choice:

• All benefits of the Premier Pass: Benefit from all the perks included in the Premier Pass package.
• Business Meet Package: Take advantage of a dedicated business meet package, including limited onsite branding opportunities and all-day basic coffee and tea service to keep you energised and refreshed.
• Access to speaker lounge: Rub shoulders with industry experts and speakers in the exclusive speaker lounge.
• Free-flow lounge barista coffee: Indulge in premium barista-made coffee throughout the conference.
• Drinks at the official after party: Unwind and network over drinks at the lively after party, exclusive to Gold Pass holders.
• Echelon X merchandise: Take home exclusive Echelon X merchandise as a token of your premium conference experience.

Join us at Echelon X!

As the countdown to Echelon X begins, mark your calendars for May 15th and 16th, 2024, as the Singapore EXPO transforms into a hub of tech and innovation. Over these two jam-packed days, participants will have the unique opportunity to meet industry titans, visionary entrepreneurs, and game-changing startups from across the region.

Also read: How data can be used to empower mental healthcare in Asia

Whether you’re seeking to soak up knowledge, forge valuable connections, or showcase your groundbreaking ideas, Echelon X promises an unforgettable experience. If you’re ready to be part of this transformative journey, whether as a participant or an official partner, head to our official page now to secure your spot. Together, let’s embark on a journey to reshape the future and make a lasting impact.

Join us at Echelon 2024, where innovation knows no bounds and possibilities are endless!

The post Unlocking the full Echelon X experience through customised ticketing options appeared first on e27.

According to STEPVR, video creation plays a pivotal role for businesses and professionals in conveying information in this era of the internet and short videos. However, the existing video production processes are often tedious, costly, and time-consuming, making them inaccessible to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

AI-based video creation tools are supposed to be helpful for this, but challenges remain.

“Existing AI video technologies have primarily excelled in isolated areas, generating short dynamic scenes from a single image or crafting creative videos based on textual descriptions. Regrettably, these technologies often remain ‘novel and interesting,’ struggling to find practical applications,” says STEPVR President Dr Guo Cheng in an email interview with e27.

To tackle that problem, STEPVR developed a Generative AI-powered video generation platform to make video production as simple as creating a slide presentation for businesses. It can even create digital avatars that verbally articulate a written script in a selected Southeast Asian language.

“We are committed to reverse engineering the entire spectrum of AI technologies essential for video production and seamlessly integrating them into a genuinely practical product. Unlike other solutions, our AI video generation tool is lightweight, allowing users to effortlessly create talking-head videos akin to producing a PowerPoint presentation—making the process more efficient, concise, and tailored to individual needs.”

Also Read: How Transparently.AI uses Artificial Intelligence to detect accounting manipulation, fraud

STEPVR currently has 10 core members involved in its AI project and is planning to expand its team further.

The company was part of the AI Trailblazers initiative, Singapore’s first Generative AI Innovation Sandboxes established to accelerate the development of generative AI solutions that address organisations’ real-world challenges. The initiative is part of MCI, DISG, and Google Cloud’s strategic collaboration to bolster the country’s National AI Strategy.

To learn more about STEPVR, check out this edited excerpt of our interview with Dr Guo Cheng:

Can you tell us a bit about your product development journey? How did you come up with the idea and concept?

During the surge in Generative AI technologies, STEPVR actively explored solutions for AI-generated videos. However, the exorbitant cost of developing large models led the team to a pivotal realisation. Generic AI video tools had become the “Colosseum” of industry giants, unsuitable for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. To thrive, STEPVR needed to identify niche demands and carve out a path towards commercial viability.

At that moment, as the team meticulously organised product information through PowerPoint, a groundbreaking idea emerged. What if they could create a promotional video by employing a similar approach? This could circumvent the traditional processes of scripting, shooting, recording, editing, and post-production effects, liberating productivity entirely.

Moreover, this demand was necessary for startups, sales professionals, business executives, and office workers. An AI-generated high-quality video had the potential to make their products or companies stand out, with a strong willingness to pay for such a service.

Also Read: These Artificial Intelligence startups are proving to be industry game-changers

In a remarkably short period, STEPVR established a web-based AI video tool. This tool seamlessly integrates elements such as digital spokespersons, material images and videos, copywriting, logos, and AI-generated images, focusing on producing enterprise-level promotional or personal introduction videos.

How do you envision your product will be in the next few years?

Our vision is to build a substantial base of paying users globally in the future, with a stellar reputation, genuinely serving the branding needs of SMEs and individuals. Simultaneously, we aim to liberate the productivity of more video producers, providing a valuable service to the broader community.

Who are your users? How do you acquire them?

In the initial phase, STEPVR is targeting SMEs with a user base of several hundred people, aiming to secure initial funding through collaborations with corporate clients. Simultaneously, there are plans to advance the development of the personal edition of our product.

As the parent company primarily engaged in metaverse VR, wearable devices, and robotics, STEPVR’s parent company has accumulated several years of experience with its global sales team and clientele. In the AI product line, STEPVR is confident in leveraging its existing channels to acquire its initial user base.

Additionally, the team will continue participating in major AI competitions and presentations. Furthermore, efforts will be made to establish a communication matrix on social media platforms both domestically and internationally, ensuring that more users become acquainted with STEPVR’s products and expanding its influence.

Also Read: Artificial intelligence has been flourishing incredibly in these 5 Southeast Asia technology hubs

What is your business model?

We aim to initiate our exploration with a B2B model, subsequently advancing our product lines into B2C. We are open to capital infusion throughout this process to fuel further development and investment.

Globally, Singapore is one of the most promising countries regarding AI implementation. Is there any specific opportunity that you want to tap into here?

Singapore will serve as the overseas data centre for STEPVR’s AI video products. The region is conducive to the high-tech industry and boasts a significant pool of potential users. The team identified a substantial business opportunity during the initial market research phase. Many SMEs in Southeast Asian countries lack localised and customised AI video generation tools.

Simultaneously, they find it challenging to afford off-the-shelf AI tools from Western markets. This presents STEPVR with a tremendous business opportunity.

What is the role of partnership in helping you grow your business?

During the recently concluded AI Trailblazer Accelerator programme, a joint initiative by the Singapore government and Google, STEPVR’s product received substantial support.

With Google providing cloud computing services and guidance from its technical team, STEPVR enhanced its product’s user experience significantly. Looking ahead, STEPVR is committed to ongoing collaboration with its partners, continuously refining the product to deliver improved services to its users.

What is your major plan for 2024?

We aim to have 100 enterprise-level users by the year 2024.

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Image Credit: STEPVR

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Many of us are familiar with the advantages of setting up a Singapore-based business, making it an attractive location for startup founders and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.

Aside from its benefits, the city-state has also made it relatively easy and quick to incorporate your business in the country—that’s if you are a local. Truth be told, the process isn’t as straightforward for foreign directors like myself.

Before diving deeper into the details, let’s quickly review why it’s worth incorporating in Singapore.

Strategic geographical location

Being situated right in the heart of Asia, Singapore’s strategic location gives businesses a steady platform for expansion in the region and increased connectivity to the rest of the world.

With extensive air connectivity as a result of a robust supply chain management system, Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines with over 62.2 million passengers passing through the airport each year.

On top of being a centralised hub, this also gives founders and modern business owners easy access to an open market of four billion people in Asia.

Free trade agreements (FTAs)

To keep up with the dynamic global landscape, Singapore has one of the most extensive networks of free trade agreements. To date, it has implemented 22 bi-lateral and regional FTAs including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which opens up a gateway to a plethora of suppliers and service providers around the globe.

This is a big deal especially for companies looking towards expansion in Southeast Asia as these trade agreements include treaties with all 10 members of ASEAN, giving you a better edge when entering the regional market.

Also Read: A sneak peek into 8 Singapore startups joining Big Idea Ventures’s New Protein programme

Ease of doing business

Unlike other nations around the world that require founders to be physically present to incorporate their business in the country, setting up your company in Singapore is incredibly swift and seamless. In fact, the incorporation process can be done completely online and in just a matter of minutes.

More and more business owners are becoming more reliant on digital solutions thanks to the rise of remote setups and the current state of international travel.

With a fully digitised procedure, foreign directors easily incorporate their companies in Singapore and get started with their operations in no time.

Politically stable environment

Compared to its counterparts in the region, Singapore has consistently ranked as one of the most politically stable countries in the region, making it a highly conducive environment for growth.

With the ongoing geopolitical strife between China and the US, many businesses are steering clear from these territories, leaving Singapore as the better and more sustainable alternative in the long run.

Access to funding and resources

Unlike big multinational corporations, startups rely heavily on external funding to kickstart the growth of their business. Fortunately, the Singapore government is incredibly supportive of startups from all sectors and has grant schemes and tax incentives in place to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to join Southeast Asia’s leading business hub.

Apart from government initiatives to provide funding for startups, there is a wide array of credible venture capital funds, incubators, and accelerators in Singapore designed for both local and international entrepreneurs.

Why it can be difficult for foreigners

Physical presence is required

Unlike local founders, foreign directors have to go the extra mile and make their way to Singapore as most incorporation packages require applicants to be physically present for a plethora of reasons.

This includes everything from paperwork, bank account opening, proving the legitimacy of the documents, as well as multiple director coordination.

Also Read: A beginner’s guide to incorporating tech startups in Singapore

While this requirement is justifiable to a certain extent, it is incredibly taxing on the director’s end, considering that additional arrangements have to be made from booking flight tickets to even finding the time to travel all the way to Singapore.

The process is backward 

Before getting your Singapore-based company up and running, there are various requirements that founders need to adhere to prior to carrying out business activities. In Singapore, at least one local resident must be a part of the company’s group of directors. For founders who have no existing network of connections in the country, this step can be rather challenging to fulfil.

Having a local registered business address is also another requirement that directors need to achieve before commencing operations.

Some might say that the process is backward as most systems across the globe prioritise getting companies registered first before taking care of the nitty-gritty details like forming your board of directors or having an office address.

Non-transparent information 

For some firms specialising in business registration for companies, there is a lack of transparency in the information provided to foreign directors upfront. Incorporation packages may come with hidden fees and additional requirements, leaving founders in the dark once it’s time to make a payment.

It is also likely that such companies are more focused and persistent on selling their services rather than building trust in their customers first, which may not sit well for most foreign directors.

Unfortunately, we weren’t exempted from these challenges. Having gone through these pains firsthand ourselves, we decided to solve the problem for other founders. Here’s how we did it.

How we solved the problem

Seeing fellow directors face the same problem, we took matters into our own hands and created a comprehensive solution that would streamline the incorporation process for Southeast Asia founders.

Earlier this year, we launched a solution stream, Aspire Kickstart, to equip startups with everything they need to launch their business in Singapore.

In just 10 minutes through a 100 per cent digital application procedure, foreign directors can incorporate their companies in the city-state and get a business bank account both at the same time.

Also Read: Tembusu Partners’s e-sports fund invests US$1M in Singapore’s RSG

Full Stack Data Founder Rishabh Srivastava’s experience included making multiple physical visits to various firms and banks, along with an endless amount of documents for verification. With Aspire’s incorporation process, all of that has been cut down to a tee.

With minimal paperwork and transparent pricing, founders can let our team of incorporation specialists take over and facilitate the entire registration process from submitting all application paperwork to ACRA, filing legal documents and financial reporting on behalf of new business applicants—all for an affordable price that won’t break the bank.

Being a startup ourselves, we understand how important it is to generate savings and create inexpensive solutions for fellow entrepreneurs.

As much as we would have liked to have a seamless incorporation process during our time, we are glad to have created and extended this service to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners in Southeast Asia to give them a head start in their entrepreneurial journey in the city-state.

Since our incorporation, Aspire has reaped significant benefits and seen exponential growth in our business, and hope that fellow founders can enjoy a piece of the pie that Singapore has to offer as well.

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Image Credit: Aspire

This article was first published on April 21, 2021

The post Is Singapore the “Delaware” of Southeast Asia? appeared first on e27.