While the holiday season brings joyous moments spent with loved ones and relaxation for many, it’s also a prime time for cybercriminals to strike. As the season approaches, cybercriminals become more active, exploiting increased online activity and distractions.

This surge in risks doesn’t just affect customers of online shoppers; it poses significant challenges for businesses as well. The allure for cybercriminals highlights the critical need for heightened vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures during this festive time.

The incidents in December 2022 show how serious these risks can be: The Guardian has been hit by a serious IT incident, which is believed to be a ransomware attack, and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) had their staff fooled by fake emails promising holiday bonuses, causing them to lose their login details.

These attacks show how important it is for organisations to have strong defences, especially against phishing, which happens often during this time. Businesses need to act ahead to protect their important data and daily work.

To fortify against these cyber threats, businesses should consider these tips during the holiday season:

Employee training and awareness

As holiday schedules shift and staff availability decreases due to vacations, businesses become more susceptible to cyber threats. Establishing a holiday cybersecurity plan and an emergency response strategy is crucial to counter potential breaches and data loss.

Every employee, regardless of the company’s size, needs training to spot cyber threats like fake emails, malicious links, and scam calls. This training fosters awareness and empowers individuals to identify and address potential dangers effectively. 

Specialised sessions focusing on holiday-specific threats such as phishing scams and social engineering are essential. Emphasise the importance of following security protocols and maintaining continuous vigilance among all employees.

Establish incident response plans

During the holidays, make sure you have clear plans for what to do if there’s a cyber attack. Create easy-to-follow steps for your team to follow if there’s a security breach. Test these plans regularly to make sure they work well in emergencies. This helps your business handle any cyber issues better during the busy holiday season.

Also Read: How cybersecurity teams can involve HR to optimise incident response

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

It’s wise to activate Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security during the long holiday season. MFA provides an extra layer of protection for your accounts and systems.

Even if someone gets hold of your password, MFA requires an additional verification step, like a code sent to your phone, making it much harder for unauthorised individuals to access your sensitive information. This simple step significantly reduces the risk of cyber breaches during this busy and potentially vulnerable period.

Email threat protection

Amidst the holiday rush, phishing remains a top cyber threat. Cybercriminals favour phishing due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Rather than exploiting system vulnerabilities, phishers deceive victims into harmful actions.

These attacks impact businesses profoundly. Phishing emails carry malware or deceive employees into sharing sensitive data or transferring funds to attackers.

To mitigate phishing risks, employ robust email protection tools. Advanced spam filters and malware detection help block malicious emails. Educate employees, especially during the holidays when phishing spikes, on spotting and reporting suspicious emails. This proactive approach shields your business from potential costly missteps.

Automate patch management

Enhance your cybersecurity defences this holiday season with automated patch management. These systems streamline software updates, bolstering protection against potential cyber threats.

Automated patch management simplifies keeping software current across all devices and systems. This uniform protection minimises vulnerabilities cyber attackers might exploit. With automated updates, critical security patches are consistently applied, even when employees are on holiday. This ensures your organisation stays resilient against cyber threats during the festive season.

Assess third-party vendor security

It’s vital to evaluate the security measures of your third-party vendors and partners. Their practices might affect your organisation’s cybersecurity. Third-party connections can bring in security risks. 

Also Read: The state of cybersecurity in 2023: How APAC organisations can stay ahead of the curve

By assessing their cybersecurity practices, you can pinpoint potential threats. Check if their cybersecurity posture aligns with your data protection standards. This helps ensure your systems stay secure, safeguarding against holiday cyber risks.

Secure remote work environments

Ensuring secure remote work setups is crucial, especially during the holiday season when many employees are working remotely or on vacation. Key steps are remote work setups that are fortified with secure VPNs, encrypted connections, and updated security software to protect sensitive data and communications.

Also, to restrict internal network access, cybercriminals often target Remote Desktop Protocols (RDP) for unauthorised entry. By limiting RDP access and enforcing robust authentication measures, you significantly reduce the risk of intrusion.

Backup critical data and systems

Implementing a strong data backup and recovery strategy safeguards your organisation’s critical information from cyber threats, system glitches, or accidental mishaps.

A well-thought-out backup plan ensures swift data recovery, maintaining uninterrupted operations. This approach not only minimises downtime but also helps sustain productivity and customer service during the busy holiday season. 

Applying security measures like encryption and access controls fortifies backup data, preserving its confidentiality and integrity. Regular testing and validation build trust in the backups’ reliability, ensuring your organisation is prepared for any eventuality.

Final thoughts

As we enjoy the holidays, cyber dangers rise. With the holidays approaching, cybercriminals get busier, taking advantage of more people online and distracted.

This isn’t just a problem for online shoppers; it affects businesses too. We need to be extra careful and use strong digital defences, especially against phishing scams that become more common now.

To stay safe, train your team, use better email protection, and keep your systems updated. Here’s to a happy and safe holiday season, protected by these important cybersecurity tips!

—

Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

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In the ever-evolving landscape of startups, securing venture capital funding is often the golden ticket that propels a promising venture to new heights. However, the path to VC success is riddled with challenges, and one crucial aspect that can make or break a startup’s appeal to investors is its cap table.

A well-managed cap table not only attracts potential backers but also sets the stage for a smoother journey as the startup navigates the complexities of growth.

In this article, let’s delve into some common cap table blunders that could hinder your chances of securing VC funding and offer insights on how to avoid them.

The pitfall of one dominant investor

While having a lead investor is a standard practice in the startup world, placing too much power in the hands of a single entity can be a red flag for potential investors. Diversifying your investor base is crucial, as it helps mitigate risk and showcases a more balanced and stable financial structure.

Imagine a scenario where a startup’s cap table is heavily skewed towards a dominant investor holding a substantial portion of equity. While this might seem like a vote of confidence from a major backer, it can also signal potential problems. Over-reliance on one investor for financial support and decision-making power can lead to a lack of diversity in perspectives and a vulnerability to the whims of that specific entity.

Also Read: Innovation in HR: Hacking Talents’s journey in personalised professional development

To avoid this pitfall, it’s essential to actively seek out a mix of investors with varying expertise, backgrounds, and interests. This not only safeguards your startup against the risks associated with a single point of failure but also adds value through the diverse insights and networks that different investors can bring to the table.

Managing ex-founders with excessive equity

The dynamics of startup founding teams can be complex, and as ventures evolve, so do the roles and equity stakes of founders. One common cap table blunder is allowing former founders to retain excessive equity, particularly if it exceeds the generally accepted threshold of 10 per cent.

Investors are likely to raise concerns if they perceive ex-founders still hold significant sway over the startup’s decision-making processes. This situation can create challenges in establishing a clear leadership structure and may even hinder the ability of the current leadership team to drive the company forward.

To address this issue, startups should proactively manage the equity stakes of ex-founders, ensuring that they are in line with industry norms. This might involve buyback agreements or equity vesting schedules that gradually decrease the stake of ex-founders over time. Striking the right balance is crucial to maintain a healthy and dynamic leadership structure that aligns with the startup’s current goals and direction.

Founders’s equity pre-seed round: Striking the right balance

Founders holding a substantial stake in the company is generally seen as a positive indicator of commitment and confidence in the project. However, striking the right balance between founder equity and investor interests, especially before the seed round, is crucial.

In the early stages, founders often wear multiple hats, from ideation to execution. Investors want to see a strong commitment from the founding team, which is often reflected in the equity they hold. While the ideal range can vary, a common benchmark is for founders to retain at least 80 per cent of the equity before the seed round.

This significant founder ownership demonstrates a belief in the venture’s potential and aligns the interests of the founders with those of the investors. It also provides a buffer for the founders to navigate the challenges of the early stages without feeling overly pressured by external influences.

The dangers of a zoo of investors

While securing funding from a diverse set of investors is generally positive, there’s a fine line between diversity and chaos. A cap table resembling a zoo with numerous small investors can be challenging to manage and may lead to governance issues down the road.

Also Read: Acing in hackathons: What every tech enthusiast needs to consider

Imagine a scenario where a startup has attracted a multitude of small investors during its initial fundraising rounds. While each investor may have good intentions, the sheer number of stakeholders can complicate decision-making processes, hinder communication, and slow down the pace of progress.

To avoid the dangers of a crowded cap table, it’s crucial for startups to strike a balance between securing diverse funding sources and maintaining a streamlined and organised investor base. This might involve consolidating smaller investments into larger rounds, fostering clear communication channels with investors, and regularly updating them on the company’s progress.

In the competitive world of startups, attracting venture capital funding is a significant milestone. However, the journey to securing VC backing is fraught with challenges, and a well-managed cap table is a key determinant of success.

By avoiding common pitfalls such as relying too heavily on one dominant investor, managing ex-founders’s equity, striking the right balance of founder equity pre-seed round, and avoiding the chaos of a zoo of investors, startups can position themselves as attractive prospects for VC funding.

Remember, a well-structured cap table not only instils confidence in investors but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and agile startup as it navigates the complexities of growth. As you embark on your fundraising journey, keep these key points in mind to increase your chances of VC success and set the stage for a prosperous future for your startup.

—

Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page

Image credit: Canva

The post Navigating VC funding: The crucial role of a well-managed cap table appeared first on e27.

Keng Low, a startup investor and co-founder of Finantier, recently launched liveful, a new digital platform aiming to redefine how Singapore approaches commemorating loved ones. The startup has already raised undisclosed funding from CapitaLand Investment (through its corporate venturing arm supported by the CapitaLand Innovation Fund) and Rainmaking APAC, besides EDB’s Corporate Venture Launchpad programme.

We sat down with liveful founder and CEO Low, who shared the personal inspiration behind the new venture and the innovative features that set it apart in the digital landscape.

Turning personal loss into a collective cause

The genesis of liveful is deeply personal for Low, who transitioned from the fintech world to tackle a critical gap in Singapore’s societal fabric. The passing of both his grandmothers fuelled a quest to revolutionise how we navigate and commemorate loss. The founder’s frustration with the archaic processes of funeral planning led to the birth of liveful, a new digital platform supporting how individuals navigate the emotional and logistic challenges of loss online. The new platform aims to bridge deeply personal and unmet local community needs.

Also Read: Navigating VC funding: The crucial role of a well-managed cap table

“Plans for the average funeral procession begin rolling out within 12-24 hours — meaning those closest to the departed are often bogged down trying to make sense of unfamiliar logistics, admin and more, instead of being present in grief. This frustration evolved into a broader realisation: countless others in Singapore faced or will face these same challenges,” he said.

“It’s ironic that this story exists amid all the startups and digitally-driven innovations around us. It was here that liveful was born — out of a personal journey that resonated with a collective experience, aiming to innovate in a space that time and technology seemed to have overlooked,” Low explained.

Shaping the cultural landscape

Liveful’s recent survey indicates a growing acceptance of digital grief expression in Singapore. The founder envisions this trend evolving into a more open and compassionate society, with liveful playing a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape around discussing loss online. The platform offers a unified space for communal support and individual healing, fostering a community that embraces the digital expression of grief.

“Our survey reflects a shift towards digital grief expression in Singapore. Guided by the right tools, I see this trend evolving Singapore into a more open, accepting and compassionate society. liveful plays a pivotal role in this, offering a platform that normalises discussing loss online, providing a space for communal support and individual healing. We want to offer a leap forward with a unified platform that intuitively aligns with the digital behaviours of Singaporeans seeking solace and guidance amidst loss. Our aim is not just to be a part of the digital landscape but to make liveful a familiar, comforting presence in the unique grief journey of each individual,” he added.

Capturing memories and managing legal aspects

liveful aims to better address existing needs in the grief journey by connecting those experiencing loss to the spectrum of choices around 1) the expression of loss, (2) how they commemorate loved ones, and (3) approach logistic challenges families face, all through a dedicated digital environment.

Liveful introduces groundbreaking features such as 3D virtual spaces for capturing memories and Digital Vaults for managing legal and digital aspects. The ‘Memories’ feature provides users with immersive 3D virtual spaces for creating personalised memorials that are adaptable to diverse cultural norms. ‘Legacy,’ the digital vaults service, addresses practical aspects, ensuring seamless legal and digital affairs management during challenging times.

Its Network of Care feature aims to include a diverse range of support partners and ambassadors. From lawyers to insurance companies, the network is designed to support the varied grief experiences in society. The long-term vision is to address digital fragmentation in grief-related services and ensure support is always within reach.

Massive opportunities and future expansion

liveful’s immediate focus is on understanding and serving the unique needs of the Singaporean community. It aims to build a local foundation of trust before considering expansion. The platform sees potential in other markets with highly urbanised environments but prioritises a strategic and culturally sensitive approach.

“We believe in the power of responding to the specific demands of those we’re building for – ensuring that every aspect of liveful is deeply rooted in the lived experiences of the people here. This initial focus is crucial; it’s about being fully present and responsive to the needs of our community, and it reflects our commitment to respect and empathy in every aspect of our journey,” he shared.

Also Read: What will be the key trend in technology next year?

“As we look to the future, we see liveful’s potential to touch lives in other markets, especially those with highly urbanised environments like Singapore. But ultimately, it’s about building a local foundation of trust and understanding before seriously considering expansion. This approach is not just strategic; it reflects our respect for the diverse cultural and emotional intricacies of grief and remembrance,” he elaborated.

The major challenge faced by liveful lies in balancing cultural and emotional sensitivities. The platform’s phased rollout prioritised the ‘Loss’ feature at launch, providing users with immediate guidance through the practical aspects of loss. This strategic decision is expected to benefit users during the critical early stages of grief.

“It’s about striking the right balance – being there for people in their moments of need while respecting the personal nature of grief. Our commitment to this delicate balance is what guides our marketing and communication strategies at every level,” Low claimed.

Sensitivity in design and navigating cultural nuances

Liveful’s development involved deep research, hundreds of interviews, sentiment surveys, and partnerships with key stakeholders to launch Network of Care. Ambassadors like Jelyn Wong, who shared personal experiences of loss, helped ensure the platform authentically represents Singapore’s diverse emotions and perspectives.

“Individuals like Wong shared their very personal experiences of loss to ensure our platform authentically represents the wide range of emotions and perspectives prevalent in Singapore. This people-first approach makes liveful a resonant space for Singaporeans from all walks of life,” Low said.

Also Read: How immersive tech can boost your health and happiness

As liveful steps into the public domain, it marks not just a launch but a significant leap toward transforming the landscape of grief in the digital age, one that reflects the collective experience of a society navigating loss in a space-conscious environment.

The post Transforming grief in the digital age: liveful’s journey from loss to innovation appeared first on e27.

Indonesia’s Halal-certified beauty brand, Rosé All Day Cosmetics (RADC), has secured US$5.41 million in a Series A funding round of investment led by SWC Global.

DSG Consumer Partners (DSGCP) and AC Ventures also participated.

RADC will use the fresh capital to broaden its nationwide distribution, expand its market reach into other ASEAN countries, and enhance its product across the board.

The company also intends to scale up its team by recruiting in critical departments, such as marketing, social media, operations, finance, and product development.

Founded in 2017 by Cindy Nyoto Gunawan, Tiffany Danielle, and Samantha Wijaya, RADC brings “high-quality”, clean-beauty makeup and skincare solutions that are cruelty-free and celebrate natural beauty, inclusivity and sustainability.

Also Read: How cruelty-free, Halal-certified D2C cosmetics brand RADC achieved 4X growth in 2022

RADC claims that it registered significant growth attributable to the expanded distribution, increased interest from local e-shoppers, and strong customer retention. In 2022, it saw a 4x increase in annual revenue, followed by a 6x growth in 2023.

Commencing with a modest US$10,000 initial capital, the D2C business said it achieved profitability within a mere 1.5 years of operation.

In 2020, RADC raised undisclosed seed funding from AC Ventures and GIA Venture.

In 2022, Indonesia’s cosmetics and skincare markets, valued at US$800 million and US$2.4 billion, respectively, will experience annual growth of 14-16 per cent and 10-15 per cent until 2026. This expansion is fuelled by a Millennial and Gen Z base of 145 million consumers desiring premium products amid a rising GDP per capita, expected to reach US$7,000 by 2026. The substantial digital engagement, with an 89 per cent penetration rate in urban areas, is attributed to the flourishing e-commerce and social media landscape.

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Fundraising or preparing your startup for fundraising? Build your investor network, search from 400+ SEA investors on e27, and get connected or get insights regarding fundraising. Try e27 Pro for free today.

The post Halal beauty brand RADC secures US$5.41M for ASEAN expansion appeared first on e27.

Dear reader,

In a strategic move, TikTok Shop is poised for a powerful resurgence in Indonesia through a groundbreaking deal with Tokopedia following a two-month ban spurred by new social commerce regulations.

The merger enables TikTok to seamlessly integrate with Tokopedia, leveraging the latter’s extensive logistics network and financial products. Tokopedia, holding a significant 35% of Indonesia’s total GMV, strategically avoids costly subsidy wars by merging with TikTok Shop, which recorded an impressive US$4.4B GMV in the region last year.

The deal de-risks GoTo’s e-commerce business and aligns with its profitability goals. Analysts emphasise the potential wave of similar mergers across the region, inviting scrutiny over foreign companies and their relationships with local platforms. TikTok’s localisation strategy becomes critical, with the combined Tokopedia-TikTok Shop alliance projected to capture a 40% market share, surpassing Shopee.

While uncertainties persist about the separation of social media and social commerce, TikTok’s deep pockets position it as a formidable force in live selling, impacting Shopee’s competitiveness. As the Indonesian government closely monitors the trial campaign, the success of this partnership could redefine the landscape of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector.

Sainul,
Editor.
=====

TikTok Shop gets winning hand in Indonesia via Tokopedia mega deal
For Tokopedia, given its significantly larger share of Indonesia’s total gross merchandise value (GMV) – which sits at 35% compared to TikTok Shop’s 5% – the decision to pursue a merger seems strategic, enabling it to avoid costly subsidy wars for market dominance.

Startup funding in SEA falls 65% to US$4.3B in 2023: Tracxn
Late-stage funding dropped 65% to US$1.9B, early-stage funding declined 67% to US$1.9B, and seed-stage investments fell 52% to US$546M; Fintech, enterprise applications, and retail were the top-performing segments.

Next banks US$140M from Peter Thiel-backed Crescendo
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Legal woes, police reports trail woman linked to ex-Foodpanda CEO’s exit
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AI-driven ingredient quality platform ProfilePrint concludes Series B round
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01Fintech invests US$20M in SME financing platform firm Validus
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Indonesian D2C startup Rosé All Day Cosmetics bags US$5.41M Series A
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‘Programmable bank’ Pave Bank launches with US$5.2M seed funding
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Thailand has untapped startup potential, BCG report says
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AnyMind Group expands into Saudi Arabia
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OKX Ventures invests in Animoca Brands’s Mocaverse
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Non-AI SaaS startups in India to face challenges in raising funds in 2024: Report
Series A (~US$5M) investments might see a significant dip and increased stringency in metrics and LLMs are poised to have a significant impact, similar to mobile operating systems in 2009, a report by SaaS accelerator fund Upekkha said.

British International Investment backs India’s Aye Finance in US$37M funding
Aye provides business loans in the form of mortgage, hypothecation, and term credit to underserved micro enterprises that find it challenging to secure their working capital requirements from traditional lenders, including banks.

Blink secures US$2.1M to expand online ordering platform in Middle East
The investors are 500 Global, Global Founders Capital, and Orbit Startups; Blink helps restaurants widen their direct online ordering channels by offering branded platforms and mobile apps.

Meta aims to brings its fact-checking program to Threads next year
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OpenAI inks deal with Axel Springer on licensing news for model training
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Privacy complaint takes aim at X over EU ads targeted on sensitive data
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Who is doing what: Understanding the different job titles in a VC firm
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‘Not all is doom and gloom’: Experts on the potential of AI to steal jobs in SEA
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Singaporean startup KittyKat does affordable brand photoshoots for small online businesses
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How Ampotech helps energy, facilities managers improve the performance of their buildings
Ampotech’s proprietary device AmpoHub becomes the brain of an electrical panel, logging usage data and detecting anomalies for specific equipment like air conditioners and motors.

Holiday cybersecurity: Safeguarding businesses amidst increased cyber threats
As we enjoy the holidays, cyber dangers rise; here’s to a happy and safe holiday season, protected by these important cybersecurity tips

Navigating VC funding: The crucial role of a well-managed cap table
A well-structured cap table not only instils confidence in investors but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and agile startup.

Top 10 contributors in communications and marketing excellence
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Cultivating loyalty in live commerce: A lesson in progressive ownership
The best way to target niches within a crowded e-commerce landscape: theme-based live streaming. Uncover the potential of Mela’s progressive ownership model to cultivate user loyalty.

The rise of video games: Popular genres, global trends, and emerging technologies
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Bridging continents: Lessons learned from Singapore and Estonia’s tech journeys
Exploring how Estonia and Singapore can influence regulations and standards for emerging markets in new foods, processes, and legislation.

Transforming grief in the digital age: liveful’s journey from loss to innovation
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‘Bringing world-class AI talent can substantially enrich the industry in SG’
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The post Ecosystem Roundup: TikTok Shop gets winning hand in Tokopedia deal | Startup investments in SEA decline 65% in 2023 appeared first on e27.

In the vibrant e27 community, a diverse array of voices actively influences conversations on emerging technologies and innovation. This feature is dedicated to our top 10 contributors, all of whom are noteworthy startup founders. They bring forth expert insights in their respective domains, offering a valuable glimpse into their journeys and experiences within the startup ecosystem.

Artem Moskalev

Moskalev is the Co-Founder of IVITECH, a mobility fintech startup. The company provides access to vehicles and innovative solutions for mobility entrepreneurs across Asia, CIS countries, and beyond. Committed to Indonesia’s greener future, it supports the government’s goal of 2.5 million electric vehicle users by 2025. Outdated and unsafe bikes hinder ride-hailing drivers, affecting their income and safety. IVITECH offers affordable daily subscriptions for brand-new electric bikes to tackle this, ensuring safety and reliability and contributing to cleaner air for healthier communities.

“It is not only big business that is able to influence global world processes. Young and emerging technology companies also have the resources and potential to make the world a better place.”

Daan van Rossum

Rossum is the CEO of FlexOS, a Future of Work media brand offering articles, podcasts, guides, and tools for modern managers navigating the dynamic work landscape, with a spotlight on remote work, hybrid work, leadership, and AI. FlexOS has garnered attention in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, and The Economist.

“There’s a noticeable shift towards emphasising its importance in boosting engagement, retention, and productivity. Furthermore, we’ve seen the rapid rise of remote and hybrid work models, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has pushed companies to rethink and enhance the experience for remote and hybrid workers.”

Daryl Lim

He is the Co-Founder of MetaPals, a blockchain startup on a journey to help users transition from Web2 to Web3 through digital pets in the metaverse. He is also an active mentor for startups, having imparted his knowledge and experience at many platforms, from hackathons to accelerator programmes.

“Just like a bear prepping for winter, tech workers can fortify themselves for the funding winter. Bears fatten up and find safe dens before the freeze; similarly, tech workers should enhance their skills, make themselves indispensable, and secure a supportive professional network. Like bears storing energy, tech workers should save and invest wisely.

A bear doesn’t sleep through all winter; they wake intermittently, ready to adapt. Similarly, tech workers should stay updated with trends and be ready to pivot. Just as the bear trusts the cycle of seasons, tech workers should remember winter always leads to spring. And in spring, opportunities bloom again.”

Also Read: Top 10 contributors in communications and marketing excellence

Darryl Dickens

Dickens is the Founder of Out-Position, a company specialising in positioning and Category Design for tech startups, innovators, and growth-oriented enterprises. His primary areas of expertise and passion for facilitating this goal include crafting compelling points of view, implementing Category Design, and devising ecosystem strategy and optimisation.

“The Cost of Capital has irrevocably increased. We will likely not see “free money” or “zero interest rates” for the rest of our careers. This means three key things:

• Debt servicing becomes more expensive for startups
• The risk-weighting by VCs on capital investment increases
• Other options and rates of return for fixed interest, bonds, etc., become more attractive for investors/stakeholders/home offices

This will force revised thinking and strategy by founders and startups around ‘the new Category that I am creating’. It needs to be bigger than just the Total Addressable Market (TAM) currently identified — and more compelling is the new and bigger Category. This will give you a cut-through of your story and point of view around the new problem you are solving, the new category that emerges, and the new economics and value you are creating.

2024 is a very different environment. Let’s think different and bigger!”

Davin Dedhia

Dedhia is the Co-Founder and CMO of Auptimate, a platform empowering fund managers, family offices, and professional investors to swiftly launch their Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and syndicates online. Auptimate ensures investors can concentrate on their primary focus of investing, handling the legal, compliance, and operational aspects of SPV creation and management.

Gagan Ajmani

Ajmani is the CEO of WOWS Global, a Singapore-based fintech platform specialising in financing solutions for tech-enabled businesses. It is a pivotal link connecting startups with investors, streamlining transactions, and offering alternative financing options.

“As we look ahead to the upcoming year, the widespread application of AI and machine learning is fundamentally reshaping various industries, particularly in fintech. Our strategic emphasis lies in utilising AI to streamline due diligence processes, enhance transparency in private markets, and elevate analytics.

Recognising the challenges in achieving public market-like transparency in private markets, we believe that AI holds the key to addressing this issue to a significant extent. By leveraging AI responsibly, we aim to refine investor matching, optimise risk management, and reduce deal timelines substantially.

This proactive use of AI promises faster deal closures in private markets, underscoring the transformative impact of advanced technologies on the efficiency and transparency of financial transactions.”

Jakob Rost

Rost is the Founder and CEO of Ayoconnect, Southeast Asia’s leading Open Finance API platform. Since its inception in 2016, Ayoconnect has interconnected over 1,000 companies through a centralised Open API network that integrates online and offline businesses and financial services providers. Rost is also engaged as an angel investor and advisor to early-stage startups.

“The immensely popular buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) payment plans have already achieved a staggering GMV of US$3.5 billion in 2022, firmly establishing themselves as one of Indonesia’s most favoured payment methods. Based on my evaluation, implementing recurring and subscription payment management via Direct Debit to facilitate payments across various digital industries offers considerable business potential.”

Also Read: Top 10 contributors steering innovation in the tech community

Laurent Misso

Misso, the Founder of GoBike, is dedicated to providing distinctive cycling experiences to local communities. Through GoBike, he aims to facilitate easy and accessible cycling, viewing it not just as a hobby but as a means to reduce environmental impact and promote a healthy lifestyle. To expand GoBike to additional locations, he aspires to inspire more individuals to embrace the cycling community.

Reinis Simanovskis

Simanovskis, CTO and Co-Founder of Finfra, is establishing embedded lending in Indonesia. Finfra provides the necessary infrastructure and seamless integration for technology companies in Southeast Asia to embed financial services from application to decision to operations.

“With less funding available, startups will be forced to focus more on their key value add and less explorations to new business verticals.”

Sunil Nair

Nair is the Co-Founder of Mela.live, a thematic commerce startup facilitating pop-up shoppathons without investments in technology and content production. Beyond his own ventures, he actively pays it forward as a mentor and advisor within the vibrant startup ecosystem in Singapore and India.

“In 2024, Generative AI is poised to revolutionise (if it has not yet happened) how we interact with technology, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. At the same time, Generative AI raises questions about the role of humans in an increasingly automated world.

It is important to ensure that generative AI systems remain under human control, do not undermine human autonomy, and simultaneously understand autonomy and sentience in AGI. The speed at which changes are taking place in the Generative AI space and ethical Generative AI that respects intellectual rights and understands the societal impact and long-term consequences will be an area to watch out for and work towards.”

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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 newly introduced ‘Contributor Spotlight’, we shine a weekly spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.

This episode features Sana Ross, an accomplished performance coach with over 20 years of experience in finance and business leadership, coupled with a profound passion for neuroscience. A valued contributor, she became part of our community earlier this year and has authored 13 articles, accumulating over 5,000 content views.

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

The driving force

With a history of managing complex investment projects and occupying C-level executive positions, Ross combines hands-on experience with neuroscience insights to enhance decision-making and cognitive functioning in professional settings. Joining the e27 Contributor Programme was driven by her eagerness to share a unique perspective at the intersection of business strategy and neuroscience.

“Through my contributions, I aim to provide knowledge to help others in their professional journeys, offering strategies and insights derived from my unique blend of expertise. Being part of e27 allows me to reach a wider audience, making a meaningful impact by guiding individuals and teams towards realising their full potential and achieving their goals more efficiently,” she said candidly.

Thoughts, goals, and journey

Ross began her industry journey over a decade ago as a CFO and mentor at a Venture Fund and Accelerator. During this time, she focused on mentoring and coaching startup founders. As a performance coach, Ross directs her attention to transforming individuals and teams into peak performers.

Also Read: 10x your results: The blueprint for building high-performing teams

Ross specialises in performance coaching, leveraging her practical experience in the business world and her educational background in neuroscience. “A significant development in my field is the growing acknowledgement of neuroscience’s ability to improve decision-making, cognitive abilities, and overall performance, which is especially important in high-stress settings like tech startups,” she shared.

Advice for budding thought leaders

In Ross’s perspective on becoming an impactful thought leader, she believes that to be an effective communicator, one must grasp the subject matter and consistently update their knowledge. Key elements include authenticity and the capacity to articulate complex ideas in simple terms.

Juggling too many things?

Balancing work, contributions, and personal life poses a challenge, but Ross approaches it by focusing on prioritisation and flexibility. She manages her time by setting clear boundaries and goals for each aspect of her life, ensuring dedicated and sufficient time without feeling overwhelmed.

“In essence, the key is to find a rhythm that works for you and allows you to excel in your professional life while still enjoying and valuing your time. It’s about making daily conscious choices that align with your overall goals and values,” she explained.

Staying in the loop

Staying abreast of the latest trends is crucial to Ross’s role as a performance coach. Her approach to staying abreast is multifaceted:

• Continuous learning: She actively engages in ongoing education, participating in specialised courses and training in neuroscience and leadership. This commitment ensures she remains at the forefront of new theories, techniques, and best practices.
• Professional networking: Ross connects with other professionals and experts globally, exchanging ideas and staying informed about emerging trends and diverse perspectives.
• Research and reading: Regularly reviewing scholarly articles and industry publications and attending conferences helps her stay in tune with the latest research and developments in her field.
• Practical application: Applying new knowledge in her coaching practice provides firsthand experience of its efficacy and relevance, which is vital for staying current and effective.
• Feedback and interaction: Engaging with clients and receiving feedback on the effectiveness of different strategies helps Ross understand the evolving needs and trends in the industry.

Also Read: Thriving under pressure: Navigating tech teams through stress

For those interested in performance coaching and the application of neuroscience in business, Ross suggests:

Books

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: Offers deep insights into decision-making and cognitive biases
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink: Explores the psychology of motivation in the workplace
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck: Discusses the power of mindset in achieving personal and professional goals
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: Essential for understanding modern entrepreneurial strategies and startup dynamics
• Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio: Provides unique perspectives on personal and professional development

Websites

• Harvard Business Review: Offers a range of articles on business strategy and leadership
• Neuroscience News: Provides updates on the latest neuroscience research
• Inc.com: Features valuable content for entrepreneurs and business leaders

Podcasts

• The Tim Ferriss Show: Covers a wide range of topics, including business, neuroscience, and personal development.
• How I Built This with Guy Raz: Offers insights from entrepreneurs about building successful businesses.
• Hidden Brain by NPR: Explores the unconscious patterns that drive human behaviour

These resources provide knowledge and insights across the critical areas of Ross’s expertise and interests.

“My final advice to you readers would be to stay curious and open to learning. The journey to success is continuous and ever-evolving. I encourage everyone to remain curious, open-minded, and proactive in seeking and applying knowledge innovatively,” Ross concluded.

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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 Sana Ross: Elevating performance coaching and neuroscience in business appeared first on e27.

Pave Bank, a Singapore-based fully regulated commercial bank offering a platform for businesses to transact in stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and tokenised Real World Assets (RWAs), has secured US$5.2 million in seed funding and has come out of stealth mode.

468 Capital led the round with participation from Quona Capital, FT Partners, BR Capital, w3.fund, Daedalus, and unnamed angels.

Also Read: Transforming an age-old industry: How audax assists banks in their digital transformation journey

The company has also obtained the approved digital banking licence from Georgia.

Pave Bank is a programmable bank founded by established banking executives-turned-fintech operators Salim Dhanani (CEO), Simon Vans-Colina (CTO), and Dmitry Bocharov (COO).

Programmable banking allows you to deploy JavaScript code rules that execute before and after every card transaction.

The fintech startup aims to reimagine how a bank is built, how it operates and how businesses interact with their bank. With the future of banking rooted in the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, Pave Bank is building a new operating system or layer for how money or assets are linked globally.

Pave Bank provides customers with multi-currency operating accounts, global payment connectivity, and treasury management solutions. It also allows access to multi-asset custody, virtual International Bank Account Numbers (IBAN), safeguarding accounts and PaveNet (a multi-asset, always-instant and always-on-network of Pave Bank customers).

The Pave Bank team believes that as the traditional financial world transforms with digital assets and the decentralised space transforms with regulation, regulated financial institutions must adapt to continue offering their clients the most competitive products and services. This shift is not a user experience shift but a change like money and value, for which Pave Bank was built.

Also Read: Can Singapore truly become a cashless society with payment 3.0?

Salim Dhanani, Co-Founder and CEO, said: “We have set out to address limitations of today’s financial system that lacks transparency, remains restricted to certain time windows (clearing and settlement, for example) and is riddled with intermediaries. All of this increases costs and management complexity and also limits the products and services that can be accessed by the majority of businesses and especially those operating globally.”

“In parallel, we have seen a number of innovative products that have been created in the digital asset space, but sometimes with a lack of regulation and safety for users. We are championing a new path where Pave Bank customers will get access to the financial products that they are used to, but also a range of digital asset-enabled products which will help them bank more efficiently within a regulated and secure environment,” he added.

 

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ProfilePrint, a Singapore-based AI-driven ingredient quality detection company, has concluded its Series B funding round, led by Tai Partners.

Four of its existing shareholders also participated in the round, the size of which is undisclosed.

The funds raised will help the company expand its mission to “revolutionise” the agrifood sector through AI.

Also Read: Wake up and smell the coffee: Check your coffee beans’ quality using ProfilePrint’s AI tool

ProfilePrint’s AI-powered food fingerprint platform is powered by a patented digital food Identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) technology. It synthesises complex molecular data of ingredient samples into digital fingerprints, rapidly predicting its identity and quality, helping agribusinesses to buy and sell better.

The company’s solutions have been deployed in nearly 50 locations across six continents globally.

Starting with coffee detection technologies, ProfilePrint has moved into other verticals, such as cocoa, tea, juices, and edible oils, and will launch its latest flagship feature, Verify. This tool lets clients send digitalised sample reports through the ProfilePrint Platform and facilitates instant viewing and approval of sample quality, eliminating the cumbersome process of sending physical pre-shipment samples for evaluation. This enhances efficiency and significantly saves time and cost for all parties involved.

Early this year, ProfilePrint and Swiss farm-to-roaster coffee company Sucafina announced a co-investment in Brazilian image recognition company Csmart. A few months earlier, the Singaporean firm onboarded US-based global food supplier giant Cargill as a strategic investor.

Also Read: ProfilePrint predicts quality of food sample ‘within seconds’, closes Series A financing

Previously, ProfilePrint closed two rounds of financing, including a Series A round in February 2022 from Louis Dreyfus Company (Netherlands), Olam Food Ingredients (an operating group of Olam International Limited, Singapore), Sucafina (Switzerland), a Southeast Asian agrifood conglomerate (Indonesia), Greenwillow Capital (Singapore), and Real Tech Global Fund (Japan). In 2021, it closed a pre-series A from Glocalink Singapore, Leave-a-Nest, and SEEDS Capital.

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AnyMind Group, a Tokyo-based e-commerce enabler, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia by opening an office in Riyadh.

Rubeena Singh, Country Manager (India and MENA), will lead the group’s operations in Saudi Arabia alongside its existing ventures in Dubai and India.

Founded in 2016 in Singapore by Kosuke Sogo and Otohiko Kozutsumi, AnyMind Group offers software and solutions for end-to-end commerce enablement in the business supply chain. It operates across Southeast Asia, East Asia, India, and the Middle East.

The company is initiating its Saudi entry by introducing its influencer marketing platform, AnyTag, which is designed for marketers to discover, activate, manage, track, and attribute influencer marketing campaigns across the marketing funnel.

It will also launch its mobile marketing platform, POKKT, specialising in rewarded video ads in mobile games, in-app video ads, rich media innovations, and app performance marketing.

Also Read: Bridging continents: Lessons learned from Singapore and Estonia’s tech journeys

Following this initial phase, the group plans to extend its suite of platforms to cater to enterprises, publishers, and creators in Saudi Arabia. It will also establish a team of in-market specialists to assist these entities in maximising the utilisation of its offerings.

AnyMind Group’s other products include e-commerce management and analysis, e-commerce enablement, customer engagement, logistics management, web and app publisher monetisation and user growth, and creator monetisation and analytics.

Publishers and creators can also access offerings within the Brand Commerce segment.

In 2020, AnyMind Group extended its reach to the Middle East, opening operations in Dubai to serve marketers in the GCC and the Middle East. This marks the group’s second venture into the Middle East, constituting its 15th market and 22nd office worldwide.

The firm recently made its public debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth market earlier this year.

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Image credit: AnyMind Group

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