SoLeLands, an immersive game-based learning platform to support kids’ self-discovery,  has raised undisclosed funding led by East Ventures.

SMDV also participated.

The Indonesian startup will use the money for capacity building and product development in preparation for the soft launch in Q4 2023.

SoLeLands was founded in 2022 by Jonathan Prathama (CEO) and Adhi Paisoseputra (COO), inspired by the current state of parenting. The duo realised that children in today’s generations are growing up in a technology-driven society. Thus parents should equip their children with the necessary skills and values to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing landscape.

Also Read: 7 trends changing the reality of immersive gaming

According to them, SoLeLands ensures the right exposure and simulation to groom digital-native children. The platform focuses on two main objectives: discover kids’ passions and prepare them for future challenges.

In achieving those objectives, the edu gaming startup applies the game-first approach in supporting all parents and educators in preparing their children’s required skills and values.

SoLeLands emphasises the importance of children’s development across various areas like life skills, virtues, intelligence, and competencies. Its Talent Manager Tool gives parents visibility regarding the kids’ passion and talent. These insights will empower parents to guide their children’s development while prioritising their independence and safety, building their love for learning and equipping them with lifelong curiosity.

SoLeLands takes a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO RPG) genre to provide a unique and engaging learning experience through hyper-localised settings and impartial tools for discovering true passions. It presents learning in synthetic environments with familiar landmarks, with users having the option of assuming the roles of inventors, biologists, and archaeologists.

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As we turn our gaze to the future of the cryptocurrency industry, it is vital to anticipate the trends and developments that will shape the landscape in 2024. Let’s delve deeper into each of the discussed predictions:

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming everyday life

AI is expected to have a significant impact across various sectors, seamlessly integrating into our daily lives. Its influence will be profound, reshaping industries and revolutionising how we interact and conduct business.

AI has the potential to optimise processes, enhance decision-making, and unlock new possibilities in areas like healthcare, finance, and transportation. As AI technology advances, it will transform our everyday experiences and pave the way for a more efficient and interconnected world.

CBDC: A game-changer for the crypto industry

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) holds immense significance in tracking, tracing, and taxing financial transactions. The introduction of CBDCs has the potential to drive widespread adoption of digital assets and revolutionise the entire crypto industry.

CBDCs offer enhanced transparency and accountability, reshaping the way we perceive and engage with cryptocurrencies. With the support and endorsement of central banks, CBDCs can bridge the gap between traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem, fostering greater trust and regulatory clarity.

Crypto travel rule: Advancing traceability and taxation

The imminent advancement of the crypto travel rule is set to elevate traceability and taxation within the crypto space. By implementing stricter regulations, authorities can closely monitor transactions, creating a more secure and transparent ecosystem for all participants.

This increased oversight will enhance the industry’s integrity, reduce the risk of illicit activities, and foster greater trust among users. As the crypto market matures, regulatory measures like the travel rule will become crucial for its sustainable growth and widespread adoption.

Layer 2: The growing influence of Bitcoin and Ethereum

Bitcoin and Ethereum, as the leading cryptocurrencies, will continue their upward trajectory in 2024. The emergence of BRC20 tokens and the development of zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) will contribute to the expansion of Layer 2 solutions.

These advancements promise to enhance scalability, security, and efficiency within blockchain networks, addressing some of the limitations that hinder mass adoption. Layer 2 solutions will enable faster and more cost-effective transactions, making cryptocurrencies more viable for everyday use and driving their integration into various industries.

Also Read: Sony & UMG join forces with Snowcrash to revive NFTs: Here’s why the digital trend is far from dead

Next level NFT: Adoption and brand recognition

NFTs have gained significant adoption thanks to the support and endorsement of major brands. While sales volumes may not have seen exponential growth, the relevance and influence of NFTs continue to expand.

NFTs provide unique digital assets with inherent value, securely traded on blockchain platforms. This revolutionises the concept of ownership and collectibles, opening up new avenues for artists, creators, and collectors. In 2024, we can expect NFTs to permeate further various industries, including gaming, virtual real estate, and intellectual property rights management.

Web4: A decentralised and autonomous web

The emergence of Web4 signifies a shift toward a more decentralised and autonomous web. Internet natives actively participate in building decentralised narratives, fostering inclusivity, and empowering individuals in digital spaces.

This transition aims to ensure a democratic and accessible online environment free from centralised control. Web4 envisions a future where individuals have more control over their data, privacy, and online experiences. It promotes collaboration, transparency, and user-centricity as foundational principles, enabling a more equitable and empowering digital landscape.

Security tokens: Advancing crypto’s potential

Security tokens play a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of the crypto market. By tokenising traditional financial assets such as stocks and bonds, security tokens have the potential to revolutionise traditional markets.

This democratisation of access to financial assets reshapes the investment landscape, allowing a broader investor base to participate in the crypto space. Security tokens provide fractional ownership, increased liquidity, and programmable functionality, enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of traditional financial instruments.

Also Read: UK implements stricter rules: Crypto airdrops and dree NFTs banned

Commodity trading with crypto: Expanding possibilities

The integration of cryptocurrencies into commodity trading markets introduces exciting new possibilities for investors. From oil to gold, crypto enables individuals to seamlessly trade popular commodities, providing greater flexibility and choice while reducing traditional barriers to entry.

By leveraging blockchain technology, commodity trading becomes more transparent, efficient, and accessible to a wider range of participants. This integration paves the way for a more inclusive and globalised commodity market, with cryptocurrencies acting as a bridge between traditional and digital assets.

Mainstream adoption: Defi and financial institutions

Decentralised finance (Defi) is gaining traction among mainstream financial companies. Banks, their clients, and family offices are increasingly allocating a significant portion of their assets to crypto. This mainstream acceptance solidifies the legitimacy and potential of Defi as an integral part of the financial ecosystem.

The integration of Defi into traditional finance offers opportunities for greater financial inclusivity, transparency, and efficiency. Collaboration between traditional financial institutions and Defi protocols will drive the development of innovative financial products and services, catering to the evolving needs of investors.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, embracing the disruptions brought about by artificial intelligence, CBDCs, decentralised governance, and other emerging trends will be essential for individuals and businesses to thrive in an ever-changing world.

By leveraging these transformative forces, we can unlock new opportunities, reshape traditional models, and shape a future that is both innovative and inclusive. The crypto industry is poised for continued growth and evolution, and those who adapt and embrace these trends will be at the forefront of this transformative journey.

The article highlights the insightful keynote speech I delivered at the Web3 Creator Summit, focusing on the crypto trends expected to shape the year 2024.

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The Radical Fund, an early stage venture capital firm investing in the climate tech sector, today announced that it has secured an undisclosed first close of its US$40 million fund. In a statement, the firm said that it is currently in conversations with family offices, corporates, foundations and institutional investors for its fund.

The fund is backed by regional family offices from the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, together with individual investors from the US and Europe.

It aims to invest in early stage startups in Southeast Asia (SEA) that are scaling solutions across climate adaptation and mitigation, which it believes will lead to a more resilient SEA.

It is targeting tech-enabled ventures in the pre-seed, seed, and Pre-Series A stages that are either based in SEA, and/or have operations and presence in the region. These startups should deliver scaled commercial returns and climate outcomes to local and regional populations.

In a press statement, The Radical Fund said that its investment “goes beyond traditional clean tech and climate tech verticals.”

Also Read: The Mills Fabrica aims to transform agrifood, textile industries through its climate tech investments

“The fund also backs scalable ventures that may not look like traditional climate businesses and have -or may potentially have- climate impact as part of their model and ethos. This includes companies across agriculture, food, circular economy, financial, and mobility or logistics and other sub-sectors.”

The fund plans to invest in more than 30 companies at ticket sizes of US$250,000-US$800,000.

The Radical Fund also delivers operational and technical hands-on support alongside equity-based capital.

The firm consists of a six-person team based in Bangkok and Singapore, with global team members in London and it is hiring team members in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The Radical Fund is part of the Utopia Capital Management (UCM) group of investment vehicles, which have supported over 130 early stage ventures across multiple emerging markets.

With a team of over 55 full-time experts, UCM has networks across Africa, Europe, SEA, and the US. Other vehicles include Founders Factory Africa and its related funds in Africa, which Alina Truhina and Roo Rogers have co-founded.

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Image Credit: The Radical Fund

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The cloud is a critical aspect of modern life; in fact, 94 per cent of enterprises use the cloud in some capacity.  More specifically, 48 per cent of businesses store their more sensitive data on the cloud, 50 per cent of businesses run their workloads on the cloud, and 92 per cent of businesses use more than one cloud system. 

According to recent research, there is over one exabyte of data stored in the cloud.  This is the equivalent of 1,073,741,824 gigabytes or over 67 million iPhones worth of data.

The challenges of limited cloud visibility

Unfortunately, 79 per cent of organisations report widening visibility gaps in their cloud infrastructure, as well as a lack of visibility across cloud operations.  There are several reasons for this limited visibility.  For one, modern cloud tools do not provide an end-to-end picture; apps stand in the middle of centralised tools, preventing information from moving directly from the source to the recipient.  

Additionally, most cloud monitoring tools focus on a singular service.  This forces data teams to gather and analyse data across several different siloes.  Similarly, developing a holistic picture is difficult when it has to be done across a larger network.  It is hard to track internal users, remote users, VPN users, and more. 

Also Read: Debunking misconceptions about FinOps and cloud spending reduction

Another cause of the lack of visibility is that basic tools cannot adapt to the constant evolution of the cloud.  To make matters more complicated, more than nine in ten larger organisations use multiple cloud providers.  Because there are no universal tools for all cloud platforms, organisations need to use separate monitoring tools for each cloud. 

There are problems with these monitoring tools as well; they often focus on security more than the big picture.  To deal with this, companies need to purchase more tools to piece together a big-picture image of the cloud, which adds excessive and unnecessary complexity.

Other factors that limit visibility include small retrieval windows that make it hard to determine what is happening on cloud-based platforms and the fact that native cloud tools are more focused on developers and cloud engineers rather than network engineers.  The latter factor makes it difficult for network engineers to understand problems and effectively solve them. 

Limited visibility leads to limited functionality.  This is a huge problem for many organisations, with nearly half of all companies witnessing performance issues as a result of cloud visibility problems.  

An example of limited functionality as a result of visibility problems is a lack of support for remote workers.  Another example is poor migration support; in fact, 74 per cent of companies fail to migrate successfully, which forces them to move certain tools back to on-premise solutions. 

Limited visibility leads to tech stack inflation and limited cost or consumption visibility.  Finally, it causes greater security risks; in fact, organisations report 3.3 times more incidents caused by a lack of visibility. 

Functionality problems result in blind spots.  For example, companies struggle with delays in troubleshooting application performance, inability to monitor performance workflows, delays in solving security issues, and much more.  

Also Read: Cloud communication platforms: How to choose one for your business

It is no surprise that with all of these problems, 80 per cent of organisations are looking to increase their investments in cloud monitoring and visibility.  One way to achieve this is through cloud monitoring.  Advanced monitoring solutions address many of the problems that currently exist. 

For example, they provide end-to-end visibility, whether it be on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud.  Cloud monitoring also reduces security risks, produces a lower mean time to resolution, increases business value, and reduces overspending.  

The role of cloud monitoring in enhancing visibility and functionality

Organisations tend to be on the same page when it comes to the importance of cloud monitoring.  In fact, 90 per cent of organisations say that automating visibility could improve security.  There are several companies that can help set up systems to improve visibility and security.  

Cloud monitoring systems eliminate the need to use new tools for troubleshooting and include interactive workflows, alerts, reports, and more.  They improve cloud data flow to provide a better picture of overall traffic flows and can also provide performance metrics.  Cloud monitoring systems hold a vast amount of solutions and tools within one platform, making them a good investment.

As technology continues to develop, it is important to adapt alongside it.  Keeping up with the cloud requires careful attention and innovation, as problems such as limited visibility can end up harming businesses that are trying to use the cloud.  Luckily, tools like cloud monitoring systems can make a big difference in keeping up with a changing cloud.

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In late June, Malaysia-based UrbanMetry was selected for the Technology Pioneers list by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The list includes 100 companies that WEF has selected annually to work with society’s foremost political, business and cultural leaders to address issues facing people and the planet.

In an email interview with e27, Koh Cha Ly, Founder and CEO of UrbanMetry, explains what being selected means to the company.

“Being named one of the 100 Technology Pioneers by WEF validates our unwavering commitment to transforming urban environments through innovative technologies. This motivates and will drive us to continuously push boundaries and effect positive change, ultimately making cities smarter, more sustainable, and better for everyone involved,” she explains.

UrbanMetry is a data analytics company with data coverage in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region. It is dedicated to providing solutions to help businesses, cities and governments make informed decisions through a unique combination of spatial data and advanced analytics.

Apart from the award from WEF, the company has recently made several important milestones. According to Koh, it has been on a strong growth trajectory, doubling the team size last year while also growing in revenue size and stream.

“We have also expanded our data provision to Thailand and Vietnam in the past two years and are actively seeking opportunities to expand to the Middle East and Indonesia,” she says.

Also Read: Unleashing Singapore’s smart city potential: A gateway to limitless opportunities

Solving big city problems with UrbanMetry

When asked about the problem that UrbanMetry is working on, Koh begins by highlighting the role that data analytics plays in solving problems in a typical urban setting.

“Currently, a lot of work and technology solutions globally are placed on data analytics to solve city problems. However, most businesses, startups and key stakeholders do not realise that there is a huge gap in the data quality of cities in developed and developing countries,” she says.

“As most developing countries do not have the quality data required, digitisation, data-driven policies, asset risk mitigation and all other technological advantages available to cities become out of reach. UrbanMetry’s solution bridges this crucial data quality gap for cities in developing countries to unlock the potential for city data to build better cities.”

UrbanMetry approached the problem by seeking and collecting fragmented and polluted data available in the market, merging it with private databases and doing multi-layer cross-validation to build out proprietary city databases for the cities it tracks.

“The principle of solution builds on city building and urban planning policies to understand the population behaviours. Our solution builds on technological advancement including machine learning, big data and satellite imagery to solve these data gap issues we see in countries that need them most,” Koh elaborates.

The company targets key stakeholders of city building including real estate developers, banks, financial institutions, regulatory agencies and government bodies as their customers. It acquires these customers through knowledge engagement sessions and also through word of mouth.

Also Read: How data science and AI are fuelling smart city goals

As a city data company that offers data-as-a-service, the revenue model that UrbanMetry implements varies across different clients and products. But according to Koh, broadly, they are categorised by the quantity of data provided, project-specific data provisions and subscription of periodic data updates.

“We develop the revenue model in accordance to the needs and objectives of our clients that often differ across industries,” Koh stresses.

UrbanMetry has raised a Pre-Series A funding round with Monk’s Hill Ventures. Its earlier investors include 500 Global, 500 Southeast Asia, and Reapra.

In 2023, the company aims to pilot several B2C products that aim to leverage its city database to citizens in the city.

“The vision for these products is to help end customers utilise the database we have built to make better, safer and more sustainable decisions whilst investing in the city,” Koh says.

“Our newest solution UrbanVault aims to open up mortgage opportunities for the digital natives in a secure and modern manner while understanding the risks of buying a home. In the second half of 2023, we plan to roll out other B2C products to realise the full potential of our city databases in Southeast Asia,” she closes.

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Image Credit: UrbanMetry

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Empowering and emboldening talents in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) is crucial, especially now as we move closer towards a digital future. Cultivating spaces that not only nurture these talents but also foster collaboration across various disciplines is becoming increasingly important as they are necessary components when it comes to spurring innovation and meaningful social impact.

Leave a Nest, a leading science and bridge communication company in Japan founded by a group of science and engineering researchers in 2002, aims to advance science and technology for global happiness. Their core mission is to create value by bridging gaps in science through communication. For years, the organisation has been working on knowledge manufacturing to develop science and technology initiatives that benefit society. The Tsunagu program is initiated by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and has gathered subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to join forces to bring this program.

In its aim to enable science and technology developments and implement relevant applications to benefit society and realise a better collective future alongside various educational institutions, researchers, and companies that share the same philosophy, Leave a Nest has partnered with the National Institute of Education (NIE), an autonomous institute of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore that is one of the top-ranked institutes globally for education, and is the sole teacher education institute for teachers in Singapore.

Knowledge manufacturing across the business landscape

Leave a Nest works on what they call “Knowledge Manufacturing” with knowledge of science and technology and deploys its relevant applications to benefit society. In collaboration with various companies, educational institutions, and researchers, with a shared philosophy. The organisation focuses on various areas that aim to create businesses and promote projects relating to education development, STEAM talent and research development, as well as research and business linkages for technology transfer and new business creation.

One of its initiatives that embody this mission is the Tsunagu Research Project, an online and hybrid platform to foster rigorous scientific knowledge-sharing in the next generation. The theme for this year’s run is “Natural Resources: Water and Food” which is a familiar topic in the host country Singapore for this year’s program, and which seeks to involve young talents in addressing issues pertaining to resources.

By promoting research collaboration among junior and senior high school students around Asia through an eight-month program, the initiative seeks to harness the power of research, science, and technology. Students from Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore — sites of Leave a Nest’s subsidiaries — will work together to identify issues related to water and natural resources and formulate research that will lead to solutions that address these issues. Leave a Nest is also open to accepting applications from other ASEAN countries.

The youth as catalysts for innovation

This innovation-related program for the youth aims to forge newfound ways of research where students can make a difference in their communities by being involved in hands-on research projects. They will also be benefiting from personalised mentoring, as well as connections to the broader stakeholders in the science and technology ecosystem, including innovative companies and science experts in the region.

This opportunity provides a space to share knowledge and collaborate with other young STEAM leaders in the region, and create meaningful connections with like-minded people. 

The program also showcases that STEAM education is not only related to subjects learned in the classroom but can also be a powerful method for applying subject learning to solve real-world challenges. Once the research phase is completed, the knowledge can be shared with educators, and Leave a Nest can create better and more effective programs in the future in collaboration with educational institutions.

Solving real-world problems

Kihoko Tokue, Managing Director of Leave a Nest Singapore, shared with e27 how highly important teamwork and cross-disciplinary cooperation are in research and in STEAM-related education, and how crucial it is to expose talents to this practice early on. “Many of the issues we face nowadays cannot be overcome with just one person or one indsutry working on it. In order for us to have a better chance of overcoming these issues, teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration are crucial. Leave a Nest wants to bring NEST (Nature Engineering Science and Technology) to society in the best way possible. Thus, this program should help us provide better and improved programs in the future”.

The Tsunagu Research Project host country for 2023 is Singapore, and students from Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore will be working together to identify environmental resource issues and formulate research that will lead to innovative solutions.

Through this, Tsunagu continues to be a space for research collaboration by junior and senior high school students around Southeast Asia. This collaboration aims to evaluate the effectiveness of STEAM education through the Tsunagu Research Project. With this partnership, the goal to foster scientific thought in the next generation and promote research collaboration by junior and senior high school students around Asia can be bolstered further.

Interested? Visit the Tsunagu Research Project 2023 website for more information: https://tsunagu.lne.st/

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Photo by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Leave a Nest

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Visit us at e27.co/advertise to get started.

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Dear Pro members,

A new DealStreetAsia study reveals that about 67 per cent of Southeast Asia’s venture capital firms don’t have a single female investment decision-maker (the one with authority to lead deals and sign cheques). 

The startup industry has long been highly male-dominated. Women are massively under-represented among VC investors. A recent Harvard Business Review report found that women account for less than 15% of check-writers globally. This has often resulted in companies founded solely by women receiving less than 3% of all VC investments.  

In a recent interview with e27, Delta Blockchain Fund Founder and Managing Partner Kavita Gupta revealed that she had to work extra hard to earn her seat at the companies she previously worked for. 

This is changing, and more women are joining VC firms as partners, although they are not the decision-makers. More female representation in the highest decision-making body is the need of the hour as globally, an increasing number of women is diving into the startup world and seeking investments. This way, the gender gap in the startup world could be filled to a certain extent.

Today’s Ecosystem Roundup also has several exciting articles.

Have a nice day.

Sainul,
Editor.

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Not a single female chequewriter at 67% of SEA’s VC firms
While a cause for concern, the figure is still an improvement from 2022, when about 77% of investors lacked a single female chequewriter.

Zalora raises US$32.6M from parent GFG
Global Fashion Group (GFC) connects a population of 800M+ with thousands of brands through three established e-commerce platforms Zalora, Dafiti, and THE ICONIC.

Thai crypto exchange Bitkub raises fresh US$17.8M
The investor is local game publisher Asphere Innovations; Bitkub will use the money to expand its digital asset services in Thailand, a country where over 6.2M people owned crypto as of last year.

SEA firms to increase AI spending by 67% in 2023: report
The proportion of APAC businesses using AI in their operations jumped from 39% in 2020 and 2021 to 76% last year, according to an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Dataiku.

SG yellow biotech startup Ento Industries raises funding
Ento leverages Black Soldier Flies to help address the growing food waste problem; It upcycles food waste to produce a sustainable protein suitable for farm animal and pet feeds.

China’s Shein files for US IPO, sources say
The stock market debut could make the fashion e-tailer the most valuable Chinese company to go public in the US since Didi Global listed in New York in 2021 at a US$68B valuation.

Rebel Foods eyes US$100M in revenue in Saudi expansion
Rebel Foods hopes to operate 60 cloud kitchens by the end of this year and has partnered with Dubai-headquartered cloud kitchen operator KitchenPark and Saudi-based Kitch.

Good Capital launches US$50M fund to back AI startups in India
The fund aims to invest in AI startups in India that are using the tech in areas such as distribution, personalisation, and business operations; The cheque size is up to US$1.5M.

Romanian firm Bitdefender to acquire Singapore’s Horangi Cyber Security
Horangi offers a cloud-native solution that secures critical cloud infra for enterprises across all major public cloud platforms.

Thai insurtech firm Roojai buys FWD General Insurance
Singaporean insurtech unicorn Bolttech owns FWD General Insurance; The deal will allow Roojai to boost its market share in Thailand with a joint portfolio of over US$50M in annual premiums.

Singaporeans to embrace AI-enhanced, immersive dining by 2040: report
Called “Snack to the Future,” the Deliveroo report predicts a shift toward personalized diets, with the emergence of “Me-ganism” as the mainstream dietary approach surpassing the popularity of the ketogenic diet.

Founders of Jirnexu step down from executive roles
Hann Liew was an executive director, while Lucas Ooi was corporate development director; Jirnexu provides tools and advice to its users and helps banks and insurance companies streamline their application processes.

British crypto exchange Blofin enters Vietnam
The exchange is customising its services to cater to the specific language and requirements of the local population; With 21% of its population reportedly owning cryptocurrencies, Vietnam has emerged as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption.

Meet the 25 investors that invested in AI startups in SEA in 2023 so far
With AI fast becoming the most popular tech tool in the new era, we look at the investors that invested in SEA’s AI startups in 2023.

How to build customer trust with improved data privacy
Protecting customer data privacy is paramount for cultivating consumer trust and ensuring business operations run smoothly.

Sustainable solutions for energy-intensive data centres in humid SG
Addressing the environmental impact of energy-intensive data centres is crucial for ensuring a more sustainable future.

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Artificial Intelligence has become a transformative force in various industries, and marketing is no exception. With its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, personalise experiences, and predict consumer behaviour, AI is revolutionising the way businesses approach marketing strategies.

In this article, we will explore the various aspects of AI in marketing and its potential to revolutionise the industry.

Enhancing customer segmentation

Customer segmentation involves dividing a target audience into distinct groups based on shared characteristics, preferences, and behaviours. AI plays a crucial role in enhancing customer segmentation by analysing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns that human analysis might overlook.

AI algorithms can process and analyse diverse data sources, including demographic information, purchasing behaviour, browsing history, social media interactions, and more. By examining this data, AI algorithms can uncover hidden patterns and insights that help businesses understand their customers better.

With AI-powered customer segmentation, businesses can go beyond basic demographics and create more nuanced and dynamic customer profiles.

Hyper-targeted advertising campaigns

Hyper-targeted advertising campaigns take personalisation a step further by delivering highly relevant and customised content to individual customers. AI enables businesses to create hyper-targeted campaigns by leveraging the insights gained from customer segmentation.

AI algorithms can analyse customer data in real time and make instantaneous decisions regarding the delivery of ads. This allows businesses to deliver personalised ads that match the specific interests, preferences, and needs of individual customers.

Also Read: AI-powered legal solutions: Revolutionising the future of law practice

Through hyper-targeted advertising campaigns, businesses can reach the right audience at the right time with the right message. AI algorithms can dynamically optimise ad placements, adjust bidding strategies, and select the most suitable ad formats based on individual customer behaviour and preferences.

Predictive analytics and decision making

Data-driven insights

AI algorithms can process large volumes of data and extract valuable insights. By analysing consumer behaviour, market trends, and competitor activities, marketers can gain a deeper understanding of their target audience and make informed decisions. These data-driven insights help businesses refine their marketing campaigns, allocate resources effectively, and stay ahead of the competition.

Forecasting Consumer Behaviour

AI-powered predictive analytics enables businesses to anticipate consumer behaviour and trends. By analysing historical data and identifying patterns, AI algorithms can generate accurate forecasts regarding customer preferences, purchase patterns, and market demand. This foresight allows marketers to tailor their strategies proactively and deliver relevant experiences, driving higher conversion rates and revenue.

Content creation and curation

Automated content generation

AI algorithms can generate content automatically, reducing the time and effort required for content creation. From generating product descriptions to writing blog posts, AI-powered content generation tools can produce high-quality, SEO-optimised content at scale. This enables marketers to meet the ever-increasing demand for content without compromising quality.

Content recommendations and personalised experiences

AI algorithms can analyse user preferences, browsing behaviour, and historical data to provide personalised content recommendations. By understanding individual user interests, AI-powered platforms can curate content that resonates with each user, increasing engagement and driving conversions. This personalised approach enhances the user experience and fosters long-term customer relationships.

Considerations in implementing in-house enterprise walled garden

Whilst OpenAI and ChatGPT are suitable for casual queries, most enterprises will not be comfortable exposing their confidential marketing strategies and campaigns on open platforms. The term “In-House Enterprise Walled Garden” refers to an approach where businesses establish their own AI infrastructure, data systems, and analytics capabilities internally. Instead of relying solely on external AI platforms or solutions, organisations develop their AI capabilities to create a closed ecosystem within their marketing operations. Here are some key considerations for implementation:

Also Read: Unleashing the power of specialised AI startups in the era of generative AI

Business alignment and data management

Firstly, alignment with business objectives is crucial. The LLM should be designed to support specific marketing goals, whether that’s customer engagement, conversion rate optimisation, or something else entirely. Next is data management. LLMs are data-driven by nature and necessitate a robust, secure, and compliant system for handling vast volumes of data.

Integration and scalability

Integration capabilities are another significant factor. The LLM must seamlessly integrate with other tools and systems in the tech stack, including CRM, analytics platforms, and more. Scalability is also essential. As the business grows, the LLM needs to scale along with it, accommodating larger data volumes and increasingly complex analytical tasks.

Privacy, compliance and maintenance

Additionally, privacy and compliance concerns cannot be ignored. With data privacy regulations becoming increasingly stringent, the LLM must be designed to comply with all relevant laws and guidelines. Lastly, the ongoing maintenance and support of the LLM are important considerations. Regular updates and improvements will be necessary to keep the system running smoothly and to adapt to changing marketing needs and technologies.

By adopting the In-House Enterprise Walled Garden approach, businesses gain greater control and customisation over their AI initiatives. They can tailor AI algorithms and models specific to their unique marketing needs, aligning them closely with their business objectives and strategies. This level of customisation enables organisations to leverage AI in a way that seamlessly integrates with their existing marketing systems and processes.

Implementing the In-House Enterprise Walled Garden approach requires a dedicated investment in talent, infrastructure, and ongoing development. Organisations need to build a team of skilled AI professionals who can develop, maintain, and optimise AI capabilities internally.

Final thoughts

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative force in the marketing industry. Its ability to analyse data, personalise experiences, and optimise strategies has revolutionised the way businesses approach marketing. From enhanced customer segmentation to AI-powered chatbots, predictive analytics, and automated content generation, AI is reshaping every aspect of marketing.

The future of AI in marketing holds exciting possibilities, promising hyper-personalisation, voice-activated marketing, and immersive experiences. By leveraging AI effectively, businesses can unlock new levels of customer engagement, conversion rates, and ROI.

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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

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At e27, we believe in fostering thought leadership and providing a platform for talented individuals to share their expertise and unique viewpoints. The Contributor Programme serves as a channel for passionate voices to contribute to the broader conversation surrounding entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

We are thrilled to present the weekly compilation of articles published through our Contributor Programme. This curated collection brings together a wealth of diverse and insightful perspectives from our community, offering a fresh lens on emerging trends, industry insights, and thought-provoking ideas.

Why Japanese startups are interested in the Southeast Asian market

“South East Asia offers a great opportunity for Japanese startups to expand. With a large population, supportive governments, and low costs of entry, the region is an attractive proposition for ambitious startups looking to tap into the potential of its markets. Japanese startups are increasingly taking advantage of the region’s opportunities, propelling the growth of their businesses and strengthening Japan’s regional influence.”

Marketing and Operations Director at Rainmaking, Meghan Bridges’ byline explores the rising interest of Japanese startups in the Southeast Asian market. It also showcases the success stories of Japanese startups in Southeast Asia, highlighting their strategies and key growth factors and offering insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Japanese startups expanding into this dynamic market.

Sustainable solutions for energy-intensive data centres in humid Singapore

“Prioritising sustainability in operations and regulations is crucial for reducing data centres’ carbon footprint and energy consumption. By embracing sustainable practices, data centres can reduce costs and improve efficiency and contribute to a more sustainable future for all. Data centre operators and policymakers can help shape a more eco-conscious and responsible digital landscape in Singapore and beyond.”

Chief Commercial Officer at Iceotope Technologies, Nathan Blom’s byline introduces sustainable solutions for energy-intensive data centres in humid Singapore, specifically addressing the challenges of maintaining efficient operations in a high-humidity environment. It also delves into innovative approaches aimed at reducing energy consumption, optimising cooling systems, and maximising the utilisation of renewable energy sources.

How to build customer trust with improved data privacy

“Protecting customer data privacy is paramount for cultivating consumer trust and ensuring business operations run smoothly. A brand that conveys strong security measures is more likely to foster customer trust and develop a solid reputation.”

Features Editor at ReHack, Zachary Amos’s byline emphasizes the importance of data privacy in building customer trust. It also explores strategies for enhancing data privacy practices, including transparent data handling, obtaining informed consent, implementing secure storage, and complying with regulations.

AI revolution in marketing: Transforming the way businesses connect with customers

“Artificial Intelligence has become a transformative force in various industries, and marketing is no exception. With its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, personalise experiences, and predict consumer behaviour, AI is revolutionising the way businesses approach marketing strategies.”

Expert Venture Builder, Strategic Advisor at KingSwap and Technicorum Holdings, Malcolm Tan’s byline delves into the AI revolution in marketing, highlighting how it is reshaping customer-business connections and transforming marketing strategies. It also explores the benefits of AI-powered tools and techniques, such as personalised recommendations, chatbots, and predictive analytics, in enhancing customer engagement and driving business growth.

The checkout revolution: Transforming transactions into brand experiences

“But a smooth end-to-end customer journey is not only within reach of the super apps with huge teams at their disposal. Retailers of any size should consider establishing strong partnerships with payment providers or platforms that can support them in establishing and automating a seamless end-to-end customer experience.”

Head of Sales (APAC) at Primer, Kailash Madan’s byline, explores how businesses are revolutionising the traditional checkout process to create memorable brand experiences and highlight the shift from transactional-focused interactions to customer-centric experiences that leave a lasting impression. The article delves into various strategies, such as seamless digital payments, personalised recommendations, and interactive technologies, that are transforming the checkout journey.

Breaking the myth: The reality of social entrepreneurs and their business approach

“Your social enterprise must also be able to put a clear offering in front of that banker. They get this if they pay this. But they get more if they pay more. The question is, ‘What’s in it for them?’ And the only way to answer it is to think about market value and business opportunity.”

Business Coach and Co-Founder of Impactified, Antoine Martin’s byline challenges common misconceptions surrounding social entrepreneurs and explores the realities of their unique business approach. It also sheds light on how social entrepreneurs balance social impact with sustainable business practices, debunking the notion that they prioritise one over the other.

Web3 needs novel prevention tools for novel attack vectors: AI saves the day

“The Web3 community must thus rethink threat detection and prevention. It’s high time to build and adopt innovative, problem-specific solutions. Leveraging AI and ML is crucial. But it also requires understanding Web3’s unique security concerns and where it currently stands concerning cybersecurity.”

Guest Lecturer at Sydney University, Luke Fitzpatrick’s byline explores the evolving landscape of Web3 and the need for innovative prevention tools to address emerging attack vectors. By harnessing the power of AI, Web3 platforms can enhance security measures and ensure a safer environment for users. The article also emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of novel attack vectors and leveraging AI as a key defence mechanism.

Embracing AI’s promise: Navigating the future of marketing

“As the dawn breaks on the digital age, marketers face a horizon gleaming with the promise of Artificial Intelligence. For Temus, an upstart in the fast-evolving business of digital transformation, the future of marketing is a captivating narrative — a story of transformation, unprecedented possibilities, and discerning navigation through uncharted territory.”

Director at Temus, Marcus Loh’s byline explores the transformative impact of AI on marketing, highlighting its potential for personalised experiences and improved campaign optimisation. The article also discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise with AI adoption, emphasizing the need for marketers to understand AI’s capabilities and ethical considerations.

Do cards have the opportunity to flourish in Southeast Asia’s digital payment services landscape?

“As the region continues to evolve, the adoption of cards has the potential to transcend limitations and redefine financial inclusion, providing consumers with convenience and security while fostering economic development. With the right mix of innovation, collaboration, and regulatory support, Southeast Asia can unlock the true potential of card adoption, empowering businesses and individuals.”

Founder and CEO of Ayoconnect, Jakob Rost’s byline examines the role of cards in the rapidly evolving digital payment services landscape of Southeast Asia. It also discusses the factors contributing to the growth of digital payments in the region and explores whether traditional cards can still thrive amidst the rise of mobile wallets and alternative payment methods.

Is generative AI the game-changer for productivity?

“As we integrate Gen AI more deeply into our lives, we must remain mindful of its limitations and potential pitfalls, striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and preserving the irreplaceable value of human ingenuity.”

Senior Content Strategist at Insignia Ventures Partner, Paulo Joquino’s byline explores the potential of generative AI in revolutionising productivity across various industries. It also delves into how generative AI technologies, such as natural language processing and computer vision, can automate and augment creative tasks, streamline workflows, and generate novel solutions.

How to create harmony between work and life as a Founder

“Achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires regular assessment and adjustment. It’s important to be kind to yourself and prioritise self-care as you work towards achieving a healthy balance between your work and personal life. And yes, I have pivoted many times!”

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at PeopleKult, Ivan Palomino’s byline provides insights and practical tips on achieving a healthy balance between work and personal life for founders. It also explores the challenges faced by founders in managing their time and priorities effectively and offers strategies for setting boundaries, practising self-care, and fostering a supportive work environment.

Rewriting the creation process of ad creatives using generative AI

“I want to highlight that generative AI tools provide value to the creative production process not so much by replacing the human, mechanical efforts involved in asset creation but rather by mitigating the risks associated with human biases when determining which specific creative elements outperform others because these processes will be led by unemotional machines.”

Founder at Atria, Ray Jang’s byline explores the transformative potential of generative AI in revolutionising the creation process of advertising creatives. It also delves into how generative AI technologies can automate and enhance the ad creation process, enabling marketers to generate unique and compelling content at scale.

Discover TikTok Shop: The ultimate shopping-entertainment experience in Vietnam

“Experts say that social commerce is the future of retail. The combination of social media, video, and e-commerce has made shopping more fun and interactive. This is a two-way interaction between buyers and sellers, instead of one-way from sellers like current e-commerce platforms.”

Co-Founder and CEO at Adamo Software, Kevin Nguyen’s byline introduces TikTok Shop and explores how it is revolutionising the shopping experience in Vietnam. It also highlights the unique combination of entertainment and e-commerce on the TikTok platform, allowing users to discover and purchase products seamlessly.

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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

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The post Contributor corner: Weekly round-up of e27’s latest insights and perspectives appeared first on e27.

Think about this: You have spent innumerable hours setting up an Instagram-worthy online store with eye-catching photos, your logo is perfect, and the products are amazing. But it’s the moment of truth, and your customer has abandoned the checkout.

Did you make sure everything has been covered so that your customer doesn’t get frustrated? Often it’s the finer details that could dilute your brand experience. 

For any online business, driving conversions and building a loyal customer base are essential ingredients for long-term sustainable growth. A smooth checkout is an important part of this, but it has not typically been regarded as part of the brand identity.

That’s now changing, with payments no longer seen as the ‘last stage’ of the customer transaction but as the beginning of a post-purchase customer experience and the perfect opportunity to cultivate a stronger brand relationship.

Payments and brand trust go hand in hand

Increasingly, shoppers expect payments on their own terms. This was a key finding of our recent survey of 2,000 Singaporean shoppers and 300 e-commerce leaders to discover their key pain points – from both sides of the checkout.

The rapid growth of digital payment methods means today’s shopper is more discerning about how they pay. Shoppers are spoiled for choice and will move on if they cannot pick a convenient or trusted payment method at the checkout. 76 per cent of Singaporean shoppers reported that they would abandon their cart if their preferred payment method is not offered. 41 per cent will also walk away if the payment process is too complicated.

Also Read: How interoperability can spark a payments revolution in SEA

That payment experience isn’t only about reducing abandoned shopping carts. It can impact the future use of a brand or product. For example, more than half of survey respondents regarded payment security as a factor that would help them decide if they would like the visit an online store again. Payments have evolved from a last-mile transaction feature to an important element that can alter the consumer’s view of the brand.

Merchants are also becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the payment process, with 99 per cent of retailers surveyed reporting to have made some type of improvement within the past 12 months. Retailers who are taking action to improve their payment services are already beginning to see the benefit.

41 per cent of those who are bolstering their systems reveal that taking foreign payments has seen an increase in revenue, and more than a third, 37 per cent, are reporting higher sales levels through widening the choice of payment options. These improvements to the bottom line are significant.

But while expansion of payment methods is certainly a wise move within the fragmented ASEAN payments landscape, retailers must also address existing friction at the checkout – such as payment failures – to ensure they can convert leads into sales and build brand stickiness for the long term.       

Brand stickiness is becoming harder to obtain with more and more online shoppers made up of digital natives who are skilful at finding alternative places to shop.

The importance of a great online customer experience was reiterated in a recent report from McKinsey, which found that Gen-Zs, in particular, cannot be tied down to a brand and are always open to switching. Similarly, according to Edelman’s recent trust barometer, for this new generation, the purchase is often the starting point for the brand relationship and not the final step.

They’re driven first by the product, with 78 per cent of Gen Z’s reporting uncovering and discovering things about a brand after they make a product purchase. In this sense, these days, the customer journey is less of a funnel and more of a loop, with positive experiences during and post-purchase just as important as a satisfactory experience.

The customer journey extends beyond the checkout

When asked to list their top pain points in the online shopping experience, consumers were crystal clear on where retailers are ‘not delivering’, with five of the top seven complaints relating to delivery, fulfilment or returns. The high delivery cost was noted as the top pain point with 61 per cent of consumers, who also cited it as one of the top reasons they will abandon their cart right before making payment.

Also Read: Thrive amid business uncertainties with a reliable payment partner

In the same thread of pain points, delivery delays lost packages, and unfavourable returns policies are also followed up as consumer concerns. It’s clear that logistical issues are closely related to customer satisfaction and the overall perception of a brand. Similarly, the seamlessness of payments extends beyond the sale, as chargebacks, refund requests, rewards, and cashback are all part and parcel of the payment, delivery, and fulfilment experience.

To remove some of the friction felt by consumers, merchants should look at the consumer journey holistically – beyond the point of sale.

Besides engaging reliable logistics partners to ensure the fulfilment of parcels, high costs can be worked into payment plans through annual fees or subscription fees for shoppers to ease the pressure of one-off high costs and reduce the risk of cart abandonment.

Chargebacks and refunds due to failed deliveries create administrative work for businesses and stress for consumers. Thinking of checkouts not as the final stage of the transaction but rather as the start of the journey towards parcel fulfilment and long-term retention will help businesses prioritise these essential elements of a good customer experience.

Retailers are upping their game, with Shoppee recently promising returns to be processed within two and a half days from an expanded network of 112 drop-off points. Big players are setting the expectations, so it’s clear that improving service levels is going to be key going forward.

Overall, as the e-commerce market matures, these expectations will only continue to grow. Consumers have more choices when shopping online and hence are more empowered to step away when their needs are not met.

But a smooth end-to-end customer journey is not only within reach of the super apps with huge teams at their disposal. Retailers of any size should consider establishing strong partnerships with payment providers or platforms that can support them in establishing and automating a seamless end-to-end customer experience.

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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 Pro

The post The checkout revolution: Transforming transactions into brand experiences appeared first on e27.