Southeast Asia’s superapp giant has agreed to acquire US-based investing platform Stash at an enterprise value of US$425 million at closing, a deal that will hand Grab a 50.1 per cent stake upfront.

The remaining shares will be acquired over the next three years at fair market value.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. Payment at closing will be made in cash and stock, with subsequent payments made in cash and/or stock at Grab’s discretion.

Also Read: Grab-Gojek merger talks resurface amid market optimism and regulatory challenges

On paper, it’s an unusual geographic leap for a company that has repeatedly stressed its operational focus on Southeast Asia. In strategy terms, it’s a very Grab-like move: expand capability first, then decide how and where to deploy it.

Why the US and why Stash?

Grab’s entry into the US via Stash is less about planting a flag in New York and more about buying a proven Operating System for mass-market wealth products — one that has already been stress-tested under some of the world’s strictest financial regulations.

Stash sits squarely in a segment Grab has long wanted to deepen in Southeast Asia: consumer fintech that goes beyond payments and credit into wealth-building. The platform serves over one million subscribers and manages more than US$5 billion in assets.

Importantly for Grab’s post-profitability era, Stash runs on a subscription model, recurring revenue that is typically less volatile than transaction-driven income.

Grab also said Stash is adjusted EBITDA and cash flow-positive and has been profitable on that basis since its Series H fundraising round in 2025. Based on current performance, Grab expects Stash to generate more than US$60 million in adjusted EBITDA in the 2028 calendar year. Those numbers matter because they signal something Grab’s investors have been demanding for years: growth that doesn’t set cash on fire.

Anthony Tan, Group CEO and co-founder of Grab, framed the acquisition as both a revenue and capability play: “This acquisition brings more than just recurring, high-margin subscription revenue; we will strengthen Grab’s fintech know-how with Stash’s AI-powered investing app, designed with existing US regulatory requirements at its core.

While we remain operationally focused on Southeast Asia and scaling our regional loanbook, this move reinforces our mission of democratising financial services for everyone.”

Also Read: Wealthtech, insurtech, SaaS fintech are the new hot verticals in Indonesia: AC Ventures report

In plain English, the US is where you learn to build fintech with the safety rails bolted on, and then you bring the playbook home.

The long game: capability transfer, not just country expansion

In the long run, this deal helps Grab in four compounding ways.

1. It diversifies Grab’s fintech earnings. Grab’s financial services push has leaned heavily on lending and payments. Stash adds a different revenue profile: subscription-led, high-margin, and less sensitive to day-to-day consumer spend patterns.
2. It upgrades Grab’s product stack. Instead of building a mass-market investing platform from scratch (and learning the hard way about user education, compliance workflows, and suitability), Grab is acquiring an established machine with an existing customer base and behaviour data.
3. It creates an option for Southeast Asia’s wealth products. Grab said it will support Stash’s US growth while exploring whether to introduce its investing capabilities in Southeast Asia over time. That “over time” is doing work: it implies sequencing and regulatory pragmatism, not a rushed cross-border rollout.
4. It brings in AI-led personal finance engagement, which could become a moat in a region where customer acquisition is expensive and retention is fickle.

What the acquisition reveals about Grab’s global expansion strategy

The structure of the deal is a tell. Grab takes majority control now and then buys the rest over three years. That’s a risk-managed approach to global expansion: secure strategic control, keep founders incentivised, and stage capital deployment while performance and regulatory approvals play out.

It also suggests the superapp’s international growth strategy is shifting from “new geography, same playbook” to “new capability, multiple geographies”. Rather than exporting the superapp model into the US — a market crowded with entrenched consumer platforms — Grab is importing a fintech capability that can strengthen its core Southeast Asian ecosystem.

In other words, Grab is going global selectively: buying assets that can deepen the company’s competitive edge at home, while still capturing upside abroad.

How Stash’s AI could reshape financial services in Southeast Asia

The headline capability here is Stash’s AI Money Coach, designed to provide personalised financial guidance. Stash said interactions are auditable and governed by defined policies and controls, a critical point for any AI tool touching consumer finance.

Since launching in late 2024, Stash says about one in two users have taken a financial action on the same day, with that figure up nearly 40 per cent in 2025. That kind of conversion is not just a nice product metric; it’s a blueprint for changing financial behaviour at scale.

If Grab ultimately adapts similar AI-driven coaching for Southeast Asia, the impact could be significant:

• Lower-cost, always-on guidance for first-time investors who don’t have access to traditional advisors.
• Better financial literacy embedded in the product, rather than as separate, easily ignored content.
• Personalised nudges tied to real behaviour, which can drive saving, investing, and responsible borrowing.
• Regulator-friendly controls via auditable interactions — crucial in markets where AI governance in finance is tightening.

For Grab, which already sits on rich signals from mobility, deliveries, payments, and lending, layering AI financial coaching could turn its ecosystem data into something consumers actually feel day to day: clearer decisions, fewer missteps, and more confidence. That’s how fintech becomes sticky.

How the deal strengthens Grab’s financial performance

Beyond the narrative of “entering the US”, this acquisition is fundamentally a financial architecture upgrade.

• Recurring, high-margin subscription revenue can stabilise Grab’s fintech earnings and improve predictability.
• EBITDA-positive operations reduce the integration burden: Grab is not buying a turnaround story; it’s buying a running engine.
• Cross-ecosystem monetisation potential: if Grab eventually brings investing to Southeast Asia, it can increase ARPU and retention across its user base, while creating more reasons to keep money within the Grab ecosystem.
• A stronger fintech mix: pairing lending (which can be cyclical and risk-sensitive) with wealth and subscription services can smooth performance over time.

The timing is also notable. Grab reported its first full year of net profit in 2025, after years of losses, alongside continued growth in revenue and user engagement. Profitability changes the playbook: it gives Grab more credibility to pursue acquisitions that are strategic, not desperate.

Also Read: Super apps, fintech wallets and mobile payments: Southeast Asia’s next big cyber risk

After closing, Stash will continue operating as an independent brand in the United States under its existing leadership, including co-founders and co-CEOs Brandon Krieg and Ed Robinson, who said: “Grab has a track record of ecosystem-building through harnessing user data and a culture of entrepreneurship that will serve our growth ambitions.

This acquisition gives us the best of both worlds: the capabilities to double down on growth in the US, and the resources of a technology powerhouse to accelerate our vision of personalised, AI-driven financial guidance for millions of people across all parts of their financial lives.”

In Southeast Asia, the subtext is clear: Grab is not abandoning its home turf but it’s importing sharper tools to win it.

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Across Asia, startups are continuing to execute across markets, sectors, and stages. While macro conditions may shift, founders are still expanding operations, launching products, strengthening intellectual property, and building partnerships that push their companies forward.

Many of these developments are shared directly through company profiles and milestone updates on e27. For investors, corporates, and ecosystem players, these updates provide real-time insight into where traction is forming. For founders, publishing milestones creates visibility, documents progress, and signals credibility in a competitive landscape.

If you are building a startup in Asia, creating your company profile and posting milestones on e27 ensures your updates are discoverable by the wider ecosystem. Product launches, expansions, patent filings, partnerships, and event participation all contribute to your public track record. Below are some of the latest milestones shared by startups on e27.

Also Read: As Asia’s startup ecosystem moves forward, these milestones show what founders are building

Recent milestones from startups on e27

• PriyoShop: Scaling up with seven new hubs

PriyoShop expanded its footprint by launching operations in Sonargaon in partnership with Grameenphone, followed by six additional hubs across Netrokona. The expansion enables local grocery retailers with streamlined ordering, timely delivery, and transparent transactions to support their digital transformation.

• ExpertOps AI: Formation of Advisory Board of Industry Leaders

ExpertOps AI announced the formation of its Advisory Board, bringing together senior leaders with experience across analytics, AI, and enterprise software. The move strengthens strategic guidance as the company scales its AI and enterprise capabilities.

• Demokraft AI: Demokraft AI Studio Beta Launch

Demokraft AI launched the beta version of Demokraft AI Studio, enabling B2B teams to convert raw product recordings into polished videos and interactive guides within minutes. The accompanying AI Hub transforms these assets into conversational, self-guided demos that qualify leads and support revenue generation around the clock.

• Unified Intelligence: SFAIX IP milestone with patent filings in Singapore and the United States

Unified Intelligence filed patents in Singapore and the United States for SFAIX, its Secure Federated AI eXchange. The privacy-preserving network layer is designed to support governed intelligence exchange and expand the company’s intellectual property portfolio toward scalable network effects.

• Good Bards: 2026 product enhancements now live

Good Bards released its 2026 product updates, strengthening its AI-powered MarketingOS platform. Enhancements include full campaign creation, advanced planning tools, AI-driven audience segmentation, native email marketing, integration with SEA-LION, and seamless connectivity with Google Suite.

• FEHA: Showcased solutions at Cybersec Asia Thailand

FEHA participated as an exhibitor at Cybersec Asia Thailand, connecting with cybersecurity leaders across APAC and presenting its compliance and risk management solutions. The event reinforced its positioning in supporting ISO 27001 implementation and automated risk workflows.

• 2nd.digital: Launch of dotSpotlight

2nd.digital launched dotSpotlight, a new platform dedicated to highlighting the human stories behind digital builders and creators. The initiative focuses on elevating narratives within the digital ecosystem.

Also Read: Celebrating innovation and momentum across Asia’s startup and SME ecosystem

Turning milestones into visibility

Each of these updates reflects progress that founders chose to share publicly. When milestones are documented on e27, they become part of a broader ecosystem narrative that investors, corporates, and partners actively monitor.

If your startup has expanded, launched a new product, formed a partnership, filed intellectual property, or participated in a major industry event, consider publishing that update on your e27 company profile. Visibility compounds over time.

From online visibility to in-person opportunities

Your emails are not getting opened. Your booth will. Echelon Singapore 2026 brings together 300+ investors, 500+ corporates, and 100+ media over two days, focused on meaningful connections and outcomes. Founders leave with term sheets, pilot projects, and partnerships, not just business cards.

Secure your Startup a booth now at 40 per cent OFF here.

Unsure if you are the right fit? Reach us at events@e27.co.

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Oneteam, a Singapore-headquartered SME acquisition platform focused on succession solutions, has secured a dedicated M&A financing facility from Polaris, the alternative financing arm of GB Helios, to fund its second acquisition, completed in September 2025.

The facility is designed to help Oneteam scale its approach to what it describes as long-term stewardship of profitable local SMEs, with an initial push into essential services within the built environment.

Also Read: Oneteam nets US$2.6M funding to revolutionise SME succession planning in Singapore

The bigger story here is not simply “startup raises money” but that a non-bank financier embedded in Singapore’s SME ecosystem is backing an acquisition-led operator with a model that aims to keep businesses alive after founders retire, without defaulting to trade sales, shutdowns, or fire-drills inside the family.

Financing the “missing middle” of SME M&A

Polaris’s facility introduces a dedicated financing structure for SME acquisitions with annual revenue below about SGD 10 million (US$7.4 million), a segment that Oneteam and its partners say is often underserved by traditional M&A lenders.

That gap matters because many succession-driven deals sit in an awkward band: too small and operationally messy for conventional acquisition finance, but too important to the real economy to be left to chance. In practice, the hardest part of SME succession is rarely “finding a buyer” but structuring a deal that is responsible, financeable, and operationally survivable once the founder steps away.

GB Helios, which has supported local enterprises through multiple economic cycles and is a Participating Financial Institution under Enterprise Singapore’s Enterprise Financing Scheme, is betting that Oneteam’s platform can turn succession from a cliff-edge into a repeatable process.

How employee ownership tackles the succession crisis

Oneteam’s core pitch is an employee ownership succession model: it acquires profitable SMEs from retiring owners and transitions them into employee-owned entities, with a focus on developing next-generation leaders from within the company rather than flipping the asset for a short-term exit.

This addresses several structural failure modes that show up repeatedly in SME succession:

• Continuity risk: When a founder exits abruptly, institutional knowledge often walks out the door. Transitioning ownership and leadership to internal talent reduces operational shock.
• Talent retention: Employee ownership can turn key staff into long-term stewards, not flight risks. In labour-tight sectors, that can be as valuable as a new sales pipeline.
• Alignment over extraction: Traditional buyouts can incentivise aggressive cost-cutting to service debt. A permanent-ownership approach is positioned as prioritising durability, service quality, and compounding operational improvements.
• “No heir, no sale” dead-ends: Many SMEs are not easily sold to competitors (who may dismantle teams) or passed to family (who may not want the business). Employee ownership offers a third route.

Matthew Pay, CFO of Oneteam, framed the constraint bluntly: “Access to financing options is one of the biggest missing pieces in local SME succession. This partnership with GB Helios gives us the ability to scale our acquisition strategy prudently, while continuing to invest in people, systems, and long-term value creation.”

What Oneteam has done so far, and the growth it is claiming

Over the past 12 months, Oneteam — which in November last year secured US$2.6 million in seed funding — has completed two acquisitions of profitable businesses within the facilities and property management ecosystem, part of a broader strategy to build a suite of services for Singapore’s built environment sector.

The company has not disclosed broader pipeline numbers or a run-rate of acquisitions beyond these two completed deals. However, it said the portfolio companies have delivered double-digit growth since acquisition, which Oneteam is using to argue that its operating playbook is more than financial engineering.

Also Read: Growth-minded Singapore SMEs turn to fintech amid cost pressures: Airwallex survey

That matters because acquisition platforms live or die on post-deal execution: upgrading systems, professionalising processes, retaining frontline teams, and maintaining customer satisfaction while leadership changes hands.

Joel Ang, Principal at Wavemaker Ventures, said: “From day one, our conviction in Oneteam was built on its mission-driven approach and disciplined execution. Seeing GB Helios come onboard as a strategic financing partner validates both the model and the long-term opportunity. This is exactly the kind of ecosystem collaboration needed to strengthen Singapore’s SME backbone.”

Strategic synergies with the GB Helios ecosystem

The Polaris facility is the headline, but the partnership is also setting up practical synergies that matter in the unglamorous, day-to-day reality of SME operations.

According to the release, the collaboration can extend into:

• Working capital support, which is often the difference between a smooth transition and a cashflow crisis
• Operational financing and equipment leasing, especially relevant for facilities and property management businesses that rely on vehicles, tools, and equipment uptime
• Human resource management solutions, to standardise hiring, retention, and performance processes across a fragmented sector

For Oneteam, this can compress the time needed to stabilise an acquired business post-transition. For GB Helios, it creates a pipeline of SMEs being professionalised and digitised — a healthier credit and operating profile over time, rather than one-off lending.

Global alternatives: not a new idea, but a local execution game

Globally, Oneteam’s model resembles a few well-established approaches:

• Search funds/entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA): common in the US and increasingly elsewhere, where operators buy a “boring but profitable” business and run it long-term.
• Employee ownership trusts (EOTs) and ESOP-style transitions: used in markets like the UK and US to move ownership to employees while preserving business continuity.
• Permanent capital holding companies: such as Permanent Equity (US) and other long-term hold buyers that prioritise durability over quick exits.
• SME roll-up platforms: some tech-enabled acquirers focus on standardising operations across many small businesses, though not all are explicitly employee-ownership-led.

Also Read: From admin headache to AI-driven insights: How Earlybird AI empowers SME founders

The difference in Southeast Asia is the operating terrain: fragmented industries, uneven digitisation, and a financing landscape that can leave sub-scale deals stranded. That is why the Oneteam-Polaris partnership is worth watching. It is trying to make succession financeable at the size band where most real businesses actually live.

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Image Credit: Oneteam.

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Office space might only account for around 10 per cent of a company’s operating costs, but it sets the stage for everything else. The decisions made about space shape how people work, what kind of culture forms, and how much money and carbon is quietly lost in the background.

Too much space creates dead zones. Too little, and things get tense fast. The challenge is not just about cost-saving anymore. It is about creating the kind of working environment people want to show up to without overcommitting on a footprint you do not need.

Why space still matters more than you think?

Even with hybrid work becoming the norm, office costs have not caught up. CBRE’s 2024 research found that although three-quarters of companies see decent midweek attendance (above 60 per cent), only 28 per cent sustain that across the whole week.

In other words, we are paying for a space that works well for three days and sits underused for two.

The lease does not pause on Thursdays and Fridays.

The bias towards empty chairs

There is a strong, often unspoken bias in favour of oversizing. As researcher William Fawcett points out, leaders are more likely to be blamed when people cannot find desks than when space sits unused.

But the costs add up. Fawcett’s long-term studies suggest that carrying excess capacity can raise lifecycle costs by 20–30 per cent. Even after COVID-19, fewer than one-third of organisations are averaging more than 60 per cent desk use.

We keep renting chairs no one is sitting in. Not because it is rational, but because running short feels riskier than running wasteful.

Also Read: Top 5 strategies on how startup founders can drive healthy, rapid growth in an uncertain economy

Introducing the Goldilocks curve

Through years of client work, we have noticed a pattern. As space per person increases, employee experience initially improves but only to a point. After that, it dips.

• Too tight (Red) – It’s noisy, hard to book a meeting room, and mentally tiring.
• Just right (Green) – There’s just enough density for a sense of energy, casual learning, and spontaneous collaboration.
• Too loose (Red again) – Floors feel empty, culture thins out, and the office starts to feel optional at best, irrelevant at worst.

Quantifying the sweet spot

• What the data says

Space-time surveys back from 2005 in large portfolios show a typical 57  per cent desk utilisation during any half-day —remarkably close to CBRE’s numbers 20 years later! Pushing utilisation from 60 per cent (historical “full” demand) to 85 per cent (modelled “expected” demand) lets organisations drop about one-third of fixed desks yet maintain service quality.

• Cost-and-capacity trade-offs

When you plot desk count (cost) against probability of “no-desk” events (service risk), returns diminish fast. Each extra desk buys a little more certainty but at escalating cost and detriment in employee experience.

In practice, portfolios that aim for ~95-97 per cent seating certainty (≈ 1–2 “no-desk” moments in entire years, usually over 200 effective working days) capture most savings without harming morale. The right KPI therefore shifts from cost per desk provided to cost per desk actually used (CPDU).

Three-step method for CRE + CFOs

Also Read: Strategic investment 101: A founder’s playbook for winning without losing control

Implementation roadmap

You do not have to commit to everything at once. Start small and scale.

• Pilot for five days in one hub.
• Map the full regional portfolio within a month.
• Roll out internally over 6–12 months: dashboards, lease reviews, and workplace improvements.
• Create a review loop: quarterly usage checks, annual KPI refresh.

Track progress using:

• Cost per desk used
• Workplace experience scores (e.g., Leesman)
• Carbon per employee

Takeaways for 2025

Too much space quietly eats into profit. Too little makes people uncomfortable fast. But there is a middle ground, one that is informed by real usage patterns and supported by flexible tools.

We have seen what happens when companies find that sweet spot: the office becomes useful again, budgets become manageable, and people actually want to show up.

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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.

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Well, both yes and no.

Yes, these tools are a boon for non-tech-savvy individuals who want to create aesthetically pleasing and functional websites—whether for blogs, small businesses, or startups. They’re affordable for businesses aiming to enhance their digital presence to drive sales and conversions.

No, because they can’t entirely replace the expertise of professional developers. Building a high-quality (or even mid-quality) website often involves plugins, domain and hosting management, UI/UX optimisation, and ongoing maintenance. No one wants to face a dreaded “404 Error” on their site due to poor oversight.

So, what’s all the buzzabout low-code and no-code web builders? And how can businesses make the most of them?

What is a no-code builder?

As the name suggests, no-code website builders allow users to create websites without writing a single line of code. These platforms rely on intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and design elements, making the process accessible even to those with no technical background.

No-code platforms simplify website development, enabling users to launch professional-looking sites quickly while saving time and resources. However, creating a powerful, polished site still requires understanding web design basics and advanced practices.

While these platforms accelerate the design and development process, they don’t necessarily make it “easier”. Choosing a no-code website builder for your site will give you much better results in a shorter time, but you’ll still have to burn the midnight oil to get there. They make it faster and more efficient, particularly for users who are willing to invest effort in learning the system.

What is low-code builder?

For developers with limited time and non-techies with a vision, low-code platforms are a game changer—you only need to have little to no knowledge of writing codes. It’s the same, but also very different from no-code website builders—a kind of halfway place between no-code and complete human coding.

Unlike no-code platforms, low-code solutions offer greater flexibility. They combine drag-and-drop simplicity with the ability to write custom code, enabling developers to build scalable, feature-rich websites without starting from scratch. Features like open APIs, scalable designs, and deployment options (cloud or on-premises) make low-code platforms a robust choice for more complex projects.

Also Read: The year in clicks: 2024’s top 20 startup headlines

No or low? Which one is the best?

Low-code and no-code platforms primarily provide the means to build apps without writing code. With a visual approach, developers don’t need to understand various types of programming languages. Both options in a Platform as a Service (PaaS) form factor also remove the overhead of setting up environments and maintaining infrastructure.

But that’s where the similarities between low-code and no-code end.

This is where they draw the lines.

• No-code platforms: Designed for users with no coding expertise. Best for simple websites or applications with limited functionality.
• Low-code platforms: Require some basic coding knowledge. Suitable for developing more complex applications or integrating with existing systems.

Choosing between the two depends on your specific needs. No-code platforms might suffice for straightforward projects but could create challenges when scaling or integrating with advanced tools. On the other hand, low-code platforms offer more flexibility and scalability but require a basic understanding of coding.

Top five no-code builders for 2024

Softr

• A no-code app builder designed for integrating data from Airtable or Google Sheets. With Softr, you can create apps and websites step-by-step using its comprehensive and versatile toolkit.
• Pricing: Starting from US$49/month
• Rating: G2: 4.8/5 (200+ reviews)

Glide

• Ideal for mobile app creation, Glide ensures your app’s design stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends. It’s a great choice for beginners or anyone looking to create a straightforward app with ease.
• Pricing: Starting from US$25/month
• Rating: G2: 4.7/5 (350+ reviews)

Studio Creatio

• Perfect for AI-powered app development, Studio Creatio features a composable architecture that facilitates configuring and deploying AI-driven use cases, especially for CRM and app development tasks.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month
• Rating: 4.9 /5

Zeroqode

• Best for template-based app building, Zeroqode simplifies data management through integrations like Google Sheets. Their extensive template library caters to various needs, including e-commerce, project management, CRM, and dashboards.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month (billed annually)
• Rating: None yet

Bubble

• Ideal for visual web application development, Bubble stands out for its ability to turn ideas into fully functional web apps without requiring knowledge of complex programming languages. Its emphasis on a visual-first approach solidifies its reputation as the top choice for building web applications visually.
• Pricing: From US$25/user/month
• Rating: G2: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)

Also Read: Remote hiring in 2024: The pros, cons, and everything in between

Top five low-code builders for 2024

Zoho Creator

• Best for database-driven application design, Zoho seamlessly integrates with its suite of products while also connecting to external platforms like Salesforce, MailChimp, and Slack, enhancing its versatility within a business ecosystem.
• Pricing: From US$10/user/month (billed annually) + US$20 base fee per month
• Rating: 4.3/ 5

Xano

• Best for scalable backends, Xano is a no-code API builder that empowers users to create and manage APIs effortlessly. Its integration with a flexible PostgreSQL database enables handling complex data relationships and executing advanced queries—eliminating the need for a traditional SQL database administrator.
• Pricing: From US$85/month (billed annually)
• Rating: 4.8 /5

Appsmith

• Best for rapid low-code development, Appsmith provides extensive customisation options, including in-line JavaScript and reusable code blocks. It features a built-in IDE-like editor with advanced tools such as autocomplete, multi-line editing, debugging, and linting. Additionally, Appsmith supports self-hosting and role-based access control for enhanced flexibility and security.
• Pricing: From US$40/month
• Rating: 4.7 / 5

Superblocks

• Best for building secure internal apps, Superblocks streamlines development cycles with drag-and-drop components, robust database and API integrations, and Git-based version control. It supports a variety of databases and APIs, including Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, Snowflake, and Salesforce, making it a versatile choice for internal application development.
• Pricing: From US$15/user/month + US$49/creator/month
• Rating: 4.7 / 5

Mendix

• Best for agile development, Mendix’s Epics feature functions as an integrated project management tool, enabling teams to work seamlessly with Scrum or Kanban methodologies. It offers customisable workflows with sections like backlog, refinement, to-do, in-progress, testing, and done, ensuring efficient project organisation and progress tracking.
• Pricing: From US$58/user/month (five seats included, billed annually)
• Rating: 4.4 / 5

Takeaways

Low-code and no-code web builders have now proved that they are valuable, especially for those non-techies who are looking to make the perfect DIY website without having to know what coding is.

For startups and small businesses, these platforms offer a cost-effective, fast-track solution to establishing an online presence. However, investing in low-code platforms—or hiring experienced developers—remains crucial for more sophisticated projects.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy entrepreneur or a seasoned developer, embracing the strengths of these tools can help you build smarter, faster, and more impactful digital experiences.

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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.

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The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host two prominent exhibitions from 13-16 April 2026 — InnoEX and Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, presenting global innovation and technology (I&T) achievements, latest electronics products and advanced technology solutions.

Industry professionals, investors, buyers, and technology users from different sectors, including SMEs are encouraged to attend the fairs. In 2025, the two fairs successfully brought together more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions. It also attracted around 88,000 industry buyers from 148 countries and regions. 

Secure your spot and register now to be part of the global innovation showcase.

InnoEX highlights innovation focus and industry partnerships

InnoEX is a core event of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, driven by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and global innovations. Under the theme of “Innovate • Automate • Elevate”, InnoEX 2026 will spotlight five dynamic areas. These are: AI+, Robotics, Low-altitude Economy (such as unmanned aerial vehicle and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), Property Technology, and Retail Technology.

Last year, the fair successfully helped buyers and exhibitors establish important partnerships. Philippine buyer Digital Pilipinas and International Digital Economies Association signed a distribution agreement with the United Kingdom’s exhibitor Unifi.id. They will introduce its smart card system for buildings to the Philippines, with hopes of expanding into other emerging markets in the future.

Xi’an Meinan Biotechnology Co. Ltd also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with H & Y Building Decoration Electrical Engineering (HK), aiming to enhance the quality of construction projects in Hong Kong and internationally by utilising Meinan’s waterproof mortar technology, promoting sustainable development.

Electronics Fair expands global tech showcase and product zones

Entering its 22nd edition, the Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) continues to connect international exhibitors with buyers worldwide, displaying groundbreaking electronics products and solutions aligned with evolving tech trends. The 2026 fair will spotlight products and solutions in the sectors of Smart Home & Solutions, Health Tech and Pet Intelligence.

The fair will host over 20 product zones, including the Hall of Fame that will feature more than 500 global renowned electronics brands and their creation; the Tech Hall will showcase next-generation electronics and modern lifestyle solutions; the Immersive Experience Zone will offer visitors hands-on experiences with wearable technology and interactive games; and the Start Up Zone will highlight the latest innovations and creative ideas from entrepreneurs. 

Other thematic product zones will cover categories such as Energy Storage & E-mobility, Home Appliances, Audio-Visual Products, Computing & Gaming, Automotive & In-Vehicle Electronics, and more.

Also read: Innovation on display: Discover the tech shaping Asia’s future at Hong Kong’s leading fairs

Exhibitor momentum and robotics innovation take centre stage

Shenzhen Antop Technology Co. from Chinese Mainland, exhibitor of last year’s Electronics Fair stated, “We have made contact with many potential buyers from India and South America at the exhibition, and in the first two days, we received about 50 potential leads, with at least one third showing significant collaboration potential.”  The company was also discussing a contract for an order valued at approximately USD2.5 million. Additionally, Hong Kong medical technology exhibitor CYBERMED, discussed business deals with two buyers from Mainland China and the Middle East, with each order valued at approximately USD200,000.

The two fairs will also introduce the RoboPark, unveiling robots’ potential and innovations through immersive scenario-based demonstrations and live robotics performances. From humanoids and robotic arms to quadrupeds and autonomous mobile robots, visitors can explore how robotics is reshaping business, daily life, healthcare, and industries today.

During the fair period, forums, presentations, and other events will be held. Experts are invited to share insights and provide valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals. Additionally, start-ups will have excellent platforms to promote innovative ideas, seek support from investors, and gain advice from experts on business development.

Hybrid exhibition format and digital networking opportunities

The fairs will be held in EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, complemented by the “Click2Match.” It is an online smart business matching platform that will operate from 6 to 23 April. This provides a convenient and efficient platform for traders to connect. In addition, the “Scan2Match” function also enables offline-to-online connections. By using the HKTDC Marketplace App, buyers can scan the dedicated QR codes of exhibitors to bookmark their favorite exhibitors, browse product information, view e-floor plans, and chat with exhibitors even after the fair to continue the sourcing journey. 

Register now for free admission.

For more details, please visit the fair websites at InnoEX and HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition).

13 – 16 April 2026: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

 6 – 23 April 2026: Click2Match (Online)

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This article was sponsored by HKTDC

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Major US stock indices climbed on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, thanks to a strong rebound in technology shares that calmed worries about recent spending on artificial intelligence. Investors watched the S&P 500 rise 0.5 per cent to close at 6,964.82, inching nearer to the all-time high from two weeks earlier. The Nasdaq Composite, heavy with tech stocks, jumped 0.9 per cent to 23,238.67, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average barely moved, adding less than 0.1 per cent to end at 50,135.87.

This uptick came after a tough stretch last week, where tech stocks faced heavy selling. Chipmakers drove much of the recovery, with Nvidia gaining 2.4 per cent and Broadcom advancing 3.3 per cent. Oracle stood out with a sharp 9.6 per cent increase. These moves highlighted how quickly sentiment can shift in the tech sector, especially amid ongoing debates about AI investments.

Beyond US markets, international developments added to the positive tone. Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a fresh all-time high, surging 2.8 per cent after the incumbent government secured a historic election mandate. This boost reflected growing confidence in Japan’s economic policies and stability. Treasury yields stayed calm, with the 10-year note holding near 4.20 per cent.

Traders largely ignored news that China encouraged its banks to reduce holdings of US Treasuries, suggesting that markets focused more on domestic factors. In commodities, gold dropped about 0.7 per cent to US$5,023.82 per ounce, while West Texas Intermediate oil fell 0.4 per cent to US$64.13 a barrel. Traders kept an eye on potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, but no immediate threats materialised. Bitcoin hovered just under US$71,000, steady after briefly topping that mark over the weekend.

Attention now turns to key economic data releases. Retail sales figures arrive on Tuesday, and CPI inflation numbers follow on Friday. These reports will shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move. Investors have begun shifting some funds into real-economy sectors, and demand for AI-related tech stocks remains robust, supporting overall index levels. This rotation shows a market balancing innovation hype with practical economic signals.

From my perspective, this setup feels like a fragile equilibrium. The tech rebound offers relief, but if upcoming data disappoints, volatility could return swiftly. Markets often overreact to hints of inflation, and with AI spending under scrutiny, any sign of cooling could pressure gains.

Also Read: Markets on edge: AI rally fizzles as crypto plunges below US$2.42 trillion

In cryptocurrencies, the market edged up 0.28 per cent to a total capitalisation of US$2.4 trillion over the last 24 hours. This modest gain marks a brief halt after a steep downtrend, aligning closely with traditional stocks. A strong 89 per cent correlation with the S&P 500 points to shared influences from broader economic relief. Bitcoin’s tentative support after a 46 per cent drawdown stands as the main driver. Selective institutional buying has helped stabilise prices.

Secondary factors include sharp pumps in smaller altcoins and slightly upbeat social sentiment around Ethereum accumulations. Looking ahead, the market’s strength depends on Bitcoin maintaining the US$65,000 to US$70,000 range. Dropping below that could push prices back to the US$60,000 yearly low.

Bitcoin’s stabilisation follows a brutal capitulation phase. The total market cap tries to hold at US$2.4 trillion after plummeting 46 per cent from its October 2025 peak. This aligns with Bitcoin testing a critical historical support at the 1.25x realised price level, which historically divides regular corrections from deeper selloffs. The small uptick indicates that the intense selling from January and early February might ease, paving the way for a technical rebound.

Investors should closely monitor Bitcoin’s defence of US$65,000. A failure there might spark fresh liquidations, extending the pain. In my view, this support level acts like a psychological floor. Historical patterns suggest bounces often follow such tests, but current macro uncertainties make outcomes less predictable. The correlation with stocks amplifies risks, as any equity dip could drag crypto lower.

Speculative activity and changes in sentiment add layers to the recovery. While the overall market stayed flat, low-cap altcoins like GPS, AXS, and ZKP surged 20 per cent to 75 per cent on large volume. This shows capital flowing into riskier bets for fast profits, though it falls short of a full altcoin rally. Social sentiment for assets like Ethereum improved to a mildly bullish 4.83 out of 10. On-chain data reveals significant accumulations by major players, such as Bitmine.

For instance, Bitmine, linked to Tom Lee of Fundstrat, recently acquired another 20,000 ETH valued at US$41.08 million from FalconX’s hot wallet. This transaction, highlighted in on-chain tracking, fits a pattern of inflows. Just six days earlier, Bitmine received another 20,000 ETH worth US$46.04 million from the same source. Over the past two weeks, additional batches included 40,320 ETH at US$113.39 million, 38,400 ETH at US$107.99 million, 30,720 ETH at US$86.39 million, another 38,400 ETH at US$107.99 million, 28,800 ETH at US$80.99 million, 26,880 ETH at US$75.59 million, 30,720 ETH at US$86.39 million, 34,560 ETH at US$97.19 million, and 23,040 ETH at US$64.79 million. These moves signal structured buying by institutions, boosting short-term confidence.

Community reactions underscore this as smart money at work. Observers note the buys as strategic positioning rather than random trades. One commenter compared it to aggressive corporate strategies in crypto, while others highlighted the scale of the accumulation amid market fear. Ethereum’s positive whale activity provides a counterweight to broader caution.

From where I stand, these accumulations reveal an underlying belief in crypto’s long-term value. Institutions like Bitmine spot opportunities in dips, betting on future growth. This contrasts with retail hesitation, resulting in an uneven recovery. If more entities follow suit, it could spark broader buying, but isolated actions might not sustain momentum on their own.

Also Read: Fear and greed at 28: Why traders are fleeing crypto right now

The near-term outlook remains guarded. Two key elements will determine the path: Bitcoin’s push to reclaim and defend the US$73,000 resistance level, and the flow direction in US spot Bitcoin ETFs after recent net outflows. The Fear and Greed Index sits at 10, indicating extreme fear, which often precedes relief rallies when buying picks up. Holding above US$70,000 might drive the total cap toward US$2.5 trillion over time.

Without consistent spot demand, prices could revisit last week’s lows near US$60,000. Upcoming stock market data ties in here, as retail sales and CPI could sway Fed decisions, indirectly affecting crypto through risk sentiment. My take is that this moment offers a chance for stabilisation, but fragility persists. The 46 per cent drawdown scarred investors, and rebuilding trust takes time. If Bitcoin holds its ground, we might see a slow grind higher, fuelled by tech’s AI tailwinds and institutional dips.

In conclusion, today’s market action reflects cautious stabilisation across assets. Stocks rebounded on tech strength, easing AI concerns, while crypto paused its slide with help from Bitcoin support and selective buys. The interplay between traditional and digital markets grows clearer with that 89 per cent correlation. Institutional moves, like Bitmine’s ETH hauls, inject optimism, but the outlook hinges on key levels and data.

I see potential for a relief bounce if supports hold, and I warn against overconfidence. Extreme fear levels suggest upside if sentiment flips, but macro headwinds loom. Traders should watch Bitcoin’s US$65,000 to US$70,000 zone closely, as it will dictate whether this uptick endures or fades. Overall, markets catch their breath after tough times, setting up for pivotal days ahead.

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Singapore has mounted its largest coordinated cyber incident response effort to date after a sophisticated threat actor was found targeting the nation’s telecommunications backbone — the systems that keep everything from banking OTPs to government communications moving.

In a joint update on Monday, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) revealed details of a multi-agency operation, Operation CYBER GUARDIAN, launched to counter an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor tracked as UNC3886.

Also Read: After cyber attacks, silence can be the biggest brand killer: Penta’s Dan La Russo

Over 100 cyber defenders across CSA, IMDA, CSIT, the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), GovTech and the Internal Security Department (ISD), working alongside the country’s four major telcos: M1, SIMBA Telecom, Singtel, and StarHub, are involved in the operation.

The target set matters. Telcos are not “just another industry”; they are the connective tissue of a digital economy. If an attacker can burrow into telecom networks, they can potentially observe or manipulate traffic, map relationships, and position themselves for follow-on attacks, including against other critical sectors that rely on telecom infrastructure.

How the attackers got in, and what the scale looked like

CSA and IMDA characterised the campaign as “deliberate, targeted, and well-planned”, consistent with what cyber defenders typically expect from APT groups: patient intrusions designed to stay hidden long enough to extract strategic advantage rather than to smash-and-grab.

The agencies disclosed two key intrusion methods used by UNC3886:

1. In one case, the attacker used a zero-day exploit to bypass a perimeter firewall, gaining access to telco networks. They “managed to exfiltrate a small amount of technical data”, believed to be network-related data intended to advance the actor’s operational goals.
2. In another case, the attacker used rootkits and other advanced techniques to maintain persistent access, cover tracks, and evade detection — forcing defenders to perform comprehensive checks across networks to identify and flush out the intruder.

This is the uncomfortable truth of modern telecom security: even well-defended networks can be penetrated when attackers chain together previously unknown vulnerabilities, stealth tooling, and deep operational discipline.

As for the scale, the statement stops short of providing counts of compromised devices, affected sites, or dwell time per environment — likely because those details can help adversaries refine their methods.

What it does confirm is significant on its own:

• All four major telcos were targeted.
• The threat actor gained unauthorised access into some parts of telco networks and systems.
• In at least one instance, the actor obtained limited access to critical systems, but “did not get far enough to have been able to disrupt services”.

That combination — confirmed intrusion, but no confirmed customer data theft and no service disruption — points to a campaign that looks more like strategic reconnaissance and positioning than immediate monetisation. In other words, this was not a typical ransomware crew looking for a quick payday. It was closer to an adversary trying to understand, persist, and potentially hold options open.

Why a multi-agency operation is essential, and what it actually delivers

A telecom intrusion is not a “single-company incident” once it crosses certain thresholds. It becomes a national security problem because telecom networks intersect with emergency services, government communications, financial services, and the everyday operations of millions of residents and businesses.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s cyber boom is fuelled by fear—and AI

That is why a multi-agency operation matters — not as bureaucratic theatre, but as a practical requirement:

• Speed and coordination across four telcos: When multiple operators are targeted, defenders need a unified view of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to prevent a whack-a-mole response where attackers simply hop to the next environment.
• Broader intelligence picture: Agencies such as ISD, DIS and CSIT can contribute threat intelligence and analytical capabilities that typical enterprise security teams may not have access to — especially for state-linked or state-grade actors.
• Specialised technical muscle: Rootkits and stealth persistence can require deep forensics, network-wide threat hunting, and high-confidence remediation. Coordinating that at national scale demands extra manpower and specialist tooling.
• Clear incident command: A large incident needs disciplined governance: who makes decisions, how evidence is handled, how remediation is sequenced, and how communications are managed without tipping off the attacker.

So what results will Operation CYBER GUARDIAN yield?

The agencies say defenders have:

• Limited the actor’s movement within networks;
• Implemented remediation measures and closed off access points;
• Expanded monitoring capabilities in the targeted telcos;
• Increased ongoing activities such as joint threat hunting, penetration testing, and “levelling up of capabilities”.

In plainer terms: the operation is intended to produce a cleaner network, fewer blind spots, and faster detection-and-response if UNC3886 attempts to re-enter — which the agencies explicitly warn may happen.

Has Singapore seen similar attacks before — and what does the world tell us?

Singapore has faced major cyber incidents in the past, including the 2018 SingHealth breach, which highlighted how determined attackers can target systems holding sensitive information. While that case was not a telecom network intrusion, it did shape the country’s posture around critical systems and the reality that sophisticated adversaries will target high-value national assets.

Globally, critical infrastructure has repeatedly been in the crosshairs. A few widely cited examples illustrate the spectrum of risk:

• Ukraine’s power grid attacks (2015/2016): Demonstrated that cyber operations can translate into real-world disruption.
• WannaCry (2017): Showed how fast-moving malware can cripple essential services, including healthcare systems.
• SolarWinds supply-chain compromise (2020): Proved that attackers can infiltrate many organisations at once by compromising a trusted supplier, then quietly expand access over time.
• Colonial Pipeline (2021): Underlined how cyberattacks can trigger broader economic and social disruption even when the target is not “digital-only”.

Telecommunications firms, in particular, have long been attractive to sophisticated actors because they sit on metadata, routing infrastructure, and signalling systems, and because compromising them can create downstream access to other targets.

Against that global backdrop, CSA and IMDA’s emphasis that this incident has “not resulted in the same extent of damage as cyberattacks elsewhere” reads as both reassurance — and a reminder that the ceiling for harm can be very high.

Does this incident bring ignominy to Singapore and its government?

Not in the way that term implies.

A headline-grabbing breach can feel like reputational damage, especially for a country that markets itself as a trusted digital hub. But sophisticated APT intrusions are not a simple scoreboard of competence versus incompetence; they are an ongoing contest between defenders and adversaries with significant resources.

Two points stand out from the government’s disclosure:

• Detection and escalation happened: The activity was “initially detected by the telcos”, which then notified IMDA and CSA — a sign that monitoring and reporting pathways functioned.
• Containment without confirmed service disruption or customer data theft: Based on the information shared, the operation prevented the incident from turning into a nationwide outage or confirmed mass data compromise.

Also Read: Are cyber attacks more life-threatening than we think?

If anything, the choice to disclose the operation — while holding back specifics that could compromise defences — signals an attempt to balance transparency with operational security.

Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, speaking at an engagement event for cyber defenders involved in the operation, underscored the stakes and the shared responsibility. She said, “Your actions, or inaction, can determine whether we succeed or fail in protecting our critical infrastructure, and our national security. I urge all of you to continue investing in upgrading your systems as well as your capabilities”.

The broader message is clear: this is not a one-off firefight. It is a long campaign. And because telcos are “strategic targets for threat actors, including state-sponsored ones”, Singapore’s defence has to be equally strategic — spanning government, industry, and the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

Operation CYBER GUARDIAN is, in effect, Singapore treating telecom cyber defence like what it is: national resilience work, not just IT housekeeping.

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“In the ever-evolving technology landscape…” — If you are an avid consumer of business content, I’m sure you encounter this phrase quite a bit these days! The phrase has become the de-facto opening for many B2B blogs, particularly after 2022 — the milestone year ChatGPT was introduced. The GenAI tool helped both writers and non-writers alike to escape the dreaded blank page. In doing so, it has unleashed a certain homogeneity that can put us off and might even lead us to suspect that the content is AI-generated. 

Gen AI’s twisted impact on creative content

AI tools no longer belong to just the techies and geeks. Today, we have a flurry of AI tools across writing, graphic design, product design, fashion design, photography, music, podcasts, and video production. These tools don’t just provide a decent starting point but also assist users at every stage, accelerating their creative production process.

Tools such as DALL-E, Mid-journey, and ChatGPT have dramatically sped up traditionally time-consuming design processes. Adobe’s recent move to add GenAI capabilities, enabling image creation using simple text prompts, seems like a significant step forward.  What’s interesting is Adobe intends to pay the original creators of those stock images.

And here is a game changer for music enthusiasts and creators. Aviva — an AI music-generation assistant allows you to generate new songs in more than 250 different styles in a matter of seconds. On the visual side, Luma AI’s dream machine, which is now open to the public, generates realistic and aesthetic AI videos from text and images. 

Many exclaim these tools are democratising access to professional-level creativity.

But here is the twist! If GenAI drives a never-before-seen acceleration in meaningful content production, it also contributes to AI-generated noise that lacks flavour or nuance or an authentic creative flair that catches the eye. 

Think about it — if everyone is using the same AI tools, trained on similar datasets — how would the content truly stand out, unless obviously that content — be it text, image, or video is embedded with a unique human voice? 

How can GeAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order?

GenAI’s twisted impact on the creative workforce

Unlike other innovations in the past, which have fundamentally automated mundane, repetitive work, GenAI is inherently a creative tool that promises to automate creativity, albeit in parts. For many professional creators, the entry of GenAI was confusing. They initially demonstrated a viscerally negative reaction, but a couple of years down the time, they have begun to realise the positive impact it has on their work. 

A recent online survey by 99designs, involving 10,000 freelance designers, highlights a significant positive shift in attitudes toward generative AI as the technology becomes mainstream. The study reveals that 52 per cent of designers now use generative AI tools, up from 39 per cent in 2023. Notably, 39 per cent of respondents believe AI will positively influence their careers in the long run, compared to 29 per cent who fear it may have a negative impact. 

But once again, let me introduce the sinister twist here: The 29 per cent seem to be right, because according to Harvard Business Review, there has been a 17 per cent drop in jobs tending to visual design in the past year. Writers on the other hand faced a 30% reduction in jobs in the same year. The research clearly says the trend is likely to continue as AI would not just be a helpful assistant but also replace some of the creative jobs spanning writing, imaging, and even software coding. 

Also Read: Revolutionising retail: A blueprint for future success

Based on the above we can draw two possible conclusions:

• Experienced creators increasingly view AI as a creative ally. They use the tool predominantly for idea generation, gaining a head-start into projects as well as completing low-stakes iterative tasks, where the output can be easily verified. 
• Beginners, on the other hand, might be finding it tricky to surpass business leaders and decision makers  who increasingly believe that GenAI  minimises the need for a larger creative workforce. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order among the creative workforce?

GenAI — A friend or foe to the future workforce? 

Though many educators still believe GenAI is the wild wild west, it’s hard to miss that the technology has quietly become a staple in most students’ academic tool kit. Research highlights that 86 per cent of today’s students — the future workforce — already use GenAI in their studies, with 25 per cent doing so every day. 

GenAI has shown tremendous potential to personalise student learning and spark creative exploration. However, the biggest concern most educators/evaluators have is that students use the tool to instantly complete their assignments with the least effort. Gen Y and Gen X teachers, who have seen the transition from traditional to technology-based learning, fear students might become over reliant on the technology, losing their critical problem solving skills and the ability to think independently. This is what some students report as a “fixation of the mind”– inability to think beyond AI ideas and generate original concepts.  

This calls for a thoughtful and balanced approach to integrating AI into classrooms, presenting a promising opportunity for businesses to develop novel generative AI solutions tailored to education. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order among the future workforce?

Manipulated media — GenAI’s twisted impact on content consumption

Instagram, which helps millions of influencers monetise their content, is witnessing a proliferation of AI-generated influencers. These AI personas are stealing videos from real models, replacing faces with AI generated ones to create deepfakes. Ultimately, they profit from these manipulated videos by  linking them to dating platforms and various AI-based apps. While genuine human influencers will now have to compete with AI-generated influencers, the bigger concern is the ramifications on consumers. Could they be misled in dangerous ways? 

In an effort to curb misinformation before the election, Meta, earlier this year, proactively began tagging social media content using the “Made with AI” labels. However, soon after when multiple meta users complained that their human-generated images were incorrectly labeled, the company changed to a more subtle “AI info” label. 

We are seeing a clear tug of war between the proliferation of deepfake content and their detection. As deepfake capabilities continue to evolve, it opens up significant opportunities for enterprises and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to innovate. They can develop generative AI solutions that empower consumers to proactively flag AI-generated content, helping steer media consumption away from misinformation and disinformation. 

Also Read: Singapore aims to lead in AI — but where’s the talent?

But not everything is sinister with GenAI in the media. 

Daisy, an AI granny, attempts to strike a balance by scam-baiting hackers. The revolutionary human-like chatbot works by answering calls in real-time, mimicking human conversations to make hackers believe they are conversing with a human, when in fact, Daisy would be wasting the scammer’s time, ultimately reducing the number of scams attempted. 

Even deepfakes as a technology has shown to have tremendous potential to create content otherwise not feasible. It has been employed in production to de-age actors, synchronise actors’ lip sync and movements in multiple languages, and even bring historical figures to life. 

How can GenAI solutions solve chaos and amplify new order in media 

Here’s a technical low down on how the AI models mimic human creativity

The venture capital world is quietly rewriting its definition of a successful exit. With IPO windows opening and closing at the whim of macro headlines, liquidity has shifted from being an endgame to something founders and investors now engineer along the way.

The 2025 Endeavor Catalyst Annual Report makes this clear: secondaries are no longer a niche workaround but a core mechanism keeping capital moving.

For Southeast Asia, this evolution feels less like disruption and more like adaptation. The region is full of mature venture-backed companies that are operationally strong yet cautious about listing into uneven, fragmented public markets. When public comps wobble, an IPO can reset valuations in ways that hurt both private investors and long-term strategy. Secondary sales offer a pressure-release valve—returning capital to early funds, giving employees a chance to monetise equity, and introducing new investors without surrendering control or timing to market sentiment.

What matters now is execution. Well-structured secondaries demand pricing discipline, governance clarity, and careful communication to avoid cap table chaos. Done right, they allow companies to stay focused on fundamentals rather than chasing an uncertain listing.

The message for Southeast Asia is pragmatic: liquidity doesn’t have to wait for the perfect IPO moment. In today’s market, secondaries are not a compromise—they’re part of a more flexible, resilient venture playbook.

REGIONAL

Inside Singapore’s biggest telecom cyber defence operation: The island nation launched its largest-ever cyber defence operation after advanced attackers targeted telecom networks, prompting a coordinated national response to contain intrusions, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen long-term cyber resilience.

SLEEK EV’s US$8.5M Series A funding signals a more mature EV playbook: SLEEK is explicitly framing itself as more than an EV manufacturer. Its long-term ambition is to become “APAC’s trusted full stack EV motorcycle Operating System”, where “partners collaborate, data compounds, and actions convert to a new way of urban mobility.”

VinFast officially enters Indonesia’s e-scooter market with strategic dealers: VinFast will begin rolling out its distribution network in the Jabodetabek area — Indonesia’s largest economic and urban centre — from the second quarter of 2026, with plans to expand to other regions nationwide.

Khazanah’s Jelawang Capital backs more than ten startups with over US$7.64M capital: Khazanah reported resilient FY2025 performance, with MYR105 billion net assets and 5.2% returns, while Jelawang Capital backed 10 startups, crowding-in MYR30 million and advancing Malaysia’s transformation, semiconductor, and AI growth.

Why Hyperbond is betting US$500K on romance-driven language learning: Singapore’s Hyperbond Studio launched Call Me Sensei, an AI companionship language app using romantic-style scenarios, and raised US$500K. It plans expansion, multilingual growth, and voice upgrades via a partnership with MiniMax.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

When IPOs freeze, liquidity finds another way: As IPO markets remain uncertain, venture capital is shifting toward secondary sales for liquidity. Endeavor Catalyst’s 2025 report shows exits surging, a trend resonating in Southeast Asia’s mature startups seeking returns without rushed listings.

Finding the right co-founder involves having tough conversations–and a great sense of humour: Starting a business often hinges on choosing the right co-founder. Founders and investors stress shared vision, trust, resilience, and complementary strengths, backed by clear agreements and planning early for conflict, exits, and continuity.

Trust remains travel’s defining currency: Inside travel’s next operating model at MarketHub Asia 2026: Global travel demand is resilient heading into 2026, but MarketHub Asia signals a shift toward optimisation, trust, AI deployment, cybersecurity resilience, and managing fragmentation across payments and regulation.

INTERNATIONAL

Databricks CEO says SaaS isn’t dead, but AI will soon make it irrelevant: SaaS companies that embrace the new LLM interface could grow, as Databricks is doing. But it also opens up possibilities for AI-native competitors to offer alternatives that work better with AI and agents.

TikTok projects APAC’s creator commercial contribution to reach US$1.2T by 2030: The growth will be driven by authentic content that boosts purchase intent, with AI tools helping brands scale creator-led marketing efficiently. Beauty & fashion, gaming, financial services, apps, and consumer electronics are emerging as key areas of growth.

Anthropic’s India expansion collides with a local company that already had the name: Anthropic’s India expansion has triggered a trademark dispute, with local firm Anthropic Software claiming prior name use since 2017 and customer confusion, seeking damages as court proceedings continue without interim injunction.

Crypto.com places US$70M bet on AI.com domain ahead of Super Bowl: The deal, paid entirely in cryptocurrency to an unknown seller, shatters previous records. Crypto.com founder Kris Marszalek plans to debut the site during Sunday’s big game, offering consumers a personal AI agent for messaging, app usage, and stock trading.

CYBERSECURITY

In Southeast Asia, cybersecurity is booming but funding is not: Tracxn research reveals that across the ASEAN region, cybersecurity startups raised US$24M across three rounds in 2025, a 40% decline from 2024 levels, when the sector pulled in US$40.1M. The number of rounds shrank as well, falling from 7 in 2024 to 3 in 2025.

After cyber attacks, silence can be the biggest brand killer: Penta’s Dan La Russo: The whitepaper warns cyber breaches are leadership crises, where poor communication destroys trust faster than technical damage. Early acknowledgement, transparency, internal coordination and visible leadership are essential to contain reputational fallout.

Bridging healthcare and cybersecurity: How women are challenging stereotypes in tech: Global venture capital is shifting from unpredictable IPO exits to secondary deals, enabling liquidity for investors and employees as mature Southeast Asian startups stay private longer.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Taiwan rejects US push to shift 40% of chip production: Taiwan’s international expansion, including its investments in the US, is predicated on the notion that the industry remains’ rooted in Taiwan and continues to expand domestic investments, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said.

TSMC January revenue rises 37% on AI chip demand: TSMC, which also produces chips for Apple, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of a surge in artificial intelligence-related investment, due to its role in manufacturing advanced AI accelerators.

SK chief meets Nvidia CEO in US to discuss HBM, AI cooperation: The meeting took place earlier this month in California. Observers believe the two sides discussed supply plans for HBM4, the next generation of HBM expected to be used in Nvidia’s upcoming AI accelerator, named “Vera Rubin.”

AI

Google expands AI investments in Singapore: Building on the recent opening of the Google DeepMind research lab in Singapore, the firm is expanding its local R&D footprint by investing heavily in human capital — scaling specialised teams across software engineering, research science, and UX design.

AI is leaving the screen and entering the real world: Endeavor’s 2025 report shows hardware surging as venture capital’s second-largest sector, as AI shifts from software to physical systems powering robotics, chips, infrastructure, and automation globally across industries and regions.

The AI mirage: Why your stack isn’t the secret to scaling in 2026: AI adoption is nearly universal, but real value remains rare as complexity rises. With tech commoditised, founder success hinges on human intelligence—discernment, emotional resilience, and vertical leadership development.

AI helps, but systems and people hold the key to Asia’s decarbonisation: Asia’s climate risks demand decarbonisation beyond tech hype, combining AI as a force multiplier with integrated infrastructure, systems thinking, collaboration, and human talent to turn data into resilient, low-carbon cities.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

The era of ‘black box’ pricing is over: Why transparency is the new currency in B2B marketing: In 2026, pricing strategy shifts from opaque algorithms to explainable AI, turning transparency into a core sales and marketing advantage.

Crypto market cap hits US$2.4T again: Why institutional whales are buying the dip: US stocks rose as tech rebounded, easing AI spending fears. S&P 500 gained 0.5%, Nasdaq jumped 0.9%. Nvidia, Broadcom and Oracle led. Japan rallied. Investors await retail sales and CPI data.

You’ve seen OpenClaw, Clawdbot, and Moltbook everywhere: Here’s why agentic AI suddenly feels real: OpenClaw and Moltbook reignited agentic AI hype by showcasing proactive, locally run assistants, but real-world use exposes gaps in reliability, security, and operational control challenges.

Revisiting “Something Ventured”: What the birth of VC still teaches Founders today: Something Ventured traces venture capital’s origins as an act of belief and partnership. It contrasts today’s transactional funding culture with early investors backing vision, patience, and founders—reminding startups that trust still matters most.

The cold logic of the angel: Stop funding dreams, start funding plumbing: New angel investors fall for dazzling pitches and lose money. Smart investing underwrites scalable machines: real pain solved, disciplined operators, and repeatable systems for sales, hiring, support, and product execution.

Startups vs regulators: How new rules are reshaping digital finance: As Southeast Asia tightens fintech regulation, licensing scarcity, crypto supervision, and data rules reshape funding, pushing startups toward compliant infrastructure, partnerships, and regulated business models over rapid, permission-later growth strategies.

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