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Weekly roundup: Diving deep with our contributors’ latest

At e27, we’re committed to nurturing innovation by offering a stage for experts to impart their specialized knowledge. Through our Contributor Programme, enthusiastic participants can partake in deep discussions on entrepreneurship, technology, and breakthroughs.

Be part of our startup dialogue this week as we delve into current trends, exchange perspectives, and discuss cutting-edge methods to thrive in the startup realm.

Demystifying ToFu churn: How strategic CPO-CMO collaboration makes the difference

Byline from David Isaac Mathews, Principal: Growth and Venture Building at Causality Co

This article discusses the pivotal roles of ToFu (Top of the Funnel) and MoFu (Middle of the Funnel) in the customer’s journey, emphasising the initial brand interactions and deeper evaluations. A central theme is the challenges faced by businesses, including the necessity for accurate brand positioning, the need to align marketing promises with actual product deliverables, and the importance of consistent brand messaging.

Delving into the critical alignment between the Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to prevent strategy gaps and miscommunications, the article also highlights the concept of the Four Fits — Market product fit, Product channel fit, Channel model fit, and Model market fit — as the foundation for ensuring a seamless integration of product and marketing strategies.

Is the Philippine real estate market ready for the next wave of proptech?

Byline from Paulo Joquino, Senior Content Strategist at Insignia Ventures Partner

The Philippine real estate market, historically bogged down by inefficiencies, is poised for transformation with proptech’s rise. Despite earlier digital shifts, transactions remain fragmented.

However, with a residential market worth US$22.5 billion in 2022 and a strong demand evidenced by 1.17 million households planning purchases, there’s a vast opportunity. Developments in other nations, like the US’s Opendoor and Indonesia’s Pinhome, signal potential pathways for the Philippines. Yet, achieving a holistic Proptech 2.0 platform will require strategic execution and value delivery to stakeholders.

Why bootstrapping remains the key to survival in Asia’s funding winter

Byline from Dean Bernales, CEO and Founder at Uniquecorn Strategies

Amid a tech market slowdown and reduced fundraising in Asia, startups are increasingly considering bootstrapping as a growth strategy. This self-funding approach provides founders with more autonomy and flexibility.

Successful examples in Asia include India’s SocialPilot and Singapore’s KodeKloud. Bootstrapping can ensure sustainable growth, preserve equity, and demonstrate resilience in challenging times, benefiting future fundraising or acquisitions.

What is circular economy and why F&B companies should care

Byline from Manni Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer at Modoru

The circular economy goes beyond just recycling, emphasising durable and sustainable product designs over the traditional “take, make, dispose” model. Only 7.2 per cent of materials are currently recycled, highlighting the potential benefits of product longevity.

Adopting circular principles can drastically cut waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses can gain both environmentally and financially by embracing circularity.

Also Read: Innovations and insights: This week’s picks from e27 contributors

For instance, by reducing material waste, optimising supply chains, and meeting emerging regulatory requirements. As an example, a cinema adopting reusable RFID-embedded packaging can both reduce its carbon footprint and better engage with customers. Embracing circularity is a win for the environment and business innovation.

AI’s transformative role: Making insurance accessible and affordable globally

Byline from Rajive Keshup, Partner at Cathay Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for the insurance sector, especially in developing nations. By enhancing risk assessment, streamlining underwriting and claims processing, offering personalised pricing, and boosting customer engagement, AI can make insurance more accessible and tailored.

For instance, Coherent Spark and sprout.ai leverage AI to automate risk modelling and expedite claims decisions, respectively. While there are challenges like data privacy and bias, with the right approach, these can be managed. Cathay Innovation actively invests in such startups worldwide, emphasising the significant opportunity AI offers to the insurance industry.

Data-driven growth: The evolution of growth hacking in 2023

Byline from David Isaac Mathews, Principal: Growth and Venture Building at Causality Co

The startup environment has evolved from random “growth hacking” tactics to strategic, data-driven methodologies, emphasising product-market fit and targeted user engagement. Tools such as Amplitude, VWO, and Mixpanel enable startups to make data-informed decisions, supported by Growth Teams, which are cross-functional groups that include marketers, analysts, and product specialists.

Startups now prioritise metrics that genuinely reflect growth and product value, like the ‘North Star Metric’, while avoiding misleading “vanity metrics”. Thought leaders like Sean Ellis, Andrew Chen, and Brian Balfour advocate for a holistic understanding of growth, stressing the interconnected roles of product, marketing, and data. The modern approach is all about precision, market understanding, and, crucially, using data intelligently for sustainable growth.

4 strategies for navigating the innovation news landscape

Byline from Fabien Le Guillarm, Founder of Gimbal Cube

In today’s digital era, discerning essential tech trends from fleeting news can be daunting. The principle “The Map Is Not The Territory” highlights that no single viewpoint captures a situation’s entirety. When navigating tech advancements, it’s crucial to distinguish genuine innovation from mere buzz.

To do so, professionals should focus on major trends, adopt an unbiased ‘scout mindset’, diversify their information sources, and regularly challenge their biases. By applying these strategies, one can make informed decisions amidst the ever-shifting technological landscape.

Empowering retailers: The transformative potential of  digital shelf in e-commerce 

Byline from Vaibhav Dabhade, Founder and CEO of Anchanto

The e-commerce landscape is densely populated, making a robust digital shelf vital for brands. This online counterpart to in-store displays is central to a brand’s online image. Amidst intense competition and changing consumer behaviours, success hinges on harnessing real-time digital shelf insights.

Also Read: Contributor corner: Weekly round-up of e27’s latest insights and perspectives

By understanding market trends, stock levels, competitor actions, and revenue flows, brands can strategise effectively, ensuring product visibility, competitive pricing, and streamlined operations, thus ensuring they stand out and thrive in the dynamic world of e-commerce.

How to harness open banking for greater consumer and fintech empowerment

Byline from Luke Fitzpatrick, Guest Lecturer at Sydney University

Open banking allows consumers to share their financial data with third-party providers through secure APIs, offering enhanced control and transparency. This collaboration streamlines transactions, reduces costs, and introduces tailored financial services.

Combined with evolving legislation and AI advancements, open banking is reshaping the financial landscape, providing deeper insights and personalised financial advice.

Mastering your Growth Equation: A practical guide to dominating your niche

Byline from David Isaac Mathews, Principal: Growth and Venture Building at Causality Co

Effective growth in a company hinges on team alignment around key leading indicators and a central ‘North Star Metric’ (NSM). By defining a clear growth equation and differentiating between mere busy work and impactful actions, businesses can navigate towards substantial expansion. Regularly reassessing and refining these components ensures sustainable, exponential growth. Remember: it’s not about doing more, but achieving more.

Why the growing UHNI population in Singapore is good news for Indian startup ecosystem

Byline from Amit Gupta, Founder of Ecosystm Group and President of TiE Singapore

Nestled within the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore stands as a beacon of innovation and progress. Its meteoric rise in the global startup ecosystem is not just a testament to its forward-thinking policies but also its ability to foster a melting pot of cultures and ideas.

As the island city-state carves a niche for itself, it beckons entrepreneurs from across the globe, offering them a platform to dream, innovate, and achieve. The intertwined narratives of growth and collaboration in Singapore are a promising glimpse into the future of global entrepreneurship. The upcoming TiE Global Summit in Singapore, paired with the Fintech Festival 2023, will gather global entrepreneurs and leaders.

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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