(L-R) tozero co-founders Dr Ksenija Milicevic Neumann and Sarah Fleischer tozero, a lithium-ion recycling startup based in Germany, has emerged as the champion of the EPiC (Elevator Pitch Competition) conducted by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). The Munich-headquartered startup will receive 1.1 million Asia Miles (a loyalty and frequent-flyer programme run by airline operator Cathay Pacific) and an additional cash prize of US$60,000. The EPiC winner was selected from the 12 finalists who demonstrated their solutions before a judging panel comprising renowned i ..read more

Singapore, 26 April 2024 – ADA, a leader in digital and data-driven business transformation across Asia, today launched a visionary suite of AI CoPilots engineered to redefine enterprise marketing and commerce functions, driving efficiency and effectiveness, fostering a new era of strategic and operational agility through data and AI democratisation. Seamlessly integrated with ADA’s suite of digital services, AI CoPilots tap into diverse datasets and proprietary AI models. Each CoPilot unites disparate information streams, dismantling the silos between different platforms and business units ..read more

Martech, short for Marketing Technology, encompasses various tools and software designed to streamline marketing processes, enhance efficiency, and drive better results. From customer relationship management systems to analytics platforms and social media management tools, martech provides marketers with the necessary infrastructure to plan, execute, and measure their marketing campaigns effectively. By automating repetitive tasks, centralising data, and providing valuable insights into customer behaviour, martech empowers marketers to work more efficiently and make data-driven decisions. One ..read more

Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here! Development of the digital ecosystem in Indonesia showing a positive result of growth. The growing number of internet users is the main factor of this growth. To support and empower the development of the digital ecosystem, real action from several institutions will be needed. The main goal of this ecosystem is to help tech companies and startups from early to mature stages reach their potential by implementing technology. A supportive and functional ecosystem can boost both technology and innovation d ..read more

In his written piece for Forbes, author and futurist Bernard Marr stresses that marketing is one of the areas of business operations where it is widely predicted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drive enormous change. “The chances that there are people out there doing marketing today and not using AI in any shape or form is somewhat unlikely. This is simply because there are so many tools with AI features that we are used to using without even thinking about it,” Marr says. “The most frequently used social and search engine advertising solutions, email marketing platforms, e-commerce so ..read more

My journey in bio-entrepreneurship started for me at a very tender age of seven years old. The experience of going to the hospital and seeing how doctors could heal and save lives seeded an aspiration that drove most of my career choices and decisions later in life. Today, I am the Founder of Invitrocue, the leading provider of personalised oncology and Bio-Analytics Solutions in the region. It is an exciting time for us as we have just received a breakthrough with Onco-PDO, the first clinical cancer drug screening test in Singapore that looks to personalise cancer treatment by regrowing pati ..read more

Anichess, a chess-based online strategy game developed in partnership with Chess.com and five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, has completed its US$1.8 million funding round. Sfermion, a US-based multi-strategy investment firm focused on the immersive internet, and Amber Group, led the round, with participation from Fenbushi Capital, Aspen Digital, SNZ Capital, and others. Also Read: Animoca subsidiary Anichess closes US$1.5M seed funding round Anichess will use the fresh capital to fund game development, marketing initiatives, and team expansion. Anichess is a Web3 gaming project de ..read more

In the ever-evolving world of startups, where the quest for unicorn status — startups valued at over a billion dollars — reigns supreme, a quiet yet significant development is unfolding. In the current investment climate, there is a notable shift away from solely chasing unicorns. Investors and industry leaders have started to focus on startups, prioritising profitability and scalability over unicorn status. The recent ‘funding winter,’ evident in Southeast Asia’s lowest quarterly funding in five years, has prompted a re-evaluation of how startup growth is measured. The Philippines isn’t insu ..read more

Not till long ago, ‘growth at any cost’ was the mantra in the startup world. Investors pushed their portfolio companies to acquire customers and grow the business at any cost. This prompted startups to splurge money with no clear goal to build a profitable and sustainable business. This strategy worked well when funding was a glut.  However, a slowing global economy and the ongoing funding winter turned things around. Investors have now become more cautious and have realised that growth at any cost is unsustainable, making fundraising more challenging for startups. Investing in scalable ..read more

East Ventures team East Ventures, a venture capital (VC) firm operating in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, recently unveiled its East Ventures Sustainability Report 2024. The report showcases the firm’s ongoing commitment to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks throughout its operations and ecosystem. It highlights the firm’s strides in generating positive societal impacts while ensuring responsible business practices. East Ventures has crafted policies that underpin its investment decisions, emphasising sustainable investments. It integrates ESG and impact manage ..read more