HSBC has unveiled plans to establish a $1 billion ASEAN Growth Fund to provide lending to companies expanding through digital platforms across Southeast Asia. The bank’s recognition of Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing digital economy is forecasted to reach $600 billion by the end of the decade, a leap from $218 billion in value last year. […]

First Move, an early-stage venture capital firm founded by Joel Neoh, the creator of Fave, and Audra Pakalnyte, the former head of FavePay Later, has recently announced its support for ten startups.  With a portfolio already spanning Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, First Move specializes in early-stage investments within the consumer sector. It aims to drive […]

 Echelon, the premier tech and startup conference in Southeast Asia organized by e27, has announced the first 26 shortlisted participants in its TOP100 Program for 2024. Launched in 2012, the TOP100 is a curated growth program for startups across the region to gain visibility, mentorship, and funding opportunities.  From cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, this year’s […]

OCBC Bank has introduced a new SME initiative for launch in April 2024, focusing on supporting women entrepreneurs in Singapore. The OCBC Women Entrepreneurs Programme aims to provide targeted financing solutions, facilitating the achievement of business objectives for female-owned SMEs. Women-led startups are eligible for up to S$100,000 in financing within their initial two years, […]

TNGlobal (formerly TechNode Global) announces the fourth edition of its ORIGIN Innovation Awards with the theme “Leading the Path to a Sustainable and Responsible Future.” This year’s awards will have a continued focus on how innovations are making an impact on sustainable development goals, celebrating and showcasing the remarkable endeavors of tech-driven entrepreneurs, innovators, businesses, and stakeholders […]

Venture capital platform Antler has recently unveiled its Antler ONDC, an Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-focused venture platform in India. This initiative is a collaboration between Antler and notable figures such as Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, FIDE (Beckn Protocol), and ONDC.  Antler ONDC serves as a resource hub and expert network for founders who […]

When starting a company, founders often underestimate the amount of time and energy required to fundraise. Phylicia Koh, vice president at early-stage gaming venture capital firm Play Ventures, said effective fundraising is not only essential for securing necessary capital but also for demonstrating the commitment and resilience of the founding team. In an interview with […]

Startup founders are often too focused on the amount of money they can get from an investor that they mostly fail to see the value that other investors have to offer to grow their businesses further. Sharon Lou, venture partner at Indelible Ventures, considers this as one of the top mistakes that founders commit when […]

In 2050 the world will need to sustain some nine billion people, requiring an increase in food production by about 70%. At the same time, climate change further strains our ever-depleting natural resources, increasing the vulnerability of the highly resource-dependent agricultural sector. The sustainability of global food production will depend on our ability to innovate and become much more […]