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Tag: ecosystem

  • Revolutionizing Employee Health: LivWell Broadens Wellness Ecosystem in Vietnam with Innovative InsurTech Solutions

    Revolutionizing Employee Health: LivWell Broadens Wellness Ecosystem in Vietnam with Innovative InsurTech Solutions

    LivWell, a leading Singapore-based InsurTech firm, has announced plans to broaden its OneHealth employee benefits scheme in Vietnam. The expansion includes the development of specialized insurance solutions, focused on various health conditions.

    The company’s decision to expand its services and offerings was announced during a strategic conference held in Ho Chi Minh City, where LivWell also revealed new partnership agreements with InSmart and DiaB.

    Revolutionising Health and Wellness Benefits

    LivWell aims to transform OneHealth from a traditional employee benefits solution, primarily focused on medical expense reimbursement, into a comprehensive healthcare platform. This integrated platform is aimed at consolidating preventive care, financial protection and long-term health support.

    This all-inclusive platform combines numerous elements of health, including insurance, healthcare services, wellness incentive programs, and health monitoring tools, all within a single application.

    For employers, OneHealth delivers a unified view of workforce health and benefits utilization, aiding benefits management. Meanwhile, employees can use the LivWell app to monitor their health indicators while availing themselves of health screenings, workplace wellness activities, and healthcare services.

    Emphasizing the need for proactive health management, Nikhil Verma, Co-Founder and Group CEO of LivWell, said, “We aim to help organizations cultivate healthier workplaces where health is proactively managed and every employee gets the necessary support throughout their wellness journey.”

    Enhancing Workplace Productivity and Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenses

    LivWell cited studies to illustrate that a staggering 70% of adults believe wellness programs boost workplace productivity. However, Vietnamese households continue to pay nearly 39.5-40% of healthcare expenses out of pocket, despite having public and private health coverage. This figure starkly contrasts with the World Health Organization’s recommended out-of-pocket expenses in the range of 15-20%.

    LivWell’s partnerships with InSmart and DiaB aim to address these issues. The collaboration allows users to submit insurance claims and monitor benefits through the LivWell app, in addition to providing remote consultations, personalized nutrition guidance, and chronic disease management services.

    Additionally, LivWell announced plans to create insurance products specifically for individuals with certain health conditions, starting with cancer. Noting the financial burden of cancer treatment, the company mentioned that patients often pay up to 70% of the treatment cost by themselves.

    Balakrishnan Ambat, Co-Founder and CEO of LivWell Vietnam, reiterated the company’s commitment to not only providing for treatment costs but also encouraging healthier lifestyles to prevent illness.

    LivWell’s expanded ecosystem and future condition-focused insurance products intend to contribute to the evolution of employee health benefits in Vietnam, by aiding businesses in investing in workforce wellbeing and expanding access to healthcare services throughout different life stages.

    Since 2020, LivWell has served over 320,000 users and supported more than 450 businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, with employee benefits and wellness programs.

    Questions & Answers

    What is LivWell’s OneHealth?
    OneHealth is an employee benefits solution by LivWell. The company plans to transform it into a comprehensive healthcare platform integrating preventive care, financial protection, and long-term health support.

    What are some of the features of the OneHealth platform?
    OneHealth combines health insurance, healthcare services, wellness incentive programs, and health monitoring tools within a single application. It provides employees with health screenings, workplace wellness activities, and healthcare services.

    What is the aim of LivWell’s partnerships with InSmart and DiaB?
    The collaborations with InSmart and DiaB will allow users to submit insurance claims and monitor benefits through the LivWell app. They will also provide remote consultations, personalized nutrition guidance, and chronic disease management services.

  • Siam Piwat Elevates Luxury Ecosystem with Global Giants: A Bid to Become Thailands Hub for High-Net-Worth Clients

    Siam Piwat Elevates Luxury Ecosystem with Global Giants: A Bid to Become Thailands Hub for High-Net-Worth Clients

    Siam Piwat Group, a leading Thai developer and operator of renowned shopping outlets like Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, has announced a strategic alliance with four major luxury brands: Belmond, Galeries Lafayette, Insignia, and MJets. The partnership aims to establish a “borderless” ecosystem, providing high-end travel, shopping, and lifestyle services for their affluent clients. This collaboration is expected to reinforce Siam Piwat’s Global Privilege Partnership and take its ‘Global Luxury Ecosystem’ to the next level.

    Strategic Collaboration for Luxury Market

    The group, which controls over 70% of Thailand’s luxury market, aims to connect private aviation, ultra-luxury hotels and resorts, premier department stores, and bespoke lifestyle services, all under a single network of privileges available both domestically and internationally. Saruntorn Asaves, the first executive VP of customer centricity and relationship at Siam Piwat, outlined the group’s strategy as being centered on “co-creation and collaboration” with global partners to create unique experiences for both Thai and international customers.

    Siam Piwat’s expertise in serving high-net-worth individuals is demonstrated through its OneSiam membership base. Asaves reported that, in 2025, high-net-worth members spent over 1 million baht per transaction, with their annual spending exceeding average customers by 35 times. She emphasized this as proof of the “immense and unrivalled purchasing power” of their top-tier clients.

    Introducing New Partnerships

    The newly onboarded partners in the Global Privilege network contribute their expertise in various fields. Belmond, an LVMH Group member, provides an assortment of ultra-luxury properties and train journeys; Galeries Lafayette offers its flagship Paris Haussmann department store; Insignia contributes high-end lifestyle and membership services; and MJets offers private aviation and airport lounge access.

    These collaborations promise to offer unique services to OneSiam members. For instance, Belmond will provide personalized travel planning and VIP welcoming at their hotels and trains. Insignia will offer 24/7 bespoke services, including access to exclusive events and hard-to-obtain restaurant reservations. MJets aims to offer private jet services, premium lounges, and chauffeur transfers from the runway to Siam Piwat’s properties. Lastly, Galeries Lafayette will extend exclusive hospitality to Siam Piwat members, including complimentary gifts, VIP lounge access, and expedited tax refunds with qualifying purchases.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main purpose of Siam Piwat’s strategic collaboration with Belmond, Galeries Lafayette, Insignia, and MJets?
    The main goal of this alliance is to create a “borderless” ecosystem that combines high-end travel, shopping, and lifestyle services for their affluent clients, both in Thailand and internationally.

    What special offers will be available to OneSiam members as a result of these partnerships?
    OneSiam members will have access to personalized travel planning, VIP welcomes at hotels and trains, 24/7 bespoke services, private jet services, access to premium lounges, chauffeur transfers, and complimentary gifts and VIP lounge access at Galeries Lafayette with qualifying purchases.

    How does Siaw Piwat plan to serve high-net-worth individuals?
    Siam Piwat plans to connect private aviation, ultra-luxury hotels and resorts, premier department stores, and bespoke lifestyle services under a single network of privileges, thereby providing a holistic luxury lifestyle experience to high-net-worth individuals.

  • StarHub and NeutraDC Collaborate on Quantum-Secure Connectivity, Boosting Regional Digital Ecosystem

    StarHub and NeutraDC Collaborate on Quantum-Secure Connectivity, Boosting Regional Digital Ecosystem

    StarHub, in partnership with NeutraDC, a division of Telkom Indonesia specializing in data centers, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is set to improve their joint efforts on quantum-safe connectivity solutions, which incorporates quantum-resistant encryption, post-quantum cryptography, and secure network infrastructure for the next generation. The intention behind these efforts is to bolster the digital services ecosystem in the region.

    Enhancing Regional Connectivity

    As part of their strategy to enhance regional connectivity, StarHub plans to establish a point of presence (PoP) at NeutraDC’s SNG-3 location in Singapore. This entails the integration of StarHub’s Low-Latency Data Centre Connect solution within NeutraDC’s digital infrastructure network. The result of this would be the enablement of enterprises to enjoy low-latency interconnectivity between data centers, cloud platforms, and essential business applications.

    This joint effort further bolsters Singapore’s role as a regional digital hub, providing enterprises with seamless, efficient, and secure access to data resources across Southeast Asia.

    Low-Latency Data Centre Connect Solution

    In the current digital economy, enterprises require a high-performance data exchange system between multiple data centers, cloud platforms, and applications. StarHub’s Low-Latency Data Centre Connect solution offers ultra-low-latency interconnect in Singapore, featuring a path with less than one millisecond to cable landing stations (CLS) for extensive regional reach.

    Quantum Security Adoption

    With the rise in security threats, quantum security is progressively being adopted as a substitute for current encryption standards. The collaboration between StarHub and NeutraDC aims to encourage the broad adoption of quantum-encrypted connectivity.

    Through the PoP at NeutraDC’s SNG-3, customers can benefit from direct CLS connectivity. This includes a fully comprehensive regional access route from data center to CLS to subsea cable, as well as software-defined networking (SDN) features like network slicing, multi-tenancy portals, and bandwidth-on-demand for dynamic scalability with data-intensive workloads. Additionally, quantum-safe encryption using post-quantum cryptography offers future-proof data protection, along with service orchestration that enables faster service provisioning and improved network agility.

    Tan Kit Yong, Chief of Regional Enterprise at StarHub, said, “Enterprises are currently facing unprecedented data demands. They require infrastructure that can match their growth pace. By collaborating with NeutraDC, we aim to simplify the process for businesses to move, protect, and scale their data. This will help them gain real performance advantages and expedite their digital transformation across the region.”

    NeutraDC Singapore’s CEO, Sendang Praptomo, expressed excitement about the collaboration with StarHub. He stated, “This strategic initiative strengthens NeutraDC’s strategy of providing seamless, secure, and cloud-ready connectivity to our regional Neutra Compute GPU clouds. Quantum-secure connectivity represents the new frontier of security, overcoming the limitations of current encryption standards. This will empower our customers to stay ahead of emerging threats and meet evolving business requirements.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is the aim of the MoU signed between StarHub and NeutraDC?
    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to enhance collaboration on quantum-safe connectivity solutions, with a focus on quantum-resistant encryption, post-quantum cryptography, and next-generation secure network infrastructure.

    How will the collaboration between StarHub and NeutraDC benefit enterprises?
    The collaboration will provide enterprises with low-latency interconnectivity between data centers, cloud platforms, and critical business applications. This will effectively strengthen Singapore’s role as a regional digital hub and offer efficient and secure access to data resources across Southeast Asia.

    What does the quantum-safe connectivity solution entail?
    Quantum-safe connectivity includes quantum-resistant encryption, post-quantum cryptography for future-proof data protection, and service orchestration for faster service provisioning and enhanced network agility.

  • Chanel Unveils World’s First Complete ‘Chanel Ecosystem’ in Newly Expanded Shanghai Flagship Store at Plaza 66

    Chanel Unveils World’s First Complete ‘Chanel Ecosystem’ in Newly Expanded Shanghai Flagship Store at Plaza 66

    After an extensive 18-month refurbishment, Chanel has officially unveiled its renovated flagship boutique in Shanghai’s Plaza 66. The three-story space, which is now twice its original size at 2973 square meters, is the first of its kind to encompass the brand’s entire ‘ecosystem.’

    Embracing the World of Chanel

    The newly expanded location presents an array of Chanel’s luxury offerings, ranging from fashion and accessories to watches, fine jewelry, beauty products, and fragrances. It also includes Les Ateliers, the house’s dedicated repair and alteration service, along with the exclusive Les Salons Prive.

    Peter Marino, who has a long-standing collaborative relationship with the brand, was the mastermind behind the boutique’s redesign. The refreshed layout incorporates sophisticated white facades, black-framed vertical panels resembling pleated fabric, and an abundance of natural light pouring in from the mall’s glass ceiling.

    Distinctive Spaces for Distinct Collections

    Chanel’s latest handbags and accessories take center stage on the ground floor. In a separate black-and-gold section, customers can peruse an exquisite selection of watches and fine jewelry, including the Coco Crush and No 5 collections, and J12 and Premiere watches.

    The boutique reserves a VIP room for showcasing three patrimoine high jewelry pieces, set against a backdrop of camellia coromandel screens and Regency-era mirrors. This decor pays homage to Chanel’s historical ties with the cinema industry.

    The second floor introduces visitors to three salons, each distinguished by a unique color theme. The first salon features Chanel’s Cruise 2026 collection, while a more private second salon showcases the house’s signature black-and-white palette. A large fitting room for hosting guests connects to this space. The third salon, which houses an Arnold Armand ‘Mali’ table, leads to an elevator tunnel adorned with gold tweed-like walls.

    Additional Amenities and Services

    On the lower ground floor, customers can find the Shoe Salon, offering a variety of Coco Neige and carryover styles. This area, designed with floor-to-ceiling shelving and plush wool carpets, includes two adjoining rooms.

    The mall’s third floor plays host to the Les Salons Prive, a dedicated area for serving VIP customers. Adjacent to this area are the brand’s beauty and fragrance boutique and Les Ateliers, Chanel’s repair and alteration service.

    In a statement, Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion at Chanel, said, “This new space represents the Chanel universe. We are not merely striving to build the biggest boutique, but to create the optimal environment for the ultimate experience.”

    Questions & Answers

    What does the redesigned Chanel boutique offer?
    The newly expanded boutique features the complete Chanel ‘ecosystem,’ ranging from fashion and accessories to watches, fine jewelry, beauty and fragrances. It also includes Les Ateliers and Les Salons Prive.

    Who designed the renovated Chanel boutique at Plaza 66?
    Peter Marino, a longtime collaborator with Chanel, redesigned the boutique.

    What is Chanel’s objective with the redesigned boutique?
    Chanel is not focused on building the largest boutique, but rather aims to create the perfect environment for an unparalleled customer experience.

  • HSBC Amplifies Asian Venture Ecosystem with $1.5 Billion Innovation Banking Hub in Singapore

    HSBC Amplifies Asian Venture Ecosystem with $1.5 Billion Innovation Banking Hub in Singapore

    HSBC is making a significant stride into the Singaporean market with the establishment of its Innovation Banking division. This move is marked by a considerable investment of $1.5 billion, aimed at promoting rapid expansion firms and improving the local venture ecosystem.

    Services and Leadership

    The department is structured to cater to venture-supported enterprises and investors by offering specialized products and sector knowledge. Additionally, it will provide access to the vast global network of HSBC. Neil Falconer, freshly appointed as the Head of Innovation Banking in Singapore, will lead a committed team to assist current clients and broaden coverage. Concurrently, he will maintain his role in managing the Consumer, Healthcare, and TMT sectors within the International Mid-Market segment of HSBC.

    Establishment of Credit Solutions Team

    In line with the new initiative, HSBC has also founded a Credit Solutions team. Shaun Sakhrani, the Head of Credit Solutions for Singapore and the Asia Head of Platform Lending, will lead this team. The group will offer a range of financial structures to Innovation Banking clients, including venture debt and platform finance.

    Singapore, A New Addition to HSBC’s Innovation Banking

    HSBC’s Innovation Banking launch in Singapore marks the third expansion within the Asia-Pacific region in the current year. This addition bolsters its presence across the globe, joining branches in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Continental Europe, India, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

    Since its launch in 2023, HSBC’s Innovation Banking has witnessed a remarkable growth in its clientele, with an increase of nearly 60 percent. The bank now boasts of a robust team of over 900 innovation finance experts with a global connection.

    In Singapore, HSBC has been backing new-economy businesses since 2021, achieving double-digit revenue growth and supporting companies such as Atome Financial, Glife Technologies, and Tickled Media.

    Singapore: A Thriving Start-Up Hub

    Singapore houses over 4,000 start-ups and flaunts a pulsating network of accelerators, incubators, and investors. As Gilbert Ng, Head of Banking – Singapore, Corporate and Institutional Banking at HSBC, stated, the city-state is an attractive hub for the start-up ecosystem in Asia-Pacific.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main aim of HSBC’s Innovation Banking division in Singapore?
    The division aims to support high-growth companies and enhance the venture ecosystem in the region.

    Who will lead the newly established Credit Solutions team?
    Shaun Sakhrani, the Head of Credit Solutions for Singapore and the Asia Head of Platform Lending, will lead the Credit Solutions team.

    How has HSBC’s Innovation Banking grown since its launch?
    Since its inception in 2023, the client base of HSBC’s Innovation Banking has grown by nearly 60 percent. It now includes more than 900 globally connected innovation finance experts.

  • Sahabat-AI: Empowering Indonesia’s Multilingual Landscape with Innovative Solutions

    Sahabat-AI: Empowering Indonesia’s Multilingual Landscape with Innovative Solutions

    In a groundbreaking initiative that positions Indonesia at the vanguard of Southeast Asia’s artificial intelligence (AI) evolution, PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GoTo Group) and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat) have officially launched an enhanced version of their open-source large language model (LLM), Sahabat-AI.

    Originally unveiled in November 2024 during Indosat’s Indonesia AI Day, Sahabat-AI has swiftly transitioned from a burgeoning project to an essential pillar of Indonesia’s digital transformation. This latest enhancement not only broadens Sahabat-AI’s capabilities but also strengthens its role as a reflection of Indonesia’s identity, cultural diversity, and aspirations within the AI sphere.

    The introduction of the new 70-billion parameter Sahabat-AI model is a remarkable leap from earlier versions, which were limited to 8 and 9 billion parameters and downloaded over 35,000 times from Hugging Face. This surge in interest highlights a growing hunger for locally-developed AI solutions, particularly those that are community-oriented. With its revamped architecture, the new chat service promises not only improved speed and accuracy but also a sharper intellect.

    Equipped with robust reasoning skills, Sahabat-AI can now tackle complex user inquiries with natural, insightful responses in a variety of languages. This includes five of Indonesia’s major local tongues: Bahasa Indonesia, Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, and Bataknese, alongside several international languages.

    Bridging Language and Technology

    The multilingual capabilities of Sahabat-AI highlight an important crossroads of technology and culture in Indonesia, a nation rich with over 700 local dialects spread across its 17,000 islands. By incorporating Bahasa Indonesia into its ecosystem, Sahabat-AI aims to foster digital inclusivity, cultural significance, and national technological autonomy. With around 35 million native speakers and over 150 million who use it as a second language, Bahasa Indonesia serves as a vital unifying medium in this diverse country.

    This focus on Bahasa Indonesia helps dismantle linguistic barriers that previously excluded many from accessing AI-driven services, enabling a broad swath of the population to engage with advanced technology in their mother tongue.

    All training, storage, and deployment occur within Indonesia, utilizing Indosat’s sovereign AI infrastructure, GPU Merdeka. This not only reinforces national compliance but ensures user data stays within the country’s borders.

    The addition of Sundanese, spoken by approximately 39 million people, further enriches the cultural tapestry. By enabling Sahabat-AI to comprehend and reply in Sundanese, Indosat promotes regional equity and allows AI’s benefits to reach out into the heart of local communities. West Java, a densely populated economic hotspot, stands to gain tremendously as Sundanese speakers access AI tools in their native language, enhancing educational resources and entrepreneurial opportunities.

    Empowering Culture and Community

    Sahabat-AI provides a culturally attuned solution, especially for digitizing traditions and supporting tourism.

    By incorporating Balinese, Sahabat-AI can facilitate the digitization of traditional rituals and the preservation of temple manuscripts, while also developing voice-to-text applications that support multiple speech levels: Bali Alus, Madya, and Kasar.

    This technological leap is set to significantly boost cultural tourism by providing translations, guided tours, and interactive experiences for visitors embracing Balinese culture. As North Sumatra rises as a digital and ecotourism hub, particularly near Lake Toba, the inclusion of Bataknese ensures that local traditions and languages remain vibrant in the digital era. Sahabat-AI is poised to play a crucial role in digitizing traditional events and supplying real-time translation services to tourists, thereby enabling local communities to showcase their cultural heritage worldwide.

    Within educational environments and community spaces, Sahabat-AI acts as a bridge between age-old teachings and modern technological access, ensuring that the Balinese language not only survives but thrives in contemporary settings. Who knew the path to preserving a language could be paved with AI?

    Fortifying AI Infrastructure

    The backbone of Sahabat-AI is Indosat’s GPU Merdeka, a sovereign AI cloud infrastructure that assures data residency, regulatory compliance, and real-time capabilities for training and inference, all while safeguarding data within Indonesia. This is a key element of digital sovereignty, which has been emphasized by both government figures and corporate leaders.

    Vikram Sinha, President Director and CEO of Indosat, elaborated:

    “Through GPU Merdeka, our sovereign AI cloud, we’re establishing the digital foundation that guarantees AI innovation is not only advanced but also nationally secured, culturally relevant, and equitably accessible. Sahabat-AI is more than just a model; it’s a national asset powered by collaboration and designed for all Indonesians.”

    The local hosting and sovereign architecture of the model lay a robust groundwork for public sector integration. In an era when secure, domestically developed digital services are prioritized, Sahabat-AI sets a blueprint for AI-enabled governance, public health initiatives, language education, and localized content regulation.

    From a business perspective, GoTo Group is integrating Sahabat-AI into the GoPay app—one of Indonesia’s most widely utilized digital platforms—demonstrating the practical utility of AI in everyday life. Whether enhancing customer service or improving financial literacy, the chatbot transforms into a daily digital ally.

    Patrick Walujo, CEO of GoTo Group, reinforced this ambition. He remarked, “Its multilingual capability, paired with increased precision, allows Sahabat-AI to cater more effectively to the varied needs of individuals and businesses throughout Indonesia. It reflects our commitment to digital sovereignty and aligns with President Prabowo’s vision for technology that is both locally developed and hosted.”

    He further noted, “By collaborating with Indosat and a wide array of partners, we’ve crafted a platform that is smarter, faster, and more affordable. We’re making the Sahabat-AI chat service available via the GoPay app, ensuring millions can reap the rewards of this uniquely Indonesian LLM. It’s already making a tangible difference across the GoTo ecosystem, reducing costs, enhancing service quality, and deepening engagement.”

    Strengthening the National Agenda

    National leaders are also voicing their support for Sahabat-AI as a vital element of Indonesia’s future. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the National Economic Council, emphasized, “Data sovereignty isn’t merely a technical matter; it’s fundamental to our independence in this digital age. I commend GoTo and Indosat for spearheading the Sahabat-AI ecosystem and for fostering technological innovation rooted in our national identity. By crafting AI solutions that understands our uniquely diverse linguistic and cultural landscape, we are ensuring that digital transformation benefits all Indonesians.”

    With a focus on local languages, sovereign infrastructure, and open collaboration, GoTo and Indosat are championing a national agenda for any nation eager to leverage AI without compromising its unique cultural essence.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Sahabat-AI and why is it significant for Indonesia?
    Sahabat-AI is an open-source large language model developed by GoTo Group and Indosat. Its significance lies in its enhancement of digital inclusivity and cultural relevance, making AI services accessible to Indonesians in their native languages while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

    How does Sahabat-AI promote regional equity in Indonesia?
    By including local languages such as Sundanese and Bataknese in its repertoire, Sahabat-AI empowers speakers to engage with AI tools, thereby enhancing digital accessibility, educational opportunities, and boosting local entrepreneurship in regionally significant areas.

    In what ways will Sahabat-AI impact tourism in Indonesia?
    Sahabat-AI enhances tourism by digitizing traditional rituals, providing translations, and offering interactive experiences in local languages, which not only helps preserve cultural heritage but also allows local communities to connect with visitors and share their culture more effectively.

  • HCMC Ranked Among Southeast Asia’s Top 5 Most Innovative Startup Ecosystems

    HCMC Ranked Among Southeast Asia’s Top 5 Most Innovative Startup Ecosystems

    Ho Chi Minh City is lighting up the entrepreneurial landscape as it secures a spot among the top five leading innovative startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia for the first time. This remarkable achievement highlights the city’s journey into becoming a powerhouse for startups and innovation.

    Rapid Rise in the Rankings

    A recent report from StartupBlink, a globally recognized benchmark for assessing startup ecosystems, reveals that Ho Chi Minh City has steadily climbed the global rankings for four straight years, particularly showing impressive growth in the Fintech sector. The city has now earned a spot in the global Top 30 for Blockchain technology, ranking second in Southeast Asia—a feat that certainly adds a dash of excitement to its entrepreneurial reputation.

    Vibrancy at Its Core

    Known as Vietnam’s most dynamic startup hub, Ho Chi Minh City is enhancing its support infrastructure, fostering creativity, and building a robust startup community. The strong backing from local authorities and a progressively improving business climate have transformed the city into a magnet for innovators and entrepreneurs alike.

    Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, emphasized that the city’s commendable rise in the StartupBlink rankings is a testament to the collective efforts of its political framework and the innovative spirit of its startup ecosystem. According to him, Ho Chi Minh City aims to place its startup and innovation framework within the Top 100 most dynamic ecosystems globally by 2030. He pointed out that the city is concentrating on key areas such as policy, infrastructure, and human resources to achieve this ambitious goal.

    A Bright Future Ahead

    This year’s rankings not only showcase Ho Chi Minh City’s relentless drive to refine its startup environment but also offer a chance for the metropolis to realign itself within the global startup landscape. Underlining this commitment, the city plans to work with experts to develop a roadmap for advancing its innovation-driven startup ecosystem from 2025 to 2030. This strategic preparation aligns with the targets set by the Politburo, steering Ho Chi Minh City toward its goal of joining the ranks of the Top 100 most dynamic global startup ecosystems.

    Why did the startup cross the road? To get to Ho Chi Minh City, of course!

    Questions & Answers

    What factors contributed to Ho Chi Minh City’s rise in startup rankings?
    The city’s growth can be attributed to its vibrant startup community, strong support from municipal authorities, and improvements in its business environment.

    What sectors are driving Ho Chi Minh City’s startup growth?
    The Fintech sector, particularly in Blockchain technology, is at the forefront of the city’s entrepreneurial boom, propelling it into the global Top 30.

    What are Ho Chi Minh City’s goals for its startup ecosystem by 2030?
    The city aims to be among the Top 100 most dynamic global startup ecosystems by focusing on policy, infrastructure, and human resources development.

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  • Singapore Shines Bright: Ranked 4th Globally in Thriving Startup Ecosystem

    Singapore Shines Bright: Ranked 4th Globally in Thriving Startup Ecosystem

    The latest index from StartupBlink ranks Singapore as a vibrant player in the global startup arena, trailing behind Israel, Britain, and the United States. Since 2020, Singapore’s ascent has been remarkable, jumping 12 spots to become one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems worldwide.

    StartupBlink attributes this progress to Singapore’s business-friendly atmosphere and robust support structures for startups. The city-state shines in crucial areas such as investor presence, startup opportunities, and a concentration of global tech firms, all bolstered by a skilled local workforce.

    Evaluating 118 countries, the index underscores Singapore’s strategic commitment to leading sectors like deep tech, fintech, food tech, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Its universities play a pivotal role, training a highly competent workforce, linking startups with academic initiatives, and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit on campus.

    Aiming to further enhance this ecosystem, the Singapore government, through Enterprise Singapore, is on a mission to attract innovation. “Enterprise Singapore will continue to strengthen the ecosystem and we welcome global startups with strong science-based solutions to leverage Singapore as a launchpad to grow and scale their business in the region and beyond,” said Emily Liew, assistant managing director of innovation at Enterprise Singapore, as reported by The Straits Times.

    Liew emphasizes Singapore’s open ecosystem, nurturing talent and collaboration that offers stability and access to growth resources, all while navigating global startup challenges. This uptick in ranking coincides with an impressive funding year and substantial government backing.

    A report released in April 2025 by Enterprise Singapore and PitchBook revealed that in 2024, Singapore captured nearly 60% of ASEAN’s venture capital deal volume, totaling US$4.8 billion. Additionally, in October 2024, the government pledged an extra SGD440 million (US$341 million) to attract venture capital firms towards local deep tech startups, raising the total government funding for this initiative to over SGD1 billion.

    Could this be Singapore’s ticket to tech supremacy? Only time will tell!

    Questions & Answers

    What notable achievements has Singapore made in the startup ecosystem?
    Singapore has jumped 12 spots in startup rankings since 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing ecosystems globally, thanks to its business-friendly environment.

    How much venture capital did Singapore secure in 2024?
    In 2024, Singapore captured nearly 60% of ASEAN’s venture capital deal volume, amounting to a total deal value of US$4.8 billion.

    What steps is the Singapore government taking to attract startups?
    The government, through Enterprise Singapore, is investing an additional SGD440 million to draw venture capital firms to local deep tech startups, totaling over SGD1 billion in funding for this initiative.

    Lees ook:

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  • Omnichannel startup CitiXsys Opening Offices

    Omnichannel startup CitiXsys Opening Offices

    Fresh from a US$20 million funding injection, omnichannel-solutions startup CitiXsys plans to open six offices across Asia, eyeing region-wide expansion. CitiXsys’ new offices will be located in Singapore, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.

    “Southeast Asia offers an ideal business climate today, with massive opportunity in this important region,” said Kamal Karmakar, CitiXsys CEO.

    “Purchasing a retail-management solution is one of the most important decisions a retailer can make since the future of the entire business hangs on its success.”

    Southeast Asia is the world’s fastest-growing internet region with the e-commerce market expected to reach US$53 billion by 2023.

    “By opening up more local offices and bringing on local product expertise we will be able to better support the needs of our fast-growing client, partner, and distributor base in Southeast Asia,” added Paula Da Silva, executive VP of global partnerships and alliances at CitiXsys.

    “Already this year, the CitiXsys channel partner ecosystem in this region has grown by 30 percent, signaling a need for solutions designed to complement the way retail works in Asia today.”

    Lees ook:

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  • Echelon Bangkok roadshow showcases the bright new stars in Thailand’s ecosystem

    Echelon Bangkok roadshow showcases the bright new stars in Thailand’s ecosystem

    Recently, Echelon, the tech event startup organizer from Singapore held an event at WeWork Asia Centre in Bangkok. The Echelon Roadshow is part of a series of international stops leading up to the annual Echelon Asia Summit happening in May.

    The event brought together the local startup ecosystem over a night of networking, Thailand top 100 startup, plus a panel discussion with feature founders sharing their startup journeys – from how they scaled their company to how they addressed obstacles such as building a sustainable team. The panellists included Surasit Sachdev, CEO of Hungry Hub, Casey Liang, co-founder of Pomelo, and Bond Thaiyanurak, CEO&Founder of Box24. The discussion was moderated by PachareePantoomano, BrandNow.asia’s Director of Make it Happen, the agency that launched large startups such as Grab, Lalamove, and Honestbee in Thailand.

    The panel discussion tackled Founders Confessions which panellists shared their experiences as part of starting up. Bond talked about working with the right partners and having the right chemistry. He’s had to resolve a conflict with a shareholder. Surasit confessed that when he initially started the company, he did not do market research and that causes him to burn through his investment quickly. He advised anyone thinking about starting up should do the research and work on the proof of concept from the beginning. When Pacharee asked the panellists if they started their companies for love or money, Casey said that it was a bit of both. However, it’s the love for growing the business that keeps him going. The life of a start-up can be a bumpy one and he said that if you love what you do, it will help you stay true to your goal.

    Thaddeus Jit Siong Koh, the co-founder of e27, shared “The journey for these winners has only just begun. We are excited to see them compete against the other bright new stars of Southeast Asia’s ecosystem in Singapore — at our Echelon Asia Summit 2019 which is taking place on May 23rd and 24th at Singapore Expo. We also hope that these startups will be able to level up through absorbing insights from thought leaders, corporate business matching, and more”

    Pacharee added, “It is important that we continue to contribute, develop and grow the ecosystem locally, regionally and globally. These events and competitions bring about better products and services for businesses and consumers. We are delighted to be Echelon’s media and community partner in Thailand. It is an opportunity for us to support our local startup scene and do our part in fostering the digital economy”.

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  • Lazada strengthens its position as Singapore’s top eCommerce platform with RedMart’s move to the Lazada app

    Lazada strengthens its position as Singapore’s top eCommerce platform with RedMart’s move to the Lazada app

    With RedMart officially completing its move to the Lazada platform on 15 March, customers can now enjoy a one-stop solution for all their shopping needs. Those who buy their groceries online via RedMart now have access to more than 400,000 retailers in Lazada’s ecosystem, all within the same app and at redmart.lazada.sg. The move also makes Lazada the top eCommerce platform in Singapore in terms of traffic and product range.

    RedMart’s move is part of Lazada’s plan to become Southeast Asia’s biggest eCommerce ecosystem and offer customers the best selection of products across all categories. Combined with RedMart, Lazada has more than 165,000 grocery and supermarket offerings, more than any other grocer (retail or otherwise) in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

    James Chang, CEO of Lazada Singapore, said: “Bringing Lazada and RedMart together is an ambitious project aimed at offering Singapore customers a platform to shop for all their needs more easily and conveniently. Customers can compare similar products across all the retailers in our ecosystem, shop for complementary offerings and benefit from having more payment options, such as the Lazada Wallet.”

    “Since making the move, order volume generated via the new RedMart store on Lazada has been encouraging, with customer orders submitted in the first five days after the move (15-19 March) growing at a similar rate as on the previous platform. This shows that we have been successful in bringing together general merchandise and groceries to create a truly one-stop shopping experience. Lazada is now the top eCommerce platform in Singapore, offering more products and attracting more shoppers than any other platform.”

    Lazada will be rolling out a series of app updates over the next few months to further enhance the shopping experience for customers.

    “We are constantly looking at ways to improve the platform. We take our customers’ feedback seriously and want to ensure that we not only offer them the best selection of products, but also the best user experience,” James added.

    Lazada will launch the following RedMart features and functionalities by end-June 2019:

    1. Order Amend – allowing customers to add more items to an existing placed order;
    2. Delivery Slot Incentives – incentivising customers to consolidate deliveries within the same area and timeframe to reduce our carbon footprint;
    3. My List Features – including managing lists and stock up reminders.

    Other improvements in the pipeline include:

    1. Search Functionality – additional sorting by relevance and/or savings;
    2. Delivery Slot Reservation – allowing customers to reserve their delivery slot before they add items to their shopping cart;
    3. Order Rescheduling – allowing customers to change their delivery timing post-checkout.

    Orders made on the new RedMart on Lazada will continue to be fulfilled according to customers’ chosen two-hour delivery slot between 7AM and 10PM, seven days a week including public holidays, while orders with other Lazada sellers will be fulfilled separately. LiveUp Loyalty Programme members will continue to enjoy free shipping on RedMart for orders over $40, and cashback benefits in the form of Lazada credits which can be used for any orders on Lazada, including for RedMart items.

  • Nokia, UAE to develop drone ecosystem

    Nokia, UAE to develop drone ecosystem

    Nokia has teamed up with the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to drive the development of an end-to-end Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) ecosystem.

    The collaboration will will make the UAE the first country in the world to allow the operation of drones by both businesses and government agencies in a safe, secure and managed environment.

    The project is part of an initiative by the GCAA to make Dubai one of the world’s smartest cities by 2017 and will allow Dubai government security network operator Nedaa to develop a next generation network for mission-critical and smart city services.

    At the heart of this new ecosystem will be Nokia’s UAV Traffic Management (UTM) concept, which is being developed to manage drones in and around cities, and coordinate their interactions with people, manned aircraft and an increasingly diverse array of connected objects.

    The Nokia UTM system will provide capabilities such as automated flight permissions, no-fly zone control and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) that are critical for the safe operation of UAVs in densely populated urban areas.

    The ecosystem will also serve as a testing ground for various applications of drone technology, which can be explored in a safe and controlled environment.

    Drones are quickly emerging as important tools for businesses and governments alike, providing substantial benefits such as infrastructure monitoring and maintenance, public safety applications, logistics and transport and much more.

    The GCAA has launched this initiative so businesses and local government can take advantage of these benefits, making the city smarter while minimizing any hazards that UAVs may present.

    Nokia’s UTM concept combines its expertise in 4G LTE and leadership in developing 5G and Mobile Edge Computing and related services – including managing the Network Operations Center, planning and optimizing the network for UTM connectivity and integrating UTM to other application platforms – to provide a platform that can support the extreme low latency and exceptional reliability and resiliency needed to manage UAV traffic.

    The system will be able to monitor airspace and flight paths, and share data between UAVs, operators, and air traffic controllers and establish no-fly zones that can be continually refreshed with the latest data.

    This agreement complements a recent Nokia’s initiative to establish and develop a UAV test facility at Twente Airport in the Netherlands.

    “The UAE is committed to making Dubai the smartest city in the world, and UAVs are expected to play a critical role in this process by supporting a wide variety of smart city services,” said Bernard Najm, head of the Middle East Market Unit at Nokia.

    Ismaeil Mohammed Al Blooshi, Assistant Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the UAE has superb aviation infrastructure and is qualified to play a key role in innovative aviation projects such as this drone collaboration.

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  • Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver Continue to Preserve Bali’s Beach Ecosystems

    Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver Continue to Preserve Bali’s Beach Ecosystems

    As one of the most popular destinations in the world, Bali represents Indonesia on the global scene. To contribute in keeping Bali’s beaches clean and safe, Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver are holding Bali’s Big Eco Weekend 2015 from August 14-16, inviting local communities, the government, visitors and industry players of Bali to renew the commitment and take real action to tackle the waste problem in Bali.

    Bali’s Big Eco Weekend is an annual campaign of the regular Bali Beach Clean-Up, both initiated by Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia (CCAI) and Quiksilver as continuous efforts to bring more attention to Bali’s environmental state and drive more support for the Bali government’s program in creating a ‘Clean and Green Bali’.

    “We’ve invested in the programs since 2007 and it has been a very good collaboration between Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, Quiksilver, the Bali government and local communities. While the regular beach cleaning has been contributing impact, through Bali’s Big Eco Weekend we are still calling for more support from everyone in Bali, including both the growing citizens and tourists,” says Kadir Gunduz, President Director of Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia.

    “At Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, we believe that we have roles and responsibilities in helping to create a sustainable environment anywhere we operate. It’s about all of us making the right decisions and taking real actions. We are pleased with the strong support we are getting, especially today. We hope that the commitment will only grow stronger, so together we can continue to preserve our ecosystem,” Kadir adds.

    This year’s Bali’s Big Eco Weekend marks the 8th year of Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia’s and Quiksilver’s commitment to keeping Bali’s beaches clean & safe. Started in 2007, Bali Beach Clean Up (BBCU) empowers the local communities in Bali by hiring 78 local workers and providing them with regular training in waste management and clean environment awareness. As front-liners, BBCU workers run daily clean-up in 5 iconic beaches in Bali (Jimbaran, Legian, Kuta, Seminyak, Kedonganan) and maximize the clean-up facilities which include 3 surf rakes, 3 garbage trucks, 4 beach tractors, and at least 150 new bins per year. The total amount of waste collected through the program has reached more than 29 million kilograms as of July 2015.

    “We are glad that the collaboration in keeping Bali clean and safe has been going well for 8 years. This cements Quiksilver’s passion and involvement in promoting eco conservation to ensure that Bali’s beautiful beaches and waterways will stay clean and safe for many years to come,” says Paul Hutson, General Manager of Quiksilver South Pacific. “We have Quiksilver’s global athletes joining the Bali’s Big Eco Weekend this year, and everyone is excited to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day long weekend on the beaches of Jimbaran, Legian and Uluwatu.”

    Joining the thousands of visitors in rolling up their sleeves and collecting waste on Jimbaran Beach and Padma Beach Legian are Dadang Rizki Ratman, Directorate General for Tourism Destination Development, Ministry of Tourism; Rijaluzzaman, Head of Centre of Development Monitoring on Eco-region of Bali and Nusa Tenggara; Ketut Wija, Deputy Economic & Development of Bali Province; and Quiksilver global athletes, including world champions Mark Richards (4X World Champion), Tom Carroll (2X World Champion), Jake Paterson, Matt Hoy, Kelia Moniz (2X Longboarding World Champion), and Torah Bright (Olympic Gold Medallist).

    Appreciating the attendance, Alison Watkins, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil Group, says the special effort to participate in this iconic weekend supports both Bali’s and Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia’s commitment to running business and growing together with communities in Bali.

    In 2010, Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver built the Kuta Beach Sea Turtles Conservation (KBSTC) in a commitment to support a safe environment. Since then, the number of eggs collected has significantly increased from 1,947 eggs in 6 years (2002-2008), to 122,230 eggs in the next 6 years (2009-2015). The Bali’s Big Eco Weekend crowd today participated in releasing approximately 1,000 baby sea turtles back to the sea.

    The turtle release wrapped up a day of various eco activities including ROXY Challenge Run-Sup-Yoga, meet and greet with the ROXY surf team, Coke Kicks, lifeguard race, fun sea turtle release, CSR exhibition, Kecak dance performance, and the renowned beach clean-up. On Sunday, visitors are welcome to join the surfing legends in WSL Quiksilver Uluwatu Surf Challenge 2015, also part of the Bali’s Big Eco Weekend, proudly co-sponsored by Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Australian Embassy Jakarta.

    For more information about Bali’s Beach Clean Up program, download the latest Infographic at bbew.coca-colaamatil.co.id.

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