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Exciting news for Malaysia's digital economy! MDEC has inked new strategic MoUs with Singapore's Ascent and Indonesia's Central Capital Ventura (CCV), marking a pivotal step in scaling up Malaysia's digital ecosystem with up to US$45 million in investments. These partnerships are designed to supercharge local startups, particularly those focused on fintech, AI, healthcare, and more, while aligning with the nation’s KL20 initiatives. By connecting Malaysian innovators with Ascent’s early-stage investment in critical sectors and CCV’s extensive Southeast Asian network, MDEC is accelerating the journey toward a digital-first Malaysia. The collaborations pave the way for startups to gain cross-border expertise, industry mentorship, and funding to thrive regionally and beyond. 🚀 Here’s to seeing Malaysian companies rise as leaders in the region’s tech scene! https://loom.ly/_sGdsSE #MDEC #DigitalEconomy #ASEANStartups #Innovation #MalaysiaKL20 #CrossBorderCollaboration #e27News

🌍 Powering Positive Change, One Plug at a Time! In today’s energy-conscious world, measurable.energy is redefining how we manage electricity in commercial spaces. Their innovative, AI-powered smart sockets are designed to tackle one of the biggest yet often overlooked power drains: plug load. By automatically controlling and monitoring energy use, these devices are not only reducing bills but also cutting carbon emissions by up to 50%! With a fresh £4 million funding boost, measurable.energy is gearing up for global expansion. Markets like Southeast Asia and North America will soon benefit from this game-changing technology, supporting the fight for a greener, more sustainable future. Check out my feature on measurable.energy’s journey and the impact of this small solution with big potential! 🌱⚡ https://loom.ly/mUM2LCg #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #e27Features #TechForGood #ClimateAction #SmartTech #GreenEnergy

📠 Accuron Technologies Limited is looking to invest in companies at a later stage. 📠 “They already have customer traction, so [that includes] positive cash flow and customers in their home base. They have their own proprietary IP and a management team that is growth-oriented and ready to scale," explains Edwin Chow at the sidelines of #SWITCH2024 📠 "What we do not want is companies that are just too early, but we want to keep these companies on our radar.” #e27Stories

⭐ Contributor Spotlight ⭐ Ian Scarffe is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and blockchain consultant with extensive global business experience. His mission is to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and foster a culture of innovation by guiding startups and scaling companies, empowering economically independent individuals who drive positive societal impact while providing strategic advice to multi-million-dollar companies across startups, investment, fintech, and blockchain. His article offers a comprehensive overview of various asset classes—such as equities, bonds, real estate, and cryptocurrencies—and their roles in building a diversified, risk-managed portfolio. It explains how these assets’ distinct characteristics, including risk-return profiles, regulatory contexts, and liquidity, inform effective investment strategies and addresses how blockchain is reshaping the financial landscape with new opportunities and challenges. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g2__viJF #e27community #e27contributor #people #AssetClass

🎉 What an incredible night at KOCCA Singapore’s launch event! We were thrilled to see such a vibrant community come together to explore the future of K-Content across K-Pop, drama, gaming, and more. A huge thank you to the 10 pioneering startups who shared their groundbreaking innovations and to everyone who joined us in shaping the next wave of media and tech. Stay tuned for more exciting events and collaborations—this is just the beginning! 🚀 #KOCCASingapore #KContent #EventRecap #TechInnovation #e27 #StartupCommunity #Kpop #MediaTech

Ready to supercharge your early-stage startup? MYStartup and Cradle Fund Pre-Accelerator Programme is back for Cohort 5, and this is your chance to fast-track your growth! Join our government partners in Malaysia for this highly-rated 4 month long high-impact program featuring hands-on mentorship, essential workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities and strategic connections with industry experts and investors. More details in the video! Sign up by 10 November here: https://shorturl.at/Hr8ic

BuzzAR, Singapore’s pioneering AI and mixed reality company, has just secured US$1.16 million from the HSBC New Economy Fund to drive its expansion into MENA, with Saudi Arabia as the starting point. 🌍🚀 Founded by Bell Beh and Ken Lim in 2018, BuzzAR aims to bridge the online and offline worlds, offering deeply personalized, experiential engagements. Their recent innovation, the AI-powered travel companion BAE, brings storytelling, content discovery, bookings, and payment options directly to travelers’ mobile devices. With a bold vision to transform Saudi's tourism landscape, BuzzAR is now collaborating with the Saudi Tourism Authority. BAE is set to address the Kingdom’s tour guide shortage by supporting 100 million expected tourists by 2030, alongside a partnership with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) projecting one million travelers and US$3.2 billion in revenue by 2026. BuzzAR’s partnership aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the US$64 billion investment in entertainment, which aims to diversify the economy and bring tourism’s GDP contribution to 3% by 2030. https://loom.ly/MwaSOvQ #e27News #BuzzAR #Innovation #SaudiVision2030 #TourismTech #HSBCNewEconomyFund #AI #MixedReality #DigitalTransformation

🚀 Exciting news from Vietnam’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion space! Coolmate, the innovative men's apparel brand, has successfully closed its Series B funding round, led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. With this boost, Coolmate aims to accelerate international expansion, product innovation, and build an omnichannel retail presence across Southeast Asia. 🌏 Founded in 2019, Coolmate champions high-quality, affordable apparel made with eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices, resonating with Vietnam’s eco-conscious youth. CEO Pham Chi Nhu states: "Our mission has always been about making a positive impact on customers, employees, and society while reducing environmental footprint." With Vietnam's apparel market valued at $6.4 billion, Coolmate’s growth taps into a strong ESG-conscious, middle-class demographic seeking quality and affordability. Great to see a Southeast Asian brand scaling with sustainability at its core! https://loom.ly/7F9z2Gs #e27News #SustainableFashion #VentureCapital #Vietnam #Coolmate #SeriesB #VertexVentures

Catch the game-changing insights from Echelon Philippines 2024! This event brought together top startup leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to unlock growth through strategic partnerships, funding showcases, and business matchings. Watch how industry frontrunners reveal emerging opportunities and fresh perspectives—sessions available now, with more to come soon: https://lnkd.in/g_aDjNYD. Here’s a taste of what you can watch now: 🚀 Julian Cua’s keynote emphasized creating solutions that address Filipinos’ top priorities—financial security, health, and small business growth—to drive meaningful impact. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 🚀 Jojo Malolos, CEO of PayMongo, shared how strategic adaptability has guided the company’s growth. He discussed pivoting PayMongo’s fintech services based on market demands, focusing on customer-centered solutions, and streamlining operations to optimize profitability and resilience. 🚀 Moderator Ben Alderson and panelists Paul Pajo, Rene Cuartero, and Jojo Flores highlighted the essential roles of accelerators, educators, and enablers in fostering early-stage startups. They identified AI, semiconductors, and the creative industry as key growth drivers while discussing the importance of mentorship and resources for achieving product-market fit. AHG Lab Plug and Play Tech Center Ideaspace Ventures 🚀 Minette Navarrete emphasized that founders should prioritize mission, execution, and people over traditional frameworks for startup success. She shared key lessons on adaptability, market creation, and the importance of unexpected partnerships to navigate the unpredictable startup journey. Kickstart Ventures 🚀 Moderator Ranvir Singhsachakul and panelists Afanasiy Petrov, Bela Gupta D'Souza, Jay Fajardo and Ron Baetiong discussed the Philippines’ economic potential. They emphasized sustainable growth strategies for startups, highlighting the importance of local partnerships, regulatory knowledge, and the country’s strengths in fintech and e-commerce to seize market opportunities. MessageSpring inDrive edamama Podcast Network Asia Ideaspace Ventures 🚀 Carlo Chen-Delantar of Gobi Partners discussed the Philippine market’s growth and challenges, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and policy support. He identified emerging sectors like health tech, agritech, and AI as promising areas for innovation and growth. Catch these sessions and dive into the trends shaping the future of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

🏥💡 From telemedicine to AI-driven insights, Malaysia is setting the standard for digital health in Southeast Asia! Learn how MDEC is contributing to improving access to quality care. #HealthInnovation #Telehealth #Malaysia https://loom.ly/0vo_6Ds