SINGAPORE fintech funding sank to a three-year low in the first half of 2023 as rising interest rates and economic headwinds continued to dent investor sentiment, but experts believe a recovery is on the horizon. Total deal value fell by 41 per cent to US$934 million across 84 deals in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, from US$1.6 …

Coconut Hybrids: A Path to Improved Coconut Farming and Increased Yield, Says Expert In a recent B-Side episode, Leilani D. Pelegrina, director at the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DoST-PCAARRD), sheds light on the positive impact of coconut hybridization on coconut farming. Speaking with BusinessWorld reporter Patricia B. Mirasol, Pelegrina …

Many investors are finding themselves at a crossroads, realizing that their predictions of an imminent stock market crash may have been premature or even incorrect. Despite contrary expectations from banks and investment houses, key equity markets have been steadily climbing throughout the year. While some may argue about specific details, such as the disproportionate impact of a few US tech …

CEBU, Philippines — Two former executives of the fintech firm Fave, Audra Pakalnyte and Joel Neoh, have launched a new early-stage venture capital fund that will invest in consumer-focused startups in Southeast Asia. The fund, First Move, provides pre-seed funding of up to $100,000 and mentorship to early-stage startups seeking to introduce consumer-focused innovations in the region, according to an …

Following quite a while of showing guarantee, Vietnam’s monetary second might have at long last shown up. It was the fastest-growing economy in Asia last year (8% growth) and one of only a handful globally to achieve two consecutive years of growth since the Coronavirus pandemic. The south-east Asian nation has turned into a significant recipient of makers’ endeavours to …

Singapore companies have expanded their investments in Vietnam in diversified sectors over the years, says the minister, at the first overseas edition of the Singapore Regional Business Forum [HANOI] Innovation, energy connectivity and sustainability are three areas in which Singapore and Vietnam can work together to seize opportunities of the next decade and further deepen bilateral cooperation, said Second Trade …

Former Fave executives Audra Pakalnyte and Joel Neoh have officially launched First Move, a founder-led early stage fund for consumer-focused startups across Southeast Asia. The fund, which did not disclose its fund size though market talk has it pegged at between US$3 million to US$4 million (RM13.9 million to RM18.6 million), provides pre-seed funding of up to US$100,000 (RM466,000) and …

ELECTRIC aircraft startup Archer Aviation is mapping out a strategy for expansion to the Middle East and Asia at the same time as it continues work to secure certification for its air taxi in the US. The California startup, which has a tie-up with United Airlines Holdings, is in advanced talks with potential partners in seven major international markets, chief …

THE SHARE of digital payments in the total volume of retail transactions in the country is now at over 40% amid a surge in e-wallet accounts, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla said. “If not for the e-wallets, the increase would have been much, much smaller,” Mr. Medalla said in a press conference on Wednesday. Latest BSP …

SEPANG, 26 June 2023: Aviation Group’s AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia and AirAsia Philippines are flying high again, with 157 aircraft reactivated as of 1Q2023, according to a recent Capital A financial update to shareholders attending the AGM. Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes told shareholders that “with enhanced profitability amid rationalised airfares and stabilising external factors”, the airline group …