The Hometown team

Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem has shown significant growth, particularly in its major hub, Dhaka. This growth is driven by its large young population, increasing internet penetration, and growing digital adoption. The South Asian country has over 2,500 active startups, primarily focused on e-commerce, fintech, and logistics sectors.

One of Bangaldesh’s notable success stories is GoZayaan, an online travel agency with operations in Pakistan. This company has now launched a new app, Hometown, to revolutionise the lives of migrant workers living in countries like Singapore.

Hometown is a platform dedicated to empowering this underserved community by providing them with accessible travel and financial services.

Also Read: Wavemaker, Airbnb execs join US$2.6M financing round of B’desh OTA startup Go Zayaan

Founded by Ridwan Hafiz, Hometown is driven by a mission: to combat exploitation and build better futures for those who contribute significantly to the economy but are often overlooked.

The Genesis of Hometown

GoZayaan recognised a critical gap in the market. Migrant workers, who account for 60 per cent of international travel from Bangladesh, were frequently subjected to excessive markups and scams by unscrupulous travel agents.

“We realised we were missing a crucial segment,” Ridwan Hafiz tells e27. “Despite contributing 60 per cent of international travel from Bangladesh, these individuals—who earn the least—often end up paying the most”.

This realisation led to the birth of Hometown, a platform designed to provide fair and transparent services to this deserving community.

The app’s development was shaped by key insights into the challenges faced by migrant workers:

Exploitation: Research revealed that 32 per cent of migrant workers have been scammed at least once, often paying 20 per cent more than the standard market price due to hidden markups. Hometown’s solution is simple: fair pricing with no exploitation.

Digital access vs. payment barriers: While smartphone penetration is nearly 100 per cent, online payment adoption is close to zero. Migrant workers often find digital interfaces overwhelming. Hometown addresses this with an intuitive, guided user experience that removes unnecessary complexities.

Language barrier: Many migrant workers struggle with English, which discourages them from using digital platforms. Hometown is built entirely in Bangla, and a dedicated hotline provides native-language support.

Organic adoption and success

According to Hafiz, nearly 100 per cent of Singapore’s 110,000 Bangladeshi workers have downloaded the app without marketing spend. This was achieved by partnering with community leaders who recognised the value of Hometown in solving long-standing problems.

Also Read: FlyNow, PayLater: Fly0 seeks to transform travel finance for the underserved in Bangladesh

“When you build something that genuinely improves people’s lives, they’ll do the marketing for you,” notes Hafiz.

With a 38 per cent market share for Singapore-Bangladesh flights and US$5.5 million per month in remittance processing, Hometown’s success is driven by trust, affordability, and community-centric design.

Expanding horizons

Following its success in Singapore, Hometown is expanding to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. While these larger markets present challenges such as diverse regulations, cash dependency and fragmented communities, they also offer massive scale and better value propositions. Hometown plans to replicate its successful playbook, starting with flights, then remittance services, and eventually lending products.

The future of Hometown: Lending and empowerment

Hometown is set to launch a lending product to disrupt predatory lending cycles. Migrant workers often resort to loan sharks with exorbitant interest rates to secure jobs abroad, trapping them in a never-ending repayment loop.

Hometown’s lending product will offer formal loans in Bangladesh, repayable via remittances, providing lower interest rates and building credit profiles for workers. “We are breaking the debt cycle and turning migrant workers into bankable, empowered customers,” says Hafiz.

Hometown prioritises unit economics and organic adoption for sustainable growth. By validating demand in smaller markets before scaling, the company minimises risk. Strategic partnerships with remittance players, banks, and financial institutions are crucial for scaling and product diversification.

Challenging traditional narratives

Hometown’s journey challenges traditional narratives around fintech and travel tech for underserved communities. By tailoring solutions to the realities of migrant workers, GoZayaan has achieved rapid adoption and profitability, proving that this demographic is a viable market.

As Hometown expands its reach across Southeast Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, it wants to rewrite the narrative for millions, transforming them from “disposable labour” to empowered individuals who can invest in their futures.

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My observations on February 17, 2025: The global financial scene is currently walking a tightrope between cautious optimism and palpable tension, reflected in the varied outcomes of US stock markets and a clear decline in US. Treasury yields. This situation has developed amidst crucial economic data and political statements that could steer market trends in the near future.

Starting with the US markets, the MSCI US index barely moved, registering just a +0.01 per cent increase, reflecting a tentative market sentiment. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note fell by 2 basis points to end the week at 4.48per cent, marking its fifth consecutive weekly decline, a trend not seen since 2021.

This decline occurred amidst a stark miss in US retail sales, which dropped by 0.9 per cent against expectations of a mere 0.1 per cent decrease. This drop to the lowest level in nearly two years suggests that consumers might have preemptively increased their spending in the last quarter of the previous year, possibly in anticipation of price hikes due to looming tariffs.

The political arena added another layer of complexity with President Trump’s announcement regarding new automobile tariffs set for April 2. The lack of specifics on these tariffs has left markets in suspense, with investors and businesses alike trying to forecast the potential impact on both domestic and global trade dynamics. The response from the European Union was swift, with German Chancellor Scholz indicating a readiness to retaliate against any US tariffs, yet expressing a preference for negotiation to avoid escalating into a full-blown trade war.

Also Read: The shifting sands of global trade and the cryptocurrency surge

Shifting focus to Asia, Japan’s economy showed resilience, expanding for the third consecutive quarter, surpassing expectations. This performance has bolstered expectations that the Bank of Japan might continue its trajectory towards further rate hikes, a move that could influence global investment flows given Japan’s significant role in the world economy.

The currency markets reflected this global uncertainty with the US Dollar Index declining by 0.6 per cent, indicating a softening of the dollar against other major currencies. Gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, experienced a retreat of 1.6 per cent, perhaps suggesting a nuanced investor response to the current economic indicators and geopolitical developments.

In the oil sector, Brent crude saw a 0.4 per cent decline, influenced by anticipated increases in oil supply from Iraq and Russia, with geopolitical manoeuvres by the US aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine potentially impacting future oil prices.

In stock markets, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) surged by 4.1 per cent, closing above 8,300, hitting a two-year high driven by optimism in tech stocks following China’s advancements in generative AI. This has implications not only for tech sectors but also for investor sentiment towards emerging technologies and their potential to drive economic growth.

However, amidst these economic and market movements, a peculiar narrative involving cryptocurrency and politics has emerged, particularly with politicians inadvertently or directly linked to what are colloquially known as “rugpulls” or scams in the crypto space. The case of Argentina’s President Javier Milei recommending a little-known cryptocurrency, US$LIBRE, which saw a dramatic rise and then a precipitous fall, has sparked controversy. This incident has led to discussions about impeachment by the opposition, highlighting the perilous intersection of political influence and cryptocurrency markets.

Further investigation by crypto analysts like Bubblemaps has revealed potential connections between the creators of US$LIBRE and other meme coins, including one associated with the US First Lady, Melania Trump, under the ticker #MELANIA. This network of seemingly related cryptocurrencies raises questions about the integrity of these ventures, suggesting a coordinated effort to capitalise on political figures’ names for financial gain. The cautionary advice from these events is clear: the crypto market, especially around meme coins or those endorsed by public figures without substantial backing, remains fraught with risks of manipulation and sudden value drops.

Also Read: APAC’s surge in green tech is driving a global movement

Adding to the crypto narrative, the withdrawal of over US$2.45 billion worth of Ethereum from exchanges within a short span indicates a strong accumulation trend among investors, possibly signalling confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value or a strategic move to reduce supply on trading platforms, which could theoretically lead to price increases due to reduced sell pressure.

In conclusion, the current global financial environment is characterised by a mix of economic data interpretation, political announcements, and the volatile yet intriguing world of cryptocurrencies. Investors are navigating through this landscape with caution, balancing between hopeful economic signals from regions like Japan and the potential disruptions from trade policies and crypto market manipulations.

The advice, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrencies linked to political figures, remains to steer clear of investments that lack solid fundamentals or where the potential for manipulation seems high. This complex interplay of economic data, policy announcements, and emerging digital asset trends underscores the need for thorough research and a cautious investment strategy in these uncertain times.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Raising capital is one of the biggest hurdles for startups. With fewer than one per cent of startups securing venture capital, most turn to angel investors. However, founders often struggle with finding relevant investors in their industry and geography, preparing professional investor-ready documents such as pitch decks and business plans, and effectively reaching out and securing investor meetings. Without the right connections and tools, many startups miss out on funding opportunities.

The fundraising process can be overwhelming, especially for early-stage startups that may not have prior experience navigating the investment landscape. Understanding how to craft a compelling pitch, what kind of financials investors want to see, and how to establish credibility in a crowded market are critical challenges. Many founders also lack the time or resources to build relationships with investors, which further reduces their chances of successfully raising capital.

How to solve these challenges

Startups need a structured and efficient approach to fundraising. This means having access to a vast network of relevant investors, a streamlined and technology-driven process to match investors with startups, and expert guidance on pitch preparation, outreach, and deal negotiation. Innovative financial technology solutions can bridge the gap, making fundraising more accessible and effective.

The key to successful fundraising lies in efficiency and strategy. A well-organised data room, consisting of all the necessary documents, helps startups make a strong first impression. A targeted outreach strategy ensures that startups approach the right investors who align with their industry and funding stage. Moreover, leveraging technology can automate tedious processes such as investor research and email outreach, allowing founders to focus on building their businesses while still actively fundraising.

Also read: e27 Startup Milestones: 6 inspiring milestones you need to know this week

Get to know Marquee Equity and their mission to address these challenges

Marquee Equity is a software-as-a-service driven investment banking platform that helps startups raise capital efficiently. Founded in 2016 by Ash Narain and Raj Kabir, Marquee Equity simplifies the fundraising process by leveraging both human expertise and artificial intelligence-driven technology.

With a team of more than one hundred financial experts, advisors, and designers, the company provides startups with comprehensive support. This includes investor research, where they identify the right venture capitalists, angel investors, and family offices. They also assist with data room setup by creating pitch decks, business plans, and other fundraising materials. Their automated investor outreach system utilises artificial intelligence-driven tools to connect startups with the most relevant investors. Additionally, they offer deal negotiation support to help founders secure the best possible terms for their funding agreements.

Since its inception, Marquee Equity has facilitated over 2,500 transactions annually across various industries, including financial technology, healthcare, information technology services, and telecommunications. The company’s mission is to democratise access to capital, ensuring that entrepreneurs, regardless of their stage, have the tools and support needed to connect with investors globally.

Empowering businesses in technology and finance

Marquee has been instrumental in supporting companies at the forefront of technological advancements and financial innovation. From SaaS and AI-driven platforms to fintech and investment solutions, businesses like Spinar America, Affirm First, and Conformance X have leveraged Marquee’s expertise to secure funding and scale.

“To grow, you need money. That’s why we started looking out for venture capital raising funds. We felt like we didn’t have a standard approach to this whole process. [Through Marquee Equity] we have been reaching out to multiple investors mostly across US and Europe, very recently investors in Singapore,” shared Abhijit Sengupta, CEO & Co Founder of Conformance X. “We didn’t have a standard approach to reaching out to investors, which Marquee [Equity] had, with a list of 20,000 plus investors and VCs across the world.” 

Additionally, fintech leaders such as Vergne Equity are using AI to optimize financial decision-making, proving that Marquee’s investor network extends across the entire financial ecosystem. “We’ve had an amazing collaboration [with Marquee Equity] throughout this whole process,” remarked CEO Jackie Vergne.

Improving funding access for healthcare innovators

Healthcare innovators like BAIBYS are benefiting from Marquee’s deep investor networks. The cutting-edge firm improves IVF success rates through AI-driven technology. “Currently, BAIBYS is seeking 1 million dollars to complete a seed extension round that started earlier this year,” shared CEO Dr. Yaron Silberman. “With Marquee Capital we accessed immediately, effortlessly, thousands of potential investors globally. What is very nice about this process is that it’s all running without our attention allowing us to focus on what we do best while Marquee Equity is providing useful links to investors.”

Other healthcare firms taking advantage of Marquee Equity’s services are ARA Health Specialists and  The Econophy Group. The former focuses on workplace wellness, using AI to prevent burnout and promote long-term well-being. The latter on the other hand is pioneering molecular imaging for more accurate medical diagnostics. “We’re working on what we believe is one of the most critical junctions in diagnostic technology that’s going to be going on in the world for the next decade, and Marquee [Equity] is part of that story,” said MD Billy, CEO of The Econophy Group.

Helping consumer and lifestyle brands scale

Marquee has helped e-commerce ventures, luxury brands, and HR tech companies refine their business models and attract capital. Vegan Dukan is reshaping the plant-based grocery market while Ginik merges high fashion with smart technology. “It really amazed me how [Marquee Equity] started from scratch. […] To date, [Marquee Equity] is the only company that has led me to talk to some angel investors and venture capitalists,” remarked Founder & CEO Ginik I. Chukwujama.

Meanwhile, platforms like HireHost and InRadius are transforming recruitment with AI and location-based hiring, reinforcing Marquee’s role in driving business success across industries. Like Silberman, Mikayla Fedler, COO of Hirehost, commented on the importance of Marquee Equity’s platform. “They were able to get our campaign set up for us. Things are getting done on the investing side while we’re doing our day in and day out [operations]. It takes a load off because that’s a lot of time.”

On the other hand, Darshan Vyas, Founder of InRadius, emphasised the importance of seeing things from an investor’s perspective. “I come from a consulting background and we also do financial modeling and planning for our clients, but it’s always good to have an external view of how things are. [Marquee Equity] was able to bring that value addition,” he shared.

Also read: Unlocking marketing success for startups and small businesses: Strategies for excellence

What sets Marquee Equity apart

Marquee Equity’s impact spans industries, helping companies not only secure funding but also gain critical market insights, investor connections, and strategic direction. Whether in fintech, healthcare, or consumer goods, businesses trust Marquee to navigate the fundraising process and unlock new growth opportunities.

Unlike traditional investment banks, Marquee Equity combines the expertise of human advisors with artificial intelligence-powered investor matching technology. Their key differentiators include access to a vast investor network comprising over 32,000 investors worldwide. Their artificial intelligence-driven matchmaking ensures that startups connect with investors who are most likely to fund them. Additionally, their automated email outreach system sends personalised pitches and tracks responses to optimise engagement.

This unique model makes Marquee Equity an ideal partner for startups looking to secure funding in a smarter, faster, and more effective way. With its combination of expert advisory and innovative technology, the company provides a competitive edge to startups in the increasingly difficult landscape of venture funding. By bridging the gap between innovative companies and forward-thinking investors, Marquee Equity continues to shape the future of global business—one successful deal at a time.

For more information, visit Marquee Equity’s website.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Marquee Equity

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Reach out to us here to get started.

Featured Image Credit: Marquee Equity

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[L-R] Nexmedis co-founders Dr Almer Deta Tarandha, Yehuda Dani Utomo, and Matilda Narulita

Nexmedis, an Indonesian AI-powered health information system (HIS) startup, has received an undisclosed amount of funding co-led by East Ventures and Forge Ventures.

The funding will enable Nexmedis to broaden its services to hospitals across Indonesia and launch tailored AI solutions to address the country’s healthcare challenges.

The startup also aims to streamline healthcare facilities’ operations, advance clinical services, and improve clinical outcomes.

Founded in 2023 by Yehuda Dani Utomo, Matilda Narulita, and Dr Almer Deta Tarandha, Nexmedis integrates computer science, management consulting, and medicine to foster healthcare innovation.

Also Read: Funding drought in SEA healthtech: 2024 marks worst year in seven years

The company’s AI-powered HIS enhances the entire patient and healthcare provider journey. Its Clinical Decision Support (CDS) solution aids healthcare professionals by offering diagnostic recommendations using ICD-10 codes (International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, a universal code for diseases). It enables tailored treatment suggestions and streamlined insurance claims processing for Indonesia’s Social Security Agency on Health (BPJS) and private insurers.

Nexmedis is also developing an AI-powered transcription tool that converts voice notes and summarises patient-doctor conversations into structured digital records. This system aims to minimise paperwork and streamline operations, enabling healthcare providers to focus more on patient care. The tool is slated for launch soon.

Yehuda Dani Utomo, co-founder and CEO of Nexmedis, stated that the investment would be a “game-changer” in innovating and delivering AI-driven solutions to healthcare, bridging the healthcare accessibility gap through technology.

Since August 2023, Nexmedis has served over 400 healthcare facilities. Its medical diagnostics AI has been recognised by the Ministry of Health in the Regulatory Sandbox programme. Nexmedis has also established official partnerships with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for AI-powered health digitalisation and with leading institutions like Gadjah Mada University as a research partner.

The post Nexmedis raises funding to advance AI-powered medical diagnostics in Indonesia appeared first on e27.

Southeast Asia’s online food delivery sector has seen a robust rebound, with total spending reaching US$19.3 billion in 2024, a 13 per cent year-on-year increase.

This marks a significant acceleration from the 5 per cent growth observed in 2023.

According to Momentum Works’s fifth annual “Food Delivery Platforms in Southeast Asia” report, Vietnam and Indonesia led this growth, with GMV increases of 26 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. Many other markets in the region also experienced double-digit growth.

Also Read: How digital technology can transform the food and beverage industry

This surge in food delivery spend comes despite an overall slowdown in the F&B market growth to 4.6 per cent. Food delivery penetration has deepened due to new customer segments and evolving platform strategies.

Key highlights from the report:

Market leaders: Grab maintained its leading position in the market, increasing its lead over Foodpanda. ShopeeFood has surpassed Gojek to become the third-largest player in the region.

Growth drivers: Vietnam’s food delivery market experienced the highest growth at 26 per cent, with ShopeeFood and Grab forming a duopoly. Indonesia followed with 18 per cent growth, driven by expansion efforts from Grab, Gojek, and ShopeeFood.

Strategic shifts: Platforms focus on attracting mass-market customers through budget-friendly initiatives like lower delivery fees and value meals. They also target tourists, particularly from China, to further drive growth.

Emerging trends: TikTok has begun piloting local services in Indonesia and Thailand, allowing users to purchase vouchers for F&B and other services. This entry into local services could disrupt the food delivery market, especially if TikTok partners with delivery platforms for fulfilment.

Profitability focus: Platforms have been focusing on improving unit economics by optimising rider operations, reducing delivery costs, and segmenting customers into mass, standard, and premium tiers.

Potential consolidation: The food delivery market is becoming increasingly concentrated, with two leading players dominating over 80 per cent of the market in most countries. A potential Grab-Gojek merger could further reshape the competitive landscape in 2025.

Also Read: Fixing food waste problem means less hungry people and a great economy

“After years of prioritising profitability, Southeast Asia’s top food delivery platforms have regained momentum to fuel their next phase of growth,” said Jianggan Li, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Momentum Works. “With sharper customer segmentation and enhanced operational efficiency, they are now positioned to explore bolder, more strategic moves that drive sustainable expansion”.

Momentum Works provides insights into the digital ecosystem in emerging markets, focusing on research, consultancy, community engagement, and venture building. It is a source of expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of emerging markets, especially in e-commerce, new retail and F&B, and the application of emerging technologies.

The post SEA’s food delivery wars heat up: Market hits US$19.3B as TikTok enters arena appeared first on e27.

Breaking into any industry as a startup in Asia is no small feat, but healthcare is in a league of its own. Known for its sky-high barriers to entry, strict regulations, and entrenched systems, healthcare is one of the hardest industries to disrupt and build in, especially in a region as diverse and dynamic as Asia.

Yet, for entrepreneurs willing to take the leap, the potential for massive impact and lucrative rewards make healthcare an industry worth exploring. Let’s delve into why healthcare is so tough to crack, the opportunities hiding within these challenges, and why startups should still consider this as a game-changing frontier.

Why healthcare is so challenging to disrupt

Entering the healthcare industry as an entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted. Unlike sectors that thrive on rapid innovation and quick market entry, healthcare demands a meticulous, patient-centered approach. The industry is tightly regulated, highly capital-intensive, and deeply entrenched in legacy systems. For startups, this means navigating a minefield of challenges before making an impact.

Here are the key barriers that make healthcare one of the most difficult industries to disrupt:

• Regulatory complexity

Healthcare is one of the most tightly controlled sectors globally and Asia’s regulatory landscape is especially intricate. Each country enforces its own rigorous approval processes for new technologies, drugs, or devices. Entrepreneurs must invest significant time and resources into navigating these frameworks, with timelines often stretching into years before a product or service can be commercialised.

• High capital requirements

Building a healthcare startup demands substantial funding. Unlike industries where a lean MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can validate ideas, healthcare innovation requires clinical trials, certifications, and compliance testing—all of which are time-intensive and costly. Startups need to be prepared for a long runway to achieve profitability.

• Fragmented markets

Asia’s diversity is both a blessing and a challenge. While it offers enormous market potential, each country’s healthcare infrastructure, patient demographics, and consumer behaviour differ widely. Entrepreneurs must create hyper-localised solutions while maintaining scalability—a balancing act that’s easier said than done.

• Consumer trust and adoption

In healthcare, trust is paramount. Patients, providers, and regulators are cautious about adopting unproven solutions. Startups must focus on not just innovation but also credibility, ensuring that their offerings meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Also Read: Decoding digital preferences: A glimpse into the future of health tech ecosystem in SEA

Why startups should still take the leap

While the barriers are steep, the rewards for healthcare entrepreneurs who succeed are unparalleled. The healthcare sector is ripe for disruption in Asia, with several drivers creating fertile ground for innovation:

• Unmet Needs and Inefficiencies: The region is plagued with challenges such as uneven access to care, long wait times, and underfunded healthcare systems. These inefficiencies represent opportunities for startups to step in and create transformative solutions.
• Digital Transformation: The pandemic accelerated digital adoption in healthcare, opening doors for telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and healthtech platforms. Entrepreneurs can now leverage technology to address age-old challenges more effectively.
• Growing Middle Class: As incomes rise across Asia, there’s an increasing demand for high-quality healthcare services. Startups focusing on affordability, accessibility, and convenience can cater to this expanding demographic.
• Social Impact and Legacy: Few industries offer the chance to create as much tangible, positive change as healthcare. Entrepreneurs venturing into this space have the opportunity to build companies that save lives, improve well-being, and shape the future of medicine.

Key opportunities for startups in healthcare

Despite the significant challenges, the healthcare industry in Asia presents immense opportunities for entrepreneurs who are willing to innovate and persevere. The region’s growing population, rising healthcare demands, and increasing adoption of technology have created fertile ground for startups to address critical gaps in care.

By identifying unmet needs and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, startups can disrupt traditional healthcare models and create transformative solutions. Here are some of the most promising opportunities in the healthcare sector for entrepreneurs:

• Telemedicine and virtual care: Platforms like Halodoc (Indonesia) and Practo (India) have shown that connecting patients and doctors remotely is not only viable but highly scalable. Entrepreneurs can explore niche markets, such as mental health support or specialised consultations, to carve out a unique space.
• AI-powered diagnostics: Artificial intelligence is revolutionising diagnostics by improving speed and accuracy. Startups can focus on creating affordable diagnostic tools tailored to specific markets, like rural areas where access to medical expertise is limited.
• Personalised medicine: With advances in genomics, startups can deliver tailored healthcare solutions, from customised treatment plans to preventive care, allowing patients to receive more effective interventions.
• Preventive healthcare and wellness: Wearable technology, health monitoring apps, and digital platforms promoting preventive care are gaining traction. These solutions appeal to tech-savvy consumers seeking to take charge of their health.

Startup survival tips for healthcare entrepreneurs

To thrive in this challenging yet rewarding space, consider these essential survival strategies:

• Play the long game: Healthcare is a marathon, not a sprint. Be prepared for long lead times and plan your funding runway accordingly. Investors with deep industry knowledge can be invaluable partners.
• Localise and scale thoughtfully: While the ultimate goal may be regional or global scale, begin by deeply understanding and solving the problems of a specific market. Once proven, expand strategically to new geographies.
• Build credibility from day one: Trust is everything in healthcare. Collaborate with established healthcare providers, hire domain experts, and prioritise data security and regulatory compliance to build confidence with all stakeholders.
• Embrace collaboration over competition: Healthcare is not an industry where disruption is synonymous with destroying incumbents. Often, startups succeed by working alongside established players to create synergies.

Also Read: What telemedicine and health tech holds across SEA amidst COVID-19

Why the healthcare industry needs entrepreneurs

The healthcare industry is overdue for innovation, particularly in Asia. It’s a space crying out for fresh ideas, bold thinkers, and courageous doers. While the challenges may seem insurmountable, they also act as a moat, ensuring that only the most committed and visionary entrepreneurs enter.

For those willing to invest their time, effort, and ingenuity, the rewards extend far beyond financial gain. They include the satisfaction of making a meaningful impact, improving lives, and leaving a legacy.

In healthcare, the stakes are high—but so are the rewards. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to take on one of the hardest industries to disrupt, Asia’s healthcare market is waiting for you. Will you answer the call?

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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A model like DeepSeek was inevitable. The US ban on Nvidia chips forced China to innovate, and they did. Necessity is the mother of invention. When faced with constraints, people find new ways. This is one such example.

But what are the implications of DeepSeek for the generative AI as a whole? Here are some ways this might affect the industry at large.

Accelerating AI accessibility

DeepSeek doesn’t just maintain the pace of AI development; it accelerates it. By making AI more accessible, it helps reach a broader audience faster. This increased accessibility means more problems can be solved using AI, especially as the cost of AI APIs is projected to decrease by tenfold or more in the next six months.

Higher ROI for big capital spenders

For major players like Meta, Microsoft, Stargate, and XAI, the return on investment (ROI) on capital spent will be higher and realised faster. In just six months, all model developers will be able to present their own versions of DeepSeek, driving API costs down significantly.

Debunking the LLM wall myth

Just weeks before DeepSeek’s debut, there was widespread debate about large language models (LLMs) hitting a wall. The answer is now clear: they didn’t. Scaling can occur across various dimensions—compute at training, compute at inference, networking, algorithmic, data, and capital. DeepSeek exemplifies one such dimension.

Also Read: DeepSeeking the future: The ripple effect on tech, crypto, and global markets

Diverse scaling breakthroughs

Not all new scaling breakthroughs will resemble DeepSeek. Some will be significant step changes, while others will be subtle improvements that may never make headlines. However, each contributes to the overall advancement of AI technology.

China’s role in global tech innovation

China, like the US, has a substantial pool of risk capital dedicated to new tech startups, second only to the US the DeepSeek story should serve as a blueprint for other regions with limited risk capital. However, the real cost of DeepSeek will likely exceed the quoted figure of US$6 million.

Impact on GPT-wrappers and trust issues

DeepSeek enhances the margin story for so-called “GPT-wrappers,” transforming them into higher-margin businesses overnight. As scaling continues, margins will improve further, and the application layer will flourish. However, China, as a software exporter, will continue to face trust issues. Long-term adoption of LLMs from China will be hindered by these trust problems, and DeepSeek won’t change that. For more on the vulnerabilities of LLMs, search for “Sleeper Agent Attack in LLMs.”

In conclusion, DeepSeek represents a significant milestone in AI innovation, driving down costs, improving accessibility, and setting the stage for future advancements. While challenges remain, particularly regarding trust and real costs, the potential benefits are immense. The AI landscape is poised for rapid transformation, and DeepSeek is at the forefront of this exciting journey.

—

Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay connected.

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When it comes to advertising, change is the only constant. From technological advancements to regulatory changes, the industry has undergone consistent and significant transformation in recent years —  and consumer preferences have followed suit.

For brands, meeting both consumer and business expectations has become an ongoing process of navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. For instance, personalised advertising has now become the standard, offering a potent means for brands to distinguish themselves in a competitive market.

However, with the emergence of new privacy-centric attribution and measurement frameworks, marketers are now faced with a new challenge. While tools such as Google’s Privacy Sandbox on Android, Apple’s App Tracking Transparency, and SKAdNetwork enhance user privacy and data protection, they also limit the tracking of user activity across apps.

Hence, marketers are compelled to find new ways to personalise and optimise their campaigns that meet both customer expectations and industry standards. 

Luckily for brands, the advancements driving these changes are also unlocking new innovations, efficiencies, and analysis capabilities – enabling brands to optimise their campaigns, resonate with their customers and make more informed decisions. 

Evolving with the industry is key 

To navigate both challenges and opportunities as the industry evolves, brands can benefit from not only exploring new approaches but also expanding on current ones. This includes embracing new technologies and strategies that allow them to reach and engage their target audiences effectively while staying on top of current marketing trends. 

Also Read: 5 common challenges marketing professionals face today

Consider these three core focuses:

• Diversify your channel mix: As consumer preferences and behaviours evolve, it’s crucial for brands to meet their customers where they are. New performance channels like connected TV (CTV) and PC & Console, for example, are seeing rapid adoption. As a result, ad formats on these mediums are also growing in popularity and viewership. 

But to successfully add new channels to the mix, brands need to first measure, analyse and understand what type of messaging and creative format work for their unique audiences at various stages across the funnel. Armed with this information, brands will have the ability to not only fine-tune their strategies but continuously optimise them all the way from brand awareness to conversion and retention.

• Leverage the right data: Despite ongoing concerns around data privacy, personalisation remains a game-changing competitive differentiator. With the ever-increasing usage of digital platforms, marketers have the opportunity to tap into the power of data analytics and insights to tailor their advertising messages and campaigns to specific demographics. 

When it comes to aggregated data analysis, media mix modelling (MMM) and incrementality are two approaches that are leading the next generation of marketing measurement. MMM enables marketers to examine a wide range of marketing channels—from digital to traditional, alongside external influences like promotions, seasonality, press coverage, and more—to determine the impact they have on return on investment (ROI) and predict future campaign success.

Meanwhile, incrementality hones in on the impact of a singular campaign. It isolates the results from organic traffic to help marketers uncover the incremental cost of each conversion (app install) and scale that channel accordingly. 

• Incorporate innovative technologies: Technology today has the potential to improve and optimise virtually every step of the marketing process. AI technologies, in particular, are enabling marketers to know more and do more with less, opening efficiencies and potential for growth. 

Predictive analytics, for example, help by offering actionable insights into user behaviour, enabling faster-than-ever or even automated optimisations. AI-powered sentiment analysis can help gauge customer sentiment, aiding in refining strategies, while Generative AI can help craft compelling visuals and narratives without large in-house teams or high agency costs. 

Also Read: Decoding the shift: The new era of B2B marketing

Navigating privacy challenges with AI 

Looking ahead, brands have the opportunity to further increase their agility by harnessing the full suite of AI capabilities available today. In particular, AI’s ability to analyse large datasets and uncover valuable insights about consumer behaviour, preferences and market trends is increasingly crucial to informing strategic decision-making — as well as navigating challenges like privacy. 

For mobile marketers, limited visibility over user-level data can make attribution and tracking user behaviour on an app challenging. But with the help of AI algorithms, marketers now have the ability to analyse user behaviour, engagement patterns and conversion data to identify the best-performing ad creatives and placements. As a result, they can allocate their budgets more efficiently, improving return on ad spend (ROAS) and overall marketing efficiency —  all without the use of user-level data.

Generative AI also has the ability to improve personalisation and relevancy by analysing aggregated data. It can create highly useful messages for various customer cohorts, tailoring offers and recommendations to their preferences and behaviours at an optimal point in the user journey.

AI’s potential to help safeguard user privacy while heralding a new era of precise, data-driven campaigns is a powerful example of new opportunities in advertising. By harnessing new technology and applying industry expertise, brands have the opportunity to not only evolve but reap the benefits of their advancements by staying ahead of the curve.

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This article was first published on September 29, 2023

The post Keeping up with advertising: How brands can make the most out of change appeared first on e27.