Month: February 2017

CMC Corporation launches $2.2m early-stage startup investment fund
Vietnam: CMC Corporation, one of the major technology companies based in Vietnam, on February 26 launched a VND50 billion ($2.2 million) startup fund – the CMC Innovation Fund (CIF).

PwC launches Shanghai Innovation Centre to create a new ecosystem
China: PwC China has launched its Shanghai Innovation Centre located in Xintiandi Shanghai, marking the official start of the Alliance of Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation (ASSTI), initiated by the firm.

Thailand’s National Innovation Agency joins AGW to launch global accelerator programme
Thailand: National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand and Israel’s AGW Group (AGW) today announced the launch of SPARK — a global acceleration programme aimed at Thai startups.

India’s HDFC Bank makes AI play; launches humanoids in branches
India: HDFC Bank, the country’s second-largest private one, will be using robots at its branches, to assist customers.

Thomson Reuters announces Singapore data and innovation lab
Singapore: Thomson Reuters today announced the official opening of Thomson Reuters Labs – Singapore. The Lab will collaborate with the government, customers, tech startups and universities to build partnerships and create innovative products.

IAG to open InsurTech innovation hub in Singapore
Singapore: Australian insurance giant IAG has announced it will launch an InsurTech innovation hub in Singapore, in a move that will connect the insurer to Singapore’s global innovation network and vibrant entrepreneurial community.

MetLife Announces 8 startups for “collab” its accelerator program
Singapore: LumenLab, MetLife’s Singapore-based innovation center, today announced that it has selected 8 finalists for its inaugural tech matchmaking program, collab, an open innovation platform matching startups with the right opportunities within MetLife.

PayPal’s Innovation Lab is launching a fintech scholarship in Singapore
Singapore: PayPal has announced that it will partner with Singapore Management University (SMU) to roll out a fintech scholarship in Singapore worth S$180,000 (US$126,900).

Microsoft, KPMG Co-Launch Blockchain ‘Nodes’ (Labs) in Singapore & Frankfurt
Singapore: KPMG International and Microsoft Corp. have announced the launch of joint Blockchain Nodes, which are designed to create and demonstrate use cases that apply blockchain technology to business propositions and processes.

ICRISAT sets up iHub for agri entrepreneurs
India: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) today set up iHub aiming to provide space for agricultural entrepreneurs, scientists and technology experts for innovative work in the field of agriculture.

Unilever and Padang & Co Launch ‘LEVEL3’ – a co-working space
Singapore: LEVEL3 is a workspace, created by Unilever Foundry and Padang & Co, which brings together Unilever, startups and entrepreneurs to encourage innovation and create new partnerships that deliver real business impact.

New accelerator helps tour and travel tech startups launch in the Mekong region
Thailand: The Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Initiative has announced two new accelerators designed to make it easier and faster for innovative tourism businesses to get established in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.