Kakitangan.com, Merchantrade partner for seamless digital wage payments, empowering businesses and migrant workers

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  • Advancing financial participation for Malaysia’s migrant worker group
  • Statutory systems gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties workers face.

Ramasamy Veeran of Merchantrade with Effon Khoo of Kakitangan.com. The initiative specifically targets employers operating in remote locations, including estates, outskirt factories, and mining sites.

Kakitangan.com, the country’s largest Cloud HR software provider and Merchantrade, Malaysia’s largest Money Services Business ( MSB ) operator and a leader in the digital payments space, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting migrant workers employed in Malaysia.

This collaboration makes use of Merchantrade’s recent recognition as a designated payment instrument ( DPI ) issuer by the Ministry of Human Resources for digital wage payments.

This allows companies to effortlessly pay wages through Merchantrade’s secure and convenient e-Wallet system, Merchantrade Money. The expertise of Kaktangan.com comes from the fact that payment calculations are automatically automated and the necessary payment documents are created, ensuring a smooth integration for effective salary crediting.

For businesses of all sizes, this agreement provides a useful solution:

    Improved staff satisfaction: Workers gain access to secure and convenient e-wallets, fostering monetary participation and satisfaction.

  • Reduced pay &amp, HR procedures: Kakitangan.com’s cloud-based Personnel software streamlines pay processes, saving employers significant time and resources.
  • Increased compliance: Employers you automate the generation of forms and calculations to make sure they comply with all legal requirements.

This action particularly targets companies operating in remote areas, including lands, outskirt companies, and mining sites. Kakitangan.com aims to support over 1, 000 firms in digitalizing their pay and HR procedures, enabling them to achieve and motivate people regardless of location.

” We’re thrilled to mate with Merchantrade in this valuable endeavour”, said Effon Khoo, founder and CEO of Kakitangan.com. ” Our Cloud HR solutions and Merchantrade Money’s e-wallet solutions make payroll processes simpler for companies and give more migrant workers access to trustworthy financial service.” This partnership perfectly complements our desire to enable organizations while making a good impact on the community.

Our Merchantrade Money e-wallet, powered by Visa, has allowed these workers to properly receive wages, make contactless payments wherever Visa is accepted, and remove money from Visa Plus ATMs, according to Ramasamy K. Veeran, creator and managing director of Merchantrade.

Collaborating with Kakitangan.com strengthens Merchantrade’s ‘ first-to-last-mile’ online salary option which provides employers with extensive help at every stage, from onboarding and training to after-sales service.

” Through our relationship, we are not only advancing financial participation for Malaysia’s immigrant worker area but also transforming compensation payments for companies”, said Ramasamy.

Legislative bodies can better understand the needs and difficulties faced by migrant communities as a result of better access to data and statistics. They are able to develop more specific and efficient support programs thanks to this information.

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Locad raises US mil for smart digital logistics engine to expand globally

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  • By Q4 2024, money may enable rise into the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
  • Since Series A, Locad has scaled its concept across SEA, Australia &amp, China

Locad cofounders (Left to Right: Shrey Jain, CTO, Constantin Robertz, CEO & Jannis Dargel, COO

Locad, a leading intelligent electronic logistics motor empowering consumer businesses with its Cloud Supply Chain-as-a-Service for international distribution, announced a US$ 9 million ( RM40 million ) Pre-Series B campaign co-led by Global Ventures and Reefknot Investments. Other traders include Sumitomo Equity Ventures, Antler Elevate, Febe Ventures, and JG Summit.

The funding may accelerate Locad’s global expansion, starting in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Q4 2024 as part of its” Grow Global, Go Native” strategy for businesses, and further enhance its AI-driven shipping functions. Locad aims to build modern supply chain infrastructure, connecting manufacturers to customers in development areas through a integrated, cloud-based transportation system.

Through a seamless operating system and supply chain infrastructure as a support, Locad’s sky supply chain makes wise online shipping and empty trading possible for client companies. The company allows brands to join all sales channels in e-commerce and wholesale to a single share of stock and a bright logistics system, managed via its Control Tower orchestration platform, which provides real-time visibility, analytics, and AI-enhanced workflow automation.

Constantin Robertz, CEO and co-founder of Locad, said,” We are on a mission to enable smart digital logistics for consumer brands. In APAC, we have developed a cloud supply chain platform over the past four years that enables brands to integrate their omnichannel distribution and access localized fulfillment in growth markets in SEA and AU. We are now looking forward to expanding our business to other countries by expanding our footprint to the US and joining the GCC to facilitate brand distribution.

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner of Global Ventures, said,” We are delighted to lead Locad’s funding round. With our goal of decentralized and resilient supply chains that are in line with our vision, Locad’s innovative engine is changing the way brands manage supply chains, enabling faster and more effective customer reach.

” Locad exemplifies this shift, offering localised, efficient solutions. We are confident it is well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities in evolving markets like MENA, embodying the future of agile, sustainable logistics”, he added.

Marc Dragon, managing director of Reefknot Investments, said,” We are excited to co-lead this oversubscribed round and deepen our commitment to Locad as they expand globally. Since our Series A investment, Locad has scaled its asset-light fulfilment model across Southeast Asia, Australia, and China while enhancing AI-driven features like demand, inventory, and carrier analytics &amp, optimisation”.

We are confident that Locad’s global expansion and innovation focus will add significant value to brands looking to expand internationally and improve customer experiences, he added.

Shrey Jain, co-founder and CTO of Locad, said,” By combining smart digital logistics with AI-driven insights, we empower brands to optimise supply chains by positioning inventory closer to demand, reducing delivery times, and improving customer satisfaction. In light of this fundraise, we can increase the efficiency and support brands in a dynamic business environment, further strengthening our tech-enabled logistics ecosystem.

Since its Series A round in 2023, Locad has grown significantly in size and scope, supporting over 300 consumer brands in Southeast Asia and Australia. The business improves customer experiences and operational efficiency by offering innovative digital logistics solutions. Its logistics engine seamlessly integrates with leading e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Shopee, Amazon, and TikTok, helping brands optimise inventory and delivery management across multiple sales channels.

Brands can expand their distribution through Locad’s platform as more markets are opened up by the GCC and the USA.

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Fox companies Good Foodie Media and Involve Asia are driving the MarTech industry forward

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  • MarTech-driven e-commerce projected to reach US$ 7.88B by end-2024
  • Both businesses are driving business growth through MDEC’s Wolf Programme

Rene Menezes, president and co-founder of Involve Asia (1st from right) and Lim Pinn Yang, co-founder and CEO of Good Foodie Media (2nd from left) were panellists at the recent Endeavor Future Forum 2.0. (Picture credit: MDEC)

The evolving integration of technology across a range of industries to stay ahead is what is driving the modern economy’s transformation. With Malaysia’s aim for the digital economy to contribute&nbsp, 25.5 % to the nation’s GDP by the end of 2025, it underscores the crucial role of businesses including marketing technology ( MarTech ) and digital creative content in driving this upward trajectory.

The digital creative content segment alone generated an impressive US$ 1.2 billion ( RM5.6 billion ) in 2021 and the ecommerce sector, driven by MarTech, is expected to reach US$ 7.88 billion ( RM35.2 billion ) by the end of the year.

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC )’s national strategic initiative, which offers a myriad of enabling incentives for Malaysian businesses and Rakyat to play a leading role in the global digital revolution and digital economy, is a catalyst for the growth of these crucial digital economy segments.

The Founders Centre of Excellence ( FOX ) program, a bespoke program designed for specific businesses that showcase high-growth growth with the potential to become the next scaleup tech icons, has also been introduced in conjunction with the MD initiative. Important MarTech industry players, such as MD standing companies Good Foodie Media and Involve Asia, have been identified by MDEC as being at the forefront of the digital revolution and using their expertise to form and shape the online landscape.

The electronic economy is inventive

The expansion of information development during the pandemic opened up new opportunities for collaboration with in-demand designers. Through a varied approach that involves both publishers and articles creators, Good Foodie Media, a media company focused on food and cooking online content, has benefited from this synergy to assist brands promote their products. Consumer reliance on digital communication was further increased as a result of the pandemic, increasing Good Foodie Media‘s reputation as a reliable source of high-quality content.

The team behind Good Foodie Media unwinding at their recent company annual dinner after a successful year (Picture Credit: Foodie Media)

” During the epidemic, there were movements power purchases,” according to our advertising section. We changed our websites so that internet marketing could be implemented. In doing so, we were able to increase our profit and survive the challenging time. This has taught us to use our already-available tools in times of difficulty, according to Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang, co-founder and CEO of Good Foodie Media.

By properly integrating native consumer behavior with regional consumer behavior in the food and beverage sector, the system that seamlessly integrates articles with commerce has gained widespread support.

The platform has seen considerable success over the years thanks to the major success it has experienced since Lim’s founding in 2017 and several other co-founders since then. After receiving their first cash from an angel investor, they expanded into Kuala Lumpur, expanding from a 1, 000-strong fan base focused on the Penang cooking field to over 30 million users today.

With the major traction we had, we were able to rapidly rise up the ranks and gain access to Johor. He continues,” We therefore diversified our platforms to different verticals to meet people in different consumer demands, including Malaysia Homie, Bangkok Foodie, ChiHou, and Halal Foodie,” he adds.

” We’re working on creating a software program that seamlessly combines commerce and content with the goal of streamlining local consumer behaviour in the F&amp, B room,” according to our strategic hinge. With our 30 million-strong captive audience, we see this as a key opportunity to create an integrated experience that enhances engagement and drives growth in this sector” ,&nbsp, Lim said.

The second installment of Good Foodie Media’s advertising campaign, which partnered with Funding Societies, was launched in association with Maybank and PayNet in 2024. To time, Good Foodie Media has aided over 15, 000 MSME.

In the same year, MDEC gave Good Foodie Media the distinction of being a significant person in the country’s modern economy.

The online advertising market is on the rise.

The most popular online marketing and partner control program in Southeast Asia through the Squirrel program, Involve Asia, has revolutionized how brands and advertisers collaborate with publishers and influencers to create performance-based advertising campaigns. The platform has empowered over 500 brands to reach millions of consumers through its network of 400, 000 affiliate partners, driving a total transaction value of over US$ 1.5 billion ( RM6.7 billion ) since its establishment a decade ago.

Rene Menezes, president and co-founder, Involve Asia (2nd from right) receiving the Malaysia’s Affiliate Marketing Pioneer Award from Amiruddin Abdul Shukor, head of Corporate Services of MDEC. (Picture credit: MDEC)

” What sets Involve Asia off is its&nbsp, commitment to transparency, performance monitoring, and data-driven insight, making it a trusted partner for organizations looking to expand their digital footprint across the place”, says Rene Menezes, president and co-founder of Involve Asia.

Backed by popular opportunity capital and private equity firms like 500 Startups, OSK Technology Ventures, and Bintang Capital Partners, the company has established a solid presence across Asia, with offices across six countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Last year alone, Involve Asia raised over US$ 10 million ( RM44.6 million ) in funding to fuel its expansion and product development. The company’s remarkable achievement led to a 150 % annualised growth rate from its beginning stages to pre-IPO success.

The potential of MarTech has been successfully used by Involve Asia to spur growth and spur innovation in digital marketing. By integrating sophisticated equipment, Involve Asia optimises strategy management, enabling detailed targeting and real-time efficiency analytics. These abilities have enabled the business to implement effective strategies that have constantly yielded higher ROI for their clients, including data-driven influence marketing campaigns and highly personalized affiliate programs.

Their creative thinking and creative use of technologies have not only provided thousands of SMEs with new opportunities, but they also established new standards for the environment. The MarTech and online innovative industries act as catalysts for a more diverse and robust digital economy in addition to being growth drivers. These companies are maximizing the full potential of these sectors with MDEC’s proper support, ensuring overall financial growth. &nbsp,

These organizations are poised to remain at the forefront of the online business, supporting progress and enabling businesses to grow in an extremely competitive and technologically connected world as they continue to embrace and progress with the most recent developments in MarTech and electronic information.

For Malaysian online standing companies, MDEC offers a variety of programs. Work for this Malaysia Digital Status.

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Asia Mobiliti and Polytechnic University of Madrid produce research on EV charging infra optimisation

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  • Data strategy to enhance green, multimodal flexibility in urban centres
  • Paves means for purchase in EV infra that may gain people, private stakeholders

An example of the data-driven results generated by the joint Asia Mobiliti-Blue Diplomacy and Circular Economy Research Line of the School of Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

A research collaboration aimed at optimizing the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles ( EV ) at the Polytechnic University of Madrid ( Universidad Politécnica de Madrid ‘UPM) has been completed by Asia Mobiliti, Malaysia’s leading mobility-as-a-Service ( MaaS ) technology and digital city solutions provider, with the help of the University of California, Madrid’s ( UPM) Blue Diplomacy and Circular Economy Research Line.

Soon, the studies are expected to be released.

Kuala Lumpur as the primary test city was used as the primary focus of the project, which would develop a data-driven analytics framework to guide the proper positioning of EV chargers.

The model incorporates predicted electricity demand models based on Kuala Lumpur’s freedom patterns, which are compared to important points of interest and the city’s public transportation system.

The study provided a framework for settlements looking to expand their electric mobility systems and provided the best places, types, and quantities of EV chargers needed. As cities expand EV infrastructure while keeping pace with sustainable urban growth initiatives, this approach provides actionable insights for city planners and charging point operators ( CPOs ).

Ramachandran Muniandy, CEO and co-founder of Asia Mobiliti, said,” Our engagement with UPM signifies a major improvement in data-driven urban planning. We’ve incorporated comprehensive mobility data to create a framework that enables a more connected and sustainable multimodal transit ecosystem by identifying high-demand areas for EV charging and easily integrating them with public transportation networks.

According to Asia Mobiliti, the collaboration’s victory has provided the foundation for a new global information service that will provide useful insights to cities that are placing electricity at the top of their conservation plan. This new company aims to provide a flexible option that is compatible with cities of all sizes and transit needs in order to assist industrial centers in overcoming the difficulties of EV facilities placement and demand prediction.

Ramachandran Muniandy, CEO of Asia Mobiliti with Prof Pedro Fernández Carrasco from Polytechnic University of Madrid. Vicks Kanagasingam, co-founder/CEO of VERGE, a subsidiary of Asia Mobiliti is on the right.

The special chance this engagement offers educational institutions like UPM, which includes Prof. Pedro Fernández Carrasco, research officer and senior lecturer in charge of the research area in Blue Diplomacy and Circular Economy, highlighted the application of philosophical knowledge to practical situations.

Working with Asia Mobiliti bridges the gap between academia and industry by allowing younger talents to advance their skills within a very qualified staff at the vanguard of scientific advancement. He argued that UPM’s association with the ASEAN region and particularly Malaysia is a crucial step in fostering global research collaborations that promote sustainable development and advance wise urban solutions.

The study was supported by Asia Mobiliti and UPM’s in-house skills and amazing technology. This kind of postgraduate studies usually requires a significant amount of resources, which highlights both organizations ‘ commitment to developing novel solutions for urban mobility.

The research partnership between Asia Mobiliti and UPM opens the door to a new era of investment in EV infrastructure that benefits both public and private stakeholders by bringing about an optimal approach to cable deployment.

Ramachandran (right) at the School of Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

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pitchIN launches Malaysia’s first equity crowdfunding-focused microfund campaign 

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  • Provides high-growth opportunities for Angel and Advanced owners
  • Supports M’sia’s rely on other money for early-stage businesses

From left: Lai Kai Bin, head of Equity Crowdfunding, pitchIN, Sam Shafie, CEO and co-founder, pitchIN, Christopher Wong Zhi Yi, director and founding partner, Spartan Ives Capital, Marcus Tan Kian Han, director and founding partner, Spartan Ives Capital and Linx Yap Ling Sze, associate, Spartan Ives Capital

pitchIN, Malaysia’s digital fundraising and investment hub, has announced the launch of Malaysia’s first Equity Crowdfunding (ECF ) -focused microfund campaign by Spartan Ives Capital, a registered Venture Capital firm with the Securities Commission Malaysia, managing US$ 61.5 million ( RM275 million ) in Assets Under Management ( AUM).

The Spartan Elevation Fund, which offers high-growth expense opportunities with minimal capital commitments solely to Angel and Advanced investors, was highlighted in a speech by pitchIN. Previously, participation in a venture capital fund was limited to Sophisticated investors, requiring a minimum investment of US$ 56, 000 ( RM250, 000 ).

We’re combining cutting-edge systems with conventional investment strategies by establishing a novel and visible investment opportunity with the Spartan Elevation Fund. This microfund lowers the restrictions for investors, enabling them to back some of Malaysia’s most convincing high-growth companies led by visionary and hard-working companies”, said Christopher Wong, producer and founding partner of Spartan Ives Capital.

By connecting traders with the next generation of business leaders,” we believe this account will not only enable local businesses but also contribute to Malaysia’s economy’s economic growth,” he added.

The Spartan Elevation Fund invests in nearby businesses hosted on the pitchIN platform to promote development. The bank maintains the flexibility to look into and follow another high-potential ventures outside the pitchIN ecosystem despite its core strategy focusing on ECF investment opportunities. This approach enables a sensible investment strategy by combining adaptability to broader market opportunities with focused support for crowdfunding companies.

This ECF-focused microfund is a delight to be included on our system. This program demonstrates our commitment to enhancing trader access to high-potential startups”, said Sam Shafie, co-founder and CEO of pitchIN.

The VC handles this on their behalf, so the microfund plan not just allows Angel and powerful owners to create a diversified portfolio, but it also eliminates the laborious process of identifying investment opportunities. He continued,” This strategy gives investors a more smooth and effective investment experience while accelerating the growth of Malaysia’s innovative ecology.”

The introduction of the Spartan Elevation Fund coincides with Malaysia’s growing commitment to supporting entrepreneurial endeavors and providing other financing options for early-stage businesses. Traders can learn more about the bank on pitchIN’s system.

To explore more about the Spartan Elevation Fund, visit its campaign website at https ://www.pitchin.my/equity/spartan-elevation-fund

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Keyto MY launches advanced fluid facility in Batu Kawan, boosting Malaysia’s high-tech manufacturing

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  • Expected to earn US$ 14.5 million in revenue over the course of three times.
  • Committed to fostering native talent, supporting a green high-tech ecosystem

Keyto MY launches advanced fluid facility in Batu Kawan, boosting Malaysia’s high-tech manufacturing

Keyto MY Sdn. Bhd., a company of Shenzhen Keyto Fluid Technology Co. Ltd., has inaugurated its state-of-the-art smooth systems manufacturing plant in Batu Kawan, Penang. With Keyto MY’s new service set to expand the nation’s commercial capabilities and expand its high-tech manufacturing business, this important purchase underscores Malaysia’s growing importance as a global hub.

The plant is projected to generate sales revenue of US$ 14.5 million ( RM65 million ) over the next three years, reflecting its robust growth potential.

The state offers a vibrant commercial habitat that naturally attracts buyers, according to Chow Kon Yeow, deputy minister of Penang. He continued,” Keyto MY marks the company’s primary overseas manufacturing facility, located in Southeast Asia, and also its first appearance there.”

The new production service, spanning over 3, 540 square metres, may focus on producing liquid control systems and precision components necessary for applications in medical devices, life science instruments, and environmental monitoring systems. The plant will be crucial in strengthening Malaysia’s place on the worldwide market for superior solvent power answers by addressing the growing need in these sectors. Its projected sales revenue of US$ 14.5 million ( RM65 million ) over the next three years highlights the strong market potential for high-precision fluid technology.

Zhang Cheng, president of Shenzhen Keyto Fluid Technology Co. Ltd., emphasised the strategic value of the Batu Kawan ability to Keyto’s international development. ” This new plant marks a significant milestone in our global growth”, Zhang said, adding,” Malaysia’s strategic location, coupled with its skilled workforce and business-friendly environment, provides us with the ideal platform to deliver advanced fluid technology solutions to customers worldwide”.

The second step of the service will focus on manufacturing a range of smooth management options, including high-performance pumps, valves, and smooth systems. With Malaysia’s growing strength in high-tech manufacturing, Keyto MY is well-positioned to become a critical player in the region’s supply chain for fluid technology, meeting rising demand for advanced systems across multiple industries.

As a subsidiary of Shenzhen Keyto Fluid Technology Co. Ltd., a company with a strong international presence, Keyto MY brings extensive expertise, industry knowledge, and a global perspective to drive both local and international business success. Innovative technologies will be used at the plant to maximize production efficiency, maintain stringent quality control, and promote sustainable manufacturing practices.

Keyto MY’s presence in Penang has a long-term impact beyond just economic expansion. ” Our investment is not just in physical infrastructure, it’s about empowering Malaysia’s next generation of engineers and professionals”, Zhang said, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to the development of a sustainable high-tech ecosystem.

According to Invest Penang, the state’s strategic advantages – its well-established industrial base, skilled workforce, and proximity to key global markets make it an ideal location for high-tech industries. The company noted that Malaysia’s investment is in line with its ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position within the world’s high-tech manufacturing landscape.

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Portcast secures US$ 6.5 mil series A funding led by Susquehanna Asia VC

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  • Hearst Ventures, Signal Ventures, and existing owners participated in the round
  • Funding will promote product innovation, help growth into APAc area &amp, Europe

The Portcast team

Portcast, the Singapore-based provider of real-time transportation visibility and predictive analytics, has announced that it has raised US$ 6.5 million ( RM29 million ) in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Susquehanna Asia VC, with participation from Hearst Ventures, Signal Ventures, and existing buyers, including Wavemaker Partners, TMV, and Innoport.

In a statement, the business said the new money would promote product development, especially in harnessing conceptual AI to enhance chance management, transport planning, and invoice auditing capabilities. Additionally, it intends to strengthen integrations with technologies partners while expanding its reach in important markets in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. According to Portcast, the company is well-positioned to fulfill its goal of improving the resilience of international trade through actionable data.

In addition, the business continued to invest in artificial intelligence ( AI ) technology to protect its clients ‘ profitability in the face of increasingly fragile global supply chains and increased disruption.

Portcast provides strategic administration with justifiable justifications and recommends alternative strategies to help shipping companies and logistics companies increase their productivity, operating costs, and carbon emissions in the transportation industry. The agency’s data system integrates data from carriers, terminals, location and risk data, and custom documents to give accurate visibility through a single, easy-to-integrate API and website. The business uses machine learning and advanced large-language models to provide meaningful insights to improve supply chain operational and financial transparency.

Portcast secures US$ 6.5 mil series A funding led by Susquehanna Asia VCNidhi Gupta ( pic ), founder and CEO of Portcast, said:” Supply chain disruptions have become the norm, driving up costs for shippers and logistics service providers globally. The concern now is to push actions from visibility data through integrated recommendations, which is no longer sufficient to screen shipments. In order to reduce freight costs and enhance user experience, we are committed to creating a product that not even discovers risks in transportation but, more importantly, immediately suggests measures to reduce these costs.

The support from both existing and new traders is a bible to the customer fulfillment we’ve achieved and the trust in our strategy in today’s tough economic environment. Looking back, we are eager to expand in the Asia-Pacific area and Europe, strengthening partnerships to take our answers to even more firms”, she added.

In addition, Susquehanna Asia VC’s Richard Hsu stated that Portcast has used both amazing and open data to provide reliable and explicable transportation visibility. However, what sets them apart is their ability to transform that information into useful, practical insights for their clients, setting a new standard in shipping decision-making. With its unique data-driven approach, Portcast has the potential to address additional challenges in global trade. Not only are we excited about what Portcast has already accomplished.

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Softbank, Nvidia to build world’s first AI grid in Japan – Asia Times

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In a grand plan to turn its cell phone base stations into a nationwide AI grid in Japan, Softbank Group is using Nvidia’s Blackwell processors to create the first artificial intelligence ( AI ) supercomputer. &nbsp,

Blackwell, the most effective Artificial computing system yet devised, was announced by Nvidia next March. In an outdoor test in Kanagawa district, west of Tokyo, Softbank has now demonstrated continuous 5G device service for AI inference workloads.

Japan’s third-largest smart telecom carrier is then ready to create the world’s second combined Artificial and 5G telecoms network.

This new concept, known as Artificial Intelligence plus Radio Access Network, or AI-RAN, is enabled by Nvidia AI Aerial, which runs 5G radio on Compute Unified Device Architecture ( CUDA ), Nvidia’s parallel computing software for Graphics Processing Unit ( GPU) -accelerated applications.

Nvidia’s original design for computer games is an integrated circuit ( IC ) called GPUs. According to Nvidia, AI Aerial will enable mobile telecom firms to” Deploy 5G and 6G telecoms networks that can handle words, files, videos, AI, and generative AI loads on one common system”.

That is, your smart telecom service provider will henceforth be able to supplement voice, data and video traffic with low-latency, high-quality AI inferencing, drawing conclusions from information provided by phones, digital cameras, computers, robots and autonomous cars.

Rapid response is, of course, necessary for automatic driving. In cities like Tokyo, which has both a challenging road map and a high concentration of 5G base stations, Softbank’s AI grid may offer what Nvidia general Jensen Huang calls “air traffic control … for autonomous cars”.

At the Nvidia AI Summit Japan event in Tokyo on November 12 and 13, this and other exciting new initiatives were revealed.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang invited Masayoshi Son to speak at his keynote address, where they discussed the potential for collaboration between their businesses and the future of AI.

” The world has nothing like this”, said Huang about Softbank’s planned AI grid. ” Japan will be the world’s first”.

Son predicted that “every other telco will have to follow this new wave.” ” …this intelligence network … becomes one big neural brain … For the infrastructure of intelligence for Japan”.

To be sure, the scale of the project is unprecedented. ” Together”, said Huang,” we’re going to build Japan’s largest AI factory … When it’s built, it will have 25 AI exaflops. Just remember, the largest supercomputer in the world just recently was 1 exaflop… to produce the AI”. ( An exaflop is one quintillion floating-point operations per second. )

This, he continued,” will be distributed across Softbank’s 200, 000 sites]mobile telecom base stations ] here in Japan, serve 55 million customers … We’re also going to put on top of it a new type of store, an AI store so that the AIs that were created by Softbank and the AIs created by third parties could be provided to the 55 million customers”.

From mechatronics to AI robotics

In addition, Huang sees great potential in combining robotics and AI. ” The era of physical AI is here”, he told the audience. Japan is the only nation that I can think of that would be a better place to take the lead in the AI-robots revolution. And the reason for that is, as you know, this country loves robots … In fact, here in Japan, 50 % of the world’s manufacturing robots are built”.

” I hope that Japan will take advantage of the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence”, he continued,” and combine that with your expertise in mechatronics. Japan is the only nation with the highest mechatronics proficiency. You must take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, the Nvidia CEO said.

While talking with Softbank’s Son, Huang noted,” …artificial intelligence is very different than software. You must have domain expertise and data in order to use artificial intelligence. And in robotics, Japan has world-leading domain expertise.

Leading Japanese industrial robotics firms Fanuc, Yaskawa, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Mitsubishi Electric are supplied by Nvidia. Additionally, it provides Rapyuta, a relatively new business that was founded by two Indian graduates from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and specializes in warehouse automation and multi-robot coordination.

Nvidia provides its high-tech wares to a wide range of Japanese industries spanning automotive, telecoms, internet service, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, advertising and convenience stores, among many others.

Its customers are among Japan’s most prominent corporate players, including Honda, Sony, Hitachi, Denso, NTT, KDDI, Rakuten, Dentsu and Lawson. &nbsp,

It also works closely with Japan’s academia and government, including the Institute of Science Tokyo, the University of Tokyo, Japan’s national scientific research institute Riken, Nagoya University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and the ministries of communications, education, and economy, trade and industry.

These lists show what Huang meant when he said,” …we’re here to partner with the Japan ecosystem”.

Nvidia, which was saved from bankruptcy in 1996 by an investment from computer game developer SEGA, has been in Japan for decades.

Its GPUs were used in the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch in addition to SEGA Arcades. The first supercomputer to use CUDA was created by the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

For all, for one and all.

Looking ahead, Huang asked Son what he finds most exciting about Japan’s AI future.

Son replied that he is passionate about AI robotics, medical solutions and AI “agents” that can improve the Japanese lifestyle, both enterprise AI agents and personal AI agents. He thinks that “each of us ought to have its own personal agents.”

Then, Huang posed the question,” Could you picture an AI agent who has lived your entire life?” Son responded that each of us will have a personal agent from the age of one who grows up with us and is familiar with everything: a personal digital twin, a surrogate parent who can identify you when you are ill, a tutor who can recall everything it has ever taught you.

Huang and Son are not, to be sure, making any warnings about AI’s risks. They do, however, recognize the necessity for each nation to create its own AI based on the data it owns as a resource.

” It makes no sense to outsource that to somebody else”, said Huang. Every country, every company, will produce its own intelligence, its own AI.

How is it possible for a business to not develop artificial intelligence? asked Huang. That, said Son, would be like “giving your brain away to someone else”.

Follow this writer on&nbsp, X: @ScottFo83517667

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Huawei’s Mate70 to flex high-end chip self-sufficiency – Asia Times

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China’s Huawei Technologies is set to launch its Mate70 premier smartphone on November 26, a breakthrough in its sanctions-induced desire for self-sufficiency from US cards and technology.

During a Huawei vehicle launch event on November 15th, Richard Yu, the CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, revealed the Mate70’s start date. &nbsp, Chinese internet said Huawei may build four models together: the Mate70, Mate70 Pro, Mate70 Pro and Mate70 RS. &nbsp,

Only the premium models, according to the reports, would use a brand-new 7-nanometer processor called the Kirin 9100, which is said to be comparable to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 1 for central processing units ( CPU) and graphic processing units ( GPU), respectively. &nbsp,

The reports said another Mate 70 smartphone will use the Kirin 9010 computer, which was used in the Mate 40 launched in 2021 and the P70 launched earlier this year.

The Kirin 9100 chip is reportedly made by Chinese chipmaker Shanghai Manufacturing International Corp ( SMIC ) using its deep ultraviolet ( DUV) lithography machines and&nbsp, N 3 process, &nbsp, while the Kirin 9000S chip used in last year’s Mate60 is made using SMIC’s N 2 process.

Both the 9100 and 9000S are 7nm chips, but the N 3 approach does have 130 million transistors per square meter, compared with 89 million transistors per sq meter of the N 2 procedure. Some press refer to the 9100 computer as a 6nm device because it performs similarly to a 5nm microprocessor.

The US government sanctioned Huawei and SMIC, and they had planned to produce 2.5 million cards before releasing the Mate70 for a September product release, according to an early September report from The Information. However, they were unable to meet their goal due to limited production capacity and unnamed productivity concerns.

The Mate70 will also use Huawei’s self-developed HarmonyOS Next operating program, known as “pure blood”, which does not include Linux standards or help Android programs. The Android Open Source Project ( AOSP) and the Linux kernel served as the foundation for the earlier versions. &nbsp,

Sanctions goal

Huawei and its 70 members were added to the US Commerce Department’s sanctioned Entity List in May 2019. Google stopped allowing Huawei phones to use its Android OS in August of that year. &nbsp,

In September 2020, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co ( TSMC), the world’s leading high-end chipmaker, stopped producing Kirin chips, resulting in an inventory countdown for Huawei’s HiSilicon, the tech giant’s wholly-owned fabless chipmaker. &nbsp,

Yu said in 2019 that the company had a” Plan B” entailing a self-developed chipset and operating system, which after 5.5 years has apparently been accomplished.

A Hunan-based journalist blared in an essay in early November that” we can then consider that the US has failed to stop Huawei from making advances in cards, operating methods, and 5G systems” because almost all of the Mate70’s key components are made in China. &nbsp,

” The US has fully miscalculated the condition. It thought that Huawei may be severely hurt by its punishment”, he said. ” But genuinely Huawei has become stronger”.

HarmonyOS Next, according to a columnist for 36Kr.com, a website for Chinese business and IT news, could improve Huawei smartphones ‘ overall performance by 30 % and significantly lower their power consumption.

Nevertheless, he opined in terms of technology Huawei perhaps been lagging behind its rivals, such as Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo and Honor, which have tremendously improved their materials by using high-end US chips and parts in the past few years. &nbsp,

Moreover, the writer said the Mate70’s design is not unique as it looks similar to the Mate50 launched in 2022.

Sensitive time

The Mate70’s launch is contentious because it took place three weeks after Donald Trump, a Republican nominee for president, won the US election. Trump has previously pledged to increase tariffs on all Chinese goods to 60 % and strengthen America’s technology blockade against China. &nbsp,

In a fitting end note, the Biden administration put an end to restrictions on US investments in China’s semiconductor, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence ( AI ) sectors in October. &nbsp,

The US Commerce Department earlier this month mandated that Samsung and TSMC stop sending 7nm or lower semiconductors to Chinese companies that produce AI chips or GPUs.

Some analysts predicted that Huawei’s upcoming Mate70 release would encourage China to increase its technology restraints. &nbsp,

In response to China’s persistent attempts to evade the restraints, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated in December that the country should continue to impose stricter export controls and take greater responsibility for implementing them with allies.

Yong Jian is a regular contributor to Asia Times and a Chinese journalist with a focus on Chinese politics, technology, and politics.

Read: TSMC’s 7nm chip ban targets China’s AI chipmakers

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Five startups win MYCentre4IR-Bursa Malaysia ESG Innovation Challenge 2024

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  • Supports necessity of innovation to fulfill conservation, business goals
  • Powered by UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s available development program

Winners of the MYCentre4IR ESG Innovation Challenge 2024 alongside corporate partners and guests, including Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, CEO of Cradle Fund; Ellina Roslan, Senior Director MYCentre4IR, MyDIGITAL Corporation; and Muhamad Umar Swift, CEO of Bursa Malaysia.

The MYCentre4IR ESG Innovation Challenge 2024 on 7 Nov saw five innovative startups winning US$ 22, 344 ( RM100, 000 ) each in bridge funding to implement their proof-of-concept with their respective corporate partners.

The Challenge is a joint initiative by the Malaysia Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution ( MYCentre4IR ) and Bursa Malaysia Bhd, seeking to find cutting-edge digital solutions aimed at enhancing the Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG) efforts of five Malaysian Public Listed Companies, namely CJ Century Logistics Holdings Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, REDtone Digital Bhd and Sunway Innovation Labs ( representing Sunway Group ).

Launched on 1 Aug, the Challenge attracted local and international members, including from the United States, Sweden, Canada, India, Singapore and Namibia. 32 out of over 100 entries came from Malaysia.

The Challenge was powered by UpLink0, the World Economic Forum’s open technology platform, with access to a worldwide group of 80, 000 companies, owners, professionals and changemakers. Early-stage businesspeople are met by UpLink’s technology-enabled method, which creates an innovation ecosystem that causes good systemic change for both people and the planet.

]The World Economic Forum’s UpLink is an open technology program designed to connect companies, experts, and investors with the goal of tackling the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change, cultural injustice, and sustainable growth. ]

Our goal with this Challenge is to find fresh ideas and creative digital solutions to help businesses achieve zero carbon pollution or increase efficiency through approach technology, according to Adrian Marcellus, CEO of MyDIGITAL Corporation. It attracted over 100 entries from businesses across 30 nations”.

He continued,” Our problem is the first to be implemented via UpLink for the Southeast Asia area because of our affiliation with the World Economic Forum.”

Muhamad Umar Swift, CEO of Bursa Malaysia shared its part in this engagement. We are constantly looking to support innovative businesses that have the ability to record on the Exchange, which could potentially contain any of these businesses. To expand our investment market’s pipeline of diversified companies, we need to do this. Hosting this Challenge reinforces the importance of intentional efforts to engage on innovation in order to achieve a company’s conservation and business objectives, which are becoming increasingly important to investors from PLCs these times.

A board of 11 courts, which included representatives from Bursa Malaysia, MyDIGITAL Corporation, Cradle Fund, and each of the five participating PLCs, presented their innovative solutions during the Demo Day held at Bursa Malaysia as part of the final round. Five winners were chosen, with one winning option related to each of the five PLCs, as a result.

The RM100, 000 in gate funding for each success may be co-disbursed in phases by MYCentre4IR and Cradle Fund for the execution of the proof-of-concept pilot jobs. The companies will collaborate closely with their business partners, who will provide assistance and mentoring throughout the application phase of the year. The goal will be to achieve ESG outcomes and tangible process automation.

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