Industry News

Southeast Asia’s climate-tech sector has secured approximately $1.1b in disclosed equity funding across 268 rounds, according to a report by Tracxn. The report highlights that seed and early-stage rounds account for nearly all the capital, underscoring the region’s focus on nurturing nascent climate technologies.

The report reveals that Singapore is at the forefront, attracting around $872m of the total funding. Indonesia and Vietnam follow, with $162m and $53m, respectively. Notably, four of the five most-funded companies, including Beam and Neuron, are based in Singapore or Indonesia, primarily focusing on electric mobility.

Solid Waste Management Tech emerged as the top-funded sector, securing $105m, followed by Smart Grid at $97m. Significant contributions to these sectors include Amperesand’s $80m Series A in Smart Grid and Blue Planet’s $46m Series B in Solid Waste Management.

The climate-tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia is also witnessing an increase in exit activities, with 20 acquisitions and 10 public listings recorded to date. Acquisitions are mainly concentrated in Singapore, whilst public listings span across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

In 2026 to date, four rounds totalling approximately $17m have been recorded, all at seed or early stage. This trend aligns with the broader market pattern, indicating a continued emphasis on early-stage investments. The report suggests that the region’s climate-tech ecosystem is still in its formative stages, with most capital being committed at the entry levels, paving the way for future growth and development.

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced two significant leadership appointments in the Asia Pacific region, aiming to expand its Value-Added Services (VAS) and accelerate growth in Southeast Asia. Serene Gay, formerly Group Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, has been appointed as Head of Value-Added Services for Asia Pacific. She will focus on expanding Visa’s VAS business, which includes Issuing and Loyalty, Acceptance, and Risk & Security solutions.

Serene Gay brings over two decades of experience in payments and financial services, having held senior roles in digital banking, product strategy, and marketing. Her leadership is expected to drive transformation and build strategic partnerships across the region. “Serene will play a pivotal role in scaling these capabilities for our clients across Asia Pacific,” said Stephen Karpin, Regional President for Asia Pacific at Visa.

Adeline Kim steps into an expanded role as Group Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and Senior Vice President of Global Clients & Acquirers for Asia Pacific. Previously the Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, Adeline will lead Visa’s business across these countries, focusing on client engagement and regional collaboration. With over 14 years at Visa, she has been instrumental in advancing the company’s business and client relationships in Southeast Asia.

These appointments underscore Visa’s commitment to investing in talent and strengthening its capabilities to support clients and partners across the Asia Pacific region. As Visa continues to prioritise Value-Added Services, these leadership changes are set to enhance the company’s growth and innovation in the dynamic Asia Pacific market.

Singapore and Hong Kong are at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, according to Aon’s 2026 Human Capital Trends Study. The report reveals that 42% of Singaporean employers have fully deployed AI, with an additional 38% in the pilot phase. In Hong Kong, 60% of organisations have fully implemented AI, surpassing the global average, with 28% currently piloting the technology.

Despite these advancements, both cities face significant challenges in workforce readiness. In Singapore, only 31% of organisations have a clearly defined employee value proposition, and just 11% rate their pay transparency practices as mature. Furthermore, only 20% of employers offer customised benefits, despite 61% of employees expressing their importance.

Hong Kong’s situation mirrors this trend, with only 8% of organisations confident in their ability to recruit and retain sufficient AI talent. The study highlights a disconnect between employer intentions and employee experiences, as only 14% report mature pay transparency practices, and just 22% offer customised benefits, even though 65% of employees value them.

The findings underscore a critical gap between AI implementation and workforce preparedness. As AI reshapes the workplace, the need for new skills and employee engagement becomes paramount. The report suggests that organisations must invest in people through training, reskilling, and effective communication to harness AI’s full potential and drive meaningful change.

Colliers has announced a 41.3% reduction in emissions intensity across its Asia Pacific operations, according to its 2025 Global Sustainability Report. This achievement marks a 9.26% improvement from the previous year, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability amidst growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations.

The report highlights that 36% of the electricity used in Colliers’ Asia Pacific portfolio now comes from renewable sources. Additionally, the company has contributed over 7,260 volunteer hours to community initiatives, reflecting its broader commitment to social responsibility.

Sam Harvey-Jones, Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific, stated, “As sustainability expectations become more performance-driven, our focus is on delivering outcomes that fortify, de-risk, and create lasting value within our own operations and for our clients.”

Globally, Colliers has achieved a 32.2% reduction in emissions intensity and sourced 42% of its electricity from renewable energy. The report aligns with international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Colliers’ efforts are part of its “Built to Last” strategy, which aims to manage risks and drive positive impacts through ESG priorities. The company continues to support clients across the asset lifecycle, helping them navigate regulatory changes and climate-related challenges.

Juspay, a payments technology company based in India, has announced its inclusion in the Mastercard Engage partner network as a certified Click to Pay partner. This move marks Juspay’s expansion into the Asian market, following a successful rollout in Brazil. The partnership aims to provide merchants in Singapore and the broader Asia-Pacific region with faster, more secure, and frictionless checkout experiences.

Juspay’s integration with Mastercard Engage introduces two key capabilities: biometric authentication with passkeys and card tokenisation. These features are designed to enhance security by enabling passwordless transactions and replacing sensitive card data with secure tokens, respectively. This aligns with Singapore’s efforts to strengthen consumer identity frameworks and reduce fraud risks amidst rising digital payment volumes.

Mark Ronayne, Juspay’s Associate Director – International, stated, “Joining the Mastercard Engage partner network is an important milestone as we scale Click to Pay globally. At Juspay, we’re focused on removing friction from the checkout experience whilst maintaining the highest standards of security.”

The partnership is expected to bolster Juspay’s position as a trusted payments partner for major enterprises and financial institutions worldwide. With over 300 million transactions processed daily, Juspay supports global brands such as Amazon, Google, and HSBC. The company’s recent Series D funding round, led by WestBridge Capital, valued Juspay at $1.2b, underscoring its significant impact in the payments technology sector.

SGX Catalist-listed Annica Holdings Limited and Scottish hydrogen systems integrator Logan Energy are set to participate in the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition 2026. This event, a significant gathering for the hydrogen industry, will provide a platform for both companies to demonstrate their advancements and contributions to green hydrogen technologies.

The conference, scheduled for 2026, aims to bring together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. Annica Holdings, known for its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, will collaborate with Logan Energy to highlight their joint efforts in advancing hydrogen technology.

Participation in such a prestigious event underscores Annica’s strategic focus on green energy and its potential impact on the Asia Pacific region. Logan Energy, with its expertise in hydrogen systems, will complement Annica’s initiatives by showcasing integrated solutions that could drive the adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy alternative.

This collaboration is expected to foster new partnerships and opportunities within the hydrogen sector, aligning with global efforts to transition towards more sustainable energy sources. As the world increasingly turns to green energy, the insights and innovations presented at the conference could play a crucial role in shaping the future of hydrogen technology in the region.

Vietjet has launched a major promotion, offering 12 million discounted tickets across its domestic and international routes. This sale celebrates the airline’s expansion, including new services from Hanoi to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Prague, Czech Republic, starting 10 October 2026. Singapore travellers can benefit from Eco-class fares starting at S$86 one-way, inclusive of taxes and fees, on direct routes between Singapore and Vietnam.

The promotion, available for bookings until 8 June 2026, aims to enhance connectivity for Singapore travellers. Currently, Vietjet offers direct flights from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, with Nha Trang joining the network on 11 December 2026. The airline’s expanding network allows travellers to connect through Hanoi to new destinations in Europe and Central Asia, offering more options for multi-destination journeys.

Promotional fares are valid for travel from 5 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, with blackout dates applicable. Additional offers include 15% off Deluxe fares on the new Hanoi–Prague and Hanoi–Almaty routes using the promo code HELLOVIETNAM. Vietjet’s Summer 2026 Sale also provides up to 30% off Deluxe fares and 20% off SkyBoss and Business fares with specific promo codes.

Vietjet’s growing network not only facilitates easy getaways to Vietnam but also serves as a gateway for broader adventures across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. The airline’s expansion offers Singapore-based travellers more flexibility and opportunities to explore Vietnam’s vibrant cities and beyond.

Lifestyle hotels are experiencing rapid growth in the Asia Pacific region, driven by the preferences of the Gen Z demographic, according to a new report by CBRE. The report, titled “Gen Z Checks In: The Rise of the Lifestyle Hotel,” outlines how this influential group is reshaping the hospitality landscape with their demand for experiential travel, authentic local culture, and seamless technology.

The report reveals that lifestyle hotels, which focus on unique cultural and design elements, are among the fastest-growing segments in the hospitality industry. Ananth Ramchandran, Head of Advisory & Strategic Transactions, Hotels & Hospitality, Asia at CBRE, noted, “Lifestyle hotels are well positioned for sustained growth as Gen Z’s spending power rises.”

Key findings from the report include the projection that the penetration rate of branded lifestyle hotels in the Asia Pacific region will increase from the current 1% to 8%. Additionally, the region’s total hotel supply has a 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%, whilst lifestyle hotels boast a significantly higher CAGR of 19%.

Singapore and Hong Kong SAR lead the region in lifestyle hotel penetration, attributed to hotel owners’ willingness to adopt new brands. Despite challenges such as rising construction costs, CBRE suggests that conversions of existing properties offer a cost-effective alternative for investors.

The report concludes that smaller independent assets present attractive opportunities for conversion into lifestyle brands, providing value-added and opportunistic investment options. As Gen Z continues to influence market trends, the lifestyle hotel segment is poised for further expansion.

Finmo, a treasury operating system, has partnered with Gotrade Securities to streamline cross-border payment infrastructure for retail investors in Southeast Asia. This collaboration allows investors to access U.S. equities, including fractional shares, using local payment methods.

The partnership addresses significant barriers such as currency conversion and international wire transfers, which have previously hindered Southeast Asian investors from participating in the U.S. market. David Hanna, CEO of Finmo, stated, “Partnering with Gotrade lets us put Finmo’s payments capability to work where it matters most, removing the last-mile friction that has kept cross-border investing out of reach.”

Gotrade’s mobile-first platform, combined with Finmo’s local currency collection and payout capabilities, enables users in cities like Manila and Jakarta to invest in U.S. stocks without the complexities of international transfers. This initiative is expected to open global markets to millions of potential investors in the region.

Finmo, supported by PayPal Ventures, Citi Ventures, and Quona Capital, is known for its comprehensive treasury management system that integrates data from various financial tools, offering real-time visibility and control. Licensed in eight jurisdictions, including Singapore and the UK, Finmo is committed to enhancing financial infrastructure for the digital economy.

This partnership marks a significant step in making global investment opportunities more accessible to Southeast Asian retail investors, potentially transforming the regional investment landscape.

Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, has released its Q2 2026 Global Trends and Tactics report, shedding light on real estate dynamics across the Asia Pacific region. The report highlights divergent market performances, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea maintaining investment momentum due to favourable financing conditions.

The report underscores the importance of sector and market selection, noting resilience in prime offices in North Asia and non-discretionary retail in Australia. Despite challenges from elevated fuel costs impacting leasing demand, long-term structural tailwinds remain strong. Capital is expected to flow towards modern logistics facilities and infill assets within urban centres and transport networks.

In the office sector, prime assets continue to attract demand, whilst secondary properties face rental pressures. Tokyo stands out with a rental recovery driven by tight availability and fixed-term leases. Retail faces challenges from rising living costs and rate hikes, affecting consumer sentiment and expansion plans, though Tokyo remains resilient with low vacancy rates.

Logistics sees increased uncertainty due to global energy market volatility, impacting freight costs. However, high-quality logistics assets are expected to remain resilient, supported by e-commerce growth and AI-driven shopping improvements. In the residential sector, Japan’s multifamily market shows positive rental growth, whilst South Korea’s rental housing attracts foreign investors despite regulatory risks.

The report also notes a surge in investment in alternative sectors, particularly data centres, with student housing in Australia and Hong Kong gaining interest. As the real estate landscape evolves, Nuveen’s insights provide a roadmap for navigating opportunities and risks in the Asia Pacific region.