Regional News

Singapore-based start-up Stick ‘Em has been awarded the prestigious US$1m Hult Prize for its innovative approach to expanding access to quality education. The announcement was made at the Global Finals held on 5 September at London’s Tate Modern. Stick ‘Em, founded by students from the National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Technology and Design, impressed judges with its affordable STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) kits and digital platform designed for schools worldwide.

The Hult Prize, an annual competition, challenges student entrepreneurs to develop for-profit businesses that address global challenges. This year, over 200,000 participants from 130 countries submitted nearly 15,000 start-up ideas. Stick ‘Em’s solution stood out for its potential to make experiential learning more accessible, particularly in underserved communities, by combining physical kits with an online platform.

Lori van Dam, CEO of the Hult Prize, highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in solving global issues, stating, “The Hult Prize showcases how for-profit businesses can improve the world and why investors should back more purpose-led start-ups.”

Stick ‘Em was selected from eight global finalists, including ventures like CeluNova, which transforms pineapple waste into raw materials, and EcoPack, which recycles sugarcane waste into biodegradable packaging. The judging panel comprised global leaders in venture capital and sustainability, including Aileen Lee and Piers Linney.

The Hult Prize, funded by the Hult family, has been empowering student entrepreneurs since 2009. Previous winners include Korion Health and Banofi Leather, both of which have made significant strides in their respective fields. The competition continues to inspire young entrepreneurs to create impactful solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Porsche Singapore is marking World EV Day on 9 September by launching a new 10-year Battery State of Health (SOH) warranty for its electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative aims to enhance customer confidence in the long-term performance of Porsche EVs, covering the full Certificate of Entitlement lifespan. The warranty is available for the new Macan Electric and the updated Taycan, and can also be purchased by existing Porsche EV owners who acquired their vehicles through official channels.

The new warranty extends the existing eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty, which guarantees a 70% SOH, by an additional two years in collaboration with Mavi Automotive Solutions. To qualify, owners must have their vehicle’s SOH checked four months before reaching the eight-year mark. Additionally, Porsche offers a Porsche Approved Warranty covering high-voltage battery components for up to 15 years, though it does not include SOH.

In celebration of World EV Day, Porsche Studio Singapore will showcase models like the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and Macan Turbo. Limited showroom units of these models will receive complimentary option packages, including the new 10-year battery warranty and accessories valued at over $27,000 for the Taycan and $21,000 for the Macan.

Porsche Singapore continues to offer benefits such as three years of complimentary charging at its Destination Charging network and preferential rates at the Shell High Performance Charging network. Dr. Henrik Dreier, Director Singapore Importer Porsche Asia Pacific, stated, “Our 10-year Battery State of Health Warranty sets a new benchmark in the luxury segment, ensuring that our customers can enjoy the full ownership journey with total assurance.”
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MetaComp, a Singapore-based digital assets infrastructure provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Hong Kong-listed OSL Group to develop a compliant cross-border digital finance infrastructure. This collaboration seeks to enhance liquidity networks, facilitate stablecoin-based payments, and advance tokenisation of real-world assets (RWAs) between the two financial hubs.

The partnership addresses the growing demand for transparency and regulatory alignment in digital asset trading. By integrating their liquidity networks, MetaComp and OSL aim to improve over-the-counter (OTC) trade execution for institutional clients, offering better pricing and seamless access to liquidity. Additionally, the firms will co-develop infrastructure to enable faster, cost-efficient cross-border payments using stablecoins, adhering to the regulatory frameworks of both jurisdictions.

Recognising the potential of tokenisation in capital markets, the collaboration will explore solutions for trading tokenised RWAs, aiming to create more liquid and transparent markets for institutional investors. This initiative is supported by MetaComp’s parent company, Alpha Ladder Finance, a Capital Markets Service Licence holder regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

The alliance also focuses on enhancing compliance measures, leveraging KYC databases and cross-chain tracing tools to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing safeguards. Tin Pei Ling, Co-President of MetaComp, stated, “This partnership with OSL represents a significant milestone in our commitment to building the next generation of digital financial infrastructure.”

Eugene Cheung, Chief Commercial Officer of OSL Group, added, “Through this collaboration with MetaComp, we’re laying the groundwork for interoperable, real-world solutions that serve institutional needs and meet the highest regulatory expectations.”

This partnership underscores the firms’ vision of fostering responsible growth and innovation in digital finance across Asia’s key capital markets.
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One Futureworld, the exclusive distributor of Bose in Singapore, has celebrated its sixth anniversary by launching three new Bose products. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2), SoundLink Plus, and SoundLink Home were introduced in August, aligning with National Day celebrations and the back-to-school season. This launch underscores One Futureworld’s commitment to enhancing Bose’s presence in Singapore’s premium audio market.

Over the past six years, One Futureworld has played a pivotal role in shaping Bose’s local brand experience, expanding its reach across both physical and digital platforms. The company has navigated retail challenges during the pandemic and implemented customer-centric initiatives, solidifying Bose’s position in Singapore’s audio and lifestyle landscape.

The new products cater to diverse consumer needs. The SoundLink Home, designed to complement home aesthetics, functions as both an audio system and a visual feature. The SoundLink Plus offers durability and robust audio output, whilst the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 provide high-performance noise cancellation and immersive sound quality.

Albert Chan, General Manager of One Futureworld, noted a shift in consumer preferences towards lifestyle fit and design sensibility. “Purchase decisions today are influenced by lifestyle fit, emotional appeal, and design sensibility,” he said. To maintain engagement, One Futureworld invests in digital campaigns and social media outreach.

Looking ahead, One Futureworld aims to expand Bose’s reach in Singapore by balancing technical innovation with design-led thinking. The new products are available through One Futureworld’s retail and online channels, offering customers a chance to explore the full line-up.
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French luxury fragrance house BDK Parfums has launched its latest Eau de Parfum, Impadia, in Singapore. Part of the Collection Parisienne, Impadia is crafted by master perfumer Jordi Fernández and is now available at Amaris Boutiques and online.

Impadia is the seventh addition to BDK Parfums’ Collection Parisienne, designed to evoke the vibrant hues of Parisian skies at twilight. The fragrance is a tribute to the city’s transformation into a symphony of colours, capturing the interplay of light and shadow. Founder David Benedek describes it as a reflection of Paris’s allure, with the rose as its heart. “To convey this sky and its nuances, Jordi Fernández and I chose to place the queen of flowers, the rose, generous and unctuous, at the heart of Impadia,” Benedek said.

The fragrance features a blend of Bulgarian rose essence and Turkish rose absolute, complemented by mandarin, bergamot, and pear. The base notes include Madagascan vanilla, praline, and Akigalawood, creating a warm and sensual aroma. Fernández aimed to express beauty in its purest form, enhancing the rose accord with rich vanilla and creamy praline.

The design of Impadia’s bottle reflects Parisian architecture, with a cap inspired by the Grand Palais dome and a pink gradient symbolising the fragrance’s floral heart. Available for $328 for 100ml, Impadia invites wearers to experience a connection between city and nature, embodying sensuality and freedom.
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NORD Drivesystems is set to unveil its latest drive solutions tailored for the packaging industry at Fachpack 2025, taking place from 23 to 25 September in Nuremberg. The company will present its innovative technologies at Hall 3C, Stand 440, offering visitors a glimpse into future-oriented packaging solutions.

The highlight of NORD’s presentation is the NXD tupH® surface treatment, a cost-effective alternative to traditional stainless steel, designed for primary packaging. This new surface protection enhances the durability of aluminium drive components by transforming the upper layer into a corrosion-resistant base. It is food-safe, free from PFAS, and compliant with FDA and EU regulations, making it ideal for wash-down areas.

For end-of-line packaging, NORD introduces decentralised drive electronics featuring asynchronous motors. These solutions aim to reduce installation times and total cost of ownership (TCO) whilst saving space in control cabinets. The NORDAC ON/ON+ frequency inverters, with their compact design and integrated Ethernet interface, offer a streamlined approach to modern production environments.

Additionally, NORD’s servo adapter solutions provide seamless integration for NEMA and IEC flange motors, ensuring reliable connections in demanding packaging conditions. The company invites industry professionals to explore these innovations and more at their Fachpack stand.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, a global leader in drive technology, continues to develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of over 100 industries worldwide. With a strong presence in 36 countries, the company remains committed to delivering efficient and sustainable drive solutions.
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DHL Express has been recognised as one of Asia’s top employers, securing the second position on the 2025 Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in Asia™ list. This achievement marks a decade of consistently being in the top three, underscoring the company’s dedication to fostering a people-first culture amidst challenging external conditions. Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express, emphasised the importance of maintaining focus on employee safety and wellbeing as the company navigates evolving trade patterns and complex supply chains.

The accolade comes as the logistics industry faces significant challenges, driven by changing workforce dynamics and technological advancements. DHL Express is committed to upskilling its workforce and promoting diversity, inclusivity, and digitalisation. Recent investments in advanced technology platforms aim to enhance the productivity of sales and customer service functions.

DHL Express also celebrates its employees through the annual Employee of the Year Awards, recognising over 200 individuals across the Asia Pacific region for their exceptional contributions. Additionally, the DHL’s Got Heart winners were honoured for their impactful community work and personal career development.

Looking forward, DHL Express plans to leverage its Smart Connect platform to enhance collaboration and personalised learning, whilst the Certified International Specialist programme will continue to be a cornerstone of employee development. From 2026, DHL will be certified as a whole rather than by individual business units, reinforcing its commitment to creating a safe and positive work environment.
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Otis, the global leader in lift and escalator manufacturing, has been awarded the 2025 SMRT Contractors Safety Award for its outstanding commitment to health and safety across Singapore’s SMRT rail network. This accolade, presented at the 2025 SMRT Annual Contractors Safety Forum, marks Otis as the only lift industry company to receive this recognition.

The award highlights Otis’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards whilst servicing over 1,000 lifts, escalators, and moving walkways across SMRT’s North-South, East-West, Circle, and Thomson-East Coast Lines. Nico Lopez, Otis’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Southeast Asia, emphasised the company’s focus on safety, stating, “Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Otis.”

Otis’s partnership with Singapore’s rail network dates back to 1983, and the company continues to play a crucial role in modernising and maintaining the city’s public transport infrastructure. The refurbishment of escalators across 42 NSEW metro stations was recognised as Elevator World’s 2024 Project of the Year for escalator modernisation. Additionally, Otis is currently providing 336 high-traffic escalators and moving walkways, along with 186 connected lifts, for the new Cross Island Line.

With a robust 24/7 customer service through its OTISLINE care centre and a team equipped with digital tools, Otis ensures the safety and efficiency of Singapore’s metro network. This award underscores Otis’s long-standing commitment to safety and innovation in public transport.
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Merz Aesthetics has been named the top workplace in Asia for 2025 in the Small and Medium Business category by Great Place To Work. This accolade highlights the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, people-first culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and trust.

With a 117-year heritage as a family-owned business, Merz Aesthetics has consistently invested in its people and innovation. Lawrence Siow, President of Merz Aesthetics Asia-Pacific, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “Being awarded the No.1 under Best Workplaces in Asia 2025 is a proud moment for all of us at Merz Aesthetics. It reflects the confidence, trust, and passion our people bring to work each day.”

The Best Workplaces in Asia list was compiled after surveying over 32 million employees across Asia and the Middle East, representing the experiences of more than 75 million employees. Companies were considered for the list after being recognised on national Best Workplaces Lists.

Merz Aesthetics’ achievement follows consecutive wins in Singapore and Korea and its certification as a Great Place To Work in Australia, Greater China, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Karen Tay, Vice President of Core Services APAC, noted, “This win is a testament to the genuine dedication and passion of our teams throughout the region.”

Merz Aesthetics, with its global headquarters in Raleigh, USA, and a presence in 90 countries, continues to empower healthcare professionals, patients, and employees to live confidently. The recognition underscores the company’s long-term vision of success, focusing on building a sustainable culture that empowers its people.
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PropNex Realty, Singapore’s largest listed real estate agency, successfully concluded its inaugural International Property XPO, attracting over 500 participants at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. The event, themed “Global Property Playbook: Understanding an Alternate Investment Landscape,” showcased international developers and experts from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Malaysia, offering insights into cross-border investment opportunities for Singaporean buyers.

A significant focus of the XPO was the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), with a presentation by Krishnamoorthy Kuppusamy, Senior Vice President of Iskandar Investment Berhad. The SEZ is expected to generate US$26 billion annually by 2030 and create 20,000 jobs in sectors like logistics, digital economy, tourism, and green energy. The RTS Link, set to complete in 2026, aims to enhance connectivity between Johor and Singapore.

Ismail Gafoor, Executive Chairman of PropNex Realty, remarked, “The RTS link is a great addition. Though it will not solve every cross-border challenge, it is an important starting point that will significantly improve connectivity and pave the way for deeper integration between the two regions.”

The XPO also provided attendees with practical knowledge on legal, tax, and visa matters, ensuring informed overseas investments. Chua Shir Yee, Head of International Sales at PropNex, noted the strong interest among Singaporeans in overseas properties, emphasising the importance of education in investment decisions.

In response to high demand, PropNex will host a Johor-focused seminar on 27 September 2025, offering further insights into Malaysian property investments.
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