Industry News

The Chelsea Clinic, a prominent name in aesthetic medicine and part of SBC Medical Group Holdings, has relocated to a new flagship facility at Ngee Ann City, Singapore. This expansion, announced on 4 November 2025, aims to enhance patient experience and reinforce Singapore’s position as a hub for aesthetic medicine. The opening ceremony was attended by Toru Hotta, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, who participated in the ribbon-cutting event.

Founded in 1999 by Ewen Chee, The Chelsea Clinic has been a pioneer in aesthetic medicine, offering medically supervised procedures for skin health and rejuvenation. The new facility consolidates the clinic, spa, and corporate headquarters under one roof, featuring 16 rooms, including 12 clinic rooms and four spa rooms. This expansion is designed to improve privacy, comfort, and efficiency for patients.

The clinic’s relocation not only increases space but also enhances operational integration and patient services. With dedicated consultation rooms and expanded waiting lounges, the facility promises a more personalised environment. The clinic has also strengthened its Japanese-language support, offering multiple reservation channels and a Japanese-speaking staff member to assist patients.

Ewen Chee, Founder and Medical Director of The Chelsea Clinic, stated, “Our relocation to Ngee Ann City reflects our commitment to providing a more elevated and seamless patient journey.” This move is part of SBC Medical’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Asia and deliver high-quality medical services.

Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) has announced its collaboration with Fireblocks to bolster its digital asset infrastructure. This partnership will enable SGB, a digital wholesale bank regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, to enhance its treasury management and digital asset custody. By integrating Fireblocks’ secure platform, SGB aims to streamline operations and optimise liquidity across various accounts and venues.

Founded by Whampoa Group and backed by Bahrain’s Mumtalakat, SGB bridges traditional financial services with the digital asset economy. The bank sought a reliable infrastructure provider to meet stringent regulatory standards whilst expanding its digital asset capabilities. Fireblocks’ platform, known for its Multi-Party Computation (MPC) cryptography, offers multi-layered security against attacks and human error, allowing SGB to scale its operations securely.

Shawn Chan, CEO of SGB, stated, “We exist to make regulated banking work for the digital asset economy. By using Fireblocks, we’re able to automate processes, reduce operational risk, and most importantly offer clients faster, safer access to digital asset services.”

The integration also grants SGB access to the Fireblocks Network, a leading digital asset network trusted by over 2,400 fintechs and financial institutions. This network facilitates secure stablecoin payments and efficient crypto trading, enhancing SGB’s connectivity and service offerings.

This development follows the launch of SGB Net in May 2025, a multi-currency clearing network designed for digital asset firms. Together, Fireblocks and SGB are creating a more integrated financial network, enabling institutions to access digital assets with improved security and efficiency.

The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) marked its 45th anniversary with the SNEF45 Employers’ Summit, unveiling two initiatives to aid employers in navigating workplace transformation. The summit, themed “Forging the Future of Work Together,” highlighted SNEF’s ongoing commitment to progressive employment practices. The event, attended by over 300 guests, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, introduced the SNEF Advisory, Resource, and Consultancy Centre (ARCC) and the SNEF Research Advisory Panel (RAP).

SNEF has been instrumental in shaping Singapore’s labour landscape over the past 45 years, advocating for balanced solutions that benefit both employers and employees. SNEF President Tan Hee Teck emphasised the importance of continued engagement with members to navigate new realities in a fast-evolving world.

The ARCC aims to be a comprehensive resource hub, offering advisory, consultancy, and resource services to support workforce transformation. It will utilise GenAI-powered tools, such as an AI Chatbot, to streamline services and empower employers with self-help resources.

The RAP, comprising five distinguished academics, will guide SNEF’s research agenda, providing data-driven insights to champion employers’ interests. This panel will focus on identifying future workforce trends and ensuring research rigour.

The summit also featured a keynote address by Dr He Zhengyu of Ant Group and a panel discussion on integrating AI into workflows to boost growth and productivity. These initiatives underscore SNEF’s role in supporting employers through transformative changes in the workplace.

Rolo Robotics, a Singapore-based food robotics company, has raised US$3.45m in an oversubscribed seed round led by BEENEXT, with contributions from A2D Ventures, Seedstars, TIS Japan, Blueprint Ventures, SUTD Ventures, Antler, and Lotus One Investment. This funding will accelerate the deployment of Rolo’s fully autonomous micro-kitchens, which operate without on-site staff and offer 24/7 remote operability.

The company’s flagship product, MAYA 3.0, integrates robotic arms, multi-appliance coordination, and real-time heat control, all managed by the ChefOS orchestration software. These micro-kitchens are already operational in high-footfall areas across Singapore, such as campuses and transit hubs, where traditional food and beverage (F&B) services struggle to maintain profitability.

Rolo Robotics plans to expand internationally, with its first rollout in Australia scheduled for 2026. The company aims to establish 20–30 autonomous micro-kitchens in Singapore by 2026, creating a connected network of robotic kitchens. These kiosks are designed to be modular and white-label-ready, allowing quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to open new locations without the need for traditional kitchen infrastructure.

Ankit Upadhyay, General Partner at A2D Ventures, highlighted the challenges of the food robotics sector, stating, “Rolo has solved the hard engineering problems most only prototype. They’re not just building kiosks—they’re building food infrastructure.”

Co-founder and CEO Ravi Nahappan expressed confidence in the future of human-robot collaboration in food service, emphasising the potential for affordable, customisable, and fresh food offerings. The new funding will support Rolo’s expansion in Singapore and Australia, enhancing its technology and engineering capabilities.

KPay, a leading fintech company serving over 72,000 merchants in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, has chosen Flagright to enhance its payment security. The collaboration will see KPay utilise Flagright’s AI-native, no-code platform for real-time transaction monitoring and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, aiming to bolster financial crime controls across the Asia-Pacific region.

Flagright’s platform offers risk-based rules and AI forensics, enabling KPay to reconstruct complex transaction trails and expedite investigations. Alan Wong, Director of Risk and Compliance at KPay, highlighted the need for “speed, accuracy, and auditability,” stating that Flagright allows them to “configure rules quickly, automate customer risk profiles, and streamline investigations.”

KPay provides a comprehensive suite of payment services, including smart POS, QR payments, and a business account for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which supports express T+0 settlement and rapid cross-border transfers. Richard Wong, Co-founder and Global Head of Partnerships at KPay, emphasised the company’s mission to offer a “seamless and secure path to grow” for merchants, with Flagright’s platform providing the necessary clarity and control.

Flagright’s CEO, Baran Ozkan, expressed excitement about supporting KPay, noting that the partnership will “safeguard every transaction with modern, efficient financial crime controls.” The integration is expected to help KPay detect risks before they escalate, ensuring robust security for its extensive merchant network.

This partnership follows KPay’s record-breaking $55m Series A funding round in 2024, marking the largest in the payments sector that year.

Therme Group, a global leader in developing wellbeing destinations, has been awarded the tender by the Singapore Tourism Board to create a S$1b state-of-the-art wellbeing oasis at Marina South Coast. This project marks the company’s first venture into Singapore and Asia, aiming to transform the area into a next-generation urban infrastructure focused on enhancing social wellbeing.

The development will be the first large-scale social wellbeing infrastructure project in Asia, highlighting Singapore’s commitment to advancing urban wellness. Therme Group’s initiative is expected to attract both local and international visitors, boosting Singapore’s tourism sector and setting a precedent for future wellness projects in the region.

The Singapore Tourism Board’s decision to award the Concept and Price Revenue Tender to Therme Group underscores the city’s ambition to be at the forefront of innovative urban development. The project is anticipated to integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, aligning with Singapore’s vision of a smart and green city.

Therme Group’s CEO expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are honoured to bring our vision of wellbeing to Singapore, creating a unique destination that will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

As construction progresses, the Marina South Coast is set to become a landmark for wellness tourism, potentially influencing similar developments across Asia. The project’s completion will not only enhance Singapore’s urban landscape but also contribute significantly to its economy and global standing as a wellness hub.

Eight Sleep, the pioneering sleep fitness company, has officially launched its AI-powered sleep technology in Singapore, marking its first foray into the Asian market. This expansion comes amidst growing concerns over sleep challenges in the city-state, where a ResMed Global Sleep Survey reveals that one in three Singaporeans experience sleep disturbances, surpassing the global average. Additionally, a CNA report highlights that adults in Singapore average just 6.5 hours of sleep on weekdays, below the recommended amount.

The introduction of The Pod, an AI-driven sleep system, aims to address these issues by enhancing deep sleep and cardiovascular recovery through advanced temperature regulation. Trusted by over 400 professional athletes, including F1 driver Charles Leclerc and tennis star Taylor Fritz, The Pod is designed to bring elite recovery into everyday homes.

Eight Sleep’s technology, endorsed by tech and health experts like Elon Musk and Andrew Huberman, transforms any bed into a comprehensive health platform. The Pod’s sensor-embedded cover tracks vital biometrics such as heart rate and sleep stages, whilst its thermal engine adjusts the bed’s temperature in real time. Paired with the Eight Sleep app, it offers personalised insights and automatic temperature optimisation, ensuring optimal comfort and performance every night.

Co-founders Massimo Bassi, Matteo Franceschetti, and Alexandra Zatarain lead Eight Sleep’s mission to optimise human potential through technology-enabled sleep, with Singapore as a key step in their global expansion.

CrowdStrike’s 2025 State of Ransomware Survey has highlighted a concerning trend of overconfidence among Asia Pacific (APAC) organisations regarding their ransomware preparedness. The survey, which included senior IT and cybersecurity leaders from Singapore, India, Australia, and New Zealand, found that 78% of organisations globally experienced a ransomware attack in the past year. Despite this, half of those affected believed they were “very well prepared” before the attack.

The survey revealed that APAC organisations, particularly in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, were less likely to recover quickly from ransomware attacks. Only 7% of Singaporean organisations managed to recover within 24 hours, despite 92% expressing confidence in their ability to do so. This was significantly lower than the UK, where 35% of organisations achieved same-day recovery.

The report also highlighted the increasing sophistication of cyber adversaries, with 53% of attacks on Singaporean organisations involving lateral movement to access additional systems. This was the highest rate among surveyed markets, indicating a need for improved cybersecurity measures.

Additionally, the survey found that paying a ransom often leads to repeat attacks, with 83% of organisations that paid a ransom being attacked again. Furthermore, 93% reported data theft despite paying.

The findings underscore the urgent need for organisations to reassess their cybersecurity strategies, particularly in light of AI-enhanced threats. As Elia Zaitsev, CrowdStrike’s chief technology officer, stated, “Legacy defences can’t match the speed or sophistication of AI-driven attacks.” The report calls for better communication between security teams and leadership to close the perception gap and enhance ransomware readiness.

The Capital Group ESG Global Study 2025 reveals that whilst global adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies has slightly declined from its peak, it remains robust, particularly in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The study, which surveyed 1,130 global investors, highlights that 97% of existing APAC investors plan to maintain or increase their ESG allocations in the next year.

Globally, ESG adoption stands at 87%, a slight decrease from the 90% recorded in 2023 and 2024. Despite this, APAC leads in engagement with asset managers on nature-related issues, with 71% of respondents involved. Additionally, 68% of APAC investors have invested or plan to invest in thematic funds addressing nature-related issues.

The study also notes a significant increase in ESG approaches within private markets, with 48% of global respondents now applying these strategies—the highest since the study’s inception in 2021. Key investment themes identified include energy transition, clean water, and health, with six in 10 investors expressing strong conviction in these areas.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a focal point, with 73% of investors identifying its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as top ESG risks. Despite these concerns, 56% believe AI could drive innovation in energy transition.

Jessica Ground, Global Head of ESG at Capital Group, stated, “This year’s ESG Global Study highlights the enduring role of ESG in the investment process as investors continue to evolve their approach.”

Knight Frank Singapore has announced the sale of three prime strata properties, providing a rare opportunity for investors. The properties include an industrial canteen at Premier@Kaki Bukit, a two-storey HDB shophouse at 150 Bishan Street 11, and shop units within International Plaza. Each property is available for individual purchase through an Expression of Interest exercise closing on 2 December.

The industrial canteen at Premier@Kaki Bukit spans approximately 12,303 sq ft and is leased to a single operator. It features nine food stalls and a drink stall, attracting a steady flow of patrons. The property is priced at $10.5m (approximately $853 per square foot), and is eligible for foreign purchase without Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty.

The HDB shophouse at 150 Bishan Street 11, located in a densely populated residential area, offers a ground floor minimart and vacant upper living quarters. Priced at $3.4m (or $2,164 per square foot), it is also open to foreign buyers, though the upper floor incurs Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty.

The shop units at International Plaza, situated in Singapore’s CBD, consist of four adjoining units totalling approximately 1,066 sq ft. With a guide price of $3m (or $2,814 per square foot), these units are zoned for commercial use and do not attract Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty.

Tania Ong, Senior Manager at Knight Frank Singapore, noted, “Investor confidence has strengthened with a more favourable interest rate environment, and we are observing more activity across the strata-titled market as properties achieve a positive carry.”

These properties highlight the diverse opportunities within Singapore’s strata market, appealing to both end-users and investors seeking resilient yield performance.