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Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Business Times
Sygnum is sole new unicorn from South-east Asia in H1 2025: report
[SINGAPORE] Digital asset group Sygnum has emerged as the sole new unicorn from South-east Asia in the first half of 2025, data platform Tracxn said in a report released on Thursday (Jun 26). The Singapore-based firm attained unicorn status in January 2025, after three rounds of funding and a total of eight investors before its unicorn round. Tech funding in South-east Asia reached US$2 billion in H1 2025, boosted by late-stage funding deals. This was 7 per cent higher than US$1.8 billion in the year-ago period, but 24 per cent less than US$2.6 billion in H2 2024. 'These figures reflect both a short-term slowdown and a longer-term recovery trend in the regional market,' noted the report. H1 2025 was marked by more late-stage funding deals and a rise in mega-round activity, contrasting with a general slowdown in early and seed-stage investments, the report added. Seed-stage investments fell 68 per cent to US$87 million from US$270 million in H1 2024. Likewise, early-stage funding also declined 53 per cent to US$464 million from US$991 million. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up On the other hand, late-stage funding jumped 149 per cent to US$1.4 billion from US$562 million. There were five rounds of funding worth more than US$100 million in H1 2025, compared to just two rounds in H1 2024. Tech firms in Singapore accounted for 92 per cent of all funding seen across South-east Asia in H1 2025. Taguig, a city in the Philippines, trailed far behind in second. The report noted that the 'significant role' of Singapore as a funding hub, combined with strong activity across acquisitions and initial public offerings (IPOs), underscores the region's resilience and evolving role in the global technology landscape. The study pointed out three industries as the top-performing sectors. Enterprise infrastructure was the highest, attracting US$859 million in funding, a huge jump from just US$22.1 million raised in H1 2024. This was followed by fintech, with US$775 million raised – a 26 per cent decrease compared to the year-ago period. The enterprise applications sector rounded out the top three, raising US$545 million in H1 2025, about a third higher compared to US$409 million in H1 2024. 'The dominance of enterprise infrastructure, fintech and enterprise applications highlights growing investor focus on scalable and impact-driven sectors,' the report noted.
Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Business Times
S-E Asia tech funding hits US$2 billion in H1 2025, yields unicorn in Sygnum: Tracxn
[SINGAPORE] Digital asset group Sygnum has emerged as the sole new unicorn from South-east Asia in the first half of 2025, data platform Tracxn said in a report released on Thursday (Jun 26). The Singapore-based firm attained unicorn status in January 2025, after three rounds of funding and a total of eight investors before their unicorn round. Tech funding in South-east Asia reached US$2 billion in the first half of 2025, boosted by late-stage funding deals. This was 7 per cent higher than US$1.8 billion in the year-ago period, but 24 per cent less than US$2.6 billion in H2 2024. 'These figures reflect both a short-term slowdown and a longer-term recovery trend in the regional market,' noted the report. The first half of 2025 was marked by more late-stage funding deals and a rise in mega-round activity, contrasting with a general slowdown in early and seed-stage investments, the report added. Seed-stage investments fell 68 per cent to US$87 million from US$270 million in H1 2024. Likewise, early-stage funding also declined 53 per cent to US$464 million from US$991 million. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up On the other hand, late-stage funding jumped 149 per cent to US$1.4 billion from US$562 million. There were five rounds of funding worth more than US$100 million in H1 2025, compared to just two rounds in the first half of 2024. Tech firms in Singapore accounted for 92 per cent of all funding seen across South-east Asia in the first half of 2025. Taguig, a city in the Philippines, trailed far behind in second. The report noted the 'significant role' of Singapore as a funding hub, combined with strong activity across acquisitions and IPOs, underscores the region's resilience and evolving role in the global technology landscape. The report pointed out three industries as the top-performing sectors. Enterprise infrastructure was the highest, attracting US$859 million in funding, a huge jump from just US$22.1 million raised in the first half of 2024. This was followed by fintech, with US$775 million raised – a 26 per cent decrease compared to the year-ago period. The enterprise applications sector rounded out the top three, raising US$545 million in the first half of 2025, about a third higher compared to US$409 million in H1 2024. 'The dominance of enterprise infrastructure, fintech and enterprise applications highlights growing investor focus on scalable and impact-driven sectors,' the report noted.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
US reshoring spurs opportunities for Singapore in semiconductor, med-tech, other high tech sectors: RHB
[SINGAPORE] US reshoring efforts present strategic opportunities for Singapore to deepen its role as a high-value manufacturing hub and a crucial partner in global supply chain diversification, a RHB Research report released on Wednesday (Jun 25) indicated. US President Donald Trump has made US reshoring, or a shifting of manufacturing back to the country, one of his priorities. Earlier this year, as he slapped tariffs on the country's trading partners, he declared that tariffs will accelerate reshoring. These efforts are set to reshape global supply chains, and present a mixed landscape of challenges and opportunities for highly open, trade-reliant economies like Singapore, said RHB. 'As a key player in international manufacturing and a hub for high-tech production, Singapore faces mounting pressures from shifting investment flows, evolving trade patterns, and rising geopolitical uncertainty,' the bank said. 'The potential redirection of global capital and production back to the US challenges this positioning, especially in sectors where Singapore has built strong capabilities, such as electronics and precision engineering, it added. Singapore's manufacturing is focused on high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, precision engineering, med-tech, as well as pharmaceuticals and chemicals. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up The city-state is a key player in global semiconductor supply chains, accounting for about 10 per cent of worldwide chip production and 20 per cent of semiconductor manufacturing equipment output. Manufacturing accounts for approximately 20.6 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product as of 2024, RHB noted. Nevertheless, US reshoring will still spur promising opportunities for Singapore to 'thrive' amid these global economic uncertainties, RHB said. 'On the other hand, we believe that the US' reshoring efforts could also present strategic opportunities for Singapore, both as a high-value manufacturing hub and as a key partner in global supply chain diversification over the long term,' it said. 'We see immense potential for progress in high-value segments, such as semiconductor manufacturing, advanced electronics (including artificial intelligence), medical and pharmaceutical-related technologies, and renewable energy technologies, RHB added. Singapore could benefit, the bank explained. While the 'China Plus One' strategy encourages companies to diversify manufacturing bases beyond China, Singapore is increasingly favoured for its political stability, strong governance, robust intellectual property protection. Growth in high-value, knowledge-intensive manufacturing: as firms move routine, labour-intensive activities back to the US or to lower-cost regional alternatives, Singapore is well-positioned to capture the more sophisticated, technology-driven segments of the value chain. Recent investment trends highlighted Singapore's growing role in knowledge-intensive manufacturing. In 2024, manufacturing fixed asset investments reached S$11.1 billion, largely focused on semiconductors and biomedical sectors. 'While routine and lower-cost production may return to the US, American firms are likely to continue relying on Singapore for advanced, niche processes that require precision engineering, automation, and regulatory compliance,' said RHB. Singapore's strategic focus on regional integration and digital trade: It's anchoring itself within a more interconnected and diversified Asean, and leveraging initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement. Singapore complements lower-cost Asean manufacturing hubs by offering centralised research and development, testing, logistics management and regional headquarters functions, report indicated. This allows Singapore to serve regional production networks and reshoring-driven firms.
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Indonesia's ex-president Yudhoyono urges Asean to beef up investment game amid global shifts
[JAKARTA] South-east Asia must step up its efforts to attract long-term investment by enhancing trust, improving human capital and building a more compelling regional narrative, Indonesia's former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, warning that rising geopolitical tensions and economic realignments are reshaping the global investment landscape. Speaking at the Asia Economic Summit 2025 in Jakarta on Thursday (June 26), he said the region faces both opportunities and risks as industries increasingly shift out of China in response to global trade tensions, particularly between the US and China. 'As some industries begin to relocate from China, South-east Asia has a real chance to position itself, not just as a destination for low-cost labour, but as a strategic hub for innovation, logistics and regional integration,' he said. However, he cautioned that seizing this moment would require agility and diplomatic balance. 'As we see China as an important source of technological capital, we also see the US and the West as indispensable sources of financial capital, therefore we need to maintain relationships with both with respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.' The former president, who led Indonesia from 2004 to 2014, emphasised that to remain competitive, South-east Asia needs to expand its fiscal space, improve financial intermediation (particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises), and invest heavily in education and skills training to prepare workers for an increasingly automated, AI-driven future. His remarks come at a time when several South-east Asian economies have been hit by elevated tariffs under US President Donald Trump's administration. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up In response, some have entered negotiations with Washington in hopes of easing trade pressures and preserving their export competitiveness. Amid mounting global volatility, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to intensifying strategic rivalries between major powers such as US, China and Russia, Yudhoyono urged South-east Asia nations to project a united and dependable front to international investors. 'Investors want to know that our rules are stable, our systems are fair, and our societies are resilient,' he said. 'Trust between governments, with the private sector, and with citizens, is fundamental in attracting long-term capital.' Yudhoyono also urged South-east Asian nations to tell a more unified and compelling story on the global stage. 'The world often views South-east Asia through a fragmented lens. We must shift that perception. Diplomacy and storytelling are strategic capital.'
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Former Indonesia president Yudhoyono urges Asean to strengthen investment strategy amid global shifts
[JAKARTA] South-east Asia must strengthen its efforts to attract long-term investment by enhancing trust, improving human capital and building a more compelling regional narrative, former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, warning that rising geopolitical tensions and economic realignments are reshaping the global investment landscape. Speaking at the Asia Economic Summit 2025 in Jakarta on Thursday (June 26), Yudhoyono said the region faces both opportunities and risks as industries increasingly shift out of China in response to global trade tensions, particularly between the US and China. 'As some industries begin to relocate from China, South-east Asia has a real chance to position itself not just as a destination for low-cost labour, but as a strategic hub for innovation, logistics and regional integration,' he said. However, he cautioned that seizing this moment will require agility and diplomatic balance. 'As we see China as an important source of technological capital, we also see the US and the West as indispensable sources of financial capital, therefore we need to maintain relationships with both with respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.' The former president, who led Indonesia from 2004 to 2014, emphasised that to remain competitive, South-east Asia needs to expand its fiscal space; improve financial intermediation, particularly for small and medium enterprises; and invest heavily in education and skills training to prepare workers for an increasingly automated, AI driven future. His remarks come at a time when several South-east Asian economies have been impacted by elevated tariffs under US President Donald Trump's administration. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up In response, some have entered negotiations with Washington in hopes of easing trade pressures and preserving export competitiveness. Amid mounting global volatility, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to intensifying strategic rivalries between major powers such as US, China and Russia, Yudhoyono urged South-east Asia nations to project a united and dependable front to international investors. 'Investors want to know that our rules are stable, our systems are fair, and our societies are resilient,' he said. 'Trust between governments, with the private sector, and with citizens, is fundamental in attracting long-term capital.' Yudhoyono also urged South-east Asian nations to tell a more unified and compelling story on the global stage. 'The world often views South-east Asia through a fragmented lens. We must shift that perception. Diplomacy and storytelling are strategic capital.'
