Latest news with #USD30
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
Taiwan Launches ‘Go Healthy 2025' Campaign In Malaysia To Boost Regional Wellness Innovation
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Taiwan is driving regional wellness innovation through its latest initiative, the '2025 Go Healthy with Taiwan' campaign, launched in Malaysia to promote healthier living through technology, fitness, and medical advancements. Led by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and implemented by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the campaign invites proposals focused on three key sectors—fitness and sports technology, cycling, and smart healthcare. The initiative has already attracted strong interest from Malaysian fitness groups, universities, and medical suppliers, with stakeholders encouraged to submit their proposals by Aug 14, 2025 via the official campaign website at In a statement today, Taiwan Excellence said winners will be awarded three cash prizes of USD30,000 for the most innovative and impactful proposals, while the top six teams will also be invited to Taiwan for an exclusive 'Go Healthy Tour'. 'The tour offers an immersive experience including live demonstrations, site visits to leading Taiwanese health tech companies, and valuable networking sessions, ' read the statement. In the area of fitness and sports technology, the campaign highlights AI-powered training systems and smart workout equipment designed to boost both personal and public health. The cycling component showcases Taiwan's global leadership in high-performance bicycle manufacturing and its commitment to developing sustainable urban cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, the smart healthcare segment promotes Taiwan's capabilities in advanced medical diagnostics, telemedicine, and wearable health technologies that are transforming care delivery. According to Taiwan Excellence, submissions will be evaluated based on their potential health impact, the integration of Taiwanese solutions, innovation, and overall feasibility.
Web Release
15-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Lucidya Raises USD30 Million in Largest AI Funding Round in MENA
Lucidya, MENA's leading AI-Powered customer experience management (CXM) platform, has announced the close of its USD30 million Series B round—the largest AI investment ever raised in the region. The round was led by Impact46, the Saudi VC behind IPOs Jahez and Rasan. New participants included Aramco's investment arm Wa'ed Ventures, government-backed, digital-innovation catalyst Takamol Ventures, and SparkLabs. Existing investors Rua Growth Fund and ARG also returned, doubling down on their long-term conviction in Lucidya's trajectory. Congratulations were delivered by H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, during his visit to Lucidya's Riyadh headquarters. Founded in 2016 and backed by VCs since 2019, Lucidya is one of MENA's AI pioneers. Operating in 11 countries, it serves telecom, BFSI, hospitality, healthcare, and public sector clients with a combined market cap over USD250 billion—enhancing experiences for their +75 million customers and citizens across the region. Abdullah Asiri, Lucidya's CEO and Founder, commented on the round explaining, 'We bet on AI back in 2016, long before it became a boardroom buzzword. That early conviction is now paying off as we become the trusted, regional AI partner for CX.' At the core of Lucidya's platform is a proprietary Arabic-language AI engine with +92% accuracy—an industry benchmark that powers deep insights, intelligent engagement, and automation across customer touchpoints where others fall short. Lucidya is targeting MENA's rapidly growing CRM/CX software market, projected to reach USD9 billion by 2030. Commenting on the milestone, Asiri shared, 'We chose Impact46 to lead this round because they are one of the most proven VCs, with two IPOs in their portfolio. They are the perfect partner to scale Lucidya to a global AI force.' 'Lucidya is exactly the kind of company we look to back—founders solving real regional challenges with defensible tech and bold ambition,' said Impact46 Partner, Basmah Alsinaidi. 'Their mastery of Arabic-first AI and traction with top-tier enterprises mark them as a future category leader.' With this investment, Lucidya will scale its AI Agent offering, positioning itself as a digital workforce platform for customer-facing roles; automating and personalizing engagement across support, marketing, sales, and CX while cutting costs and ensuring compliance like PDPL. Asiri highlighted the expansion's impact, 'By expanding into AI Agents, we're tapping into the region's labor economy, turning workforce costs into scalable, compliant AI capacity.' Contacts: For press inquiries please contact: [email protected]
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Crafting iconic brands for the next billion consumers: ETBWS2025
It was the grand opening that set the stage for the rest of the day at the Brand World Summit 2025 . Sanjiv Mehta , executive chairman, L Catterton India invited Sudhanshu Vats , MD, Pidilite Industries to "do a bit of crystal ball gazing" into India's consumption story, particularly with an eye in 2047 – a century after India gained its independence. Vats responded with a projection of India's economic might. "India by 2047 would be anywhere between a USD20 trillion to a USD30 trillion economy," he declared, emphasising the profound impact this growth would have on per capita income and, consequently, consumption. Vats elaborated on the "magic" that unfolds in consumer spending as per capita income rises. He highlighted that if the economy touched USD 20 trillion, the per capita income would be in the range of USD 12000 and if the economy touched USD 30 trillion then the per capita income would be anywhere between USD18000-20000. "The journey from currently about USD3,000 per capita to almost USD12,000 per capita, which we will definitely go to in 2047, is going to be incredible across categories," Vats asserted, his voice brimming with optimism. He concluded this segment with an inspiring message for the audience: "It's a great time to be in India. It's a great time to be a young leader in India, and it's a fantastic time to be a young marketing leader in India." Vats even envisioned a future where "many Indian brands on the Global Map" would be a common sight. The Untapped Potential: Deep Diving into Consumer Needs Mehta then turned to Narasimhan, inviting her to add a "distinct flavor" to Vats' broad economic outlook. Drawing on her extensive experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods ( FMCG ) sector, Narasimhan brought the discussion down to a granular level, using the example of oral care to illustrate India's immense consumption potential. "Even a simple thing like oral care, consumption in India, universal penetration, which is fantastic," Narasimhan began, highlighting that "every home has a toothpaste and a toothbrush." However, she quickly pointed out the significant gap: "our consumption continues to be half that of Indonesia, a third that of even markets like Brazil." This disparity, she noted, suggests the possibility of a "2x market or a 3x market just by catching up with some other countries." Narasimhan further exemplified this with the category of mouthwash, which has a mere "one per cent penetration" in India, indicating "so much headroom to grow." She emphasised that the core of India's consumption story lies in effectively segmenting the nation's 1.4 billion people. "Perhaps the way to win in India is to take this 1.4 billion, break it up, saying these are manageable sections. They have a need, and we can service that need," she explained, referencing Unilever's "winning in many Indias" strategy. She shared a recent success story from her own experience: "We've launched a purple toothpaste which we thought would appeal to a small set of people, actually much wider than we thought." This anecdote underscored her belief that "there's so much going on in India, if we spend the time to understand the consumers and make sure that we're creating for that need, this vision that you know so many people have for India, 2047 is certainly within our grasp." The Enduring Principles of Marketing in a Digital Age Mehta steered the conversation from macroeconomics to the evolving world of marketing. "I don't think there is any country in the world which is going to drive consumption as India is going to do in the next two decades," he stated emphatically. He then posed a crucial question to Narasimhan, acknowledging her journey through different eras of marketing, from pre-digital to the age of AI. "What has changed and what has not changed in the world of marketing?", he asked. Narasimhan's response was a thoughtful delineation of the immutable principles versus the evolving methods. "I'll start with what has not changed, because I think it's really important," she began. The first fundamental, she stressed, is that "brands that win serve a real need of consumers. They do it in a fashion that is authentic and delivers value, and that's not going to change." She highlighted timeless human motivations, such as a parent's desire for their child's well-being, as examples of needs that remain constant despite technological advancements. The second unwavering principle, according to Narasimhan, is the inherent intelligence of consumers. "Consumers are exceptionally smart. They know value when they see it. If you don't deliver value, you will not survive." However, she acknowledged the seismic shifts in "the how." "If in the past, you could do this absolutely one-way monologue, where you create one piece of advertising, you push that piece of advertising out to millions and millions, and you repeat. And that was the way to build brands," she explained. "Now you have the opportunity to segment, to cohort, to make small sizes, to reach individually and importantly, you have the opportunity for dialogue." She attributed this transformation directly to technology, stating, "Without tech, we would not be able to do these small cohorts... many things, create the dialogue, have the conversation, while yet staying rooted to authenticity and values." Storytelling: The Heartbeat of Brand Building Mehta picked up on Narasimhan's point about the changing methods, specifically asking Vats about the critical role of storytelling in marketing in the current tech-driven landscape. Vats emphatically declared, "Storytelling in marketing and brand building has been very, very essential. Brands were always told through stories or built through stories." While the methods of storytelling have evolved, the essence remains. He introduced his "5 Ps" framework for marketers, with "proposition or its position" being the most critical, largely conveyed through stories. The fifth P, he added, which has become increasingly vital, is "purpose," which again, can be powerfully established through stories. Vats offered a compelling anecdote about Fevicol. Vats recounted, demonstrating how the brand has come to symbolise an "ultimate bond," both in its physical strength and its association with relationships. He further reflected on his experience with other iconic brands like Hamam, Castrol, and Colors, all of which leveraged powerful storytelling. "I thought the brands the past achieved were built by people telling stories almost one on one," Vats mused. In today's tech world, he noted, "all you are doing is, once again through content, building communities, connections, and then building commerce." Narasimhan chimed in, reinforcing Vats' point, observing that many successful founders today begin with a "very personal story." These authentic narratives, she noted, "grip you saying, okay, this makes sense to me, and this is a reason for me to buy into the brand". Timeless Brands: Trust, Consistency, and Relevance Mehta then shifted gears, addressing a common perception that the "era of brand is over." He challenged this notion, citing brands that have "survived the Black Friday" and remain "timeless." He specifically pointed to Colgate as an example, a brand relevant across generations. "What makes a brand timeless?" he asked Narasimhan. Narasimhan identified three core elements. The first is an "unshaking commitment to delivering quality." She emphasised that "timelessness is a trust. It's a relationship that's built over years, and the key foundation of any relationship... is trust." For an FMCG brand, this translates directly to product quality – if Colgate promises to prevent cavities, it must deliver. The second crucial factor is consistency. "You don't want them to be A one day, B another day, C a third day. Then you're confused," she explained, drawing a parallel to human relationships. Narasimhan questioned whether the constant pursuit of novelty in modern marketing might sometimes sacrifice this vital consistency. "You can tell the same story consistently. You can do it in a refreshed manner and stay consistent. You don't have to change yourself entirely." Finally, the third element is the ability to keep pace with change. "Meats change, food habits have evolved. Therefore what you require from your toothpaste has evolved. Socialising has evolved. Therefore what you require from your toothpaste and oral care regimen has evolved. You need to keep pace with change," Narasimhan concluded. She underscored that these three principles are "all underpinned by this authenticity or purpose" that brands must embody. Mehta summarised Narasimhan's perspective: "the brand is a promise, and the timeless brand is a promise delivered consistently." Marketers as Architects of Innovation Turning to Vats, Mehta brought up Pidilite's reputation for innovative products and asked about the marketer's role in innovation. Vats emphasised the critical importance of staying "connected with your consumer or customer." He explained that "innovation happens by understanding today's needs, or unmet needs." He detailed Pidilite's extensive engagement with its three million users, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, contractors, and now architects and interior designers. This constant dialogue, he noted, helps them understand what works and what doesn't. This deep consumer understanding fuels Pidilite's innovation engine. "A third of our portfolio is Fevicol today," Vats shared, "A fourth of our portfolio is a portfolio that did not exist, definitely seven years back, maybe even five years back." This continuous evolution, he asserted, is a direct result of "continuously listening to what your customers are saying, what your consumers are saying, and bringing the next product which is needed." He defined Pidilite's "pioneering" spirit as "nothing but listening to your customers and consumers seeing what are the unmet or underserved needs... and how are you plugging that with a brand." Global Ambitions: Indian Brands on the World Stage Mehta then posed a challenging question to Vats, reflecting on Narasimhan's experience of bringing a global brand to India. "What would it take for an Indian brand to become as big as Apple?" Vats identified two key drivers. First, the sheer growth and heft of the Indian economy. He explained that as India's economy expands, so will its exports, often including its brands. He cited Fevicol's presence in 100 countries as an example, noting its recognition in parts of Africa. Second, is the ability to build brands that stay consistent and "start with a human need". Vats highlighted universal human needs like "respect, belonging, love, leadership" as foundations upon which brands can travel globally. "Bring a point of view of yourself as a brand, bring a bit of a and understand the cultural context, first and foremost, of India. But if it is a universal human being, the brand will travel." He stressed the importance of not compromising on quality, aiming to make products that are "best in the world". Embracing AI: The Future of Marketing The discussion concluded with an inevitable topic: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Mehta acknowledged the prevailing fear that AI might displace jobs and asked Narasimhan what marketers need to do to prepare for an AI-pervasive world. Narasimhan asserted, "I don't think that we should see AI as a threat to marketeers, but more as an aid to marketers used properly." She believes AI will enable marketers to achieve the "fundamental thing that we've been talking about, which is, how can I have a one-to-one conversation with somebody?" AI, she added, allows marketers to do this "in a more seamless, faster, more efficient manner". However, she maintained that "the idea of who I am as a brand, what do I bring to you, and what need do I serve? I think it will still need to be served by humans, panel moderators or panel respondents." Mehta concluded the session by summarising the key takeaways. India's unique position on the "cusp of greatness," is driven by a newfound "self belief and confidence". Second, he reiterated that while the means and methods of marketing have dramatically changed with technology, the core principles of marketing remain timeless: "insights, creating products which meet the unmet needs, product superiority, storytelling, occupying the emotional space, building relationship with the consumers". Finally, addressing the AI revolution, he urged marketers to embrace AI, learn prompt engineering, and understand how to use tools like ChatGPT. "We don't expect marketers to learn how to build LLMs, but we certainly expect marketers to use AI, because that would make you a better marketer".
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fusion of Innovation and Financial Intelligence Tiger Brokers (Hong Kong) Celebrates Grand Opening of New Office, Launching New Era of Investor Interaction
HONG KONG, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited ("Tiger Brokers (HK)"), a leading global online brokerage firm, proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new office today on the 23(rd) floor of Li Po Chun Chambers, 189 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong. This opening marks a significant milestone in the Company's local market development. The new office integrates innovative technology and professional financial services, further solidifying Tiger Brokers' position as a financial technology leader in Asia and demonstrating its long-term commitment and strategic investment in Hong Kong. During the opening ceremony, Wu Tianhua, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Brokers, presided over the ribbon-cutting and delivered a speech. He stated: "Tiger Brokers has always been committed to driving financial innovation through technology. Hong Kong, as an international financial hub, possesses superior market depth and professional talent, making it an indispensable part of our global strategic layout. In the first quarter of 2025, our performance in the Hong Kong market was outstanding, with new funded clients averaging over USD30,000 in net deposits, fully validating the market's potential." Also present at the event, John Zeng, Chief Financial Officer of Tiger Brokers, added: "This office upgrade is not just an expansion of our physical space; it represents a comprehensive enhancement of our business model and user experience. Moving forward, the Company plans to increase hiring and further expand the Hong Kong team to support business development and innovation projects, consolidating our leading position in the global fintech brokerage sector." The new office spans nearly 10,000 square feet, integrating core departments including technology R&D, prime brokerage, clearing and trading, customer service, operations, and marketing teams. The design incorporates ESG principles, utilizing energy-saving materials and green lighting. It features a customer interaction experience zone with an open layout to host various investment education activities, including seminars, financial lectures, and high-end client events. Through a combined online and offline investment teaching model, such as market analysis live streams and professional workshops, the office aims to help investors precisely grasp market dynamics and enhance their wealth management capabilities. To celebrate the new office opening, Tiger Brokers (HK) is launching the following limited-time offers: New User Welcome Gift: From today until June 30, 2025, new users who register and open an account can receive a gold ETF stock worth HKD 168. Retention Reward: New users who maintain an asset level of HKD 50,000 for 60 days following account opening will receive an additional HKD 450 trading cash voucher. The Tiger Brokers (HK) team will continue to advance financial technology innovation, including leading innovative projects that merge Web3 and Web2, exploring blockchain technology applications in financial services, and providing customers with safer and more convenient investment tools. This commitment aims to meet diverse customer needs while steering the future direction of the industry. Following the opening, the customer service address and details for Tiger Brokers (HK) are as follows, with the customer service hotline remaining unchanged: Address: 23/F, Li Po Chun Chambers, 189 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong Business Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm (Monday to Friday) Customer Service Hotline: +852 2127 0666 About Tiger Brokers (HK) Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited (Central number: BMU940) holds type 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9 licenses of the Securities and Futures Commission. Starting from November 30, 2022, with Tiger Trade, Tiger Brokers' flagship app, Hong Kong users can trade financial products from major markets around the world, such as Hong Kong stocks, warrants, options, US stocks, US fractional shares and ETFs, among others, providing a one-stop solution to their investment needs. In the future, we will continue to expand our trading markets and categories to better serve Hong Kong investors. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia to host MITAF 2025 in October
MALAYSIA will host the 'Malaysia International Traditional Archery Festival (MITAF) 2025' in Kwasa Damansara, Selangor, for four days from Oct 9 to 12. Traditional Archery Association of Malaysia (TAAM) president Zainurin Osman said an estimated 2,000 participants from 15 countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Korea, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Pakistan and Mongolia are expected to participate in the tournament. 'MITAF 2025 is the first tournament organised by TAAM since its establishment and recognition by the government in 2022, and the response received has been very encouraging. 'A total of nine archers will be selected to represent Malaysia, three each for the male, female and junior categories and they are the winners of the 2025 National Traditional Archery Championship,' he told reporters at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) Sports Centre here today. He said this when he met at the 2025 National Traditional Archery Championship, which drew more than 700 participants. Commenting further, Zainurin said MITAF 2025 was organised not only to bring together all archers across the country in a prestigious tournament but also as a platform to produce future national traditional archers. 'We expect more than 15,000 spectators and visitors from all over the country to attend the four-day tournament, thus elevating the event of traditional archery to the international level. 'In addition, a total prize of USD30,000 is provided for the winners of the tournament,' he said. In another development, he said that since TAAM was established in 2022, 16 state traditional archery associations have been established nationwide, apart from seven district archery associations and 151 traditional archery clubs. He said that all the associations and clubs under the auspices of TAAM have received approval from the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia. 'The National Traditional Archery Championship is one of the annual events organised by TAAM and this year is the third edition. 'We can see the response among the people of this country, especially the younger generation and young participants, are increasing for traditional archery,' he said.
