Latest news with #digitalcommerce
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Shopee Launches First-Ever MSME Co-Lab in Malaysia to Strengthen Support for Local Entrepreneurs
Inaugural programme launched first in Malaysia in conjunction with Shopee's annual Seller Summit; Signs MOU with Advokasi Perusahaan dan Industri (API) [Left] Dato' Fazli Nordin, Managing Director, Advokasi Perusahaan dan Industri at the MoU signing ceremony with [right] Saovanee Chan-Somchit, Country Director, Shopee Malaysia. Strategic Dialogues and Insights Convening MSME leaders and other industry stakeholders to discuss experiences, insights, and changing priorities as well as exchange views on digital commerce trends and challenges faced by MSMEs. These engagements aim to surface actionable insights that may inform future initiatives or be shared in broader industry discussions. Innovation Previews and Feedback Loops Selected MSME partners will receive early access to new features, tools, or strategic initiatives and provide feedback. Collaborative Partnerships The Co-Lab may serve as a platform for engaging with partners on potential joint initiatives that benefit the broader Malaysian MSME community. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 July 2025 - On 10 July, Shopee Malaysia announced the launch of the Shopee MSME Co-Lab, a new programme designed to strengthen collaboration with local stakeholders and better support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in navigating and succeeding in the digital economy. The Shopee MSME Co-Lab brings together MSME associations, ecosystem partners and other industry stakeholders to share insights, explore emerging opportunities, and co-develop practical solutions that empower small businesses to start and scale in conjunction with this year's Shopee Seller Summit, the programme marks a milestone in Shopee's ongoing efforts to support MSME digitalisation in alignment with national priorities such as the MADANI Economy Framework and Budget 2025. As part of the programme's launch, Shopee formalised a collaboration with Advokasi Perusahaan dan Industri (API) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) — marking the beginning of ongoing engagement with industry partners to support local entrepreneurs more is the first Shopee market to activate the Co-Lab, recognising the strength and diversity of its MSME community, while also serving as a foundation for future learning and potential expansion across the region.'The Shopee MSME Co-Lab is part of our ongoing commitment to listen, learn, and work more closely with MSMEs to build a more inclusive and supportive digital ecosystem,' said Saovanee Chan-Somchit, Country Director, Shopee Malaysia. 'Through this platform, we hope to strengthen partnerships and develop solutions that help more Malaysian businesses grow and succeed online.'Key components of the Shopee MSME Co-Lab programme include:'This collaboration with Shopee allows us to bring the voices and needs of MSMEs directly into the room with decision-makers and platform innovators. It's not just about selling more, it's about building a more inclusive digital future together,' said Dato' Fazli Nordin, Managing Director, Advokasi Perusahaan dan Shopee MSME Co-Lab builds on Shopee's ongoing efforts to support small business communities through capacity building, platform enhancements, and deeper engagement with ecosystem partners. Launching the initiative in Malaysia marks an exciting opportunity to deepen local collaboration and explore new ways to support MSMEs with learnings that may help shape future efforts across the region.'Our vision is to be more than a platform–we want to be an active partner in shaping what's next for MSMEs,' added Saovanee. 'The Co-Lab gives MSMEs a voice in shaping the tools and experiences they need, while fostering stronger ecosystems built on mutual trust and shared progress.'Shopee will onboard more partners under the MSME Co-Lab in the coming months, with ongoing engagements guiding future #Shopee The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Shopee Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region's digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena and Monee.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Live Story Raises €2.7 Million to Revolutionize the Digital Experience
With a round led by Vertis, the next-generation CMS platform accelerates its focus on AI, performance, and European expansion. Target: surpass €10M in recurring revenue by 2027. MILAN, Italy, July 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Live Story, the tech company founded by Stefano Mocellini, has closed a €2.7 million seed round led by Vertis, one of Italy's leading early-growth venture capital firms. The funding will support the company's international expansion and technological development, with a clear goal: to exceed €10 million in annual recurring revenue by 2027. "We invested in Live Story because it addresses one of the major inefficiencies in digital commerce: the slow and rigid management of visual and narrative content," says Alessandro Pontari, Partner at Vertis SGR. "The platform helps brands drastically reduce their time-to-market through a visual CMS that integrates seamlessly with any tech stack. In a world where content and UX are key to conversion, Live Story represents the future of digital experience". Founded in the United States with the original vision of turning social media content into instantly purchasable assets, Live Story has evolved into a visual CMS platform designed to simplify and empower omnichannel digital experience management. The platform enables Marketing, Design, and Digital teams to create and manage content without relying on technical resources, reducing development times by up to 80%, boosting operational efficiency, and ensuring consistent brand identity across all digital touchpoints. Live Story integrates easily with any technology stack and is already trusted by over 100 brands in Italy, including Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara Fashion Group, Bottega Veneta, Gruppo OVS, and Illy. The company is also expanding into new verticals such as insurance, finance, and pharma, in addition to its stronghold in fashion, luxury, lifestyle, and food. At the core of Live Story's roadmap is the integration of generative and predictive AI technologies, aimed at delivering dynamic, personalized, and conversion-optimized user experiences – with a strong focus on CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization). "We're thrilled to welcome Vertis and a group of highly experienced business angels as new partners," says Stefano Mocellini, Founder & CEO of Live Story."This investment will allow us to further strengthen our presence in Europe and continue innovating at the intersection of creativity, UX, and AI. Our goal is clear: to become the go-to platform for creating bold, high-impact digital experiences". AdvisorsVertis was assisted by TARGET Law Firm for legal matters (led by partner Roberto Nigro, with Sara Aratari and Giordana Rossi), and by Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati for financial, tax, and labor due diligence (partners Christian Giuliano and Carlo Dori, with Antonello Scrimieri and Stefano Sestili).Live Story Inc. was advised by SLCD Legal & Corporate Advisors (Partners Carlo Cianfrone and Emanuele Tessari) for M&A support, and by LTA Studio (partner Fabio de Masi) for international tax parties were supported by Milano Notai, with notary Giovannella Condó, for the notarial formalities. View source version on Contacts PRESSChiara Rimoldi +39.335.842.98.89chiararimoldi@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Arabian Business
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE leads world in mobile shopping in 2025, with 67 per cent using phones to shop
The UAE has emerged as the top mobile shopping market globally, according to the newly released 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index – UAE edition, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence. Based on a survey of 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants across the country, the report found that 67 per cent of UAE consumers used a mobile phone as part of their most recent retail purchase — a 23 per cent increase since 2022. The data confirms the UAE's position as a global leader in mobile-first digital commerce. UAE mobile shopping With 37 per cent of all online purchases in the United Arab Emirates made via mobile devices, the country ranks ahead of Singapore (34.8 per cent), the UK (27.6 per cent), and Brazil (24.4 per cent). The index also highlights the UAE's strong embrace of biometric authentication, with 32 per cent of shoppers using fingerprint or facial recognition to complete their latest online retail transaction — nearly double the global average of 17 per cent. Salima Gutieva, Visa's Vice President and Country Manager for United Arab Emirates, said: 'The UAE's approach shows what is possible when all stakeholders work together to build the future of commerce. 'Visa is delighted to contribute to the UAE government's digital commerce agenda, and we remain committed to working with local businesses and banks to introduce innovations such as Visa's Click to Pay that can deliver the digital payment experiences that today's consumers demand.' The report also notes that 53 per cent of consumers in the United Arab Emirates prefer cross-channel shopping, combining in-store, mobile, and online experiences — the second-highest rate in the world. Additionally, 38 per cent of shoppers opted for home delivery through mobile or desktop during their last retail purchase. Consumer preferences continue to shape the UAE's digital economy. The report shows: 75 per cent of shoppers value rewards programmes 73 per cent expect free shipping 70 per cent want price-matching offers Millennials lead mobile adoption with 73 per cent using phones to shop, followed closely by Generation Z and Generation X. Baby boomers and seniors show significantly lower mobile engagement, with only 18 per cent using a mobile device for their last purchase.
Arabian Business
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Summer Surprises drives 25 per cent surge in UAE digital spending
Digital commerce in the UAE saw a significant boost during Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2024, with new data from revealing a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in daily digital transactions and a 16 per cent rise in average transaction values. The momentum shows no signs of slowing, with expectations high for record-breaking growth during DSS 2025. own UAE processing volumes soared 44 per cent during DSS 2024, highlighting the growing trust in digital payments during high-spend seasons and the shift to online-first lifestyles. What UAE shoppers spent on during Dubai Summer Surprises 2024 Interior furnishings: Big rise in home upgrades Leisure and recreation: Increased family activities during school holidays Toys and sporting goods: Parents spent more to keep kids active indoors Education: Spikes in school tuition and back-to-school shopping Automotive: Summer promotions drove higher car-related spending These patterns align with State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025 report, which found that: 62 per cent of UAE consumers plan to increase their online shopping in 2025 44 per cent browse in-store but buy online for better deals Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at said: 'Dubai Summer Surprises continues to act as a key catalyst for digital commerce in the region. From household upgrades to family recreation and back-to-school prep, the data shows UAE consumers turning to digital channels to meet both everyday needs and high-value purchases. 'With the growth we've seen year over year, we expect 2025 to break even more records.' The findings reinforce DSS as a vital seasonal trigger for UAE retailers, especially as consumer behaviour shifts toward fast, seamless, and trusted digital experiences.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai CommerCity partners with Ziina to provide innovative financial solutions
Amna Lootah: We remain committed to empowering companies and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed Faisal Toukan: What makes this partnership truly exciting is how it simplifies business setup for SMEs, bringing together payments, registration, and financial operations into one frictionless flow. Dubai, UAE: Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the region's first free zone dedicated to digital commerce, and a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl Properties, has announced a strategic partnership with Ziina, the UAE's leading financial services provider. The collaboration will offer simplified and frictionless financial solutions, further facilitating the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. This partnership underscores Dubai CommerCity's ongoing commitment to fostering digital innovation while providing an ecosystem that allows companies and startups to easily establish their businesses and access secure and simplified financial solutions. It also promises to streamline financial operations for both parties, delivering exclusive benefits through a shared system. The partnership builds upon DIEZ's strategic investment in Ziina through its venture capital arm, Oraseya Capital, reinforcing DIEZ's focus on nurturing high-growth startups and integrating them into Dubai's dynamic business ecosystem and its free zones, including Dubai CommerCity. The agreement was signed by Amna Lootah, Board Member of Dubai CommerCity, and Faisal Toukan, Co-founder and CEO of Ziina, with senior officials from both organizations in attendance. Innovative Solutions Commenting on the partnership, Amna Lootah, Board Member of Dubai CommerCity, said: "The agreement signed with Ziina is a key milestone in Dubai CommerCity's efforts to broaden the range of services available to businesses within the free zone. By providing access to fast, secure and easy payments, we are empowering companies and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. This initiative highlights our commitment to driving innovation and strengthening Dubai's digital ecosystem in line with the D33 economic agenda, positioning the emirate as a global hub for entrepreneurship.' 'This partnership also supports our ongoing strategy of collaborating with innovative companies that contribute to the growth of Dubai's digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. As we continue to identify and implement impactful digital solutions, our focus is on improving investor experience and simplifying the process of setting up businesses in a flexible, secure, and dynamic environment," Lootah added. Strategic Milestone Faisal Toukan, Co-founder and CEO of Ziina commented: 'At Ziina, we are building the modern financial infrastructure for the Middle East. This partnership with Dubai CommerCity brings us closer to our mission of transforming how businesses in the Middle East get paid, by making powerful financial tools accessible to everyone.' What makes this partnership truly exciting is how it simplifies business setup for SMEs, bringing together payments, registration, and financial operations into one frictionless flow. Together, we are reducing the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs, supporting them from day one, and delivering a streamlined experience that scales as they grow. At the heart of it, we share a vision with Dubai CommerCity to democratize access to financial services and empower the next generation of business owners across the region,' Toukan added. Julien Plouzeau, Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital said: "At Oraseya Capital, our mission is to empower tech entrepreneurs in the U.A.E. by backing bold ideas and unlocking opportunities for scalable impact. Our investment in Ziina reflects our commitment to building strategic partnerships with promising companies and integrating them into thriving business ecosystems like Dubai CommerCity, enabling them to scale and succeed in a supportive, dynamic environment. This collaboration is a tangible example of how capital, innovation, and ecosystem enablers can come together to create meaningful impact for the next generation of SMEs in Dubai." Areas of Collaboration As part of the agreement, Dubai CommerCity will actively promote Ziina's services to its current and prospective clients, offering them access to a range of seamless and instant payment solutions, along with exemptions on transaction fees. In return, Ziina, licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, will introduce Dubai CommerCity's services through its smart application, allowing users to share data for free zone registration and access Dubai CommerCity's wide range of products and services. The partnership will also see the launch of a co-branded bank card and multi-currency virtual IBAN accounts, which will greatly benefit SMEs by providing them with tools to manage their financial operations more efficiently. Additionally, Ziina will offer a suite of solutions, including instant transfers, payment links, QR code payments, Tap to Pay, and NFC-enabled cards.
