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South-east Asia's leading financial news site.

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#BTGarage: SoCash leans into B2B e-payments with dethroning of cash as king

We sit down with SoCash chief Hari Sivan to catch up on how things have been going for the startup:

"I'll be honest — it's been extremely tough for us. When we started SoCash, the premise was distribution needs to change — the ATMs, branches. From 2017 to 2019, we built the platform and the network. And then suddenly, in early 2020, the whole world went into lockdown."

https://bt.sg/JdWa
#BTGarage: Could B2B pivots give pandemic-hit fintechs a new growth story?

BT's Sharanya Pillai finds that pivoting into B2B fintech could help startups that have hit difficult times paint a more compelling growth story, to secure much-needed future funding and extend their runways. It could also make them potential acquisition targets.

https://bt.sg/JmGz
#TheHustle: Failure of first startup opened new doors for SGAG co-founder Karl Mak

In this #BTGarage interview, BT's Sharanya Pillai learns about Mak’s first venture, a software startup, which won a high-profile hackathon, secured pilots with large enterprises and seed funding from a venture firm.

And then it failed.

He also opens up about his struggles at the beginning running SGAG with his longtime friend Adrian Ang:

https://bt.sg/JeVP
Senior software engineers in demand amid Singapore's startup funding boom: report

#BTGarage: The talent war for software engineers has intensified in Singapore, with over 78 per cent of job listings last year seeking experienced hires. Salaries are also robust, with those in lead roles commanding as much as S$15,950 monthly.

BT's Sharanya Pillai digs in: https://bt.sg/J6H9
If you only had #5questions for someone interesting, what would they be?

In this new series by #BTGarage, star venture capitalist Jenny Lee talks about adventure, golden advice and why you shouldn't listen to her.

https://bt.sg/JFeE
#BTGarage: Platforms offer driver rebates, discounts to switch to non-petrol vehicles as higher fuel prices bite

Rather than levying surcharges on consumers or merchants, it appears that platforms in Singapore are helping their drivers and riders with additional rebates and even discounts to switch vehicles.

BT's Benjamin Cher reports: https://bt.sg/3J4x
The Business Times
If you only had #5questions for someone interesting, what would they be? In this new series by #BTGarage, star venture capitalist Jenny Lee talks about adventure, golden advice and why you shouldn't listen to her. https://bt.sg/JFeE
5 Questions with Coinhako's Liu Yusho

Wanna talk crypto? HODL my coffee. In this month's edition of #5Questions, #BTGarage talks to Coinhako's Liu Yusho about being a pioneer in Singapore's crypto scene through the booms and winters.

https://bt.sg/3Nbu
5 Questions with venture builder Li Jianggan

In this latest edition of #5Questions, Momentum Works' founder and CEO Li Jianggan talks about the venture builder's journey and how his early days in ridehailing and food delivery helped shape his perspectives in tech. #BTGarage

bt.sg/ULtm
5 Questions with Moovaz's founder Lee Junxian

In this edition of #5Questions, digital moving concierge startup Moovaz's founder Lee Junxian, explains how his previous forays into fintech, cybersecurity and even an F&B business shape his perspectives in his current venture. #BTGarage

https://bt.sg/UVJi
5 Questions with Grab co-founder, Tan Hooi Ling

"The stakes were so high, knowing that the decisions we were making affect people’s lives and livelihoods. We were also in a constant fight for survival as a young start-up," says Grab co-founder Tan Hooi Ling in this edition of #5Questions. #btgarage

https://bt.sg/wQJ3
5 Questions with journalist turned crypto investor, Jon Russell

"The recent collapse of FTX will hurt investors based in Asia, but ultimately the future of the industry is all the brighter if business standards are raised."

In this month's edition of #5Questions, Jon Russell explains his unlikely career transition and why crypto's future in South-east Asia is very bright. #BTGarage

https://bt.sg/wrkT
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with quantum scientist Dr Tan Si-Hui

"If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you’re fooling yourself and closing yourself off to possibilities that can lead to future discoveries."

In this edition of #5Questions, Dr Tan Si-Hui, who spent over 18 years diving into the great unknowns of quantum science, explains why you don't need a specialised PhD to join the field.

https://bt.sg/5bKs
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with founder-turned-investor Ooi Hsu Ken

"As a founder, you are in constant fear of death. At most, you have 18 months to live and need to figure out how to grow enough to get another 18 months."

In this edition of #5Questions, Iterative's co-founder Ooi Hsu Ken shares why it's easier to be an investor than a founder.

https://bt.sg/5zJi
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with GetGo co-founder Toh Ting Feng

After job stints ranging from corporates to the military to Grab, Toh Ting Feng co-founded GetGo after seeing a need for more flexible and affordable forms of private transportation.

https://bt.sg/5K6H
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with Leslie Teo, economist-turned-techie

"This recent wave sparked by ChatGPT has left me both amazed and unnerved."

In this edition of #5Questions, GIC’s former chief economist Leslie Teo, who quit his job to jump into tech, tells us what people should really be asking about ChatGPT and AI.

https://bt.sg/5Hqq
#BTGarage: It's "cockroaches" and not "unicorns" for this Vietnamese founder-investor

"Mini and small businesses, rather than hit-or-miss unicorn-valuation businesses, would strengthen the sustainability of Vietnam’s economy," says ThinkZone Ventures partner Ngan Le.

Hear from other movers and shakers: bt.sg/wQJi
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with the Grab alumnus building Asean’s expert network

"Most people have a 'price' – I don’t refer to just monetary and material rewards, but there’s usually something that makes people tick."

In this edition of #5Questions, Benjamin Emmanuel Lee, co-founder of expert network Sealed shares how he gets high-profile and senior experts onboard the platform.

https://bt.sg/5Com
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with Malaysian ecosystem builder Bikesh Lakhmichand

"The spirit of entrepreneurship [in Malaysia] is unique, characterised by a sense of grit, inventiveness, and a relentless desire to make an impact."

In this edition of #5Questions, Bikesh Lakhmichand, founder of 1337 Ventures, tells us why one shouldn’t sleep on Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.

https://bt.sg/5Fxq
5 Questions with angel investor and Rainforest CEO JJ Chai

"First-time tech entrepreneurs should find an angel that cares about them as a fellow founder, not as an investment."

In this edition of #5Questions, JJ Chai shares on the need for angel investors in the local tech scene. #BTGarage

https://bt.sg/Sk4s
#BTGarage: 5 Questions with ShopBack co-founder Lai Shanru

ShopBack co-founder Lai Shanru's journey includes a complete career switch from banking and a "terrifying" experience as a young manager.

https://bt.sg/S4gD