Startup ecosystem Stories

Asian Stories

Startup ecosystem stories

Pinecone launches first serverless cloud region in Singapore

Customers in Southeast Asia can now keep AI data closer to home, as Pinecone adds local residency and lower latency in Singapore.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Startup ecosystem stories

Data Analytics

L'Oréal opens 2026 Big Bang beauty tech applications

Startups across 35 markets can win funded pilots with L'Oréal as beauty brands seek AI, creator and circular-economy tools.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • 2 days ago

Fintech

Gigs makes APAC splash with promising ShopBack partnership

ShopBack users could soon get easier access to travel connectivity and local mobile plans as Gigs tests its expansion in Asia.

By David Shilovsky • 3 min read • Last week

Gaming

'Maturing' Australian gaming industry shows signs of growth

Government support and recent hit releases are helping Australian games studios add jobs, even as distance and skills shortages persist.

By David Shilovsky • 6 min read • Last week

Hyperscale

Homhero names ex-Shopify executive Wilkowski as CTO in ANZ

Homhero’s expansion across Australia and New Zealand will hinge on new technical leadership as it seeks to keep its platform stable for thousands of listings.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Last week

Crypto

Stripe unveils Google AI commerce push & token billing

The new tools could let merchants sell inside AI apps and bill for token use in real time, while tightening fraud checks.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week

Data Analytics

Manifest raises AUD $2 million to track agency work

Agency leaders are being pushed to rethink billable-hour pricing as AI shortens production cycles and obscures how work is measured.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Startup ecosystem stories

Robotics

Budget backs deep tech as CGT changes alarm investors

Innovation support may lift deep tech, but investors warn the Budget's CGT overhaul could curb startup risk-taking and talent hiring.

By Mark Tarre • 7 min read • Yesterday

Digital Transformation

Budget wins praise but business warns of skills gaps

Business groups welcomed the Budget's productivity push, but warned small firms and agencies still lack the skills to deliver it.

By Sean Mitchell • 9 min read • Yesterday

Agricultural Technology

Indian tech leaders call for resilient AI & marketing

Resilience, trust and local language support are emerging as the priorities as Indian founders and marketers push AI deeper into daily business needs.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • 3 days ago

Marketing Technologies

Villagehood launches app to connect Australian mums

Villagehood has unveiled a community app aimed at helping Australian mothers arrange local meet-ups, after more than 100 attended its Sydney launch.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Human Capital Management

Humankind buys The Mintable in management training deal

Humankind expands into Australia with The Mintable buy, combining management training software and people advisory services for growing firms.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

ZyG raises USD $60 million to scale AI commerce tools

The cash will fund ZyG OS as online merchants seek AI systems to cut acquisition costs, unify data and scale faster.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last week

Health Technologies

Canadian healthtech saw $900M VC funding decline in 2025

Healthtech startups are finding it harder to scale as weaker exits and tighter liquidity help drive Canadian VC investment down to CAD $1 billion in 2025.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Last week