Global Apex Tech desk
Startups
Strategy, growth, regional expansion and ecosystem insight for technology founders.
Latest coverage
News, analysis and practical perspectives
Startups
Hong Kong vs. Singapore: Which Asia FinTech Event Belongs in Your 2027 Strategy?
In the race to dominate Asia’s financial technology landscape, Hong Kong and Singapore continue to anchor the region through two flagship events: Hong Kong FinTech Week and the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF). For global enterprises, venture funds, and high-growth startups, selecting the right platform impacts not only event ROI and marketing budgets but also direct access to capital markets, regulatory bodies, and regional expansion channels.
Read articleStartups
Agentic AI in APAC: Enterprise Use Cases and Real-World Deployment Strategies
In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) technology landscape, Agentic AI is actively reshaping enterprise operations as organizations transition from passive Generative AI (GenAI) models to autonomous workflow systems. Unlike traditional AI assistants that remain confined to text generation or suggestive responses, Agentic AI represents systems capable of planning, executing multi-step action sequences, leveraging enterprise tools and databases, and dynamically adjusting to operational contexts. This shift enables enterprises to fundamentally address productivity bottlenecks and optimize complex workflows.
Read articleStartups
Strategic Guide: Evaluating the Best SaaS & Technology Awards for APAC Companies
Actively participating in and earning recognition from reputable technology awards is a pivotal strategy for B2B Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. It validates technical capability, builds enterprise buyer trust, and sharpens competitive positioning. Because there is no single objective ranking titled "Best SaaS Awards for APAC Technology Companies," choosing the right program requires evaluating geographic scope, SaaS focus, judging criteria, and panel credibility.
Read articleStartups
The APAC Startup Founder Playbook for 2027: Eight Decisions That Matter More Than Hype
The biggest risk for an APAC founder heading into 2027 is not missing a trend. It is reacting to too many trends at once. AI, deep tech, venture funding, startup policy, public procurement and cross-border programmes are all expanding - but they do not matter equally to every company.
Read articleStartups
Public Procurement Is Becoming a Startup GTM Channel in APAC
For many startup founders, government appears in the ecosystem as a regulator or grant provider. In 2026, a different role is becoming more visible across APAC: government as customer and procurement catalyst.
Read articleStartups
The Rise of Cross-Border Startup Corridors in APAC: Why Founders Need Ecosystems, Not Just Markets
APAC startup expansion is increasingly being organised through corridors rather than isolated country launches. Governments, development institutions and ecosystem operators are creating structured pathways that connect startups to research, capital, pilots and customers across borders.
Read articleStartups
Korea’s Tech Startup Surge: What Record Venture Investment and AI Infrastructure Mean for Founders
Korea’s 2026 startup data tells two stories at once. Overall new business formation softened slightly, but technology-based startup activity accelerated sharply. At the same time, venture investment reached a record first-half level.
Read articleStartups
AI-Native SaaS Gross Margins: Accounting for Model Usage and Review
For APAC technology leaders, an AI product can sell at software prices while incurring service-like costs; the better decision starts with measured operations and accountable ownership.
Read articleStartups
Customer Advisory Boards for SaaS: Avoiding the Loudest-Buyer Trap
For APAC technology leaders, influential customers may request features irrelevant to the wider market; the better decision starts with measured operations and accountable ownership.
Read articleFounder & innovation leaders
Profiles from across the technology ecosystem
Custom, long-form features for founders and innovation leaders building across markets.

Featured leader profile
Malcolm Robert Soh
Building creative production across bordersAfter more than three decades in advertising and production, Malcolm Robert Soh is combining regional experience, disciplined execution and emerging AI tools to help stories travel across markets.
Read profile
Featured leader profile
Maisarah Nguyen
Turning cultural heritage into a regional platform for impactThrough Rattan House and SEATCE, Maisarah Nguyen connects traditional craft, youth participation and sustainable enterprise across Southeast Asia.
Read profile
Featured leader profile
Hitee Chandra Jha
Designing technology around human decisionsHitee Chandra Jha brings two decades of technology experience to the challenge of building human-centred products at scale.
Read profile
Featured leader profile
Mukhammadsho Ganiev
Building Travel Technology from TajikistanMukhammadsho Ganiev is the Founder & CEO of EcoPass Tajikistan, a youth-led travel-tech initiative developing digital tools to connect travellers, local tourism businesses and responsible tourism experiences across Tajikistan.
Read profile