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Shirley Wong is an entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in the IT industry. She co-founded an IT service company that grew to a 5,000-strong workforce across 11 countries in Asia Pacific. She now manages TNF Ventures Pte Ltd, a private fund supporting early-stage startups, and she’s also the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at SMU and Chairperson at the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition, which brings together the brightest innovators tackling global challenges. ?????How would you explain your job to someone outside tech? I like to say that my job is to help startups turn their ideas into reality—kind of like a coach, cheerleader, and matchmaker all rolled into one! ???What's something about you or your job that would surprise us? One surprising aspect of my journey is that I began my career as a technician in a company that manufactures ammunition and field telecommunications equipment—a field traditionally dominated by men. ???What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year? This year, I’m particularly excited about innovations in the urban solutions and sustainability space, particularly on sustainable materials. This perfectly aligns with the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), which is bringing together the next generation of innovators working on solutions that could transform urban living and contribute to global sustainability goals. ???What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? Success rarely comes on the first try, so it’s important to stay on course and push through the tough moments. ???What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? One topic I can talk about for hours is my countless war stories from my entrepreneurial journey. ???What's your favorite movie/TV show? I enjoy movies that depict triumph against odds such as Young Woman and the Sea. ???What's your go-to ice cream flavor? I like all things matcha and nuts. So Matcha Green Tea with Almond Stick Bar is my comfort sweet. We've edited this interview for length and clarity. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gQDNcB9j

Here’s to living longer with Mito Health (YC S24)! This Singapore-founded digital longevity clinic run by Kenneth Lou just raised an additional $2.2M in seed funding, bringing their total fundraising for the round to $4M. Investor check. Existing investor Forge Ventures joined the round, as well as new investors like Y Combinator, Capital X, XA Network, Balaji Srinivasan, Nir Eyal, Nas Daily, Kevin Aluwi (co-founder, Gojek), Alex Svanevik (CEO, Nansen), Prashanth Prakash (Partner, Accel), and Dhruv Arora (co-founder, Syfe), among others. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gpjm-vHU

Motion Ventures is making waves. The Singapore-based venture capital firm announced its $100M Motion Ventures Fund II, which aims to help digitize and decarbonize the global maritime supply chain. It’s reportedly the largest maritime-focused fund to date! Read More: https://lnkd.in/gAzFJHYp

When you think of resorts, an abandoned tin mine is the last place you’d imagine building one. This is the story of?Banyan Tree, a luxury hospitality brand with 70+ resorts in 23 countries. ?? A gamble Ho Kwon Ping never planned to be a hotel mogul. He was a young journalist and activist at Stanford. But then he got suspended and was later jailed. In jail, he had time to think. He realized he wasn’t meant to be a political revolutionary but still wanted to make an impact. Then his father had a stroke, so he stepped in to run the family business. But something was missing. He didn’t just want to run factories—he wanted to build a brand that mattered. In 1984, he and his wife, Claire Chiang, were on vacation in Thailand. They came across a beautiful piece of cheap land and bought it. But that’s when they discovered that it was a former tin mine. It was so toxic that nothing could grow there. Yet, he and Claire saw potential and they worked with scientists to restore the land. They built their first project, Laguna Phuket, in 1987 as an integrated resort project. But one last piece of land had no beach, and nobody wanted to manage it.? ??? No beach? No problem And that’s when inspiration struck. They decided to launch their own brand. If they couldn’t offer beachfront resorts, they would introduce something unheard of: private pool villas in every room instead of standard rooms. Banyan Tree Phuket opened in 1994, introducing the “all-pool villa” concept that would become a signature of luxury travel worldwide. ?? Making waves With one successful resort, they could have played it safe. But instead, they doubled down. They expanded, opening resorts in places many considered too remote or underdeveloped. ?? Betting on China By the 2010s, Banyan Tree was no longer a niche player—it was a global brand. And Ho's next goal was China. With the rising middle class, domestic tourism was on the rise. Wealthy Chinese travelers made up 70% of Banyan Tree’s China bookings.?They grew to 27 China resorts in just three years. But the Hos believed in the unique Banyan Tree branding experience. Seeing China’s real estate boom, Ho launched Banyan Tree-branded homes tied directly to the hotel and resort experience. And in 2015, China’s property market crashed. This left Banyan Tree with significant debts and financial strain.? ???The suite spot After this, they didn't slow down. Instead of relying on a single market, they diversified. They saw that today’s travelers had different needs, budgets, and lifestyles. So they introduced a?multi-brand?strategy to appeal to a wider audience. ?? Growing the future Three decades later, Banyan Tree is no longer just a resort chain. With over 70 hotels in 23 countries, it’s an experience of sustainability and cultural immersion. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4iDgYQx ?? Want more business stories in SE Asia? Subscribe for free: backscoop.com

Trasy Lou Walsh is the co-founder and CEO of Fluid. They are a B2B BNPL startup, where they pay suppliers upfront while their buyers pay in terms. They last raised a $5.2M Series A. ?????How would you explain your job to someone outside tech? I help businesses get paid faster without the headaches. Imagine you’re a supplier selling to businesses, but instead of waiting weeks/months to get paid, you get your money upfront —while your buyers pay in terms. That’s what Fluid does. We take on the risk, handle credit checks, collections and you just focus on growing your businesses—that’s how we make B2B payments fluid! ???What's something about you or your job that would surprise us? I’m a mother of four young children: three humans and one startup. I strategically founded Fluid when my kids turned 2, 4, and 6—right when diapers were out of the picture and school became part of our routine. ???What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far? Founded Fluid and raised $7M in our first year during one of the toughest funding winters in 2023. Believe in your calling and go at full speed despite all the rejections or negative voices. ???What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? Raising kids, running a startup while staying married! ???What's your go-to ice cream flavor? Pistachio—it’s the first gelato flavor I’ve ever tried! We've edited this interview for length and clarity. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gHdGaxud

Rise and shine, everybody! Malaysia’s Okapi Technologies, a startup founded by Zhern Yung Lai that helps homeowners transition to solar power with zero upfront costs, just raised $2M in debt. They’re active across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia! Oh, and in 2024, they raised an undisclosed amount of funding from The Radical Fund! Read More: https://lnkd.in/g6Q2aefx

Here’s BetterX. This Singapore-based B2B platform founded by Eric Chau makes it easier for brokers, neobanks, and wealthtechs to connect their clients to the digital asset market. And now, they just raised their $1.72M Pre-Series A! Investor check. Aura Group, Grand Prix Capital, Aument Capital, Scalare Partners, Wholesale Investor, and B7 Capital invested. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gaSyW5N6

Shoppable Business is making procurement easier. Founded by Sam Blanquera, ? Carlo S., and Christian Blanquera, this Filipino startup sources everything your business could need—from office supplies to IT products to cleaning goods (and more!). Now, they just raised their $1.16M seed. Investor check. The round was led by Ignite House of Innovation. TENCO Capital, Indelible Ventures, ApolloTech Ventures, MAIN PH [Manila Angel Investors Network], Seaborne Capital Partners, Select Ventures Holding, and new and existing angel investors also joined in! Read More: https://lnkd.in/gPhuW3WX

Here’s to better horticulture production.?Meet?Elevarm, an Indonesian agritech company founded by Bayu Syerli and Lintang K Pratiwi that’s elevating the productivity of over 15K farmers across West Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta. Now, they just raised their $4.25M Pre-Series A! Investor check.?Intudo Ventures led the round, while Insignia Ventures Partners and 500 Global also joined in. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gzh3hT4X

When you think of the Philippines, fashion might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Back in the late 1980s, Filipino fashion was all about formal and conservative styles. T-shirts were more of an undergarment than a fashion statement. But Ben Chan saw things differently. He believed casual, sporty, and accessible clothing could change the local fashion scene. The first Bench t-shirt shop opened in 1987 in the SM Department Store in Makati, Philippines. Today, Bench's influence extends far beyond the Philippines, with stores in the United States, the Middle East, China, and beyond. This is the story of Bench Philippines, a small t-shirt shop that grew into a lifestyle brand with over 600 stores in the Philippines and an international presence. ?? The birth of bench Ben Chan didn’t start in fashion—he was an interior design graduate with an eye for style. He started off designing accessories for Chan C Brothers, his family business. Then, he decided to design furniture and even opened a furniture store called Dimensione. His entrepreneurial spirit came from his parents, who founded Liwayway Marketing Corporation, a Filipino company best known for Oishi snacks. Chan’s design instincts and global experiences became the foundation for Bench. At the time, Filipino fashion was mostly formal and conservative. So Bench brought a fresh, casual, and sporty vibe to the market. Even though Bench started small, Ben Chan’s vision was anything but. He wanted to transform the simple white T-shirt from an undergarment into a statement piece. He shook up the retail scene with bold marketing. Bench had celebrity endorsements, eye-catching billboards, and cinematic TV ads. And Bench was not just any other brand. By introducing stylish yet affordable casual wear, Bench made fashion accessible to everyday Filipinos, influencing how people dressed, interacted with fashion, and even reshaped local advertising trends. Bench became a household name synonymous with contemporary Filipino style and aspirational yet relatable branding. They quickly evolved from being a men’s clothing brand that sold men’s t-shirts to a full lifestyle brand for menswear and womenswear, offering everything from clothing to accessories, fragrances, and cosmetics. ???Capturing attention Bench had a knack for creating buzz-worthy campaigns. They’ve delivered iconic and memorable campaigns that became a part of Filipino pop culture. These include 'Sculler' in 1991, 'Saddle' TV commercials starring local celebrity Richard Gomez in 1993, and more. But in 2014, the brand faced a major setback during “The Naked Truth” fashion show. What was meant to be a bold and edgy showcase turned into controversy. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gFb2u9YT