FirstCOUNSEL at BlockSpace Asia 2018
FirstCOUNSEL was at BlockSpace Asia 2018, an event for Asia’s start-ups and SMEs that are driven by blockchain, artificial intelligence and deep technology. BlockSpace Asia is a voluntary borderless community of entrepreneurs, services, experts and blockchain enthusiasts. BlockSpace Asia 2018 was a one-day event that connected over 200 industry leaders, business decision makers, tech innovators and investors. Lesson of the day: Don’t use blockchain unless you actually need it
Another ride-hailing app enters Singapore’s post-Uber vacuum – and it’s on the blockchain
By Jack Ellis South Korean blockchain startup MVL – short for Mass Vehicle Ledger – has just launched its ride-hailing app in Singapore. The city-state is its maiden market, with further launches slated for Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan in the near future. Named Tada – which means “let’s ride” in Korean – the app is built on MVL’s blockchain ecosystem, which is specifically designed to serve the automotive industry, adjacent service industries, and their customers. Tada’s u
Enterprise Singapore's $30k StartupSG Founder Grant for your 1st venture
Did you know that Enterprise Singapore has a StartupSG Founder Grant for up to S$30K for first-time entrepreneurs? They also have many other resources you can leverage on in your startup journey. TRIVE is one of Enterprise Singapore's Accredited Mentor Partners (AMP) and they help first-time entrepreneurs kickstart their entrepreneurial journey. Find out more at their event tomorrow (Thursday 26 July). Get details here. And FirstCOUNSEL can help you on your entrepreneurial jo
Asia’s megacities are San Francisco’s biggest competitors when it comes to innovation
"There are a number of drivers behind [the Chinese] success, according to Lambda School CEO Austen Allred: - Work ethic. Their engineers work “9–9–6”: 9AM to 9PM, 6 days a week. The mere mention of this in SF would have people running for the exit. - State support. The Chinese government is often the first investor and biggest proponent of new firms and startups. - Greater supply of STEM workers. China has 4x the population as the US, but 10x the tech employees. - Local fac
MOUs signed to help Singapore, French enterprises connect, innovate
By Yunita Ong MORE connections between the startup and innovation ecosystems in France and Singapore could be on the way after a number of freshly signed memoranda of understanding between Singapore and French institutions. The signings were witnessed by Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, who is on a visit to Brussels and Paris from July 11 to 13. Under one agreement, signed between Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore and France's E
WeChat rules out payment services for non-Chinese users
Tencent’s payment service admits that winning over local users in foreign countries is hard due to WeChat’s lack of scale in those areas. Over the next three years, the payment behemoth plans to leverage its popularity back home and stay focused on outbound Chinese tourists. It also won’t introduce new digital wallets to serve overseas customers during this period. Read more here.
Singapore, South Korea sign pacts to help SMEs, startups collaborate and go global
By Yunita Ong SINGAPORE and South Korea on Thursday signed partnerships aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment as well as promoting collaboration between companies from the two countries, especially for small and medium enterprises and startups. The two memoranda of understanding (MOU) were witnessed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during the former's state visit to Singapore between July 11 and 13. One partnership, bet
FirstCOUNSEL at Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Digital Transformation Exchange
FirstCOUNSEL was at the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Digital Transformation Exchange event featuring FinTech and Enterprise Tech startups. We heard pitches from startups hailing from Taiwan and Austria, as well as ecosystem insights from The FinLab and the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA). Startups from all over the world want to be in Singapore. And if you want to be part of the movement too, check out our services here. Remember, your FIRST contact is Firs
Could Grab and Uber be forced to unwind their merger? Unlikely, experts say
Courtesy Channel New Asia "Singapore's competition watchdog has suggested that the recent merger between ride-hailing companies Grab and Uber could be undone after investigations revealed that the deal has infringed the Competition Act. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) said the deal led to a 'substantial lessening of competition' in ride-hailing platforms, made it harder for new competitors to enter the market, and resulted in higher prices. It will
