by Ferry Bayu | Jun 19, 2024 | Business
VRITIMES, a leading media technology startup that empowers users to create, distribute, and analyze press releases, today announced a partnership with CETV Philippines, a premier online media destination for Filipinos seeking the latest news, entertainment, and exclusive content. This collaboration aims to widen press release distribution in the Philippines, ensuring valuable news reaches a broader audience.
Established in Tokyo in August 2022, VRITIMES has revolutionized press release distribution by providing a user-friendly platform that simplifies the entire process. From crafting compelling press releases to distributing them to a vast network of media partners and analyzing their performance, VRITIMES offers a comprehensive solution for businesses of all sizes.
“We are thrilled to partner with CETV Philippines,” said Ferry Bayu, CEO of VRITIMES. “Their extensive reach and reputation for delivering high-quality content make them the perfect partner to help us expand our presence in the Philippines. Through this collaboration, we can empower Filipino businesses to share their stories with a wider audience and achieve their communication goals.”
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 18, 2024 | Business
Electronic signatures have become integral to modern business operations, especially in the Philippines. Understanding the legal framework governing electronic signatures becomes crucial as digital transactions grow.
E-signatures in the Philippines are transforming the
landscape of legal transactions, ushering in a new era of efficiency and
security in digital commerce. As businesses increasingly transition to digital
platforms, it becomes crucial to understand the legal framework that governs
electronic and digital signatures.
Electronic signatures, often called eSignatures, encompass
various forms, such as typed names, images of handwritten signatures, or
checkboxes on online forms. They serve as the digital equivalent of traditional
signatures, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of signed documents. For
more sensitive transactions, digital signatures employ cryptographic techniques
to secure documents further and verify signatories’ identity, utilizing unique
digital certificates issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs).
Central to the legal foundation of electronic
signatures in the Philippines is the E-Commerce Act (Republic Act No.
8792), enacted in 2000. This legislation affirms the legal validity and
admissibility of electronic documents and signatures, equating them with their
physical counterparts under specific conditions. Critical criteria include the
signer’s intent to sign electronically, mutual consent to conduct business
electronically, and mechanisms linking signatures to documents, such as
timestamping and audit trails.
Authentication methods play a crucial role in ensuring the
reliability of electronic signatures. Options range from primary password or
PIN verification to advanced biometric techniques like facial recognition,
fingerprints, and voice recognition. Digital certificates issued by CAs create
a unique fingerprint for each signer and document, bolstering security and
integrity.
Despite their advantages, certain documents remain excluded
from electronic signing under the E-Commerce Act. These include negotiable
instruments like checks and promissory notes, documents of title such as bills
of lading, and critical legal papers like wills and codicils, which necessitate
physical signatures to safeguard authenticity.
The benefits of electronic and digital signatures are
manifold. They streamline operations by eliminating the need for physical
handling reducing costs associated with paper, printing, and postage. Enhanced
security features like encryption and tamper-proof safeguards protect against
unauthorized alterations post-signing. Moreover, the convenience of signing
documents remotely from any location enhances flexibility, which is particularly
beneficial in a globalized economy and amid rising trends in remote work.

UNAWA, a pioneering legal tech company in the Philippines,
exemplifies innovation in electronic signature solutions with its platform, SignSecure.
SignSecure distinguishes itself by integrating facial
recognition biometrics, heightening authentication accuracy, and minimizing
fraud risks. Such advancements bolster security and enhance the efficiency and
acceptance of electronic signatures across various sectors.
In conclusion, electronic and digital signatures catalyze
transformation in Philippine business and legal landscapes. Supported by robust
legislative frameworks and technological innovations, they promise increased
efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced security, and environmental sustainability.
As the country continues to embrace digitalization, adopting electronic
signatures is set to accelerate, driving growth and innovation across all
sectors of the economy.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 18, 2024 | Business
Arches, a leading expert knowledge-sharing platform, has secured $3 million in a funding round led by KUSABI, with participation from Visional Inc., SMBC Venture Capital, and angel investors from leading investment firms. This brings the company’s total funding to $5 million.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Arches has rapidly established itself as a trusted bridge between global decision-makers and the nuanced expertise required to navigate Asia’s dynamic markets. The company’s flagship “Expert Matching” service has already connected over 300 clients in 20+ countries with a vast network of over 100,000 vetted experts. But Arches isn’t stopping there.
The Expert Knowledge Bank: A Paradigm Shift
This new funding round will supercharge the development of the “Expert Knowledge Bank,” a revolutionary platform that transforms expert interviews into a searchable database of actionable insights. Clients gain discounted access to experts in exchange for contributing to this growing knowledge repository, democratizing access to specialized information that was once the exclusive domain of a select few.”
The Expert Knowledge Bank is more than a database; it’s the future of knowledge sharing,” said Hiroki Kato, CEO and Co-founder of Arches. “We’re building a platform where anyone, anywhere, can tap into the collective wisdom of Asia’s brightest minds.”

A Vision for Global Expansion
Arches’ vision extends beyond Asia. The company plans to expand its expert network to include Europe and the United States, solidifying its position as a truly global knowledge-sharing platform. Additionally, Arches will invest in new marketing strategies to reach a broader audience, including corporations and financial institutions seeking a competitive edge in an increasingly complex world.
Investor Confidence
Investors are enthusiastic about Arches’ potential to disrupt and redefine the knowledge-sharing landscape. Yuki Watanabe, Representative Partner at KUSABI, noted, “Arches is not just addressing a market need; they’re creating a new category. We’re excited to be part of their journey as they scale globally.”
The Future of Expertise
With this latest funding round, Arches is poised to unlock a new era of knowledge sharing, where expertise is not a privilege but a powerful resource accessible to all. The company’s one-stop platform, offering expert interviews, research, consulting, and talent placement, is set to become the go-to destination for organizations seeking to harness the power of knowledge to drive growth and innovation.

by Ferry Bayu | Jun 17, 2024 | Business
Arches, a knowledge-sharing platform that just secured an additional $3 million (totaling $5 million) in funding to launch our revolutionary AI-powered “Expert Knowledge Bank.” To democratize expertise on Asia’s markets and beyond, by creating a searchable database of expert interviews (Expert Knowledge Bank), the funding will be used to develop the Expert Knowledge Bank and expand the Arches network globally.
We’re the first mover in Asia to offer this service, similar to Tegus and AlphaSense in the EU and US. Our platform empowers investment and consulting firms – from large-cap PE like Bain Capital to hedge funds, Big4, and MBB – with instant access to a vast network of vetted Asian experts. These experts have been interviewed specifically to provide market insights, offering unparalleled accuracy and reliability.
We’ve evolved beyond a traditional expert network. Arches is now an AI-powered knowledge bank where investors can monitor investments, source deals, and conduct due diligence. This directly addresses the pain points of inconsistent information and limited access to specialized expertise.
Our Expert Knowledge Bank leverages AI to transform expert interviews into a searchable, actionable database.
This story may align with the interests of your audience, especially those focused on investment, technology, business, and startups. It’s a narrative about how AI is disrupting traditional industries and improving investment decision-making in the Asian market.
Arches Raises $3 Million to Democratize Expertise on Asia’s Markets & Beyond
![[Image 1] The Expert Knowledge Bank: A Paradigm Shift](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==)
Arches, a leading expert knowledge-sharing platform, has secured $3 million in a funding round led by KUSABI, with participation from Visional Inc., SMBC Venture Capital, and angel investors from leading investment firms. This brings the company’s total funding to $5 million.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Arches has rapidly established itself as a trusted bridge between global decision-makers and the nuanced expertise required to navigate Asia’s dynamic markets. The company’s flagship “Expert Matching” service has already connected over 300 clients in 20+ countries with a vast network of over 100,000 vetted experts.
But Arches isn’t stopping there.
The Expert Knowledge Bank: A Paradigm Shift
This new funding round will supercharge the development of the “Expert Knowledge Bank,” a revolutionary platform that transforms expert interviews into a searchable database of actionable insights. Clients gain discounted access to experts in exchange for contributing to this growing knowledge repository, democratizing access to specialized information that was once the exclusive domain of a select few.”
The Expert Knowledge Bank is more than a database; it’s the future of knowledge sharing,” said Hiroki Kato, CEO and Co-founder of Arches. “We’re building a platform where anyone, anywhere, can tap into the collective wisdom of Asia’s brightest minds.”
A Vision for Global Expansion
Arches’ vision extends beyond Asia. The company plans to expand its expert network to include Europe and the United States, solidifying its position as a truly global knowledge-sharing platform. Additionally, Arches will invest in new marketing strategies to reach a broader audience, including corporations and financial institutions seeking a competitive edge in an increasingly complex world.
Investor Confidence
Investors are enthusiastic about Arches’ potential to disrupt and redefine the knowledge-sharing landscape. Yuki Watanabe, Representative Partner at KUSABI, noted, “Arches is not just addressing a market need; they’re creating a new category. We’re excited to be part of their journey as they scale globally.”
The Future of Expertise
With this latest funding round, Arches is poised to unlock a new era of knowledge sharing, where expertise is not a privilege but a powerful resource accessible to all. The company’s one-stop platform, offering expert interviews, research, consulting, and talent placement, is set to become the go-to destination for organizations seeking to harness the power of knowledge to drive growth and innovation.
![[Image 2] Expansion of Arches Service Lineup](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==)
About Arches
Arches is a global leader in expert knowledge sharing, connecting decision-makers with vetted experts across Asia and beyond. With a mission to “Share knowledge, Empower Asia,” Arches operates in five locations worldwide and offers the innovative “Expert Matching” and “Expert Knowledge Bank” platforms.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 16, 2024 | Business
Manila, June 16, 2024 – VRITIMES, a leading media technology startup that simplifies press release creation and distribution, today announced a partnership with REG and tRnds, two of the Philippines’ most popular media websites. This collaboration expands VRITIMES’ reach in the Southeast Asian nation, providing companies with a wider audience for their press releases.
Established in August 2022, VRITIMES empowers users to create professional press releases, distribute them to a vast network of media outlets, and analyze their performance – all through a user-friendly platform. By streamlining the press release distribution process, VRITIMES ensures valuable news reaches target audiences effectively.
“We are thrilled to partner with REG and tRnds,” said Ferry Bayu, CEO of VRITIMES. “These renowned media websites are trusted sources of information for Filipinos, and this collaboration allows us to connect our clients with a wider audience across the country.”
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