by Ferry Bayu | May 31, 2024 | Business
Electronic Transfer & Advance Processing, Inc. (eTap), the country’s leading self-service payment kiosk provider, has showcased its groundbreaking achievements in revolutionizing convenience and shaping the future of finance at the Asia Retail and eCommerce Innovation Summit Philippines 2024.
Asia Retail and eCommerce Innovation Summit Philippines 2024
“We are thrilled to join the Asia Retail and eCommerce Innovation Summit Philippines 2024 as a Gold sponsor and share our vision for the future of finance. At eTap, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver transformative solutions that streamline payment processes and empower businesses to thrive in today’s dynamic market,” said Carlo Hernandez, eTap Solutions President and CEO.
The event, held at the Marriott Hotel on May 24, brought together over 200 senior experts, top retailers, and tech innovators to shape the future of e-commerce and retail. It served as a platform for exchanging insights and innovations, drawing participants from various sectors.
Five eTap officials shared valuable insights during the event in a keynote session titled “Revolutionizing Convenience: How eTap is Shaping the Future of Finance.” The session attracted a large audience of industry leaders and innovators eager to gain valuable insights from eTap.
[L-R] – eTap representatives Carlo C. Hernandez/President & CEO, Gabrielle Rubio/Finance Manager, Paolo Lorenzo Macaraeg/Brand Manager, Erica Natividad/Marketing Supervisor, Reinier Allan Cruz/VP for Finance and Operations and Joe Muldera/Business Development Manager
Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the session, highlighting various aspects of eTap’s strategic initiatives and the significant impact of their technology on the retail and e-commerce landscape.
Currently, eTap offers users a comprehensive platform for various financial transactions, including eMoney services (GCash, Maya, Shopee Pay, and Diskartech), banking (BPI and AUB), loans (Home Credit and AEON Credit Service), mobile and internet (Globe, Smart, Sun Cellular, PLDT, DITO Telecoms, and Converge), gaming (Genshin Impact and Mobile Legends), and rider services (Grab and Dragonloans).
Hernandez said that the introduction of eTap kiosks has been a game-changer in providing convenience to the public. These self-service payment kiosks have significantly streamlined payment processes, offering a quick, efficient, and user-friendly transaction method. By enabling customers to conduct a wide range of financial activities, such as real-time bill payments, money transfers, and prepaid services, eTap kiosks have reduced the need for traditional counter services, minimizing wait times and enhancing the overall customer experience.
“Our kiosks are designed with the user in mind, ensuring every transaction is simple, secure, and swift. We believe that accessibility and ease of use are paramount, and our kiosks are strategically placed in high-traffic areas to maximize convenience for everyone,” said Hernandez.
[L-R] – Colin Christie/Chairman, Advisory Council (Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines), Reinier Allan Cruz/VP for Finance and Operations, Joe Muldera/Business Development Manager, Gabrielle Rubio/Finance Manager, Paolo Lorenzo Macaraeg/Brand Manager, Erica Natividad/Marketing Supervisor
Hernandez said eTap expects to surpass its 65% income increase in 2023, demonstrating robust financial growth through continuous expansion by adding 2,000 machines annually.
As of May, the Filipino-owned company has more thank 2,000 kiosks nationwide and plans to double this number by the end of the year to further enhance its reach and accessibility. Its number of transactions also increased from 5,781,570 in 2022 to 22,332,702 in 2023. By December, it targets to register at least 38,500,000 transactions and around 3.6 million monthly active users.
To date, eTap continues to champion the transformative power of technology to uplift communities. Its self-service payment kiosk system caters to a diverse range of users, ensuring that technology becomes an inclusive force for positive change. Whether individuals need to settle bills, top up their e-wallets, purchase prepaid loads, or make loan payments, eTap’s kiosk system provides a seamless and user-friendly solution for many financial transactions.
For more information about eTap, please visit www.etapmo.com.
by Ferry Bayu | May 31, 2024 | Business
Singapore-based Quantedge surged 22% in Q1 to an all-time high AUM and is primed for future growth.
Quantedge Global Fund surged 22% in Q1 this year to an all-time high AUM of $3.8bn, making it one of Asia’s biggest quant macro funds. The fund delivered a near 30% gain in 2023, even as the MSCI Asia-Pacific index gained 11.8% and the average Asia fund was up almost 4%.
CEO Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin told With Intelligence in an interview that directional equity risk premia strategies, market-neutral long/short strategies, and directional commodities strategies were the key drivers of first-quarter performance.
The ultra-diversified fund trades across nearly 300 markets spanning equities, fixed income, commodities, currencies and reinsurance. In addition to its core directional risk-premia strategies, Quantedge also employs long/short strategies that are dynamically adjusted daily. The fund has expanded its range of strategies over the years to include market-neutral, factor-based strategies, which have done well in the past 2 years.
Speaking to With Intelligence, Suhaimi spoke about how technology has always been at the heart of what Quantedge does. He remarked that even though AI is still nascent and developing, investment firms will already be able to leverage on AI to improve trading efficiency, speed and quality of research, and also programming.
When asked about future growth plans, Suhaimi remarked that it was “within the realms of possibility” that the fund doubles its size every three or so years. “Could we be managing $10 billion within the next 5 to 10 years? I think it’s possible. We certainly have the strategy, systems, and the people to handle that amount of capital. Whatever the case, we want to ensure that we can deliver the same or better quality of returns for our investors.”
While Quantedge’s investors include institutions such as university endowments and (re)insurance companies, a large majority of its investors are family offices and high-net-worth individuals. The fund remains open to new investors and additional subscriptions.
Suhaimi described the high interest rate environment as a healthy state to be in for diversified strategies. “When interest rates are too low, risk premia tend to be compressed with higher correlation across markets and asset classes, especially in times of market stress. That’s not healthy. With meaningful interest rates, we expect more normal risk premia levels and lower correlation between equities and bonds; between risky and safe-haven assets, which is good for any highly diversified investment strategy. There is thus good reason to be optimistic.”
by Ferry Bayu | May 30, 2024 | Art and Science
Couplet Art might sound unfamiliar to some people. Therefore, we will reveal and take a look at what’s interesting about this art.
A couplet is a pair of lines in poetry that usually has set tones in it. It is usually incorporates with Chinese calligraphy that is written out using brush and ink. Those compositions combine the beauty of written words with an aesthetic visual of an artwork.
This is an example of the couplet art. It was created by an Indonesian-Chinese Calligrapher, Hidajat Purnama (born circa 1941). Alongside being a businessman, Hidajat Purnama or Fang Fu Jie (方福捷) is a poet & calligrapher.
The couplet (讀書 寫字種花草, 聽雨觀雲品酒茶。) has been quite popular in the calligraphy community since 2022. “It represents the writer’s daily life in his retirement age. It is a humble expression yet deep with philosophical reflections that resonate with many other poets or calligraphers. Hence, it’s frequent use as a calligraphy material,” said Rin Fang, Purnama’s daughter.
At first, some people in the community couldn’t find the original writer of the poetry. Then, there was speculating information about the wonderful couplet art by Mr. Hidajat Purnama. Some of them (in the community) mistakenly thought that it was written by ancient poets from either the Song or Tang Dynasty.
The writer found out that his couplet was widely used when he saw his couplet was rewritten by his friend on Facebook, who is also a calligraphy enthusiast. Then, he also found it appeared on other platforms such as YouTube and shared videos.
He began to search for his own poetry on Google, and the results showed that his couplets were being shared and became topics. It is beyond what he expected. “We were so happy and entertained to know that his couplet got accepted and used as material by Mandarin Calligraphers in another country. And, it’s such an honor for him as a writer from Indonesia,” said Rin Fang.
Hidajat Purnama had been interested in classical Chinese literature since he was young. His daughter, Rin Fang, revealed that her father also likes to write poems & prose. Mr. Purnama likes to share his artwork starting on a local daily. As a writer, he has also participated in international-scale calligraphy events, became the chairman of the Association of Calligraphy and Chinese Painting in Semarang, and has received multiple awards locally and internationally.
by Ferry Bayu | May 30, 2024 | Business
MAG has already made significant strides in the regional market, with exports spanning 13 countries and a network of over 1500 dealers. Notable projects include prominent residential and commercial entities owned by AyalaLand in the Philippines and Transjakarta bus terminals in Indonesia.
Kuala Lumpur, 30th May 2024 – Magnet Security & Automation Sdn. Bhd. (MAG or the Company), the number one barrier gate brand in Malaysia is embarking on a strategic regional expansion to bring its innovative security solutions to regional markets. Recently certified by the Malaysia Book of Records for selling the most barrier gates in a year, MAG is poised to extend its footprint across Southeast Asia, particularly targeting Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, where it already enjoys a presence through exports.
“The growth of MAG energizes us and recognizes the ripe opportunities in these selected markets. Our recent introduction of Medialess Solution in the Philippines received exceptional feedback, motivating us to penetrate the markets in Vietnam and Indonesia further,” stated Mr. Jimmy Low, Chief Executive Officer of MAG.
With exports spanning 13 countries and a network of over 1500 dealers, MAG has already made significant strides in the regional market. Notable projects include prominent residential and commercial entities owned by AyalaLand in the Philippines and Transjakarta bus terminals in Indonesia.
Export sales currently account for 5% of MAG’s revenue, a figure expected to double to 10% by the year’s end. This growth trajectory is supported by the favorable Malaysian Ringgit exchange rate and MAG’s proactive engagement with local dealers in the respective markets.
“As pioneers in the industry, we are well-positioned to deliver Medialess Solutions as a specialized building security provider. Our Malaysian heritage ensures high-quality hardware and software access control systems, backed by robust aftersales support,” remarked Mr. Jimmy Low.
The introduction of MAG Medialess Solutions marks a pivotal shift towards advanced security access technologies, integrating RFID for vehicle access and facial recognition biometric AI for human entry. This seamless fusion enhances security while simplifying user experiences, promising a future where access control is intuitive and efficient.
Imagine a workplace, factory or apartment where entry is effortless, eliminating the need for keys or cards. MAG Medialess Solutions not only offer convenience but also bolster Area Control during emergencies and mitigate unauthorised access risks.
MAG invites potential collaborations and partnerships with dealers across the region. For inquiries, please get in touch with our team via whatsapp +011 3133 9143 or visit our webpage for a dealer application form.
by Ferry Bayu | May 30, 2024 | Business
Singapore,13 May 2024 — Craft Health, a pioneer in the healthcare industry specializing in the automation of mass customization through its cutting-edge 3D printing platform, today announced the successful close of its Pre-Series A2 funding round. Valuence Ventures led the round with significant participation from Mistletoe Singapore, an existing investor, and an angel investor. This latest funding underscores the confidence investors have in Craft Health’s vision to revolutionize compounding pharmacy on a global scale.
The fresh capital will expedite Craft Health’s commercial trajectory by further developing its proprietary 3D printing platform designed to streamline and automate the mass customization of pharmaceuticals. By harnessing the power of its 3D printing platform, Craft Health aims to introduce unprecedented levels of efficiency, precision, and customization to the compounding pharmacy sector, meeting the unique needs of patients with tailored medication solutions.
“We are delighted to bolster our investor base with partners who share our deep-tech vision and can impart their wealth of knowledge, experience, and network to scale Craft Health. This round of funding will fine-tune our commercialization strategy, refine our product offerings, and set the stage for our anticipated Series A,” said Dr Goh Wei Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Craft Health.
“We are thrilled to announce our investment in Craft Health, a pioneer in leveraging 3D printing technology for compounding pharmacy. Craft Health’s innovative approach aligns perfectly with our mission to support ventures that redefine industries and improve lives. We are confident in their potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and look forward to their continued growth and success in transforming patient care globally,” said Dr. Gene Cho, a General Partner of Valuence Ventures. “Craft Health’s innovative use of 3D printing technology in compounding pharmacy not only positions the company at the forefront of healthcare innovation but also aligns perfectly with our investment strategy of supporting ventures that are poised for significant impact and growth. We are confident in Craft Health’s vision and their ability to lead a new era in personalized medicine, especially in the area of advanced materials innovation.”
Mistletoe Singapore also expressed strong support for Craft Health’s mission and its recent funding success. “Having supported Craft Health from its early stages, we have witnessed first-hand the dedication and innovation that the team brings to the healthcare industry. This additional funding will undoubtedly propel the company towards achieving its commercial goals, and we are excited to continue our journey with Craft Health as it endeavors to revolutionize the way pharmaceuticals are customized and dispensed,” added Mr. Atsushi Taira, Managing Director of Mistletoe Singapore.
Since 2019, Craft Health has developed an end-to-end 3D printing platform for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, integrating the 3D printer (CraftMake™), 3D printing software (CraftControl™), 3D printable formulations (CraftBlends™) and one of the world’s first semi-solid paste extrusion-based 3D printing database for oral dosage forms (CraftDatabase™). Craft Health’s technology platform is based on the heat and ultraviolet light (UV) light-free semi-solid paste extrusion technique and can incorporate a wide variety of active ingredients, from small molecules to biological molecules. Craft Health has since commercialized its 3D printing platform, working with compounding pharmacies, academics, nutraceutical start-ups and MNCs.
Craft Health’s commitment to innovation in healthcare through its 3D printing platform represents a significant leap forward in making personalized medicine more accessible and effective for patients worldwide. With this new round of funding, Craft Health is poised to make substantial advancements in the commercialization of its technology, setting a new standard for precision and
patient-centred care in the pharmaceutical industry.
![[L-R] - eTap representatives Carlo C. Hernandez/President & CEO, Gabrielle Rubio/Finance Manager, Paolo Lorenzo Macaraeg/Brand Manager, Erica Natividad/Marketing Supervisor, Reinier Allan Cruz/VP for Finance and Operations and Joe Muldera/Business Development Manager](https://i0.wp.com/slvrdlphn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/etap-representatives.jpg?resize=500%2C281&ssl=1)
![[L-R] - Colin Christie/Chairman, Advisory Council (Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines), Reinier Allan Cruz/VP for Finance and Operations, Joe Muldera/Business Development Manager, Gabrielle Rubio/Finance Manager, Paolo Lorenzo Macaraeg/Brand Manager, Erica Natividad/Marketing Supervisor](https://i0.wp.com/slvrdlphn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/etap-attendees.jpg?resize=500%2C281&ssl=1)
“The growth of MAG energizes us and recognizes the ripe opportunities in these selected markets. Our recent introduction of Medialess Solution in the Philippines received exceptional feedback, motivating us to penetrate the markets in Vietnam and Indonesia further,” stated Mr. Jimmy Low, Chief Executive Officer of MAG.
“We are delighted to bolster our investor base with partners who share our deep-tech vision and can impart their wealth of knowledge, experience, and network to scale Craft Health. This round of funding will fine-tune our commercialization strategy, refine our product offerings, and set the stage for our anticipated Series A,” said Dr Goh Wei Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Craft Health.
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