Seize’s long-awaited return to profitability–US$17 million in Q3 2025–marks a symbolic milestone for Southeast Asia’s superapp. After 15 consecutive quarters of adjusted EBITDA progress, income climbing 22% YoY, and a raised full-year outlook, the corporate appears to be lastly rewarding buyers’ persistence.
But beneath the celebratory tone lies a extra complicated story. Seize’s working money outflow of US$127 million–a pointy YoY deterioration–reveals that its progress engine remains to be closely fuelled by incentives and monetary leverage. The US$585 million in quarterly incentives, coupled with declining mobility fares, factors to continued dependence on subsidised enlargement somewhat than natural profitability.
Its digital banking arm tells an analogous story: deposits grew YoY however fell 15% quarter-over-quarter, hinting at sensitivity to rate of interest shifts and the delicate nature of buyer retention.
Seize’s management calls this a “very important step ahead.” It’s, however one which underlines the paradox of platform economics: profitability on paper, stress beneath the floor. The problem forward shall be reworking this headline revenue into sturdy, cash-generating progress.
REGIONAL
Seize posts uncommon revenue, however money burn and incentive dependence inform a deeper story: Seize experiences US$17M revenue and 22% income progress, however faces mounting money burn, heavy incentives, and digital banking volatility.
Vietnam’s D2C vogue chief Coolmate secures Sequence C to energy international push: Traders embody Vertex Progress, Vertex Ventures SEA & India, and Kairous Capital. Coolmate goals to scale its made-in-Vietnam sportswear model globally by way of new shops and women-focused strains.
VENTENY raises US$5.5M from Girls’s Livelihood Bond 7 to speed up monetary inclusion in Indonesia: VENTENY is a financing platform forSMEs. The startup particularly targets low earnings, rural communities with restricted entry to monetary providers.
Lazada to take a position over US$25M for 11.11 World Manufacturers Pageant: The marketing campaign, which takes place throughout Southeast Asia from November 1 to 14, will characteristic reductions, partnerships with creators, and AI-powered procuring instruments, ending with its largest sale from November 10 to 13.
Kairous Capital leads US$5M funding in Mantayay World: The Malaysian agency manages digital media and creator-economy operations. It really works with 4K+ TikTok creators, producing 1,000+ short-form movies every month, and producing 100M+ month-to-month views throughout TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Physician Wherever exits Vietnam to concentrate on ‘core markets’: Backed by buyers reminiscent of Sq. Peg and Asia Companions, Physician Wherever affords providers together with on-demand video consultations and medicine deliveries. Apart from Vietnam, it’s also current in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
Inside ASEAN’s blockchain map: Why the Philippines is a crypto powerhouse: The Philippines leads ASEAN in grassroots blockchain adoption, pushed by crypto enthusiasm and play-to-earn gaming, distinguishing it from fintech-focused regional friends.
Institutionalising innovation: How Philippines is constructing the principles for its crypto future: The Philippines advances from crypto enthusiasm to regulatory sophistication, institutionalising digital property by way of BSP and SEC frameworks selling innovation and client safety.
INTERNATIONAL
Pine Labs targets US$2.9B valuation in upcoming IPO: The value band is ready at US$2.37 to US$2.49 per share, aiming to boost about US$440M on the prime finish. That is decrease than its earlier plan to boost US$1B at a US$6B valuation.
Animoca Manufacturers set for Nasdaq itemizing through reverse merger deal: Singapore-based Currenc Group will purchase all shares of Animoca Manufacturers by way of a proposed reverse merger. Nasdaq-listed Currenc stated the mixed entity would function below the Animoca Manufacturers identify and be publicly traded within the US.
MENA startups funding drop 77% in October: report: Startup funding declined to US$785M in October from September’s US$3.5B. The UAE led with US$616M over 15 offers, pushed by Property Finder’s US$525M debt spherical.
France experiences Shein for promoting ‘childlike intercourse dolls’ on-line: The Directorate Normal for Competitors, Client Affairs and Fraud Management stated the web categorisation of those dolls “makes it tough to doubt the kid pornography nature of the content material,” in line with French media.
Taiwan’s CloudMile secures US$20M to broaden AI providers in SEA: Traders embody NEXUS CVC and TFB Capital. CloudMile operates twin headquarters in Singapore and Taiwan and offers AI, cybersecurity, and FinOps providers to enterprises within the area.
UK regulator to probe Getty, Shutterstock merge: Britain’s Competitors and Markets Authority stated it obtained suggestions from companies, commerce associations, and business teams, together with the Information Media Affiliation, about potential impacts on pricing and the standard of editorial and inventory photos.
SEMICONDUCTOR
Trump says Nvidia’s prime AI chips just for US corporations: The US President stated he wouldn’t enable the sale of top-tier Blackwell chips to Chinese language corporations however didn’t rule out entry to much less succesful variations. Nvidia plans to provide over 260K Blackwell chips to South Korea.
Microsoft to ship 60,000 Nvidia AI chips to UAE: The chips, together with Nvidia’s superior GB300 Grace Blackwell fashions, shall be utilized in UAE knowledge centres. The transaction is a part of Microsoft’s deliberate US$15.2B tech funding within the UAE.
TSMC to start constructing US$49B chip hub in Taiwan: The corporate plans to arrange 4 new fabs, investing US$49B within the challenge, with the primary fab anticipated to start mass manufacturing within the second half of 2028. The event is anticipated to create 8,000-10,000 jobs.
AI
Singapore, Korea enhance AI, tech ties in strategic partnership: The leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in AI, superior applied sciences, digital innovation, inexperienced transition, and free commerce. Singapore is South Korea’s fourth-largest investor.
South Korea’s president proposes US$7B AI funding in 2026 price range: The plan consists of increasing AI use in sectors reminiscent of robotics, vehicles, semiconductors, logistics, biotech, public well being, training, and taxation, in addition to rising computing capability and superior AI coaching.
The soul of Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurship: When AI is a software, not a crutch: AI is reshaping the area’s startup scene, however true innovation lies in fixing human issues, not simply including “AI-powered” labels.
Who actually controls your AI?: This text explores how AI sovereignty is reshaping international energy. It seems on the new techno-political blocs forming round management of digital infrastructure and the rising focus of energy throughout the AI worth chain.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Is crypto coming into a self-inflicted disaster? Contained in the leverage and solvency spiral: Regardless of modest US fairness positive aspects, crypto markets face renewed stress from altcoin selloffs, change fears, and structural fragility.
AI translation finished proper: Customized LLMs for full language entry native voice: AI translation high quality relies upon much less on the mannequin and extra on clear guidelines, native fashion guides, and human suggestions to protect genuine voice.
The way forward for cybersecurity in a decentralised world: In a decentralised world, customers personal their identities, property, and knowledge. Transactions are clear, immutable, and verified by consensus, not by a single server or admin. From a cybersecurity standpoint, this marks a basic shift in belief.
From runway to income: Constructing investor-grade B2B startups in Southeast Asia: The area’s B2B startups face rising stress to show operational self-discipline as buyers favour resilient, execution-driven progress.
Past grades and progress: Constructing training methods that nurture empathy: A Singaporean founder’s journey reveals how empathy, conviction, and accountability can redefine management and training throughout Asia.
Constructing a sustainable future, from Sierra Leone to Southeast Asia: Cross-regional collaboration between Africa and Asia is driving sustainable power innovation, proving shared imaginative and prescient can energy actual change.
The silent poetry of area: Why structure feels earlier than it speaks: Structure blends artwork, operate, and empathy, shaping how folks dwell, really feel, and join by way of sustainable and human-centred design.
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