# UOB FinLab > Powered by UOB --- ## Pages - [The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 - Partners](https://thefinlab.com/the-greentech-accelerator-2024-partners/): The GreenTech Accelerator is a 6-month regional programme for global greentechs to grow, transform, forge partnerships and pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. - [Third Party Redirect Page](https://thefinlab.com/url-redirection/): You are about to access an external website. Please read our important information on accessing external websites before proceeding. Do... - [SME Networking Day 2025 Registration Form](https://thefinlab.com/sme-networking-day-2025-registration/): Join us for an evening of connections, inspiration, and celebrating our 10-year journey together. - [UOB Sustainability Masterclass 2025 Registration Form](https://thefinlab.com/sustainability-masterclass-registration/): Sustainability Masterclass Registration Form - [Malaysia GoExport Form Johor Edition](https://thefinlab.com/uob-malaysia-go-export-registration-johor-edition/): Join our exclusive workshop series designed for Malaysian SMEs looking to start, grow and scale their export business. - [Malaysia GoExport Form](https://thefinlab.com/uob-malaysia-go-export-registration/): Join our exclusive workshop series designed for Malaysian SMEs looking to start, grow and scale their export business. - [Malaysia AI Ready Programme Registration Form](https://thefinlab.com/malaysia-ai-ready-programme-registration/): Find out how you can enhance your business with AI - [UOB SIP 2025 Registration Form](https://thefinlab.com/uob-sustainability-innovation-programme-registration/): Sustainability Innovation Programme Registration Form - [UOB SME Elevate Programme Registration](https://thefinlab.com/uob-sme-elevate-programme-registration/): UOB SME Elevate Programme Upskilling businesses and employees for the future Getting Started Gain practical knowledge, expert insights, and hands-on... - [Archives](https://thefinlab.com/resources/archives/): Gain deep insights and understanding of markets, industries, and potential for business growth with digitalisation strategies. - [Home Page](https://thefinlab.com/): Your browser does not support the video tag. Accelerating Business Innovation across ASEAN With our proprietary tools, webinars, events, and... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme - Xin Chào Hà Nôi​](https://thefinlab.com/vietnam/digitalisation-innovation-programme-xin-chao-ha-noi/): Digitalisation Innovation Programme – Xin Chào Hà Nôi 13 September 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Xin Chào Hà Nôi... - [Vietnam](https://thefinlab.com/vietnam/): Vietnam Vietnam’s fast-growing economy and national digital agenda offer exciting opportunities. Through UOB FinLab’s collaborative programmes, businesses gain the tools... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA](https://thefinlab.com/indonesia/digitalisation-innovation-programme-ukm-sukses-x-hipmi-jaya/): Digitalisation Innovation Programme – UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA 11 July 2024 – 1 August 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation... - [The GreenTech Accelerator - Mentors Profile](https://thefinlab.com/the-greentech-accelerator-mentors/): Learn more about our business mentors, who bring a wealth of experience from diverse industries to help accelerate your business growth. - [Thailand](https://thefinlab.com/thailand/): Thailand With support from government partners and other regional partners, the Smart Business Transformation Programme helps SMEs in Thailand to... - [Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024](https://thefinlab.com/thailand/sustainability-innovation-programme-2024/): Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 29 – 30 พฤษภาคม 2567 “ธุรกิจที่ยั่งยืน” จะไม่ใช่แค่คําสวยหรูอีกต่อไป สร้างแผนธุรกิจยั่งยืนพร้อมทั้งประเมินความพร้อม ขององค์กรท่านด้วยเครื่องมือใหม่ UOB Sustainability Compass ในวันที่ 29 พ. ค.... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Jom Transform - Unlocking Halal Markets: Expand your Reach Globally](https://thefinlab.com/malaysia/digitalisation-innovation-programme-jom-transform-unlocking-halal-markets/): Unlocking Halal Markets: Expand your Reach Globally 26 July 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: JOM Transform – Unlocking Halal... - [Digital Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x APINDO](https://thefinlab.com/indonesia/digital-innovation-programme-ukm-sukses-x-apindo/): Digital Innovation Programme – UKM SUKSES x APINDO 15 March 2024 – 3 May 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme:... - [Indonesia](https://thefinlab.com/indonesia/): Indonesia The digital economy has great potential to accelerate Indonesia’s economy. The Indonesian government also aims to fully digitalise by... - [Malaysia](https://thefinlab.com/malaysia/): Malaysia The Jom Transform Programme seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia better compete in the digital... - [About Us](https://thefinlab.com/about-us/): About UOB FinLab UOB FinLab is the bank’s innovation accelerator that brings the ecosystem together to catalyse business growth and... - [Malaysia](https://thefinlab.com/resources/malaysia/): Resources Malaysia Find out more about how we can help with your digitalisation journey in Malaysia. Success Stories All stories... - [Thailand](https://thefinlab.com/resources/thailand/): Resources Thailand Find out more about how we can help with your digitalisation journey in Thailand. Success Stories All stories... - [Regional](https://thefinlab.com/resources/regional/): Resources Regional Kick-start your digitalisation journey with us across ASEAN. Success Stories All stories Digitalisation Powers Thai SME’s Big Dreams... - [Sustainability](https://thefinlab.com/resources/sustainability/): Resources Sustainability Find out more about key trends, solutions, and insights into what it takes to kickstart your journey to... - [Digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/resources/digitalisation/): Resources Digitalisation Discover more on digitalisation and find out how to navigate making this change. Digitalisation Programmes Registration now open!... - [Contact Us](https://thefinlab.com/contact-us/): Get in touch We’re glad to help you with any enquiries. Follow us /thefinlab Apply as Small & Medium Enterprise... - [Resources](https://thefinlab.com/resources/): Gain deep insights and understanding of markets, industries, and potential for business growth with digitalisation strategies. --- ## Posts --- ## Articles - [The Convergence of AI and Sustainability](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-convergence-of-ai-and-sustainability/): AI and sustainability are converging, creating new opportunities for SMEs to boost efficiency and strengthen ESG performance. With Budget 2026... - [Beyond the Chatbot: Hardwiring AI into Your Business](https://thefinlab.com/articles/beyond-the-chatbot-hardwiring-ai-into-your-business/): AI is shifting from boosting individual productivity to transforming how entire organisations make decisions and operate. With strong national support... - [2025: A Milestone Year for SMEs — and the Power of Moving Forward Together](https://thefinlab.com/articles/2025-a-milestone-year-for-smes-and-the-power-of-moving-forward-together/): 2025 marked a major shift for SMEs as digitalisation, AI, and sustainability became immediate priorities. For UOB FinLab, it was... - [Smarter, Not Harder: How SMEs Can Harness AI for Automation and Growth](https://thefinlab.com/articles/smarter-not-harder-how-smes-can-harness-ai-for-automation-and-growth/): AI helps SMEs work faster and smarter by automating routine tasks and improving decisions. Its impact relies on clean data,... - [Smart Manufacturing Connect: Driving Innovation, Trade Resilience & AI Adoption – UOB FinLab Vietnam](https://thefinlab.com/articles/smart-manufacturing-connect-navigating-innovation-trade-ai-frontiers-uob-finlab-vietnam/): UOB FinLab Vietnam's Smart Manufacturing Connect explored AI, trade shifts & digital strategies to drive Vietnam’s manufacturing toward a smarter... - [Singapore Fintech Festival 2025: Framing the next decade of growth for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/singapore-fintech-festival-2025-framing-the-next-decade-of-growth-for-smes/): At the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, leaders explored how trust, interoperable payments, and strong governance will shape SME success in... - [The Consumer Shift: Green Choices Driving SME Change](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-consumer-shift-green-choices-driving-sme-change/): Southeast Asia’s consumers are choosing sustainability—and SMEs must adapt. Green preferences are reshaping strategies, making data-driven insights critical. Analytics helps... - [Upskilling: An Important Currency That Buys SMEs a Future in the Digital Age](https://thefinlab.com/articles/upskilling-an-important-currency-that-buys-smes-a-future-in-the-digital-age/): Upskilling is the key investment that empowers SMEs to fully leverage technology, stay competitive, and thrive in ASEAN’s fast-evolving digital... - [Demystifying Sustainability Reporting for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/demystifying-sustainability-reporting-for-smes/): Sustainability reporting isn’t just compliance, it’s a growth strategy. It builds trust, wins bigger customers, and drives efficiency. The UOB... - [From Talk to Action: Turning Sustainability into Measurable Business Outcomes](https://thefinlab.com/articles/from-talk-to-action-turning-sustainability-into-measurable-business-outcomes/): UOB FinLab helps SMEs turn sustainability intent into measurable outcomes — from cost savings to emissions reduction — by bridging... - [Greentech Accelerator Thailand Pilots Showcase](https://thefinlab.com/articles/greentech-accelerator-thailand-pilots-showcase/): The GreenTech Accelerator Thailand drives sustainability through pilots in energy, waste, agriculture, and building maintenance—delivering cost savings, improved recycling, reduced... - [UOB x Womenpreneur Series 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-x-womenpreneur-series-2025/): Continuing from last year, #UOBxWomenpreneurs series returns in 2025, organised by Business Banking Singapore (BBS), UOB FinLab, and Group Wholesale... - [Greentech Accelerator Malaysia Pilots: Real Impact for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/greentech-accelerator-malaysia-pilots-real-impact-for-smes/): UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator is helping Malaysian SMEs take the first step toward sustainability. Intlife’s AI energy system cut HCK... - [Intentional Digitalisation: The Importance of Balancing Speed with Strategy](https://thefinlab.com/articles/intentional-digitalisation-the-importance-of-balancing-speed-with-strategy/): Digitalisation works best when guided by strategy. SMEs that align tech with business goals see real impact. UOB FinLab helps... - [UOB FinLab Malaysia’s AI Ready Programme Empowers Malaysian SMEs to Embrace the Future](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-finlab-malaysias-ai-ready-programme-empowers-malaysian-smes-to-embrace-the-future/): UOB Malaysia’s FinLab AI Ready Programme empowers SMEs with practical tools, expert guidance, and ecosystem support to simplify AI adoption... - [UOB FinLab Vietnam: Digital Gateway to Global Markets — Event Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digital-gateway-to-global-markets/): UOB FinLab Vietnam: Digital Gateway to Global Markets empowered SMEs with insights and connections to scale globally with confidence. - [Tackling Sustainability as One Nation: How SMEs Can Lead and Thrive](https://thefinlab.com/articles/tackling-sustainability-as-one-nation-how-smes-can-lead-and-thrive/): As Singapore advances its Green Plan 2030, UOB FinLab is working with SMEs to turn sustainability into a pathway for... - [UOB FinLab’s Journey: A Decade of Innovation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-finlabs-journey-a-decade-of-innovation/): At UOB FinLab, we’ve spent the last 10 years enabling SMEs across the region to adapt, transform, and thrive, no... - [Post GreenTech Accelerator 2024: DKSH x Smart Tradzt](https://thefinlab.com/articles/post-greentech-accelerator-2024-dksh-x-smart-tradzt/): It has been almost a year since the team at UOB FinLab culminated its GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA). We decided... - [UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-finlab-ai-ready-programme-recap/): UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme empowers SMEs to adopt and scale AI, with hands-on support from AI Singapore, IMDA, and... - [UOB Joins Forces with SkillsFuture Singapore: Empowering SMEs for the Future](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-joins-forces-with-skillsfuture-singapore-empowering-smes-for-the-future/): As a newly appointed SkillsFuture Queen Bee (SFQB), UOB is supporting SMEs with the UOB SME Elevate Programme — offering... - [Upskilling: A Key Strategy to Futureproof SMEs in a Digital and Sustainable Economy](https://thefinlab.com/articles/upskilling-a-key-strategy-to-futureproof-smes-in-a-digital-and-sustainable-economy/): Upskilling is the key for SMEs to thrive in a digital and sustainable economy—and UOB FinLab is here to make... - [UKM SUKSES Event Recap 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/ukm-sukses-event-recap-2025/): UOB FinLab Indonesia held a series of its UKM SUKSES programmes, benefitting various Indonesian founders. The programme covered various topics... - [AI in Singapore: Big Vision, Bigger Opportunities for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/ai-in-singapore-big-vision-bigger-opportunities-for-smes/): Uncover how Singapore's AI Strategy aand UOB FinLab's hands-on support are turning ambition into action for SMEs. - [Jom Transform Sustainability Accelerator Programme (SAP) 2.0 Programme Highlights](https://thefinlab.com/articles/jom-transform-sustainability-accelerator-programme-sap-2-0-programme-highlights/): UOB Malaysia launched the Sustainabillity Accelerator Programme 2. 0 (SAP 2. 0) in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia. This initiative aims... - [2025 May Day Rally: Helping SMEs navigate through digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/2025-may-day-rally-helping-smes-navigate-through-digitalisation/): Discover key insights from the recent May Day Rally, highlighting how digitalisation, sustainability, talent development and upskilling are shaping Singapore’s... - [Two women entrepreneurs on how they tackled tradition and gender biases to transform their businesses](https://thefinlab.com/articles/two-women-entrepreneurs-how-they-tackled-tradition-and-gender-biases-transform-their-businesses/): Two women entrepreneurs share how they overcame tradition and gender biases to transform their businesses, using innovation, resilience, and strategic... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur (D.I.P:W) 2025 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur-2025-recap/): UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2025 (D. I. P:W), in collaboration with UOB Business Banking Singapore, brought together women... - [UOB FinLab Thailand supports Thai SMEs for international expansion with the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP)](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-thailand-supports-thai-smes-for-international-expansion-with-the-e-commerce-accelerator-programme-eap-by-uob-finlab/): Look at how Thailand supports Thai SMEs to expand internationally through the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP) - [UOB FinLab Thailand is Awarded the Climate Action Award 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-finlab-thailand-is-awarded-the-climate-action-award-2025/): UOB FinLab in Thailand has been conferred the prestigous Climate Action Award 2025 for its efforts in combating climate change - [Sustainability Trends in Singapore for 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-trends-in-singapore-for-2025/): Learn about the key sustainability trends UOB FinLab is focusing on for 2025. - [Keeping Up with AI 2.0](https://thefinlab.com/articles/keeping-up-with-ai-2-0/): Discover the transformative impact of Agentic and Physical AI on ASEAN businesses, from automation and innovation to regional growth and... - [Announcing Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/announcing-digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur-2025/): Announce D. I. P:W 2025 and cement UOB FinLab’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. - [Digitalisation is not just a competitive advantage it is a necessity](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-is-not-just-a-competitive-advantage-it-is-a-necessity/): Uncover how UOB FinLab has been leading the way in helping SMEs across ASEAN embrace digitalisation to fuel growth and... - [Top Digitalisation and Sustainability Trends in 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/top-digitalisation-and-sustainability-trends-in-2025/): Learn more about the up and coming top 2025 trends in digitalisation and sustainability - [2024 Year in Review](https://thefinlab.com/articles/2024-year-in-review/): Highlight key milestones in 2024 and showcase real results UOB FinLab achieved this year - [Expanding Globally with UOB FinLab and Amazon’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Module](https://thefinlab.com/articles/expanding-globally-with-uob-finlab-and-amazon-cross-border-e-commerce-module/): Find out more about how to expand your business globally with UOB FinLab and Amazon’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Module - [Unlock Your Business Potential with the Synagie Module](https://thefinlab.com/articles/unlock-your-business-potential-with-the-synagie-module/): UOB FinLab has recently collaborated with Synagie to elevate its Digital Innovation and E-commerce module on our community page! Learn... - [MoneyFM Interview on Industry Insight: Accelerating green technology to tackle climate change](https://thefinlab.com/articles/moneyfm-interview-on-industry-insight-accelerating-green-tehcnology-to-tackle-climate-change/): Uncover key takeaways from our MoneyFM interview with Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, and Emmanual Tay, CEO and CoFounder... - [UOB ASEAN Conversations: How is UOB FinLab empowering Womenpreneurs for long-term success](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-asean-conversations-how-is-uob-finlab-empowering-womenpreneurs-for-long-term-success/): Discover how UOB FinLab supports women entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving business landscape through initiatives, including the Digitalisation Innovation Programme:... - [16 Pilots unveiled at the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 Showcase Day](https://thefinlab.com/articles/16-pilots-unveiled-at-the-greentech-accelerator-2024-showcase-day/): UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) strives to develop and market green technology solutions for business sustainability. - [UOB FinLab Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme supports SMEs on their green transitions](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-finlab-thailand-sustainability-innovation-programme-supports-smes-on-their-green-transitions/): Join us as we walk through the memory lane of 5 weeks with UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 - [Empowering Womenpreneurs: A UOB Collaboration for Growth](https://thefinlab.com/articles/empowering-womenpreneurs-a-uob-collaboration-for-growth/): Wrapping up the #UOBxWomenpreneur Series on 15 October, UOB reinforced its commitment to supporting SMEs. In collaboration with Business Banking... - [The Impact of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-impact-of-uob-finlabs-sustainability-innovation-programme-2024/): Find out how UOB FinLab empower SMEs in accelerating their sustainable journey through UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 - [Sustainability Innovation Programme - A Recap of Key Insights and Takeaways](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-innovation-programme-a-recap-of-key-insights-and-takeaways/): Join us as we walk through the memory lane of 5 weeks with UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme - Xin Chào SMEs 2024](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-innovation-programme-xin-chao-smes-2024-recap/): UOB Vietnam hosted the “Xin chào Hà Nội (Hello Hanoi): Cross-border Growth with E-commerce and Digital Solutions” programme to help... - [Top Grants for Singaporean SMEs looking to implement digitalisation or sustainability initiatives](https://thefinlab.com/articles/top-grants-for-singaporean-smes-looking-to-implement-digitalisation-or-sustainability-initiatives/): The good news for SMEs is that various grants are available by government agencies to ease the strain for Singaporean... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA 2024 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-innovation-programme-ukm-sukses-x-hipmi-jaya-2024-recap/): UOB FinLab Indonesia held its second UKM Sukses: Digitalisation Innovation Programme themed “Digitalise and Optimise Your Business: Womenpreneurs Edition”. The... - [UOB x Womenpreneur 2024](https://thefinlab.com/articles/uob-x-womenpreneur-2024/): To demonstrate UOB’s continued commitment to supporting the ambitions of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Business Banking Singapore, UOB FinLab... - [Recapping UOB FinLab’s First Masterclass - Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+](https://thefinlab.com/articles/recapping-uob-finlabs-first-masterclass-digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur/): UOB FinLab's first masterclass of the Digitilisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+, offering womenpreneurs expert insights, covering topics that are crucial to... - [Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 - Pursuing the path to Net Zero](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-innovation-programme-2024-pursuing-the-path-to-net-zero/): Learn how UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is driving SMEs toward net zero, featuring insights from our expert panel... - [Supporting the Local Womenpreneur Community](https://thefinlab.com/articles/supporting-the-local-womenpreneur-community/): Discover how UOB Finlab is empowering women entrepreneurs within the dynamic SME ecosystem with our Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur. - [Sustaining Sustainability for SMEs in ASEAN](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustaining-sustainability-for-smes-in-asean/): Uncover the challenges SMEs in Southeast Asia face as they navigate the adoption of AI. - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES X APINDO 2024 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-innovation-programme-ukm-sukses-x-apindo-2024-recap/): Dive into the recap of the 8-week digitalisation programme from UOB FinLab’s Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X APINDO. - [GreenTech Accelerator 2024 - Unveiling the Shortlisted Participants](https://thefinlab.com/articles/greentech-accelerator-2024-unveiling-the-shortlisted-participants/): UOB FinLab unveils the 33 greentech finalists for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 programme. - [Unlocking Sustainability Wins With Digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/unlocking-sustainability-wins-with-digitalisation/): Discover how UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is leveraging digitalisation to accelerate sustainability journeys for SMEs. - [Going Green Means Going Strong: How Sustainability Builds Resilience for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/going-green-means-going-strong-how-sustainability-builds-resilience-for-smes/): Uncover UOB FinLab’s insights on macroeconomic trends and our commitment to empower SMEs through sustainability development with our Sustainability Innovation... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2024 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur-2024-recap/): The Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur is a forward-looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. The... - [From the Singapore Budget 2024 to a New Prime Minister Appointment: Lessons from Singapore's Dynamic Year](https://thefinlab.com/articles/from-the-singapore-budget-2024-to-a-new-prime-minister-appointment-lessons-from-singapores-dynamic-year/): Uncover the impact of the Singapore Budget and the May Day Rally 2024 for SMEs in their digitalisation and sustainability... - [Mother’s Day - Enabling womenpreneurs to catalyse business growth](https://thefinlab.com/articles/mothers-day-2024-enabling-womenpreneurs-to-catalyse-business-growth/): UOB FinLab celebrates Mother’s Day by spotlighting womanpreneur - Reena Yin, who gracefully balances motherhood and business. Discover Reena's inspiring... - [Southeast Asian SMEs can mutually benefit from driving the circular economy](https://thefinlab.com/articles/southeast-asian-smes-can-mutually-benefit-from-driving-the-circular-economy/): UOB FinLab is leading the charge in Southeast Asia by enabling SMEs to embrace the circular economy, reducing waste and... - [What SMEs can do for Earth Day 2024](https://thefinlab.com/articles/what-smes-can-do-for-earth-day-2024/): Discover how UOB FinLab is championing sustainable innovations with SMEs to drive positive change with transformative programmes. Join us in... - [Unlocking the potential of womenpreneurs in ASEAN](https://thefinlab.com/articles/unlocking-the-potential-of-womenpreneurs-in-asean/): Discover how UOB FinLab is empowering women entrepreneurs and business leaders across ASEAN with tailored programmes that drive business growth... - [Sustainability Series: Countering Greenwashing in Southeast Asia](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-series-countering-greenwashing-in-southeast-asia/): This is the second iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series, in which we discuss greenwashing challenges in Southeast Asia and... - [Why Southeast Asia’s growing waste problem presents huge opportunity for climate tech start-ups](https://thefinlab.com/articles/why-southeast-asias-growing-waste-problem-presents-huge-opportunity-for-climate-tech-start-ups/): With Asean contributing to roughly 25 per cent of waste worldwide, innovative tech solutions could help to manage waste and... - [Technology’s Role in Combating Excessive Waste in ASEAN](https://thefinlab.com/articles/technologys-role-in-combating-excessive-waste-in-asean/): We now approach the final weeks before applications for UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 come to a close. We have... - [Growing and Transforming Global GreenTechs for Sustainability](https://thefinlab.com/articles/growing-and-transforming-global-greentechs-for-sustainability/): UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) strives to develop and market green technology solutions for business sustainability. - [ยกระดับและพลิกโฉม GreenTech ทั่วโลกเพื่อความยั่งยืน](https://thefinlab.com/articles/th-transforming-greentechs-for-sustainability/): UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) มุ่งมุ่งเน้นการพัฒนาและผลักดันโซลูชันเทคโนโลยีสีเขียว (green technology solutions) เพื่อความยั่งยืนของภาคธุรกิจ โดยจัดการอบรม, ให้รับคำปรึกษาจากผู้เชี่ยวชาญ, เน็ตเวิร์คกับเครือข่ายอันกว้างขวางของ UOB FinLab และได้รับเงินทุนสนับสนุนสูงสุดรวม 100,000 ดอลลาร์สิงคโปร์ - [Unlocking New Opportunities in The Arts Space](https://thefinlab.com/articles/unlocking-new-opportunities-in-the-arts-space/): The Arts play an important role in today's society. Learn more about how UOB FinLab’s Acceleration Programme for the Arts... - [2023 Year in Review and Looking Ahead](https://thefinlab.com/articles/2023-year-in-review-and-looking-ahead/): Learn more about UOB FinLab's key milestones in 2023 and how the team is staying committed to helping SMEs in... - [COP28 Recap - Key Takeaways for Singapore](https://thefinlab.com/articles/cop28-recap-key-learnings-for-singapore/): Read this article to learn more about our key takeaways from the COP28 event. - [The Promise of AI for Digitalisation and Sustainability (Singapore FinTech Festival 2023)](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-promise-of-ai-for-digitalisation-and-sustainability-singapore-fintech-festival-2023/): The team at UOB FinLab was honoured to attend this year’s Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF 2023). Learn more about the... - [The balance between tradition and digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sme-stories-aikido-shinju-kai/): The balance between tradition and modernity can be tricky to get right. However, when it is achieved, it is an... - [Sustainability Series: Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-series-renewable-energy-certificates-recs/): First iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series - a series of articles that address a different area of sustainability and... - [The Untapped Potential of SMEs in Indonesia](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-untapped-potential-of-smes-in-indonesia/): Earlier in September, the UOB FinLab team launched in Indonesia, marking our fifth in-market launch across ASEAN. With this launch,... - [Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023](https://thefinlab.com/articles/jom-transform-programme-digitalisation-2023/): Discover the highlights of the Jom Transform Programme, and how it empowers Malaysian SMEs with digital tools to excel in... - [Jom Transform Programme – Arts Digital Accelerator 2023](https://thefinlab.com/articles/jom-transform-programme-arts-digital-accelerator-2023/): The Arts Digital Accelerator Programme aims to support local art ecosystem to strengthen their businesses and digital capabilities to achieve... - [UKM SUKSES 2023 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/ukm-sukses-2023-recap/): UKM SUKSES is a 2-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of sales and operations to grow their... - [Sustainability Innovation Programme 2023 Highlights](https://thefinlab.com/articles/sustainability-innovation-programme-2023-highlights/): The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2-week programme to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green... - [Xin Chào SMEs: Grow Your Sales Through E-Commerce and Digital Marketing 2023 Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/xin-chao-smes-grow-your-sales-through-e-commerce-and-digital-marketing-2023-recap/): UOB FinLab launched its inaugural digital transformation programme in Ho Chi Minh City on 13 June 2023. Participants of The... - [Smart Nation Webinar Series: Retail and E-Commerce - Innovating with Technology](https://thefinlab.com/articles/smart_nation_series-retail_and_e-commerce-innovating_with_technology/): A look at the current state of retail and e-commerce and how technology such as a smart POS system can... - [CNA938 Interview for Sustainability Innovation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/articles/cna938-interview-for-sustainability-innovation-programme/): Uncover key takeaways from our CNA 938 interview with Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, on the Sustainability Innovation Programme. - [CNA938 Interview for Acceleration Programme for the Arts](https://thefinlab.com/articles/cna938-interview-for-acceleration-programme-for-the-arts/): The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023, by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to help arts organisations strengthen... - [Supporting SMEs in their sustainability journey](https://thefinlab.com/articles/supporting-smes-in-their-sustainability-journey/): How WeavAir’s Natalia Mykhaylova benefited from the Sustainability Innovation Programme. - [The 2023 action plan for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-2023-action-plan-for-smes/): For many of us, 2023 is off to an unusual start, due in part to recent economic forecasts and headlines... - [Commentary: Think big but start small — how companies, employees can contribute to Singapore’s Green Plan 2030](https://thefinlab.com/articles/commentary-think-big-but-start-small-how-companies-employees-can-contribute-to-singapores-green-plan-2030/): Moving towards a net-zero future is non-negotiable — and while it’s important to take steps towards being more eco-friendly, it’s... - [How Tech Solutions Can Help SMEs Go Green And Save On Utilities](https://thefinlab.com/articles/how-tech-solutions-can-help-smes-go-green-and-save-on-utilities/): Local accelerator programme bridges the gap between providers and SMEs, lowering the costs of adopting new technologies - [Tackling today’s sustainability challenges with greentech innovations of tomorrow](https://thefinlab.com/articles/tackling-todays-sustainability-challenges-with-greentech-innovations-of-tomorrow/): As the climate crisis mounts, green technologies help reduce environmental footprint while driving sustainable growth. - [The FinLab’s Deep Dive Programme 2022](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-finlabs-deep-dive-programme-2022/): Discover the highlights of UOB FinLab's 2022 Deep Dive Programme, part of the GreenTech Accelerator, and how it grows greentech... - [Looping SMEs Into The Circular Economy (Part 2)](https://thefinlab.com/articles/looping-smes-into-the-circular-economy-part-2/): Shifting to business models that are grounded in the principles of the circular economy will not only bring SMEs cost-savings... - [Tips on overcoming lows and getting back on track](https://thefinlab.com/articles/tips-on-overcoming-lows-and-getting-back-on-track/): When Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based marketing analytics startup Aimazing was incorporated seven years ago in Singapore, it was still a mobile... - [How Will Digital Marketing Look Like In 2025](https://thefinlab.com/articles/how-will-digital-marketing-look-like-in-2025/): The future of digital marketing is diverse, and its potential is vast. Technology is a driving force in today’s digital... - [Up your SEO Gameplan in 3 Steps: The SEO MAC Framework](https://thefinlab.com/articles/up-your-seo-gameplan-in-3-steps-the-seo-mac-framework/): People frequently search online using keywords and phrases related to your business or service. It is important to have a... - [Greentech Companies are Ushering in a New-Era of Energy Efficiency: Here’s How](https://thefinlab.com/articles/greentech-companies-are-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-energy-efficiency-heres-how/): For hundreds of years, humanity has used coal, oil, and natural gas to run civilizations and wage wars. - [Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-finlab-jom-transform-programme-womenpreneurs-edition/): The FinLab’s Jom Transform Programme- Womenpreneurs Edition is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey... - [Digital Spotlight Recap](https://thefinlab.com/articles/digital-spotlight-recap/): Digital Spotlight is a series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital... - [The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-finlabs-sustainability-innovation-programme-2022/): The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 5-week programme to help SMEs to transform their companies into sustainable businesses. - [Wanted: new technology to recycle old mattresses](https://thefinlab.com/articles/wanted-new-technology-to-recycle-old-mattresses/): The pursuit of a good night’s sleep is doing bad things to the environment — at least judging from the... - [The Future of Working Women in Singapore](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-future-of-working-women-in-singapore/): In the past ten years, women have become more active participants in Singapore’s labour force. What is interesting to note,... - [The FinLab Report: From Disruption to Transformation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/the-finlab-report-from-disruption-to-transformation/): The pandemic has had widespread impact on the operations of home-based and other micro-businesses in Singapore, with six in 10... - [Driving Impact Through Business Transformation](https://thefinlab.com/articles/driving-impact-through-business-transformation/): Outdated internal management systems, operational efficiencies, rising costs — several factors could serve as barriers to growth for small-and-medium enterprises... --- ## Events - [Women in Business Programme](https://thefinlab.com/events/women-in-business-programme/): Empowering women business leaders to scale with clarity and confidence — through financial resilience, digital uplift, strong leadership, and ASEAN... - [AI for Sustainability: Transforming Businesses for a Greener Future](https://thefinlab.com/events/ai-for-sustainability-transforming-businesses-for-a-greener-future/): Be equipped with the clarity, confidence and practical guidance needed for SMEs to start or strengthen their sustainability journey. This... - [Generative AI Content Creation](https://thefinlab.com/events/generative-ai-content-creation/): This hands-on workshop introduces powerful generative AI tools for content creation. Participants will learn how to produce high-impact text, visuals,... - [Sustainability Reporting for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/events/sustainability-reporting-for-smes/): Learn about major reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and CDP, and develop a robust action plan for implementing... - [Unlocking Digital Growth for SMEs: GenAI Content, Livestream Commerce and the Creator Economy](https://thefinlab.com/events/unlocking-digital-growth-for-smes-genai-content-livestream-commerce-and-the-creator-economy/): Join us for an engaging, eye-opening session where our speakers break down the strategies that businesses use to build trust,... - [Carbon Management for SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/events/carbon-management-for-smes/): Discover how Singapore’s climate ambitions and the Paris Agreement shape national policies and business impacts. Master Scope 1, 2, and... - [UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event](https://thefinlab.com/events/uob-womenpreneurs-networking-event/): Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. - [Microsoft SME AI Programme Launch](https://thefinlab.com/events/microsoft-sme-ai-programme-launch/): Designed to teach you about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. Learners will comprehend basic AI-related terms such as Machine... - [UOB FinLab’s 10th Anniversary Networking Evening](https://thefinlab.com/events/sme-networking-day-2025/): UOB FinLab 10th Anniversary Networking Evening celebrates a decade of empowering businesses across ASEAN through digitalisation, sustainability, and innovation. - [UOB Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme 2025](https://thefinlab.com/events/uob-thailand-sustainability-innovation-programme-2025/): Transforming SME Businesses Towards Sustainability - [UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event](https://thefinlab.com/events/uob-womenpreneur-networking-event/): Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. - [Empowering Womenpreneurs Networking: A UOB Collaboration for Growth](https://thefinlab.com/events/digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur-series-2/): Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is... - [Go Global: Accelerate your Amazon Global Stores Journey with DHL & UOB](https://thefinlab.com/events/go-global-amazon-dhl/): Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global... - [Sustainability Deep Dives - Sustainable Cities & Living](https://thefinlab.com/events/sustainability-deep-dives-sustainable-cities-living/): Discover how to create sustainable urban environments with insights from experts and leading greentechs. This session will highlight innovative approaches... - [Sustainability Deep Dives - Circular Economy & Waste Management](https://thefinlab.com/events/sustainability-deep-dives-circular-economy-waste-management/): Delve into the principles and practices of the Circular Economy & Waste Management. Learn from experts and pioneering greentechs about... - [Sustainability Deep Dives - Energy Efficiency](https://thefinlab.com/events/sustainability-deep-dives-energy-efficiency/): Explore the latest in Energy Efficiency through thought leadership and practical solutions. Industry leaders and innovative greentechs will share their... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+](https://thefinlab.com/events/digitalisation-innovation-programme-womenpreneur/): The D. I. P:W+ is a series of masterclasses to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in business and digital transformation. - [UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event 2024](https://thefinlab.com/events/uob-womenpreneurs-networking-event-2024/): Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is... - [Womenpreneurs Building Big with UOB](https://thefinlab.com/events/womenpreneurs-building-big-with-uob/): RSVP now to connect with women business leaders on their entrepreneurial experiences! Be the first to learn about the exciting... - [UOB FinLab LabCrawl 2023](https://thefinlab.com/events/uob-finlab-labcrawl-2023/): As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, UOB FinLab’s annual LabCrawl is happening on the 14th of November. - [Thailand SIP 2023](https://thefinlab.com/events/thailand-sip-2023/): ปรับธุรกิจท่องเที่ยวให้พร้อมรับการโอกาสครั้งใหญ่กับโครงการ Sustainability Innovation Programme: Transforming Thailand’s Tourism - [Unlocking Growth Opportunities to Transform Digitally](https://thefinlab.com/events/unlocking-growth-opportunities-and-transform-your-business-digitally/): Are you an SME owner looking to navigate the digital landscape and harness the power of technology to drive growth... - [Xin Chào SMEs: Grow Your Sales Through E-Commerce and Digital Marketing](https://thefinlab.com/events/xin-chao-smes-grow-your-sales-through-e-commerce-and-digital-marketing/): UOB FinLab launched its inaugural digital transformation programme in Ho Chi Minh City on 13-14 June 2023. Participants of The... - [Jom Transform Programme 2023 - Digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/events/jom-transform-programme-digitalisation-day-1-2/): Discover how the 3-day Jom Transform Programme equips Malaysian SMEs with essential tools and expertise to excel in the digital... - [Smart Nation x Finlab Webinar - Qashier 2023](https://thefinlab.com/events/smart-nation-x-finlab-webinar-qashier-2023/): Retail and E-Commerce: Innovating with Technology - [The FinLab's Lab Crawl 2022](https://thefinlab.com/events/the-finlabs-lab-crawl-2022/): As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which... - [Deep Dive into The Future of Waste and Supply Chain](https://thefinlab.com/events/deep-dive-into-the-future-of-waste-and-supply-chain/): As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the... - [Human Capital Development in Logistics Sector](https://thefinlab.com/events/smart-logistics-webinar-series-2-enhancing-malaysias-smart-logistics-ecosystem/): Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies to remain competitive, Innovation... - [Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia](https://thefinlab.com/events/smart-logistics-webinar-series-3-levelling-up-the-logistics-strategy-for-smes-in-malaysia/): Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. - [The FinLab's Lab Crawl 2021](https://thefinlab.com/events/the-finlabs-lab-crawl/): As part of Singapore Fintech Festival 2021, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 11th and 12th November,... - [Enhancing Malaysia’s Smart Logistics Ecosystem](https://thefinlab.com/events/smart-logistics-webinar-series-1-malaysia-the-next-asean-logistics-hub/): Hear from the leader who has decades of experience in the logistics industry, on the industrial landscape and the future... - [Digital Spotlight Series #5 – Start Digital](https://thefinlab.com/events/digital-spotlight-series-5-start-digital/): Want to master Digital Solutions for your business? Join us in our Start Digital physical workshop to better understand on... - [Deep Dive into Carbon Management and Reporting](https://thefinlab.com/events/deep-dive-into-carbon-management-and-reporting/): As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon... - [Deep Dive into The Future of Energy](https://thefinlab.com/events/deep-dive-into-the-future-of-energy/): The future of energy is smart, sustainable and reliable. Learn from industry experts on what are some of the emerging... - [Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition: Programme Kick-Off](https://thefinlab.com/events/jom-transform-programme-womenpreneurs-edition-programme-kick-off/): Join us at our virtual kick off for the programme and hear what you will get to experience, and part-take... - [#SmartNationTogether – Growing Your Business Digitally With The FinLab #1: The Future of E-Payments](https://thefinlab.com/events/smartnationtogether-growing-your-business-digitally-with-the-finlab-1-the-future-of-e-payments/): How can businesses tap on payment platforms like NETS to enhance the customer experience? These moves can also help you... - [Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022 Launch](https://thefinlab.com/events/sustainability-innovation-programme-2022-launch/): The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is built for leaders looking to transform their companies into sustainable businesses. The SIP... - [Digital Mumpreneurs Programme Kick Off Event](https://thefinlab.com/events/digital-mumpreneurs-programme-kick-off-event/): Learn more about the journey of setting up your business, the challenges as a mumpreneur and how digital tools can... --- ## Programmes - [Women in Business Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/women-in-business-programme/): UOB FinLab's Women in Business Programme is a 7‑month scale‑up journey designed to help women business founders and leaders strengthen their business foundations, build leadership confidence, and unlock regional expansion opportunities. - [Sustainability Innovation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/sustainability-innovation-programme/): UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2 day programme curated for SMEs to be equipped with the knowledge,... - [The GreenTech Accelerator](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/the-greentech-accelerator/): The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme connects greentech innovators with corporates and SMEs across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to tackle sustainability challenges. - [Arts Acceleration Programme SEPs 2025](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/arts-acceleration-programme-for-seps/): The Acceleration Programme for SEPs 2025, by UOB FinLab, aims to help SEPs strengthen their business and digital capabilities towards... - [Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/womenpreneur/): UOB FinLab Womenpreneur programme is a forward looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. - [UOB AI Ready Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/uob-ai-ready-programme/): UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme helps SMEs adopt AI with expert workshops, ready-to-use tools, and hands-on support—no tech skills needed. - [Arts Acceleration Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/arts-acceleration-programme/): In collaboration with National Arts Council, the Arts Acceleration Programme aims to help arts organisations and Self-employed Person (SEPs) strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. - [UOB SME Elevate Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/uob-sme-elevate/): UOB has been appointed a SkillsFuture Queen Bee to help SMEs upskill and build a future-ready workforce. - [The GreenTech Accelerator 2024](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/the-greentech-accelerator-2024/): The GreenTech Accelerator is a 6-month regional programme for global greentechs to grow, transform, forge partnerships and pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. - [Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/acceleration-programme-for-the-arts-2024/): The Acceleration Programme for the Arts is back! Tailored for arts organisations, this programme by UOB FinLab and National Arts... - [Vietnam](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/vietnam/): Vietnam is a market with vast growth potential. The Vietnamese government has also approved the National Digital Transformation Programme by... - [The Greentech Accelerator 2023](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/the-greentech-accelerator-2023/): The Greentech Accelerator is a 3-month regional and global programme, organised by The FinLab, powered by UOB, to grow and... - [Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/acceleration-programme-for-the-arts-2023/): The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023, by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to help arts organisations strengthen... - [Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/jom-transform-programme-womenpreneurs-edition/): This programme is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. Kick-start... - [The Greentech Accelerator 2022](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/the-greentech-accelerator-2022/): The Greentech Accelerator, a 3-month UOB FinLab programme, is designed to grow innovative solutions for economic and environmental sustainability. - [Thailand](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/thailand/): With support from government partners and other regional partners, the Smart Business Transformation Programme helps SMEs in Thailand to innovate... - [Malaysia](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/malaysia/): UOB FinLab Malaysia offers a strong regional network, strategic ecosystem partnerships and suite of digital and financial solutions for businesses... - [Digital Mumpreneurs Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/digital-mumpreneurs-programme/): The Digital Mumpreneurs Programme, by The FinLab and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, helps businesses to strengthen their digital capabilities to scale and seize... - [The FinLab PROPEL Programme](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/finlab-propel-programme/): Digitalisation is key to futureproofing your business and to remain competitive. It is a big step forward and we are... - [Digital Spotlight Series](https://thefinlab.com/programmes/digital-spotlight-series/): A series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies.... --- ## Success Stories - [Brothers build on family’s waste management legacy with AI-powered tech](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/brothers-build-on-familys-waste-management-legacy-with-ai-powered-tech/): Explore how one of the impactful pilot projects from UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 took off, where Circular Unite partnered... - [Across digital gaps and borders, UOB’s FinLab helps businesses build bridges](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/across-digital-gaps-and-borders-uob-finlab-helps-businesses-build-bridges/): For over a decade, UOB FinLab, the innovation accelerator has guided South-east Asia’s SMEs through transitions. - [Post GreenTech Accelerator 2024: UOB's Corporate Real Estate Services (CRES) X Circular Unite](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/post-greentech-accelerator-2024-uobs-corporate-real-estate-services-cres-x-circular-unite/): Explore how one of the impactful pilot projects from UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 took off, where Circular Unite partnered... - [Home-grown Sonata Dancewear makes a jete into South-east Asia by pirouetting on tradition](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/sonata-dancewear-jete-into-sea/): Sonata Dancewear, a home-grown Singapore brand, has leapt from a humble balletwear shop to a regional presence across Southeast Asia,... - [How The FinLab’s Digital Mumpreneur Programme Gave My Tuition Business A Much-Needed Jumpstart](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/how-the-finlabs-digital-mumpreneur-programme-gave-my-tuition-business-a-much-needed-jumpstart/): How Genius Plus Academy's Eileen Toh benefited as both a businesswoman and working mom from the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme - [In the Hot Seat: Mumpreneurs of Harnes Singapore](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/in-the-hot-seat-mumpreneurs-of-harnes-singapore/): Starting a business is challenging, especially if you’re a resource-strapped mum. - [Constructing success through trials](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/constructing-success-through-trials/): Construction is not the first industry that comes to mind when discussing digitalisation. After all, it is impossible to virtually... - [Gen Y Speaks: I Quit A Stable Job I Loved, Because The Pandemic Made Me Rethink My Purpose](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/gen-y-speaks-i-quit-a-stable-job-i-loved-because-the-pandemic-made-me-rethink-my-purpose/): Ms Suzanna Tang is the co-founder of the social enterprise Urban Origins, a ground-up initiative connecting communities with local urban... - [Innovation Programme Helps SMEs Profit While Helping To Sustain The Planet](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/innovation-programme-helps-smes-profit-while-helping-to-sustain-the-planet/): The Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) – a five-week programme designed by UOB’s innovation accelerator, The FinLab, that helps small and... - [In the Hot Seat: Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Love, Bonito](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/in-the-hot-seat-rachel-lim-co-founder-of-love-bonito/): When it comes to running a business, many business owners may view the adoption of new technologies as a daunting... - [How Ecosystem Cooperation Keeps The Digitalisation Momentum Going](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/how-ecosystem-cooperation-keeps-the-digitalisation-momentum-going/): The Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) matches SMEs with providers, enabling mutual growth for both SMEs and solution providers. - [Success Story: SME Case Double Goose – Beyond The Crisis with Digital & Expert Partners](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/sme-case-double-goose-beyond-the-crisis-with-digital-expert-partners/): Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director of Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, a third-generation owner who continues the white T-shirt business favoured... - [Digitalisation Powers Thai SME’s Big Dreams](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/digitalisation-powers-thai-sme-big-dreams/): Thai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they had bigger... - [Rising above a crisis with digitalisation](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/rising-above-a-crisis-with-digitalisation/): As businesses operate in the new normal, digitalisation is the key to ensuring resilience and continued revenue growth in an... - [Going Regional with Right Partners – In Conversation with Novocall](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/going-regional-with-right-partners-in-conversation-with-novocall/): In this article, we speak to Ng Jiong Han, Co-Founder of Novocall, to find out more about his experience working... - [Tagging a way towards organic growth](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/tagging-a-way-towards-organic-growth/): Discover how The FinLab's programme has helped Acepac International to scale it's business digitally. - [Let’s Talk Business: Wong Fong Industries](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/lets-talk-business-wong-fong-industries/): Eric Lew, a leading provider of land transport engineering solutions and systems with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and... - [Let’s Talk Business: Estil Furnishing](https://thefinlab.com/success-stories/lets-talk-business-estil-furnishing/): In the 2 short years he joined his parents’ company, Darren made simple changes using essential technology solutions, and made... --- ## Press Releases - [Digital Transformation Starts with Leadership](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/digital-transformation-starts-with-leadership/): Singapore’s SMEs are rapidly digitalising, but true transformation depends on leadership. Technology delivers impact only when aligned with clear processes... - [DHL Express and UOB Indonesia partner to cut greenhouse gas emissions by leveraging GoGreen Plus service](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/dhl-express-and-uob-indonesia-partner-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-leveraging-gogreen-plus-service/): DHL Express and UOB Indonesia are collaborating to drive sustainable trade and SME growth across ASEAN. Through DHL’s GoGreen Plus... - [Opportunities for Vietnamese Businesses to Expand Cross-Border Trade](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/opportunities-for-vietnamese-businesses-to-expand-cross-border-trade/): At UOB FinLab’s “Digital Gateway to Global Markets” event in Ho Chi Minh City, experts highlighted Vietnam’s growing momentum in... - [DKSH Healthcare Establishes Industry Benchmark in Carbon Emissions Tracking in Thailand](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/dksh-healthcare-establishes-industry-benchmark-in-carbon-emissions-tracking-in-thailand/): DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has reached a significant milestone in building a more sustainable healthcare supply chain by successfully tracking... - [Newest SkillsFuture Queen Bee UOB collaborates with Institute of Higher Learning to create SME training initiatives](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/newest-skillsfuture-queenbee-uob-collaborates-with-institute-of-higher-learning-to-create-sme-training-initiatives/): The SkillsFuture movement is bringing greater professionalisation of adult educators – including a national registry – and more “Queen Bee”... - [New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/new-skillsfuture-requirements-from-april-2026-to-mandate-regular-training-for-adult-educators/): Educators teaching SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)-supported courses for adult learning will soon be required to clock practice hours and undergo regular... - [大华银行获委“行业领头羊” 助中小企业推动培训与转型](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/%e5%a4%a7%e5%8d%8e%e9%93%b6%e8%a1%8c%e8%8e%b7%e5%a7%94%e8%a1%8c%e4%b8%9a%e9%a2%86%e5%a4%b4%e7%be%8a-%e5%8a%a9%e4%b8%ad%e5%b0%8f%e4%bc%81%e4%b8%9a%e6%8e%a8%e5%8a%a8%e5%9f%b9%e8%ae%ad/): 大华银行获委为“技能创前程行业领头羊”，预计接下来三年将帮助约200家中小企业，以及800名员工提升人工智能、数码和可持续发展方面的能力。 - [UOB Malaysia Reaffirms Support for ASEAN Growth and Inclusive Leadership](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-malaysia-support-asean-growth-inclusive-leadership/): UOB Malaysia champions inclusive leadership and women empowerment in entrepreneurship and sustainability as key drivers of ASEAN's resilient growth at... - [UOB Malaysia Partners Bursa Malaysia To Help SMEs Decarbonise And Embrace Sustainability](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-malaysia-partners-bursa-malaysia-to-help-smes-decarbonise-and-embrace-sustainability/): In a major move to accelerate the sustainability transition among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), UOB Malaysia has announced a... - [大华FinLab推数码创新计划 助女企业家建立可持续发展商业模式](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-womenprenur-networking-event-2025-lhzb/): 大华银行的一项调查显示，在亚细安和大中华地区逾4000家受访企业中，有多达五分之二的企业由女性来领导。因此，该银行推出数码创新计划，帮助女企业家打造可持续发展的商业模式。 - [UOB Thailand launches the Womenpreneur: Sustainability and Innovation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thailand-launches-the-womenpreneur-sustainability-and-innovation-programme/): Let's look into how UOB Thailand has launched the Womenpreneur event to empower woman entrepreneurs in their journey to drive... - [UOB FinLab unveils 16 GreenTech pilots with funding of more than $100,000 to tackle sustainability challenges in ASEAN](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-unveils-16-greentech-pilots-with-funding-of-more-than-100000-to-tackle-sustainability-challenges-in-asean/): UOB FinLab, the Bank’s innovation accelerator, awards a total of more than $100,000 to selected Green Technology (GreenTech) firms to... - [UOB FinLab Thailand’s GTA programme wins Prime Minister Award](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-thailands-gta-programme-wins-prime-minister-award/): The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme by UOB FinLab Thailand has been recently conferred the prestigious Prime Minister Award: Innovation for... - [UOB FinLab Thailand announces its Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-thailand-announces-its-sustainability-innovation-programme-2024/): UOB Thailand announced its Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) 2024 to support Thai SMEs across all sectors to incorporate sustainability into... - [UOB FinLab drives sustainable innovation in Thailand with GreenTech Accelerator Programme 2024](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-drives-sustainable-innovation-in-thailand-with-greentech-accelerator-programme-2024/): UOB Thailand has unveiled UOB FinLab’s 2024 GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme, marking a significant step towards addressing pressing sustainability challenges. - [The Star Online: Moving Towards Sustainability](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/the-star-online-moving-towards-sustainability/): UOB Malaysia foresees a surge in SMEs adopting sustainability practices in 2024, fuelled by green finance initiatives. Learn how programs... - [UOB FinLab to help 5,000 Vietnam SMEs ramp up digital transformation](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-to-help-5000-vietnam-smes-ramp-up-digital-transformation/): UOB FinLab was launched in Vietnam in June this year, with the aim of fostering a network of more than... - [UOB Malaysia launches Sustainability Accelerator Programme to boost SMEs’ transition to low carbon economy](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-malaysia-launches-sustainability-accelerator-programme-to-boost-smes-transition-to-low-carbon-economy/): UOB Malaysia has launched its Jom Transform — Sustainability Accelerator Programme (JT-SAP) to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt... - [UOB FinLab launches in Indonesia to digitalise and to grow local businesses](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-finlab-launches-in-indonesia-to-digitalise-and-to-grow-local-businesses/): UOB Indonesia launched UOB FinLab, UOB's flagship innovation accelerator to help local businesses grow and transform digitally, on 19 September... - [Artwork that journeys through time while exploring the relationship between art and money clinches 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) award](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/artwork-that-journeys-through-time-while-exploring-the-relationship-between-art-and-money-clinches-2023-uob-painting-of-the-year-malaysia-award/): UOB Malaysia presented the top award for the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Malaysia), Established Artist Category, to... - [UOB Thailand launches the Sustainability Innovation Programme to catalyse the transformation of SMEs in the tourism sector into sustainable businesses](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thailand-launches-the-sustainability-innovation-programme-to-catalyse-the-transformation-of-smes-in-the-tourism-sector-into-sustainable-businesses/): UOB Thailand launches the Sustainability Innovation Programme to aid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector to become... - [UOB’s FinLab Officially Launches in Vietnam](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uobs-finlab-officially-launches-in-vietnam/): UOB’s innovation accelerator The FinLab has officially launched in Vietnam where it aims to engage 5,000 local businesses over the... - [UOB Thailand introduces the Womenpreneur: Tech and Sustainability Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thailand-introduces-the-womenpreneur-tech-and-sustainability-programme/): UOB Thailand introduces the Womenpreneur: Tech and Sustainability Programme to empower female entrepreneurs with technology and sustainability, while also preparing... - [UOB and NAC team up to help arts sector on digitalisation journey](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-and-nac-team-up-to-help-arts-sector-on-digitalisation-journey/): A recently concluded six-session course taught art groups critical skills in online marketing and business development - [UOB invests S$500 million in Punggol Digital District tech and innovation centre](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-invests-s500-million-in-punggol-digital-district-tech-and-innovation-centre/): UOB will invest over S$500 million to build its new global technology and innovation centre in Punggol Digital District (PDD),... - [大华银行与艺理会推出计划助艺术工作者 扩大影响力](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-nac-arts-acceleration-lianhe-zaobao/): In the context of technological innovation and increasingly diversified communication methods, local artists are exploring the relationship between art, business... - [Digital Adoption, Sustainability Practices And Better People Management Among Favourable Outcomes For Thai SMEs Participants Of UOB's 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/digital-adoption-sustainability-practices-and-better-people-management-among-favourable-outcomes-for-thai-smes-participants-of-uobs-2022-smart-business-transformation-programme/): UOB Thailand and The FinLab, UOB's innovation accelerator, assisted over 250 Thai small-and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to undergo digital transformation... - [12 startups from UOB The FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator announced – Startups to scale innovative sustainability solutions](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/12-startups-from-uob-the-finlabs-greentech-accelerator-announced-startups-to-scale-innovative-sustainability-solutions/): The 12 GreenTech startups aim to receive funding of up to US$105,000 to scale their solutions in partnership with SMEs... - [The FinLab and Mums@Work Launch Accelerator Programme for Aspiring Mumpreneurs](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/the-finlab-and-mumswork-launch-accelerator-programme-for-aspiring-mumpreneurs/): The FinLab, UOB’s innovation accelerator, and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, an arm of Mums@Work, today announced the launch of the Business Transformation Programme... - [UOB Malaysia And The FinLab To Accelerate Digital Transformation For Women-Led Businesses Through Jom Transform Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-malaysia-and-the-finlab-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-for-women-led-businesses-through-jom-transform-programme/): UOB Malaysia and The FinLab to accelerate digital transformation for women-led businesses through Jom Transform Programme. The Programme has enabled... - [UOB Thailand strengthens its 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme with addition of new partner, Hubba](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thailand-strengthens-its-2022-smart-business-transformation-programme-with-addition-of-new-partner-hubba/): UOB Thailand has added a new partner in its 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) to share deeper insights into... - [UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-the-finlab-launches-the-greentech-accelerator/): UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator, A global programme with total funding of up to $150,000 to support the... - [(CH) 大华银行旗下创新实验室 The FinLab推出绿色科技加速器](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/thefinlab-launches-greentech-accelerator/): 大华银行旗下创新实验室 The FinLab推出绿色科技加速器 （Greentech Accelerator）项目， 为参加项目的企业提供总共高达 15万元资金。 - [NTUC LHub, UOB’S Innovation Accelerator The FinLab, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and NTUC U SME Announce Partnership To Digitalise 500 Companies By 2021 Through ‘Reboot’ Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/ntuc-lhub-uobs-innovation-accelerator-the-finlab-ngee-ann-polytechnic-and-ntuc-u-sme-announce-partnership-to-digitalise-500-companies-by-2021-through-reboot-programme/): Singapore, 09 March 2021 – NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), NTUC U SME, United Overseas Bank (UOB)’s innovation accelerator The FinLab,... - [Digital future for SMEs: Thai small businesses need new digital strategies for business competitiveness.](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/digital-future-for-smes-thai-small-businesses-need-new-digital-strategies-for-business-competitiveness/): Before the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers were already shifting their spending to online platforms. The prolonged pandemic has supercharged this trend.... - [Launching Promosnear.me: Voucher Fest by SKALE, Singapore’s First Digital Voucher Festival for brick-and-mortar SMEs](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/launching-promosnear-me-voucher-fest-by-skale-singapores-first-digital-voucher-festival-for-brick-and-mortar-smes/): SKALE, an All-in-One Marketing Tool, is pleased to announce the launch of Singapore’s First Digital Voucher festival for brick-and-mortar small... - [Launch of JomX](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/launch-of-jomx/): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 August 2021 – UOB Malaysia and The FinLab1 today announced the launch of JomX, an initiative... - [UOB Thailand and OSMEP Collaboration to ramp up SMEs’ digital transformation journey](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thailand-and-osmep-collaboration-to-ramp-up-smes-digital-transformation-journey/): UOB Thailand has collaborated with the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) and digital solution providers to assist SMEs in implementing... - [Jom Transform Programme 2020 by UOB Malaysia and The FinLab](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/jom-transform-programme-2020-by-uob-malaysia-and-the-finlab/): United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) and The FinLab1 have launched The FinLab Online, a regional digital platform to... - [The FinLab launches online platform to help more SMEs across ASEAN transform their business digitally](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/the-finlab-launches-online-platform-to-help-more-smes-across-asean-transform-their-business-digitally/): The FinLab, United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) innovation accelerator, today launched The FinLab Online, a digital platform to help small- and... - [UOB (Thai) and The FinLab help 15 Thai SMEs transform digitally through the country’s first Smart Business Transformation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thai-and-the-finlab-help-15-thai-smes-transform-digitally-through-the-countrys-first-smart-business-transformation-programme/): UOB (Thai) today showcased the digital transformation of15 small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the first Smart Business Transformation Programme held... - [UOB (Thai) and The FinLab to help 15 Thai SMEs with digital makeover through Thailand’s first Smart Business Transformation Programme](https://thefinlab.com/press-releases/uob-thai-and-the-finlab-to-help-15-thai-smes-with-digital-makeover-through-thailands-first-smart-business-transformation-programme/): This programme is run by The FinLab1, in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), National Science and Technology... --- ## GreenTech Pilots - [Nano Coating Tech x UOB](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/nano-coating-tech-x-uob/): This pilot involves applying a layer of nanocoating to the external facade of our UOB Thailand building, lowering its annual... - [susGain x Marina Bay Sands](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/susgain-x-marina-bay-sands/): susGain helped Marina Bay Sands turn its sustainability tour into a gamified digital experience to engage visitors and to promote... - [GreenFi x UOB](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/greenfi-x-uob/): GreenFi deployed an ESG Emissions data management platform to validate emissions reporting more efficiently for UOB and its subsidiaries. - [Smart Tradzt x DKSH](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/smart-tradzt-x-dksh/): Smart Tradzt enabled DKSH to quantify carbon reduction by switching styrofoam boxes to reusable B-boxes using a Product Lifecycle Carbon... - [CERO x Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM)](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/cero-x-panyapiwat-institute-of-management-pim/): CERO launched a gamified project, "From CERO to HERO" with students from PIM to create marketing campaigns. - [WongPhai x Kingdom Organic](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/wongphai-x-kingdom-organic/): This pilot used 8 tonnes of biochar on organic farms with Kingdom Organic Thailand to improve the soil and yields... - [GEPP Sa-Ard x IMPACT](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/gepp-sa-ard-x-impact/): GEPP Sa-Ard addressed high volume of waste at IMPACT by tracking venue waste data to enable efficient and standardised management. - [Co.Efficient Alpha x Great Cosmo](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/co-efficient-alpha-x-great-cosmo/): Co. Efficient Alpha utilised voltage optimisers to enhance energy and operational efficiency in Great Cosmo's factory. - [IVISTech x Great Cosmo](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/ivistech-x-great-cosmo/): IVIS is a smart sensor proprietary monitoring system that used physical IoT hardware providing real-time data capture for graphical visualisation... - [AltoTech x UOB](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/altotech-x-uob/): AltoTech implemented its AI-powered automation system to improve the energy efficiency of UOB Plaza Bangkok's air ventilation. - [IntLife x HCK Capital](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/intlife-x-hck-capital/): IntLife integrated a cost-effective, non-invasive AI retrofit for HCK Capital's office buildings, achieving up to 26. 87% energy savings. - [Circular Unite with Marina Bay Sands, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and UOB](https://thefinlab.com/greentech-pilots/circular-unite-with-marina-bay-sands-ngee-ann-polytechnic-and-uob/): Via three pilots, Circular Unite digitalised its waste management solutions, integrating sustainability into Marina Bay Sands, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and... --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages Home Programmes The GreenTech Accelerator GreenTechs 2024 Click on each logo to find out more about the company Singapore Malaysia Thailand Partners Challenge Partners Supporting Partners Community Partners Tech Partners GreenTechs 2022 Click on each logo to find out more about the company Back to The GreenTech Accelerator --- You are about to access an external website. Please read our important information on accessing external websites before proceeding. Do you wish to proceed? Proceed --- UOB FinLab’s 10th Anniversary Networking Evening 23 September 2025, Tuesday 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Registration starts at 5:30PM) National Gallery of Singapore Please complete the form below to register your interests. Due to limited slots, only shortlisted registrants will be notified. --- Sustainability Masterclass Registration Form --- Malaysia Go Export (Johor Edition) Join our exclusive workshop series designed for Malaysian SMEs looking to start, grow and scale their export business --- Malaysia Go Export Form Join our exclusive workshop series designed for Malaysian SMEs looking to start, grow and scale their export business --- Malaysia AI Ready Programme Find out how you can enhance your business with AI Registration Form 18 September 2025 (Thursday) 10:00AM – 14:30PM (Registration starts at 9:30AM) Medini 6, Iskandar Puteri, Johor Darul Ta'zim --- Sustainability Innovation Programme Registration Form --- UOB SME Elevate Programme Upskilling businesses and employees for the future Getting Started Gain practical knowledge, expert insights, and hands-on training to drive growth and innovation in your business. --- Archives Explore our past insights and resources on Digitalisation and Sustainability. 2023 - 2021 The Promise of AI for Digitalisation and Sustainability (Singapore FinTech Festival 2023) The 2023 action plan for SMEs Digital Adoption, Sustainability Practices And Better People Management Among Favourable Outcomes For Thai SMEs Participants Of UOB’s 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme How Tech Solutions Can Help SMEs Go Green And Save On Utilities Tackling today’s sustainability challenges with greentech innovations of tomorrow The FinLab’s Deep Dive Programme 2022 Constructing success through trials Tips on overcoming lows and getting back on track How Will Digital Marketing Look Like In 2025 Digital Spotlight Recap UOB Thailand strengthens its 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme with addition of new partner, Hubba The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022 NTUC LHub, UOB’S Innovation Accelerator The FinLab, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and NTUC U SME Announce Partnership To Digitalise 500 Companies By 2021 Through ‘Reboot’ Programme The FinLab Report: From Disruption to Transformation Launching Promosnear. me: Voucher Fest by SKALE, Singapore’s First Digital Voucher Festival for brick-and-mortar SMEs Beyond Digital Adoption: How SME Matching Is Empowering Tech Solution Providers The Right Connections – Key to Growing in Southeast Asia Jom Transform – The FinLab Accelerates Malaysian SMEs’ Digitalisation The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme 2021 3 Essential Steps Before Embarking on Digital Marketing Campaign Launch of JomX UOB Thailand and OSMEP Collaboration to ramp up SMEs’ digital transformation journey 5 Signs Your Company Needs A Digital Transformation Nurturing Innovation Among Students – Launch of Agile at... --- Your browser does not support the video tag. Accelerating Business Innovation across ASEAN With our proprietary tools, webinars, events, and content, we foster strategic connections among our ecosystem partners to ignite success. Select an option Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Supportive Community Key Sustainability Trends Achieve Sustainability Goals 40,000+ SMEs connected across the region 3,000+ SMEs adopted digital solutions Explore our latest highlights Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Upcoming Event AI for Sustainability: Transforming Businesses for a Greener Future Be equipped with the clarity, confidence and practical guidance needed for SMEs to start or strengthen their sustainability journey. This session brings together expert insights, real-world examples and actionable tools that help businesses take meaningful steps toward sustainable growth. 16 Apr 2026 Find out more Upcoming Event SkillsFuture Queen Bee Courses: Sustainability Reporting for SMEs Sustainability Reporting for SMEs is a one-day course that aims to demystify the transition from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), as well as the various frameworks and standards for financial performance and ESG investing. Register now to gain real-world insights to make sustainable and impactful business practices. 12 May 2026 Find out more Article The Consumer Shift: Green Choices driving SME Change Consumers across Southeast Asia are increasingly translating eco-conscious values into real-purchasing behaviour. For SMEs, embedding sustainability into business operations are no longer optional - leveraging collaboration and capability-building is key to remain competitive. 09 Dec 2025 Find out more Upcoming Programme Women in Business Programme Designed for women-led... --- Digitalisation Innovation Programme - Xin Chào Hà Nôi 13 September 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Xin Chào Hà Nôi is a is a one-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of cross-border e-commerce and innovative digital solutions to grow their business sustainability. Participants will be equipped with knowledge on the effectiveness of adopting technologies, developing strong cross-border e-commerce strategy and updating sustainable trade regulations to expand their business internationally. Register now Programme Pillars Growth Leverage new channels of growth through cross-border e-commerce and digital solutions to increase customers . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Knowledge Learn the strategies, practical tips, and technologies for implementation to increase sales Network Connect and network with potential customers, fellow participants and ecosystem partners Programme Schedule 8:30am - 10:00am Welcome Address Victor Ngo Chief Executive Officer UOB Vietnam Keynote: Driving Cross-border Growth with E-Commerce and Digital Solutions Bui Anh Tuan President Foreign Trade University Keynote: Digital Transformation Sustainability Jimmy Tay Country Head Channels and Digitalisation UOB Vietnam Keynote: Innovation Support for Business Le Thi Minh Anh NIC Business Support Board Ministry of Planning and Investment Programme Sharing: Overview of the Programme Nguyen Thu Thao Head of Strategic Alliance and OFEI UOB Vietnam 10:00am - 10:20am Break & Networking 10:20am - 12:00pm Cross-border E-Commerce Spotlight: Guidance for Cross-border E-Commerce Showcase & Certificate Requirements for Selling Overseas Cao Dang Phuong Chi Head of Strategic Alliance and OFEI UOB Vietnam Ha Trung Duc Area Sales Manager Commercial Department DHL Kha Le Trinh APAC Strategic Partnership Manager in Vietnam TikTok... --- Vietnam Vietnam’s fast-growing economy and national digital agenda offer exciting opportunities. Through UOB FinLab’s collaborative programmes, businesses gain the tools and strategies to innovate and expand locally and across the region. UOB FinLab 2025 - Digital Gateway to Global Markets UOB FinLab marked another milestone in its ASEAN journey with the launch of Digital Gateway to Global Markets in Vietnam. The event brought together business leaders, experts, and SMEs to share insights on navigating global markets, harnessing digital platforms, and overcoming cross-border challenges. Find Out More News Release Cross-Border Trade for Vietnamese Businesses Despite a volatile outlook, 60% of Vietnamese businesses remain optimistic, 46% plan to enter foreign markets, 70% expect intra-ASEAN trade growth, and 94% see cross-border e-commerce as key to global access. Find Out More Key Highlights Registration now open! UOB FinLab 2025 - Digital Gateway to Global Markets Gain access to in-depth market knowledge, economic and FX insights into cross-border growth strategies, along with opportunities for direct engagement with strategic partner across the export-import value chain. Find Out More Past Programmes Xin Chào Hà Nôi Learn More Xin Chào SMEs learn more --- Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA 11 July 2024 – 1 August 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X HIPMI JAYA (D. I. P: UKM SUKSES X HIPMI JAYA) is an 4 weeks programme designed to help business broaden their insights into strategic entrepreneurship and trade dynamics. Participants will be equipped with knowledge, strategies and practical tips in business from womenpreneur perspectives, for both professional and personal financial growth. Programme Pillars . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Innovation and Technology New Digital Frontiers for UKMs Tech Showcase Hands-On Workshop UKM Landscape and Future Trends Next Generation Businesses Stand Out Beyond Indonesia Business Support Marketing Strategies Programme Schedule 11 July 2024 (Class Session 1) Opening Day Opening speeches and introduction of the event Promoting Gender-Responsive Business through Women Empowerement Principles (WEPs) Dive into the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a framework for businesses to champion gender equality. Learn how WEPs can unlock business growth and drive gender equality for a thriving, gender-responsive business. Dwi Yuliawati Faiz Officer in Charge for Country Representative UN Women Indonesia Optimising Export-Import Operations: Strategies for Efficient Trade Finance and Risk Management Discover the opportunities and challenges in international trade, navigate export-import regulations and discover financial strategies to optimise operations through this class session. Uncover how to manage financial risks associated with international trade. Criest Robet Trade Sales Business Banking PT Bank UOB Indonesia 18 July 2024 (Class Session 2) Trailblazers and Visionaries: Women Leaders Shaping the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Gain insights into the inspiring journeys... --- Home Programmes The GreenTech Accelerator Programme Mentors Singapore Malaysia Thailand Singapore Alex Tay Venture Capital Business Advisory Andeed Ma Risk Association of Singapore Anders Soh Temasek Foundation Anthony Chong A*Start Central April Ong Vaño Quest Ventures Arthur Leong UOB Chenyu Wang SGInnovate Don Wee UOB Edison Yu UOB Ho Giao Pik UOB Ian Wong UOB Jack So A*Start Central Jason Tang (Dr) Ngee Ann Polytechnic Marion Ang TriOn & Co Miguel Laburu TotalEnergies Norhazry Johari A*Start Central Reuben Lim Singapore Fintech Association Patrick Ng Spark Launchpad Richie Lee (Dr) UOB Lim Song Joo BWG Consulting Pte Ltd Thng Tien Tat UOB Yina Chua NUS Cities Malaysia Arvind Mohan DHL Express Malaysia Fadli Amin Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Joey Tan (Dr) Amazon Web Services Soo Ching Ching DHL Express Malaysia Wan Imran Fuller Academy Thailand Banlang Wongthawatchai UOB Thailand Chatchai Khunpitiluck Digital Economy Promotion Agency Kit Boochangkool UOB Thailand Oranuch Lerdsuwankij Techsauce Pakpoum Mahasith GreenRocket Panittra Vejiajiva UOB Thailand Pariwat Wongsamran National Innovation Agency Sansanee Huabsomboon National Science And Technology Development Agency Sathit Boonchalok UOB Thailand Siriporn Wutthigul Mind2Market Company (Bizzup) --- Thailand With support from government partners and other regional partners, the Smart Business Transformation Programme helps SMEs in Thailand to innovate and transform by implementing digital solutions. Programme Highlights UOB FinLab Thailand's Greentech Accelerators Explore our five GTA pilots that deliver real-world impact—from improving soil health and reducing water use in agriculture to cutting building maintenance costs, boosting energy efficiency, and streamlining operations through smart tech. Find out more UOB Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme 2025 Kick-Off Day Dive deep into powerful trends and profit-making strategies, with insights from top industry speakers Find out More UOB Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme 2025 Kick-Off Day Dive deep into powerful trends and profit-making strategies, with insights from top industry speakers Find out More Watch the highlights of the Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024! https://youtu. be/ezMrENjoZyU? si=33hugCd7EGu9MJUy Success Stories All stories Beyond The Crisis with Digital & Expert Partners Hear from Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director and third-generation business owner of Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, the company responsible for the Double Goose brand, on their journey to building a multi-generational business under The FinLab's guidance. Find Out More Taking bold leaps, building tomorrow's business today Thai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they have bigger ambitions still. Find out how The FinLab helped them take things to the next level. Find Out More Past Programmes Highlights UOB Thailand launches the Womenpreneur: Sustainability and Innovation Programme Learn More UOB Thailand empowers SMEs to go global with the... --- Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 29 – 30 พฤษภาคม 2567 “ธุรกิจที่ยั่งยืน” จะไม่ใช่แค่คําสวยหรูอีกต่อไป สร้างแผนธุรกิจยั่งยืนพร้อมทั้งประเมินความพร้อม ขององค์กรท่านด้วยเครื่องมือใหม่ UOB Sustainability Compass ในวันที่ 29 พ. ค. 67 และ เริ่มต้นลงมือเปลี่ยนธุรกิจของคุณทันทีผ่าน 3 modules workshop: Educate, Evaluate, Execute จากผู้เชี่ยวชาญภาครัฐและเอกชนที่มีประสบการณ์ตรงที่ครอบคลุมเทรนด์โลก กฎหมาย การทํารายงาน อาทิ TDRI, PwC Thailand, TGO เป็นต้น ในวันที่ 30 พ. ค. 67 Register now Programme Pillars Educate Learn key trends, solutions, and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable future Evaluate Understand your sustainability needs and opportunities for growth Execute Start implementing solutions, and plan for future growth leveraging clear sustainable actions Programme Schedule ชั้น 5 ห้อง Auditorium ยูโอบีพลาซา กรุงเทพ 29 พ. ค. 30 พ. ค. Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) & Sustainability Compass Launch Event 29 พ. ค. 2567 เวลา 13. 30 – 16. 00 น. 13. 30 - 14. 00 Registration 14. 00 - 14. 10 Opening Speech ตัน ชุน ฮิน กรรมการผู้จัดการใหญ่ธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย 14. 10 - 14. 30 Keynote Address นรีรัตน์ สันธยาติ ผู้อํานวยการฝ่ายพัฒนาการลงทุนอย่างยั่งยืนตลาดหลักทรัพย์แห่งประเทศไทย 14. 30 - 14. 40 Sustainability Compass Launch Opening อัมพร ทรัพย์จินดาวงศ์ ผู้ช่วยกรรมการผู้จัดการใหญ่พาณิชย์ธนกิจธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย 14. 40 - 15. 00 Sustainability Compass Presentation พณิตตรา เวชชาชีวะ ผู้ช่วยกรรมการผู้จัดการใหญ่ Financial Institutions and ESG Solutionsธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย 15. 00 - 15. 20 Sustainability Journey Sharing ณัฐพรรษ ตันบุญเอก ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายการเงินบริษัทดับบลิวเอชเอคอร์ปอเรชั่น จํากัด (มหาชน) 15. 20 - 16. 00 Panel Discussion: “Fast-Tracking Your Sustainability Ambitions” บัลลังก์ ว่องธวัชชัย ผู้อํานวยการอาวุโส Digital Engagement & Fintech Innovationธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย ไพบูล ตันกูล ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายความยั่งยืน หุ้นส่วนสายงานด้านความยั่งยืนไพร้ซวอเตอร์เฮาส์คูเปอร์ส ดร. รณกร ไวยวุฒิ สถาบันนวัตกรรมบูรณาการจุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย 16. 00 Networking 3 Modules Workshop 30 พ. ค. 2567 เวลา 9. 30 – 17. 00 น. 9. 30 - 10. 00 Sustainability Compass and Sustainable Finance 10. 00 - 11. 00... --- Unlocking Halal Markets: Expand your Reach Globally 26 July 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: JOM Transform - Unlocking Halal Markets: Expand your Reach Globally aims to support local entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses by getting halal certified and enhance their digital capabilities to achieve transformation growth. With the growing demand for halal products and services, halal certification is becoming an essential requirement for businesses and it is reassuring to know that the process is a manageable one. Register now Programme Pillars Comply with Islamic Dietary Laws and Principles Gives consumers confidence on their consumption aligns with own religious beliefs Establish Trust and Integrity Building trust that the products have undergone stringent checks and meet specific Halal standards Hygienic, Safe and Ethical Ensuring consumers that the products have met Halal standards, not just for Muslim consumers but also those who seeks for a high-quality consumption Access Growing Muslim Market Globally Enabling suppliers to tap into more significant demand for Halal-certified products & services Why join the programme? Complimentary screening of Halal Verification eligibility Guidance to transform into export-ready business Panels and workshops featuring industry experts Industry overview and insights of the global Halal market Grants and incentives to trade globally Programme Schedule 26 July 2024 UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur 9:30am – 9:40am Welcome Address William Heng Senior Vice PresidentHead of Fintech, Ecosystem and InnovationUOB Malaysia 9:40am – 9:50am Opening Remarks Encik Muhammad Syaril Showkat Ali General Manager (Acting CEO)Halal International SelangorHIS Toyyiba Sdn Bhd 9:50am – 10:20am (Halal Verification... --- Digital Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x APINDO 15 March 2024 - 3 May 2024 UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X APINDO (D. I. P: UKM SUKSES X APINDO) is an 8 weeks programme designed to help business broaden their insights into financial management. The objective of the programme is to enhance knowledge and skills related to strategic financial thinking, equity and debt instruments and capital roadmap. Join us as to gain knowledge, strategies & practical tips in financial literacy, financial ratio and financial ratio from bank’s PoV! Programme Pillars Innovation and Technology New Digital Frontiers for UKMsTech ShowcaseHands-On Workshop UKM Landscape and Future Trends Next Generation BusinessesStand Out Beyond Indonesia Business Support Marketing StrategiesTaxation and Insurance Programme Schedule 15 March 2024 (Onboarding) Opening Day Opening speeches by UOB Indonesia Business Banking, APINDO UMKMIntroduction of eventSetting goals and expectationsIntroduction of partners and stakeholdersIntroduction of cohort participants and mentorsGroup distribution and mentor connectionIce breaking activityLucky draw announcement 22 March 2024 (Class Session 1) Smart Finance Moves: Navigating Growth Beyond Basics Shift from basic accounting to strategic financial thinking, applying legal knowledge to financial strategy, making informed decisions on external funding, and gaining practical insights into WACC. Yosep Stephen CEOAccurate Indonesia Hendri Lukito Gunawan PartnerBenny Gunawan & Rekan 28 March 2024 (Mentoring Session 1) Group Online Networking 5 April 2024 (Class Session 2) Money talks: Decoding Equity and Debt Dynamics Deep dive into equity and debt instruments, gain practical insights through industry benchmarking, and apply learning through real-world case studies... --- Indonesia The digital economy has great potential to accelerate Indonesia’s economy. The Indonesian government also aims to fully digitalise by 2025, increasing connectivity and accelerating digital adoption in the country. Working closely with partners from the government, universities, industry and innovation ecosystem experts, UOB FinLab’s programmes are designed for businesses to develop strategies and leverage technologies to grow the business, locally and regionally. Key Highlights Registration now open! Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES is a series of programmes designed to uplift and help businesses broaden their insights into various topics for business growth and development. Find Out More Registration now open! Digitalisation Innovation Programme - UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X HIPMI JAYA (D. I. P: UKM SUKSES X HIPMI JAYA) is an 4 weeks programme designed to help business broaden their insights into strategic entrepreneurship and trade dynamics. Find Out More Articles All Articles UKM SUKSES Event Recap 2025 June 12, 2025 UOB FinLab Indonesia held a series of its UKM SUKSES programmes, benefitting various Indonesian founders. The programme covered various topics such as smart tax strategies, health talks, business solutions, and financial foundations for startups alongside speakers who are experts in their field. Read Digitalisation Innovation Programme – UKM SUKSES x HIPMI JAYA 2024 Recap October 21, 2024 UOB FinLab Indonesia held its second UKM Sukses: Digitalisation Innovation Programme themed “Digitalise and Optimise Your Business: Womenpreneurs Edition”. The programme covered gender-responsive business practices,... --- Malaysia The Jom Transform Programme seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia better compete in the digital economy. The programme will equip Malaysian SMEs with the tools, know-how and confidence to transform digitally. Key Highlights Registrations Open! Go Global: Accelerate your Amazon Global Stores Journey with DHL & UOB Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global Selling event for Malaysia sellers – all in one go. Find Out More https://youtu. be/aitJP37mZkw? si=wA0He7OJDI8MH0BG UOB FinLab Malaysia’s AI Ready Programme The AI Ready Programme is an initiative aimed at helping SMEs demystify the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while equipping businesses with practical tools, expert guidance, and ecosystem support. Find out more GreenTech Accelerator Pilots Read More Intlife & HCK Capital Group Berhad In a powerful showcase of how innovation and collaboration can drive sustainability, Intlife, a Malaysian greentech startup, partnered with HCK Capital Group Berhad, a leading property developer, to pilot an AI-powered energy management system at HCK’s Edusentral show units. Great Cosmo & IvisTech The pilot kicked off with a shared vision: to empower Great Cosmo with real-time insights and data-driven decision-making. IvisTech deployed smart devices across the factory floor, including digital power meters and gateways, enabling seamless energy monitoring. Articles All Articles Greentech Accelerator Malaysia Pilots: Real Impact for SMEs November 4, 2025 UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator is helping Malaysian SMEs take the first step toward sustainability. Intlife’s AI energy system cut HCK... --- About UOB FinLab UOB FinLab is the bank’s innovation accelerator that brings the ecosystem together to catalyse business growth and transformation. With a regional presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, UOB FinLab provides access to a range of business and technology experts, tools and content through UOB FinLab Community and in-person programmes. These programmes range from supporting the greentech and start-up community in developing solutions, to assisting the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) community in going digital and innovating for sustainability. Founded in 2015, UOB FinLab has supported and connected with more than 31,000 businesses globally Meet the FinLab Team Shannon Lung Head Marianne Tan Programme Director Eelen Lim Strategic Partnership Director Tan Jieqi Programme Manager Meet the Finterns --- Resources Malaysia Find out more about how we can help with your digitalisation journey in Malaysia. Articles Greentech Accelerator Malaysia Pilots: Real Impact for SMEs November 4, 2025 UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator is helping Malaysian SMEs take the first step toward sustainability. Intlife’s AI energy system cut HCK Capital’s electricity use by 26. 87%, while IvisTech boosted Great Cosmo’s output and reduced waste through smart factory tools—proving that innovation drives measurable ESG results. Read UOB FinLab Malaysia’s AI Ready Programme Empowers Malaysian SMEs to Embrace the Future October 30, 2025 UOB Malaysia’s FinLab AI Ready Programme empowers SMEs with practical tools, expert guidance, and ecosystem support to simplify AI adoption and drive sustainable growth. Read Jom Transform Sustainability Accelerator Programme (SAP) 2. 0 Programme Highlights May 30, 2025 UOB Malaysia launched the Sustainabillity Accelerator Programme 2. 0 (SAP 2. 0) in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia. This initiative aims to support Malaysian businesses in their ESG journey by providing access to disclosure tools, decarbonisation solutions, and expert insights across industries. Read Sustaining Sustainability for SMEs in ASEAN July 25, 2024 Uncover the challenges SMEs in Southeast Asia face as they navigate the adoption of AI. Read GreenTech Accelerator 2024 – Unveiling the Shortlisted Participants July 1, 2024 UOB FinLab unveils the 33 greentech finalists for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 programme. Read Southeast Asian SMEs can mutually benefit from driving the circular economy May 6, 2024 UOB FinLab is leading the charge in Southeast Asia by enabling SMEs to embrace the circular... --- Resources Thailand Find out more about how we can help with your digitalisation journey in Thailand. Articles Greentech Accelerator Thailand Pilots Showcase November 10, 2025 The GreenTech Accelerator Thailand drives sustainability through pilots in energy, waste, agriculture, and building maintenance—delivering cost savings, improved recycling, reduced resource use, and AI-driven efficiency for measurable environmental impact. Read UOB FinLab Thailand is Awarded the Climate Action Award 2025 May 16, 2025 UOB FinLab in Thailand has been conferred the prestigous Climate Action Award 2025 for its efforts in combating climate change Read UOB FinLab Thailand supports Thai SMEs for international expansion with the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP) May 16, 2025 Look at how Thailand supports Thai SMEs to expand internationally through the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP) Read UOB FinLab Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme supports SMEs on their green transitions November 19, 2024 Join us as we walk through the memory lane of 5 weeks with UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 Read Sustaining Sustainability for SMEs in ASEAN July 25, 2024 Uncover the challenges SMEs in Southeast Asia face as they navigate the adoption of AI. Read GreenTech Accelerator 2024 – Unveiling the Shortlisted Participants July 1, 2024 UOB FinLab unveils the 33 greentech finalists for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 programme. Read Southeast Asian SMEs can mutually benefit from driving the circular economy May 6, 2024 UOB FinLab is leading the charge in Southeast Asia by enabling SMEs to embrace the circular economy, reducing waste and sparking innovation. Dive into how these efforts... --- Resources Regional Kick-start your digitalisation journey with us across ASEAN. Articles No related Articles found. Load more Related Playlists No items found Success Stories All stories Digitalisation Powers Thai SME’s Big Dreams Thai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they had bigger ambitions still. The FinLab helped them take things to the next level. Read story Going Regional with Right Partners – In Conversation with Novocall Founded in Singapore, Novocall is a call automation software that helps businesses generate more sales calls from web visitors and helps web visitors automatically book sales calls. Read story Double Goose – Beyond The Crisis with Digital & Expert Partners To accommodate the shift in consumer behaviour online, Double Goose expanded its operations in recent years to include an e-commerce platform. Read story --- Resources Sustainability Find out more about key trends, solutions, and insights into what it takes to kickstart your journey to a greener future. Sustainability Programmes Registration now open! Sustainability Innovation Programme UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2-week programme to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. Learn how sustainability can play a part in your business to balance impact while ensuring profit and productivity. Find Out More Registration now open! The Greentech Accelerator A 3-month regional and global programme to grow and transform innovative greentech solutions to meet the economic and environmental needs of businesses and to forge a sustainable future for all. Find Out More Articles The Convergence of AI and Sustainability March 17, 2026 AI and sustainability are converging, creating new opportunities for SMEs to boost efficiency and strengthen ESG performance. With Budget 2026 accelerating digital and low‑carbon support, SMEs can build these capabilities faster. UOB FinLab helps them move from sustainability curiosity to actionable AI‑enabled solutions, with programmes like the NUS AI and Machine Learning course offering immediate entry points. Read 2025: A Milestone Year for SMEs — and the Power of Moving Forward Together February 13, 2026 2025 marked a major shift for SMEs as digitalisation, AI, and sustainability became immediate priorities. For UOB FinLab, it was also a milestone year of empowering SMEs with practical skills, mentorship, and programmes like SME Elevate and AI Ready. Read The Consumer Shift: Green Choices Driving SME Change December 9, 2025 Southeast Asia’s... --- Resources Digitalisation Discover more on digitalisation and find out how to navigate making this change. Digitalisation Programmes Registration now open! AI Ready Programme The AI Ready Programme is a hands-on initiative designed to help SMEs in Singapore unlock the full potential of Artificial Intelligence. This programme equips business and tech leaders to explore, adopt, and scale AI solutions for real impact. Find Out More Registration now open! D. I. P: Womenpreneur The D. I. P: Womenpreneur is a forward looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. This comprehensive programme focuses on enhancing critical skills such as strategic planning, financial management, and digital adaptation. Find Out More Registration now open! Arts Acceleration Programme In collaboration with National Arts Council, the Arts Acceleration Programme aims to help arts organisations and Self-employed Person (SEPs) strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. Find Out More Start Smart Programme The Start Smart Programme by UOB FinLab is a practical and comprehensive online programme designed to help new and existing business owners strengthen their digital capabilities and take their business to the next level. The programme covers key areas with a focus on practical learning. Find Out More Articles The Convergence of AI and Sustainability March 17, 2026 AI and sustainability are converging, creating new opportunities for SMEs to boost efficiency and strengthen ESG performance. With Budget 2026 accelerating digital and low‑carbon support, SMEs can build these capabilities faster. UOB FinLab helps them move... --- Get in touch We’re glad to help you with any enquiries. Follow us /thefinlab Apply as Small & Medium EnterpriseApply as Tech Solution Provider Singapore Bridge+ 79 Robinson Road #07-01 Singapore 068897 Malaysia Level 28, Sunway Putra Tower 100, Jalan Putra 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia --- Tools and tips to power your journey Resources Gain deep insights and understanding of markets, industries, and business growth potential through effective strategies. What are you searching for? Filter By Close Filter By Open Filter By Articles Press Releases Success Stories Filter By Close Filter By Open Filter By DigitalisationSustainabilityRegionalIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeThailandVietnam Reset Announcing Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenprenuer 2025 Announce D. I. P:W 2025 and cement UOB FinLab’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. Read Digitalisation is not just a competitive advantage, it is a necessity Explore the rising demand for digital solutions in ASEAN Read Top Digitalisation and Sustainability Trends in 2025 Learn more about the up and coming top 2025 trends in digitalisation and sustainability Read 2024 Year in Review Highlight key milestones in 2024 and showcase real results UOB FinLab achieved this year Read Expanding Globally with UOB FinLab and Amazon’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Module Find out more about how to expand your business globally with UOB FinLab and Amazon’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Module Read Unlock Your Business Potential with the Synagie Module UOB FinLab has recently collaborated with Synagie to elevate its Digital Innovation and E-commerce module on our community page! Learn to incoporate practical tools and insights to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles in your business. Read Load more This is the preview of the "Articles - All with filters - 2" View. Filter By Close Filter By Open Filter By IndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeThailandVietnam Reset UOB FinLab unveils 16 GreenTech pilots with funding of more than $100,000 to tackle sustainability challenges in... --- --- ## Posts --- ## Articles AI and sustainability are converging, creating new opportunities for SMEs to boost efficiency and strengthen ESG performance. With Budget 2026 accelerating digital and low‑carbon support, SMEs can build these capabilities faster. UOB FinLab helps them move from sustainability curiosity to actionable AI‑enabled solutions, with programmes like the NUS AI and Machine Learning course offering immediate entry points. Artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability are often discussed as separate priorities. One is framed as a productivity enhancer, the other as a compliance or cost issue. In practice, they are becoming increasingly intertwined. Across industries, AI is emerging as a key enabler of sustainable business – helping companies reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, manage operational risks, and make more informed long-term decisions. This convergence matters even more in today’s environment. Global supply chains are fragmenting, geopolitical risks are rising, and climate-related disruptions are becoming more frequent. These pressures are already shaping economic policy. In Singapore’s Budget 2026, the Government highlighted the need to strengthen economic resilience by harnessing AI as a strategic capability, building a skilled workforce, and supporting sustainability efforts such as energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Together, these signals confirm a shift from high-volume growth in favor of a model defined by adaptability, efficiency and long-term resilience. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the challenge is not whether to engage with these trends, but how to do so practically and affordably. How AI Is Already Powering Sustainability In large organisations, AI is increasingly used to optimise systems rather than just automate tasks. It analyses energy usage across buildings, predicts equipment failures before they happen, and models supply chain risks linked to extreme weather or regulatory changes. In finance and procurement, AI supports scenario planning by comparing carbon, cost, and operational trade-offs in real time. At the same time, the environmental footprint of AI itself cannot be ignored. The... --- AI is shifting from boosting individual productivity to transforming how entire organisations make decisions and operate. With strong national support and ecosystem partners driving secure, responsible adoption, SMEs now have a clear pathway to build real AI capabilities. In recent years, the conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) has focused on outputs like writing emails, generating content, and summarising documents. These individual productivity gains were valuable, but they only scratched the surface of AI’s potential. In 2025, a clear shift emerged. Leading organisations began using AI less as a productivity shortcut and more as a support system for thinking, coordination, and decision-making. The focus moved from what AI can produce to how it can help organisations operate better – by improving workflow, decision quality, and team alignment. According to McKinsey, more than two-thirds of organisations now deploy AI across multiple business functions, while 23% report scaling agentic AI systems that can plan and execute multi-step workflows. This signals a shift away from isolated experimentation toward embedding AI into core operations. 2026 marks a turning point for SMEs with AI moving from a novelty to a necessity. The winners of this next phase will not just be using AI tools – they’ll be running on them. Larger Organisations Are Using AI Differently Large enterprises use AI to enhance decision-making and streamline operations. They deploy AI to synthesise information across systems, flag risks, and surface insights that would otherwise take teams days to uncover. In decision-making, AI helps leaders test scenarios, compare trade-offs, and identify patterns, allowing people to focus on judgment rather than data gathering. For example, McKinsey reports that half of surveyed organisations now use AI in three or more functions, indicating that the technology is being integrated across... --- 2025 marked a major shift for SMEs as digitalisation, AI, and sustainability became immediate priorities. For UOB FinLab, it was also a milestone year of empowering SMEs with practical skills, mentorship, and programmes like SME Elevate and AI Ready. 2025 was not just another year of adjustment for many SMEs. It marked a turning point – a year where digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability shifted from long-term aspirations to immediate business priorities. Business owners across industries moved from asking why these changes matter to how they can act with confidence, clarity, and control. This shift reflects broader economic realities. The IMDA's Singapore Digital Economy (SGDE) Report 2025 showed that Singapore’s digital economy grew by S$12 billion in 2024, reaching S$128. 1 billion – or 18. 6% of national GDP, up from 18. 0% the year before. Crucially, more than two-thirds of Singapore’s digital economy came from non-ICT sectors, underscoring that digitalisation is no longer driven by technology firms alone, but by enterprises across finance, manufacturing, trade, and services. For UOB FinLab, 2025 was a milestone year for the same reason. It was a year of strong progress, reflection, and celebration – not just of what we have built over the past decade, but of how far the SME ecosystem has come, and where it is heading next. Ten Years On: From Innovation to Enablement One insight stood out clearly as UOB FinLab marked its 10th anniversary in 2025: innovation only creates impact when businesses are equipped to adopt it. What began in 2015 as a FinTech-focused initiative has evolved into a regional platform supporting SMEs across industries and markets. Over the years, our role has expanded from accelerating startups to enabling everyday businesses to digitalise, strengthen capabilities, and build... --- AI helps SMEs work faster and smarter by automating routine tasks and improving decisions. Its impact relies on clean data, clear workflows and starting small to build confidence. With structured, practical support, UOB FinLab helps SMEs adopt AI sustainably and stay competitive in a digital‑first economy. Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most debated technology of our time. Some argue it is a bubble; others see it as the next industrial revolution. But bubble or not, AI is already reshaping how businesses operate in ways too significant to ignore. Its defining capability is to turn huge volumes of unstructured information – emails, invoices, customer chats, sensor logs – into usable insight. Tasks that once required hours of manual work now take minutes. Patterns that people would have missed surface immediately. That change is not a novelty; it is a new operating condition for organisations large and small. For SMEs, the practical implication is straightforward. There is no need to chase every flashy tool. SMEs need to recognise that speed, accuracy and relevance of information are now attainable at scale. Those who integrate AI efficiently into daily workflows will operate with a different rhythm: faster decision cycles, fewer manual errors and clearer visibility into recurring problems. For smaller businesses already stretched thin, the journey can feel overwhelming without guidance or a trusted ecosystem to lean on. The Practical Value SMEs Stand to Gain While the hype around AI is global, its most immediate impact for SMEs comes from something far simpler: automation. AI tools can handle repetitive tasks that drain time and energy, such as processing forms, drafting responses, retrieving information, or collating routine reports. By doing so, they free employees to focus on higher-value strategic work that strengthens customer relationships, refines operations, and drives growth. That... --- UOB FinLab Vietnam's Smart Manufacturing Connect explored AI, trade shifts & digital strategies to drive Vietnam’s manufacturing toward a smarter future. Event Overview On 14 November 2025, UOB FinLab, in collaboration with Acclime Vietnam and EuroCham Vietnam, hosted Smart Manufacturing Connect: Navigating Innovation, Trade & AI Frontiers at the Caravelle Hotel Saigon. Building on the momentum from September’s UOB FinLab 2025: Digital Gateway to Global Markets, this session convened industry leaders and subject-matter experts to discuss how manufacturers can navigate global trade disruptions, harness AI technologies, and implement smarter financial strategies to remain competitive. The event provided actionable insights and fostered partnerships that will accelerate Vietnam’s transition toward a more advanced and resilient manufacturing ecosystem. Key Highlights Opening Remarks Mr. Andre de Jong, Board Member of EuroCham Vietnam, opened the event by introducing the theme and framing its core purpose: exploring innovation, trade, and AI in the manufacturing sector. He emphasised the importance of bringing together industry leaders and experts for meaningful dialogue and highlighted one of the day’s key sessions—the panel discussion focused on practical strategies for transformation. His remarks set a clear and purposeful tone for the discussions ahead. Mr. Andre de Jong, Board Member, EuroCham Vietnam Vietnam’s Manufacturing Outlook Mr. Rizwan Khan, Managing Partner at Acclime Vietnam, delivered an in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s evolving manufacturing landscape amid tariff challenges and shifting trade dynamics. He noted that the country is moving beyond low-cost assembly toward high-value, technology-driven production, supported by foreign investment and Industry 4. 0 adoption. Mr. Rizwan also outlined upcoming legal and tax reforms for 2026, including incentives for high-tech and green projects and compliance with global... --- At the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, leaders explored how trust, interoperable payments, and strong governance will shape SME success in a digital economy. UOB FinLab, celebrating its own 10-year milestone, continues to empower SMEs across ASEAN with programmes and tools to scale sustainably and thrive in an interconnected future. This year marks the 10th edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), a decade-long platform that has charted the evolution of financial technology from nascent digital payments to complex AI-driven trade networks. SFF 2025 invited business leaders, regulators, and innovators to explore how the next decade of financial innovation will shape growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigating increasingly complex markets. Over the years, SFF has evolved from showcasing discrete technological innovations to examining how these innovations intersect with trust, governance, and cross-border collaboration – all critical factors for SMEs that want to scale responsibly and sustainably. This year’s discussions underscored three trends that will define the SME landscape in the coming years. ‘Trust’ Will Be the Currency of AI-Led Global Trade The festival underscored a clear principle: trust is the foundation of the next wave of global trade. AI is increasingly embedded in trade finance, risk assessment, and cross-border transactions. Its effectiveness depends not only on speed and intelligence but on the transparency, reliability, and fairness of the decisions it generates. A recurring theme was the absence of neutral, corporate-level mechanisms to verify businesses across borders. Without shared and trusted data, companies hesitate to collaborate — and SMEs are often the first to feel the friction. While blockchain and digital infrastructures have advanced, many systems still cannot communicate with one another, slowing collaboration and creating uncertainty. Technologically, cross-chain connectivity is now possible. For instance, JPMorgan recently enabled value to move from its private blockchain to a public... --- Southeast Asia’s consumers are choosing sustainability—and SMEs must adapt. Green preferences are reshaping strategies, making data-driven insights critical. Analytics helps businesses understand customer priorities, make smarter sustainability decisions, and turn purpose into growth. With UOB FinLab’s programmes and community, SMEs gain the tools and networks to act and build long-term success. Across Southeast Asia, sustainability has evolved from a marketing buzzword into a defining business driver. Consumers are voting with their wallets – and their choices are transforming markets faster than ever. Market Research Indonesia revealed that 65% of Southeast Asian consumers say sustainable packaging and eco-friendly supply chains are among the most important factors when choosing a retailer. This sentiment is particularly strong in the Philippines (74%), Malaysia, and Indonesia (both over 60%). Meanwhile, Rakuten Insight’s 2024 study found that nearly half of APAC consumers prioritise environmentally friendly or sustainably packaged products, a figure that continues to rise year on year. Gen Z and Millennials are leading this shift, translating eco-conscious values into real purchasing behaviour. This marks a profound change – a reflection of changing values shaped by awareness, access to information, and global concerns about climate impact. It is evident that sustainability is both a market force and a business opportunity. Adapt or Be Left Behind For businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this consumer shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in meeting new expectations with limited resources. The opportunity lies in building loyalty, trust, and long-term competitiveness through responsible, transparent practices. Governments, corporates, and investors are all reinforcing this direction. Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 charts a clear path toward a low-carbon future, setting national goals that signal the importance of sustainable growth. In tandem, larger corporations are tightening their sustainability requirements for SME suppliers, making it clear that responsible practices are... --- Upskilling is the key investment that empowers SMEs to fully leverage technology, stay competitive, and thrive in ASEAN’s fast-evolving digital economy. Technology is often hailed as the great equaliser for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they compete with larger firms. Cloud platforms, AI and automation tools are more accessible than ever, leading many SMEs to believe that buying the right tech is the ticket to transformation. The truth is, without the skills to use these tools effectively, technology remains underutilised. Upskilling is a critical modern day investment — it is what enables people and organisations to stay adaptable, competitive and relevant in a fast-changing world driven by technology. Why Skills Define Competitiveness Recent surveys underscore this point. The 2025 ManpowerGroup's latest Talent Shortage Survey revealed that 77% of employers in the Asia Pacific region are struggling to find skilled talent. The number has increased significantly from 45% in 2014 and exceeds the global average of 74%. Locally, the UOB Business Outlook Study 2025 (Singapore) revealed that a third of SMEs face operational challenges because employees lack digital skills to unlock new systems. This reflects a deeper misconception among SMEs: that digitalisation ends at acquiring technology. In reality, digitalisation is only as effective as the people operating it. A company may adopt the latest AI-powered analytics, but without staff who can interpret the data, make strategic decisions, and act on insights, the tool sits idle. At its core, effective digitalisation is driven by human capability. And increasingly, these capabilities are not only vital for operational efficiency but also for regional competitiveness. According to the UOB Business Outlook Study 2025 (Regional), almost... --- Sustainability reporting isn’t just compliance, it’s a growth strategy. It builds trust, wins bigger customers, and drives efficiency. The UOB FinLab helps SMEs start small and scale through its community and programmes, including the SME Elevate Programme and the Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP). For many SMEs, ‘sustainability reporting’ may feel like a corporate buzzword reserved for listed firms. But in today’s market, it is fast becoming a decisive factor for competitiveness. More than 80% of companies in Singapore now consider sustainability important and yet fewer than half have acted, according to the UOB Business Outlook Study (BOS) 2025. This gap is an opportunity for SMEs. Reporting is not bureaucracy. It is a chance for businesses to tell their story, prove their credibility, and position their business for growth. The team at UOB FinLab understands that once sustainability reporting is done well, it has immense potential to strengthen trust with customers and investors, unlock opportunities with bigger clients, and even highlight ways to cut costs internally. The Regulatory and Market Push In Singapore, a regulatory shift now makes reporting more than a voluntary exercise: The Singapore Exchange (SGX) requires all listed companies to report Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the financial year (FY) commencing on or after 1 January 2025, while Straits Times Index (STI) constituents will continue to lead efforts to implement other International Sustainability Standards Board-based (ISSB-based) climate-related disclosures (CRD) from FY2025 and Scope 3 GHG emissions from FY2026. SMEs may not be mandated yet, but the ripple effects are clear. Larger firms are tightening supply chain requirements, and SMEs will be expected to comply. A 2024 Schneider Electric survey found that 78% of small businesses in Singapore have already lost business due to stricter greenhouse gas compliance... --- UOB FinLab helps SMEs turn sustainability intent into measurable outcomes — from cost savings to emissions reduction — by bridging the gap between awareness and action. For SMEs, the gap between sustainability awareness and action is not just a statistic. It is a competitiveness issue that could decide who thrives and who gets left behind. The UOB Business Outlook Study (BOS) 2025 (Singapore) shows that over 80% of companies in Singapore now consider sustainability important — up 10% from 2023. Yet only 49% have adopted sustainability practices, even with progress from 38% last year. Why Awareness Isn’t Enough Education and awareness have laid the groundwork. SMEs now recognise the importance of sustainability and the risks of ignoring it. But knowledge by itself does not drive change. Many SMEs remain stuck in what might be called the “comfort zone of commitment”, making sustainability statements without embedding practices into daily operations. The hesitation likely stems from three main barriers: Cost pressures: The latest annual survey from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) shows that 54% of businesses expect lower profits this year, citing rising costs, talent challenges, and operational pressures. With margins already squeezed, many SMEs view sustainability investments – whether in renewable energy, greener packaging, or compliance reporting – as added costs. Yet these often generate long-term savings. Complexity: Measuring emissions, tracking waste, or assessing supply chain practices requires expertise and resources that smaller enterprises often lack. ROI uncertainty: Without clarity on measurable returns, many leaders hesitate to embed sustainability into core business models. Hesitation may feel safe, but it carries bigger risks. SMEs that fail to act will face higher compliance costs, shrinking... --- The GreenTech Accelerator Thailand drives sustainability through pilots in energy, waste, agriculture, and building maintenance—delivering cost savings, improved recycling, reduced resource use, and AI-driven efficiency for measurable environmental impact. The GreenTech Accelerator Thailand is a six-month regional program designed to help global green technology innovators scale and pilot solutions that address corporate sustainability needs. To date, GTA has received 186 GreenTech applications regionally, with 27 challenge partners submitting 50 challenge statements. Through strategic partnerships, the latest cohort in Thailand delivered impactful pilots across energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and building maintenance, driving measurable environmental and economic benefits. Pilot 1: Nano Coating Tech x UOB TH CRES Pilot 2: GEPP Sa-Ard x Impact Pilot 3: WongPhai x Kingdom Organic Pilot 4: Altotech x UOB CRES Pilot 5: Cero x Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) Nano Coating Tech x UOB TH CRES A pilot project was launched to install Nano Coating technology on the link bridge and UOB building to reduce annual maintenance costs while achieving resource savings. By applying the coating, the building benefits from improved light transmission and reduced dirt accumulation. This also lowered cleaning frequency, water usage, and chemical consumption, delivering clear environmental and economic benefits. Nano Coating Tech successfully completed the installation in mid-August 2025. The process went smoothly, with UOB CRES coordinating cleaning activities before the coating application. Key Pilot Results: Maintenance Cost: THB 70,000 saved over two years, a 35% reduction. Cleaning Frequency: Cut by 50%, exceeding the 40% target. Water Consumption: Reduced by 50%, surpassing the 40% goal. Resistance to Dirt: Improved by 35. 7% after coating (target: 30%). “ Revolutionising building maintenance with nano coating that keeps glass clean and costs low.... --- Continuing from last year, #UOBxWomenpreneurs series returns in 2025, organised by Business Banking Singapore (BBS), UOB FinLab, and Group Wholesale and Markets Marketing (GWMM) to engage and empower women entrepreneurs in Singapore. The initiative creates a strong platform for women-led businesses to access practical resources, mentorship, and a supportive network as they grow and lead with confidence. Continuing from last year, #UOBxWomenpreneurs series returns in 2025, organised by Business Banking Singapore (BBS), UOB FinLab, and Group Wholesale and Markets Marketing (GWMM) to engage and empower women entrepreneurs in Singapore. The initiative creates a strong platform for women-led businesses to access practical resources, mentorship, and a supportive network as they grow and lead with confidence. Aligned with UOB’s commitment to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the series connects womenpreneurs through curated events where they can learn from industry peers and foster meaningful new relationships. womenpreneurs on building big with uob Empowering Womenpreneurs through Mentorship UOB FinLab Womenpreneurs x Valencia Yachts Womenpreneurs on building big with UOB Held at the National Gallery Singapore, the first Womenpreneurs event of 2025 was kicked off by Mr Paul Kan, Head of Business Banking Singapore and Ms Janet Young, Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation and Group Strategic Communications and Brand. Shortlisted from over 370 registrants, around 150 women entrepreneurs attended the session. The session offered women entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with peers and draw inspiration from five distinguished women leaders, who shared their personal stories of entrepreneurship and the challenges they faced. Ms Goh Shu Yi, Founder of The Strengths Co, spoke about her transition from the tech sector to starting her own consultancy, and guided participants through discovering and leveraging their personal strengths. Ms Pek Lay Peng, Group CEO of SHINGDA Group of Companies, and founder of societyA and NAIIAN, emphasised the importance of self-accountability and building confidence from... --- UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator is helping Malaysian SMEs take the first step toward sustainability. Intlife’s AI energy system cut HCK Capital’s electricity use by 26.87%, while IvisTech boosted Great Cosmo’s output and reduced waste through smart factory tools—proving that innovation drives measurable ESG results. SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, making up 97% of all business establishments (Yap, 2023). As sustainability becomes a key indicator of future readiness, ESG aligned businesses are better positioned to attract investment and stay competitive in a changing market. However, many SMEs struggle with knowing where and how to begin. A Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) study found that while SMEs understand the importance of transitioning, they often face uncertainty in taking the first step (Bank Negara Malayisa Annual Report 2023). That’s where the Bank steps in, with programmes like the Green Tech Accelerator (GTA). GTA connects SMEs with green-tech start-ups offering tailored solutions to sustainability challenges, while also building a strong ecosystem of mentorship, partnerships, and access to corporate and SME networks. To date, GTA has received 186 GreenTech applications regionally, with 27 challenge partners submitting 50 challenge statements. Among the many impactful initiatives, we’re excited to highlight two key pilot projects from the GTA Malaysia programme. Pilot 1: Intlife & HCK Capital Group Berhad Pilot 2: Great Cosmo & IvisTech Intlife and HCK Capital Group Berhad Pilot Delivers Real-World Impact (From left to right, Er Kok Huang, CEO & Co-founder of intlife, Sean Ong, Director for Business Relations Properties Division at HCK Capital, William Heng, Head of FinLab & Ecosystem Partnership, UOB Malaysia, Angel Tan, Programme Manager, FinLab & Ecosystem Partnership, UOB Malaysia. ) In a powerful showcase of how innovation and collaboration can drive sustainability, Intlife, a Malaysian greentech startup, partnered with HCK Capital Group Berhad,... --- Digitalisation works best when guided by strategy. SMEs that align tech with business goals see real impact. UOB FinLab helps SMEs digitalise with purpose — through expert programmes, peer support, and sustainable solutions. In today’s economy, digitalisation is not a differentiator; it is a necessity. A survey by Baker McKenzie found that the top benefits organisations experience from digital transformation include enhanced cybersecurity and IT security (87%), reduced costs and improved efficiency (74%), and stronger business systems and processes (58%) – all of which unlock new pathways for growth. When done right, digitalisation becomes more than a tool; it becomes the engine that powers innovation, resilience, and long-term value creation. Yet, not all transformation is equal. For SMEs with limited budgets and manpower, the way they choose to digitalise determines whether technology becomes a growth enabler or a costly burden. Beyond efficiency, intentional digitalisation helps SMEs compete smarter, stay resilient amid change, and build a foundation for sustainable, long-term success. Transformation for Impact Transformation for the sake of it rarely leads to lasting results. According to a 2023 Bain & Company survey, only 12% of corporate transformation efforts produce sustained outcomes – a figure unchanged for over a decade despite significant global investment in technology. Many organisations rush to adopt new systems without anchoring them to a clear business strategy. In contrast, successful organisations view transformation as a continuous, intentional process: understanding their business needs, aligning technology to strategy, and focusing on measurable results. Clarity matters just as much as speed in an environment where technology evolves overnight. Without it, digitalisation can become a double-edged sword – a powerful tool when used purposefully, but an expensive liability when mismanaged. Businesses overloaded with tools,... --- UOB Malaysia’s FinLab AI Ready Programme empowers SMEs with practical tools, expert guidance, and ecosystem support to simplify AI adoption and drive sustainable growth. From left to right: Joanna Lim (Microsoft ASEAN), Jonathan How (UOBM), Ho Hui Ming (UOBM), Ts. Nik Naharudin Mohd Nasir (MDEC). UOB FinLab has officially launched its AI Ready Programme in Malaysia, an initiative aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to demystify the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while equipping businesses with practical tools, expert guidance, and ecosystem support to make AI adoption simple yet impactful. Malaysian SMEs are poised to play a pivotal role in this digital revolution. But to truly unlock this potential, businesses must first understand how AI can drive efficiency, innovation, and growth. This is where the Bank steps in to provide businesses with the right support. A Full Journey from Awareness to Acceleration The AI Ready Programme is designed as a comprehensive roadmap, guiding SMEs from initial exposure to full-scale implementation. The programme is built on four strategic pillars: Awareness – Foundational workshops featuring real-world AI use cases. Action – Plug-and-play AI tools tailored for SME needs. Acceleration Partner with experts to build and test a customisable AI solution through a rapid prototyping process. Support – Access to funding, training, and expert advisory from UOB and its ecosystem partners. To make AI adoption even more accessible, UOB has introduced AI-enabled solutions at preferential pricing, allowing businesses to integrate AI with minimal upfront investment. Launch Highlights: Kuala Lumpur Edition Held at UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur on 13 and 14 August 2025, the two-day launch event brought together over 100 SMEs, alongside key partners... --- UOB FinLab Vietnam: Digital Gateway to Global Markets empowered SMEs with insights and connections to scale globally with confidence. Event Overview UOB FinLab marked another milestone in its ASEAN journey with the launch of Digital Gateway to Global Markets in Vietnam. The programme was designed to accompany enterprises on their journey to expand business operations into international markets through a comprehensive suite of solutions such as financial services and digital enablers. The event brought together business leaders, experts, and SMEs to share insights on navigating global markets, harnessing digital platforms, and overcoming cross-border challenges. Programme Opening Welcome Address by Jimmy Tay Opening address: Mr Jimmy Tay, Country head of Channels and Digitisation, UOB Vietnam Opening the event, Mr. Jimmy Tay, Country head of Channels and Digitisation at UOB Vietnam, set the tone by underscoring how growth is no longer confined within national borders. Drawing on findings from the UOB business outlook study, he shared that 90% of Vietnamese businesses are actively exploring overseas opportunities, a reflection of their drive to diversify, scale and build resilience against global headwinds. He also stressed that digitisation has become the cornerstone of competitiveness, with nine out of ten companies planning to increase investment in digital solutions this year. Introducing FinLab Introducing FinLab: Mr Shannon Lung, Head of FinLab and Ecosystem Partnerships,UOB Following this, Mr Shannon Lung shared how FinLab has been empowering SMEs across the region since 2015, supporting 33,000 businesses through programmes in digitisation, sustainability and most recently AI. He highlighted initiatives such as the Sustainability Innovation Programme, the GreenTech Accelerator and the Digitisation Innovation Programme for Womenpreneurs. He also celebrated FinLab’s... --- As Singapore advances its Green Plan 2030, UOB FinLab is working with SMEs to turn sustainability into a pathway for growth, resilience, and long-term success. Sustainability is no longer only a government ambition – it is a shared national journey. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 charts the way forward through five pillars: City in Nature, Energy Reset, Sustainable Living, Green Economy, and Resilient Future. Yet progress depends not just on policy or infrastructure, but on the collective actions of businesses, communities, and individuals. For SMEs – which make up 99% of enterprises in Singapore – this national agenda presents both a responsibility and an opportunity. Many still view sustainability as a compliance exercise, something to be done to meet regulations or supply chain requirements. The reality is that sustainability is fast emerging as a source of competitive advantage, opening doors to new customers, cost efficiencies, and long-term resilience. It is important to reflect on how far we have come and where we are going next as we approach this milestone. Why Singapore’s Green Plan Matters for SMEs Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 sets out a clear roadmap to advance the nation’s sustainability ambitions. Its five pillars set the conditions in which businesses, especially SMEs, must operate and adapt. Some guidelines include:Energy Reset: Signals the shift to cleaner energy and more efficient resource use. Sustainable Living: Reflects how consumer behaviour is changing, from waste reduction to greener lifestyles. Green Economy: Highlights opportunities in fast-emerging sectors such as clean tech and sustainable finance. City in Nature: Emphasises the integration of green spaces and biodiversity into urban planning, shaping how communities live and work. Resilient Future: Focuses on preparing... --- At UOB FinLab, we’ve spent the last 10 years enabling SMEs across the region to adapt, transform, and thrive, no matter how the market moves. One thing has remained clear as we navigated the evolution of the business world: businesses that embrace change are the ones that grow. At UOB FinLab, we’ve spent the last 10 years enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region to adapt, transform, and thrive, no matter how the market moves. UOB FinLab’s 10th year commemoration serves as a testament to what’s possible when purpose, partnership, and progress come together. It is important to reflect on how far we have come and where we are going next as we approach this milestone. Chapter One – Sharp Focus on FinTech UOB FinLab was established in 2015 (then The FinLab), through a joint venture between UOB and SGInnovate (then Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd). Its mission was to accelerate FinTech startups and strengthen collaboration between financial institutions and emerging tech players. The first acceleration programme was launched within the first year, offering FinTech startups access to mentorship, business validation, and UOB’s regional network. These efforts contributed to the early development of Singapore’s Smart Financial Centre ambition and laid the groundwork for broader innovation across the region. Chapter Two – Empowering SMEs across industries It became clear that innovation had to extend beyond FinTech in 2018 as SMEs across sectors demanded greater support. In response, UOB FinLab expanded its mandate to help businesses across all sectors digitalise and remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy. When the pandemic accelerated the need for digital solutions in 2020, UOB FinLab introduced The FinLab Online —... --- It has been almost a year since the team at UOB FinLab culminated its GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA). We decided to check in with one of the GreenTech participants and see the progress that is being made. It has been almost a year since the team at UOB FinLab culminated its GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA). We decided to check in with one of the GreenTech participants and see the progress that is being made. To recap, during the six–month programme, the selected GreenTechs tackled real-world sustainability pain-points from more than 50 challenge statements to co-create solutions for partnerships and pilot projects. These statements were contributed by 27 challenge partners including UOB as well as our corporate partners. During the programme, the 33 participating GreenTech firms proposed solutions based on the challenge statements and 16 pilots were selected for funding by UOB FinLab to kick start various pilot projects. One exciting pilot project is between DKSH and Smart Tradzt. Photo of all the participating Greentechs. Driving Carbon Visibility through Lifecycle Analysis DKSH partnered with Smart Tradzt to quantify the carbon footprint of its packaging through lifecycle analysis (LCA). The pilot focused on evaluating reusable B-boxes against single-use Styrofoam boxes, aiming to uncover opportunities to reduce emissions and improve traceability across DKSH’s supply chain. Smart Tradzt’s PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) tool was deployed to measure cradle-to-gate (i. e. from raw material extraction to the point a product leaves the factory) and cradle-to-grave (i. e. from raw materials all the way through use and disposal) emissions using primary emission factor data from DKSH’s SME packaging suppliers. This marked a departure from conventional estimation methods, such as spend-based averages, and enabled a more accurate, data-driven understanding of emissions at the supplier... --- UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme empowers SMEs to adopt and scale AI, with hands-on support from AI Singapore, IMDA, and Microsoft. From Awareness to Action: Helping Businesses Harness the Power of AI UOB FinLab officially launched the AI Ready Programme on 8 July 2025, bringing together over 80 SME leaders, ecosystem partners, and government agencies. In collaboration with AI Singapore, IMDA, and Microsoft, the programme is designed to help SMEs move from AI curiosity to confident adoption by offering solutions, expert advisory, and tailored clinics. The kick-off event showcased how adopting AI is an achievable reality for businesses of all sizes. Programme Opening Welcome Address by UOB FinLab Shannon Lung, Head, UOB FinLab and Ecosystem Shannon Lung, Head, UOB FinLab & Ecosystem, opened the session by sharing UOB FinLab's mission. He emphasised that since its establishment in 2015, UOB FinLab has served as the strategic community enabler of UOB, dedicated to driving SME growth across ASEAN through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digitalisation, and Sustainability. This mission relects the organisation's commitment to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive in an increasingly digital and environmentally conscious economy. Opening Address by IMDA Johnson Poh, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA, addressed the digitalisation imperative for Singapore’s SMEs. He highlighted IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative, businesses to partner with tech vendors to design, develop, and deploy GenAI Solutions, while receiving guidance on technology and AI governance best practices. Johnson Poh, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA Eligible enterprises, those with in-house tech capabilities and meeting specific criteria, may also benefit from funding support to implement impactful GenAI use cases, ultimately driving digital... --- As a newly appointed SkillsFuture Queen Bee (SFQB), UOB is supporting SMEs with the UOB SME Elevate Programme — offering training courses with up to 90% subsidies, mentorships, tools and solutions for future-ready growth. The witnesses, from left to right (top row): Tan Kok Yam (Chief Executive, SSG), Desmond Lee (Minister for Education), Wee Ee Cheong (Deputy Chairman & CEO, UOB) The signators, from left to right (bottom row): Xu Wenshan (Director, Enterprise Engagement Division, SSG), Paul Kan Ngee Fei (Country Head, Business Banking Singapore, UOB) Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sit at the frontline of both opportunity and disruption in today’s rapidly evolving economy. The pace of digital transformation is driven by artificial intelligence (AI), data innovation, and sustainability imperatives, reshaping industries faster than ever before. SMEs contribute nearly half of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ two-thirds of Singapore’s workforce, according to Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Their importance to the economy is clear and so is the urgency of equipping SMEs for what’s next. At the same time, global uncertainties such as supply chain disruptions, shifting consumer preferences, and stricter sustainability standards are adding further pressure. To stay competitive, SMEs must continually upskill their workforce, embrace new technologies, and evolve their business models. Upskilling is not just about survival, it's about building resilience, improving operational efficiency, and unlocking new growth. How SMEs respond to AI, digitalisation and sustainability will ultimately define their growth potential and influence Singapore's broader economic trajectory. However, many still face significant barriers, from limited resources to digital skills gaps, making it challenging to fully seize the opportunities of today's fast-evolving digital landscape. UOB has taken a significant step to help SMEs rise to this challenge:... --- Upskilling is the key for SMEs to thrive in a digital and sustainable economy—and UOB FinLab is here to make it happen. Upskilling is no longer optional. It is a key strategy for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to navigate business continuity, adapt to change, and stay competitive. It bridges the capability gap and ensures they stay future-ready. In today’s business environment, AI, digitalisation and sustainability are reshaping the way we work and grow. Digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and cloud computing are now foundational to efficient, scalable, and competitive operations. Meanwhile, sustainability has moved from a corporate buzzword to a critical expectation embedded into procurement frameworks, regulatory standards, and stakeholder priorities. These shifts offer unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation, but also demand greater capability, compliance, and strategic agility. Inevitably, SMEs face a steeper climb as they adapt alongside larger counterparts. Challenges faced by SMEs in Singapore: Difficulties and Benefits SMEs make up 99% of all businesses, yet they are often the most vulnerable to disruption. The UOB Business Outlook Survey (BOS) 2025 revealed that 1 in 3 businesses are struggling with high implementation costs, cybersecurity threats, and limited digital skills amongst employees. These issues are especially pressing for SMEs, which typically operate with leaner teams and fewer financial buffers. Sustainability pressures are equally intense. The same survey found that 41% of businesses adopt green practices to align with the sustainability goals of multinational corporations (MNCs), while 50% cite brand reputation as a key driver. Yet, many SMEs remain uncertain about where to begin or how to measure and report their sustainability progress effectively. Digitalisation and sustainability go... --- UOB FinLab Indonesia held a series of its UKM SUKSES programmes, benefitting various Indonesian founders. The programme covered various topics such as smart tax strategies, health talks, business solutions, and financial foundations for startups alongside speakers who are experts in their field. The Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES series aims to bring together entrepreneurs and small business owners through a series of events to deliver engagements for the SME community. Aligning with UOB's commitment to small businesses, UKM SUKSES seeks to empower SMEs with workshops, seminars, and meet with like-minded entrepreneurs to grow their network. Since its start in February, UKM SUKSES has hosted five separate events and has impacted many businesses thus far and will impact more in its future iterations. Check out our highlights down below to view how our past events have positively contributed to business in Indonesia. UKM SUKSES Highlights ThE CEO BUILDING x AYOPAJAK BLOCK 71 INDONESIA THE CEO BUILDING Atness Concept Pharmacy Store APINDO East Java . elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-7ec972e{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--background-transition:0. 3s;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-cf2bb2a{text-align:justify;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-cf2bb2a . elementor-heading-title{font-family:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-font-family ), sans-serif;font-size:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-font-size );font-weight:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-font-weight );font-style:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-font-style );line-height:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-line-height );letter-spacing:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-letter-spacing );word-spacing:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-word-spacing );}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-55a6ab0{text-align:justify;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-0d25e08{--display:flex;--flex-direction:row;--container-widget-width:initial;--container-widget-height:100%;--container-widget-flex-grow:1;--container-widget-align-self:stretch;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--gap:0px 0px;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:20px;--padding-left:0px;--padding-right:0px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-fa37e22{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;--padding-right:10px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-f39cc33 img{border-radius:30px 30px 30px 30px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-2a965cb{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:10px;--padding-right:0px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-a6076b3 img{border-radius:30px 30px 30px 30px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-fd14857{--display:flex;--flex-direction:row;--container-widget-width:initial;--container-widget-height:100%;--container-widget-flex-grow:1;--container-widget-align-self:stretch;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--gap:0px 0px;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;--padding-right:0px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-5a106ff{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;--padding-right:10px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-1f471c8 img{border-radius:30px 30px 30px 30px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-93f278a{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:10px;--padding-right:0px;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-6f203ec img{border-radius:30px 30px 30px 30px;}@media(min-width:641px){. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-fa37e22{--width:50%;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-2a965cb{--width:50%;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-5a106ff{--width:50%;}. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-93f278a{--width:50%;}}@media(min-width:1536px){. elementor-8917 . elementor-element. elementor-element-cf2bb2a . elementor-heading-title{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-font-size );line-height:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-line-height );letter-spacing:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-letter-spacing );word-spacing:var( --e-global-typography-19a7a8d-word-spacing );}}@media(max-width:1280px){. elementor-8917... --- Uncover how Singapore's AI Strategy aand UOB FinLab's hands-on support are turning ambition into action for SMEs. In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at lightning speed, Singapore is embracing this shift with bold ambition and the country is laying the groundwork to become a global hub for AI innovation which is backed by over S$1 billion in AI investments, aimed at strengthening infrastructure, talent development, and public-private collaborations. A National Strategy Built for Innovation Singapore’s AI journey is guided by clear intent. The National AI Strategy 2. 0 outlines an ambitious yet practical roadmap for Singapore to become a global AI leader. This roadmap includes key sectors to prioritise, the need to foster public-private partnerships, and a strong emphasis on building AI capabilities that benefit both citizens and businesses. Singapore’s push toward AI leadership is powered robust digital infrastructure including nationwide 5G, secure, data centers. It is also backed by government-backed initiatives such as AI Singapore and SGInnovate that are actively developing local talent expertise and supporting AI Research and Development. Meanwhile, programmes such as IMDA’s Generative AI Sandbox enable SMEs to explore AI-driven solutions, yielding productivity gains and improved customer service. Innovation districts like Punggol Digital District and one-north bring together research institutions, startups, corporates, and SMEs, providing access to cutting-edge tech, collaboration opportunities, and specialised talent. Furthermore, Singapore’s pro-business environment ensures that innovation isn’t limited to the big players. SMEs benefit from a suite of support mechanisms, including grants, regulatory sandboxes, and accessible pilot programmes that lower the barriers to experimentation and scale Why AI matters to SMEs SMEs drive 99%... --- UOB Malaysia launched the Sustainabillity Accelerator Programme 2.0 (SAP 2.0) in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia. This initiative aims to support Malaysian businesses in their ESG journey by providing access to disclosure tools, decarbonisation solutions, and expert insights across industries. Empowering Malaysian SMEs to Go Green with UOB & Bursa Malaysia On May 2025, UOB Malaysia launched the Sustainabillity Accelerator Programme 2. 0 (SAP 2. 0) in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia. This initiative aims to support Malaysian businesses in their ESG journey by providing access to disclosure tools, decarbonisation solutions, and expert insights across industries. The launch event brought together 160 attendees, reflecting strong interest and commitment from the business community. Key partners such as Bursa Malaysia, DHL, and Control Union played a pivotal role in offering solutions ranging from emissions reporting and green logistics to certification and assurance. Attendees heard from ESG leaders and solution providers on actionable strategies to reduce emissions, enhance reporting, and future-proof their operations for a sustainable economy. Welcome address by Ng Wei Wei, CEO of UOB Malaysia Ng Wei Wei and Datuk Fad’l Mohamed, launch of Collaboration with Bursa Malaysia ESG Assurance and Certification by Control Union, Supun Green Logistics Solutions by DHL, Sharon Ooi, Area Sales Manager ESG Made Accessible: Boosting Survivability, Competitiveness & Resilience. Moderated by Ms. Mok Fan Wai (Control Union), Mr. Supun Nigamuni (Control Union), Ar. Zulkifli Zahari (MAESCO), Mr. Jasper Wong Soong Ling (UOB Sector Solutions Group), Calvin Oh Chee Long (DHL Malaysia) (From left to right) Lowering Emissions & Energy Consumption via UOB U-Series Solutions, Jasper Wong, MD, Head of Construction & Infrastructure, Sector Solutions Group at UOB Overview of UOB Sustainability Accelerator 2. 0 by UOB Malaysia, Dr. Ken Yeoh, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sustainability & Governance... --- Discover key insights from the recent May Day Rally, highlighting how digitalisation, sustainability, talent development and upskilling are shaping Singapore’s economy. At the 2025 May Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong offered a candid view of Singapore’s economic outlook – marked by global uncertainty, but also an immense opportunity for those prepared to adapt. He reinforced the urgent need for upskilling to ensure that Singapore’s workforce remains future-ready. As the economy continues to evolve, digitalisation is a crucial element for both individual workers and businesses seeking to maintain a competitive edge. A 2024 UOB Business Outlook Study revealed that digitalisation has benefitted businesses in various ways, with the most significant being higher productivity and improved customer experience. The Barriers to Digitalisation High costs consistently emerge as a significant barrier to adoption. The 2024 Singapore Business Federation survey revealed that while more than 90% of businesses recognise the importance of digital transformation, nearly three-quarters of them identified cost as the primary obstacle. The government has provided Singaporean SMEs with some relief to address cost concerns. In 2025, the continued expansion of Company Training Committees (CTCs) is a major initiative aimed at supporting SMEs. CTCs play a pivotal role in aligning workforce skills with business transformation by fostering collaboration between employers, unions, and employees. To further reduce the financial burden of upskilling, eligible workers will receive a $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up in 2025—making lifelong learning more accessible. Businesses also benefit from government support through initiatives like the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), which help reduce the cost of adopting new technologies. Digitalisation demands a mindset of continuous learning and... --- Two women entrepreneurs share how they overcame tradition and gender biases to transform their businesses, using innovation, resilience, and strategic thinking to lead and grow in male-dominated industries in Singapore’s evolving SME landscape. Jenny Tay and Clare Leighton share one thing in common: they are women leading their respective small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – Direct Funeral Services and fileAI, respectively – and who refined business operations in their sectors, introduced innovation and challenged longstanding industry norms. Both told their stories at UOB’s womenpreneur panel discussion held at the National Gallery Singapore on Apr 11. Direct Funeral Services Just over a decade after taking over the family business, managing director Jenny Tay and her husband, Darren Cheng, its chief executive officer, instituted wide-ranging changes at Direct Funeral Services. With their lives inextricably linked to their work, Jenny Tay and Darren Cheng decided on a casket as a prop for their wedding photos. PHOTO: JENNY TAY The company was set up in the 90s by her father, Roland Tay, who is well-known for offering pro bono funerals for the underprivileged and victims of tragic, high-profile murder cases. He handed over the management reins to his daughter and son-in-law, but still plays a role manning the company’s customer hotline. In 2013, the young couple stepped into the business “out of love”, inspired by the elder Tay’s commitment to helping others. But their early days were not easy. They came up against resistance from industry veterans, who asked why a well-educated woman like Jenny Tay would enter what they saw as a “dying trade”. The couple set out to challenge outdated perceptions. Their first step was to professionalise the team by introducing uniforms, streamlining the workflow... --- UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2025 (D.I.P:W), in collaboration with UOB Business Banking Singapore, brought together women entrepreneurs for a five-day journey of digital transformation, innovation, and peer learning—empowering them to build resilient, future-ready businesses. In collaboration with UOB Business Banking Singapore, UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2025 (D. I. P:W) aims to digitally transform women-led businesses, fostering a community of empowered women who drive innovation and achieve business success. Over the course of five days, womenpreneurs participated in expert-led workshops covering topics such as business transformation and resilience, brand and marketing strategies, innovation and scalability. The programme seamlessly integrated practical learning with peer networking, enabling womenpreneurs to embrace technology, enhance their operations, and build resilient, future-ready businesses. Session 1 - Programme Opening Welcoming Address and Opening Keynote Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab and Ecosystem, shares about UOB’s mission to support women entrepreneurs. The Programme kickstarted with an energising welcoming address by Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab and Ecosystem, setting the tone for a week of growth and learning. He highlighted UOB’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs through innovation, mentorship, and accessible tools. Ian Wong, Head of Group International Management at UOB, then was also invited to the programme opening and delivered an opening keynote on how businesses should evolve with the changing workforce, embracing digitalisation, innovation, and talent development to stay future-ready, while fostering agility and resilience within their teams. Ian Wong, Head of Group International Management of UOB, shares about the evolving business landscape and the embracing digitalisation. Panel Discussion: Empowered Entrepreneurship – Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience From left to right: Moderator: Sher-Li Torrey, Founder of Mums@Work (Singapore), Co-Founder of Career Navigators SG, Speakers: Chandrima Das, CEO and Co-Founder... --- Look at how Thailand supports Thai SMEs to expand internationally through the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP) With the rapid growth of e-commerce businesses in Thailand, as well as in global markets such as China, Europe, and America, consumer behaviour worldwide has changed significantly. This shift presents opportunities for Thai SMEs to enter international markets through globally recognised online platforms. According to Thai SMEs, 90 per cent believes that e-commerce is crucial for global expansion as it can generate higher revenue from international markets compared to domestic sales. However, a survey from Thai MSMEs revealed significant challenges such as costs, regulations, information, and capabilities. To help Thai SMEs overcome these challenges, UOB FinLab has launched the E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (EAP) in collaboration with three major global e-commerce partners: Amazon, Alibaba, and Douyin. These partners provide guidance on digital marketing and exporting products, focusing on using AI and Big Data to analyse consumer behaviour, increase sales opportunities, and adapt to the green economy. Additionally, the programme gave advices on live commerce, a marketing trend that will drive e-commerce this year Mr Banlang Wongthawatchai, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand said, "Entering the global e-commerce market through online platforms is a promising opportunity for Thai SMEs to introduce their brands to the world. UOB FinLab collaborates with leading global e-commerce partners to provide strategic business advices, product selection, logistics, and digital marketing to help SMEs expand their customer base in international markets effectively. " Amazon: Quality, Uniqueness, and Keywords for B2C Market Penetration, Amazon has over 300 million customer accounts worldwide. Thai products, known for their... --- UOB FinLab in Thailand has been conferred the prestigous Climate Action Award 2025 for its efforts in combating climate change UOB FinLab Thailand has been conferred the prestigious Climate Action Leader Award 2025, presented by the Agricultural and Food Marketing Association for Asia and the Pacific (AFMA Asia) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO). The award ceremony was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok and recognized 15 exemplary organizations from across Asia for their outstanding contributions to sustainability and climate restoration. The Climate Action Leader Award is one of the region’s highest recognitions in environmental responsibility, spotlighting organizations that demonstrate clear leadership in combating climate change. The award criteria include the presence of a robust sustainability policy, verifiable implementation of initiatives, measurable environmental and socio-economic impact, transparent disclosure of sustainability performance, and internationally recognized achievements. UOB Thailand stood out among over 100 nominees for its integrated sustainability approach that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. The bank has implemented forward-looking strategies that not only reduce its environmental footprint but also support green finance, sustainable investments, and climate-conscious banking solutions for its clients and partners. UOB Thailand’s award reinforces its regional leadership in sustainability and strengthens the bank’s resolve to drive impactful climate action across ASEAN. The Climate Action Leader Award serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action for more organizations to place sustainability at the heart of their business models. This article is adapted from "ธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย ได้รับรางวัล Climate Action Leader Awards ตอกย้ำความมุ่งมั่นด้านความยั่งยืน", originally published by Mitihoon on 7... --- Learn about the key sustainability trends UOB FinLab is focusing on for 2025. Staying informed about sustainability trends is not just about being environmentally responsible — it's about future-proofing their businesses for long-term success in a rapidly changing world. This is especially important for SMEs in Singapore and ASEAN, who are facing greater pressure to adopt sustainability practices from both consumers and regulators. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products, with 85% of them having experienced the disruptive effects of climate change, according to PwC’s 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey. As a result, 46% of consumers are buying more sustainable products. Meanwhile, regulators are strengthening sustainability reporting requirements. The Singapore Exchange, for example, has expanded its mandatory climate reporting to include all listed companies in the materials and buildings, and transportation industries, increasing the number of industries subject to mandatory reporting from three to five. UOB FinLab is always keeping a close watch on the latest sustainability trends to ensure we impart the latest knowledge and best practices with our programme participants. By understanding the evolving landscape of environmental challenges, innovative solutions, and policy shifts — we can refine our programmes, and effectively empower the SMEs we support. Here are three sustainability trends UOB FinLab is keeping a close eye on in 2025. 1. Deepening the Circular Economy: This trend goes beyond basic recycling and focuses on fundamentally rethinking resource flows to minimise waste and maximise the lifespan and value of materials. We see that there is going to be more emphasis placed on waste management solutions. This includes implementing technologies for waste... --- Discover the transformative impact of Agentic and Physical AI on ASEAN businesses, from automation and innovation to regional growth and enterprise adoption UOB FinLab is constantly on the pulse when it comes to the latest innovations in digitalisation. This is to ensure we are constantly tailoring our programmes to ensure relevance and impact. One hot area of focus is the evolution of AI involving Agentic AI — Autonomous AI agents can make independent decisions — which we discussed in our article here. Since then, we have seen significant advancements in the application of AI and brand new use-cases that have the potential to impact industries and economies. Many of these AI developments were unveiled and discussed at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference — a leading AI conference which provided a glimpse into the future of AI. The event was also dubbed the "Super Bowl of AI", which showcases its impact on the entire AI ecosystem. While there is so much to unpack from the conference, here are some interesting insights from NVIDIA’s GTC, as well as our take on the trajectory of AI in ASEAN. AI is coming to the physical world AI has been living inside computer software and chatbots for the most part. However, NVDIA GTC 2025 revealed that it will make its way to the physical world. Physical AI lets autonomous systems like robots, self-driving cars, and smart spaces perceive, understand, and perform complex actions in the real (physical) world. It’s also often referred to as “generative physical AI” because of its ability to generate insights and actions. While it seems that all these advancements are happening in the U.... --- Announce D.I.P:W 2025 and cement UOB FinLab’s commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. The team at UOB FinLab is excited to announce our first programme for the year – the 2025 edition of our Digitalisation Innovation Programme, Womenpreneur (D. I. P:W). D. I. P:W 2025 is designed to build a community and empower female entrepreneurs through mentorship, business transformation, and growth with digital innovation. The programme is tailored to female entrepreneurs, business owners and managerial positions who own or manage small to medium businesses. This year’s programme is perfect for womenpreneurs looking to develop critical skills like financial management, branding, marketing and digitalisation strategies through engaging workshops. The programme will grant participants access to mentors from UOB’s leaders and partners such as SAP, BCG and AWS. Participants will also gain opportunities to network with other female professionals and collaborate on business initiatives. D. I. P:W 2025 will be organised into five key pillars designed to equip womenpreneurs with the necessary knowledge to thrive as an entrepreneur in today’s day and age. Each pillar will consist of a series of workshops and discussions to help participants understand the best practices and master their skillset. Pillar 1: Business transformation Pillar 2: Brand and Marketing Strategies Pillar 3: Business Resilience Pillar 4: Innovation and Scalability Pillar 5: Community Building and Support The key dates for this year’s programme are as follows: 11 April 2025 - Womenpreneur Networking Session. D. I. P:W 2025 will kick off with an evening networking event on 11 April 2025. 23-29 April 2025- Digital Innovation Programme, Womenpreneur 2025. The main two-week programme... --- Uncover how UOB FinLab has been leading the way in helping SMEs across ASEAN embrace digitalisation to fuel growth and transform their businesses. UOB FinLab is constantly on the pulse when it comes to the latest innovations in digitalisation. This is to ensure we are constantly tailoring our programmes to ensure relevance and impact. One hot area of focus is the evolution of AI involving Agentic AI — Autonomous AI agents can make independent decisions — which we discussed in our article here. Since then, we have seen significant advancements in the application of AI and brand new use-cases that have the potential to impact industries and economies. Many of these AI developments were unveiled and discussed at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference — a leading AI conference which provided a glimpse into the future of AI. The event was also dubbed the "Super Bowl of AI", which showcases its impact on the entire AI ecosystem. While there is so much to unpack from the conference, here are some interesting insights from NVIDIA’s GTC, as well as our take on the trajectory of AI in ASEAN. AI is coming to the physical world AI has been living inside computer software and chatbots for the most part. However, NVDIA GTC 2025 revealed that it will make its way to the physical world. Physical AI lets autonomous systems like robots, self-driving cars, and smart spaces perceive, understand, and perform complex actions in the real (physical) world. It’s also often referred to as “generative physical AI” because of its ability to generate insights and actions. While it seems that all these advancements are happening in the U.... --- Learn more about the up and coming top 2025 trends in digitalisation and sustainability UOB FinLab believes that SMEs in ASEAN will continue to be a driver of the region’s economic growth in 2025 and we remain committed to ensuring they are well equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. To achieve this, we have focused our efforts on two key pillars that are crucial for SMEs to unlock business growth and operational excellence – Digitalisation and Sustainability. Digitalisation offers a range of opportunities for SMEs to improve operational performance, spur innovation, enhance productivity and compete on a more even footing with larger firms. Adopting sustainable practices enables SMEs to not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance operational efficiency, cut costs, attract talent and unlock new growth opportunities. However, digitalisation and sustainability initiatives are not a ‘one-off’ activity. It takes ongoing effort to ensure ones’ business is up to date on the latest technologies, best practices and even how to navigate policy changes. We are on-the-pulse when it comes to the latest digitalisation and sustainability activities and we are constantly tailoring our programmes to ensure relevance and impact. We would like to take this opportunity to share our outlook on the top digitalisation and sustainable trends that will impact 2025. Top Digitalisation Trend: Evolving AI The application for AI technologies will continue to evolve and take centre stage in 2025. There are talks of a new emerging AI paradigm: Autonomous AI agents, also known as Agentic AI. Autonomous AI agents can make independent decisions, work on their own and adapt to their environment... --- Highlight key milestones in 2024 and showcase real results UOB FinLab achieved this year The year has flown by once again! As we rapidly head into the end of December, we wanted to take a moment of reflection and review our key milestones and achievements in 2024. Before we get into it, the team at UOB FinLab would like to thank everyone that made this year a huge success. First and foremost, this would not have been possible without everyone in the UOB FinLab ecosystem including the various SMEs, mentors, industry experts and corporate partners. Collaboration is key to our success and the strong ecosystem we have built enabled us to continuously take our achievements to new heights. This would also not have been possible without the unwavering support from the UOB FinLab team and all our ‘Finterns’. Everyone went above and beyond to ensure all our programme participants are equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge and connections to catalyse their digitalisation and sustainability objectives. We have a lot of exciting plans for 2025 that we will unveil soon – but first, let’s look back at our key highlights in 2024! Milestone 1: The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 is a collaborative effort between National Arts Council (NAC) and UOB FinLab that aims to help artists and organisations digitalise and bolster their business competencies. UOB FinLab understands that art is a powerful tool to build a vibrant culture and sees huge potential the sector will receive through digitalisation. At the same time, we understand that digitalisation... --- Find out more about how to expand your business globally with UOB FinLab and Amazon’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Module In an increasingly interconnected global economy, cross-border e-commerce has become a vital channel for businesses seeking international expansion. However, navigating the complexities of global markets requires more than establishing an online presence, it demands a strategic approach and access to the right resources. Recognising this need, UOB FinLab and Amazon have collaborated to enhance the Digital E-Commerce and Innovation module on our community page. Key Features of the Amazon module on FinLab Community Why this module matter? This module is essential for businesses looking to expand internationally or explore e-commerce opportunities by comparing traditional business-to-business (B2B) export models with the more efficient, direct-to-consumer approach offered by e-commerce. Hence, for businesses contemplating the transition to or enhancement of their e-commerce operations, this module offers insights into key considerations in cross-border e-commerce and how to get started with Amazon Global Selling. It guides businesses through the necessary steps, from setting up a global storefront to customer service expectations. Furthermore, it highlights the numerous advantages of using Amazon’s infrastructure, including global reach, streamlined processes, and access to Amazon’s vast customer base. It also bridges knowledge gaps that can otherwise hold businesses back from realising their full potential in global markets. “I realised how vital it is to integrate our online and offline presence to achieve sustainable growth. It inspired me to think bigger about how Edith Patisserie could connect with both local and global communities,” - Ethel Tan, Founder of Edith Patisserie. After gaining valuable insights through Amazon Global Selling, Ethel took her... --- UOB FinLab has recently collaborated with Synagie to elevate its Digital Innovation and E-commerce module on our community page! Learn to incoporate practical tools and insights to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles in your business. UOB FinLab recently partnered with Synagie to enhance its Digital Innovation and E-commerce module on our UOB FinLab community page, combining expertise to equip businesses with the tools and strategies needed in the ever-evolving digital landscape. E-commerce is not just growing; it's transforming the way businesses operate worldwide. In 2023, global retail e-commerce sales reached US$5. 8 trillion, with projections showing a 39% increase, surpassing US$8 trillion by 2027 (Statista). This significant shift demands that businesses adapt, innovate, and excel in the digital space. Key Features of the Synagie Module on FinLab Community Why is this module important? With over 80% of SMEs implementing digital transformation strategies (Microsoft Singapore and the Association of SMEs), the market is significantly competitive. However, many businesses face challenges such as limited resources, lack of expertise, and navigating disruptive technologies. Moreover, Southeast Asia’s E-Commerce market is growing rapidly, but its diversity presents unique challenges from navigating varied consumer behaviours to managing complex regulatory frameworks. This Synagie module addresses these challenges by equipping businesses with practical tools and insights to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles. It offers a comprehensive approach to digital transformation, helping businesses thrive in a competitive landscape. Beyond market insights, the module empowers businesses to master digital commerce strategies, optimise customer experiences and capitalise on emerging trends like immersive shopping and premium offerings. By leveraging transformative technologies such as generative AI, the Synagie module enables businesses to streamline operations, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable growth. This image is a preview of the module... --- Uncover key takeaways from our MoneyFM interview with Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, and Emmanual Tay, CEO and CoFounder of Circular Unite on the GreenTech Accelerator Programme Programme Overview UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA) is a 6-month regional programme for greentechs to grow, transform, and forge partnerships and create pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. This year, UOB FinLab has awarded a total of more than S$100,000 to pilot 16 innovative pilots with UOB and its corporate partners across ASEAN. In this Industry Insight: Accelerating green technology to tackle climate-change MoneyFM interview, LynLee speaks with Marianne Tan, Programme Director at UOB FinLab, and Emmanuel Tay, CEO and Co-Founder of Circular Unite. They discussed current trends in the ASEAN Greentech market, pilots from the GTA programme, challenges SMEs face in adopting green technologies. Marianne highlights the role of technology in achieving net-zero by 2050 and shares advice for corporate leaders on driving sustainability. Meanwhile, Emmanuel provides a glimpse into Circular Unite’s journey, their collaboration with UOB, and how the GTA programme has shaped their path. Key Insights 1. Current Trends in the ASEAN GreenTech MarketBusinesses in ASEAN are increasingly required to track and disclose emissions data to meet international standards as part of global supply chains. End consumers are driving demand for sustainable products and practices, pressuring businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices. Greentech innovations are at the forefront of the global sustainability push, offering practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental changes. 2. GreenTech Accelerator 2024 Sustainability is a key pillar for UOB FinLab and the Bank. UOB FinLab’s role in sustainability is to help SMEs accelerate sustainability adoption through the GTA 2024.... --- Discover how UOB FinLab supports women entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving business landscape through initiatives, including the Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur (DIPW). In a rapidly evolving business landscape, women entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, driving innovation and creating change. UOB FinLab is playing a pivotal role in supporting these womenpreneurs through initiatives, including the Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur (DIPW). UOB FinLab’s DIPW programme is a forward-looking initiative designed to build a thriving community of women entrepreneurs. It empowers them through mentorship, digital innovation, and strategies for business transformation and growth. Key Insights 1. UOB FinLab’s Support JourneyStarted in 2021, UOB FinLab identified an opportunity to collaborate with communities, particularly stay-at-home mothers managing their own businesses. Recognising the unique challenges mumpreneurs face in balancing business and household responsibilities, UOB’s Digital Mumpreneurs Programme was designed to help mothers digitalise and grow their businesses. In partnership with Mums@Work, UOB FinLab kickstarted its digitalisation journey, empowering womenpreneurs with the Digital Mumpreneur Programme. 2. DIPW OverviewThe DIPW programme empowers women entrepreneurs to reassess their current businesses or evaluate the direction of their new ventures. UOB FinLab has supported nearly 2,000 businesses across various sectors, including technology, F&B, and education. This programme is open to women entrepreneurs looking to digitalise and reimagine their businesses, catering to both new and seasoned entrepreneurs. 3. Ongoing support beyond DIPWA unique aspect of DIPW is its mentorship, offering tailored guidance from industry leaders and esteemed partners such as SAP, Google, and Amazon. The programme fills a critical gap in the market, as many entrepreneurial initiatives lack the inclusion of mentorship. Recognising that entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, DIPW cultivates a supportive community of... --- UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) strives to develop and market green technology solutions for business sustainability. The team at UOB FinLab culminated our six-month GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA), unveiling 16 pilots at our Showcase Day on 4 November 2024 as part of Singapore FinTech Festival’s Insights Forum. UOB FinLab awarded a total of more than S$100,000 to selected GreenTech firms to kick start the various pilot projects between the GreenTech participants, UOB and corporate partners such as DKSH Healthcare, Marina Bay Sands, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), Great Cosmo (Malaysia), and IMPACT (Thailand). We believe that with proper support from a strong network and appropriate resources, GreenTechs and businesses can make transformative progress towards ASEAN’s sustainability ambitions. Before we dive into some of the innovative pilots, let’s go through some of the programme details for this year’s GreenTech Accelerator. One of our GreenTech Accelerator sessions was hosted in our metaverse, FinLab World, connecting 33 Greentechs from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand through a livestreamed session What is different about this year’s GreenTech Accelerator? The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 is the second edition of UOB FinLab’s six-month regional programme that enables ASEAN GreenTech firms to grow and transform, forge partnerships and create pilots to address sustainability challenges across the region. Building on the success of the inaugural run in 2022 in Singapore with over 150 applications,1 pilot and more than 160 meaningful business connections. This year’s programme expanded the programme’s reach beyond Singapore to UOB’s key ASEAN markets of Malaysia and Thailand. In 2024, 33 GreenTech firms were shortlisted from more than 350 applicants to participate in the programme, of... --- Join us as we walk through the memory lane of 5 weeks with UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 Mr Banlang Wongthawatchai, Head of Digital Engagement and Fintech Innovation, UOBT, shared in a panel discussion that SIP was tailored to guide SMEs towards sustainability. The panel discussed the importance of meeting customers’ expectations relating to sustainable practices, and the type of knowledge and technical support that UOB and our partners can provide to the SMEs in the SIP. Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and CEO, UOB Thailand (UOBT) gave an opening speech at the Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) Thailand 2024 event. UOB Thailand (UOBT) launched the Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) Thailand 2024 which culminated into a two-day workshop for more than 350 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on 29 and 30 May 2024. The SIP, spearheaded by UOB FinLab Thailand, is a testament of our commitment towards building a sustainable future of ASEAN. The programme aims to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses by providing insights across a variety of sustainability topics such as energy efficiency, sustainable finance, renewable energy certificates (RECs), sustainable packaging, carbon management and environment, social and governance (ESG) reporting. Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and CEO, UOBT, gave opening remarks where he highlighted the importance of SMEs to the Thai economy and how UOB has been supporting these SMEs in their transformation, with customised assets such as the UOB Sustainability Compass and Sustainability Innovation Programme. UOB management and panellists at the SIP 2024 (from left to right): Mr Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab; Mr Paiboon Tunkoon, Partner at PwC Thailand;... --- Wrapping up the #UOBxWomenpreneur Series on 15 October, UOB reinforced its commitment to supporting SMEs. In collaboration with Business Banking Singapore, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and UOB FinLab, the event offered insights on Financial Literacy, a women leaders' panel and a hands-on workshop on BCG's Rise Lite programme. The #UOBxWomenpreneurs series on 15 October 2024, in collaboration with Business Banking Singapore (BBS), Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and UOB FinLab, reflects the bank's continuous commitment to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). UOB hosted the third and final session of the networking event this year, offering participants valuable insights from industry experts on Financial Literacy for Businesses. Attendees also engaged in a dynamic women leaders' panel discussion and participated in a hands-on workshop led by Boston Consulting Group, focused on their RISE Lite programme. Welcome Address Munal Rathore, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group Paul Kan, Country Head of Business Banking Singapore, UOB The networking session kicked off with a warm welcome from Munal Rathore, followed by Paul Kan, who emphasised UOB’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking opportunities, and valuable learning experiences. Panel Discussion: Empowering Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Balancing Risks and Rewards From left to right, Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, Mariam Jaafar, Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group, Belinda Yeo, Founder & Managing Director, Innovez Engineering, Bridget Tai, Executive Director, Sonata Dancewear. From left to right, Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab, Paul Kan, Marianne Tan, Mariam Jaafar, Belinda Yeo, Bridget Tai, Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, Benedict Tay, Head of CED and Ecosystem Partnership, UOB UOB invited three distinguished speakers to share about balancing risks and rewards during a panel discussion moderated by Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab. Mariam Jaafar, Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, advised women entrepreneurs to... --- Find out how UOB FinLab empower SMEs in accelerating their sustainable journey through UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 UOB FinLab recently concluded its Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 (SIP) that took place from 15 August to 26 September 2024. We are ecstatic to witness many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) take actionable steps towards their green transition – balancing environmental impact with profit and productivity. The Sustainability Innovation Programme is a 5-week initiative to help SMEs to transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. This year, the programme focused on three key pillars; Develop, Disclose and Decarbonise, and covers six key sustainability topics: 1. Energy Efficiency 2. Circular Economy and Waste Management 3. ESG Reporting and Disclosure 4. Solutions for Decarbonisation 5. Sustainability Grants and Support 6. Sustainable Finance The Backdrop – Navigating the Ever-Changing Green Journey SMEs in Singapore and ASEAN are facing greater pressure to adopt sustainability practices from both consumers and regulators. On the consumer front, there is an increasing demand for sustainable products with PwC’s 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey stating that 85 per cent of consumers have experienced the disruptive impacts of climate change, leading to 46 per cent of them buying more sustainable products. At the same time, regulators are tightening sustainability reporting measures with the Singapore Exchange extending their mandatory climate reporting to all listed companies in the materials and buildings, and transportation industries – increasing the number of industries from three to five in the previous year. The complexities of changing consumer preferences and increasing regulatory requirements to go green have never been more challenging for SMEs and they... --- Join us as we walk through the memory lane of 5 weeks with UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 The Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024, launched by UOB FinLab, recently concluded its five-week journey, providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with invaluable guidance on transforming their businesses into sustainable and green entities. Centred around three key pillars — Develop, Disclose, and Decarbonise — the programme equipped participants with the knowledge to integrate sustainability into their business models, while fostering growth, profitability, and environmental stewardship. Session 1: Programme Kickoff From left to right, Shannon Lung, UOB FinLab; Samuel Tan, UOB’s Sector Solutions Group; Lionel Wong, Gprnt; Kang Jen Wee, REDEX; Yina Chua, NUS Cities; Tham Kok Wing, Singapore Business Federation and Marianne Tan, UOB FinLab The programme commenced with a compelling panel discussion moderated by Samuel Tan, Vice President of ESG Solutions at UOB’s Sector Solutions Group. The panellists explored the current state of sustainability implementation among Singaporean SMEs, examining the pace of adoption, key challenges, and practical solutions. They also highlighted emerging sustainability trends and provided valuable advice for SMEs embarking on or enhancing their sustainability journey. Session 2: Fundamental Sustainability Concepts and Strategies for SMEs Samuel Tan, Vice President of ESG Solutions at UOB’s Sector Solutions Group introduced the UOB Sustainability Compass. This free tool assists businesses in creating tailored sustainability reports, helping them develop clearer and more focused sustainability strategies. Yina Chua, Associate Director at NUS Cities discussing essential ESG concepts, such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, as well as Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. During this session, Yina Chua emphasised the importance of understanding double materiality,... --- UOB Vietnam hosted the “Xin chào Hà Nội (Hello Hanoi): Cross-border Growth with E-commerce and Digital Solutions” programme to help businesses leverage digital solutions and cross-border eCommerce for sustainable growth. The event, supported by industry experts and government partners, reinforces UOB FinLab’s commitment to foster innovation, digitalisation and sustainability among Vietnamese businesses. From left: Ms Nguyen Thu Thao, Head of Strategic Alliance and O2O Digital Engagement, Fintech, Ecosystem and Innovation, UOB Vietnam (UOBV); Mr Nguyen Huyen Minh, Lecturer of Marketing, Communication and Innovation, Head of Communication and External Relations Department, Foreign Trade University; Dr Bui Anh Tuan, Associate Professor and President of Foreign Trade University; Mr Victor Ngo, Country CEO, UOBV; Mr Jimmy Tay, Country Head, Channels and Digitalisation, UOBV; and Mr Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab. UOB Finlab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Xin Chào Hà Nôi launched one-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of cross-border e-commerce and innovative digital solutions to grow their business sustainability. With the increasing interest among businesses in Hanoi to digitalise operations and to explore eCommerce opportunities, the programme aims to help businesses leverage cross-border eCommerce, regulations, innovation and digital solutions to drive sustainable growth regionally. Mr Victor Ngo, Country CEO, UOB Vietnam “UOB is committed to help businesses thrive through various initiatives. UOB FinLab is one of our key programmes to support innovation, digitalisation and sustainability across Vietnam and the region. ” – Mr Victor Ngo, Country CEO, UOB Vietnam Mr. Jimmy Tay, Country Head Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Vietnam “With a regional presence in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB FinLab connects businesses with experts, tools and resources. Our programmes support green technology, start-ups and enterprises seeking to go digital and innovate for sustainability. ” – Mr. Jimmy Tay, Country Head Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Vietnam The event, organised with Foreign... --- The good news for SMEs is that various grants are available by government agencies to ease the strain for Singaporean firms looking to implement business transformation initiatives through digitalisation and sustainability. Sustainability and digitalisation are and will continue to be key priorities for all SMEs in Singapore. On the sustainability front, a 2023 Randstad report unveiled increasing demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) talent with a 257 per cent increase in ESG related jobs between 2021 and 2023. The digitalisation adoption rate for SMEs is also on the rise with the Singapore’s Digital Enterprise Blueprint report showing a 95 per cent adoption rate in 2023 – up from 74 per cent in 2018. These trends highlight the importance SMEs are placing on sustainability and digitalisation to remain competitive in an ever-evolving business climate. However, there are core challenges that continue to hinder SMEs from successfully implementing sustainable practices and digitalisation technologies. One key factor that persists are financial constraints to kick start or maintain their digitalisation and/or sustainability initiatives. According to a report by UOB Business Outlook Study 2024, one third of Singaporean SMEs require financial support in areas relating to business transformation and training programmes to reskill or upskill employees. The good news for SMEs is that various grants are available by government agencies to ease the strain for Singaporean firms looking to implement business transformation initiatives through digitalisation and sustainability. UOB FinLab has put together a list of grants Singaporean SMEs can leverage to kick start digitalisation or sustainability activities. Digitalisation and Sustainability Related Grants for Singaporean SMEs 1) Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) Established in 2022 by Enterprise Singapore. This grant aims to help businesses improve their energy... --- UOB FinLab Indonesia held its second UKM Sukses: Digitalisation Innovation Programme themed “Digitalise and Optimise Your Business: Womenpreneurs Edition”. The programme covered gender-responsive business practices, trade finance strategies and leadership insights from successful women entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Ms Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab (fourth from left); Mr Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Indonesia (UOBI) (fifth from right); and Ms Noor Icha Ruliana Mushonnif, Chairwoman of Womenpreneur Autonomy, Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia (Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association) (HIPMI JAYA) (fourth from right) with UOBI colleagues and participants of the second digitalisation programme organised by UOB Finlab Indonesia. Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES held its second digitalisation programme, themed "Digitalise and Optimise Your Business: Womenpreneurs Edition". The four-week programme was organised in collaboration with Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia (Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association) (HIPMI JAYA). The aim was to enhance their strategic entrepreneurship skills and trade dynamics through three classes held in Jakarta, Indonesia. First session: Promoting gender-responsive business through WEPs The second installment of the UKM SUKSES: Digitalisation Innovation Programme kick-off was held at the Penthouse at UOB Plaza Jakarta. Mrs Dwi Yuliawati Faiz, Officer-in-Charge for Country Representative, UN Women Indonesia, led the first session on 11 July 2024, focusing on Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – a framework for businesses to champion gender equality. She explained how implementing WEPs can unlock business growth and drive gender equality, creating a thriving gender-responsive business. Second session: Optimising export-import operations – Strategies for efficient trade finance and risk management Mr Criest Robet, Trade Sales Business Banking, UOB Indonesia (UOBI), led the second session. He covered topics such as identifying opportunities and challenges in international trade, understanding export-import regulations and procedures, applying financial strategies to optimise trade operations, and managing... --- To demonstrate UOB’s continued commitment to supporting the ambitions of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Business Banking Singapore, UOB FinLab and Group Wholesale and Markets Marketing jointly rolled out capability-building and networking sessions for women entrepreneurs. Since its kickoff in March 2024, about 470 womenpreneurs have registered their interest. The #UOBxWomenpreneurs series brings together teams across Business Banking Singapore (BBS), UOB FinLab and Group Wholesale and Markets Marketing (GWMM) to deliver continued engagements for the women entrepreneur (womenpreneur) community in Singapore. In line with UOB's commitment to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the series brings womenpreneurs together quarterly to learn from industry peers and to foster new connections. Since its kickoff in March 2024, about 800 womenpreneurs have registered to participate. womenpreneurs on building big with uob uob womenprenuers networking session on 3 July 2024 UOB Womenpreneurs networking session on 15 October 2024 learning from industry experts and mentors Womenpreneurs on building big with UOB Held at the National Gallery of Singapore, the inaugural Womenpreneurs event was kicked off by Mr Paul Kan, BBS Country Head, UOB and Ms Janet Young, Group Head, Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, on 25 March 2024. Six established women leaders shared their personal stories and the challenges they faced establishing themselves as entrepreneurs: Ms Ethel Tan from Edith Patisserie on turning her passion for baking into a recognised dessert brand, while remaining prudent in expanding the business; Ms Belicia Tan from catering business Manna Pot on bringing in new ideas from her overseas exposure to her family business; Ms Olive Tai from an e-commerce solution provider Synagie on staying ahead of competition and identifying the right partnerships to embark on; Ms Charu Srivastava from strategic communications consultancy TriON & Co on the importance for women to recognise their achievements and... --- UOB FinLab's first masterclass of the Digitilisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+, offering womenpreneurs expert insights, covering topics that are crucial to the success of any business. UOB FinLab witnessed many outstanding womenpreneurs and promising women-led businesses at this year’s Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur in April 2024. We strongly believe that the number of Singaporean womenpreneurs will continue to grow. According to a study by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, the proportion of Singaporean female entrepreneurs rose from 17. 9 per cent to 24. 9 per cent between 2016 and 2022. As the number of women-led businesses continue to rise, it is important to understand that womenpreneurs face unique roadblocks in today’s business environment. Studies have indicated that womenpreneurs often face greater challenges in building robust professional networks and finding mentors – limiting their access to valuable support, knowledge, and opportunities for business growth. UOB FinLab aims to remove this roadblock through our womenpreneur programmes that enables female business leaders to tap on industry experts within UOB FinLab’s vast network. This allows women-led businesses to gain unparalleled access to knowledge, best practices and tangible strategies to take their businesses to the next level. Our womenpreneur programme in April was a huge success. The womenpreneurs gained insights and best practices on topics related to financial literacy, business model canvas, e-commerce and digitalisation strategies. To complement our successful programme and further empower womenpreneurs, we launched our first two-day masterclass workshop titled Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+ (D. I. P:W+). Introducing D. I. P:W+ The D. I. P:W+ is a series of masterclasses to empower aspiring womenpreneurs with knowledge from industry experts and tap into a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.... --- Learn how UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is driving SMEs toward net zero, featuring insights from our expert panel discussion. UOB FinLab is incredibly excited to launch the Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024. We kicked-off the programme with an event including a thought-provoking panel discussion on 15th August 2024. Programme Overview: Sustainability Innovation Programme 2024 The Sustainability Innovation Programme is a 5-week initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. Participants will learn how sustainability can play a positive role in their businesses as they strive to balance environmental impact with profit and productivity. The programme is structured around three pillars, Develop, Disclose and Decarbonise, and covers six key sustainability topics; Energy Efficiency Circular Economy and Waste Management ESG Reporting and Disclosure Solutions for Decarbonisation Sustainability Grants and Support Sustainable Finance We are confident that this programme will enable SMEs to embark on their sustainability journeys with increased confidence and applicable knowledge to successfully make their green transition. “The Path to Net Zero: Actionable Strategies for Disclosure and Decarbonisation” The launch event featured an insightful panel discussion that was moderated by Samuel Tan, Vice President, ESG Solutions, Sector Solutions Group, UOB. The panel was made up of the following, Lionel Wong, Deputy Director and Head, Green FinTech Office, Gprnt Kang Jen Wee, Founder and CEO, REDEX Yina Chua, Associate Director, NUS Cities Tham Kok Wing, Head of ESG Coordination Office, Singapore Business Federation The panellists discussed sustainability implementation amongst Singaporean SMEs, including the current pace of adoption, hurdles, and solutions. They also shared relevant sustainability trends and advice for SMEs that are... --- Discover how UOB Finlab is empowering women entrepreneurs within the dynamic SME ecosystem with our Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur. There is an increasing number of female led start-ups in Southeast Asia. The Dealstreet Asia Female Founders in Southeast Asia 2023 report found that Southeast Asian startups with at least one female founder accounted for 18. 3 per cent of private capital raised in 2023 – higher than the 12. 6 per cent share the year before. Of the countries in the region, Singapore stands out as a leader for the cultivation of women-led start-ups. Data from a recent Tracxn report discovered that of the 1,700 women-led startups in Southeast Asia, 936 of them come from Singapore. This indicates the healthy trajectory Singaporean businesses are taking towards a more equitable business environment for the startup industry. While these results signify the positive steps that are being taken towards gender equity in Singapore’s startup industry, it discounts the glaring gender disparities that remain present. A 2023 study from the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore found that women-led businesses tend to have less growth potential, claiming that they tend to operate their businesses in sectors less conducive for growth and are less likely to use growth-oriented methods. More can be done to level the playing field for women-led businesses. The provision of business opportunities solely for women-led businesses can be used as a platform for womenpreneurs to change perspectives and foster a business environment that is more inclusive of womenpreneurs. UOB FinLab is committed to supporting the growth of women-led businesses. We want to ensure that the business environment is suited for... --- Uncover the challenges SMEs in Southeast Asia face as they navigate the adoption of AI. More small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have seen the benefits of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and have started adopting them to improve their business productivity and efficiency. However, many do so at the expense of deprioritising a crucial business focus – sustainability, due to a lack of resources, significant initial costs and insufficient experience. According to EY’s April 2024 Global CEO Outlook Pulse survey, approximately six in 10 Singaporean CEOs are deprioritising their sustainability efforts as other key focus areas like the incorporation of AI technologies and the enhancement of data management emerge. As SMEs rapidly adopt AI to keep up with the ever-evolving business landscape, concerns regarding the continued deployment of AI are becoming increasingly prevalent. A report by Schneider Electric found that the energy required to run AI tasks is accelerating at an annual growth rate of up to 36 per cent. This means that by 2028, AI tasks could require more power to operate than the entire country of Iceland. SMEs find themselves in a difficult position where they have to find a balance between incorporating new technologies, be it AI or future emerging technologies, and being intentional about their sustainability footprint. This challenge magnifies as most SMEs have a limited understanding of the best practices to incorporate new technologies while having to adhere to sustainability requirements that are constantly changing. The increasing demand for ASEAN SMEs to go green SMEs in ASEAN have to actively adapt and incorporate green practices to comply with increasing... --- Dive into the recap of the 8-week digitalisation programme from UOB FinLab’s Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X APINDO. UOB FinLab Digitalisation Innovation Programme: UKM SUKSES X APINDO (D. I. P: UKM SUKSES X APINDO) is a 8 weeks programme designed to help businesses expand their financial management knowledge. Participants were equipped with critical skills including strategic financial thinking, navigating current and future digital trends, and gained insights into financial instruments. Additionally, online networking sessions enriched the programme, fostering connections between business practitioners and mentors. Group photo of UOB FinLab Indonesia and Singapore, with APINDO team Opening Day - Welcome Address, Opening Remarks and Opening Address The programme opened with a welcome address by Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Indonesia. Next, opening insights were shared by Katya Kamdani, Operational and Information Chair, APINDO. Novianty Widjaya, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Indonesia, delivered the opening address where she highlighted the programme’s vision, outlining a future where fintech drives business growth. Interactive icebreakers and group activities on the day also fostered a sense of community and collaboration amongst participants. Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Indonesia, opening the programme with a welcome address Novianty Widjaya, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Indonesia, sharing more about the programme Day 1 - Smart Finance Moves: Navigating Growth Beyond Basics The first session, delivered by Yosep Stephen, CEO of Accurate Indonesia, and Hendri Lukito Gunawan, partner of Benny Gunawan & Rekan, addressed the topic of smart accounting and finance strategies in the digital era, as well as taxation for business practitioners. The session was... --- UOB FinLab unveils the 33 greentech finalists for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 programme. UOB FinLab is ecstatic to officially launch the GreenTech Accelerator 2024. We kicked-off the programme with a launch event in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, where we unveiled the 33 greentech finalists. This is a huge milestone for us as this year marks the second iteration of the programme and solidifies our commitment to supporting regional greentechs and sustainable innovation. We are very excited to see the shortlisted greentech’s innovative solutions and how those solutions address the challenge statements from our partners. Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head, Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, shares her welcome address for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 kick-off Don Wee, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sustainability Office, UOB, shares with the audience on UOB's sustainability commitment Introducing the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 is a 6-month regional programme for global greentechs to grow, transform, forge partnerships and pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 is designed to fast-track the development of sustainable technology solutions by providing access to masterclasses, over 30 world-class mentors across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as UOB FinLab’s vast network of 25,000 industry leaders including businesses, governments, SMEs, and tech suppliers. This year’s programme will also offer up to SGD100,000 for greentechs to pilot innovative, relevant and deployable solutions with businesses. Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, shares more about the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 programme Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab, shares his closing remarks for the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 kick-offThe... --- Discover how UOB FinLab's Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is leveraging digitalisation to accelerate sustainability journeys for SMEs. In today's eco conscious landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may face increasing pressure to operate sustainably. However, some may struggle with perceived barriers to sustainability. According to our UOB Business Outlook Study 2024 (Regional), businesses in Southeast Asia cited their biggest sustainability hurdles to be concerns about negative impact on profits (30 percent), the impact to revenues in the short term (27 percent) and the lack of proper infrastructure (29 percent). Resource constraints can be a significant contributor to these challenges, but digitalisation can be an excellent solution to address such shortages. 80 percent of Southeast Asian enterprises have already implemented digitalisation in at least one department. With such active transformation and rising internet penetration rates in the region, SMEs are well-positioned to integrate digital aspects into their sustainability goals. Harnessing the potential of digital tools and technologies can empower SMEs towards greater sustainability through optimising resources, empowering data-driven decision making, and fostering key collaborations for a greener future. Herein lies the core connotation of using science and technology for good. When SMEs learn the best method to combine digitalisation and sustainability, we at UOB FinLab, are confident that they can collectively promote economic, environmental, and societal development in Southeast Asia. Optimising carbon efficiency and reporting Digital technology can drastically reduce carbon emissions and enhance resource efficiency, mostly by streamlining day-to-day processes. Energy metres, automated monitoring devices, and logistical software, for example, can all be used to replace manual effort. With time saved and reduced human error, SMEs can... --- Uncover UOB FinLab’s insights on macroeconomic trends and our commitment to empower SMEs through sustainability development with our Sustainability Innovation Programme. Recent macroeconomic turbulence has tested SMEs' resilience. According to our UOB Business Outlook Study 2024 (Regional), approximately 9 out of 10 enterprises in Southeast Asia have been hit by inflation, with 62% citing an increase in operational expenses, 50% citing an increase in raw material costs, and 32% citing a decrease in profit levels. These macroeconomic trends are inextricably linked with sustainability. For example, greater raw material costs might be ascribed to resource scarcity, which is a vulnerability for smaller Southeast Asian economies such as Singapore. Furthermore, climate change hazards such as rising sea levels and extreme weather can cause increased coastal erosion, posing challenges to infrastructure. While these shifts may challenge SMEs, there is still an opportunity to turn the tide and increase resilience. The aim is to integrate sustainability into one’s business. Sustainability strategies, such as resource optimisation or greening operations and services, can improve operational efficiency, cost savings, market innovation, and investor confidence. Driving cost savings and resource efficiency As an example, sustainable practices usually involve waste reduction and resource optimisation, which leads to lower material, energy, and water prices. These resource efficiency measures can also lead to increased resiliency because practices such as water and power conservation can eventually reduce SMEs' reliance on imported resources, making them more resilient to global fluctuations in resource costs. Additionally, effective sustainability practices, such as accurate carbon reporting, can help SMEs avoid future compliance costs associated with stricter environmental regulations. This is especially pertinent today, as nearly eight out of... --- The Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur is a forward-looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. The two-week programme gave participants the opportunity to hear from industry experts and participate in hands-on workshops to develop critical skills including strategic planning, financial management, and digital adaptation. The Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur is a forward-looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. The two-week programme gave participants the opportunity to hear from industry experts and participate in hands-on workshops to develop critical skills including strategic planning, financial management, and digital adaptation. This initiative was created to digitally transform women-led businesses, cultivating a community of empowered women driving digital innovation and achieving business success. Day 1 - Programme Opening We kicked off the first session with an opening address by Shaun Tan, Programme Director from UOB FinLab. He shared about the strong support systems and initiatives from UOB tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs, including mentorship opportunities. Opening Remarks Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab shares about UOB FinLab’s mission, vision and initiatives Accelerating Business Growth for Womenpreneurs, Together This was followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by Candice Chua of UOB titled "Accelerating Business Growth for Womenpreneurs, Together! " The panel featured diverse insights from Angeline Low of SAP, Eileen Toh of Genius Plus Academy, and Vanessa Ong of Gernise Global Pte Ltd. The speakers shared insights on navigating the intricate business landscape and discussed the myriad of challenges it presents. The participants learned about the panellists’ journey in becoming the business leaders they are today. Eileen Toh shared her story about taking a leap of faith by renting out a space for her tuition centre despite not having any students at the time. However, she demonstrated resilience in her multifaceted role as... --- Uncover the impact of the Singapore Budget and the May Day Rally 2024 for SMEs in their digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. When the Singapore Budget 2024 wrapped up in February this year, UOB FinLab was eager to witness the budget's plans coming to fruition. Since then, Singapore has had many exciting developments, the most notable being the May Day Rally and the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong. We believe that the goals and policies discussed during these events will have a significant impact on the growth of Singapore's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Here are our top three takeaways from recent developments, as well as what SMEs can do to benefit from the Nation's upcoming plans. Scaling Singaporean SMEs for the Global Stage The May Day Rally 2024 touched on several achievements made by NTUC U SME, a Labour Movement initiative that helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tackle critical business issues and challenges. The movement emphasises creating a culture of innovation and work enrichment among employees. We are aligned with their belief of “better workers, better workforce” because SME capabilities are contingent on their manpower skills, be it within the digital or sustainability space. Moreover, enhanced talents within SMEs can collectively drive Singapore’s economic development. Over 90% of enterprises in Singapore are SMEs which drive over 70% of the Nation’s total employment. The Government understands the importance of SMEs and will set aside an additional S$150 million for the SME Co-Investment Fund to support SMEs in scaling up and being globally competitive. While the grants are paramount to help SMEs kick-start initiatives such as implementing new technologies,... --- UOB FinLab celebrates Mother’s Day by spotlighting womanpreneur - Reena Yin, who gracefully balances motherhood and business. Discover Reena's inspiring journey that's reshaping both family and work. In honour of Mother's Day this year, UOB FinLab celebrates the strength and resilience of all forms of maternal figures in our lives. From working mothers to aunts, coaches, and close mentors, maternal figures have positively impacted many of us with their guidance and nurturing. We are delighted to celebrate these figures and commemorate their unwavering spirits amidst the triumphs and tribulations they overcame in their lives. Achieving a balance Motherhood is a constant juggling act. Adding work into the mix, moms feel the pressure to be a strong and nurturing presence both personally and professionally. Achieving this balance can be difficult because when they have to prioritise certain tasks, mothers often face the guilt of losing time with their children for work. Such was the case with Reena, founder of Artisan Nook and a participant in our Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur. “I spent more time with my first-born because I could work from home during the pandemic. However, when my second child was born after the pandemic, I began feeling a gap in our relationship whenever I went out to work. So, I wanted to bridge that gap,” said Reena as she discussed her motivations to leave her former job and become a full-time entrepreneur. There is a misconception that working mothers can only flourish in one area of their lives (professional or personal) rather than both. Such a mental load can be intimidating when maintaining a healthy work-life balance. However, we have met and been inspired by many... --- UOB FinLab is leading the charge in Southeast Asia by enabling SMEs to embrace the circular economy, reducing waste and sparking innovation. Dive into how these efforts are shaping a sustainable future for businesses and the environment. Image generated by DALL-E 3. The linear economic model of “take, make and dispose” has long been a go-to economic template, but its strain on our environment suggests a need for sustainable change. This is especially true for Southeast Asia, which continues to need more efficiency in waste management as it contributes to over 80 percent of the ocean’s rubbish. Moreover, inadequate recycling systems are rife in the region, where 90 percent of the region's waste is discarded or burned. Even technologically advanced Singapore is known to generate around a million tonnes of plastic waste per year, which is typically incinerated with the remaining ash placed in the country's Semakau landfill. This is why we believe that driving a circular economy (CE) is so important. The circular model safeguards our environment by minimising waste through recycling and upcycling. The good news is that Southeast Asia has already adopted several guidelines surrounding the circular economy, such as the Framework for Circular Economy for ASEAN. However, with the right support and expertise, SMEs can take circular economy initiatives to the next level. Moreover, SMEs themselves can experience the circular nature benefits of CE because they have the potential to enjoy reduced operating costs as well as boosted innovation and revenue streams. Leveraging local circular economy initiatives As Southeast Asia’s economic backbone, SMEs will be crucial for imparting circular business models, practices, and product offerings throughout the region. However, as agile and adaptable as SMEs can be, they can still struggle with instances... --- Discover how UOB FinLab is championing sustainable innovations with SMEs to drive positive change with transformative programmes. Join us in making a difference this Earth Day. Image generated by Google Gemini. As UOB FinLab celebrates Earth Day 2024, we remain resilient in our commitment to assist in scaling SMEs through sustainability initiatives and innovations. This year’s Earth Day theme is "Planet vs. Plastics", emphasising the four goals of instilling widespread pollution awareness, phasing out single-use plastics, calling for policies to end fast fashion, and investing in innovative technologies. Prior to this year’s Earth Day goals, we have long advocated for greener developments in the corporate sector and we believe that such progress will not only heal our planet, but it can also extend the longevity of the enterprises that engage in it. In our sustainability-focused programmes such as the Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) and the GreenTech Accelerator (GTA), we have always maintained a consistent set of values and resources to imbue into our participants. These values include having a hyper-awareness about their current sustainable impact (ie their ‘green positions), as well as the collaborative network required to transform sustainable ideas into reality. Elevating green awareness Before implementing any green strategy, being informed is a must. SMEs can strive to achieve the goals of Earth Day 2024 by educating themselves on the pollution impact of plastics, as well as the factors that contribute to such pollution. For example, estimates put 220 million tonnes of plastic waste to be generated in 2024, a 7. 11% increase since 2021. Such plastic pollution further exacerbates climate change because its production and disposal increases greenhouse gas emissions. UOB FinLab understands the... --- Discover how UOB FinLab is empowering women entrepreneurs and business leaders across ASEAN with tailored programmes that drive business growth and digital innovation. Learn more about these transformative initiatives and their impact on the economy. International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder and acknowledgement of the achievements of women worldwide as we collectively strive towards a more equitable society. However, the commitment to equity shouldn't fade with March - it should be a continuous effort by individuals and organisations to foster more outstanding support through tangible actions. UOB FinLab recognises the benefits of gender diversity in organisations. Companies with greater gender diversity tend to outperform their less diverse counterparts as they offer a wider range of perspectives and experiences, leading to better decision-making and innovation. Within our vast ecosystem spanning five countries in ASEAN, we have met many amazing female-led businesses and women entrepreneurs (Womenpreneurs) with innovative business propositions. One example is Eileen Toh, Founder of Genius Plus Academy. She was a previous participant of our Digital Mumpreneur Programme and leveraged the programme to gain a deeper, richer understanding of the inner workings of a business while meeting supportive, like-minded female entrepreneurs. The unique challenges of Womenpreneurs in ASEAN As more womenpreneurs rise up in ASEAN and build their businesses, we are aware that many face unique obstacles. From our conversations with womenpreneurs, one constant hurdle that limits business growth opportunities is the lack of professional networks. Studies have indicated that womenpreneurs often face greater challenges in building robust professional networks and finding mentors - limiting their access to valuable support, knowledge, and opportunities for business growth. Therefore, private and public sector firms must come together to create tangible solutions that can help womenpreneurs overcome... --- This is the second iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series, in which we discuss greenwashing challenges in Southeast Asia and the adequate steps SMEs can take to tackle them. Image generated by Google Gemini. This is the second iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series, in which we discuss greenwashing challenges in Southeast Asia and the adequate steps SMEs can take to tackle them. Southeast Asia's sustainability initiatives have advanced significantly in recent decades as awareness about the repercussions of climate change continues to rise. However, the misleading nature of greenwashing can hamper this progress by undermining the public’s trust in any corporate sustainable initiative, activity or policy. For example, electric vehicles (EVs) in Southeast Asia continue to gain many supporters who usually identify the product with a green image as it eliminates carbon exhaust emissions. In reality, EVs can potentially host hydrogen fuels sourced from coal even though they produce no carbon exhaust emissions. The true environmental impact of an EV thus becomes dubious and questionable if such information is undisclosed by a party through ineffective green reporting. At UOB FinLab, we believe that SMEs in Southeast Asia can benefit from higher quality green reporting and enhanced overall sustainability knowledge to counteract greenwashing and drive true sustainability impact. SMEs can achieve this through active efforts in demonstrating a deep understanding of sustainability factors, being more transparent of a product’s true environmental footprint, as well as producing data that is measurable and verifiable to the public. Enhancing green reporting quality for SMEs Information asymmetry can often be the main perpetrator of greenwashing events, as SMEs may be unaware of the crucial details about sustainability that require active disclosure, which then... --- With Asean contributing to roughly 25 per cent of waste worldwide, innovative tech solutions could help to manage waste and prevent refuse from contaminating the environment. While more climate tech start-ups are eager to drive change, many still lack support, exposure, and a platform to grow. Better solutions are needed to solve Southeast Asia’s ever-increasing amount of waste. The region – already responsible for a fifth of all rubbish produced globally – could generate more than 300 million tonnes of refuse annually by 2030, with plastic waste currently comprising a tenth of all discarded matter created. Much of this increase can be attributed to urbanisation and economic growth within the region, as well as its rising population, which has increased by almost 25 per cent over the last two decades to over 690 million. These factors naturally lead to increased consumption and with it, waste generation, which is further compounded by consumer preferences towards e-commerce and the purchase of convenient, packaged goods. The growing amount of waste is taking a toll on the environment, highlights Shannon Lung, noting that better solutions are urgently needed for refuse to be better managed before it is too late. “Excess waste often leads to poor waste management such as rubbish being disposed in the ocean, or landfills being filled beyond their capacity,” said Lung, head of UOB FinLab. UOB FinLab is an innovation accelerator established by Singapore’s United Overseas Bank to support business growth and transformation. More than 80 per cent of rubbish flowing into oceans comes from the Asean region. There is also an inadequate ecosystem for waste disposal, collection, treatment, and recycling among Southeast Asian countries, where 90 per cent of rubbish is either dumped or burned. Singapore alone generates almost a million tonnes of plastic waste each... --- We now approach the final weeks before applications for UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 come to a close. We have received outstanding applications from hundreds of innovative greentechs that have the potential to make impactful contributions to the world’s sustainability goals of net zero. UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator 2024 We now approach the final weeks before applications for UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 come to a close. We have received outstanding applications from hundreds of innovative greentechs that have the potential to make impactful contributions to the world’s sustainability goals of net zero. For this year’s programme, we developed 32 challenge statements in collaboration with our partners to address existing challenges in waste management, energy efficiency, food and agriculture, sustainable cities and sustainability reporting. One area that will be key in driving ASEAN’s sustainability efforts is more remarkable innovations in waste management and circular economy. UOB FinLab understands ASEAN’s waste challenges and is committed to catalysing innovative solutions that address this issue. We have two challenge statements in the GreenTech Accelerator Programme 2024 relating to waste - particularly regarding analysing waste streams and identifying recycling and upcycling opportunities. The issue of waste in ASEAN Excess waste in ASEAN is a major issue that must be addressed expediently. Waste generated in ASEAN is responsible for a fifth of all rubbish produced globally and is projected to reach 300 million tonnes annually by 2030, with plastic waste currently constituting more than 30 million tonnes. Excessive waste often results in poor waste management and ineffective disposal methods, such as dumping waste into the ocean or overfilling landfills beyond their capacity. When waste spreads beyond its designated landfills, it can cause multiple issues that impact the well-being of humans, the environment, and a nation’s economy. Government bodies in... --- UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) strives to develop and market green technology solutions for business sustainability. UOB FinLab's GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) strives to develop and market green technology solutions for business sustainability. The global community confronts dire environmental challenges encompassing climate change, inadequate sustainability governance, deforestation, soil degradation, agricultural waste, and the rapid pace of the fashion industry. In a stark illustration of these issues, 2023 emerged as a pivotal year, breaking records to claim the title of the hottest year ever recorded. With worldwide temperatures averaging 14. 98°C, a significant 1. 46°C above pre-industrial levels and 0. 13°C surpassing the eleven-month average for 2016, previously deemed the hottest year, the gravity of climate change becomes undeniable. Compounding these concerns, human activities have propelled carbon dioxide levels in 2023 to unprecedented heights, surpassing even the pre-industrial era levels by more than double. In cities, rising energy use worsens the urban heat island effect, raising health risks and straining resources. Energy efficiency efforts fall short, leading to increased carbon emissions and exacerbating climate change. Urgent action is needed to manage carbon emissions as unchecked greenhouse gases intensify global warming. Transparent carbon reporting mechanisms are crucial for effective mitigation. Climate shifts endanger food security, notably in aquaculture, where changing conditions disrupt production. In today’s world, societies are more aware than ever of the challenges associated with sustainability. Technological innovation emerges as a pivotal solution, illustrating its influence across diverse realms such as social relations, consumer behaviours, purchasing patterns, lifestyles, prosperity, and cultural development. Specifically, technology plays a transformative role in shaping the demand for energy and raw materials,... --- UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) มุ่งมุ่งเน้นการพัฒนาและผลักดันโซลูชันเทคโนโลยีสีเขียว (green technology solutions) เพื่อความยั่งยืนของภาคธุรกิจ โดยจัดการอบรม, ให้รับคำปรึกษาจากผู้เชี่ยวชาญ, เน็ตเวิร์คกับเครือข่ายอันกว้างขวางของ UOB FinLab และได้รับเงินทุนสนับสนุนสูงสุดรวม 100,000 ดอลลาร์สิงคโปร์ UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) มุ่งมุ่งเน้นการพัฒนาและผลักดันโซลูชันเทคโนโลยีสีเขียว (green technology solutions) เพื่อความยั่งยืนของภาคธุรกิจขณะที่ประชาคมโลกกำลังเผชิญกับวิกฤตด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการเปลี่ยนแปลงสภาพภูมิอากาศ การบริหารจัดการความยั่งยืนที่ไม่เพียงพอ การตัดไม้ทำลายป่า การเสื่อมสภาพของดิน ปัญหาขยะมูลฝอยทางการเกษตร และอุตสาหกรรมแฟชั่นที่รวดเร็ว ตัวอย่างที่เห็นได้ชัดเจนของปัญหานี้คือปี 2023 ที่กลายเป็นปีสำคัญ โดยทำลายสถิติกลายเป็นปีที่ร้อนที่สุดเท่าที่เคยมีการบันทึกไว้ด้วยอุณหภูมิโลกเฉลี่ยอยู่ที่ 14. 98 องศาเซลเซียส ซึ่งสูงกว่าระดับก่อนยุคอุตสาหกรรมถึง 1. 46 องศาเซลเซียส และสูงกว่าค่าเฉลี่ยสิบเอ็ดเดือนของปี 2016 (ซึ่งเคยถือว่าเป็นปีที่ร้อนที่สุด) ถึง 0. 13 องศาเซลเซียส ยิ่งตอกย้ำความรุนแรงของการเปลี่ยนแปลงสภาพภูมิอากาศที่ไม่อาจปฏิเสธได้อีกต่อไปสถานการณ์ยิ่งเลวร้ายลงไปอีกเมื่อกิจกรรมของมนุษย์ส่งผลให้ระดับคาร์บอนไดออกไซด์ในปี 2023 เพิ่มขึ้นสูงเป็นประวัติการณ์ สูงกว่าระดับก่อนยุคอุตสาหกรรมมากกว่าสองเท่า ในเมืองต่างๆ การใช้พลังงานที่เพิ่มขึ้นยิ่งทำให้ปรากฏการณ์เกาะความร้อนในเมือง (urban heat island effect) เลวร้ายลง ส่งผลต่อสุขภาพและทรัพยากรต่างๆ ความพยายามในการใช้พลังงานอย่างมีประสิทธิภาพก็ยังไม่เพียงพอ นำไปสู่การปล่อยก๊าซคาร์บอนเพิ่มขึ้นและเร่งให้ภาวะโลกร้อนทวีความรุนแรง จำเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่จะต้องดำเนินการอย่างเร่งด่วนเพื่อจัดการกับการปล่อยก๊าซคาร์บอน การมีกลไกการรายงานคาร์บอนอย่างโปร่งใสเป็นสิ่งสำคัญสำหรับการบรรเทาผลกระทบได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ การเปลี่ยนแปลงสภาพภูมิอากาศส่งผลกระทบต่อความมั่นคงทางอาหาร โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในด้านการเพาะเลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำ ซึ่งสภาวะที่เปลี่ยนแปลงไปนั้นส่งผลต่อการผลิตในโลกยุคปัจจุบัน สังคมตระหนักถึงความท้าทายที่เกี่ยวข้องกับความยั่งยืนมากขึ้นกว่าที่เคย เทคโนโลยีที่เป็นนวัตกรรมใหม่กลายเป็นโซลูชันสำคัญ โดยแสดงอิทธิพลในด้านต่างๆ อย่างแพร่หลาย ไม่ว่าจะเป็นความสัมพันธ์ทางสังคม พฤติกรรมผู้บริโภค รูปแบบการซื้อสินค้า ไลฟ์สไตล์ ความมั่งคั่ง และการพัฒนาทางวัฒนธรรม โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง เทคโนโลยีมีบทบาทสำคัญในการเปลี่ยนแปลงความต้องการพลังงานและวัตถุดิบ ปรับกระบวนการผลิตและประสิทธิภาพให้เหมาะสม เพิ่มประสิทธิภาพของผลิตภัณฑ์ และแก้ไขปัญหาที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการจัดการและการลดของเสียแม้จะมีความสำคัญอย่างยิ่ง แต่ผู้สนับสนุนในด้านเทคโนโลยีและนวัตกรรมยังคงเผชิญกับความท้าทายอันยิ่งใหญ่ในการบรรลุเป้าหมาย โดยต้องต่อสู้กับข้อจำกัดของทรัพยากรที่จำเป็น เช่น บุคลากรที่มีความสามารถ เงินทุน ความรู้ ความเชี่ยวชาญ และโครงสร้างสนับสนุนอื่นๆ ที่จำเป็น กำเนิดของ UOB FinLab Greentech Accelerator เปิดตัวในเดือนพฤษภาคม 2022 โดย UOB FinLab, GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) มุ่งมุ่งหวังที่จะพัฒนาและสร้างธุรกิจด้านเทคโนโลยีสีเขียวเพื่อตอบสนองความต้องการด้านความยั่งยืนของภาคธุรกิจ"ย้อนกลับไปช่วงต้นยุค 2020 เราสังเกตเห็นว่าเทคโนโลยีสีเขียวยังอยู่ในช่วงเริ่มต้น โดยเฉพาะในตลาดอาเซียน ผ่านโครงการส่งเสริมนวัตกรรมเพื่อความยั่งยืน (Sustainability Innovation Programme: SIP) ของเรา เราพบว่าภาคธุรกิจมีความสนใจและต้องการที่จะมุ่งสู่ความเป็นสีเขียวและนำแนวทางที่ยั่งยืนมาใช้ ตัวอย่างเช่น แม้ว่าต้นทุนการครองชีพจะเพิ่มสูงขึ้น ลูกค้ากลับมีการซื้อสินค้าที่ยั่งยืนเพิ่มขึ้นถึง 93% ในปี 2022 และ 72% ของธุรกิจมองว่าการเปลี่ยนแปลงสภาพภูมิอากาศส่งผลกระทบต่อการดำเนินงานและผลกำไร ในช่วง 3 ปีที่ผ่านมา เราได้มีวิสาหกิจขนาดกลางและขนาดย่อม (SMEs) มากกว่า 800 รายเข้าร่วมโครงการ SIP ซึ่งเป็นโอกาสให้เราสามารถแก้ไขช่องว่างระหว่างความต้องการด้านความยั่งยืนของบริษัท และผู้ให้บริการเทคโนโลยียั่งยืน ด้วยเหตุนี้ เราจึงตัดสินใจริเริ่มโครงการ GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) เพื่อขยายผลงานด้านความยั่งยืนของเราต่อไป" - คุณแชนนอน ลุง ประธาน UOB FinLabแตกต่างจากแนวทางเร่งรัดธุรกิจทั่วไปที่มักเน้นการเข้าซื้อหุ้นส่วนหรือการระดมทุน GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) ดำเนินงานในรูปแบบแพลตฟอร์มที่ไม่เข้าถือหุ้นบริษัท (equity-free) ช่วยให้ธุรกิจยังคงการเป็นเจ้าของกิจการอย่างเบ็ดเสร็จ จุดขายที่โดดเด่นของ GTA คือ การมุ่งเน้นเชื่อมโยงธุรกิจเทคโนโลยีสีเขียวเข้ากับองค์กรที่กำลังเผชิญกับโจทย์ด้านความยั่งยืน เพื่อสร้างโอกาสทางธุรกิจและผลลัพธ์ที่ทรงพลังในปี 2022 ซึ่งเป็นปีแรกของการจัดงาน GTA สามารถดึงดูดผู้สมัครกว่า 150 ราย จากหลากหลายประเทศถึง 45 ประเทศ ต่อมาในโครงการเร่งรัดธุรกิจ Greentech Accelerator Programme ซึ่งใช้ระยะเวลา 3 เดือน มีบริษัท Startup ที่ผ่านการคัดเลือก 12 ราย ได้นำเสนอความสำเร็จของตนเองในวันจัดแสดงผลงาน (Showcase Day) ที่งาน Singapore Fintech Festival Labcrawl อย่างน่าประทับใจ เรื่องราวความสำเร็จของ HydroNeo และ REDEX จากโครงการ GreenTech Accelerator ที่ผ่านมา ถือเป็นตัวอย่างที่น่าสนใจ ชี้ให้เห็นถึงประโยชน์ของการเข้าร่วมเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของเครือข่าย GTA บริษัท "HydroNeo และ REDEX เป็นสองตัวอย่างที่ยอดเยี่ยมของผู้เข้าร่วมโครงการที่ประสบความสำเร็จ พวกเขาสามารถใช้ประโยชน์จากเครือข่ายอันกว้างขวางของ UOB FinLab ในการสร้างโอกาสทางธุรกิจที่แท้จริงตัวอย่างเช่น จากการเข้าร่วมโครงการ GreenTech Accelerator นำมาซึ่งการเชื่อมโยงระหว่าง HydroNeo กับผู้ประกอบการในอุตสาหกรรมกว่า 15 ราย และยังสามารถริเริ่มโครงการนำร่องร่วมกับ UOB เพื่อสนับสนุนเกษตรกรกุ้งวัตไทยในการนำกระบวนการทางธุรกิจไปสู่ระบบดิจิทัล ในทำนองเดียวกัน REDEX ก็ได้ใช้ประโยชน์จากช่วงเวลาการสร้างเครือข่ายและชั้นเรียนพิเศษต่างๆ เพื่อพบปะกับผู้นำในอุตสาหกรรม ให้ความรู้แก่ธุรกิจต่างๆ และเพิ่มการรับรู้แบรนด์ (mindshare) ของผลิตภัณฑ์ ใบรับรองพลังงานหมุนเวียน (Renewable Energy Certificates: RECs) และยังสามารถติดต่อลูกค้ารายใหม่ รวมถึง UOB การปรากฏตัวต่อหน้าเครือข่ายที่ได้รับการคัดสรรถือเป็นสิ่งสำคัญสำหรับ REDEX เพราะเปิดโอกาสอันยอดเยี่ยมในการสร้างความร่วมมือกับพันธมิตรใหม่” - คุณแชนนอน ลุง กล่าวเพิ่มเติม โครงการ GreenTech Accelerator 2024 ปีนี้มีอะไรบ้าง “ต่อยอดจากความสำเร็จของโครงการที่ผ่านมา UOB FinLab มุ่งมุ่งเน้นที่จะขยายผลกระทบในระดับภูมิภาค ด้วยการมุ่งเน้นไปที่ประเทศสิงคโปร์ ประเทศไทย และประเทศมาเลเซียในปี 2024 นี้ โครงการ GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA 2024) มีบทบาทสำคัญในการผลักดันให้ Greentech... --- The Arts play an important role in today's society. Learn more about how UOB FinLab’s Acceleration Programme for the Arts is helping drive digitalisation efforts across the Arts Industry, and hear from OH! Open House, a participant of the programme, on how they have tackled issues within this industry. The arts - both visual and performance, play two fundamental roles in everyday society. Firstly, it preserves and expresses a nation’s cultural identity, history and heritage - fostering a sense of belonging and community among people. When we talk about Singapore specifically, the Nation has always been a choice destination for global visitors for a multitude of reasons. The arts are one of these reasons. Arts play an important role in showcasing Singapore’s history and culture to visitors. It also contributes to a vibrant city that Singaporeans are proud to call home. 7 out of 10 Singaporeans agreed that arts and culture give a greater sense of belonging to Singapore. Secondly, it acts as a channel for expression and communication across different societal groups. It enables individuals and communities to convey emotions, ideas, values and experiences that may be challenging to articulate with words alone. Art often serves as a medium to address current issues like mental health, advocate for social change and foster dialogue and understanding of complicated societal challenges. Singapore understands the strategic importance of the arts. The country developed ‘Our SG Arts Plan’, a roadmap that guides Singapore's arts and culture policies over the next five years. Digitalisation is one key pillar in this roadmap that will allow the arts industry to innovate and create new opportunities. Private-public partnerships and joint efforts are necessary for true digitalisation to be available and, in turn, be optimally adopted for real positive impact. Digitalising the Arts National Arts Council (NAC)... --- Learn more about UOB FinLab's key milestones in 2023 and how the team is staying committed to helping SMEs in the region. Just like that, 2023 has come to an end. UOB FinLab has achieved a fulfilling year with countless achievements, continuous improvements and lots of laughs. This could not have been done without the relentless support from the team at UOB FinLab. Everyone, regardless of seniority, went above and beyond to support SMEs across ASEAN achieve their digitalisation and sustainability goals. We would also like to thank all the SMEs that participated in our programmes. We are constantly learning from SMEs to better understand the challenges they face, and ensuring that our programmes are tailored accordingly. UOB FinLab trusts that all SMEs benefited from our programmes, be it through our insights, networking sessions or access to our vast ecosystem of resources, industry experts and online tools. Lastly, we would like to give a big shoutout to everyone in the UOB FinLab ecosystem including the various business and technology experts, industry leaders and mentors. This is truly a collaborative effort and our success is testament to the strong ecosystem we have built together. As we head into 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on our top milestones in 2023 and what 2024 has in store for us. Growing our presence across ASEAN We expanded our presence in two additional markets, officially launching UOB FinLab Vietnam in June 2023 and UOB FinLab Indonesia in September 2023. #gallery-13 { margin: auto; } #gallery-13 . gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-13 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; }... --- Read this article to learn more about our key takeaways from the COP28 event. Image source: www. cop28. com Article updated as of January 2025 As COP28 comes to a close, we witnessed many eventful discussions and solutions to achieve global goals of keeping the 1. 5°C benchmark alive and achieving net zero by 2050. We were very excited and impressed with the Singapore Pavilion and the initiatives that are enabling the country to make a positive global impact on climate change. Although Singapore is a small city-state, we believe it is punching way above its weight when it comes to developing innovative initiatives that help the region decarbonise and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This is achieved through the Singapore Green Plan 2030 that aims to advance the country’s sustainable development by bringing together a strong ecosystem of public-private climate change actors to develop impactful solutions and policies. UOB FinLab is committed to Singapore’s green goals and will continue to drive sustainability innovation and adoption in Singapore through our vast network, tools and programmes such as the GreenTech Accelerator and Sustainability Innovation Programme. It is crucial that we are well-versed with the latest developments, policies and solutions to ensure our programmes are relevant and up-to-date. Although many topics were discussed during COP28, here are our top three takeaways from the event. The importance of partnerships and collaboration It is not the sole responsibility of individual stakeholders to overcome climate change challenges, drive decarbonisation efforts and achieve the ultimate goal of net zero - it is the collective effort across all industries... --- The team at UOB FinLab was honoured to attend this year’s Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF 2023). Learn more about the team's key insights from the event, and how UOB FinLab remains committed to advancing digital growth and innovating for sustainability for regional startup and SME audiences. The team at UOB FinLab was honoured to attend this year’s Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF 2023). Dubbed as a nexus event focused on discussing the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI), SFF 2023 featured thought-provoking dialogues and exhibitions that provided key insight into the revolutionary applications of AI. SFF 2023 also served as a launch pad for new AI solutions that we predict to be extremely valuable for scaling sustainability activities. However, as with any technological innovation, successful adopters are often those who are well-prepared and educated about the mechanics, applications, and risks of new and evolving tools. Here are our insights and takeaways from SFF 2023, including our take on the trajectory of AI and sustainability. AI will continue to accelerate digital transformation 9 in 10 enterprises in Southeast Asia have implemented digitalisation in at least one department. However, just 7 in 10 of these businesses experienced success in their adoption. We believe that AI will be valuable in closing this gap in digitalisation success. AI continues to have a strong presence in global tech markets thanks to transformative solutions such as chatGPT in the past year. SFF 2023 highlighted how newer versions of AI can help to digitalise and optimise operations in the finance sector by automating fraud detection, risk assessment, forecasting, and many other areas. Beyond finance, we believe that AI can be applied for optimal digitalisation across any industry. Group picture at the Closing Ceremony of the Accelerator Programme for the Arts 2023 Our launch... --- The balance between tradition and modernity can be tricky to get right. However, when it is achieved, it is an unmatched combination that can propel a business into new heights. UOB FinLab understands that any form of change, such as digitalisation, may be a daunting task for any long standing business. Legacy systems and traditional ways of working have been one of the key barriers stopping SMEs in Singapore from reaching greater business efficiency. Change is often seen in a negative light as it has a false perception of removing the history and tradition of a business. Preserving traditions and pursuing modernisation are two contradictory paths for most people and companies. There is a perception that implementing modern tools, including digitalisation, will often remove the essence of tradition and custom. People often lament the loss of soul, history and custom in face of modernisation. UOB FinLab recognises that preserving tradition is crucial to maintain the identity and history of a business - but at the same time, it is crucial to keep up with the latest technological trends to ensure business continuity in a rapidly changing world. The balance between tradition and modernity can be tricky to get right. However, when it is achieved, it is an unmatched combination that can propel a business into new heights. One successful SME that implemented modern digitalisation while retaining its rich traditional history, essence and legacy is UOB customer, Aikido Shinju-Kai. Aikido Shinju-Kai is a martial arts gym with over 60 dojos and over 10,000 members in Singapore and the APAC region. Creating a legacy Aikido Shinju-Kai was founded by Phillip Lee in 1988. Before the dojo’s inception, Phillip was a full-time architect... --- First iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series - a series of articles that address a different area of sustainability and its impact in Singapore and the region. Our first piece will deep dive into the world of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Updated as of January 2025Today is the first iteration of UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Series - a series of articles that address a different area of sustainability and its impact in Singapore and the region. Our first piece will deep dive into the world of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Singapore, although a small nation, has been actively promoting sustainability and renewable energy initiatives as it recognises the threat of climate change. Without access to low-carbon energy sources and bio-based resources, the country looks to innovative initiatives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources, reduce the country's carbon footprint and drive Southeast Asia’s green growth opportunities. One solution that Singaporean companies leverage to demonstrate the use of clean, renewable energy are RECs. What are RECs and why do we need them in Singapore? There is a rise in the use of RECs by businesses as they slowly understand the importance of using green energy as a means of meeting their sustainability commitments and reducing their carbon footprint. So what are RECs? RECs are simply a tradable instrument that represents the legal property rights to the renewable energy generated. Through the purchase of RECs, users can make claims that the energy they use comes from a renewable source. Companies typically purchase RECs because they are unable to generate their own clean energy for their use. RECs enable businesses to pay for the clean energy injected into the same electrical grid from other renewable energy sources within the country for their own use... --- Earlier in September, the UOB FinLab team launched in Indonesia, marking our fifth in-market launch across ASEAN. With this launch, the team is committed to supporting the unique needs and circumstances of different SMEs in Indonesia. The team at UOB FinLab has witnessed a very exciting and fruitful third quarter of 2023. Earlier in September, we launched UOB FinLab in Indonesia which marks our fifth in-market launch across ASEAN. Our regional ecosystem network is now stronger than ever. Our presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia will further enable SMEs to tap onto our cross-border network to drive digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. Indonesia is a market of strategic importance for us and we see immense opportunities for UOB FinLab to support the business transformation goals of SMEs in the country. Amidst the backdrop of a challenging macroeconomic climate, SMEs in Indonesia are optimistic for the future and are planning to equip themselves to thrive in an ever-changing economic environment. Navigating the challenging macroenvironment for SMEs in Indonesia The combination of sky-high inflation and ongoing geopolitical tensions have caused businesses around the region to witness rising supply costs - making it challenging for SMEs to compete and maintain profits. This is causing Indonesian SMEs to feel the inflation pinch with nearly one in two businesses in Indonesia shifting its focus on cost cutting to address inflation, according to a study by UOB. To combat inflation, companies of all sizes are turning to digital solutions as a way to streamline business operations through digitalisation - enabling greater productivity, increased customer outreach and data insights. The government in Indonesia understands the importance of digitalisation and has rolled out innovative initiatives such as the The MSME Digital Technology 4.... --- Discover the highlights of the Jom Transform Programme, and how it empowers Malaysian SMEs with digital tools to excel in the digital economy. The FinLab’s Jom Transform Programme- Digitalisation 2023 is curated to help participants learn how to strengthen their businesses' digital capabilities, and to help their businesses be matched to suitable tech solutions to scale and seize growth opportunities. The Programme was held over a 2 week period, on the 1, 7 and 8 June 2023. Participants were able to learn from industry experts, participate in practical hands-on workshops and be matched to suitable tech solutions to kickstart their digitalisation journey. Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 Programme Video https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ZDgc76ynEgA Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 Programme Kick-off: 1st June 2023 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=RXGtDPujnN8 Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 Day 2: 7th June 2023 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=6gZPs6toIK4 Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 Day 3: 8th June 2023 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=o_qf8LQBfhY Share this Related Articles Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 October 24, 2023 The Jom Transform Programme seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia better compete in the digital economy. The programme will equip Malaysian SMEs with the tools, know-how and confidence to transform digitally. Read Jom Transform Programme – Arts Digital Accelerator 2023 October 24, 2023 The Arts Digital Accelerator Programme aims to support local art ecosystem to strengthen their businesses and digital capabilities to achieve transformation growth. Read Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition June 14, 2022 The FinLab’s Jom Transform Programme- Womenpreneurs Edition is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a... --- The Arts Digital Accelerator Programme aims to support local art ecosystem to strengthen their businesses and digital capabilities to achieve transformation growth. The FinLab’s Jom Transform Arts Digital Accelerator Programme was held in KL, Malaysia on 13th and 14th of September 2023. The programme aims to support local art ecosystem to strengthen their businesses and digital capabilities to achieve transformation growth. Participants will get to learn from industry experts, engage in curated workshops and learn through peer discussions. This programme will enable art ecosystem to leverage digital solutions to build up their business and financial competencies. This programme also aims to support local artistic talents by providing a platform to create profiles & showcase their artworks and facilitate arts transactions, as aligns with the bank’s value to create positive impact on the arts community. Jom Transform Programme – Arts Digital Accelerator https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=i4Az05O3H5w Jom Transform Programme – Programme Agenda Programme agenda includes: Share this Day 1 (13 Sep 2023) Panel Discussion Navigating the Intersection of Arts, Business and Digitalisation Sharing session Successful artist to share their journey in art business and challenges on digital adoption Building your digital brand presence Incorporating Multimedia Elements and Artificial Intelligence Day 2 (14 Sep 2023) How to grow your portfolio online Importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the digital realm Framing the art scene’s future with technology Keynote session Funding and Grants by government Value-add activities: Artists Showcase x Customer Networking Related Articles Jom Transform Programme – Digitalisation 2023 October 24, 2023 The Jom Transform Programme seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia better compete in the digital economy. The... --- UKM SUKSES is a 2-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of sales and operations to grow their business regionally and streamline business operations for productivity and efficiency. Day 1 - Programme: Business Operations Welcome Address, Opening Remarks & Opening Address The first day of the programme began with a welcome address delivered by Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia. This was followed by opening remarks by Janet Young, Managing Director and Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communication and Brands, UOB. Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Indonesia, then delivered the opening address, marking the launch of UOB FinLab in Indonesia. Hendra Gunawan shares about the need for Indonesian SMEs to leverage digital technologies and modernise their sales and operations to remain competitive in a global economy Janet Young shares insights into UOB FinLab's commitment to support SMEs in Indonesia beyond banking with tools, knowledge and resources to go digital Edisono Limin introduces the valuable opportunity that digitalisation holds for the Indonesian economy and how UOB FinLab will help SMEs leverage this opportunity Keynote: Jakarta, The Future of SMEs Elisabeth Ratu Rante Allo, President Director at Jakarta Entrepreneur, then delivered a keynote speech which discussed the potential for SMEs to thrive in Jakarta's urban landscape, technological ecosystem, and strategic partnerships. In addition, the keynote highlighted the key enablers of SME success in Jakarta, which include collaboration, skill development, and innovation. Keynote: Unleashing Digital Frontiers of SME Transformation Leonard Theosabrata, President Director of SMESCO, followed up with a keynote covering how to navigate challenges SMEs commonly face in navigating the new digital age and how to harness digital tools and integrate data analytics to enhance... --- The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2-week programme to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. 28 March 2023 - 6 April 2023 The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2-week programme to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. It provides deep insights across a variety of sustainability topics such as energy efficiency, sustainable finance, renewable energy certificates (RECs), sustainable packaging, and carbon management and ESG reporting. Learn how sustainability can play a part in your business to balance impact while ensuring profit and productivity. Programme Schedule *All dates and timings are subject to change A certificate of completion will be presented to participants who achieve at least 75% attendance for the programme Session 1: Programme Kickoff The programme kickoff began with an opening address by Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer from UOB and sharing sessions by Gan Ai Lim, Managing Director, Head of Marketing, Group Wholesale Banking and Global Markets, UOB and Marianne Tan, Programme Director at UOB FinLab. This was followed by a panel discussion on "How SMEs can Transition to Net Zero" moderated by Melissa Moi, Head of Sustainable Business, Corporate Sustainability Office, UOB, with panellists Christine Wong, Executive Director, Urban Solutions & Sustainability, Enterprise Singapore, Kang Jen Wee, Founder and CEO of REDEX, Tan Siang Hou, Head of Data Science, Terrascope, and Valerie Chua, Assistant Vice President, Venture Capital, New Ventures Singapore, Economic Development Board (EDB) who shared their insights on the topic. The kickoff concluded with a closing address by Janet Young, Managing Director and Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, UOB. Eric Lim delivers the... --- UOB FinLab launched its inaugural digital transformation programme in Ho Chi Minh City on 13 June 2023. Participants of The Xin Chào SMEs Programme were able to learn how to grow their sales through e-commerce and digital marketing tech showcases, participating in workshops, and networking sessions. About the Programme 13 JUNE 2023 - 14 JUNE 2023 Xin Chào SMEs is a 2-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of e-commerce and digital marketing to grow your sales. Participants will be equipped with knowledge on the effectiveness of adopting relevant technologies and developing strong e-commerce and digital marketing strategies to grow your sales and expand your business regionally. Day 1 - Programme Launch & E-Commerce Welcome Address & Opening Address The first day of the programme began with a welcome address delivered by Victor Ngo, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Vietnam. This was followed by an opening address by Fred Lim, Country Head of Business Banking, Channels & Digitalization & Retail Transformation, UOB Vietnam which marked the launch of UOB FinLab in Vietnam. Victor Ngo shares about the need for Vietnamese SMEs to embrace digital technologies and stay competitive in the digital era Fred Lim shares insights into how UOB FinLab will provide support to Vietnamese SMEs with digital tools, knowledge and resources Nguyen Ngoc Dung, Chairman of the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), then delivered a keynote speech where he shared insights into the vital role that SMEs play in the Vietnamese economy and VECOM's commitment to empower Vietnamese SMEs to embrace digital transformation. Keynote: Accelerating Vietnam SMEs Growth Through E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Nguyen Minh Duc, Deputy General Secretary at VECOM, also shared on how digital tools and innovation are instrumental in bridging the digital divide and enabling SMEs to compete effectively in the digital... --- A look at the current state of retail and e-commerce and how technology such as a smart POS system can improve operational efficiency and sales. Webinar Overview The #SmartNationTogether webinar held by UOB FinLab and Qashier provides insights into the current state of retail and e-commerce in Singapore and how technology such as a smart POS system can improve operational efficiency and sales. Hosted by Shaun Tan, Programme Director at UOB FinLab and featuring speaker Christopher Choo, CEO & Co-Founder of Qashier, this webinar shares insights into how traditional brick-and-mortar stores can innovate to improve their operations with the advent of e-commerce. Key Insights What are the far-reaching benefits of SMEs adopting smart POS systems like Qashier? Adopting technology such as a smart POS system can help level the playing field between SMEs and larger companies adopting e-commerce. The value of e-commerce in Singapore is quickly growing, and is expected to reach US$5. 92 Billion in 2023, up from US$4. 9 Billion in 2019. Omni-channel retail, where customers order online and pick up their items from the store, is an emerging trend in e-commerce. Smart POS systems can streamline operations and integrate online and offline sales channels. What is an example of an SME benefitting from smart POS systems? Riders Arena, a bicycle shop in Singapore, has adopted the Qashier smart POS system and the owners and mechanics alike have enjoyed the E-invoice feature the mostQashier allows the company to collect deposits before the work is done, protecting the company and improving cashflowThe Qashier system has made the business a lot more efficient and has allowed it to better serve its customers Webinar Recording https://youtu.... --- Uncover key takeaways from our CNA 938 interview with Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab, on the Sustainability Innovation Programme. Programme Overview The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2-week programme to help SMEs transform their companies into sustainable and green businesses. It provides deep insights across a variety of sustainability topics such as energy efficiency, sustainable finance, renewable energy certificates (RECs), sustainable packaging, and carbon management and ESG reporting. In this interview with Stanley Leong from CNA938 Money Minds, Shaun Tan, Programme Director at UOB FinLab speaks about why ESG issues are important to SMEs, UOB's sustainability framework, and the challenges that SMEs face when implementing sustainability measures. Key Insights What are the real far-reaching benefits for SMEs engaged in ESG issues? SMEs play a massive role in our economy. They form 99% of all establishments in Singapore and ASEAN. Each individual company's commitment to sustainability adds up and will make a difference on whether the country meets the carbon neutrality goals and net-zero targets. Now, caring for ESG is not a ‘good to have’, but a ‘need to have’. Being sustainable, allows the company to gain access to new markets, remain competitive and increase their profit margin. SME pursuing growth will also need to be aligned with increasingly specific regulatory standards as well as the client's expectation. What are the hindrances that are getting in the way of SMEs executing their sustainability initiatives? At UOB, we did a UOB SME Outlook Study 2022, and the major barriers to implement sustainability practices are due to insufficient knowledge which makes up to 43%, inadequate non-financial support 39%, possible short-term... --- The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023, by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to help arts organisations strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. Programme Overview The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023 by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to help arts organisations strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. In this interview with Stanley Young and and Tiffany Ang from CNA 938, Shaun Tan, Programme Director at UOB FinLab and Chong Shu Chi, Senior Manager of Corporate Service at Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT) speak about the challenges that arts organisations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how digital tools can help them improve their competitiveness post-pandemic. Key Insights What made your theatre company decide to be part of this program? Why is it important for your organization? Like any other sector, Singapore arts was deeply affected by the impact of the global pandemic. During this time, we felt that digitalization and technology are the only way we can sustain ourselves and maintain our reach with new and existing audiences. It was a crucial time for us to work on upscaling and building capability when the restrictions were in place. However, the project cost for this could be as high as putting up a physical show. Furthermore, only a handful of our customers were willing to pay to consume a digital performance, compared to a physical one. So, as such, SCDT has to think of ways to explore this new medium to create new works while at the same time, helping our company remain sustainable. What are some of these takeaways that you were... --- How WeavAir’s Natalia Mykhaylova benefited from the Sustainability Innovation Programme. Article updated as of January 2025Conversations surrounding sustainability and the adoption of sustainable business practices has been gathering steam for a while now. The research is promising – in 2024, Over 80% of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore were found to place environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles as a high priority in their business. This increased enthusiasm for sustainability efforts could not have been more timely. Amidst the reports of mass layoffs and troubling economic forecasts, the outlook for 2023 is shaping up to be challenging. The small and medium-sized enterprises that represent nearly half of Singapore’s GDP are extremely likely to feel the pinch of the shrinking global economy – which makes it harder to implement sustainable business practices, or seek out guidance, training and support from appropriate sources. But due to a multitude of factors, including consumer pressure – nearly 9 in 10 shoppers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, according to research by Bain & Company, sustainability can no longer be treated as a “nice to have”. Despite the challenging economic climate, startups and SMEs need to embrace it as a priority. Though initial investments into sustainable practices can be high, it does help save money in the long run. There is a clear need for ecosystems that provide supportive resources, knowledge, advice, and finances to small businesses who want to meet their environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) objectives and transition into “greener” operating models. Introducing The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme... --- For many of us, 2023 is off to an unusual start, due in part to recent economic forecasts and headlines reporting worrying business outlooks. Amid all of this, few seem to be talking about the thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent nearly half of Singapore’s GDP – and are more likely to feel the pinch. While the weakening global economy and inflation affects the performance of trade-dependent industries, overall SMEs have been found to be generally positive about their near-term business outlook. For many of us, 2023 is off to an unusual start, due in part to recent economic forecasts and headlines reporting worrying business outlooks. Amid all of this, few seem to be talking about the thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent nearly half of Singapore’s GDP – and are more likely to feel the pinch. While the weakening global economy and inflation affects the performance of trade-dependent industries, overall SMEs have been found to be generally positive about their near-term business outlook. The reality is that SMEs cannot afford not to invest in transformation efforts, especially in areas of digitalisation and sustainability – now neither fresh concepts or buzzwords, but rather, an urgent need. As someone who works closely with local businesses and industry partners on growth and transformation, I’m sharing some recommendations based on past recessions and industry insights to help SMEs navigate the challenging year ahead. Identify immediate areas for digital transformation With the right technology, SMEs can quickly unlock new opportunities for growth and transformation. Additionally, they could take advantage of their smaller size to be more agile and react quickly, using the right tech to reinvent themselves and respond to the changing market conditions. Fortunately, many SMEs already have a healthy appetite for growth and transformation. A 2022 ASEAN SME Transformation Study found that a majority (55%) of ASEAN SMEs were optimistic about their outlook. Importantly, a significant proportion (45%) of SMEs feel pressure to transform business models to better respond to... --- Moving towards a net-zero future is non-negotiable — and while it’s important to take steps towards being more eco-friendly, it’s challenging to implement long-term change. Article updated as of January 2025Moving towards a net-zero future is non-negotiable — and while it’s important to take steps towards being more eco-friendly, it’s challenging to implement long-term change, says the author. “How can your company make the SG Green Plan 2030 a success? ”This question was posed to me on the first day of a sustainability innovation programme in end-2021 and — I’ll be honest — stumped me. I proceeded to spend the rest of the programme organised by UOB’s The FinLab with this question at the back of my mind, pondering how we could most effectively make a lasting influence within the company and towards the national agenda. It also reminded me that beyond my daily work, every brainstorm, plan and execution completed by my team should be a positive step towards a greener Singapore, and a greener world. We rarely go a day without being urged to prioritise our goals around environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) initiatives, as we face the existential threat of climate change, and rising regulatory and consumer scrutiny. The truth is that sustainability sells, but consumers are more sceptical than ever about brands’ eco-friendly claims. A recent study found a whopping 67 per cent of Southeast Asian consumers would research the claims on their beauty products’ packaging to know if they are truly sustainable. Businesses need to be cautious not to over-promise and under-deliver on their sustainability initiatives, and make claims with words such as “eco” or “sustainable” without evidence. Doing this... --- Local accelerator programme bridges the gap between providers and SMEs, lowering the costs of adopting new technologies Energy efficiency is increasingly becoming a priority, with high energy costs hurting the bottomline of businesses. Photo: Getty Images High energy costs have been squeezing both businesses and consumers. The global energy price spike over the past two years is the largest since the 1970s oil crisis, said the World Bank in its April 2022 Commodity Markets Outlook report. In Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed in an October report that the energy crunch and sharp rise in agriculture prices contributed to over two-thirds of core inflation pressures between June 2021 and June 2022. Latest numbers from MAS on Wednesday revealed that, while electricity and gas inflation has eased, from 23. 9 per cent in September to 19 per cent last month, the cost of utilities is likely to remain high. With high utility bills hurting their bottomline, businesses are proactively looking for ways to cut their energy consumption. One solution: Leveraging technology for energy efficiency. Enter Singapore’s Resync, a green technology start-up that uses an artificial intelligence-powered energy cloud platform to make buildings and homes “smarter” and more energy efficient. The start-up, which has about 30 staff, has seen a significant increase in enquiries from businesses over the past two years, says CEO and co-founder Emir Nurov, 31. Resync was founded in 2017. “Energy is one of the core commodities that are required by all businesses, and they are definitely struggling with the high electricity bills currently,” shares Mr Nurov, who has a Bachelor’s degree in electrical... --- As the climate crisis mounts, green technologies help reduce environmental footprint while driving sustainable growth. In Week 3, participating startups attended masterclasses on UOB’s financial services, ASEAN’s economic landscape for businesses, the regional funding landscape by Quest Ventures, and more. The UOB team, from left: Goh Tsoon Kiat, AVP, UOB Bedok Branch, Shaun Tan, Programme Director, The FinLab, Wendy Low, SVP, UOB Bedok Branch, Marianne Tan, Programme Director, The FinLab. Photo: The FinLab As the climate crisis mounts, green technologies help reduce environmental footprint while driving sustainable growth. Greentech refers to any technology or science-based solution that mitigates negative impacts on the environment, with a broad range of applications from agriculture to construction. Increased investment in the field, as well as greater collaboration among businesses and deep tech experts, can scale up the production and adoption of greentech. Programmes like The Greentech Accelerator help startups push out their green innovations for wider adoption. The Greentech Accelerator is a three-month regional and global programme organised by The FinLab, an innovation accelerator powered by UOB. The programme aims to grow and transform innovative greentech solutions to meet the economic and environmental needs of businesses, forging a sustainable future for all. Heng Li Lang, Senior Director at Temasek Foundation, a non-profit organisation under the philanthropic arm of the Singapore state sovereign fund Temasek Holdings, shared about the organisation’s sustainability and funding goals in Week 3. Photo: The FinLab Mentoring, masterclasses, and more The Greentech Accelerator programme covers topics and advisory around management, sustainability, commercialisation and international market expansion, drawing on real insights from industry practitioners and fellow entrepreneurs.... --- Discover the highlights of UOB FinLab's 2022 Deep Dive Programme, part of the GreenTech Accelerator, and how it grows greentech solutions. The Greentech Accelerator is a 3-month regional and global programme, organised by The FinLab, powered by UOB, to grow and transform innovative greentech solutions to meet the economic and environmental needs of businesses and to forge a sustainable future for all. Deep Dive into the Future of Energy The future of energy is smart, sustainable and reliable. Learn from industry experts on what are some of the emerging energy technologies, how we can leverage on them to digitally transform our workplaces, reduce our energy consumption and lower our carbon footprint. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Y8W3c3wn9GY&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 1 - SP Digital Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=gZmu6eSKWX4&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 2 – Resync, Red Dot Analytic Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=dmL7ZNmzrHM&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 3 – Krosslinker Aerogels Solutions, T-RECs. ai Presentation Slides Deep Dive into Carbon Management and Reporting As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The session will focus on carbon emissions data, technologies to aggregate, calculate and track the reporting, and ways to reduce the carbon footprint for your business. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=X8l6VlfJuwg&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 1 - Sustainable Transformation for Businesses by Engie Impact Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=EDCJJuzFHEo&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 2 - The Pathway to Net Zero by Terrascope Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=hPJGebZ4RlM&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 3 - Greentech: CO2 Connect Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=SPhqKae_q-4&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 4 - Greentech: T-REC. ai Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=n-wq7R4-pMk&ab_channel=TheFinLab Part 5 - Greentech: Accacia Presentation Slides https://www.... --- Shifting to business models that are grounded in the principles of the circular economy will not only bring SMEs cost-savings and efficiency gains but will also open doors towards innovation and new sources of revenue and innovative customer engagement models. This is the second article in our two-part series on the new circular economy. Read part one. Shifting to business models that are grounded in the principles of the circular economy will not only bring SMEs cost-savings and efficiency gains but will also open doors towards innovation and new sources of revenue and innovative customer engagement models. To capitalise on these opportunities, however, SMEs must make some very important changes. Five Crucial Shifts to Doing Business In business planning and strategy, they need to shift from focusing on maximising throughput and sales margins to participating in continuous product and service cycles—that is, planning for products and services whose lifecycles are designed not to end or are meant to be sustained for as long as possible. Get out of the “selling more means more revenue” mindset and accept that you will instead have to devote more time and energy to managing complex, collaborative networks of suppliers, customers, retailers and manufacturers. Product development should undergo two crucial shifts, according to a report by McKinsey. First, the process should become more collaborative: consider how you and your users could work together to make your product easier to reuse or remanufacture. Once you have determined how to design your product to be reusable or re-manufacturable, go a step further and incentivise users to return the item. One way to do so, is by giving rebates for the return of used products, which has the added benefit of securing a fuss-free collection scheme. Stakeholders along... --- When Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based marketing analytics startup Aimazing was incorporated seven years ago in Singapore, it was still a mobile wallet business. Aimazing demonstrates the ease of integrating the Aimazing Device to an existing point-of-sale system at Malaysia's Jom Transform Programme Showcase Day in 2019. Photo: Aimazing AImazing's Initial pivot from failure When Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based marketing analytics startup Aimazing was incorporated seven years ago in Singapore, it was still a mobile wallet business. Since then, Aimazing has pivoted twice–first shifting to a business-to-business (B2B) FinTech model, then reorienting focus to data analytics, where it finally found its niche in 2017. Today, the company is the retail analytics platform of choice for mall management, allowing establishments like the Philippines’ Power Plant Mall to make data-driven decisions with complete transactional data visibility. Aimazing now has over 1,000 clients across Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. A “pivot,” according to Eric Ries’ Lean Startup Methodology, is a “course-correct” manoeuvre, a Plan B for a business model that isn’t taking off. In Ries’s Methodology, businesses should sketch out hypotheses, or testable guesses, defining their mission and preferred outcomes. If the hypotheses aren’t validated by experience, then the business should “pivot” to a new business model, and repeat till they find one that works. Structural changes can seem daunting and tedious. But entrepreneurship, by nature, has no shortage of pivots. Even some of the most successful tech companies are born from multiple course corrections. Just ask Twitter, which started out as a podcasting company; or PayPal, which pivoted five times before finding success. However, not all pivots lead to positive results. As the whole world saw... --- The future of digital marketing is diverse, and its potential is vast. Technology is a driving force in today’s digital marketing landscape for businesses and consumers alike. The future of digital marketing is diverse, and its potential is vast. Technology is a driving force in today’s digital marketing landscape for businesses and consumers alike. Social media today has become the platform for businesses to communicate and get to know their consumer market in various ways. With millions of people looking at their electronic screens daily, how can businesses prepare themselves for the future? There’s little to no tolerance for poor digital experiences anymore. By 2025, Gartner expects 80% of B2B sales interactions between suppliers and buyers to occur in digital channels. COVID-19 has been a huge driver of transformation over the 2 years, allowing deployment of more advanced digital experiences. 80% of B2B Sales Interactions Between Suppliers and Buyers Expect to Occur in Digital Channels By 2025. #1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is a heavily talked about topic, and in recent years the usage of AI has ramped up in businesses. The need for smarter, quicker and more intelligent analysis of information led to the growth of AI and machine learning technology. You might be thinking AI is just a trendy word, but it is being used everywhere. Businesses must remember that AI isn’t a bad thing; AI is here to assist us, to sift through the data to bring about better decision making. AI technology is growing in multiple areas, one of which is using AI to create original content. AI software may soon be able to better identify key influencers who could be potential brand... --- People frequently search online using keywords and phrases related to your business or service. It is important to have a robust SEO strategy to derive such traffic. People frequently search online using keywords and phrases related to your business or service. It is important to have a robust SEO strategy to derive such traffic. The SEO game plan is no longer just ranking core keywords, it entails a long-term strategy involving from content, to keyword word research to backlink analysis. We will look at some strategies coupled with free tools to power up your SEO game plan. More importantly, we want to create the best positive user experience. Let’s look at the MAC framework that covers Market, Accessibility and Content. Step 1 – Market: Rethinking Keywords Far too often, businesses do not relook at their keyword strategy and what may potentially drive customers to them. It’s time to relook at what keywords properly by search intent. Answer The Public Answer the Public results from keyword: “seo”Answer The Public is a tool that taps on Google’s autosuggestions to provide a visualisation overview of potential long tail keywords that is derived from your focus keyword. It is great for content marketing and keyword generation as it organises keyword ideas in an intent driven manner. It is a good way to get a sense of how people feel about a topic, giving hints and suggestions on what keywords you should be ranking for. Map those keywords in a spreadsheet and prioritise them. Start generating content for them as part of your content marketing strategy. Step 2 – Accessibility: Optimise your website for accessibility Start by understanding what pages exist on... --- For hundreds of years, humanity has used coal, oil, and natural gas to run civilizations and wage wars. Article updated as of January 2025For hundreds of years, humanity has used coal, oil, and natural gas to run civilizations and wage wars. Today, our centuries-long obsession with fossil fuels has proved to be more detrimental than beneficial, with global fossil fuel consumption soaring to unprecedented levels. As the world wakes up to the climate crisis, the issue of sustainability has begun dominating major conversations. World leaders and global institutions have set ambitious climate goals aimed at reducing emissions. Climate protection is a race against time. Greentech: the key to unlocking the climate crisis Today, the energy sector is witnessing the emergence of smart and renewable energy solutions — from building management systems, energy storage, solar etc, and more companies are conscious of the need to be energy efficient. Governments are also putting measures in place that either reward or encourage businesses to “go green” or adopt renewable energy sources. Meaningful partnerships: the key to mainstream adoption Several key establishments have also entered into partnerships with greentech, typically for research and development, or commercial deployment. For example, greentech solutions provider Envision has signed a lucrative partnership with Energy Market Authority (EMA) to help develop local expertise in greentech solutions. Worth S$4 million, the agreement will see SMEs and greentech startups work with industry heavyweights to create deeper capabilities in renewable energy and urban energy efficiency solutions. Universities are also working towards expertise in the energy efficiency space. The National University of Singapore has partnered with Singapore-based energy solutions provider Keppel... --- The FinLab’s Jom Transform Programme- Womenpreneurs Edition is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. The FinLab’s Jom Transform Programme- Womenpreneurs Edition is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. Kick-start your digitalisation journey through applying tech solutions, learning from industry experts, participating in practical learning seminars, and scale with UOB connectivity across ASEAN. Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition: Kick-Off https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=PIpe20qJo8Q&ab_channel=TheFinLab Open Address by Ng Wei Wei, CEO of UOB Malaysia https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=zeceXPlTED8&ab_channel=TheFinLab Panellist Session “Making A Lead Forward” and Closing Address by Janet Young Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition Week 1: E-Commerce 28th June 2022 & 30th June 2022 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=J66Ip-d6-9o&ab_channel=TheFinLab Value Proposition Canvas Session By Felix Tan Presentation Deck https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=mTCC5_Hx9So&ab_channel=TheFinLab Re-Thinking Business Transformation Workshop By Vincent Chew Presentation Deck https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=2yQSTbUPdfs&ab_channel=TheFinLab Women Leader Sharing Session By Anne Tham https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=gu9ysArwqaY&ab_channel=TheFinLab Design Thinking Sharing Session By Prof. Ts. Dr Murali Raman https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=WedjyB5ANIk&ab_channel=TheFinLab E-Commerce Solution Showcase By Exabytes, Food Market Hub, Salt Tech, Sharkbate, Webqlo Presentation Decks Jom Transform Programme – Womenpreneurs Edition Week 2: Front-End 5th July 2022 & 7th July 2022 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=5X4uiQGeH1o&ab_channel=TheFinLab Current Business Outlook Trends In ASEAN By Julia Goh Presentation Decks https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=L3A7-TglFss&ab_channel=TheFinLab Digital Strategy & Storytelling In Digital Marketing By Jan Wong https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ExPGKxMwKlE&ab_channel=TheFinLab Conducting Effective Livestream Workshop By Nursabiha Saifon Presentation Decks https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=QZPjunZfmrw&ab_channel=TheFinLab Women Leader Sharing Session By Melissa Tan https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=saJJnAJTysw&ab_channel=TheFinLab Data Analysis Workshop By Ashran Ghazi Presentation... --- Digital Spotlight is a series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies. Digital Spotlight is a series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies. Through the 2-days workshop, businesses can gain insights on the trends, opportunities and challenges, learn how to leverage on technology to streamline operations, increase sales and customer base. Digital Spotlight #5: Start Digital https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=J7qGX8lXsTA Presentation Summary Digital Spotlight #4: Retail Presentation Deck Digital Spotlight #3: HR & Payroll Tech Showcase + Industry Overview Info-Tech Presentation Deck Digital Spotlight #2: F&B Edition Meet the SMEs + Mini Tech showcasehttps://www. youtube. com/watch? v=S6CrooemtEY&ab_channel=TheFinLabPresentation Slides Mini Tech Showcase: EPOS Mini Tech Showcase: Talenox Demonstration Session: Chope Demonstration Sessionhttps://www. youtube. com/watch? v=VIvpl_vJeq8&ab_channel=TheFinLab Digital Spotlight #1: Sales & Digital Marketing Creating a Digital Presence + Mini Tech Showcase + Hands-on Workshophttps://www. youtube. com/watch? v=lh7X-SKoZO8&ab_channel=TheFinLabPresentation Slides Creating a Digital Presence Mini Tech Showcase: Skale Mini Tech Showcase: Verz Design Hands-on Workshop: Skale Share this Related Articles Tips on overcoming lows and getting back on track July 27, 2022 When Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based marketing analytics startup Aimazing was incorporated seven years ago in Singapore, it was still a mobile wallet business. Read How Will Digital Marketing Look Like In 2025 July 4, 2022 The future of digital marketing is diverse, and its potential is vast. Technology is a driving force in today’s digital marketing landscape for businesses and consumers alike. Read Up your SEO Gameplan in 3 Steps: The SEO MAC Framework June 23, 2022 People frequently search online using keywords... --- The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 5-week programme to help SMEs to transform their companies into sustainable businesses. The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 5-week programme to help SMEs to transform their companies into sustainable businesses. It provides deep insights across a variety of Sustainability topics such as energy efficiency, clean energy, electric vehicle and food sustainability. SMEs will be introduced to various Greentech solutions that can kickstart their journey to a greener future. Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022: Launch https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=7AwAxZofTmM&t=1s&ab_channel=TheFinLab “Creating Impact for SMEs through Sustainable Actions” Panel Discussion https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=L6A9do8Dbr4&ab_channel=TheFinLab Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022: Week 1 “Educate” Session 1 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=5ZIQPa852zA&t=1s&ab_channel=TheFinLab SIP Week 1 "Educate" - Sustainability 101 Presentation Slides https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=7fN5S1B2Xl0&ab_channel=TheFinLab Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022 Week 1 "Educate": How the Carbon Tax Impacts SMEs Presentation Deck Session 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=l25ZW6pOZ4M&ab_channel=TheFinLab SIP 2022 Week 1 "Educate": Overview of UOB green solutions and sustainability-linked financing https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=vFER5K_tx70&ab_channel=TheFinLab SIP 2022 Week 1 "Educate": Government Support, Grants and Investing in Sustainability Presentation Deck Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022: Week 2 “Evaluate” Business Model Canvas Workshop Presentation Decks Sustainability Assessment Tool with Global Initiatives https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=xJrd2oSXQas&ab_channel=TheFinLab Sustainability Innovation Programme Week 2 SAT Presentation Decks Sustainability Innovation Programme 2022: Week 3 “Experience” SP Digital – Empowering Businesses with Green Energy Tech Solutions https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=vvT0JNaagck&ab_channel=TheFinLab Presentation Decks E-Tech Building Services – Utilisation of SMART Technology https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=vbEqLRSr1PE&ab_channel=TheFinLab Presentation Decks “EXPERIENCE”: Visit to SP Digital’s Office Nurturing Healthier and Greener Buildings Presentation Decks Green Energy Tech Suite (GET) Overview Presentation Decks Sustainability Innovation Programme... --- The pursuit of a good night’s sleep is doing bad things to the environment — at least judging from the number of used mattresses that end up in landfills. Article updated as of January 2025 The pursuit of a good night’s sleep is doing bad things to the environment The pursuit of a good night’s sleep is doing bad things to the environment — at least judging from the number of used mattresses that end up in landfills. Bulky and hard to compact, an estimated 20 million mattresses end up in landfills annually in the United States, with each taking up to 40 cubic foot of space. To deal with mattress wastage, governments around the world have introduced different ways of encouraging mattress recycling — from funding recycling programmes to outright mattress disposal bans. The process of recycling mattresses faces a few challenges, including the labour-intensive process of dismantling them and the difficulty of recycling polyurethane foam (which is one of the key mattress components, as foam mattresses have been overtaking the popularity of traditional box spring ones). New recycling technologies have been emerging to address these challenges. For example, in California, researchers are developing a machine to separate the metal coils from the polypropylene pockets without destroying either material. As for polyurethane foam, most of the current recycling methods are mechanical, for example, the material is chipped off the old mattress and sent to become carpet underlay. The new frontier is in developing new chemical recycling methods so that the foam can processed and turned into raw material. In Semoy, France, the Renuva Mattress Recycling Programme is Europe’s first mattress recycling plant that chemically treats end-of-life foam to... --- In the past ten years, women have become more active participants in Singapore’s labour force. What is interesting to note, though, is that participation takes a hit when women reach their 30s and 40s. Over the past decade, women have become more active participants in Singapore’s labour force. But participation still takes a dip when women reach their 30s and 40s—often the age when family responsibilities peak. Recent data from the Ministry of Manpower’s 2024 Labour Force Survey shows that among residents who exited the workforce mainly due to caregiving, 56. 5% cited childcare as the main reason, especially for children aged 12 and below. Strikingly, 95. 1% of these caregivers were women. Most of them were 40 or younger, and 65. 8% held tertiary qualifications—44. 5% even had degrees. While 81% of these women were not seeking to return to work at the time of the survey, the tide is slowly shifting. Many now believe they can—and should—pursue both career and family goals. The pandemic's global experiment with flexible working proved that balance is possible. Enhanced maternity benefits and parental leave policies have also made it easier for women to remain in the workforce. As women’s presence and influence in the labour force grow, both businesses and the government will need to continue evolving policies to support working women meaningfully. The state of working women Today, women are getting married and having children at a later age than previous generations. This means they have more financial stability before starting a family. It also means that their professional responsibilities are generally bigger and more demanding at the moment that they choose to have kids. This creates an inner tug-of-war for women, one that is... --- The pandemic has had widespread impact on the operations of home-based and other micro-businesses in Singapore, with six in 10 reducing, halting or had no technology adoption in the past year. The pandemic has had widespread impact on the operations of home-based and other micro-businesses in Singapore, with six in 10 reducing, halting or had no technology adoption in the past year. This is despite reports of how COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation, which holds true only for the larger corporations. In our From Disruption to Transformation report, we look at the impact of the pandemic on Singapore’s home-based and other micro-businesses, with targeted focus on if and how they have adopted technology to overcome recent challenges and accelerate transformation in their businesses. Through primary research conducted with 250 home-based and other micro-businesses in Singapore, we explore their challenges, needs and preferences in the current climate of rapid digitalisation and change, to give you a well-rounded perspective on the status of the local business ecosystem. Download the report to read more. Download Now Share this Related Articles Unlocking New Opportunities in The Arts Space January 19, 2024 The Arts play an important role in today’s society. Learn more about how UOB FinLab’s Acceleration Programme for the Arts is helping drive digitalisation efforts across the Arts Industry, and hear from OH! Open House, a participant of the programme, on how they have tackled issues within this industry. Read 2023 Year in Review and Looking Ahead January 5, 2024 Learn more about UOB FinLab’s key milestones in 2023 and how the team is staying committed to helping SMEs in the region. Read The Promise of AI for Digitalisation and Sustainability (Singapore FinTech Festival... --- Outdated internal management systems, operational efficiencies, rising costs — several factors could serve as barriers to growth for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), impeding their development and expansion process. Outdated internal management systems, operational efficiencies, rising costs — several factors could serve as barriers to growth for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), impeding their development and expansion process. Thus, it helps to have the right partner to take your business to the next level — especially if you are an SME. Through The FinLab’s extensive network, business programmes, and grant assistance procedures, small businesses in the region are on their way to driving greater business impact and unlocking operational efficiencies. Here’s how: Driving efficiencies for Kingdom Organic Network Once an organic restaurant in Thailand, Kingdom Organic Network (KON) has since grown its business with a purpose — to enhance human well-being via food security. Focused on sustainability, the Thai organic food manufacturer and distributor decided to return to basics and start from the root of it all — the nation’s farmers. KON was on a mission to establish itself as a healthy food pioneer in Thailand via urban farming, so it collaborated with rural farmers and empowered them with the tools required to transform their communities via sustainably-farmed organic seeds and produce. However, the organic food manufacturer was faced with a series of challenges. The business found it difficult to connect to farmers in remote areas, to scale operations and to meet the burgeoning consumer demand. Additionally, its existing manual project management system made it difficult to allocate resources efficiently and to maintain reliable data records. KON realised it needed a paradigm shift — but could only do so with the... --- --- ## Events Be equipped with the clarity, confidence and practical guidance needed for SMEs to start or strengthen their sustainability journey. This session brings together expert insights, real-world examples and actionable tools that help businesses take meaningful steps toward sustainable growth. AI for Sustainability: Transforming Businesses for a Greener Future Be equipped with the clarity, confidence and practical guidance needed for SMEs to start or strengthen their sustainability journey. This session brings together expert insights, real-world examples and actionable tools that help businesses take meaningful steps toward sustainable growth. Register Now Participants will gain a practical and easy-to-understand view of today’s sustainability landscape, including how: Generative AI can streamline sustainability reporting and reduce operational complexity Carbonomics shapes business decisions and long-term resilience SMEs have implemented sustainable initiatives, including insights from the Mentorship Support Grant (MSG) The session features presentations and a panel of industry experts who will share: Clear guidance on sustainability reporting standards and market expectations Practical frameworks and tools SMEs can use to identify meaningful sustainability actions Real examples of how businesses balance sustainability with commercial priorities Collaboration opportunities and ecosystem support available to help SMEs progress on their sustainability journey Discover how participants can sign up for the Sustainability Reporting for SMEs and Carbon Management for SMEs courses, which provide deeper insights, practical frameworks and the knowledge needed to help SMEs develop effective sustainability strategies and thrive on their journey toward a net zero future. Programme Highlights 9:00am – 9:45am Registration 9:45am – 9:50am Opening Address 9:50am – 9:55am Sharing of UOB Queen Bee Initiative by FinLab 9:55am – 10:30am How can SMEs leverage on Gen AI to do Sustainability Reporting? Lance Ng Consultant & Trainer CSO Centre 10:30am – 11:00am Peek into Carbonomics Joyce Goh Consultant &... --- This hands-on workshop introduces powerful generative AI tools for content creation. Participants will learn how to produce high-impact text, visuals, and media, enhance creative workflows, and craft personalised, platform-ready content. Generative AI Content Creation This hands-on workshop introduces powerful generative AI tools for content creation. Participants will learn how to produce high-impact text, visuals, and media, enhance creative workflows, and craft personalised, platform-ready content. The focus is on practical application, helping learners work smarter and create with greater clarity, speed, and purpose. Register Now Through a blend of narrative fundamentals, AI-assisted storytelling techniques, and tool-based activities across text, image, and video generation, learners will discover how to streamline workflows, boost creativity, and produce more personalised, engaging content. The course also guides participants in effectively integrating AI into existing processes and applying these capabilities to real-world professional contexts—making it ideal for marketers, writers, designers, and anyone looking to stay ahead in today’s AI-enabled digital landscape. Topics Covered Key digital disruptors and the rise of AI-powered content creation. A hands-on look at leading AI tools for writing, audio, visuals, and video. Creating remarkable content using AI-generated techniques for seamlessly integrating AI into content creation workflow. Prompt/context engineering techniques to get more accurate and engaging AI responses. Branding and driving traffic for business growth with Gen AI content creation tools. Real-world applications of AI in branding, marketing, and business communication, including real-life examples of SMEs using AI-driven content creation. Common pitfalls to avoid and ethical considerations when creating content with Gen AI tools. Access to 100+ tested prompts to inspire your content journey. Featured Speakers Ahsan Uddin Shan Senior LecturerNgee Ann Polytechnic Tina Chopra CEOAddly AI Course Fees Edit DescriptionAmount Original Course fee... --- Learn about major reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and CDP, and develop a robust action plan for implementing sustainability reporting in the organisation. Sustainability Reporting for SMEs Learn about major reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and CDP, and develop a robust action plan for implementing sustainability reporting in the organisation. Learn to identify climate-related risks and opportunities, ensure data quality, and comply with domestic and international regulations. Gain insights from real-world case studies and position the business at the forefront of sustainable practices. Register Now This course aims to demystify the transition from CSR to ESG, clarify the various reporting frameworks and standards, and highlight the importance of sustainability reporting for financial performance and ESG investing. Participants will learn to identify and manage climate-related risks, ensure data quality, and comply with local and international regulations, ultimately driving their businesses towards sustainable and impactful practices. Topics Covered Domestic and International Sustainability Reporting Regulations GRI, SSB value chain requirements and green certifications for SMEs Data Quality, Internal Control & External Assurance Action Plan for Implementing Sustainability Reporting Featured Speakers Lance Ng Consultant & TrainerCSO Centre Kelyn Tan Head of Corporate SustainabilityUOB Course Fees Edit DescriptionAmount Original Course fee including 9% GSTS$545 Enhanced Training Support for SMEsS$63. 50 SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy for Singapore Citizen aged 40 and aboveS$63. 50 SkillsFuture Baseline FundingS$163. 50 *GST is charged based on the total course fee before subsidies. *Eligible participants may receive up to 70% SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) funding. Co-Organised With: Related Events Find Out More Carbon Management for SMEs 13 May 2026 Discover how Singapore’s climate ambitions and the Paris Agreement shape national policies and business... --- Join us for an engaging, eye-opening session where our speakers break down the strategies that businesses use to build trust, grow their audience, and convert engagement into real results. Unlocking Digital Growth for SMEs: GenAI Content, Livestream Commerce and the Creator Economy Join us for an engaging, eye-opening session where our speakers break down the strategies that businesses use to build trust, grow their audience, and convert engagement into real results. Register Now Gain practical insights that SMEs can apply immediately to strengthen customer relationships, improve content quality and confidently explore new digital channels, enhancing their brand presence and staying competitive in a fast-changing landscape. What authentic content looks like on today’s social platforms and what truly builds trustPractical examples of how Generative AI accelerates content creation and boosts productivityStrategic Livestream tactics for sales and engagementLearn how businesses can elevate their digital presence, reach new customers and take the next step in their growth journey through the Generative AI Content Creation course and the Livestream Commerce and Real-Time Engagement course. Programme Highlights 2:00pm – 2:30pm Registration 2:30pm – 2:40pm Opening Address Paul Kan Country HeadSME Banking (Emerging Enterprise)UOB 2:40pm – 3:45pm Trust Before Transaction – What Digital Success Really Looks Like for SMEs How businesses build trust before monetisationWhy SMEs should stop leading with promotionsWhat "trust" actually looks like in content and social mediaModerated by: Reginald Koh FounderThe Financial Coconut Speakers: Laura Kantor Head of MarketingSEA, Canva Vanessa Tan Chief Marketing OfficerStryv Don Siah OwnerDiamond Ateliers 3:45pm – 4:05pm GenAl Masterclass Understanding Generative Al in the SMEHow smart SMEs tum Al into a real business tooPractical Al use cases for everyday businessWrap-up and next steps Ahsan Uddin Shan Senior... --- Discover how Singapore’s climate ambitions and the Paris Agreement shape national policies and business impacts. Master Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and navigate the complexities of Singapore’s Carbon Pricing Act and carbon markets. Carbon Management for SMEs Discover how Singapore’s climate ambitions and the Paris Agreement shape national policies and business impacts. Master Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and navigate the complexities of Singapore’s Carbon Pricing Act and carbon markets. Stay ahead with emerging carbon management technologies and explore the green building industry’s role in reducing emissions. Register Now This course aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of carbon management, focusing on Singapore’s climate policies, emissions reporting, and the latest technologies. It also aims to empower businesses to achieve sustainability goals, navigate carbon markets, and implement best practices. Learn from successful case studies and best practices to drive your business towards a sustainable, net-zero future. Topics Covered Operational and embodied carbon, reduction strategies Basics of Carbon Accounting, including the Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions protocol and ISO14064:2018 Corporate response to climate commitments through commitments such as net-zero and carbon neutral Featured Speakers Joyce Goh Consultant & TrainerCSO Centre Samuel Tan Head, ESG Solutions (Energy Transition)Group Wholesale Banking and MarketsUOB Course Fees Edit DescriptionAmount Original Course fee including 9% GSTS$545 Enhanced Training Support for SMEsS$63. 50 SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy for Singapore Citizen aged 40 and aboveS$63. 50 SkillsFuture Baseline FundingS$163. 50 *GST is charged based on the total course fee before subsidies. *Eligible participants may receive up to 70% SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) funding. Co-Organised With: Related Events Find Out More Sustainability Reporting for SMEs 12 May 2026 Learn about major reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and CDP, and develop... --- Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. UOB Womenpreneur Networking Event We’re pleased to announce the return of the UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event in 2026. Join us on 25 February, as we bring together women business leaders and founders to share their entrepreneurial experiences. Hear from our exciting line-up of speakers as they share insights on: Engaging new customer segments through emerging channels Expanding your company’s brand reach online Defining and building a strong personal brand as an entrepreneur Amplifying your personal brand to generate more leads Participate in a guided, hands-on activity to uncover your personal brand values and learn how to leverage them as leaders to boost self-confidence and visibility. Learn how you can sign up for the UOB Women in Business Programme commencing April 2026, which covers practical modules on business transformation, venture pitching, brand and marketing, and provides mentors to support your business and professional development journey. Agenda 4:00pm – 5:00pm Pre-event Networking Session 5:00pm – 5:10pm Opening Address Paul Kan Country Head UOB Business Banking Singapore Read more > 5:10pm – 5:20pm Women in Business – Trends, Leadership & Community Janet Young Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand Read more > 5:20pm – 5:50pm Building a Magnetic Business Brand in the Age of Social Commerce Tjin Lee Head of Gusto Collective SEA, Co-founder of CRIB Society 5:50pm – 6:50pm Building Self Identity Before Business Identity — Powered by Purpose, Presence & Your Professional Voice Ratna Juita Founder and CEO The Mindgem Monica Bhatia Head of Enterprise Solution Group... --- Designed to teach you about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. Learners will comprehend basic AI-related terms such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Expert Systems which will play a key role in the future of technology and science. Microsoft SME AI Programme Launch Join us for the launch of the Microsoft SME AI Programme, a new initiative designed to help digitally mature enterprises in Singapore deploy practical, enterprise-ready GenAI solutions across key business areas such as knowledge mining, operations automation, and customer engagement. Register Now Microsoft and its partner ecosystem will offer curated solutioning services to help SMEs develop customised solutions that are quick to deploy and able to reap immediate business results. Eligible SMEs may receive funding support from IMDA and UOB*. Our solutioning services are tailored for SMEs, enabling you to: Enhance customer engagement - helping you connect with clients more effectively. Simplify content creation - making it faster and easier to produce useful materials. Automate routine tasks - freeing up time for you and your team for greater impact. Improve productivity and operational efficiency - streamlining processes for better results. At the launch event, you will hear from policymakers, industry leaders, partners, and fellow SME owners as they: Share the programme's objectives, structure, and available support Highlight practical AI use cases for SMEs Demonstrate how governance and public-private collaboration strengthen Singapore's digital competitiveness Share the various programmes offered by IMDA and UOB to support your AI journey Programme Highlights Opening Address by Microsoft Rachel Bondi Corporate Vice President, Small, Medium Enterprises and Channel, Microsoft Asia Welcome Keynote by Guest of Honour Mrs Josephine Teo Minister for Digital Development and Information Ecosystem Partnership & Programme Overview Success Panel Discussion: Customer Stories Sharing Hands-on AI Experience Zone... --- UOB FinLab 10th Anniversary Networking Evening celebrates a decade of empowering businesses across ASEAN through digitalisation, sustainability, and innovation. UOB FinLab’s 10th Anniversary Networking Event UOB FinLab 10th Anniversary Networking Evening celebrates a decade of empowering businesses across ASEAN through digitalisation, sustainability, and innovation. The event brings together SMEs, startups, entrepreneurs, tech solution providers and ecosystem partners for an evening of meaningful connections, inspiring conversations, and reflections on UOB FinLab’s journey and impact. The registration period has concluded. Event Agenda Registration and Welcome 5:30pm – 7:00pm Join us for networking ice-breaker activities at 6. 15pm. From Vision to Elevation: A Conversation with Janet Young 7:00pm – 7:20pm This fireside chat will reflect on UOB FinLab’s 10-year journey of empowering SMEs through innovation, digitalisation, and collaboration, while looking ahead to the next decade. Hear from the founder as she shares her perspectives on leadership, transformation, and resilience, offering inspiration on how SMEs can harness digitalisation, innovation, and community to navigate change, seize new opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Janet Young Managing Director and Head Group Channels and Digitalisation, Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Moderated by: Shannon Lung Head of UOB FinLab and Ecosystem Partnership, UOB Building Better Businesses: How SMEs Are Adopting Sustainable Practices 7:30pm – 8:05pm This panel will spotlight SME leaders from diverse industries sharing how they are integrating sustainability into their business models – from operations and supply chains to product innovation and community engagement. These business leaders have turned ambition into action through participation in UOB FinLab programmes and community, where they redefine success by aligning growth with positive environmental and social impact. The goal... --- Transforming SME Businesses Towards Sustainability พลิกธุรกิจ SME สู่ความยั่งยืน เตรียมตัวให้พร้อมเพื่อเจาะลึกความลับและโอกาสในการสร้างผลกำไรจากเทรนด์ทรงพลังในงาน Sustainability Innovation Programme 2025: Kick-off Day ที่งาน Techsauce Global Summit 2025 ลงทะเบียนตอนนี้เพื่อรับสิทธิ์ลุ้นบัตรเข้างาน Techsauce Global Summit 2025 ฟรี! รับฟังกลยุทธ์ด้านความยั่งยืนจากผู้เชี่ยวชาญในอุตสาหกรรม พร้อมกรณีศึกษาที่จะให้คำแนะนำในการสร้างแบรนด์ที่เป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อม ซึ่งสามารถชนะใจลูกค้าและขยายธุรกิจของคุณได้ พิเศษ! รับโปรโมชั่นจาก UOB SME และโอกาสเข้าร่วมเวิร์กช็อปสุดพิเศษจาก UOB FinLab Key Speakers ไม่ว่าจะเป็นคุณเชา วง ยวน Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB Thailand คุณอรนุช เลิศสุวรรณกิจ CEO and Co-founder, Techsauce คุณบัลลังก์ ว่องธวัชชัย Head of Digital Engagement & Fintech Innovation, UOB Thailand ปราโมทย์ เดชะบุญศิริพานิช Managing Director, PANPURI ลงทะเบียนได้เลย พร้อมมาพบกับแรงบันดาลใจและคอนเนคชันที่จะช่วยเปลี่ยนธุรกิจของคุณ ให้เติบโตอย่างยั่งยืน ที่นั่งและสิทธิ์มีจำนวนจำกัด Related Events Find Out More UOB Thailand Sustainability Innovation Programme 2025 06 August 2025 Transforming SME Businesses Towards Sustainability Find Out More Sustainability Deep Dives – Sustainable Cities & Living 01 October 2024 Discover how to create sustainable urban environments with insights from experts and leading greentechs. This session will highlight innovative approaches to building Sustainable Cities & Living. Find Out More Find Out More Go Global: Accelerate your Amazon Global Stores Journey with DHL & UOB 26 September 2024 Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global Selling event for Malaysia sellers – all in one go. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. UOB Womenpreneur Networking Event Hear from our exciting line-up of speakers on how on topics such as transforming your passion into business, navigating personal expectations, and balancing profit, purpose and contentment. Understand how they navigated the business landscape and built a strong support network to achieve entrepreneurial success. Some of our notable speakers include: Goh Shu Yi, Founder and Lead Trainer, The Strengths Co. Evangeline Leong, Founder & CEO, Kobe Clare Leighton, Co-Founder, File. AI Jenny Tay, Founder of Flower Story and MD of Direct Funeral Services Pek Lay Peng, CEO, Shingda Group & Founder, Society A This event promises to be filled with inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and valuable networking opportunities. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, connect and position your business for success in the year ahead. Dont miss the chance to hear from these aspiring female leaders where they will share their entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the importance of collaboration, harnessing your individual strengths and skills, managing difficult conversations, finding purpose in business, and building a strong support network to achieve entrepreneurial success. Registration will start at 2pm. Admission is complimentary. Agenda 2:00pm – 3:00pm Pre-event Networking Session Opening Address 3:00pm – 3:10pm Paul Kan Country Head UOB Business Banking Singapore Read more > 3:10pm – 3:45pm Accelerates Your Strength for Business Growth Goh Shu Yi Founder and Lead Trainer The Strengths Co. Read more > 3:45pm – 4:45pm Women Leaders and Empowerment: Building Resilient, Future-Proof Businesses in a Changing World Moderated By: Evangeline Leong Founder and CEO,... --- Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is complimentary. Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+ Series 2 RSVP now to connect with likeminded women entrepreneurs on their business experiences! Engage in Women Leader Panel Discussion, partake in a hands-on workshop with Boston Consulting Group on their RISE Lite programme and hear from industry experts on Financial Literacy for Businesses by UOB. Register now Have the exciting opportunity to join our UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event, where we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Registration and networking commences from 9. 15am. Lunch and drinks will be served. All guests to be seated by 10am. Admission is complimentary. Agenda Welcome Address Mariam Jaafar Senior Partner Boston Consulting Group Read more > Opening Address Paul Kan Country Head UOB Business Banking Singapore Read more > Panel Discussion: Empowering Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Balancing Risks and Rewards Delve into the dynamic world of leadership for womenpreneurs and women leaders, exploring the balance between taking risks and the fear of unknown. This discussion offers a multi-faceted approach to female empowerment, touching on themes such as leadership, balancing between goals and risks, and finding purpose alongside entrepreneurial success. Moderated By: Marianne Tan Programme Director, UOB Read more > Panellists: Mariam Jaafar Senior Partner Boston Consulting Group Read more > Belinda Yeo Founder & Managing Director Innovez Engineering Read more > Bridget Tai Executive Director Sonata Dancewear Read more > Winnie Chan Co-Founder Bynd Artisan Read more > Workshop BCG RISE Lite Hands-On Workshop and Sharing Gain valuable tips and expert... --- Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global Selling event for Malaysia sellers – all in one go. Go Global: Accelerate your Amazon Global Stores Journey with DHL & UOB Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global Selling event for Malaysia sellers – all in one go. go global bundle Unlock Global Opportunities with the Go Global Bundle The Go Global Bundle is an initiative launched by UOB Malaysia in collaboration with Amazon Global Selling and DHL Express Malaysia to empower SMEs to launch their international selling journey with Amazon. Join us as we tap into a vast customer base without the need to set up a business website or physical store. Registration commences from 9:30am. Refreshments will be served. Agenda Unlocking Global Opportunities: Why Southeast Asia Sellers Embraced E-Commerce Expansion Join us as we explore the dynamic world of e-commerce expansion through the lens of successful Southeast Asia sellers. Sean Tan Senior Onboarding SpecialistAmazon Global Selling Staying Ahead of the Game: Cross Border Logistics Gain a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving global market as we hear firsthand from DHL Express Malaysia on the strategies that drives success in cross-border logistics. Sharon Ooi Area Sales ManagerDHL Express Malaysia Expanding domestic business to a global audience on Amazon Dive into the world of cross-border e-commerce with insights on how Malaysia sellers can tap into Amazon's global marketplace to build and scale their businesses. Lynsey Lim FounderHandmade Heroes Empowering Malaysia Sellers to Expand Globally Explore how UOB Business Banking can support Malaysia sellers in their journey... --- Discover how to create sustainable urban environments with insights from experts and leading greentechs. This session will highlight innovative approaches to building Sustainable Cities & Living. Sustainability Deep Dives The Sustainability Deep Dives offers focused sessions on key sustainability topics, featuring thought leadership, innovative solutions, and insights from industry leaders and greentech innovators. Register now Sustainability Deep Dives Join us for the Sustainability Deep Dives as we delve into the topics of Energy Efficiency, Circular Economy and Waste Management, Sustainable Cities and Living. Learn from thought-leaders, industry experts and greentech innovators on the trends, actionable insights, initiatives and opportunities for businesses in these sustainability domains. Sustainable Cities & Living Energy efficiency Circular Economy and Waste Management 1 October, Tuesday 9:30am – 12:00pm Amazon Web Services Office Discover how to create sustainable urban environments with insights from experts and leading greentechs. This session will highlight innovative approaches to building Sustainable Cities & Living. Thought Leadership Sharing on Sustainable Cities & Living Ben Santoso Head of Insights, Consumer Goods, Sector Solutions Group, UOB Solution Showcase Reuben LimChief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 2Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 3Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 4Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 5Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 6Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 7Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 8Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 9Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 10Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 11Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Previous Next 24 September,... --- Delve into the principles and practices of the Circular Economy & Waste Management. Learn from experts and pioneering greentechs about sustainable strategies and solutions. Sustainability Deep Dives The Sustainability Deep Dives offers focused sessions on key sustainability topics, featuring thought leadership, innovative solutions, and insights from industry leaders and greentech innovators. Register now Sustainability Deep Dives Join us for the Sustainability Deep Dives as we delve into the topics of Energy Efficiency, Circular Economy and Waste Management, Sustainable Cities and Living. Learn from thought-leaders, industry experts and greentech innovators on the trends, actionable insights, initiatives and opportunities for businesses in these sustainability domains. Circular Economy and Waste Management Sustainable Cities & Living Energy efficiency 26 September, Thursday 9:30am – 12:00pm Amazon Web Services Office This session will delve into the principles and practices of the Circular Economy & Waste Management. Learn from experts and pioneering greentechs about sustainable strategies and solutions. Thought Leadership Sharing on Circular Economy & Waste Management Damien Tan Vice President, Commercial Operations for Customer Solutions and Innovation, DHL Dr. Jason Tang Chief Sustainability Officer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Solution Showcase Reuben LimChief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 2Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 3Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 4Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 5Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 6Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 7Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 8Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 9Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 10Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker... --- Explore the latest in Energy Efficiency through thought leadership and practical solutions. Industry leaders and innovative greentechs will share their expertise and insights. Sustainability Deep Dives The Sustainability Deep Dives offers focused sessions on key sustainability topics, featuring thought leadership, innovative solutions, and insights from industry leaders and greentech innovators. Register now Sustainability Deep Dives Join us for the Sustainability Deep Dives as we delve into the topics of Energy Efficiency, Circular Economy and Waste Management, Sustainable Cities and Living. Learn from thought-leaders, industry experts and greentech innovators on the trends, actionable insights, initiatives and opportunities for businesses in these sustainability domains. Energy efficiency Circular Economy and Waste Management Sustainable Cities & Living 24 September, Tuesday 9:30am – 12:00pm 80RR Fintech Hub This session will explore the latest in Energy Efficiency through thought leadership and practical solutions. Industry leaders and innovative greentechs will share their expertise and insights. Opening Speech Samantha Soong Programme Lead, Subcommittees and Working Groups|Singapore FinTech Association Thought Leadership Sharing on Energy Efficiency Dr Ramprakash Kathiresan Head, Tech Strategy & Partnerships | Ecolabs CoI for Energy Solution Showcase Reuben LimChief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 2Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 3Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 4Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 5Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 6Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 7Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 8Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 9Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 10Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech AssociationRead more > Speaker 11Chief... --- The D.I.P:W+ is a series of masterclasses to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in business and digital transformation. Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+ The D. I. P:W+ is a series of masterclasses to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in business and digital transformation. Register now RSVP now for this 2-part series that will focus on strategic market outreach, financial literacy and digital adoption. Designed to inspire innovation and resilience, D. I. P:W+ aims to support women in reshaping their businesses digitally, fostering a community of empowered women driving digital innovation and business success. Stay tuned for more details. Agenda WorkshopCrafting a Unique Brand Narrative 27 Aug (Tue) 10:00am – 3:00pm Learn the importance of a unified narrative in articulating your brand and addressing the "so what" factor on a macroeconomic scale. Gain insights into using your narrative for internal alignment and external outreach, refining your brand's influence in a competitive landscape. Joel Lah Co-Founder & FinTech LeadTriOn & CoRead more > WorkshopEffective Marketing Channels and Strategies for Business 28 Sep (Wed) 1:00pm – 3:00pm Join us as we delve into the various marketing channels and strategies through an academic viewpoint. This session explores the use of effective strategies and how businesses can reach to their customers through various channels, including digital platforms, traditional media, and direct marketing. Januel Koh Digital Marketing & Branding LecturerSingapore PolytechnicRead more > Jonathan Lok Course Chair of Digital Marketing & Analytics Specialist DiplomaSingapore PolytechnicRead more > WorkshopLinkedIn Strategy - Building your brand on LinkedIn organically 28 Sep (Wed) 1:00pm – 3:00pm Dive into this insightful workshop focused on leveraging LinkedIn to strengthen your brand narrative... --- Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is complimentary. UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is complimentary. Register now RSVP now to hear from women business leaders and founders as share their entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the importance of leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and building a strong support network in navigating challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by fellow womenpreneurs. Registration and refreshments will start from 9. 15am. Plus! Do join us for a facilitated networking session from 12pm to 1pm to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders. Agenda Panel DiscussionMy Growth Journey – Building my business and navigating leadership expectations through different stages Delve into the dynamic world of leadership for womenpreneurs and women leaders, exploring the challenges and opportunities they encounter across different stages of business growth. Recognising leadership expectations and challenges shift as businesses evolve, this discussion offers a multi-faceted approach to female empowerment. Moderated By: Candice Chua Branch Manager UOB Clementi Hangout@UOB (NP, SP) UOB Read more > Panellists: May Lee Managing DirectorBodhi FabricsRead more > Sabrina Tan FounderSkin IncRead more > Serene Tan Chief Operating OfficerRefresh GroupRead more > WorkshopCross-border e-commerce as a channel for growth: What is the right time and considerations businesses must have This session dives deep into the strategic world of cross-border e-commerce. Discover key indicators to identify the perfect moment for your business to expand internationally. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the... --- RSVP now to connect with women business leaders on their entrepreneurial experiences! Be the first to learn about the exciting line-up of networking and coaching activities. Admission is complimentary. Womenpreneurs Building Big with UOB RSVP now to connect with women business leaders on their entrepreneurial experiences! Be the first to learn about the exciting line-up of networking and coaching activities. Admission is complimentary. Hear from our exciting line-up of speakers on how they navigated the business landscape to gain insights on what's important for their company's growth and success: Join the open call for the UOB FinLab's Womenpreneur Programme 40 businesses led by female entrepreneurs will have the exciting opportunity to join a series of workshops and mentoring sessions on business leadership, management and innovation. Learn how you can be one of the selected few to embark on this growth journey. Registration and networking commences from 4pm. Light bites and drinks will be served. All guests to be seated by 5pm. Admission is complimentary. Highlights Fireside Chat From Passion to Power: The Big Sparks of Edith Patisserie's Business Journey. From humble beginnings to sweet triumphs, discover the captivating business journey of Ethel Tan, Co-Founder of Edith Patisserie Gain insights into her experiences and takeaways from The Big Spark: a new business contest series by MediaCorp that connect aspiring entrepreneurs with investors that ignited transformative experiences to new heights. Uncover the strategic ingredients that stirred her success in the competitive world of pastries. Ethel Tan Co-FounderEdith PatisserieRead more > Panel Discussion HerPower: Womenpreneurs Shaping the Future Explore how womenpreneurs navigate the digital landscape, sharing insights on challenges, strategies, and the impact of digital transformation on women- led SMES. Moderated By:... --- As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, UOB FinLab’s annual LabCrawl is happening on the 14th of November. About the Event Join us as we explore digital and sustainability innovation at the UOB FinLab LabCrawl. Learn about our digitalisation and sustainability initiatives through a showcase, hear from our ecosystem partners, and gain first-hand insights through our success stories. You Can Look Forward To: Digitalisation and Sustainability Initiatives Immersive Exhibition Experience Insightful Sessions with Industry Experts Exciting Programme Announcement UOB FinLab's LabCrawl Agenda Related Events Find Out More Thailand SIP 2023 July 27, 2023 ปรับธุรกิจท่องเที่ยวให้พร้อมรับการโอกาสครั้งใหญ่กับโครงการ Sustainability Innovation Programme: Transforming Thailand’s Tourism Find Out More Find Out More Unlocking Growth Opportunities to Transform Digitally July 21, 2023 Are you an SME owner looking to navigate the digital landscape and harness the power of technology to drive growth and success? Find Out More Xin Chào SMEs: Grow Your Sales Through E-Commerce and Digital Marketing (Day 2) June 14, 2023 UOB FinLab is launching its inaugural digital transformation programme in Ho Chi Minh City on 13 June! Vietnam is a market with vast growth potential. The Vietnamese government has also approved the National Digital Transformation Programme by 2025 to help accelerate digital transformation. Working closely with various partners from the government, universities, industry and innovation ecosystem experts, UOB FinLab’s programmes are designed for businesses to develop strategies and leverage on technologies to grow the business, locally and regionally. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- ปรับธุรกิจท่องเที่ยวให้พร้อมรับการโอกาสครั้งใหญ่กับโครงการ Sustainability Innovation Programme: Transforming Thailand’s Tourism About the Event ธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย และ The FinLab Thailand ร่วมมือกับ การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย (ททท. ) สภาอุตสาหกรรมท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย และ O2O Forum จัดโครงการเพื่อผู้ประกอบการธุรกิจท่องเที่ยว เพื่อเตรียมความพร้อมรับมือกับกระแส “การท่องเที่ยวอย่างยั่งยืน” โดยการให้ความรู้และแนะนำเทคโนโลยีที่น่าสนใจ รับคำแนะนำในการขอรับการสนับสนุนทางการเงินเพื่อพัฒนาธุรกิจจากหน่วยงานรัฐบาล พร้อมสร้างพันธมิตรด้วย Networking Session หลักสูตรระยะเวลา 2 วัน ประกอบด้วย ⭐ วันที่ 1: การให้ความรู้โดยสมาคมเครือข่ายโกลบอลคอมแพ็กแห่งประเทศไทย หรือ United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) เพื่อการทำธุรกิจบริการให้ดีขึ้นภายใต้แนวคิดความยั่งยืน ⭐ วันที่ 2: รับฟังคำแนะนำจากหน่วยงานภาครัฐและเอกชนที่ให้การสนับสนุนด้านการเงินแก่ผู้ประกอบการที่ต้องการนำเทคโนโลยีมาใช้ดำเนินธุรกิจให้เกิดความยั่งยืนมากขึ้น จาก สำนักงานพัฒนาวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยีแห่งชาติ (สวทช. ) สำนักงานนวัตกรรมแห่งชาติ (NIA) และ ธนาคารยูโอบี ประเทศไทย Related Events The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Waste and Supply Chain September 29, 2022 As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the solutions we can tap on to help us to be more sustainable. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into Carbon Management and Reporting September 22, 2022 As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The session will focus on carbon emissions data, technologies to aggregate, calculate and track the reporting, and ways to reduce the carbon footprint for your business. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- Are you an SME owner looking to navigate the digital landscape and harness the power of technology to drive growth and success? About the Event Join us for a masterclass that shares how ASEAN SMEs are adopting digital transformation as a growth strategy, and hear more about possible solutions available for you. Industry experts from UOB and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) will share insights and trends on SME digitalisation, and engage participants during this interactive session. Agenda 10:00am – 10:10am Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1 Opening Address by UOB FinLab 2:50pm Opening Address by UOB FinLab and BCG Masterclass Session One Insights from the UOB Business Outlook study 2023 (SMEs and Large Enterprises)Transform Your Business Operations with UOB BizSmart 3:00pm Benedict Tay Senior Vice PresidentHead of CED and Ecosystem PartnershipUOB Masterclass Session Two Supercharge SME Growth: Unveiling Digital Marketing, E-Commerce Strategies, and the Power of GenAI How SMEs Can Digitalise with RISE for Business 3:30pm Julie Wang Principal TrainerBoston Consulting Group 4:30pm Refreshment & Networking Session Related Events UOB Womenpreneurs Networking Event 11 April 2025 Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Find Out More Find Out More Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur+ Series 2 15 October 2024 Join us as we bring together women business leaders and founders to connect and share their entrepreneurial experiences. Admission is complimentary. Find Out More Find Out More Go Global: Accelerate your Amazon Global Stores Journey with DHL & UOB 26 September 2024 Kick-start your global selling journey and unlock preferential rates and rewards from UOB, exclusive DHL Express discounts, and Amazon Global Selling event... --- UOB FinLab launched its inaugural digital transformation programme in Ho Chi Minh City on 13-14 June 2023. Participants of The Xin Chào SMEs Programme were able to learn how to grow their sales through e-commerce and digital marketing tech showcases, participating in workshops, and networking sessions. Event Highlights Xin Chào SMEs is a two-day programme aimed at assisting businesses in harnessing the potential of e-commerce and digital marketing to boost their sales and overall growth. find out more About the Programme Learn how to grow your sales through e-commerce and marketing & be matched to suitable tech solutions to grow your sales. Programme Topics Organised By: Supporting Partners: Knowledge Partners: Tech Solution Partners: Community Partners: Frequently Asked Questions What is Xin Chào SMEs? Xin Chào SMEs: Grow Your Sales Through E-Commerce and Digital Marketing aims to catalyse greater growth and transformation of SMEs to go digital via e-commerce and digital marketing. To do so, the program aims to educate SMEs on the importance of digitalisation and how they can adopt e-commerce and digital marketing technologies in their business. When will it commence and what is the duration of the programme? The programme is from 13 – 14 June (Tue & Wed), 9am to 4. 30pm. Participants are encouraged to attend both days to maximise your learning and takeaways. Who can apply for the programme? The programme is open to all SMEs. It will be conducted in Ho Chi Minh City and in Vietnamese language. The programme will focus on the intermediate to advance level of e-commerce and digital marketing. It will benefit companies who are:Presently on at least one social media platform or website and are looking to grow your scales and customer baseInterested in understanding more advance e-commerce and digital marketing tools and strategies for... --- Discover how the 3-day Jom Transform Programme equips Malaysian SMEs with essential tools and expertise to excel in the digital economy. Event Highlights Jom Transform Programme - Digitalisation 2023 is curated to help participants learn how to strengthen their businesses’ digital capabilities, and to help their businesses be matched to suitable tech solutions to scale and seize growth opportunities. find out more About the Programme Kick-start your digitalisation journey through applying tech solutions, learning from industry experts, participating in practical learning seminars, and networking. Day 1 - 1 June 2023 Agenda Day 2 - 7 June 2023 Agenda Day 3 - 8 June 2023 Agenda This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Womenpreneurs Building Big with UOB March 25, 2024 RSVP Now to connect with women business leaders on their entrepreneurial experiences! Be the first to learn about the exciting line-up of networking and coaching activities. Admission is complimentary. Find Out More Find Out More UOB FinLab LabCrawl 2023 November 14, 2023 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, UOB FinLab’s annual LabCrawl is happening on the 14th of November. Find Out More Find Out More Unlocking Growth Opportunities to Transform Digitally July 21, 2023 Are you an SME owner looking to navigate the digital landscape and harness the power of technology to drive growth and success? Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- Retail and E-Commerce: Innovating with Technology About the Event A look at the current state of retail and e-commerce in Singapore and how technology such as a smart POS system can improve operational efficiency and sales. With the advent of e-commerce, how are traditional brick-and-mortar stores innovating to improve their operations and customer solutions? Come hear from UOB and its partner Qashier about digital innovations in the retail space, such as revolutionising Point-of-Sale (POS) to improve operational efficiency and sales. Speakers No items found This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. Find Out More The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. Find Out More Find Out More Human Capital Development in Logistics Sector October 26, 2022 Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies to remain competitive, Innovation and resilient in today’s growing market. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. About the Event The Showcase Day is a culmination of the 3-months accelerator programme to celebrate the journey and achievements of the 12 regional greentechs in the areas of Energy Efficiency, Carbon Management and Reporting and Zero-Waste Supply Chain. The Greentech Accelerator Showcase Day - Our Focus Areas Energy Efficiency https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=QuspJ06J8GU Zero-Waste Supply Chain https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=sAWp-c8bHYw Carbon Management and Reporting https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=L2ZGczkdgv4 During the Showcase Day, you will be able to explore the innovations of the greentechs and engage with ecosystem and industry partners. Booth Showcase by Greentechs Welcome and Opening Address Sharing on UOB’s Sustainability Strategy and Tools for Your Business The Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Awards Presentation Networking The FinLab's Lab Crawl is part of the Singapore Fintech Festival The FinLab is UOB’s innovation accelerator that brings the ecosystem together to catalyse business growth and transformation. With a regional presence in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, The FinLab provides access to a range of business and technology experts, tools and content through The FinLab Online and in-person programmes. These programmes range from supporting the FinTech and start-up community in developing solutions, to assisting the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) community in going digital and innovating for sustainability. Founded in 2015, The Finlab has supported and connected with more than 14,000 businesses globally. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to... --- As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the solutions we can tap on to help us to be more sustainable. Agenda Edit 10:00amSharing by Foodpanda’s Sustainability Journey 10:30amGreentech Sharing by Alterpacks 10:45amGreentech Sharing by TAVA 11:00amGreentech Sharing by Krossinker Aerogels 11:15amGreentech Sharing by Jejakin 11:30amGreentech Sharing by HydroNeo 11:45amGreentech Sharing by Upcyde 12:00pmNetworking Session Speakers Simarna Singh Sustainability Manager Food Panda Dr. Elmira Soghratti CTO Krosslinker Aerogels Scott Palmer Co-Founder TAVA Fabian Reusch Co-Founder HydroNeo Mild Karoon-ngampun Co-Founder UpCyde Karen Cheah Co-Founder Alterpacks Arfan Alanda CEO and Co-Founder Jejakin This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into Carbon Management and Reporting September 22, 2022 As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The session will focus on carbon emissions data, technologies to aggregate, calculate and track the reporting, and ways to reduce the carbon footprint for your business. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Energy September 16, 2022 The future of energy is smart, sustainable and reliable. Learn from industry experts on what are some of the emerging energy technologies, how we can leverage on them to digitally... --- Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies to remain competitive, Innovation and resilient in today’s growing market. About the Event Discover and learn more about cloud-based HR solution that help to automate HR tasks, engage employees and unlock productivity. Agenda Edit 2:30pmWelcome and Recap of Smart Logistics Initiative by Ms. Angel Tan (Assistant Vice President of FinTech, Ecosystem and Innovation, UOB Malaysia) 2:40pmSharing by Dato’ Seri Dr. Michael Tio 3:00pmQ&A Session 3:10pmSharing by Ms. Khoo Siew Ling 3:30pmQ&A Session Speakers Dato' Seri Dr. Michael Tio CEO & Group MD PKT Logistics Group Khoo Siew Ling CEO MyWave Sdn Bhd This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. Find Out More The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. Find Out More Find Out More Enhancing Malaysia’s Smart Logistics Ecosystem October 5, 2022 Hear from the leader who has decades of experience in the logistics industry, on the industrial landscape and the future outlook. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. About the Event Discover and learn more about web-based trade facilitation platform for businesses that greatly reduces errors and tracks goods remotely. Speakers Masri Zohaini Idris Director, O&G, Maritime & Logistics Services Malaysian Investment Development Authority Esther Yeoh Shu Han Sales and Marketing Consultant SealNet Sdn Bhd This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Human Capital Development in Logistics Sector October 26, 2022 Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies to remain competitive, Innovation and resilient in today’s growing market. Find Out More Find Out More Digital Spotlight Series #6 – Finance and Accounting October 20, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- As part of Singapore Fintech Festival 2021, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 11th and 12th November, with the theme ‘Forging Businesses Ahead’. The showcase comprises three areas: Scaling businesses through tech at the ASEAN Tech Summit, building green and sustainable businesses and strengthening connectivity with the ecosystem. Agenda Edit ASEAN Tech Summit11 Nov 11:00am–1:00pm Hybrid EventScaling Businesses Through Tech The ASEAN Tech Summit showcases SME tech solutions from the ASEAN region through a virtual session. This summit is for SME leaders looking to adopt digital solutions for their business. Hear from tech solution providers, connect with them and receive exclusive discounts and offers. This edition showcases a variety of solutions that can assist in e-commerce, customer engagement and more. Sustainability for SMEs12 Nov 11:30am–12:30pm Hybrid EventBuilding Green and Sustainable Businesses Hear from fellow SME business leaders who have taken steps to go green and their journey thus far. Connect with sustainability and green tech solutions and find out how UOB can assist with financing your sustainability initiatives. UOB TMRW Lab Crawl11 & 12 Nov 2:00pm–3:00pm Zoom WebinarStrengthening Connectivity with Ecosystem UOB TMRW aims to deliver a hyper-personalised banking experience that is adapted to each customer using dynamic UI/UX enabled by a robust and modular microservices architecture packed with flexibility and speed. Join in this session to learn how the bank is developing its capabilities in the area of adaptive banking with an immersive experience of TMRW’s digital offerings, newly-launched products and features. Scaling Businesses Through Tech 11 Nov11:00am–1:00pmPhysical Event at Bridge+ 79RR Zoom WebinarThe ASEAN Tech Summit showcases SME tech solutions from the ASEAN region through a virtual session. This summit is for SME leaders looking to adopt digital solutions for their business. Hear from tech solution providers, connect with them and receive exclusive discounts and offers.... --- Hear from the leader who has decades of experience in the logistics industry, on the industrial landscape and the future outlook. About the Event Discover and learn more about integrated logistics system that can automate processes for improved efficiency. Agenda Edit 2:30pmWelcome Remarks by Mr. William Heng Fok Yeow (Head of FinTech, Ecosystem and Innovations, UOB Malaysia) 2:40pmSharing by Mr. Alvin Chua Seng Wah 3:00pmSharing by Mr. Michael Tan Kim Seng (Vice President of FinTech, Ecosystem and Innovations) 3:15pmSharing by Dr. Fadhli Abdul Malek 3:40pmQnA session Speakers Alvin Chua Seng Wah President Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders Dr. Fadli Abdul Malek Head of Business Development ASolute Sdn Bhd This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. Find Out More The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. Find Out More Find Out More Human Capital Development in Logistics Sector October 26, 2022 Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies to remain competitive, Innovation and resilient in today’s growing market. Find Out More This is the preview of the "Events Single - Related" View. --- Want to master Digital Solutions for your business? Join us in our Start Digital physical workshop to better understand on how digital marketing and HR technology can propel your business to become more efficient and innovative from industry experts. About the Programme Digital Spotlight is a series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies. Through this workshop, businesses can gain insights on the trends, opportunities and challenges within the Digital Solutions industry. Businesses can also learn how to leverage the latest technology to increase their sales & customer base. Speakers Yuet Whey Siah Founder & CEO Skale Gordon Ng CEO Talenox This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Smart Logistics Webinar Series 3 – Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Digital Spotlight Series #6 – Finance and Accounting October 20, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius... --- As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The session will focus on carbon emissions data, technologies to aggregate, calculate and track the reporting, and ways to reduce the carbon footprint for your business. Agenda Edit 10:00amSustainable Transformation for Businesses by Engie Impact 10:30amThe Pathway to Net Zero by Terrascope 11:00amGreentech Sharing by Co2 Connect 11:15amGreentech Sharing by T-RECs. ai 11:30amGreentech Sharing by Process Botics (Accacia) 11:45amGreentech Sharing by Pantas Green Solutions 12:00pmNetworking Session Speakers Alain Mahieu APAC Sustainability Solutions ManagerEngie Impact Tang Siang Hou Head of DataTerrascope Philip Man Chief Experience OfficerTerrascope Sheena Ang Head of Client Relations & Business DevelopmentCo2 Connect Max Lee CEOPantas Software Alex Loh Business Development DirectorT-RECs. ai Jagmohan Garg Co-FounderProcess Botics (Accacia) This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Waste and Supply Chain September 29, 2022 As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the solutions we can tap on to help us to be more sustainable. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Energy September 16, 2022 The future of energy is smart, sustainable and reliable. Learn from industry experts on what are some of the emerging energy technologies, how we can leverage on... --- The future of energy is smart, sustainable and reliable. Learn from industry experts on what are some of the emerging energy technologies, how we can leverage on them to digitally transform our workplaces, reduce our energy consumption and lower our carbon footprint. Agenda Edit 10:00amThe Future of Energy by SP Digital 10:45amGreentech Sharing by Resync 11:00amGreentech Sharing by Red Dot Analytics 11:15amGreentech Sharing by Krosslinker Aerogels 11:30amGreentech Sharing by T-RECS. ai 11:45amNetworking Session Speakers Giles Chua Senior Manager, Business Development & Sales SP Digital Dr. Elmira Soghrati Co-Founder KrossLinker Aerogels Emir Nurov CEO RESYNC Alex Loh Business Development Director T-RECs. ai This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Waste and Supply Chain September 29, 2022 As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the solutions we can tap on to help us to be more sustainable. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into Carbon Management and Reporting September 22, 2022 As part of going sustainable, it is important to know our carbon emissions and how we can reduce our carbon footprint. The session will focus on carbon emissions data, technologies to aggregate, calculate and track the reporting, and ways to reduce the carbon footprint for your business. Find Out More This is... --- Join us at our virtual kick off for the programme and hear what you will get to experience, and part-take in a panel discussion, “Womenpreneurs Making A Leap Forward”, where you will be able to hear personal stories of fellow women leaders and their journey in combating gender stereotypes in workplace. About the Programme The Jom Transform Programme Womenpreneurs Edition is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. ObjectivesTo engage and catalyse the growth and digital transformation of the Womanpreneur community. To tap on a potentially new segment of banking customers who are just starting or have started their business. Womanpreneur showcase UOB championing woman entrepreneurship. Kick-start your digitalisation journey through applying tech solutions, learning from industry experts, participating in practical learning seminars, and networking with women empowerment. Agenda Opening Address The FinLab Introduction Programme Experience What’s Happening Next Week Closing Address Speakers Ng Wei Wei CEOUOB Malaysia Freda Liu (Moderator) Business Presenter Anne Tham FounderDwi Emas International School Joan Yeoh DirectorLove, Bonito Malaysia Melissa Tan CEOGetha Toh Yee Kee Co-FounderPlayground Fitness This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. Find Out More The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s annual Lab Crawl is happening on the 31st of October, which is held in conjunction with The Greentech Accelerator’s Showcase Day. Find Out More Find Out More Human Capital Development in Logistics Sector October 26, 2022 Sharing insights on human capital development practices that drive results, which in turn, will enable companies... --- How can businesses tap on payment platforms like NETS to enhance the customer experience? These moves can also help you improve your processes and productivity! Find out more in this webinar. This is the first of a two-part series brought to you by The FinLab. Growing Your Business Digitally With The FinLab #1: The Future of E-Payments Co-Organised with #SmartNationTogether This 2-part webinar series with UOB’s innovation accelerator, The FinLab, aims to help businesses of all sizes transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies. Through the webinars, we want to share how easy it is to set up and grow an online business, and also share with business owners the key considerations when digitising their payments process. Consumers can also learn about how digitalisation will transform their customer experience, especially in the payments space, and how one can better engage with digital businesses. In this webinar, you will learn about: The payments landscape in Singapore and how it has changedPros and cons of different payment channels available to consumers and businessesHow SMEs can leverage on a payments platform like NETS to improve customer experienceOther benefits of going digital with paymentsHow the customer payment experience will change in the future, and what businesses can do about it Speakers Mr Shannon Lung Head of The FinLabUOB Seow Chow Wei Senior Vice PresidentNETS Jayne Tay Vice PresidentNETS This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Future trends of logistics and what is needed for Malaysia’s logistics companies to capitalise on the evolving digital landscape. Find Out More The FinLab’s Lab Crawl 2022 October 31, 2022 As part of the Singapore Fintech Festival, The FinLab’s... --- The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is built for leaders looking to transform their companies into sustainable businesses. The SIP will help you gain deep insights across a variety of sustainability topics, assess your “green position”, and introduce tech solutions that can kickstart your journey into a greener future. Sustainability Innovation Programme: Launch We will be sharing more about the SIP during the launch. Hear from industry experts, and learn what you’ll get to experience in the programme. Agenda Opening and Welcome Keynote – “Achieving zero-carbon emissions – Action, Accountability, Actual Impact” Details of The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) Panel Discussion – “Creating Impact for SME through Sustainable Actions” Closing Speakers Mr Ivan Cheng Panellist Senior Vice President, Group Wholesale Banking / Sector Solution Group (SSG), ESG Solutions, UOB Dr Jason Tang Panellist Director, Environmental & Water Technology Centre of Innovation (EWTCOI), Ngee Ann Polytechnic Mr Satinderpal Singh Sandhu Panellist Deputy Director, Business Development & Sales, SP Digital Ms Janet Young Opening Speaker MD and Head, Group Channels and Digitalisation, UOB This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Related Events Find Out More Singapore Fintech Festival 2022 – Greentech Accelerator Programme Showcase Day October 31, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find Out More Deep Dive into The Future of Waste and Supply Chain September 29, 2022 As part of moving towards a zero-waste circular economy, it is important to know what we can do and the solutions we can tap on to help us to be more sustainable. Find Out More Find... --- Learn more about the journey of setting up your business, the challenges as a mumpreneur and how digital tools can transform your business. About the Event The Digital Mumpreneurs Programme, by The FinLab and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, helps businesses to strengthen their digital capabilities to scale and seize growth opportunities. If you are looking to start or grow your business through implementing tech solutions, join us for this 4-week programme to learn from industry experts, participate in practical hands-on workshops and network with fellow mumpreneurs to kickstart your digitalisation journey. Join us at our hybrid* launch as we will be sharing more about the programme! Hear from successful women entrepreneurs and the journey of setting up your own business. Agenda Mums@Work Welcome SpeechWelcome from Ngee Ann PolytechnicSharing of ProgrammeFireside ChatSetting up your BusinessSharing by KatoKatoClosing by The FinLab*Only programme participants can attend the opening ceremony physically at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Speakers Sher-Li Torrey FounderMums@Work (Singapore) Tan Ching Ching DirectorThe Sandbox, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Marianne Tan (Moderator) Programme DirectorThe FinLab Rachel Lim Co-founderLove, Bonito Candice Chua Branch ManagerUOB Clementi, Hangout@UOB (SP, NP) Goh Zheng Teck Co-founder & Business LeadKatoKato This is the preview of the "Events Single - Current Speakers" View. Watch Video-On-Demand https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=LjLhRk473pc&t=2s Related Events Find Out More Smart Logistics Webinar Series 3 – Levelling Up The Logistics Strategy for SMEs in Malaysia November 16, 2022 Verum hoc idem saepe faciamus. Qui non moveatur et offensione turpitudinis et comprobatione honestatis? Utilitatis causa amicitia est quaesita. Multoque hoc melius nos veriusque quam Stoici. Ergo illi intellegunt quid Epicurus dicat, ego non intellego? Idem adhuc; this is event number six. Find Out More Find... --- --- ## Programmes UOB FinLab's Women in Business Programme is a 7‑month scale‑up journey designed to help women business founders and leaders strengthen their business foundations, build leadership confidence, and unlock regional expansion opportunities. Women in Business Programme A Scale-Up Journey for Women-Led Businesses Register Now Quick Links Coming Soon Purposeful Growth × Resilient Scale The Women in Business (WIB) Programme is a 6‑month scale‑up journey designed for women business founders who are leading established companies and preparing for their next phase of growth. Built in collaboration with UOB SME Banking (Emerging Enterprise), the programme strengthens commercial clarity, leadership capacity, and regional expansion readiness through practical capability-building, strategic mentorship, and access to UOB’s cross‑border ecosystem. Programme Pillars Business Transformation Sharpen your fundamentals. Strengthen your financials. Scale with clarity. Leadership & Talent Development Lead with confidence. Build capable teams. Grow beyond the founder. Business Expansion & Community Capital Open new markets. Access new partners. Rise with a powerful community. How This Programme Supports You A structured, supportive journey designed to help women‑led businesses strengthen their foundations, sharpen commercial and leadership strategy, and receive personalised mentorship to advance a key transformation plan. Through curated workshops and expert clinics, you’ll gain the insights, tools and partnerships needed to scale confidently. Ideal for established women business leaders ready to deepen fundamentals, accelerate digital and AI adoption, and explore sustainable regional growth opportunities. Strategic Clarity A focused roadmap and financial visibility that sharpen decisions and guide confident growth. Leadership Strength Mentorship and capability‑building that elevate leadership confidence and strategic decision‑making. Expansion Readiness Practical tools to refine channels, explore new markets, and shape a compelling growth narrative. Community Support A trusted circle of women-led businesses who sharpen ideas, offer honest... --- UOB FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) is a 2 day programme curated for SMEs to be equipped with the knowledge, tools and strategies to transform into sustainable businesses. Sustainability Innovation Programme Register Now Quick Links Empowering SMEs to implement sustainability practices and actions The Sustainability Innovation Programme equips SME business leaders with the tools, frameworks, and expert guidance needed to navigate the evolving sustainability landscape. SMEs who are keen to embark on sustainability projects may also tap on the Mentorship Support Grant to receive guided advisory from experienced mentors and domain experts. This programme is part of UOB SkillsFuture Queen Bee’s SME Elevate Programme, to support businesses with upskilling and be future-ready. Sustainability Courses S$500 (excluding GST) per participant per course, before up to 90% subsidy from SkillsFuture Sustainability Reporting Essentials for SMEs 12 May 2026 Learn about major reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and CDP, and develop a robust action plan for implementing sustainability reporting in the organisation. Carbon Management for SMEs 13 May 2026 Discover how Singapore’s climate ambitions and the Paris Agreement shape national policies and business impacts. Master Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and navigate the complexities of Singapore’s Carbon Pricing Act and carbon markets. Programme Outcomes What you will obtain from this programme Understand Sustainability Concepts and Frameworks Align Business Strategies with National Goals Enhance Reporting and Accountability Drive Social and Ethical Impact Develop a Sustainability Action Plan for Your Business Embark on sustainability projects with grants and guided advisory (optional) A Certificate of Completion Start your sustainability journey Register now Course Trainers Lance Ng Consultant & Trainer, CSO Centre Joyce Goh Consultant & Trainer, CSO Centre Past Programme Highlights... --- The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme connects greentech innovators with corporates and SMEs across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to tackle sustainability challenges. The GreenTech Accelerator Register Now Quick Links Programme Overview The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme connects greentech innovators with corporates and SMEs across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to tackle sustainability challenges. 15 successful pilot projects were launched with UOB's support of more than S$100,000 in total funding. These pilots collectively reduced 2,411,675. 51kg of CO₂ emissions, saved $147,361. 39, and cut 348,619 kWh of energy over one year. Beyond these achievements, all pilots met its goals and and some are undergoing commercialisation discussions, driving scalable and long-term sustainability impact across industries. Key Metric Outcomes 2,411,675. 51 kg co2 Carbon Emissions Reduced S$147,361. 39 Cost Savings 348,619 kWh Energy Reduction GreenTech Pilots Filter by Category The Greentech Accelerator Circular Economy & Waste Management Energy Efficiency Food & Agriculture Sustainability Reporting and Carbon Management Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning All The Greentech Accelerator Circular Economy & Waste Management Energy Efficiency Food & Agriculture Sustainability Reporting and Carbon Management Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning All The Greentech Accelerator Circular Economy & Waste Management Energy Efficiency Food & Agriculture Sustainability Reporting and Carbon Management Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning All Key Highlights All Resources DKSH Healthcare Establishes Industry Benchmark in Carbon Emissions Tracking in Thailand DKSH Healthcare marks a key milestone in advancing a sustainable healthcare supply chain. Find Out More Greentech Accelerator Malaysia Pilots: Real Impact for SMEs UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator is helping Malaysian SMEs take the first step toward sustainability. Find Out More Post GreenTech Accelerator 2024: UOB’s Corporate Real Estate Services... --- The Acceleration Programme for SEPs 2025, by UOB FinLab, aims to help SEPs strengthen their business and digital capabilities towards career sustainability and arts entrepreneurship. Arts Acceleration Programme for SEPs 2 April 2025 - 24 April 2025 Registration Closed The Arts Acceleration Programme for SEPs 2025, by UOB FinLab, aims to help SEPs strengthen their business and digital capabilities towards career sustainability and arts entrepreneurship. In Collaboration with How will you benefit from this Programme? Improve/better SEP’s career management with digital tools and solutions, and help them be more effective in managing their portfolio career. Hands-On Learning Consultation and Advice Small Group Discussion Programme Overview Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 2 Apr (Wed) 7:00pm - 9:00pm Arts Resource Hub, 42 Waterloo Street UOB's Commitment on Corporate Social Responsibility Leonard Tan Head of Group Corporate Social Responsibility UOB Panel Discussion: Navigating Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship, Personal Brand Development Aaron Gan Artist Evan Low Contemporary Artist, Music Producer, Music Director Jahan Low Contemporary Artist Moderated By: Audrey Lim Artist, President of Visual Arts Development Association 15 Apr (Tues) 7:00pm - 10:00pm Arts Resource Hub, 42 Waterloo Street The Art of Business as an SEP Patrick Ng Innovation Director, Spark Launchpad Tan Siew Ann Freelance writer, lancerx 16 Apr (Wed) 7:00pm - 10:00pm Arts Resource Hub, 42 Waterloo Street Developing Personal Branding Strategies & Digital Marketing Strategies The Art of Storytelling Tom Goh Digital Transformation Specialist Boston Consulting Group Read more > Workshop on Personal Brand Development and Digital Marketing Strategies and frameworks in creating brand narratives and effective communication to reach taregt audiences. Hands-on practice with digital marketing tools. Tom Goh Digital Transformation Specialist... --- The D.I.P: Womenpreneur is a forward looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. This comprehensive programme focuses on enhancing critical skills such as strategic planning, financial management, and digital adaptation. Designed to inspire innovation and resilience, this initiative aims to empower women in reshaping their businesses digitally, fostering a community of empowered women driving digital innovation and business success. Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur Quick Links Programme Overview In collaboration with UOB Business Banking Singapore, Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur (D. I. P:W) is designed with forward looking initiatives to build a community and empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship, business transformation and growth with digital innovation. The programme is tailored to female entrepreneurs, business owners and managerial positions who own or manage small to medium businesses. Programme Pillars Innovation & Scalability Community Building Business Transformation Brand & Marketing Strategies Mentorship Business Resilience UOB FinLab Womenpreneur 2025 https://youtu. be/kzJlX25lzsQ? si=KY8dp-9CHwFbtPeF Programme Highlights D. I. P:W 2025 Highlights Womenpreneur reached its successful conclusion, after a comprehensive two-week programme designed to foster a vibrant community and empower women to drive growth and business success through digital innovation. Find out more UOB x Womenpreneur Series 2025 Continuing from last year, #UOBxWomenpreneurs series returns in 2025, organised by Business Banking Singapore (BBS), UOB FinLab, and Group Wholesale and Markets Marketing (GWMM) to engage and empower women entrepreneurs in Singapore. Find out more Success Stories After attending the DIPW programme, Ethel, the founder of Edith Patisserie, redefined her brand’s purpose and initiated a series of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, implementing strategies to support lower-income families. Ethel Tan Co-Founder, Edith Patisserie After joining the DIPW+ programme, Christine described it as a turning point for her business. Through the mentorship sessions, it helped her uncover her business’s core purpose and provided actionable strategies. Christine Hiew Founder, Plantitude Through digital adoption and integration of digitalisation solutions, we were able... --- UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme helps SMEs adopt AI with expert workshops, ready-to-use tools, and hands-on support—no tech skills needed. AI Ready Programme From Awareness to Action Register Now Quick Links UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme Overview Kick-off from 8th July 2025 The UOB FinLab AI Ready Programme is a practical, hands-on initiative created to empower SMEs to harness the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence. Tailored for both business and technical leaders, the programme equips you with the knowledge and tools to explore, adopt, and scale AI solutions that drive real business impact. How will you benefit from this Programme? Learn from the Experts Gain practical AI knowledge through masterclasses and hands-on workshops led by industry professionals. Discover SME-Ready AI Solutions Access plug-and-play AI solutions designed for SMEs - no complex setup or technical team required. Turn Ideas into Action Get support to scope and test real-world AI use cases through a guided Proof-of-Concept (POC) phase.    Tap into a Trusted Ecosystem Connect with UOB FinLab's Network of technology partners and advisors for continued tech support and innovation guidance. Programme Pillars AI Readiness Assessment   Technology Discovery & Advisory Develop In-House AI Capabilities   Access AI Solutions for Your Business Needs Your AI Adoption Journey with UOB FinLab Explore. Experiment. Implement AI. Register now Explore. Experiment. Implement AI Get tailored guidance and hands-on support Register for our 1-on-1 Tech Advisory Clinics for tailored guidance, apply for partially funded Proof-of-Concept (POC) sprints to test and validate AI solutions, and register your interest in upcoming AI workshops designed to help SMEs move from awareness to action. Register now Understand where your business... --- In collaboration with National Arts Council, the Arts Acceleration Programme aims to help arts organisations and Self-employed Person (SEPs) strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. Through a series of workshops, participants will get to learn from industry experts, engage in curated workshops and learn through peer discussions. This programme will enable arts organisations and practitioners to leverage digital solutions to build up their business and financial competencies. Arts Acceleration Programme In collaboration with National Arts Council, through a series of workshops and expert-led learning, the Arts Acceleration Programme supports arts organisations and Self-employed Persons (SEPs) in leveraging digital solutions to enhance their business and financial competencies and strengthen their digital capabilities. In Collaboration with Past Programmes Arts Acceleration Programme for SEPs Co-organised by the National Arts Council and Arts Resource Hub, the Arts Acceleration Programme equips self-employed arts professionals with business and digital skills through expert sessions and networking. Find Out More The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 helps arts organisations strengthen their business and digital capabilities through expert-led workshops, peer learning, and practical tools. Find Out More The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023 The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023 supports arts organisations over four weeks with expert workshops, peer learning, and business and digital upskilling. Find Out More Past Articles Unlocking New Opportunities in The Arts Space UOB FinLab and NAC’s Acceleration Programme helps arts organisations adopt digital tools and strategies to scale impact and stay future-ready. Find Out More 大华银行与艺理会推出计划助艺术工作者 扩大影响力 This is the first Acceleration Programme for art practitioners. Over four weeks, participants explored business and digital tools through expert-led workshops and peer exchange. Find Out More Unlocking New Opportunities in The Arts Space UOB FinLab and NAC’s Acceleration Programme helps arts organisations adopt digital tools and strategies to scale impact and stay future-ready. Find Out More 大华银行与艺理会推出计划助艺术工作者 扩大影响力 This is the first Acceleration... --- The UOB SME Elevate Programme aims to uplift and upskill the skills and business capabilities of SMEs, empowering businesses to respond effectively to industry trends, developments and challenges. UOB SME Elevate Programme Upskilling businesses and employees for the future Register Now Quick Links About UOB SME Elevate Programme The UOB SME Elevate Programme, part of the UOB SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative by SkillsFuture Singapore, is designed to strengthen the skills and business capabilities of SMEs across all sectors. Through a comprehensive suite of offerings—including training courses, targeted skills advisory, mentorship, financial literacy, and networking opportunities—the programme supports SMEs in their transformation journey, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, digitalisation, and sustainability. A dedicated SkillsFuture Manager will work closely with your business to assess its needs and recommend tailored training solutions to help both business owners and employees upskill or reskill. With up to 90% SkillsFuture funding available, participants can access curated learning tracks that build essential capabilities for digital transformation and sustainable growth. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=SHJmhf5ZL6g How Can SMEs Benefit Access to training programmes with up to 90% funding Leverage on subsidised training tailored for your needs to build future-ready capabilities Personalised skills and training advisory from skills managers Get tailored advice and expert guidance to align workforce development with business growth Curated training pathways in AI, digitalisation, and sustainability Empower employees across functions and seniority with structured learning pathways to drive impactful learning outcomes Access to UOB's financial literacy Gain access to UOB's financial wellness, advisory, and solutions to make informed financial decisions for growth Mentorship with experienced industry mentors Gain insights and support from leaders in your field for dedicated 1-1 guidance Exclusive invites to... --- The GreenTech Accelerator is a 6-month regional programme for global greentechs to grow, transform, forge partnerships and pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 The GreenTech Accelerator is a 6-month regional programme for global greentechs to grow, transform, forge partnerships and pilots to meet the sustainability needs of companies. sign up for deep dive sessions Timeline Who Are We Looking For? Solutions with Tech Readiness Level (TRL) 6 and abovePreferably with commercial customers and/or partnersFunding stage of Pre-Series A and aboveIntention to expand, do business or serve Asian markets Greentechs in the area of: Energy Efficiency Examples Energy Monitoring Systems / IoTs EVs and Charging Infrastructure Solar and Energy Storage / Deployment Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Circular Economy and Waste Management Types of Waste Include: Electronic, Food, Plastic, Water Waste Collection and Upcycling Waste Processing and Recycling Resource Management and Efficiency Sustainability Reporting and Carbon Management Examples Corporate Sustainability Calculation, Disclosing and Reporting of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions Carbon Capture and Utilisation Carbon Credits and Offsets Food and Agriculture Examples Sustainable Farming and Data-Led Innovation Food security and Value Chain Efficiency Sustainable Cities and Urban Planning Examples Smart Cities Urban Mobility Planning Green Buildings and Infrastructure Certifications and Audits Environmental Quality Monitoring Challenge Statements Circular Economy and Waste Management Energy Efficiency Food and Agriculture Sustainable Cities and Urban Planning Sustainability Reporting and Carbon Management We are looking for solutions on analysing waste streams and identifying recycling and upcycling opportunities. We are looking for solutions to assess our water usage patterns and areas of wastage, as well as improvement areas for water efficiency. We are seeking a partner skilled... --- The Acceleration Programme for the Arts is back! Tailored for arts organisations, this programme by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council helps strengthen organisation's digital and business capabilities towards greater sustainability and growth. Within the 3-week in-person programme, participants can look forward to: 1. Hands-On Learning and Expert Sharing 2. Consultation and Advice 3. Small Group Discussions with Peers *As slots are limited, confirmed participants will be notified. Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2024 helps arts organisations enhance their business and digital skills to support growth. Over three weeks, participants learned from experts, joined curated workshops, and exchanged insights with peers. The programme empowers them to adopt digital tools and strengthen financial and operational capabilities. List of online resources connect with us In Collaboration with Highlights for the Arts 2024 The second run of the Acceleration Programme for the Arts took place from 19 March to 5 April 2024 at National Gallery Singapore (NGS). The programme targeted small to mid-sized arts organisations, which have started some form of digitalisation and needed more help to get to their next stage of growth. Speakers from the arts and private sectors, including Singapore Symphony Group, The Theatre Practice, Tate Anzur, Microsoft Singapore and NGS shared insights on topics such as digital marketing strategies, digital transformation, navigating business operational challenges and the future of arts with the emergence of new technology. UOB FinLab, NAC and programme speakers provided follow-up support where participants of the second run were invited to Tate Anzur's new Culture Club initiative to join network-and-learning lunches, based on different communications and marketing topics, after the acceleration programme. Group photo of participants with programme speakers, NAC and UOB, at the closing ceremony held at National Gallery Singapore. Credit: NAC Group photo of participants with NAC, UOB and programme speakers as part of a walking tour session. Credit: NAC Sharing by Juan Madera Jimenez,... --- Vietnam is a market with vast growth potential. The Vietnamese government has also approved the National Digital Transformation Programme by 2025 to help accelerate digital transformation. Working closely with various partners from the government, universities, industry and innovation ecosystem experts, UOB FinLab’s programmes are designed for businesses to develop strategies and leverage on technologies to grow the business, locally and regionally. About the Programme 13 JUNE 2023 - 14 JUNE 2023 Xin Chào SMEs is a 2-day programme designed to help businesses leverage the power of e-commerce and digital marketing to grow your sales. Participants will be equipped with knowledge on the effectiveness of adopting relevant technologies and developing strong e-commerce and digital marketing strategies to grow your sales and expand your business regionally. find out more SME sign up TSP solution sign up Match with Our Tech Solution Partners Connect with our Tech Solution Partners and gain deeper insights into increasing your sales through e-commerce and digital marketing. Connect with our partners! What are the benefits to participants? Purpose To catalyse greater growth and transformation of SMEs to go digital via e-commerce and digital marketingTo educate SMEs on the importance and how they can digitalise their business through introducing relevant technologies for adoptionTo tap on a potentially new segment of banking customers who are just starting or have started their business sme sign up Outcome SME digital adoptionsNTB/NTPs tech solution sign up What is the programme about? Workshop forBusiness Owners Matching Business & Tech Solutions Implementing Tech in Businesses Previous Participants Programme 1 This programme is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. Kick-start your digitalisation journey through applying tech solutions, learning from industry experts, participating in practical learning seminars, and scale with UOB connectivity across ASEAN. Suitable for women who are business owners and are interested to grow their business... --- The Greentech Accelerator is a 3-month regional and global programme, organised by The FinLab, powered by UOB, to grow and transform innovative greentech solutions to meet the economic and environmental needs of businesses and to forge a sustainable future for all. Why join the Global Greentech Accelerator? . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Connect with businesses with actual challenge statements Leverage on our network of SMEs and corporates to tackle pain points and co-create solutions . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Opportunity to pilot solutions Work closely with SMEs and corporates for the opportunity to partner and pilot solutions . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Total funding of up to SGD150,000 (~USD 112,000) For relevant, deployable and cutting edge solutions Who are we looking for? Greentechs in the area of Energy Efficiency, Zero-Waste Supply Chain, Carbon Management and Reporting Solutions with Tech Readiness Level (TRL) 6 and above What's in it for you? Opportunity to partner and pilot your solutions with us and our network of SMEs/corporates Mentorship, business matching, educational workshops valued at more than USD 35,000 per selected greentech Tackle actual challenge statements from corporates and SMEs Leverage on a total funding of ~USD 112,000 (SGD 150,000) to potentially deploy relevant solutions and pilots with SMEs and corporates Focus Areas: Driving Sustainable Impact Energy Efficiency Examples: Low-Energy Buildings and Infrastructure Energy Monitoring System/IoTs EVs and Charging Infrastructure Solar and Energy Storage/Deployment Zero-Waste and Supply Chain Types of Waste Include: Electronic, Food, Plastic, Water Examples: Waste Collection and Upcycling Waste Processing and Recycling Resource Management and Efficiency Industry Symbiosis Carbon Management and Reporting Examples: Monitoring, Analysis and Performance Optimisation of Carbon Emissions Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Technologies, Carbon Credits Calculation, Monitoring and Reporting of Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions Programme Structure ESG & Business Masterclasses Designed with expertise from the... --- The Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023, by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to help arts organisations strengthen their business and digital capabilities to achieve their vision for growth and development. With the 4-week programme, participants will get to learn from industry experts, engage in curated workshops and learn through peer discussions. This programme will enable arts organisations to leverage digital solutions to build up their business and financial competencies. *As slots are limited, confirmed participants will be notified. Acceleration Programme for the Arts 2023 The 4-week programme, by UOB FinLab and National Arts Council, aims to support arts organisations and Self-employed Persons (SEPs) through a series of workshops and expert-led learning in leveraging digital solutions to enhance their business and financial competencies and strengthen their digital capabilities. In Collaboration with Week 1 - Reimagine your Business with Value Proposition Opening Ceremony The opening ceremony began with Janet Young, Managing Director and Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, and Lynette Pang, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, delivering the opening address. This was followed by a panel discussion on "Navigating the Intersection of Arts, Business and Digitalisation" moderated by Ning Chong, Co-Founder, The Culture Story, with panellists Goh Beng Kwan, UOB Painting of the Year Artist, Hazeleen Goh, Founder and CEO, ArtAF, Kevin Lim, Director of Digital Innovation and Transformation, National Gallery Singapore, and Kuo Jian Hong, Artistic Director, The Theatre Practice, who shared their insights on the topic. Janet Young delivers the opening address Lynette Pang delivers the opening address Janet Young with panellists Opening Ceremony Group Picture Business Model Canvas Workshop Participants then took part in a Business Model Canvas workshop led by Felix Tan, Mentor-In-Residence at UOB FinLab. Felix first shared about the nine components of the Business Model Canvas and guided participants in creating one for their own business. Afterwards, participants took part in one-on-one mentoring sessions with Felix to address their questions about their business ideas. Week 2... --- This programme is curated to support entrepreneurs, specifically women, on their entrepreneurial and digitalisation journey within a like-minded community. Kick-start your digitalisation journey through applying tech solutions, learning from industry experts, participating in practical learning seminars, and scale with UOB connectivity across ASEAN. Suitable for women who are business owners and are interested to grow their business by leveraging tech solutions and/or looking for partners. How can you benefit from this programme? . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Participating in practical learning seminars . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Learning from industry experts . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Applying tech solutions . cls-1{fill:#fff;} Scale with UOB connectivity across ASEAN Programme Agenda Edit ThemesSession dates Week 0: Opening14 June 2022 Week 1: E-commerce28 & 30 June 2022 Week 2: Front-end5 & 7 July 2022 Week 3: Back-end12 & 14 July 2022 Week 0: Opening Date Time Topic Tue, 14 June 2022 2. 30pm – 4. 30pm (+8 GMT) Sharing by Successful Women Entrepreneurs Programme Outline Welcome Address Panellist Session – “Making A Leap Forward” Closing Address Featuring Speakers . elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-6cc5dec{--flex-direction:row;--container-widget-width:initial;--container-widget-height:100%;--container-widget-flex-grow:1;--container-widget-align-self:stretch;--gap:0px;--background-transition:0. 3s;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-0ba4f92{--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-right:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-0e82092{--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-right:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-f6c865c{--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-right:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-4493a30{--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-right:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;}@media(max-width:640px){. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-4493a30{--width:50%;}}@media(min-width:641px){. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-0ba4f92{--width:25%;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-0e82092{--width:25%;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-f6c865c{--width:25%;}. elementor-1779 . elementor-element. elementor-element-4493a30{--width:12. 5%;}} Week 1: E-commerce Date Time Topic Speakers Tue, 28 June 2022 10. 00am – 1. 10pm (+8 GMT) Value Proposition Canvas Felix Tan Re-Thinking Business Transform Workshop Vincent Chew Programme Outline Identifying and understanding what your customer, how you can meet & surpass these needs using value proposition canvas. Understand the different e-commerce channels & options (i. e. Starting your store or putting your goods on e-commerce platforms. Featuring Speakers . elementor-1794 . elementor-element. elementor-element-6c64541{--flex-direction:row;--container-widget-width:initial;--container-widget-height:100%;--container-widget-flex-grow:1;--container-widget-align-self:stretch;--gap:0px;--background-transition:0. 3s;}. elementor-1794 . elementor-element. elementor-element-415f8f7{--background-transition:0. 3s;--padding-top:0px;--padding-right:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;}@media(min-width:641px){. elementor-1794 . elementor-element. elementor-element-415f8f7{--width:25%;}} Date Time Topic Speakers Thur, 30 June 2022 10. 00am – 12. 45pm (+8 GMT) Women Leader... --- The Greentech Accelerator, a 3-month UOB FinLab programme, is designed to grow innovative solutions for economic and environmental sustainability. The Greentech Accelerator 2022 Programme Highlights https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=SzvjyeaynJk Focus Areas: Driving Sustainable Impact Energy Efficiency Examples: Low-Energy Buildings and Infrastructure Energy Monitoring System/IoTs EVs and Charging Infrastructure Solar and Energy Storage/Deployment Zero-Waste and Supply Chain Types of Waste Include: Electronic, Food, Plastic, Water Waste Collection and Upcycling Waste Processing and Recycling Resource Management and Efficiency Industry Symbiosis Carbon Management and Reporting Monitoring, Analysis and Performance Optimisation of Carbon Emissions Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Technologies, Carbon Credits Calculation, Monitoring and Reporting of Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions The Greentechs from 2022 Challenge Statements You are invited to tackle these challenge statements from our partners as part of The Greentech Accelerator Programme. Partner Challenges "We are looking for solutions to reduce space as well as the energy consumption for our warehouse premises. " Cheng Fong Enterprise is a company specialising in the supply and installation of solid timbre flooring and wooden decking. Tackle this real life problem with our challenge partner in our Greentech Accelerator programme. "We are looking for a reusable packaging solution to reduce landfill waste. " Packaging waste is one of Singapore’s largest waste streams, and the main driver of GHG emissions. Tackle this real life problem with our challenge partner in our Greentech Accelerator programme. "We are constantly looking at innovative ways to recycle and upcycle bulky and hard-to-dispose items to conserve the environment. " Getha is a company offering high quality natural latex bedding products. Tackle this real life problem with our challenge... --- With support from government partners and other regional partners, the Smart Business Transformation Programme helps SMEs in Thailand to innovate and transform by implementing digital solutions. Sustainability Innovation Programme Thailand 2024 ธุรกิจที่ยั่งยืน” จะไม่ใช่แค่คำสวยหรูอีกต่อไป มาเริ่มแผนธุรกิจยั่งยืนและลงมือเปลี่ยนธุรกิจของคุณทันทีผ่านโครงการ Sustainability Innovation Programme โดย UOB FinLabโดยงานนี้ได้รับเกียรติจากพันธมิตรทั้งภาครัฐและเอกชนร่วมเสริมทัพแชร์ความรู้และประสบการณ์เชิงลึกถึงกลยุทธ์การทำธุรกิจยั่งยืน อาทิ SET, WHA Corporation, PWC Thailand เป็นต้น และร่วมกิจกรรมมากมายในวันที่ 29 พ. ค. 67วันที่ 30 พ. ค. 67 เริ่มต้นลงมือเปลี่ยนธุรกิจของคุณทันทีผ่าน 3 modules workshop: Educate, Evaluate, Execute จากผู้เชี่ยวชาญภาครัฐและเอกชนที่มีประสบการณ์ตรงที่ครอบคลุมเทรนด์โลก กฎหมาย การทำรายงาน อาทิ TDRI, TGO และ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย . ถ้าคุณอยากสร้างธุรกิจยั่งยืน อย่ารอช้า สมัครฟรีสแกน QR Code หรือคลิกลงทะเบียนที่เว็บไซต์ของ UOB FinLab ประเทศไทยที่นี่ https://go. uob. com/micro-register ตั้งแต่วันนี้ - 26 พ. ค. 2567#TheFinLab #Sustainaiblity #Innovation #SIP #Thailand #Greentransformer Click here to sign up Shortcut to your Business Transformation In Digital & Sustainability 900 SMEs View SME 60 พาร์ทเนอร์ View Partner 5 ปีต่อเนื่อง View Success อุปสรรคที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในการเริ่มทำ Digital Transformation ของ SME คือ การขาดความรู้ที่เหมาะสม และไม่รู้จะเลือกใช้เครื่องมือไหน - SME OUTLOOK 2022 - STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT SESSION What We Do ค้นหาความต้องการ อบรม ปรึกษาผู้เชี่ยวชาญ แนะนำเทคโนโลยี สนับสนุนทางการเงิน สร้างชุมชน SBTP 2022 Highlights https://youtu. be/bv2YlH218H4 Focusing on Sustainability https://youtu. be/PFU8NvEFV5g SME Success Cases Hear from Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director and third-generation business owner of Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, the company responsible for the Double Goose brand, on their journey to building a multi-generational business under The FinLab's guidance. Read more https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=snk_1n8Iw4w Thai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they have bigger ambitions still. Find out how The FinLab helped them take things to the next level. Read more https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=6rwOJgn_JnY Press Releases Digital Transformation Starts with Leadership Singapore’s SMEs are rapidly digitalising, but true transformation depends on leadership. Technology delivers impact only when aligned with clear processes and a prepared workforce.... --- UOB FinLab Malaysia offers a strong regional network, strategic ecosystem partnerships and suite of digital and financial solutions for businesses to thrive in today's digital economy. JOM Transform Sustainability Accelerator Programme The Jom Transform Sustainability Accelerator Programme aims to equip SMEs with insights and knowledge to navigate their sustainability journey, transforming sustainability insights into actionable plans and build a future-proof business. For more enquires, please email to uobfinlab@uobgroup. com Programme Details Date: 16th to 18th October 2023 Time: 9. 30 am to 5:00 pm Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Level M, UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur, 7, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur Limited seats available on a first-come first-served basis Programme Agenda Suggested Company Representatives Frequently Asked Questions What is the Jom Transform – Sustainability Accelerator Programme? The Jom Transform – Sustainability Accelerator Programme is a three-day programme targeted to address challenges that businesses typically face along their sustainability journey. The programme will commence on 16 Oct 2023 and will end on 18 Oct 2023. It is a 3-day programme that covers 5 different modules on sustainability. Are there any fees or cost associated with participating in the Programme? The Programme is complimentary. How can my business apply to join the Programme? The Programme will be extended by invitation basis only. How do I get UOB Plaza 1 KL? Waze: https://waze. com/ul/hw283fnh7e Google Map: https://maps. app. goo. gl/FncwcyU6WN5KT4sZA? g_st=ic Carparks are made available at the location below: Menara UOB KL (Complimentary, on first-come-first-served basis. ) UOB Plaza 1 (Chargeable at RM5 per hour) KWSP (Chargeable at RM4 per hour) Public Transport Through Bandaraya LRT Station. *With reference to MyRapid’s notice, there will be no train services between... --- The Digital Mumpreneurs Programme, by The FinLab and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, helps businesses to strengthen their digital capabilities to scale and seize growth opportunities. If you are looking to start or grow your business through implementing tech solutions, join us for this 4-week programme to learn from industry experts, participate in practical hands-on workshops and network with fellow mumpreneurs to kickstart your digitalisation journey. How will you benefit from this programme? Industry experts Talks from industry experts on how to kick start your business Match to Tech Be connected to a curated suite of tech solution providers Workshop Hands-on workshop to trial and implement tech solutions “I enjoyed the program tremendously! It helped me to create a roadmap to kick start my business and to discover great tools and resources i can tap on! " Nadege Schmidt Attendee “Digital Mumpreneurs Programme is amazing as it provides support to mumpreneurs. They conduct sessions with technology solution providers to help us learn about the various business solutions to scale our business development, along with an introduction to various govt grants. " Padmaja Sakthi - Attendee In our previous session... Digital Mumpreneurs Programme 2021 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=TC1nog6n7_c The Future of Working Women in Singapore Read how women these days are beginning to balance building their careers and families at the same time. Find Out More In the Hot Seat: Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Love, Bonito Read more on the experiences and challenges of running a business, by the Co-Founder of Love, Bonito , Rachel Lim. Read story --- Digitalisation is key to futureproofing your business and to remain competitive. It is a big step forward and we are here to help in the following areas. The FinLab PROPEL Industry experts Identify your business needs and determine the focus areas of digitalisation Match to Tech Be matched to suitable tech solutions Workshop Schedule 1-on-1 clinic sessions with The FinLab Team to finetune your digitalisation plans Welcome to The FinLab PROPEL The PROPEL steps will guide you end-to-end in your quest to digitalise your business successfully. You will be able to futureproof your business in no time with our tools, resources and network --- A series of thematic knowledge sharing workshops to help businesses transform and grow with the right digital tools and strategies. Through this workshop, businesses can gain insights on the trends, opportunities and challenges, learn how to leverage on technology to streamline operations, increase sales and customer base. Why should you join? Gain exposure and match with relevant technology solutions Learn from industry experts and mentors on how to kick start your business Obtain hands on experience in technology implementing process Programme Spotlights Digital Series #4 – Retail 18 August 2022 Wondering how you can start your digitalisation journey? Join us on our Retail Digital Spotlight workshop and gain more insights of solutions you can potentially adopt, to take your business operations towards digitalisation. In this session, you can gain a better understanding of current trends, opportunities and challenges. Learn how you can utilise these solutions to innovate your business model to make it more efficient and effective! Agenda Edit DateTime and VenueTopic Fri, 23 September 20221. 30pm – 2. 30pm (+8 GMT) Virtual on ZoomOpening Sharing By UOB BizSmart Tech Showcase & Industry Overview Featuring Skale & Talenox Closing and Networking Session Other sessions Sales and Digital Marketing AgendaLearning Session:Understanding different marketing solutionsMini Tech Showcase:Digital marketing solution showcaseHands-on Workshop:How to run your own digital marketing campaign Speakers Malcolm Yam Lecturer Ngee Ann Polytechnic Joan Bea Lopez Head of Marketing Skale Yue Fung Digital Consultant Verz Design (Google Workspace) Food and Beverages AgendaMeet the SMEs:Hear from some of our SMEs on how they have transformed their F&B business digitally through various tech solutions. Mini Tech Showcase:Connect with F&B solution providers and learn more about the latest technologies to enhance sales, marketing and operations for your business. Demonstration Session:Participate in a demonstration session to experience a F&B management solution... --- --- ## Success Stories Explore how one of the impactful pilot projects from UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 took off, where Circular Unite partnered with UOB’s Corporate Real Estate Services (CRES) to drive sustainable waste management through data-driven innovation. Brothers Andre Tay, 41, and Emmanual Tay (right), 37, are carrying on their family’s waste management legacy with Circular Unite, a start-up they co-founded which uses technology to optimise companies’ waste systems. Karung guni men, or scrap dealers, used to haul hefty bundles of waste paper and cartons to the Tay family’s Chinatown shophouse in the 1970s and 1980s. The seven-member household ran their waste collection business from the shophouse’s ground floor, taking turns to weigh the waste on clunky counting scales and scribble payment tickets. They lived upstairs for over 30 years until the early 1990s, eventually sheltering three generations under one roof. Today, the tedious process has been dumped in the scrapheap of history – thanks to a new generation of entrepreneurs leveraging technology to optimise waste management. Among them is 37 year-old Emmanual Tay, the third generation in the business. He has since replaced the traditional counting scales with smart ones that use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse and alert users on waste patterns. “I wanted to reimagine this traditional business through technology,” says Mr Emmanual Tay, chief executive officer and co-founder of Circular Unite. He co-founded the start-up in 2020 with his older brother, Andre, 41, to help companies optimise waste management through data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, and audits. At the time, industry practices were still largely manual, the younger Mr Tay says. He shares that Circular Unite’s revenue is on track to hit around $800,000 by end-2025, tripling 2024’s figures. The start-up... --- For over a decade, UOB FinLab, the innovation accelerator has guided South-east Asia’s SMEs through transitions. Stepping into the business after her grandfather passed, Claire Ariela Shen knew Dona Manis Cake Shop would be faced with a major challenge. The traditional bakery, founded in 1992 in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, would need to keep up with the times. A previous partner had also exited the bakery, leaving Shen in charge of a business which had often operated along trust-based systems and personal relationships – neither of which she had been deeply involved in building. neither of which she had been deeply involved in building. “There was no proper cash register, transactions were largely cash-based, and records were kept in a handwritten booklet my grandfather maintained,” said Shen, chief heritage officer of Dona Manis. She saw that a digital transformation would be needed to keep the business sustainable. Dona Manis Cake Shop has operated in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre since 1992. PHOTO: DONA MANIS CAKE SHOPThese challenges are not unique to Shen’s case; many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-east Asia face similar obstacles when seeking to scale. The relevant digital tools are difficult to identify; furthermore, SMEs with tight budgets and limited time are unable to experiment freely with such instruments. UOB FinLab, the innovation accelerator launched in 2015, has spent the last decade helping businesses across the region bridge these gaps. “UOB FinLab came at a time when we needed both structure and guidance – practical tools paired with a supportive ecosystem that understood the realities of small, heritage-rooted businesses,”... --- Explore how one of the impactful pilot projects from UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator 2024 took off, where Circular Unite partnered with UOB’s Corporate Real Estate Services (CRES) to drive sustainable waste management through data-driven innovation. It has been half a year since the team at UOB FinLab culminated its GreenTech Accelerator 2024 (GTA). We decided to check in with one of the GreenTech participants and see the progress that is being made. To recap, during the six months programme, the selected GreenTechs tackled real-world sustainability pain-points from more than 50 challenge statements to co-create solutions for partnerships and pilot projects. These statements were contributed by 27 challenge partners including UOB as well as our corporate partners. During the programme, the 33 participating GreenTech firms proposed solutions based on the challenge statements and 16 pilots were selected for funding by UOB FinLab to kick start various pilot projects. One exciting pilot project is between UOB’s Corporate Real Estate Service(CRES) department and Circular Unite. Reducing Waste through Data UOB CRES is constantly looking for ways to reduce waste through data. To solve this issue, Circular Unite proposed a solution that will result in the deployment of their waste audit and profiling blueprint at UOB CRES that allows for detailed measuring of waste generated at the tenant level at UOB Plaza Singapore. This will help create waste data visibility and potentially improve operational efficiency of waste data collection. Circular Unite commenced this project with a comprehensive waste audit conducted at the waste bin center of UOB Plaza over four days in January 2025. This extensive exercise uncovers the waste generated by the tenants/locations in Plaza 1 and 2 to develop data points. The audit examined waste streams from... --- Sonata Dancewear, a home-grown Singapore brand, has leapt from a humble balletwear shop to a regional presence across Southeast Asia, blending tradition with innovation and embracing digital tools to inspire a new generation of dancers. Sonata Dancewear caters a comprehensive range of products for dancers from head to toe, and for all ages, genders and needs. PHOTO: SONATA DANCEWEARIt began as a family-run business offering made-to-measure performance and dancewear tailoring out of an Orchard Plaza unit with three sewing machines tucked at the back. Affectionately known as the “small brown shop”, it stood at just 300 square feet, or about 2. 5 times a typical parking lot space in Singapore. Sonata Dancewear originated in 1982 as a small unit in Orchard Plaza offering old-school made-to-measure performance and dancewear tailoring. PHOTO: STREET DIRECTORYToday, its Funan mall outlet spans some 2,300 sq ft; it boasts a physical store each in Malaysia’s Selangor and Thailand’s Bangkok, and it carries out shipping worldwide to customers from Australia to Amsterdam. The mission of Sonata Dancewear? To help dancers from tiny tots to professional artistes be better at their art with best-quality and high-performance materials, said executive director Bridget Tai. The shop’s story began in 1982, before Tai was even born. Way before ballet became a recreational activity, Tai’s mother was already a professional dancer who – in a bid to save money – made her own clothes, and went on to do so for her friends, too. “When they all retired, they were the first batch of dance teachers in Singapore,” said Tai. “And if clothing was too expensive, people would not take up ballet. So she started developing affordable and good quality products,” she continued. “This is a core... --- How Genius Plus Academy's Eileen Toh benefited as both a businesswoman and working mom from the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme Eileen has been able to spend more time with her husband and kids after graduating from the programme To say that the last six years have been a rollercoaster would be an understatement. During that span of time, I gave birth to four beautiful children, opened up three tuition centres, and earned my master’s degree in early childhood education at NIE. While simultaneously playing the roles of mother, wife, student, educator, and entrepreneur has been an incredible challenge, it’s one that I was up for. I love to teach, and have a great desire to nurture the next generation of young minds. Opening up my own tuition centre was a dream and made sense to me, despite the fact that I had no experience in running a business – especially when it came to things like managing accounts, and issuing and filing invoices. Though my husband, who has been my pillar of strength and who has helped guide me through the operations aspect of running a business, I was essentially a one-woman show: I took on administrative, marketing, and operational roles, in addition to my teaching duties. However, there is only so much a single person can do. I knew I needed help, and that’s when I was introduced to the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme. Being "schooled" by the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme A friend from school introduced me to a colleague who ran the programme. Intrigued by what it had to offer, I decided to take a chance and applied right... --- Starting a business is challenging, especially if you’re a resource-strapped mum. Starting a business is challenging, especially if you’re a resource-strapped mum. However, none of that deterred supermums and co-founders Chu and Lim, from launching Harnes Singapore Private Limited, an innovative baby product company. Passionate about creating products that benefit mothers and families with young children, Chu and Lim speak to The FinLab about how their time at the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme gave them the confidence to take their business to the next level. What inspired you to start Harnes? How do you juggle motherhood and entrepreneurship? How did you learn about the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme? We saw a Facebook ad of the programme, and decided to sign up for it as we felt it could provide valuable business lessons. One of us was on maternity leave and took the opportunity to attend the lessons from the comfort of our homes. What new insights or resources did you gain from the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme? If we were to participate in large-scale pop-up stores in the future, we would look into using UOB mCollect, a collections solution that digitalises the cash-on-delivery process and makes it easier for us to receive customer payments. Why should entrepreneur mums join the Digital Mumpreneurs Programme? The Digital Mumpreneurs Programme is a great platform for mothers who want to start a business, but don’t know where or who to turn to. The learning curve is pretty steep, but now we have access to tools and resources that can help advance the business.   Before the programme, we... --- Construction is not the first industry that comes to mind when discussing digitalisation. After all, it is impossible to virtually bulldoze a building no matter how advanced technology gets. Yet, for one construction management company, digitalisation is key and their decision to embark on it is deliberate. Interview with Lih Woei – Lih Ming Construction Construction is not the first industry that comes to mind when discussing digitalisation. After all, it is impossible to virtually bulldoze a building no matter how advanced technology gets. Yet, for one construction management company, digitalisation is key and their decision to embark on it is deliberate. “80 percent of our daily work is manual work out in the field but 20 percent is administrative work. That portion can leverage digitalisation,” explains Tan Lih Woei, Director of Lih Ming Construction. “We believe if we can successfully streamline our processes, we can make our money work harder for us,” he adds. The long-established construction company decided to participate in The FinLab’s Cycle 3 because they were keen to understand how to introduce this change and manage it within the company. The sharing by mentors and SMEs from different industries proved invaluable. “It opened us to a wider perspective in running businesses. We learnt from our counterparts in other industries and we saw areas where we could apply these learnings and do things better,” Lih Woei says. Lih Woei observed that good people management is one of the keys to getting tangible results from digitalisation, and growing the company. “We tried many things and we failed lots of times at certain points. But at times we have been very successful and people are able to see the result. So, when people are able to see the result they know that it is going to... --- Ms Suzanna Tang is the co-founder of the social enterprise Urban Origins, a ground-up initiative connecting communities with local urban food. It all started from an empty supermarket shelf in March 2020. Ms Suzanna Tang is the co-founder of the social enterprise Urban Origins, a ground-up initiative connecting communities with local urban food. It all started from an empty supermarket shelf in March 2020. At that time, I was four years into my job as a primary school teacher — a career I was not only passionate about, but had also prepared extensively for after getting a Ministry of Education scholarship during my university days. I felt strongly about making a difference in the young lives of my students and was determined to progress well in my career. When I gave birth to my first son, I became more conscious of his nutrition and found myself compelled to find fresh, healthy, safe and traceable food for his growth and well-being. I became a self-taught expert in reading nutrition labels and hunting for locally-sourced fresh produce. Then came the pandemic — a time of major unease, uncertainty and fear. It was during this crisis that the issue of food security began to weigh on me. I vividly remember the weekend that I visited my neighbourhood supermarket in March 2020 for my routine grocery run. The sight of rows and rows of empty shelves devoid of staples like vegetables and fresh produce, and the sight of long snaking queues to get basic groceries that we had taken for granted for so long, struck me hard and stuck with me for a long time. After doing some desk research, I found that Singapore relies heavily... --- The Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) – a five-week programme designed by UOB’s innovation accelerator, The FinLab, that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) transform their companies into sustainable businesses. About 60 per cent of local SMEs consider sustainability – based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors – important to their business, according to UOB’s SME Outlook Study 2022. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGESWhen Mr Alex Tham, 48, started his cleaning and sanitation company Trust Cleanz Initiative in 2011, he was confronted with a critical factor: How much electricity and water his business used – and its impact on clients’ utility bills“We recognised the pitfalls associated (with its over-dependence on utilities) and sought to ensure minimal wastage, from both a financial and environmental standpoint, moving forward,” says Mr Tham, the company’s founder and director. Today, with the world gripped by soaring oil prices and threats to water security, his decision to find innovative ways to cut back on its overuse is ever more critical. Since September 2021, soaring energy prices – driven by increased global demand, cold weather-related production outages and disruptions to Singapore’s piped natural gas supply from Indonesia – have left consumers and businesses reeling. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is likely to heighten fears of more disruption and uncertainty. “With the sanctions being imposed on Russia by various countries and the disruption to supplies, global prices of energy and other products are set to rise in the coming weeks,” said Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, during the Budget debate in Parliament. Trust Cleanz had already switched to using machines that are more energy efficient. “We also train our staff to be more conscious and... --- When it comes to running a business, many business owners may view the adoption of new technologies as a daunting initiative. When it comes to running a business, many business owners may view the adoption of new technologies as a daunting initiative. This also rings true for women entrepreneurs, who face a unique set of challenges — apart from the potential lack of an effective support network, some may also feel intimidated by the sheer volume of tech solutions made available to them. Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Love, Bonito, was one of those women: while initially apprehensive about new technologies, she had learnt to embrace constant learning and experimentation to take her business to the next level. Since its inception in 2010, Love, Bonito now stands as one of the largest omni-channel women’s fashion brands in the region today. In a candid conversation with The FinLab, Rachel shares some of her meaningful insights on adopting new technologies, working with the right partners and juggling motherhood with entrepreneurship. How has technology enhanced your business? Technology is an enabler for Love, Bonito. It has helped us build smoother relationships with customers, expand internationally, and deliver a better user experience. For instance, we rely on data and artificial intelligence to forecast inventory levels and monitor winning designs. By upgrading our website regularly, we offer customers a safe and secure checkout process, faster loading speeds, as well as relevant local content. When you first started your business, how did you move forward when you felt stuck? A few years into building Love, Bonito, I started to question its purpose in this world. However, inspiration struck... --- The Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) matches SMEs with providers, enabling mutual growth for both SMEs and solution providers. Article updated as of January 2025 Key takeaways: Thailand’s digital industry is projected to rise by double digits this year, boosted by a robust digital service sector to meet consumer behaviour shifts. Concerted efforts by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and the private sector have accelerated technology adoption, delivering impressive benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and consumers. The Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) matches SMEs with providers, enabling mutual growth for both SMEs and solution providers. According to the Digital Economy Promotion Agency’s (DEPA) Thailand Digital Industry 2020 survey, the Thai digital service industry is projected to hit double-digit growth this year, a significant 10 per cent jump from the past few years. This comes as the number of Thai consumers using e-commerce platforms increased by 35 per cent over the past 12 months, driven by a work-from-home lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, there are currently 3. 1 million SMEs in Thailand, and they account for over 35 per cent of the Thai GDP. To further strengthen the Thai digital economy, it is vital that the ecosystem enables stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors. Importance of mutual cooperation As a government agency, DEPA, is responsible for promoting digitalisation and has taken a key role in educating, providing funding and assisting entrepreneurs to get started on digitalisation. The agency provides comprehensive measures, including financial support for technology adoption and implementation, and standardisation of application and intellectual property registration, to make digital transformation more manageable... --- Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director of Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, a third-generation owner who continues the white T-shirt business favoured by every generation of Thais. Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director, Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited 68 Years of Quality T-Shirts – Background of Double Goose A much beloved brand for 68 years since it was founded in 1953 under the name of the Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, the company has evolved much from its humble beginnings as a garment factory to include a T-shirt business under the Double Goose brand, known for its signature white round-neck T-shirts and tank tops. The secret to its enduring success? Receptiveness to emerging trends. Khunakorn Dhanasarnsombat, Managing Director of Thailand Knitting Factory Company Limited, a third-generation owner who continues the white T-shirt business favoured by every generation of Thais, said that, throughout the 68 years of operation, all facets of the organisation have adapted and developed alongside key trends like the changing consumer behaviours over the decades. Their longevity is a testament in itself to the importance of organisational agility. This recognition proved a critical turning point in driving them to decide on carrying out the next phase of their development ahead with the evolving times – digital transformation. Analog to Digital – Building A Successful Digital Business To accommodate the shift in consumer behaviour online, Double Goose expanded its operations in recent years to include an e-commerce platform. The move, while fruitful in widening its outreach to a newer generation of consumers used to shopping online, unveiled the cracks in its ways of working that mainly revolved around manual processes. Acknowledging its shortfalls is one thing, but where... --- Thai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they had bigger ambitions still. Wipavee Watcharakorn of VachamonThai SME Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand, but they had bigger ambitions still. The FinLab helped them take things to the next level. When Wipavee Watcharakorn first took over as Managing Director of Thai fruit distributor Vachamon Food Co. , Ltd (“Vachamon”) just under a decade ago, the SME was faced with growing debt and declining sales. The company also had no clue or direction of how to move forward, she said. What the company’s 40 employees had, was a fighting spirit. Vachamon sought ways to widen the company’s customer base and introduce new revenue streams. Aside from wholesale and retail channels, the company began expanding their operations and made strides towards their ambition to serve the larger international market. It also explored ways to extend the shelf-life of its products, creating ready-to-eat foods that appealed to the palettes of customers in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Today, after 40 years in business, Vachamon is one of the biggest importers and distributors of premium-grade fruits in Thailand. It has worked with retailers all around the world, including Dairy Farm, Tesco and Carrefour. Over the last 9 years, with Wipavee at the helm first as Managing Director and subsequently as Group CEO, Vachamon’s annual sales have grown more than tenfold from THB 200 million (USD 7 million) to THB 2. 5 billion (USD 90 million). With the influx of orders from different markets, Vachamon realised it needed to update... --- As businesses operate in the new normal, digitalisation is the key to ensuring resilience and continued revenue growth in an uncertain environment. Key Takeaways Digitalisation has been proven to deliver tangible benefits to SMEs, including cost-savings as well as revenue and productivity gains SMEs are already using digitalisation to pave the way for growth beyond Covid-19 The FinLab PROPEL Programme offers SMEs an easy-to-follow roadmap to digitalise their business As businesses operate in the new normal, digitalisation is the key to ensuring resilience and continued revenue growth in an uncertain environment. The Singapore Government has also recognised the importance of this effort, with Ted Tan, Deputy Chief Executive at Enterprise Singapore, recently saying:1 “More than ever, digitalisation has become a must-have capability for businesses. ”A recent survey of SMEs across Asia Pacific found that SME digitalisation could add up to S$32. 9 billion to Singapore’s GDP and could “significantly” impact the country’s recovery2. More and more SMEs are taking the digital plunge to ensure the survival of their businesses and embracing the transformative power of digital imperatives. In this article, we feature the stories of some SMEs who have successfully digitalised their business to capture new opportunities. From Dine-In To Delivery For businesses in the F&B sector, the speed of embracing digitalisation is critical to success. This has been made more apparent because of the pandemic – the businesses that had already built out some digital capabilities fared better than those that were later to the game. White Restaurant, which has five outlets in Singapore, is a prime example. Its management had the foresight in February to realise that the COVID-19 storm... --- In this article, we speak to Ng Jiong Han, Co-Founder of Novocall, to find out more about his experience working with The FinLab and SMEs. Jiang Han sharing how Novocall’s solution has helped Malaysian based L&T Machinery Enterprise distribute leads more effectively at The FinLab’s Malaysia Programme Showcase Day in December 2019 Since 2016, The FinLab has been helping tech companies grow their businesses, such as connecting them to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that would benefit from the adoption of digital technologies. Novocall, which helps companies capture, qualify and automate their inbound calls, is one tech company that The FinLab has worked with and helped grow. In this article, we speak to Ng Jiong Han, Co-Founder of Novocall, to find out more about his experience working with The FinLab and SMEs. He also shares some tips on how tech companies can work effectively with SMEs. About Novocall Founded in Singapore, Novocall is a call automation software that helps businesses generate more sales calls from web visitors and helps web visitors automatically book sales calls. The Novocall Team Q: You got in touch with The FinLab in 2018, when we were running our first Business Transformation Programme in Singapore and were looking out for tech solutions that want to serve SMEs. How have you progressed since then? What are some of Novocall’s key achievements in 2018 and 2019? We were looking for avenues to reach more SMEs who can and want to use our click-to-call-back solution to increase sales conversions. We were excited to hear about The FinLab’s Business Transformation Programme back in 2018 and submitted our application to be part of it. Through The... --- Discover how The FinLab's programme has helped Acepac International to scale it's business digitally. Acepac International is taking an organic and paced approach to growth. The company, which specialises in supplying packaging products and materials to the likes of global logistics giant DHL and local pioneer and leader in e-commerce logistics, SingPost, is now looking to expand its operations to value-added services such as international procurement and project management. According to Acepac International’s Head of Operations K. S. Ho, growing organically also requires the company to stay relevant and adapt to the economy. The company has opted to go down this route by digitalising their manual business processes that had been in place since it started. “Before joining The FinLab, we had already started using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software,” said K. S. “We want to use the OCR for our customers’ POs (purchase orders), as the software can capture information into our system, such as the PO number, name and address, and generate the invoice. This can make our documents more consistent and error-free. The solution would also help us save on labour, because if a customer comes with a PO with 11 line items, you don’t have to have to manually key in the individual line items 11 times, especially as you need to check for accuracy,” K. S. said. Joining The FinLab introduced Acepac to innovations they have not seen, such as Spotto, an Australia-based IoT start-up which has developed a ‘tag’ that can be placed on any object to give it an online identity and record. Acepac saw that the... --- Eric Lew, a leading provider of land transport engineering solutions and systems with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and China. Interview with Eric Lew – Executive Director of Wong Fong Industries Eric Lew, a leading provider of land transport engineering solutions and systems with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and China. He also helped start Wong Fong Research & Innovation Centre (WFRIC). In the short span of 5 years, Eric helped inject a can-do spirit in his family business, and listed the company on SGX in 2016. Today, he shares his insights and journey with us. What were some motivations for joining the family business? There was always an obligation to help my dad and uncle, who were working so hard. It was really out of the feeling that I could contribute and make things easier for them. What difficulties did you face in trying to convince them to digitalize? The generation gap poses a real challenge especially in family businesses, as the generations were brought up differently resulting in different opinions and approaches. The way to overcome these differences would be to present your ideas in a professional and logical way, and debate it bearing in mind our common objectives. It is also important to be respectful of the core business. Don’t try to change it, but look at evolving and innovating from the core business model. The predecessors have taken much pain to build that business and this needs to be respected even as we are looking to convince them on new ideas. What convinced you to digitalize or implement tech solutions in your business? This was... --- In the 2 short years he joined his parents’ company, Darren made simple changes using essential technology solutions, and made significant improvements to the business revenue, processes and operations. Interview with Darren Lim – Marketing Manager of Estil Furnishing Darren Lim, a homegrown manufacturer of drapery, soft furnishing and shading systems. He is also the second generation slated to take over this business that was started by his parents in 1989. Over the 28 years, Estil is known for the quality of their products particularly in the commercial property sector. In the 2 short years he joined his parents’ company, Darren made simple changes using essential technology solutions, and made significant improvements to the business revenue, processes and operations. He shares with us some insights into the journey. What were some motivations for joining the family business? I initially wanted to experience the corporate world, but as I was looking, I realized I already had relevant work skills to help out in the family business as I had run my own business while in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Hence I understood the struggles, ins and outs of business. At the time, Estil Furnishing was not doing too well, there were very little sales and enquiries, so I decided to put whatever skillsets I had into helping my parents first. Seeing them stressed about their business and livelihood motivated me to want to help alleviate the pressure and grow the business. What difficulties did you face in trying to convince the older generation to digitalise? I think that everyone that wants to change will face an initial resistance. My parents did not understand why they should change, or why they should... --- --- ## Press Releases Singapore’s SMEs are rapidly digitalising, but true transformation depends on leadership. Technology delivers impact only when aligned with clear processes and a prepared workforce. The next phase of SME growth will be driven by leaders who integrate digital tools purposefully, invest in people, and leverage industry networks to scale. Understanding the ‘why’ makes digitalisation a shared journey. Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have embraced digital tools at a remarkable rate. The IMDA Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025 reported that 95. 1% of SMEs adopted at least one form of digital technology in 2024. On average, each SME deployed 2. 3 out of the six digital areas (AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, e-payment, e-commerce) tracked last year – a clear indication that digitalisation is becoming more embedded across the SME sector. Yet this widespread uptake alone does not guarantee business transformation. For many, the real challenge lies in translating digital investments into sustained productivity gains and scalable growth. Without a clear strategy, digital tools become isolated systems – underused, poorly integrated, and misaligned with business needs. The urgency for strategic digitalisation is underlined by the broader economy. In 2024, Singapore’s digital economy hit $101b (S$128. 1b), accounting for 18. 6% of national GDP. Digitalisation is no longer the domain of the tech sector alone: two-thirds of this value add came from non-Information and Communications sectors such as finance, wholesale trade and manufacturing. In this environment, SMEs that succeed will be those that treat digitalisation not as a grant-driven cost item or checkbox, but as a strategic capability that enables operational agility, workforce resilience, and long-term competitiveness. The Immediate Need for Strategic AlignmentThe next stage of Singapore’s digital progress will not be determined by how quickly companies adopt tools, but by how thoughtfully leaders align digitalisation with processes, capabilities, and... --- DHL Express and UOB Indonesia are collaborating to drive sustainable trade and SME growth across ASEAN. Through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, UOB is reducing up to 80% of emissions from international shipments. The partnership also launched the country’s first GoTrade event in Jakarta to support SMEs in cross-border trade. UOB Indonesia adopts DHL’s GoGreen Plus service to reduce around 80% of greenhouse gas emissions from international shipments. Both companies also organize the first GoTrade event in Indonesia, aimed at supporting SMEs in the country Jakarta, October 23, 2025 – DHL Express Indonesia and UOB Indonesia have entered a strategic partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of international air shipments through the adoption of DHL’s GoGreen Plus service. DHL Express's GoGreen Plus stands as the first solution within the global express logistics sector that enables customers to leverage sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in reducing emissions linked to their shipments. This partnership enables UOB to reduce around 80% of carbon emissions associated with its international shipments, significantly advancing the bank’s own sustainability targets and reinforcing its commitment to responsible business practices. Ahmad Mohamad, Senior Technical Advisor, DHL Express Indonesia. “We are proud to support UOB on their sustainability journey,” said Ahmad Mohamad, Senior Technical Advisor, DHL Express Indonesia. “Through GoGreen Plus, we offer a measurable and verified solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in logistics. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting Indonesia’s national climate goals as well as DHL Group’s net zero emissions target by 2050. ” Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesia, said, “As part of UOB Group, UOB Indonesia is committed to advancing transition towards a low-carbon economy. Our partnership with DHL reflects how we are taking tangible steps in our own operations and for our clients to reduce carbon emissions.... --- At UOB FinLab’s “Digital Gateway to Global Markets” event in Ho Chi Minh City, experts highlighted Vietnam’s growing momentum in cross-border trade. With strong interest in e-commerce and regional partnerships, businesses are leveraging digital tools, financial solutions, and regulatory support to expand globally. UOB Vietnam and Alibaba.com’s Innovative Hub launched a support package to empower exporters, reinforcing Vietnam’s role in the international supply chain. On September 19, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, UOB FinLab organized the event “Digital Gateway to Global Markets”, discussing opportunities and challenges in cross-border trade amid global uncertainties. This event is part of UOB FinLab’s annual series aimed at connecting the Vietnamese business community with digitalization and sustainable development solutions, while also bridging them with business solution providers, advisors, and strategic resources. This year’s focus is on cross-border business expansion through e-commerce, in the context of global trade being affected by geopolitical conflicts and other disruptions. Cross-Border Trade Opportunities for Vietnamese Businesses At the event, experts emphasized the importance of cross-border expansion strategies. Vietnamese B2B enterprises need to be agile in adapting to trade barriers, legal changes, and in effectively leveraging financial tools to optimize import-export activities. According to the UOB Business Outlook Study 2025, despite a volatile business environment, 60% of Vietnamese businesses remain optimistic about the coming year, 46% are accelerating plans to enter foreign markets, nearly 70% expect intra-ASEAN trade to grow, and 94% are interested in cross-border e-commerce platforms, viewing them as key tools for accessing international markets. Experts shared insights at the event Mr. Suan Teck Kin, CFA, Head of Research, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB Group, noted that Vietnam is highly exposed to trade restrictions due to its open economy: exports account for 90% of GDP, the second highest in ASEAN. The U. S. is Vietnam’s largest export market, accounting for over 30% of the total export value of USD 406 billion in... --- DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has reached a significant milestone in building a more sustainable healthcare supply chain by successfully tracking carbon emissions across its value chain through a collaboration with UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator and Smart Tradzt in Thailand. Delivering Growth - in Asia and BeyondDKSH Business Unit Healthcare has reached a significant milestone in building a more sustainable healthcare supply chain by successfully tracking carbon emissions across its value chain through a collaboration with UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator and Smart Tradzt in Thailand. This achievement also marks the implementation of a reusable cold-chain packaging solution. The initiative underscores DKSH Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and its proactive approach to advancing sustainable business practices. Bangkok, Thailand, August 19, 2025 – DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has achieved a significant milestone by successfully measuring Scope 3 carbon emissions within its supply chain in Thailand. This initiative was accomplished through a collaboration with UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator and Smart Tradzt, a Singapore-based sustainability technology provider. Scope 3 emissions, representing indirect greenhouse gas emissions from sources across the value chain, constitute a substantial proportion of the total healthcare and logistics emissions. Accurately tracking these emissions is important but remains a complex task. Recognizing this challenge, DKSH Business Unit Healthcare tapped on UOB FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator, a regional program which resulted in 16 successful pilots across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand between corporations and innovative startups to address regional sustainability issues in the areas of energy, sustainability reporting and carbon management, circular economy and waste management, food and agriculture, sustainable cities and urban planning. UOB FinLab provided financial support, mentorship and access to community networks for Smart Tradzt, reducing costs for DKSH to undertake this comprehensive assessment. The collaboration saw DKSH Healthcare Thailand partner... --- The SkillsFuture movement is bringing greater professionalisation of adult educators – including a national registry – and more “Queen Bee” companies that support workforce skills development, particularly for smaller organisations. The one-off certification programme we have for adult educators today will not be enough, says Education Minister Desmond Lee. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI, ST The SkillsFuture movement is bringing greater professionalisation of adult educators – including a national registry – and more “Queen Bee” companies that support workforce skills development, particularly for smaller organisations. The Lifelong Learning Institute, which will be rebranded to Lifelong Learning Singapore, will also have more facilities and offerings. These updates were announced at the opening of the annual SkillsFuture Festival on Monday (Jul 7), where Minister for Education Desmond Lee also highlighted three aims of the SkillsFuture movement’s next phase: raising the quality of Singapore’s training and adult education sector; strengthening employers’ commitment to training; and getting individuals to take more ownership of their skills development. The SkillsFuture movement’s next phase First, a new Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway aims to professionalise the industry by providing structured and quality training to adult educators. The pathway is developed by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), with the support of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). “(Adult educators) must keep upgrading, to keep up with industry developments and new training methods. The one-off certification programme we have today will not be enough,” said Lee. A national registry of qualified and practising adult educators will also be set up. From Apr 1, 2026, adult educators must be registered to deliver training that is supported by SSG. Registration opens in the fourth quarter of 2025. To stay registered, they must complete at... --- Educators teaching SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)-supported courses for adult learning will soon be required to clock practice hours and undergo regular training, in a move to raise the quality of training, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on July 7. Education Minister Desmond Lee delivering his opening speech at the opening forum of the annual SkillsFuture Festival, at Raffles City Convention Centre on July 7. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Educators teaching SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)-supported courses for adult learning will soon be required to clock practice hours and undergo regular training, in a move to raise the quality of training, said Education Minister Desmond Lee on July 7. Speaking at the opening forum of the annual SkillsFuture Festival held at Raffles City Convention Centre, Mr Lee announced a new Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway that will create a new national registry. From April 1, 2026, those who wish to conduct SSG-supported courses must be on the registry. To stay registered, they must complete at least 40 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours and 80 practice hours every two years. This will ensure that adult educators continue to upgrade, and keep up with industry developments and new training methods, Mr Lee said. CPD hours refer to those spent on learning and development, which includes structured training, workshops and conferences. Practice hours are those fulfilled by delivering training or other activities like curriculum assessment or design. Currently, they only have to complete a certification programme by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), said Mr Lee, but he noted that this one-off certification will not be enough. This certification will still be mandatory for adult educators seeking to join the SSG registry. The online registration process for the new registry will start in the... --- 大华银行获委为“技能创前程行业领头羊”，预计接下来三年将帮助约200家中小企业，以及800名员工提升人工智能、数码和可持续发展方面的能力。 大华银行与精深局代表星期一（7月7日）在技能创前程论坛上签订备忘录。 （档案照片） 大华银行获委为“技能创前程行业领头羊”，预计接下来三年将帮助约200家中小企业，以及800名员工提升人工智能、数码和可持续发展方面的能力。 精深技能发展局2020年推出“技能创前程行业领头羊”（SkillsFuture Queen Bee），委任来自不同领域的企业，倡导企业转型，为其他企业提供培训和咨询服务。随着大华银行的加入，企业行业领头羊已增加至37个。 大华银行与精深局代表星期一（7月7日）在技能创前程论坛上签订备忘录。 大华银行指出，集团将通过旗下创新实验室FinLab的中小企业提升计划，提供培训项目和工作坊、帮助企业采纳或扩大使用人工智能等科技和绿色方案，并为员工提供相关培训。中小企业也有机会借助大华银行的网络，参加业界交流活动。 大华银行也将与新加坡国立大学、南洋理工大学和义安理工学院合作，为中小企业设计培训课程。 技能创前程论坛是“技能创前程节”的开幕活动，技能创前程节将举行至8月18日。在这期间，精深局将主办路演、职业展等活动。公众可上网查阅详情。 This article is adapted from "大华银行获委“行业领头羊” 助中小企业推动培训与转型", originally published by Lianhe Zaobao on 7 July 2025. Share this --- UOB Malaysia champions inclusive leadership and women empowerment in entrepreneurship and sustainability as key drivers of ASEAN's resilient growth at AWES 2025. UOB Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN's growth, highlighting inclusive leadership and the empowerment of women in entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainability as key to unlocking the region's full potential. The statement comes as UOB Group marks its 90th anniversary. UOB Malaysia chief executive officer Ng Wei Wei said women entrepreneurs, like their male counterparts, face barriers in accessing financing, knowledge, digital tools and networks needed to scale their businesses and navigate a fast-changing digital economy. "We set up The UOB FinLab programme in 2019 to help SMEs grow. In recent years, we began focusing on women entrepreneurs across Malaysia and Singapore. "Through The FinLab, we have helped 1,200 of them to learn new digital tools and skills, navigate the economy, grow their businesses, and more importantly, build a strong ecosystem that helps them expand their networks," she said during the panel session titled "Global Power Hour: Women Pioneering Change Across Continents" held here yesterday. The session was part of the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025) and was moderated by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Ng shared the stage with Indonesia's vice minister of trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri and Cambodia's minister of commerce Chan Nimul. Themed "Empowering Women, Energising ASEAN: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow", AWES 2025 underlined the importance of placing women at the heart of ASEAN's economic transformation amid global uncertainty and digital disruption. The two-day inaugural summit was held alongside the 46th... --- In a major move to accelerate the sustainability transition among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), UOB Malaysia has announced a strategic collaboration with Bursa Malaysia to support businesses on their decarbonisation journey. In a major move to accelerate the sustainability transition among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), UOB Malaysia has announced a strategic collaboration with Bursa Malaysia to support businesses on their decarbonisation journey. This partnership forms the core of UOB’s newly enhanced Sustainability Accelerator Programme 2. 0 (SAP 2. 0), which builds on the success of its 2023 pilot. Under SAP 2. 0, participating SMEs will gain access to Bursa Malaysia’s Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) Solution, designed to simplify greenhouse gas emissions reporting and aid in adopting relevant decarbonisation measures. Bursa Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Datuk Fad’l Mohamed said the collaboration with UOB Malaysia expands the CSI ecosystem beyond listed companies to benefit the broader SME community. “These efforts are crucial in helping Malaysia transition to a low-carbon economy. We applaud UOB Malaysia for taking a leadership role and hope more financial institutions follow this path,” Fad’l said. With Scope 3 emissions disclosures set to begin in 2027 under the National Sustainability Reporting Framework, the initiative ensures SMEs, particularly those in the supply chains of public-listed companies, are prepared for future regulatory and stakeholder expectations. The SAP 2. 0 also includes collaborations with Control Union and DHL Express Malaysia, offering services such as green certifications, logistics solutions and energy efficiency initiatives. This initiative underscores UOB’s broader commitment to empowering SMEs and building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable business ecosystem across Malaysia. This article is adapted from "UOB Malaysia Partners Bursa Malaysia To Help SMEs Decarbonise And Embrace Sustainability", originally published by... --- 大华银行的一项调查显示，在亚细安和大中华地区逾4000家受访企业中，有多达五分之二的企业由女性来领导。因此，该银行推出数码创新计划，帮助女企业家打造可持续发展的商业模式。 大华银行旗下创新实验室FinLab推出的数码化创新综合计划，帮助女企业家提升能力。 （大华银行提供） 大华银行的一项调查显示，在亚细安和大中华地区逾4000家受访企业中，有多达五分之二的企业由女性来领导。因此，该银行推出数码创新计划，帮助女企业家打造可持续发展的商业模式。 大华银行地区主管简毅辉星期五（4月11日）在一项活动上说：“以我在新加坡负责的中小企业客户为例，三分之一的新创企业实际上是由女性企业家领导的。此外，过去两三年内，餐饮和零售业中的女性培训师人数增长超过20%。” 为了更好地支持女中小企业主的成长与转型，大华银行旗下创新实验室FinLab推出一项数码化创新综合计划，通过一系列研讨会和一对一辅导课程，帮助她们打造可持续发展的商业模式。 这项计划专为拥有或管理中小型企业的女企业家、企业主和管理岗位上的专业人士量身定制。计划将围绕五大主题，包括企业转型、品牌与营销策略、企业复原力、创新与可扩展性，以及社区建设和支持，帮助女企业家掌握必要知识、提升专业技能。 简毅辉也说：“有高达71%的女性培训师说，她们在建立商业伙伴关系方面需要更多支持。所以，我们积极举办各类交流和行业聚会，旨在为企业创造拓展人脉的机会。同时，在当前充满不确定性的时期，我们也致力于为中小企业提供数码化平台与业务管理工具，协助它们提升运营效率、增强抗压韧性。” This article is adapted from "大华FinLab推数码创新计划 助女企业家建立可持续发展商业模式", originally published by Lianhe Zaobao on 13 April 2025. Share this --- Let's look into how UOB Thailand has launched the Womenpreneur event to empower woman entrepreneurs in their journey to drive long-term growth and impact UOB Thailand is reinforcing its commitment to support women-led businesses in Thailand with the recent launch of 2025 Womenpreneur: Sustainability and Innovation Programme. This initiative, run by UOB FinLab in collaboration with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED), aims to foster a supportive ecosystem for Thai female entrepreneurs, connecting them with peers and providing access to digital tools and guidance to embrace sustainability in their operation, enabling them to drive long-term growth and impact. Ms Piyaporn Ratanaprasartporn, Country Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOB Thailand, said, “This initiative underscores our commitment to nurturing a thriving ecosystem for women-led businesses. With sustainability and innovation are becoming key priorities for businesses, the programme provides hands-on workshops, expert mentorship, and access to innovate tools and resources provided by UOB FinLab and its extensive ecosystem network, setting them on a path to sustainable success in a digital era. " The 25 female entrepreneurs, selected from 185 participants in Bangkok, are from a diverse range of sectors, will be exploring new ideas, embrace technology, invest in digital tools and commit their time throughout the three-month programme from April to June 2025. The programme reflects UOB’s wider commitment to fostering inclusive and responsible economic progress across ASEAN. This article is adapted from "UOB Launches B2025 Womenpreneur Sustainability Programme", and is published on Bangkok Post on 4 April 2025 Share this --- UOB FinLab, the Bank’s innovation accelerator, awards a total of more than $100,000 to selected Green Technology (GreenTech) firms to pilot 16 sustainability solutions with UOB and its corporate partners across ASEAN. Singapore, 4 November 2024 – UOB FinLab, the Bank’s innovation accelerator, awards a total of more than $100,000 to selected Green Technology (GreenTech) firms to pilot 16 sustainability solutions with UOB and its corporate partners across ASEAN. The pilot solutions and partnerships were unveiled today at the GreenTech Accelerator 2024 Showcase Day as part of Singapore FinTech Festival’s Insights Forum. The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 is the second edition of UOB FinLab’s six-month regional programme that enables ASEAN GreenTech firms to grow and transform, forge partnerships and create pilots to address sustainability challenges across the region. It is designed to fast-track the development of sustainable technology solutions in Singapore and across ASEAN. This year, 33 GreenTech firms were shortlisted from more than 350 applicants to participate in the programme, of which 12 firms are from Singapore, nine from Malaysia and 12 from Thailand. Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab, said: “The GreenTech Accelerator 2024 demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build a sustainable future, leveraging collective actions and a collaborative professional network that can spur greater GreenTech breakthroughs. UOB FinLab will continue to be a catalyst for GreenTech innovation by bringing individuals, businesses, government agencies and GreenTechs together to tackle real-world sustainability challenges. We believe that with proper support from a strong network and appropriate resources, GreenTechs can make transformative progress towards ASEAN’s sustainability ambitions. ” Real challenges, Impactful solutions According to UOB’s Business Outlook Study 2024 (SMEs & Large Enterprises), 87 per cent of businesses in ASEAN surveyed view sustainability as... --- The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme by UOB FinLab Thailand has been recently conferred the prestigious Prime Minister Award: Innovation for Sustainability 2024 at the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2024 (SITE2024). Representatives of the 12 Thai GreenTech companies selected for UOB FinLab’s 2024 GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme together with Mr Banlang Wongthawatchai, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand (UOBT) and Mrs Sansanee Huasomboon, Director Business Innovation Division, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), who are among mentors for the programme. The GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme by UOB FinLab Thailand has been recently conferred the prestigious Prime Minister Award: Innovation for Sustainability 2024 at the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2024 (SITE2024) hosted by the National Innovation Agency of Thailand in July 2024. UOB Thailand (UOBT) unveiled the UOB's FinLab GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme in Thailand earlier this year, marking a significant step towards addressing pressing sustainability challenges. This initiative aims to empower GreenTech companies to pilot innovative solutions that create positive environmental impact. A total of 12 Thai GreenTechs are among the final 33 companies selected for the regional initiative from a competitive pool of 350 applicants across ASEAN. The selected enterprises will participate in a rigorous six-month programme designed to foster growth, transformation, and networking opportunities. UOB FinLab Thailand has worked closely with its corporate partners across ASEAN to identify major sustainability challenges faced by companies and the industry. The selected GreenTech companies will collaborate with these partners and UOB FinLab to develop innovative solutions to address real-world sustainability issues. Key focal areas include energy efficiency, circular economy and waste management, carbon management and reporting, food and agriculture, and urban planning. Mr Banlang Wongthawatchai, Head of... --- UOB Thailand announced its Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) 2024 to support Thai SMEs across all sectors to incorporate sustainability into their businesses. UOB Thailand on April 4, 2024, announced its Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) 2024. SIP aims to support Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors to incorporate sustainability into their businesses by leveraging UOB FinLab’s extensive network of public and private leaders, mentors, and SMEs. The three-module programme, organised in collaboration with industry leaders including Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), PwC Thailand, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), Chulalongkorn University and Sustainism will be held on 29-30 May 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. It will consist of workshops and masterclasses tailored for over 200 selected Thai businesses, equipping them with the latest knowledge on sustainability regulations, measurement tools, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics, best practices and actionable steps to kickstart their green journey. According to the UOB Business Outlook Study 2024, incorporating ESG practices in Thailand is among the top five business priorities in the next one to three years. However, approximately three in ten businesses have stated that greater support is required when meeting industry peers and guidance in applying ESG standards and decarbonisation best practices. Mr Banlang Wongthawatchai, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand, said, “Climate concerns are reshaping business strategies and operations towards sustainability across the globe. Based on UOB Business Outlook study, Thai businesses commonly see sustainability adoption as an important factor for improving reputation (56 per cent), attracting investors (50 per cent) and increasing opportunities to work with large corporations (42 per cent). “SMEs are becoming increasingly aware of the need... --- UOB Thailand has unveiled UOB FinLab’s 2024 GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme, marking a significant step towards addressing pressing sustainability challenges. UOB Thailand has unveiled UOB FinLab’s 2024 GreenTech Accelerator (GTA) programme, marking a significant step towards addressing pressing sustainability challenges. This initiative aims to empower GreenTech companies to pilot innovative solutions that create positive environmental impact. 12 Thai GreenTechs are among the final 33 companies selected for the programme from a competitive pool of 350 applicants across ASEAN. The selected enterprises will participate in a rigorous six-month regional programme designed to foster growth, transformation, and networking opportunities. Participants will benefit from an unparalleled learning experience, gaining access to masterclasses led by 30 world-class mentors from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. They may also tap into UOB FinLab’s network for sustainability know-hows and tools, comprising 25,000 industry leaders from businesses, governments, SMEs, and tech suppliers. In a bold move to accelerate sustainable innovation, UOB is offering selected GreenTech companies up to 2. 7 million baht to pilot innovative, relevant, and deployable solutions to help corporates tackle sustainability challenges. UOB FinLab has worked closely with its corporate partners across ASEAN to identify major sustainability challenges faced by companies and the industry. The selected GreenTech companies will collaborate with these partners and UOB FinLab to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world sustainability issues. They will focus on key areas such as energy efficiency, circular economy and waste management, carbon management and reporting, food and agriculture, and urban planning. The GTA programme first launched in May 2022 in Singapore and has already seen significant success. Its inaugural run attracted over 150 applications, resulting in 8 pilots... --- UOB Malaysia foresees a surge in SMEs adopting sustainability practices in 2024, fuelled by green finance initiatives. Learn how programs like UOB FinLab's Sustainability Accelerator support this transition and navigate challenges. The Star Online: Moving Towards Sustainability UOB Malaysia country head for wholesale banking Andy Cheah. Malaysia's SMEs Pivot to ESG in 2024 As more companies adopt sustainability practices, this trend is also fast catching up in the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment. Experts and industry observers expect more SMEs to embrace sustainability practices, encompassing the environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, in their businesses this year. UOB Malaysia country head for wholesale banking Andy Cheah tells StarBizWeek he believes 2024 is the year that more Malaysian SMEs will adopt ESG practices into everyday business operations. He says this is driven by green finance initiatives by the Malaysian government and private sector players like UOB catalysing sustainability adoption in the country, supported by improving economic conditions which will enable SMEs to strengthen their foundations for sustainable growth. However, he says, SMEs will need to deepen their knowledge on sustainability to ensure that they have a good understanding of how the evolving sustainability agenda will impact their business models, and how best to respond to future proof their companies. Programmes such as UOB FinLab's Jom Transform Sustainability Accelerator, he says, plays a big part in helping SMEs through this journey and strongly encourages them to employ the best practices and strategies when transitioning to a green and sustainable business. The programme also provides access to a network of reputable industry experts to provide guidance as needed on this journey to further ease and accelerate the transition. "Another trend we expect to... --- UOB FinLab was launched in Vietnam in June this year, with the aim of fostering a network of more than 21,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across South-east Asia. Vietnam has a large and young workforce and a growing middle class, which makes it an attractive market to capture, says UOB Vietnam CEO Victor Ngo. PHOTO: UOB UOB’s launch of a new innovation accelerator in Vietnam is a “strategic expansion” by the bank to enhance its regional connectivity, said Victor Ngo, the chief executive officer of UOB Vietnam. UOB FinLab was launched in Vietnam in June this year, with the aim of fostering a network of more than 21,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across South-east Asia. “(The aim is to) grant them access to digitalisation and sustainability programmes, matching of business solutions providers, mentorship and valuable resources,” said Ngo, a banking veteran of more than 30 years, in an interview with The Business Times. “This will help businesses become more resilient, grow their business and improve productivity. ” He said that UOB FinLab has a target of engaging 5,000 businesses in Vietnam over the next three years through various digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. Shortly after its launch, UOB FinLab held its inaugural programme in Ho Chi Minh City – the most populous city in Vietnam and the country’s economic hub – to help SMEs grow their sales through e-commerce and digital marketing. Ngo added that UOB FinLab will also work with university professors, industry practitioners, innovation experts and tech solution providers in its programmes. “By leveraging diverse perspectives, UOB FinLab aims to equip SMEs with the practical knowledge and strategies required to navigate the digital landscape effectively,” he... --- UOB Malaysia has launched its Jom Transform — Sustainability Accelerator Programme (JT-SAP) to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt sustainable practices and transition to a low carbon economy. UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei (left) and Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong at the launch of the Jom Transform — Sustainability Accelerator Programme on Wednesday. (Photo by UOB Malaysia) KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): UOB Malaysia has launched its Jom Transform — Sustainability Accelerator Programme (JT-SAP) to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt sustainable practices and transition to a low carbon economy. Launched by the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong, UOB Malaysia said the programme involves 150 SMEs and industry associations for a three-day workshop. “Participants will acquire knowledge on international case studies, key trends, solutions and insights on sustainability to help them future proof their businesses and improve their competitiveness,” UOB Malaysia said in a statement. The programme is delivered with the collaborations of Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM), PricewaterhouseCoopers Malaysia (PwC), Green Real Estate (GreenRE), and Thoughts In Gear (TIG), UOB Malaysia said. Citing the UOB Business Outlook Study 2023, UOB Malaysia said despite most SMEs in Malaysia (84%) consider sustainability as important, only 37% of the enterprises have implemented it. “As SMEs form about 98% of businesses in the country, it is important for them to join the sustainability journey for Malaysia to achieve its net-zero ambitions,” said UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei. “By adopting green practices, SMEs will be able to better manage their business risks and leverage sustainability opportunities to carve out a competitive edge for... --- UOB Indonesia launched UOB FinLab, UOB's flagship innovation accelerator to help local businesses grow and transform digitally, on 19 September 2023. UOB Indonesia launched UOB FinLab, UOB's flagship innovation accelerator to help local businesses grow and transform digitally, on 19 September 2023. UOB Finlab's expansion to Indonesia is a key milestone as this means that it is now present in each of UOB's five key ASEAN markets, which includes Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. “Our presence in the five key ASEAN markets will enable UOB FinLab to scale our strong regional ecosystem network for cross-border capacity building to digitalise, to upskill and to support businesses across the region. ” – Mr Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab As part of the launch, UOB FinLab in Indonesia kickstarted its inaugural digitalisation programme UKM SUKSES Sistem Usaha Kreatif dan Solusi Ekonomi Sejahtera (Business Operations and Creative Solutions for economic success, for small- and medium-sized enterprises). The two-day programme was designed to equip participants with knowledge, strategies and practical tips for adopting digital technologies in e-commerce, digital marketing and logistics. This empowers them to successfully digitalise while growing their businesses. From left to right: Mr Hendra Gunawan, Country CEO, UOB Indonesia (UOBI); Ms Marianne Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab; Ms Novianty Widjaya, Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation Head, UOBI; Mr Sona Maesana, Chairman, Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia (HIPMI JAYA) (Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association); Mr Edisono Limin, Head of Channels and Digitalisation, UOBI; Ms Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chairwoman, Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO) (The Employers' Association of Indonesia); Ms Janet Young, Managing Director, Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation, Head of Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB;... --- UOB Malaysia presented the top award for the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Malaysia), Established Artist Category, to Mr Chong Kim Chiew for his artwork titled ‘Malaya and British Borneo One Dollar 1953 (We look at the past, we look at the present)’. ‘Malaya and British Borneo One Dollar 1953 (We look at the past, we look at the present)’ by Mr Chong Kim Chiew, Winner of the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia), Established Artist Category Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25 September 2023 – UOB Malaysia presented the top award for the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Malaysia), Established Artist Category, to Mr Chong Kim Chiew for his artwork titled ‘Malaya and British Borneo One Dollar 1953 (We look at the past, we look at the present)’. Mr Chong’s painting will compete with other winning entries from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam for the coveted 2023 UOB Southeast Asian POY award, to be announced on 8 November 2023 in Singapore. The country winners will also be eligible to compete for a one-month residency programme at the renowned Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan. Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia, said, “The beauty about art is that it transcends language, culture and time and has the ability to spark conversations. We see this in our annual UOB POY competition, now in its 13th year, where our winning artworks explore wide-ranging topics from the country’s history to personal life experiences. With a record-breaking number of submissions this year, it is gratifying to see that the local art community views UOB POY as an established platform to elevate their profile regionally. We are excited to continue unleashing the power of art and nurturing the country’s next generation of great... --- UOB Thailand launches the Sustainability Innovation Programme to aid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector to become sustainable and green businesses by incorporating cutting-edge digital tools and eco-friendly technology crucial to succeed in sustainable tourism. UOB Thailand announces the launch of its inaugural Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP). This transformative initiative is tailored to aid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector to become sustainable and green businesses by incorporating cutting-edge digital tools and eco-friendly technology crucial to succeed in sustainable tourism. The programme, run by The FinLab Thailand, in collaboration with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and O2O Forum, will equip more than 150 SMEs in the tourism sector with knowledge, tools and resources to help them strike a balance between impact, profitability, and productivity in sustainable tourism. The Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) will also offer participants insights into business transformation for sustainable practices, operational process digitalisation for enhanced efficiency, and funding opportunities for digital and green technology adoption. Utilising tools such as cWallet, a greenhouse gas accounting system and an all-in-one platform for managing carbon footprints and carbon credits, SMEs can embark on their transformation journey towards sustainable tourism while tracking their carbon footprint in real time. Perks for participating SMEs include a complimentary three-month trial of cWallet and a 4,400-baht discount off a one-year service fee subscription on Appointment Anywhere platform, which helps streamline booking management for food and beverage businesses, effectively boosting efficiency and revenue. As sustainable tourism gains traction and is expected to reach 24. 6 million US dollars in 2022, the launch of UOB Thailand's SIP is timely, enabling SMEs to meet evolving consumer preferences for sustainable travel. According to Sustainable Travel Study... --- UOB’s innovation accelerator The FinLab has officially launched in Vietnam where it aims to engage 5,000 local businesses over the next three years through its digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. UOB’s innovation accelerator The FinLab has officially launched in Vietnam where it aims to engage 5,000 local businesses over the next three years through its digitalisation and sustainability initiatives. The UOB FinLab held its inaugural programme yesterday (13 June) in Ho Chi Minh City titled “Xin Chào SMEs: Grow Your Sales through E-commerce and Digital Marketing”. It was designed to equip SMEs with the necessary knowledge and strategies to effectively adopt digital technologies to fuel sales growth and expand their customer base regionally. To better support Vietnamese SMEs, UOB FinLab will also collaborate with university professors, industry practitioners, innovation experts and tech solution providers in its programmes. The launch of UOB FinLab in Vietnam has garnered support and recognition from key industry leaders, specifically from the Vietnam E-commerce Association. Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam said, “By launching UOB FinLab in Vietnam, we aim to provide comprehensive support to these SMEs, equipping them with the tools, knowledge and resources needed to succeed in the digital marketplace. Leveraging the bank’s extensive network and expertise, we are confident that we can help Vietnamese SMEs overcome these challenges and thrive in the digital economy. ” Shannon Lung, Head of UOB FinLab said, “Digital adoption can be daunting for SMEs. We are here to accompany them in their digitalisation journey by providing tailored solutions and necessary support, starting with our inaugural Xin Chào SMEs programme. Vietnamese SMEs will be able to gain valuable insights and learn best practices to overcome challenges in adopting digital... --- UOB Thailand introduces the Womenpreneur: Tech and Sustainability Programme to empower female entrepreneurs with technology and sustainability, while also preparing their businesses for future growth. UOB Thailand launched the Womenpreneur: Tech and Sustainability programme to support and empower women entrepreneurs in digitising their businesses with the necessary tools and knowledge for success in the ever-changing digital economy. This initiative is by The FinLab Thailand in collaboration with the Thai Business Incubation and Science Park Association (Thai-BISPA), O2O Forum, and Reporter Journey. This program aims to benefit more than 150 women entrepreneurs by providing access to training programs, knowledge, and various tools to enhance their digital skills. The Womenpreneur: Tech and Sustainability Programme is part of UOB's commitment to promote women entrepreneurs with technology and sustainable practices, helping them build sustainable businesses. The three-month program included workshops conducted by experienced instructors who provided in-depth guidance on leveraging technology for business development and expansion. Additionally, women entrepreneurs benefitted from networking sessions that fostered business collaboration and exchange of experiences, enabling the creation of successful and sustainable businesses. Participants in the Womenpreneur program also received a voucher worth 5,000 Baht for campaign management fees from TellScore, a leading influencer marketing agency and platform. Data from the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy indicates that there are more than 3 million medium-sized and small-scale enterprises (MSMEs) in Thailand, predominantly led by women. This highlights the importance of women in driving the country's economy. However, despite efforts to adapt business strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMEs led by women still face significant challenges, such as a lack of digital skills, online marketing and content creation, business networking opportunities, and mental... --- A recently concluded six-session course taught art groups critical skills in online marketing and business development The UOB-NAC Acceleration Programme For The Arts included a hands-on video-making lesson on creating short videos using camera phones and the CapCut free video editing tool. PHOTO: NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL At a recent session for representatives of Singapore arts companies, veteran trainer Felix Tan asked the room: “How many of you here think your organisations have very little money and very few resources? ” More than half of the people in the room – and some rather grudgingly at that – raised their hands. “Well, when you don’t have money, you have to get really creative... Sometimes, you just need to move. ” On the one hand, you don’t need to tell a roomful of arts practitioners to “get creative”. They’ve been making magic happen on tiny budgets for a good portion of their careers. On the other hand, Tan’s day-long lesson on design thinking – popularised by global companies such as Apple, Google and Airbnb – may just be what the art sector needs to shift, revise and expand its thinking towards more global business trends. Tan, the mentor-in-residence at United Overseas Bank (UOB) innovation arm The Finlab, covered everything from key metrics and cost structures to customer segments and value propositions. Although some participants said these were not new concepts to them, others found value in how the information was synthesised using newer frameworks and methodologies. Felix Tan, mentor-in-residence at United Overseas Bank (UOB) innovation arm, The Finlab, teaching design thinking to representatives of 20 arts groups. PHOTO:... --- UOB will invest over S$500 million to build its new global technology and innovation centre in Punggol Digital District (PDD), a smart business district in Punggol developed by JTC. UOB will invest over S$500 million to build its new global technology and innovation centre in Punggol Digital District (PDD), a smart business district in Punggol developed by JTC. Targeted for completion in 2026, the 300,000 square foot (sq ft) centre is expected to house around 3,000 staff in technology, innovation and digital roles to further the bank’s digital ambitions, UOB said on Tuesday (Apr 18). The bank is the largest commercial investor in PDD to date. Its new centre will be fitted with green features, in line with the sustainability nature of the district, and offer high-performance workplaces to foster higher employee performance and engagement, the bank said. UOB added that the new global design and developmental hub will further enhance its digital capabilities to drive and scale innovation. At its new centre, UOB expects to house an innovation lab for its all-in-one app UOB TMRW, where new products and features will be ideated, developed, piloted and rolled out regionally. UOB will also be housing its innovation accelerator, The FinLab, at PDD. The accelerator has helped digital and sustainability transformation efforts among small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as accelerated early-stage fintechs to scale. Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong (centre) with Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary (from left), Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Mr Wee Ee Cheong, UOB Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with Mr Shannon Lung, Head of The FinLab at UOB’s The Finlab showcase at PDD on 18 April 2023. (Photo... --- In the context of technological innovation and increasingly diversified communication methods, local artists are exploring the relationship between art, business and technology step by step. 在科技革新，传播方式日益多元的大环境下，本地艺术工作者也在实践中一 步步探索艺术、商业与科技的关系。 国家艺术理事会星期二〔3月14日）携手大华银行举办开幕式，启动本地首个为艺术工作者设计的加速计划。 通过为期四周的计划，30多个团体和个人艺术工作者将接触商业思维和数码技能，并学习如何利用这些工具来扩大他们的受众面、以及在受众群体中的 知名度和影响力。 参与者也将与行业专家进行一系列深入的专题研讨会，涵盖的主题包括如何在偌大的市场中精准地找到独特的定位，如何有效地生产差异化内容和建立 品牌形象，如何准确地提取有价值的商业分析数据，以及如何最大限度地提高业务效率。 大华银行集团渠道部及数码策略董事总经理兼主管杨毓文致辞时说：“科技 改变许多传统商业模式，我们希望借助集团在金融科技方面的积淀，将新模式新玩法与本地艺术工作者分享。” 在加速计划的第一场专题研讨会上，受邀嘉宾就艺术、商业于数码化的重叠与融合议题进行深入探讨与观点碰撞。 参与讨论的嘉宾包括实践剧场艺术总监郭践红、国家美术馆创新及科技总监 林永裕、1982年第一届大华银行全国绘画比赛冠军吴珉权等。 郭践红提到在三年疫情的大背景下，实践剧场全体表演者不得不停止剧场演 出，还蒙受巨大的经济损失。自嘲团队跌入谷底的她，真诚地讲述了实践剧 场突破困局，坚韧转型的心路历程。 郭践红说，剧场艺术的精髓在于获得观众的实时反馈，建立长期，双向且有 意义的连接。“我们尝试了脸书直播等大众传播平台，但最后还是选择在资金吃紧的劣势下，将线下戏剧表演的舞台空间，改建成适合直播拍摄的工作室。” 复常后，数码化的运营经验成了实践剧场的优势之一。“我们还是会不断地 与数码空间互动，艺术团体需要思考如何顺势而为。” 林永裕在谈及互联网变迁时说：“现在，互联网呈现更多去中心化的特性，每个个体创作的内容都汇成个人品牌。 与其让互联网巨头们拿走这些创造， 用户更应该将其视为自己的资产。” 加速计划的参与团体舞人舞团 (T. H. E Dance Company）舞蹈节执行郭懿萱说：“现在是参加计划的好时机，我们可以借此评估现有的操作系统，并学 习怎样制定有关新媒体的发展战略。” See article on zaobao Share this --- UOB Thailand and The FinLab, UOB's innovation accelerator, assisted over 250 Thai small-and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to undergo digital transformation as part of the Bank's 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP). UOB Thailand and The FinLab, UOB's innovation accelerator, assisted over 250 Thai small-and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to undergo digital transformation as part of the Bank's 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP). SMEs achieved various positive outcomes through the programme, including improved business efficiency, lower operating costs, better organisational management, and improved readiness to integrate sustainability into their businesses. These outcomes are consistent with the findings from UOB's ASEAN SME Transformation Study 2022 , which found that while 55 per cent of SMEs in the region are optimistic about their business recovery, 50 per cent of Thai SMEs remain concerned about the need to transform their business models particularly in the areas of digitalisation, sustainability and customer engagement due to shifts in consumer preferences. Ms Sirinun Jiradilok, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand, said, "The concept of sustainability has influenced the way SMEs think about their operations in addition to digitalisation. Two-thirds of Thai SMEs (65 per cent) surveyed indicated that sustainability is now an area of importance and concern to their businesses. " "Since the launch of SBTP in 2019, we have helped around 900 SMEs in Thailand to innovate and transform digitally. We equipped SMEs with relevant digital skills and tools for them to stay relevant and competitive. They also learnt to integrate sustainability into their business strategy and were introduced to green finance alternatives for long-term success. " During the three-month programme, Thai SMEs embraced digital solutions, business and sustainability practices under the supervision of... --- The 12 GreenTech startups aim to receive funding of up to US$105,000 to scale their solutions in partnership with SMEs and corporate partners. UOB The FinLab has announced 12 startups selected for its inaugural The Greentech Accelerator, which includes pre-seed and seed startups across five countries in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Singapore – with seven of them based in Singapore. The first cohort of startups was shortlisted from over 150 applicants across 45 countries, with a total funding support of US$105,00 (SG$150,000) to tackle real-world challenge statements in the areas of energy efficiency, zero-waste supply chain and carbon management and reporting. The accelerator programme was launched in May 2022 and culminated in a Showcase Day at this year’s Singapore Fintech Festival Labcrawl last October 31, 2022. Meet the 12 startups from the inaugural cohort The 12 selected startups were put through a three-month Greentech Accelerator Programme between August to October 2022, focused on scaling their greentech solutions by offering curated masterclasses, business matching, mentorship and partnership opportunities with UOB’s network. The 12 startups are: Alterpacks uses organic waste to create biodegradable and compostable material to combat plastic packaging. CO2 Connect (CO2X) Pte Ltd is founded by three innovative multi-award-winning Singapore-based companies with a shared passion for technology for sustainability. HydroNeo is a smart farm management system that optimises aquaculture production by providing state-of-the-art technology and tailor-made solutions. Jejak. in is a climate tech company with the sole objective of accelerating climate action by leveraging the power of technology – carbon calculator, trees and carbon monitoring, and carbon exchange. KrossLinker is a deeptech advanced material company that designs and develops advanced energy-efficient material,... --- The FinLab, UOB’s innovation accelerator, and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, an arm of Mums@Work, today announced the launch of the Business Transformation Programme for Digital Mumpreneurs, an accelerator programme for aspiring mum entrepreneurs (mumpreneurs). Singapore, 17 August 2021 – The FinLab, UOB’s innovation accelerator, and Mumpreneurs-Go-Places, an arm of Mums@Work, today announced the launch of the Business Transformation Programme for Digital Mumpreneurs, an accelerator programme for aspiring mum entrepreneurs (mumpreneurs). The comprehensive five-week virtual accelerator programme aims to equip aspiring women entrepreneurs, particularly mothers, with the knowledge and resources to kick start and to grow their businesses. Mrs Sher-li Torrey, Founder, Mums@Work, said: “While it is encouraging to see greater interest from mothers who are keen to start their own business, many are unsure of how to go about it. With the added challenge of working around their children’s home-based learning, they need more tailored guidance. We are grateful for our partnership with The FinLab as we are able to not only leverage their expertise, knowledge and connections, but also do it in a way that is considerate of our aspiring mumpreneurs. ” During the pandemic, more mums have turned to entrepreneurship, with Mums@Work finding that nearly 3,000 of its members are interested in starting their entrepreneurial journey. This may be attributed to the fact that the pandemic has been an opportunity for them to explore alternative ways to work, or supplement their income. However, mum entrepreneurs still face challenges. Apart from having to juggle work and family responsibilities, they tend to lack an effective support network, including relevant financial, social and technological resources. Those who are interested in starting their own business also tend to have limited knowledge on sourcing for initial capital,... --- UOB Malaysia and The FinLab to accelerate digital transformation for women-led businesses through Jom Transform Programme. The Programme has enabled more than 400 SMEs to embark on their digitalisation journey since 2019. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20 June 2022 – UOB Malaysia and The FinLab today announced the fourth edition of the Jom Transform Programme. This year’s programme is set to empower women to transform their businesses through digital acceleration. Jom Transform Programme (JTP) is specially-curated to provide advisory and assistance in the areas of digitalisation for Malaysia’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This year’s programme, themed ‘JTP: Womenpreneur Edition’, aims to support women entrepreneurs through digital solutions that drive productivity, save costs and grow revenue. The JTP will be conducted virtually on The FinLab Online. Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia said, “With women entrepreneurs making up only 20 per cent of Malaysian SMEs, we see potential in supporting female-led businesses to thrive, particularly in e-commerce. And this is why the Bank is creating an ecosystem through Jom Transform Programme to connect women entrepreneurs to one another and open doors to opportunities. As the needs of businesses evolve in line with new market realities, we want to also provide them with the right tools to future proof their businesses in this digitalised world. ” The first cohort of the JTP: The Womenpreneur Edition will undergo a three-week business transformation curriculum through The FinLab Online starting 28 June 2022. Apart from receiving the relevant knowledge, tools and skills to digitalise their businesses, participants will also be guided by subject matter experts and mentors from UOB and its regional ecosystem partners in the area of digital transformation. They will also have... --- UOB Thailand has added a new partner in its 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) to share deeper insights into digital transformation trends. In anticipation of the growing need for digitalisation among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they grapple with COVID-19, UOB Thailand has added a new partner in its 2022 Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP) to share deeper insights into digital transformation trends. The new partner, Hubba, is Thailand’s first entrepreneur and innovative platform guiding more than 2,000 entrepreneurs such as Bitkub, Thailand’s second unicorn. In addition, more than 200 SMEs participating in the three-month programme will be provided with a practical guide on how to implement sustainable practices, integrate employee well-being into the design of work, as well as embed diversity and inclusiveness to drive business growth. All of these elements are necessary for achieving organisational success and driving business competitiveness. The SMEs will also be able to pick up digital skills in areas such as business re-engineering, digital marketing and customer development, and to gain access to digital solutions that can help them to sharpen their business competitiveness. Ms Sirinun Jiradilok, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand, said, “COVID-19 has had a significant impact on most businesses during the last two years, highlighting the need and urgency of digital transformation. Based on our studies , we found that SMEs are reviewing their business strategies to focus on digitalisation, digital marketing and customer experience to gain a competitive advantage. “ Our research has also shown that more than one in two Thai consumers are buying sustainable products as part of their efforts to mitigate impact of climate... --- UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator, A global programme with total funding of up to $150,000 to support the growth of greentech startups and SMEs globally. UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator A global programme with total funding of up to $150,000 to support the growth of greentech startups and SMEs globally. Singapore, 5 May 2022 – UOB The FinLab today unveiled The Greentech Accelerator, a new, global programme aimed at supporting innovative greentech solution providers regionally and globally to drive their company’s sustainable mission forward. As part of the first cohort, the programme will focus on greentech solutions including energy efficiency; zero-waste supply chain; carbon management and reporting. To help these greentech startups and SMEs grow and expand their business, the three month-long programme will include: Total funding of up to SGD150,000 to tackle real-world challenge statements Valuable insights through educational ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and business masterclasses, talks and webinars Mentorship and peer-to-peer learning facilitated by UOB, the industry and institutes of higher learning and, A strong network of partnerships to build an ecosystem of industry leader. Shannon Lung, Head of The FinLab, said “According to the 2022 UOB SME Outlook Study, 45 per cent of SMEs surveyed believe having a sustainable core will benefit their business with multinational companies that are now working towards their own sustainability goals. However, many small businesses have raised concerns about a lack of knowledge and limited resources. The Greentech Accelerator aims to respond to this challenge by mentoring innovative greentech solutions from around the world to offer relevant, deployable and cutting-edge solutions to meet the ESG needs of SMEs and businesses locally and overseas. ”... --- 大华银行旗下创新实验室 The FinLab推出绿色科技加速器 （Greentech Accelerator）项目， 为参加项目的企业提供总共高达 15万元资金。 大华银行旗下创新实验室 The FinLab推出绿色科技加速器（Greentech Accelerator）项目，为参加项目的企业提供总共高达 15万元资金。 上述项目面向全球绿色科技起步公司和中小企业，专注绿色科技解决方案包括能源效率、零废弃供应链，以及碳管理和申报。 这些企业须获得技术就绪指数（Technology Readiness Level， 简称TRL）的第六级以上，意味着公司技术已具功能齐全的原型或代表性模型。 项目从即日起开放申请，截至7月12日，第一轮将有10家公司获选参加。 The FinLab成立于2015 年，去年推出可持续发展创新计划（Sustainability Innovation Programme），绿色科技加速器作为计划的项目之一。 The FinLab主管龙仕运指出， 许多小企业担忧知识不足和资源有限。为了应付这项挑战，绿色科技加速器通过指导来自世界各地的创新绿色科技解决方案供应商，带来相关、可部署和先进的解决方案，以满足本地和海外中小企业和商家在环境、社会与治理（ESG）的需求。 大华银行今年3月发布中小企业展望调查报告显示，许多中小企业有意推行可持续发展，但往往心有余而力不足。他们一些缺乏这方面的知识而无法推行适合公司情况的措施，有些则缺乏相关支援，例如可持续发展培训。 Download PDF Share this --- Singapore, 09 March 2021 – NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), NTUC U SME, United Overseas Bank (UOB)’s innovation accelerator The FinLab, and Ngee Ann Polytechnic today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially launch the SME Digital Reboot programme Singapore, 09 March 2021 – NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), NTUC U SME, United Overseas Bank (UOB)’s innovation accelerator The FinLab, and Ngee Ann Polytechnic today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially launch the SME Digital Reboot programme, which aims to help 500 companies nationwide deepen their digital capabilities by the end of 2022, in order for them to stay relevant and competitive in a transformed business landscape. While the SME Digital Reboot programme is applicable to companies of all sizes, the outreach efforts for which will focus strongly on Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Employing more than two-third of Singapore’s workforce, SMEs contribute an estimated half of Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product. Many SMEs think of digital transformation as an exclusive measure only larger companies can afford as they are unaware of the assistance available to drive digital transformation in their own SMEs. The SME Digital Reboot programme aims to create a mindset shift for SME employers, push for upskilling of SME employees, and help SMEs create sustainable business tools for them to adapt to changes. Through a pilot programme, 38 companies have benefitted from the ‘reboot’, turning digital disruption to digital assistance in their businesses. The SME Digital Reboot programme, which is led by NTUC LHUB, helps to synergise the unique strengths of key partners to uplift companies to keep pace with the age of digitalization. This will be done through an end-to-end solution covering needs assessment, curated training programmes and workplace learning sessions. Firstly, NTUC U SME will... --- Before the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers were already shifting their spending to online platforms. The prolonged pandemic has supercharged this trend. In Thailand, 68% growth in e-commerce drove an estimated 51% year-on-year jump in the value of the digital economy to US$30 billion in 2021, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2021 report. UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator Before the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers were already shifting their spending to online platforms. The prolonged pandemic has supercharged this trend. In Thailand, 68% growth in e-commerce drove an estimated 51% year-on-year jump in the value of the digital economy to US$30 billion in 2021, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2021 report. From the start of the pandemic in early 2020 to June 30 last year, Thailand saw the addition of 9 million new digital consumers; significantly, 67% of them reside in non-metro areas. These growth trends indicate a myriad of opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The UOB Asean SME Transformation Study 2021 found that SMEs were already recalibrating their key strategies to focus on digitising their businesses (60%), adopting digital marketing (58%) and improving the customer experience (52%) to gain a competitive advantage and improve business sustainability. UOB Thailand, The FinLab and its partners — including the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Office of SME Promotion (Osmep) and Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) — have been supporting SMEs in their digital transformation journey since 2019 through the Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP). More than 2,200 participating SMEs have adopted digital solutions that enabled them to expand their online presence, streamline back-end operations and improve business processes. UOB Thailand and The FinLab also provided advisory and connected SMEs to funding support offered by the Innovation and Technology Assistance Programme (Itap) at the NSTDA. Here are three examples: The right start... --- SKALE, an All-in-One Marketing Tool, is pleased to announce the launch of Singapore’s First Digital Voucher festival for brick-and-mortar small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), Promosnear.me: Voucher Fest 2021, from 17 September 2021 to 20 December 2021. UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator Singapore, 26 Aug 2021 – SKALE, an All-in-One Marketing Tool, is pleased to announce the launch of Singapore’s First Digital Voucher festival for brick-and-mortar small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), Promosnear. me: Voucher Fest 2021, from 17 September 2021 to 20 December 2021. This festival is designed to help these businesses bounce back from the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, while increasing customer footfall and drive higher sales. Singapore’s brick-and-mortar businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19 and retailers have seen sales drop between 30 per cent to 70 per cent as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, according to Rose Tong, the executive director of the Singapore Retailers Association. The continued restrictions have also significantly impact retailers’ ability to invest in bringing customers back to their stores and catch up on lost sales. Promosnear. me: Voucher Fest will allow up to 2,000 brick-and-mortar SMEs to offer deals and promotions to up to 1. 2 million shoppers nationwide via hyper-local Digital Vouchers. As part of this initiative, SKALE will also be funding all marketing investment and providing full marketing support with the use of SKALE’s Digital Voucher solution, Geo-Fencing Ads and Gamification to bring customers back to stores. Among the brands participating are Four Seasons Durian, Big Fish Small Fish and many others across F&B, Services, Entertainment and Fashion Retail. Many businesses have pivoted to online platforms, yet brick-and-mortar sales still account for 80 per cent of total sales. This proves the resiliency of brick-and-mortar stores,... --- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 August 2021 – UOB Malaysia and The FinLab1 today announced the launch of JomX, an initiative to help the Bank’s small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers access a host of digital solutions to accelerate their digitalisation efforts amid COVID-19 challenges. UOB Malaysia and The FinLab launch JomX to help SMEs navigate the recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic through digitalisation Bank to offer 200 SMEs free monthly subscriptions to JomX digital solutionsKuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 August 2021 – UOB Malaysia and The FinLab1 today announced the launch of JomX, an initiative to help the Bank’s small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers access a host of digital solutions to accelerate their digitalisation efforts amid COVID-19 challenges. According to the ASEAN SME Transformation Study 2020 by UOB, Accenture and Dun & Bradstreet2, small businesses across ASEAN are counting on technology to help them overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their operations. Technology was ranked the top investment priority for 2020 by two in three (64 per cent) small businesses, including those who currently have cash flow concerns. JomX has been built based on top digital pain points and priorities highlighted by SMEs from the first cohort of the Jom3 Transform Programme (JTP)4 2021. Under JomX, UOB Malaysia and The FinLab are partnering seven JTP digital solution providers that specialise in digital solutions ranging from business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer e-commerce platforms, cloud accounting systems, artificial intelligence and data analytics solutions to robotic process automation, creative technology and marketing technology solutions. These partners are Auto Count, Dattel, Designs. AI, Dropee, Exabytes, OrangeFIN Asia and Otomate Me. Access to the digital solution partners will also be extended to the SME participants of the JTP 2021 on The FinLab Online platform5. The Bank will offer... --- UOB Thailand has collaborated with the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) and digital solution providers to assist SMEs in implementing digital solutions in response to the urge of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to digitalise their businesses. Bangkok, 9 August 2021 — UOB Thailand has collaborated with the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) and digital solution providers to assist SMEs in implementing digital solutions in response to the urge of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to digitalise their businesses. Through an unboxing tech session held alongside Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP), SMEs will be able to discover new market opportunities with free trials of digital solutions for up to 4 months. The unboxing tech session, which is open to all SMEs, seeks to sign up 1,000 people for free trials of digital solutions including Microsoft’s Smart Point of Sale (POS); Kollective, an integrated influencer marketing optimizer; and Zaviago, a website platform service. SMEs will be able to identify the suitable digital solutions to help optimize their company processes, enhance their brand, and grow their customer base by implementing these digital solutions. Digital transformation has proven to be crucial for SMEs in difficult times. Thailand’s SMEs have expressed an interest in using technology to improve their business processes. According to an OSMEP survey of 2,746 SMEs across 21 business sectors in Thailand, SMEs generally seek to use technology to improve their business processes, with 84. 8 per cent planning to do so in the immediate future. However, 61. 4 per cent of Thai SMEs still lack online selling channels with 64. 1 per cent lacking and online order fulfilment and 20. 7 per cent requiring an online transaction system. Ms Sirinun Jiradilok, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech... --- United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) and The FinLab1 have launched The FinLab Online, a regional digital platform to help local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups implement digital solutions to transform their businesses. UOB Malaysia and The FinLab launch online platform to help more local SMEs transform digitally The online platform will incorporate the Jom Transform Programme, of which MDEC is a strategic partner, to accelerate local businesses’ digitalisation plansKuala Lumpur, 17 July 2020 – United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) and The FinLab1 have launched The FinLab Online, a regional digital platform to help local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups implement digital solutions to transform their businesses. Since its launch in 2015, The FinLab has received interest from more than 2,000 businesses in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand on their digitalisation journey. In bringing its innovation programmes online, The FinLab is creating the opportunity for more business owners and entrepreneurs to access its tried and tested business transformation programmes. The digital platform will incorporate the Jom2 Transform Programme, the first business transformation programme in Malaysia to help local SMEs digitalise their operations for productivity and revenue growth. Participating SMEs in the Jom Transform Programme this year will go through a one-month curriculum on The FinLab Online. They will be able to tap the expertise of industry mentors from UOB and its regional ecosystem partners through online workshops, video tutorials and webinars. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will continue as a strategic partner for the programme to provide advisory in digitalisation. Participants will also be able to conduct a self-assessment of their technology needs based on The FinLab’s proprietary business analysis tools. They will then be guided on digitalisation strategies... --- The FinLab, United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) innovation accelerator, today launched The FinLab Online, a digital platform to help small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups across ASEAN implement digital solutions to transform their businesses. SINGAPORE, 23 June 2020 – The FinLab, United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) innovation accelerator, today launched The FinLab Online, a digital platform to help small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups across ASEAN implement digital solutions to transform their businesses. Since its launch in 2015, The FinLab has received interest from more than 2,000 businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand who want to embark on or further their digitalisation journey. In bringing its innovation programmes online, The FinLab is creating the opportunity for more ASEAN business owners and entrepreneurs to access The FinLab’s tried and tested business transformation programmes. SMEs will be able to tap the expertise of industry mentors through video tutorials and webinars, as well as sign up for The FinLab Online Programme to conduct a free self-assessment of their technology needs based on The FinLab’s proprietary business analysis tools. They will then be guided on digitalisation strategies and solutions to address immediate business challenges and be matched with relevant technology solution providers. For example, The FinLab Online’s community network will enable SMEs and start-ups to tap relevant digital solutions specific to their business and operational needs such as e-commerce, marketing, human resources, administration and customer relationship management. Members will also be able to learn from and leverage additional resources provided by The FinLab Online’s ecosystem of partners such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Ms Pauline Sim, Co-Head, The FinLab, said: “Digital adoption is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and there is a clear demand for tailored, actionable... --- UOB (Thai) today showcased the digital transformation of15 small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the first Smart Business Transformation Programme held in Thailand. Bangkok, 29 August 2019 – UOB (Thai) today showcased the digital transformation of15 small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the first Smart Business Transformation Programme held in Thailand. The programme, which began in May, was conducted by UOB (Thai) and The FinLab, in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP). Under the guidance from business, creative and technology experts in Thailand and across the region, the SMEs reviewed their business models, identified opportunities for improvement and mapped out long-term digital transformation strategies. The SMEs also evaluated and piloted technology solutions curated from more than 350 applications received by The FinLab. The solutions piloted addressed various business challenges, including how to apply data analytics to understand existing and new customers better, how to use digital marketing to increase leads and sales, and how to improve efficiency through business process optimisation. These are very much in line with the findings of an online survey conducted by The FinLab1 , where SMEs in Thailand said their top two business growth strategies are entering new markets (54 per cent) and using digital marketing to grow sales (51 per cent). Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and Chief Executive Officer, UOB (Thai), said, “The Smart Business Transformation Programme demonstrates our commitment to helping Thai SMEs embrace and be equipped for the growth opportunities presented by the digital economy. We recognise the active role we can play in contributing to the Thailand 4.... --- This programme is run by The FinLab1, in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP). Diverse group of SMEs selected for their ambition to transform and to grow their business with digital tools Bangkok, 31 May 2019 – UOB (Thai) today announced the 15 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to participate in the nation’s first Smart Business Transformation Programme. This programme is run by The FinLab1, in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP). The 15 SMEs, selected from close to 150 applicants in Bangkok, are from a diverse range of sectors such as food and beverage, retail, travel, logistics and manufacturing. They were chosen in recognition of their keen understanding of existing business constraints and challenges, as well as for their openness to explore new ideas and to use digital tools for scaling new heights in their business. Through the Smart Business Transformation Programme, UOB (Thai) and The FinLab aim to help these SMEs tap on digital solutions to enhance their online marketing efforts and streamline current business processes. This will allow them to reach more customers in Thailand and expand into new markets. The SMEs will attend a series of workshops on various topics conducted by industry experts from May to June 2019 to gain the know-how and to learn about the digital tools they can use for their business. They will then be matched with The FinLab’s curated list of solution providers to pilot solutions that are relevant to their businesses. Each SME will receive THB... --- --- ## GreenTech Pilots This pilot involves applying a layer of nanocoating to the external facade of our UOB Thailand building, lowering its annual maintenance cost, reducing cleaning frequency and water usage. About Nano Coating Tech Nano Coating Tech provides advanced nanocoatings like Solar N-Coat, enhancing solar panel efficiency by repelling dust and water, reducing maintenance, and boosting energy generation. These coatings also protect building materials, reducing corrosion and wear, promoting sustainable construction practices and durability across industries. Pilot with UOB This pilot involved applying a layer of nanocoating to the external facade of our UOB Thailand building, lowering its annual maintenance cost, while reducing cleaning frequency and water usage. This pilot project was successful as the building maintenance cost was reduced by up to 35% across two years. This also reduced operation time and improved work safety. Key Highlights Reduced maintenance costs by 35%, above the 30% target. Lowered cleaning frequency and water consumption by 50%, exceeding the 40% goal. Enhanced resistance to dirt by 35. 7%, surpassing the 30% benchmark. “ Revolutionising building maintenance with nano coating that keeps glass clean and costs low. Tanyakorn Muangnapoh Managing Director ” --- susGain helped Marina Bay Sands turn its sustainability tour into a gamified digital experience to engage visitors and to promote eco-friendly actions. About susGain susGain is a gamified app which bridges the intention-action gap in sustainability, engaging communities through challenges and real-time impact measurement. Pilot with Marina Bay Sands susGain helped Marina Bay Sands turn its sustainability tour into a gamified digital experience to engage visitors and to promote eco-friendly actions. This digital self-guided sustainability tour is accessible via the Marina Bay Sands website, allowing participants to explore and learn about the property’s sustainability initiatives at their own pace. Engagement is tracked through a dedicated web app, and a post-tour survey captures participants’ awareness, intent to adopt sustainable behaviors, and overall satisfaction. Key Targets Engaged 500 participants through the sustainability tour. Delivered 167 hours of sustainability-related content. Increased sustainability awareness by 50%. “ susGain is on a mission to empower consumers, businesses and other community members around the world to drive the change towards sustainability. Carolin Barr CEO and Founder ” --- GreenFi deployed an ESG Emissions data management platform to validate emissions reporting more efficiently for UOB and its subsidiaries. About GreenFi GreenFi leverages AI, IoT and Big Data to automate ESG due diligence and risk management, empowering banks and businesses to drive sustainable financing and build future-ready supply chains. Pilot with UOB GreenFi deployed an ESG Emissions data management platform to validate emissions reporting more efficiently for UOB and its subsidiaries. The product integrated AI and digital automation to streamline emissions data collection, analysis, and compliance monitoring across UOB’s assets. Key Highlights Reduced manual reporting time by 70%, surpassing the initial target of 60%. Improved ESG data accuracy and consistency by 25%, exceeding the 20% target. “ Our vision is to become a leading platform in Climate-Fintech. We want to make it easy for businesses to access sustainable financing and transition to sustainable operations. Barun Chandran Head of Products and Tech ” --- Smart Tradzt enabled DKSH to quantify carbon reduction by switching styrofoam boxes to reusable B-boxes using a Product Lifecycle Carbon Footprint approach. About Smart Tradzt Smart Tradzt supports sustainable sourcing and procurement to evaluate suppliers’ Request For Proposal (RFP). By supporting green financing processes, this facilitates determination of applicable loan rates for green load application. Additionally, Smart Tradzt established Corporate Carbon Footprint (Scope 1,2,3) and Product Carbon Footprint. It supports comprehensive decarbonisation processes, from target setting, to planning net-zero pathways, to tracking actual emissions against targets, quantifying overall decarbonisation benefits achieved. Pilot with DKSH Smart Tradzt enabled DKSH to quantify carbon reduction, by switching styrofoam boxes to reusable B-boxes, using a Product Lifecycle Carbon Footprint approach. A Life Cycle Assessment (PCF) tool was used to quantify and analyze carbon reduction impact. The Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) methodology by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), was used to provide more accurate Scope 3 data. DKSH’s SME suppliers were onboarded and their PCF's were quantified and shared with DKSH to generate a more robust analysis. Key Highlights Reduction of 24% in kg CO2e/Box for 40L Box. Reduction of 68% in kgCO2e/Box for 120L Box when transitioning to reusable packing solution. “ We help our customers measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leveraging sustainability as a strategic advantage to grow their business. Chung Chee Kong Managing Director and Founder ” --- CERO launched a gamified project, "From CERO to HERO" with students from PIM to create marketing campaigns. About CERO CERO provides a user-friendly platform to monitor and offset carbon footprints. Through partnerships, users can exchange credits for e-vouchers, promoting sustainability. CERO aim to democratise carbon offsetting and raise awareness for a greener future. Pilot with Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) CERO launched a gamified project, "From CERO to HERO" with students from PIM to create marketing campaigns. UOB, CERO and its partners guided the students through each stage, providing feedback and recommendations to refine their ideas. CERO supported them with backend resources and technical assistance while sponsors funded the students' campaigns. This enabled students to test strategies, engage peers, and bring their creative concepts to life effectively. Key Highlights Engaged over 815 students, significantly surpassing initial expectations. Inspired 90% of participants to actively reduce food and plastic waste during the campaign. Recorded 22,375 sustainability activities on the CERO app, averaging to 1. 37 actions per user, per day. “ We empower businesses and individuals to take meaningful climate action, driving sustainability, transparency, and measurable environmental impact. Sakayong Pattanavekin CEO and Founder ” --- This pilot used 8 tonnes of biochar on organic farms with Kingdom Organic Thailand to improve the soil and yields for the farmers. About WongPhai WongPhai is a sustainability solutions partner, rooted in the foundations and spirit of bamboo, enabling a circular agricultural value chain by harnessing biochar as a zero-waste solution. Pilot with Kingdom Organic This pilot used 8 tonnes of biochar on organic farms with Kingdom Organic Thailand to improve the soil and yields for the farmers. With guidance from a Suranaree University of Technology professor, WongPhai designed an experiment applying varying biochars, fertilisers, and water levels to kaffir limes. Monthly monitoring is conducted using sensors, while nutrient and water absorption data are analysed using Synchrotron machine to assess biochar’s impact on plant health and soil performance. Key Highlights Achieved a reduction in water usage ranging from 30% to 65%, resulting in increased leaf and root biomass in kaffir lime plants. Decreased organic fertiliser usage by 25% to 50%. Increased soil carbon sequestration by 0. 89 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year under the biochar and 25% fertiliser treatment. Increased significant mineral in plant leaf tissue despite stable soil nitrogen levels given short experimental duration: potassium (20% to 66%), iron (20% to 50%), manganese (33% to 80%), sulfur (over 50%), copper (over 22%), and zinc (13%). “ We are committed to turning bamboo waste into biochar that restores soil, removes carbon, and uplifts local communities. Khomchalat Thomting CEO and Co-Founder ” --- GEPP Sa-Ard addressed high volume of waste at IMPACT by tracking venue waste data to enable efficient and standardised management. About GEPP Sa-Ard GEPP Sa-Ard Co. , Ltd. offers integrated waste technology solutions. Pilot with IMPACT GEPP Sa-Ard Co. , Ltd. partnered with IMPACT Muang Thong Thani to pilot a Waste Data Intelligence platform that digitised waste management and drove sustainability through real-time, data-driven insights. This Waste Data Intelligence platform was implemented across IMPACT’s event venues to record and analyse waste data by location and activity. The pilot achieved over 90% data coverage and improved the recycling rate from 0. 2% to 2%, building a strong foundation for smart, circular waste management. Key Highlights Captured waste data for 67. 02% of total events, exceeding the 50% target. Achieved a recycling rate of 3. 97%, surpassing the 2% target and improving significantly from a 0. 2% baseline. Collected waste volume data across 90% of IMPACT's venue areas, well above the 60% target. “ Our mission is to transform waste management with data-driven innovation, fostering sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Mayuree Aroonwaranon CEO and Founder Our mission is to transform waste management with data-driven innovation, fostering sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. FounderGEPP Our Vision: A world without landfills — where a circular economy is part of everyday life. Mayuree AroonwaranonCEO & Founder Previous Next ” --- Co.Efficient Alpha utilised voltage optimisers to enhance energy and operational efficiency in Great Cosmo's factory. About Co. Efficient Alpha Co. Efficient Alpha delivers energy-saving solutions that help reduce costs and promote sustainability for businesses. Pilot with Great Cosmo Great Cosmo supported the pilot adoption of Co. Efficient Alpha's sustainability solution - enhancing energy and operational efficiency, while reducing carbon footprint. Co. Efficient Alpha's voltage optimisation technology improves equipment efficiency, resulting in reduced power consumption, lowered energy costs and carbon emissions. Key Highlights Reduced voltage usage by 17% over a 3-week voltage optimisation period using Co. Efficient Alpha’s machinery. “ We are committed to be an exceptional company with outstanding people, quality products and efficient processes. Damien Cheong CEO and Founder ” --- IVIS is a smart sensor proprietary monitoring system that used physical IoT hardware providing real-time data capture for graphical visualisation of the manufacturing facility at Great Cosmo. About IVISTech IVIS Technologies is a proprietary cloud-based energy management platform that identifies wastages and inefficient equipment usage in small and medium-sized buildings through the integration of IoT hardware and sensors. Pilot with Great Cosmo IVIS was a smart sensor proprietary monitoring system that used physical IoT hardware providing real-time data capture for graphical visualisation of the manufacturing facility at Great Cosmo. Over a three-month period, AI-enabled data monitoring sensors and meters were deployed across operational equipment at the Great Cosmo facility. IVIS visualised the data, empowering the management to identify inefficiencies and implement targeted actions to improve energy savings. Key Highlights Reduced waste by 12. 6 tonnes. Boosted output capacity by 70 tonnes, reaching 800 tonnes, exceeding the target of 730 tonnes. Lowered machine downtime by 5 minutes, from 15 minutes to 10 minutes, for every 48-hour cycle across 10 machines. “ In this digital era with AI at our fingertips, we aspire to use data-driven insights to speed up the digitisation of legacy machinery and equipment in facilities to reduce wastages & emissions. Ashwin Menon Co-Founder ” --- AltoTech implemented its AI-powered automation system to improve the energy efficiency of UOB Plaza Bangkok's air ventilation. About AltoTech AltoTech developed the AIoT platform called "Alto CERO" to help hotels, buildings, and factories effectively consume energy and cut carbon emissions with IoT and AI algorithms. AltoTech utilised data such as electricity consumption profiles and bills, indoor and outdoor weather conditions, occupancy levels, building operational data, and security cameras for energy management and optimisation. Pilot with UOB The Alto CERO platform implemented AI-driven automation at UOB Plaza Bangkok, targeting air-side HVAC systems (AHUs) to achieve 5–10% energy savings. IoT Gateway collected real-time data from UOB Plaza Bangkok's chiller and air-side systems. Using IPMVP Option B and weather-normalised baseline modelling, the systems utilised AI-optimised AHU speed, static pressure and humidity. This maximises UOB Plaza Bangkok's energy efficiency while maintaining indoor comfort and air quality. Key Highlights Achieved higher energy efficiency with quicker issue detection, reporting, and reduced manual workload. Successfully identified faulty air-side sensors and critical issues like chiller trips and elevated chilled water temperatures. “ We innovate smart and data-driven solutions for efficient and sustainable building operations, through AI-powered air-side and water-side energy optimisation. Dr. Warodom Khamphanchai CEO and Co-Founder ” --- IntLife integrated a cost-effective, non-invasive AI retrofit for HCK Capital's office buildings, achieving up to 26.87% energy savings. About IntLife IntLife utilises AI-powered IoT devices to boost energy efficiency in homes of up to 20. 7%. Pilot with HCK Capital This pilot project showcased an affordable, 100% non-invasive, AI-driven energy efficiency retrofit for office buildings. It aimed to deliver over 25% energy savings, lower operational costs, to establish a scalable model for widespread adoption across Southeast Asia. Without major disruption, an AI-driven IntLife platform collected data, automated lighting based on schedules or occupancy levels, and continuously optimised energy savings. Key Highlights Reduced first metric of energy consumption by 19. 93% instead of 10% (from 317. 77 to 254. 42 kWh). Reduced second metric of 20% to 26. 87% decrease (from 317. 77 to 238. 38 kWh). “ We are committed to eliminating energy waste, thereby establishing sustainable and environmentally responsible living spaces. KokHuang Er CEO and Co-Founder ” --- Via three pilots, Circular Unite digitalised its waste management solutions, integrating sustainability into Marina Bay Sands, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and UOB operations About Circular Unite Circular Unite focuses on revolutionising sustainability in waste management and recycling. They are committed to assisting their clients to uncover and monetise their Hidden Green Assets by offering their core product, N. A. T. A. L. I. E. that utilizes AI, IoT, and data analytics for comprehensive waste management. It offers real-time monitoring, compliance management, and supply chain integration. Pilot with Marina Bay Sands Circular Unite deployed a waste collection trolley equipped with a built-in weighing scale, display unit, and mobile device at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. This setup enables the tracking of tenant-specific waste generation through QR code scanning. Pilot with Ngee Ann Polytechnic Circular Unite deployed an IoT Circular Smart Scale at Ngee Ann Polytechnic for data collection and reporting on waste and recycling, over a 36-hour period. Pilot with UOB Circular Unite conducted a waste audit and profiling pilot at UOB Plaza. Each waste item was carefully sorted, weighed, and documented into distinct categories, with the primary goal of uncovering insights into potential recyclables and opportunities for improved waste management. For each pilot, data was captured in real time, analyzed through N. A. T. A. L. I. E. , and visualized into actionable reports to enhance traceability, recycling accuracy, and circular economy insights. Key Highlights Provided automatic AI-driven insights in less than an hour. Generated verifiable waste and recycling data internally. Eliminated 100% of manual waste and data documentation processes by implementing automated weighing and tracking systems. “ We accelerate businesses' transition towards... --- ---