Media OutReach
NIA Unveils 2025 Startup Trends: AI, Green Tech, and FinTech Set to Soar as Thailand Drives Global Growth Ambitions
As we step into 2025, startups face a dynamic landscape marked by economic fluctuations, evolving consumer behaviours, and the rapid emergence of new technologies. Amid these challenges, three key technology sectors are poised for significant growth and investment opportunities: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Sustainability Technologies, including Green Tech, CleanTech, and Climate Tech; and Financial Technologies (FinTech).
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that over the past year, Thailand has been home to approximately 2,100 startups, comprising 700 in the pre-seed stage and 1,400 in the go-to-market or growth stage. When compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, Thai startups have demonstrated consistent growth, with seed-stage funding increasing by 4% year-on-year and a cumulative growth rate of 3.3% since 2021.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index published last year by StartupBlink—a leading global hub for startup ecosystem data—Thailand ranked 54th globally and 4th in Southeast Asia, following Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This reflects the significant progress of Thailand’s startup ecosystem, which is increasingly recognised on the global stage as one of the region’s emerging hubs for entrepreneurial ventures.
One of the key challenges for Thailand’s startup ecosystem lies in the rapid expansion of Data Centres, with the country emerging as a prime destination for both domestic and global investors. Positioned as the region’s new “Digital Economy Hub,” Thailand’s data centre capacity has surged by over 54% in the past three years, ranking third in ASEAN, following Singapore and Malaysia. Projections for 2024–2027 estimate that Thailand could attract around 260 billion baht in data centre investments.
However, to fully capitalise on this growth, Thailand must accelerate talent development to meet market demands and establish robust, long-term policies that inspire investor confidence. These efforts are critical in fostering a sustainable ecosystem that aligns with the broader challenges of the AI-driven society, the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce, and the global shift towards ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. Embracing ESG not only ensures sustainable business practices but also positions Thailand competitively within the evolving global economic landscape.
Looking ahead to 2025, both in Thailand and globally, the startup landscape is set to be driven by transformative technologies that promise significant growth potential. These key trends include:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is rapidly revolutionising industries, with Generative AI at the forefront due to its versatility across sectors. This technology fuels continuous, efficient innovation by creating new content, solutions, and processes. Additionally, the rise of AI Agentic Systems—capable of autonomous thinking, analysis, and decision-making—marks a major leap forward. These systems excel at managing complex tasks and solving multidimensional problems, with over 70% of business leaders and investors confident in their potential to transform operations, from strategic planning and production to customer service. AI Agents not only enhance responsiveness to market demands but also significantly reduce resource consumption, making them an essential asset for future-focused organisations.
Sustainability Technologies (Green Tech, CleanTech, and Climate Tech): As environmental challenges intensify, businesses are increasingly prioritising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, while consumers demand eco-friendly, socially responsible products and services. This shift is propelling the global environmental tech market towards exponential growth, with forecasts predicting an average annual increase of nearly 25% over the next decade. Innovative solutions addressing clean energy, waste management, and sustainable products are driving this momentum. For startups to succeed in this space, it’s critical to develop business models that balance profitability with positive environmental and social impact.
Financial Technology (FinTech): In Southeast Asia, FinTech continues to dominate the investment landscape, securing an impressive 26% of seed funding in 2024—the highest across all sectors—followed closely by blockchain technologies at 20%. This underscores the sector’s resilience and attractiveness, fuelled by innovations in digital payments, decentralised finance, and blockchain applications.
In an era defined by rapid technological change, agility is key. Startups must cultivate adaptability, building flexible systems that can pivot in response to evolving market conditions. This dynamic approach not only strengthens business foundations but also ensures sustained growth and scalability in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Dr. Krithpaka emphasised that in 2025, under its role as Thailand’s “Focal Conductor of Innovation,” the National Innovation Agency (NIA) remains committed to fostering and accelerating the growth of startups through its extensive mechanisms and networks. The agency will focus particularly on the development of “Impact Tech”—technologies designed to create positive economic and social impacts, reinforcing Thailand’s global image and recognition as an “Innovation Nation.”
NIA’s support framework spans the entire startup journey, from inception to international market expansion guided by the strategic pillars of Groom -> Grant -> Growth -> Global.
GROOM (Knowledge Incubation & Network Building): This phase nurtures entrepreneurial capabilities through the NIA Academy, offering comprehensive courses in collaboration with strategic partners and self-paced learning via online platforms like MOOCs. Additionally, the Startup Thailand League plays a pivotal role in enhancing innovation skills among university students, equipping them with entrepreneurial mindsets and preparing them to transition from academic environments to the real-world startup ecosystem.
GRANT (Funding Support): NIA provides diverse forms of non-repayable grants tailored to stimulate innovative business development. These grants support both economic drivers—such as national innovation business promotion platforms and regional innovation ecosystems—and social impact projects, including the ‘Innovation Village’ initiative and urban and community-focused programmes.
For startups aiming to scale rapidly and penetrate new markets, the National Innovation Agency (NIA) offers robust opportunities to drive business growth under the GROWTH pillar. This is achieved through a suite of tailored incubation and acceleration programmes across four key sectors: Food Technology – via the flagship SPACE-F programme, designed to nurture food-tech startups towards global competitiveness; Agricultural Technology – through the AGROWTH initiative, focusing on innovations that revolutionise modern agriculture; Health Technology – supporting startups that develop cutting-edge health and medical solutions. Climate Technology – fostering sustainable innovations that address climate change and environmental challenges.
To inspire and showcase outstanding innovation success stories, NIA runs the “Nin Mangkorn” project, a platform highlighting transformative ventures. This initiative has evolved into “Nin Mangkorn 10X,” with a bold mission to propel high-potential entrepreneurs into capital markets, targeting revenues of no less than 100 million baht within three years.
Under the GLOBAL pillar, NIA is committed to expanding Thailand’s startup footprint on the international stage through the establishment of a Global Startup Hub. This initiative facilitates cross-border market access, strategic partnerships, and international networking. NIA has forged strong alliances with key global ecosystems, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the Nordic countries, creating a dynamic bridge for Thai startups to thrive in diverse markets.
In addition to its growth and global expansion strategies, the National Innovation Agency (NIA) is actively fostering investment opportunities through mechanisms such as Corporate Co-Funding, in partnership with the Thai Venture Capital Association (TVCA). This initiative provides co-investment funding of up to 10 million baht to support high-potential startups.
Complementing this effort are key government and industry bodies offering robust financial support: The Board of Investment (BOI) promotes promising startups with incentives ranging from 20 to 50 million baht, particularly for those in the Pre-Series A+ stage and beyond; The One Innovation Fund, managed by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), offers substantial backing with a total fund allocation of 1 billion baht to accelerate industrial innovation; and Beacon Venture Capital has launched the Beacon Impact Fund, focusing on investments aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with an initial fund of 1.2 billion baht.
Moreover, the upcoming “Startup Promotion and Development Act” or the long-waited “Startup Act”, a landmark legislative framework is set to play a pivotal role in solidifying Thailand’s startup landscape. The Act will introduce comprehensive measures to support entrepreneurship, attract investment, and create a more conducive environment for startups to thrive, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Thailand as a leading innovation-driven economy.
Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
SL Aesthetic Group Marks 22 Years of Innovation and Regional Expansion in Singapore and Southeast Asia
Founded in Singapore in 2003, the Group has grown to encompass five specialised brands operating more than twenty outlets across Singapore and the region.
- SL Aesthetic Clinic offers doctor-led skin, face and body treatments, and is one of Singapore’s longest-running medical aesthetics clinic.
- SkinLab The Medical Spa, a dermatology-focused medical spa, specialises in medical-grade facials and skincare products for sensitive skin.
- TrichoLab, a dedicated hair and scalp health brand specialising in medical hair loss solutions.
- PROLOGUE brings together Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic and Prologue Centre for Women’s Wellness as a unified lifestyle and preventive medicine brand, addressing chronic health concerns and promoting women’s wellness across life stages.
- Euphie (Malaysia) is the Group’s Malaysia-based extension comprising Euphie Skin Solutions and Euphie Clinic, delivering medically supervised aesthetic care.
The Group has served more than 100,000 patients, with care provided by a team of 12 doctors and more than 100 trained specialists.
Over the past two decades, the concept of beauty and wellness has broadened into a more holistic approach to personal care—one that goes beyond aesthetics to support overall wellbeing. People are placing greater emphasis on long-term health, from their mental health and nutrition to their physical appearance. This shift has driven growing demand for preventive, medically supervised services that integrate aesthetics with broader health concerns.
In response to these changing needs, SL Aesthetic Group has expanded its medical services beyond skin and hair treatments, introducing more than 40 new offerings across its five specialised brand portfolios, including women’s health services.
Dr Kelvin Chua, Founder and Senior Medical Director of SL Aesthetic Group, said: “Reaching 22 years reflects the continuity of care we have built over time. As patient expectations change, our focus remains on delivering medically supervised services that support long-term health and well-being.”
As part of this expansion, the Group launched Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic and Prologue Centre for Women’s Wellness in 2025. Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic focuses on preventive care for chronic conditions, supported by artificial intelligence–enabled health screenings for early detection of conditions such as dementia and cancer. Meanwhile, Prologue Centre for Women’s Wellness addresses women’s health needs across different life stages, including perimenopause, menopause, and postpartum recovery.
Within Singapore, the group strengthened its physical presence with the opening of its tenth SL Aesthetic Clinic and SkinLab The Medical Spa outlet at iMall in Marine Parade, as a response to strong and sustained demand from patients in the eastern region.
Regionally, SL Aesthetic Group marked a milestone as its Malaysia-based brand, Euphie — comprising Euphie Skin Solutions and Euphie Clinic — celebrated its first anniversary. Building on this foundation, the Group plans to open an additional outlet in Malaysia, extending its medically supervised services to a wider patient base.
Looking ahead, SL Aesthetic Group plans to continue expanding its clinical footprint while maintaining regulatory compliance, clinical standards, and patient safety.
For more information, visit: https://slaestheticgroup.com/
Hashtag: #SLAesthetic
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SL Aesthetic Group
SL Aesthetic Group is one of Singapore’s longest-established medical aesthetic groups, with a presence in Singapore and Malaysia. The Group houses a diverse portfolio of brands, including SL Aesthetic Clinic, SkinLab The Medical Spa, TrichoLab, PROLOGUE, and Euphie (Malaysia).
Founded in the 2000s, SL Aesthetic Group specialises in skin and hair health, women’s wellness, and holistic medicine. Across its clinics and outlets, the Group offers a comprehensive range of FDA-approved aesthetic and medical treatments, all supervised by trained and certified healthcare professionals holding Certificates of Competency (COC) recognised by the Singapore Medical Council’s Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC).
Media OutReach
Aon Appoints Kulshaan Singh as Enterprise Client Leader, Asia Pacific based in Singapore
Based in Singapore, Singh will leverage his extensive experience across some of Asia’s most dynamic markets to deliver innovative approaches to Risk Capital and Human Capital for Aon’s enterprise and large multinational clients in Asia. Reporting to Craig Torgius, chief client officer and head of enterprise clients, Asia Pacific, Singh will focus on building strategic partnerships and unlocking new opportunities supporting clients to achieve their growth ambitions.
“Kulshaan brings a rare blend of strategic acumen with strong execution ability, global insight and local expertise to our Asia Pacific team,” said Torgius. “His ability to lead transformation, foster collaboration and deliver results across diverse industries will be invaluable in helping clients navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape.”
With over two decades of experience in consulting and executive leadership, Singh held prominent roles including managing director for talent solutions for southeast Asia at Aon, CEO Mercer Singapore and chief people officer at Charoen Pokphand Group. Most recently, as the global group chief people officer at Thai Union Group, he spearheaded large-scale transformation initiatives including organisation design, succession and leadership alignment.
Reflecting on his new role, Singh said, “I feel privileged and excited to be back at Aon and look forward to working closely with Aon’s global and local teams to deliver solutions that help clients navigate complexity and interconnected challenges.”
Read more about Aon’s capabilities in Asia Pacific here.
Hashtag: #Aon
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE:AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.
Follow Aon on newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.
Media OutReach
Zero-Emission Technology Underpins the Future of Urban Living
As an economy reaches a new stage of development, the central question is no longer how fast it can grow, but how well it can sustain that growth over time. The development trajectories of many countries show that crossing an income threshold often brings complex structural pressures: Mounting strain on urban infrastructure, environmental degradation, and higher expectations for quality of life.
In this context, traditional growth models, those that prioritize short-term economic returns, begin to reveal their limitations. What emerges instead is a clear demand for development paradigms in which economic performance, environmental resilience, and social value are conceived together from the outset, rather than treated as sequential or secondary considerations.
For Vietnam, this transition is particularly significant as global capital flows increasingly favor ESG-aligned markets, and urban residents shift from a focus on asset ownership to a more holistic pursuit of living quality and long-term wellbeing. Real estate, therefore, is no longer simply a supply-and-demand equation, but a foundational platform for shaping lifestyles, communities, and sustainable urban ecosystems.
It is precisely within this structural shift that Vinhomes Green Paradise is positioned as a forward-looking benchmark, reflecting the long-term vision of Vinhomes to develop real estate on an “ESG++ from the ground up” foundation, where sustainability is not an added feature, but the core architecture that underpins enduring economic and social value.
Geography as Destiny: A Living Natural Heritage
Many believe that Vinhomes Green Paradise is a “new wonder” of modern society, bringing together a rare convergence of forward-looking planning, contemporary living standards, and visionary development. Yet beyond its scale or sophistication, its very location is a wonder in itself. It is a place where human intelligence and capability are applied not to dominate nature, but to collaborate with it, leveraging an irreplaceable “forest-backed, sea-facing” setting that cannot be replicated, while preserving, restoring, and ultimately giving back to the natural environment.
Among more than 90 submissions from across the globe, New7Wonders selected Vinhomes Green Paradise as the first project worldwide to receive the “Official Participant” certification in the global “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign.
“This is a truly exceptional project,” said Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders and Chairman of the global campaign. “Vinhomes Green Paradise is a ‘precious jewel’, a place that is exceptional for living, working, and enjoying life. The project symbolizes the kind of cities that dare to dream, dare to pave new paths, and dare to break boundaries to realize a future where nature, community, and growth coexist in harmony.”
According to him, this spirit is exactly what the world is seeking in the cities of tomorrow.
After personally visiting the site in Can Gio, Jean-Paul de la Fuente identified the project’s geography as its most irreplaceable asset. Spanning 2,870 hectares, Vinhomes Green Paradise is uniquely positioned between two globally significant ecosystems. To the front lies the vast Pacific Ocean, with 121 kilometers of coastline. Behind it stretches the 75,000-hectare Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO.
At the heart of the megacity sits an 800-hectare saltwater lagoon, the largest of its kind in the world, functioning as a natural ecological regulator, a “green heart” sustaining biodiversity, climate balance, and urban vitality.
Unlike many coastal developments around the world, nature here is not reduced to a backdrop. It is treated as a living heritage, actively preserved and regenerated through dedicated mangrove restoration funds that protect not only the project, but also the ecological shield of Ho Chi Minh City.
While many global developments aim to comply with ESG standards, Vinhomes Green Paradise goes further, introducing an ESG++ model built on five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Adaptation.
This approach reflects a paradigm shift in urban development. Cities of the future must not merely “do less harm”. They must actively give back to nature and society.
Jean-Paul emphasized the importance of this vision: “Future sustainable cities must not ‘take’ from nature, they must ‘give back,’ helping restore and nurture the planet.”
This regenerative mindset is embedded from the earliest stages of construction. Advanced K-DPM technology transforms dredged soft mud into durable construction material, completely eliminating waste discharge into the environment, a breakthrough in large-scale coastal development.
Technology as the City’s Invisible Infrastructure
If nature is the soul of Vinhomes Green Paradise, technology is its invisible nervous system. The entire megacity is designed to operate on 100% clean energy, sourced from offshore wind turbines located 20 kilometers from shore and large-scale solar systems. Transportation within the city and connections to central Ho Chi Minh City are oriented toward zero emissions, supported by electric mobility and high-speed rail.
IoT, AI, and Big Data platforms operate continuously to monitor environmental quality, optimize energy use, and provide early warnings for climate-related risks, ensuring resilience in an era of increasing uncertainty.
One of the core criteria of the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign is placing people at the heart of urban design. At Vinhomes Green Paradise, this principle is elevated further: Residents are not passive beneficiaries, but active co-creatorsof the city.
The megacity features globally scaled cultural and lifestyle landmarks, including a 122-hectare entertainment complex, the 7-hectare Blue Waves Theatre with 5,000 seats, an outdoor performance plaza for 60,000 people, two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tiger Woods and Robert Trent Jones, a 108-story tower among the world’s top 10 tallest, and the Cosmo Bay night-time economy hub.
Healthcare, education, and lifelong wellbeing are equally prioritized, with Vinmec healthcare partnering with Cleveland Clinic (USA), Vinschool and Brighton College (UK) in education, and Vin New Horizon redefining senior living. Together, they form an ecosystem where human potential is continuously nurtured.
Residents also play a direct role in environmental stewardship, participating in biodiversity monitoring, mangrove planting, waste sorting, and adopting electric mobility, becoming true “ecological ambassadors” of Can Gio.
The Wonders of the Future Are Being Built Today
For Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Vinhomes Green Paradise represents far more than an urban project.
“The project is positioned as a powerful symbol of Vietnam’s national aspirations and its determination to assert its place on the global stage. What was seen on site is only a small part of a much larger vision,” he said.
Reflecting on the impact of previous New7Wonders campaigns, he noted: “The previous two campaigns, ‘New7Wonders of the World’ and ‘New7Wonders of Nature’, both generated what researchers call the ‘Wonder Effect,’ significantly boosting the economies and societies of the winning destinations.”
Drawing a parallel with Ha Long Bay, he added that he truly believe Vinhomes Green Paradise can achieve something similar, but on an even larger scale, competing directly with iconic cities around the world.”
As Jean-Paul concluded: “If our previous campaigns celebrated the heritage of the past and the beauty of the present, then the ‘7 Wonders of Future Cities’ campaign celebrates the vision being created for future generations.”
“The wonders of the future are taking shape today through the choices, creativity, and determination of pioneering urban planners and developers.”
In that global narrative, Vinhomes Green Paradise stands as a powerful testament to Vietnam’s ambition: A city where geography itself is a wonder, where growth does not compromise the future, and where nature, technology, and humanity evolve together, creating a legacy not just for Vietnam, but for the world.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn









