Builk wins Echelon 2012 Launchpad, Between emerges as runner-up

June 11, 2012 by  

Patai (trophy in hand) flanked by the judges.

Builk is the winner of this year’s Echelon Launchpad. The Thai startup is a professional social network for the construction industry that doubles as a construction management web app.

Ten startups each had their turn in the cauldron at Echelon 2012′s pitch competition. Definitely a highlight among attendees, the Launchpad had put startups under the intense spotlight as they pitch and try to impress both the sophisticated crowd and inscrutable judges.

During Builk’s pitch, principal and co-founder Patai Padungtin shared that 1,400 construction firms have already registered with Builk since their launch in 2010.

(Read: Builk walks where few tech startups tread: Changing the construction industry)

He also revealed that they plan to expand to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Australia, and add new modules to Builk, such as the ability to collect pre-construction information from contractors. Read more

Flocations, ShopSpot get investment offers from SingTel Innov8, says fund’s new CEO

May 29, 2012 by  

Flocations and ShopSpot, two of the incubatee startups at the JFDI-Innov8 2012 Bootcamp, have received investment offers from SingTel Innov8, the telco company’s investment arm.

While ShopSpot has indicated that they will accept the offer, Flocations has not made a final decision as they are still in talks with other investors.

SGE was told of the news during an exclusive interview today with SingTel Innov8 CEO Edgar Hardless, who took over as the new head just under two months ago.

Singapore-based Flocations has built a web app that enables travelers to search for destinations by price, using a highly-visual interface. Users would then be redirected to partner sites to book their plane tickets and hotel rooms.

For now, they are monetizing using a hotel affiliate program with Agoda. They plan to monetize on flight ticket purchases soon, and even move towards travel insurance, flights, e-guides, flash deals and packages. Read more

Videos: What investors and mentors think of JFDI-Innov8 Bootcamp Demo Day (1)

May 7, 2012 by  

The Bootcamp is a technology startup accelerator program in Singapore (part of the Global Accelerator Network) where participants build a prototype within 100 days. Demo Day was on 4th May, 2012.

Edgar Hardless, CEO of SingTel Innov8

Read more

Edgar Hardless is new CEO of SingTel Innov8

April 11, 2012 by  

Edgar Hardless has replaced Yvonne Kwek as the new CEO of SingTel Innov8, the venture capital subsidiary of SingTel, Singapore’s largest telecomms company.

Edgar was formerly the vice-president of strategic investments for Singtel, overseeing the company’s M&A activities.

Yvonne had been Innov8′s CEO since its inception in 2010. She will be moving on to retirement.

Innov8 manages a fund size of S$200M (US$158M), investing in technologies in the fields of network capabilities, next generation devices, digital content services, and customer service enhancers.

Its portfolio includes Bubble Motion, Stream Media, ViVOtech, and 2359 Media.

Innov8 provides ventures with access to SingTel Group’s mobile customer base in both developed and emerging markets in 25 countries and enterprise customers through its network of 36 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the USA.

In addition, the SingTel Group’s assets, including subject matter experts and infrastructure are available to any venture it invests in.