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60 Global Rising Stars from 1,200 Universities will Converge in Singapore for SMU’s 12th Lee Kuan Yew Competition Grand Finals

  • 60 finalists for SG60 milestone edition selected by an international panel of judges and visionary partners
  • Focus on empowering Urban Solutions and Sustainability to solve the world’s most essential, urgent challenges
  • Pioneered a new AI screening platform to enhance the discovery of disruptive startups
  • Record global participation with S$2.5 million+ prize pool

SINGAPORE, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Management University (SMU) announces the 60 finalists of the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), celebrating a major milestone as Singapore commemorates its 60th year of independence. Organised by SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE), this year’s competition sets a benchmark for university-led deep-tech startup competitions, with new records for global participation.

Held every two years, the LKYGBPC is one of the largest university-led startup competitions in Asia. This year, finalists will gather at SMU’s city campus between 29 September and 2 October 2025 to pitch their innovations to a judging panel during the LKYGBPC Grand Finals Week.

Startups will compete for a prize pool of over S$2.5 million in the 12th edition of the biennial competition this year.  The global competition shines a spotlight on startups with Urban Solutions and Sustainability innovations that address today’s universal grand challenges. From airless wheels based on NASA technology and transistors that cut data centre energy use by 30 per cent, to bioplastics tough enough to rival petroleum-based plastics, on-demand hydrogen production at sea, and self-healing concrete, these breakthroughs are amongst the shortlisted entries that challenge decades-old limits in energy, mobility, and infrastructure.  

“The 12th LKYGBPC saw record-breaking 1,500+ applications from more than 1,200 universities across 91 countries, a 57 per cent increase compared to the previous edition’s submissions. Entries from Asia increased by 70 per cent, and we also saw a significant increase in submissions from North America, the Middle East and North Africa,” said Ms Shirley Wong(王秀萍), Entrepreneur-in-Residence at SMU IIE, Managing Partner of TNF Ventures, and Chairperson of the 12th LKYGBPC Advisory Committee.

“These numbers reflect the growing confidence from startups globally in leveraging Singapore as a business and technology gateway to the rest of Asia. Hosting LKYGBPC alongside SG60 – a nation-wide movement celebrating Singapore’s next chapter of her nation-building journey – and the Singapore Grand Prix adds a higher level of energy and global attention, making it a powerful platform for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and co-create with trailblazers worldwide,” she added.

Startup founders are drawn to the 12th LKYGBPC as Singapore offers a regional springboard for scaling across Asia, with its status as a global multilingual hub of innovation and talent.  Said Evangelos Moschos, a finalist of the LKYGBPC and post-doctoral researcher at France’s Ecole Polytechnique, is also the Co-Founder and CTO of OceanTech startup Amphitrite. He shared, “Singapore is the world’s busiest transhipment hub where we can access leading shipping lines, investors, government agencies, and tap into a world-class R&D ecosystem. We anticipate engaging with local academic partners through the competition to explore joint research projects. We’re also keen to hire Singaporean talent, including SMU students, to work in Paris or Singapore.”

This year, startups will compete across 12 focus areas, namely Carbon Tech, Climate Tech, Emerging Tech, Energy Transition, Food and Land Use, Green Buildings and Construction, Homeland Security, Public Health, Sustainable Materials and Circularity, Transport and Logistics, Urban Mobility and Water Solutions.

AI Screening to Boost Objectivity in Startup Evaluation

As a new feature this year, LKYGBPC also introduces the DueAI™ Challenge, a novel initiative that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency and comprehensiveness of startup screening. This approach reflects emerging trends in the global venture capital (VC) and startup landscape, where AI-enabled capabilities are increasingly adopted to streamline data collection, accelerate deal flow, and support data-driven investment decisions.

Dr Sze Tiam Lin (徐添仁), the Senior Licensing Advisor at SMU IIE who created this new initiative, said, “The DueAITM Challenge demonstrates how AI can transform entrepreneurial evaluation for investors and deliver greater scalability and objectivity while empowering human decision-making.”

What’s On during Grand Finals Week

Throughout the Grand Finals Week, held from 29 September to 2 October 2025 at SMU, the 60 global finalists will participate in a series of events designed to connect them with key stakeholders. These include closed-door roundtable sessions with influential regional business families. The startup founders will gain invaluable insights and mentorship, while the business families can engage with cutting-edge technologies relevant to their investment portfolios and industries.

This year’s competition will also serve as a vital pipeline for internship and career opportunities for Singapore-based students. Via an inaugural Talent Exchange segment, students will have the chance to pitch their expertise directly to the finalist startups for the opportunity to join startup teams from universities such as the University of Tokyo, ETH Zurich, Tsinghua University and Harvard University,

The week will culminate in the highly anticipated Blaze Mixer Night, an open invitation for Singapore’s youth to engage with the young founders from the 60 finalist startups, be inspired by their new technologies, and grow their network.

Catalysing Innovation with a Growing Community of Partnerships

The 12th edition of LKYGBPC also welcomes the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) as its first official Scientific Knowledge Partner, bringing their world-class scientific expertise and network to the competition.

In addition, the LKYGBPC is honoured to be supported by a growing ecosystem of visionary partners, who have provided continuous support to the finalists over the years and enabled the competition to deliver enduring impact across Asia.

The Zhang Fan Global AI Initiative Award, which will be presented for the second consecutive edition of LKYGBPC, aims to empower startups which are pushing boundaries in AI. Mr Zhang Fan(张帆), formerly Co-founder of Sequoia Capital China and a four-time Forbes ‘Midas List’ honoree VC, said, “I’ve had the privilege of backing innovators fresh out of university who dare to reimagine the future. LKYGBPC convenes a truly world-class cohort of founders poised to engage with Southeast Asia, where catalytic funding and mentorship remain essential. As we stand on the cusp of a new AI era, I look forward to leveraging my experience and resources to help these teams transform breakthroughs into meaningful impact.”

Among the other new collaborators is Indorama Ventures, which is behind the Future of Sustainable Materials Award, tapping its end-to-end R&D and manufacturing expertise to spotlight breakthrough materials innovations.

“Our mission at Indorama Ventures is to create indispensable chemistry, transforming lab-born innovations into global solutions that touch billions of lives every day. Through LKYGBPC’s global pipeline, we can engage closely with early-stage deep-tech ventures from Asia and beyond, helping us accelerate innovation and build a more sustainable world for decades to come,” said Mr Yash Lohia, Executive President of Petchem and Chairman of the ESG Council, Indorama Ventures.

Greater support for entrepreneurs aiming to drive a resilient and more sustainable future will also come in the form of awards backed by leading Venture Capital firms such as Antler, TRIREC and Wavemaker Partners. Mr Paul Santos, Managing Partner of Wavemaker Partners, is a steadfast supporter of LKYGBPC through the LKYGBPC Investment Prize that supports innovative Enterprise, Deep Tech, and Sustainability-focused startups.

He said, “Over the years, the competition has attracted bold, young founders from all over the world, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a rising global hub for entrepreneurship. This aligns closely with our mission of investing in founders building companies that are solving meaningful problems and creating real, lasting impact.”

Enclosure: Annex 1: List of 60 finalist startups in the 12th edition of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition.

About SMU (新加坡管理大学):

Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is recognised for its disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues of global relevance, impacting business, government, and society. Its distinctive education, incorporating innovative experiential learning, aims to nurture global citizens, entrepreneurs and change agents. With more than 13,000 students, SMU offers a wide range of bachelors, masters and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with six of its eight schools – Accountancy, Business, Computing, Economics, Law and Social Sciences. Its seventh school, the SMU College of Integrative Studies, offers degree programmes in deep, integrative interdisciplinary education. The College of Graduate Research Studies, SMU’s eighth school, enhances integration and interdisciplinarity across the various SMU postgraduate research programmes that will enable students to gain a holistic learning experience and well-grounded approach to their research.  SMU also offers a growing number of executive development and continuing education programmes. Through its city campus, SMU focuses on making meaningful impact on Singapore and beyond through its partnerships with industry, policymakers and academic institutions. https://www.smu.edu.sg/

About SMU IIE (新加坡管理大学创新与创业研究院):

The Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) empowers aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to create positive change. It offers tailored training programmes, an equity-free incubator, and a vibrant community that connects innovators through events and networking opportunities, including the renowned Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC). For more information: https://iie.smu.edu.sg

About Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) (李光耀全球商业计划大赛):

Organised by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) is a biennial university-led start-up challenge. One of the most exciting of such competitions in Asia, it derives its name from Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who developed the country’s defining business plan that propelled Singapore onto the global stage. It is this spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and ambition that the competition enshrines. LKYGBPC invites the brightest minds from the world’s most entrepreneurial universities to come together to address the challenges of the 21st century and reimagine the future. For more information: smu.sg/lkygbpc

About the DueAI™ Challenge
The 12th LKYGBPC introduced the DueAI™ Challenge—a parallel competition where 14 independent AI models operated within a secured environment to screen startup applications submitted to LKYGBPC. These AI-driven evaluations ran in parallel with assessments by over 220 human judges from 46 countries, with results compared before the LKYGBPC finalists were selected. By embedding the DueAI™ Challenge into its official selection process, LKYGBPC became one of the first university competitions to explore at scale how AI enhances the discovery of promising startups.

Annex
Startups in the 12th Edition of the
Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition
Singapore Management University
29 September to 2 October 2025

No

Team

Executive Summary

Category

Name of University
(Main Founder)

Geographies 

1

Arculus

Arculus repurposes natural gas transmission pipelines for bulk transportation of either CO2 or hydrogen, thanks to a patented barrier coating applied on the internal surface of the pipe.

Beta

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

2

Castomize

Castomize is making healthcare more accessible, effective, and less invasive through the creation of impactful medical devices using advanced manufacturing technologies.

Infinity

Singapore Management University

Singapore

3

ChemT Biotechnology

ChemT Biotechnology seeks to revolutionise bio-manufacturing with AI-designed small molecules that enable precise and tunable modulation of cell behaviour.

Beta

National University of Singapore

Singapore

4

Cold Battery

Cold Battery is a cutting-edge solution for storing and delivering cold energy efficiently, boosting profits and slashing emissions across industrial cooling applications.

Beta

Nanyang Technological University

Singapore

5

Inviscid AI

Inviscid AI delivers physics-informed AI that creates digital twins and simulations up to 1000 times faster than traditional methods for design optimisation.

Beta

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

6

MabLab

MabLab has built the world’s first multi-agent rapid test capable of detecting laced drugs and spiked drinks.

Infinity

Harvard University

United States of America

7

OmniPath H2

Novel industrial decarbonisation technologies lowering costs for the hydrogen economies of today AND tomorrow

Beta

Harvard University

United States of America

8

Sesame Sustainability

Sesame Sustainability’s industrial-grade modelling platform transforms how energy companies plan multi-billion-dollar decarbonisation investments, compressing analysis from years to weeks.

Infinity

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

9

8inks

8inks revolutionises battery manufacturing with multilayer curtain coating—enabling higher performance, lower cost, and scalable production of next-generation lithium-ion and solid-state batteries.

Infinity

ETH Zürich

Switzerland

10

AMPHITRITE

Harnessing Satellites & Artificial Intelligence to produce reliable ocean data and make the best decisions at sea

Infinity

École Polytechnique

France

11

CyanoCapture

Synthesising insulin and $40 billion worth of drug precursor molecules by harnessing a photosynthetic cell discovered in 2020.

Infinity

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

12

Dunia Innovations

Dunia Innovations is revolutionising the field of material discovery by leveraging cutting-edge AI and autonomous experimentation to bring breakthrough materials to the world.

Infinity

University of Glasgow

United Kingdom

13

Enantios

ENANTIOS enables the fast, simple, and robust characterisation of complex and chiral molecules and biologics for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.

Infinity

ETH Zürich

Switzerland

14

exnaton

exnaton enables utilities to quickly launch innovative, data-driven electricity products with its AI-powered billing platform — accelerating the energy transition.

Infinity

ETH Zürich

Switzerland

15

HyveGeo

HyveGeo looks to remove CO2 from the air while boosting food security in arid regions.

Beta

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

16

Luxtelligence

We develop energy-efficient photonic circuits for Quantum and AI, leveraging advanced thin-film materials to enable next-generation, high-performance connectivity solutions.

Beta

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Switzerland

17

Micromelt Ltd

Microwave-powered catalytic reactor that depolymerises mixed plastic waste into high-purity monomers and hydrogen gas in one step.

Beta

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

18

Mimicrete Ltd

Powering the smart infrastructure of tomorrow

Beta

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

19

PRONOE

Restoring our oceans’ natural capacity to permanently remove CO2. Worldwide.

Beta

INSEAD

France

20

Vivid Dx

Vivid Dx is developing a next-generation platform to deliver broad pathogen ID in 30 minutes and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) in 3 hours – directly from blood, with no blood culture required.

Beta

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

21

Aerologix

Aerologix is a drone technology platform connecting clients with 40,000+ pilots, delivering on-demand aerial data, mapping, and AI insights for infrastructure, environment, and industry.

Infinity

UNSW Sydney

Australia

22

Jmem Tek

Jmem Tek provides ready-to-deploy JPUF-based quantum resilient security solutions for vulnerable industries to address encryption obsolescence concerns as quantum computing advances.

Infinity

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Taiwan

23

Koralo

Koralo creates functional food and feed enriching health and beauty with patented co-fermentation of microalgae and mushroom roots – delicious, functional and affordable.

Infinity

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

Netherlands

24

MUI-Robotics

MUI-Robotics specialises in sensory-AI which imitates human smell sense with high accuracy for real-time quality control, safety, and environmental monitoring globally.

Infinity

Mahidol University

Thailand

25

Oculab

Oculab strengthens Tuberculosis (TB) monitoring by bringing AI-powered analysis to microscopes through the smartphone, reducing examination time to 10 minutes while achieving 87% accuracy rates.

Beta

University of Indonesia

Indonesia

26

Oriongo

Oriongo specialises in the development and integration of positioning algorithms, with strong R&D in inertial navigation, geomagnetic positioning, Wi-Fi, 5G, GNSS, BLE and AI positioning fusion technology

Infinity

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology

Taiwan

27

Puralink

Puralink is the autonomous robotics platform for pipe inspection, mapping, and repair

Beta

University of Technology Sydney

Australia

28

Qarbotech

Qarbotech develops patented photosynthesis-enhancing solutions that boost crop yields sustainably, helping farmers grow more food with fewer resources while combating climate change.

Infinity

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

29

ReZinc

ReZinc – a sustainable innovation to transform carbon-based battery waste into high-quality carbon paint for metal surfaces.

Beta

VinUniversity

Vietnam

30

Saint Novel

Saint Novel enables drug discovery with innovative GenAI and full-stack drug development success experience (from in silico design to phase II trial which was sold to Sanofi at 1.5 billion USD).

Beta

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR

31

Untapped Energies

Untapped Energies seeks to unlock 100% renewable wind & hydro energy from unutilised, ‘untapped’ real estate.

Beta

Queensland University of Technology

Australia

32

Klimatech

Vortex is Klimatech’s vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) that combines aesthetics and function for sustainable energy in urban, remote, and commercial spaces.

Infinity

Asian Institute of Management

Philippines

33

EarthFlow AI

EarthFlow AI is making subsurface climate and energy solutions scalable with ultra-fast AI simulation.

Beta

Imperial College London

United Kingdom

34

Heliotrope Photonics

At Heliotrope Photonics, we are developing an innovative coating that transforms the sunlight to enhance solar panel performance.

Beta

New York University

United States of America

35

Helix Carbon

Helix Carbon provides electrolysers to the steel industry that upcycle CO2 directly out of waste gas, no carbon capture required.

Beta

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

36

Loop CO2

Tunable, debondable, and circular-ready CO₂-based polymer platform made from 100% sustainable feedstocks, enabling next-generation debonding-on-demand adhesives for electronics, EV batteries, and packaging.

Beta

Georgia Institute of Technology

United States of America

37

MacroCycle Technologies

MacroCycle is aventure creating circular plastics and textiles at cost parity and with zero carbon emissions.

Infinity

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

38

Map Collective

MapCollective.com is a multi-tier supply chain traceability data mining and dashboard platform, helping procurement and sustainability organisations gather supplier data.

Infinity

Georgetown University

United States of America

39

Nephrogen

Nephrogen is developing curative gene therapies for kidney and pancreatic diseases, which affect more than 15% of the global population but have zero effective treatments.

Beta

Stanford University

United States of America

40

Quon Energy

Quon Energy deals with the development and installation of next-generation geothermal power tailored to the geological conditions in the volcanic region.

Beta

The University of Tokyo

Japan

41

SinuStim

SinuStim is developing an oral appliance that instantly alleviates nasal congestion and facial pain for patients with chronic sinus disease by using gentle electrical pulses that regulate overactive nasal nerves.

Beta

Johns Hopkins University

United States of America

42

SMART Tire

SMART Tire makes the world’s first high-performance airless tires, based on NASA technology.

Beta

University of Southern California

United States of America

43

UpcycleX

UpcycleX, out of MIT, is transforming the chemical industry with a scalable, zero-emissions electrocatalytic platform that turns plastic waste into high-value products, unlocking an $80 billion market opportunity.

Beta

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

44

Vertical Horizons

Vertical Horizons is developing the next-generation power infrastructure using scalable vertical GaN technology to dramatically improve energy efficiency and power density for AI, in data centres.

Beta

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States of America

45

ChipEvo Ltd

Towards One-Click Chip Generation: ChipEvo leverages Large Language Models to revolutionize silicon design and verification with 10 times faster development and significant cost savings

Beta

Texas Tech University

United States of America

46

CLEAN CO2

CLEANCO2 is China’s CCUS mineralization technology pioneer and industrialisation leader

Infinity

Tsinghua University

China

47

深度原理 (Deep Principle)

A world-leading technology innovation company specialising in AI for Chemistry/Materials.

Infinity

Queen’s University Belfast

United Kingdom

48

Genia

Genia builds Generative Design CoPilots for engineers in construction helping them design permit-ready drawings 10 times faster with 20% material savings.

Infinity

University of Pennsylvania

United States of America

49

Kerong Catalyst

Kerong seeks to lead the Application of Precious Metal Catalyst Technology in the Environmental Protection Industry.

Infinity

Brunel University London

United Kingdom

50

光子芯力 (PhotonCore)

PhotonCore Technologies focuses on the cutting-edge development of Electronic-Photonic hybrid computing architecture chips.

Beta

Tsinghua University

China

51

SynMetabio

SynMetabio seeks to be the world’s first company to mass-produce bio-based synthetic leather  for high-performance uses like automotive and footwear.

Infinity

ShanghaiTech University

China

52

Tidetron Bioworks

Tidetron Bioworks is a pioneering platform that integrates synthetic biology and AI to drive low-carbon innovation.

Infinity

Sun Yat-sen University

China

53

UniversalLab

Reshaping the $60 billion materials R&D testing industry with AI agents

Infinity

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Switzerland

54

Xatoms

Xatoms discovers new materials using AI and quantum chemistry for water purification.

Infinity

University of Toronto

Canada

55

浙江极码电子科技有限公司 (Jima Technologies)

With deep R&D experience in the field of smart microgrids, Jima Technologies’ research focuses on smart grids, offering multi-point real-time voltage regulation and load balancing in renewable-heavy power grids

Infinity

Tianjin University

China

56

SpaceFields

 SpaceFields is building the “Northrop Grumman of the 21st century” from India. SpaceFields aspires to be the dedicated merchant developer and integrator for next-gen bespoke solid propulsion for burgeoning aerospace & defence markets.

Infinity

Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, UCE Burla (Odisha, India)

India

57

Expedock

Expedock’s flexible tech solutions automate workflows and improve visibility, empowering teams to focus on what matters most.

Infinity

Stanford University

United States of America

58

Puffer AI

Puffer AI unifies under-utilised startup data, expert know-how and AI-driven workflows to accelerate research, scouting and evaluation—turning scattered information into smarter, faster investment decisions.

Due AI Challenge

N/A

Singapore

59

Evalyze

Evalyze streamlines startup fundraising and VC deal screening by automating due diligence, investor matching, and personalised outreach. Founders receive an investor readiness score and a tailored fundraising roadmap, while VCs use Evalyze to evaluate pitch decks, benchmark startups, and prioritize deals. Trained on 8,000+ successful raises, Evalyze cuts months of manual work into days. empowering better, faster funding decisions on both sides.

Due AI Challenge

N/A

Canada

60

Shensu AI

Shensu AI creates AI-driven automation tools that optimise financial operations, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs for individuals and enterprises alike.

Due AI challenge

N/A

India

 

 

Chulalongkorn University’s Herbarium Preserves Thai Flora for Research and Criminal Investigations

BANGKOK, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium (BCU), operated by the Department of Botany at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, serves as a vital hub for plant research and identification in Thailand. Established in 1960, the herbarium supports the academic and research community by maintaining a comprehensive plant specimen collection and offering plant analysis services.

Chulalongkorn University's Herbarium Preserves Thai Flora for Research and Criminal Investigations
Chulalongkorn University’s Herbarium Preserves Thai Flora for Research and Criminal Investigations

The herbarium has amassed over 20,000 plant specimens and has evolved into a national resource that aids not only academic institutions but also government agencies and private enterprises. The specimens serve as a reference for the study of biodiversity, support the food and pharmaceutical industries, and help identify invasive species. Notably, the herbarium also assists in forensic investigations, showcasing the multidisciplinary applications of botanical science.

Science Service Officer Mrs. Parinyanoot Klinratana highlights the herbarium’s diverse roles. She recounts instances where plant materials found on suspects’ clothing were analyzed to determine their origin and whether they came from restricted areas, aiding law enforcement. Similarly, the herbarium helped the Customs Department identify and trace shallot species. Another case involved verifying whether plant matter found on a car grille was invasive – the information that was crucial for export compliance. 

These examples illustrate how plant identification has real-world applications far beyond the classroom. It shows how plant materials can serve as silent witnesses in crime investigations, indicators of environmental risk, or hindrances to business transactions.

With decades of experience, the herbarium is regarded for its meticulous techniques in preserving plant specimens to ensure long-term usability for research and reference.

Through collaboration with various sectors, the herbarium bridges science and society. It serves as a national plant database and supports Thailand’s commitment to environmental conservation, biodiversity, and global regulatory standards. Its scientific expertise and systematic processes reinforce the importance of accurate plant taxonomy, not only for academic integrity but also for legal and commercial purposes.

By combining specimen preservation with expert analysis, the Professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium ensures that Thailand’s rich plant biodiversity is not only studied and safeguarded but also applied in meaningful ways across multiple sectors, including science, medicine, and law.

Professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium, located on the 4th floor of the Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, is open to the public free of charge. Tel. +662 218 5502.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/250138/ 

Media Contact:
Chula Communication Center 
Email: Pataraporn.r@chula.ac.th 

Ultima Markets Secures FCA Licence to Support UK Expansion

EBENE CYBERCITY, Mauritius, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  Ultima Markets, a globally trusted CFD broker for online trading, has secured the regulatory licence to operate under the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This acquisition marks a significant step in Ultima Markets’ strategy to establish a regulated presence in the United Kingdom (UK).

Ultima Markets is slated to launch its UK offering in 2026.
Ultima Markets is slated to launch its UK offering in 2026.

The UK is a key global financial hub with an estimated 19 million and growing active traders in 2024. The FCA has rules and regulations that emphasize transparency and consumer protection.

“We’re incredibly proud to take this step,” said Gareth Derbyshire, spokesperson for Ultima Markets. “Becoming FCA-regulated reflects our long-term commitment to the UK and its regulatory standards. It sets the tone for what UK traders can expect from us: transparency, integrity, and a clear focus on their trading experience.”

Ultima Markets plans to onboard UK clients from 2026 and is slated to launch a localised offering that includes a dedicated website, enhanced compliance systems and platform features tailored to FCA standards. “We are taking every measure to meet expectations in full,” Derbyshire added. “That means more than just ticking boxes. Our products, education and support are being designed and built for UK traders.”

UK traders can look forward to access to Ultima Markets’ full range of CFD instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares, trading on leading platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Through Ultima Markets’ Trading Academy, traders of all levels will also be empowered to take control of their trading goals by developing practical skills and financial literacy.

Founded in 2016, Ultima Markets is regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius, and recognised for its fast execution, deep liquidity, and diverse trading tools.

Ultima Markets is also the first CFD broker to join the United Nations Global Compact, embedding responsible business practices into its operations and advancing sustainability education through its Ultima Impact Foundation.

About Ultima Markets

Ultima Markets is a licensed, award-winning, multi-asset broker offering access to over 250 CFD instruments across forex, commodities, indices and shares. The company was recently awarded Most Advanced Multi-Asset Trading Platform Europe 2025 and is the first CFD broker to join the UN Global Compact.

TuniTuni Malaysia Opens Second Center in Bukit Jalil, Accelerates Expansion Across Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TuniTuni Malaysia, the Malaysian arm of Korea’s leading storytelling playgym brand, officially opened its second center in Bukit Jalil on August 10. This new location marks a significant step in the brand’s strategic expansion across the Klang Valley, building on the successful launch of its first center at United Point Mall.

 

TuniTuni Malaysia is releasing balloons to celebrate the opening of its second center in Bukit Jalil.

The new center aims to provide young families in the Bukit Jalil area with a purposeful early childhood development program. TuniTuni’s unique curriculum combines storytelling, physical activity, and imaginative play to foster children’s cognitive, motor, and emotional skills.

“We’re thrilled to bring our joyful learning experience closer to families in Bukit Jalil, a community we see as a vibrant hub for young families,” said Mac, Center Manager of TuniTuni Bukit Jalil. “Our goal is to make early childhood development both fun and impactful, and we look forward to welcoming more children to our community.”

The brand has already demonstrated strong momentum, with over 250 children participating in classes within the first four months of its initial opening. Building on this success, TuniTuni Malaysia is preparing for further expansion across the Klang Valley to bring its storytelling playgym experience to even more families.

To celebrate the grand opening, TuniTuni Bukit Jalil is offering exclusive promotions for a limited time:

  • Free Trial Classes: From August 8 to October 31, 2025, families can sign up for a complimentary class to experience TuniTuni’s unique curriculum firsthand.
  • Exclusive Enrollment Offers: New members will receive a waived registration fee and a special gift upon enrollment.

The new center is conveniently located in a family-friendly area with easy access and ample parking (Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Signature BJ, Aurora Place).

For more information or to book a class, please contact:

Contact: 012 450 5980 or message us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @tunituni_my

About TuniTuni Malaysia

Founded in Korea in 2003, TuniTuni is a leading early childhood development program that has been experienced by over 3 million children worldwide. It blends storytelling, movement, and play to provide a unique learning environment for children aged 12 to 48 months, supporting their physical, cognitive, and social development. Building on this global success, TuniTuni Malaysia is focused on a strategic expansion to bring its proven program to more families throughout the Klang Valley.

AIMA Brand Launches in Sri Lanka, Laying Out Important Node Along the Belt and Road Initiative

TIANJIN, China, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On June 30, 2025, AIMA Technology held a grand launch in Sri Lanka. This not only marks another important milestone in AIMA Technology’s global expansion journey, but also signifies the beginning of a new strategic partnership with Sri Lankan innovative mobility brand Telesonic Mobility.

At the launch event, AIMA Technology officially unveiled its flagship models specifically designed for the local market: the Maverick (AIMA A7 PLUS) and the Engine MAX series. The AIMA Maverick, hailed as a “two-wheeled luxury sports sedan,” delivers outstanding power and performance. Equipped with the “Engine 8” electric drive system, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 meters in 9.8 seconds. Combined with nitrogen acceleration and aerodynamic design, it can reach a top speed of 65km/h.

AIMA Technology has always adhered to a user-centric approach and advocates for green mobility. As of 2025, AIMA electric vehicles have been sold to over 60 countries worldwide, with 11 production bases (including overseas bases in Indonesia and Vietnam), and have obtained international certifications such as UL/EEC. As of March 2025, AIMA electric vehicles have achieved total sales of 90 million units and have been certified as a “Global Leading Electric Two-Wheeler Brand” by Frost & Sullivan, a globally authoritative corporate growth consulting firm.

Based on the energy transformation and green development concepts advocated by the Belt and Road Initiative, AIMA Technology’s successful entry into Sri Lanka will play a positive role in promoting the country’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative.

Brain Navi Biotechnology’s NaoTrac performs first surgeries in Spain

Brain Navi has officially landed in Spain!

TAIPEI, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Such an achievement has been made possible through the first of many collaborations with our valued partner, Palex Healthcare. This milestone has been reached not only thanks to Palex’s solid reputation and deep experience in the Spanish medical market, but also due to the trust and commitment of their team. Brain Navi CEO Jerry Chen stated, “Brain Navi is proud to work alongside a partner that shares our vision of surgical innovation and desire to improve the well-being of patients continuously.

Brain Navi’s CEO, Jerry Chen, and his team participated in the SENEC congress alongside Palex. Special thanks to Carles Calaf, Eulàlia Llopis Martí, and Estela Llopart for their involvement and support throughout the event.
Brain Navi’s CEO, Jerry Chen, and his team participated in the SENEC congress alongside Palex. Special thanks to Carles Calaf, Eulàlia Llopis Martí, and Estela Llopart for their involvement and support throughout the event.

At this year’s SENEC Congress, Spain’s leading annual event hosted by the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery, which gathers experts from across the country to share the latest scientific advances and clinical innovations in the field, Spanish neurosurgeons had the opportunity to witness NaoTrac, Brain Navi’s neurosurgical navigation robot, in action. Alongside Palex, Brain Navi showcased its technology throughout the event. Surgeons from all around Spain expressed strong interest in NaoTrac’s capabilities and potential applications in their hospitals. “Spain holds great promise as a hub for neurosurgical innovation,” said Carles Calaf, Director of the Neurosciences Business Unit at Palex Healthcare. “At SENEC, we witnessed firsthand how strongly surgeons responded to the need for more intelligent, AI-powered tools in the OR. This aligns with our belief that technology like NaoTrac can genuinely enhance surgical precision and support clinical teams in delivering better outcomes. With Brain Navi as our partner, we are confident this is only the beginning of helping more hospitals — and more patients — across Spain.”

Just one week after the congress, the first NaoTrac system was installed in a Spanish hospital, where neurosurgeons, supported by Brain Navi and Palex teams, performed the country’s first surgeries using the NaoTrac. The surgeons were highly impressed by NaoTrac’s precision and intuitive design, highlighting its user-friendliness and value as a powerful asset in the Operating Room.

“At Palex, our mission is to bring cutting-edge medical technology closer to those who need it most,” said Eulàlia Llopis, General Manager of the Hospital Area at Palex. “Collaborating with Brain Navi reflects our commitment to supporting clinicians with solutions that truly make a difference — in precision, efficiency, and above all, patient care.”

For Brain Navi, this marks a major milestone in our global expansion, reinforcing the mission to improve patient outcomes through advanced medical technologies and to empower surgical teams with the best tools available.

ARC Group Securities Adds Underwriting License, Strengthening Global Capital Markets Platform

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ARC Group Securities LLC (“ARC Securities”), a wholly owned subsidiary of ARC Group, is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a registered underwriting broker-dealer in the United States. This milestone marks a significant step in ARC Securities’ ongoing expansion of its global capital markets capabilities and commitment to providing comprehensive solutions to growth-focused companies worldwide.

“This approval is a pivotal development for ARC Securities and our broader capital markets strategy,” said Ian Hanna, CEO at ARC Securities “Adding firm commitment underwriting to our broker-dealer license not only underscores our dedication to regulatory excellence and operational integrity but also positions us to better serve our clients seeking access to U.S. capital markets.”

A Strategic Gateway to U.S. Capital Markets

With the expanded broker-dealer license, ARC Securities can now directly engage in U.S. securities transactions, including acting as an underwriter for IPOs and other public offerings. This enhanced capability increases ARC Securities ability to deliver cross-border transaction expertise and tailored capital markets solutions across Asia, Europe, and other key markets.

“Our U.S. broker-dealer presence allows us to provide an integrated, end-to-end advisory and execution platform for clients with global ambitions,” said Ian Hanna added. “It reflects our strategic vision to bridge Asia and the West while upholding the highest standards of compliance and client service.”

Expanding Global Reach and Deepening Expertise

ARC Group, the parent, is renowned for its leadership in cross-border M&A, IPO advisory, SPAC transactions, and strategic consulting. With offices across major financial hubs, the Group has advised on more than $10 billion in transactions, empowering companies to achieve transformative growth and access new investor bases.

The establishment of ARC Securities  as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer with underwriting capabilities underscores ARC Group’s ongoing commitment to creating shareholder value, expanding global reach, and delivering best-in-class financial solutions tailored to the dynamic needs of growth companies.

For more information on ARC Group, please visit: www.arc-group.com

About ARC Group Securities LLC

ARC Group Securities LLC is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer headquartered in San Francisco and a wholly owned subsidiary of ARC Group. The firm specializes in providing comprehensive capital markets and investment banking services to emerging growth and mid-market companies globally, with a focus on bridging Asia and Western markets.

About ARC Group

ARC Group is a global investment bank and management consultancy firm dedicated to supporting companies through cross-border financial advisory, M&A, IPOs, SPAC transactions, financing, and consulting services. Headquartered in Hong Kong, ARC Group has offices across Mainland China, the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, uniquely positioning it to deliver integrated solutions across multiple jurisdictions.

 

 

HistoIndex Marks Another Step Forward with FibroSIGHT™ Plus: Introducing AI-based Quantitative Analysis in Fibrosis Assessment

SINGAPORE, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HistoIndex, a pioneering leader in digital pathology solutions for chronic liver disease, has announced the launch of FibroSIGHT™ Plus, its second Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) available in the United States. Building on the foundation of FibroSIGHT™[1], which debuted just months earlier, FibroSIGHT™ Plus introduces an additional feature of automated quantitative analysis of fibrosis – a key advancement that enables more consistent and precise characterization at diagnosis and tracking of fibrosis in patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). “We’re thrilled to deliver another advancement in MASH diagnostics, bridging our experience and capabilities in clinical trials all the way to clinical use.”, said Yukti Choudhury, Chief Development Officer at HistoIndex.

At the core of FibroSIGHT™ Plus is qFibrosis®, HistoIndex’s proprietary AI-driven algorithm. By leveraging stain-free Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging of MASH liver biopsies, qFibrosis® automatically quantifies multiple fibrosis-related collagen architectural and morphological features detected by SHG in various spatial zones of a liver biopsy and translates them into a single value or stage for fibrosis[2]. The result is fibrosis expressed on a continuous scale, rather than in discrete categories. This allows more detailed insights into the disease severity and offers clinicians a sensitive tool with which to better characterize individual patients at diagnosis and to monitor subtle changes in their disease over time.

Quantifying multiple collagen parameters with qFibrosis®
Quantifying multiple collagen parameters with qFibrosis®

“Having worked with HistoIndex for many years, I have witnessed firsthand the value that Second Harmonic Generation imaging brings to fibrosis assessment in MASH clinical trials, with highly sensitive and consistent detection and quantification of fibrosis in liver biopsies. Automated solutions like FibroSIGHT™ Plus represent the future of liver pathology. The ability to detect incremental changes in fibrosis with this level of precision is exactly what we need to guide earlier and more targeted interventions in MASH,” said Dr. Naim Alkhouri, MD, Chief Academic Officer at Summit Clinical Research and the Director of the Steatotic Liver Disease Program at the Clinical Research Institute of Ohio.

Unlike conventional pathology methods, which are prone to variability in staining and interpretation, FibroSIGHT™ Plus delivers a standardized and objective measurement across the entire biopsy specimen. By removing subjectivity and inter-reader variability, as well as offering granular measurements at single-fiber resolution on the entire spectrum of fibrosis in MASH, the FibroSIGHT™ Plus test enhances confidence in fibrosis assessment and supports more personalized and data-driven treatment decisions.

“When benchmarked against reference fibrosis stages from expert pathologists’ consensus, HistoIndex’s qFibrosis® aligns closely, and demonstrates greater consistency than traditional histology. This level of reproducibility is essential in clinical practice and represents an important step toward replacing subjective scoring with reliable, quantitative metrics.” added Dr. Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc, Professor of Medicine, Transplant Hepatologist at Houston Methodist Hospital and a Co-Chairman of the Board Summit and Pinnacle Clinical Research.

FibroSIGHT™ Plus marks another advancement in HistoIndex’s efforts to integrate its digital pathology solutions into routine patient care. With more innovations underway, HistoIndex continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in improving outcomes for patients with MASH.

About MASH

Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive form of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) characterized by steatosis, ballooning degeneration and inflammation, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer. Pathologist assessment of liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing and assessing the severity of MASH. Histological categorial scoring systems are often used as surrogate endpoints to evaluate drug efficacy in MASH clinical trials. These endpoints are limited in capturing the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease. As a result, there is a growing need for more accurate and reliable tools, such as AI-based digital pathology solutions, to improve the assessment of treatment response and disease severity in MASH.

About HistoIndex

Founded in 2010, HistoIndex pioneers in stain-free, fully automated imaging solutions for visualizing and quantifying fibrosis in biological tissues. By combining cutting-edge biophotonic technology with AI-based analysis, HistoIndex provides innovative tools to improve the assessment of fibrosis changes and drug efficacy. HistoIndex’s breakthrough digital pathology solutions are currently used in accelerating clinical research, expediting pharmaceutical drug development, and transforming medical standards.

References:

  1. https://histoindex.com/fibrosight/
  2. https://histoindex.com/qfibrosis/