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3i debuts at IFA with impressive ultra-compact robot vacuums and world-first designs

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BERLIN, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 3i, a pioneering smart home brand specializing in robotic cleaning and founded by industry leader PICEA, will make its IFA debut this year, September 5–9, showcasing its innovations under the theme “First to the Future.”

3i debuts at IFA with impressive ultra-compact robot vacuums and world-first designs
3i debuts at IFA with impressive ultra-compact robot vacuums and world-first designs

3i will unveil two upcoming robot vacuums, the Q10 Ultra and A10, scheduled to launch in Q1, 2026. Reflecting the modern trend toward minimalist home design, both models feature exceptionally compact builds for agile navigation and broader coverage, while still delivering powerful cleaning performance. 3i will also showcase its complete product lineup, each incorporating unique, cutting-edge technologies.

3i Q10 Ultra: Slides In, Climbs Up, Cleans All

The Q10 Ultra is an ultra-compact robot vacuum with a multifunctional base station. It stands at only 7.9 cm (3.1″) tall, roughly the height of a baseball, and has a diameter of just 29.8 cm (11.7″), making it even smaller than an LP vinyl record. This compact size allows the Q10 Ultra to move effortlessly under sofas, beds, and between the legs of baby highchairs, ensuring comprehensive coverage and eliminating dirt from hidden areas. It also means it doesn’t take up too much space in the home, so is easy to store.

Despite its compact size, the Q10 Ultra packs an impressive 20,000 Pa suction power, the highest among 3i robot vacuums. Its dust removal rate on carpets has been significantly enhanced, now more than double that of comparable products. Its UltraReach™ mop can extend up to 3.1 cm (1.2″), the industry’s longest, while the side brush reaches deep into corners for more thorough cleaning.

The Q10 Ultra also sets a new standard for obstacle-crossing, climbing heights of up to 3.5 cm (1.4″) with ease. Its universal wheel, powered by unique AirLift™ technology, makes crossing thresholds easier, ensuring uninterrupted whole-home cleaning. For navigation and obstacle avoidance, the Q10 Ultra uses 3i’s proprietary DualRay™ technology, which excels at detecting and avoiding small obstacles. Operating at noise levels as low as 50 dB, it refreshes floors before anyone even notices. Maintenance is minimal too, with the base station automatically handling mop washing and drying, dust collection, and self-cleaning. The Q10 Ultra will also be 3i’s first to support the Matter protocol, enabling seamless smart home integration.

3i A10: Advanced Features at an Accessible Price

3i will also showcase the prototype of its slimmest model yet, the A10, ideal for small homes and budget-conscious buyers.

Launching at under $150, the A10 offers standout value with features typically found in higher-end models, including 10,000 Pa suction and simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. Its side brush and mop extend by default, retracting flexibly around obstacles for thorough edge cleaning. In addition to its strong cleaning performance, the A10 features advanced laser navigation, multi-level mapping, and smart app functions including recommended no-go zones and scheduled cleaning.

Showcasing 3i’s Current Innovations

3i S10 Ultra: The world’s first WaterRecycle™ floor-washing robot vacuum, featuring fully-automatic water change for a truly hands-free cleaning experience. Its real-time self-cleaning roller mop makes it especially effective for tackling liquid spills.

3i P10 Ultra: An 18,000 Pa deep-cleaning robot vacuum equipped with UltraReach™ extendable mop, auto TangleCut™, and 60℃ hot-water self-cleaning, delivering ultimate cleaning power with minimal maintenance.

3i G10+: World’s first robot vacuum with patented onboard debris compression and UltraReach™ mop, up to 60 days without emptying. Both the side brush and mop are extendable, enabling true 100% corner-to-edge cleaning.

Meet 3i at IFA 2025

Booth: H9-134, Messe Berlin

Date: September 5–9, 2025

3i will also participate in ShowStoppers on September 4, from 6 to 9 PM at Messe Berlin south entrance.

For more information, please visit 3itech.com

About 3i

3i is a pioneering smart home brand fueled by imagination, innovation, and intelligence. Founded by PICEA Corporation—a global leader in robotic cleaning product manufacturing since 2016, with over 30% of the high-end robot vacuum market—3i aims to make advanced solutions accessible to every home.

With a vision to deliver effortless cleanliness, unparalleled convenience, and lasting peace of mind, 3i is committed to creating never-before-seen products that address both common and overlooked household challenges.

Schools in Vientiane Province to Ban Student Phones Starting September

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Phontham Visapra
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Schools in Vientiane Province to Ban Student Phones Starting September
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo credit: Calvin Yang)

Starting 1 September, Vientiane Province will ban students from bringing phones to school to reduce distractions and help them focus on their studies, the Provincial Education and Sports Administration said.

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Grey Launches Faster Rupee Payouts for Indians Earning Globally

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Advertorial Desk
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Y Combinator-backed US fintech expands services to India with minutes-fast transfers that bypass traditional banking delays

SAN FRANCISCO, US – EQS Newswire – 2 September 2025 – Y Combinator-backed startup fintech Grey (https://Grey.co/) has expanded its services to India, now offering almost instant rupee payouts to serve Indians earning from international sources—from freelancers and entrepreneurs to students and expats sending money home, receiving support from family and managing cross-border finances.

The product expansion positions Grey, a US-licensed fintech, that serves over 2 million users across 50+ countries, as a major player offering comprehensive global banking services specifically designed for India’s digitally connected workforce, providing instant access to USD, EUR, and GBP accounts alongside local rupee conversions.

India processes over $125 billion in annual remittances, more than any country globally, yet most recipients still wait 3-5 business days and pay 3-7% in hidden fees for international transfers.

“Traditional banks treat international payments like it’s still 1995,” said Idorenyin Obong, Grey’s CEO, who spent time in Bengaluru meeting users “I talked to a freelance designer who was losing ₹15,000 monthly just on conversion fees and delays. That’s serious money.”

The timing reflects India’s growing global economic integration. The country has the world’s largest freelance market with over 15 million freelancers and approximately 3 million remote workers employed by foreign companies. Most still rely on traditional payment methods with multi-day delays, despite having clients primarily based in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and South America.

Grey’s approach differs by providing users with actual US, European, and UK bank account details, allowing international clients to pay as if hiring locally, then instantly converting funds to rupees on the recipient’s end.

“We’re not just another remittance app,” Obong explained. “We’re giving Indians the same financial infrastructure that Americans and Europeans have which is instant access to global money.”

The launch positions Grey directly against established players in India, a market where cross-border payment companies have struggled with regulatory complexity and local banking partnerships.

Indian users can sign up immediately at https://Grey.co/. The service supports payouts from 170+ countries and includes virtual USD debit cards and USDC cryptocurrency deposits and payouts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Grey.

Hashtag: #Grey

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Grey

Grey is at the forefront of providing secure and convenient global banking solutions to meet the needs of customers and businesses. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada, and FinCEN in the USA, and our primary focus is emerging markets. Our range of services enables individuals and businesses to easily own and manage multi-currency accounts (). This includes currency exchange (), sending and receiving payments () to and from over 170 countries, as well as access to virtual cards ().

Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025 Tackles Escalating Scam Threats In Southeast Asia With Cross-border Collaboration And Technology-Driven Solutions

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Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – At the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 today, Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, and Patron of the GASA Singapore Chapter, announced a series of key initiatives to combat the rising tide of online scams, which have cost Southeast Asia an estimated US$23.6 billion in the past year. The key initiatives include:

● GovTech Singapore joining the Global Signal Exchange (GSE): The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) is the first government agency globally to commit to exchanging scam signals through the GSE for scam disruption.

● Google.org’s US$5 million fund: Google.org is providing US$5 million in funding to The ASEAN Foundation to expand online scam prevention resources to 3 million people across Southeast Asia.

● New report and game: A new report on building resilience against digitally-enabled scams and fraud in Southeast Asia was released by the Tech for Good Institute in partnership with Bamboo Builders. Additionally, an immersive web-game was announced as part of the ScamWISE National Education Programme by Bamboo Builders.

● GASA network expansion: The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) network has grown, with new operational chapters in Indonesia and the Philippines joining the existing one in Singapore.

State Of Scams In Southeast Asia 2025 Report

The newly launched “State of Scams in Southeast Asia 2025 Report,” which surveyed 6,000 people across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, revealed the staggering scale of the problem. An average of US$660 is lost per person, with Singapore experiencing the highest per person loss at US$2,132. The report also found that nearly two-thirds of all scams occur within 24 hours of first contact, and an alarming 77% of Southeast Asian adults were exposed to a scam in the past year.

Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, emphasised the urgent need for action. “Online scams are not just a consumer inconvenience, they are a global security challenge undermining digital trust and economic resilience,” Abraham said. “Criminal networks are moving faster than our protections, but it is possible to close the gap. GASA’s mission is to provide the infrastructure and partnership needed to close this gap – uniting efforts across sectors and borders to build a stronger, collective defence.”

GovTech Singapore Has Become The First Government Agency To Commit to Exchanging Scam Signals Through The Global Signal Exchange (GSE)

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) has joined the GSE, making it the first government agency globally to commit to exchanging scam signals. Tracking over 400 million threats in real time, the GSE allows member organisations to rapidly share information for scam disruption. Co-founded by Oxford Information Labs Research (OXIL), Google, and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), GSE is the first global clearinghouse for the sharing of scams and fraud threat signals, with members including technology giants such as Meta and Microsoft. This collaboration is a major step in strengthening global public-private partnership against online scams.

Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, and Patron of the GASA Singapore Chapter said, “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has introduced powerful new tools, but it’s a double-edged sword. With AI, scammers can create hyper-realistic deepfake videos, generate persuasive and personalised text messages at scale, and automate fraudulent campaigns with unprecedented speed. Combating this requires close collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society, and a strategy of using technology to fight technology. These global summits are vital for sharing lessons and building more coordinated responses across the region.”

Google.org Announces US$5 Million In Funding To Support The ASEAN Foundation

Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, also announced US$5 million in funding to support The ASEAN Foundation, which will work with local partners to expand online scam prevention resources for 3 million people across Southeast Asia. This includes scaling the educational game “Be Scam Ready”, a tool designed by Google to build resilience against online threats by exposing players to common scam tactics in a safe environment, helping them learn how to spot the real thing. Google plans for an October launch in Singapore and aims to roll out the interactive game to more markets in the Asia Pacific region in 2026 by leveraging GASA’s extensive member network.

New Report And Web-game Announced At The Sidelines Of The Global Anti-Scam Summit

In a separate announcement, the Tech for Good Institute, in partnership with Bamboo Builders and supported by Google.org, released a new report at the sidelines of the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025. The new report, “Building Resilience Against Digitally-enabled Scams and Fraud in Southeast Asia,” emphasises the critical need for a “whole-of-society” approach to combatting online scams. It advocates for building digital resilience at every stage of a victim’s journey and stresses the importance of localised, relevant strategies. The findings are based on insights from over 70 regional experts, including members of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.

In addition, Bamboo Builders also announced an immersive web-game as part of the SG ScamWISE National Education Programme. “ScamWISE Squad,” by Bamboo Builders with the support of Google.org, is an immersive game that transforms real-life scam case studies from Singapore into an engaging and relatable educational experience for all ages. Scheduled for a full release in 2026, the game aims to equip 100,000 Singaporeans, particularly youth and seniors, with the skills to defend themselves against scams and online threats.

GASA Network Expansion in Southeast Asia

The recently launched “State of Scams in Southeast Asia 2025 Report” revealed that 63% of Southeast Asian adults claim to have had a scam experience in the last 12 months. To address the growing threat of scams, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) has significantly expanded its presence in Southeast Asia, establishing operational chapters in both Indonesia and the Philippines over the past year. These new chapters join the existing one in Singapore, creating a stronger regional network for combating online fraud.

By creating local chapters, GASA is able to foster greater collaboration and intelligence-sharing within these key markets. Rajat Maheshwari, chairman of the GASA Singapore Chapter and Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, added that effective solutions cannot be developed in silos. “Singapore has shown that with the right alignment between public and private sectors, we can move the needle,” Maheshwari noted. “Our collective responsibility is to scale these solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond to ensure that citizens and businesses alike can operate in a trusted digital environment.”
Hashtag: #GASS #GASA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)

The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting consumers worldwide from scams and online fraud. Working across the globe, GASA brings together governments, law enforcement agencies, consumer protection bodies, financial institutions, technology companies, academia, and civil society to share intelligence, coordinate responses, and develop joint strategies.

Through initiatives such as the Global Signal Exchange, a secure platform for real-time scam data sharing, and the Global Anti-Scam Summit series, GASA drives collaboration that enables faster detection, disruption and prevention of scams. Its work is guided by a mission to reduce the financial and emotional harm caused by scams, and to create a safer digital environment for all.

Scan, Play, Discover: Orca Scan Launches QR-Powered Retro Game

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Advertorial Desk
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CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ‘OrcaCam‘ showcases Cambridge‘s history of innovation and demonstrates how a simple QR code can instantly launch a cross-platform game on any device – with no download required.

OrcaCam, a retro-style arcade game launched by Orca Scan as part of the Grand Discoveries Exhibition, celebrates world-changing innovations discovered in Cambridge. Alt Text: Pixel art screenshot from OrcaCam showing an orca flying above the River Cam, dodging obstacles labelled Neutron and Gravity, with a punter on the river and the game logo in the centre.
OrcaCam, a retro-style arcade game launched by Orca Scan as part of the Grand Discoveries Exhibition, celebrates world-changing innovations discovered in Cambridge. Alt Text: Pixel art screenshot from OrcaCam showing an orca flying above the River Cam, dodging obstacles labelled Neutron and Gravity, with a punter on the river and the game logo in the centre.

As part of the award-winning Grand Discoveries Exhibition, Orca Scan has launched OrcaCam – a retro-style arcade game that challenges players to guide an orca through the River Cam, dodging a series of history-making innovations, including the discovery of DNA, the world’s first successful heart transplant, the invention of the webcam and even the rules of football. Each obstacle reflects a real scientific or cultural contribution born in Cambridge.

John Doherty, Founder and CEO of Orca Scan, says: “Cambridge has changed the world in ways many might not realise. OrcaCam is our way of telling that story. Just scan the QR code to start playing instantly on your phone – no app, no install, just scan and play.”

Orca Scan’s in-house development team created the game, which officially launched on 4 August as part of Grand Discoveries 2025, a two-month event hosted and organised by Cambridge’s Grand Arcade in partnership with over 20 leading science and technology organisations, including Raspberry Pi, University of Cambridge, QualComm, Illumina and Supersense Technologies. It invites visitors of all ages to explore the city’s scientific and technological legacy through immersive exhibits and activities.

Julie Kervadec, Marketing Manager for the Grand Arcade, adds: “We’re thrilled to welcome Orca Scan to Grand Discoveries. Their interactive exhibit and new game bring a fun, fresh perspective to innovation in Cambridge. As a Cambridge-born company, Orca Scan perfectly embodies the city’s innovative spirit, and it’s been a real pleasure to work with their team, who brought such creative ideas to the event.”

A live leaderboard is inside Cambridge’s Grand Arcade, and is expected to be seen by over 2 million people during the exhibition. For those unable to visit in person, OrcaCam is accessible online, allowing players worldwide to join in at https://orcascan.com/game.

Founded in Cambridge in 2016 and supported by the Judge Business School Accelerate Programme, Orca Scan helps organisations worldwide track inventory and assets using barcode technology, with no technical skills required. The platform is now used in 167 countries by over 50,000 organisations, including 58% of the Fortune 500.

Please see our media kit for images and gameplay videos.

Photo –  https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/orcacam.jpg

 

Loan Rates Hit 5-Year Low: Is Now the Right Time for Singaporeans to Borrow?

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Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Personal loan flat rates in Singapore have dipped below 2% p.a. for the first time in five years, signalling a potentially opportune moment for consumers considering debt consolidation, home upgrades, or major personal expenses.

To understand how today’s rates compare to past offerings, personal finance platform SingSaver reviewed publicly available data — including archived versions of bank websites — to trace changes in personal loan rates from 2020 to 2025 across major lenders like DBS, OCBC, UOB, and Standard Chartered.

SingSaver’s review of available data found that personal loan rates have steadily declined from an average of 3.88% p.a. between 2020 and 2023 to as low as 1.85% p.a. in 2025 — marking the lowest they’ve been in five years.

According to the review, personal loan rates from Singapore’s major banks in 2025 are as follows:

  • UOB: 1.85% p.a. flat (EIR 3.40%)
  • DBS: 1.99% p.a. flat (EIR 4.17%)
  • OCBC: 1.98% p.a. flat (EIR 4.19%)
  • Standard Chartered: 1.90% p.a. flat (EIR 3.63%)

This represents a sharp drop from earlier years. For example:

  • DBS maintained a consistent rate of 3.88% p.a. from 2020 to 2023, before falling to 2.68% p.a. in 2024 and 1.99% p.a. in 2025.
  • OCBC’s Cash-on-Instalments plan fell from 4.79% p.a. in 2021 to 3.50% in 2022, and further to 1.98% p.a. in 2025.
  • Standard Chartered and UOB show similar trends, with rates dropping by more than 1.5 percentage points since 2023.

Today’s sub-2% offerings could mean thousands in interest savings over the course of a typical 3- to 5-year loan term.

Borrowing remains a personal decision, but current flat rates represent the most competitive environment we’ve seen in half a decade. For financially disciplined individuals, this could be a strategic time to lock in lower-cost credit.

Table 1: Historical Personal Loan Rates by Bank (2020–2025)

DBS

OCBC

UOB

Standard Chartered

2021

3.88% p.a. (EIR 5.79%)

4.79% p.a. (EIR 9.06%)

Data unavailable

3.48% p.a. (EIR 6.95%)

2022

3.88% p.a. (EIR 5.79%)

3.50% p.a. (EIR 6.96%)

Data unavailable

3.48% p.a. (EIR 6.95%)

2023

3.88% p.a. (EIR 7.56%)

3.8% p.a. (EIR 7.49%)

3.77% p.a. (EIR 6.89%)

3.48% p.a. (EIR 6.95%)

2024

2.68% p.a. (EIR 5.43%)

2.66% p.a. (EIR 5.44%)

2.88% p.a. (EIR 5.43%)

2.88% p.a. (EIR 5.48%)

2025

1.99% p.a. (EIR 4.17%)

1.98% p.a. (EIR 4.19%)

1.85% p.a. (EIR 3.40%)

1.90% p.a. (EIR 3.63%)

About the Rate Review

SingSaver reviewed flat interest rates and effective interest rates (EIRs) for standard personal loans from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and Standard Chartered — based on current product pages and historical snapshots retrieved from the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine (2020–2024).

The comparison focused on unsecured bank-issued instalment loans, excluding products from moneylenders, digital lenders, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers. Promotional perks like cashback and eligibility criteria were also referenced where available.

No personal user data was collected or used in this review.

Is Now the Right Time to Borrow?

With rates at a five-year low, borrowers have a rare window to access lower-cost financing. As always, responsible borrowing and careful comparison are key. To explore current offers and terms, visit SingSaver’s Personal Loan Comparison Tool.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. While SingSaver reviews and compares financial products to help consumers make informed decisions, it does not offer or provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Consumers should always conduct their own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.

SingSaver has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this article was accurate as at the date of publication. However, SingSaver and MoneyHero Group make no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and accept no liability (including liability to third parties) for any loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions in compiling or presenting the information, or from reliance on it.

About SingSaver

SingSaver, part of MoneyHero Group – a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison company in Greater Southeast Asia–was founded in May 2015 with a commitment to connecting consumers with the right financial products they need — from credit cards to personal loans, investing accounts to insurance policies, and much more. SingSaver helps thousands of consumers to improve their financial health with easy-to-use comparison platforms along with impartial product reviews and extensive finance articles. For a full discovery, visit https://www.singsaver.com.sg/

New Akamai-Commissioned Research Reveals GenAI is Driving “The Edge Evolution”: 80% of APAC CIOs to Rely on Edge Services by 2027 to Support AI Workloads

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Advertorial Desk
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  • Akamai-commissioned research reports future-proofing digital business infrastructure as the top technology initiative for CEOs in Asia-Pacific organizations
  • Leading analyst firm predicts that by 2027, 80% of CIOs will turn to edge services from cloud providers to meet the performance and compliance demands of AI inferencing
  • 31% of enterprises have moved GenAI applications into production, with 64% in testing phase, forcing an infrastructure rethink

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – As generative AI becomes essential to business operations, organizations are being forced to rethink outdated infrastructure models, finds a new IDC research paper commissioned by Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. According to the research paper titled “The Edge Evolution: Powering Success from Core to Edge,” Asia-Pacific (APAC) enterprises are realizing that centralized cloud architecture alone is unable to meet the increased demands of scale, speed, and compliance. It is crucial that businesses rethink and enhance infrastructure strategies to include edge services to stay competitive and compliant, and be ready for real-world AI deployment.

According to the IDC Worldwide Edge Spending Guide — Forecast, 2025, public cloud services at the edge will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% through 2028, with the total spending projected to reach US$29 billion by 2028. In addition, in the latest research paper, IDC predicts that by 2027, 80% of CIOs will turn to edge services from cloud providers to meet the performance and compliance demands of AI inferencing. This shift marks what is emerging in the paper as “The Edge Evolution.”

The research paper further outlines how public cloud–connected systems combine the agility and scale of public cloud with the proximity and performance of edge computing, delivering the flexibility businesses need to thrive in an AI-powered future.

The AI infrastructure reality check

As generative AI moves from experimentation to execution, enterprises across APAC are confronting the limits of legacy infrastructure. Today, 31% of organizations surveyed in the region have already deployed GenAI applications into production. Meanwhile, 64% of organizations are in the testing or pilot phase, trialing GenAI across both customer-facing and internal use cases. However, this rapid momentum is exposing serious gaps in existing cloud architectures:

  • Complexity of multicloud: 49% of enterprises struggle to manage multicloud environments due to inconsistent tools, fragmented data management, and challenges in maintaining up-to-date systems across platforms.
  • Compliance trap: 50% of the top 1,000 organizations in Asia-Pacific will struggle with divergent regulatory changes and rapidly evolving compliance standards, and this will challenge their ability to adapt to market conditions and drive AI innovation.
  • Bill shock: 24% of organizations identify unpredictable rising cloud costs as a key challenge in their GenAI strategies.
  • Performance bottlenecks: Traditional hub-and-spoke cloud models introduce latency that undercuts the performance of real-time AI applications, making them unsuitable for production-scale GenAI workloads.

“AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure it runs on,” said Parimal Pandya, Senior Vice President, Sales, and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific at Akamai Technologies. “This IDC research paper reveals how Asia-Pacific businesses are adopting more distributed, edge-first infrastructure to meet the performance, security, and cost needs of modern AI workloads. Akamai’s global edge platform is built for this transformation — bringing the power of computing closer to users, where it matters most.”

Daphne Chung, Research Director at IDC Asia-Pacific, added, “GenAI is shifting from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment. As a result, organizations are rethinking how and where their infrastructure operates. Edge strategies are no longer theoretical — they’re being actively implemented to meet real-world demands for intelligence, compliance, and scale.”

Key findings for APAC:

  • China scales GenAI with edge and public cloud dominance: 37% of enterprises have GenAI in production and 61% are testing, while 96% rely on public cloud IaaS. Edge IT investment is accelerating to support remote operations, disconnected environments, and industry-specific use cases.
  • Japan accelerates AI infrastructure despite digital maturity gap: While only 38% of Japanese enterprises have GenAI in production, 84% believe GenAI has already disrupted or will disrupt their businesses in the next 18 months, and 98% plan to run AI workloads on public cloud IaaS for training and inferencing workloads. Edge use cases like AI, IoT, and operational support for cloud disconnection are driving infrastructure upgrades.
  • India expands edge infrastructure to meet GenAI demand and manage costs: With 82% of enterprises conducting initial testing of GenAI and 16% leveraging GenAI in production, India is building out edge capabilities in tier 2 and 3 cities. 91% of GenAI adopters rely on public cloud IaaS, but cost concerns and skills gaps are pushing demand for affordable, AI-ready infrastructure.
  • ASEAN embraces GenAI with edge-first strategies beyond capital hubs: 91% of ASEAN enterprises expect GenAI disruption within 18 months, with 16% having introduced GenAI applications into the production environment and 84% in the initial testing phase. 96% are adopting public cloud IaaS for AI workloads, while edge investment is rising to support remote operations and data control.

Building a cloud-connected future

To stay ahead, enterprises must modernize infrastructure across cloud and edge, aligning deployments with specific workload needs. Securing data through Zero Trust frameworks and continuous compliance is essential, as is ensuring interoperability to avoid vendor lock-in. By tapping into ecosystem partners, businesses can accelerate AI deployment and scale faster, smarter, and with greater flexibility.

Download the full IDC InfoBrief, commissioned by Akamai, “The Edge Evolution: Powering Success from Core to Edge“, August 2025, IDC Doc #AP242522IB, to explore strategic insights and recommendations for building cloud-connected, AI-ready infrastructure across APAC.

Hashtag: #Akamai



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Akamai

Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at and, or follow Akamai Technologies on and.

Venturi Partners Announces First Close of Fund II at $150 Million, reinforcing its playbook of investing in high-growth consumer brands in India and Southeast Asia

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Advertorial Desk
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The Fund aims for a final close of $225 million by June 2026

SINGAPORE, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Venturi Partners, a leading consumer growth fund announced the first close of its second fund at $150 million. This milestone, supported by existing and new investors marks strong momentum towards Venturi’s overall target of $225 million.

Building on the success of Fund I, Fund II will back disruptive, purpose-driven brands across India and Southeast Asia that are positioned to benefit from structural tailwinds including rising consumer spending and favourable demographics. Fund II will make initial investments of $15-40 million in 10 companies across high growth consumer sectors. Alongside the main fund, investors will also be able to co-invest on a 1-1 ratio.

This investment strategy is reinforced by Venturi’s distinct value creation approach that lies in its close collaboration with founders and active board level participation by leveraging the team’s deep sector operating expertise.  

Nicholas Cator, Founder & Managing Partner of Venturi Partners, commented: “We are grateful for the continued trust and confidence of our existing investors and welcome our new partners. This strong response validates our investment thesis and the strength of our unique team that we have built over the last five years.”

Rishika Chandan, Managing Partner of Venturi Partners, commented: “Amidst global volatility, India continues to emerge as a strong growth market, creating a compelling long-term investment opportunity that aligns well with our strategy. With our hands-on operating expertise, we are confident we will deliver strong returns.”

Track Record from Fund I

In June 2022, Venturi Partners closed its debut fund at $180 million, backed by prominent families in Europe and Asia including Frédéric de Mévius (AB InBev family) and Ackermans & van Haaren, a listed Belgian investment company. Fund I’s portfolio includes Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, Dali, K-12 Techno Services and JQR, with an upcoming eight investment to conclude it.

About Venturi Partners: 

Venturi Partners is a consumer-focused growth equity platform investing in Series B-D stage companies across India and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2020, Venturi backs consumer-centric and purpose-driven brands by combining strategic capital with operational excellence to help them scale sustainably and profitably.

For more information, visit www.venturi.partners

(Left to Right Lauren Burns (Partner & Chief Operating Officer), Nicolas Cator (Founder & Managing Partner), Sarvesh Nevatia (Managing Director) and Rishika Chandan (Managing Partner)
(Left to Right Lauren Burns (Partner & Chief Operating Officer), Nicolas Cator (Founder & Managing Partner), Sarvesh Nevatia (Managing Director) and Rishika Chandan (Managing Partner)

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