No gas, all go for Malaysian EVs

More: Private equity firms aim to facilitate US$35 billion worth of investments in Vietnam and OpenAI seeks to raise funds at US$150 billion valuation [Read from your browser]( Daily Newsletter Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Daily Newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only Daily Newsletter and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](.  --------------------------------------------------------------- IN FOCUS In today's newsletter, we spotlight: - [Malaysia’s EV race heats up]( - OpenAI seeking new funding at a valuation of US$150 billion - Other newsy highlights such as regional private equity firms teaming up to spur US$35 billion worth of investments in Vietnam --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} Sports teams certainly have home-field advantage, but can the same be said for automakers? Governments across the world are asking themselves how they can give their local manufacturers a leg up in the electric vehicle race amid the dominance of Chinese players in global sales. Malaysia is no exception, as local manufacturers are attempting to compete on price with the foreign brands that currently lead the growing market. Check out today’s featured story for a deep dive into their prospects. -- Peter  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Malaysia’s EV race electrifies as local brands undercut on price]( Still, "range anxiety," affordability, and limited charging infrastructure are major hurdles to wider adoption. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [OpenAI fundraising set to vault startup’s valuation to $150 Billion]( OpenAI is in talks to raise US$6.5 billion in fresh funding at a US$150 billion valuation, Bloomberg reported. The ChatGPT maker was valued at US$86 billion in a tender offer earlier this year. [Asia Funds create alliance to help funnel billions into Vietnam]( A new alliance of regional private equity firms has been formed in a bid to facilitate US$35 billion worth of investments in Vietnam over the next decade. The Vietnam Private Capital Agency was launched by five partners from funds including Golden Gate Ventures, Do Ventures, and Monk’s Hill Ventures. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [VC funds tracker: Venture lender Genesis scores $125m and more]( Fundraising is difficult. To make things easier, we have compiled a list of the most recent VC funds for our subscribers. --------------------------------------------------------------- BUILD BETTER PRODUCTS, FASTER  Stay ahead of the game with insights from design and engineering leaders Deeper integration between design and engineering - opportunity or headache? Senior product developers and engineers are tackling this question head-on at our exclusive roundtable on September 26 at Coriander Leaf Chijmes. We'll explore proven strategies for effective communication, uncover the true potential and challenges of advanced design tools, and discover how to empower true collaboration that transforms your product development process - and yes, spark a little healthy debate along the way. Space is extremely limited - [apply for your invite today!]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  PRESS PEEKS The following press releases were published as they were received, without any editing from the Tech in Asia team. You too can publish your own press release on Tech in Asia by simply filling in [this]( page](. Our team will get back to you by the next business day. - K-Link - [Klink.cloud Partners with Rakuten Viber To Enhance Business Communication in APAC]( Klink.cloud partners with Rakuten Viber to enhance business communication in APAC, integrating Viber Chatbots to streamline customer engagement. - First Rate Connect - [Launch of First Rate Connect Venture Accelerator, Aims to Support Singaporean Fintech Startups in Expanding to the US Market]( Launch of First Rate Connect Venture Accelerator, Aims to Support Singaporean Fintech Startups in Expanding to the US Market. - Libertex - [Libertex adds a dash of European Football excitement to iFX EXPO Asia 2024]( The global CFD industry leader will have a distinctive presence at Asia’s benchmark online trading event. - Fingular - [Global neobank Fingular launches “Buy Now, Pay Later” business in Malaysia under the brand AhaPay]( Global neobank Fingular launches “Buy Now, Pay Later” business in Malaysia under the brand AhaPay. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here]( and Tech in Asia’s signature events [here](.  [Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta on October 23 - 24]( Nicholas Nash, managing partner and co-founder of Asia Partners, will be delivering the opening keynote at TIA Conference Jakarta and share his insights on Southeast Asia’s tech resilience, focusing on the markets and industries that have kept the region powering through. He’ll also explore the underlying factors that enable this continued growth and development. Fourth-release tickets are now up for grabs at 40% off, [get yours today.]( [Gemini Day for Startups: Indonesia on September 26]( Stop wondering if generative AI can transform your business - see it in action instead. This exclusive event will show you how to leverage AI to unlock new revenue streams, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge. [Apply for your invite today]( - limited spots available, so secure yours now. [SYNC 2024 on October 08]( Get ready to experience the future of AI at #SYNC2024, an exclusive, closed-door event convening 100 of Asia's most influential minds in the AI landscape. We're thrilled to announce that Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer, will be joining our main stage speaker lineup. Besides the main stage content, expect tailored roundtables, demos from AI startups, and networking opportunities aimed at equipping you with the knowledge and resources to navigate the ever-evolving AI landscape. This exclusive event is by application only. [Find out more about SYNC 2024 today.]( [Startup Factory at Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta]( Are you a founder looking for inspiration, connections, and the latest tech insights? Look no further than the Startup Factory at #TIAConferenceJKT! This exclusive space, designed for founders like you, will showcase the region's most promising tech companies. Get up close and personal with the innovators shaping the future, discover the trends driving the tech industry, and connect with potential partners and investors. Competition is fierce and limited booth slots are available. [Apply now!]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [Product Manager]( at PT Allo Bank Indonesia Tbk Jakarta, Indonesia - [QA manual & automation]( at Techtroops Jakarta, Indonesia - [Regional Coordinator]( at KKN (UK) ENTERPRISE LIMITED Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - [Lead Data Engineer]( at TADA Jakarta, Indonesia - [Accounting Income Staff]( at Bina Nusantara Group Jakarta, Indonesia - [ETL Developer (Lawencon Internasional)]( at Dealls Jakarta, Indonesia [ADVERTISE]( | [SUBSCRIBE]( P.S. Don't miss out on the biggest tech news and analysis. Add newsletter@techinasia.com to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list. Or simply move us into your inbox. Tech in Asia thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Too many emails? 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