Off the beaten track for Indonesia's Julo

More: An India-based nonprofit gets a grant from Google.org and a Singaporean AI firm emerges from stealth mode following a fundraise. [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: - [Whether Julo can cut it in student financing]( - Foodpanda’s new interim CEO for the Malaysia unit - Other newsy highlights such as a grant for an Indian nonprofit as well as a Singaporean AI firm coming out of stealth mode. --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} I consume lots of Western media, especially those from the US. As such, I often hear about how student loan debt can be crushing at times. It’s gotten so bad that the collective student loan debt in the country tripled over the last 15 years, from US$619 billion in 2008 to US$1.77 trillion this year. Naturally, I’m grateful to live in a place where I wouldn’t be buried under this liability for basically my entire life. University fees in Singapore may not be cheap by some measures, but at least they’re somewhat manageable, with decent avenues for financing and repayment. In Indonesia, one of these avenues is Julo, which recently entered the student financing sector. The fintech platform already has an arsenal of services, but let’s see if this new one will be up to scratch. -- Jonathan  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Can Julo’s 2 million users help it succeed in Indonesia’s student financing industry?]( The digital credit platform has crossed US$100 million in sales and roughly US$1 billion in total loan disbursements, Tech in Asia has learned. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Foodpanda names new interim CEO for Malaysia unit]( Pichaya Thongthua takes over from John Fang, who held the position before being appointed regional CEO of Foodpanda. [Wadhwani AI receives $3.3m Google.org grant for AI-powered pest detection]( In addition to agriculture, the India-based non profit also provides solutions in the education and healthcare domains. [Ex-Lazada Indonesia boss’ prefab home startup raises $10m]( Bali-based Stilt Studios, which has been profitable since 2022, will use the money to expand into Australia and other markets. [Temasek’s deeptech arm leads series A round of SG solar cell innovator]( Cosmos Innovation uses AI to help develop perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, known to have higher efficiency than most commercial cells. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [20 top angel investment networks in Asia]( Here’s our regularly updated list of Asia’s top angel investment networks. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [AD] [Sip ‘n’ Discuss Sunset: Exclusive Event for Succesful Marketing Leaders]( on 23 November Join SpinX for a fun yet exclusive after-work Thursday sunset session full of marketing wisdom and poolside drinks, tailor-made for marketing leaders. Click [here](  - [AD] [StartmeupHK Festival]( on November 8 to 17 Sometimes, it feels like speakers at conferences and events are just like superstars. With all the insights and anecdotes they offer, it can be easy to get a little starstruck. This year’s StartmeupHK Festival features a star-studded lineup of speakers. These include Ariel Shtarkman, managing partner and co-founder of Undivided Ventures; Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands; Henry Soediarko, director of Milltrust International Group; Christoph Meyer, general manager of Hong Kong, South China, and Macau for the Lufthansa Group; and Zhou Jingren, CTO of Alibaba Cloud. Excited to hear what they have to say? Get your tickets [here](.  - [Tech in Asia x Airwallex - Exclusive Mixer]( Mingle with APAC's Payment and Growth Leaders on November 14 Meet and connect with your peers at Exclusive Mixer: Mingle with APAC's Payment and Growth Leaders, an invite-only networking event on November 14 co-hosted by Tech in Asia and Airwallex. This isn’t your run-off-the-mill corporate event. It’s a gathering of forward-thinkers across Asia Pacific and anyone eager to discover best practices in optimizing and streamlining payment journeys at scale. Grab drinks and light bites while soaking up Singapore’s cityscapes from Honcho’s rooftop bar as you mingle. Come hang out and unwind at this relaxed and casual mixer - all refreshments are on the house [Get your ticket]( to this closed-door event and build lasting connections. Slots are limited so secure yours NOW!  - [Brushstrokes to Success]( Design a Solid Growth Plan for 2024 on November 16 Join senior business leaders and decision-makers at the upcoming “Brushstrokes to Success: Design a Solid Growth Plan for 2024.” Co-hosted by Tech in Asia and G-P, this exclusive event will be held at Bridge+ on November 16. This goes beyond the typical corporate gathering by providing a space where forward thinkers can challenge themselves and explore best practices for scaling businesses from creative and analytical perspectives. Gain and exchange insights with our panelists from Aspire, 2C2P, and G-P in an open Q&A session. Over light bites and drinks, we’ll also go through an exciting agenda that includes quizzes, modern calligraphy, networking and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your business approach and make meaningful connections. [Get your tickets for this closed-door event NOW]( before they’re all snatched up! ---------------------------------------------------------------  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. - Longbridge Securities Singapore - [Longbridge launches a 500% rebate welcome campaign, boosting rewards for traders and investors]( Longbridge Securities is delighted to introduce an exciting new initiative, the "Trade to Earn 500% Rebates" campaign. - Edelman Singapore - [Powered Carbon Secures PepsiCo Grant of $100,000 to Amplify Circular Economy Innovations]( Powered Carbon, the winner of PepsiCo's APAC Greenhouse Accelerator Program, was selected from a pool of 10 regional startups. ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [Community Officer Internship]( at Influence ID Jakarta, Indonesia - [Web Developer (Enseval Putera Megatrading)]( at Dealls Bekasi, Indonesia - [Software Engineer]( at PT Mitramas Infosys Global Jakarta, Indonesia - [QA Specialist]( at PT. Ichigo Indonesia Inti Jakarta, Indonesia - [Senior Marketing Specialist - Cloud]( at Scout.inc Jakarta, Indonesia - [IT Security]( at Graha Karya Informasi 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? Switch to a different frequency or get new content through our [preference center]( or [unsubscribe](. You can also break our hearts and remove yourself from all Tech in Asia emails over [here](  ---------------------------------------------------------------  Copyright © 2023 Tech in Asia, All rights reserved. 63 Robinson Road, Singapore 068894