Getting investors to meet and support tomorrow’s game changing startups – that’s what we are going to talk about today.

Founded in 2023, our guest A2D Ventures aims to be the region’s leading early stage startup investing platform and angel syndicate, expanding access to innovative companies and democratising venture capital. 

At the moment, the firm has a portfolio of 15 companies spread across a wide range of industries such as biotech, proptech, fintech, deeptech as well as aviation and electric vehicles.

Most recently, A2D Ventures had in June 2024 invested in Seaplane Asia, a company that offers air charter and seaplane services connecting islands and coastal areas, in a funding round led by venture capital firm TK & Partners. It had also in May 2024 invested in US sustainable mining startup BANIQL in a US$1.6 million seed round. 

But what is A2D Venture’s investment mandate to begin with? Who are the investors under its syndicate, and what is the return on investment they are aiming for? What is the total amount of capital deployed to startups under its portfolio for now?

Meanwhile, A2D Ventures had in January teamed up with InnoSpace Thailand, a public-private joint venture in the country, to come up with Thailand’s next big accelerator. 

But what should we know about the accelerator and what synergies will the accelerator bring to A2D Ventures as it sources for the next unicorn in the country?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ankit Upadhyay, CEO, A2D Ventures.

Getting investors to meet and support tomorrow&rsquo;s game changing startups &ndash; that&rsquo;s what we are going to talk about today.
Founded in 2023, our guest A2D Ventures aims to be the region&rsquo;s leading early stage startup investing platform and angel syndicate, expanding access to innovative companies and democratising venture capital.&nbsp;
At the moment, the firm has a portfolio of 15 companies spread across a wide range of industries such as biotech, proptech, fintech, deeptech as well as aviation and electric vehicles.
Most recently, A2D Ventures had in June 2024 invested in Seaplane Asia, a company that offers air charter and seaplane services connecting islands and coastal areas, in a funding round led by venture capital firm TK &amp; Partners. It had also in May 2024 invested in US sustainable mining startup BANIQL in a US$1.6 million seed round.&nbsp;
But what is A2D Venture&rsquo;s investment mandate to begin with? Who are the investors under its syndicate, and what is the return on investment they are aiming for? What is the total amount of capital deployed to startups under its portfolio for now?
Meanwhile, A2D Ventures had in January teamed up with InnoSpace Thailand, a public-private joint venture in the country, to come up with Thailand&rsquo;s next big accelerator.&nbsp;
But what should we know about the accelerator and what synergies will the accelerator bring to A2D Ventures as it sources for the next unicorn in the country?
On Under the Radar, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ankit Upadhyay, CEO, A2D Ventures.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Under the Radar: How does early stage startup investing platform and angel syndicate A2D Ventures work exactly? 

Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a leading independent digital wealth platform in Asia that provides bespoke investment solutions for personal savings, private wealth and even public pension (say in the case of CPF and SRS in Singapore). 

Founded in 2017, our guest for today Endowus operates out of both Singapore and Hong Kong with a vision to help investors grow their wealth holistically and offer what it describes as conflict-free advice and access to institutional financial solutions, through a personalised digital wealth experience. 

Fast forward to today, the firm works with over 80 global fund managers to provide access to investment strategies across public and private markets, hedge funds and alternatives. 

The digital wealth platform had also in October 2025 crossed US$10 billion in assets under management after seeing record inflows and assets from Hong Kong customers tripling. The firm also noted that its alternative business surged to over US$500 million. 

So what’s driving the numbers and what are the growth trends for the firm with Federal Reserve interest rates set to fall further this year?

At the same time, Endowus also raised over US$70 million that same month, in a funding round led by Illuminate Financial and joined by existing investors including Citi Ventures and various Asian family offices. 

According to Tech Node Global, the firm said at the time that funds raised will be used to help the firm scale further, and to zoom in on creating retirement solutions and pension platforms in Singapore and Hong Kong. Resources will also be channelled to AI innovation, new B2B solutions for financial advisers and further geographic expansion. 

But how far are we seeing that play out? Where is Endowus moving into next and how will the role of its Singapore operations evolve?
 
Meanwhile, robo-advisory AutoWealth had in January 2026 become the second digital adviser for the CPF Investment Scheme after Endowus. So what does the move mean for Endowus then and will it double down on efforts to grow its market share right here in the Lion City?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Samuel Rhee, Co-founder, Chairman and Group CIO, Endowus.

Today we&rsquo;re going to take you through the ins and outs of a leading independent digital wealth platform in Asia that provides bespoke investment solutions for personal savings, private wealth and even public pension (say in the case of CPF and SRS in Singapore).&nbsp;
Founded in 2017, our guest for today Endowus operates out of both Singapore and Hong Kong with a vision to help investors grow their wealth holistically and offer what it describes as conflict-free advice and access to institutional financial solutions, through a personalised digital wealth experience.&nbsp;
Fast forward to today, the firm works with over 80 global fund managers to provide access to investment strategies across public and private markets, hedge funds and alternatives.&nbsp;
The digital wealth platform had also in October 2025 crossed US$10 billion in assets under management after seeing record inflows and assets from Hong Kong customers tripling. The firm also noted that its alternative business surged to over US$500 million.&nbsp;
So what&rsquo;s driving the numbers and what are the growth trends for the firm with Federal Reserve interest rates set to fall further this year?
At the same time, Endowus also raised over US$70 million that same month, in a funding round led by Illuminate Financial and joined by existing investors including Citi Ventures and various Asian family offices.&nbsp;
According to Tech Node Global, the firm said at the time that funds raised will be used to help the firm scale further, and to zoom in on creating retirement solutions and pension platforms in Singapore and Hong Kong. Resources will also be channelled to AI innovation, new B2B solutions for financial advisers and further geographic expansion.&nbsp;
But how far are we seeing that play out? Where is Endowus moving into next and how will the role of its Singapore operations evolve? &nbsp; Meanwhile, robo-advisory AutoWealth had in January 2026 become the second digital adviser for the CPF Investment Scheme after Endowus. So what does the move mean for Endowus then and will it double down on efforts to grow its market share right here in the Lion City?
On Under the Radar, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Samuel Rhee, Co-founder, Chairman and Group CIO, Endowus.

Under the Radar: Endowus’ Chairman sheds light on what’s next for the firm after crossing US$10B in AUM

Semiconductors are the invisible foundation of our digital world – powering everything from data centres and electric vehicles to smartphones and even satellites. 

But behind the global chip ecosystem lies precision engineering firms that make tools and parts used in the manufacturing process. 

And our guest for today, Micro-Mechanics, is one of them. Founded in 1983, and listed on the SGX-Sesdaq in Singapore in 2003, the company designs and manufactures a range of consumable tools and parts used in the assembly and testing of semiconductors. 

The company also engages in the contract manufacturing of precision parts and tools used in process-critical applications for the semiconductor wafer-fabrication and other high-technology industries. 

In July 2008, the listing and quotation of Micro-Mechanics’ shares were upgraded to the SGX Mainboard. 

Today, Micro-Mechanics’ boasts a headcount of 450 globally, with five factories located in Singapore, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in Silicon Valley in the US. 

Micro-Mechanics is a company that we want to talk about right now, given how ongoing trade tensions and tariff spat between the US and China have thrusted the semiconductor industry and supply chain into the spotlight.

Despite global headwinds, Micro-Mechanics said it was somewhat sheltered given how it had plants set up in both China and the US. 

So how is the firm capitalising on its relative advantage in the global semiconductor supply chain right now, and what are the growth opportunities present within the industry right now?

How does the firm assess the role of its presence in Singapore, and the vibrancy of the local stock market in boosting its valuation?

In this Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kyle Borch, CEO, Micro-Mechanics.

Semiconductors are the invisible foundation of our digital world &ndash; powering everything from data centres and electric vehicles to smartphones and even satellites.&nbsp;
But behind the global chip ecosystem lies precision engineering firms that make tools and parts used in the manufacturing process.&nbsp;
And our guest for today, Micro-Mechanics, is one of them. Founded in 1983, and listed on the SGX-Sesdaq in Singapore in 2003, the company designs and manufactures a range of consumable tools and parts used in the assembly and testing of semiconductors.&nbsp;
The company also engages in the contract manufacturing of precision parts and tools used in process-critical applications for the semiconductor wafer-fabrication and other high-technology industries.&nbsp;
In July 2008, the listing and quotation of Micro-Mechanics&rsquo; shares were upgraded to the SGX Mainboard.&nbsp;
Today, Micro-Mechanics&rsquo; boasts a headcount of 450 globally, with five factories located in Singapore, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in Silicon Valley in the US.&nbsp;
Micro-Mechanics is a company that we want to talk about right now, given how ongoing trade tensions and tariff spat between the US and China have thrusted the semiconductor industry and supply chain into the spotlight.
Despite global headwinds, Micro-Mechanics said it was somewhat sheltered given how it had plants set up in both China and the US.&nbsp;
So how is the firm capitalising on its relative advantage in the global semiconductor supply chain right now, and what are the growth opportunities present within the industry right now?
How does the firm assess the role of its presence in Singapore, and the vibrancy of the local stock market in boosting its valuation?
In this Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kyle Borch, CEO, Micro-Mechanics.

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How far has Micro-Mechanics’ move to decentralise production help it navigate global trade tensions, and what are the opportunities in the global semiconductor industry? Its CEO spills the beans.

Today we’re going to turn the clock back to the 1800s to share with you the story of a young man, Georges Nagelmackers, who had just fallen out of love. 

Like some of us who might travel abroad to take a breather, Nagelmackers fled to the US, where he discovered railroads with the world’s first sleeping cars. 

The enterprising Belgian engineer decided to take that idea back to Europe, where he would launch luxurious trains leading to the Gates of the Orient. 

That’s right, we are talking about the Orient Express, or the luxurious train experience provider that would later be further popularised by a suspense novel by writer Agatha Christie in the early 1930s. 

Then called the CIWL (Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits), or The International Sleeping Car company, Orient Express’ inaugural trip happened in October 1883 from Paris to Constantinople (or the modern day Istanbul), redefining the meaning of long distance travel for luxury travelers. 

As we know, the development of air travel has changed the way people move between places. That dealt a blow to CIWL, and eventually, the Orient Express made its last direct trip between Paris and Istanbul in 1977. 

That same year, the SNCF or the French National Railway Company acquired the Orient Express brand, and the last Orient-Express train left Vienna for Strasbourg in December 2009. 

But hope is not lost. Nearly 140 years after making its first trip, Accor Hotels fully bought over and redeveloped the brand in 2022, expanding the portfolio of Orient Express to include hotels and even yacht sailings. 

As for the original Orient Express carriages – they will be back on railway tracks in 2027, though details are still scant at the moment. So, what should we know about the Orient Express portfolio of hospitality solutions today, and what is next for the firm? 

In this episode of Under the Radar “SPECIALS”, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Group Chief Strategy Officer of Accor & CEO of Orient Express.

Today we&rsquo;re going to turn the clock back to the 1800s to share with you the story of a young man, Georges Nagelmackers, who had just fallen out of love.&nbsp;
Like some of us who might travel abroad to take a breather, Nagelmackers fled to the US, where he discovered railroads with the world&rsquo;s first sleeping cars.&nbsp;
The enterprising Belgian engineer decided to take that idea back to Europe, where he would launch luxurious trains leading to the Gates of the Orient.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s right, we are talking about the Orient Express, or the luxurious train experience provider that would later be further popularised by a suspense novel by writer Agatha Christie in the early 1930s.&nbsp;
Then called the CIWL (Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits), or The International Sleeping Car company, Orient Express&rsquo; inaugural trip happened in October 1883 from Paris to Constantinople (or the modern day Istanbul), redefining the meaning of long distance travel for luxury travelers.&nbsp;
As we know, the development of air travel has changed the way people move between places. That dealt a blow to CIWL, and eventually, the Orient Express made its last direct trip between Paris and Istanbul in 1977.&nbsp;
That same year, the SNCF or the French National Railway Company acquired the Orient Express brand, and the last Orient-Express train left Vienna for Strasbourg in December 2009.&nbsp;
But hope is not lost. Nearly 140 years after making its first trip, Accor Hotels fully bought over and redeveloped the brand in 2022, expanding the portfolio of Orient Express to include hotels and even yacht sailings.&nbsp;
As for the original Orient Express carriages &ndash; they will be back on railway tracks in 2027, though details are still scant at the moment. So, what should we know about the Orient Express portfolio of hospitality solutions today, and what is next for the firm?&nbsp;
In this episode of Under the Radar &ldquo;SPECIALS&rdquo;, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Group Chief Strategy Officer of Accor &amp; CEO of Orient Express.

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) What should we know about Orient Express’ grand comeback? CEO of Orient Express and Group Strategy Officer of its parent Accor tells us more.

Under the Radar: How does early stage startup investing platform and angel syndicate A2D Ventures work exactly?

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