Some highlights, particularly in terms of industries being disrupted by blockchain tech

Metro Manila skyline at sunset

Technology advances with the work of great minds, so to expedite the rate at which new tools are developed, those minds often congregate in places where they can collaborate and be amongst others with equal passion. Silicon Valley is famous for being a major tech hub, and both Austin, Texas and Denver, Colorado are quickly catching up (and their emergence on the tech scene is unrelated to companies like Amazon or Walmart). We’ve long lauded Silicon Valley as the epicenter of innovation.

While the Bay Area still attracts incredible talent, it’s not the only region bringing innovative solutions to life. Southeast Asia comes out with talented teams creating compelling blockchain innovations. While there is an argument to be had for blossoming tech sectors around the globe, we’ve rounded up a few areas where creativity and technology are colliding to spark radical developments.

Philippines

Long overshadowed by other Asian technological power players, this country’s technology is swiftly growing. For the past several years the government has made a concerted effort to put programs in place that cultivate and boost the progress of tech startups. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Slingshot program was set in motion to offer a dynamic environment for eager tech upstarts to bring their ideas to life.

Among some of the country’s most promising organizations is Kalibrr, a recruiting platform that makes the job hunt open and seamless. Although not necessarily brand new to the startup scene, this organization is still making waves and is especially vital to continuing the cultivation of tech talent in this country.

One recently launched startup is Xlog, which aims to disrupt the global shipping industry through its blockchain-based approach to the end-to-end logistics process. By placing all documentation and payments on the blockchain, it ensures seamless, secure, and fair-priced services for trucking, forwarding, shipping, warehousing, and more. Founder and CEO Eugenio Ynion Jr. says that the company’s blockchain “will allow for a simplified process, better tracking and security, and ease of transaction documentation.”

Singapore

It should be of no surprise that Singapore is a hotbed of innovation. It has consistently been ranked in the top 15 global startup cities and with the top ranked talent globally. It is now also one of the premier blockchain ecosystems in the world, being a hub for initial coin offerings (ICOs) and alternative fundraising.

Some exciting blockchain companies to watch in Singapore include Electrify Asia, Morpheus Labs, and TenX, all of which hit their fundraising hard caps and are now live in the market and trading on exchanges. A Statista market report lists digital payments, online crowdfunding, and marketplace lending as a few exciting areas to watch in Singapore tech.

Also read: If data is oil, Singapore startup Ecosystm plans to be the gas station for the tech industry

Germany

Germany is the second largest global investor in technological research and development. It’s in a lot of top ten lists: countries that devote a high percentage of economic output into research; countries making innovations. Germany is a pioneer in technological advancement, and it has no intention of stopping.

One of the most exciting organizations coming out of this area is Next Big Thing. This organization is an “IoT company builder offering a complete framework for the acceleration of IoT ventures. [They] are an operational VC, technology provider, and innovation partner made up of a strong team of business architects, technology experts, and experienced founders.”

The company is a guiding hand, helping other companies adapt to the digital age and creating new uses for implementing blockchain technology and the Internet of Things into business models. They accelerate technological ventures by providing access to investors, corporate partners, software and hardware engineers, technology providers, and a framework for it all to operate within.

One of their clients, for example, is Assistr. With Next Big Thing’s help, Assistr has developed smart undergarments using the Internet of Things for people suffering from incontinence. The Internet-connected pants inform users and caretakers when to change them, making life easier and more comfortable for both parties.

United Kingdom

The UK has long been seen as a leading innovation hub for AI development and talent. Bolstered by a series of major acquisitions, including Google’s purchase of DeepMind in 2014, companies in this country are showing no signs of slowing down.

One prominent organization emerging out of this country is AI Gaming, an organization that has found a new approach to developing AI talent through gaming. Seeing a growing need for AI talent set against a massive shortage, AI Gaming’s bot vs. bot platform helps organizations identify expertise and connects talent with potential professional opportunities. With a mission to become the number one pooling resource for talent in this field, AI Gaming is quickly asserting itself as an essential player in the AI space.

Another company is using the UK as one of its core hubs to bring WiFi to the world. OPP Open WiFi is a community-driven service with the sole purpose of creating a global, free to access open WiFi hotspot network and rewarding each contributor on the platform. From the 2.5 billion smartphone users globally, OPP Open WiFi aims to recruit 25 million people over the next 4 years to join its community of “Hotspot Hosts”.

Australia

Tourism has always been a vital component of World’s economy, bringing approximately more than 7.26 trillions of USD annually. But in order for this industry to remain impactful it also has to progress, as do the tourism industries of all nations. Many startups have set their sights on revamping the travel experience by offering digital solutions that make trip planning and travel itself seamless.

Also read: Planning to startup in Australia? Here is your guide to setting up a new business Down Under

Among these solutions is Airstayz and its token STAY, a platform that offers guests a complete mobile solution from booking to check-in and, a unique keyless entry; even, hailing for shared ride transportation and gaining access to the most cultural and popular spots locally. With their implementation of OpenKey at the Birches Property in Melbourne, at Oheka Castle in New York, and soon to be at the HM International Hotel in Guayaquil City, Ecuador — they are introducing a new wave of friction-less travel, which will make all geographies an even more desirable destination. This successful wave of pilot hotels has triggered its success as the most economical OTA with over 500,000 rooms to be on-boarded this 2018.

With more decentralized resources making it easier to connect with and work talent across the globe the doors have opened for more innovation to crop up in emerging tech hubs.

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