School's out for 117 Geniebook staff

More: A Singaporean sign language chatbot firm scores funding. [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: - [The ax falling at Geniebook]( - WeRide delaying its IPO in the US - India’s Continuum topping Tech in Asia's weekly startup funding list - Other newsy highlights such as a Singaporean sign language chatbot firm getting funding --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} Some of my closest friends in Hanoi are teachers. I have a lot of admiration for the job they do, as I know I can’t do it. I had a short-lived (mercifully for all involved) stint as a teacher that proved that beyond any doubt. Luckily for me, my career as an educator came and went before the Covid-19 pandemic, as that was a particularly rough time for my teacher friends here in Vietnam. To say schools here didn’t adapt well to online learning would be an understatement. While many poured cash into various tech solutions, the stories I heard from my friends showed that those in charge of the schools were eagerly awaiting the return of offline studying. With lockdown restrictions lifted, those schools have less need for the tech solutions that were once vital. That partially explains why the last few years have been less fruitful than the days of the pandemic for edtech startups like Geniebook. Today’s featured piece dives into why the company has had to lay off more than 100 staff since the start of last year. -- Peter  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Geniebook sheds over 100 jobs as learning goes back to school]( The Singapore-based edtech firm had undergone three rounds of layoffs since 2023, with two taking place this year. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Singapore's FingerDance bags funding to develop sign language chatbot]( A firm developing a sign language chatbot is one of seven startups to have received funding in Singapore under a new government program, The Straits Times reported. FingerDance’s virtual language assistant will soon be deployed at the city-state’s Chinatown MRT station. [China’s WeRide delays US IPO as deadline looms]( The self-driving vehicle startup was aiming to hit the Nasdaq last week, but those plans hit a road bump as the Chinese firm has delayed its IPO. WeRide says it needs more time to complete the necessary paperwork. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [Weekly funding: India’s Continuum takes top place]( Keep track of all the startup investment activities in Asia through our weekly funding list. --------------------------------------------------------------- SYNC 2024 - AI • SINGAPORE  Chart a course to building your AI startup at this founder’s roundtable SYNC 2024 is taking on a new dimension. This year, we're diving deep into the world of artificial intelligence - the force that's reshaping industries, driving innovation, and redefining the future of business. AI is already here, but it's only just beginning to reveal its true potential. Elevate your startup journey at our exclusive founder’s roundtable at SYNC 2024. Expect candid conversations on topics such as turning AI ideas into viable products, the unique challenges of raising capital for AI startups, and strategies to attract potential investors. You’ll uncover insights on how to find and retain top AI talent and, most importantly, how to tailor your solutions to the needs of your market to achieve product-market fit. Find out more about [SYNC 2024]( 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. - RedOwl - [RedOwl one of 8 Global Startups selected by Mastercard to join the Start Path Small Business Program]( RedOwl, a Melbourne-based AI start-up, is pioneering the world’s first AI-embedded ‘smart’ corporate card to transform business spend management. - MC Markets - [Discover the Future of Trading with MC Markets]( A reliable trading partner, MC Markets presents the world’s leading one-stop online platform to traders of all experience levels. - Sivali Cloud Technology - [Spurring Cloud Computing in Indonesia, Canonical, Ubuntu Developer, Partners with Sivali Cloud Technology]( Sivali Cloud Technology partners with Canonical to boost cloud computing in Indonesia, enhancing access to AI, data sovereignty, and secure solutions. - Mogul.sg - [ASEAN: Unlocking the Future of Education with Advanced Technology]( Explore diverse cultures, academic excellence, and career prospects. Insights by Thanit Apipatana. - eMobi - [eMoBi Raise Â¥300M in Funding to Accelerate Growth of Resort EV Mobility Business]( Investment from Independent VC IT Farm, JR East Start-up, Darwin Ventures, and NIO Co-Founder Jack Cheng to Japanese EV startup eMoBi. ---------------------------------------------------------------  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]( At Tech in Asia, we're always on the cutting edge of innovation. From fintech and AI to cleantech and beyond, Southeast Asia's tech scene is booming. This October, #TIAConferenceJKT will bring together the brightest minds and hottest trends shaping the region's future. [Get your tickets at 45% off now!]( [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: Thailand on September 11]( Is Bangkok's tech scene ripe for disruption? 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