From tiny USBs to massive AI dreams

More: Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling joins a VC firm as an associate and Apple pulls out of OpenAI funding round. [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: - [Pua Khein Seng pivots to AI]( - Apple pulling out of OpenAI’s funding round - The hidden alliances between Southeast Asia’s VCs - Other newsy highlights such as Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling joining VC firm Vertex Ventures --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} When was the last time you used a USB flash drive? I don’t consider myself to be supremely tech-savvy, but for me, it’s been years. Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox are far more convenient than physical storage devices, which I was pretty adept at losing. The humble USB drive still has some utility of course, but it's definitely not as important as it used to be. That goes to show how fast technology moves. This rapid pace of change is illustrated pretty well by today’s premium story, as it dives into how “the father of the USB flash drive” is taking a bet on the flashiest (pun intended) tech of today: generative AI. -- Peter  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY Pua Khein Seng, the inventor of the USB flash drive, is betting on Malaysia’s semiconductor industry amidst global challenges. This juxtaposition of a renowned inventor coming home to boost a struggling sector adds intrigue. [Dive in]( for further details. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Apple exits OpenAI round set to raise $6.5b]( Apple is reportedly not joining a funding round in OpenAI that is set to raise US$6.5 billion. Other tech giants such as Microsoft and Nvidia are expected to participate. [SG Olympic gold medallist Schooling joins Vertex Ventures]( Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist, Joseph Schooling, has joined VC firm Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India as an associate. In April, it was announced that Schooling was a founding partner at Swaen Schooling Capital. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [The hidden alliances between Southeast Asia’s VCs, uncovered]( We've visualized an intricate web of relationships among Southeast Asia’s VCs, using deal data in the past two years. --------------------------------------------------------------- ELEVATE YOUR TIA CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE WITH VIP PASS  Limited availability: only 2 passes available Indulge in the ultimate VIP experience at Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta. With the VIP Pass, you'll enjoy personalized concierge service, prime seating, exclusive networking opportunities, and priority access to all event features and amenities. Our dedicated team will anticipate your needs and provide a seamless experience throughout the event. 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Our team will get back to you by the next business day. - Ultimate Fintech - [Libertex: Still Going Strong in Southeast Asia]( The global CFD industry leader continues to make its mark in the region. - Stylemyle - [Stylemyle, Innovative Start-up in online luxury fashion achieves milestone with Strategic Acquisition]( Stylemyle acquired by Italian multi-brand luxury fashion retailer ---------------------------------------------------------------  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 | October 23 - 24]( Over 4,000 founders, investors, and leaders from companies like eFishery, Qapita, Baidu, Brankas, and AWS have already secured their passes for the Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta. Don't miss out! Our presale passes are selling out fast. [Grab yours now]( and enjoy a 30% discount before prices increase on October 2 or we sell out completely. 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