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In focus
- Singapore’s increasingly crowded fractional investing battleground
- AI + robots for architects = profit
- OpenAI’s latest funding round, with profit still a distant dream
Hello reader,
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But when your imitators are deep-pocketed banks, it smells more like competition.
Today’s first featured story looks at fractional investing in Singapore, an offering that wealthtech players like Endowus, Syfe, and StashAway have used to distinguish themselves and scale quickly in a crowded market. Now, though, banks like OCBC and DBS Bank are rolling out similar features, turning what was once a differentiator into a packed battleground.
The platforms say providing a variety of investment options – alongside advisory services – set them apart from what banks offer. That may be true for the time being, but it’s fair to ask how long that edge will remain, especially with the clientele for fractional investing moving upmarket, making it an even more lucrative segment for banks.
Also in today’s issue, my colleague Scott profiles a profitable startup melding AI and robotics. Rather than spun out of a university lab by a crusty academic, though, this firm has been built by a Gen Z Harvard dropout.
Let’s dive in.
Peter Cowan, engagement editor
Top Stories
1️⃣ SG wealthtech platforms chase growth in fractional investing
Image credit: Endowus, StashAway, and Syfe
Fractional investing used to appeal mostly to young investors. But now platforms say they’re seeing high-net-worth individuals and experienced investors tapping in.
This shift from being an entry-level tool into something used across the portfolio suggests fractional investing is becoming less about getting started and more about how investors deploy and manage capital over time. That change could prove far more valuable for the platforms.
2️⃣ Gen Z Harvard dropout builds AI platform for architects
Spotlight
Trending news
The cracks in the old playbook are showing.
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