Chocolate Finance chases a sweeter 2027

Chocolate Finance is expanding into markets like Hong Kong with breakeven in focus, while Chance AI is betting on vision as the next AI interface.

Read from your browser Daily Newsletter Welcome to Tech in Asia's daily newsletter, your essential dose of Asia's tech and startup buzz. Subscribe to this newsletter or send story tips to editors@techinasia.com. Ensure our articles appear in your Google searches: IN FOCUS ​A sweet 2027 in sight for Chocolate Finance as it eyes breakeven ​​An ex-ByteDance exec's next act with Chance AI A merger puts a smile on Zenyum's face Hello Betamax, Apart from allocating funds for rent, groceries, and utilities, I'm a bit lazy in moving money away from my savings accounts. I'm still enjoying the promotional interest rates of digital banks, but I'll be feeling the heat from inflation once they're done. This problem is exactly what Singapore's Chocolate Finance is targeting. And judging by their latest numbers, it's working. Launched in 2024, the company generated US$4.2 million in revenue in its first financial year - a 16-month period ending April 2025. But of course, as Chocolate Finance was just starting, it offered promotional interest rates that helped attract more users. Since then, the firm has had to trim down its rates to roughly 2% for the first tier of deposits from 4.2% when it launched. While it's still better than a base bank account, the gap is closing. The firm will also have to contend with digital competitors like Trust Bank, which offers up to 2.5%. The full article breaks down Chocolate Finance's runway and its expansion plans into Hong Kong and beyond. Meanwhile, my colleague Samreen breaks down Chance AI, the new venture of former ByteDance exec Xi Zeng. The company is betting on the future of AI-human interactions being visual, instead of the current talk and type. The company raised US$3 million in its seed round, and a group of US-based investors have backed this first tranche. It seems like, for this edition, new players are coming out swinging. Miguel Cordon, journalist TOP STORIES 1️⃣ Chocolate Finance eyes 2027 breakeven amid overseas push Chocolate Finance is looking to break even by 2027. To help it get there, the company is looking to expand across markets like Hong Kong, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. The company has started accepting users in Hong Kong on a waitlist basis as well. Chocolate Finance is also looking to expand its wealth-building offerings, including products for businesses and longer-term savings for individuals. 2️⃣ Ex-ByteDance exec bets cameras beat chatbots in $3m AI play The founder argues that as cameras migrate from our hands to our faces - via smart glasses and pendants - vision will be the most effective way humans can interact with AI. Chance AI is trying to build the operating system for this hardware shift before the hardware itself goes more mainstream, racing against companies like Meta and Microsoft. SPOTLIGHT Zenyum's merger deal could open it up wide for opportunities The merger with Indian orthodontic brand MakeO, which was announced yesterday and is subject to approval, suggests that building scale independently may have been too capital-intensive for Zenyum, which has yet to turn a profit. We last reported Zenyum's financials in 2023, when it generated a 33% growth in revenue for its FY2022 but still logged net losses. The tie-up provides immediate access to clinic infrastructure and a faster route into India's expanding dental market. With the merger, Zenyum would combine its digital tech stack with Indian player MakeO's physical clinics to create an omnichannel dental network. The deal also potentially creates a regional powerhouse that has a presence across nine countries, including markets with high-spending power like Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Qatar, and the UAE. TRENDING NEWS 1️⃣ Southeast Asia drives TikTok Shop GMV to $45b: report The GMV amount is around double compared to 2024. The US became the platform's largest individual market with US$15.1 billion in sales, closely followed by Indonesia at US$13.1 billion. 2️⃣ Insight Partners joins $30m series B for AI security startup Reco The company reported a 400% growth in 2025 as enterprise adoption climbed. Reco plans to use the funds to expand its workforce and enhance its security offerings. 3️⃣ Alphabet raises bond target above $30b: sources The company reportedly set an initial target of US$20 billion. The development comes as Alphabet looks to spend up to US$185 billion on capital expenditures in 2026, primarily going towards AI. 4️⃣ Hong Kong to issue first stablecoin licenses in March 2026 The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is currently reviewing 36 applications. However, Chinese regulators have previously advised against the plan. 5️⃣ Musk's xAI co-founder steps down Tony Wu joins a growing list of founding members leaving xAI. These exits come as the company faces regulatory scrutiny over its Grok AI chatbot and its role in creating non-consensual deepfake images. EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out our curated list of trending tech events and Tech in Asia's signature events. Peak State: The Mindset of the World's Top Performers We're going behind the scenes with leaders who don't just talk about discipline but live it. Grace Park and Cole Sirucek, co-founders of DocDoc, have built a patient-empowerment engine that spans multiple markets and has partnered with global giants like AXA and Aon. Rob Bier, who has helped scale over 40 growth companies, will be facilitating an interactive workshop that explores how top leaders can develop judgment, culture, and decision discipline alongside intelligent machines. 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