THOUGHTFUL READS1️⃣ The AI bill becomes a market AI was supposed to make firms more efficient. Now a new crop of startups is trying to make the tech less expensive to run. This PitchBook piece asks whether AI cost control is a company category on its own or a feature waiting to be swallowed by bigger platforms. 2️⃣ Outsourced, but not out of your hands Hiring an AI vendor does not magically transfer the risks that come with the tech. This piece from Harvard Business Review makes a practical point: When AI goes wrong, saying "the vendor did it" may not be much of a defense. 3️⃣ The exit window opens outward Southeast Asia's tech M&A market is recovering, but the buyer mix reveals something more interesting: Foreign acquirers accounted for most of the region's activity in 2025. Read this Deal Street Asia article to find out more. 4️⃣ Powering the AI appetite From a policy debate to a startup funding theme, AI's energy appetite is turning nuclear. According to Axios, global investment in nuclear startups has topped US$4.5 billion across 81 companies this year, on track to beat last year's record. This piece dives deeper. 5️⃣ VCs get off the sidelines Investing in startups is one thing; working for one is another. Read this Sifted article to find out why some VCs are leaving investor roles to join startups themselves. Today's edition was written by Lilian Tang. It's edited by Mina Deocareza. |
