Asia Digest: China’s Huawei, P&G step up investments in innovation centres

A man walks past a Huawei company logo outside the entrance of a Huawei office in Wuhan, Hubei province, October 9, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer

By Juliet Shwe Gaung

October 30, 2018

Huawei and US consumer product firm P&G have announced plans of stepping up investments in their innovation centres in Asian cities.

Huawei to invest $23m in OpenLab branches in India, Thailand

China’s leading technology firm Huawei will be investing $23 million in its OpenLab innovation centres in India and Thailand over the next three years, according to Tech Observer. The plan is part of Huawei’s Global OpenLab Program launched last year with an aim to invest $200 million over the next three years.

OpenLab Delhi is Huawei’s 12th facility globally and it plans to offer ICT training to over 400 people a year. “OpenLab Delhi marks a new step in our commitment and collaboration with India which began more than 18 years ago. It is going to pave the way for a more rapid development of a new “Smart Nation” offering various type services to its citizens,” said Jay Chen, CEO, Huawei India.

The OpenLab Bangkok facility was launched a year ago with an investment of $15 million. OpenLab’s earliest innovation hubs are established in cities like Suzhou, Munich, Mexico City, Singapore and Dubai.

P&G to invest $30m more in Singapore digital innovation centre

U.S. consumer goods company Procter & Gamble Co (P&G) has made a follow-on investment of $30 million in its digital innovation center in Singapore, according to the Business Times.

The additional investment was made a year after the company announced an injection of more than $100 million over five years to facilitate the setting up of the project.

As the first such centre outside the US, the Singapore facility plans to look into digital innovation across supply chain management, e-analytics and e-business by partnering with local SMEs and startups. Part of the investment will be used to establish a digital omni-channel retail centre, i-Singapore digital omni-channel center where regional retailers will be working with P&G to develop the retail experience.

Also Read:

China’s Huawei leads 5G networks charge by forging ties with global telecom players

Singapore’s Esco Group to set up $15m China innovation center

Chinese accelerators in Silicon Valley aim to bring US startups home

 

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW