Under The Radar

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We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

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Wednesday · 31 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) On the Go in Tokyo and Seoul — How is Levi’s capturing the hearts of its next generation consumers through its pop-ups featuring K-pop icon ROSE? It’s CMO and CCO explain.
It’s all about how an apparel maker is redefining that pair of jeans you’re wearing today. Finance presenter Chua Tian Tian was away for the past week attending “Levi’s Women Experience FOR EVERY ORIGINAL” series of pop-up events in Tokyo and Seoul. The pop-up experiences aim to celebrate the women who continue to redefine originality today, and is part of Levi’s ongoing efforts to drive growth among female shoppers, a demographic it sees great promise in. And at the heart of the campaign is the company’s global brand ambassador ROSE from K-pop girl group Blackpink, whose authenticity, creativity and self-expression Levi said embody the spirit of a modern female Original. ROSE made a special appearance at the pop-up in Tokyo prior to its opening. And in this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian shares what happened at the pop-ups she visited, including one with a media photo call with ROSE. She also spoke with Kenny Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer; Gianluca Flore, Chief Commercial Officer; and Vicky Skelton, Managing Director for East Asia Pacific at Levi Strauss & Co. on how the firm is internalising consumer trends across markets, and utilising cultural moments, brand ambassadors, pop-culture as well as its heritage to capture the hearts of the next generation of female denim wearers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 30 min
Under the Radar: What should we know about Hongkong Land’s strategic shift besides capital recycling efforts? Its CEO tells us all.
Today we’re going to take you through a company that spent over a century building some of Asia’s most recognisable commercial properties, from the skyscrapers in Marina Bay Singapore to those in Hong Kong’s Central financial district and even the West Bund in Shanghai. With its origins dating back to 1889 in Hong Kong, our guest for today Hongkong Land is a major listed property development, investment and management group. The company, owned by Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine Matheson, has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and secondary listings in Singapore and Bermuda. The firm develops, owns and manages premium and ultra-premium mixed-used real estate in Asian gateway cities, ranging from Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products with assets under management coming in at over US$50 billion. Hongkong Land is a company that we want to speak to given how it is now embarking on what’s perhaps one of the biggest strategic changes in its history. Instead of growing primarily by owning and developing properties on its own, Hongkong Land now wants to focus on investing in ultra-premium commercial properties in Asia’s gateway cities while recycling capital from assets that no longer fit into its strategy. All while bringing in third-party capital to recycle assets and fund growth. In a series of moves to better align the firm with its new strategy, Hongkong Land stopped investing in its build-to-sell segment while recycling capital from the business into new, high-quality integrated commercial property opportunities to drive long-term value creation. More importantly, the firm launched its inaugural private real estate fund called the Singapore Central Private Real Estate Fund or the SCPREF. The fund had an initial portfolio assets under management of S$8.2 billion and seeks to focus on ultra-premium integrated commercial properties in Singapore. But what was the one reason that led to the strategy shift right now? Is the firm simply reshaping its portfolio or do the moves fundamentally change the economics of the business? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Michael Smith, Group Chief Executive, Hongkong Land Holdings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 14 · 23 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How is Polar Puff & Cakes spicing up the business as it celebrates 100 years of operations? Its Executive Chairman spills the curry puff flakes.
In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian hit the factory floor of a company that is turning 100 years old in 2026! Bingo if you’ve guessed Polar Puffs & Cakes! Then called the Polar Cafe, the firm opened the doors of its first outlet on 51 High Street in 1926, serving up curry puffs, ice-cream and chilled beverages. The cafe soon became the go-to-place for politicians, lawyers and businessmen due to its strategic location near the trading harbour. And among them, according to the firm, is prominent Hokkien businessman Lim Bo Seng. Today, Polar Puffs & Cakes adopts mostly a takeaway concept and boasts a network of 37 stores and cafes across Singapore, with six more outlets set to open their doors in 2026 and 2027. The company also made its first step to expand abroad by opening a new store in Gurney Plaza, Penang in 2025. But how is Polar Puffs & Cakes spicing up the business looking into its next 100 years of operations? Tian Tian headed down to the firm’s factory in Woodlands Link, where she spoke with Chan Kok Yew, Executive Chairman of Polar Puffs & Cakes for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 7 · 34 min
Under the Radar: How is MongoDB positioning itself for the next phase of enterprise computing?
For decades, software applications were built around a relatively straightforward premise. Businesses stored information in structured tables, rows and columns neatly organised inside relational databases. But the internet has changed everything, with modern applications now expected to process vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, scale across millions of users and integrate with hundreds of services. Not to mention that they’re also increasingly being used to power artificial intelligence. What this means is that traditional databases that bound information by parameters in rows and columns are now struggling to keep pace. This change has given rise to a new generation of database platforms such as MongoDB that aims to help developers build modern applications faster. Instead of storing data in rows and columns, MongoDB stores them like documents, making it easy to model data the same way the application code uses it. This allows developers to change their data model quickly and also handle non-uniform data. Today, MongoDB serves over 67,000 customers across almost every industry, and counts about 75 per cent of Fortune 100 firms under its belt. Other notable clients include L’Oreal, Wells Fargo, Cathay Pacific Airways and Novo Nordisk. The Nasdaq-listed company had also in May 2026 reported better-than-expected first quarter results for fiscal 2027 first quarter. MongoDB also raised its full-year fiscal 2027 guidance for revenue to a range of US$2.92 billion to US$2.96 billion. But what are the key drivers for the firm at this point in time? And turning our attention to the Asia Pacific region, how are organisations across the region modernising their application stack? Where is demand coming from and how is MongoDB positioning itself for the next phase of enterprise computing? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Thorsten Walther, Managing Director, CXO Advisory Asia at MongoDB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 31 · 36 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) Why is the “next China” still China? Chairman of McKinsey Greater China explains.
In January 2023, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, several dozen Asia-focused CEOs and senior executives of the world’s largest companies gathered for a private dinner. The executives had commanded operations employing tens of thousands of people, with their supply chains spanning dozens of cities from Shanghai to London and Abu Dhabi. They had invested heavily in, and also reaped the benefits of China’s rise over the past two decades. But yet for the first time in memory, the mood was different. The conversation didn’t centre around growth targets or market expansion, but instead, it was about whether their China strategies worked at all. It was about how China is navigating geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, the ongoing housing market downturn and rapid technological change. And with that comes the big question. “What’s the next China?” How should companies diversify or hedge against China? Well, according to the host of that private dinner, Joe Ngai, Chairman, McKinsey Greater China, the next China, is still China. He details why in his new book “The Next China is still China”, co-written with Nick Leung, McKinsey Global Institute Director and Senior Partner in Hong Kong. In this “In the Community” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Joe Ngai, Chairman, McKinsey Greater China for more. They also discussed how companies can redesign their strategies to sell to China going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 24 · 27 min
Under the Radar: How will artificial intelligence augment the growth trajectory of digital transformation player Temus? Its CEO explains.
Digital transformation has become one of the defining priorities for organisations over the past decade. What began as a push to digitalise customer touchpoints has since evolved into a broader effort to rethink business models, modernise legacy technology, strengthen cybersecurity and more recently, harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve productivity and create new sources of growth. And today, we’re going to revisit a company whose role in digital transformation has never been more important. Set up by global investment firm Temasek in 2021, our guest Temus works with government agencies and public institutions to enhance digital services, improve citizen experiences and drive national-scale transformation in line with Singapore’s Smart Nation vision to create a more connected, intelligent and efficient society. For instance, Temus teamed up with the Singapore Department of Statistics to design and deliver the SingStat Mobile App to enable fast access to official statistics. It also worked with a national education authority to reimagine Special Education experiences for students, parents, and staff alike through comprehensive service design. On the private sector front, the company works with businesses to innovate, scale and thrive amid the ever-changing business environment, by helping them adopt what it calls human-centered digital solutions that drive real business outcomes. And more things are brewing for Temus than before. In October 2025, the firm inked three new strategic collaborations with the Infocomm Media Development Authority in Singapore, as well as with insuretech player Peak3 and third-party AI assurance provider Resaro to accelerate AI transformation across Singapore. Fast forward to May 2026, it’s also launched an AI Foundry to expand Singapore’s AI talent base and strengthen production-grade AI delivery for enterprises. But what should we know about the moves by Temus to position itself as a transformation partner of choice for both the public and private sectors in Singapore? How will AI augment its growth trajectory? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sng Ren Yeong, CEO, Temus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 17 · 27 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) What are the long-term consumption trends bolstering white label chocolate giant Barry Callebaut? Its President for the AMEA region spills the cocoa beans.
When you unwrap your favourite chocolate bar from one of your favourite brands, do you know who actually makes the chocolate? You’d be surprised to find out that it may not be the company whose name appears on the wrapper. In fact, some of the world’s biggest confectionery brands like Nestle, Mondelez and Hershey rely on specialist manufacturers, or so-called white label producers, who’re often working quietly behind the scenes. Our guest for today is one of the largest – Barry Callebaut. The company’s roots can be traced back to over a century ago in 1911, when Octaaf Callebaut, the grandson of a brewer in the small Belgian town of Wiez secretly worked on his first chocolate recipe. His secrets of chocolate making would go on to be passed from one generation to another, who learned the craft from their predecessors who still make chocolate with all of their senses. Fast forward to today, Barry Callebaut is a world leading provider of high quality chocolate experiences across the full spectrum of chocolate, cocoa, cacao coatings and non-cocoa alternatives, and is involved from the sourcing and processing of cocoa beans to the crafting of premium chocolates, fillings and decorations. With over 60 production facilities worldwide, Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry from large-scale food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs and restaurants. Barry Callebaut is a company that we want to zoom in on given how it is a gauge of global chocolate demand following a period of record cocoa prices. That’s particularly so with concerns surrounding a strong El Nino weather pattern in the coming months. To this end, the firm had in July 2026 reported that third quarter sales volumes rose for the first time in two years, and also forecast a smaller full-year volume decline than earlier expected. So what’s bolstering demand and how does the firm intend to mitigate headwinds from seasonal weather patterns? What are the longer term consumption trends that will support Barry Callebaut’s business looking ahead? Speaking of the longer term, the firm also opened its Callebaut Global Innovation Center in Singapore to accelerate innovation and transformation across the chocolate and cocoa industry. But what is the strategic role played by its operations in Singapore and how important will the new innovation center be in positioning the firm for future growth? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Vamsi Mohan Thati, President of AMEA (Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa) at Barry Callebaut Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 3 · 24 min
Under the Radar: What should we know about ASUS Cloud’s emphasis on Sovereign AI right now? Its CEO spills the beans.
Some of the world’s most successful technology companies didn’t begin in gleaming corporate campuses. They began with bold ideas exchanged at the simplest of places. Sometimes, that place was a diner offering bottomless coffee and huge slabs of pancakes. For ASUS, that place was a humble coffee shop in Taipei. Back in 1989, a group of ambitious engineers came together with a vision of creating a “small and beautiful company”, one that could develop world-class technology from Taiwan for the rest of the world. More than 30 years on, ASUS is a global tech leader best known for its world-class motherboards, high-quality personal computers, monitors, graphics cards, routers and other technology solutions. But the company is now evolving beyond hardware and doubling down on artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud services – an area it sees potential as the adoption of AI increases rapidly. For one thing, ASUS teamed up with the Taiwanese government to found the Taiwan AI Cloud Corporation in 2021 to build secure, scalable and sovereign AI infrastructure. The company helps governments and enterprises roll out and operate Sovereign AI systems, where their AI models and data are secured and operated within their own borders, laws and culture. It says it is seeing a global trend of countries investing in local capabilities to drive innovation specific to their language, culture and the economy. But where is demand coming from and how big of an opportunity is this for the firm? Beyond specific nations, who should build the collective AI infrastructure for Asia, and how should they monetise them? What will this mean for ASUS and Taiwan AI Cloud? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Peter Wu, CEO of ASUS Cloud and Taiwan AI Cloud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 27 · 28 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) All about that pair of Levi’s Jeans, the firm’s turnaround efforts post re-listing, and its growth story in Asia
There’s nothing quite like slipping into a sturdy, yet comfortable pair of jeans for work on casual Fridays, or even when out shopping on a Monday night. To understand why, we have to turn the clock back more than 170 years to California during the Gold Rush. Back then, miners and labourers in the American West worked under punishing conditions, and their work trousers often ripped at the points of greatest strain, particularly around the pocket corners, where heavy tools and equipment were carried. Then came the day, May 20, 1873, where dry goods merchant Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis obtained a US patent on putting rivets in men’s work pants for the very first time. The rivets made the pants dramatically stronger, and durable enough for miners, labourers and cowboys who needed clothing to withstand punishing conditions. And with that, the first riveted clothing – a pair of jeans made using denim – was made and sold. And the rest was history. More than a century on, modern day jeans are more than just workwear, and continue to make waves in the fashion world. The same goes for Levi’s the company too. Since returning to the public markets in 2019, the firm has been actively transforming its business through high-profile marketing efforts, pushing higher margin direct-to-consumer sales, and actively attracting women customers. In July 2026, the firm reported second quarter net revenue of US$1.56 billion, an 8 per cent increase on the year. The apparel maker now expects its fiscal 2026 net revenue to grow between 7 and 7.5 per cent, higher than the 5.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent forecast previously. Growth was also seen across all regions, with a 9 per cent on-year increase in net revenues for its largest market, the Americas. For Asia, that figure stood at 10%. But how does the firm assess its performance as a whole, and how far will it double down on its business in Asia? What are the key opportunities in the region, and how is the firm positioning denim as a to-go fashion choice given the younger generation’s interest or obsession with athleisure wear? In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Levi’s Singapore flagship store at ION Orchard to get the answers from Vicky Skelton, Managing Director, East Asia Pacific, Levi Strauss & Co. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 20 · 25 min
Under the Radar: How is visual search and discovery platform Pinterest intending to close the monetisation gap in Asia and how is it utilising AI to optimise advertising reach?
Remember the time when we would scour through magazines and newspaper articles to cut out photos and design ideas to paste on your scrapbooks for an art project? Well, we might not do that physically these days, but millions of us still do so digitally through a platform called Pinterest. And yes, that is the company that we’re going to talk to today. Founded in 2010, Pinterest is a visual search and discovery platform where people find inspiration, curate ideas and shop for products. Unlike traditional social media of its time, the San Francisco headquartered company began as a digital pinboard and was focused on helping users find the inspiration they need to lead the life they love. This positions Pinterest as a high-intent platform where users arrive not just to browse, but with a purpose. Users sit closer to the moment of decision making, where inspiration can turn into action and commerce. Today, Pinterest sees 1.5 billion pins saved every week, with over half of the users thinking of the platform as a place to shop. In May 2026, the firm reported FY2026 Q1 revenue of US$1.008 billion, up 18 per cent on a yearly basis. Pinterest also saw its tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit user growth with its base of global monthly active users reaching 631 million, an 11 per cent increase over the previous year. But what is the firm’s assessment of its latest performance as major retailers and advertisers in the US grapple with tariffs? Meanwhile, the firm continues to see revenue driven by the US and Canada even with a growing user base in Asia. So how far is Asia an undertapped market for the firm and what is the company doing to close the monetisation gap? Also – the firm is also doubling down on AI-driven platform improvements, but what does this mean in more granular terms, and how will AI help the firm optimise advertising reach and consequently its top and bottom lines? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Martin Machinandiarena, Managing Director, Channel Sales, Pinterest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 13 · 33 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How is Cisco helping customers modernise their technology capabilities and anticipating future AI threats? Its President for APJC region explains.
The company that we’re going to talk about today has its beginnings traced back to 1984, when a then married couple from Stanford University helped build the foundation of the Internet by inventing the first-multi-protocol router that helped to link computer networks. If Cisco comes to mind, yes, that is our guest for today. Of course, a lot has changed for Cisco in the decades since its founding, during which we saw a power struggle between investors and its original founders (that was back in the 1990s). Fast forward to today, Cisco is a worldwide technology leader who prides itself in securely connecting “everything to make anything possible”. The aim is to power an inclusive future for all, by helping customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise and transform their infrastructure. Increasingly, the firm is also focused on helping customers harness the potential of generative AI safely. On the business front, Cisco has also grown from strength to strength. For its third quarter ended April 25th, Cisco posted record revenue of US$$15.8 billion, up 12 per cent on the year. Net income on a generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) basis came in at US$3.4 billion, a 35 per cent increase on the year. Cisco attributed the performance to the relevance of its technology for connecting and securing AI. But what does the firm mean by that more specifically? Meanwhile, the firm hosted its Cisco Live 2026 in June. At the event held in Las Vegas, the firm announced a slew of products to help customers modernise their technology capabilities and protect critical systems. Among them – a unified Cisco Cloud Control platform for humans and AI agents to run critical IT infrastructure together. But what are the key takeaways from the event? Also – how is the firm anticipating future AI threats, especially with the development of Claude Mythos, which can independently find vulnerabilities in software and computer systems? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Dawson, President, Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China, Cisco. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 8 · 14 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) Highlights from Temasek Review 2026 as told by CFO of Temasek International Png Chin Yee
It is the time of the year where global investment firm Temasek releases its annual financial results. To this end, the company reported a Net Portfolio Value of S$518 billion on a mark-to-market basis as at 31 March 2026, representing a doubling of its portfolio over the past decade. Long-term returns remained resilient, with the 20-year Total Shareholder Return at 6.8% and the 10-year TSR coming in at 7.1%. The five-year TSR stood at 4.6%, weighed down by headwinds in China’s capital markets from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, the one-year TSR was at 10.5%, with NPV rising by S$49 billion on the year thanks to the strong showing of Singapore-based Temasek Portfolio Companies and realised gains from key divestments, though the figure was tempered by the situation in the Middle East. Beyond the present, the global investor announced a major restructuring in August 2025, where it set up three wholly owned entities called: (1) Temasek Singapore, (2) Temasek Global Investments and (3) Temasek Partnership Solutions to target three distinct portfolio segments to tackle macroeconomic changes in an increasingly uncertain world. The three entities came into effect in April 2026. But how does the structural overhaul help Temasek sharpen differentiated strategies to achieve better outcomes? Where are the opportunities for the firm looking ahead? In her fifth year covering the Temasek Review, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Temasek’s office for this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, where she posed the questions to Png Chin Yee, Chief Financial Officer, Temasek International and President, Temasek Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 6 · 24 min
Under the Radar: What will the future of work look like with AI and what does this mean for PC maker HP?
Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a technology company that makes the personal computers we use at work and at home. But here’s the twist. The company was founded all the way back in 1939 when there were no fully electronic computers, and where Palo Alto, Califonia was not a Silicon Valley hub, but an area filled with fruit orchards. Make a guess – bingo if you’ve guessed HP! HP’s founding story takes us back to the 1930s, when American culture was dominated by sound film and radio, made possible by electronic signalling. Inspired by the zeitgeist, two Stanford University friends, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard decided to work part-time building devices in a Palo Alto garage. In 1938 and with only US$538 in capital, the duo invented the HP Model 200A, which was an oscillator that was used to test sound equipment. What was worthy of note was how The Walt Disney Company actually bought 8 of the HP oscillators to get movie theatres ready to screen Fantasia in 1940. The company was formalised as Hewlett-Packard in the 1940s, as a result of a coin toss to decide whether Bill or Dave’s name comes first, and grew in success over the years as the electronic industry expanded. But why are we speaking to HP you might ask? Well, per data by Statista, HP is a market leader in the global PC space, coming in at second place with a market share of 27.2 per cent in 2025. But what is the ongoing demand for PCs like? Also, what will the future of work look like with AI-processes embedded in employees’ workflows, and what does this mean for HP when it comes to new product designs and launches? How will AI adoption augment the firm’s growth trajectory globally and right here in Southeast Asia? Speaking of Southeast Asia, HP chose Singapore to launch Garage 2.0, an initiative where the technology company lends its engineering expertise and business insights to accelerate the growth of AI startups. But why did it choose to launch the programme in sunny Singapore? How important is Singapore or Southeast Asia to the firm? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Koh Kong Meng, Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Singapore, HP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 3 · 16 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) On the Go at FIFA World Cup 2026 Match 71 in Miami, USA - What should we know about the Lenovo-powered technologies behind the matches?
48 teams, 104 matches and six billion fans eagerly watching what the best of football has to offer. It is no surprise that the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the talk of the town right now. After all, this year’s edition marks the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 16 stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States. But have you wondered about the innovations powering a sporting event of this scale? Think of an Intelligent Command Centre that handles everything from pre-game to post-game insights. Or an AI stabiliser solution that offers fans an immediate on-field broadcast stream of the matches without any loss in visual quality? Well, these are just some of the offerings provided by global PC and technology solutions heavyweight Lenovo, who’s also the official technology partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026. In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian flew halfway around the world to Miami in the US at the invitation of Lenovo for a deep dive into the solutions driving FIFA World Cup 2026. She also spoke with Art Hu, SVP and Global CIO, as well as Chief Technology and Delivery Officer, of the Solutions and Services Group at Lenovo for an overview of how everything came together. That’s before wrapping up the trip by catching Match 71 of the FIFA World Cup between Portugal and Colombia featuring football legend Cristiano Ronaldo! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 29 · 22 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How does Adobe compete in the age of generative AI? Its President for JAPAC explains.
In this special “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Suntec Tower 3 for an interview with the leadership of a company that invented the Portable Document Format or the PDF format in 1993. Founded close to 45 years ago in 1982 to revolutionise printing and publishing with an all-digital approach, Adobe has since evolved into a design software company that empowers everyone to imagine, create and bring any digital experience to life. Its Creative Cloud suite of solutions, from Photoshop to Illustrator and Premier, helps customers from creators, students, small businesses to global enterprises create multimedia projects efficiently to drive business outcomes. Adobe is an interesting company to look at, particularly given recent developments surrounding generative AI, which can help users create images, videos and even movies with a simple text or voice prompt. To tap the technology advancements in AI, Adobe had in April 2026 launched a suite of artificial intelligence tools to help corporate clients automate and personalise digital marketing functions. Called the CX Enterprise, the products make use of AI agents to help customers manage their interactions with customers. At the same time, the firm is also said to be working with US big tech players like Amazon, Microsoft, Anthropic, OpenAI and Nvidia to ensure that its new AI system works across multiple platforms. But how does the firm define its value proposition in the age of generative AI given its in-depth knowledge and expertise in the design and creativity space, and how does the firm assess the competitiveness of its products against say Anthropic’s Claude Design? How is competition like in Asia Pacific with Chinese AI-tech firms coming in fast and furious? Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Goodman, President of JAPAC (Asia Pacific and Japan), Adobe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 22 · 22 min
Under the Radar: How does hotelier Hilton assess its operations in Southeast Asia amid greater global volatility?
Today we’re going to take you through a hotel brand that is directly linked to American personality, Paris Hilton. Yes, we’re indeed talking about global hospitality company Hilton, which boasts a portfolio of 27 world-class brands including Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton and Doubletree by Hilton. Fun fact, Paris Hilton’s great-grandfather, Conrad Hilton, or the founder of Hilton, entered into the hotel business in Cisco Texas back in 1919 when he was on the way to buy a bank but bought a local hotel called The Mobley instead. The first hotel which formally bore the Hilton name though, was opened in Dallas Texas only a couple of years later in 1925. Fast forward to today, the hotel company comprises over 9,100 properties and over 1.3 million rooms in 143 countries and territories. It also welcomed over 4 billion guests across its century of history. In April 2026, the firm reported Q1 adjusted EBITDA of US$901 million, up 13 per cent on the year. The firm also reported a 3.6 per cent growth in system-wide RevPAR or revenue per available room. But how far is this contributed by the Southeast Asia region? Looking ahead, the firm continues to face headwinds in the second half of the year amid trade volatility which could dampen global travel spend and weigh on US demand. The war in the Middle East could also result in reduced travel to the region. But to what extent will this make Asian or Southeast Asian markets more attractive for Hilton to double down on? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Alexandra Murray, Vice-President and Regional Head of South East Asia, Hilton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 15 · 10 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) A reinvention of the PC, agentic AI, Vera Rubin in full production – highlights from Nvidia’s GTC Taipei
Finance Presenter Chua Tian Tian had been under the radar for the past two weeks on her annual vacation across Asia, but she’s not coming home without bringing our listeners a little something – a Special episode of Under the Radar from AI chip darling NVIDIA’s GTC Taipei, which took place in the first week of June. GTC Taipei 2026 brought together developers, researchers and industry leaders to dive into the latest breakthroughs shaping every industry, from AI factories, agentic and reasoning AI, physical AI and robots and even more. Think of a reinvention of the personal computer by Nvidia and Microsoft to allow the running of personal AI agents. In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian gave an overview of the highlights at NVIDIA GTC Taipei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 8 · 56 min
Under the Radar: How is Patience Capital Group revitalising ski resorts in the Japanese countryside areas of Myoko and Madarao and building them into recreational destinations? Its CEO explains.
Today we’re going to take you to a sleepy pocket of Japan’s countryside called Myoko. Located about a three-hour train ride from Tokyo, Myoko was said to be one of the oldest ski areas in Japan, where it once saw young skiers streaming along its neon-lit streets. That was, of course, during the economic boom back in the 1980s and 1990s, before ski-lovers swapped Myoko for other popular destinations like Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano. But one Singaporean company is hoping to inject life back into the area by buying up ski resorts in Myoko and the nearby Madarao, and building an integrated township out of them. And that company is called Patience Capital Group. Founded in 2019 by the former head of Japan at Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Ken Chan, Patience Capital Group manages assets on behalf of institutional and private investors worldwide. The firm says it currently manages two close-ended funds. The first is a hospitality fund focused on unlocking value in the Japanese tourism sector, and that’s where the ski resorts come in. The fund, in particular, was said to have raised 39 billion yen from institutional investors ranging from sovereign wealth funds to a university endowment fund. The other close-ended fund, meanwhile, is a residential fund investing in mid-market residential assets located in the Greater Tokyo Area. Beyond that, the firm also has a lifestyle vertical that aims to create a suite of consumer experiences and businesses to complement its portfolio and encourage placemaking in its destinations. But how will the various business operations under Patience Capital Group come together to create viable recreational townships in Japan? Meanwhile, the firm says it is tapping into the Japanese tourism and residential markets given a rise in investors’ interest in the country amid relatively low cost of capital. But how much money is in the Myoko and Madarao areas exactly and what are the risks of pulling off a transformation project of this size? How sustainable is the tourism boom in Japan for long-term infrastructure projects in both the recreational and residential space? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ken Chan, CEO, Patience Capital Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25 · 34 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) From A&W franchise to world’s largest hotel chain operator and beyond – how will APAC ex-China region augment Marriott International’s growth story looking ahead? Its COO for the region explains.
Today we’re going to talk all about a leading hospitality player who began its business as not a property owner but an A&W Root Beer franchise! Founded by J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott close to a century ago in 1927, our guest for today Marriott International got its start quenching people’s thirst during the hot muggy summers in Washington D.C. The company then moved into serving food and becoming The Hot Shoppes, where it opened the first drive-in restaurant on the East Coast in 1928. The firm had also at one point dabbled in inflight catering as well as cafeteria management at government buildings and major institutions between the 1930s and the 1950s. But it was only thirty years after its founding in 1957 that the Hot Shoppes Inc. expanded into the lodging business with the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Alington, Virginia, and the rest was history. The Hot Shoppes was renamed Marriott Corporation in 1967, before splitting into Host Marriott Corporation and Marriott International Inc in 1993 as it grew in the hotel business. More recently in 2016, Marriott International bought over Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for US$13 billion, bringing in 11 new brands including St. Regis Hotels and Sheraton Hotels, making it the largest hotel chain operator in the world. In 2025, the region delivered its third straight year of record development performance with nearly 200 deals signed, adding over 28,000 rooms to its development pipeline. That’s a 32 per cent increase over the year, driven by growth markets including India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan. But what are the key trends supporting the development activity and which is the most important market for the firm? Meanwhile, the firm is also laser focused on doubling down room signings for its luxury segment brands including JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection. It is also looking at expanding beyond traditional gateway cities to emerging destinations with rich cultural heritage. But what should we know about the moves, and how will they augment the firm’s top and bottom line numbers? On this Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Neeraj Govil, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC), Marriott International. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 22 · 31 min
Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How is Temasek encouraging long term investors to put money into the green transition? Its Vice Chairman of Sustainability explains.
This time, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian got up bright and early to head down to global investor Temasek’s corporate headquarters located at The Atrium@Orchard to find out more about the key happenings at Ecosperity Week 2026. Organised by Temasek, Ecosperity is the firm’s key platform for sustainability and advocacy. Themed ‘Asia’s Race Towards 2030: Powered by Innovation, Driven by Intent’, the event, which took place earlier this week, brought together leaders across government, business, finance and civil society to explore practical, scalable innovations, policies and partnerships that can help translate the region’s 2030 climate ambitions into real-world impact. So where does Temasek see capital moving and how is it encouraging long term-investors to put money into the energy transition through a systems approach across renewables, infrastructure and other climate technologies? How does Temasek see what makes a green project investable and how does it align the interests of innovators, policymakers and investors to get deals done? And in terms of execution, how can policymakers and the business community come together to structure deals in such a way to de-risk projects while unlocking capital? Tian Tian posed these questions to Steve Howard, Vice Chairman, Sustainability, Temasek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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