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CCV Capital’s Founding Managing Partner Wei Zhou Attends the 2025 Harvard College China Forum

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From April 4th to April 6th, 2025 (Eastern Time), the 28th Harvard College China Forum was successfully held on the campus of Harvard University. Wei Zhou, Founding Managing Partner of CCV Capital, Former Managing Partner of KPCB China, was invited to attend the forum and participated in a roundtable discussion themed “Business Development,” sharing insightful perspectives and forward-thinking views on the topic of “Cross-border Innovation and Venture Capital.”

Wei Zhou has long focused on early-stage investments in intelligent technologies, sustainability, globalization, and cutting-edge global technologies, especially demonstrating extensive experience and unique insights in artificial intelligence and innovative technologies. During the forum, he emphasized the pivotal role of AI technologies in driving cross-border innovation, stating:

“Deepseek has sounded a global alarm, demonstrating a groundbreaking approach to large models, while Manus has set a global benchmark for application developers, illustrating how applications should be built. Both have offered enlightening revelations, albeit at different layers—the foundational and the application layers.”

He further highlighted:

“It’s no longer appropriate to evaluate application-layer products by foundational-layer standards. Without robust application-layer support, foundational technologies risk becoming self-indulgent. Only by truly moving towards practical applications can AI deliver universal value.”

Wei Zhou’s insights not only provide fresh perspectives for the future development of AI technologies but also inject practical inspiration into cross-border innovation and global collaboration.

Discussing the significant structural changes in the venture capital industry over the past eighteen months, Wei Zhou noted:

“The venture capital landscape has undergone dramatic structural shifts in the past two years. Silicon Valley’s VC industry has become fiercely competitive, leading to significant turnover and a notable decline in fundraising. However, AI has emerged as a standout growth area and a focal point for global investments.”

To entrepreneurs navigating these changes, Wei Zhou offered three key recommendations:

“First, maintain the advantage of rapid iteration and continuous improvement. Second, entrepreneurs should strategically align their ventures with large enterprises, as major corporations will consistently acquire innovative startups to keep pace with AI advancements. Third, entrepreneurs should target global markets, particularly emerging regions with less competition, such as Mexico, where abundant opportunities exist.”

At the conclusion of the roundtable, Wei Zhou also shared valuable advice for aspiring young venture capitalists:

“First, venture capital is inherently social; building extensive networks and relationships is essential for accessing high-quality investment opportunities. Second, successful VC practitioners must possess sharp insights into future trends and quickly identify market sparks. Individuals who rely solely on cautious, analytical approaches may find this dynamic and rapidly evolving field unsuitable.”

The Harvard College China Forum, organized entirely by students, is the largest and longest-running China-focused summit globally. Under the theme “Navigating Changing Times,” this year’s forum aimed to foster dialogue among leaders and thought pioneers across political, business, and academic circles from both China and the United States, exploring opportunities and building consensus for mutually beneficial long-term cooperation.

During the forum, prominent figures from the business, political, and academic communities worldwide gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on frontier topics such as international relations, economics, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Distinguished guests included Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia; Xavier R. Rolet, former CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group; Alexis Tsipras, former Prime Minister of Greece; Hu Wei, President of Bank of China USA and Chairman of the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA; and George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard University and Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Established in 1997, the Harvard College China Forum is devoted to building bridges between China and the world, exploring the role and contributions of Chinese enterprises within the global context. In their opening speeches on April 5th, several guests highly praised the stabilizing role of China’s economy in the global market, Chinese enterprises’ commitment to developing new productivity paradigms, and the promising prospects of China’s vast market.

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SOURCE CCV Capital

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Rently Secures $3M Pre-Series A Investment Led by Orange Bloom to Revolutionise the Asian Rental Market

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SINGAPORE, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Rently, a Singapore-based prop-tech platform that lets tenants rent deposit-free while paying landlords on time every month, has closed a US$3 million Pre-Series A led by impact investor Orange BloomHustle Fund, Woh Hup, Feedback Ventures, and 5i Ventures re-upped in the round, which values Rently at US$43 million.

Following this success, Rently is now targeting the close of its Series A funding round by the end of the year, positioning itself to further expand its market footprint and accelerate product development.

Rently: Redefining the Asian Rental Market

Founded in 2022, Rently is now establishing in the UAE and will enter Hong Kong this year. The long-term rental market across Asia is worth more than US$250 billion annually and largely still relies on security deposits and manual processes. Rently is transforming the industry through technology and innovative solutions such as:

Zero deposits, zero friction – Tenants subscribe to Rently Care and move in without locking up two months’ cash.Guaranteed income – Rently Pay ensures landlords receive the full rent on the due date, even if a tenant pays late or defaults.Fully managed – The Rently app covers listings process, contracts, maintenance and insurance in one seamless platform.

Nikesh Kshirsagar, Co-Founder of Orange Bloom, said, “Rently isn’t just another tech startup, it has a deep understanding of future lifestyle trends, strategic corporate partnerships, and a world-class tech platform that simplifies the rental process for users. Orange Bloom firmly believes that Rently is positioned to reshape the rental market, creating efficiencies while integrating responsible, sustainable housing solutions. The co-founders, Dominic, Siebren, Tarik, Emeric, and Kutlay, have done an excellent job assembling a talented, forward-thinking team where innovation thrives. We look forward to being part of Rently’s exciting journey ahead.”

Fund Allocation and Growth Plans

With the proceeds from the Pre-Series A round, Rently plans to accelerate its expansion strategy by scaling Rently Pay across its existing markets, ensuring more landlords benefit from guaranteed, on-time rental income. The company will also localise its platform to support market entry into Hong Kong and two additional Asian cities. To support this development, Rently is also doubling the size of its product and data teams to ensure the platform can scale efficiently.

Dominic Schacher, Co-Founder of Rently, expressed his enthusiasm for the next phase of growth, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Orange Bloom as our strategic partner. Their investment and expertise will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and expanding our product offerings. Together, we will continue revolutionising the rental market, making it more efficient, transparent, and accessible for everyone.”

Existing investor 5i Ventures also reaffirmed its support for Rently’s development. Dieter Schlosser, General Partner of 5i Ventures, Board Member, and Key Investor in Rently, shared his perspective on the round’s success. “The oversubscription of this round is a proof point of the trajectory Rently, and the leadership team have demonstrated. We are very excited to have the new investors on board. The first data points from our geographic expansion to the UAE clearly show the portability of the business model and the scalability of the platform,” said Schlosser, who previously served as CEO of SoftwareONE.

Orange Bloom’s Role and Strategic Partnership

The partnership between Rently and Orange Bloom highlights the influence of impact-driven investment in reshaping industries and demonstrates how strategic investments can drive systemic change in traditional sectors. Orange Bloom’s entry into the proptech and fintech spaces through its investment in Rently reinforces its ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable-focused business models. The collaboration aligns closely with Orange Bloom’s Sustainability Fund, which has been active since 2022 and has backed numerous projects focused on sustainability and social impact. Through initiatives like the Sustainability Fund and future investments, Orange Bloom aims to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs who are shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.

To learn more about Rently’s innovative rental solutions or partnership opportunities, please visit www.rently.sg.

About Rently

Rently Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based fintech startup dedicated to transforming the property rental market. Offering deposit-free rental options through its Rently Care subscription and providing integrated property management services via the Rently app, the platform ensures that property listings are accessible, flexible, and secure. Designed to connect potential tenants with landlords, agents, and enterprises in a seamless and effective way, Rently is committed to making the renting process more transparent, safe, and efficient. Rently is a subsidiary of REFIN Group Limited.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/rently-secures-3m-pre-series-a-investment-led-by-orange-bloom-to-revolutionise-the-asian-rental-market-302454935.html

SOURCE Rently

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Startek® wins CII-CWL Award for Gender Parity in Business

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– Recognized for advancing workplace gender equality through inclusive policies and people-first practices

MUMBAI, India, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Startek®, a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, has been honored with the prestigious CII – Centre on Women Leadership (CWL) Award for Gender Parity in Business. This recognition underscores the Startek commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, with a sharp focus on gender equality as a driver of organizational excellence.

“At Startek, we view inclusion as a competitive advantage that fuels innovation and resilience,” said SM Gupta, Global Chief People Officer, Startek. “This recognition from CII and CWL reflects how embedding gender parity into business strategy strengthens our ability to lead in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.”

The evaluation process for this accolade was both rigorous and comprehensive. It encompassed a four-stage assessment that began with an in-depth submission detailing the company’s people-centric practices. This was followed by focus group discussions with returning mothers and mid-level women managers, offering valuable insight into lived experiences. Key informant interviews added further depth, before a final review by an expert jury panel.

Winning this award highlights Startek’s continued leadership in shaping inclusive workplaces where equitable access to career growth, flexible work models, and intentional leadership development programs form the backbone of its DEI framework.

About CII-CWL Awards:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Centre on Women Leadership (CWL)—a joint initiative supported by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—presents this award to organizations driving transformative change in gender balance across corporate India.

About Startek
Startek® is a global leader in customer experience management, delivering comprehensive digital transformation and CX solutions. With over 35 years of expertise, Startek empowers businesses across diverse industries to create memorable, personalized customer interactions. Operating in 12 countries with a team of 38,000 associates, Startek is committed to connecting brands with their customers through innovation, empathy, and operational excellence.
To learn more, visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn@Startek.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/startek-wins-cii-cwl-award-for-gender-parity-in-business-302454882.html

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FalconX and Standard Chartered Announce Strategic Partnership

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SINGAPORE, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FalconX, the leading institutional digital asset prime broker, today announces a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered, a leading international cross-border banking group. In the first phase of the partnership, Standard Chartered will provide a comprehensive suite of banking services to FalconX globally, further strengthening the platform’s offerings for institutional clients. The engagement will expand to include a broader range of offerings and mutual opportunities.

Through this collaboration, FalconX will initially integrate Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure and access to an extensive range of currency pairs, enhancing the speed, scale, and reliability of cross-border settlement for its institutional client base. This continues FalconX’s efforts to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets with enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Matt Long, General Manager, APAC & Middle East at FalconX, commented: “We are pleased to partner with Standard Chartered, one of the most forward-thinking global banks in digital asset adoption. At FalconX, we support trading and financing for some of the world’s largest institutions in digital asset markets, and this relationship strengthens our ability to deliver robust banking and FX solutions to clients who rely on us to operate in crypto markets.”

As FalconX continues to grow its global footprint, the partnership is expected to expand beyond banking into additional products and services tailored to the evolving needs of FalconX’s and Standard Chartered’s institutional clients — including asset managers, hedge funds, token issuers, and payment platforms.

Luke Boland, Head of Fintech, ASEAN, South Asia & GCNA at Standard Chartered, added: “Our collaboration with FalconX underscores our commitment to advancing the digital asset ecosystem. As institutional demand for digital assets continues to grow, we’re proud to provide the banking infrastructure that enables firms like FalconX to deliver world-class trading and financing solutions to institutional clients.”

Notes to editors

FalconX

FalconX is a leading digital asset prime brokerage for the world’s top institutions. We provide comprehensive access to global digital asset liquidity and a full range of trading services. Our 24/7 dedicated team for account, operational and trading needs enables investors to navigate markets around the clock. FalconX Bravo, Inc., a FalconX affiliate, was the first CFTC-registered swap dealer focused on cryptocurrency derivatives.

‍The company is backed by investors including Accel, Adams Street Partners, Altimeter Capital, American Express Ventures, B Capital, GIC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sapphire Ventures, Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management and Wellington Management.

FalconX has offices in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Singapore, and Valletta. For more information visit falconx.io or follow FalconX on X and LinkedIn.

Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/falconx-and-standard-chartered-announce-strategic-partnership-302454933.html

SOURCE FalconX

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