Dmitry Shubov Explains Regulatory Readiness for SEA Legal-Tech Seeking U.S. Venture Capital

FREMONT, Calif., Feb 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As accelerating legal-tech investment and product rollouts have drawn Southeast Asia's U.S.-targeting startups, U.S. investors are making their early-stage funding decisions more predicated on a startup's regulatory readiness and traction. Startups that treat legal and compliance as go-to-market advantages have shorter diligence cycles and better outcomes than those that treat these issues solely as afterthoughts. This observation was reported by Crunchbase News (Aron Solomon, October 2025), which found that U.S. investors are starting to consider legal strategy and regulatory preparedness as factors in legal-tech and reg-tech investing decisions.

What investors are prioritizing now include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Regulatory readiness: Clearly defined routes to market, licensing plans, and playbooks may influence the earliest decision-making of interested investors.
• Reduce diligence friction: Have clear data-transfer agreements, privacy and security plans, and risk mitigation plans. This will make the diligence process smoother and may allow you to get better terms.
• In addition, repeatable, low-churn adoption, strong unit economics, a credible go-to-market (US pilots or channel partners), and regulatory clarity contribute to check size and valuation.
• Planned acquirer alignment: Documented compliance makes a startup more attractive to law firms, reg-tech platforms, and larger SaaS acquirers.

A consulting firm can help with the following:

Map regulatory pathways, and draft a customer data-flow/diligence pack.
Translate pilots into investor metrics: conversion, retention cohorts, CAC/LTV sketches.
Establish U.S. corporate housekeeping: entity setup, cap-table cleanup, and template investor docs.
Establish an investor outreach and go-to-market strategy targeting cross-border and reg-tech investors.

“Regulatory preparedness isn’t just a compliance piece; it is a key part of the product-market story that investors buy into. Southeast Asian founders who prioritize compliance and legal strategy can increase the chances of investor potential and expedite the timelines for fundraising and favorable term outcomes,” says Dmitry Shubov, Founder of Dmitry Shubov Consulting.

For Southeast Asian legal tech founders, regulatory compliance clarity is a strategic asset investors are seeking, and it can be extremely beneficial to partner with a consulting firm that specializes in this. Dmitry Shubov Consulting, a consulting firm that focuses on helping early-stage legal tech startups expand into the U.S. buying market effectively, can be a valuable resource. Find more information, visit the Dmitry Shubov Consulting website today.

About Dmitry Shubov Consulting

At Dmitry Shubov Consulting, our mission is to connect accredited investors with groundbreaking legal technology startups, fostering innovation and growth across Southeast Asia and helping Asian businesses enter the U.S. market. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Media Contact:

Support@dmitryshubovconsulting.com

SOURCE: Dmitry Shubov Consulting

--BERNAMA

ACRONIS NAMES INSIGHTZ TECHNOLOGY FIRST SINGAPORE MSSP PARTNER

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection, announced that Insightz Technology will become its first certified managed security service provider (MSSP) partner in Singapore.


Insightz Technology, a regional cybersecurity MXDR provider, will utilise the partnership to deliver Acronis Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services to managed service providers (MSPs) and their clients across the region.


In a statement, Acronis Senior Vice President for APJ & Middle East, Pasha Ershow welcomed the partnership, stating that MDR services are essential for maintaining business continuity and resilience given the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats.


Ershow added that the collaboration will enable Insightz Technology to support Acronis in providing high-end MDR services to more than 200 Acronis partners in Singapore and the broader region.


Meanwhile, Insightz Technology Founder, Lionel Loh said the collaboration enables them to provide comprehensive cybersecurity protection with greater operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which is particularly crucial for small and medium-sized businesses facing increasingly sophisticated threats such as ransomware.


Acronis selected Insightz Technology due to its strong market presence and proven track record in delivering cybersecurity services across various sectors. Insightz Technology contributes over 10 years of data detection expertise, having supported hundreds of global organisations.


The partnership addresses the complexities and rising costs faced by the rapidly growing Singapore MSP industry, which often struggles with managing multiple vendors.


Operating under the Acronis MSSP Partner Program, Insightz Technology will leverage Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, a natively integrated platform.


The platform combines essential capabilities—endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), backup, disaster recovery, and remote monitoring and management (RMM)—allowing MSPs to eliminate the complexity of using multiple tools, thus increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs.


The Acronis MSSP Program is designed for MSSPs seeking to scale and differentiate their offerings, providing the platform, flexibility, and support needed to thrive in a competitive market. MSSPs maintain full control over branding, pricing, and service delivery while providing MDR services powered by Acronis technology.


-- BERNAMA

Nexperia Hosts Global Supplier Day in Seremban to Strengthen Long‑Term Growth and Supply Chain Partnerships

SEREMBAN, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Nexperia successfully hosted its Global Supplier Day yesterday at its high‑volume production facility in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. The event brought together key partners, including 40 global suppliers from around the world, to align on the company’s expansion strategy and future collaboration opportunities.

In his opening address, Nexperia CEO a.i. Stefan Tilger highlighted the crucial role suppliers play in meeting the rising global demand for semiconductors. Tilger stated, “Our suppliers play a vital role in our ability to serve customers worldwide, and we are grateful for the strong partnerships we have built together. As we navigate this period of operational disruption, our solid financial foundation and shared commitment give us full confidence in the road ahead. We look forward to continuing this journey together, built on trust, transparency, and long-term collaboration.”

Nexperia was also honoured to welcome TS Norhizam Ibrahim, Executive Director, Manufacturing Development (Non‑Resource) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), who delivered a keynote speech addressing Malaysia’s growing strategic role in the global semiconductor ecosystem. In his remarks, TS Norhizam Ibrahim shared, “This Global Supplier Day serves as a strategic launchpad to reinforce Malaysia’s industrial resilience and build supply chains that can withstand global shocks. Our priority is to seamlessly integrate capable Malaysian companies into the global semiconductor value chain, while strengthening long-term partnerships with industry leaders such as Nexperia.”

The Global Supplier Day comes at a strategic moment for Nexperia as its Seremban site prepares for an accelerated ramp‑up of production capacity. This expansion will contribute to the company’s broader goal of strengthening geographical diversification and ensuring reliable, stable supply to customers worldwide.

Nexperia emphasised that this growth trajectory is only possible through close cooperation with its global network of suppliers. Maintaining strong partnerships remains essential for achieving the company’s ambitious expansion plans and supporting the long‑term resilience of the semiconductor industry, while also reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a strategic hub in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

For media inquiries, please refer to this link: https://tinyurl.com/2d5azpxp

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Mr. Mohd Mazlan Mokhtar
Director, Electrical & Electronics Division
Tel: +603-2267 6655
Email: mazlan@mida.gov.my

Nexperia
For press information, please contact: media@nexperia.com

--BERNAMA

CGTN: CHINA’S 2026 SPRING FESTIVAL TRAVEL RUSH SET TO BREAK RECORDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush, or chunyun, is set to begin on Feb 2 and run for 40 days, with an estimated 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger trips, according to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

In a statement, CGTN said the migration, the largest human movement on the planet, coincides with a nine-day holiday and reflects broader social changes in China.

Officials project that private vehicles will account for roughly 80 per cent of trips, while rail and air travel are expected to hit historic highs of 540 million and 95 million passengers, respectively.

Expanded highway charging networks, high-speed rail infrastructure exceeding 50,000 kilometres, and advanced emergency services are all in place to support the surge.

In addition to logistics, "heartwarming services" are being introduced to improve passenger experience. Quiet carriages on over 8,000 high-speed trains will provide calm spaces, and staff will offer disposable earplugs and children’s activity packs.

Seniors will benefit from priority check-ins at airports, while pet owners can use "Pet Rail" services across multiple stations.

The travel rush culminates with the Spring Festival on Feb 17, China’s Lunar New Year, celebrated with family reunions, festive meals, decorations, and traditional crafts.

Cultural programming, including the "Spring Festival Gala" and CGTN’s "Super Night" broadcast, highlights the country’s heritage to billions of viewers worldwide.

CGTN reported that chunyun is more than a transportation event; it offers a lens into China’s evolving society, reflecting both technological advancements and a growing focus on inclusivity and passenger comfort.

-- BERNAMA

EF launches search for strategic partner in bid to become world’s best cycling team

Additional investment builds on EF’s existing commitment and will go towards building Tour de France Femmes winning squad and long-term talent development on men’s and U23 squads

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EF (Education First) is launching an unprecedented and unique opportunity, opening the first naming rights for EF Pro Cycling to an additional partner ready to shape the next era of professional cycling together with EF.

EF will remain the team’s owner and long-term anchor partner at an unchanged level of investment. The opening of a title partner position is designed to add resources on top of EF’s existing commitment, enabling the team to compete with the largest budgets in the sport and accelerate its ambitions. This opportunity gives a partner the chance to help build the team of the future alongside EF, while gaining visibility in front of millions of fans worldwide.

EF’s long-term vision is focused on three clear outcomes:
Win the Tour de France Femmes within the next three years
Continue building the world leading development pathway in professional cycling
Win both men’s and women’s Tours de France within the next decade with riders developed through the EF Pro Cycling system

“It’s rare in professional sport, and nearly unheard of in cycling, for an owner and anchor partner to commit long-term at EF’s current level and still invite an additional title partner to invest purely to make the team stronger,” says team CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “We owe a great deal to EF. They recognize the incredible opportunity we have to keep building something truly special.”

Founded in 2003 on the belief that fans deserved a team they could trust, the team has won monuments, Olympic medals, world championships, and a grand tour while also broadening the horizons of the sport with victories at gravel events like Unbound. EF acquired the team in 2017, recognizing the parallels between cycling’s global spirit and the company’s mission of opening the world through education and cultural exchange.

“Our sport has changed dramatically over the past two decades,” says Vaughters. “WorldTour budgets have risen at an unprecedented pace, and we see this as an opportunity to partner with a brand that shares our vision of winning at the highest level while staying true to who we are.”

The team will keep building around key riders such as Ben Healy, Magdeleine Vallieres, Kristen Faulkner, Richard Carapaz and Neilson Powless – who have all signed long-term contract extensions with the team – while also developing the exciting young talents already proving themselves on the world stage.

“This is a unique opportunity for an organization to partner with a global team and organization such as EF. Together, we can build a team that extends far beyond traditional sponsorship, creating lasting value and impact for years to come,” says EF Education First Global Chief of Staff and EF Pro Cycling President Maria Norrman.

On-bike success has always been the foundation of EF Pro Cycling, complemented by one of the strongest and most engaged digital platforms in professional cycling. Since 2017, the team has consistently ranked among the top teams in the sport for social media impressions and engagement, while delivering one of the strongest returns on investment for a title partner across professional sports, according to Nielsen Analytics.

Just as importantly, EF Pro Cycling is defined by the longevity and consistency of its partnerships with brands such as EasyPost, Cannondale, Wahoo and POC. These long-term partners have helped build EF Pro Cycling into what it is today, remaining committed far longer than is typical in professional sport. This reflects a shared belief in the team’s values, spirit, and long-term vision.

“Title sponsorship amplifies the reach to the cycling audience, and EF Pro Cycling is well positioned to benefit from the trends and growth in the cycling audience and viewership,” says Nielsen Sports Commercial Director and Head of Cycling Jerome Bouchat. “This team cultivates its own image to stand out and understands that to attract brands, it must be as visible as possible and offer powerful storytelling.”

Join us and enter the next chapter of our 23-year history as we build the world’s best team.
Interested in partnering with us? Email: hello@efprocycling.com

About EF
Founded in 1965, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that shares a common mission of opening the world through education, offering language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.

About EF Pro Cycling
At EF Pro Cycling (division of EF), we believe the world is better when people push boundaries together. Our men’s WorldTeam squad, EF Education-EasyPost; our women’s WorldTeam squad, EF Education-Oatly; and our development squad, EF Education-Aevolo; compete in the biggest events around the world both on and off-road. From the Tours de France to Unbound Gravel, we race, explore, and push the boundaries of what pro cycling can be. Since our founding in 2003, we have championed ethical competition and sought to disrupt the status quo. Our mission is to become the world’s most-loved team.


CONTACT
Johannes Manson
Marketing and Communication Director
EF Pro Cycling
johannes.manson@ef.com
efprocycling.com

MEDIA RESOURCES
Assets available to use
and download HERE

PASSWORD: Press2026


SOURCE: EF Pro Cycling

--BERNAMA

SHANGHAI ROLLS OUT "SPRING FESTIVAL GIFT PACKS" TO BOOST FESTIVE TOURISM KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Shanghai is rolling out a series of "Spring Festival Gift Packs" to make it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to experience the city during the holiday period as the Year of the Horse approaches. Led by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the initiative features discounted tickets, themed activities, and cultural offerings across 60 popular city attractions. According to a statement, the gift packs form part of Shanghai’s broader push to boost festive tourism and encourage people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in the city, offering a wide range of affordable options tailored to different visitor groups. The gift packs offer ticket discounts of up to 50 per cent at participating scenic spots, together with special Chinese zodiac-themed promotions and combo passes, making sightseeing more affordable for families, tourists and local residents. The discounts are complemented by a lineup of supporting events, including intangible cultural heritage performances, interactive pet-themed activities, traditional market fairs and bazaars featuring China-chic trends. In addition, travel agencies and hotels have curated itineraries with a "Spring Festival vibe" and "Spring Celebration" activities covering family-friendly, cultural and rural leisure experiences, providing multiple options for holiday outings. The initiative also aligns with the ongoing “Discover Shanghai” Tourism Guide Super Competition, which has generated practical and innovative tour recommendations that are now being developed into tourism products. Industry observers said Shanghai continues to strengthen its appeal as a winter destination by combining affordability with cultural depth, with the gift packs helping to make travel more economical while immersing visitors in local customs during one of China’s most important traditional holidays. The offers will be available throughout the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period, with detailed information accessible through official tourism platforms such as "Hu Xiaoyou" and Trip.com. -- BERNAMA

Shanghai rolls out "Spring Festival Gift Packs".

SHANGHAI, Jan. 30, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

As the Year of the Horse approaches, Shanghai is rolling out a series of "Spring Festival Gift Packs" designed to make it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to experience the city during the holiday period. The initiative, led by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, features discounted tickets, themed activities, and cultural offerings across 60 popular city attractions.

The gift packs are part of Shanghai's broader push to boost festive tourism and encourage people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in the city. By combining discounted admission, zodiac-themed promotions, and integrated tour packages, the program seeks to provide a wide range of affordable options tailored to different visitor groups.

Highlights of the Spring Festival Gift Packs include:

Attraction Discounts : Participating scenic spots are offering tickets at up to 50% off, along with special promotions based on the Chinese zodiac and combo passes, making sightseeing more affordable for families, tourists, and locals alike.

Cultural & Festive Activities : The discounts are complemented by a rich lineup of supporting events, including intangible cultural heritage performances, interactive pet-themed activities for the Chinese Lunar New Year, traditional market fairs, and bazaars featuring China-chic trends -- all crafted to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Integrated Experience Packages : Many venues are bundling accommodation with entry tickets or themed tours, creating convenient and cost-effective ways to explore Shanghai during the holiday period.

Themed Tourism Products : Travel agencies and hotels have curated itineraries with a "Spring Festival vibe" and activities for "Spring Celebration" that cover family-friendly, cultural, and rural leisure experiences, providing multiple options for holiday outings.

The gift packs initiative aligns with the ongoing "Discover Shanghai" Tourism Guide Super Competition, which has inspired practical and innovative tour recommendations now being developed into actual tourism products. The competition's winning guides are expected to be widely used by visitors during the Spring Festival.

Industry observers note that Shanghai continues to strengthen its appeal as a winter destination by combining affordability with cultural depth. The Spring Festival Gift Packs not only make travel more economical but also immerse visitors in the local customs and vibrant spirit of Shanghai during the most important traditional holiday in China.

The offers will be available throughout the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period, with detailed information accessible through official tourism platforms such as "Hu Xiaoyou" and Trip.com. Through this Spring Festival Gift Packs Initiative, Shanghai demonstrates its commitment to creating a welcoming, dynamic, and visitor-friendly holiday environment, inviting everyone to enjoy a memorable and affordable Chinese Lunar New Year in the city.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism

Caption: Shanghai rolls out "Spring Festival Gift Packs".

--BERNAMA

SMART COMMUNICATIONS APPOINTS HEIDI JOHNSON AS CHIEF PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Smart Communications, a technology company focused on helping highly regulated organisations engage in more meaningful customer conversations, has appointed Heidi Johnson as its Chief Product and Technology Officer, effective Jan 28.

In a statement, the company said Johnson will succeed Simon Tindal, who is retiring from Smart Communications, and will lead the company’s global innovation strategy as well as its product and technology organisation.

After more than 20 years with the company, including a foundational role in building the business, Tindal will transition from day-to-day operations and remain involved as a full-time advisor over the coming months to support a smooth transition.

Smart Communications Chief Executive Officer, Leigh Segall said Johnson brings a proven track record in building and scaling enterprise-grade platforms, with deep expertise across product, cloud, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) in highly regulated environments.

“With Heidi leading our product and technology organisation, we are well positioned to accelerate our innovation roadmap and AI vision,” said Segall.

Meanwhile, Johnson said Smart Communications is uniquely positioned at the intersection of deep domain expertise, trusted technology, and a clear vision for the future.

“The product suite is built to operate at enterprise scale, with security, compliance, and resilience at its core. I am excited to build on this foundation and accelerate our product and AI roadmap to deliver meaningful, compliant innovation for customers operating in highly regulated industries,” she added.

Johnson joins Smart Communications with over two decades of experience building and scaling end-user software as a service (SaaS) products, having held senior leadership roles at Bloomberg, IHS Markit, Komodo Health, and Carta.

She has also served as Chief Product Officer in Residence at Products That Count, providing expert insight to global product leaders, and is a mentor with MIT Sandbox, supporting the next generation of technology entrepreneurs.

-- BERNAMA