Latest news with #Antler
Metro
17 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Antler launches new Summer Capsule collection just in time for summer holidays
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Antler may be best known for its array of bold, durable and oh-so-chic suitcases, overnight bags and holdalls, but the brand has expanded its collection once again to bring shoppers even more protective items for our personal belongings. From June 3, Antler will launch its Summer Capsule, which includes a variety of protective garments to house your other travel and sporting essentials, such as a Tennis Racket Cover, Detachable Sunglasses Pouch, as well as a Reversible Tote Bag and more. The new seven-piece drop follows a unisex colour palette, as the designs are mostly monochrome with Antler's signature green accents, which is said to mimic the 'sharp lines of traditional lawn attire', according to the website. This combination draws on Antler's signature functionality, but also draws on quintessential British summer sporting aesthetic too – think the clean cuts of cricket and Wimbledon whites with a flash of bold hues (like that from a citrus tennis ball being batted back and forth). However, there are some staples in the collection that are a little bolder, such as the sunglasses pouches, which come in green and orange. More Trending The Summer Collection has been designed to support the existing (and much loved) luggage collection at Antler, whether you are packing for an active getaway or sporting retreat, Antler is the one stop shop for your suitcase, hand luggage, sunglasses case and tennis racket cover. Simply genius, if you ask us, especially considering the rise of airport aesthetics. However, you can simply be strolling to your next friendly match, heading for a coaching session, or a walk in the park, and the stunning new-in will still deliver. There's no denying Antler's products have been built to last, so not only is the new Summer Capsule stylish, but practical and durable to suit your every need, year in and year out. The collection ranges in price from £50 to £135, which you can shop at Antler from 3rd June. With Wimbledon just around the corner it's no surprise tennis, or padel, becomes one of the most popular sports. So, inevitably we dust off our rackets, or buy new, to get into the spirit. With a new found love for heading to the courts, we obviously need a Tennis Racket Cover to keep the precious piece of kit safe. The cover has been made from durable, water-repellent materials to see you through the seasons. It features a detachable strap to make it easy to wear when walking to and from your match hands-free. BUY NOW FOR £90 We love a tote bag, but a reversible tote bag is a new one, and of course we need it. This design features a cream side and contrasting black side, which you can easily switch between simply by flipping inside out. The fabric is water-repellent, lightweight, and durable enough to take you from the office, to the gym, and everything in between. Plus, it features two wide shoulder straps to avoid it digging into your shoulders. Buy Now for £90 A crossbody bag is a fuss-free bag I love, as it can house the essential items in one place, and is versatile enough to style in different ways, especially if you want to go handsfree. The long strap can be adjusted to help you find a comfortable fit when carrying the bag, whether it is across the body, over the shoulder, or around the waist. It is lightweight, and compact, so it is best used for the essentials, such as a phone, passport, and wallet. Available in black and cream colourways. Buy Now for £135 Finding your sunglasses in a tote bag can be like finding a needle in a haystack, plus it can mean your lenses get scratched, which could jeopardise how protective they are from harmful UV rays. The solution? A sunglasses pouch. The structured leather pouch is not only stylish, but practical to keep your belongings safe. The popper fastening ensures your sunnies don't slip out of the pouch, while the chain and carabiner can be hooked on to your bag to make it easy to access on sunny days. Available in vibrant orange or forest green. Buy Now for £65 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: Can the £15 Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag really handle a weekend trip away? MORE: Antler's sell-out overnight bag has been called 'the ultimate travel accessory' and here's why MORE: From Space NK to Mango – here's 23 items our shopping expert is buying this weekend
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southeast Asia's tech startups are chasing the American dream
Southeast Asian tech startups are increasingly targeting the US market for growth and opportunity. Traditionally, startups from the area focused locally, but AI is driving a shift to the US. Founders are finding that a physical presence in the US has become a necessity as business grows. Yoeven Khemlani knew he wanted to build a product for engineers like him. The Singaporean's friends told him they were spending tons of time maintaining code, web scraping, and translating their work for different markets. In July 2024, he launched JigsawStack, a company to create small models that could automate those tasks. One country — not his own — quickly became the source of his customers. "We saw a huge uptake of users and realized a lot of the early-stage customers that we got were from the US," Khemlani said. JigsawStack, which raised $1.5 million in pre-seed rounds from the venture capital firm Antler's Southeast Asia fund in October and February, is part of a growing group of Southeast Asian startups building products for US-based customers, rather than those in their backyard. For these software startups, the US's rising isolationism isn't threatening their customer base — yet. But sweeping tariffs on China may push up the cost of hardware they need to import into the US, such as servers. "Traditionally, Southeast Asian startups honed in on local or regional markets to solve unique, homegrown challenges," said Jussi Salovaara, a cofounder of Antler who leads investments in Asia. The ride-hailing apps Grab and GoJek — two of the region's best-known startups, now publicly listed — are examples of how founders in the early 2010s built for local needs. "However, as the ecosystem matures, founders are now setting their sights on the US, encouraged by a blend of opportunity and necessity," Salovaara said, adding that he'd seen more of these US-focused startups in the past three years in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia, a group of 11 countries east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China, has seen skyrocketing economic growth over the past decade. Since 2015, the region's GDP has climbed more than 62% to $4.12 trillion, boosted by a growing middle and upper class. Between 2015 and 2021, the number of venture capital deals within the region more than tripled to 1,800, PitchBook data shows. Activity peaked in 2021 — a similar pattern to startup funding globally. This embedded content is not available in your region. Despite the region's growth, more Southeast Asia startups are choosing to focus on building products for the US, not for those around them. Founders and business experts note that the American market is more concentrated, more mature, and less price sensitive, all of which make it an attractive playing ground for new entrants. Plus, the US is leading in artificial intelligence, the major driver of today's global tech industry. "We're in an AI-first world where currently the US is at the epicenter of driving groundbreaking advancements," said Shailendra Singh, a managing director with Peak XV, the VC firm previously known as Sequoia Capital India & Southeast Asia. "This," he added, "is why we put in a lot of focus and effort on building global go-to-market operating teams in the US." And American businesses are happy to have them. "SEA startups are often positioned to offer high-quality, cost-competitive solutions that can undercut US-based alternatives, making them appealing to American businesses in need of cost-effective innovation," Antler's Salovaara said. To be sure, the model isn't unique to Southeast Asia. Nataliya Wright, an entrepreneurship professor at Columbia Business School, researched startups founded from 2000 to 2015 for a forthcoming paper on scaling. She found that software startups from small countries in Europe, for instance, typically focused on the US from the get-go. Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, however, are considered midsize markets, with populations in the tens of millions. Startups from midsize markets tended to start with a local focus, assuming there would be enough customers. "A US orientation," Wright told Business Insider, "would suggest a departure from that model." Working only within the region is tough. Southeast Asia is home to a huge diversity of languages, business practices, and household incomes. "You're spending five times more because you're entering five different markets," Khemlani, the JigsawStack founder, said about working in the region. The US and tech hubs like San Francisco allow startups to find an abundance of customers in one place, or at least in one country. "We don't have the resources to do two streams of marketing," Khemlani said. Having some American customers is good for fundraising, too, said Wright, the Columbia Business School professor. This is because of a bias called "foreign discounting" — VCs based in startup hubs such as Silicon Valley overlook or undervalue startups founded elsewhere, Wright said. When foreign startups show they have US customers, it helps cancel out that bias and could give them a leg up in future fundraising rounds. VCs say founders from the region have advantages. Singh, the Peak XV managing director, said Indian and Southeast Asian startups often have an underdog mindset. "They feel a startup in Silicon Valley is more polished and has better access to capital and talent, so they want to overcompensate by working harder, learning faster, and often they're understated and very hungry for success," he said. Realfast is a Singaporean Peak XV-backed startup that builds AI agents for IT systems. Its cofounder, Sidu Ponnappa, has found that the US is the deepest market for its product. "Everything from deal velocity to deal size operates at a completely different level in the US," Ponnappa said. "Can you do the same thing for other markets? Yes, but it's always lower margin." Guan Dian, who heads the Asia Pacific operations of Patsnap, a software maker for research and development projects that's backed by Vertex Ventures, said the company's founders always thought the US would be a priority market. While the startup has customers in 50 countries, more than half of its 5,000 customers are in the US. She said the company refined its branding to emphasize AI-powered features for industries such as biotech and advanced manufacturing, which dominate US patent filings. Cost consciousness among Southeast Asian customers is another reason founders are reaching abroad. "Southeast Asia is a little bit more price sensitive, and we tend to get a bit more into negotiation," Khemlani said. Cheaper labor means local customers try low-tech solutions or building themselves first, but that's starting to change as AI models get more complex and expensive, Khemlani said. Founders don't want to fully decamp to the US, though, thanks to the ease of doing business in places such as Singapore. For startups including Multiplier, an HR platform backed by Tiger Global and Peak XV, Singapore's strong geopolitical relations with virtually every country are a big advantage over the US. "We do business with China and Taiwan, we do business with India and Pakistan, we do business with America and China," said Sagar Khatri, Multiplier's CEO and cofounder. "We've evaluated time and time again: Should we move our headquarters to America? And the answer has always been no," Khatri said. The founders who spoke with BI also touted Singapore's tax policy — it doesn't tax capital gains — and government grants for tech companies. Some startups are splitting their people, moving one cofounder to the US while the other stays in Southeast Asia. For JigsawStack, being in the US is essential for networking. Khemlani, the founder, spent six months in the US last year and moved permanently this year to scale the startup. "You can't sell to the US when you're not there," he said. "Just going for an event or a hackathon in the US makes such a big difference in your sales." Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Southeast Asia's tech startups are chasing the American dream
Yoeven Khemlani knew he wanted to build a product for engineers like him. The Singaporean's friends told him they were spending tons of time maintaining code, web scraping, and translating their work for different markets. In July 2024, he launched JigsawStack, a company to create small models that could automate those tasks. One country — not his own — quickly became the source of his customers. "We saw a huge uptake of users and realized a lot of the early-stage customers that we got were from the US," Khemlani said. JigsawStack, which raised $1.5 million in pre-seed rounds from the venture capital firm Antler's Southeast Asia fund in October and February, is part of a growing group of Southeast Asian startups building products for US-based customers, rather than those in their backyard. For these software startups, the US's rising isolationism isn't threatening their customer base — yet. But sweeping tariffs on China may push up the cost of hardware they need to import into the US, such as servers. "Traditionally, Southeast Asian startups honed in on local or regional markets to solve unique, homegrown challenges," said Jussi Salovaara, a cofounder of Antler who leads investments in Asia. The ride-hailing apps Grab and GoJek — two of the region's best-known startups, now publicly listed — are examples of how founders in the early 2010s built for local needs. "However, as the ecosystem matures, founders are now setting their sights on the US, encouraged by a blend of opportunity and necessity," Salovaara said, adding that he'd seen more of these US-focused startups in the past three years in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is growing, but it doesn't have the US's firepower Southeast Asia, a group of 11 countries east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China, has seen skyrocketing economic growth over the past decade. Since 2015, the region's GDP has climbed more than 62% to $4.12 trillion, boosted by a growing middle and upper class. Between 2015 and 2021, the number of venture capital deals within the region more than tripled to 1,800, PitchBook data shows. Activity peaked in 2021 — a similar pattern to startup funding globally. Despite the region's growth, more Southeast Asia startups are choosing to focus on building products for the US, not for those around them. Founders and business experts note that the American market is more concentrated, more mature, and less price sensitive, all of which make it an attractive playing ground for new entrants. Plus, the US is leading in artificial intelligence, the major driver of today's global tech industry. "We're in an AI-first world where currently the US is at the epicenter of driving groundbreaking advancements," said Shailendra Singh, a managing director with Peak XV, the VC firm previously known as Sequoia Capital India & Southeast Asia. "This," he added, "is why we put in a lot of focus and effort on building global go-to-market operating teams in the US." And American businesses are happy to have them. "SEA startups are often positioned to offer high-quality, cost-competitive solutions that can undercut US-based alternatives, making them appealing to American businesses in need of cost-effective innovation," Antler's Salovaara said. To be sure, the model isn't unique to Southeast Asia. Nataliya Wright, an entrepreneurship professor at Columbia Business School, researched startups founded from 2000 to 2015 for a forthcoming paper on scaling. She found that software startups from small countries in Europe, for instance, typically focused on the US from the get-go. Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, however, are considered midsize markets, with populations in the tens of millions. Startups from midsize markets tended to start with a local focus, assuming there would be enough customers. "A US orientation," Wright told Business Insider, "would suggest a departure from that model." 11 unique markets Working only within the region is tough. Southeast Asia is home to a huge diversity of languages, business practices, and household incomes. "You're spending five times more because you're entering five different markets," Khemlani, the JigsawStack founder, said about working in the region. The US and tech hubs like San Francisco allow startups to find an abundance of customers in one place, or at least in one country. "We don't have the resources to do two streams of marketing," Khemlani said. Having some American customers is good for fundraising, too, said Wright, the Columbia Business School professor. This is because of a bias called "foreign discounting" — VCs based in startup hubs such as Silicon Valley overlook or undervalue startups founded elsewhere, Wright said. When foreign startups show they have US customers, it helps cancel out that bias and could give them a leg up in future fundraising rounds. VCs say founders from the region have advantages. Singh, the Peak XV managing director, said Indian and Southeast Asian startups often have an underdog mindset. "They feel a startup in Silicon Valley is more polished and has better access to capital and talent, so they want to overcompensate by working harder, learning faster, and often they're understated and very hungry for success," he said. Hotbed for innovation Realfast is a Singaporean Peak XV-backed startup that builds AI agents for IT systems. Its cofounder, Sidu Ponnappa, has found that the US is the deepest market for its product. "Everything from deal velocity to deal size operates at a completely different level in the US," Ponnappa said. "Can you do the same thing for other markets? Yes, but it's always lower margin." Guan Dian, who heads the Asia Pacific operations of Patsnap, a software maker for research and development projects that's backed by Vertex Ventures, said the company's founders always thought the US would be a priority market. While the startup has customers in 50 countries, more than half of its 5,000 customers are in the US. She said the company refined its branding to emphasize AI-powered features for industries such as biotech and advanced manufacturing, which dominate US patent filings. Cost consciousness among Southeast Asian customers is another reason founders are reaching abroad. "Southeast Asia is a little bit more price sensitive, and we tend to get a bit more into negotiation," Khemlani said. Cheaper labor means local customers try low-tech solutions or building themselves first, but that's starting to change as AI models get more complex and expensive, Khemlani said. 'Should we move our headquarters to America?' Founders don't want to fully decamp to the US, though, thanks to the ease of doing business in places such as Singapore. For startups including Multiplier, an HR platform backed by Tiger Global and Peak XV, Singapore's strong geopolitical relations with virtually every country are a big advantage over the US. "We do business with China and Taiwan, we do business with India and Pakistan, we do business with America and China," said Sagar Khatri, Multiplier's CEO and cofounder. "We've evaluated time and time again: Should we move our headquarters to America? And the answer has always been no," Khatri said. The founders who spoke with BI also touted Singapore's tax policy — it doesn't tax capital gains — and government grants for tech companies. Some startups are splitting their people, moving one cofounder to the US while the other stays in Southeast Asia. For JigsawStack, being in the US is essential for networking. Khemlani, the founder, spent six months in the US last year and moved permanently this year to scale the startup. "You can't sell to the US when you're not there," he said. "Just going for an event or a hackathon in the US makes such a big difference in your sales."
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Antler summer sale slashes prices on carry-ons and suitcases
The luxury luggae brand has launched a summer online sale this bank holiday weekend The summer holiday season is in full swing, with many people planning overseas trips and getaways. Those looking to upgrade their luggage can find savings at Antler, as the high-end brand launches a sitewide sale. The brand has introduced an online discount code, and shoppers can get 20% off its goods using the code SUMMER at the checkout. The discount code applies to all of Antler's luggage, including carry-ons, suitcases and backpacks. Debenhams fans can also find deals on suitcase sets, including this Delta Stripe 3 Piece Luggage Set on sale from £49.99, from £79.99. The hardshell set comprises a cabin suitcase, a medium suitcase and a large one - it comes in turquoise, pink, lime green, and grey. Antler's sale highlights include this medium-sized hardshell suitcase (worth £190 but £152 with discount code applied). Made with a durable polypropylene shell, it's designed with a single stripe to protect belongings while staying light and easy to handle. The medium-sized hardshell suitcase is available in a range of colours, including green, light blue, indigo, dark green and taupe. Its overall measurements are 68cm x 46cm x 31cm. It has a five-star overall rating and more than 300 reviews, with one person writing: "Looks great and well built, the proof is in the first holiday use. We purchased four of them." A second described it as 'lightweight' but had issues with the size, adding: "A little bigger than we really wanted. The next size down is for a carry-on, which is too small. I would also prefer a tight lock closure rather than a zip, which feels less secure." A third added: "A really sturdy and well-made suitcase. I chose a practical forest green colour and the case is just so light and easy to manoeuvre." Similarly, Dunelm also offers a range of luggage options. Its Elements Hard Shell range is popular among consumers, with prices from £30 to £40 for cabin, medium and large suitcases. Another Antler sale pick is this handy backpack, which can be used for travelling, as well as communicating and UK days out. The Essential Backpack is worth £115 but is £92 with the discount code, and comes in three colours, including taupe, black and green. Designed to fit underseat restrictions on airlines, it opens fully like a suitcase, with a detachable gusset for packing without rummaging. One reviewer rated it five stars, describing it as 'light, spacious, sleek and elegant'. Another shopper highlighted its convenient compartments for 'laptop and documents' storage. However, a third customer knocked one star off, as they would prefer it to be made of leather. Antler's Icon cabin suitcase (worth £230 but is £184 with the discount code applied) is one of its most popular lines, with more than 1000 reviews. The suitcase's measurements are 55cm x 40cm x 24cm, and it is designed with a zip-up front pocket that accommodates tech and other essentials. The hardshell case is designed to comply with major European airline size restrictions. Choose from taupe, green, black and indigo hues. In the reviews, one buyer wrote: "This case is excellent, perfect for business travel. When walking through the airport as I did today you can feel the quality of the components. Will be buying my wife one for her travel also." Another wasn't as pleased, saying: "The design looks quite nice. However, the handle broke when unpacking the suitcase or was broke already. Sadly no answer from the customer support."
Metro
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Charlotte Tilbury fans can get 20% off sitewide with this discount code
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more If there's one beauty brand that knows how to bring the glow, it's Charlotte Tilbury. From the iconic Magic Cream that plumps up dry, lacklustre skin to leave it the perfect canvas for makeup, to the universally loved Pillow Talk collection, Charlotte's products have earned their place in makeup bags everywhere – and now, is the perfect time to stock up for less. For a limited time only, Charlotte Tilbury is offering shoppers 20% off sitewide with the code 'MAGICMAY'. That's right, from Thursday 22nd to Monday 26th May, beauty obsessives around the world can enjoy this dreamy discount with no minimum spend required. Whether you're replenishing your favourites or finally trying the TikTok-famous Hollywood Flawless Filter, this is your moment. More Trending The offer is open to all customers globally, but move fast because once it's gone, it's gone. Everything on-site is included but there are a few exceptions. Skincare Discovery Kits, Bundles, Build Your Own Beauty Kits, already discounted items, virtual consultations, subscriptions, e-Gift cards, samples, delivery, and gift wrap are all exempt but, they'll still count towards spend, just not discount redemption. So go ahead, treat yourself to the cult-status Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Spray that locks in your makeup for up to 16 hours, or that K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Runway Royalty you've been eyeing – which is the most amazing shade of nude, btw. There's never been a better time to buy and your beauty bag (and bank account) will thank you. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: I'm obsessed with glowy skin – and adding Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter into my makeup routine achieved that MORE: From Antler to Smythson, Fenty Beauty to Dune – these are the top picks from our shopping expert this week MORE: Get red-carpet ready with Charlotte Tilbury – and undupeable 'legendary' contour wands
