Latest news with #LeimingChen
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Join the 2025 Global Challenger Innovation Contest: Driving Inclusion Through Innovation
HONG KONG, March 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion community and next-generation corporate venture partner launched the Global Challenger Innovation Contest 2025 at the JUMPSTARTER 2025 event in Hong Kong SAR, China, building on the success of the 2024 competition. Now in its second year, the contest continues to empower visionaries to create tech-driven solutions that promote inclusion and drive social impact. The Global Challenger Innovation Contest was inaugurated in 2024 as a flagship project of 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion, a global initiative supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Ant International, to empower emerging tech leaders to create innovative solutions for financial inclusion and social impact. The inaugural Contest attracted submissions from around the world addressing critical global challenges, from education inclusion to sustainability. In 2025, the competition will focus on more grounded and actionable innovations that bring concrete transformations. Key Themes for Submission Participants are invited to submit innovative solutions in four key areas: Inclusive Digital Finance Services: Expanding access and enhancing financial autonomy for underserved businesses and individuals. Future of Work & Education: EdTech for workforce upskilling. Sustainability & Circular Economy: Innovating sustainable practices. Mental Health & Well-being: Tech-driven mental health solutions. A Shared Mission of Impact Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, said: "Building on the success of 2024, the Global Challenger 2025 continues to inspire innovators to create solutions that address global challenges. Together with we aim to empower more visionaries to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future." Sebastien Picard, Founder and Group CEO of added: "At we believe deeply in the transformative power of corporate venturing and open innovation. By partnering with 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion, we aim to identify and support visionary changemakers who are dedicated to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions. We look forward to seeing ideas that will significantly impact humanity." The mission of the 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion community is to nurture and inspire at least 1,000 tech leaders annually over the next decade. By the end of 2024, the program has partnered with over 50 institutions worldwide to connect over 7,000 individual talents from more than 110 countries and regions within the global digital community. is a new-generation corporate venture partner specializing in ideating, validating, launching and scaling corporate venture portfolios. With a mission to make a positive impact on humanity, the company supports corporations in mitigating risks associated with corporate venturing and open innovation initiatives. How to Participate Visit to submit your ideas by April 26, 2025. Learn more about the themes, judging criteria, and how to gain mentorship and visibility through 10x1000's extensive network. The top submissions will receive mentorship, funding opportunities, and recognition for scaling their innovations. The 2025 grand finale is expected to culminate in a showcase event. View source version on Contacts Yinan Duan, Sign in to access your portfolio
Arab News
12-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
barq teams up with Alipay+ to boost cross-border payments
Saudi fintech barq and Alipay+ have announced a new agreement that will make barq part of Alipay+'s international network. The move is part of the ongoing expansion of Alipay+'s unified electronic payment portal service that includes more than 35 digital wallets and banking applications worldwide. Following the necessary regulatory approvals, the MoU was signed between the two companies on the sidelines of LEAP 25, the world's most attended tech event, hosted by the Kingdom for the fourth consecutive year at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, from Feb. 9 to 12. The memorandum paves the way for barq to partner with Alipay+ to facilitate travel and shopping experiences for its customers, which in turn will contribute to enhancing tourism in the Kingdom. Alipay+ is a global mobile payment service from Ant International, the parent company of Alipay+, designed to expand its presence outside China, allowing for cross-border payments. Alipay+ integrates various payment methods from different countries and regions, enabling users to purchase products and services using their local payment systems, while merchants benefit from a comprehensive global payment platform. Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of barq, said: 'I am pleased today to express our pride and joy in signing the MoU with our partners at Alipay+, the leading international network. We are proud to be part of the expansion of Alipay+ worldwide, hoping that this important step will soon provide barq's customers with more solutions and benefits that will make their experience faster, easier, more flexible, and secure, which aligns with our goal of achieving their satisfaction and meeting their aspirations.' Leiming Chen, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer of Ant International, said: 'LEAP is a global platform for KSA's biggest innovators and fintech leaders. There is no better setting to join hands with barq to foster innovation and inclusion in the Kingdom through cross-border payments and mobile services for inbound and outbound travelers.' The agreement is a part of barq's efforts to expand its partnerships that support the development of its services and enhance the effectiveness, flexibility, and security of financial transactions. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to develop the financial sector, especially amidst the rapid growth being witnessed in the fintech and digital payments sector in the Kingdom.
Associated Press
12-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Ant International Opens First Middle East Office in Saudi Arabia in Drive to Expand Regional Partnership
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 12, 2025-- Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider, has opened a new office location in the central business district of Al-Olaya, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), following its successful technical certification as a Payment Technical Service Provider (PTSP) from Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Leiming Chen, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, and Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, led the opening ceremony in Riyadh, KSA (Photo: Business Wire) With the new office launch, Ant International will work more closely with local partners in the payment ecosystem to provide innovative payment solutions and inclusive financial services to local acquirers and merchants, especially SMEs doing business in KSA to empower their sustainable growth. This move also positions Riyadh as a hub for international businesses looking to initiate operations in Saudi Arabia, further enhancing its role as a key player in the global business landscape. Antom is one of Ant International's business pillars, a unified digital payment solution for merchants. Antom will start operation in the local market later this year, enabling e-commerce acquirers and local merchants to achieve new growth, while aligning with the economic priorities which SAMA has laid out for the Kingdom. Leiming Chen, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, said: 'The opening of our Riyadh office represents a significant milestone for Ant International in the Middle East, and strong commitment from Ant International to contribute to the economic growth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – with the creation of local fintech jobs, inclusion initiatives and a boost to digital transformation in the region. 'Under the continued support and guidance of SAMA and the Ministry of Investment (MISA), we've taken our first steps to support businesses of all sizes across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by offering digital inclusion, and we plan to bring Ant International's innovative business pillars to the Kingdom in time. We greatly value the strong, dynamic payment market in Saudi Arabia, which has been shaped by SAMA's progressive policies and the Kingdom's vibrant economy, providing a great environment for innovation and sustainable growth.' Antom has established local acquiring capabilities across more than 40 markets. It enables merchants to seamlessly integrate with hundreds of payment methods – including credit and debit cards, online banking and digital wallets – and facilitates transactions in over 100 currencies. It also customises payment solutions to meet the distinct needs of various industries. In the future, Antom payment services, including its advanced payment gateway solution, will support local businesses operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via innovative technologies. It seeks to enhance merchants' operations through AI-routed payment orchestration, LLM-powered merchant services and advanced security measures. These solutions aim to reduce costs, improve efficiency and transaction security, and streamline foreign exchange risk management. Additionally, companies will be able to refine customer targeting by utilising Antom's digital marketing tools and privacy-computing solutions. 'Ant International's entry into KSA with Antom payment services aligns closely with the priorities of SAMA, providing stability and consumer protection, supporting KSA consumers to buy safely and conveniently through digital payment methods, and growing KSA's fintech sector through the creation of local jobs and talent inclusion programs,' said Mr. Chen. About Ant International Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions. About Antom Ant International's Antom is the leading payment and digitisation services provider for merchants around the world. It offers one-stop, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to meet the payment needs of merchants of all sizes. Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 markets, with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies. It also provides digital marketing solutions and merchant digitisation services to help merchants in digital operations and to better engage with their customers. To learn more, please visit SOURCE: Ant International Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 02/12/2025 05:28 AM/DISC: 02/12/2025 05:28 AM
