Innovation

The billion-dollar ideas built outside the West amid political instability, economic uncertainty, and inconsistent systems — and what success and failure costs

A close-up of a yellow taxi sign on top of a car, with the word

Innovation 7 January 2025

The little ride-hailing app that could catch Uber and Bolt in Kenya

Founder Kamal Budhabhatti’s winning strategy targets corporate clients.

By Damilare Dosunmu

A language selection menu with options for English, Filipino, and Taglish, set against a background of red and blue pixelated patterns.

Innovation 23 December 2024

The Philippines is creating a ChatGPT rival that speaks Filipino and Taglish

ITanong will be a local version of ChatGPT, its developers say, built with considerably fewer resources.

By Angel Martinez

A woman in a patterned outfit laughs while standing next to a van with

Innovation 16 December 2024

Pakistan’s mass transit is failing. BusCaro thinks it has the solution

After the failure of Airlift and Swvl, this startup is stepping in to provide an alternative to Pakistan’s unreliable public transport system.

By Zuha Siddiqui and Ananya Bhattacharya

An illustration of a human head silhouette with a smartphone above it, casting a light beam. A small figure is climbing a ladder towards the phone, against a gradient background of blue and purple tones.

Innovation 12 December 2024

Mexico is using an AI-powered app to prevent suicides

MeMind has connected 10,000 at-risk people with mental health treatment, contributing to a 9% drop in suicides.

By Lillian Perlmutter

Interior view of a self-driving bus with a driver monitoring the controls, a steering wheel in front, and a display screen showing navigation. The bus has large windows with greenery visible outside.

The Rise of AI 25 November 2024

How Singapore became the ideal testing ground for self-driving cars

The tiny country has embraced autonomous vehicles as a way to overcome labor shortages and use its scarce land more efficiently.

By Sandy Ong

An artistic representation of a balanced scale with a sunburst design in the background, set against a blue backdrop.

Innovation 22 November 2024

Courts in Buenos Aires are using ChatGPT to draft rulings

Generative AI is replacing a successful AI project that drafted legal rulings. Experts worry about data privacy, ethical quandaries, and the need for specialized training.

By Victoria Mendizabal

A person wearing a green Grab delivery jacket and helmet rides a red motorcycle on a narrow street, with a camera mount attached to the back of the bike.

Innovation 13 November 2024

Grab built its own map in Southeast Asia, and is now going after Google

The super-app uses its own drivers and cameras to create hyperlocal maps in eight countries.

By Michelle Anindya

A close-up portait of Karim Beguir, wearing a black t-shirt.

Q & A 16 September 2024

How InstaDeep became Africa’s biggest AI startup success

Karim Beguir is the co-founder and CEO of InstaDeep, a Tunisian startup that was acquired for $682 million by BioNTech.

By Damilare Dosunmu

A photograph of a car mechanic working on a steering wheel inside a car. On the seat are many cables and reapair components.

Innovation 29 August 2024

The Uruguayan company teaching people how to turn regular cars into EVs

Organización Autolibre is teaching individuals and companies across 14 countries to retrofit vehicles. Critics worry about the process’s safety.

By Daniela Dib

An illustration showing multiple screens in a grid, one has a fish with a detected marker highlighting them, the other has a leaf that is marked by a dotted outline. There are exclamation signs connected to some of the screens, and a blue and black tone over the illustration.

The Rise of AI 9 August 2024

Indonesian fishermen are using a government AI tool to find their daily catch

Unlike wealthier nations where startups and Big Tech take the lead on AI, an Indonesian government agency is leading the charge and focusing on practical applications.

By Tonggo Simangunsong

A photograph showing a group of young men seated around desks using their laptops inside a dorm room.

Innovation 17 July 2024

Bhutan’s first AI startup is seven college kids in a dorm

NoMindBhutan services prominent clients like the Bhutan National Bank and Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines.

By Lhakpa Quendren and Ananya Bhattacharya

An illustration of a cut of cultivated meat in a bell jar with a petri dish of sample meat below it. There are two people on either side wearing lab coats and gloves, one is holding test tubes and the other is writing on a clipboard. There are cables extending out of the bell jar into the background.

Tech Giants 19 June 2024

Singapore doubles down on lab-grown meat as Silicon Valley backs off

Global funding in the cultured meat industry dropped by 75% in the last year. Singapore sees its chance to become a world leader, backing local and international firms.

By Sandy Ong