OpenAI, the operator of ChatGPT, will open its second office in Asia in Singapore, while TransTRACK, an Indonesian fleet tracking startup, is in talks to acquire a majority stake in a local port and fleet management firm, TechInAsia reported on Thursday (Oct. 10).
OpenAI opens Singapore office
OpenAI, the operator of ChatGPT, will open its second office in Asia in Singapore in 2024, following the opening of its first office in Japan in April.
OpenAI has also announced a partnership with AI Singapore to increase access to its AI technology throughout Southeast Asia. AI Singapore, launched in 2017 by the National Research Foundation (NRF), is a national programme designed to support Singaporean companies and research organisations in utilising AI.
The Singapore office will be OpenAI’s fourth international branch and will focus on enhancing regional collaboration.
OpenAI’s expansion in Singapore reflects the startup’s long-term plans to leverage the country’s growing tech talent pool and solidify its presence in the region, positioning Singapore as a hub for its Asia-Pacific (APAC) partners.
On October 9, CEO Sam Altman said: “Singapore, with its rich history of technology leadership, has emerged as a leader in AI, recognising its potential to solve some of society’s hardest problems and advance economic prosperity. We’re excited to partner with the government and the country’s thriving AI ecosystem as we expand into APAC.”
Separately, the company announced that managing director Oliver Jay, formerly the chief revenue officer at Asana and head of APAC and LatAm at Dropbox, will manage international operations and spearhead global expansion efforts from Singapore.
Indonesia’s TransTRACK in acquisition talks
TransTRACK, an Indonesian fleet tracking startup, is in talks to acquire a majority stake in a local port and marine fleet management solution provider, TechInAsia reported on Oct. 10. TransTrack co-founder and CEO Anggia Meisesari, however, did not disclose the name of the target company in the report.
In August, TransTRACK announced raising $12 million in a Series A funding round co-anchored by global investment firm Eurazeo and Singapore-based early-stage venture investor Cocoon Capital.
TransTRACK said its green technology solutions, including a carbon emission dashboard, carbon footprint analytics, and marine transport optimisation, are poised to support the implementation of Indonesia’s carbon tax in 2025.
The company serves over 1,200 clients across 130 cities in Indonesia and 30 cities in Malaysia and Singapore, with more than 150,000 subscriptions.
