Inside Tech

Explore the latest trends and insights in technology deals across the APAC region with our sixth episode focusing on the dynamic world of Fintech. Join Malika Chandrasegaran, along with Charlotte Henry and Michelle Virgiany, experts in financial services and tech regulatory matters, as they delve into the current landscape of Fintech M&A, discussing the shifts in activity over the past year due to post-COVID adjustments and regulatory changes. Charlotte and Michelle provide valuable perspectives on the trends seen in Australia and Southeast Asia, highlighting the driving forces behind Fintech M&A. We explore the key sectors and areas attracting investment, including payment functionality, digital lending, wealthtech, and core banking platforms. Charlotte and Michelle share insights into the evolving focus within these sectors, particularly in Southeast Asia where B2B payment gateways and innovative credit-related businesses are gaining traction. Additionally, we discuss alternate strategies and trends driving Fintech across APAC, such as Banking as a Service (BaaS), big tech's role, and innovative partnerships shaping the industry. Charlotte and Michelle share their excitement about the latest tech innovations, from AI advancements to the potential of mind-controlled typing technology.

In the second part of our TechQuake discussion, Emerging Technology Group co-head Alex Cravero discusses the hottest topic in cutting edge tech: artificial intelligence (AI). Driven by audacious breakthroughs in generative AI such as ChatGPT, triggering an investment boom and anxious debates over social impacts and the potential for fake news, the technology has captured popular imagination. Looking at key industry developments and the emerging regulatory picture, we ask if AI can possibly live up to the hype.

Rounding off our TechQuake series tackling the high-impact technologies shaking up business and society, our two-part discussion explores the development of a host of emerging tools and platforms in a period in which such advances have often dominated the headlines. Joining forces with our Emerging Technology Group, the discussion looks back on the developments in The Metaverse, Crypto Assets and AI since the series launched a year ago, as well as considering likely future developments in these fast-moving – and often controversial – fields.

Our competition and regulation experts look at key developments for the technology, media and telecommunications sectors, including two topics particularly relevant to tech companies and insights on the ACCC’s new Chief Economist. Listen in for updates on new scam controls and proposals for a co-regulatory code requiring tech to have greater responsibility for scam safety, and what proposed merger reforms could mean for the sector.  

Join hosts Malika Chandrasegaran, Partner and Mia Harrison Kelf, Senior Associate from our Sydney Corporate M&A team for a discussion with Toby Eggleston, Partner and tax expert from our Melbourne office, on navigating tax related issues that arise when negotiating tech deals. They cover what regulators, such as FIRB and the ATO, are thinking about at the moment, issues such as scrip for scrip rollover, earnouts, retention payments and option schemes, and ways that we are bridging value gaps on tech deals in current markets.

From contractual to incorporated joint ventures, data sharing arrangements and everything in between, the structures and complexity of tech deals are less likely to follow the traditional M&A or investment path which makes tech an exciting space to be working in. Join our host Mia Harrison-Kelf, Senior Associate in the Sydney Corporate M&A team, for a discussion with Peter Jones, Sydney Telecommunications, Media & Technology Partner, and Jamie McLaren, Corporate M&A Partner based in our Singapore office as they touch on the trends they are seeing across the APAC region and the drivers behind companies seeking out alternative structures.

Southeast Asia is said to be one of the fastest growing and one of the most active regions for tech deals in the world, so in this episode we’ll be taking a whistle stop tour around the region to talk about some of the key recent trends in tech transactions. Join our host, Malika Chandrasegaran, Corporate M&A Partner, with special guests Vik Tang, Partner and Head of Corporate in our associated Indonesian law firm Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, and Victor Chiew, Director at our associated Singapore law firm Prolegis, as they discuss digital infrastructure, an increase in M&A deals and cloud hosting, tech companies acquiring banks in Indonesia, and how regulators are keeping up with the changing landscape.

Join Malika Chandrasegaran, Partner and Mia Harrison-Kelf, Senior Associate as they kick off our new podcast series which will explore the who, the what, and the why of tech deals across the Asia-Pacific region.

Grab a coffee (or a peppermint tea) and listen to us discuss some of the latest trends in influencer marketing, the legal risks of using influencer marketing and our top tips for brands operating in this area.

Speaker Info: Hayley Brady, head of media and digital, assists clients on global strategic and innovative arrangements within the media and entertainment and digital sector with a focus on consumer facing brands. Hayley is listed in Legal 500 as a Rising Star lawyer in the fields of (i) film and TV; (ii) computer games; (iii) digital media; and (iv) advertising, and also won the Lawyer Monthly Women in Law 2018 Award for expertise in Tech law. Hayley is referred to in legal directories as ‘extremely personable and bucks the trend of the average senior corporate city lawyer. She is also hugely knowledgeable and has really strong relationships in the media and entertainment industry'.

Jeremy Purton is a senior associate in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. He specialises in commercial technology matters, covering the development and implementation of new technologies, complex commercial contracting, strategic sourcing projects and technology-driven business transformations. Described by Legal 500 as "highly regarded", Jeremy has worked for a wide range of customer and supply-side clients and is a regular contributor on matters at the intersection between law and technology. 

James Balfour is an associate in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, focusing primarily on media, entertainment and communications law. He advises on a wide range of media and entertainment matters, including advertising and marketing arrangements (including influencer marketing), content acquisition and distribution, production agreements, sports rights and sponsorship deals and gambling and gaming arrangements. He also co-authors the PLC notes "Overview of Broadcast Content Regulation" and “TV (Broadcasting and Internet) Industry Overview”. James has spent time on secondment at British American Tobacco, Wayra and Sky.

In this episode Rich Woods, Mike Carter and Marsha Williamson discuss what is in store for the Fintech sector in 2021. 

They cover the ongoing impact of the Covid crisis, the availability of VC funding, and the potential for further consolidation.

Rich Woods is a senior associate in the corporate team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, specialising in Fintech. Mike Carter is Executive Chairman of The Money Platform and leads the Article 36H Group at Innovate Finance. Marsha Williamson is Head of Legal at 11:FS.