2025 has been a defining year for us.
As a venture builder, we’ve supported brands from strategy through to execution. As an internationalisation partner, we’ve expanded our footprint across Asia to help brands scale confidently and localise meaningfully.
This year, we intensified our work across key Southeast Asian markets — from Singapore to Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China and beyond. On the ground, we worked with partners across government institutions, family offices, and private corporations to bridge ideas, capital, and capabilities across borders, bringing more Asian brands to market.
At the same time, we deepened our venture-building capabilities. 2025 saw us invest in and develop new ventures like Omollomo, a functional food brand focused on wellbeing, and Ollins, a solution-led player in cold-chain logistics. From concept to commercialisation, we were hands-on in shaping brands, business models, and go-to-market executions.
From shaping strategy to launching ventures and bringing science to shelf, our journey reflects a growing commitment to the wellbeing economy — where business growth is powered by purpose, innovation, and meaningful impact.
Expanding Our Regional Footprint
Japan: From Science to Shelf
We joined the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) in Tokyo and the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference (HIC) in Osaka, organised by deep-tech incubator Leave a Nest. These platforms brought together startups, scientists, corporates, and builders to explore how lab-based discoveries can transition into real-world applications across Asia.
Lighthouse Indonesia: Building Brand Pathways Into Jakarta
We continued our cross-border efforts in Jakarta through Lighthouse Indonesia with mission trips, strategic meetups, and groundwork with local partners — leading up to the launch of Nova Now, our first on-ground pop-up that attracted thousands of consumers and trade partners.
It featured some of Singapore’s most loved brands — including The Paper Bunny, Mighty Jaxx, GINLEE, GRAYE, Epitex, and Young Hungry Free — entering the Indonesian market for the first time.
Beyond the vibrant booths and beautiful setups, Nova Now served a clear purpose:
- Test pricing strategies and product-market fit
- Gather real consumer feedback
- Build brand awareness and media traction
- Unlock potential regional partnerships
Impact at a Glance:
- 2.5B IDR in retail sales
- Over SGD 2M in PR value
- 1M+ social media impressions
- 40+ features in top-tier Indonesian media
Read more: https://www.loukengroup.com/nova-now
China: Launching Cross-Border Pathways for Growth
In 2025, we officially launched Lighthouse China (Chongqing) — our internationalisation growth programme developed under the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI). The programme is tailored to incubate Chinese enterprises across F&B, retail, lifestyle, manufacturing, and tech sectors, guiding them from incubation to market readiness. By identifying high-potential brands with cross-border ambition, Lighthouse China prepares them to accelerate and scale confidently into Singapore and Southeast Asia through brand-building and business model localisation.
Through on-ground immersion and strategic dialogues with government stakeholders, incubators, and founders, we saw firsthand the depth of entrepreneurial ambition in China — and a growing recognition that brand localisation and ownership are critical enablers of global success. In 2026, Lighthouse China will support overseas-ready Chinese brands to expand with clarity and relevance, bridging them to our ecosystem of business partners to realise actual market entry.
The Southeast Asia Market Entry Workshop was successfully held on 20 January 2026 at the Guohuo Premium Trade Centre, marking an important milestone of the Lighthouse China (Chongqing) Programme. As the first session of the programme, the workshop officially kicked off the journey for Chongqing brands exploring expansion into Southeast Asia.
Beyond our Chongqing efforts, we were also invited by Economic Development Board (EDB) to represent Louken in Shanghai, at the Global Cuisine, Seamless Expansion Forum (餐通全球·出海无忧 康师傅&新加坡经济发展局餐饮出海论坛) — co-hosted by Kang Shi Fu and EDB. During the forum, our China General Manager shared insights on how Singapore can serve as a strategic springboard for Chinese F&B brands entering Southeast Asia. The session reinforced a key belief at Louken: that internationalisation must be both brand-led and business-ready — anchored by purpose, prepared through localisation, and powered by the right partnerships.
Vietnam: From Vision to Voice — Branding a Hospital Group
We worked with a hospital network group in Vietnam in developing a corporate brand that will anchor their ambitious growth plans in the next few years. From there, we guided them to a distinctive market positioning that will attract the right talent to join their mission in delivering better eye care across the country. This meant going beyond strategy and even visuals; We worked closely with the team on every touchpoint, from booth planning and flow to crafting a narrative that doctors could confidently share when speaking to patients and peers.
In October, our Chief Strategy Officer, Noah, led an immersive brand training session in Hanoi, bringing together doctors, marketers, operations staff, and senior management from four hospitals. The session was designed to prepare the team for a major brand launch, equipping them with the tools to communicate, embody, and live the brand in their day-to-day roles. From aligning internal messaging to visual identity, every element was tailored to support a consistent and meaningful brand experience — one that puts patients at the centre and empowers healthcare teams to deliver with purpose.
Thailand: Connecting Clients to Champions
We facilitated strategic engagements for clients in Thailand, including a session with ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong. We also deepened our network within the F&B, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals industry in Thailand, through extending our network of partners based in Thailand.
Venture Building: Scaling Brands with Purpose and Practicality
In 2025, we deepened our venture-building capabilities — not just investing in ideas, but co-building brands from the ground up. From functional food to biotech and logistics, our ventures reflect Louken’s belief in creating businesses that are relevant, resilient, and ready for scale.
1. Omollomo (formerly known as Revive Snacks)
We invested in an oat-based snack company rooted in inclusive hiring and functional food innovation. As part of our venture building efforts, we worked hand-in-hand with the founders to define the brand’s corporate strategy, business model and repositioned the brand, laying the foundation for scale. This included everything from brand strategy, renaming, creating new competitive advantages through R&D, visual design, sales and media channels setup, CRM strategy to content direction and loyalty mechanisms. The brand made its public debut at key consumer events like Greenhouse and The Christmas Atelier — a first step in a long-term roadmap to grow a purpose-led food venture.
2. ImpacFat
As Lead Investor, we partnered with the world’s first lab-grown, cultivated fish fat startup. Using stem cell technology patented by A*STAR, ImpacFat is breaking new ground in skincare, supplements, food, and wellness — by producing real fish fat sustainably, without harvesting from live fish. Our role goes beyond capital. As both investor and venture builder, we will work closely with the founding team to tighten the business model, strengthen market fit, and accelerate commercial readiness. From Singapore to Japan and Korea, we are helping chart its go-to-market path as part of our broader Science-to-Shelf ecosystem — a platform committed to translating transformative science and innovation into real-world impact.
3. Ollins
Born out of operational gaps in the cold supply chain, Ollins is our venture tackling cold-chain logistics and packaging with practicality and scale in mind. 2025 was a year of experimentation: we explored various business models, prototyped new packaging solutions, tested pricing, and validated product-market fit in both Singapore and regional markets. With our venture team and founding partners, we co-developed the MVP and activated market conversations across Thailand and Indonesia — tapping into our extensive relationship capital to pitch to clients and iterate based on live demand. The result: a scalable, temperature-sensitive delivery solution tailored for Southeast Asia’s food ecosystem.
4. Kooma
Photo Credit: Top Franchise Asia
One of Indonesia’s most beloved Japanese bakery chains, Kooma has built a cult following for its pastries and everyday appeal. In 2025, we partnered with its parent company, Bakeri, to explore regional growth opportunities beyond Indonesia. Leveraging our deep expertise in F&B — from building brands like BreadTalk, Paradise Group, Huggs Coffee, to Rive Gauche — we’ve been working closely on strategic partner engagement to funnel its next phase of growth in Singapore and internationally
As we lay the foundation for Kooma’s cross-border expansion, we anticipate similar blazing growth in 2026, bringing its signature offerings to new audiences across Asia.
Expanding Our Ecosystem to Accelerate Growth
Behind every successful venture is a strong and intentional ecosystem. In 2025, we continued to expand and strengthen our partner network, bringing together expertise across branding, technology, science, and activation. This ecosystem enables us to support ventures and clients not just with ideas, but with the capabilities needed to scale with confidence and clarity across markets.
- Leave a Nest
A deep-tech innovation partner supporting science-led ventures as they move from lab to market. Through this partnership, we work closely with researchers and founders to translate scientific breakthroughs into commercially viable businesses, supported by clear brand strategy and market positioning across Asia. - Meetsocial
A leading performance marketing group headquartered in China, Meetsocial specialises in helping brands scale across Southeast Asia through data-driven growth strategies. From localisation and media planning to downstream funnel optimisation, Meetsocial enables brands to achieve measurable results in new markets — driving awareness, conversion, and sustained customer acquisition. - Octave
Our experiential partner for on-ground brand activation, from pop-ups to exhibitions and experiential events. Together, we bring brands to life in physical spaces, enabling real-world engagement, market testing, and consumer validation across the region. - Esco Aster
An advanced bioprocessing partner that strengthens our venture-building capabilities in science-led categories. With access to patented biotechnology and technical expertise, Esco Aster supports the development of scalable, high-impact products across supplements, skincare, and wellness. - Tell Your Children
A creative agency specialising in IP development and art illustration. In 2025, we partnered with Tell Your Children, recognising the growing importance of original IP, storytelling, and visual worlds in building culturally relevant and distinctive brands.
A New Chapter at BLK71
We’re excited to now be based at BLK71, a strategic location that brings us closer to our ventures, partners, and investors. It marks the next chapter in our journey to build transformative ventures and support innovators shaping the wellbeing economy across Asia.
Doing Good Beyond Commerce
As part of our pro-bono efforts, we supported YMCA in their corporate deck template and refining their brand message and communication tools. Our Creative Director, Wilfred, also led an internal brand training session to align their team around a clear and purposeful brand direction.
What’s Next?
We step into 2026 with sharper focus, stronger networks, and a renewed commitment to the wellbeing economy. Transiting beyond our roots in branding and internationalisation, we are laying deep groundworks in enterprise transformation, internationalisation and venture building. We’ll continue partnering with bold founders and forward-thinking organisations — scaling ideas that create real value for people and markets. We’re also expanding into tech consulting, building AI-enabled tools, and unlocking new growth corridors beyond Southeast Asia, including the Middle East.
As a venture builder, we bring not just capital or capability, but a regional network that helps our ventures and clients grow — with the right partners, platforms, and purpose.
From Lighthouse programmes to venture growth, our mission remains clear: to turn purpose into performance, and bring regenerative businesses to life.
We’re not just imagining the future.
We’re building it — with heart, with clarity, and with impact.
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