‘Field’ Work: Capitalizing on Modern Tech to Boost Food Security

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Technology is an integral part of many modern economic processes, so it is a no brainer that it should also be used in many agricultural practices. The entire human race relies on agriculture for food. It is important that the most efforts for the advancement of modern technology be spent on agriculture. There are numerous countries that are starving day in and day out. By advancing agriculture to remarkable scales, world hunger can be eliminated and food security becomes more achievable.

There are numerous constraints on the productivity and profitability of agriculture, which are at dangerously low levels in some countries. One of them is the limited use of modern technology in farming. Updated equipment and inputs could advance a country’s agricultural industry by leaps and bounds.

Let us take Cambodia for example. Many of its farms have effective irrigation methods, however, they are still highly reliant on incoherent rain-fed systems which focus on paddy rice production only. With modern equipment, they could increase the yield of harvest and provide a faster route from the farmlands to the market. There will be increased profitability as well because they will arrive in peak condition.

Modern inputs can significantly reduce losses due to weeds, pests, and diseases. Technological solutions are all within reach which can provide sustainability. Mechanization has helped many farmlands, particularly in the developed world, produce yields previously thought impossible.

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Beyond production, however, there must also be a seamless system of delivering these goods to consumers. Modern apps and devices are now available for more efficient cargo transportation, logistics, and even storage.

I’m Taihwa Terry Ho, Silicon Valley-based capital investor and technophile. Follow this link for more updates about the tech world.

The Apple Touch ID: An Easier Way to Pay

Apple has once again made another breakthrough with the launch of the iOS’ Touch ID feature for online transactions. Fore those who are new to the Touch ID, it is the use of a fingerprint scanner to authenticate the user, which allows phone access and payment on iTunes. The Touch ID is a convenient tool for those dealing with very sensitive data. Apple literally took their technology to their users’ fingertips. 

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App developers love how the passcode works, but a lot of users hate it because they often forget their passwords. However, both the user and the developer have found their compromise with this unique fingerprint scanner. 

Using fingerprints to make and take money is a more secure way to do financial transactions. While it is not 100% safe, and people can still get hacked, its level of privacy is higher than other options. A lot of Android users are expecting to see the same features on the Samsung Galaxy and other high-end phones in the platform.

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Recently, PayPal has allowed its users to send and receive money with just the user’s fingerprint. The Touch ID also works for Apple Pay in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States. 

Hi, Taihwa Terry Ho here. I work as a capital investor, and I focus in mobile app development. Follow me on Twitter to get more updates.

Get Beaconized: The Emerging Beacon Technology

As technology becomes more advanced and sophisticated, doing chores and everyday tasks also gets simpler and easier. In telecommunications, for example, innovations made since the invention of mobile phones have been countless. For the past several years, tech companies and developers have been cultivating newer ways to make communication even much easier.

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The beacon technology has been around for some time now but only recently did developers start innovating further. A beacon is a tiny wireless device that transmits a radio signal, giving its location and ID in the process. It works by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and is placed in strategic locations like hallways, lobbies, and common indoor public areas. It is a low-cost hardware that can be mounted on the wall or any safe surface. BLE is battery-friendly, and the use of it makes instant messaging faster and easier since it transmits directly to smartphones and tablets. When the mobile phone detects the beacon signal through Bluetooth, it reads the beacon’s identification number, calculates distance and location, and then identifies nearby beacon mobile app users, allowing them to communicate within the range of the signal.

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A lot of industries today are welcoming the use of beacon technology. It is now popular in the retail industry where it creates newly improved in-store interactions between customers and retailers. It allows retailers to know preferences of its customers based on their in-store actions. On the other hand, it enables customers to receive personalized retail suggestions based on their preferences. More establishments such as hotels, airports, sports venues and public transports, are now using this simple and effective beacon innovation.

I'm Taihwa Terry Ho, capital investor and technophile. I see promise in developing things people will use every day. Please follow me on Twitter.

Cultivating Good Relationships With Investors

An investment is like marriage. Without trust and commitment, the alliance between the investor and the company will fail entirely or may never reach its full potential.

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Throughout my career, I have witnessed many instances of friction and conflict between investors and business owners. And sadly, a little misunderstanding can actually have a large impact on the business.

To guide you, here are some strategies to help you manage your relationship with your investors:

Interact and communicate. Take the opportunity to know them. Treat them like friends and recognize their value beyond finances. Never select an investor just based on funding. Acknowledge your relationship and like a true friend, always listen.

Set clear expectations. To avoid disappointments and frustrations, do not promise over what you can deliver. Instead, have a shared vision, scale of growth, and potential exit strategies.

Show authenticity and respect. Though you may not feel like it sometimes, interact with your investor on a personal level. Grow together and be real in all aspects of the relationship. Help and support each other as challenges arise.

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Good relationships add value to any kind of venture. In investments, the best results arise when there is trust and commitment—for better and for worse.

Hi! Taihwa Terry Ho here. I am a capital investor by trade and I frequently invest in app development, a field where I see plenty of promise. Follow me onGoogle+ for more of my insights on business and finance.

A New Wave: Mobile App Trends to Watch in 2016

2015 was undeniably one of the best years for the tech industry. Individuals turned a lot to their mobile devices for their day-to-day activities and transactions. When it comes to mobile applications, what can business owners, consumers, and tech fans expect in 2016?

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Focus on the consumer

New versions of existing mobile apps and soon-to-be-launched ones will provide users with a consumer-focused experience. Consumer-focused functions include user personalization, content-driven posts, and ad placements that reflect the consumer’s interests while considering the user’s app behavior. Such features will improve a company’s branding strategy by creating conversations with the consumer.

App analytics and user experience

Aside from focusing on their wants and need, providing consumers with visually-pleasing and active stats or visualizations will encourage users to rely on apps more. Upgraded UI and UX is a trend to watch in 2016.

Deep linking and ad targeting

Businesses will have their content more discoverable, thanks to this mobile app innovation. Google and Apple will allow mobile content to be found via search functions. Businesses can also tie up with other companies to utilize deep linking.

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Upgraded application security

In the previous years, very few applications have tight security measures against hackers and malware. In 2016, with the surge of mobile transactions, app developers are looking into upgrading security to cater to the user, while keeping the company’s reputation in mind.

Follow Taihwa Terry Ho on Twitter for the latest in mobile app trends.

More than the Money: Two Important Elements of an Investment Pitch

One of my close friends, Mac, called me the other day to help him review his business plan for a tech startup. Although I could easily help with a referral, I thought it would be easier and more practical to provide him advice when pitching to investors.

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As a venture capitalist who has heard many pitches, I have discovered two important elements that entrepreneurs need to take into account when seeking funding. And trust me, most of the time, it is not really about the money and how you can grow my investment through your “grand” idea.

Remember, investors get hundreds of pitches every year, and the reality is, they can’t spend all their time sifting through all the proposals to find that needle in the haystack. So as an investor, here are two important elements to incorporate in your investment pitch:

A good story. Most investors base their judgment on your ambition and your story. Craft your pitch as if you are creating a storyboard for a movie. If you think your business is the next Facebook or Twitter, be confident, bold, and go for it. Inspire them in any way you can.

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A strategy. A good story must be backed by a solid strategy. Never forget, business is business. As investors, we always try to envision the end of a story and what the future will look like for us as investors. You should show investors that your best interest is their success. If you want your pitch to stand out, make sure that you have a good story and strategy to win not only the approval but also the heart of your investors.

Hi! I am Taihwa Terry Ho, a capital investor by trade. Follow me on Facebook to learn more ideas on venture capital investing.

Understanding the Risks Involved in Mobile Apps

 As with everything else, mobile apps have their own risks. These challenges need to be recognized, not to dissuade people from developing them but for both investors and developers alike to understand the industry. This would mean more educated decisions and a deeper knowledge of how to work within the market.

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The mobile app industry is quite different from other industries in that it has grown incredibly fast over a short period. It has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon that has affected all other industries; and yet, when closely considered, it still relatively a child in terms of growth and potential. That said, people often fail to scrutinize the industry for the inherent risks and what can be done to mitigate them. Too many developers create apps without first considering these risks. For the new capital investor, this could also mean that apps may be supported without proper research.

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The main risk in mobile apps is security. The basic platform in mobile app development has been so refined that a person with an average amount of talent can create a rather basic app. These apps need not be ugly. In fact, the concept of the app may even have merits. Nevertheless, security is an often neglected area. So where the concept is acceptable, the integrity of the app may be questioned. This is highly important for an app that requires users to input sensitive or personal information. Both capital investors and developers need to acknowledge the necessity of a strong security measurement.

Even with sophisticated security barriers, there is still the risk of hacking. As the industry grows and develops, so does the criminal aspects of it. Again, these cautions are written not to discourage mobile app development but to impress the necessity of proper disclosure between an app developer and his or her capital investor.

Learn more about the mobile app industry by following Taihwa Terry Ho on Twitter.