We present a novel framework that bridges the gap between the interpretability of decision trees and the advanced reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs) to predict startup success. Our approach leverages chain-of-thought prompting to generate detailed reasoning logs, which are subsequently distilled into structured, human-understandable logical rules. The pipeline integrates multiple enhancements - efficient data ingestion, a two-step refinement process, ensemble candidate sampling, simulated reinforcement learning scoring, and persistent memory - to ensure both stable decision-making and transparent output. Experimental evaluations on curated startup datasets demonstrate that our combined pipeline improves precision by 54% from 0.225 to 0.346 and accuracy by 50% from 0.46 to 0.70 compared to a standalone OpenAI o3 model. Notably, our model achieves over 2x the precision of a random classifier (16%). By combining state-of-the-art AI reasoning with explicit rule-based explanations, our method not only augments traditional decision-making processes but also facilitates expert intervention and continuous policy refinement. This work lays the foundation for the implementation of interpretable LLM-powered decision frameworks in high-stakes investment environments and other domains that require transparent and data-driven insights.

Nigerian fintech startup, Kredete, has officially launched its lending platform to deepen accessibility to formal credit, financial education, and innovative financial solutions. The launch event, which took place on the 16th of April 2023, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, hosted tech specialists and entrepreneurs, who convened to discuss the future of lending in Africa and Kredete's commitment to bridging the significant credit gap and financial exclusion faced by Nigerians who lack access to formal credit through traditional means. Kredete aims to revolutionize the sphere of lending in Nigeria and beyond by leveraging AI-driven technology and strategic partnerships with financial institutions to create a complete lending infrastructure that enables lenders to be more efficient and cost-effective while empowering users to access credit products suited to their needs. With AI, the pre-approval odds for users enhance by providing tailored loan options based on their credit history and financial profile, while for lenders, it becomes easier to assess risks, reduce non-performing loans, and make informed lending decisions. Kredete is also passionate about strengthening financial literacy in Nigeria and will achieve this by offering free credit scores, reports, and monitoring tools to help users understand their credit standing and make informed financial decisions.

Pagaya Technologies a global technology company delivering artificial intelligence infrastructure for the financial ecosystem, with GIC, one of the world's leading global institutional investors, announced today that they have strengthened their strategic partnership. GIC and Pagaya extended their existing funding agreement earlier this week, by which GIC invests in the Company's financing vehicles, for an additional 3 years on top of the original 5-year term, on the same terms as the existing agreement. Additionally, last week, GIC increased its holding of PGY Class A ordinary shares to approximately 9% of Pagaya's outstanding Class A shares as of March 31, 2023. GIC is one of Pagaya's top shareholders and has supported Pagaya's ability to deliver a comprehensive, one-stop solution for institutional investors to invest at scale in consumer credit and real estate assets originated by more than 25 financial institutions and growing. Pagaya is at the forefront of leveraging AI and advanced analytics to differentiate in a highly competitive environment and both GIC and Pagaya believe that building smarter financial infrastructure leads to better, more inclusive asset selection.

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Agoda is an online travel booking platform for accommodations, flights, and more. We build and deploy cutting-edge technology that connects travelers with more than 2.5 million accommodations globally. Based in Asia and part of Booking Holdings, our 6,000 employees representing 90 nationalities foster a work environment rich in diversity, creativity, and collaboration. We innovate through a culture of experimentation and ownership, enhancing the ability for our customers to experience the world. In this role, you'll get to: Strategy: Conduct analyses to identify growth opportunities and prioritize investment areas in APAC for Strategic Partnerships team based on analytical insights, industry trends, and changing competitive landscape.

SINGAPORE-HEADQUARTERED UNO Digital Bank and Trusting Social, an artificial intelligence (AI) fintech company, recently announced a strategic partnership to unlock credit access to Filipino consumers. By offering a frictionless and friendly lending experience, the partnership aims to empower traditionally underserved citizens and bring them into the formal financial ecosystem. The strategic partnership would leverage Trusting Social's expertise in AI-led customer onboarding solutions, including credit scoring. UNO's new digital banking platform could help build a more financially inclusive banking landscape in the Philippines. Manish Bhai, chief executive, UNO Digital Bank discussed with The Manila Times how the partnership with Trusting Social would allow unbanked Filipinos access to formal lending services. The Manila Times (TMT): Please describe the business of UNO Digital Bank and its presence in the Philippines (if any).

Vbrick, the leading cloud-native end-to-end enterprise video solutions provider, announced the launch of Producer. Available natively within Vbrick's enterprise video platform (EVP), Producer enables users to remotely capture, produce, and distribute studio-quality video directly from a web browser without the need for downloads, additional licensing, third-party software, or hardware. "For enterprise video platforms, providing flexible options that meet a variety of use cases and support various video adoption levels will become an increasingly critical capability to deliver." From CEO communications and corporate training to marketing webinars and product launches, video has become central to business workflows. In the post-COVID world with employees working from home and in offices, organizations face mounting pressure to create high-quality, professional video experiences for speakers and audiences located around the world.

Viettel Group and NVIDIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance Viettel and Vietnam's technology research and solutions. Viettel is the first Vietnam company and one of five in Asia to officially establish a strategic partnership with NVIDIA involving AI initiatives. NVIDIA is a global leader in AI hardware and software from edge to cloud computing. The company's technologies are used in 70% of the world's top 500 fastest supercomputers. Viettel will join NVIDIA's Partner Network, a global ecosystem of leading companies across industries, and expect to benefit from NVIDIA's expertise in opportunities for machine learning (ML) and AI research, ML/AI industry collaborations, and other strategic engagements.

Aircraft manufacturing company Boeing partners with technology giant Microsoft to accelerate its digital transformation journey. This strategic partnership with Microsoft will allow Boeing to use the Microsoft Cloud and AI capabilities to upgrade its IT infrastructure and mission-critical applications with intelligent new data-driven solutions, allowing for new ways of working, operating, and conducting business. Boeing was one of the first companies to use the Microsoft Cloud, storing multiple digital aviation apps on Microsoft Azure and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve customer outcomes and streamline operations. According to the plan, Boeing will leverage Microsoft Cloud and AI capabilities to upgrade essential infrastructure, optimize business processes, and several other tasks. Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Information Technology & Data Analytics at Boeing, Susan Doniz, said, "Today's announcement represents a significant investment in Boeing's digital future. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft will help us realize our cloud strategy by removing infrastructure restraints, properly scaling to unlock innovation, and further strengthening our commitment to sustainable operations."

As Level 3, 4 and 5 autonomous driving becomes the target hastening the next transformation of transportation, Jaguar Land Rover announced Wednesday it is partnering with Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia to jointly develop Jaguar Land Rover's next generation of AI-enabled automotive software. "Our long-term strategic partnership with Nvidia will unlock a world of potential for our future vehicles as the business continues its transformation into a truly global, digital powerhouse," said Thierry Bolloré, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer. "Jaguar Land Rover will become the creator of the world's most desirable luxury vehicles and services for the most discerning customers." All Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will be built on the "Nvidia Drive" software-defined platform starting in 2025, the same time that Jaguar's line of vehicles go fully electric. It will allow JLR to customize its AI experience to provide a number of active safety, automated driving, and parking systems, as well as provide driver assistance systems.