About Karen Joy
Karen Joy Bacudo
Finance Editor
Karen wears two hats at TechDay, balancing her role as an editor while assisting with finance tasks. She bridges writing content and reconciling numbers to support the team, with the same level of accuracy and precision.
Stories by Karen Joy - Page 3
EY rolls out AI audit tools across global assurance
This month
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data analytics
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digital transformation
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fintech
EY deploys agentic AI across 160,000 audit engagements, backed by Microsoft, as it launches new assurance services and training.
Aria launches Deep Networking platform with USD $125 million
This month
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network infrastructure
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datacentre infrastructure
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hyperscale
Aria launches Deep Networking platform as it secures GBP £97 million to target AI data centre networking bottlenecks.
Firmus wins USD $505 million AI infrastructure boost
This month
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datacentre infrastructure
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hyperscale
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dc
Firmus secures USD $505 million from Coatue and NVIDIA backers to expand energy-efficient AI factories across Australia and Asia-Pacific.
MYOB & Microsoft strike AI deal for small businesses
This month
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data analytics
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digital transformation
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financial systems
MYOB and Microsoft strike five-year AI pact to bring cash-flow forecasts, compliance prompts and staff copilots to SMEs.
MAS and Feijoa turn daily spending into KiwiSaver growth
This month
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fintech
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insurtech
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kiwisaver
MAS and Feijoa offer KiwiSaver round-ups as members can divert spare change from everyday spending into retirement savings at no extra cost.
Triple Bubble reaches first close after USD $10 million
This month
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fintech
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ai
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gender diversity
Triple Bubble lands early support from x15ventures and Brad Feld as the Melbourne fintech fund targets a USD $50 million close.
Plaid unveils foundation model for transaction data
This month
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saas
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fintech
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risk & compliance
Plaid builds a foundation model to improve transaction analysis, lifting income classification and loan payment detection across financial services.
Visa says AI agents may soon negotiate business deals
This month
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digital transformation
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fintech
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cx
Businesses warm to AI agents haggling over deals, but consumers remain wary of handing software full control of spending.
AI agents shake up accounting firms' bookkeeping workflows
This month
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data protection
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digital transformation
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rpa
AI agents prompt accounting firms to redesign bookkeeping and tax workflows as junior staff tasks are automated and human oversight stays central.
Rain taps Episode Six for Asia-Pacific card expansion
This month
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fintech
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payment technologies
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visa
Rain turns to Episode Six to power stablecoin card programmes across Asia-Pacific after extending its Visa reach in the region.
Legora hits USD $100 million ARR as legal AI demand grows
This month
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digital transformation
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rpa
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risk & compliance
Legora tops USD $100 million ARR in 18 months as legal AI adoption accelerates across firms and corporate teams.
Stacked launches self-custody Bitcoin app in New Zealand
This month
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crypto
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fintech
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blockchain
Stacked unveils New Zealand's first locally built self-custody Bitcoin wallet as it broadens beyond payments and targets Kiwi users.
HP NZ books higher FY2025 earnings, stronger cash position
This month
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hp
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it services
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it industry
Hewlett-Packard New Zealand posts stronger FY2025 earnings, with cash flow turning positive and receivables swelling alongside modest sales growth.
Kestra raises USD $25 million to expand workflow platform
This month
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saas
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devops
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hybrid cloud
Kestra secures USD $25 million from RTP Global to launch Kestra 2.0, roll out Kestra Cloud and expand in North America and Europe.
Business leaders keep betting on AI despite recession
This month
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data analytics
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digital transformation
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rpa
KPMG survey finds most executives will keep pouring money into artificial intelligence through a recession, with USD $186 million planned on average next year.
OpenFX raises USD $94 million to speed cross-border payments
This month
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crypto
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fintech
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blockchain
OpenFX secures USD $94 million to scale real-time cross-border payments, after growing annual volumes to more than USD $45 billion and adding 100-plus clients.
Data analysis & AI literacy top skills for accountants
This month
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data analytics
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digital transformation
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rpa
Data analysis and AI literacy emerge as the most sought-after skills as Caseware study finds many accountancy firms unprepared for AI retraining.
Thunes ranks among top three in cross-border payments
This month
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crypto
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fintech
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risk & compliance
Thunes wins Juniper Research top-three nod for cross-border payments as network breadth, interoperability and stablecoin links reshape the market.
New Zealand to extend open banking to SME channels
This month
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digital transformation
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fintech
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risk & compliance
New Zealand will extend regulated open banking to SME banking channels from June 2027, giving smaller firms wider access to fintech tools and automation.
BlackRock tops APAC fund brand ranking for fifth year
This month
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ai
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blackrock
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scale
BlackRock has retained the top APAC fund brand spot for a fifth year as JPMorgan, PIMCO and Blackstone jostle in Broadridge's latest ranking.