AI recorder maker Plaud sets up Singapore APAC hub, doubles investment to $16 M

AI voice-recording device maker Plaud has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore and committed to investing at least S$20 million (US$16 million) in the city-state. The company’s latest commitment is twice the amount it had pledged earlier this year.

The investment will go towards expanding Plaud’s engineering and product development capabilities, as well as strengthening its regional operations. The company has grown its Singapore workforce nearly tenfold over the past nine months to around 100 employees.

Plaud’s new headquarters at Marina Bay Financial Centre spans 15,000 square feet and will serve as the company’s base for 12 Asia-Pacific markets, excluding Japan and mainland China.

The San Francisco-based company develops compact devices that capture conversations and use artificial intelligence to convert recordings into structured notes. Since launching in 2023, Plaud has grown its annual recurring revenue from $1 million to $100 million within two years. Its platform now supports more than 2.5 million users globally.

Plaud CEO Nathan Xu said Singapore’s diverse mix of languages and dialects provides a challenging environment for testing conversational AI. He added that the country also offers a suitable base for developing products intended for international markets.

Lionel Lim, a vice president at Singapore’s Economic Development Board, said Plaud’s expanded presence would contribute to strengthening the city-state’s role as a centre for AI development.