Lightworks Opens Singapore Hub to Scale AI Across Asia

Companies navigating the leap from cloud computing to artificial intelligence just gained a powerful ally in Southeast Asia.

Lightworks, a specialist AI and enterprise technology firm, launched its Singapore operations in June 2026 to help Asia Pacific's largest regulated companies adopt AI safely and effectively. The expansion brings deep expertise in managing complex technology transformations to financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and government organizations across the region.

The firm appointed Ian Donaldson, a Singapore-based veteran with over a decade of cloud and AI experience, as its first Principal Consultant. Donaldson previously led the ASEAN consulting practice at Sourced Group and served as Principal Engineer at Oliver Wyman, specializing in helping regulated enterprises navigate large-scale technological shifts.

Singapore wasn't chosen by chance. The city-state has earned a reputation for thoughtfully adopting emerging technologies while maintaining strict security and compliance standards. For organizations managing sensitive data and critical infrastructure, that balance matters enormously.

"We've spent over a decade helping regulated Singapore enterprises absorb new technology without breaking what already works," said John Painter, Lightworks founder and CEO. "AI and the control systems around it are the next chapter of that work."

The timing reflects a broader shift happening across Asia Pacific. Many organizations that invested heavily in cloud infrastructure over the past decade now face a new challenge: integrating AI systems that require constant iteration and learning into environments built for stability and control.

The Ripple Effect

The expansion comes on the heels of major growth for Lightworks. Earlier in 2026, the firm secured up to $12 million in financing led by Round13 Capital specifically to accelerate AI agent deployment for the world's largest regulated enterprises.

That investment is already paying dividends. Lightworks now supports active engagements spanning North America, Australia, and Asia Pacific, working with institutions that manage technology at enormous scale while meeting stringent regulatory obligations.

The Singapore hub represents more than geographic expansion. It reflects a return to familiar ground for the Lightworks team, who previously built and scaled regional consulting practices supporting organizations across financial services, aviation, and security throughout Southeast Asia.

This on-the-ground experience proves invaluable when helping institutions balance innovation with responsibility. Understanding local regulatory environments, institutional cultures, and operational realities makes the difference between AI projects that transform organizations and those that stall under complexity.

The world's most sophisticated enterprises are watching how their peers navigate AI adoption, and Southeast Asia's regulated institutions are increasingly setting the standard for doing it thoughtfully and successfully.