An artificial intelligence startup, whose client roster includes some of the world's largest banks, is aggressively recruiting across key Asian cities, betting that more financial institutions in the region are ready to embed the technology deeper into their daily operations.
New York-headquartered Rogo Technologies Inc has designated Singapore as the central hub for its Asia-Pacific expansion strategy, according to co-founder and Chief Operating Officer John Willett. The platform gained widespread recognition for automating the tedious, foundational tasks typically assigned to junior bankers, such as generating spreadsheets and preparing presentations. The company is currently establishing a physical office in Singapore and building its local team, while simultaneously extending its reach into other segments of the banking sector. Recruitment efforts are also underway in Tokyo and Sydney, with a target to grow the regional workforce to between 150 and 200 employees by the end of next year.
The Asia-Pacific region is outpacing the rest of the globe in adopting AI within the workplace, a trend that is particularly pronounced in Singapore. The financial hub ranks first among 174 countries in the International Monetary Fund's AI Preparedness Index. Furthermore, a 2026 survey by London-based financial software firm Finastra revealed that 64% of financial institutions in Singapore are actively integrating AI into their critical business functions.
Willett, aged 28, noted that Singapore's talent pool is "very attractive." He also pointed to the city-state's strong connectivity with the rest of the region and its long-standing role as a launchpad for Western companies entering Asia as decisive factors in the company's choice. Rogo achieved a valuation of $2 billion following a funding round led by Kleiner Perkins in April. According to the company's website, Rogo counts over 350 clients globally, with more than 50,000 bankers and investors utilizing its platform.
Willett stated that Rogo's user base spans more than 100 countries, with its current Asian operations heavily focused on India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. He explained that Rogo views Asia as a market where having a local presence is essential to effectively serve its clients. As Rogo establishes its footprint in Singapore, the company's ambitions are clearly expanding. Willett revealed that Rogo is now marketing a much larger, more comprehensive system to banks.
"We aim to become the top-down operating system for the entire bank," Willett said. He elaborated that major banks are now purchasing a management layer designed to orchestrate AI agents, covering areas such as governance, compliance, and token optimization, while also providing banks with visibility into how AI is being used internally. Willett also mentioned that Rogo's Asian team will extend its focus to include corporate and commercial banking, asset management, and wealth management, moving beyond just M&A and industry coverage. This strategic shift, he added, reflects the diverse composition of businesses operating in the region.