Startups

Singapore's government anticipates economic growth this year will be driven by exports, particularly of semiconductors. (Photo by Fumito Akiyama)
Startups

Singapore startup ecosystem outranks Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo

Despite funding winter, city-state surges most to 8th spot on strong M&As

20 June 2023
Japan Post Bank plans to make startup investments a pillar of its new business strategy. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Startups

Japan Post Bank to spend $7bn on turning startups into unicorns

Lender to use nationwide network of 24,000 post offices to find investment targets

20 June 2023
Gentree provides companies an opportunity to connect with the Sy family that runs Philippines' retail giant SM Group. (Source photos by Getty Images and logo from Gentree Fund's website)
DealStreetAsia

Philippines-based Gentree Fund said to be raising $120m to $150m

Investment vehicle of Sy Family Office has backed startups since 2020 launch

19 June 2023
Some analysts praise incoming GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo's leadership potential, saying he should be able to maintain a balance between its predecessor companies. (Source photos courtesy of GoTo) 
Technology

GoTo stresses profit in CEO choice as rivals' prospects brighten

Experts expect Patrick Walujo to utilize experience in investment, banking

15 June 2023
Lazada’s estimated gross merchandise value fell from $21 billion in 2021 to to $20.1 billion last year, according to a report by the consultancy Momentum Works.
Retail

TikTok rises, Alibaba's Lazada falters in ASEAN e-commerce

ByteDance-owned platform grows in Southeast Asia but still lags behind rivals

15 June 2023
The Bangkok skyline. Thailand is 52nd on the startup ecosystem scale, according to one ranking.
Startups

Thailand aims to duplicate Singapore model for startups

Capital gains tax breaks begin to attract investor funds to nascent industry

15 June 2023
Managing Director Shailendra Singh, second from left, stands with other executives from Sequoia's Peak XV Indian arm. He says the firm will step up investments in U.S.-based companies "where one of the co-founders is in India or Southeast Asia, or they have engineering teams there." (All photos courtesy of Peak XV Partners)
Startups

Sequoia's India arm says it is now free to make U.S. deals

Split with American parent eliminates potential conflicts in hot sectors like AI

14 June 2023
aCommerce provides brands across Southeast Asia with services to ramp up their online store operations, marketing, customer service and fulfillment. (Source photo by Getty Images and logo from aCommerce's website)
DealStreetAsia

Thailand's IPO-bound aCommerce trims head count

'Difficult decisions' come amid structural transition, market uncertainty

13 June 2023
DS/X has so far raised funds from high-net-worth individuals across Indonesia and Singapore, with some exposure to institutional investors. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from DS/X Ventures website)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia's DS/X Ventures seeks $15m for debut fund

Sees strong interest in early startups despite crunch hitting other companies

12 June 2023
A startup incubator in Nagoya, Japan: The country is emerging as a power player in terms of entrepreneurship due to its pro-business policies and cross-border focus. (Photo by Yuki Nakao) 
Opinion

Asian entrepreneurship has room to grow

Better connectivity and cultural shifts will benefit economies in region

10 June 2023
LinkAja started as a digital wallet in 2019 focusing on consumers but shifted direction in early 2022. (Source photo by AP and logo from LinkAja's website)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian digital wallet LinkAja said to be raising fresh funding

Company also eyeing IPO, sources say; executive stresses positive EBITDA

8 June 2023
Singapore-based Thunes has hubs in Shanghai, Nairobi, London, Paris, Dubai, New York and Miami. (Source photo from Reuters and logo from Thunes' website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore fintech startup Thunes raises further $25m

Series C funding comes from U.S.-based Bessemer Venture Partners

7 June 2023
Venture capital companies are facing a tougher fundraising environment, as U.S.-based investors have grown wary following the banking crisis that started in March. (Source photo by Reuters)
Market Spotlight

ASEAN's VC 'funding winter' worsens on Grab, GoTo slowdown

Wary venture capital investors slash valuations of startups as interest rates rise

5 June 2023
Saathi co-founder and CEO Kristin Kagetsu speaks during an interview on May 26 in Tokyo. (Photo by Shinya Sawai) 
Startups

Indian startup fights stigma with biodegradable sanitary napkins

Saathi CEO says lack of menstruation items keeps women from reaching potential

2 June 2023
Cleosent Randing, founder and CEO of digital insurer PasarPolis, has ambitions both at home and abroad. (Source photo by Nana Shibata and Getty Images)
Startups

Indonesian digital insurer PasarPolis eyes Malaysia, Philippines

Tech company also pins hopes on vast home market demand, despite low penetration

31 May 2023
JBIC mainly plans to buy into businesses just getting off the ground. (Photo by Daiki Katagiri)
Finance

Japan lender teams with U.S. investment bank on Europe VC fund

JBIC and FF Venture Capital plan $64m foray into Eastern Europe startup scene

31 May 2023
Financial district buildings in Mumbai. "Entrepreneurship is booming in India," says Abhimanyu Bisht, general partner at CapFort Ventures.
DealStreetAsia

Micro VCs bet big on early-stage India deals amid funding winter

'Booming' entrepreneurial activity attracts interest from small-scale venture capital

30 May 2023
Mitra Bukalapak is helping owners of Indonesian warung kiosks to digitalize operations with the aim of making it easier for them to do business and access financial services. (Source photos by Nana Shibata)
Startups

Indonesia's Bukalapak sees itself as 'financial inclusion champion'

E-commerce giant further targets underbanked population through Mitra business

30 May 2023
Nickel-rich Indonesia has big ambitions to become a global EV production hub. (Source photo by Getty Images, logos from Indika Energy and Alva's websites)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia's Indika, others to put $16m into IMG's EV business

Total 2023 development outlay on Alva two-wheeler pegged at $17.8m

29 May 2023
Saathi co-founder and CEO Kristin Kagetsu talks about her startup experience in India on May 26. (Photo by Yuki Nakao) 
The Future of Asia 2023

India poses unique hurdles, rewards for female founders: Saathi CEO

Role models are essential 'no matter if they're a man or a woman'

26 May 2023
Kedaara Capital focuses on control and minority investment opportunities in India. (Source photo by Getty Images and logo from Kedaara Capital website)
DealStreetAsia

India-focused Kedaara Capital gears up to raise $1bn

Fourth investment vehicle comes after 2013 debut fund closed at $540m

26 May 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a dinner party during the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2023

Japan focused on 'co-creating' future with Asian partners: Kishida

PM says Indo-Pacific is 'new frontier of innovation,' vows to support startups

25 May 2023
Invesco and BlackRock cut their valuations of Byju's from $22 billion to $11.5 billion.
Startups

Indian startup valuations are slashed by global investors

Markdowns approach 50% for edtech firm Byju's and food delivery service Swiggy

25 May 2023
Evermos plans to utilize the fresh funding to expand its network and enhance its tech capability. (Screenshot from Evermos YouTube page)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian social commerce platform Evermos confirms $40m funding

Round led by World Bank member International Finance Corp.

25 May 2023
EHang's model EH216 is put on display at the Beyond Expo in Macao. (Photo by Takashi Kawakami)
China tech

China's flying car developers ready for takeoff in 2025

Startups take global lead in test flights ahead of commercialization

25 May 2023