Every day, 100k+ smart people read our newsletter. You can sign up here.![]()
Hello readers,
Last week, we published a piece – the first of a two-parter – that unveiled the hidden alliances between Southeast Asia’s venture capital firms.
(And by hidden, I really mean hidden in plain sight – at least if you’re a journalist covering the tech industry. Try reading fundraising press releases every single day. You’ll start seeing the patterns.)
It’s a fascinating look into what can be an opaque world. VCs are the industry’s key power brokers, and you can tell a lot about these firms from the company they keep.
Take East Ventures, for instance. Look at the people behind its partner firms and you’ll find links with conglomerates, powerful establishment families, and at least one senior government official. In a country like Indonesia, that kind of connection matters.

We’ll examine the implications in Part 2, which will be out next week – do look out for it.
— Putra Muskita, Journalist at Tech in Asia
- The hidden alliances between Southeast Asia’s VCs, uncovered
We look at Tech in Asia data to examine how Southeast Asia’s most active VCs co-invest. Are they friends with everyone or just a select few? -
Explaining Pinduoduo, and whether the model can work in Southeast Asia
C2M, the business model behind the social ecommerce app’s rise, might be harder to implement in Southeast Asia. -
Sea nearly doubles Q2 revenue to $1.29b as Shopee continues growth
The company had a profitable quarter, with strong growth in both its ecommerce and gaming units.
Free Premium Read
Events Happening
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.






