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Hello reader,
Inspiration can come from anywhere: a movie, a chat with a friend, the design of a packet of instant noodles, or even a holiday.
In my case, a trip to Bali a few months ago inspired a couple of thoughts. One, I have to go back to the island and spend more time soaking in all it has to offer. Two, I need to start investing in stronger sun cream!
A visit to the same Indonesian slice of paradise inspired Emily Hamilton to do something much bolder: launch a sustainable beauty brand. Today’s premium story dives into how she bootstrapped Coco & Eve to profitability.
Today we look at:
- How a focus on profit and owning the value chain is working for Coco & Eve
- The greentech startup tackling wastewater woes in Singapore
- Other newsy highlights such as Tesla’s arrival in Malaysia and China’s lead in the AI patent race.
— Peter
Before we dive into the rest of this week’s news, stay a while and listen:
Tech in Asia’s annual conference is back and better than ever, and we’re hosting it in Jakarta from October 18 to 19. We’re welcoming everyone to the event, which will feature a star-studded lineup of speakers and the insightful sessions you’ve come to expect from us. To get your early bird tickets, visit our site here.
Premium summary
Bootstrapped beauty
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Coco & Eve has tapped into consumers’ desire for sustainable beauty products with its lineup of vegan, clean, and cruelty-free offerings.
It’s also a rare example of a startup that’s bootstrapped, profitable, and debt-free. Let’s take a closer look at one of the names in our In The Black series.
Waste water not, want not
Quick bytes
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