Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
Deepti Sri · · 6 min read

Layoffs bake bitter spat with Cake’s co-founders

Welcome to On the Rise! Delivered every Tuesday via email and through the Tech in Asia website, this free newsletter breaks down the biggest stories and trends in emerging tech. If you’re not a subscriber, get access by registering here.

Hi there,

One of my friends from an Indian blue-chip company recently got laid off. Some of the reasons given to her were the economic downturn and an internal restructuring.

While layoffs in a bear market can be a tough challenge, Singapore-based crypto firm Cake Group has an even tougher situation – it announced its own set of job cuts amid a rift between its two co-founders.

In this week’s first big story, Scott’s follow-up piece on Cake Group reveals that it let go of another 30% of its staff, bringing its headcount to 122.

Besides this, he uncovered a disagreement between co-founders Julian Hosp and U-Zyn Chua. One of them is opposed to the layoffs, and an internal email reveals that the decision could be legally challenged.

In our second big story, my colleague Collin explores the pivotal role played by Singapore state-owned investment firm Temasek. Today, it has 49 companies with 15 startups launched – a far cry from three years ago, when it only had nine companies under its wing.

Meanwhile, in this week’s AI Odyssey, Collin raises questions surrounding OpenAI’s surprising move to oust its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman.

Deepti


THE BIG STORIES

1️⃣ Cake Group cuts staff by 30% amid rift between co-founders

Image credit: Made by Tech in Asia using Midjourney

One of the crypto firm’s co-founders is opposed to the layoffs.

2️⃣Mapping Temasek’s role in the startup space (updated)


AI ODYSSEY


FYI


NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW


Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.

TIA Writer

Deepti Sri