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In focus
- Find out which SEA startups are in the black
- A DNA-based service that prioritizes privacy
- Fresh capital for early-stage founders in Asia Pacific
Hello reader,
Vietnam’s ride-hailing market is ruthlessly competitive: Grab has been the dominant player for more than a decade while Gojek pulled out in 2024 after a six-year run. So how did a seven-year-old local player survive this cutthroat business?
Financial discipline, said Be Group CEO Yen Vu at Tech in Asia’s AMPED event in Ho Chi Minh City last week.
I believe this should be the core principle for founders – not just in Vietnam, but across Southeast Asia. The hard reality is that all businesses must reach profitability sooner or later. Sustain your company first, then set out to change the world.
That’s why we’ve updated our list of Southeast Asian tech companies that turned a net profit in the past year. This edition includes fresh names like babycare brand KeaBabies, which grew profitably without any VC money.
We know that more founders are quietly building sustainable businesses across the region. If you’ve already hit profitability, drop us a note – we’d love to share your story.
We also spotlight a Singapore-based DNA testing startup that emerged out of stealth mode and introduced a unique privacy-first approach to the industry.
Tran Tuan Viet Duc, data journalist
Top Story
A list of profitable startups and tech companies in SEA
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Our listicle offers a glimpse into which companies in the region have found sustainable business models. Investors looking to source leads may find this helpful – we’ll keep updating it alongside our coverage of earnings.
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