Thu Huong Le · · 6 min readDefying expectations – together
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In focus
- Thu Huong Le on Dubai’s obsession with 2071 and Southeast Asia’s reality check
- Kopi Kenangan and Carro outline bold visions at the Tech in Asia Conference
- The investors who said “no, thanks” to backing Sea Group
Hello reader,
The Museum of the Future in Dubai is a striking work of architecture. It has a sci-fi vibe, reflecting the Emirati city’s relentless ambition and forward drive.
The entrance ticket was pricey at 159 dirham (about US$44), so I expected the promised journey to year 2071 to be as impressive as the exterior. But after getting out of the OSS Hope space station stimulation and visiting a few floors with biodesign exhibits, AI holographics, and wellness themes, my excitement fizzled out.
Still, you have to admire Dubai’s vision. Its government has done everything to position the city and the country as a global hub for innovation. OpenAI’s Sam Altman even referred to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, as a personal friend during his virtual session at Gitex last week.
OpenAI, of course, has been building strong relationships in Dubai, which led to the launch of Stargate UAE in May. This followed the country’s 10-year commitment to invest US$1.4 trillion in the US.
It’s safe to say that most countries in Southeast Asia don’t have the same vast resources.
But that’s fine. We can still “defy expectations,” which was the theme of the Tech in Asia Conference 2025 held in Jakarta earlier this week.
In challenging times, those who stick together can succeed. And creativity often flourishes in the face of limitation.
Image credit: Arsal Ysfin
That said, our lineup this week spotlights Southeast Asian tech companies that are punching above their weight, thriving despite brutal market headwinds.
These include Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan, Singapore-based wealthtech firm Endowus, and used-car marketplace Carro.
This edition also highlights revelations from investors who spoke on stage at our conference. Senior editor Collin Furtado, who reported from our conference about how they passed up the chance to back Sea Group — the same firm that just unveiled a plan to someday become a US$1 trillion company.
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