Welcome to Tech in Asia’s Sunday newsletter, your weekend brief on the biggest moves in Asia’s tech and startup world. Not on the mailing list? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.
In focus
- Peter Cowan on why staying in your lane isn’t bad
- Why hyperlocal VCs are thriving in Indonesia
- What Sea Group’s earnings tell us about the state of Shopee
Hello reader,
Telling someone to stay in their lane is, on the face of it, considered pretty rude.
But while the delivery of such a statement may leave a lot to be desired, it’s actually pretty good advice. After all, you can’t win a race by weaving from lane to lane, nor can you build a successful business without understanding what makes you unique.
Image credit: Ulla
This week’s featured stories all remind me of what a business can gain by understanding its lane, niche, unique selling point, or whatever term fits. And more than understanding, but staying with it.
Take Jofie’s story on a different type of VC that’s currently thriving in Indonesia. Instead of seeking the next GoJek or Bukalapak to pump their money into, these smaller firms back the likes of palm oil traders, small manufacturers, and handicraft exporters with a different kind of financing.
Whether these firms can actually be considered VCs or not is a fair question. But regardless, they’ve found their niche.
We’re also featuring Samreen’s piece on Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian spacetech company that’s not trying to copy SpaceX but is instead blazing its own trail to the stars. Dive in to see why Skyroot sees itself as a space cab to SpaceX’s train.
Finally, Melissa’s article dives deep into AI wearables’ search for a solid use case. It probably doesn’t help that Meta’s smart glasses have now become widely known as “pervert glasses.”
Three very different lanes, three reminders that sticking to the straight and narrow is key.
Peter Cowan, engagement editor
Editor’s picks
1️⃣ Far from Jakarta, a different kind of VC is thriving
Short cuts
One visual story you shouldn’t miss
Weekend deep dive
Scaling AI for millions
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