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In focus
- How 53-year-old Bluebird stays relevant amid the rise of Grab, Gojek
- Granite Asia boss plans to raise a fund focused on a new asset class
- An updated list of the Chinese founders driving SEA’s tech scene
Hello reader,
Jakarta’s traffic can drive you crazy. At times, public transportation feels like the only sane option compared to braving the roads on your own.
But that, too, has its own drawbacks, especially during rush hour. Trains and buses get packed, leaving you shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers in tight spaces.
In the middle of it all, Bluebird taxis remain a familiar sight across the city. The 53-year-old company now faces stiff competition from tech giants like Grab and Gojek.
Andre Djokosoetono, CEO of Bluebird, spoke exclusively with Tech in Asia about how the company takes a different path from its rivals. Instead of getting pulled into price wars, Bluebird is choosing to embrace technology in its own way.
It has launched its own app, rolled out an electric vehicle fleet, and started using AI to predict demand. And rather than going head-to-head with its competitors, the firm has chosen to partner with rivals Grab and Gojek.
I take a closer look at how Bluebird manages to stay relevant amid the rise of tech-driven ride-hailing services, a feat reflected in its financials as the company recorded a net profit of US$36.5 million last year.
Also as part of our Asia Economic Summit coverage, Granite Asia’s senior managing partner, Jixun Foo, sat down with my colleagues Collin Furtado to hint at the firm’s new fund strategy.
Let’s dive in.
Jofie Yordan, journalist
Top Stories
1️⃣ Bluebird’s answer to Grab and Gojek? Not discounts
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