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
For your weekend reading, we have:
- Thu Huong Le on why this story is a wake-up call for EV optimism in Indonesia
- An Insights writer’s take on how SkillLane’s upcoming IPO could change the game in Thailand, where the startup scene is still low-key
- Newsy bits about an SG biotech firm eyeing an IPO in Hong Kong, a China tech giant betting US$1 billion on Brazil, and Anext Bank’s latest results
Hello reader,
Welcome to our revamped Sunday newsletter, where each edition is an editor’s cut. Every weekend, you’ll get a curated list of our favorite premium stories, plus an incisive take on the latest developments in tech, startups, and everything in between.
Why the change? We realized that weekends are the perfect time for some reflection, and our Sunday newsletter can help with that. Each week, a TIA editor will choose stories that got them thinking or under their skin, and not just what performed best in terms of metrics.
Why now? We want to bring a more personal touch to what gets delivered to your inbox. After all, real humans run this newsroom, and we’re always listening, especially to our readers. Your feedback matters – now more than ever.
Image credit: Made by Tech in Asia using AI
This week’s lesson: having the world’s largest nickel reserves doesn’t guarantee EV glory. Indonesia wants to be a powerhouse of the electric vehicle battery industry, but natural advantages aren’t enough.
One of the roadblocks? Local mafias muscling into EV factory construction sites. The country’s EV dream comes with some very analog problems.
Unlike Indonesia, Thailand lacks a vibrant startup scene. It’s a country where conglomerates dominate and investors favor legacy sectors. Now, an edtech startup could soon become Thailand’s first tech IPO in over a decade. One of our Insights writers argues it could be a game-changer.
There’s also no shortage of media coverage on AI – TIA is no exception – but one story stood out for me: a startup in Singapore developing “robot brains” on a bootstrapped budget. Menlo Research is going bold, making everything open and public.
Which brings me to an ironic piece of news this week: Microsoft has just laid off its own director of AI.
If the people building the future aren’t safe, then who is? That’s certainly something to ponder over.
Editor’s pick
Short cuts
One visual story you shouldn’t miss
Quote of the week
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