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Hi readers,
Last month, I heard Asia Partners’ Nick Nash speak live at the Tech in Asia Conference in Jakarta. While I have covered similar events virtually, being there in person was a whole different experience, especially when you are hit with such impactful data firsthand.
As dozens of info-packed slides were presented, even a quick blink risked missing a key detail. But the bigger decision was choosing the lead for my story based on Nash’s talk.
I knew it had to focus on his insights on Southeast Asia’s evolving IPO landscape, but I initially missed the mark. The real headline – that going public in the US now at least requires a US$2 billion valuation – was buried within the story until my team helped me bring it to the forefront.
Reworking the story with that nugget in mind while racing against the clock was both a challenge and a learning experience. But that’s the nature of our work – everything remains open-ended until it’s finally published.
— Samreen Ahmad, journalist at Tech in Asia
Top stories this week
Image credit: Timmy Loen
1️. IPO in the US? Nick Nash says you’ll need $2b valuation
Nash dismissed the notion that companies need a US$5 billion IPO valuation, saying the market is not as bad as people think.
2. SG brands flock to ‘Chinese Instagram’ to woo mainland customers
However, mastering the platform requires new strategies, and brands making false or exaggerated claims risk being banned.
3. GCash eyes IPO, rejects digital bank route
The Philippines-based fintech firm has been profitable since 2021 and is now valued at US$5 billion.
4. GlobalTix books a profit amid SEA tourism recovery
The platform, which helps tourist destinations sell tickets to travel agencies, now issues 12 million tickets a year.
5. The hidden alliances between Southeast Asia’s VCs, uncovered
We’ve visualized an intricate web of relationships among Southeast Asia’s VCs, using deal data in the past two years.
6. Oddle evens out revenue for 2023, losses narrow
Oddle’s annualized results from operating activities improved by 40% year on year as its expenses decreased across the board.
Learn how local founders used their failures to grow
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