A new model is shaking up ecommerce

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Hello readers,

When I was a kid, my two younger brothers would copy everything I did – from the clothes I wore and the way I spoke to the character classes I would choose in video games. China and Southeast Asia’s tech scenes have a similar relationship. Because of the comparable economic growth trajectories in both markets, business models that find success in the more mature China tend to also work out in Southeast Asia.

However, as my brothers eventually found out, you can’t copy everything. Chinese ecommerce major Pinduoduo’s customer-to-manufacturer business model, for instance, may not be the most feasible approach for younger Southeast Asian startups to replicate.

You can scroll down for more or jump right into the full article.

In the meantime, here are your quick bytes for the day:

1. Google is taking on LinkedIn in India

LinkedIn’s presence isn’t very strong in emerging markets like India, and it seems Google has taken notice. The search giant announced it was expanding its jobs app, Kormo Jobs, in the country to make it easier for millions of unemployed citizens to find entry-level jobs.

The move could hurt LinkedIn, whose 24 million monthly active users in the country pale in comparison to Google’s reach of over 400 million Indian users. But whatever happens, India’s unemployed could very much use another app to help them find a job.

2. Taiwan says “no” to Chinese streaming giants

Chinese streaming platforms iQiyi and Tencent’s WeTV are in hot water in Taiwan. The island is planning to ban the operations of the two companies because they formed alliances with local broadcasters and distributors. These moves violate the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, which limits the categories of goods and services Chinese firms can invest in on the island.

The formal order will be announced on September 3 and will prohibit Taiwanese individuals and organizations from working with mainland Chinese video-streaming companies.

3. Huawei finds solace in Africa

Huawei has been operating in Africa for more than two decades and has become instrumental to the continent’s growth ambitions. So it’s no surprise that amid boycotts from the US and several parts of Europe and Asia, the Chinese mobile technology company has managed to garner unwavering support from the continent. Some leaders within the region have even stood up in defense of the Chinese mobile technology company, calling it a victim of the US-China trade war.

Will we see a Southeast Asian version of Pinduoduo?

Making things better down where it’s wetter

If you have a startup, then you’re gonna wanna read this

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