Welcome to Tech in Asia’s daily newsletter, your essential dose of Asia’s tech and startup buzz. Not yet a subscriber? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.
In focus
- Regional genAI leaders to have on your radar
- Why “renting” AI models may not always be a disadvantage
- Deliveroo serves up last of food delivery orders in Singapore
Hello reader,
We’ve received a ton of feedback since we released our first iteration of prominent people in Southeast Asia’s generative AI space last September.
Since then, we’ve added over a dozen new names to the list based on community recommendations and as new AI startups surfaced.
While much of the recent conversation has shifted toward robotics and AI agents, the genAI space is still a flurry of activity, from AI companions for language learning to tools that drive search visibility on LLMs.
Whether you subscribe to the belief that AI wrappers will struggle to survive or that relying on third-party AI models free up precious engineering resources for other product development tasks – a thought we explore in today’s second featured story – we hope this list continues to serve as a useful starting point for you.
If you know someone who should be included in this list, do send them our way.
Melissa Goh, senior editor
Top Stories
1️⃣ Movers and shakers in Southeast Asia’s genAI space (Update)
Image credit: Timmy Loen
It’s a great time to be building in AI.
The sector continues to take the lion’s share of startup funding in the region. Over US$2.3 billion poured into 680 Southeast Asian AI startups in the 12 months to June 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.
Whether you’re a builder or looking to connect with like-minded people, this list is for you.
Spotlight
HWWC Business Forum’s grand finale
Ads vanity metrics almost fooled us.
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
