The tales that the numbers tell of SEA’s listed tech firms

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Hello reader,

I recently watched a TikTok video that explained why Taylor Swift’s fans are as devoted as they are. Essentially, due to her longevity, many fans have been able to grow up alongside her music; in other words, her songs make up the soundtrack of their lives.

That finally gave me some insight into her whole fandom, which can seem a bit much at times. I get it now, although I still don’t quite understand why they have to pin all their hopes and dreams on her – can’t one have multiple role models at any one time?

My creative influences, for example, run the gamut from rock bands (Led Zeppelin, Rage Against The Machine) to detective novel writers (Agatha Christie).

But I’m not here to yuck anyone’s yum. This opening spiel just points out the important role that leading lights play in our lives, and that’s no different in the Southeast Asian tech scene, with many of us invested – sometimes literally – in the activities and performance of the likes of Grab, Sea Group, and GoTo.

Today’s featured premium article takes a look at the financial figures of the region’s publicly listed tech firms in 19 handy-dandy charts.

Today we look at:

• 19 charts that give insights into how Southeast Asia’s tech giants are doing
• The start of EV firm Scorpio Electric’s international play
• Other newsy highlights such as VinFast’s first steps into Indonesia and the end of the GrabPay Card

Premium summary

Do you like charts? Well, I’ve got good news for you

Image credit: Timmy Loen

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a writer and a student of the arts (I double majored in communications and politics), it’s the importance of research and academic rigor. Multiple sources and pieces of evidence are required to support any one point made, all to provide context and to make a compelling case for whatever argument you’re making.

Today’s charts cover figures such as market value, adjusted EBITDA, and even employee headcount. But I’d argue that to really figure out what a company’s about and how it’s doing, you should do more reading on their specific activities across the months and years.

Aren’t you lucky? You can find these in-depth investigations on Tech in Asia, but let’s just focus on what’s in front of us for now.

I’m an Aries, myself

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