All unicorns start small

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Hello readers,

The big boys have taken over the tech scene lately, with companies like Bytedance, TikTok, and Microsoft making the headlines almost every day. But not today. Instead, we’re shining the spotlight on the smaller but still mighty startups you might have missed.

Scroll down for a quick read or click here for the full list of rising startups.

But first, your quick bytes for today:

1️⃣ Traveloka has cleared nearly US$100 million in refunds

Ever since the pandemic hit, Indonesian travel unicorn Traveloka has received roughly 1 million flight ticket refunds, 90% of which it has now cleared — the right thing for the company to do. Traveloka is in a much more fortunate position than its fellow hospitality startup Airy, which had ceased operations in May.

2️⃣ “Googling” for people becomes easier in India

The tech giant has released a new feature called “profile card,” which enables users in India to create a profile that includes details such as a short bio, website and social media links, educational background, and more on Google. These cards will be shown whenever people look themselves up on the platform.

3️⃣ Amazon sets a record in India

Amazon held Prime Day, one of the retail giant’s biggest sales events of the year, in India last week, and the two-day event had more than 91,000 small businesses selling to customers living across 5,900 ZIP codes — that covers more than 97% of the country.

4️⃣ Tencent and Universal Music Group’s new joint label

A new music label will be established by Tencent Music and Universal Music Group to develop, produce, and showcase Chinese artists domestically and worldwide. Earlier this year, the Chinese tech giant had acquired a 10% stake in Universal Music Group, giving it access to global artists such as U2, Drake, and Taylor Swift.

5️⃣ Bytedance goes into fintech in Hong Kong

Small Southeast Asian startups on the up and up

From small to BIG

Could it be a “happily ever after” for Chinese Twitch-like platforms Huya and Douyu?

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