RI digital economy shows double-digit growth, yet funding still subdued

RI digital economy shows double-digit growth, yet funding still subdued

The country's GMV is projected to grow by 13 percent to US$90 billion by the end of the year after previously expanding by only 6 percent last year.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2024/11/18/ri-digital-economy-shows-double-digit-growth-yet-funding-still-subdued.html>

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(2)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

In fact, startup boom deserves named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia since mid-2010s. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. Local leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in 2018 have been acclaimed for changing the conventional industrial map in the region.

Consequently, as many as 11 unicorns, privately held startup companies valued at over $1 billion, have emerged from various industries such as the mobility, the e-payment and the online game.

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been credited for redrawing the conventional industrial map in the region. According to Tech in Asia, startups in Southeast Asia were awarded with as much as $10.9 billion in investment in 2018. 

 

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia(7)

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia

There are yet pending issues to tackle in startup fever in Southeast Asia. Poor IT infrastructures in non-urban areas, shortage of high-skilled work forces and widespread financial illiteracy have chronically taken roots in most parts of Southeast Asia. 

With the exception of Singapore, capital markets and legal and institutional systems for startups in the region aren't well devised and developed as well. However, venture capitals, symbols of adventurous money would remain indifferent unless they feel confident of more gains than losses by stepping into the digital frenzy in Southeast Asia.

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia(8)

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia

However, venture capitals, symbols of adventurous money would remain indifferent unless they feel confident of more gains than losses by stepping into the digital frenzy in Southeast Asia. 

This also holds true to Korean startups and venture capitals gearing up to carve out the Southeast Asian market. Local startup founders have made unanimous voices that success stories of mainland Chinese startups have inspired them a lot.

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(3)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

Consequently, as many as 11 unicorns, privately held startup companies valued at over $1 billion, have emerged from various industries such as the mobility, the e-payment and the online game. 

It is Singapore and Indonesia which has been spotlighted the most for the startup frenzy in Southeast Asia. The two countries have been in the forefront of the development of the digital economy in the region. 

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(3)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

Consequently, as many as 11 unicorns, privately held startup companies valued at over $1 billion, have emerged from various industries such as the mobility, the e-payment and the online game. 

It is Singapore and Indonesia which has been spotlighted the most for the startup frenzy in Southeast Asia. The two countries have been in the forefront of the development of the digital economy in the region.

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(4)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

This could explain why global investment experts have been paying closer attention to this area where the youth covering roughly half of the whole population are climbing on the brand new era of the digital economy. 

In this sense, it may not be too much to say that a rosy outlook on the startup fad in Southeast Asia is likely to be maintained for the time being.

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been credited for redrawing the conventional industrial map in the region.

 

Recent startup boom across Southeast AStartup fever in Southeast Asia and its implication for India to improve indispensable public services(4)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

To name a few, startups aiming for improving the productivity of aquaculture industries or producing eco-friendly shopping bags to offer publicly-customized solutions for Southeast Asia where primary industries still considerably counts are loomed large. 

In addition, indigenous family conglomerates have joined the startup wave by setting up venture capitals and navigating business chances.

Recent startup boom across Southeast AStartup fever in Southeast Asia and its implication for India to improve indispensable public services(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Malaysia which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been acclaimed for changing the conventional industrial map in the region. According to Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based online technology media, startups in Southeast Asia enjoyed as much as $7.9 billion in investment in 2017.

Global eyes on startup fever in Indonesia(2)

Global eyes on startup fever in Indonesia

These advantages of the two countries, namely Singapore in quality way and Indonesia in quantity way, have been exercising salient powers in generating most notable startups in the region. 

The fact that 8 out of 10 unicorns in Southeast Asia are headquartered either in Singapore or in Indonesia proves the significance of the two countries in the developments of the digital economy.

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been credited for redrawing the conventional industrial map in the region. 

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia(4)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

This could explain why global investment experts have been paying closer attention to this area where the youth covering roughly half of the whole population are climbing on the brand new era of the digital economy. 

In this sense, it may not be too much to say that a rosy outlook on the startup fad in Southeast Asia is likely to be maintained for the time being.

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy  such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been credited for redrawing the conventional industrial map in the region. 

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(9)

Spread of mobility service and Indonesian cashless society

In tandem with the e-commerce, fintech and online travel areas, mobility service has been often acclaimed as the leading trailblazer of the Indonesian digital economy. 

It is due to the rapid development of the mobility industry mainly triggered by ever-intensifying rivalry between Go-Jek and Grab, two and only decacorns in Southeast Asia. 

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(6)

Global eyes on startup fever in Indonesia

These advantages of the two countries, namely Singapore in quality way and Indonesia in quantity way, have been exercising salient powers in generating most notable startups in the region.

The fact that 8 out of 10 unicorns in Southeast Asia are headquartered either in Singapore or in Indonesia proves the significance of the two countries in the developments of the digital economy.

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(5)

Global eyes on startup fever in Indonesia

Among 11 countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore and Indonesia has been viewed as spearheading the advent of the digital economy across the region. It is little doubt that Singapore is the financial and technological hub of Southeast Asia with its delicately developed free-market economy. 

Blessed with the world’s 4th largest population of around 260 million people, Indonesia takes approximately 40% of the total GDP of the Southeast Asian economy. 

Expansion of Mobility Services and Its Impact on the Development of a Cashless Society in Indonesia(1)

Recent startup boom across Southeast Asia

Startup boom deserves to be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia these days. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

As a matter of fact, locally born leaders of the digital economy  such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in early 2018 have been credited for redrawing the conventional industrial map in the region. According to Tech in Asia , startups in Southeast Asia were awarded with as much as $10.9 billion in investment in 2018.

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia(1)

High Time for Korean Startups to Ride on Digital Fever in Southeast Asia

Startup boom can be named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia this year. This may not sound familiar to most Koreans except for those involved in the IT industry or venture capital sectors. However, startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. 

In fact, locally born leaders of digital economy such as Grab in Malaysia which recently acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber have been acclaimed for changing the conventional industrial map in the region.