The Big Picture
Insightful, in-depth analysis of the trends, developments and outlook affecting key industries and ecosystems
Europe ramps up development of local EV battery sector in race to zero emissions
Startups, automakers jostle or unite to ride the fast-growing EV battery market, as the EU pumps billions into developing its own value chain, to cut reliance on imports
Southeast Asian startups to keep riding digitalization, IPO boom, investors say
O2O business models and growing interest in ESG are also key themes, as regional startups gain $4.4bn of funding in first half of 2021
New sectors, strategies come into play as investors respond to China's Big Tech curbs
Amid the crackdown on China’s tech giants, some investors are sussing out less risky sectors, while heavyweights like BlackRock and Fidelity stay in for the long haul
Behind Indonesia's recent EV push
EV prices in Indonesia are still high and there are concerns about infrastructure, but serious policymaking and private sector support can boost consumer adoption
Singapore, the place to start and grow a cellular agriculture startup
A country that imports over 90% of its food supply, Singapore has turned to foodtech, including cellular agriculture, to safeguard food security, supported by proactive regulators
Chinese startups join the race to address chip shortage amid funding boom
Would an overheated semiconductor startup scene and the ability to design cutting-edge chips be enough to help China achieve chip self-sufficiency?
Can Indonesia plug its tech talent gap to keep its digital economy growing?
Local institutions are stepping up to boost tech skills among students and jobseekers, as the government opens the way for more foreign talent joining startups
Indonesian fintechs plug payday gaps, help workers stay away from loan sharks
Cash advance or “earned wage access” programs, already popular employee benefits in the US and Europe, are attracting investors and diverse clients in Indonesia
Plant-based eggs: The next big thing in the alternative protein market
Plant-based eggs may be the fastest growing segment in plant-based foods, but hacking the formula for a perfect egg substitute is proving a hurdle. Are alt-protein startups up for the challenge?
Plant-based eggs (Part II): The foodtech startups to watch
Here’s a shortlist of the foodtech startups to watch in the global vegan egg market
After a Covid-led boom in 2020, what next for China's K-12 edtech?
Unicorns Yuanfudao and Zuoyebang raised more than $6bn combined last year as demand for online learning continues to grow, but some smaller players are running out of cash
Portugal looks to its marine heritage to create an oceantech leader
Portugal is tapping oceantech disruption to create new value out of its blue economy, with strong government push
Portugal oceantech II: Single-minded efforts to build an ecosystem of international reference
With dedicated accelerators and investment programs, supported by the EU’s vote of confidence, Portugal appears on track to lead in oceantech
Indonesia 2021 outlook: VCs "cautiously optimistic" on Southeast Asia's largest country
Investors expect Indonesian startups to regain their growth opportunities when the economy reopens with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, even as some online living and working habits have stuck
Do plant-based meat alternatives stand a chance in China, the world's largest meat consumer?
Major food brands and foodtech startups are trying to build their following in a nascent market forecast to grow to nearly $12bn worth by 2023
Supercharging and battery swap in race to cut EV charging times in China
Supercharging can slash EV charging times but has technological challenges. Hence battery swapping is on the rise in China, with state support
Indonesian B2B e-procurement platforms: Disrupting long-standing practices
Indonesia’s B2B e-commerce players are winning over corporate clients with education and government support, growing a market forecast to be worth $13.4bn by 2023
China’s medical exoskeleton startups take on a promising but challenging market
It was not until 2018 that the first China-made lower limb exoskeleton got regulatory clearance at home, around the same time the first Chinese rehabilitation robot got US FDA approval
Last-mile delivery disrupted post-Covid: How Spanish startups can show a better way forward
As the recent jump in online retail and home deliveries looks set to stay, startups are playing a key role in reshaping the Spanish last-mile logistics scene to meet new challenges
In depth: The business ecosystems China’s tech giants and unicorns build
Startups could accept to join Alibaba, Tencent or other tech giants in their ecosystems and scale quickly. Or they could say no and keep their independence. But do they really have a choice?
China’s online mutual aid market: A new battleground for tech giants and startups
Startups spotted the opportunity and tech giants too have entered a market seen tripling by 2025. But profitability is still in doubt amid regulatory uncertainty
Spain’s 100% renewable energy goal: How its startup ecosystem is rising to the challenge
Energy majors and public entities are backing renewable energy startups in the country's bet on the Green Economy
Kopi Kenangan serves up an addictive blend of rapid expansion and profitability
Its recent $109m Series B infusion boosts the Indonesian startup's confidence for sustainability and regional expansion despite the current Covid-19 slowdown
In Portugal tourism tech gets disrupted, in time for post-Covid-19 era
As Portugal reopens to tourists early next month, the sector is banking on a new generation of tourism tech startups to enable safety and reassure visitors
