The Impulso Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Impulso Podcast. This week was surely eventful and in this episode, we are going to cover in detail Flash Coffee closing, J&T’s upcoming IPO, and finally Foodpanda appointing new CEO.   Singapore-headquartered Flash Coffee exits Singapore to focus more on promising markets. Note that this closure is following exits in Taiwan and Japan that took place last year. Why did this happen and why now? What are some of the things coffee companies need to consider before coming to or expanding to Singapore? How do some companies have a flawed approach when it comes to differentiating themselves?   Indonesian courier J&T Global is planning an IPO on the 27th of October on Hong Kong Exchange, they are aiming to raise half a billion US$, which would be the second largest IPO on HKEX.  Now, we did cover J&T extensively in our report “Who is J&T”,  which you can find below, as well as a complimentary report: J&T Express: highlights of draft IPO prospectus, so we will not go too much into company background. Our expert will delve into the most interesting parts of the prospectus and as well as discuss the state of logistics in South East Asia.   Foodpanda has removed its chief executive officer after he allegedly leaked confidential information about the platform’s potential sale to Grab. John Fang, who held the position of chief international officer, will succeed Angele as the company’s new CEO and continue to lead and oversee Foodpanda’s business. How has Foodpanda’s performance changed since last year? Does it justify the price of the deal that was disclosed by the media? How can Grab ultimately benefit from the deal? Stay tuned and find more in this episode!   Featured this week:   Who is J&T report -> Who is J&T? | Momentum Works J&T Express: Highlights Of Draft IPO Prospectus -> J&T Express: Highlights of draft IPO prospectus | Momentum Works

Everyone knows Alibaba but not everyone knows its middle-eastern arm operating in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. In the newest episode of the Impulso Podcast, we invited Zori Zafirova, COO of Daraz, to talk about being a part of Alibaba Group as well as her personal journey. In this episode, we have touched upon: What are shared learnings among various Alibaba Group companies that have played a pivotal role in Daraz's growth? How onions helped Daraz gain traction in Bangladesh? How to manage multimarket operations? As we look ahead to the future, what opportunities and hurdles does the e-commerce world have in 2023? Join this episode to gain intriguing insights from our guest on operating in the frontier ecommerce world.

In Episode 33 of the Impulso Podcast, we share raw, unfiltered conversations between Chao Gao (CTO of FinAccel), Shaolin Zheng (Co-founder and CTO of NextBillion.ai), and our own Jianggan Li (CEO Momentum Works) about their experiences in tech companies (startup or corporate), why tech companies in US, China and Singapore operate so differently, and how to deal with the difficulties thrown by 2023. We also touched upon: Differences in working culture in USA, China, and Singapore: How much certainty in product success a team needs? Business model design/ no design: When does it work and when doesn’t? How is founding with Rocket, Alibaba, corporate different from starting on your own? Burden of a founder: Destined to be lonely? Year of 2023: Navigating through high cost of capital and risk aversion If you’ve ever wondered about the human side of tech officers, and how to resonate with them - this episode is for you.

In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into news that has sent ripples through the world of social media and e-commerce. Indonesia has just introduced a regulation that shakes up the way transactions and payments take place on social media platforms.   How will it impact the operations of TikTok Shop which thrives on its massive user base? TikTok Shop’s frictionless experience allowed it to flourish. But with Indonesia slamming the brakes on this practice, TikTok Shops face a significant challenge. How will it affect the business model?   In our episode, we explore the motives behind Indonesia's regulatory move. What are the concerns driving this decision, can it serve as a blueprint for other countries’ policy?   Moreover, we investigate potential solutions. Indonesia has given a tight deadline of just one week for the issues to be addressed. Are there alternative strategies TikTok Shop can employ to continue its operations?   Join us in this episode as we unravel the complexities of Indonesia's new regulation and its impact on TikTok Shop!

Over the last year, TikTok Shop has shown incredible growth and has presence now in 9 markets, including all major markets in Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. After hitting US$4.4 billion GMV in Southeast Asia in 2022, TikTok Shop aims to triple that this year, as part of its overall (ambitious) US$20 billion target. But what is behind all this growth? Why is TikTok betting so heavily on e-commerce? Would North American consumers watch videos and buy things on TikTok? Also, why would TikTok focus on the US market even as it is facing so much pressure there? Episode 31 exclusively features the recording of our TikTok Shop event. Tune in as our experts discuss: What are the 2 strategic focuses of TikTok in e-commerce The 4 key differences between TikTok Shop and other e-commerce platforms Should brands work with TikTok Shop, and if the answer is yes, how? The top selling brand on TikTok Shop - how did they achieve it? Enjoy the episode!

Experts Ada and Vion share insights from a recent PE/VC summit, highlighting hot topics in Southeast Asia like fintech, SaaS, and agritech. They discuss the emergence of 'lighter models' focused on sustainable profitability rather than aggressive growth. The conversation shifts to the evolving investment landscape in China, questioning if it’s truly becoming 'uninvestable' or still holds potential. With diverse investor sentiments, they dissect the factors that separate lasting trends from fleeting hype while offering practical networking anecdotes.

A collaboration between Luckin and Moutai creates buzz as they sell over 5 million cups of a new alcohol-infused latte in a single day. The discussion dives into how Moutai's branding appeals to younger consumers through innovative product experiments. Meanwhile, Indonesia's government considers banning TikTok Shop, raising concerns about monopolistic practices and its potential impact on the e-commerce landscape. Lastly, Lummo announces voluntary liquidation after failing to profit from its bookkeeping services, highlighting challenges in the SME sector.

Discover how TikTok Shop is revolutionizing online shopping by blending entertainment with commerce. The hosts analyze the potential for integrating vouchers to enhance the buying experience and explore the platform's appeal in North America. They discuss key selling categories like fashion and beauty, as well as the challenges of monetization and user engagement. The panel also dives into the dynamics of live commerce, examining how it could succeed in a new market. Tune in for insights on TikTok's innovative retail approach!

Southeast Asia's e-commerce landscape is transforming rapidly, with TikTok Shop aiming for a staggering $20 billion GMV and Temu surprising everyone with a launch in the Philippines. Pinduoduo recorded impressive Q2 results, showcasing its operational efficiency amid rising competition. The podcast also reveals insights into seller frustrations with TikTok's consignment model and highlights how competition is reshaping consumer behavior and expectations in the region. The hosts discuss the implications for established players like Shopee and Lazada amidst these shifts.

The hosts recap their fascinating trip to China, highlighting visits to innovative companies like Huawei and insights from executive briefings with Tencent Cloud and Cyrus Technology. They delve into unique experiences at Huawei's sprawling campus and discuss its diverse business expansions beyond smartphones. Discover Shenzhen's green finance initiatives and the potential of humanoid robots from UBTech. The journey emphasizes the importance of competitive strategies and customer-centric operations, offering valuable lessons for global leaders.