The Impulso Podcast

Welcome back to our weekly in-depth episodes of the Impulso podcast. This week, we dive deeper into food delivery platforms, and the market landscape as a whole. Momentum Works publishes an annual report on the state of food delivery in Southeast Asia, which is always extremely well received. Hear directly from one of the authors of that report about what has happened in the half a year since our last report was published.   Zomato recently became the third large food delivery company to become profitable in Asia. How exactly did this happen when their customer base is just over 1% of that of the country they operate in population? And, why is Meituan so efficient? Or, rather, how? What further sets their customer success apart?   Singapore is a comparatively small country when we are also assessing China, India and Thailand, so how are delivery times and fees here so much higher than in other markets, and what role do transport regulations play in this?    Many food delivery platforms have been acquired or forming partnerships. Some of these partnerships are resulting in rapid growth that is mutually beneficial, and cultural norms in various countries play a role in this. Consumers across China and Singapore have very different mindsets, with superapps being the norm in China and consumers in Singapore more likely to cross reference every platform for the best price before making a decision.   But, at the end of the day, profitability is top of mind for almost every food delivery platform. Almost is the key word here. Learn what methods these platforms could employ to achieve this goal sooner, or why some platforms might not be as concerned with this target.   Mentioned in this episode:   Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2023   https://momentum.asia/product/food-delivery-platforms-in-southeast-asia-2023/   Food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia 2022   https://momentum.asia/product/food-delivery-platforms-in-southeast-asia-2022/

For the second week in a row, there isn’t too much explosive news for us to dissect, but that’s not to say that the world of tech, business and innovation has been quiet by any standard. Join us as we dissect ride hailing and e-commerce giant GoTo’s decision to launch a standalone GoPay app in Indonesia, Tiktok Shop’s recent developments, and cross border tensions as the US imposes a ban on tech investment in China.   How do WeChat and AliPay differ? One is a social app with payment, and the other is a payment app with other functions. GoTo is tapping into a middle ground here with the creation of their standalone GoPay app which will operate as an e-wallet on its own, potentially allowing for consumers to engage in payment outside of the GoTo ecosystem. This app will take up less space than Gojek and Tokopedia do, and aims to tap into the customer base that may not have ride hailing, food delivery or e-commerce needs per se, but still have interest in an e-wallet.   Next, we take another look at TikTok Shop. A couple weeks ago we did an in-depth look at TikTok Shop, and today we have some updates and new perspectives for you. How are brands viewing TikTok Shop in comparison to traditional e-commerce platforms like Shopee? Should TikTok invest in their own logistics set up, or continue to rely on third party solutions? Find out this and more on today’s episode.   To end on a light note (pure sarcasm here), we take a brief look at US-China relations, and how they are developing in light of the White House signaling a ban or severe restriction on tech investment going into China from the US. While the motives appear to be security related, the knock on effect is yet to be seen, as are any retaliatory measures that will be imposed by Beijing.   Stay tuned for Wednesday’s in-depth episode on food delivery platforms!

In this episode of the Impulso Podcast, go on a journey with us through Meituan’s evolution. From the founders’ failed previous entrepreneurial adventures, to the company’s initial founding as a Group Buy company in China.    Learn how Meituan remained strong through the group buy battle and Alibaba’s clear dominance of the market share by doubling down on their service offerings. After building a successful movie ticket purchasing platform, as well as a one and no star hotel booking platform, Wang Xing finally came up with the idea to move into food delivery. At the time, Alibaba’s ele.me was the only real option around, but as it focused largely on universities and students, a large segment of the population was left to tap into as demand for food delivery increased.   Once again, Alibaba and Meituan faced off; Meituan’s years of honing its operational efficiencies came in handy as they slowly acquired their now extremely extensive user base. But this all happened almost a decade ago. What is Meituan up to now?   Learn about the AI company founded by an ex-founder of Meituan itself, Wang Huiwen, and the company’s acquisition of this tech company. Is Meituan entering China’s AI race? They also recently launched in Hong Kong, bringing their signature speed and efficiency guarantees to KeeTa (aptly named after the word “cheetah”) to compete with the likes of Deliveroo and FoodPanda in this new market.    There is clearly a lot to be learnt from this immensely successful company.    Read the full report here:   https://momentum.asia/product/meituan_finding_business_clarity/

Join us for this weekly recap, where we discuss the relatively slow week that has just passed, and gracefully given us a break from tech turmoil. But, not entirely.   We kick off by talking about Elon Musk’s latest fine to pay; this time for putting up a flashing X sign at the former Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. Once again, this overhaul in branding seems to not be totally thought through as the company failed to acquire the appropriate permits and permissions to hoist the new logo, bringing back echoes of the “er” that remained up after the removal of “Twitter” was interrupted last week for the exact same reason, halting after “Twitt” had already been taken down.   Next, we explore China’s proposed curfew and limitation of the internet for children under 18. A few years ago, the country imposed a similar curfew on gaming, which has apparently been held up relatively well. This time around, the focus lies on the internet, but more specifically on social media, with the agency leading the cause citing concerns for children’s health and safety. Is it a little futile, given the many ways around parental controls? We’ll have to wait and see.   AI recruitment might be taking over, especially for blue collar workers. A woman was faced with two glitches carried out by two different chatbots while seeking a fast food job in the US recently. Cost cutting is all well and good, but has the technology come far enough for us to rely on it so entirely?   Referenced in this episode: Elon Musk to be billed for unauthorised flashing X sign https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66371435   Twitter Blue subscribers can now hide their blue checks https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/2/23816924/twitter-x-blue-subscribers-hide-blue-check-option

In this episode, we explore the rise of Shein, the Chinese fast fashion retailer that has taken the world by storm. We'll discuss the company's founding, its unique supply chain, and its recent developments, including its recent restructuring. We'll also talk about why people should be interested in Shein, and whether or not its business practices are sustainable. Shein was founded in 2008 by Chris Xu, a Chinese entrepreneur. The company started out as an online retailer of wedding dresses, but it quickly expanded into other categories, such as women's clothing, men's clothing, and children's clothing. Shein's supply chain is one of the things that sets it apart from other fast fashion retailers. The company uses a quick reorder model, which means that it doesn't actually own much of its inventory. Instead, it partners with factories around the world to produce products on demand. This allows Shein to keep its prices low and to respond quickly to trends. In recent years, Shein has come under fire for a number of reasons. Despite these controversies, Shein remains one of the most popular online retailers in the world. The company has over 100 million active users and it's estimated to be worth over $100 billion. So why should people be interested in Shein? The company's prices are certainly attractive, and its selection of products is vast. However, it's important to be aware of the company's business practices before you make a purchase. In this episode, we'll discuss all of these things and more. We'll also talk about the future of Shein and whether or not the company can continue to grow at its current pace. This episode is heavily based on our July 2022 report "Who is SHEIN?" which can be found in its entirety here: https://momentum.asia/product/who-is-shein/

Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur, stunned the tech world with Twitter's rapid rebranding into "X," marking the beginning of the platform's ambitious transformation into an "everything app." Aligning with Musk's vision for an all-encompassing superapp like China's WeChat, Twitter's transition to X has sparked curiosity and skepticism due to its apparent lack of planning and surprising speed. However, as the platform undergoes this metamorphosis, we explore the potential implications for language and culture, considering the legacy of Twitter's iconic influence.  Next, we turn our focus to Temu, the rising star in the e-commerce realm, now boasting a presence in an astounding 27 countries, including its latest venture into South Korea. As we unpack Temu's rapid growth and strategic expansion, we ponder the possibilities of the company venturing into Southeast Asia (SEA), potentially challenging established players like Shopee, Lazada, AliExpress, and TikTok Shop. We explore the factors fueling Temu's success, the potential impact on SEA's e-commerce landscape, and how this enterprising company is poised to transform the global e-commerce market. In the realm of ride-hailing, Grab has made a significant move by acquiring Trans-cab, Singapore's third-largest licensed taxi operator. With the aim of addressing supply-demand dynamics, Grab's strategic acquisition signals a departure from the traditional ride-hailing model. We analyze the implications of Grab's ownership of a taxi fleet, potential strategies in other Southeast Asian markets, and the implications for ride-hailing consumers and drivers alike. Shifting gears to Indonesia's electric vehicle (EV) market, we explore the rise of Maka Motors, a homegrown EV maker founded by GoJek executives. With a recent seed funding of $37.6 million, Maka Motors is set to play a pivotal role in Indonesia's electrification journey. As projections indicate a booming EV market in Indonesia, we discuss the potential impact on the automotive landscape and how Maka Motors aims to drive innovation and sustainability in the region. Referenced in this episode: Who is Temu? https://momentum.asia/product/who-is-temu/ Temu enters South Korea https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/temu-enters-south-korea/

In this engaging discussion, Jung Un Lee, CEO and founder with extensive experience in consumer and F&B sectors, shares insights on Luckin Coffee's evolution and its rivalry with Starbucks. The focus is on how Luckin succeeded by catering to Chinese taste preferences, notably with popular drinks like the coconut latte. Jung Un contrasts Luckin's app-driven efficiency and minimal in-store experience with Starbucks' inviting ambiance. He also highlights Luckin's rapid expansion strategies and the innovative use of tech in retail, reshaping the competitive landscape.

The discussion dives into Ant Group's strategic shifts amid regulatory hurdles. Explore Alipay's astounding user base and its leap into diverse financial services like lending and insurance. The hosts analyze its incremental expansion, likening it to Amazon's evolution. Insights on building credit scoring through utility payments and engaging users with innovative everyday products are shared. The conversation also touches on Ant's international growth in Southeast Asia and its efforts to navigate the complexities of cross-border payments.

Discover the incredible rise of Ant Group, launched by Jack Ma, and its transformation into a financial technology giant. Learn how Alipay evolved from an escrow service to a mobile payments powerhouse. Dive into the implications of recent regulatory crackdowns and their impact on Ant Group's future. Explore its diverse offerings like microfinance lending, innovative insurance solutions, and the challenges posed by compliance changes. Unravel the strategic approach that has made Ant a key player in the global financial landscape.

Discover the staggering $984 million fine imposed on Ant Group, shedding light on regulatory scrutiny in China's fintech. Explore Hongshan's strategic expansion into Southeast Asia, with new offices enhancing their regional influence. Unpack Temasek's unprecedented $6 billion loss amid market volatility and geopolitical challenges, while discussing the role of hindsight in investment decisions. Finally, dive into the rise of eFishery, an aquaculture unicorn, and its innovative approach to Indonesia's fragmented market.