

The Impulso Podcast
Momentum Works
The Impulso Podcast is hosted by Momentum Works, a venture outfit headquartered in Singapore. Each week, our in-house experts, community and guests unpack the latest trends, undercurrents and lessons in tech across borders. We explore topics like innovation, ecommerce, digital financial services, venture investment, and the broader digital economy.
In addition to covering our home base of Southeast Asia and advanced global markets like the US, we also draw extensive lessons from tech companies in China.
Visit momentum.asia or get in touch via hello@mworks.asia for our insights reports, newsletter, Academy and Venture offerings.
In addition to covering our home base of Southeast Asia and advanced global markets like the US, we also draw extensive lessons from tech companies in China.
Visit momentum.asia or get in touch via hello@mworks.asia for our insights reports, newsletter, Academy and Venture offerings.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 9, 2025 • 23min
E114: China’s Didi and Meituan clash in Brazil’s food delivery market
Is the food delivery landscape of Brazil going to completely change? Bouncing back from a failed launch in 2019, Didi is back in Brazil as 99 Food. In this episode, we explore Didi’s reentry into Brazils food delivery market. What went wrong the first time? Why is Didi confident enough now for a comeback? Can they take a bite out of iFood’s massive 80% market share? At the same time, we also received news that Meituan is entering Brazil under Keeta. What will this mean for the food delivery lStay tuned as we see how Chinese platforms are reshaping global food delivery dynamics. Chapters:00:00:50: Didi is entering Brazil… again00:05:40: An introduction to Didi’s international business 00:07:35: Why did Didi fail in Brazil in 2019? 00:10:16: Can Didi beat iFood’s 80% market share? 00:16:10: Keeta vs Didi in Brazil Food delivery market Featured materials: TLD China’s Didi enters Brazil’s food delivery market

Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
E113: Why are ecommerce giants entering food delivery?
In this episode, we take a closer look at the fast-paced and competitive food delivery industry in Southeast Asia. ShopeeFood is gaining traction in Vietnam—but does this pose a real challenge to market leader Grab? Is TikTok considering a move into local services? And could drones become the new norm for food delivery?We’re joined by Weihan, our insights lead, to unpack these questions and more. From drone delivery trials in Dubai to the high costs of operations in Singapore, we explore the trends and challenges shaping the future of how we order and eat food.What does this mean for the industry—and for consumers? Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the evolving world of food delivery.Chapters:00:04:00: Grab leads Southeast Asia’s food delivery again00:05:00: Is Shopee Food a threat to Grab?00:10:00: Indonesia’s intense food delivery battle00:14:00: TikTok’s secret expansion into local services?00:23:00: Drones are now delivering your food? Featured Materials:Food Delivery Platforms in Southeast Asia 5.0, Momentum Works Vietnam Ecommerce and Retail Immersion, Momentum WorksE108: From Dianping to RedNote: Shanghai’s role in breeding successful consumer apps, The Impulso Podcast E95: How Meituan overtook FoodPanda in Hong Kong, and what’s next?

Feb 28, 2025 • 22min
E112: How AI humans are killing marketing
AI is taking over the world by storm, and AI generated humans are becoming more popular. What does this mean for the ecosystem? In this episode of Impulso Podcast, we sit down with Jensen, co-founder and CEO of Topview.ai, an AI-powered video creation platform. With over 13 years of experience at Taobao, Jensen has been at the forefront of AI applications, especially in e-commerce and digital media. As AI-generated video becomes more sophisticated, Jensen shares how the shift from small, targeted AI models to large, multimodal models has transformed the industry since 2022. From completely AI generated videos, to AI humans in the videos - how will AI change the future of content creation? Or even the videos we see on a daily basis? Chapters:00:01:04 AI Evolution: Before & After 2022 00:03:29 AI Acceleration & Market Impact 00:05:00 AI generated videos and how it is used 00:10:21 Can AI be the future of the Metaverse?00:14:07 AI in Business & Global Expansion – Hangzhou’s tech ecosystem and China’s AI influence.00:21:10 Closing Remarks – AI’s future and an invitation to explore China’s tech scene.Featured materials: E46: SenseTime founder’s passing & AI companies’ challenges in China, The Impulso PodcastTabcut report, Momentum Works

Feb 12, 2025 • 25min
E111: Live-selling cars in malls? China’s EV retail strategy
BYD is now outselling automotive giants like Toyota and Volkswagen in China. But beyond the numbers, a bigger shift is happening—Chinese EV brands are moving away from traditional dealerships and into shopping malls.In this episode, we explore China’s electric vehicle revolution, breaking down the numbers behind its EV boom and uncovering why mall showrooms are replacing dealerships, and the economics driving this shift.From sleek in-mall showrooms to live-streamed car sales and in-store cafés, China’s EV industry is transforming not just how cars are made, but how they’re sold. The way we buy cars is changing—China is leading the charge, but will the rest of the world follow?Featured materials: E105: Collapse of a Chinese EV company, livestreamed, The Impulso Podcast

Feb 7, 2025 • 51min
从中国到全世界:解读拼多多和Temu的低价策略 | Impulso E110 [CN]
在本期节目中,我们与中国的电商资深专家凯飞一起探讨拼多多的成功故事。凯飞深入剖析了该公司独特的电商模式,并作为行业专家提供了独到见解。
从拼多多在中国低线城市的起源,到其通过Temu实现的全球野心,我们讨论了拼多多如何通过聚焦价格优势和效率重塑了消费者行为。我们还分析了该公司对成本效益的专注、与阿里巴巴和京东的激烈竞争,以及在维持低价的同时平衡供应商关系的挑战。
不仅如此,凯飞还分享了对电商未来的看法、创新的作用,以及在竞争激烈的全球市场中保持增长的挑战。
章节:
00:01:30:拼多多的崛起
00:05:20:Temu的颠覆性战略
00:19:15:为什么对价格的执着是Temu的秘密武器
00:30:25:增长与盈利之战
00:42:45:Temu的全球扩张冒险
精选材料:
Who is Temu, 2024, Momentum Works:
https://momentum.asia/product/temu-2-years-on/
Behind Pinduoduo’s ¥10 billion merchant subsidies | Impulso E102
https://youtu.be/FKENtoznAJk

21 snips
Feb 7, 2025 • 1h
From China to the world: Temu’s low price strategy decoded | Impulso E110 [EN]
Discover the disruptive force of Pinduoduo in the e-commerce landscape. The discussion dives into Temu's unique low-price strategy and how it shakes up the market against giants like Alibaba and JD.com. Insights reveal how consumer preferences lean towards affordability over speedy delivery. The complexities of maintaining low prices while ensuring quality are examined, alongside the challenges of navigating global expansion. Tune in for a look at the future of e-commerce and the implications of pricing dynamics in retail.

Feb 5, 2025 • 30min
E109: Beauty, Curling Irons & 11M Influencers: Inside TikTok Shop’s US Boom
The United States was TikTok Shop’s biggest market in 2024 - with a GMV of US$9 billion!
In this episode, we unpack how the 400k stores and 11 million influencers are driving TikTok Shop (and video commerce – contributing to 58% of GMV) in the U.S., featuring insights from our “TikTok Shop in the U.S. 2024” report.
Tune in as we explore why beauty products dominate video commerce sales (not just in the U.S. but globally), the cultural and logistical hurdles why live commerce thrives in China but struggles in the US, and what TikTok’s uncertain future could mean for the development of live commerce in the US.
Chapters:
00:05:16: Unpacking TikTok Shop's Revenue Streams
00:10:00: Influencers as The Powerhouse Behind TikTok Sales
00:15:00: The Potential of Live Commerce in the U.S.?
00:17:21: Beauty as the Top Category of TikTok Shop
00:21:13: TikTok Shop's Potential Impact on U.S. Live Commerce
Featured materials:
TikTok Shop in the U.S. 2024, Momentum Works

23 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 57min
E108: From Dianping to RedNote: Shanghai’s role in breeding successful consumer apps
Freeman Ding, a pioneer in China's consumer internet boom with experience at Baidu and Dianping, shares fascinating insights into Shanghai's role in fostering tech innovation. He discusses the rise of Meituan, explaining its food delivery dominance and navigational challenges in low-frequency markets. Freeman argues that only WeChat qualifies as a true super app and examines the global ambitions of Chinese giants like TikTok and SHEIN, questioning whether they can replicate their success abroad amid regulatory hurdles.

Jan 20, 2025 • 25min
E107: Will TikTok survive in the US?
So, TikTok went dark after the US ban, for about 14 hours. Then, it was back online, with a message crediting its return to “President Trump’s efforts.”
TikTok, with over 170 million users in the US, is one of the biggest platforms in the U.S. with a huge ecosystem of creators, merchants, and consumers. Its brief shutdown caused a stir, even prompting some users to flock to Xiaohongshu with the trending hashtag #TikTokRefugees.
TikTok’s return came after President Trump specifically confirmed there will be no liability for any company that helped TikTok from going dark before an executive order to be issued on day 1 to keep TikTok running.
How would things evolve from here? Will TikTok survive in the medium and long term in the US?
Tune in to find out more!
Chapters:
00:00:15: The Dynamics of the TikTok Ban
00:01:16: Trump's Role in TikTok's Temporary Shutdown
00:14:02: TikTok's CEO
00:18:33: Users Seeking Refuge in Xiao Hong Shu?
Featured materials:
How will TikTok’s fortunes in the US evolve from here?, TheLowDown
E66: TikTok has no good options, The Impulso Podcast

Dec 23, 2024 • 20min
E106: Behind Chinese youth’s love for Capybaras
What makes capybaras so irresistibly popular amongst Chinese youth? From their zen-like calm to their unbothered personalities, these gentle rodents have become internet sensations.
Tune in as we dive into the capybara craze—their rising popularity in China, the carefree energy they represent, and how that resonates with today's youth.
But are capybaras just a passing trend, or do they symbolise something deeper—like the dream of a carefree life in an increasingly competitive world? Join us as we unpack the cultural phenomenon, discuss how it reflects modern work-life stress, and reflect on 2024 while embracing "capybara energy" as we go into 2025.
Chapters:
00:00:10: What is a Capybara?
00:01:45: Rising popularity of capybara in China
00:07:00: Why do people relate to capybaras?
00:11:00: The aftereffects of involution
00:18:15 Our wishes for everyone in 2025


