Southeast Asia
Who's Still Writing Checks?
Despite a 54% funding drop in 2024, a handful of investors are still deploying capital in Southeast Asia. See who’s shaping the next cycle of innovation.
John Soriano
Head of Marketing @ PayMongo (YC S19) Growth hobbyist and cat dad
Fintech
Capital Darwinism Favors the Efficient and the PH was Built for It
Southeast Asia’s Series A squeeze stripped away the illusion of easy money. Singapore may command 88% of fintech capital, but Philippine operators thrive on discipline. The irony? The market that couldn’t attract capital may be the only one that learned to live without it.
Southeast Asia's Series A Squeeze: Restructuring Regional Venture DNA
Southeast Asia’s venture landscape is undergoing capital Darwinism. The so-called “Series A squeeze” is rewriting the rules of survival: only startups with discipline on unit economics and clear profitability paths are breaking through.
Southeast Asia
SEA's Funding Slow Burn—Is Early-Stage the Last Safe Haven?
SEA startups face crunch: Over 95% of deals are early-stage, but seed funding has halved and late-stage capital remains scarce. Singapore claims 92% of funding, while more founders now contend with shorter runways and tougher fundraising than before.
Digest
Oblique Digest: Southeast Asia’s Power Moves - September 2025
Southeast Asia’s startup map is shifting. The Philippines edges past Indonesia in funding, Sea proves profitability is possible, and AI still draws outsized bets. Here are the power moves and undercurrents shaping the region’s next growth cycle.
Technology
Data as Collateral: The Rise of Invisible, Perpetual Debt in the Platform Economy
How Southeast Asia's super apps turned financial data into the new collateral — and what it means for millions caught in an invisible web of digital dependency
BNPL
Debt as a Lifestyle Choice: BNPL is Rewiring Money in the PH
No credit card? No problem. In the Philippines, millions buy phones, groceries—even tuition—through Buy Now, Pay Later apps. For some it’s financial inclusion, for others a debt trap. BNPL is reshaping how Filipinos borrow and spend.
Southeast Asia
Infrastructure-as-Code Is Reshaping the Region's Tech Stack
Southeast Asia’s is starting a revolution towards API-first design. From open banking to serverless computing, the region’s companies are rebuilding their tech stacks from the ground up. Infrastructure is shaping the next decade of growth.
News
BSP Forces E-Wallet Decoupling From Online Gambling: The Philippines Draws a Hard Line Against Digital Gambling
BSP’s e-wallet gambling controls signal regulatory maturity in ASEAN fintech. By requiring separate gambling accounts & ₱300M capital minimums rather than blanket bans, Philippines creates template for balancing innovation with social harm prevention.
How To
Hiring Remote Teams in Southeast Asia: Cultural and Legal Considerations
Hiring remote teams in Southeast Asia offers access to diverse talent and cost advantages, but success hinges on navigating cultural nuances, legal compliance, and onboarding best practices to build productive, cross-border teams.
Digest
Southeast Asia Startup Funding Trends 2025: What Founders Need to Know
Southeast Asia’s startup funding hit $2B in H1 2025, up 7% YoY, but capital flows have shifted. Late-stage deals surged 140% as seed funding halved, with Singapore taking 92% of the pie. Fintech, AI, and climate tech dominate—profitability and capital efficiency now lead investor priorities.
Technology
The Infrastructure-First Funding Renaissance
Late-stage funding in SEA surged 140% in H1 2025 while seed deals collapsed, signaling a new investor playbook: fund scalable, regulation-aligned infrastructure, not unproven ideas. The region’s capital is no longer chasing hype—it’s backing execution.