How Chinese money is driving Southeast Asia’s tech start-up scene
- Chinese investment in the region’s start-ups ballooned to US$1.78 billion in the first seven months of this year, an eightfold increase
- A saturated tech scene in China and Southeast Asia’s maturing mobile economy are driving the influx of cash
Chinese investment in Southeast Asian start-ups ballooned to US$1.78 billion in the first seven months of this year, an eightfold increase over the same period in 2018, according to fintech firm Refinitiv.
The saturation of the tech scene in China and the opportunities offered by Southeast Asia’s maturing mobile economy are two of the factors driving the influx of Chinese money, analysts say.
The region’s unicorns – firms valued at US$1 billion or more – and aspiring unicorns have been among the chief beneficiaries. In July, Gobi Partners, in collaboration with AirAsia’s cargo and logistics arm Teleport, co-invested US$10.6 million in Malaysia’s EasyParcel. In May, Chinese social network YY acquired Singapore’s live-streaming platform Bigo in a US$1.45 billion deal.
