Alex Szabo

Southeast Asia will need to invest US$15 trillion by 2050 to meet its climate goals. The region’s climate tech businesses will be critical to achieving this target. How? By scaling up rapidly and reducing costs. The Plant-as-a-Product (PaaP) approach can help. It's an ambitious cost reduction strategy that not only enables scaling at lower cost but also provides companies with a competitive edge in terms of both efficiency and cost. We have seen the success of PaaP in action and believe that climate tech businesses in Southeast Asia can benefit hugely from it. Discover how. Rahul Gupta Vishal Agarwal Antonio Castellano Ashwin Balasubramanian Asilah Azil Vishal D. #climatetech #SoutheastAsia #CETA https://lnkd.in/gt7HQ5Qi

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Proud to share that Bain & Company and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) have launched a groundbreaking sectoral net-zero transition programme, aimed at helping Singapore's SMEs accelerate their decarbonisation efforts and unlock significant benefits. The programme is backed by an inaugural study of nearly 500 SMEs across 20 sectors, which reveals that a significant lack of awareness, in-house capability and financial support were the top three barriers to SMEs’ decarbonisation journeys. Central to the programme is an AI-powered DecarboniSME tool, which enables SMEs to understand their emissions baseline and create quality decarbonisation plans with minimal effort and expertise. SMEs could see up to 70% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction, a 4%-5% EBITDA margin boost, and up to 50% lower energy costs. https://bit.ly/4eZJ0Up

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Proud to share that Bain & Company and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) have launched a groundbreaking sectoral net-zero transition programme, aimed at helping Singapore's SMEs accelerate their decarbonisation efforts and unlock significant benefits. The programme is backed by an inaugural study of nearly 500 SMEs across 20 sectors, which reveals that a significant lack of awareness, in-house capability and financial support were the top three barriers to SMEs’ decarbonisation journeys. Central to the programme is an AI-powered DecarboniSME tool, which enables SMEs to understand their emissions baseline and create quality decarbonisation plans with minimal effort and expertise. SMEs could see up to 70% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction, a 4%-5% EBITDA margin boost, and up to 50% lower energy costs. https://bit.ly/3NpcHCG

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🚨 The First Episode of Trillion Dollar Ads Podcast is Here! 🚨 🎧 Why Southeast Asia’s Retail Media Boom is Just Getting Started! In this debut episode, I dive deep with JJ Eastwood into the explosive potential of retail media in Southeast Asia and how it’s set to reshape the industry by blending the best practices from both the West and the East. 💡 What we’ll cover: 👉 With 99% of advertisers exploring retail media, where is the budget coming from — media or shopper marketing? 👉 Retail media is far more than just placing sponsored banners. It’s about leveraging tech, data, consumer insights, and smart ad units to deliver strong performance for brands. 👉 Learn how Carousell Media Group set up their retail media business with the right product and data strategy Tune in to unlock the true potential of retail media in APAC . Amit Ray thanks for all your efforts ... https://lnkd.in/gB-7Pmx8 https://lnkd.in/giXidycs #TrillionDollarAds #RetailMedia #Podcast #SoutheastAsia #DigitalAdvertising #data #marketing

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Google, Temasek and Bain's latest e-Conomy report is out, and is an annual must-read about (biased opinion) the most exciting region globally in Southeast Asia. There's no better time to be in Southeast Asia: 1. Growth: revenue, profitability and GMV are all heading in the same, positive direction year-on-year 2. Videos and the creator economy as a driver of e-commerce growth 3. According to Lightspeed's recent study, Southeast Asian consumers are highly value-based and deal-seeking. However in the case of the food delivery category, search data is showing a declining reliance on promotions in the way consumers' search for food 4. The deal and investment landscape is likely to pick up, with software and services, fintech, and medtech/healthtech the leading sectors of focus 5. USD30B: the amount invested into Southeast Asia on AI infrastructure - in H1 2024 alone 6. AI speed to returns: early adopters in Southeast Asia are seeing returns on their investments within 12 months of implementation(!....?...) 7. Looking forward: inflation pressures continue to ease; GDP growth outlook appears to be robust and outpacing developing economies; and strong growth in foreign direct investment, exports and consumer spending are indicators of more continued optimism in the region https://lnkd.in/gBad_4rc

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In today’s rapidly evolving world, the path to sustainable growth often lies with new innovations, business models and capitalising on opportunities to address unmet needs. We are proud to partner with EDB to support companies in creating and scaling new ventures. Kevin Tan Gary Ong Joongshik Wang

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Proud to share that Bain & Company and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) have launched a groundbreaking sectoral net-zero transition programme, aimed at helping Singapore's SMEs accelerate their decarbonisation efforts and unlock significant benefits. The programme is backed by an inaugural study of nearly 500 SMEs across 20 sectors, which reveals that a significant lack of awareness, in-house capability and financial support were the top three barriers to SMEs’ decarbonisation journeys. Central to the programme is an AI-powered DecarboniSME tool, which enables SMEs to understand their emissions baseline and create quality decarbonisation plans with minimal effort and expertise. SMEs could see up to 70% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction, a 4%-5% EBITDA margin boost, and up to 50% lower energy costs. https://bit.ly/47X0ajb

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Bain & Co partners Melanie Sanders and Radhika Sridharan spoke with Retail Asia regarding how Asia Pacific’s retail landscape has changed post Covid. Melanie said that there has been significant restructuring of market structures, particularly the rise of e-commerce players in the region, while Radhika pointed out the new growth opportunities, such as retail media, payments, and new category adjacencies which could account for as much as a third of incremental revenue and about 50% of profits by 2030. https://bit.ly/4cCj6Vp

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It pays to focus on gaining attention through creativity rather than purely on the R&F / SOV matrix. This result shows that you can spend less but gain more in a tight budget environment. Beyond Singapore, we see positive results across all countries through localisation with this attention-grabbing activation. I encourage all Marketers to focus on attention marketing so we can all get inspired to do better. Lazada Campaign Asia-Pacific

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Sharing two milestones as we're about to enter Q4 (already!!??) with a bang! 💥 ✨ We’ve reached profitability in Singapore in Q2 this year! A key milestone that reflects not just growth, but smart, sustainable growth that we’re incredibly proud of. And that’s not all… 💥 We’ve secured USD 5 million in debt financing. This funding will fuel our growth and enable us to continue delivering smarter solutions for entrepreneurs in #Singapore, #Australia, #HongKong and the #UK. From a small team in 2017 to now serving 15,000+ businesses globally, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built together. A special shout-out to our incredible team, our innovative tech, and of course, our amazing clients who trust us with their businesses every day. But what excites me most is the future. With these new resources, we’re doubling down sustainably on our mission to make life easier for entrepreneurs, and we’re just getting started. Here’s to more growth, more innovation, and more success for everyone! #Entrepreneurship #GrowthJourney #Innovation

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📊🛒 E-commerce Turbulence in Southeast Asia: Navigating the Choppy Waters 🌊💼 The e-commerce landscape in Southeast Asia is experiencing significant upheaval. Recent events highlight the challenges faced by even established players: Financial Instability 💸 • Qoo10, a major e-commerce player, recently laid off 80% of its Singapore workforce • The company owes a staggering $970 million to merchants through its South Korean subsidiaries • Available funds are critically low at just $59.7 million Market Saturation 🏪 • Southeast Asia's e-commerce market is projected to reach $211 billion by 2025 • Growth rate of 22% annually, attracting intense competition • Established players like Shopee and Lazada dominate with 44% and 7% market share respectively Logistical Hurdles 🚚 • Lack of low-cost logistics and infrastructure across the region • Diverse geography presents unique delivery challenges • Last-mile delivery remains a significant pain point Regulatory Complexities 📜 • Varying regulations across countries complicate cross-border e-commerce • Recent Indonesian ban on social media selling impacts market dynamics • Navigating local laws requires significant resources and expertise Payment Fragmentation 💳 • Despite high e-wallet penetration, payment landscapes differ by country • Integration of multiple payment systems increases operational complexity • Cross-border payment solutions still evolving Consumer Trust Issues 🤝 • Building trust in online transactions remains a challenge in some markets • Concerns about product quality and authenticity persist • Customer service expectations continue to rise While the Southeast Asian e-commerce market offers immense potential, these challenges underscore the need for robust strategies and adaptability. Companies must navigate these choppy waters carefully to emerge as leaders in this dynamic landscape. What strategies do you think e-commerce businesses should adopt to overcome these hurdles? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #EcommerceChallenges #SoutheastAsiaMarket #DigitalEconomy https://lnkd.in/d6JZYiAt

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Companies are leveraging platform strategies to drive innovation and sustainable growth. Check out the best practices recommended by my colleagues Jacqueline Alexis Thng 汤淑兰 and Ted Moser to help your company unlock growth. #PlatformStrategy #GrowthStrategy #Innovation

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Proud to share that Bain & Company and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) have launched a groundbreaking sectoral net-zero transition programme, aimed at helping Singapore's SMEs accelerate their decarbonisation efforts and unlock significant benefits. The programme is backed by an inaugural study of nearly 500 SMEs across 20 sectors, which reveals that a significant lack of awareness, in-house capability and financial support were the top three barriers to SMEs’ decarbonisation journeys. Central to the programme is an AI-powered DecarboniSME tool, which enables SMEs to understand their emissions baseline and create quality decarbonisation plans with minimal effort and expertise. SMEs could see up to 70% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction, a 4%-5% EBITDA margin boost, and up to 50% lower energy costs. https://bit.ly/3BMABWi

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Brands like Heytea and Pop Mart are expanding into Southeast Asia, targeting its growing middle class. Key challenges include scalability, localization, and infrastructure. Consumers prioritize cost-effectiveness and are influenced by trends and social media. Successful brands like Mixue Ice Cream use e-commerce and TikTok to stand out. Petsup leverages TikTok for live streaming and influencer collaborations, boosting sales. Brands must use online and offline strategies like Dreame Technology's approach to grow. Identifying market gaps and leveraging local traits are critical to Southeast Asian success. #SoutheastAsia #ConsumerBrands #MarketOpportunities #Ecommerce #BrandGrowth

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Want to stay ahead of consumer insights? 🌏📈 Check out TikTok's latest report developed in collaboration with Accenture. Titled "Shoppertainment 2024: The Future of Consumer & Commerce in APAC," this whitepaper provides insight into future consumer behavior, preferences, and expectations. This year, there's a trend in APAC Consumer Habits, focusing on value over price, as shown in the latest TikTok report. It reveals that most APAC consumers prioritize value, with 79% influenced by content highlighting product value over discounts. Discover how this affects your business's TikTok strategy here: http://ms.spr.ly/6048YDPnw #LifeatTikTok

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🚀 Exciting times ahead in digital advertising! 🚀 Retail Media Networks (RMNs) are set to revolutionize both brand & performance advertising globally and in Southeast Asia. RMN ad spend is projected to grow by 73% globally & surge to $4.7 billion by 2030 in SE Asia. Why? RMNs leverage first-party data for precise targeting and seamless transactions. Unlike traditional search and social ads, RMNs provide a full-funnel solution, driving both awareness and conversions. Brands in SEA, especially on superapps like Grab can harness this trend to enhance their ad effectiveness. #DigitalAdvertising #RMNs GrabAds + Kantar Read more [here](https://lnkd.in/gqARVJ8z).

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"Specifically in Singapore, where X is not actively used; we see LinkedIn taking over the role of X as the platform where opinions matter." Althea, Group CEO at Gushcloud International Not surprised by this article on MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. LinkedIn thrives in Singapore, offering a unique space for professionals (including political leaders) to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential collaborators. It's your digital business card, and crafting a professional yet authentic profile here is crucial for establishing your presence. In the recent months alone, I've seen LinkedIn's impact firsthand: ✨ At a TiE Women event, hosted by TiE Singapore, Anna Vanessa Haotanto 陳安娜 from Zora Health shared how valuable business opportunities stemmed from LinkedIn connections. ✨ During a focus group discussion, Singapore-based women entrepreneurs instantly mentioned LinkedIn, when we asked what tool is crucial to help build their personal brand. ✨ At industry events, I now rely solely on my LinkedIn profile for connections. The LinkedIn QR code allows attendees to connect directly with me, easily access my work, recommendations, and experience. This fosters a more personal connection and has facilitated numerous meetings. Remember we're all "salespeople" here - whether it's landing a dream job, attracting clients, or building a strong personal brand, a well-crafted profile is an undisputed, “not so secret” weapon. Agree?

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Organizations across Asia Pacific are intensifying their scrutiny of portfolio holdings to rebalance for growth and resilience, and divesting assets that no longer fit. There is growing pressure to rebalance portfolios. Check out our latest report on how companies seeking to build resilience and achieve transformative growth must take a more active approach to portfolio management.

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