Tech in Asia explained

Tech in Asia Pte Ltd
Type:Private
Industry:News Publishing
Hq Location:Singapore
Area Served:Southeast Asia, Jakarta
Founder:Willis Wee
Num Employees:100
Homepage:https://www.techinasia.com

Tech in Asia is a Singapore- and Jakarta-based technology news website covering topics on startups and innovation in Asia. Backed by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in 2015,[1] it has hosted annual conferences across the continent primarily in Singapore, Tokyo, and Jakarta since 2012.[2]

In January 2024, it was reported that SPH Media had completed its purchase of the company.[3]

History and growth

Founded in 2010 by Willis Wee during his third year at university,[4] Tech in Asia maintains a focus on Asian and Southeast Asian countries, often covering startups and legislative developments from Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, China and India.

One year before offering its articles through its subscription program in November 2017, it raised US$6.6 million in funding led by Hanwha Investment and Securities.[5]

In 2018, in addition to launching a marketing agency providing integrated media, marketing, events, and design solutions for brands,[6] it also hosts annual Tech in Asia Conference for tech companies and VCs in Asia.[7]

Subscription program

In October 2018, Tech in Asia launched its subscription program where it moved from offering free articles previously to a paywall-like structure. In its initial iteration, the single-tier paid subscription offered users access to five free articles per month, after which they were asked to pay US$18 a month or US$180 a year.[8]

Currently, the portal offers three subscription plans, ranging from free to US$16.58 per month.[9] All of its plans are billed yearly, with the uppermost tier now costing US$199 per year. A mid-level subscription, priced at US$59 per year, offers limited access to the portal's "Premium" coverage.

Tech in Asia Indonesia

It maintains a standalone Tech in Asia Indonesia website[10] which exclusively publishes Indonesian-language content. The websites are staffed by different teams, each creating their own content and maintaining separate production schedules.

Notes and References

  1. News: 24 June 2015 . Jane . Roberts . . 31 October 2018 . Facebook Cofounder Eduardo Saverin Invests In 'Tech in Asia'.
  2. News: Tech in Asia to Hold Annual Conference in Jakarta . 19 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019131816/https://jakartaglobe.id/business/tech-in-asia-to-hold-annual-conference-in-jakarta/ . live. 19 October 2018 . Joy . Muchtar . . 31 October 2018.
  3. Web site: SPH Media completes acquisition of Tech in Asia. Marketing Interactive. 4 January 2024 . 2024-01-27. en.
  4. Web site: Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem. www.techinasia.com. en-US. 2020-02-27.
  5. Web site: Tech In Asia raises $6.6M led by Korean conglomerate Hanwha. techcrunch.com. 20 November 2017 . 15 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem. 2020-11-21. www.techinasia.com. en-US.
  7. Web site: Liputan6.com . 2022-09-17 . Tech in Asia Conference 2022 Digelar, Dorong Pertumbuhan Startup Asia Tenggara . 2023-04-27 . liputan6.com . id.
  8. Web site: Tech in Asia launches subscription model in pursuit of profitability and to 'improve content'. Jones. Steve. 2018-10-01. Mumbrella Asia. en-US. 2020-02-27.
  9. Web site: Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem. 2021-03-17. www.techinasia.com. en-US.
  10. Web site: Tech in Asia Indonesia - Komunitas Online Startup di Asia. 2021-03-17. id.techinasia.com. en-US.