Zalora's new groove: regional ecommerce enabler

More: Animoca Brands closes a strategic investment into a UAE-based gaming startup and Carsome appoints a new COO. [Read from your browser]( Daily Newsletter Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Daily Newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only Daily Newsletter and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](.  --------------------------------------------------------------- IN FOCUS In today's newsletter, we spotlight: - [Zalora’s road to becoming an ecommerce enabler]( - The US House’s new TikTok bill - Other newsy highlights such as Animoca Brands’ latest investment and Carsome’s new COO --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} I watched Dune: Part Two last week and it was absolutely incredible. In some respects, it feels a lot like this generation’s Lord of the Rings - books with an intense and dense story as well as amazing world building adapted into perfectly executed films. If you’ve watched either or both of the Dune films, I highly recommend watching [this video]( as well, in which the director Denis Villenueve explains how he shot the famous Gob Jabbar scene. It shows how well he understands the source material and how his creativity is such a boon in turning strange, foreign concepts into visually entertaining scenes on screen. The character of Paul Atreides is amazing and I especially love how he’s written in the books. Right now, I’m about partway through the third book, and one of the most fascinating plotlines is his extreme character growth. He goes from a young, unprepared boy into a messianic figure, before settling into the role of an emperor who’s extremely powerful but is slowly resigning himself to an inevitable outcome. We don’t often see characters evolve on this level, but when authors or writers can pull it off well, it’s always cool to see how someone can change so much over the course of a series. Back in the business world, Zalora seems to be undergoing a similar degree of change. No longer just a marketplace, the firm is now looking to walk down another path as an ecommerce enabler for Southeast Asia and, perhaps, beyond. -- Jonathan  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Zalora forges new identity as ecommerce enabler, seeks growth beyond marketplace]( Between 2022 and 2023, gross merchandise volume of third-party brands using its fulfillment and last-mile delivery solutions grew over 300%. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [US House passes TikTok bill that may ban app or force its sale]( However, the bill still needs to pass through the US Senate, where efforts to restrict the short-video app have stalled previously. [Carsome appoints ex-Jardine exec to COO post as it eyes IPO]( Eric Chan’s career in the automotive industry spans three decades and includes leadership roles in Singapore and Malaysia. --------------------------------------------------------------- SAIGON SUMMIT 2024: CHARTING VIETNAM’S TECH FUTURE Sneak peek of who you’ll meet on May 30 At Saigon Summit, we’re covering all grounds - discover the past, present, and future of Vietnam’s tech scene with us. There’s something in it for everyone, whether it’s Sendo CEO Tran Hai Linh’s insights from his ecommerce journey, Vertex Ventures advisor Tuyet Vu’s tips on securing funding in the tech winter, or Dat Bike CEO Son Nguyen’s take on the future of electric mobility. [Get your first-release tickets now at 40% off]( before they’re gone! ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [Weekly funding: India’s Perfios takes top spot with $80m raise]( Keep track of all the startup investment activities in Asia through our weekly funding list. ---------------------------------------------------------------  PRESS PEEKS The following press releases were published as they were received, without any editing from the Tech in Asia team. You too can publish your own press release on Tech in Asia by simply filling in [this]( page](. Our team will get back to you by the next business day. - CBTW - [Philippines’ Metrobank partners with CBTW to transform its wealth management technology]( Metrobank & CBTW are implementing Temenos Wealth to enhance the Bank's operational efficiency and accelerate business growth.  - iCompany - [iCompany Launches AI-Powered Digital Solutions for Business Incorporation in Malaysia]( iCompany is set to transform the way entrepreneurs and businesses set up Sendirian Berhad in Malaysia.  - Request Finance - [Request Finance Acquires Consola Finance To Become the Ultimate Enterprise Finance Platform for Both Crypto and Fiat]( Request Finance just acquired one of the leading technologies for crypto accounting - Consola Finance.  ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [Saigon Summit 2024: Charting Vietnam’s Tech Future on May 30]( By popular demand, we’re bringing our signature trade show, Startup Showcase, to Saigon Summit on May 30! Startup founders, it’s your chance to put your name on the map and get the eyeballs of hundreds of tech professionals. Your next investor or business partner could be in the mix! Check out the perks you’ll receive when you sign up for Startup Showcase: * Your own space to showcase your product * Two tickets to Saigon Summit * Exclusive promo code for more tickets * Your logo spotlighted on our event website * .. and a lot more! Limited slots available - [apply to exhibit now]( - [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup in Singapore on April 24]( Discover what awaits at Founders Meetup 2.0 in Singapore! Join us at Hopscotch to glean insights and insider tips from distinguished VCs on navigating the tech winter. You could even secure exclusive face time with them to gain clarity on your funding struggles and prospects. Don’t miss out - [grab your ticket]( and be part of the experience! P.S. We’re just getting started. We’re hosting many other Founders Meetups this year, so [stay tuned]( - [Tech in Asia Conference Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia on the Rise]( The Tech in Asia Conference is back! This year, we’re thrilled to be hosting our flagship event not just in Jakarta but also at a new stop: Kuala Lumpur. TIA Conference KL aims to provide a platform for founders, leaders, and innovators from Southeast Asia to come together, foster connections, and exchange insights on Malaysia's untapped potential. Through thought-provoking panels, curated networking sessions, and dedicated exhibition opportunities, attendees will gain fresh perspectives on what’s next for the country’s tech ecosystem. Tickets to this event are available now. Catch our early bird special, with prices starting from just US$40 (US$80 unit price) for a General Pass. [Grab yours while the offer lasts]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  CONFERENCE LINEUP Check out Tech in Asia’s other signature events lineup for 2024 [here](. - [Product Development Conference (June 2024)]( Presale is now open! This year’s conference, themed around “scaling product innovation from startup to enterprise,” will deliver tailored insights for attendees at any stage of their business journey. [Secure your spot now]( - tickets start from US$13 (197,500 rupiah)! - [Tech in Asia Conference Kuala Lumpur 2024 (July 2024)]( For the first time ever, Tech in Asia Conference is coming to Kuala Lumpur! Join us in July as tech enthusiasts and industry experts across Southeast Asia get together for the region’s largest tech gathering. ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [HRGA (Infokes Indonesia)]( at Dealls Bandung, Java, Indonesia - [Junior Graphic Designer]( at Ematic Solutions Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - [Associate Product Manager (Platform)]( at Moladin Digital Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia - [Head of Growth]( at YOUVIT Jakarta, Indonesia - [Marketplace Specialist]( at Scout.inc Jakarta, Indonesia - [Senior Front End React Developer]( at MyConnect Jakarta, Indonesia [ADVERTISE]( | [SUBSCRIBE]( P.S. Don't miss out on the biggest tech news and analysis. Add newsletter@techinasia.com to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list. Or simply move us into your inbox. Tech in Asia thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. 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