Game over? SEA esports hits hard times

More: AWS announces a US$6.2 billion investment in Malaysia. [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: - [How can esports firms survive amid funding downturn?]( - Singapore’s platform workers to enjoy new protections from January 2025 - The top angel investment networks in Asia - Other newsy highlights such as AWS announcing US$6.2 billion of investment in Malaysia --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} When I first heard of esports, I thought it was a gimmicky fad. Who would want to watch someone else play a video game when they can just do it themselves? That all changed for me during the Covid-19 pandemic. Without other sports to watch on TV, as the world went into lockdown, I started seeing the appeal and spent more time than I’d care to admit watching streamers play NCAA Football 14. I needed my sports fix, and watching someone else playing an American football video game answered that need. However, once the world started returning to normal, my interest in the streams waned. Southeast Asia’s esports sector enjoyed significant growth during the pandemic as viewers - and investors - tuned in. But the market is tougher now, as today’s featured story explores. -- Peter  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [SEA esports startups face survival test amid downturn]( Post-Covid, the region’s esports firms must find ways to sustain fan engagement and revenue beyond competition prizes. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [SG’s platform worker protections to kick in from January 2025]( People who work for on-demand service operators like Grab and Foodpanda in Singapore will have new labor protections starting January 1, 2025. So-called platform workers numbered close to 71,000 in the city-state as of 2023. [AWS launches Malaysia’s first cloud infrastructure region]( AWS will invest US$6.2 billion in Malaysia between now and 2038, which will be made alongside the launch of the the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region. Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, said it was the biggest investment by an international tech firm in the country. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [20 top angel investment networks in Asia]( Here's our regularly updated list of Asia's top angel investment networks. --------------------------------------------------------------- TIRED OF CHASING INVESTORS? LET THEM COME TO YOU  Early-bird promo for Founders Meetup ends next week - get your ticket now! Don't just dream it - do it. Connect with Southeast Asia’s tech visionaries at Founders Meetup Thailand on September 11 and turn your startup aspirations into reality. This is your chance to unlock growth opportunities, master investment strategies, and spark game-changing connections. [Early-bird offer ends August 26. What are you waiting for?]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  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. - Appsflyer - [MAMA Hanoi: AppsFlyer Dominates Vietnam’s MarTech Arena with the Biggest Event Yet]( AppsFlyer, the global leader in mobile attribution and marketing analytics, hosted its brand-owned event, MAMA Hanoi, on August 2, 2024. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here]( and Tech in Asia’s signature events [here](.  [Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta on October 23 - 24]( Want to know what's next for Southeast Asia’s startup scene? Join us at TIA Conference Jakarta to hear from top VCs like Jefrey Joe of Alpha JWC Ventures, the founder-turned-investor Achmad Zaky and Agung Bezharie. They'll share insights on which market is still the hotbed for investment, the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from founder to investor, and many more. Join thousands of founders and investors at #TIAConferenceJKT. Tickets are now on sale for 45% off. [Get tickets.]( [Investor Hour at Tech in Asia Conference Jakarta]( Ready to make your startup dream a reality? Investor Hour is your golden ticket. This exclusive one-on-one networking session brings together brilliant founders and seasoned investors in an intimate setting. Whether you're seeking funding or looking to sharpen your pitch, Investor Hour is your platform to build lasting relationships. Don't miss this chance to connect with the industry's top minds. Secure your spot at TIA Conference Jakarta now! [Get tickets.]( [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: Thailand on September 11]( Think of this as your one-stop platform to gain exclusive insights from leading VCs on identifying the hottest verticals where smart money is going (and where you should too!) and engineering tomorrow’s thriving ecosystem. From now till August 26, save 20% on early-bird tickets. [Get yours today!]( [DevOps Decoded: Industry Insights & Networking on September 12]( It’s no secret that DevOps is evolving at a breakneck pace, but do you have what it takes to adapt and thrive? Uncover the hottest trends and tech advancements in DevOps as we dissect success stories and arm you with the knowledge to future-proof your DevOps strategy. [Seats are strictly limited -Â]( now.]( [SYNC 2024 on October 08]( SYNC 2024 is taking on a new dimension. This year, we're diving deep into the world of artificial intelligence - the force that's reshaping industries, driving innovation, and redefining the future of business. AI is already here, but it's only just beginning to reveal its true potential. [Find out more about SYNC 2024 today.]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [People Development Intern]( at Qiscus Yogyakarta, Indonesia - [Data Scientist Lecturer (Full-Time)]( at Purwadhika Digital Technology School Jakarta, Indonesia - [Videographer & Motion Graphic Designer]( at Little Joy Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia - [Product Manager]( at Reku Jakarta, Indonesia - [Technical Writer]( at PT Sinergy Informasi Pratama Jakarta, Indonesia - [Business Development (Mekari Talenta)]( at Mekari 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. Too many emails? Switch to a different frequency or get new content through our [preference center]( or [unsubscribe](. You can also break our hearts and remove yourself from all Tech in Asia emails over [here](  ---------------------------------------------------------------  Copyright © 2024 Tech in Asia, All rights reserved. 13A Neil Rd, Singapore 088810 A member of The Business Times.