Survival tips from Vertex as tough times grip SEA startups

Check out our top articles for the week. [Read from your browser]( Top Stories of The Week Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Sunday newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only premium content and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](. Hello {NAME} This year may be one of the most challenging times for the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem. Companies have been pushed to adjust their priorities, slash valuations, [cut jobs]( or even shut shop. However, from my interactions with founders and investors, most of them believe that it's just part of a cycle and that the conditions will be better in the future. The big question is, “When will the bright sun come again? And who will survive to feel the sunlight?” In [this premium story]( Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India partner Pui Yan Leung shared some insights on how startups can be among the survivors. She touches on the need for a cash runway of up to two years, urges startups to prioritize profitability, and places an emphasis on business models that cater to people's basic needs rather than luxury activities. Personally, I like the quote that Leung brought up: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." After this economic downturn passes, we may see startups with more sustainable business models and more impact on human life. Do you believe that too? -- [Aditya]( journalist at Tech in Asia  --------------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORIES THIS WEEK 1️. [Recession Run: Vertex Ventures says these sectors will thrive in a downturn]( Vertex Ventures partner Pui Yan Leung shares her observations on the current economic downturn and her advice to founders. 2. [Indonesian startups push back on Google Play’s new billing rules]( The Google Play Store fees have affected the revenue of edtech startups, streaming services, dating apps, and games, among others, claim sources. 3. [A cheat sheet of M&As in Southeast Asia]( Need to get up to speed with Southeast Asia’s M&A scene? This one’s for you. 4. [Oddle built a profitable food delivery business. Here’s how]( Oddle’s profitable food delivery business has freed up resources to invest in reservations and payments - as well as lending. 5. [Atome cuts staff in Indonesia BNPL, P2P divisions]( The Singapore-headquartered firm is the latest BNPL firm to lay off employees in cost-cutting efforts to drive efficiency. 6. [Addressing ESG concerns in Malaysia’s glovemaking industry]( Faced with declining profits and share prices, Malaysia’s glove producers tap on tech to step up their ESG game and boost their valuations. 7. [Indonesian trucking firm in talks with buyers after laying off over 50% of staff]( Ritase had secured loan financing from its shareholders earlier in the year, sources told Tech in Asia. 8. [Tracking layoffs across Asia’s startup ecosystem (Updated)]( Several startups are dismissing staff to stay afloat as headwinds hit Asia. This layoff tracker is keeping tabs on marching orders. 9. [Examining Alfamart’s and Indomaret’s digital moves]( The companies have been Indonesia’s leading minimarkets for decades but have since become major e-grocery players. Can they do more? 10. [Indonesia’s crypto exchanges face fuzzy future amid new regulations]( The proposed rules might make things tough for smaller firms, but Bappebti's regulations are still up in the air. --------------------------------------------------------------- WHO'S HIRING  You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. [logo] [Senior Software Engineer]( at (Remote) IDR 20,000,000 – 30,000,000 [logo] [SENIOR Front End Game Developer]( at IDR 10,000,000 – 17,500,000 [logo] [IT QA Automation]( at IDR 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 with equity [logo] [Mid-Senior Backend Engineer (Java)]( at (Remote) VND 3,000 – 4,000 with equity [logo] [Backend Developer Java]( at IDR 10,000,000 – 15,000,000 [logo] [Translator-proofreader (Indonesian and English)]( at (Remote) IDR 10,000,000 – 11,000,000 [ADVERTISE]( | [SUBSCRIBE]( | [HIRE]( | [FIND JOBS]( 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. 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](  ---------------------------------------------------------------  Tech in Asia’s newsletters are handcrafted daily with love - and sometimes powered by good kopi. Copyright © 2022 Tech in Asia, All rights reserved. 63 Robinson Road, Singapore 068894