Better alone? Examining the new GoPay app

We look at GoTo launching a separate app for its e-wallet as well as a recent layoff at an Indonesian wealthtech startup. [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: - [Whether the new GoPay app indicates a shift for GoTo]( - A round of layoffs at an Indonesian wealthtech firm --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} A few days ago, a friend asked me how old my phone was. The answer? It’s been slightly over five years, which, according to him, is “a really long time for a phone.” With how fast tech moves, he’s not wrong. However, I’ve always been the kind of person that likes to use things as long as possible, until the point where they’re just too worn out - I once used a pair of shoes with a huge hole in them for several years until the sole quite literally fell off. That said, with devices like phones, wear and tear may not be the only issue I have to think about. Storage space, for instance, is becoming a bit of a problem, what with the many apps that I’ve downloaded over the years. I’ve had to regularly delete apps to free up internal storage space, although sentimentality holds me back from properly clearing it up. That’s why it’s interesting to me that one reason why GoTo Group launched a standalone app for GoPay, its e-wallet, was to cater to users with more entry-level mobile phones that have less storage space. Check out our premium story for today to read more about what this app means for the firm. -- Jonathan  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [What GoPay’s new standalone app says about GoTo’s ‘super-app’ strategy]( The GoPay app is up to a quarter the size of the Tokopedia and Gojek apps and sports a “simple and user-friendly” design. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Temasek Foundation, Touchstone launch climate startup competition in Vietnam]( Net Zero Challenge 2023 aims to support climate solutions in Vietnam, which have received less funding compared to other tech sectors. [High margins, hyperkaizen: what this VC looks for in startups]( Using AI to do more than just improve operational efficiency and having a philosopher-warrior-nurturer founder can help startups stand out. [Indonesian Mukbang with Michael Lints]( Golden Gate Ventures’ Michael Lints tries out iconic Indonesian dishes while we grill him with pointed questions. Let’s see if he can handle the heat. [VC funds tracker: VC nets $67m in first close for India, SEA fund]( Fundraising is difficult. To make things easier, we have compiled a detailed list of the most recent VC funds for our subscribers. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [SEA’s listed tech majors in 10 charts: Growth stalls at Sea, GoTo]( These companies could dictate whether more global investors will back Southeast Asia and decide the fate of the region's tech industry. --------------------------------------------------------------- TECH IN ASIA CONFERENCE 2023 At our Speed Dating segment, you’ve got 10 minutes to seal the deal with investors. If you think you’ve got what it takes to succeed, then why not drop by this year’s Tech in Asia Conference? During those 10 minutes, you’ll get the chance to showcase your solutions and tell investors exactly why they should put their faith in you. We’ve got a great list lined up, including the likes of Burda Principal Investments, Antler, White Star Capital, 917Ventures, Mars Growth Capital, and many more. You can sign up to pitch your startup for the Speed Dating segment or join as an investor by clicking [this link](. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [AD] [AWS Innovate Online Conference: Data edition]( on August 30 Learning never stops. And in today’s world, neither does data. As such, businesses need to have strong capabilities in things like big data, analytics, and information storage, as well as new tech such as generative AI, to stay at the forefront of tech innovation. The AWS Innovate Online Conference can help with this, as the event has more than 50 sessions dedicated to data, innovation, and generative AI. Click [here]( to sign up. - [Tech in Asia Conference]( from October 18 to October 19 Do you see the light at the end of this funding winter’s tunnel? We do, and we believe Southeast Asia is that very light. That’s why this year’s Tech in Asia conference’s theme is Southeast Asia: A Bright Spot in the Tech World - signaling how the region can provide hope and guidance for the tech sector amid some troubling times. Hosted in Jakarta from October 18 to October 19, we’re excited to bring you a great lineup of speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and other activities. Click [here]( to get your limited first-release tickets.  - [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: India on August 25]( Do you want a closer look at India’s tech scene? Discover the hidden gems of India’s startup ecosystem at our networking event on August 25 at Byg Brewski (9, 36, 4th Floor, Vaishnavi Sapphire Centre, Tumkur Rd, Yeshwanthpur Industrial Area, Phase 1, Yeswanthpur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560022) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re facing roadblocks in funding or talent acquisition, connect with fellow founders and find solutions to your most pressing issues while offering your own expertise. Don’t miss out - [sign up now](  - [Tech in Asia x CleverTap: Unraveling the Value of Customer Engagement on September 13]( Are you looking for ways to cut through the noise and stay ahead of the curve as rapidly advancing technology transforms the digital landscape yet again? We’ve got just the event for you, where you’ll learn how experts harness AI-driven tools to craft truly personalized customer experiences and predict behavior for long-term success. Apply for a ticket to join our dinner on September 13 to uncover the power of hyperpersonalization with CleverTap so you can excel in customer engagement and retention. Limited seats available - sign up [here]( now!  - [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: Philippines on September 27]( Did you miss us the first time? Great news - we’re coming back to Manila on September 27 for the eighth edition of our networking event! A shift towards digital transformation has propelled tech firms at the forefront of the Philippines’ startup ecosystem. While opportunities abound, it’s not without its challenges. Need some insights on how to navigate and thrive in this scene? Come join us at WeWork Uptown (9/F, Uptown Place Tower 3, 36th Street cor. 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Connect with fellow startup leaders to learn how you can grow beyond the early stages of your journey and explore solutions to pressing issues. [Sign up now!]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  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. - Accel - [Accel Kicks-Off Atoms 3.0 Program with AI and Industry 5.0 focused cohorts; unveils cohort structure]( Accel has opened applications for the AI and Industry 5.0 cohorts to help early-stage startups in India, Southeast Asia and the UAE. - FIDO Alliance - [FIDO APAC Summit Keynotes and Sponsors Announced]( Cybersecurity experts, including a former convicted hacker, will share insights on passwordless authentication best practices at the summit. ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [VP of Sales]( at Propseller Singapore, Singapore - [Account Executive (Creative Services)]( at Boleh Dicoba Digital Jakarta, Indonesia - [Legal Manager]( at KoinWorks Jakarta, Indonesia - [Project Manager]( at TLab Jakarta, Indonesia - [Associate Data Scientist (Remote)]( at Bina Nusantara Group Jakarta, Indonesia - [IT Project Management Officer]( at PT Mitramas Infosys Global 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 © 2023 Tech in Asia, All rights reserved. 63 Robinson Road, Singapore 068894