Even governments aren’t immune to celebrity charms

More: A few startups close funding deals and another one lists on Nasdaq. [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: - [The governments starry-eyed over for Musk]( - PDD Holdings’ latest financial figures - Other newsy highlights such as the successful fundraises of a few startups and another one going public on Nasdaq --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} I really dislike celebrity culture, and it can lead to some ridiculous advertising. Sure, Brad Pitt is a really good actor and has enough handsomeness for five guys, but what the heck does he know about coffee? If he hawked a coffee machine brand, why would his opinion mean any more than John Everyman’s? The vast majority of celebrities shouldn’t be on the pedestals that we, as a society, put them on. The same applies to the tech world - we shouldn’t overhype a partnership just because it’s with a high-profile brand or founder. Today’s premium piece looks at how much of Malaysia and Indonesia’s agreements with Elon Musk’s Tesla and Starlink can make a real difference, and how much is just unrealistic hot air. -- Winston  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Malaysia, Indonesia overhyped Elon Musk’s Tesla, Starlink]( The tech mogul will need to stave off cheaper alternatives if his products and services are to make an impact in the two key Southeast Asian markets. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [SG-based Noco-noco debuts on Nasdaq following SPAC merger]( The company aims to build circular economies by offering its battery technology as part of a shared service model. [Singapore EV firm Charged Asia charges up with $40m deal]( The funds will be used to expand the e-bike manufacturer’s operations in Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian market. [Qashier secures $10m to extend POS offering to global markets]( The Singapore-based startup also looks to bolster its operations in existing markets, including Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. [PDD Holdings Q2 revenue soars 66% on post-Covid demand]( Profits of Pinduoduo’s parent firm surged due to a “positive shift” in consumer outlook spanning multiple product categories. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [SEA’s major tech stocks compared: Returns crash across the board]( A strong performance by these stocks won't just benefit investors' pockets. It's crucial to the health of Southeast Asia's tech industry. --------------------------------------------------------------- TECH IN ASIA CONFERENCE 2023 What if you could pitch to not just one group of investors but several of them all at once? If you’ve got it in you to share about your startup in front of thousands of people - and stand the chance to win some great cash prizes at the same time - then Tech in Asia’s Startup Arena pitch competition is just the thing for you. There’s less than a month to go before we close applications, so if you’d like a shot at the grand prize of more than US$10,000 in cash, you can apply for the competition [here](. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [AD] [AWS GenAI Day]( on September 14 Dive deep into the world of generative AI at Amazon Web Services’ GenAI Day. Held virtually on September 14, the event will feature leading experts and innovators. Gain insights into the impactful trends, best practices, and essential tools that can help your startup leverage this new technology effectively. - [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 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. - GoSky AI - [Seamless Dining Meets Tech: Yo-Kai Express Partners with GoSky for Global Mini App Rollout on Instagram]( Experience unmatched convenience.Yo-Kai Express & GoSky launch instant coupon Mini App at 150+ global locations via Instagram.  - FlashIntel - [FlashIntel Secures $10M in Seed and Angel Funding, Embarks on Mission to Redefine Go-to-Market Intelligence]( Investors Include Celtic House Venture Partners, Uphonest Capital, Hat-Trick Capital, and More  - ExpressVPN - [Q&A with the tech leaders driving ExpressVPN’s innovations]( We speak with Chris Econn and Peter Membrey about the future of the company’s flagship product  - NIPA - [Leading Korean Metaverse Companies Target Global Market at AWE Asia K-Metaverse Pavilion]( Korea’s National IT Promotion Agency (NIPA) selects 6 Korean metaverse companies for the K-Metaverse Pavilion at AWE Asia 2023. ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [Head of Business Development]( at Shoppable Business Makati City, Philippines - [IT Support]( at Privy ID Yogyakarta, Indonesia - [Account Executive]( at Antikode Tangerang, Indonesia - [Quality Assurance Automation Engineer]( at Staffinc (Sampingan) Jakarta, Indonesia - [Community Associate]( at Bina Nusantara Group Jakarta, Indonesia - [Frontend Developer]( at Kobi Education Bandung, Java, Indonesia [ADVERTISE]( | [SUBSCRIBE]( P.S. 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