The ‘direct’ in D2C still matters

More: Layoffs may be on the horizon at TikTok. [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: - [Why offline sales still matter for D2C brands]( - Korea Investment Partners preparing a $60 million war chest for Southeast Asian startups - Other newsy highlights such as looming layoffs at TikTok --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} If you’ve ever been in the throes of a Football Manager addiction, you know how easy it is to get lost in the digital world. When I was a student, it was easy to lose entire days and nights to video games as I obsessed over dragging Crusaders FC from part-time status to the pinnacle of European football. Perhaps my grades would have been a little better had I been just as obsessed with handing my essays in on time. Luckily, these bouts of addiction only lasted a few weeks at a time before I would remember the importance of the real world. Similarly, amid all the hype about TikTok Shop in Indonesia, it would have been easy to forget how important real-world, offline retail still is for direct-to-consumer brands. Today’s premium story looks at how these brands still need a physical foothold to achieve the growth they want. -- Peter  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [D2C in Indonesia: life after TikTok Shop ban and why offline retail still matters]( Young brands should focus on becoming champions in their home market before considering regional expansion, said DSG Consumer Partners’ Sameer Mehta. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Layoffs fear grows as TikTok asks managers to lower employee review scores: report]( The move may mirror that of Meta, which gave out low staff performance reviews a month before announcing layoffs that affected 10,000 people. [Korea Investment Partners closes $60m for SEA venture fund]( The VC firm is one of South Korea’s largest, with more than 900 investments and over US$3 billion in assets under management. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [GoTo Group’s financial health in 4 charts]( We analyze the financial figures reported by GoTo Group, Indonesia's most valuable tech company. --------------------------------------------------------------- AN EXCLUSIVE GATHERING OF BUSINESS LEADERS ON NOVEMBER 16 RSVP to meet executives from Meta, P&G, GoTo, UOB, Agoda, and more! Are you ready to spice up your decision-making game and get creative with your global scaling strategies? For one night only, Tech in Asia and G-P are holding an event for senior business leaders, talent managers, and founders that you wouldn’t want to miss! Happening at Bridge+ on November 16, link up with peers from Meta, P&G, GoTo, UOB, Oracle, Agoda, Obayashi, VMLY&R, Ant Group, Circles.Life, and more to get inside scoops and helpful tips to supercharge your decision-making strategies. You’ll be in for a casual and insightful evening filled with networking opportunities, free-flowing refreshments, fun quizzes, an interactive panel, an open Q&A, a modern calligraphy activity, and more - it’s all on the house! There’s only a handful of spots left so hurry! [RSVP here to claim your seat before it’s snatched up](. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [Tech in Asia’s Founders Meetup: Vietnam on November 30]( Did you miss us last June? Great news - we’re coming back to Ho Chi Minh City on November 30 for another round of our networking event! With over 3,000+ startups and four unicorns, Vietnam is poised to become a prominent startup hub in Southeast Asia. While opportunities abound in Vietnam’s startup scene, issues like talent shortage and regulatory hurdles also persist. Need some insights on how to navigate and thrive in this scene? Come join us at the Hive Villa (29 Nguyễn Bá Lân, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thà nh phố Hồ Chí Minh 713385, Vietnam) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m (GMT+7). Connect with fellow startup leaders to learn how you can grow beyond the early stages of your journey and explore solutions to pressing concerns. [Sign up now!](  - [Brushstrokes to Success: Design a Solid Growth Plan for 2024 on November 16]( Time to get creative and spice up your decision-making game with fellow senior leaders, talent managers, and founders! Hosted at Bridge+ on November 16, mingle with peers from Meta, P&G, GoTo, UOB, Oracle, Agoda, Obayashi, VMLY&R, Ant Group, Circles.Life, and more to get insider tips on supercharging your strategies. Come enjoy an evening filled with networking opportunities, free-flowing refreshments, fun quizzes, an interactive panel, an open Q&A, a modern calligraphy activity, and more - it’s all on the house! [Tickets are almost gone so grab yours now](  - [Tech in Asia x Airwallex - Exclusive Mixer]( Mingle with APAC's Payment and Growth Leaders on November 14 Meet and connect with your peers at Exclusive Mixer: Mingle with APAC's Payment and Growth Leaders, an invite-only networking event on November 14 co-hosted by Tech in Asia and Airwallex. This isn’t your run-off-the-mill corporate event. It’s a gathering of forward-thinkers across Asia Pacific and anyone eager to discover best practices in optimizing and streamlining payment journeys at scale. Grab drinks and light bites while soaking up Singapore’s cityscapes from Honcho’s rooftop bar as you mingle. Come hang out and unwind at this relaxed and casual mixer - all refreshments are on the house [Get your ticket]( to this closed-door event and build lasting connections. Slots are limited so secure yours 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. - Agate - [Level Up powered by Agate Shares Strategies to Improve Business Performance Through Gamification Adoption]( Level Up powered by Agate highlights 2024 gamification trends, boosting business engagement by 30% for improved performance.  - BeTagged - [What’s next after the ban on TikTok Shop in Indonesia? Enter InCom]( TikTok Shop ban in Indonesia will pave the way for new solutions to fill the gap like the recently launched Influencer commerce marketplace, InCom. ---------------------------------------------------------------  WHO'S HIRING You can post a job [here]( or search for jobs [here](. - [Full Stack Engineer]( at Jubelio Jakarta, Indonesia - [Account Manager]( at AiChat Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - [Creative Designer]( at Mediatics Digital Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia - [Marketing Manager]( at FOOM Lab Global Jakarta, Indonesia - [Service Performance]( at Scout.inc Jakarta, Indonesia - [Expression of Interest: Marketing Team]( at Avarik Saga 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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