🌸 March Highlights & Fuel for a Powerful April!

As March comes to a close, we reflect on the ingenuity and resilience of startups across Asia. This month’s newsletter features four standout stories—from classrooms transformed by tech to science-driven skincare. Let these stories energize your April with fresh ideas and bold ambition!

1. TagHive: Reinventing Classrooms with Smart Technology

🎓 What if education could adapt to every student’s pace and needs? TagHive is making it happen in India and Korea with interactive tools and data-powered learning platforms.
👉 Key Insight: The future of learning is personalized, digital, and inclusive.
👉 Read More

2. Dot & Key: When Clean Beauty Meets High-Tech Skincare

🌿 What happens when clean ingredients meet cutting-edge formulation? Dot & Key is creating safe, effective skincare with innovation at its heart—redefining beauty in India.
👉 Key Insight: Innovation and natural beauty can go hand in hand.
👉 Read More

3. Ampere Electric: Driving the EV Revolution Forward

⚡ India’s streets are getting a sustainable makeover! Ampere Electric is at the forefront of the electric mobility movement, offering affordable and efficient EV solutions.
👉 Key Insight: Electric mobility is no longer the future—it’s the now.
👉 Read More

4. The Derma Co: Skincare That Starts With Science

🔬 Skincare that’s more than skin deep—The Derma Co delivers dermatologist-designed solutions for today’s savvy consumer, combining science, transparency, and real results.
👉 Key Insight: Science-backed skincare is becoming the new standard.
👉 Read More

🌟 Keep Going & Stay Curious!

We hope these stories spark inspiration and action as you head into April!
Asia Tomorrow is here to support your journey with more stories, opportunities, and events from Asia’s vibrant startup ecosystem.

📩 Stay curious, stay bold—and see you next month! 🚀🔥

Warm regards,
The Asia Tomorrow Team

💡 February Highlights & A Strong Start for March!

As we wrap up February, we celebrate the incredible strides made by Asian startups and visionaries. This month’s newsletter brings you four remarkable stories of innovation and perseverance. Let these achievements inspire you to take on March with fresh motivation!

1. StoneSoup: Turning Sustainability into a Period Revolution

♻️ Imagine menstrual products that are not just safe but also eco-friendly! StoneSoup is changing the game in India with sustainable, reusable menstrual solutions, reducing waste and improving women’s health.
👉 Key Insight: Sustainability and menstrual health can go hand in hand!
👉 Read More 

2. Thinkerbell Labs: Making Braille Literacy Smarter Than Ever

📖 Learning Braille has never been this easy! Thinkerbell Labs is using cutting-edge tech to empower visually impaired students, revolutionizing literacy accessibility in India and beyond.
👉 Key Insight: Innovation can bridge the literacy gap for millions!
👉 Read More

3. Pixxel: The Hyperspectral Eyes Watching Over Earth

🛰️ What if we could see environmental changes before they become disasters? Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging technology is transforming earth observation, helping to monitor climate change, agriculture, and industrial impact with unmatched precision.
👉 Key Insight: Advanced imaging could be the key to a healthier planet!
👉 Read More

4. Skyroot Aerospace: India’s Private Space Dream Takes Off

🚀 The future of private spaceflight in India is here! Skyroot Aerospace has made history with its groundbreaking developments in commercial rocketry, pushing India into a new era of space exploration.
👉 Key Insight: The stars are no longer the limit for India’s space industry!
👉 Read More

 🚀 Keep Innovating & Stay Inspired!

We hope these stories fuel your passion for innovation and success! At Asia Tomorrow, we’re committed to supporting Asia’s entrepreneurs and change-makers.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, exclusive events, and exciting opportunities in the coming months.

💌 Keep reading, keep innovating, and we’ll see you again in March! 🚀🔥

Warm regards,
The Asia Tomorrow Team

As we usher in 2025, we are thrilled to present our January newsletter, highlighting the remarkable achievements of India's dynamic startup ecosystem. These inspiring stories exemplify innovation, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, setting a promising tone for the year ahead.

1. Swiggy's Remarkable Rise: From Startup to Industry Leader

Discover how Swiggy transformed from a fledgling food delivery service in Bangalore to a nationwide giant, revolutionizing India's dining habits.

• Key Highlights:

  • Founded in 2014 by Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy, and Rahul Jaimini.

  • Expanded from Bangalore to over 500 cities by 2019.

  • Introduced innovative services like Swiggy Instamart and Swiggy Genie.

  • Launched a successful IPO in November 2024, valuing the company at $11.3 billion.

Takeaway: Understanding and adapting to local cultures is key to global success.

👉 Read More 

2. Green Innovations: Startups Pioneering India's Sustainable Future

Explore the groundbreaking work of startups like Phool and Boss Lady Cosmetics, leading the charge in sustainability and ethical consumerism.

• Key Highlights:

  • Phool: Transforms temple floral waste into eco-friendly products and developed 'Fleather,' a sustainable leather alternative.

  • Boss Lady Cosmetics: Offers vegan, cruelty-free beauty products with eco-friendly packaging, catering to ethically conscious consumers.

👉 Read More

3. The Sass Bar: Elevating Daily Rituals into Luxurious Experiences

Discover how The Sass Bar is redefining personal care with its dessert-themed soaps and body care products, turning everyday routines into indulgent moments.

• Key Highlights:

  • Founded in 2019 by Rishika Shetty in Mumbai.

  • Offers handcrafted, dessert-inspired soaps and body washes.

  • Emphasizes creativity, luxury, and functionality in personal care.

👉 Read More

4. Urban Naps: Transforming Rest in the Modern Era

Learn about Urban Naps' innovative nap pods designed to provide quality rest in bustling urban environments, enhancing productivity and well-being.

• Key Highlights:

  • Founded in 2018 by brothers Jainam and Mihir Mehta in Ahmedabad.

  • Developed nap pods equipped with features like zero-gravity seating, oxygen therapy, and noise reduction.

  • Targets workplaces, airports, and other high-stress environments.
    
    👉 Read More

 💖 Welcoming 2025 Together!

Over the past year, we hope our stories have inspired and supported your journey.
As we step into 2025, we remain dedicated to celebrating and spotlighting the incredible innovations shaping Asia’s future.

This year, expect even richer content, exciting events, and deeper insights.
Stay with Asia Tomorrow—there’s so much more to look forward to! 🚀

Warm regards,
The Asia Tomorrow Team

[Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and Lessons] As 2024 comes to a close, this December newsletter looks back on the highs and lows that shaped Asia’s startup landscape. Here are some of the most compelling stories from the year!

1. Global Aspirations: How Kilsa, Viction, and Commune Are Thriving Internationally

Bold strategies and adaptability have propelled these startups onto the global stage. Discover their journey and the insights that made them stand out in diverse markets.

Takeaway: Understanding and adapting to local cultures is key to global success.

👉 Read More

2. India’s Startup Ecosystem: Innovation Amidst Challenges

India’s startups have shown resilience, turning challenges into opportunities. This piece explores their vibrant growth and what sets this ecosystem apart.

Takeaway: A strong support system and innovative spirit drive sustainable growth!

👉 Read More

3. AI Startups: Transforming the Future, One Algorithm at a Time

Asia’s AI innovators have faced the dual challenges of creating groundbreaking solutions and navigating ethical considerations. This article highlights their impact and the evolving role of AI in shaping industries.

Takeaway: Asia’s AI ecosystem is driving transformative change while addressing global concerns.

👉 Read More

4. Byju’s Journey: A Rollercoaster of Success and Challenges

What happens when rapid growth meets mounting challenges? This story delves into Byju’s meteoric rise, its struggles with sustainability, and the lessons startups can learn.

Takeaway : Balance ambition with financial discipline for long-term success.

👉 Read More

 💓 Thank you for being part of Asia Tomorrow’s journey in 2024! 

Through the ups and downs, we hope our stories have supported and inspired your entrepreneurial endeavors. As we step into 2025, we’re committed to championing Asia’s startups with even richer content, exciting events, and deeper insights. Stay with us—the best is yet to come!

Warm regards,
The Asia Tomorrow Team

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's 12th newsletter in 2024! ❄️⛄❄️

This week, we spotlight startups across Asia that are not just pushing boundaries but also paving the way for a more sustainable and connected future. From fintech to waste management, here’s how they’re shaping tomorrow!

1. Japan’s Game-Changers You Can’t Miss by 2025 👀

From healthtech to robotics, these startups are making waves. Learn about the pioneers poised to redefine industries in Japan by 2025.

Let’s See How These Companies Are Innovating!

1. SakanaAI: Revolutionizing fish farming with AI, making it smarter and more sustainable.

2. SimpleForm: Simplifying bureaucracy for businesses, cutting through the paperwork.

3. Sustainable Food Asia: Leading the charge in alternative proteins, shaping a more sustainable food system.

4. Tokyo Food Institute: Pioneering food tech innovations that could transform how we eat.

👉 Explore the visionaries: Japan’s Top Startups & Unicorns 2025

2. A Smarter Way to Travel

What if traveling could be seamless and sustainable? Discover the fintech reshaping tourism by enabling stress-free, eco-conscious payments for global adventurers.

👉 Learn more : Game-Changing Travel Fintech

3. Redefining E-Commerce for Community Impact

Can online shopping strengthen local communities? Find out how an innovative platform is making group-buying both affordable and socially impactful.

👉 Discover the model: DealCart’s Commerce Revolution

4. Empowering Startups Across Borders

For nearly a decade since its founding in 2015, South Korea’s entrepreneurship education company, “ud.,” has pioneered the scene, training around 20,000 aspiring entrepreneurs with its hands-on learning approach. On October 27, 2024, ud. officially launched its first local training program, the "Act-preneur Boot Camp," in collaboration with Musashino University in Tokyo’s Musashino Valley!

Let's find out what made this experience special, and how ud carried out its entrepreneurship education in Japan!

👉 Get inspired: Startup Bootcamp in Japan

5. Turning Waste into Opportunity

Agricultural waste might just be the key to a greener planet. Learn how biochar technology is transforming waste into a sustainable solution for soil health and beyond!

👉 Read the full story: Revolutionizing Waste Management

Which innovation resonates most with you?  👀
Let us know your thoughts—we love hearing from you! Until next time, keep dreaming big.

Warm regards,
The Asia Tomorrow Team

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's 12th newsletter. 🍂🍁

In today’s letter, we will first spotlight "the story and know-how of Entrepreneurship Center (AIT EC), the entrepreneurship education institute in Thailand” and their insights on the venture ecosystem in Thailand.

👀 Snippets of the letter

• How AIT EC in Thailand is fostering startups with their own philosophy

• The rising Japanese recipe app : How Pecco became the industry leader

• Analyzing Failure and Success : What Works and What Doesn’t for Founders

• 8 Indian Unicorn Startups Expected to Go Public in 2024

Inclusive Innovation: The Global Campus in Thailand's Approach to Entrepreneurship Events

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), a renowned international institution, has been at the forefront of entrepreneurship education through its Entrepreneurship Center (AIT EC).

To gain deeper insights into AIT EC's contributions to this growing ecosystem and its entrepreneurial activities, we met with Dieter Trau, the founding director of AIT EC.

Trau is not only a faculty member at the engineering school but also a serial entrepreneur. With his unique background, he joined AIT as Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology and founding Director of AIT EC in mid of 2019. Under his leadership, EC has become known for providing inclusive activities and events for participants both on campus and from outside. 

This interview explores the center's approach to entrepreneurship events, the startups they are fostering and its vision for expanding their impact. 

AIT EC

Q. Could you introduce AIT EC?

AIT EC was founded in September 2019 as an inclusive center for everyone at AIT, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the wider community, which we refer to ourselves as the ‘AIT family’. Our outreach extends beyond the campus, welcoming students from neighboring universities, such as from our neighbor Thammasat University.

We are a small team of only 4 members and 2 mentors, and I also take on a faculty role at AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology. Despite our size and the situation, we are dedicated to running the AIT EC and actively inviting people to our events from both within and outside our campus, in person and several events are also in hybrid mode.

Q. Why did you open AIT EC?

I have been in Asia for a while since I obtained a Ph.D from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. My field is biomedical engineering, bioanalytics, bio sensors, and medical devices. Before I came to AIT, I worked at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for 16 years in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

I’m a serial entrepreneur as well. I founded the deep-tech companies AYOXXA, a proteomics company, Tip Biosystems, a spectrometer tools company, and E3A Healthcare with my PhD student Shihao Li. Also, I’m involved in another deep-tech startup AVECRIS, a Singapore based emerging biotech company focused on programmable genetic medicine for vaccination and cancer treatment using its SPRING DNA platform.

Currently, it’s operating a research outpost at AIT to develop large scale manufacturing solutions too. A totally different startup is JDM Property Development in Cambodia, a sustainable farm and agriculture service company that currently develops its own resort, using AIT’s Habitech Building Technology.

With these experiences and background, I joined AIT in Thailand to build AIT EC becoming its founding director.

Although AIT already had some entrepreneurial activities in its various departments, there was no central hub for these initiatives. Looking beyond our campus, we're surrounded by neighboring universities and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), an organization of the Royal Thai Government to which we have excellent contacts and joint student supervision and research.

*Note: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) manages a number of Doctoral and Master's level non-bonding scholarships provided by the Royal Thai Government (RTG)

Thus, AIT is not an isolated institution; we're part of a network of universities, institutes, and research facilities in Rangsit, Thailand. Recognizing this, we decided to establish AIT EC as an open and collaborative center.

AIT EC

Q. What are your entrepreneurial education activities like?

We organize various events, bringing in experienced startup founders and domain experts to share their knowledge and inspire our students through talks and workshops.

• Firstly, EC hosts 'expert talks', short events where specialists lecture on topics such as finance, prototyping, patents, and other topics relevant to entrepreneurs.

• Secondly, EC invites serial entrepreneurs to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. These sessions focus on cultivating resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges.

• Thirdly, EC conducts workshops and hackathons lasting 2-3 days. These events engage students in hands-on problem-solving experiences, guided by mentors. Some hackathons have specific themes like zero carbon emission or health and wellness. Hackathons close with a pitch session to present the outcome, the best teams will win some prize money to support the respective projects to bring it to the next level.

We have created a 'Green Startup Toolkit' in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This toolkit is designed to help startups and existing companies to grow sustainably. It is used in our events to educate students but is also available as a free PDF for anyone to access. The toolkit serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to implement sustainable practices in their startups.

To motivate student participation in our activities, we offer grants and prizes. These grants serve as investments for students to advance their ideas. Prize offerings vary, but for our upcoming event, we have an exciting opportunity: sending students to Paris to represent Thailand in the SDG Olympics next month. We're eager to identify promising entrepreneurs to award this prize

*Note: At the time of the release of this article, two AIT students competed at the SDG Olympics in Paris with support of the University of Geneva and AIT EC.

AIT EC

Q. How many people are actually participating in the events? 

The number of participants varies; it can be as low as a few and as high as 500 due to our online hybrid format. 

There are two factors we should consider when it comes to the number of participants. AIT offers only Master's and Ph.D. degrees, without undergraduate programs. Unlike most universities with entrepreneurship centers, we lack undergraduate participation. We recognize that not all graduate students are interested in entrepreneurship, as many are working professionals seeking to advance their careers.

Furthermore, AIT is smaller than our partner universities and has a diverse student body. About 70% of our students are international, representing over 40 nationalities on our campus, with applications from 80+ countries in the last intake. Some students may be online or part-time, which impacts event attendance. 

Despite these challenges in attracting participants, we are successfully engaging our own students and students from neighboring universities.

Q. How do you measure the impact of AIT EC's entrepreneurial activities?

I believe there are both immediate and long-term impacts. For AIT EC, providing entrepreneurial education can create future impacts. Our students, mostly from other countries, might start businesses back home. They can establish environmentally friendly startups and create jobs, making an impact there.

Additionally, the advancement of deep technologies can have long-term effects. These technologies can dramatically reduce costs, making services accessible to a broader range of users. Therefore, I believe measuring impact should consider diverse aspects.

‍

AIT EC

‍

Q. Now, what do you think about Thailand's entrepreneurial ecosystem? 

I believe the entrepreneurial ecosystem is evolving. Having lived in Asia for a while, I've witnessed remarkable growth in Singapore and now followed by Thailand. Both countries recognize the importance of building an entrepreneurial ecosystem for their overall economy.

Additionally, they have realized that entrepreneurship can be a viable career path for students. In the past, graduates typically sought jobs or pursued further studies. Now, students can start their own businesses, reflecting a shift in the perception of entrepreneurship as a valued career option. They become job providers, not job seekers!‍

Q. How is AIT adapting to the changing ecosystem to support students interested in entrepreneurship?

AIT offers programs to help students consider entrepreneurship as a career option.

While foreigners face challenges starting businesses in Thailand due to regulations requiring 50+% Thai ownership, AIT can assist. As an official Thailand Board of Investment(BOI) approved Science and Technology Park, AIT can now host technology companies that can be fully owned by foreigners but approved as Thai companies.

This creates a value chain: Students develop ideas and technologies at school, then some students and faculty can develop startups around these ideas with funding. As these startups grow on campus, they can incorporate as BOI companies within AIT. This process allows for a seamless transition from idea generation to company formation and value creation.

Every country has certain limitations for foreigners to start and do business; we are fortunate that the Royal Thai Government has created the BOI pathway for foreign investment and entrepreneurs.

‍

Q. What is the attractive point of Thailand for startups, in your opinion?

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underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow.

And in 2024, underdogs is expanding the business globally. We’re expecting to foster the pre-entrepreneurs & early founders in the Asian market such as Japan, India etc. 

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's 11th newsletter. 🍂🌰🍁🌾 🎑

In today’s letter, we will first spotlight "the story and know-how of IEE, the Singaporean entrepreneurship education institute located in SMU” and their insights on the venture ecosystem in Singapore.

👀 Snippets of the letter

• How IIE at SMU is innovating Singapore with various entrepreneurship program

• Who is leading Thailand’s food-tech innovation? : Talks with SPACE-F

• Wise Steps: building circular destinations in Indonesia for sustainable tourism

• How LAFS Is Redefining Team Dynamics and Marketing with South Korean Founders in Vietnam?

IIE at SMU: The Epicentre of Entrepreneurship Education in Singapore's Thriving Startup Ecosystem‍

Every element you can think of in an entrepreneurship education program, Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) at Singapore Management University(SMU) has most of them.

From a co-working space, to an incubation program, internship program, student clubs, to a global startup competition, IIE is a one-stop destination for entrepreneurship education. 

Asia Tomorrow met with Prof. Lim Sun Sun, SMU’s Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Lee Kong Chian professor of Communication and Technology, to gain a better understanding of the Singapore entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

IIE

Q. Could you introduce IIE?

IIE is essentially the institute that is home to entrepreneurship at SMU and was founded 15 years ago. Physically, we are located in the 'Greenhouse' on SMU campus.

Being a management, social science and technology-focused university, SMU realised that there is a lot it can do to promote entrepreneurship in Singapore. As Singapore is a country where academic achievement of students has been greatly emphasized, it is not traditionally regarded as highly entrepreneurial.

In this regard, IIE champions entrepreneurialism and seeks to create a support structure for students who have a desire to engage in entrepreneurship so that they don't fear it.

We hope students feel that this is a safe place where they can fail, but fail forward, which means that they can learn from failure and then translate that failure into impetus for the next step.

Q. Then, what does IIE do? 

IIE is the central institute orchestrating all the entrepreneurship events at SMU. When I joined, I benefited from the strong foundation that had already been laid by colleagues and to focus on creating ways to better integrate all that was being done.

If you think about a university having a full calendar of events, one school might have a talk about sustainability and computing, while another has a talk about the environment. In this case, how do we make sure that everyone on campus knows what everyone else is doing? 

To address this, we decided to combine some of the events, and co-work and co-brand those events that have an entrepreneurial dimension with IIE.

IIE

Q. You also have an incubation program, BIG, which fosters startups that can use the Greenhouse. Could you introduce it to us?

‍BIG is an equity-free four-month incubation program that is open to all entrepreneurs and early-stage startups in Singapore and globally. It runs two cohorts a year (January and August). On average, we incubate about 60-70 startups a year, and selection for the program is highly competitive with a 23-25% acceptance rate per cohort. 

As of January 2024, we have incubated 490 startups which have collectively raised over S$747 million as of May 2024. They are selected via a rigorous process including an internal evaluation and an external intake panel comprising experienced venture capitalists and industry experts. 

IIE

As BIG is a high-touch incubation program, startups receive tremendous support in the form of dedicated guidance from our Entrepreneur-in Residence, Incubation Managers, BIG mentors as well as industry-specific advisory support from Office Hours Advisors.

Startups also receive 1-to-1 advisory, guidance, and feedback from advisors (experienced start-up founders) on various topics through our BIG Office Hours and BIG Legal Clinic.

Depending on the stage of the startups, the incubation period will help them with validation of product-market fit, go-to market strategies or development of their minimum viable product (MVP). 

One of our success stories is Alterpacks, which creates a biodegradable and home compostable material to replace plastic food containers. It was founded by SMU alumna Ms. Karen Cheah in 2019 while completing her master’s of science in innovation at SMU.

Since Alterpacks commercialised its invention at the end of 2022, it has upcycled about 4,000kg of food waste and fabricates over 500,000 containers a month for distribution in Singapore, Australia and Thailand. In January 2023, Alterpacks closed its first round of $1 million Pre-Seed funding led by Plug and Play APAC, SEEDS Capital to further its commercialization drive.

August 2024 kick-off for BIG startups (Source: IIE)

‍

Q. Singapore is one of the most popular startups’ destinations. What attracts them? 

• Singapore has a business-friendly environment with high standards of transparency. We have very strong regulations and governance structures, so people can feel confident coming to Singapore to start new businesses. It helps startups not only with registering their businesses but also with settling in and adapting, from finding apartments to schools. Processes are clear and well set up.

• Singaporeans are interested in innovation. We have a very small population and land area, yet we are able to do a lot. I think our appreciation for innovation and striving to improve business processes are the driving forces for that and startups are drawn to that.

• Lastly, Singapore is home to a thriving financial ecosystem with sources of capital and funding for startups.

‍

Q. What sectors are SMU and IIE interested in?

Our main focus is on urban solutions and sustainability. 

Singapore has had positive experiences with urban sustainability solutions. For example, our public transportation system is well lubricated by a very strong network of IoT sensors. But there is more we can do in terms of optimising urban mobility, especially when it comes to improving the quality of the environment to promote individual well-being. 

SMU is focused on Asia’s regional growth, too. Asia is home to many of the world's megacities, which are going to face numerous urban challenges such as traffic congestion, population density issues, air quality concerns, and traffic optimization needs. 

Thus, IIE is looking at urban solutions and sustainability quite closely. We can play a useful role in marrying academic expertise with innovation energies and commercial support. 

‍

Q. What’s IIE’s goals in this entrepreneurial ecosystem in Singapore?

More Stories of Entrepreneurs in Asia

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underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow.

And in 2024, underdogs is expanding the business globally. We’re expecting to foster the pre-entrepreneurs & early founders in the Asian market such as Japan, India etc. 

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's 10th newsletter ✨✨ 

In today’s letter, we will spotlight "the story of the Malaysian entrepreneurship education center and their know-hows on fostering the young founders".

How to Cultivate Practical Entrepreneurs: Inside the CEM of Agri-preneur Focused UPM

©CEM

Asia Tomorrow met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hizmawati Madzin, Director of CEM, to explore the various programs and activities offered by CEM, understand UPM’s entrepreneurial program focused on agriculture, and discuss CEM’s role in the Malaysian entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Q. Could you explain more about CEM in detail?

At UPM, CEM was established in accordance with the directive from the Ministry of Higher Education at the time, to set up Entrepreneurship Centers at all public universities (UA) for the implementation of the Entrepreneurship Development Policy in Higher Education Institutions.

We are mainly focused on two categories. Firstly, the way to develop entrepreneurship among the young students in our university. Secondly, we are focusing on the marketability of the students with their careers.

For entrepreneurship education, we run the programs to identify and develop the students who are into entrepreneurship having the possibility to pursue the entrepreneurial career path. 

CEM’s philosophy is to encourage students to become job creators and establish their entrepreneurial journey while they are studying and after graduation. 

Q. How does CEM identify students who are actually interested in entrepreneurship?

Currently, 1,755 students, representing 6.5% of the entire student body at ‍Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM), are enrolled in entrepreneurship development programs.

To identify these students, UPM requires all students to take a compulsory course called "Basic Entrepreneurship(MGM3180)". Through this process, CEM provides extracurricular education, activities, financial support, and awards to these identified students.

©CEM

Q. Could you share a special activity that CEM’s offering for students?

CEM provides students with the opportunity to manage a shop as part of their entrepreneurship studies.

We encourage those interested in entrepreneurship to take on this role. By offering the shop at an affordable rate, CEM helps students run their own businesses without a significant financial burden.

Although the shop is small, students are required to register their business with the SSM and create a timetable to ensure organized operations. The shop offers a variety of products and services, including food and beverages, stationery, courier services, and mini-mart items, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in business management.

‍

Q. Besides these programs, as UPM is focused on agriculture, do you have any program about it?

UPM offers an Agri-Preneur(agriculture + entrepreneur) program that combines agriculture and entrepreneurship, teaching students how to create startups within the agricultural sector. 

This initiative is supported by several local banks, including Agrobank, RHB Bank, and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia, which provide funding for facilities and educational resources, including advanced digital technologies like drones and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In Malaysia, agriculture is often overlooked by young people due to its association with physical labor, challenging weather, and less glamorous aspects. However, as food supply issues become more pressing, the importance of agriculture is growing. To address this, UPM’s Agri-Preneur program seeks to inspire more youth to explore agricultural startups.

The program has seen promising results, with a dedicated group of students showing genuine enthusiasm for agriculture.

©YCP Solidiance

Q. What is the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Malaysia like that you are taking part in? 

Currently, the Malaysian government is focused on empowering youth to become successful entrepreneurs by offering a variety of grants aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. These grants are specifically designed for early-stage startups, making it easier for aspiring business owners to secure financial support.

What sets entrepreneurs apart from conventional business people is their emphasis on innovation and social contribution. Unlike those who primarily seek business loans for profit-driven ventures, entrepreneurs who receive these grants are expected to incorporate innovative elements into their business models that benefit society.

For example, if an entrepreneur is selling healthy food products aimed at helping diabetic patients, this purpose-driven approach aligns with the kind of initiatives that the government seeks to support through its grant programs. The government is particularly interested in businesses that prioritize societal impact alongside their economic goals.

Q. Could you give advice or tips for the early stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia?

For early-stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia, the actual process of launching a startup might seem straightforward, but cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and focusing on sustainability can be more challenging.

A key aspect of the entrepreneurial mindset is recognizing how your business can contribute to society. View societal problems as opportunities for business innovation. When you adopt this mindset, profits often follow naturally.

We also emphasize social entrepreneurship, which involves generating profit while positively impacting society. Aligning your business with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria—such as environmental sustainability and gender equality—can help you achieve both financial success and societal benefit.

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A Clear Vision or a Fuzzy Future? Navigating AI's Impact on Workplace [AI Ready] #1

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow.

And in 2024, underdogs is expanding the business globally. We’re expecting to foster the pre-entrepreneurs & early founders in the Asian market such as Japan, India etc. 

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's 9th newsletter. Long time no see! After sending out our last newsletter in March, we are resuming the Asia Tomorrow newsletter before August.

During this time, Asia Tomorrow has introduced stories and insights from various Asian entrepreneurs. In today’s letter, we will spotlight "the story of a Japanese entrepreneur growing an agriculture/delivery startup in Southeast Asian markets such as Malaysia and Singapore".

SECAI MARCHE: How a Japanese Startup Gained Over 1000 Customers in Southeast Asia's Agriculture Sector

©SECAI MARCHE

Founded in 2018 by Ami Sugiyama and Shusaku Hayakawa, SECAI MARCHE is a B2B online platform that connects farmers directly with restaurants in Southeast Asia. This innovative approach addresses the significant pain points in the supply chain for perishable goods, ensuring that fresh and high-quality products reach their destinations efficiently.

Asia Tomorrow met with the two founders to learn about their experience of going from zero to one in the Southeast Asian market, the challenges they faced in acquiring their first customers as a B2B business, and the strategies and prospects of growing as a technology-based platform.

©SECAI MARCHE

Q. Could you introduce SECAI MARCHE briefly?

(Ami Sugiyama) SECAI means ‘global’ in Japanese. MARCHE is ‘market’ in French but it’s also a commonly used term in Japan as well. So SECAI MARCHE means ‘global market’ where you can find fresh products from all over the world. 

Having started in 2018, we become a B2B online platform in Southeast Asia to connect the farmers to the restaurants.

As we already see established a logistics network and fulfillment* solution for the perishable products in Japan, now we would like to bring this to the Southeast Asia market as well to contribute to the consumers(ex : the restaurants) as well as the farmers there. 

*Fulfillment : The process of receiving, processing, and delivering orders to customers. This typically includes warehousing inventory, picking and packing products, and shipping orders.

‍

Q. What’s your value proposition? 

(Ami Sugiyama) We are actually focusing on the supply chain. So in 2018, we started to build the new value chain to connect the farmers and then the restaurant. We had some farmers in Japan and Malaysia to work with and then some consumers (ex : restaurants and retailers) a bit later. So now we are directly connecting the farmers and the restaurants which is our value proposition. 

©SECAI MARCHE

Q. What brought you to connect between Japan and Malaysia? It could have been a different country other than Malaysia. 

(Ami Sugiyama) I think it will be better to tell you more about our behind story.

Before SECAI MARCHE, which is the supply chain business, we worked at a consulting company which helped to export agriculture products from Japan to Singapore. 

Even before that, actually Shusaku Hayakawa used to be a farmer and technical engineer. So he understood the pain point of the farmers. I used to run my own cafe and restaurant in Malaysia so I knew the pain point as the restaurant runner. So we decided to open the supply chain business to solve both sides of the challenges. 

‍

Q. Do you have any specific and direct event or story that made you start SECAI MARCHE? 

(Ami Sugiyama) During 2013~2014, we decided to start SECAI MARCHE in order to solve the challenges from the consumer point of view at first because I was already running my own restaurant. 

At that time I didn’t know about the entire supply chain of Southeast Asia or so but I knew that I have big problems with finding the providers. 

1. First of all, there was no aggregated information so I spent too much time on finding the right place I wanted which was painful to run the business. 

2. Secondly, there was a quality problem. When my chef and I placed orders with the local supplies for fruits and so forth, the quality couldn’t be assured. Sometimes we couldn’t use 50% of the products. 

In conclusion, we couldn’t find the ideal product if we relied on the traditional supply chain so we decided to found SECAI MARCHE. 

(Shusaku Hayakawa) From the farmers' side, now thanks to the e-commerce players, the farmers can sell their products directly to the consumers (usually restaurants) in Japan. In addition, we have logistics service available so it’s easy to keep the quality of the product to sell to the consumers.

However in the Southeast Asia market, I found that e-commerce is relatively not reliable. For example, when we want to buy the perishable items, it doesn’t come, which means that even though there’s an icon, it doesn’t work. It’s because there is a lack of a logistics system in place to transport perishable goods quickly and efficiently. As a result, farmers can't conduct their business easily.

So for the farmers, I saw the big gap between the rise of e-commerce and the farmers who can’t get the benefit from it. As I hoped the farmers could use this opportunity, I also decided to start the business with Ami Sugiyama.

©SECAI MARCHE

Q. How did you talk to the consumers and the farmers to work with you? 

(Ami Sugiyama) The Japanese government is supporting the export of agricultural products at the moment. Therefore, of course we have our own network with the farmers but also, we have a partnership with the government as well as the stakeholders who are involved in the agricultural products export business. 

In the Southeast Asia market such as Malaysia and Singapore, we went directly to visit the consumers and the farmers to find the markets. We had explained our business model and values to persuade them. We had done this as an initial strategy until we acquired the first 100+ customers. 

Q. Could you tell us an interesting episode while you acquired these first 100+ customers? 

(Ami Sugiyama) Yes. To find the local (Malaysian) farmers, since we are foreigners (Japanese), we didn’t know anything about it. 

• So we just went to the supermarkets and looked for the labels on the products to see the farmers’ names. 

• Also, we found them on Facebook and Instagram.

• Or we visited them directly. Southeast Asia is more lively on the internet than we think, so some farmers have their brands online. 

• As the farmers' community is quite particular, when you know some of them, they will introduce you to others. 

To find the local restaurants (consumer side), we found the influential chefs on Facebook and Instagram, and we talked to them and asked them to introduce others too. 

‍

Q. What was their first response? 

(Ami Sugiyama) Some of them were like 🤔 for sure. But the nature of the Southeast Asia market is that they are fond of Japanese.

So before they were suspicious, they asked us about what we were doing and so on. Thanks to that, we could have the chance to explain more about our values and persuade them better. 

In the first year, I carried 20kg of corn around the restaurants and gave some samples to them, store by store. So with that kind of presentation, we could show what we are trying to do.

And most of the consumers were keen to support us then. The restaurants who received our corn samples are still working with us and we still talk about this event even after 5~6 years. 😂🌽

More Stories of Entrepreneurs in Asia

How This Singaporean Fintech Company Is Processing Over S$18 Billion Annually and Creating a World Without Currency Borders 

Qosmosys: Singapore-based Company Aims to Revolutionize Lunar Economy

Transforming Korea: How Korea's Largest Global Entrepreneur Community is Paving the Way for Entrepreneurs

Startup Trending in Asia

Uncovering Excellence: 7 Lesser-Known ESG Startups in Asia

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TOP 10 Universities for Entrepreneurship in Asia‍

What Made API Holdings the First Unicorn in India’s E-Pharmacy Sector - Key Insights and Numbers

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow.

And in 2024, underdogs is expanding the business globally. We’re expecting to foster the pre-entrepreneurs & early founders in the Asian market such as Japan, India etc. 

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's eighth weekly news! For this week, I completely overhauled the content format for a better reading experience. With a mix of a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey and a collection of valuable resources, I hope the new format delivers a better insight for you.

Challenger Deep Dive:
How a Campus Club Became a Japan’s Leading Social Innovator

©Very50

A Social Accelerator with 16 Years of Proven Profitability Records

Very50 is a business accelerator startup focusing on social impact businesses. Since 2008, the investor has supported over 50 projects encompassing 10 countries. The projects include the Traditional Healthy Market of Indonesia and a Training Center for the disabled in Vietnam. What’s unique about Very50 is that the company can generate a steady profit while continuing social investment. This is possible thanks to the startup’s MBA-style entrepreneur training programs, social innovation education for students, etc.

©Very50

From Musician to McKinsey Consultant and a Social Innovator

Ryosuke Sugaya, founder of Very50, has a unique story of founding a social startup. The Japanese founder was initially a professional keyboardist with seven years of experience. However, after facing global issues like child prostitution in Cambodia and lack of medical aid in Pakistan, Ryosuke realized that solving social problems is possible with an understanding of business. This led to a career as a consultant at McKinsey Hong Kong and a social startup founder afterward.

©Very50

Key to a Sustainable Social Startup: “Search & Jump In”

Very50 does not rely on donations, grants, or investments from outside. The company generates 99% of its total revenue from its business, including entrepreneurial coaching, consulting in public relations and sales promotions. Ryosuke underlines that “looking for opportunities to establish a steady revenue foundation” is crucial for sustainable social activities. To achieve this, relentlessly looking for and challenging business opportunities is necessary. Ryosuke’s story shows that continuously developing services for revenue and making competitiveness is essential, even for social startups.

Insights Quick View

• Establishing Your Startup in Japan 101 (🕰 3 Mins)

• Reasons for Korean Startups to Focus on Japanese Startup Scene (🕰 4 Mins)

• Three Factors Why Many Startups Fail in Southeast Asia (🕰 6 Mins)

• Singapore Startup Environment Overview (🕰 2 Mins)

• How to Create a SaaS That Recorded a 7.5x Growth in Six Months (🕰 4 Mins)

Collaboration with the underdogs team is also available! underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Looking for an entrepreneurship program that will boost your business? Let us know if you’re interested in or need it!

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

The vision of underdogs is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

(Work in Progress(W

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's seventh weekly news! This week’s Asia Tomorrow will aid your entrepreneurial journey with the content below:

• How to discover your customer’s “actual” response to your business

• An English-phobic CEO is heading to Bangladesh for his very first team meetup

• A Singaporean ESG Startup Wins $0.8 Million Over Competitors, Including AI and Healthtech Companies

• An ex-Samsung Researcher’s Challenge of Tackling Climate Crisis with AI and Blockchain

©Unsplash

For this week’s newsletter, you will get the insights such as:

• Understanding user behavior and improving your product/service.

• Everyone can grow a business abroad, even if the CEO fears speaking a foreign language.

• ESG startups can be beneficial to the world AND profitable.

• Blockchain-based solutions integrated with AI can be a new way of resolving carbon emissions.

Resources for Startups

👉 How to Discover Sincere Response of Customers and Apply It to Your Business

⏲️ _{5 Mins Reading}

We all know that listening to customers' voices is essential. However, few people pay attention to how to gather users’ authentic feedback. Generic surveys—such as “How do you like the app so far?”—will only provide superficial insights, wasting your precious time and resources. In this article, you will discover how major companies like IBM and Coca-Cola meticulously researched how to ask the right questions. Are you wondering how to collect honest feedback from your users? The content will guide you in excavating and understanding actual responses.

Stories for Starters

👉 South Korean CEO, Who is Afraid of English, Makes His Way to Meet Teammates in Bangladesh

⏲️ _{6 Mins Reading} 

©Lukas Shin

Can you operate a startup with co-workers abroad, even when you are reluctant to speak English? Lukas Shin, founder of Potential AI, proves that the only thing that matters is execution. The South Korean CEO visited Bangladesh to understand employees’ cultural environment and personal history. He invested 36 hours in an opportunity to discuss the team’s future despite his fright of speaking a foreign language. Shin’s story proves, once again, that starting unprepared is better than waiting for perfection.

Stories of Entrepreneurs & Changemakers

👉 How an ESG Software Service Won $850,000 in Tech in Asia Pitch Event

⏲️ _{3 Mins Reading} 

©Tech in Asia

Numerous startups have emerged since the importance of ESGs arose. This means entrepreneurs willing to focus on environmental issues must prove their vision, profitability, usability, and sustainable business model. A Singapore-based startup, Handprint, proved that this is possible. Instead of emphasizing environmental issues, the CEO focused on what the startup is working on with actual examples. Along with their well-organized blog, Handprint consistently proves that a business’s ability to solve customers’ problems is the most critical foundation.

👉 An Ex-Samsung Researcher’s Challenge of Popularizing Carbon Emission Trading with AI and Blockchain

⏲️ _{10 Mins Reading} 

©CO2Network Greenpaper

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions is becoming virtually mandatory for all businesses, which has caused the international carbon credit trading market to skyrocket by the year. However, many startups are still unsure how they can access emerging opportunities. Phantom Yun, an ex-researcher at Samsung, founded CO2 Network to resolve this issue. Based on blockchain technology, the application provides everyday transactions and tracking of carbon credits for everyone. Phantom’s story is filled with distinguished perspectives and insight into integrating cutting-edge technologies with the global environmental crisis.

How did the mail treat you today? I hope the weekly content can give you information and inspiration that make you think about your future business plans and philosophy. Asking ourselves why we started our journey as entrepreneurs is crucial, as the world around us is changing rapidly. Asia Tomorrow will do its best to illuminate your journey through uncertainty.

Collaboration with the underdogs team is also available! underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Looking for an entrepreneurship program that will boost your business? Let us know if you’re interested in or need it!

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

The vision of underdogs is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

(Work in Progress

Welcome to Asia Tomorrow's sixth weekly news. I am your editor, Jinsoo Choi. This will be the first Asia Tomorrow content in March.

As an editor, I witnessed passionate entrepreneurs from countries I had never noticed. Taiwanese company dedicated itself to revolutionizing engineering materials. Pakistan’s Textile Company CEO who now operates the nation’s largest educational NGO. World’s first aquaculture unicorn startup based in Indonesia. The list goes on.

©Unsplash

From their stories, I realize that entrepreneurs sincerely devote themselves to making a viable change, not just to making a profit. It may sound obvious, but making it happen is something else. This is why I enjoy writing this weekly newsletter: I can feel the passion of people who make things happen. I hope you are getting the same energy as I do.

• Japan’s Investors are Eagerly Looking for Competitive Startups

• Overview of Japan's Social Media Environment for Your Brand

• 3-Step Method for Establishing Credibility with Your Customers

• How a Mental Care App is Changing the Lives of 29 Million People in Bangladesh

• PaperPop’s Adventure of Making ‘Paper Furniture’ a Successful Business

Resources for Startups

👉 The Door to $1.5 Billion Investment is Open: All About Japan’s IPO Structure and How Startups Can Adapt

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading}

©Japan Exchange Group

Japan is one of the nations that aggressively invests in both domestic and foreign startups. The country’s government plans to invest more than ¥100 trillion by 2030, and financial entities are looking for startups worldwide since Japan’s IT market is still undergoing digital transformation. South Korea’s marketing solution startup Datarize introduces its experiences going IPO in Japan. Find out more about what you can achieve in the currently thriving Japanese market.

👉 Everything You Need to Know about Japan Social Media: Top Platforms, Engagements, and Brand Strategies

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading} 

©Standard Insights

Understanding the social media landscape is crucial for all businesses. Japan is no exception to this trend, but its media landscape is unique from other Asian countries. For example, the dominant platform of the nation is neither Instagram nor TikTok but Line. Japan’s social media usage is only four hours daily, one of the world's lowest. However, people of Japan actively interact with brands via media apps in unconventional ways. Looking for deep-dive research and takeaways regarding the Japanese social media environment? We got the right article for you.

Stories for Starters

👉 How to Gain Trust and Recognition from Your Customers: Character, Offers, and Honesty

⏲️ _{5 Mins Reading} 

©Unsplash

Establishing credibility with the customer is critical in many aspects: generating revisits, building brand image, and becoming an irreplaceable being to customers. The importance of this will only get bigger as more people get tired of fabricated, uncandid marketing messages. How can we approach our clients as a reliable friend? Three steps are essential: creating a brand character, making tailored offers for different customers, and maintaining trust between the two.

Stories of Entrepreneurs & Changemakers

👉 From Personal Frustration to a Nation-Wide Effect: Relaxy’s Story of Resolving Mental Care Crisis

⏲️ _{10 Mins Reading} 

©Relaxy App

People in Asian countries are still reluctant to ask about mental health issues because of cultural and social restraints. Jahnnobi Rahman, who experienced severe psychological problems, decided to make a change with friends suffering from similar issues with a mobile app. The product showed impressive performance at the end of 2023, with 10,000 paid subscribers and 60,000 downloads in a year. Relaxy looks forward to integrating AI for an advanced, customized mental care experience. Jahnnobi’s story of challenge and progression will guide those who want to make a better world with their business.

👉 Can Paper be a Reliable Material for Daily Furniture? South Korean startup is Making It a Reality

⏲️ _{13 Mins Reading} 

©PaperPop

PaperPop is a Korea-based startup with a single goal: making paper-based furniture the new norm. The founder had to endure nearly five years to identify his company as a paper product brand. After that, PaperPop developed screws and nails designed explicitly for paper furniture, which led to a wide range of products, including beds and cat litter. The company is expanding to Japan and Europe to popularize paper furniture globally. Meet the founder’s story that will give you realistic insight into identifying your business’s true purpose and making it a reality.

How did the mail treat you today? I hope the weekly content can give you information and inspiration that make you think about your future business plans and philosophy. Asking ourselves why we started our journey as entrepreneurs is crucial, as the world around us is changing rapidly. Asia Tomorrow will do its best to shed light on your journey through uncertainty.

Collaboration with the underdogs team is also available! underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Are you looking for an entrepreneurship program? Let us know if you’re interested in or need it!

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

The vision of underdogs is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

I hope you are doing well! This is Jinsoo Choi, and I am back with the fifth newsletter of Asia Tomorrow.

Recent news shows that Temu and Aliexpress have become the fastest-growing companies in South Korea. Startup communities are on high alert, as the Chinese commerce giants heavily influence the entire business sector.

I think clarifying a startup’s foundational elements - who we are, what we do, and the values we provide - is the first step for all entrepreneurs because it is the first step to withstanding unexpected changes. This week’s content will provide the necessary reference and insight to prepare your business’s core elements.

• How to Kickstart Your Venture in Hong Kong

• Considering Expansion to Japan? Human Connection is a Must

• All About Products: Deciding What and How to Sell

• LinkedIn’s Story of Creating Communities Without Ads

• How India’s NGO is Changing the Lives of 1.6 Million People

• Is Innovating Society and Making a Profit Possible?

Resources for Startups

👉 Your Guide to Starting a Business in Hong Kong, The Land of more than 3,700 Startups

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading}

©Unsplash

Hong Kong is well known as one of the most invigorating economic centers on the planet. Companies like DJI, an industry-leading drone manufacturer, and Klook, a travel booking platform, are the most famous Hong Kong-based companies. The local government is also increasing investment in smart logistics, gaming, fintech, and, most importantly, AI. Find out more about what Hong Kong offers for your successful entrepreneurial journey.

👉 What is Necessary for Businesses Planning on Expanding into Japan? Human Connection is the Key.

⏲️ _{9 Mins Reading} 

©Venture Café Tokyo

Establishing a human network is essential for all businesses, but the importance is significantly higher in Japan. Being connected with people in the region provides critical elements for growth, including the latest trends and regulation changes not found on search engines. Venture Cafe Tokyo is the first place to visit if you plan to expand to Japan. The facility operates weekly meetups, pitching days, and editorial workshops. Check out the interview with the Venture Cafe Tokyo director for a deep-dive view of Japan's startup scene.

Stories for Starters

👉 How Can You Decide the Optimal Product/Service for Your Customers? Follow the 3-Step Process to Find Out

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading} 

©Unsplash

Deciding what to sell is one of the most fundamental questions for every entrepreneur. However, little is known about systematically analyzing businesses and markets for decision-making. SaaSCatch shares his insights on finding the right product/service for his company. The newsletter writer underlines two factors: categorizing products and comprehending the relationship between value and price.

👉 Gathering Customers WITHOUT Ads: LinkedIn’s Journey of Creating a Self-Growing User Communities

⏲️ _{10 Mins Reading} 

©Empire Creative

LinkedIn is one of the very few apps that acquired the title of “must-have.” However, the application had to endure a painful failure in the 1990s. After the fall of SocialNet, the previous version of LinkedIn, the founders completely changed their view of gathering customers: launch the product first and focus on a “very” specific group of people. LinkedIn’s story of connecting with the right customer is still valuable for those concerned about gathering customers efficiently.

Stories of Entrepreneurs & Changemakers

👉 Educate Girls Foundation: Changing the Lives of Indian Children in Over 5,000 Schools and Villages

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading} 

©TED

India is experiencing a severe educational inequality gap. Safeena Husain, who has been working in the nonprofit and development space for 15 years, decided to make a viable change. She established the Educate Girls Foundation in 2007 and managed 50 public schools and villages in her hometown district. 50 grew to 500 in just two years and is now more than 5,000. Safeena’s long-term planning of sustaining educational programs and investment acquirement was vital. Her business-based perspective on nonprofit projects will show how NGOs can change the world without sacrificing economic growth.

👉 Surviving 16 Years as a Social Innovator: McKinsey Consultant, Startup Coach, then Future Entrepreneur Mentor

⏲️ _{10 Mins Reading} 

©Wantedly

Most social entrepreneurs have difficulty maintaining their organization because they lack a sturdy economic foundation. Ryosuke Sugaya, founder of Very50, had to face the same issue. Although the former musician tried to make an impact via music, he realized that solving people’s problems is the universal core of a sustainable business. After working in McKinsey, Ryosuke started Very50 with entrepreneur coaching programs. The foundation now generates 99% of its revenue from its own business. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, Ryosuke’s story will show you how to survive and thrive while improving the world.

How did the mail treat you today?

By the time this mail reaches you, it will already be the beginning of March. There is a saying that “the actual new year starts in March.” I hope your entrepreneurial journey starts well, and Asia Tomorrow will be your reliable source of content for your success.

Collaboration with the underdogs team is also available! underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Are you looking for an entrepreneurship program? Let us know if you’re interested in or need it!

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

The vision of underdogs is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

It’s already been a month since I embarked on the Asia Tomorrow editor’s journey! I sincerely appreciate every reader for spending time on Asia Tomorrow’s content.

As you all know, a game-changing AI product was introduced worldwide. Sora by OpenAI, which can create realistic and stylish videos just by typing prompts. The astonishing outcomes made me wonder, “So what will I do in the middle of this AI revolution?”

©techradar

The answer was simple. Focusing on enhancing my content-related abilities and asking more questions about the current startup scene. Even though AI can do (almost) everything, it still requires prompts from humans. And good prompts come from exceptional perspectives and curiosity.

These are the fundamentals I will pursue for better content, especially Asia Tomorrow. I hope this week’s news will be helpful for your business success.

• Japan’s Ambitious Plan of Supporting 100,000 Startups by 2030

• Asia Venture Capital Trend of 2024 and How Can We Prepare

• Identifying Who, Where, and What of Our Customers

• Minimum Viable Test: A Reasonable Alternative to MVP

• Miniwiz, a Taiwanese Startup Revolutionizing Eco-Friendly Construction

• How ADVASA Introduced Cashless Payment in Cash-Centric Culture

Resources for Startups

👉 Japan is Planning to Invest more than 100 trillion ¥ to Enrich its Startup Environment

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading}

©BLACK BOX

“We will promote bold investments and reforms to concentrate our country’s people and money in fields like startups and innovations.” Just as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed, Japan is aggressively attracting entrepreneurs worldwide. The country is undergoing significant changes like adopting electronic contracts, streamlining administrative works, and supporting corporate-startup matching programs. Since Japan is also undergoing digital transformation, opportunities are abundant. Find out more about why we should focus more on Japan.

👉 Understanding Asia Venture Capital Market Trend: How to Discover Opportunities in Time of Chaos

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading} 

©Unsplash

The world economy is in disarray. Geopolitical conflicts are far from peaceful ending. Superpowers are fighting over global hegemony. These are the reasons venture capital companies are going through a significant downfall. Asia’s Venture Capital market is no exception, which states startups must develop a different game plan. However, there are still untapped opportunities in global-scale issues, digital infrastructure, and resolving social challenges. Discover more in the article by underdogs Originals.

Stories for Starters

👉 Who are Our ‘Real’ Customers and How Can We Understand Their Needs

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading} 

©Layerise

Accurately understanding customers and proposing value is vital in starting a successful business. However, figuring out how to locate clients and develop a convincing product/service is confusing. SaaSCatch, a South Korean startup media, shares its experience of trial and failure in connecting with the right customers through a six-stage approach. If you are having customer-related difficulties, this is your essential article.

👉 Minimum Viable “Test”: A More Controllable, Less-Risk Method for Product Development

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading} 

©Homebodify

Experimenting with a product only with essential features is the most common concept of testing a business’s full-scale product. Design-preneur and content creator homebodify proposes a better alternative: Minimum Viable Test. Unlike MVP, the new method focuses on testing hypotheses and applying user feedback in real-time. Beginning your startup with minimum testing will make your entrepreneurial journey more accessible, more efficient, and with less risk.

Stories of Entrepreneurs & Changemakers

👉 From Waste to Possibility: Taiwan-based Startup’s Dedication to Environmental-Friendly Economy

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading} 

©Miniwiz

Miniwiz is an upcycling technology startup with remarkable records. The company participated in multiple installation projects with Nike, a modular healthcare facility supporting COVID-19 patients, and Taiwan’s first fully recycled classroom. Arthur Hwang, founder and CEO of the startup, emphasizes that ‘reusing’ resources is an advanced way of environmentally friendly construction. How did he discover the niche possibility in an already competitive ESG business? The article will give you insights about how technology-based startups can gradually develop.

👉 Cashless in a Cash-Centered Country: ADVASA’s Story of Growth from a Flexible Wage System to an HR SaaS

⏲️ _{5 Mins Reading} 

©ADVASA

ADVASA, a fintech startup that provides flexible wage payment service, became a $1.5 billion unicorn in just five years. The company found out the demand for flexible salary distribution was increasing. ADVASA also discovered that people working in fluctuating environments have difficulties maintaining financial stability. The Japanese company overhauled its solution into a corporate welfare management system based on these findings. ADVASA’s success is worth reading, given that the unicorn landed a cashless service in a cash-preferred culture. 

How did the mail treat you today?

It’s already the end of February. Time flies, right? I am sure you have done your best to keep up with your New Year’s resolution. Some of them might have worked, while others not. I want to tell you, please do not be disappointed in yourself. It’s still February, so we still have ten months to go. You can achieve your entrepreneurial goal, and you will. Asia Tomorrow will be your reliable source of content for your success.

Collaboration with the underdogs team is also available! underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Are you looking for an entrepreneurship program? Let us know if you’re interested in or need it!

underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea’s largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

The vision of underdogs is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

Hello again! This is Jinsoo Choi from Asia Tomorrow. I hope you are having a good day.

Last week was South Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday. I had time to visit my family and take a brief moment of pause from daily life. Even then, the world was changing rapidly. OpenAI’s CEO announced he is seeking a $7 trillion investment. The 58th Super Bowl recorded 123.7 million viewers. Global IT companies are still conducting significant layoffs.

©Unsplash

These changes made me feel more responsible for providing practical, resourceful content. I wrote this week’s letter with that responsibility in mind. Let’s start with the previews.

• Story of a Korean Accelerator’s Expansion to Singapore

• Are VCs of Korea Evaluating Startups Properly?

• Most Common Mistakes when Starting a Business

• Diversifying Service Portfolio for Freelancing Entrepreneurs

• Pakistan’s Biggest Edu NGO was Founded by a Textile Company CEO

• How a Japan Branch of 7-Eleven Acquired an Entire Brand

Resources for Startups

👉 From Local to Global: South Korea Accelerator’s Expansion to Singapore from Scratch

⏲️ _{7 Mins Reading}

©Asia Tomorrow

Since 2012, D·camp has incubated South Korea’s most-known startups, including Viva Republica(Toss) and Woowa Bros(Baemin). Despite these achievements, the accelerator devoted itself to going global. D·camp successfully opened a local center in Singapore last year by establishing a local business network and hosting events for two years. The facility looks forward to establishing a firm entrepreneur network in Southeast Asia.

👉 The FADU Incident: What are Venture Capital’s Responsibility for Clear Investment Directions?

⏲️ _{8 Mins Reading} 

©FADU

Fadu was a successful fabless company in South Korea, thanks to its success in producing semiconductor controller parts. Despite acquiring investments from corporates like Meta and Amazon, the tech company recorded a devastating loss of more than 11 million USD. Controversies arose about whether VCs accurately evaluated the company’s value and status. How should VCs value the companies? Is it acceptable to overvalue a startup to maximize the profit? Find out more in the article.

Stories for Starters

👉 Overcoming the Most Common Misconceptions for Your Entrepreneurial Journey

⏲️ _{6 Mins Reading} 

©Timothy Ho

Tens of thousands of people audaciously begin their businesses, but only a few survive. Therefore, understanding common misconceptions about business/product ideas is critical. What are the differences between ‘item’ and ‘idea’? What is the ‘real’ problem customers are facing? Does my business fit the current trend? Check out your business plan with insights from examples including Netflix, Viva Republica(Toss), and ChatGPT.

👉 From Developer App to AI-Based SaaS: Tony Dinh’s $45,000/month Portfolio

⏲️ _{3 Mins Reading} 

©Tony Dinh

Tony Dinh is an independent developer/entrepreneur in Vietnam. The multi-businessman offers various services, from developer-assisting utility bundles to subscribable ChatGPT modification. He also regularly shares his entrepreneurial journey via newsletter. Tony states that diversifying the revenue stream helps him cope with unexpected accidents, such as a sudden increase in Twitter API cost. Tony's story will be exceptionally informative for those looking forward to starting one’s own business.

Stories of Entrepreneurs & Changemakers

👉 How a Textile Company CEO established Pakistan’s Most Influential NGO

⏲️ _{4 Mins Reading} 

©CARE Pakistan

Seema Aziz, the founder of Pakistan’s most extensive education NGO, was originally the CEO of an already successful textile company. Despite her achievements, Seema thought she had to contribute to society. Her dedication led to establishing the CARE Foundation and developing an English curriculum, scholarship program, and school facilities. The organization now oversees over 300,000 children across nearly 900 schools nationwide. Seema’s story shows that remembering ‘why’ is essential to initiate something exceptional.

👉 7-Eleven Japan: from In-house Venture to the Brand’s New Headquarters

⏲️ _{2 Mins Reading} 

©The Oriental Economist

Anything can happen in the field of business, but 7-Eleven’s case is a particularly notable one. The American-based convenience store was acquired by the Japanese branch office in 1991. Former CEO Toshifumi Suzuki, who introduced the convenience business to Japan, thoroughly localized the stores and ensured clean maintenance. With the US branch’s transparent accounting and price strategy, 7-Eleven Japan became the brand’s new headquarters. Read more about Toshifumi’s business insight that created the fifth-biggest convenience store in the world.

How did the mail treat you today?

From my point of view, the global business environment is more dynamic than ever. There’s too much information for entrepreneurs and startup people to handle. That is why I keep monitoring several startups/solo entrepreneur media to understand better what is necessary for you. I hope today’s content is helpful, and your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Collaboration with the Underdogs team is also available! Underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Are you looking for an entrepreneurship program? Let us know if you're interested in or need it!

Underdogs Supports Asia Tomorrow!

Underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea's largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, Underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

Underdogs' vision is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

Hello again! This is Jinsoo Choi from Asia Tomorrow.

I sincerely hope the first letter from last week was helpful to you. I am trying to deliver inspirational and practical content that can be directly applied to your everyday work. Please let me know if you have a suggestion or request about a topic. I am listening. This week’s content is as follows!

• How a Single Person Developed a 7.5x Growth Business All by Oneself

• Story of an Indonesian Startup Revolutionizing Fishery Business

• Career path of Global Web3 / Blockchain Community Builder

• The Fastest Growing Startup in the US is “Uber for Kids”

• Guide to Launch Fashion/Beauty Startup in Myanmar

• Taiwan is Expanding nationwide support for Startups

Stories for Starting Your Business

👉 How to Build a 7.5X Growth SaaS in Just 6 Months

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 4 Minutes}

©Bannerbear

Jon achieved monthly recurring revenue of about $52,000 without outside investment or funding. The entrepreneur invested the same amount of time - one week - in product development and marketing. With this schedule, Jon did not have to struggle with time management. The constant cycle also allowed him to try various marketing tactics - technical blogs, tutorials, community engagement, etc. Looking for ways to start as a solo entrepreneur? Jon’s story will be helpful for you.

👉 The 1st ‘Fisheries’ Startup to Raise a $200 Million Series D Funding After a Decade of Struggle

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 7 Minutes}

©eFishery

eFishery is an Indonesian startup that integrates IT tech with the fishing industry. The founders discovered that fish farmers had to control feeding amounts and timing manually. They tried to solve this issue by digitalizing the feeding process. It took nearly 100 days to get the first customer and nine months to gather its first ten users. Despite the rejection over six years, eFishery continued improving its product. Their dedication to resolving the industry's main issue led to steady growth and loyal users.

Stories of Audacious Challenges

👉 Erica Kang: From Financial Analyst to a Global Web3 Community Builder / Entrepreneur

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 23 Minutes}

©Erica Kang

Erica Kang is a CEO with impeccable community-building experience since 2017. The entrepreneur has organized various Web3 events and seminars in Seoul, Silicon Valley, New York, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Her original conference brand, BUIDL Asia, is now the major event for Web3 businesses around the globe. Erica’s vision is straightforward: Continue to enrich the Web3 ecosystem and expand her community expertise to a new field: Artificial Intelligence.

👉 Revolutionizing School Transportation: Meet the Electric Fleet and App-Based Experience That's Changing the Game

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 6 Minutes}

©Zum

For more than 100 years, school buses operating on a fixed schedule were the only option for US families. Parents had to ensure their children got on the transportation at the designated time. Ritu Narayan, an eBay executive and a working mom, decided to make a change. She started with a basic landing page, focused on researching users, and founded a B2B business. Ritu’s Zum service replaces the conventional vehicle fleet with electric transportation and app-based experience.

Asia Startup Environment Resources

👉 Unlock the Hidden Business Potential of Myanmar: Insights from a Successful CEO

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 3 Minutes}

©CottonConCept

Myanmar is a country with hidden business possibilities. The population is over 54 million. GDP is expected to grow steadily through 2028. The latest trend also projects that the nation's demand for natural beauty and fashion products is soaring. CEO of CottonConCept, a cotton bags and accessories brand operating 13 shops in Myanmar, shares her ten years of experience from founding to overcoming COVID-19 and expanding to digital business.

👉 Taiwan’s Startup Ecosystem is Thriving More Than Ever

⏲️ _{Reading time: About 2 Minutes}

©500 Global Taiwan

Taiwan is planning on expanding the startup-friendly infrastructure even more. The startup community and business leaders annually nominate companies with high potential in the name of NEXT BIG, which the Taiwanese government actively supports. Administrative and legal requirements are also streamlined in favor of entrepreneurs. Find out more in the article about what Taiwan has to offer for passionate future entrepreneurs.

How did the mail treat you today?

I studied various business media, trying to grasp the global startup environment, entrepreneurs’ stories, and overall business trends. I am subscribed to eight global business newsletters (including Asia Tomorrow). Still, I need your feedback and opinion to create better content.

So, please share your feedback, suggestions, and opinions with me. Your voice matters a lot, and I promise to consider it while creating even better content in the future.

Collaboration with the Underdogs team is also available! Underdogs will be your partner in the format below:

• Get your story published on Asia Tomorrow and get yourself noticed.

• Be interviewed by professional journalists on Asia Tomorrow.

• Join a training program for Asian entrepreneurs as a coach.

• Are you looking for an entrepreneurship program? Let us know if you're interested in or need it!

Underdogs supports Asia Tomorrow!

Underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea's largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, Underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

Underdogs' vision is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

Hello fellas!

Thank you for subscribing to the Asia Tomorrow newsletter. We will deliver content worth reading to get inspiration and information for your entrepreneurial journey.

This week, we handpicked stories of rocket growth startups, people who boldly challenged uncertainty, and the latest guides for operating businesses in major Asian countries.

Stories for Starting Your Business

©Bank Statement Converter

👉 How Solving a Minor Inconvenience Became a $12,000 / Month Business

Angus Cheng, an ex-developer from Hong Kong, discovered that accountants had to process financial documents by importing data from PDF files into Excel. He immediately got the idea and started a file conversion service. The product now generates more than $12,000 of monthly recurring revenue. Angus's idea was simple: "Keeping customers happy."

©Freshket

👉 The Trial and Error Story of Thailand's Fastest-Growing Food Startup 

Freshket is an online platform that bridges local farmers, food suppliers, and restaurants. The startup is known for simplifying Thailand's conventional food supply chain, which led to a Series B investment of 23.5 million USD in 2022. The founder had to go through several crises, including COVID-19. Find out more about how a food processing center became an industrial pioneer in the nation.

Stories of Audacious Challenges

©Underdogs

👉 How Underdogs Turned 'Entrepreneurship Education' into a Commodity

Will people pay to become an entrepreneur? This question was way more challenging in 2015 in South Korea than now. Despite skepticism, the Underdogs team launched a company-building course with nine participants. That team is now the nation's leading entrepreneurship platform. Check out Underdog's nine-year story of struggle and overcome. 

©Potential

👉 How a CEO Afraid of Speaking English Recruited Developers Around the Globe

Lukas Shin, the founder of Potential, had almost zero confidence in speaking English. Yet he had to recruit developers from other countries for international competitiveness. What would you have done if you were in his shoes?

Asia Startup Environment Resources

©Nikkei’s 2023 NEXT Unicorn Survey

👉 2024 Japan Startup Trends 101

Despite a slight decrease in the overall market size, Japan remains one of the most prominent countries with opportunities. While AI and SaaS continue to hold leadership positions, healthcare and fintech are also rising. Be sure to review the full report for your plans of successfully launching in Japan.

©TECHFEST 2023

👉 Understanding Vietnam’s Proactive Startup Policies and Ecosystem

Vietnam has reformed its business environment, policies, and government aid since the mid-1980s. Now, the country is operating major events for startups, from networking to business model competition and investor connection opportunities. Find out more about what Vietnam has to offer for future startups!

How did the mail treat you today?

I'm super excited because this is my first piece as an editor for Asia Tomorrow. I've put much effort into curating the most inspiring and informative content for you😎 

So, please share your feedback, suggestions, and opinions with me. Your voice matters a lot, and I promise to consider it while creating even better content in the future.

By. Jinsoo Choi from Asia Tomorrow

Underdogs supports Asia Tomorrow!

Underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is South Korea's largest entrepreneurship education company. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, Underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

Underdogs' vision is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.

Hi guys!

Have you ever thought to yourself like this?

Especially if you're an Asian entrepreneur, you've probably wondered at least once whether there’re established Asian founders you can look up to as a "role model". (I did that too!)

But it's surprisingly hard to discover stories about Asian businesses and entrepreneurs, and even harder to learn how they're doing beyond Asia right away.

So…

We speak of Asia's tomorrow!

Advances in Technology, increased educational opportunities are driving more Asian entrepreneurs. These startup founders are going global, including to Asia, solving problems the world has yet to solve😎 

We, Asia Tomorrow, puts the spotlight on Asian entrepreneurs🌟

We highlight 'Act-preneurship' in Asia and tell the stories of how Asian entrepreneurs are changing the world. 

*Act-preneurship refers to action-oriented entrepreneurship.

Asia Tomorrow delivers the real life information entrepreneurs need to 'act' for global growth. Hope it’s helpful to you❤️‍🔥

Stay tuned for more!

by. Jinny from Asia Tomorrow

Underdogs supports Asia Tomorrow!

Underdogs, the company behind Asia Tomorrow, is the largest entrepreneurship education company in Korea. It has trained over 13,000 entrepreneurs to date!📈

With more than 150 corporate partners in Korea, Underdogs has created a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves and grow. 

Underdogs' vision is to change the world by fostering underdogs who turn possibilities into reality.