News – Insights
“We never intentionally look for unicorns”: Willson Cuaca
Since East Ventures was established in 2009, we never intentionally look for unicorns. The statement came from East Ventures’ Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Willson Cuaca during the panel discussion titled ‘Finding the Next Unicorn’ in OCBC NISP Business Forum 2023.
Empowering women: three key strategies for building confidence at work
As a woman in the workplace, building confidence can be challenging, especially when trying to climb the corporate ladder. Various cultural, societal, and historical factors can influence the confidence gap between men and women. In Asia, for example, there is often a greater emphasis on deference to authority and silent resistance, making it more challenging for women to assert themselves and speak up.
East Ventures’ strategy to strengthen ESG in its ecosystem
The environmental and sustainability issues are becoming more urgent than ever today. No one is immune from these issues, and all stakeholders must take necessary actions to minimize the impact now. With this issue in mind, we at East Ventures believe that technology can positively contribute to and impact the environment.
‘Investors are becoming more selective, especially when it comes to risks and valuations’: Roderick Purwana
With the threatening global economic condition that overshadows the tech industry, keeping one’s optimism is not an easy feat. This, which also stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in multiple layoffs within the tech industry, both globally and domestically.
‘The impact of SVB does not directly affect our ecosystem’: Willson Cuaca
News of the ‘collapse’ of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) continues to loom over the global tech startup ecosystem – Indonesia is no exception. As of March 2023, the 16th largest bank in the United States was shut down due to the significant decrease in the values of its investments – among other reasons.
How beauty is changing in 2023
Behind its allure and aesthetic appeal, the beauty industry has proven to be recession-proof in the face of various macroeconomic shocks over the past two decades. The "Lipstick Effect" or "Lipstick Index"– an economic indicator from the beauty category, suggests that during periods of recession or economic hardship, women will indulge in discretionary purchases, splurging on small, affordable luxuries, such as lipstick, that boosts their mood without putting a strain on their finances. Hence, despite a shifting backdrop, our beauty sector outlook remains bullish and we expect it to continue as a bright spot in 2023.
Closing the gap: Investing in women can drive economic growth
Gender equality is not just a moral issue; but also a key driver of economic growth and development. Investing in women entrepreneurs and addressing the deepening inequalities they face can create a more stable, resilient, and inclusive society that benefits everyone.
The four tracks of Climate Impact Innovations Challenge
What will the world be like for our children if we fail to limit global warming to below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C? In the best-case scenario where the globe warms only by 1.5°C, a 10-year-old child in 2020 will experience four fold as many extreme climate events throughout the course of their life compared to a 55-year-old.