RPG Commerce

East Ventures’ thesis on Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startups

23 September 2025

Insights

How D2C startups build a stronger and stickier customer base

True to all of our early-stage investments, East Ventures’ thesis behind our Direct-to-Customer (D2C) bets is its founders. A D2C startup is a company that sells its products directly to consumers, meaning there is no middleman between the consumer and the company. In each of…

4 September 2025

Insights

The experience economy: How Southeast Asian startups are winning over consumers

With tight global competition, companies are now in the business of selling experiences, communities, and emotional connections. The experience economy is the fourth stage of economic development after agrarian, industrial, and service economies. It arises when services become commoditized, leading businesses to create and stage…

Expanding beyond your home market business expansion

19 November 2024

Insights

4 keys strategy for business expansion

In an increasingly globalized economy, companies are constantly exploring new markets to drive growth and enhance their competitive edge. The World Trade Organization estimates that world merchandise trade growth totaled 2.7% in 2024 and forecasts it to grow to 3.0% in 2025, highlighting the immense…

East Ventures’ portfolio rises above Southeast Asia’s digital economy|EBITDA margins 2024 - e-Conomy SEA

6 November 2024

Insights

Against the odds: East Ventures’ portfolio rises above the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report’s baseline

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is poised for significant growth. The latest report from e-Conomy SEA 2024 by Google, Temasek, and Bain shows how the digital economy demonstrates solid performance with double-digit growth across GMV, revenue, and profit, proving growth can happen alongside profitability. The report…

22 August 2023

From Portfolios

Lessons in entrepreneurship and adaptability: RPG Commerce’s Melvin Chee on building a successful consumer product business

Melvin Chee of Malaysia-based RPG Commerce shares how a venture-building business model and data-driven mindset led his company to become one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia At the onset of his career, Melvin Chee knew he did not want a typical 9-5 job. At…

21 June 2022

Press Release

RPG Commerce raises US$ 29 million in series B funding round led by East Ventures

RPG Commerce, Southeast Asia’s leading Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) social e-commerce company, has secured US$ 29 million in a Series B funding round led by East Ventures, UOB Venture Management, Vertex Ventures SE Asia & India (VVSEAI), and RHL Ventures. VVSEAI previously led RPG Commerce’s Series A…

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RPG Commerce

How D2C startups build a stronger and stickier customer base

The experience economy: How Southeast Asian startups are winning over consumers

4 keys strategy for business expansion

Against the odds: East Ventures’ portfolio rises above the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report’s baseline

Lessons in entrepreneurship and adaptability: RPG Commerce’s Melvin Chee on building a successful consumer product business

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