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.
Capturing Indonesia’s beauty wave: A blooming market with immense potential
Indonesia, a rapidly growing economy with the world's fourth-largest population, is emerging as a significant market for the global beauty and personal care industry. This sector is currently valued at US$7 billion and is projected to reach US$10 billion by 2027, with a healthy annual growth rate of 10%.
Indonesian beauty firm turns US$40k investment into profitable business in two years
Around a decade ago, best friends Cindy Angelina and Kezia Trihatmanto studied together at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. The two had known each other since childhood, and their friendship has sparked a revolutionary idea for the beauty industry in their home country of Indonesia.
Driving equitable digital access through ESG implementation in companies
There was no strong reason for Audrey Maximillian Herli to allow bullying to spread, mainly after he saw his friends being bullied for sharing his personal stories and problems on social media.
Enabling the omnichannel experience and digital behavior: Christopher Madiam, Co-Founder & President of Social Bella
Indonesia itself has a growing economy because we know that currently Indonesia's population is dominated by Gen Z and millennials. So these two generations are in the productive age, where they actively utilize digital technology to fulfill their daily needs. Therefore, the role of startups is very crucial because most of the startups are utilizing the technology to be able to deliver their products to their customers well.
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.
Indonesian D2C beauty brands build foundation for regional expansion
In 2020, Indonesian beauty marketplace Sociolla expanded to its first overseas market – Vietnam. Like in its home turf, Sociolla Vietnam offers products from global brands like Maybelline and Neutrogena as well as South Korea’s Laneige. The marketplace also stocks cosmetics from Esqa, Avoskin, and Carasun – all Indonesian brands making their international foray.
How founders should navigate winter situation in sunny Indonesia
The technology sector faces global economic challenges due to the geopolitical situation and fears of an impending recession in the United States (US). This period and the media boom have pulled some digital startups down on corporate valuation and business operations and have implications for layoffs and fundraising struggles.