In addition to Alibaba and Kaola, we also have updates from Swiggy, theAsianparent, SCB, and Sea Group

Alibaba acquires NetEase Kaola for US$2B – TechCrunch

Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group has acquired NetEase Kaola for US$2 billion, TechCrunch reported.

Tmall Import and Export General Manager Alvin Liu has been named as Kaola’s new CEO, replacing Zhang Lei.

Following the acquisition, Kaola will continue to operate independently under its own brand.

Citing a press statement made by the two companies, the report said that they will integrate Kaola into Tmall, creating what is said to be the largest cross-border e-commerce platform in the country.

Reports of the acquisition have circulated since weeks ago; it is said to had stalled in August after the companies reportedly disagreed on transaction details.

“We are pleased to have found a strategic fit for Kaola within Alibaba’s extensive ecosystem, where Kaola will continue to provide Chinese consumers with high-quality import products and services. At the same time, the completion of this strategic transaction will allow NetEase to focus on its growth strategy, investing in markets that allow us to best leverage our competitive advantages,” said NetEase CEO William Ding.

India’s Swiggy launches new on-demand services – SCMP

Indian online food ordering and delivery startup Swiggy has launched new on-demand services that included intracity courier service to send small packages, South China Morning Post wrote.

Called Swiggy Go, the service will operate in the company’s home base of Bangalore and expand to more than 300 cities by next year.

Swiggy also announced a “phased rollout” of its on-demand grocery delivery service Swiggy Stores in Bangalore and Hyderabad, which enables orders from both family-run stores and supermarkets.

Also Read: Meet the 5 regional finalists of Alibaba-MDEC Jumpstarter 2020 competition

theAsianparent names Susana Tsui as new CEO of Media – e27

Southeast Asian platform for parents theAsianparent today announced the appointment of Susana Tsui as new CEO of Media.

This appointment comes after theAsianparent’s recent announcement of its market expansion plans and e-commerce market foray, following its Series C funding round led by Fosun and JD.com.

Tsui’s previous notable stints include as Asia Pacific CEO of PHD, and Asia Pacific COO of OgilvyOne.

Before joining theAsianparent, she was the Group CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China (DAN), managing over 22 agency brands across five cities in the country.

Siam Commercial Bank expands to digital lending, partners with Sea Group – Reuters

Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank Pcl (SCB) announced a partnership with e-commerce and game developer Sea Ltd’s Thai operations to provide payments and lending services, Reuters wrote.

The bank will provide lending services to small businesses on Sea’s e-commerce platforms.

Sea’s AirPay customers will also be able to pay bills via SCB’s apps.

The tie-up is in line with the bank’s strategy to secure partnerships and expand its digital capacity, including payments and lending.

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Image Credit: Adi Constantin on Unsplash

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The subscription fee is US$36 per month for Elf, which weighs less than 13.6kg

US-based startup Scooterson, which has its R&D office in Singapore, has unveiled a new foldable light-weight smart e-scooter, Elf.

The new model — which comes in two variants, Elf and Elf+ — will be available in Singapore from October this year. The user will have the option to either purchase or subscribe to it.

While Elf (UL 2722-certified) is priced at S$799 (US$578), Elf+ costs S$999 (US$723).

The subscription fee is S$49.9 (US$36) per month each for both models. The vehicles weigh less than 30 pounds (13.6kg) each.

“Elf, which stands for Electric, Lite, and Fun, is the world’s smartest kick-scooter designed to have the most required attributes of the daily riders,” claims Scooterson CTO Deepansh Jain.

“Based on our tests, we noticed that almost all riders are comfortable to lift a scooter that weighs between 25 and 30 pounds. Also, the statistics show that riding a scooter more than 20 miles a day is very unlikely,” he added. “We worked on making the frame lighter and adding more cells without crossing the 30-pound limits. Built from light magnesium alloys and automotive-grade aluminium and weighing only 27.5 pounds, Elf is easy to fold and lift into your car trunk.”

The Elf models come equipped with many innovative features: “Smart Ride” helps riders optimise the mileage by suggesting the most efficient riding mode for the already-known roads. On the other hand, “Charging Reminder” reminds the user to put two-wheeler at charging whenever he/she is in a charging-friendly location.

Also Read: This intelligent electric scooter could force Mobike and Ofo to shift gears in Singapore

The “Adaptive Lights” feature in the vehicle can sense the ambient light and switch on and off for better visibility and safety.

The Elf models also boast of a smart battery management feature, which gives 20-plus miles range.

The user can manage all scooter functionalities from the Scooterson app for better performance and battery life to suit the way you ride.

Elf also features ‘anti-shenanigans tech’, which enables the user to know his/her Elf location anytime using the ‘Find My Scooter’ feature on the app. The anti-tampering alarm will send the user a notification to his/her phone each time someone tries any shenanigans with the Elf+.

It also comes in vivid colours and fully programmable mood lights, which will add more visibility and safety while riding in the night.

The Remote Diagnosis feature enables Scooterson’s engineers to detect and conclude the issues faster without further ado, to shorten the service turnaround time.

Elf also stores and process all the telemetry data in the cloud. Based on this data, the app will start giving you suggestions on how to improve your riding style.

Shipping of Elf and Elf+ will be started in September in Europe and North America.

Scooterson was founded in 2016 by Romanian national Mihnea de Vries (CEO) and Jain. In January last year, Scooterson secured US$1.75 million in seed funding from Arsat Industry, a manufacturer of precision metal parts for leading automobile companies in the world.

The company’s first model Rolley, still in Beta, is available only in the US.

 

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CMIA Capital Partners is from Singapore while Bintang Capital Partners Berhad is from Malaysia

Oneberry Technologies Pte. Ltd. (“Oneberry”), an end-to-end security and surveillance solution provider, announced that it has received funding of S$30 million (US$22 million) from Singapore-headquartered private equity firm CMIA Capital Partners (“CMIA”) and Malaysia-based Bintang Capital Partners Berhad (“Bintang”).

With the fresh funding, Oneberry plans to expand its offerings while taking its products and services to a larger regional scale.

“The latest capital injection into Oneberry will enable us to step up our research and development initiatives, accelerate our compelling growth strategies, and allow us to explore emerging industries of growth, including cybersecurity,” said Arun Murthy, Deputy CEO of Oneberry.

Oneberry Technologies was founded in 2003. It offers to help address shortages in security manpower through technology solutions that “increase security, surveillance, and productivity”.

It claims to have clients from government agencies as well as public and private sectors, servicing the likes of the historic Trump-Kim Summit and 33rd ASEAN Summit held in Singapore in 2018.

Also Read: 5 reasons why startups should get a managed cyber security service provider

Ken Pereira, Founder and CEO of Oneberry, said: “CMIA and Bintang are ideal partners to help bring Oneberry to the next level, to help us execute our vision more rapidly into new sectors such as commercial, residential, industrial, retail, and also overseas where the opportunities are tremendous.”

Johan Rozali-Wathooth, Founder and Managing Partner of Bintang, commented: “Bintang hopes to deploy our resources and network in support of Oneberry’s expansion plans, and we are confident of a successful and productive partnership with the company.”

Oneberry said that it will also look to increase funding in its cybersecurity and robotics research and development programme, with the company looking to integrate connected Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices with traditional offline surveillance.

CMIA Capital Partners is a private equity firm headquartered in Singapore, focusses on control and growth capital investments in mid-sized businesses in Southeast Asia and China since 2003. In 2016, CMIA has pivoted to focus on Southeast Asia investments, especially in new economy, consumer, and technology sectors.

Bintang Capital Partners Berhad was established in January 2018, and has since deployed in excess of US$75 million of capital across various investments.

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Image Credit: Unsplash

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The new, unnamed capital city has been described as a “smart metropolis”

You may have heard about the Indonesian government’s plan to move its capital city from Jakarta to East Borneo –a plan that has been in mind for decades but has only been confirmed this year by President Joko Widodo.

While Jakarta will continue to become the centre of business activities, the new capital will be the administrative and political hub of the country.

Following up the announcement, the President revealed more details about the government’s vision for the new, unnamed capital city. In this report by The Jakarta Post, the new capital is described as a “smart metropolis”, designed to be a “melting pot of technological innovations that can sustain the country for the next century and beyond.”

Personally, I always warn myself to be sceptical of any vision or plan announced by the government until it actually materialised.

Also Read: Jakarta comes out as “challenger” to global startup ecosystems: Startup Genome Report

But the topic of capital relocation has been a discussion in the e27 Telegram Group, which houses at least 400 members located anywhere from Singapore to Nairobi (!). Within this discussion, the tonality was mostly positive.

One of the most exciting points that came up was about the possibility of stronger ties with East Malaysia, with startup communities emerging in places such as Kuching and Sarawak.

There is also a possibility that local startup communities in Borneo will finally get the kind of attention usually given only to communities on the island of Java, as the country’s most populated island.

Even the prospect of building a “smart metropolis” seems to offer opportunities for startups, especially those working in the smart city field. (It reminded me of this commitment from SoftBank, though)

So what is your take on this? Is this capital relocation something you are excited about? If your company has been based in Jakarta, would you consider adding a presence in [whatever the new capital will be named]?

Let’s discuss!

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Image Credit: ekoherwantoro on Unsplash

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An inspiring side hustle story of building an ecologically responsible business

Who I am

Hi, my name is Kan Yamamoto, and I am the designer of Kamino Wallet.

I started it as my side hustle, and since I opened my shop in June 2018, it has grown slowly. Though it is still a tiny business, I enjoy creating useful tools that are loved by many users around the globe.

Considering what I’m making from this project, I know it’s not that much, and it will take some more time to turn it into my full-time business.

But I’ve learned many things along the way, so I think it wouldn’t hurt to share my story.

About Kamino Wallet

Under this brand, I make minimalist, eco-friendly paper wallets out of washable paper.

Washable paper is a kind of material you would find as those labels on the back of your jeans. It is highly durable and even machine washable, which makes it an ideal alternative to leather while maintaining the paper-thin profile.

My wallets help you lighten the load on your pocket and the environment, by getting rid of the bulge and the cruelty of the conventional leather wallets.

The wrap wallet is my best selling product, and it is the best example of how my products stand out in terms of the design.

I apply the art of Origami — the traditional Japanese paper folding technique, to bring the full potential out of the material and make the most minimal wallet ever with maximum utility.

My backstory and how I came up with the idea

I am a self-employed graphic designer who also works as a woodworker/lumberjack. I was born and grew up in Kochi, Japan but moved to Europe and have spent my twenties in Switzerland and Berlin, where I practised graphic design and the fine arts.

After I graduated from the University of Art Berlin in 2011, I returned to Japan to dig deep into my cultural roots and to contribute to the local community.

Now I am living in a mountainous village in a suburban area of the city of Kochi. I love living near nature, and the quality of life here is irreplaceable, but one of the biggest problems in rural areas is that there are no jobs.

So I thought the best thing would be to learn how to create small businesses myself. And by doing it, I could be an example for the younger generation to show that it doesn’t matter where you live. You could build a global business, however small it is.

 Tosayama village, Kochi, Japan

With my background in art and design, I am a maker by nature, so I naturally looked for ideas for products that I can make myself by hand without much investment.

A wallet was my first choice because I genuinely needed it as a consumer but couldn’t find the right one that is slim, functional, and eco-friendly on the market.

 

My small workshop in the village

The process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing my first product

I started designing wallets by prototyping with paper, looking for which form and style work best. I wanted it as minimal as possible, in its appearance as well as in environmental impact.

After trying various materials, paper, which I always had considered the material for prototypes, turned out to be the best solution for me. It also helped that I had some knowledge and experience with various kinds of papers as a graphic designer.

Soon after I finished the design of the first version, I wanted to see if there is a demand at all. So I quickly made a simple landing page to release the design as a free DIY template. And I asked visitors if they would be interested in the production version which will be made out of more durable material.

Also Read: The raging Amazon forest fires: Why businesses need to step up for climate change

I shared it on Twitter, Reddit, Medium, Instructables, etc., and to my surprise, I immediately got hundreds of downloads.

I could build a mailing list of about two hundred in a few months. Some people contacted me to give me their feedback on the usability of the design, and I kept refining the design based on that feedback.

One of the first prototypes made out of used Rhodia cover.

The process of launching the business

After I realized it could be a business by seeing the demand for the DIY version, I started to prepare for the launch. Finding the right kind of paper that is durable enough for daily use was hard, and in fact, I am still looking for the perfect material. But I eventually found a durable synthetic paper that is good enough for the first product, ordered it in bulk, and started making the actual products.

At the time of the launch, I had managed to have a mailing list of about 200 subscribers. Looking back, it is not that big at all, but I think that is enough for a start and assumed that a large number of them would place orders.

But I was wrong, dead wrong. I learned a hard lesson that subscribing to a mailing list and paying for a product is a different thing. In the end, only a few out of the list ended up buying my product.

I had zero knowledge of e-commerce at the beginning. But I have slowly learned many things by doing it, such as how to build a brand, website copywriting, and the way to optimize my site for conversions. Then I slowly started to gain customers from all around the world, and the designs have also evolved.

What worked for me to attract and retain customers since launch

What I care about the most is the personal connection with my customers. I always enclose handwritten thank you notes in the packages and respond to questions or feedback as openly as possible. One of my customers once wrote to me

“It’s great that you are so committed to customer service. These days it’s not normal anymore to get this kind of swift, effective and personal service.”

I also include one or two cards/bookmarks with a discount code printed that are made out of the same material as my wallets to encourage word of mouth. It would make it easier to refer a friend by simply giving a card so that they can touch and feel it.

After all, the digitized world we live in is sometimes rough and noisy, so this personal touch is what makes a difference in the long run. I believe being able to offer this kind of service is one of the strengths of being a small maker. And it certainly helps to build trust and retain my customers.

Thank you card that doubles as a bookmark.

What I’ve learned particularly helpful through starting the business

What surprised me the most is that many people on the internet do like to give feedback when I ask them to or when they genuinely love my idea/products. I think I made the right decision to release the DIY version as soon as possible to get feedback and brushed it up.

It is still relevant now, and listening to my customers is one of the best tactics I have learned when it comes to product development and marketing.

Another thing I am impressed by and thankful about and is how effectively the global postal network works. As I am based in a remote area, the logistics could have been a pain, but in reality, it works like a charm.

I can send my products out from a small post office in my village. Usually, within 10–14 days, they will arrive in North America and Europe, where most of my customers are.

Also Read: Can a sustainable workplace be profitable too?

By the effort of making my products and the packages as slim and lightweight as possible, I could reduce the shipping cost and ultimately afford to offer free shipping worldwide on all orders.

 The inspiration

I’m a kind of a bookworm, so I’ve read many books about starting a business, building a brand, or design/art in general, but my number one would be:

“Design for the Real World” by Victor Papanek

I always come back to this book whenever I want to make sure if I’m on the right track as a designer/maker. Let me quote one of my favourite lines.

Design, if it is to be ecologically responsible and socially responsive, must be revolutionary and radical in the truest sense. It must dedicate itself to nature’s principle of least effort, in other words, maximum diversity with minimum inventory or doing the most with the least. That means consuming less, using things longer, and being frugal about recycling materials.

Now and the future

Currently, it makes around US$1,000 in sales, of which about $600 is profit. So it is not a typical success story you usually see here. At least it is profitable as my side hustle, and I love doing it.

I get about 60–100 visits a day mainly through organic search, Instagram, and Reddit. And my current conversion rate is around 1 per cent, which would explain why it has been slow in sales.

I tried google ads for a while but couldn’t figure out how to make it work effectively, so I stopped it for now. While I would like to keep the business rather small, it could expand a bit more so acquiring new customers is the biggest struggle at the moment.

Regarding the cost and the profit, I try to keep the gross margins before ad-spend around 35–40 per cent for every product. The cost of labour is also around 40 per cent, which I am taking for now, but I would hire someone with it for making my products if it eventually scales in the future.

Based on the feedback from my customers, I have been designing new products, including notebook wallet and coin pouch. Also, I am talking with a manufacturer who produces even more eco-friendly material that has more colour variations so the products line up will undoubtedly keep growing.

It may sound optimistic, but I believe my business has the potential to turn into my full-time business eventually, or even beyond that.

It seems more and more people are interested in a simple, eco-friendly lifestyle, and my products would appeal to those audiences once I tuned in the right channels.

Advice for fellow side hustlers

All the above being said I guess I am nowhere near the position to tell anyone how to start/run business.

All I can say is that you need to take time to grow the business, so take it easy and don’t give it up too soon.

Thank you for reading, and I hope it could give you some inspirations for starting your side hustles!

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Image Credit: Author

This article is the edited version of the interview done with Starter Story.

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