Dear reader,
Carro’s dramatic 92% reduction in operating losses signals a broader trend in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem: the shift from growth-at-all-costs to profitability-driven strategies.
With its FY24 results, Carro demonstrates that it’s possible to recalibrate business models for sustainability without entirely sacrificing expansion. The company’s focus on higher-margin revenues and ancillary services—now contributing 60% of gross profit—highlights a savvy pivot towards ecosystem monetisation.
This approach reflects the broader economic climate. Rising interest rates and a challenging funding environment have put pressure on startups to show tangible returns. Carro’s restraint in loan growth and impressive non-performing loan ratio below 0.5% underline its prudent financial management—traits increasingly valued by investors navigating uncertain markets.
As the company eyes a potential IPO, positive operating profit will be a crucial benchmark. Yet, Carro’s cautious tone regarding the macroeconomic landscape suggests it is bracing for headwinds, much like its peers. Rival Carsome’s recent performance and cautious loan book expansion indicate similar recalibrations.
The takeaway? Startups in Southeast Asia are learning to thrive in a more demanding financial ecosystem. For Carro, the road ahead may not be smooth, but its methodical approach to profitability offers a compelling playbook for others navigating the region’s evolving investment landscape.
Sainul,
Editor.
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NEWS & VIEWS
Carro swaps growth for profitability, as losses fall 92% in FY24
The used-car marketplace Carro says it cut its operating losses by 92% to US$6.7M in FY 2024); While this came at a cost, with the company posting a y-o-y decline in revenue growth of about 6% to US$781M, gross profit margins improved from 8% to 12%.
SG competition watchdog clears EQT’s takeover of PropertyGuru
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore said after a public consultation last month that the deal was “unlikely to substantially lessen competition in Singapore’s digital real estate advertising services market.”
Kamereo secures US$7.8M Series B to scale Vietnam’s food supply ecosystem
The investors include Sumitomo Corporation, Inspire Co, and SMBC Venture Capital; Kamereo’s marketplace business connects producers and manufacturers with its existing network of over 3,000 customers.
InnoVen invests in SG e-commerce aggregator Rainforest
The investment aims to enhance the firm’s efforts in acquiring and scaling brands focused on parenting and children’s products; Founded in 2020, Rainforest has expanded its portfolio to include 17 brands.
Flipkart said to plan IPO, move HQ to India
The Walmart-owned company aims to complete the IPO process by late 2024 or early 2025; The IPO is expected to be pivotal for India’s startup ecosystem, placing Flipkart alongside recently listed consumer internet firms such as Zomato and Nykaa.
Singapore’s Belli wins FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona for innovative air cargo solution
Belli helps airlines manage their end-to-end air cargo operations by replacing their spreadsheets and manual processes with a fast and easy-to-use system.
OpenAI Startup Fund raises US$44M in its largest SPV yet
Launched in 2021, the Fund has an unusual structure; It uses OpenAI’s name, but says OpenAI is not an investor; Originally legally controlled by OpenAI cofounder and CEO Sam Altman, it has raised money from outside LPs, including Microsoft.
ByteDance, TikTok seek temporary halt to US ban pending Supreme Court review
The companies warned that without the order the law will take effect and will “shut down TikTok—one of the nation’s most popular speech platforms—for its more than 170M domestic monthly users on the eve of a presidential inauguration.”
Paytm sells PayPay stake to SoftBank for US$279.2M
The sale of Paytm’s stake in PayPay, a Japanese payments firm that it received through acquisition rights six years ago, follows months of restructuring that saw the Indian firm sell its entertainment ticketing unit to Zomato for US$246M in August.
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
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Echelon Philippines 2024: Building an AI-first tech ecosystem for global competitive advantage
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Awareness level about the potential benefits of energy efficiency is low in SEA: TablePointer CEO
To address this, TablePointer will partner with financing institutions to offer attractive financing options and differentiate itself through its data-driven approach.
B Capital believes in startups, corporates collaboration to bring decarbonisation efforts forward
According to B Capital, increased engagement between startups and corporates can de-risk investments, create a positive feedback loop.
Unlocking deeptech for sustainable development: SDTA launches revamped venture building programme
Through collaboration among startups, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers, we can unlock technology’s potential for sustainable development.
The transformative power of sustainable technology and practices for businesses
Sustainable technology and practices can help businesses become more resilient in the fast-changing world we are living in.
How to navigate the investment opportunity in climate tech sector
Climate technology investments have matured in developed countries while maturing rapidly in developing markets.
The Mills Fabrica aims to transform agrifood, textile industries through its climate tech investments
The Mills Fabrica plans to invest up to US$3 million in each climate tech startups, and does not have specific cap for the numbers.
‘Climate investment is still viewed as a philanthropic agenda, not commercially viable’
Alina Truhina, CEO and Managing Partner of The Radical Fund, says that it takes time for a founder to convince investors that climate solutions enable cost saving or reduction and/or additional value and profit.
Insulation’s environmental impact: A call for sustainable innovation
Inappropriate insulation disposal and a lack of recycling choices cause environmental challenges and waste management problems.
Sustainable solutions for energy-intensive data centres in humid Singapore
Addressing the environmental impact of energy-intensive data centres is crucial for ensuring a more sustainable future.
Celebrate World Environment Day: 4 ways blockchain and ReFi are supporting a greener future
Blockchain enables transparent supply chains, providing consumers with accurate product origin and supply credentials.
How Circular can help to reduce e-waste through its device subscription service
Circular notices that there is a problem of underutilisation that leads to the significant amount of e-waste generated in Singapore each year.
Demystifying the financial impacts of climate change with Intensel
Intensel leverages AI, big data, and its team’s combined expertise in climate science and finance to create its analytics platform.
WasteX helps poultry farms improve productivity, achieve sustainability with biochar solution
The biochar solutions that WasteX produced offer many benefits for poultry farms, from disease eradication to carbon offsetting.
How Zuno Carbon plans to help organisations reduce their environmental impact
In Southeast Asia, sustainability remains at the bottom of a company’s priority list. But this is how Zuno Carbon plans to deal with it.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Unlocking new investment horizons: Hong Kong and Indonesia’s strategic economic partnership
As the economic relationship between Indonesia and Hong Kong continues to grow, how will this impact global investment trends?
Failing the Olympic hurdle: Is it the beginning of the end for the Airbnb boom?
One major contributing factor to Airbnb’s Q3 slide was the company’s weakening profit margins of US$555M during the previous quarter compared to the $650 million reported over the same period in the year prior.
How AI agents will transform financial services
As AI agents become more capable, they will be able to conduct transactions and complex processes without the need for human intervention. However, it is important to put the right safeguards in place to ensure the right levels of accountability.
Startup governance and how it can make or break the business
Startup governance ensures that the management’s values, ethics, and business practices align with, and lead to their financial goals.
The post Ecosystem Roundup: Carro’s losses fall 92% in FY24 | Paytm sells PayPay stake to SoftBank for US$279.2M | Kamereo secures US$7.8M appeared first on e27.