The post-Covid outlook for four Southeast Asian startups that pivoted

Startup founders have been forced to choose survival over growth. With the future decidedly uncertain, companies have had to figure out new ways to offer their services

Some of Southeast Asia’s largest companies have had to let staff go and restructure businesses

Early-stage startups have it worse; funding deals have fallen through and the outlook is bearish

But the pandemic has also opened up opportunities that may endure long after the outbreak passes

Startups are looking beyond the pandemic; will they still be in business when the offline market rebounds?

“What is our core competency and what will the world look like post-Covid? We’re still not sure if it will be a big success,” says David Soong, co-founder of Indonesia-based photography startup Sweet Escape. The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform connects photographers with customers who want professional photos.

Survival. Sustainability. Cost-cutting. The startup tenet of ‘growth at all costs’ has given way to less ambitious targets in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is re-evaluating their plans.

Startups of all sizes and growth stages have been forced to go on the backfoot after the pandemic hit.

AUTHOR

Jon Russell

Jon Russell is Southeast Asia editor for The Ken based in Bangkok. Originally from the UK, Jon moved to Thailand in 2008. He’s passionate about telling thoughtful business stories, and tracking the impact of the internet in his adopted home of Southeast Asia.

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