📌 TOPINDIATOURS Hot startup: TikTok surges 🛍️, Grab turns profitable 💰, Ant &

Dear subscribers,

This week’s edition reflects a digital economy entering a more decisive phase. Social commerce is scaling into infrastructure as TikTok Shop cements regional dominance, while Grab’s profitability signals a broader shift from hypergrowth to disciplined execution. Telecom resilience, EV expansion into Jakarta, and large-scale healthcare investment in BSD City highlight strengthening sectoral foundations. At the same time, capital market reforms, AI commitments from global tech giants, renewable-powered data centers, and Ant International’s regional payments push underscore rising institutional confidence. With Indonesia’s eTrade readiness under review, the focus now turns from rapid expansion to building a more integrated, inclusive, and execution-driven digital ecosystem.

Most companies don’t need “AI transformation.”

They need starting points. That’s where we come in.

No tools pushed. No automation hype. Just clarity.

If AI is on your agenda this year, start here!

AI by Discovery/Shift

Stay ahead,
DailySocial Team

🚨 What’s New

• TikTok Shop’s SEA Surge Signals Indonesia’s Commerce Dominance
  TikTok Shop is projected to reach US$64.3 billion in GMV by 2025, with Southeast Asia emerging as the primary growth engine and Indonesia standing as its largest market. The region continues to outpace other geographies in social commerce adoption. The combination of short-form video, creator-driven discovery, and seamless checkout has accelerated transaction velocity at scale. For Indonesia’s digital ecosystem, this reinforces the structural shift from traditional marketplace traffic to content-driven commerce. The implication is clear: live commerce is no longer experimental, it’s infrastructure.

• Grab Turns Profitable, Proving Platform Discipline Pays Off
  Grab reported its first full-year net profit in 2025, marking a pivotal moment after years of aggressive expansion and heavy investments. As detailed in its latest earnings release on Grab, improved cost discipline and ecosystem monetization across mobility and financial services drove the turnaround. The company’s performance underscores a broader regional trend: sustainable growth is now valued over hypergrowth. In markets like Indonesia, where Grab maintains a strong footprint, profitability signals maturity in the super app model. It also sets a new benchmark for tech companies navigating post-pandemic capital efficiency.

• Indonesia’s Telcos Strengthen the Digital Back
  Indonesia’s telecom sector is reinforcing its role as the backbone of the digital economy, led by solid performances from Indosat (ISAT) and XLSmart. ISAT recorded 1.1% revenue growth to IDR 56.51 trillion in 2025, with EBITDA rising 0.8% to IDR 26.59 trillion and margins reaching 47.1%, underscoring operational resilience despite recent share price pressure. Meanwhile, XLSmart posted 23% revenue growth to IDR 42.5 trillion and a 63% jump in normalized net profit post-merger, serving 73 million subscribers with data contributing over 90% of revenue. As 5G rollout expands and integration synergies materialize, telcos are moving beyond basic connectivity to anchor AI, cloud, and enterprise digital transformation across Indonesia.

• VinFast Eyes Jakarta with Battery-Swap E-Scooters
  Vietnamese EV manufacturer VinFast plans to launch battery-swap electric scooters in Jakarta by 2026. The model aims to address range anxiety and charging infrastructure gaps through rapid battery exchange stations. Indonesia’s urban mobility challenges and strong two-wheeler culture create fertile ground for this strategy. With regulatory support for EV adoption accelerating, Jakarta becomes a logical expansion hub. The move intensifies competition in the region’s growing electric mobility race.

• Sinar Mas Land’s LLV Bets Big on Healthcare, Develops 60-Hectare SEZ in BSD City

  Living Lab Ventures (LLV), the corporate venture arm of Sinar Mas Land, is transforming BSD City into a leading healthcare hub through a 60-hectare International Education, Technology, and Health SEZ designed to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on overseas treatment. Backed by a US$150 to 180 million Healthcare Fund and a Biomedical Fund supporting research centers, biobanks, and health innovation, LLV is focusing on established providers while building a strong medical ecosystem. Global partnerships, including with Japan External Trade Organization and MEDRiNG Corporation, alongside collaborations in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, have driven key milestones such as the 2025 investment in E…

  Konten dipersingkat otomatis.

  🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

  ---

  📌 TOPINDIATOURS Eksklusif startup: SATURDAYS attracts fresh capital 👓. Semiconduct

  Dear subscriber,

  This week’s developments reflect a business and technology landscape that is steadily regaining confidence while remaining selective and disciplined. Capital continues to flow toward companies and sectors with clear fundamentals, from consumer brands with strong omnichannel models and fintech players with proven risk management, to enterprise software firms preparing for public markets. Governments and investors alike are signaling longer-term ambition through initiatives in semiconductors. Shifts in consumer and enterprise behavior show increasing maturity, with greater emphasis on trust, value, efficiency, and sustainability.

  Thanks for reading RISE by DailySocial! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

  Warm regards,
  DailySocial Team

  ---

  🚨What’s New

  SATURDAYS Raises Fresh Capital Amid Selective Funding Climate
  D2C eyewear brand SATURDAYS secured approximately US$6.3 million in new funding, standing out in a period when venture capital remains cautious. Based on regulatory filing data as quoted by DealStreetAsia, US$4 million was obtained from a new investor, Openspace Ventures, while another US$2.3 million came from an existing investor, Altara Ventures. The company has built a hybrid model that combines physical retail with strong online channels, which continues to attract investor confidence. The funding is expected to support store expansion and operational strengthening rather than aggressive experimentation.

  Indonesian Government Announces Semiconductor Ecosystem Initiative With UK
  Authorities announced plans to develop a semiconductor ecosystem backed by roughly US$125 million, in collaboration with partners from the United Kingdom. The initiative aims to strengthen capabilities in chip design, talent development, and advanced manufacturing. While the region has historically relied on imports, the move reflects a strategic push to participate more actively in global supply chains. It also signals long-term ambition to diversify the technology sector beyond software and services.

  Atome Expands US$345 Million Credit Facility to Scale BNPL
  Atome increased its syndicated credit facility to US$345 million, up significantly from the previous year, reinforcing its ambition to scale buy-now-pay-later services across Southeast Asia. The facility provides greater flexibility to fund consumer purchases and merchant partnerships amid shifting spending patterns. Despite tighter global credit conditions, the expansion suggests sustained confidence in BNPL demand and risk management capabilities. The move highlights how alternative consumer financing remains an important lever in digital commerce growth.

  Consumer Behavior Matures as E-Commerce Enters “Confident Commerce” Era
  E-commerce is transitioning into a phase dubbed “Confident Commerce,” where shoppers prioritize trust, product quality, and long-term value over discounts, reflecting more mature purchasing behavior. Consumers are increasingly comfortable buying higher-value items online when platforms and sellers demonstrate reliability and consistent experiences. This shift is supported by deeper engagement through creators and membership programs that reinforce loyalty and purchase confidence. As a result, the focus of digital commerce is moving from sheer volume growth to enhancing overall shopping satisfaction and meaningful impact on everyday life.

  ElectGo Launches B2B Industrial E-Commerce Platform
  ElectGo introduced a new industrial-focused e-commerce platform offering more than 15,000 electrical and industrial products with AI-assisted search and recommendations. The platform targets a segment that traditionally relies on offline procurement and fragmented supplier relationships. By digitizing pricing, inventory visibility, and technical support, ElectGo aims to improve efficiency and transparency in industrial sourcing. This reflects growing momentum in B2B e-commerce beyond consumer retail.

  ---

  👏What’s Exciting

  Affirma Capital Launches Climate Transition Fund
  Affirma Capital completed the first close of its US$200 million Climate Transition Fund, focused on renewable energy, circular economy, waste and water management, and sustainable transport. The fund is backed by institutional investors and targets mid-market opportunities with both commercial and environmental impact. It is expected to begin deploying capital shortly, reflecting increasing investor interest in transition-focused assets. The strategy balances long-term sustainability goals with disciplined return expectations.

  WeLab Raises US$220 Million in Series D Round
  Digital financial services platform WeLab secured US$220 million in Series D funding, signaling renewed investor confidence in established fintech players. The round highlights a shift in capital toward companies with clearer paths to profitability and strong risk controls. Despite a cautious funding environment, large late-stage rou…

  Konten dipersingkat otomatis.

  🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

  ---