Tech in Asia is a Singapore– and Jakarta-based technology news website covering topics on startups and innovation in Asia. Backed by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in 2015,[1] it has hosted annual conferences across the continent primarily in Singapore, Tokyo, and Jakarta since 2012.[2]
In January 2024, it was reported that SPH Media had completed its purchase of the company.[3]
History and growth
Founded in 2010 by Willis Wee during his third year at university,[4] Tech in Asia maintains a focus on Asian and Southeast Asian countries, often covering startups and legislative developments from Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, China and India.[citation needed]
One year before offering its articles through its subscription program in November 2017, it raised US$6.6 million in funding led by Hanwha Investment and Securities.[5]
In 2018, in addition to launching a marketing agency providing integrated media, marketing, events, and design solutions for brands,[6] it also hosts annual Tech in Asia Conference for tech companies and VCs in Asia.[7]
In October 2018, Tech in Asia launched its subscription program where it moved from offering free articles previously to a paywall-like structure. In its initial iteration, the single-tier paid subscription offered users access to five free articles per month, after which they were asked to pay US$18 a month or US$180 a year.[8]
Currently, the portal offers three subscription plans, ranging from free to US$16.58 per month.[9] All of its plans are billed yearly, with the uppermost tier now costing US$199 per year. A mid-level subscription, priced at US$59 per year, offers limited access to the portal’s “Premium” coverage.[citation needed]
2024–present: Acquired by SPH Media
In January 2024, it was reported that SPH Media had completed its purchase of the company.[3]
In July 2025, Tech in Asia announced that it was winding down its Indonesia product, as part of streamlining operations.[10] It also laid off 18% of its workforce at the same time.[11]
On 31 March 2026, the CEO, Willis Wee and its chief operating officer, Maria Li resigned from their roles, and editor-in-chief, Terence Lee took over the operations of Tech in Asia.[11] From April 2026 onwards, Tech in Asia would be integrated further into SPH Media, forming a new Features & Lifestyle Division with the Lifestyle Media team from SPH Media’s Content and Solutioning Division.[12]
References
- ^ Roberts, Jane (24 June 2015). “Facebook Cofounder Eduardo Saverin Invests In ‘Tech in Asia’“. Forbes.com. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ Muchtar, Joy (19 October 2018). “Tech in Asia to Hold Annual Conference in Jakarta”. JakartaGlobe.id. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ a b “SPH Media completes acquisition of Tech in Asia”. Marketing Interactive. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ “Tech in Asia – Connecting Asia’s startup ecosystem”. www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ “Tech In Asia raises $6.6M led by Korean conglomerate Hanwha”. techcrunch.com. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ “Tech in Asia – Connecting Asia’s startup ecosystem”. www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Liputan6.com (2022-09-17). “Tech in Asia Conference 2022 Digelar, Dorong Pertumbuhan Startup Asia Tenggara”. liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-04-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Jones, Steve (2018-10-01). “Tech in Asia launches subscription model in pursuit of profitability and to ‘improve content’“. Mumbrella Asia. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ “Tech in Asia – Connecting Asia’s startup ecosystem”. www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
- ^ “Tech in Asia Indonesia to streamline operations, wind down its Bahasa Indonesia website”. The Straits Times. 2025-07-01. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ^ a b “Tech in Asia CEO and COO step down as editor-in-chief prepares to lead”. Marketing-Interactive. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
- ^ Lee, Terence (31 March 2026). “Tech in Asia’s next era”. www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2026-03-31.