Internet penetration is beginning to accelerate in Asia\u2019s emerging markets. While smartphones are widespread in many Asian countries, in others, the smartphone revolution is just beginning. Tech startups in the Pakistan seem to be racing ahead, whereas in countries such as Myanmar, there are larger obstacles to overcome. Within Asia\u2019s emerging markets, which startups are making waves in this smartphone era?<\/p>\n
Indonesia \u2013 Million Dollar Motorcycle App<\/strong><\/p>\n Indonesia\u2019s startup landscape is still somewhat mysterious for those trying to break into it. However, Go-Jek<\/strong><\/a>, has succeeded in becoming the hottest startup to make it big. Picking up paying passengers on the back of your motorbike used to be an unofficial money-spinner in Indonesia, but Go-Jek has made this a legitimate business. This Indonesian equivalent of Uber offers motorbike rides on demand and was the most popular free iOS app downloaded in Indonesia, in 2015. In spite of a recent stir caused by lower prices, it\u2019s likely that Go-Jek will continue to prosper and transform transportation in the world\u2019s biggest archipelago, especially following the USD $550 million it raised in funding this month<\/a>!<\/p>\n Bangladesh \u2013 Price Comparison App Seedstars Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n As a developing country with 5 main mobile phone providers offering over 250 plans, it\u2019s easy to find yourself locked into a contract that you can\u2019t afford in Bangladesh. However, there is now a way to avoid this situation. Bangladeshi app Madviser<\/a> provides a solution. Based on your smartphone usage behaviour, the app calculates which deal would be best for you, saving you both money and time. As the winner of a Seedstars World competition last year, receiving USD $500,000, the app\u2019s developer Humake Lab is set to fly towards changing the way in which Bangladeshis shop for phone contracts.<\/p>\n Philippines \u2013 A Wealth of Tech Startups<\/strong><\/p>\n Metro Manila is buzzing with technology these days. Startups seem to be earning foreign investments left right and center. IT solutions provider Yondu<\/a> sits among the best of the bunch. Since the company \u201cranked second in Forbes Philippines\u2019 top startups list\u201d, \u201cXurpas invested PHP 900 million to acquire a 51% stake in Yondu\u201d (Forbes). The mobile and IT content and services provider is proving that the Philippines is a great place to be for tech companies, and the world is watching as it develops as one of the country\u2019s tech pioneers.<\/p>\n Myanmar \u2013 New Incubator Producing Rising Stars <\/strong><\/p>\n It is the dawn of the startup in Myanmar, and with the launch of new incubator Phandeeyar Accelerator<\/a> in 2016, the future of startups is looking much brighter. Myanmar\u2019s internet users are centred around the smartphone, the sales of which have exploded like nowhere else. Although a small startup has yet to make it big, Phandeeyar\u2019s Innovation Lab is set to change that. Rocket Internet led sites such as work.com.mm<\/a> have begun to change the way that Myanmar citizens find work. Soon, the majority of job hunting in Myanmar could happen via smartphones. This is truly incredible, especially given that cellular subscriptions have jumped from 1.10% of the population in 2010 to 61.70% in 2015, according to techinasia.com.<\/p>\n Sri Lanka \u2013 Online Shopping Startups Attracting Investors<\/strong><\/p>\n Not only is the island of Sri Lanka simply beautiful, it\u2019s also becoming a country to watch in the tech world. Now that the country\u2019s political situation has calmed down, startups such as Takas<\/a> are attracting investors\u2019 attention. This online shopping startup raised Rs.80 million in 2015, and was named the country\u2019s best startup. The company is highly ambitious, and it\u2019s impressive how quickly a small local tech project such as this has attracted investment. With a few more startup incubators encouraging tech teams, Sri Lanka could be the next big innovator country in just a couple of years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n Pakistan \u2013 Influential New App Transforms Mobile Banking<\/strong><\/p>\n Online banking and cashless transactions have transformed much of the west. Pakistan, on the other hand, is an economy that is fuelled by cash transactions. Despite this, with its innovative online banking solutions, Pakistan\u2019s Innov8<\/a> is ground-breaking in the world of mobile financial services. Having already fetched USD $5.4 Million in funding in 2015, this Lahore-grown startup is expanding and transforming Asia\u2019s mobile financial services market. There is also a number of startups operating in multiple countries across Asia, changing the way certain industries work.<\/p>\n
\nPan-Asian Startups <\/strong><\/p>\n