Grab and Gojek burn cash to keep gig drivers afloat

Southeast Asia ride-hailers scramble to maintain fleet for post-pandemic recovery

Gojek drivers in Jakarta: The Indonesia startup created a $6.38 million relief fund for its drivers. © Reuters

KOYA JIBIKI and TAKASHI NAKANO, Nikkei staff writers

April 16, 2020 05:46 JST

JAKARTA/SINGAPORE -- Grab and Gojek, the biggest on-demand mobility startups in Southeast Asia, face competing financial crosswinds as they navigate the coronavirus outbreak, spending millions of dollars to support their drivers with an eye toward the ensuing recovery.