Startup investments in Southeast Asia nearly double despite COVID

E-commerce and fintech lead 2Q deals as pandemic fosters online service growth

20200720 SE Asia startup trend Tiki shipper

Vietnamese e-commerce company Tiki raised $130 million in the April to June quarter, as demand for items such as masks and hand sanitizer rose due to the pandemic. (Courtesy of the company)

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

July 23, 2020 13:01 JST

SINGAPORE -- Investment in Southeast Asian startups jumped in the April-June quarter despite headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic, led by e-commerce and fintech companies that gained momentum as COVID-19 reshapes home and the workplace.