As a tech industry insider, I’m always on the lookout for new hotspots of innovation. While Silicon Valley has traditionally dominated, I believe exciting things are happening in emerging markets across Southeast Asia.
Specifically, Thailand and the Philippines are primed to become major tech epicenters thanks to their young, populous demographics.
About 35% of Thailand’s population is under 24 years old. The Philippines has a similarly youthful populace, with the median age around 25.
These dynamic countries are rapidly gaining wealth and education. A growing middle class is eager to adopt new technologies and services.
Entrepreneurs are tapping into this hunger by building startups tailored to local needs. From mobile payments to agritech, I’m seeing incredibly creative solutions emerge.
For example, Thai startup Ooca is taking mental health to the next level in a market where it was very nascent. They already have more than 130,000 registered users and have completed 19,000 counseling sessions on their platform.
Philippine startup PayMaya is bringing financial services to the unbanked population.
And e-commerce platforms like Thailand’s Konvy and the Philippines’s Galleon.ph are booming.
As incomes and digital infrastructure continue improving, tech growth will only accelerate.
In my view, Southeast Asia could certainly give Silicon Valley a run for its money. I predict we’ll see at least a few new unicorns emerge from SEA in the coming years.
For tech investors and innovators, now is the time to pay attention. Get ahead of the curve by exploring opportunities in Thailand and the Philippines.
Take it from me – this is where the tech growth story is heating up!
