About Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific

A digital revolution is driving growth across Asia Pacific, transforming the way we live, work and do business. It is little surprise that this region is blazing the digital trail for the rest of the world:

  • Demographically — Asia Pacific has a growing population, a growing workforce and a growing consumer class
  • Digitally — It is home to a fast-growing population of digital natives
  • Dynamically  A combination of better access to the internet, growing prosperity and improved education has created a new class of digital entrepreneurs who are uniquely positioned to identify and fill gaps in the regional market.

Asia Pacific has long been the engine of global prosperity driven by its network of industrial supply chains, but two shifts are now changing its growth-profile dramatically. First, Asian economies are becoming markets in their own right as their incomes rise. The second is that the ability to deliver products digitally has shifted the principal driver of regional growth from manufacturing to services.

The KPMG-HSBC Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific joint report takes an in-depth look at new economy businesses across the region that we believe will make a lasting impact on the global business landscape over the next decade. By analyzing economic and investment indicators in twelve key Asia Pacific markets and interviews with leading start-up founders and executives, we identify exemplary business models for future growth; as well as the conditions that will enable these markets to continue to thrive in today's constantly changing business environment.

Asia Pacific new economy businesses: Six key trends



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Region-wide growth of
technology-driven businesses

While China remains the leading ecosystem in Asia Pacific for new economy start-ups, India is catching up as a source of digital innovation, and Southeast Asia is establishing itself as a key market.

B2C now; B2B soon

B2C companies, such as e-commerce and payments, are attracting the majority of investment in emerging markets, but more attention is shifting to B2B in areas such as enterprise productivity, education, healthcare and clean-tech.

Demographic drivers

A rising middle class and digital-savvy Gen Z consumers are driving digital economies across the region; with aging populations spurring innovation in markets like Japan.

Localized business models

The region’s distinctive societies, economies and regulatory environments are all contributing to the rise of “hyperlocal” business models in Asia Pacific.

Manufacturing spill-over

Robotics and automation are transforming factories, allowing companies in Asia Pacific to improve efficiency, traceability and transparency across their supply chains.

ESG on the rise

Increasing adoption of carbon emissions tracking, alternative and renewable energy and green finance solutions will create new opportunities for start-ups.

Key takeaways

Despite all the recent factors that have impacted the global economy, Asia Pacific remains a growth-oriented region. Here are some key takeaways from our study of these new economy businesses.

  • Seizing opportunities: The scale of the digital transformation now underway — and the availability of funding supporting that transformation — is expected to continue to support the growth of technology start-up ecosystems.
  • Characteristics of Emerging Giants: While there is no specific formula to be an “Emerging Giant”, the companies we identified were standout players in a wide variety of disciplines, including one or more of the following — superior technology and/or technical knowledge, hyper localization, mastery of logistics, successful adaption of business models and a culture that attracts and retains talent.
  • Partnerships and working with regulators: Collaboration is a win-win, with start-ups gaining access to market exposure and customers while corporates obtain innovative technology solutions that can help improve their business operations or access new markets.
  • Tax and ESG considerations: As today’s Emerging Giants aspire to become tomorrow’s unicorns, formulating effective ESG and tax strategies will be a cornerstone for future growth.
  • Support to scale up: Governments continue to be supportive of new economy expansion, with a wide range of measures and schemes to attract founders, investors, and talent.
  • Daring to think big: It always starts with a seed of an idea, followed by thinking big, being disruptive and executing with full passion.

Leading 100 Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific



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Chinese Mainland

66

Sectors

Business

77

PERA Global

3D Printing, Advanced Manufacturing, Manufacturing

Industrial simulation software and 3D printing technology

78

Che300.com

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, Industrials, Mobility Tech, TMT

Third-party pricing service platform for second-hand cars

80

Sinoiov

Commercial Services, Logistics, Big Data

Freight vehicle monitoring platform

81

Makeblock

Services (Non-Financial), Educational and Training Services (B2C), EdTech, Robotics and Drones, Supply Chain Tech

Do-it-yourself (DIY) robotics construction and programming learning platform provider

82

Sunyur

Software, Business/Productivity Software, B2B Payments, SaaS, Supply Chain Tech, TMT

Digital procurement solutions for enterprises

83

Wanjiaan

Software, Business/Productivity Software, CloudTech & DevOps, Internet of Things, TMT

AI and IoT solutions and products

84

Watrix Technology

Commercial Services, Security Services (B2B), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, TMT

Gait recognition technology for surveillance

85

Kuyun Interactive Technology

Software, Business/Productivity Software, Big Data, SaaS

Consumer data platform for television and media companies

86

Onion Academy

Software, Educational Software, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, EdTech, TMT

Science and technology online education platform for primary and secondary students

87

Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology

Commercial Products, Aerospace and Defense, Big Data

Space remote sensing and big data services

India

16

Sectors

Business

Sectors

Business

Chinese Mainland

81

Makeblock

Services (Non-Financial), Educational and Training Services (B2C), EdTech, Robotics and Drones, Supply Chain Tech

Do-it-yourself (DIY) robotics construction and programming learning platform provider

Chinese Mainland

82

Sunyur

Software, Business/Productivity Software, B2B Payments, SaaS, Supply Chain Tech, TMT

Digital procurement solutions for enterprises

Chinese Mainland

83

Wanjiaan

Software, Business/Productivity Software, CloudTech & DevOps, Internet of Things, TMT

AI and IoT solutions and products

Chinese Mainland

84

Watrix Technology

Commercial Services, Security Services (B2B), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, TMT

Gait recognition technology for surveillance

Chinese Mainland

85

Kuyun Interactive Technology

Software, Business/Productivity Software, Big Data, SaaS

Consumer data platform for television and media companies

Chinese Mainland

86

Onion Academy

Software, Educational Software, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, EdTech, TMT

Science and technology online education platform for primary and secondary students

Chinese Mainland

87

Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology

Commercial Products, Aerospace and Defense, Big Data

Space remote sensing and big data services

Chinese Mainland

88

Vision Medicals Technology

Healthcare Services, Laboratory Services (Healthcare), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, Life Sciences, Oncology

Genetic diagnostic technology for precision medical treatment

Chinese Mainland

89

dayi35.com

Commercial Products, Industrial Supplies and Parts, E-Commerce, Supply Chain Tech, TMT

E-commerce platform for raw plastic materials

Chinese Mainland

90

FineEx

Commercial Services, Logistics, E-Commerce, Industrials, Mobility Tech, Supply Chain Tech, TMT

Logistics service platform

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Sectors

Business