Japan's startup scene // Shopify's AI memo // Grab earnings // Aspire's Indonesia exit
60/40 Podcast20 Huhti 2025

Japan's startup scene // Shopify's AI memo // Grab earnings // Aspire's Indonesia exit

The 60/40 Podcast dives into what’s really happening in Japan’s startup and fintech ecosystem. Is the world’s fourth largest economy finally ready to embrace the tech and startup opportunity? The team touches on everything from market fundamentals, to fundraising, to gender norms in Japan.


Hot takes of the week include Shopify’s AI memo, Grab 2024 earnings, and news of Aspire withdrawing from the Indonesia market. Tune in to learn about all these topics and more!


Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & intro

03:30 What’s happening in Japan’s tech and startup scene

19:10 State of fundraising in Japan

25:30 The need for cash conservation in building a startup in Japan

30:30 The Triple F- Female, Foreign, Founder

34:50 Shopify CEO’s AI memo

41:20 The difference between value creation vs. value capture by AI

57:30 Grab’s 2024 earnings and the hard road to profitability

1:04:21 Aspire withdrawing from the Indonesian market - does it make sense?


Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com


60/40 is co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Sam Ghiotti of Habitto.


A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.

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