--- title: "Check out these Asia startups disrupting different industries in the region" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/check-out-these-asia-startups-disrupting-different-industries-region/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [SEEDSTARS LIFE](/content-hub/life/) 4. CHECK OUT THESE ASIA STARTUPS DISRUPTING DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES IN THE REGION ![Check out these Asia startups disrupting different industries in the region](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/957207_SSWWebsitebannersASIA_012621.max-1500x500.jpg) ASIA • SEEDSTARS WORLD ## Check out these Asia startups disrupting different industries in the region Seedstars Global FEBRUARY 19, 2021 First detected in China, it didn’t take long until Covid-19 was considered a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. From the first moment, services and manufacturing were immediately affected as lockdown measures were rapidly adopted in the region, with impacts not only on the supply side, but also on demand. The lockdowns meant that normal economic activities, such as manufacturing or tourism, of great importance to the region, could no longer continue operating normally, driving falls in economic output. And the numbers speak loud enough: [Oxford Economics](https://d2rpq8wtqka5kg.cloudfront.net/554425/open20200422100800.pdf?Expires=1608748482&Signature=ttaAZiyT83RByllHsgE7h-oMiqSQRQFFKWsRpLhNf9fDQJO29Nnjpw4D3bHbzFvcOtXclH8FTZcge5S9xgaq25Sd-hXYbRVo8FA9NBa4Fh3SCKk0I9hf04eG2WVU1yuszuP2zwBiMqJv81vK3egI7-T0RqArrtNwLNonrd1oDt~DH90S8NOrQSHNAhoTI5IAQuQZxcSxOJ4Fo1LzbLjLliBe1K1GpvBPhJyDPbM7jtJ585Z1kruV0wwX1-2qyD0dvXqXXiWNE6g8LdvSH2bqndOC5njbGyFI12~lRLtPv5E1GG9JqyReYWxtGu1FOvFiXDWafVfr2YMHeK8Mm73bOA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJVGCNMR6FQV6VYIA) estimates that China’s economy may have contracted 8.5% and Hong Kong’s economy 10% in the first quarter of 2020. With other countries relying heavily on China’s supply chain, the effect of the pandemic sent shock waves through the globe, with the [World Bank forecasting](https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/06/08/covid-19-to-plunge-global-economy-into-worst-recession-since-world-war-ii) a 5.2% contraction in global GDP in 2020. In social terms, the pandemic seems to have affected more significantly certain groups in the society, mostly factions that were already struggling before the pandemic, revealing a pre-existing inequality in the region. Informal workers, not covered by social security or special rescue plans, are among the most vulnerable, together with women, who make up most of the health and care workers, thus more vulnerable to infection but also to increased working hours - an added weight on top of heavy unpaid domestic work performed. [The World Bank projects](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/34497/9781464816413.pdf?sequence=39&isAllowed=y) at least 38 million people across East Asia and the Pacific to fall into poverty as a result of the pandemic. The global panorama has changed and only time will tell what are the long-term effects of the disease on the region, both economically and socially. The trend suggests that most economies are aiming to increase their domestic production at the expense of foreign dependence. But a slow progressive demand for goods from the West is bringing Asian economies back on track. The power rebounds will depend on governmental policies and programmes but also on entrepreneurship, know-how, and technology. And Seedstars is happy to bring the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 local winners for the Asia region - led by people with ideas capable of bringing transformation and development into the region. ### **HealthTech** With mobility restrictions still in place, receiving goods at home became a standard practice in most of the world, with businesses offering such options thriving. In Sri Lanka, the buying of medication couldn’t be easier. Deeshana Basnayake is the mind behind **Healthnet** , a platform offering doorstep medication delivery and refill reminders. The startup offers two separate services: a mobile app for prescription medication and a traditional e-commerce style website for over the counter products, with all products being priced the same as on a retail pharmacy. The great advantages are clear: customers don’t need to wait on queues at the pharmacy - critical in times of a pandemic, it fosters medication adherence and simplifies medication routines at the eyes of the patients, that can at any time make use of free video consultations with pharmacists. And Healthnet knows who their customers are: women. Women tend to be the primary decision makers when it comes to medical needs of the family so it’s to no surprise that approximately 70% of their customer base are women, which led the company to redesign their entire brand to cater for their preferences. ### **F &B** **Foodie** was born in Thailand with the ambition of giving back the power of e-commerce into the hands of restaurant operators, by providing a data-driven digital platform for these businesses to run multi-channel online sales & retention. The system is built in with CRM, payments and logistics services to create a sustainable online sales channel built over organic sales, all in one platform. “Customer acquisition is 5 to 25 times more expensive than retention. For restaurants this problem is exacerbated as online customers are often acquired and retained by the aggregators. This way, restaurants can only gain visibility but never maintain long term retention with their customers,” says CEO Gautam Ganguly. Using this model, the startup believes that restaurants can become more sustainable being run as virtual stores, can scale faster and increase the income of the people involved in running and working at these businesses. Wanting to bridge the gap between consumers and manufactures, Rohit Upreti created the very first and largest e-commerce value chain in Bhutan. The **One Click Shop** has eyes on the world, by working actively on the promotion of various products by local entrepreneurs, while giving them the international market exposure they need. In the process, the company helps develop the entrepreneurship movement in the country, which in turn will help boost the economy of the region. Employing underprivileged youths, using electric delivery options and offering additional trash-back policy service to customers is how the company bids to meet its social concerns. ### **Education: Other Education Products** **iSchoolConnect** , believes that getting university admissions right requires getting recruitment, assessment, and engagement right in the first place. Managed by Ashish Fernando, the winner from India created a one-stop solution to help students apply to more than 400,000 global degree programs through their website. This way, students can complete their entire process from admissions to visas and travel to accommodation, in one place. The solution is democratising a process that is normally long, unfamiliar, stressful and always requires expert guidance. ### **Financial Services: Financial Inclusion** Kiu means "Bridge." And there’s a digital bridge connecting people, communities, countries, and banks with SMEs and MSMEs to help them access capital in Asia. Led by Steven Landman, **Kiu Myanmar Ltd** is solving the problem of access to finance for MSME/SMEs and farmers in Asia by bridging possible customers with partner financial institutions, all utilising the Kiu Business Management Platform. In the process, the company from Myanmar is facilitating local businesses’s access to training in accounting, financial management and digitalisation. This is a market where loan rejection rates are very high - over half of loans requested by SME’s, women owned businesses and farmers are rejected. ### **Financial Services: Payments** Successful e-commerce businesses depend on platforms that are user friendly and appealing, but also on IT solutions that are reliant and accredited, such as Payment gateways, core solutions to make the business flow effortlessly. But what if there’s nearly none? **shurjoPay** , the online payment gateway, managed by Fida Haq, is one of the only two Payment Systems Operators (PSO) licensed by Bangladesh Bank. In absence of any international payment gateways in the country, shurjoPay is solving the very existential issue of e-merchants receiving payments online from all major payment instruments of the country. During the onslaught and spread of COVID-19 in 2020, shurjoPay has played a crucial role in enabling a lot of e-merchants and institutional service providers like schools and hospitals to receive payments for their services in a safe and secure way. The solution allows e-merchants to place multiple payment options on their own websites quickly and start receiving payments in exchange of goods and services they sell. "Hence more and more MSMEs are coming online with their businesses recently. We believe shurjoPay's impact in bringing about this change has been transformational,” says the CEO. ### **Enterprise: Enterprise Software** Creating awareness of local products in the international market is never easy. Fiji and the Pacific have a wide and unique variety of products but the international market penetration for these items is very low. Facing the fact that Fiji did not have a central entity to lead e-commerce development., which drove most micro businesses losing out on the benefits provided by virtual shops, **MultiDrua** came into the picture as Fiji’s 1st Multi-Vendor eCommerce Platform. The drua (canoe) in the olden days was a form of transportation carrying people and goods across islands for discovery and trade. MultiDrua wants to be the drua of the digital age, bringing Fijian made products to the forefront of the international market and empowering local communities to be self-sustaining, while aiming issues of financial and digital literacy. According to the [Health at a Glance:Asia/Pacific 2020 report by OECD/WHO](https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/health-at-a-glance-asia-pacific-2020_26b007cd-en), as of October 2020, around 12% of the deaths reported in the world to Covid 19 were in Asia. In a period where the region needs assistance the most, these startups come into the game bringing solutions that put small and medium businesses at the forefront of the economy. By helping businesses, they’re driving transactions, creating jobs, increasing locals' proceeds and supporting a much larger ecosystem made out of people - always on the foreground of any great idea. Bridging gaps, offering solutions where there were none, projecting the region’s products, these Seedstars winners shine light on the region's future. **19 startups from the Asia region will compete to represent their country at the Regional Finals of the Seedstars World Competition. Tune in on February 15-18 to catch these innovative startups go head to head in the Seedstars Regional Stage.** **Follow** [**Seedstars on Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/seedstars/) **to watch the broadcast online.** ![SSW-regiona-2021](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/957207_SSWWebsitebannersKeyImage_012621.width-800.jpg) ARTICLE SEEDSTARS WORLD 2020/21 ASIA TECHNOLOGY ## More like this [ ![Startups are Bringing Digital Education to Emerging Markets](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/edtech_thumb.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • EDUCATION & CONSULTING Startups are Bringing Digital Education to Emerging Markets Digital education is making education more accessible, affordable and valuable for students across emerging markets. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/startups-are-bringing-digital-education-emerging-markets/) [ ![Why Bridging The Financial Inclusion Gap Includes Education On Financial Literacy](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/quickcheck-podcast-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • FINANCIAL SERVICES Why Bridging The Financial Inclusion Gap Includes Education On Financial Literacy QuickCheck not only bridges the financial inclusion gap but also educates people about financial instruments and the risks related to loans and overindebtedness as financial literacy isn’t part of the curriculum in many countries. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/bridging-financial-inclusion-gap-includes-education-financial-literacy/) [ ![The Grand Finale of the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 is here!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/297x400_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • The Grand Finale of the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 is here! The Grand Finale of the Seedstars World competition is here! Discover the most promising startups of the largest startup competition in emerging markets. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/grand-finale-seedstars-world-competition-202021-here/) [ ![Improving Efficiency and Sustainability of Farming Businesses Through Digital Solutions](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/agritech-podcast-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • AGRICULTURE Improving Efficiency and Sustainability of Farming Businesses Through Digital Solutions Gamaya leverages the agronomy and crop knowledge of our partners and uses remote sensing technology to reach scalability. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/improving-efficiency-and-sustainability-farming-businesses-through-digital-solutions/) [ ![Water Preservation As Means To Living In A More Sustainable Way](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumb-podcast.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • WATER & SANITATION Water Preservation As Means To Living In A More Sustainable Way An idea born when Ramzi had to prepare his child’s bottle at 3 in the morning that changed it all and set off a passion to improve global water management. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/water-preservation-means-living-more-sustainable-way/) [ ![Startups Have Recognized the Importance of Climate Action](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/climate-change-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES Startups Have Recognized the Importance of Climate Action We can’t afford to passively observe climate change anymore. Check out how these startups are working on their solutions. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/startups-have-recognized-importance-climate-action/) [ ![How Blockchain Can Help To Create Sustainable And Transparent Supply Chains](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnail-podcast2.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • AGRICULTURE How Blockchain Can Help To Create Sustainable And Transparent Supply Chains Pierre-Yves Bridel and Peter Gustavsson went on to create OriginFood in 2018, a startup that develops solutions for tracking, tracing and certifying food products, based on blockchain technology. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-blockchain-can-help-create-sustainable-and-transparent-supply-chains/) [ ![How Learning From Every Single Person You Meet Can Change Your Life](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/orcas-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • EDUCATION & CONSULTING How Learning From Every Single Person You Meet Can Change Your Life We spoke with Hossam Taher, CEO of Orcas, an app that helps learners in K-12 discover the best tutors in their area. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-learning-every-single-person-you-meet-can-change-your-life/) [ ![FoodTech in the Grand Finale](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnail-vaud-agri.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • AGRICULTURE FoodTech in the Grand Finale Find out how startups are revolutionizing Food and AgriTech by tuning into the Grand Finale, in partnership with VAUD. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/foodtech-grand-finale/) [ ![Why Women in Entrepreneurship Isn’t Just a Catchphrase](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/women-empowerment-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • OTHER Why Women in Entrepreneurship Isn’t Just a Catchphrase We believe that gender equality shouldn’t just be a buzzword pulled out in March. Find out who this year's winner of the Women Entrepreneur Prize is. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/why-women-in-entrepreneurship-isnt-just-a-catchphrase/) [ ![Vaud is the Leading European Innovation Ecosystem: Here is How You Can Fit Right In](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1054065_VaudWebinarBanners_297x500_050321_1.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER Vaud is the Leading European Innovation Ecosystem: Here is How You Can Fit Right In Seedstars has organized a webinar in partnership with the canton of Vaud on how they can help companies leverage government support for starting or expanding their business in Switzerland or Europe. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/vaud-leading-european-innovation-ecosystem-here-how-you-can-fit-right/) [ ![Innovation in FoodTech as a Way to Stop World Hunger](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/foodtech_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • FOOD & BEVERAGES Innovation in FoodTech as a Way to Stop World Hunger It may seem unbelievable that in 2021, when humanity has come such a long way in terms of technology and innovation, world hunger is still an issue. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/innovation-foodtech-way-stop-world-hunger/) [ ![Discover Canton of Vaud as a leading European center for Innovation in Switzerland](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1054065_VaudWebinarBanners_297x500_050321_1.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • TECH Discover Canton of Vaud as a leading European center for Innovation in Switzerland You're invited to attend this webinar where you'll learn about our region as well as opportunities for potentially expanding your business and benefit from our innovation & start-up ecosystem. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/discover-canton-vaud-leading-european-center-innovation-switzerland/) [ ![Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Africa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/africa_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • OTHER Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Africa Watch now an amazing panel discussion on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Africa. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/women-empowerment-and-gender-equality-africa/) [ ![Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Asia](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/asia_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) ASIA • OTHER Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Asia Learn more about Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Asia. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/women-empowerment-and-gender-equality-asia/) [ ![Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Latin America](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/latam-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) LATIN AMERICA • OTHER Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Latin America Watch now an amazing panel discussion in Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Latin America. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/women-empowerment-and-entrepreneurship-latin-america/) [ ![Take a Closer Look at the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 Grand Finale](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/297x400_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECH Take a Closer Look at the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 Grand Finale The 2020/21 edition of the Seedstars World Competition Grand Finale will be the second one held completely online. To find out more about the agenda and speakers keep reading and don’t forget to register for the Grand Finale __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/take-closer-look-seedstars-world-competition-202021-grand-finale/) [ ![Seven themes of the Seedstars World 2020/21 Grand Finale](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/297x400_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECH Seven themes of the Seedstars World 2020/21 Grand Finale The seven themes we are tackling this time are: 21st-century education, women empowerment, climate action, childhood development, FoodTech, EdTech, and ICT Accessibility. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/seven-themes-seedstars-world-202021-grand-finale/) [ ![The five startup finalists of the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/297x400_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECH The five startup finalists of the Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 These five startups have proven that no matter how difficult times may get, innovation is still at the forefront. We can’t wait to see them at the Grand Finale __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/five-startup-finalists-seedstars-world-competition-202021/) [ ![The most promising startups from Africa are here!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2AFRICA_033121.max-320x550.jpg) AFRICA • AUTOMOTIVE The most promising startups from Africa are here! The winner from Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, or Ivory Coast will get the chance to pitch with other startups globally for an investment of up to $500k. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/most-promising-startups-africa-are-here/) [ ![Watch the best startups from CEE pitching!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2CEE_033121.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • FINANCIAL SERVICES Watch the best startups from CEE pitching! Finalists from Uzbekistan, Russia, Georgia, and Armenia are battling for the chance to represent their region in the Grand Finale of the Competition __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/watch-best-startups-cee-pitching/) [ ![The best startups in Asia are ready to compete in the Regional Final!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2ASIA_033121.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • FINANCIAL SERVICES The best startups in Asia are ready to compete in the Regional Final! The entrepreneurs from Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Pakistan are competing for an investment of up to $500k. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/the-best-startups-in-asia-are-ready-to-compete-in-the-regional-final/) [ ![Get ready to discover the best startups from Latin America!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2LATAM_033121.max-320x550.jpg) LATIN AMERICA • FINANCIAL SERVICES Get ready to discover the best startups from Latin America! Entrepreneurs from Venezuela, Argentina and Peru are ready to pitch their startup and win the Regional Final. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/get-ready-discover-best-startups-latin-america/) [ ![The top startups from MENA are here!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2MENA_033121.max-320x550.jpg) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • SUPPLY CHAIN The top startups from MENA are here! After 17 pitches during the Regional Stage of MENA, we are having the top 4 startups from the region competing for a spot on the Grand Finale. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/top-startups-mena-are-here/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start