E14: Meituan acquires an AI company, Lazada ID’s new CEO and Cainiao’s cross border expansion
36:41 Share

Welcome to The Impulso Podcast’s weekly recap episode, where we bring you the latest updates and developments from the dynamic world of technology and business. Join us as we explore the most significant news and events shaping the industry and discuss their implications for the Southeast Asian tech landscape. In this episode, we kick off by diving into Meituan's recent acquisition of Light Year, an artificial intelligence (AI) company founded by its co-founder, Wang Huiwen. With a deal worth $234 million in cash, Meituan aims to leverage Light Year's AI capabilities to enhance its existing products and services. We examine the motivations behind the acquisition and the potential impact it may have on Meituan's position in the race to develop generative AI services. Next, we shift our focus to Lazada's new CEO in Indonesia, James Chang. With over 11 years of experience at Lazada, including co-founding and managing Lazada Indonesia, Chang's appointment brings seasoned leadership to the company. We explore Chang's background, his vision for Lazada Indonesia, and his plans to help Indonesian businesses grow and succeed in the e-commerce space. Lastly, we delve into Cainiao, a logistics company launched by Alibaba Group. We discuss Cainiao's mission to build the world's most efficient and reliable logistics network, its global operations, and the services it is planning to offer, including domestic and international parcel delivery, cross-border e-commerce logistics, warehousing, and supply chain management. We highlight recent initiatives by Cainiao, such as launching a 5-day global delivery service, opening smart logistics hubs in Asia and Europe, partnering with DHL, and investing in blockchain technology. Join us on a journey through the weekly highlights of the Southeast Asian tech industry, as we uncover the strategies, acquisitions, and innovations that shape the region's dynamic business and tech landscape. Referenced in this episode: Meituan: Finding Business Clarity https://momentum.asia/product/meituan_finding_business_clarity/   Lazada appoints new CEO for Indonesia https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/lazada-appoints-new-ceo-for-indonesia/   Why did Meituan buy a generative AI company? https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/why-did-meituan-buy-a-generative-ai-company/ Ecommerce in Southeast Asia 2023: https://momentum.asia/product/ecommerce-in-southeast-asia-2023/