Singapore’s top news publisher, SPH Media, has recently revealed its plans to acquire Tech in Asia, a media company dedicated to the Asian technology and startup sector. This exciting development promises to enhance the offerings of both SPH Media and The Business Times (BT).
- Enhanced Offerings: With the integration of TIA, SPH Media expands its reach and strengthens its capabilities. This acquisition benefits BT in particular, deepening its value proposition to businesses and readers in the region.
- Strategic Growth: SPH Media views this as a strategic move to offer their readers a more comprehensive suite of products and services.
- Startup Spirit: Willis Wee, the CEO and founder of TIA, maintains that the company’s startup spirit and data-driven approach will remain at the core of its competencies post-acquisition.
- About TIA and BT: BT, established in 1976, is Singapore’s sole financial daily. TIA, on the other hand, is a digital news publication founded in 2010 that covers startup and venture capital news across Southeast Asia, India and North America.
- Acquisition Timeline: The acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the end of 2023.
- Investors and Fundraising: TIA counts Softbank, East Ventures, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Walden International, Hanwha Investment Corporation among its investors. It has raised $17M over seven rounds, according to data from Crunchbase.
- Previous Acquisitions and Ventures: TIA acquired tech blog SGEntrepreneurs.com and Indonesian gaming blog Gamesaku in 2013. It entered Y Combinator via its TechList database in 2015.
TIA is more than just a technology news platform. It connects brands with early adopters through its advertising agency unit, studios, organizes tech conferences across Asia, runs the region’s primary startup and technology jobs marketplace and provides comprehensive information through its editorial content.