The Impulso Podcast
Momentum Works
The Impulso Podcast is hosted by Momentum Works, a venture outfit headquartered in Singapore. Each week, our in-house experts, community and guests unpack the latest trends, undercurrents and lessons in tech across borders. We explore topics like innovation, ecommerce, digital financial services, venture investment, and the broader digital economy.
In addition to covering our home base of Southeast Asia and advanced global markets like the US, we also draw extensive lessons from tech companies in China.
Visit momentum.asia or get in touch via hello@mworks.asia for our insights reports, newsletter, Academy and Venture offerings.
In addition to covering our home base of Southeast Asia and advanced global markets like the US, we also draw extensive lessons from tech companies in China.
Visit momentum.asia or get in touch via hello@mworks.asia for our insights reports, newsletter, Academy and Venture offerings.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 21, 2023 • 24min
E47: Why does Alibaba replace Taobao CEO?
A deep dive into Alibaba’s leadership shuffle and what it signals for the company’s next chapter. A look at intense competition from Pinduoduo and ByteDance and how newcomers are reshaping the market. Discussion of operational agility versus scale and why lean execution matters. Exploration of AI as a force to boost efficiency across e-commerce operations.
Dec 19, 2023 • 8min
E46: SenseTime founder’s passing & AI companies’ challenges in China
They reflect on the passing of a leading AI pioneer and the precarious moment for a major Chinese AI company. The conversation covers explosive growth since 2014, allegations of fabricated revenue, and mounting market and regulatory pressures. They also highlight operational strains like unpaid receivables, difficulty shifting to generative AI, and lessons about product-market fit and unsustainable growth.
Dec 14, 2023 • 24min
E45: Where in Europe people share common birthday?
A lively tour of Kalmykia, the little-known European region with Mongolian roots. They trace migration stories, Soviet-era deportations, and the decline of the Kalmyk language. Listeners hear about Elista’s Buddhist temples, Asian-inflected architecture, local festivals like Zul, and meat-centric cuisine and economy. Personal memories bring everyday life and cultural resilience into focus.
Dec 11, 2023 • 14min
E44: The winners and losers of the TikTok-GoTo deal
A deep dive into the Tokopedia–TikTok Shop merger and the mechanics of TikTok taking a 75.01% stake. A clear rundown of winners, losers and parties with unclear outcomes. Exploration of implications for Tokopedia, GoTo, Shopee and other Southeast Asian e‑commerce players. Discussion of how the deal reshapes competition and the political factors that could affect the outcome.
8 snips
Dec 8, 2023 • 20min
E43: What’s next for e-commerce in SEA?
A Bank of America Q&A on the future of e-commerce in Southeast Asia. Discussion covers TikTok Shop’s ban and possible re-entry strategies. Analysis of whether order volumes shifted to rivals. Debate on Temu and Meituan’s potential to export Chinese value propositions. Comparison of M&A versus organic expansion by Chinese players and how incumbents can defend against new entrants.
15 snips
Nov 30, 2023 • 35min
E42: Why were 2011~16 golden years of Chinese tech?
A veteran recounts the convergence of smartphones, infrastructure and talent that fueled China’s mobile internet boom. They trace global device milestones, explain how payments, logistics and national systems enabled scale, and revisit early mobile app trends like social, location and delivery. Leadership, strategy and M&A choices are examined alongside lessons for navigating today’s AI-driven shifts.
11 snips
Nov 29, 2023 • 12min
E41: [Commentary]: Lessons and implications of Pinduoduo and Meituan results
They dissect Meituan’s weak Q3 and why it needs a bold growth catalyst. They explore a potential Foodpanda deal and the risks of buying versus building overseas. They highlight Pinduoduo’s surprising strength, expansion into 40+ countries, and how rivals like Alibaba, TikTok Shop, and SHEIN are reacting. They note the market-cap milestone that shook industry morale.
15 snips
Nov 24, 2023 • 35min
E40: Coffee in Southeast Asia: key success factors and growth opportunities in a saturated market
A dive into Southeast Asia's booming modern coffee market and which countries lead the charge. Discussion of growth spots and what it takes to win in an overcrowded market. Exploration of why many brands' differences feel surface-level and how location and operations shape profitability. A playful Frappuccino index compares pricing and perceived affluence across global cities.
Nov 17, 2023 • 51min
E39: [CBO talks] Venturing into Indonesia: common mistakes, opportunities, and megatrends
Ryan Wei, Board Director and CBO at BOGA Group and Venture Partner at Bali Investment Club, draws on private equity and F&B startup experience. He explores why Indonesia attracts entrepreneurs and investors. He highlights talent and execution gaps, pitfalls for foreign entrants, the need for deep local partnerships, and long term consumption and demographic megatrends.
10 snips
Nov 10, 2023 • 24min
E38: TikTok Shop after ban: all your questions, answered!
A concise briefing on who gains and loses from Indonesia’s TikTok Shop ban. Discussion of whether other Southeast Asian countries might follow and the political drivers involved. Exploration of why TikTok buyers resist migrating to other platforms and how impulse discovery fuels in‑app purchases. Analysis of logistics, parcel volume losses, and the potential for partnerships or strategic moves to reclaim market share.
