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We embrace the Googles of the world, so why are people concerned when Tencent comes knocking?

Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent — The infamous BAT trio.

For years, we have known about these Chinese internet giants and their massive growth (the B came first, but it seems A  and T have surpassed it). Now they are at our Southeast Asia doorstep, apparently carrying giant moneybags; buying this, investing in that.

While we welcome the likes of Google, Facebook and Amazon (Web Services), why are some entrepreneurs hesitant when it comes to the Chinese conglomerates?

Also Read: Tencent leads US$54M in music app startup Smule to help it expand footprint in Southeast Asia

Are we skeptical? Paranoid? Or it is location and culture? Western companies are still very far away, and all of them have primary businesses outside of the region.

Maybe it is not all of us, but there are voices on the ground expressing concern.

There are those that wonder if it is it too late for Southeast Asians to create something unique and MASSIVELY successfully. Sure, Grab, Go-Jek and Sea are the ideal candidates, but they are not large enough to fend off the likes of Alibaba and Tencent type of giants.

Also Read: This Blockchain-based VC fund lets any individual become a startup investor

Like the Singaporean would say “How ah, like that? Die man.”

Is this fair?

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Copyright: kanbada / 123RF Stock Photo

The post [Discussion] It is raining Alibaba and Tencent news in SEA, but is it nourishment or acid rain? appeared first on e27.

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