Indonesia’s tech scene saw some big moves over the past day, with workforce changes at a major e-commerce player and a new unicorn emerging. On November 1, Blibli, one of Indonesia’s leading online retail companies, announced layoffs as part of broader cost-cutting efforts. This fits into a wave of similar reductions across Southeast Asia’s tech sector, driven by economic slowdowns and rising operational costs. It matters because Blibli handles a significant chunk of Indonesia’s digital shopping market, and these cuts could signal tougher times ahead for the region’s e-commerce growth, which has been booming but now faces inflation and competition pressures.

In brighter news, Ashita Group, an Indonesian firm, hit unicorn status on the same day with a $1 billion valuation. This makes it the latest addition to Southeast Asia’s elite club of high-value startups, likely fueled by investments in tech-driven services like fintech or logistics. Why does this stand out? It boosts confidence in Indonesia’s startup ecosystem, which already leads the region with over 2,400 companies, and could attract more foreign funding amid projections that the digital economy will reach $366 billion by 2030. Posts on X reflect growing excitement, with users highlighting rising startups and events like the Indonesia DePIN Hackathon, which kicked off its opening ceremony on November 2, focusing on decentralized tech innovations.

Government efforts are also ramping up, with recent mentions of expanded digital infrastructure, including the Satria I satellite providing internet to over 27,000 public points in remote areas. This supports broader tech adoption, especially in underserved regions, and ties into Indonesia’s push to dominate Southeast Asia’s digital market, already valued at $90 billion in 2024.

Keep an eye on upcoming events like the NET 2025 conference on November 8, which could spark new partnerships, and any follow-up details on Blibli’s layoffs or Ashita’s expansion plans, as they might influence investor sentiment in the coming weeks.