To support constructive and balanced policy discussions around Platforms and the Platform Economy in Southeast Asia, the Tech for Good Institute, a non-profit and independent think tank founded by Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, commissioned this report as its first publication.

The Offline-to-Online (O2O) Platform Economy has become a frequent topic of discussion across policy areas, including its role in the digitalisation of the economy, labour and employment, competition, consumer protection and privacy, among other topics. Given the fast-evolving nature of the Platform Economy, it is more complex that it appears on the surface.

This report provides a broad introduction to the Platform Economy in Southeast Asia and sets the stage for further work including deep dives into the issues and challenges in making the Platform Economy work for all.