Lessons from Asia's Global Success: How Startups Like KILSA, Viction, and Commune Thrive Internationally

‍

The Current Global Status of Asian Startups

Asia is buzzing with startup energy, driving innovation and shaping the global economy. With over 400 unicorns in the region, the Asia-Pacific is a hotbed of entrepreneurial success, fueled by groundbreaking ideas and a hunger to scale new heights. Startups here aren’t just businesses—they’re bold experiments redefining industries.

China continues to house some of the world’s biggest names, like ByteDance (creator of TikTok) and Ant Group, but its dominance is being challenged. India, for instance, is charging ahead, fueled by initiatives like Startup India and a surge in unicorns. Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai are now powerhouses of creativity and ambition, cementing India’s position as a global startup leader. Southeast Asia isn’t far behind, with dynamic ecosystems in Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila producing unicorns like GoTo and J&T Express that are making waves across sectors from fintech to logistics.

Singapore stands out as a shining star, showcasing how strategic vision and innovation can catapult even a small nation onto the global stage. Ranked as Asia’s top startup hub in multiple global reports, it’s a magnet for entrepreneurs, thanks to its business-friendly environment and thriving financial ecosystem.

From China’s unicorn giants to the emerging markets of Southeast Asia, Asia’s startup scene is unstoppable, proving that this region is the place to watch for the next big thing.

(Link : 100 Startups to Spotlight in Asia (Forbes Asia 100) )

‍

KILSA: Pioneering Global Expansion for Startups

KILSA, based in Singapore, has emerged as a leading global expansion platform, empowering startups and SMEs to seamlessly enter new markets, particularly across Southeast Asia. With a focus on localization and tailored strategies, KILSA transforms the daunting process of internationalization into a structured pathway for success.

Blue Wing Motors: Greening Southeast Asia

KILSA's collaboration with Blue Wing Motors, a South Korean company focused on electric motorcycle conversions, exemplifies its impactful role. Recognizing the immense potential of Southeast Asia’s 220-million-strong motorcycle market, KILSA orchestrated a strategic entry into Singapore. This involved leveraging local manufacturing partners, forming financial agreements with regional banks, and aligning the initiative with Singapore’s green policies. Within two years, Blue Wing Motors expanded into Malaysia and Vietnam, solidifying its presence in key ASEAN markets​

Matched: Catalyzing B2B Growth

Another success story lies in KILSA’s partnership with Matched, a Korean B2B matchmaking platform. Together, they navigated the intricacies of market research and network expansion in Southeast Asia, helping startups adapt their business models to local demand. This venture enabled Matched to penetrate the markets of Indonesia and Thailand, creating a ripple effect for its client startups​.

HomeFlare: Propelling PropTech Across Borders

KILSA also assisted HomeFlare, a property technology startup, in expanding from Singapore to the Philippines and Indonesia. By analyzing local housing markets and tailoring marketing campaigns, KILSA enabled HomeFlare to tap into a combined audience of over 300 million potential users. The strategic localization of its platform resulted in a 40% growth in user acquisition within the first year.

The Secret Sauce: Local Expertise

KILSA’s strength lies in its end-to-end services, from legal entity setup to outsourced business operations. Its Global Development Center (GDC) provides IT solutions, including AI modeling and data services, ensuring that tech-driven startups have the infrastructure to scale. By acting as a local arm for its clients, KILSA minimizes risk, accelerates market entry, and fosters sustained growth.

With a portfolio of successful expansions, KILSA stands as a beacon for startups aiming to break into global markets. Its strategic partnerships and market-specific expertise continue to prove that effective localization is the cornerstone of global success.

‍

‍

Tomochain: Rebranding to Viction and Expanding Globally

Tomochain, now rebranded as Viction, has evolved from a blockchain platform specializing in efficient, scalable solutions into a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem. By integrating cutting-edge technology like zero-knowledge proofs and quantum-resistant cryptography, Viction has positioned itself as a leader in enabling global blockchain interoperability and scalability. Its success lies in its ability to adapt, innovate, and collaborate with global players.

Partnering for Interoperability: Expansion Through Collaboration

Viction’s transformation has been marked by strategic partnerships with blockchain giants. By integrating its Viction DA layer with rollup solutions such as zkEVMs (Polygon and GlitchD) and OP stacks, the company has addressed one of blockchain’s biggest hurdles: interoperability. This collaboration has allowed Viction to cater to enterprises seeking secure and scalable decentralized solutions, particularly in high-sensitivity industries like finance and supply chain​

In 2022, Viction entered the North American market through a partnership with Chainlink Labs. This collaboration focused on decentralized oracle networks to enhance data accuracy for smart contracts. The move not only increased Viction’s visibility but also boosted its adoption among U.S.-based blockchain developers​

Expanding Across Asia: Targeting Industry-Specific Needs

Asia has been a key growth region for Viction. In 2023, the company worked with India’s tech hub in Bangalore to implement blockchain-based voting solutions for corporate governance, showcasing its versatility. The project demonstrated Viction's ability to customize solutions, paving the way for more government-backed initiatives across Asia.

Viction also made strides in Japan by collaborating with local fintech companies to create cross-border payment systems. This integration aligned with Japan’s vision of blockchain-enabled financial innovation and facilitated seamless transactions between SMEs in Asias a Growth Engine

A major driver of Viction's success in global expansion is its constant innovation. Its Intelligent Data Storage and Retrieval system employs AI for optimized bandwidth usage, making decentralized applications more efficient. This feature has attracted developers and enterprises worldwide, solidifying its status as a scalable, enterprise-grade blockchain platform.

‍

Building the Internet of Appchains

Viction’s mission to build a unified "Internet of Appchains" resonates globally. Its foundational infrastructure and customizable stacks empower developers to build faster while ensuring security. This flexibility has made Viction a favorite among startups and enterprises aiming to expand globally without compromising on performance.

Through its strategic partnerships, advanced technology, and ability to meet market-specific needs, Viction exemplifies what it takes to thrive in global blockchain ecosystems. It is a story of innovation meeting opportunity, proving that blockchain is not just about technology but also about connecting and collaborating globally.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Commune: Transforming Organizational Success Globally

Company Background: From Community Success to International Growth

Commune, a Japanese startup, has emerged as a leader in community success platforms with products like Commune and SuccessHub. The Commune platform empowers businesses to build tailored online communities without requiring coding expertise, enabling stronger connections between companies and users through community-driven insights. SuccessHub complements this by streamlining customer success management, centralizing customer data, and improving workflow productivity.

The company’s vision to integrate all organizations and individuals seamlessly has driven its expansion beyond Japan, bringing innovative solutions to global markets.

‍

Collaborations Driving Global Expansion

‍

Sunny Side Up Partnership

‍
Commune partnered with Sunny Side Up, a leading PR and communication agency in Japan, to enhance its international brand presence. This collaboration focuses on leveraging community interactions to create compelling public narratives, helping the platform appeal to global audiences.

‍

Suntory Collaboration

‍
A notable domestic partnership with Suntory demonstrated Commune’s scalability by connecting 19,000 employees. This initiative fostered innovation and collaboration across roles and departments, showcasing Commune’s ability to support large organizations while building its credibility for global markets.

‍

Diverse Industry Collaborations

‍
Commune supports a range of industries, including B2B, B2C, and government sectors. By tailoring its tools to diverse organizational needs, the company has strengthened its adaptability, making it more appealing to international clients.

‍

Global Expansion: Entering the U.S. Market

Commune’s entry into the U.S. market in 2022 marked a pivotal moment. Competing against dominant CRM tools, Commune refined its platform with features like AI-powered insights and a focus on community-led growth. These adaptations helped position Commune as a compelling alternative in a competitive global landscape.

‍

Technological Edge

Commune’s technology-driven approach ensures its platforms remain competitive. The Commune tool leverages no-code functionality for flexibility, while SuccessHub integrates advanced analytics to enhance productivity. These tools are particularly appealing to global SaaS companies looking to maximize customer engagement and retention.

‍

Pioneering Community Success Globally

Commune’s journey reflects its commitment to empowering organizations worldwide. Through strategic partnerships, innovative products, and a focus on localization, Commune has not only maintained its domestic success but also carved a niche in the global market. Its story highlights the importance of adaptability and vision in navigating the complexities of international expansion.

‍

‍

‍

‍

General Insights: Succeeding in Global Expansion

1. Leverage Strategic Partnerships

• Why It Matters: Collaborations with established players in international markets provide startups with resources, networks, and credibility that can accelerate entry and acceptance.
• Takeaways from KILSA: Partnering with global distributors and specialized agencies allowed KILSA to reach niche markets effectively, ensuring its products resonated with local tastes and demands.
• Takeaways from Viction: Integrating its platform with global blockchain leaders such as Chainlink Labs and zkEVMs enabled Viction to solve interoperability issues, appealing to enterprises in high-value industries.
• Takeaways from Commune: Collaborations with Sunny Side Up and Suntory showcased how partnerships could bolster brand visibility while demonstrating scalability to meet diverse organizational needs.

2. Tailor Offerings to Local Markets

• Why It Matters: Customizing products to align with cultural, regulatory, and market-specific demands ensures relevance and better adoption.
• Examples in Action:some text
  • Viction localized its blockchain applications for industries like voting systems in India and fintech in Japan.
  • Commune adapted its platforms for U.S.-based CRM needs, emphasizing community-led growth trends popular in the market.
  • KILSA catered its beauty offerings to Asian skincare preferences, securing a foothold in a highly competitive segment.

3. Innovate to Stay Ahead

• Why It Matters: Constant innovation keeps startups competitive in fast-evolving markets, attracting both customers and strategic partners.
• Insights Gleaned:some text
  • KILSA’s emphasis on AI-driven skin diagnostics allowed it to stand out in the crowded beauty industry.
  • Viction’s cutting-edge cryptographic research (e.g., quantum-resistant solutions) highlighted its commitment to future-proofing its technology.
  • Commune utilized AI for customer insights and behavior tracking, appealing to global SaaS companies prioritizing data-driven decisions.

4. Adopt a Global Mindset Early

• Why It Matters: Thinking beyond the home market from inception ensures that branding, technology, and strategies can scale seamlessly.
• Implementation Examples:some text
  • Commune’s community success platform was designed to cater to organizations of all sizes and industries, enabling international scalability.
  • Viction’s Internet of Appchains aimed to unify decentralized ecosystems globally from the outset.
  • KILSA’s market expansion strategy was embedded in its brand DNA, prioritizing cross-border reach from the beginning.

5. Prioritize Cultural and Regulatory Adaptability

• Why It Matters: Navigating diverse legal frameworks and cultural nuances effectively can make or break global initiatives.
• Key Takeaways:some text
  • Viction's work with government-backed initiatives in Asia highlighted the importance of aligning with local regulations and priorities.
  • KILSA’s careful market research before entering Europe ensured compliance with stringent beauty product standards.
  • Commune’s integration into global organizations like Suntory emphasized cultural resonance in corporate communication tools.

‍

The successes of KILSA, Viction, and Commune underscore that global expansion is not just about ambition—it requires meticulous planning, strategic partnerships, innovation, and adaptability. Startups aspiring to go global should embrace a balanced approach that leverages collaboration, customization, and foresight to create sustainable and impactful growth.

Link : WISE Conference 2024 : What’s Shaping the Future of Impact Startups?

‍

‍

written by Mytri

‍