Here’s to the Dreamers Campaign Interviews Highlight Diverse Southeast Asian Developers

Apple’s recent “Here’s to the Dreamers” campaign and interviews shed a spotlight to Southeast Asian developers who have released a diverse array of innovative apps and games emerging from the region. These creators, ranging from high school students to industry veterans, are addressing various needs and interests through their digital products.

Tyme Suteesopon and Sirin Thamakaison – WithU

From Thailand, high school students Tyme Suteesopon and Sirin Thamakaison have developed WithU, an app providing motivational messages to support mental health. Thamakaison explains the app’s origin: “I started Crying Cloud during the pandemic when I was struggling with depression. The isolation was hard, and I wanted to help others who were feeling the same way.”

In fact, the app displays rotating inspirational content on users’ home screens, with Suteesopon adding, “WithU allows users to have a widget on their home screen that rotates inspirational messages every 20 minutes, providing constant encouragement.”

Pham Duy Phuc and Tran Tuan – DreamChaser

Moreover, Vietnamese developers Pham Duy Phuc and Tran Tuan Hiep have created DreamChaser, an endless runner game that incorporates elements of Vietnamese history and culture. Reflecting on the experience, Phuc shares, “Seeing players enjoy our game and create their own content based on our work is incredibly fulfilling.”

Andika Pradana and Anggia Lestari – Potion Permit

From Indonesia, siblings Andika Pradana and Anggia Lestari, co-founders of MassHive Media, released Potion Permit in early 2024. This life simulation game puts players in the role of a chemist in a small town. Likewise, Pradana explains their motivation: “I wanted to show that heroes don’t always wear armour or wield swords; sometimes, they’re the ones who support and heal.”

We had to compete with bigger companies for skilled professionals,” the duo recalls. However, they say they’ve “learned so much from our failures and successes, and I believe that’s what keeps us moving forward.”

Joan Low – ThoughtFull Chat

In Singapore, Joan Low has developed ThoughtFull Chat, an app connecting users with mental health professionals for text-based or video therapy. Low, who transitioned from a banking career to mental health advocacy, states, “ThoughtFull Chat’s text-based therapy is the first in Asia to prove clinical efficacy for improvements in stress, anxiety and depression.”

Moreover, these projects and highlights from the Here’s to the Dreamers interviews showcase the growing tech scene in Asia, with developers addressing a range of needs from mental health support to cultural representation in entertainment.

As the tech industry in Asia continues to grow, these developers serve as inspiring examples of how passion, creativity, and perseverance can lead to impactful digital solutions. Furthermore, their stories not only showcase the talent emerging from the region but also emphasize the importance of addressing local needs and cultural contexts in global tech development.

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