In today’s hyper-connected globe, the meaning of national identity is no longer rigid, and we’re seeing a dissolution of cultural borders as we travel through our devices. This shift in mentality is happening against a turbulent geopolitical backdrop as countries prioritise regional allies.

Grab – the self-described ‘everyday everything app’ – has become Southeast Asia’s most valuable start-up and is set to go public at a valuation of $40 billion. The super-app, which does ride-hailing, food delivery, and banking, has boomed thanks to its strategy of putting local needs first.

After rising to international recognition, Guochao captured the attention of global brands. But many campaigns have fallen flat due to a lack of deep understanding of the concept. Canvas8 spoke to Xiaojing Huang, a renowned design strategist and trend expert, about the nuances of Guochao.

Having started as a solution for a safer taxi experience in Malaysia, Grab is the dominant ride-sharing service in south-east Asia. Set on becoming an everyday super app – will it manage to cater to the digital economy set to triple to $240 billion in the next 7 years?

In times of uncertainty, people often make purchases that reaffirm their identity – yet many ‘global citizens’ championed local firms during the pandemic. Canvas8 spoke to Sharon Ng of Nanyang Technological University to understand the impact of global-local identities on shopping habits.