THE startup landscape in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Philippines has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. As startups vie for a competitive edge, they encounter a dilemma: be the first or second to enter a market. First movers have the edge, but also the risk of errors. Second movers can improve their offerings by learning from the first movers' blunders.

To shed light on this issue, I interviewed Prayaank Gupta, vice president for Growth and Innovation, and Paolo Alba, Philippine country lead and regional business director at PRecious Communications. Together, we explored the advantages and challenges of being the second mover, offering insights for startups and entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on the abundant growth opportunities in Southeast Asia's prospective markets.