With 55 million people, Myanmar transitioned from 5% to 85% internet penetration in just 7 years. That’s more than 65% of the population that has access to electricity! This transition started 2 years after the country ended its militaristic rule in 2011 to become a democracy. The opening up of the country paired with the population’s latent demand to participate in the international economy meant people quickly adopted the internet and social media. Startups were also popping up as older industries struggled to meet people’s needs. Covid in 2020, served as another push for businesses to move some of their operations online. Join me in a discussion with Jes Kaliebe Petersen, CEO of Phandeeyar, one of the earliest accelerators in Myanmar, as he shares local insights on local business models and challenges in the ecosystem.