In 2022, BackScoop sent out 195 newsletter editions. (Yes, 195.) From one newsletter edition a week, we ramped it up to four editions a week to cover the insane amount of SEA startup news in the region.

While it's been fun to write about so many products, IPOs and acquisitions, what has been more exciting was seeing the community get involved way more this year.

During the start of 2022, we had less than 2,000 subscribers. We were still pretty unknown, especially outside of the Philippines.

But everything changed this year — we've grown so so much.

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How have we grown?

🚀 Hit 9,000+ subscribers

Our community has founders (from pre-funding to IPO/unicorn status), execs, investors and startup operators from SEA and beyond.

We also found out that BackScoop helped our readers land jobs, close deals, think of new startups, get connected to investments, and more.

💰 Started monetizing

We also started making our first $$$ through advertisement placements on BackScoop and have been speaking to several potential partners for 2023!

🌏 Got recognized internationally

We've even been on CNN Philippines and invited to international conferences to be onstage!

😱 Began building a larger media business

We won't be "just a newsletter for much longer." Lately, I've been working on new launches that I am so excited to share very soon.

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What happened this year?

📩 195 newsletter editions:

• 583 articles
• 365 pieces of startup news
• 174 interviews (aka, Ice Breakers) with founders, execs and VCs
• 5 all-nighters I had to pull

🍨 174 Ice Breakers features:

• 85 are CEOs
• 37 are chocolate ice cream lovers
• 15 are mint chocolate chip ice cream lovers
• 9 secretly (and not-so-secretly) love Friends
• 7 love Succession — and are probably waiting for the next season as much as I am
• 3 included their pets or kids in their photos

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When 2022 started, I told myself BackScoop would grow if I worked hard enough. But what BackScoop has achieved in just one year is way better than I could have imagined — and I'm still a one-woman team.

And I want to thank all of you who are reading. You've all shown support in ways big and small — emailing me that you love BackScoop, sharing opportunities, referring BackScoop to your friends and even sending thoughtful messages during tough times (or when I'm sick)! 💙

I'm so glad to be building for kind, inspiring and supportive people like you. Happy holidays, and thanks for following my journey with BackScoop!

See you in 2023! 🥂🎇