Grab's Anthony Tan on what it takes to navigate a challenging market

Grab Editorial

. September 17, 2025

While Grab may not be a household name in the US, it is a publicly listed company leading the charge in shaping the future of superapps globally.

How did Grab transition from addressing Southeast Asia’s mobility challenges to becoming a regional leader in AI technology, while pushing forward EV adoption and AV exploration.

In a recent episode of Rapid Response, hosted by Bob Safian, former editor-in-chief of Fast Company, Grab CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan shared his insights.

Here are some key moments from the discussion:

14:06: What role does sustainability have to play in Grab’s roadmap?

Grab’s commitment to sustainability isn’t just about going green, it’s also about protecting livelihoods. In flood-prone areas like Manila, for instance, climate change directly impacts drivers and business operations.

“It is mission-critical and we have very clear goals and plans to get there,” said Anthony.

On the EV front, Anthony said that widespread EV adoption in the region still has its challenges.

“The problem is a lot of the charging infrastructure just isn’t ready,” said Anthony.

That’s why efforts have been poured into investing in low-emission vehicles and partnering with governments to strengthen the EV infrastructure.

16:12 Why has Grab been more cautious about AVs compared to global peers?

Southeast Asia’s unique road infrastructure and lower labor costs mean AV adoption will take time.

“For AVs to take off in the region, it needs to be as safe as what you see in the US today and it needs to be much cheaper,” said Anthony.

But Grab is already experimenting with autonomous shuttles through partnerships and exploring ways to upskill drivers for the AV era, ensuring they remain integral to the business.

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19:56 What can businesses in the US learn from Southeast Asia?

“Culture is what has inspired many of our global peers to look at Asia and say: These are lessons we can learn,” shared Anthony.

Navigating a challenging market with lower margins and cost structures fosters resilience and drives innovation. At the same time, humility plays a key role, as leaders are encouraged to seek feedback from all levels to continuously improve.

“Be extremely humble—know that you’re not the smartest guy in the room. In fact, most people are smarter than you, so it’s crucial to take feedback all the time,” Anthony emphasised.

He shared how he continues to actively listen to feedback from driver-partners today. The most rewarding part? Grab’s teams excel at quickly incorporating feedback and implementing changes.

Grab’s culture is also deeply rooted in the heart to serve, focusing on underserved communities like the visually impaired and elderly, while partnering with governments to create meaningful change.

Concluding the episode, Bob said that he did not expect a regional superapp to be so focused on succeeding across these multiple goals.

“But I think it’s a great reminder, especially in 2025, of the responsibility that business leaders have and the opportunity. The irony, as Anthony alludes to, is what’s good for society and your people, what’s good for the planet and the environment—it’s almost always good for your finances too. Maybe not in the very beginning, but in the long run. And so if we want to build a business that stands the test of time, that positively impacts the future, why shouldn’t triple bottom line be a consideration for everyone?”, said Bob.

From our leaders

Grab's Anthony Tan on what it takes to navigate a challenging market

14:06: What role does sustainability have to play in Grab’s roadmap?

16:12 Why has Grab been more cautious about AVs compared to global peers?

19:56 What can businesses in the US learn from Southeast Asia?

Komsan Chiyadis

Komsan Chiyadis