Reinventing last-mile delivery in Southeast Asia
Ninja Van is one of the most compelling success stories of Singapore founders. Since its launch in 2014, the company has become a regional logistics powerhouse, operating in six countries and serving millions of customers across Southeast Asia.
Founded by Lai Chang Wen, Shaun Chong, and Boxian Tan, Ninja Van began with a bold mission: to solve the inefficiencies of last-mile delivery in e-commerce. What started as a local courier service rapidly scaled into a full-service logistics network using advanced route optimization, real-time tracking, and warehouse automation.
Singapore startups like Ninja Van prove that innovation in traditional sectors—like logistics—can yield exponential results when backed by technology and execution.
Growth from startup to unicorn
Ninja Van’s early success was powered by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small e-commerce merchants. While major global carriers focused on corporate clients, Ninja Van focused on marketplace sellers, offering fast, reliable, and affordable delivery services.
Its tech-first approach gave it a competitive edge. Through its proprietary NinjaOS platform, the company enabled merchants to manage orders, track parcels, and offer customers real-time updates. As demand soared, Ninja Van expanded rapidly into Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
By 2021, Ninja Van raised over US$800 million in funding from investors including Alibaba Group, B Capital, and Grab. This propelled the company into unicorn status with a valuation exceeding US$1 billion.
In 2023, Ninja Van reportedly handled over 2 million parcels daily, becoming a key enabler of Southeast Asia’s booming e-commerce economy.
Singapore business leaders behind Ninja Van demonstrated how regional scalability, tech adoption, and operational resilience can transform an everyday service into a high-growth enterprise.
Impact on Singapore and Southeast Asia’s digital economy
Ninja Van’s journey reflects broader shifts in Southeast Asia’s startup landscape. As online retail surges, logistics has become a critical enabler of the digital economy. Ninja Van not only supports e-commerce giants like Lazada and Shopee but also empowers tens of thousands of SMEs across the region.
The company’s presence in emerging markets has also created local employment, improved delivery infrastructure, and helped formalize the logistics sector. In Singapore, Ninja Van has collaborated with Enterprise Singapore and other agencies to support SMEs and optimize cross-border operations.
Moreover, Ninja Van’s leadership actively contributes to Singapore’s startup ecosystem. Founder Lai Chang Wen regularly shares insights at regional tech events and mentors younger entrepreneurs. The company’s inclusive growth mindset aligns with Singapore’s vision of being a Smart Nation that leverages innovation to solve systemic challenges.
Success stories of Singapore founders like Ninja Van show that homegrown companies can shape the infrastructure of tomorrow’s digital economy—across borders and industries.
Conclusion
Ninja Van’s transformation from a scrappy delivery startup into a regional logistics unicorn highlights the power of vision, technology, and grit. Its founders have redefined how parcels move in Southeast Asia and inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs to pursue scalable, region-first solutions.
As Singapore continues to nurture startups that solve real-world problems, Ninja Van stands as a symbol of how far ambition and innovation can take a local company.
