Tech in Asia CEO and COO step down as editor-in-chief prepares to lead

Leadership at Tech in Asia is undergoing a major transition, as founder and CEO Willis Wee and COO Maria Li both announced their departures, marking the end of a defining chapter for the regional tech media platform.

In a LinkedIn post, Wee confirmed that 31 March will be his final day after 16 years at the helm of the company he founded. Wee linked his departure to the company’s evolving structure following its integration with SPH Media, noting that the business is entering “its next ops phase”.

Last year, Tech in Asia shut down its Indonesian-language platform and laid off around 18% of its workforce as part of a restructuring aimed at improving sustainability, with Wee citing economic pressures and an unsustainable cost structure.

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“The integration with SPH Media is moving into its next ops phase, which means it’s the perfect time for me to get out of the way,” he added.

Wee will remain involved in a limited capacity as an external adviser for the next six months, “mostly to cheerlead from the sidelines and occasionally offer unsolicited opinions”.

Wee also expressed confidence in his successor, editor-in-chief Terence Lee, who is set to take over leadership.

Meanwhile, COO Maria Li also announced her resignation after more than seven years with the company, describing her tenure as “one of the most formative experiences” of her life.

Li reflected on her journey, which spanned rebuilding the company, driving growth, and overseeing its acquisition and integration with SPH.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we built, and deeply grateful to Willis Wee for taking a chance on me all those years ago,” she added.

She also voiced strong support for the incoming leadership, stating: “I know TIA is in great hands under Terence Lee. I’m excited to see what the team achieves next – and will always be the loudest cheerleader from the sidelines.”

Li indicated that she will return to the startup ecosystem to build another venture aligned with a mission she believes in just as strongly.

The dual departures signal a significant inflection point for Tech in Asia, a platform that has grown into one of the region’s most recognisable voices covering startups, venture capital, and the broader digital economy.

With both founding and operational leadership stepping aside, the spotlight now turns to Lee, who is expected to lead the company into its next phase under SPH Media’s ownership.

Lee said he will retain his editor-in-chief role, while outlining a strategy focused on deeper integration with SPH Media, expanding beyond startups to serve enterprises, and strengthening both content and data offerings.

The company will also continue its events, including the return of its annual conference in Singapore this year and continued activity in Indonesia, while investing in AI-assisted and more engaging content formats to better serve Asia’s tech ecosystem.

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