Why localisation is the new globalisation strategy

Behind many of today’s most ambitious expansion plans is a simple question: have we really understood the local challenge?

Here we’re breaking down the key takeaways from the "Local Roots, Global Impact: Global Investors' Insight on Investment Strategies" panel at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025, where Jonathan Yip, Managing Director, Head of Innovation Banking, Asia, HSBC joined industry leaders to explore how creativity is defining the next wave of innovation in Asia and why global expansion ambitions need a clear localisation strategy focused on solving tangible problems.

• Creativity as a competitive edge – Innovation requires creativity and Asian businesses are taking the lead in diffusing cutting edge technology across industries – resulting in more resilient and competitive enterprises.
• Practical AI for scalable markets – The ability to pinpoint and solve problems with technology is clear among Chinese entrepreneurs who are increasingly known for transforming practical AI applications with sizeable total addressable markets into viable and sustainable business models.
• Infrastructure breakthroughs – Some of the most impactful technological advances are happening at the underlying technological infrastructure. Investors are now targeting breakthroughs in core algorithms, data architectures, and computational models that form a new, more efficient foundation for industries, driving long-term value.
• Pain point-driven globalisation – Successful global expansion in today’s uncertain environment should lead with a problem-solving strategy to be sustainable, one that reflects an awareness of local markets and the challenges that are ripe for new solutions.
• Localise to customise – Nowadays, localisation can’t be taken for granted or glossed over in new market planning. Companies need to understand their target markets, and then utilise that knowledge to customise their solutions. We see this regularly at HSBC where we work closely with clients to develop nuanced market entry strategies that account for local market dynamics , business culture and consumer behaviours.

Global expansion is not only about where you go, but also how you enter. If you would like to explore how these insights can be applied to your business strategy, please reach out to your dedicated HSBC representative.