BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)

Agung Saputra, CEO & Founder of Surplus Indonesia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia Pollution Crisis: Agung flagged that Indonesia is one the top 3 polluters in the world: #2 plastic polluter, #2 food wastage and #1 most air polluted city (Jakarta). He highlighted the lack of regulations and public awareness as major barriers to effective waste management for the country's severe environmental challenges. Indonesia's reliance on “ticking time bomb” landfills (rather than incineration or recycling) poses significant safety hazards, e.g. a landfill explosion in Bandung led to fatalities. Deforestation for urban development has led to significant biodiversity loss, e.g. the new capital city of Nusantara in Borneo. He underscored the need for comprehensive governmental action and community involvement to improve environmental practices​​. 2. 48 Million Tons of Food Waste: Agung addressed the rapidly-rising problem of food waste, driven by its large population, increasing affluence and cultural attitudes (e.g. viewing an empty plate at the end of the meal as impolite). Harvard research shows that 20M people (8%) in Indonesia are unable to meet their nutritional needs every year, and stunting affects one-third of children under five years old. However, 48 million tons of food worth $39B USD (~5% of Indonesia's GDP) is lost annually, which is equivalent to 170kg of food waste per person. Not only would redirecting edible food to food banks support people experiencing hunger and chronic malnutrition, but it would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced from food ending up in the landfill. He warns that food waste will continue to increase as Indonesia gets larger and richer unless effective interventions are implemented. 3. Surplus Marketplace App: Agung described how Surplus Indonesia operates as a marketplace for surplus food, connecting consumers with discounted food items that would otherwise go to waste. The platform works similarly to Foodpanda, allowing users to find and purchase surplus food from local businesses via an app. Surplus Indonesia has grown significantly, reporting a threefold increase in revenue in 2023, which indicates a rising demand for sustainable practices. He also discussed the company's approach to ensuring food safety and quality, including a two-strikes policy for vendors who fail to meet standards. He highlighted that the primary customers are younger Indonesians, who are more environmentally conscious and willing to support sustainable businesses​​. He explained that the demographic shift is reflected in the increasing number of sustainability startups in the country, from just a few in 2019 to nearly a hundred by 2024. Jeremy and Agung also talked about managing different types of waste and recycling streams, growth in sustainability-driven sectors, and the increasing involvement of young Indonesians in environmental issues. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/agung-saputra Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/agung-saputra-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/agung-saputra-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about Heymax!

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance: Bain’s 2023 private equity report shows that Southeast Asia's VC returns have been lower over the past decade, with median LP distributions of 0.4X for Southeast Asia, China 0.6X, Europe 0.7X, USA 1X and India 1.3X. Shiyan attributed this due to the oversupply of capital - despite an order of magnitude increase in venture capital into Southeast Asia, this influx has not led to a proportional increase in scalable, successful companies, thus leading to inflated valuations and reduced returns​​. 2. SGX & IDX Capital Market Challenges: Jeremy and Shiyan examined the hurdles faced by Southeast Asian companies in accessing capital markets. Jeremy noted the low liquidity on local exchanges, with turnover rates at 32% in Singapore, 19% in Indonesia, and 73% in the Philippines, compared to the New York Stock Exchange's 103%​​. Shiyan emphasized that local regulatory constraints, such as the Singapore Stock Exchange’s requirement for profitability (to protect retail investors), deter many tech startups, prompting them to seek international listings, particularly in the US, where they can list at higher valuations despite ongoing losses​​. They also discussed the role of capital controls in limiting retail investors' access to offshore equities in China and India, driving demand for domestic listings​​. 3. Post-AI "Good Jobs": Jeremy and Shiyan examined the impact of AI on Southeast Asia's labor markets, focusing on how integrating AI with lower-cost labor could create a competitive advantage against purely AI-driven models in the US​​. Shiyan suggested that developing AI-native companies could drive innovation in service sectors like call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO). They also touched on the concept of the “iron rice bowl”—a metaphor for job security and stability in traditional sectors, such as government-related roles, which might be less affected by AI​​. They noted that while AI could make some roles obsolete, particularly those involving repetitive tasks, it might also open new opportunities by automating routine aspects of jobs, thus enhancing overall productivity. Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about the importance of mid-sized companies for talent recycling, AI’s role in the creative fields, and how global economic trends impact founder fundraising in the region. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/post-ai-good-jobs Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/post-ai-good-jobs-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/post-ai-good-jobs-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about Heymax

Jeremy reflects on his teenage military experience in the Singapore army across two years: 1. might makes right 2. camaraderie humor and 3. sacrifice as a crucible into adulthood. He details the transition from the implicit social norms of school into the military, where he learned that laws which codify right and wrong are actually backed by the use of force. He shares the camaraderie built through shared hardships and the deep humor by fellow soldiers. Arduous challenges pushed him beyond his self-imposed physical and mental limits. He also grew to respect those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives in service to the greater good, like veterans, firemen and good samaritans. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/army-lessons Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/army-lessons-i 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/army-lessons-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about Heymax

Fady Abdel-Nour, General Partner at Antler, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Naspers & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Learnings: Fady shared his career path, starting in investment banking during the peak financial markets of 2007. He then transitioned to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, focusing on long-term and solution capital investments. There, he led Ontario Teachers’ first private deal in China with Ganji and worked on JD.com. Later, at Naspers, he specialized in FinTech, leading investments and M&A, particularly in payments and alternative lending in India, Brazil, and Indonesia, with notable investments including PaySense (acquired for close to $200 million), and a digital mortgage company in Brazil (valued at $4 billion during its last round). These experiences helped Fady develop a keen understanding of the importance of strategic geographical diversification in investment. 2. Antler Partner ($285M AUM) Outlook: Fady was impressed by founder Magnus Grimeland's rapid scaling of Antler and helped launch the Elevate growth fund that closed at $285M USD. Fady discussed the current favorable conditions for deploying capital, noting that while there are fewer opportunities compared to 2020 and 2021, the quality has significantly improved. He highlighted a reduction in less promising ventures, making the market more attractive for serious investors. He also was optimistic about the market's potential to improve and attract international investors, e.g. Japanese investors increasingly exploring Southeast Asia. 3. India vs. China vs. Southeast Asia VC: Fady discussed that China is becoming less investable to global LPs due to geopolitical tensions, while India continues to show rapid innovation and strong domestic and global business potential. He explained how he sees diverse markets in the region with significant growth potential, e.g. Indonesia and Singapore which are emerging as FinTech hubs with companies like PayPal and Stripe establishing a presence, thus creating a fertile ground for new ventures. Jeremy and Fady also talked about his reflections on moving from larger organizations to a more entrepreneurial setting, China’s leading role in digital transactions, and the rise of digital adoption in different markets. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fady-abdel-nour Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fady-abdel-nour-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fady-abdel-nour-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Singapore vs. USA Education Systems: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed differences in structure, funding, and outcomes. In Singapore, the education system is centralized with high academic rigor, while in the USA, quality varies significantly due to local property tax funding, leading to disparities between affluent and less affluent areas. They highlighted how the Singapore system is envied by global peers for its academic outcomes but faces internal criticism for being a "pressure cooker.” Shiyan also emphasized the personal nature of educational choices and the high costs associated with private international schools, which can be prohibitive for startup founders. 2. WEIRD AI Teddy Bears: Jeremy and Shiyan debated AI integration into children's toys and education. Jeremy expressed concerns about AI potentially replacing difficult human conversations with always-pleasant AI interactions. They discussed the inherent biases in LLM models, which are trained on data from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) societies. Embedding AI into education thus further propagates this worldview to the next generation, which may not reflect current, local or parental cultural values or norms. 3. US Senate $32B AI Investment Bill: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the proposed legislation advocating for a $32 billion annual investment in AI. Jeremy added that the US is already a leader in AI investment, with private investments expected to reach $82 billion next year, more than double that of China. She questioned the need for further government investment in an area already heavily funded by the private sector and argued that government funds might be better spent on education, which offers broader societal benefits. Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about parental competition for "good jobs”, the challenges in balancing academic rigor and student well-being, and the future implications of AI in the workforce. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/weird-ai-teddy-bears Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/weird-ai-teddy-bears-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/weird-ai-teddy-bears-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy Au discusses the success habit of creating content, rather than consuming. He remembers the nervousness in launching the first podcast episode, his desire for deep, human-centric stories about tech leaders, and overcoming writer's block. He advises rising thought leaders to start with a topic they are passionate about, the importance of consistency and other practical advice. He also discusses personal growth, community engagement and mistakes he had made. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/creator-success-habit Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/creator-success-habit-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/creator-success-habit-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy Au collaborated with Huawei’s Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist, Mr. Hong-Eng Koh, to discuss insights from the 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok. They talked about three main themes: 1. Public Sector Digital Transformation: Mr. Hong-Eng Koh shared his journey from the Singapore Police Force to leading Huawei's global public sector team. He emphasized the significance of digital transformation in Singapore, starting with computerizing police reports in the 1990s to national projects like the Public Services Online and the Broadband Infrastructure for Government. He also highlighted that true digital transformation requires a coordinated, high-level approach across all government agencies. He stressed the need for a unified network, cloud, and platform to achieve efficiency and overcome bureaucratic inertia. 2. Huawei R&D Leadership: Mr. Hong-Eng Koh elaborated on Huawei’s extensive commitment to research and development, with over 55% of its 200,000 employees dedicated to R&D globally, including significant investments in Singapore and Europe. He explained how Huawei’s integrated technology stack enables rapid innovation and emphasized Huawei’s focus on continuous innovation and customer-centric solutions, which drive its competitive edge and resilience. He cited Huawei’s substantial investment in R&D, spending over 20% of its revenue, and its global patent leadership, holding the top spot in patent applications for six consecutive years. 3. Geopolitical Resilience: Mr. Hong-Eng Koh discussed Huawei’s adaptability in a decoupling world. He described how Huawei worked hard to maintain customer trust by ensuring reliable product delivery during crises such as COVID-19. Koh emphasized Huawei's culture of never giving up and working together as a pack, which fosters resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction. He also noted that the geopolitical challenges have pushed Huawei to be more transparent and open, ultimately benefiting the company. Jeremy and Mr. Hong-Eng Koh also talked about the evolution of AI and its future impact, the importance of digital sovereignty, the open vs. closed-source software debate, and customer-centric approaches during crises. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-geopolitical-resilience Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-geopolitical-resilience-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-geopolitical-resilience-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. China Diaspora Waves: Jeremy and Jianggan discussed the long-standing historical connections between China and Southeast Asia, dating back to the era of Admiral Zheng He's voyages during the Ming Dynasty. They touched on the various dialect groups Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese & Peranakan and event drivers across trade, piracy, civil war, invasions and re-opening. 2. Bamboo Network Economic Interdependence: Jianggan highlighted how Southeast Asian companies benefited from China's manufacturing boom in the 1980s. They also touched on China's tax reforms in the 1990s, which spurred local governments to develop real estate and industrial parks, ultimately boosting China's manufacturing leadership. They cited billionaire Robert Kuok's Kerry Group, intertwining the stories of Fuzhou, Malaysia, Singapore and Hongkong. 3. 996 MNC Culture: Jeremy and Jianggan covered the intense work schedule advocated by Jack Ma of Alibaba, which involves working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. This is driven by the intense competition and high productivity expectations within Chinese companies. They also discussed the differences in labor regulations and productivity across various countries where Chinese companies have set up operations, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey, and Mexico, and highlighted the motivation of migrant workers compared to local hires. Jeremy and Jianggan also talked about the below-the-radar influence on South American food culture, challenges for Chinese tech companies hiring in international markets and the resumption of Chinese emigration. Jianggan Li is the Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, a Singapore-headquartered venture outfit. Prior to founding Momentum Works, he co-founded Easy Taxi in Asia, and served as Managing Director of Foodpanda. He is also the co-author of the book Seeing the Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants' Global Venturing. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a degree in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. Apart from English and his native Mandarin, he is also fluent in French and conversational in Cantonese & Spanish. Momentum Works is a Singapore headquartered venture outfit. Over the years, we have become a strong brand for insights, community and ventures in tech, ecommerce and digital economy across emerging markets. Our main business areas include insights/research, advisory, corporate education (Momentum Academy) and venture building. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-migration-waves Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-migration-waves-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-migration-waves-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy Au reflects on the finite nature of life, creating the human desire to survive, build a family, or leave behind a legacy of accomplishments. He explores longevity and discusses life extension champion Bryan Johnson and his "don't die" slogan. He references Mark Manson's book "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," which argues that confronting (instead of ignoring) mortality drives people to better appreciate life. He thus delves into digital immortality, where advanced AI technologies and extensive personal data can create high-fidelity digital replicas. He cites the story of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, who sought immortality but died in 210 BCE from consuming mercury, believing it would extend his life. Jeremy speculates on a future where humans thus create a digital afterlife, using continually-improving AI models, granting access to formerly-private data and structuring in economic shell-company rights. The species "Homo digitalis" thus emerges, with photo-realistic digital avatars carrying on individual human personalities and interacting with real-world humans. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-immortals Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-immortals-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-immortals-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Helen Wong, Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. AC Ventures Managing Partner Leadership Journey: Helen shared her extensive journey from Oxford University to investment banking to GGV Capital to INSEAD MBA to Qiming Ventures to Managing Partner of AC Ventures. She highlighted her 20 years of investing experience across the booming Silicon Valley tech ecosystem to the early rapidly growing China tech scene of the early 2000s. The Asian Financial Crisis with Asia corporate over-leveraging debt and Alan Greenspan's interest rate hikes reshaped her understanding of risk and investment. She shared insights on investing in 4 unicorns, 3 M&A exits and 7 IPOs, e.g. Alibaba's growth from 1,000 to thousands of employees 2. China VC Acceleration: Helen discussed the early days of China's tech ecosystem, where returnees and local entrepreneurs started to build unicorns across the internet boom and the mobile internet era, despite the nascent talent pool and then-lack of exit opportunities. She noted the intense competition, global liquidity pools, rapid pace of deal-making, and the strategic focus shifts from consumer internet to deep tech and enterprise software due to government policies and market saturation. 3. Indonesia Growth Optimism: Helen highlighted the significant growth potential in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, which she identified as a critical market due to its large 275 million population, rising middle class, and economic resilience. She drew parallels between the region's current tech landscape and China's early days, noting the opportunities for substantial returns. She also discussed Indonesia's favorable economic fundamentals, with Goldman Sachs projecting the country’s GDP to rank fourth globally by 2050, and the public and private debt levels being relatively low at about 40% of GDP, which indicates a healthier balance sheet compared to more leveraged economies. Jeremy and Helen also talked about the challenges of balancing career and family, strategic investments like Akulaku, reflections on missed investments, and her advice to her younger self. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/helen-wong Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/helen-wong-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/helen-wong-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Jakarta City Master Plan: Gita highlighted Jakarta's urgent urban planning needs to address rising sea levels, land subsidence, air pollution, traffic congestion, sanitation upgrades and education requirements. Miscommunications, fragmented stakeholders and the recurring blame game in political discourse have contributed to this impasse. They discussed the new Jakarta Agglomeration Area Council, led by Indonesia’s incoming Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka (Joko Widodo's son), which aims to coordinate two governors, four mayors and four regents to create a new master plan for 6,700-square-kilometers. 2. Prabowo on Western "Double Standards": Jeremy and Gita discussed Prabowo's strongly-worded The Economist op-ed which said that the West had "double standards" on Gaza and Eastern Europe and that valuing the lives of civilians in Palestine less than in Ukraine is morally indefensible. Prabowo has long advocated for cease-fires in both countries, signaling a more public foreign policy than the outgoing President Joko Widodo - while maintaining continuity on domestic and economic policy. Gita noted that Indonesia's population size and economic growth strengthen its voice in international affairs, vs. other ASEAN neighbors that have voted similarly for peace deals in both conflicts. 3. Microsoft $1.7B Investment: Jeremy and Gita discussed Microsoft's $1.7 billion investment to enhance Indonesia's digital infrastructure and workforce capabilities. This investment highlights Indonesia's potential to become a key player in the global tech market. They also addressed the challenges of brain drain and debated on dual citizenship as a solution to retain talent by allowing Indonesians to work abroad while maintaining ties to their home country, in contrast to Singapore's immigration policy. They emphasized the importance of upskilling and continuous education to keep the talent pool relevant and competitive, Jeremy and Gita also talked about the similarities in urban planning in Jakarta vs. San Francisco, the debate on national security concerns related to dual citizenship, and the impact of political stabilization and economic continuity post-election. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/western-double-standards Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/western-double-standards-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/western-double-standards-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy Au explores "roboganda," the new wave of propaganda promoting the benefits of robots and AI. Roboganda playbook: 1. Emphasize transformation of industries with increased productivity, downplay short-term negative job displacement, reskilling and search costs for individuals. 2. Humanize AI to satisfy individual social needs (loneliness, validation & empathy) substituting for societal archetypes (colleague, mentor, lover, child) across media (product demos, game NPCs and Hollywood - The Creator, Her) 3. Increasingly use AI cloaked as humans to spread pro-robot narratives at effectively zero marginal cost (e.g. election bot farms, Reddit bots), instead of human creators (writers, artists and musicians) - disproportionately in favor of capital holders and disrupters over labor and incumbents. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/robot-propaganda Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/robot-propaganda-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/robot-propaganda-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy and Chia discussed his experience changing careers from Southeast Asia VC Principal to US AI founder. He outlined the non-transferable nature of many VC skills when becoming a founder. While VC offers a high-level understanding of market and investment dynamics, it lacks the hands-on operational skills needed to build a startup from zero. They also compared the competitive, fast-paced U.S. startup environment to Southeast Asia's, highlighting differences in market depth, competitive intensity, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Chia emphasized why you must "reset your hunger" for success, advising on the need to reassess personal and professional goals when switching roles or geographical bases. Such shifts require not only skill adaptation but also a profound change in personal drive and resilience. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/reset-your-hunger Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/reset-your-hunger-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/reset-your-hunger-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Prime Minister Transition: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the transition of Prime Minister leadership from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong. They discussed the potential challenges that the new Prime Minister would face such as addressing wealth inequality and evaluating the efficacy of current social programs. They also speculated on potential policy shifts that might occur under the new leadership including those related to property taxes, GDP growth focus, and social welfare enhancements. They empathized with local negative/ positive sentiments regarding the future and the dropping Total Fertility Rate (0.97 in 2024) which eventually leads to a shrinking population. 2. Immigration Assimilation & Schools: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed Singapore's distinctive "barbell" immigration strategy, which primarily attracts either high-skill individuals through initiatives like the Tech Pass and Global Investor Program or blue-collar workers, leaving a notable gap at the mid-skill level where many startups find their needs. They highlighted that startups often employ young, promising talents compensated more heavily with stock options, which are not adequately recognized in Employment Pass criteria, and lack eligibility for EDB support typically reserved for MNCs. This situation compels local founders to opt for remote hiring and training, nurturing the next wave of startup leadership in the region instead of inside Singapore. They suggested that the government should broaden and increase the ASEAN scholars program. 3. CTO & Engineering Pass: They proposed the introduction of a "CTO/ Head of Engineering Pass" to attract highly skilled technical rising stars (rather than Tech.pass which is for senior, mature executives). These individuals are more plugged into the next generation of tech needs (e.g. AI, biotech), hungrier to lean in and build, and leverage "robots" that can upgrade the productivity of their startups, clients and the broader SME sector - thus increasing the Total Factor Productivity of Singapore’s economy, boosting GDP and thus tax revenues for social welfare programs. In contrast, Malaysia has launched a new open-door tech talent policy to attract and poach startup founders and highly productive immigrants who cannot get to work in Singapore. Jeremy and Shiyan also shared how they hadn't foreseen that USA legislation could be structured into a "collective deadline/ ticking time bomb" phasing - law to be established in principle and win political points - but 1. implemented far out enough to mitigate political repercussions for the US elections 2. give a longer preparation/ migration period for affected advertisers and consumers, 3. structure in discretionary extension periods for more negotiating power 4. given enough space for legal battles over whether it can actually be implemented. They compared this approach to Singapore's swift and China’s retroactive law enforcement for passed legislation. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-new-prime-minister Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jeremy Au as a science-fiction and history nerd reviewed the 3 complex themes of Liu Cixin's "Three-Body Problem" series. Spoilers ahead: 1. Social Darwinism: "Dog eat dog" foundational psychological core of human society due to the survival instincts of individual humans, in stark contrast to Western fiction like social utopian “Star Wars,” moral clarity of "Star Trek," inspirational "Lord of the Rings," and political sacrifices of "Game of Thrones". In a dark real-life parallel, the show's TV producer and billionaire Lin Qi was poisoned to death by his business partner due to jealousy and anger. 2. Technology Competition & Blockades: The best way for societies to compete is through technology advancement, e.g. Guns over swords, nuclear missiles over artillery bombs. The Qing dynasty’s (1644-1912) self-imposed isolation and technology stagnation led to the "Century of Humiliation" where China repeatedly lost to more advanced foreign powers like the United Kingdom with the Opium Wars, France, Russia, Germany and Japan. China readers currently perceive a similar dynamic in the "USA-China chip war" due to US government bans on advanced semiconductors, tech export controls and competitive R&D industrial policy. 3. Community Over Individual: Collective survival strategies are driven by individual desires to survive, but superior to individualistic decision-making. The series portrays societal responses to external threats and internal divisions, drawing on China's history of mass movements and dynasty vs. warlord eras. This leads to classic human morality being outcompeted by the realpolitik game theory of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), preemptive strike incentives, and "Dark Forest" as a solution to the Fermi Paradox. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/three-body-problem Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/three-body-problem-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/three-body-problem-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join us at the startup conference Echelon X! We have 30 exclusive complimentary tickets for our podcast listeners. Sign up and use the promo codes BRAVEPOD or ECXJEREMY to claim your free tickets now!

Jason Edwards, CEO & Founder of Alternatives.pe, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Lawyer to Founder & VC: Jason recounted his legal career at Baker & McKenzie in Australia and Hong Kong. Due to the Asian Financial Crisis, he focused on financial restructuring for distressed firms (many of whom had borrowed heavily in US dollars) across Bangkok, Singapore and Asia. He later moved into private equity with Clearwater Capital Partners ($1.2B AUM) and venture capital by co-founding Qualgro VC. He later founded alternatives.pe - an accurate data and insights platform for private capital market professionals looking for best-in-class coverage across Southeast Asia and Australia. The platform is now used by the majority of Asian funds including Square Peg, 500, Temasek, Sequoia, Tiger Global, Warburg Pincus, KKR, Vertex, GIC and Softbank. 2. Alternatives.pe Regional Capital Insights: Jason discussed the current shift of VC attention from consumer-focused (B2C) to business-focused (B2B) models, due to a faster route to profitability across diverse linguistic and cultural markets. He observed strengthening investment discipline focused on capital efficiency and strategic scalability. Jason also elaborated on the complex dynamics of negotiation and asset recovery in the region. He pointed out that Asian businesses usually hold most of their value intrinsically, which complicates asset recovery efforts when entrepreneurs have been at the helm for extensive periods, sometimes spanning decades or generations. He emphasized that a successful recovery strategy involves not just enforcing rights as per the norm in Western jurisdictions, but also cooperating with the original business operators to maximize value extraction. This nuanced approach highlights the importance of balancing 'stick' enforcement strategies with engagement and collaboration, underscoring that aggressive takeover tactics are seldom the best route to preserving or enhancing a business's value in Asia. 3. January Capital Venture Debt Strategy: Jason explained the rationale and timing for launching January Capital’s venture debt services to fill the regional market gap. He detailed the methodical structure of their venture debt deals, typically around $15 million, targeted at growth-stage companies that find traditional venture capital or equity financing too dilutive or misaligned with their financial strategies. He elaborated on how this approach is particularly opportune given the current high-interest rate environment and lower valuations, which would allow venture debt to provide capital without excessive equity sacrifices. Jeremy and Jason also talked about his personal experience of the Asian Financial Crisis and ensuing layoffs, the importance of accurate and timely data for VC dealmaking, and personal reflections on entrepreneurial risk-taking. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jason-edwards-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Vietnam $24B Bank Bailout & Legislature Chairman Resignation: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the $12B fraud at Saigon Bank, the death penalty verdict, the appeals process and the closure of 50+ bank branches. The Vietnamese central bank injected $24B of "special loans" to prevent a banking crisis, which reduced the liquidity of their foreign exchange by one quarter. They touched on new political resignations due to the "blazing furnace" anti-corruption campaign, including the Chairman of the National Assembly - one of the country's top 4 leadership positions. 2. Apple Investment & China High-Speed Rail: International investors continue to move capital into the country despite these political shifts, exemplified by Apple's $16B of spending through the local supply chain since 2019, 200,000+ jobs created and increasing their CSR commitments. China is collaborating on cross-border high-speed railways, connecting Vietnam's port cities of Haiphong and Quang Ninh through Hanoi to Lao Cai province, which borders China's Yunnan province, and from Hanoi to Lang Son province, bordering China's Guangxi region. 3. FPT $6B Tech Conglomerate Growth: FPT was founded in 1988 as "Food Processing Technology" and has now become the country's leading software tech conglomerate valued at $6.4B on the Vietnam stock exchange with $1.7B+ of annual revenue operating across 50+ countries. FPT announced its strategic partnership with Nvidia to build a $200M AI R&D factory leveraging multiple Nvidia chips and technology frameworks. Jeremy and Valerie also talked about why people haven't heard of FPT, why companies actually invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR), and whether they would take the local train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-banking-bailout Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-banking-bailout-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-banking-bailout-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Jeremy Au partnered with Huawei to share his observations of their 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok, which highlighted their latest advancements in AI, hardware, and infrastructure. He analyzed Huawei’s R&D investment commitments, vertical integration, manufacturing scale, globalizing workforce and local partnerships - positioning them as a formidable force in shaping the global tech landscape as well as Southeast Asia. Huawei was the world's #1 patent filer at the World Intellectual Property Organization for the past six years, with nearly 8,000 patent applications in 2022 alone. Jeremy witnessed Huawei leaders' expert-oriented presentations and their intentional engagement with regional leaders, SMEs and media. He noted their Southeast Asia partnerships, featuring prominent regional speakers like Mr. Nararya S. Soeprapto (ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General), Mardiana Azura Mahidin (Malaysia Airports), Mr. Prasert Jantararuantong (Thailand Minister for Digital Economy), Dr. Piti Srisangnam (ASEAN Foundation), and Akina Ho. The speakers all underscored the importance of localization and genuine discussions for true long-term win-win partnerships. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-rnd-leadership Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-rnd-leadership-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/huawei-rnd-leadership-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Léa Klein, CEO of Makesense, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 98% Southeast Asians Want Meaning At Work: Léa and Jeremy highlighted that regional workers' desire for purpose contrasts with the dissatisfaction many feel with the level of meaning in their current roles. They discussed how companies could bridge this gap between desire and reality by enhancing mission-driven work and integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and learning opportunities into their cultures. 2. Western vs. SE Asia On Sustainability: Léa pointed out significant regional variations in how Southeast Asians and Westerners define meaningful work. She discussed how the West often emphasizes environmental sustainability, whereas Southeast Asians intertwine meaningful work with economic and social stability. Southeast Asia's rapid economic growth and thus emerging middle class has led to a dual focus on personal and community advancement, over environmental sustainability. 3. Economic Stability For Family: Léa and Jeremy underscored that for many people in Southeast Asia, providing for their family is the number 1 primary concern that influences their career choices. This concern for family well-being drives many towards higher-paying careers, often trading away personal fulfillment and social impact. Jeremy and Léa also talked about how the economy impacts entrepreneurial risk-taking, job creation in the green economy, and companies advocating for gender equality and inclusive work environments. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/lea-klein Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/lea-klein-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/lea-klein-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $1.5 Trillion USD Green Investment Gap: Jeremy and Gita agreed with Bain & Company’s report that Southeast Asia is "woefully off track" on green investments to reduce emissions and needs new policies and financial mechanisms to help bridge the gap. They discussed the significant costs associated with transitioning to green energy, e.g. retiring a single coal-fired power plant would cost over several hundred million dollars. They discussed Indonesia's ambitious goal and challenging execution to shift to a zero-carbon electricity grid by 2060, serving a population with a current GDP per capita of around $5,000 USD. They also discussed how high interest rates negatively impact renewable energy investments, vs. the prior era of zero interest rate policy (ZIRP). 2. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Viability: Southeast Asia is the 7th largest automotive manufacturing hub globally, producing approximately 3.5 million vehicles in 2021, led by Thailand (1.6 million vehicles), followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. They debated the feasibility of transitioning these capabilities to EV manufacturing, noting the significant challenges in creating a fully functional EV manufacturing ecosystem. They also touched on Indonesia's strategy to leverage their asset of having the world's largest nickel reserves to foster a complete battery supply chain. 3. Competition vs. China Industrial Policy: Jeremy and Gita covered China's formidable manufacturing policy stack (land rights, subsidies, education, worker rights, currency) for their nexus of steel, solar, nuclear, manufacturing, semiconductor and EV industries. They discussed the new Chinese approach to export not just goods, but also their manufacturing value chains, into Southeast Asian markets, and the appropriate competition vs. partnership by local manufacturers. They also debated how startups like Sleek and Dat Bike should position themselves strategically in terms of production vs. sales vs. fundraising. Jeremy and Gita also talked about public health benefits from decreased air pollution, upcoming market consolidation in the EV industry, and the necessity of a multi-decade policy approach in solving sustainable energy transition challenges. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/green-investment-gap Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/green-investment-gap-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/green-investment-gap-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

CP Group, a prominent Thai conglomerate, traces its beginnings to the founder Chia Ek Chor migrating from Chaozhou, China to Thailand in 1919. Despite early skepticism, he started a humble seed business which grew significantly by adapting to local agricultural challenges and changing global climate patterns. This foundation allowed his son and successor, Dhanin Chearavanont, to expand CP Group into a vast empire - touching multiple industries and generating an annual revenue of ~$85 billion USD. The episode highlights the strategic decisions to emphasize vertical integration in its food production process and discusses how more than half of the world's population has likely consumed its products. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/charoen-pokphand Explore Dhanin Chearavanont's rise to the helm of the C.P. Group in the second part of Charoen Pokphand (C.P.) at https://open.spotify.com/episode/06OZPGFCyc7ENnuuXCTEjH Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Shuyin Tang, CEO of Beacon Fund and Partner of Patamar Capital, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Consultant to Venture Philanthropy to Impact Investing: Shuyin initially aspired to a career in diplomacy but was rejected - leading to her choice to become a management consultant at Bain & Company. She worked hard at Bain to merge business skills with social impact initiatives by working with nonprofits, e.g. through nonprofit projects and a strategy engagement to improve the livelihoods of Indian smallholder farmers. These experiences led her to LGT Venture Philanthropy and to impact-driven investing at Patamar Capital. 2. Strategic Debt As Tool: As CEO of a debt fund, Shuyin emphasized the advantages of debt financing over equity for businesses in Southeast Asia, highlighting its suitability for the region's predominantly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Unlike traditional high-growth startups, these enterprises benefit from the steady support that debt provides, enabling gradual growth without the pressure of rapid scaling demanded by equity investments. She also addressed cultural hesitations towards debt in Asian markets where it has historically been viewed negatively, and explained the shift in perception as businesses recognize that debt financing can preserve company control, prevent ownership dilution and facilitate smoother operational progress without the disruptive demands of equity-based exit strategies. 3. Radical Responsibility: Shuyin discussed her transition from a role within a collaborative team to spearheading her own investment fund, which marked a significant shift towards adopting a “radical responsibility” mindset to make impactful investment decisions and foster sustainable growth within the companies they support. She emphasized the expanded scope of responsibilities that come with leading a fund, which includes not only making strategic investment decisions but also managing fundraising, operations, and team dynamics. She also highlighted the challenges of navigating these complexities and stressed that understanding and accepting full accountability for both successes and setbacks has been crucial. Jeremy and Shuyin also talked about the integration of financial returns with social impact in investment strategies, VC developments in the region’s ecosystem, the challenges in implementing large-scale social projects within emerging markets, and the need for investment tools that are aligned with businesses’ diverse needs. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shuyin-tang Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shuyin-tang-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shuyin-tang-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 51% SE Asia Favor China (vs. USA): Jeremy and Shiyan debated how the region is politically and economically reacting to the China vs. USA's "strategic competition". If ASEAN decision-makers were forced to pick sides, 51% opted for China vs. 49% for USA (ISEAS Institute poll). Pro-China: Malaysia 75%, Indonesia 73%, Thailand 52%, Singapore 39%, Vietnam 21%, Philippines 17%. 2. Sequoia & GGV VC Decoupling: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed how global investment firms are structuring themselves to mitigate US-China risks. Sequoia spun off Peak XV and Hongshan, while GGV announced their split into Granite Asia and Notable Capital (USA). They discuss how Limited Partners (LP) are driving the geographic re-delineation of investment coverage, and why GGV and other funds are exploring more debt instruments. 3. Mobility Competitor Game Theory: Jeremy and Shiyan analyzed the bike-sharing market in Singapore, including public-private partnerships and challenges like weather and infrastructure. They were amused that Anywheel, a bootstrapped (unfunded by VC) company outlasted VC-backed competitors such as Mobike, Obike, and Ofo to win and become the market leader. They discussed how cash efficiency interacted with economies of scale, the promise of winner-takes-all markets, negative blitzscaling, and competitive game theory created the "boom vs. bust" nature of last-mile mobility startups. Jeremy and Shiyan also replied to listener feedback about overlooking Trump investment links in the TikTok ban issue, the role of public-private infrastructure partnerships in supporting infrastructure projects, and blitzscaling vs. sustainable growth strategies. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sea-favor-china Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sea-favor-chin-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sea-favor-china-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Jeremy Au delved into startup founders’ decision to choose between bootstrapping and venture capital funding. He shared his dual experiences as both a founder (who had done both routes) and a venture capitalist (who had to judge startups). He reset the framing that bootstrapping has historically been the norm and the default financing pathway for startups even today, whereas VC funding has only 50 years of history and is aimed at high-growth potential businesses. He explained the VC fund model’s expectation of $1B returns within a decade creates both a judgment yardstick and pressure-cooker board pressure for businesses to rapidly scale, regardless of unit economics or profitability. He also touched on the dangers of mismanaging large capital inflows, where excessive funding can lead to inefficient spending which can hasten a company’s failure. He suggested using a 2x2 matrix to think through their company’s fit for VC funding. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Richard Armstrong, Venture Partner at TA Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. 267,000 Instagram Followers Insights: Richard recounted his formative years growing up in multiple countries leading to his interest in sharing his personal journey. He debunked common myths about media creators: emphasizing that success in the space requires more than just creativity, but also demands business acumen and a strong support system. He highlighted that despite popular beliefs, most creators are not wealthy and that success in the media follows a power-law curve where only a small percentage of top earners can earn a good living. 2. Founder Transition to Venture Capital: Richard shared about his first ventures in e-commerce and food waste management, and why he eventually moved into angel investing and eventually into venture capital. He highlighted the stark differences, particularly the challenges of accessibility and the importance of networking within the VC community. His journey was motivated by the desire to leverage his understanding of emerging markets and bridge the funding gap faced by startups in these countries. 3. Thailand Startup Ecosystem Challenges: Richard pointed out that despite Thailand’s strong GDP, the startup ecosystem remains underfunded relative to other Southeast Asian peer countries - particularly at the seed stage. He discussed his optimism for potential growth in the next two years, driven by investor interest, improved market conditions and more focused government support. Jeremy and Richard also talked about the global impact of regional strategies, the importance of building partnerships vs. focusing solely on disruption, and the role of personal background and global exposure in enhancing VC effectiveness. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/richard-armstrong Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/richard-armstrong-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/richard-armstrong-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $12B Fraud Death Penalty: Jeremy and Valerie discussed Vietnam's largest-ever fraud trial regarding Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan and the Van Thinh Phat group. The $12B case impacted 6% of Vietnam's GDP and has led to real estate distress, economic uncertainty and regulatory upheaval. They elaborated on Truong’s moves to control Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), far beyond legal limits (90% control versus the regulatory cap of 5% for individuals). They also talked about Vietnamese regulators’ harsh response by tightening financial controls, mandating bank ownership disclosures, and proposing to reduce the maximum ownership stake an individual can hold in a bank from 5% to 3%. They touched on the similarities between China and Vietnam for the intertwining of real estate and banking. 2. "Blazing Furnace" Anti-Corruption Campaign: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the campaign by Nguyễn Phú Trọng, general secretary of the Communist Party that has arrested or forced resignations of key political figures, including ministers and deputy prime ministers. They drew parallels between Vietnam and China’s anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping, where both aim at purging the system of corruption yet lead to power vacuums that will be filled by individuals loyal to the new leadership. 3. Cambodia China 180km Canal Tensions: The planned $1.7B Funan Techo Canal project allows Cambodia's imports and exports to bypass Vietnam's Mekong River ports and directly access the South China Sea. China's financing and development partnership is tied to its Belt and Road Initiative, investments to escape US military containment of key trade routes, and rebalancing with Vietnam. They discussed the negative environmental impact on downstream Vietnamese farmers already struggling with saltwater intrusion and climate change. Jeremy and Valerie also talked about the psychological impact of fluctuating property values on Vietnamese consumers, ongoing economic reforms to diversify away from real estate dependency, and parallels with Singapore's concern regarding the Thai Kra Canal. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-fraud Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-fraud-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-fraud-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Jeremy reflected on how becoming a father of 2 daughters has reshaped his self-identity and the complex interplay between career ambitions vs. family responsibilities. He explored the evolving discourse on work-life balance, the brutal reality of trade-offs and the importance of intentional sacrifices. Jeremy tied together insights from Sheryl Sandberg’s "Lean In" movement, Anne-Marie Slaughter’s rebuttal “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All," and Harvard MBA Professor Clayton Christensen’s "How Will You Measure Your Life." Success in both domains requires thoughtful planning, the willingness to ask for help, a great support system, resources and good luck. He also stressed the responsibility of current generations to pay it forward and support future parents through advocacy for family-friendly policies and honest conversations about the realities of balancing career and family life. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Maxime Chaury, Cofounder of Upworth, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Rocket Internet GM: Maxime shared his transition from working in management consulting to embracing the dynamic startup environment in Southeast Asia, notably with Rocket Internet and later ZEN Rooms in Malaysia. He discussed the strategic considerations behind opting for leasing rooms, franchising, or adopting a white label approach in the hospitality industry, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the general manager role's complexity, involving strategic planning, team leadership, and quick industry adaptation, reflecting his shift from a strategic consultant to a hands-on leadership role in startups. 2. Flash Coffee Indonesia Learnings: Maxime recounted his role in transforming Flash Coffee's performance in Indonesia from the least to the most profitable market segment. He highlighted the importance of understanding market-specific consumer behavior, noting significant differences across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. He discussed the tailored strategies for each market, underlining the local autonomy within a global brand strategy, and the challenges and implications of venture capital liquidity and investment decisions, which are crucial for startups navigating rapid growth and scalability. 3. Courage as a Muscle: Maxime reflected on courage as a foundational virtue in leadership and entrepreneurship. He argued that courage facilitates the practice and effectiveness of other virtues, essential for personal growth and professional decision-making. His narrative of choosing to become a general manager, navigating roles in Malaysia and Indonesia, and eventually founding his own startup underscored courage's role in stepping into unknown territories and embracing growth opportunities. Jeremy and Maxime also talked about the strategic pivot of ZEN Rooms towards technology solutions, the nuances of market-specific strategies and consumer behavior in the coffee retail industry, and the implications of global venture capital trends on startup scalability and market focus. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maxime-chaury Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maxime-chaury-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maxime-chaury-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Wing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Pheu Thai Pro-Business Reform: Wing and Jeremy discussed the new Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's ambitious plans to stimulate the economy through pro-business reforms. The administration has decided to focus on helping and investing in the tourism sector to recover, from a pre-pandemic 19.3% of GDP to a potential 30% of GDP in 2030. They debated whether this is a strategic or differentiated sector to invest in, vs. Vietnam's focus on China + 1 manufacturing and Singapore's focus on finance and trade. They also discussed the electoral promise to stimulate the economy by distributing 10,000 Thai baht to every citizen, and the political pressure on the Bank of Thailand to lower interest rates. They discussed Thailand's GDP forecast, and whether the country would be able to escape the middle-income trap. 2. Cannabis, LGBTQ & Gaming Legislation: Wing and Jeremy discussed the legislative push to roll back the legalization of weed and the prior administration's distribution of 1 million cannabis plants to households. Wing expressed skepticism about the complete rollback of cannabis decriminalization, given its popularity, integration into the economic retail landscape, and its attraction as a tourism booster. They also discussed how 96.6% of public support for same-sex marriage is driving LGBTQ legal reforms and the parallels with Taiwan. They also touched on the push towards legalizing gaming casinos to attract foreign investment with a 17% tax on gross gaming revenue (one of the lowest tax regimes in the region) and further boost tourism receipts. 3. Fintech Market Study Optimism: Wing shared about WV's recent market study on Thailand's financial tech sector (which is ranked 4th globally in transaction value of real-time payments), thus indicating a robust digital payments infrastructure and entrepreneurial optimism. They also discussed the broader fintech landscape, including the country’s debate on whether the consumer handout stimulus should incorporate blockchain technology (vs. existing mobile wallets), as well as the potential issuance of virtual banking licenses (despite challenges such as high minimum capital requirements). Jeremy and Wing also talked about the underreported issue of Bangkok’s poor air quality, the importance of the national soft power strategy, and how the various reforms are synergistic with each other. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Angels, and Jeremy Au frankly discussed the public's skepticism about Southeast Asia's venture capital (VC) landscape. They contrasted USA VC exit outcomes vs. the reality of regional exits: smaller at around $0.1-0.5B (refer to Cento Ventures report), taking longer than 10 years (vs. closed fund lifecycle requirements) and weaker trade sale + IPO pathways (NYSE/ NASDAQ vs. IDX, SGX, SET). Portfolio math models thus need to be updated in light of the young ecosystem's structural market challenges, resulting in the current funds' moves towards earlier-stage deals with lower pricing risk, secondary sales, deploying venture debt, and more disciplined investing with tighter economic and control terms. They contrast this to the small-cap private equity model and the usage of debt leverage for revenue multiple expansion. Founders must decide on profitability over growth, conflicting with VC mandates that are disempowered by minority ownership norms. They also discuss the Series B death valley/cliff, reverse human capital arbitrage (hiring expensive talent to solve low-margin markets, vs. cheap labor to attack high-margin markets), why VCs have to up their game at actual value creation (rather than trading on momentum), and how founders can better plan their fundraising with an honest view of reality and behind-the-scenes incentives. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Jeff Lonsdale, Partner of Starstorm Ventures, and Jeremy Au embark on a comprehensive exploration of how Y Combinator's 20 startup requests flies (or flunks) within the Southeast Asian (SEA) entrepreneurial landscape. They debate sectors poised for regional adaptation and growth, such as robotics (per capita deployment), defense technology and the strategic repositioning of manufacturing away from China. They discuss SEA's inherent benefits, like cost-efficient engineering resources and burgeoning markets, juxtaposed against the challenges of market fragmentation and complex regulations. They also explore whether the economics of climate tech could work in the region, space exploration viability, how healthcare is actually built in the region. They also touch on how to actually capture value in Southeast Asia from productivity-improving AI, in a region with low cost of labor as a substitute for automation vs. global market opportunities. We encourage listeners to review Jeff's original blog review and the base YC Request for Startups in parallel with the episode, due to the in-depth discussion. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeff-lonsdale Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeff-lonsdale-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeff-lonsdale-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. TikTok Trump vs. Biden Ban Resurrection: Jeremy and Shiyan delved into the USA political establishment's snowballing momentum to nationalize TikTok via divestment due to national security, anti-China, social media regulation and moderation of public opinion concerns. China is most likely to veto a forced sale of the TikTok algorithm and team, thus leading to a possible total market exit of TikTok rather than the sale desired by American legislators. They concluded on the low likelihood of a ban before the US election to avoid turning off Gen Z and millennial Democrat voters but speculated on the higher likelihood of an eventual ban in the Biden 2024 electoral victory scenario since Trump is now against the Ban. They also touched on the negative impact on mental health, and the importance of encouraging in-person interactions outside of digital platforms. 2. Grab "Too Big To Fail" Debate: Jeremy and Shiyan critiqued the recent media speculation of Grab being "too big to fail," arguing that this concept traditionally applies to financial institutions with systemic importance, rather than tech companies. They also debated Grab's competitive position, its eventual profitability after years of market subsidies, and how fast Gojek would be able to substitute for Grab's logistics, mobility, and consumer operations. 3. ShopBack Best-In-Class Layoffs: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed ShopBack’s layoff and commended the professional handling by the founder and executive team. They highlighted the transparent communication regarding their prior decision-making, comprehensive support package (e.g. severance, immigration support, job transition services, etc.), and the surrounding tech industry's boom and bust cycles. They discussed whether this was comparable to Silicon Valley packages and whether this approach had been best-in-class in terms of process in Southeast Asia. Jeremy and Shiyan also discussed the impact of rapid scaling on startup sustainability, the regulation of social media platforms, and the nuances of employment and layoff policies in different jurisdictions. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

For the 400th BRAVE episode, Jeremy discussed the hard 4-year journey of founding the podcast during the global pandemic to becoming Southeast Asia's #1 tech podcast. He shared why he decided to spotlight local tech stories and how he almost quit due to burnout multiple times. He learned to value "oyakodon" craftsmanship over maximalism, continue "kaizen" continual improvement and prioritize authentic conversations. Jeremy's vision for BRAVE is fostering a stronger community with more features for premium membership, writing his second in-depth book and being more honest (yet growth-oriented) about the region's true tech ecosystem while bringing in more of his personal humor and interests. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Adrian Li, Founder & Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Cambridge & Stanford MBA Childhood Inspiration: Adrian shared his multicultural upbringing across Hong Kong and the UK, leading to a pivotal teenage moment where he decided to study his way into Cambridge University. He evolved from academic success towards the ambition to use technology for social and economic betterment in emerging markets due to being exposed to rural poverty while backpacking and his early career in investment banking. He also shared about how he used his Stanford MBA education to find a cofounder and begin entrepreneurship. 2. China Edtech & Rocket Internet Founder Journey: Adrian shared his personal learnings vs. mistakes in founding a China edtech venture that used innovative call center technology for English language training. He discussed navigating uncharted markets and the challenges of finding the right product-market fit. He also shared about his leadership at Rocket Internet, where he led a competitive "Airbnb" online accommodations platform in China for scaling, carving out differentiation, and executing strategic maneuvers in challenging market conditions. He highlighted the critical role of timing in entrepreneurship, noting that while being early to the market offers first-mover advantages, it also presents challenges like market education and regulatory hurdles, which significantly impact a startup's success trajectory. 3. Indonesia VC Outlook (Pure Play vs. Small-Cap Private Equity): Adrian articulated his investment vision for the transformative power of digital technology. He addressed common misconceptions about the country’s tech market, particularly the belief that it's overly expensive for investors - and argued that higher valuations are justified by Indonesia's vast market potential and the opportunity for significant business growth. He also discussed Indonesia's tech investment evolution from the 2010-2021 internet boom where pure-play tech platforms like Tokopedia, Gojek and Traveloka grew from modest valuations into multibillion-dollar enterprises, to the current focus on digital transformation in the real economy. He noted how this shift implies a future where investments resemble those of small to mid-cap private equity, prioritizing disciplined financial strategies and operational efficiency. Jeremy and Adrian also talked about the role of cultural adaptability in global ventures, the sobering impact of the 9/11 attack on his first days joining the workforce, and the importance of leadership in fostering growth among startups. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-li Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-li-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-li-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Prabowo & Gibran 59% Electoral Win: Gita shared the aftermath of Indonesia's election, highlighting Prabowo’s landslide victory in a 3-way contest. She delved into opposition voters' dismay and demonstrations in Jakarta, tempered by the fasting month which limited the extent of public protests. She also revealed that despite Gerindra's presidential candidates' landslide victory, the winning party's failure to secure a leading position in the legislature forecasts a complex political landscape and potential governance challenges. The percentage of voter blocks, Jokowi's moves on the Golkar party and division among major candidates underscored the evolving debate within the country’s electorate on the influence of political personas vs. party ideologies. She also highlighted Indonesia’s increased freedom of expression allowing for political discourse across social and mainstream media, in contrast with the Suharto era. 2. Quick Commerce Viability Debate: Gita discussed the sustainability and profitability challenges in quick commerce within markets like Indonesia, where lower GDP per capita and high capital burn rates demand significant model adjustments for viability. She noted that market size and consumer behavior emphasized the critical need for adapting quick commerce to align with the local population’s purchasing power and real needs, rather than replicating models from India and more affluent economies like USA and Europe. She also talked about the potential integration of quick commerce with traditional commerce, leveraging infrastructure to blend digital speed with physical market realities and focusing on areas like private label products for sustainability. 3. VC Accountability & Founder Dynamics: Jeremy and Gita delved into the accountability of VCs and the crucial role of frank discussions between VCs and founders. They underscored the importance of VCs being more than just financial backers by becoming genuine thought partners for founders. They critiqued the "negative blitzscaling" model in Southeast Asia, cautioning against scaling businesses with negative unit economics. They also emphasized that founders should scrutinize their growth strategies and prioritize sustainability over rapid expansion, highlighting the risks of scaling inefficiencies rather than solutions. They need to retain decision-making authority and evolve towards prioritizing long-term business viability and market relevance. Jeremy and Gita also talked about the importance of political party financing transparency, the role of media in shaping public opinion post-election, the significance of recalibrating growth and scaling expectations for startups, and the evolution of e-commerce models in response to market demands. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Jeremy Au talked about the multifaceted nature of startup failures through insights from Professor Tom Eisenmann's book, "Why Startups Fail." He highlighted how startup failure is more common than people think, revealing that only 4% of companies were able to achieve 10x to 50x or higher returns. He discussed the six types of startup failures from the book: good idea, bad fellows, where a promising concept flounders due to team issues; false start, involving misjudged product-market fit; false positives, where early enthusiasm doesn't translate to broad market appeal; speed trap, depicting rapid growth that outpaces sustainable development; help wanted, indicating operational or strategic missteps in a growing company; and cascading miracles, which requires multiple, high-risk achievements for success. He underscored that learning from these failures can equip founders, investors, and operators with the knowledge to navigate the complex startup ecosystem more effectively. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Justin Banusing, Cofounder & CEO of Clout Kitchen, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Philippines Gaming & ESports Boom: Justin shared that the Philippines, and by extension, Southeast Asia, has a vibrant gaming and esports ecosystem. He attributed this enthusiasm to the country's usage of mobile gaming and esports as both socialization and competitive engagement in the realities of an urbanizing emerging economy. Justin highlighted the "loading screen of commuting" (local challenging commute conditions) driving mobile gaming's popularity. He also delved into the symbiotic yet complex relationship between publishers, fans, third-party companies, and creators - and the inherent challenges and opportunities in monetizing and sustaining a viable niche within eSports in Southeast Asia. 2. Founding Communities & Startups: Justin shared his beginnings as a high school student passionate about gaming and organizing a Super Smash Brothers gaming tournament in a Chinese restaurant's back room. He went on to found AcadArena, the leading campus gaming startup that scaled to 250,000 verified students across Southeast Asia and Latin America. Justin talked about his commitment to building in the Philippines despite the allure of opportunities abroad, and his eventual decision to remain in the country to contribute to the growing startup ecosystem. He also highlighted the importance of taking risks and the potential for significant impact through building companies that address local needs and opportunities and encouraged others to dream big and pursue their passions with determination. 3. Content Creator Monetization & AI: Justin touched upon the potential of digital creators as the next generation of entertainment icons, and their broader evolution beyond gaming as a content vertical. He also discussed the hurdles they face, such as time constraints, scalability and earning more. He explained why he founded Clout Kitchen, an AI studio aimed at transforming content creators into interactive digital experiences, and highlighted their mission to facilitate deeper fan interactions with creators. Jeremy and Justin also discussed the importance of aligning business ventures with personal missions, the impact of digital hobbies and gaming on the region’s youth, the socioeconomic factors influencing gaming habits in Southeast Asia, and the nuanced understanding of privilege in the startup ecosystem. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/justin-banusing Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/justin-banusing-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/justin-banusing-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Taylor Swift $500M Singapore Economy Boost: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the Singapore government’s strategic chess moves for Taylor Swift's concert exclusivity in Southeast Asia. They discussed the excellent return on investment of the $3M move for a $500M increase in Singapore’s tourism receipts, stimulating national GDP by 0.25% points for Q1 2024. They also discussed the regional competition for hosting such blockbuster events, along with the underappreciated aspects of the nationalization of the Singapore sports hub, travel logistics hub infrastructure and sensitivity to cultural norms. 2. Barbell Entertainment Blockbusters vs. Long Tail: Jeremy and Shiyan explored the Internet’s explosion of the content industry, leading to bimodal distribution, where both blockbuster events and niche content find substantial audiences thanks to the zero marginal cost of digital consumption - and the plunge in middle-tier content. They also discussed how generative AI will impact the shape of this barbell. They reference the book Blockbusters by Harvard professor Anita Elberse and The Long Tail by Chris Anderson. 3. City Talent Vortex & Industry Concentrations: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by talent concentrations. They discussed how cities become industry hubs, such as finance in Singapore, entertainment in LA and tech in SF, with a thought experiment on whether Southeast Asia could produce a global superstar like Taylor Swift. They stressed the structural and cultural factors that influence where talent flourishes, the role of national policy in nurturing ecosystems that can compete on the global stage, and how individual talented individuals should react. Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about the social aspects of fasting vs. eating, the fan communities of avatar-driven Vtubers, and their personal preferences for content consumption like Dune by writer Frank Herbet vs. director Denis Villeneuve. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Patrick McGinnis, VC & Creator of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Sapiens, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) vs. FOBO (Fear of Better Option): Patrick shared how he had created the terms FOMO and FOBO during his MBA student days at Harvard. He shared how he was surprised 10 years later that his lingo with friends had grown into globally recognized phenomena. These behavior patterns of overcommitment, indecisiveness and optionality maximization have been exacerbated by the endless choices and information overload facilitated by digital platforms, leading to widespread analysis paralysis and stress. He discusses why he thinks FOBO is less popular than FOMO due to its darker nature and more insightful lens into human decision-making. 2. Overcoming Career Paralysis: Patrick shared his personal journey from a career in venture capital to becoming an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. He shared how he had to have a heart rate monitor installed due to the high stress of his job that he fundamentally disliked, and the eventually lonely, painful and scary decision to take a career sabbatical and step outside the conventional path that would have been expected from a Harvard MBA graduate. 3. VC & Life Decision Frameworks: Patrick detailed his conscious effort to integrate strategies to combat FOMO and FOBO, sharing a framework for categorizing decisions (high stakes, low stakes, and no stakes) to streamline decision-making processes. Patrick shared his frustrations with the VC industry's incentive structures, including the challenges of decision-making in an environment rife with FOMO and FOBO. He emphasized the importance of discipline, due diligence, and being mindful of underlying motivations when making investment decisions. He also shared examples from his "FOMO folio" strategy to manage investment temptation. He also discussed the societal shift towards constant comparison and indecision, strategies for combating decision fatigue, and why he's exploring coaching and building for the next stage of his career. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/patrick-mcginnis Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/patrick-mcginnis-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/patrick-mcginnis-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Bernard Leong, Founder of Analyse Asia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. PhD to Serial Founder: Bernard talked about his initial career in academia, specializing in theoretical physics and obtaining his PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology, before moving into machine learning at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, home of the Human Genome Project. His entrepreneurial journey started with the co-founding of Chalkboard, a location-based advertising startup that faced strategic challenges and ended in a shutdown. He also co-founded SG Entrepreneurs, which successfully exited to Tech in Asia. He also shared his experiences heading digital transformation initiatives as a tech executive, such as his digital transformation leader at SingPost and pioneering Singapore's first-ever drone delivery. 2. Disrupting Extractive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Bernard shared his vision for revolutionizing ERP systems to address the inefficiencies and high costs associated with traditional ERP software. He discussed the history of ERP systems and the challenges companies face, including high customization costs and the extractive nature of the consulting model associated with ERP implementation. Bernard aims to leverage generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Microsoft CodePilot to create a next-generation open business operating system that is 10X more efficient, productive, and adaptable than current offerings. He discussed the reasons behind his focus on the medium segment of the small and medium enterprise market and counter-positioning strategy against existing ERP giants. 3. Startup vs. Family Career Decisions: Bernard compared the life of a serial entrepreneur to that of a football team manager, emphasizing the importance of taking each challenge as it comes. He discussed the practicalities of negotiating entrepreneurship with family responsibilities, highlighting the importance of financial planning, shared goals, and open communication with his wife who’s also an entrepreneur. He also discussed what repeat founders do differently than first-time founders, ranging across distribution, mindset and adaptability. Jeremy and Bernard also touched on the "first love startup" problem, first-principles thinking, the people who bet against his success, and the future implications of AI in business. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bernard-leong Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bernard-leong-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bernard-leong-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. China Tourism & Taylor Swift: Valerie shared the significant impact of Lunar New Year celebrations on Vietnam's work culture and economy, highlighting the extended holiday period shared with its neighbors like China and Singapore. She explored the potential economic benefits of reviving Chinese tourist numbers to pre-COVID levels, considering China's tourists historically accounted for a third of foreign visitors to Vietnam. They also discussed Taylor Swift's Singapore concert as a case study in tourism marketing. 2. Food Delivery Industry Economics: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the inherent challenges of the food delivery industry, characterized by low margins and, in many cases, negative profitability. They mentioned the failed negotiation between Foodpanda (under Delivery Hero) and Grab, highlighting the tough economic realities of the sector. Valerie also expressed her preference for ShopeeFood over Grab due to the smaller, local merchants, and "mom-and-pop" restaurants that the platform partners with. She also touched on the broader market dynamics, including the exit of other players like Bé Minh, the third-largest food delivery service, which left the Vietnamese market to focus on its primary market in South Korea. 3. Air Quality Pollution vs. Industrial Growth: Jeremy and Valerie talked about Vietnam’s economic benefits from its industrial sector, with the smartphone export growth of 16% year-on-year in January 2024. The economic boon comes at the cost of environmental degradation, with both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively placing 3rd and 10th on alarming air quality index rankings. They explored potential strategies for addressing air quality such as temporarily halting industrial activities which China did around the 2008 Olympics to improve its air quality. They discussed the lack of substantial policy measures from the Vietnamese government to combat the air pollution problem partly due to the government's prioritization of economic growth through manufacturing, which is a key driver of Vietnam's GDP. Jeremy and Valerie also talked about the influence of high-profile educational backgrounds like Harvard, Oxford and NUS on tech startups, environmental policy, and the impact of global cultural events on local economies. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Sean Ellis, Bestselling Author of “Hacking Growth”, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Growth Hacking Unicorn Successes: Despite not considering himself a "techie," he shared his transition from traditional marketing to growth hacking and helping five startups navigate to unicorn billion-dollar valuations. Sean discussed the strategic pivot of LogMeIn from a paid to a freemium model and thus innovating in pricing and distribution to capture market leadership and differentiate vs. well-funded competitors. He highlighted the lack of established language or tools for scaling companies with product-market fit during his early career and the difficulty in understanding the nuances of what makes products indispensable to users, which he later encapsulated in his book "Hacking Growth." 2. Achieving & Scaling Product-Market Fit: Sean emphasized that achieving product-market fit is a blend of art and science that necessitates deep market understanding, creativity, and rigorous validation. He stressed the critical role of targeted, domain-specific advice for startups and that generic advice lacks the impact of insights tailored to a startup's unique context. He also pointed out the importance of fair compensation for advisors, highlighting that those providing high-value, targeted advice leading to tangible outcomes deserve appropriate rewards. 3. Easy Money vs. Hard Times: Sean discussed bull & bear startup funding environments, from periods of easy money (startups become complacent and focus more on rapid growth at the expense of efficiency and long-term sustainability) to more challenging financial climates (which necessitates a disciplined approach to growth, spending, prioritizing efficiency and lean operations). He highlighted that companies that optimize resources and operations are best positioned for survival and growth regardless of funding availability. Jeremy and Sean also talked about why large tech companies slow down at growth, the critical role of early-stage market validation, the importance of maintaining a growth-focused culture, and the strategies for sustaining momentum. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sean-ellis Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sean-ellis-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sean-ellis-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Ameer Jumabhoy, Cofounder of Utu, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Revolutionizing Tourist Value-Added Tax Refund Industry: Ameer delved into the complexities of the VAT refund process, highlighting that tourists typically reclaim only a portion (i.e., getting only $65 from a $100 tax refund on a $500 purchase) due to high processing fees from numerous entities involved in the refund process. He shared Utu's $33M Series B fundraise and mission to enhance the tax-free shopping experience by maximizing the refund value for tourists through partnerships that benefit all stakeholders involved, including tourists, retailers, and the government. 2. Pandemic Hard Choices: Despite the severe impact on the travel and retail sectors, Utu made the humanitarian decision not to lay off any staff despite the significant financial and operational cost. He underscored the leadership's commitment to their team and the long-term vision without compromising on their values. Utu had to strategically follow the reopening of global tourism city by city and travel corridor by corridor, e.g. the UAE deciding to launch the World Expo in 2021. He also talked about their acquisition of CardsPal and the launch of new services aimed at providing greater rewards for travelers with their evolving post-pandemic consumer behavior. 3. Personal Resilience With Family: Ameer recounted his experiences navigating professional responsibilities alongside personal challenges during the pandemic. He detailed the decisions to move across countries for family and work, emphasizing the importance of support systems. He shared his thoughts on how parenthood had shaped his perspectives on leadership and entrepreneurship. Jeremy and Ameer also talked about the rationale behind the current VAT refund system's inefficiencies, Utu’s future product roadmap, and the significance of cross-border shopping trends. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ameer-jumabhoy Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ameer-jumabhoy-in 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ameer-jumabhoy-cn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Prabowo Victory & Jokowi Legacy: Gita underscored Prabowo's dedication to further Jokowi's economic initiatives, notably the ambitious relocation of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara to stimulate balanced development across the archipelago. A key focus was on mobilizing Gen Z voters, whose significant influence in the election underscores the necessity for clear political messaging tailored for this digitally savvy cohort accustomed to prolific social media engagement. 2. "Golden Indonesia 2045" GDP Vision: The discussion extended to the campaign goal of aiming to position Indonesia as a beacon of economic prosperity, with substantial enhancements in GDP per capita, human capital, and global competitiveness. Gita highlighted this vision as part of a larger ambition to elevate Indonesians' quality of life through superior education and self-fulfillment opportunities. 3. Middle-Income Trap & Societal Challenges: Addressing Indonesia's societal hurdles, including poverty and child stunting, was central to their conversation. Gita and Jeremy emphasized the imperative for growth strategies that not only extricate Indonesia from the middle-income quagmire but also champion equitable progress. The importance of nurturing an informed citizenry was also stressed, to ensure a populace that recognizes its civic responsibilities and the consequential nature of their voting actions. Jeremy and Gita also talked about the significance of legislative checks and balances, the role of foreign policy in shaping the country’s international relations, Singapore's view of the Indonesia electoral outcome and the importance of comprehensive educational reforms. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/golden-indonesia-2045 Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/golden-indonesia-2045-in Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

David Zhou, Writer of Cup of Zhou & Head of Investor Relations at Alchemist Accelerator, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Silicon Valley Thought Leadership: David shared his journey from being a shy introvert to becoming a thought leader in the LP & VC space. He talked about his early exposure to entrepreneurship through his father's ventures that laid the groundwork for his ambitious career. Berkeley SkyDeck and On Deck catalyzed his transition to guide investments, advise, and help both startups and emerging fund managers. He underscores the power of personal growth and how his varied experiences enriched his understanding of venture capital, culminating in his current focus on LP decision-making. 2. On Deck Community Building: David discussed how his On Deck tenure offered valuable lessons on nurturing talent communities, intentional design and fostering a culture of innovation, speed & aggression. He also talked about his reflections on how communities shifted before, during and after the pandemic due to communication platforms. He also reflected on what it takes to make the transition from passive content consumption to active knowledge creation. 3. Emerging LP Investing in VCs: David delved into the multifaceted realm of fund investing, from the perspectives of both LPs and VC managers. He also shared about how the term “Emerging LP” was coined by Andrew Gluck from IrrvrntVC. He shared insights into the motivations and considerations for Limited Partners (LPs) within the ecosystem, alongside the strategic thought processes fund managers should employ. He also talked about his journey from being a content creator to an LP, the evolving nature of investment strategies, and the importance of continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Jeremy and David also touched on his strategic cadence to cold emailing, maintaining consistent writing and publishing discipline, and the symbiotic relationship between technology and human engagement. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/david-zhou Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/david-zhou-id Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Sao Lonsdale, CEO & Founder of LIXIBOX, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. “Fish In The Water” Journey: Sao shared about her family experience growing up in a military compound in front of the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum. Feeling the desire to explore, she moved to the U.S. as a teenager and found herself embracing new communities and cultural experiences. She also discussed how she was inspired by Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" book to eventually leave behind her US corporate career to return to Vietnam and launch a new venture. 2. Vietnam Gen Z Consumers: Sao highlighted the generational shift with the aspirational Gen Z, who never experienced the wars with the US, France and China, and are thus focused on building better lives. She noted the significant impact of TikTok, Instagram and local social media platforms on the retail landscape, as well as the growing consumer demand for personalized and niche products. 3. LIXIBOX Founder Pivots: Sao highlighted the initial market landscape that Lixibox had entered into, and how the startup had to rapidly pivot every six months in response to the swiftly changing Vietnam market (consumer behavior, market trends and platform shifts). She shared about the difference between high-end and mass-market brands, and what it takes to build a strong omnichannel presence that sells both in-house and partner brands' products online and offline. Jeremy and Sao also talked about reverse culture shock, the impact of professional executive coaches, and her own personal skincare routine. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sao-lonsdale Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sao-lonsdale-id Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Dmitry Levit, General Partner of Cento Ventures, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 2023 vs. 2024 Investment Landscape: Dmitry, Shiyan and Jeremy discussed the Cento Southeast Asia Tech 2023H1 report and noted the discrepancy between the economic doom perception in the media and the reality of Southeast Asia’s funding numbers. Dmitry pointed out a "reset" in investment activity, with stable "core early funding stack" (Seed to Series A/B) maintaining momentum while later-stage growth deals significantly decreased. This bifurcation reflects a broader trend of cautious optimism among early-stage investors and a recalibration of expectations among late-stage financiers. They also underscored the importance of understanding these two parallel ecosystems for founders and investors alike, suggesting that strategies need to be adjusted depending on the stage of investment. 2. $9B Annual Capital Intake & Realistic Exit Expectations: Dmitry Levit observed that the long-term average capital intake for the region averages around $9 billion. He highlighted that prudent exit expectations in Southeast Asia should consider $100 million exits as very good, with exceptional cases potentially exceeding $250 million, and added further details on the growth rate. He emphasized the importance of disciplined fund strategies across IPO, trade sales, and secondaries. 3. Overreaction, Dislocation & Confusion: They discussed the fog of war in the region’s tech ecosystem driven by global economic pressures, media hype and doom cycles, and changing investment flows. Missed opportunities, strategy-market misalignments, and pressure on value-creation teams are currently being sorted out. They discussed how founders and investors need to urgently align their growth and exit strategies with the region’s market's realities. They also talked about the time lag of news absorption across the Vietnam ecosystem and how the search for the next "Indonesia" story is on pause. Dmitry, Shiyan and Jeremy also talked about the role of perception vs. reality in shaping investment strategies, the challenges for the multi-country expansion narrative, and the "small-cap private equity without leverage" VC theme in play. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/overreaction-dislocation-confusion Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/overreaction-dislocation-confusion-id Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Jeremy delves into the midlife crisis, distinguishing between dramatic Hollywood portrayals (fast cars, alcohol and irresponsibility) and the quieter, introspective reality many face. Coined by psychoanalyst Elliott Jaques in 1965, the midlife crisis is driven by the realization of mortality, sense of past limitations and the desire for change. Referencing psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" pyramid, he emphasizes the underlying foundational shift that people experience as they mature from deficiency "lack" motivators towards personal growth motivators. Beethoven suffered deafness in his mid-30s, and went on to compose his greatest musical works. Mike Posner at the age of 36 overcame his "I Took A Pill In Ibiza" days to redefine himself beyond his fame towards a more fulfilling personal life. Jeremy reframes the midlife crisis from a feared stagnation surrounded by community disapproval, towards a pivotal moment for growth, discovery and self-actualization. Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/midlife-crisis Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/midlife-crisis-id Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

Rachel Wong, startup lawyer & Founder of Founders Doc, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Law ChatGPT AI Revolution: Rachel discussed how ChatGPT is revolutionizing the legal profession and changing the way lawyers interact with clients and how they draft and amend legal documents. Rachel explained the significance of legal AI companies, such as Litera, in enhancing the efficiency of drafting processes for lawyers by clearly understanding and addressing their specific needs. 2. Bastardized Y Combinator Safe Agreement: Rachel delved into the complexities of the Y Combinator (YC) Safe Agreement and its impact from various perspectives including economic and control rights. She discussed the maladaptation of the Safe Agreement over time in response to economic shifts and the dynamics of negotiation power between startups and investors. 3. Founder Legal Templates: Rachel noticed increased demand by clients using online templates and AI for legal document amendments. They have launched FD Lite, a platform designed to make legal documents more accessible and affordable, especially for startups in the early stages of fundraising. Jeremy and Rachel also covered the regulatory hurdles for legal entrepreneurs, increasing defensive specialization vs. commoditization within the legal sector, the expanding role of in-house legal teams, and the importance of making legal documents understandable to non-lawyers. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/rachel-wong-2 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: https://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founders Reviewing VCs: Shiyan reflected on founders conducting due diligence on their funding sources. They discuss the value (and further improvements) of public reference lists like TechinAsia’s Glasswall which indexes the fundraising process, and how founders should seek private feedback from (post-fundraise) portfolio companies. 2. Startup Fraud Triangle: Jeremy and Shiyan examined the darker side of the regional startup culture, including fraudulent accounting trends and their impact on the local funding ecosystem. They agree that while most founders don't set out to defraud, poor decisions under pressure can take the opportunity to conduct unethical actions. 3. Difficult Wind-Down Decisions: The vast majority of startups fail to meet expectations after substantial fundraising. Shiyan shared the rarity but reputational importance of attempting to return capital to investors when a pivot isn't feasible. She advises founders to treat investors with respect during wind-downs, as the startup industry is a "repeated game" where one's actions can influence future opportunities. They also talked about the emotional toll of admitting failure, potential for biased VC reviews, and the societal role of media in reporting startup successes and failures. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/founders-reviewing-vcs Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about HDMall here: htps://www.hdmall.co.th https://www.hdmall.id