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

Janson Seah, Cofounder of StaffAny, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics: 1. Time Theft & Blue-Collar Workforce Management: Janson shared the dynamics of managing blue-collar workers and introduced the concept of "time theft” and its implications on productivity, accountability and incentive structures in organizations. He emphasized the need for a restructured approach to workforce management, focusing on performance-based rewards and outcomes rather than solely on time-based metrics. He believes this approach will motivate employees to take ownership of their work and lead to better outcomes for both employees and the organization. 2. Market Selection & Entry: Janson highlighted the challenges involved in expanding across various countries in Southeast Asia. He emphasized the importance of understanding the distinct characteristics of different customer segments, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He pointed out that many small businesses in developing markets may not have the technological infrastructure to handle large, complex software solutions that would be prevalent in the US. 3. Product-Led Growth vs. Go-To-Market Motion: Janson explained the complexities of implementing go-to-market strategies in the region. He stressed that the product-led growth strategies in the U.S. don't translate effectively across various industries and geographies in Southeast Asia, unlike what you may read on Substack from an American founder or VC. He also stressed the importance to understanding local market conditions, customer preferences, and business practices, which often require a more hands-on, relationship-based approach than what might be typical in the US. They also talked about how cultural and operational norms influence business strategies, the necessity for digitalization and efficient management tools in SMEs, the relationship between technology and human labor, and the critical role of leadership in scaling a business. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/janson-seah Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

David He, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Banker to Startup Lawyer Partner: David shared his journey from aspiring to be a banker to transitioning into law with the backdrop of the 2008 Great Recession. He worked with a Wall Street firm, moved to Silicon Valley, where he engaged with VCs, startups, and founders, and eventually relocated to Singapore, where he continues to support dozens of founders in their startup negotiations with VCs. 2. Choosing the Right Startup Lawyer: David stressed that in selecting a good startup lawyer, cost shouldn't be the sole criterion. He emphasized the importance of researching and asking for references to ensure the lawyer’s experience in working with startups. He also underscored the value of flexibility, experience, and deal repetition and stressed that the initial months of the lawyer-founder relationship are crucial for establishing trust and responsiveness. 3. Startup Strong Legal Foundations: David talked about the significance of establishing strong legal foundations for startups. He shared examples of how some founders might prioritize short-term gains, overlooking long-term implications, which can lead to significant future costs. He also discussed the concept of control rights and explained that founders initially have full control but gradually lose it as they raise funds and bring in investors. They also talked about the survivorship bias in startups, the importance of openness to learning, the challenges of building a professional network in a new country and the fast-paced environment of venture law. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/david-he Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

In this episode, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. OpenAI Developments & Leadership: Jeremy & Shiyan delved into the recent leadership changes at OpenAI, including Sam Altman's reinstatement as CEO after a controversial board shuffle. They highlighted the philosophical divide within the board regarding OpenAI's direction between accelerationism (pushing for rapid acceleration and commercialization) vs. advocating for cautious progress). They noted that the accelerationists had prevailed, with Sam Altman's leadership signifying a continued push toward commercialization. They also touched on OpenAI’s extraordinary growth, scaling from zero to a billion dollars in revenue in a short time, and the practical challenges of halting AI development, given its open-source nature and widespread adaptation. 2. Business and Workplace Impact: Jeremy and Shiyan talked about the Coatue AI report where Shiyan expressed admiration for the slide demonstrating the tangible value AI brings to productivity and job functions. Jeremy emphasized the dynamic interplay between AI and human labor, highlighting a shift towards leaner organizational structures due to AI integration, and cited a scenario of a three-person unicorn company. They speculated on the possibility of ultra-lean companies, like a 'three-person unicorn', driven by AI efficiencies. They also emphasized the urgency of adopting AI to maximize benefits, considering the potential changes in job displacement and replacement dynamics. 3. AI-Driven Societal Shift: Jeremy and Shiyan shared that the rise of AI will create distinct winners and losers. They discussed that corporations that effectively leverage AI will likely dominate and significantly transform their operations and productivity. Jeremy identified specific professions, such as those in marketing and customer service, as being at higher risk of displacement by AI technologies. They also touched on the evolving nature of human relationships in the age of AI, particularly the growing trend of parasocial interactions with AI. Jeremy compared the impact of AI on social relationships to the effect of the birth control pill on society. He highlighted how just as the birth control pill revolutionized sexual relationships and family planning, leading to changes in social norms and personal freedoms, AI is poised to transform how humans interact and form relationships. They also talked about the changing nature of workplaces and industries, the concept of loneliness epidemic, ​​the need for responsible deployment of AI technologies, and the misconception of AI as a co-pilot. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/openai-acceleration Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Scott Hartley, Managing Partner of Everywhere Ventures, and Jeremy Au discuss three main themes: 1. Global Pre-Seed VC Investing: Scott presented a contrarian view against the conventional wisdom that pre-seed and seed-stage investing must be localized. He argued that with modern communication tools and the evolving VC landscape, it’s feasible to be a global pre-seed investor. He discussed how Everywhere Ventures adopts this approach and shared that they’re relatively price insensitive, typically entering investments with valuations between $6 and $8 million. He talked about how they emphasize team evaluation and leverage a network of trusted founders and operators to access global deals, focusing on the right timing and market relevance for business ideas. 2. Regional Investment Insights: Scott shared his experiences and insights from investing in Southeast Asian companies like Kumu, Lomotif, and Booky, and described the process of engaging with these companies from their early stages and aiding them in finding product-market fit. He also highlighted that while valuations in Southeast Asia have traditionally been lower, there's a shift towards market-clearing rounds, making these markets increasingly attractive to global investors. 3. Valuation and Pricing Risk: Jeremy and Scott touched on the dynamics of valuation and pricing risk in VC. Scott explained that while early-stage investments carry less pricing risk, later-stage investments present a significant challenge. They discussed the varying opportunities in global markets such as lending to Indian-based SaaS companies against US dollar-denominated accounts. He also talked about the Philippine SaaS market where valuations were approximately half of the typical US valuations, reflecting the diverse supply and demand dynamics of capital and highlighting the need for investors to be astute in understanding and leveraging these differences. They also talked about identifying and nurturing early-stage startups with a global potential, the nuances of market adaptation, the role of trusted networks in deal flow and investment decisions, and the importance of aligning investment strategies with technological trends. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/scott-hartley Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tri Ahmad Irfan, Cofounder & CTO of Lumina, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Indonesia Upbringing to USA Tech Inflection Point: Irfan described his initial exposure to computers in high school and his passion for web development and problem-solving. He leveraged his skills to secure his first international internship at Twitter, marking several firsts for him – flying, obtaining a passport, and enduring a grueling 2am to 7am interview. He talked about the culture shock he experienced in the US and how he adjusted from his introverted Indonesian upbringing to the more extroverted and outspoken American communication style. He detailed that the experience was a pivotal inflection point, as it opened the door to opportunities beyond local internships in Indonesia and set the trajectory for his career. 2. Engineering Leadership: Irfan emphasized the importance of engineers understanding business impacts and prioritizing user needs in product development. He highlighted his experiences in building products, managing teams, and hiring. He stressed the need for engineering leaders to embrace business knowledge, data analysis, stakeholder management, and direct user communication to effectively contribute to business objectives. 3. Experience with Y Combinator (YC): Irfan recounted the excitement and the intensity of participating in Y Combinator, a dream come true for him. He navigated the pressures of the three-month program, including pandemic remote work, intense late-night sessions and the preparation for the 60-second demo day presentation. They also talked about risk management, the importance of embracing opportunities, the value of direct communication with product builders, and the nuances of adapting to different market demands and user behaviors. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tri-ahmad-irfan Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investments at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Southeast Asia Climate Investment: Jeremy and Gita talked about DealStreetAsia’s article on the $1B of climate investment capital now available across Southeast Asia, e.g. Aera VC, led by Derek Handley (a previous BRAVE guest), which raised $50 million for industrial decarbonization, Radical Fund, led by Alina Truhina (a previous BRAVE guest) ’s first close of $40 million Southeast Asian investment vehicle, Eversource Capital looking at $700 million for its second investment vehicle, and ADM Capital raising a $200M Indonesia climate-focused fund. Gita emphasized the challenges and opportunities of such an investment thesis. 2. Indonesia Energy Efficiency and Infrastructure Mechanics: Jeremy and Gita dived into Indonesia's push to transition to renewable energy, the use of positive behavior economics and respecting contracts to encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices. She highlighted the importance of understanding the limitations and stages of development in different islands and the challenges of establishing energy baselines, grid infrastructure, and cost control across fragmented energy markets. 3. Emerging vs. Developed Country Carbon Debates: Jeremy and Gita explored the contrast between developing and developed economies in terms of incentives. They highlighted the correlation between emissions per capita, energy consumption per capita, and GDP per capita, and the need for careful planning in the early retirement of power plants. They also touched on the dependence on the Chinese solar cell industry and the potential risks of supply chain disruptions, as well as the energy crisis in South Africa and its impact on economic growth. She emphasized the differences in pressure faced by developing markets compared to developed ones and underlined the need for representing local perspectives in global media narratives. They also talked about Nepal’s recent TikTok ban, the evolving nature of young democracies, the geopolitical and macroeconomic factors influencing energy policies, and the government’s role in adapting to the needs of their citizens and international partners. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sea-climate-funding Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Raffy Montemayor, Founder & Philippine Business Head of Salmon, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Country General Manager Learnings: Raffy talked about how his unintentional early experience at Nestle turned out to be pivotal in learning about sales, HSBC for marketing and his experience as an INSEAD MBA. He then went on to lead the Philippines market for Agoda (travel aggregator), OLX Group (global classifieds) and Carousell (regional classifieds unicorn). He shared his learnings on how to best operate as a country General Manager: embrace direct involvement in operations due to the absence of established processes, flexible strategy localized to the actual market, and effective stakeholder management by crafting strong business cases. 2. Classifieds Insights: Raffy explained the classifieds business model: building a user-driven content flywheel to generate organic traffic and achieve market leadership. He discussed the strategic choice and trade-offs between a profitable, smaller-scale operation focused on B2C segments like used car dealerships and real estate companies vs. a broader C2C focus which requires significant marketing investments without immediate revenue generation. He also discussed why and how Facebook is such a strong competitor and substitute. 3. Fintech Founder for the Philippines: Raffy expressed his deep connection to the Philippines, not just emotionally but also in terms of the business opportunities shaped by demographics, income levels, and digital trends. He shares his excitement for the Philippines' underbanked market and why he co-founded Salmon to build financial inclusion, craft a customer-centric experience and utilize technology to build a profitable consumer lending engine. They also talked about professional burnout, becoming a father and experiencing the twists-and-turns of a professional tech career. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/raffy-montemayor Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Fengru Lin, Founder & CEO of TurtleTree, and Jeremy Au discussed three key topics: 1. TurtleTree's Biotech Approach: Fengru Lin highlighted TurtleTree's biotech advancements in the scientific formulation of milk and milk ingredients. She also shared that the company focuses on high-value proteins like lactoferrin, a bioactive protein essential for gut health, immunity, and iron regulation, which trades for $1000 per kilogram due to its short supply and the amount of milk required to produce it. She also shared TurtleTree's progress towards commercialization, including applying for FDA GRAS certification, a significant step in bringing their products to market. 2. Entrepreneurial Journey: Fengru talked about her leadership journey from leading the Girl Guides in Singapore to developing essential skills in business development at Salesforce and Google, and eventually co-founding TurtleTree. She recounted her serendipitous meeting with Max, her co-founder, over shared interests in transforming the food industry, a thesis ignited by her hobby in cheese-making and Max’s work in cell-based meat. She emphasized the importance of a unified vision in a co-founding team and discussed how the synergy of skills and attributes between her and her cofounder was instrumental in navigating the early stages of the company, setting the foundation for its future growth. 3. Bravery in Decision Making: Fengru shared the early hesitancy of her scientists in engaging with the media, highlighting her strategy to balance the need for publicity with confidentiality. She explained the importance of guiding her team through decision-making processes and ensuring collective understanding and buy-in for media communications. She also shared her bold approaches to connect with influential figures like Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever & former CFO of Nestle. She discussed how these interactions shaped her vision for TurtleTree, particularly in ensuring the company's presence is prominently displayed in collaboration with CPG brands. She stresses the significance of seeking wisdom from industry veterans and the courage it takes to reach out to high-profile individuals for guidance and collaboration. They also talked about the fundraising dynamics for deep-tech startups, the FDA approval process, misconceptions about building a biotech company, and the alternative protein market. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fengru-lin Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Bad Conferences: Jeremy and Shiyan highlight the aspects they find frustrating, e.g. low-value, low-density conversations. Shiyan discusses her disappointment with unnecessary pre-panel preparation calls and panels with too many participants, which inevitably dilutes the quality of conversations. 2. Speakers & Moderators Hacks: Jeremy advises speakers to focus on nailing at least 2 out of these three key elements: factual descriptiveness, a fresh/ contrarian point of view, and charm. He shares a trick he frequently uses as a moderator, which involves encouraging panel members to intentionally speak at an expert level. 3. Democracy vs. Republic vs. Serendipity: Jeremy and Shiyan disclose their approach to conference participation, emphasizing the importance of serendipity as key to an enriching experience. They also debate the democratic vs. republic approach in audience engagement. They also discussed founder 1-minute pitches, great attendee experiences, and their personal conference approaches. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bad-vs-great-conferences Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

In this episode, Li Ling Yung, the first Southeast Asian woman to swim the English Channel, and Jeremy Au discussed Li Ling’s endurance swimming journey: 1. Li Ling's Childhood and Athletic Journey: Li Ling recalled securing bronze and silver as a competitive Singaporean swimmer in her childhood before moving on to other sports and hobbies. She moved to London at 19 for studies and rekindled her interest in sports in her mid-twenties due to the endurance sports culture in finance. She talked about how she started open-water swimming on the UK and later joined the Hong Kong community of swimmers, where they swim year-round even in winter when temperatures drop significantly. 2. Swimming the English Channel: Li Ling described the surreal experience of being the first Southeast Asian woman to swim across the English Channel. She emphasized the mental strength needed, particularly towards the end of the swim where she had to overcome strong currents and personal doubts. She focused on short-term goals, like reaching the next feed every half an hour, rather than the total 13 hours spent swimming. Supported by her friends and husband, she persevered and pushed through her limits to eventually swim 34km onto the shores of France. 3. Charitable Work: Li Ling and her husband chose to relocate to Hong Kong to be closer to family and friends. She shared her involvement as a volunteer coach at Splash Foundation and raised $50,000 to teach swimming to underserved communities in Singapore and Hong Kong, including migrant workers and children with special needs. They also discussed the casual athletes’ intense training routines, the role of community in achieving challenging objectives, and endurance swimming dynamics. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/li-ling-yung Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

In this discussion, Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au delved into three key themes: 1. China Tech Giants: Jianggan authored “Seeing the Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants' Global Venturing,” which sheds light on the strategies and struggles of Chinese tech giants in global markets. He discusses the tactical decisions and leadership styles of Chinese tech giants, as well as intense domestic competition coupled with limited domestic growth in China. 2. Entering Southeast Asia: Jianggan and Jeremy talked about the recent wave of Chinese tech companies expanding into Southeast Asia. Jianggan explained that earlier expansion efforts were more opportunistic, with major companies like Tencent, Baidu, and Alibaba making significant investments and acquisitions, contrasting with the current necessity-driven expansion due to policy shifts and geopolitical factors. He advises companies to prioritize understanding local market dynamics and building sustainable business models that integrate regionally and emphasizes the importance of leadership and dedicated resources in successful joint ventures and strategic expansion. 3. Venture Building Lessons: Jianggan narrated his diverse career path, beginning as a computer engineer, progressing through an INSEAD MBA, and then venturing into various entrepreneurial roles as Regional Managing Director at Easy Taxi, and co-founding multiple startups like HalalNode and PasarPinjam. He eventually transitioned to founding Momentum Works, a venture builder. He speaks candidly about the complexities and pressures of leading a startup, emphasizing the drastic shift in responsibilities of being at the helm. He learned during the time of the cutthroat ride-hailing market being dominated by network effects and a winner-takes-all mentality. His experience also highlighted the difference between managing an existing company and founding a new one, where personal stakes and responsibilities are significantly higher. They also talked about navigating different market environments, the psychological challenges and emotional resilience required in entrepreneurship, and the strategic considerations involved in forming joint ventures. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jianggan-li Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

In this episode, Valerie Vu, Founder of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discuss three main topics: 1. Intel $1B Investment Withdrawal: Valerie shared that Vietnam's power outages, real estate turmoil, and anti-corruption campaign have led to delays in construction permits and licensing, which influenced Intel's decision to withdraw investment. This also caused the Danish group Pandora to announce the delay in running its factory to 2026 instead of its initial plan to start in 2025. She also explained that the country's power supply is delivered by a single state-owned company called EVN, which has faced challenges in managing resources, resulting in inconsistent power supply. 2. Vietnam Edtech Trends: Valerie stressed that while K-12 education receives ample investment, higher education and adult learning opportunities are lacking. She shared her involvement in helping recruit for Marathon Education which aims to build a Vietnamese MIT university and the potential growth in post-K12 education, including university, post-grad, and adult learning sectors. We also discussed Vietnam's edtech space and both disagreed with the notion of Vietnamese youth disengagement or "lying flat" (tang ping), as seen in China and reported by SCMP. Valerie explained that Vietnam has the second highest PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) scores among ASEAN countries, next to Singapore. She also shared the trend of young Vietnamese holding multiple jobs or side hustles, showcasing their drive, competitiveness, and ambition. 3. Regional FDI Flow & Expansion Strategies: Valerie noted that the northern region of Vietnam is attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) due to its infrastructure and larger workforce availability. She compared spending habits in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, pointing out Ho Chi Minh City's entrepreneurial and high-value customer base. We delved into Vietnamese companies’ expansion strategies such as their movement into neighboring countries like Cambodia and Laos. Valerie mentioned companies like VinFast expanding into markets like Indonesia and Europe, representing the first generation of Vietnamese entrepreneurs attempting global expansion. She expressed optimism about Vietnam's digital economy growth, targeting 20% of GDP by 2025, and stressed the importance of supportive government policies for this expansion. They also talked about Vietnam’s infrastructure development, the top cities and provinces attracting FDI, and the availability of human capital. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/intel-investment-withdrawal Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Angels, and Jeremy Au discussed three major topics: 1. Southeast Asia Agriculture: Jeremy and Adriel talked about the variety of agriculture players, from smallholders to large conglomerates, and the range of crops cultivated, including staples like rice and cash crops like palm oil. Jeremy pointed out that understanding agriculture requires consideration of geography, market players, and crop types, noting that this sector is significantly more complex and boots-on-the-ground vs. well-covered business models like SaaS. They explore upstream inputs, financing, downstream off-take, storage, processing and trading functions. They also discuss the complexity of determining investment profiles suitable for venture capital return targets. 2. Digitization & Mechanization: Jeremy compared the region’s agricultural landscape to the US, where both hardware and software advancements have been implemented. He explained that despite the potential benefits of digitization, the fundamental nature of agriculture requires a physical interaction with crops, which cannot be entirely replaced through digital solutions, and stressed the importance of understanding the practical limitations of agritech. He also discussed the potential of logistics as a fundamental layer in the agriculture sector and pointed out that while there are opportunities for increased efficiency through better maintenance, routing, and time management, the gains might still be limited. 3. Livestock vs. Crop Sector: Jeremy delved into the differences in managing poultry and livestock compared to crop-based agriculture. He explained that different animals require varied inputs and are subject to different risks, and recognized the higher price points for animal products due to their higher energy input requirements compared to plants. He also emphasized the anticipated increase in demand for protein-rich foods as the region grows richer. He discussed the impact of diseases on poultry and fishery yields and shared how to manage these risks, comparing it to an insurance model where consistent monitoring and preventative measures are vital. They also talked about the role of government support in agriculture, the impact of weather and seasonality on agricultural productivity & asset utilization, and the potential of cultured proteins. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/southeast-asia-agritech Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Alina Truhina, Managing Partner of The Radical Fund, and Jeremy Au delve into three main topics: 1. Climate Change Realities: Alina acknowledges Southeast Asia's position as both a significant emitter of greenhouse gases and a region increasingly vulnerable to climate change. She also touches on the notion that addressing climate change seems elitist and is not yet a priority for the general population who are more concerned with immediate household and financial needs. She proposes fostering habit changes through user-centric business models that make environmental choices accessible and practical without demanding drastic lifestyle overhauls. 2. Entrepreneurial Approaches to ESG: Alina draws attention to the often-misunderstood concepts of ESG, climate, impact, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging founders to go beyond the tokenism of using SDG logos and to sincerely embed these principles into their operational metrics. She advocates a $4.3 trillion economic opportunity for Asia stemming from proactive climate action and showcasing the profitability in sustainability efforts. She also explores the transformative potential of VC and other financial instruments in supporting founders who are championing technological innovations geared toward local community needs. 3. Adversity & Personal Growth: Reflecting on her background as a political refugee, Alina recounts the discrimination her family faced following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leading to their move to Australia. She deeply connects with entrepreneurs she works with, resonating with those who have faced similar socio-economic battles. She explains that her outsider status has been both a challenge and an advantage, offering a distinctive perspective and driving her to surround herself with local teams that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of each market. She emphasizes her commitment to investing in transformative solutions that empower entrepreneurs to enact positive change and provide opportunities for others in their communities. They also talked about building coalitions and driving change as an outsider in the industry, the loneliness of a founder's journey, the significance of peer-to-peer networks in providing support for founders, the importance of emotional intelligence for effective leadership, and the emerging role of women in VC. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/alina-truhina Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics: 1. Tech in Asia Acquisition: Shiyan and I delve into Tech in Asia’s acquisition by Singapore Press Holding and how this move is set to reshape the tech news landscape across the region. We assess the company's $30M valuation and discuss the revenue figures, growth rate and synergies that made it an attractive acquisition target. They also reflect on the broader implications for regional tech journalism across the various players. 2. Entertainment & Media Industry Evolution: We discuss the evolving business models in the entertainment and media industry, citing examples like Spotify's $200M deal with Joe Rogan, the growth of niche Substack newsletters like Packy McCormick's and The Generalist, and the success of independent platforms like Stratechery and Acquired.FM. We also explore how AI is revolutionizing content creation in terms of translation and distribution, thus changing the business model and venture scale outcomes. 3. Fragmented News Consumption: We examine the current fragmented nature of news and media consumption where information is scattered across different platforms, from blog posts to Substacks to podcasts and TikToks, and how these new channels are fostering innovative business-building approaches. We discuss the consequences of this fragmentation, such as the challenges in defining truth in an age where platforms algorithmically promote content engagement, implicitly displacing users from consuming fact-checked, authoritative sources. We also touch upon the importance of adapting to new market trends, how the interaction between media and technology impacts startup founders, the role of advertisers in media economics, and niche audience monetization. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tech-in-asia2 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

“He is someone who is living this "dream life", an inspirational figure for so many folks. It makes me reflect on the fact that there are so many celebrities in our world who are also very inspirational. At the end of the day, everyone's human and with their mistakes, as well as their inspirational moments. Seeing the whole of them is something that only close people get to see. And so, this makes me reflect a lot on my dynamics, which is how I focus not just on my career and my public orientation, but also on my private life to make sure that I'm focusing and investing in the right things because I would rather be a public failure and a private success rather than a public success and a private failure.” - Jeremy Au Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/anthony-bourdain-lessons Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Ryan Manafe, Cofounder & CEO of Dagangan, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Indonesia's Infrastructure and Supply Chain: Ryan shared the infrastructure and supply chain dynamics beyond the major islands of Java and Sumatra and the disparities in development and access to resources in those remote areas. He delved into the interaction between urban centers and rural areas and how infrastructure bottlenecks often impede the transportation of goods from rural production areas to urban consumption centers, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and potential losses. He also explained the often-overlooked challenges faced by middlemen in the country’s supply chain and how they play an essential role in connecting producers with consumers. 2. Dagangan's Business Approach: Ryan highlighted their innovative approach to working within the supply chain, aiming for a win-win situation for all parties involved. He explained that businesses can leverage a hub-and-spoke model to efficiently reach rural customers, with the first and mid-mile logistics handled by the brands and manufacturers. He also discussed the key performance indicators for their investors, brands, and users: for investors, to showcase progress toward profitability through unit economics and operational efficiency; for brands, to expand their reach across regions and outlets, increasing product delivery; and for users, to increase their revenue significantly and even expand their business premises. 3. Ryan’s Founder Journey: Ryan shared his transition from being a McKinsey consultant to an entrepreneur deeply committed to impacting rural areas and contributing to Indonesia’s progress. He recounted building his first successful venture, only to bravely venture into founding a second company, Dagangan, with a revamped and innovative approach. He emphasized the weight of this decision, especially considering his familial responsibilities, as he navigated these waters while supporting his pregnant wife. We also discussed the significance of maintaining strong ties with rural communities, maintaining operational discipline, the role of technology in bridging the urban-rural divide, and the importance of work-life balance. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ryan-manafe Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Gita Rusmida Sjahrir, Head of Investments at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Business Model Localization: We dissect why Grab, Gojek with Rebel Foods, and DishServe have closed over 100 Indonesian cloud kitchens over the past year. Gita and I discuss the criticality of tailoring the model to fit local dynamics, highlighting factors like GDP per capita, time availability, food distribution, and urban design. We discussed that the driving factors were not the destruction of demand, but instead the misalignment of the business model with consumer behavior. For example, Indonesia's cloud kitchen prices and margins were highly competed by current food models, like ordering food for delivery from local restaurants, cooking at home, or going to a local eatery. 2. Indonesia TikTok Shop Ban: We talked about TikTok Shop’s ban in Indonesia and the scrutiny it faces worldwide in the USA, India, and Vietnam. Gita highlighted the need for understanding the nascent political landscape of Indonesia and policy decisions in response to viral issues. She stressed the importance of fostering win-win relationships with regulatory bodies rather than falling into adversarial dynamics, thereby safeguarding startup enterprise value and helping local communities. We compared this to the Airbnb bans in Singapore and NYC, and the differing outcomes for Uber and Didi's relationships with their USA and China regulators. 3. Founder Adaption to Market: We discussed the importance of founders, both local and immigrants, to approach the local markets with humility and how it should not be mistaken for lack of confidence, but rather be seen as a strategic advantage and a means to ensure that innovations brought forth by startups are received positively by the community. We agreed that founders must be willing to learn from the market, and iterate their approach in a way that both respects and leverages the local context, ensuring their value proposition is both clear and compelling. We also touched upon the impact of cultural understanding in shaping business strategy, the necessity for founders to view their journey through a scientist's lens, the role of leadership in turbulent times, and the evolution of consumer behavior in the region. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-shop-ban Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

“It's okay to sit back and enjoy the ride of turning 36. That means there's a certain level of discomfort that I used to blame myself and be like, ‘Hey, I should have figured this out. I should be prepared. I should know what this feels like.’ And now, I realize that it’s okay if I don't understand. I still have to push hard and explore. It's just that it's okay to have this discomfort that I don't understand what's going on as I get older, and instead, I look at it as an opportunity to have that delicious feeling of not knowing what comes next. It's really a privilege to have that freedom to explore, and the freedom to feel, and be outside your comfort zone.” - Jeremy Au Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/turning-36 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

John Aguilar, Creator & Host of The Final Pitch and Methods to Greatness, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Television Production Realities: John provided an insider’s view of the television production world, explaining the intensive process behind creating a successful show. He emphasized that what the audience sees on screen is just the tip of the iceberg, with a mere 0.1% of the work being visible to viewers. He provided a peek into the “show as a service” approach of their show “The Final Pitch”, where judges double up as co-producers, investing a fee that funds the production. This enables a sustainable model, allowing the show to function efficiently without the need to seek sponsors actively. He also shared his ventures in real estate and technology, highlighting how the success of their shows paves the way for new business opportunities and investments in startups, with plans to expand The Final Pitch across Asia in the future. 2. Family Life, Longevity & Greatness: John shared how marriage and fatherhood altered his perspectives and priorities. He reflected on the shift from individual-centric goals to family-oriented aspirations, and how his role in media carries greater responsibility and influence than before. He shared how his passions and projects have evolved with his life stages, currently revolving around themes of longevity and crafting a meaningful legacy. He also explained how craftsmanship is more than just doing a job, it’s also about mastering your craft, continuously learning, and taking pride in your work. He stressed the importance of staying curious and finding joy in the process of achieving greatness and ensuring longevity in any field - resulting in the show Method to Greatness. 3. Navigating Failure & Pursuing Success: John recounted a pivotal moment in his career when he produced a dance show in the Philippines which appeared to be a soaring success until it took a dramatic turn when they faced unexpected financial difficulties. He opened up about moments of doubt, frustration, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the setbacks. Despite the challenges, he chose to remain resilient, taking responsibility for the situation, and learning valuable lessons about business and personal integrity. He explained that maintaining a strong moral compass in the face of failure taught him valuable lessons about the true nature of success and greatness - which eventually led to successfully launching The Final Pitch. We also touched on the intersection of technology and media, the importance of cross-cultural collaborations, the role of sports science and medicine, and the value of mentorship in professional journeys. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/john-aguilar Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at [email protected]

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and I talked about three main topics: 1. Layoffs and Market Exits: Shiyan and I talked about the recent wave of layoffs: Biofourmis (45 staff in Singapore, and at least 85 staff globally) and Flash Coffee (closed all 11 Singapore outlets). We agreed on the importance of executing layoffs decisively, advocating for a single, well-planned and deep cut rather than a drawn-out process of multiple cuts. We touched upon the necessity of transparent communication, ensuring that the remaining team members are well-informed and supported throughout the transition, and highlighted the importance of agility in uncertain times. 2. Tech-Enabled D2C Consumer: We explored tech-enabled food services and analyzed the industry's financial intricacies, distribution challenges, and competitive landscape. We debated how coffee chains utilize tech not only in processing orders, how they choose locations, and differentiate in markets already saturated with traditional coffee chains. We talked about Luckin Coffee’s unique model, which requires customers to download an app before placing an order, a strategy that streamlines the ordering process and serves customer acquisition and data collection, allowing it to better tailor its offerings and marketing strategies. 3. AI Productivity Transformation: We discussed EU’s aim for AI regulations, similar to its GDPR for data privacy, vs. ASEAN's recently-stated hands-off approach, letting each country decide its own path. We also discussed the difficulty of halting AI development and pointed out the practical issues of enforcing regulations. We were skeptical about JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon's forecast of a 3.5 day workweek due to AI. While AI enhances productivity, it also intensifies competition, ultimately transforming entire industries rather than individual jobs. We also talked about AI bots and how they can already emulate the conversational style of specific individuals like Jason Calacanis and brainstormed possibilities like historical fiction podcasts featuring debates between figures like Napoleon and Gandhi. We also touched upon the NASDAQ performance of the MoneyHero SPAC (Seedly), authenticity and value of human error and spontaneity in content creation, suggesting that there might still be a preference for “artisanal podcasters”, the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation, the ethical dimensions of AI deployment, fostering innovation while ensuring data privacy and the strategies for maintaining balance and humanity in the fast-paced tech world. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/flash-coffee-layoffs Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this discussion, Matt Abrahams, Stanford MBA Professor and author of Think Faster, Work Smarter, and Jeremy Au, talk about three main themes: 1. Journey to Mastering Public Speaking: Matt shared what inspired his journey to research public speaking. At his first-ever speech competition, he demonstrated a karate kick on stage and ripped his pants in front of the entire audience. This event catalyzed his deep dive into understanding and mastering the art of public speaking. He shared how this taught him the importance of staying composed under pressure and maintaining a sense of humor, even when things don’t go as planned. He also recounted a lesson he learned from his mother about how a person's communication style can influence others, shape their perceptions, or guide reactions in a desired direction. 2. Understanding Anxiety’s Biological Roots: Matt opened up about the inherent nature of anxiety, particularly when it comes to public speaking and establishing one's place in social hierarchies. He explained that feeling anxious in such situations is a natural biological response that has been a part of human evolution for centuries as our bodies are programmed to be alert and responsive to potential threats. With the modern world offering different speaking opportunities to larger, diverse audiences and the additional pressure brought by the permanency of video recordings, Matt highlighted the need to understand and adapt to the evolving challenges of public speaking anxiety. 3. Personalized Approach to Public Speaking: Matt stressed the essence of individuality in public speaking. He encourages people to learn from both successes and failures and integrate these lessons to develop a better approach suited to today’s world. He shared that Martin Luther King Jr. got a C- in Public Speaking in his early days, reminding everyone that even the most prolific orators faced challenges early on. He highlighted that people should set realistic and achievable expectations and understand that mastery is a continuous journey. They also discussed the impact of cultural differences on communication styles, strategies for effective storytelling in presentations, how effective communication and public speaking are crucial for leaders in the tech industry, the value of observational learning, and the necessity of critical thinking and community support when seeking advice. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/matt-abrahams Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Craig Bristol Dixon, Cofounder & General Partner of Accelerating Asia, and Jeremy Au talk about three key topics: 1. Maximizing Startup Potential: Craig underscores the nuanced differences between a startup's initial iteration and subsequent ones, emphasizing that experience significantly shapes how one approaches the process. He talks about an insider's perspective on the challenges and intricacies of efficiently running a startup, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex interplay between incubators, venture capitalists, and the success of the portfolios they nurture. He also touches upon the importance of startups adopting the correct approach, particularly when they're at a stage where they need to amplify their growth trajectory and truly get their operations into high gear. 2. Navigating Partnerships with Family Offices: Craig shares insights on family offices' aspirations, capabilities, and actions necessary for establishing successful collaborations. He sheds light on the often misunderstood nuances of how these entities operate within the startup ecosystem. He explains that while family offices often have vast resources at their disposal, understanding their core objectives is paramount for startups and other ecosystem players looking to collaborate with them. He highlights the significance of the alignment of expectations, resource-sharing, and mutual knowledge exchange and ensuring that both parties are clear about what needs to be achieved. 3. Bravery Versus Stupidity in Entrepreneurship: Craig and Jeremy explore the thin line between bravery and stupidity in the entrepreneurial realm. Craig ponders on the fine balance leaders must strike when navigating risk and challenges the binary view of these concepts, suggesting that the line between bravery and foolishness is often blurred. He also talks about his own journey, highlighting instances where he had to gauge risks, not just from a business standpoint, but also on a personal level. He discusses the value of hindsight, emphasizing how past experiences offer clarity on decisions that seemed ambiguous at the time, and encourages startups and leaders to critically assess their risk tolerance, ensuring that their actions, while brave, are grounded in reality and foresight. They also talk about the recent trends, challenges, and opportunities in the region’s tech landscape, the rise of AI and machine learning startups, the role of technology in driving innovation, and the changing investment patterns in Southeast Asia, and the increasing role of sustainability in tech innovations. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/craig-bristol-dixon Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this episode, Valerie Vu, Founder of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discuss three main topics: 1. Vietnam's Semiconductor Investment: Valerie and Jeremy shed light on the substantial investments pouring into the microchip space. They talked about President Biden’s recent visit to Vietnam, accompanied by senior executives from Intel, Google, and Amcor, which served as a catalyst for furthering ties and promoting investments between the two nations. They also discussed how the US is steering its capital toward this sector in Vietnam and highlighted the country’s potential to become a hub for microchip production and innovation. They explained the broader implications of these investments, suggesting that they are likely to create job opportunities, boost local economies, and position Vietnam as a significant player in the global semiconductor market. 2. Adult Learning Space in Vietnam: Valerie conveyed her frustration with the current state of adult education in the country, indicating that there's a need for reform and innovation. While Vietnam is witnessing a surge in foreign direct investments, there's a looming skill gap among its adult population, potentially hindering the country's progress and adaptation to a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Despite this, she’s optimistic about the investments in this sector, which will reshape the landscape of adult learning where they can easily access resources to enhance their skills, align with the nation's growth trajectory, and meet the demands of the global market. 3. Capital Investment & Consumer Trends: They discussed the $643M investment of South Korea’s conglomerate, Lotte, and its recent launch of a retail complex in Hanoi, signifying its pivot away from the Chinese market and a focus on Vietnam. Valerie explained Lotte’s familiar presence in Vietnam for years, with projects like Lotte West Lake having been in development for over a decade. Despite the significant investment, she observed that the shopping mall culture hasn't entirely resonated with the Vietnamese consumer base, which tends to prefer shophouses and street coffee outlets, signifying a cultural preference for value-for-money and localized shopping experiences. They also delved into the welcoming approach of the Vietnamese government towards global tech giants like Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon, the competitive positioning of TikTok shop against Shopee, and the interplay of culture, economics, and strategy in determining business trajectories in the region. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-capital-investments Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner of Indelible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discuss three main themes: 1. Founding Indelible Ventures: Kevin sheds light on his early journey and shares the pivotal moments that inspired him: having young kids, prior investment pursuits, and his ambition to further embed himself in the venture landscape. Kevin articulated the process of choosing a focal geography, crystallizing an investment thesis, erecting a robust network, and pooling resources for the fund. He emphasized the potential he observed in Malaysia, especially within the pre-seed space, and discussed the thrill of spotting and nurturing nascent ventures that have the potential to reshape industries. 2. Elevating Malaysia's Startup Ecosystem: Kevin and Jeremy examined the nuances of Malaysia's startup landscape in comparison to its regional counterparts. Kevin contrasts Malaysia against its regional peers, pinpointing areas like capital formation, legal policies, corporate domicile, and local nurturing that need augmentation. He highlighted the importance of fostering an ecosystem that doesn't just focus on current founders but paves the way for the next generation. This includes building a robust educational foundation, instilling entrepreneurial mindsets from a young age, and ensuring that budding entrepreneurs have access to resources, networks, and opportunities to turn their visions into realities. 3. Navigating Fatherhood: Kevin and Jeremy shared personal stories about the unanticipated joys and challenges of becoming fathers to two girls. Kevin reminisced the days leading up to the news of his impending fatherhood and how it caught him off guard. Despite the initial shock, he emphasized that life's unpredictability often brings the most treasured moments. He drew parallels between the entrepreneurial spirit and parenthood, explaining that there's never a "perfect" time to start a family. Rather than seeking a precise blueprint or waiting for the ideal moment, the key is to embrace the journey, adapt to the changes, and cherish the learning along the way. They also discussed the interplay between professional acceleration and personal evolution, the tips on forging genuine and long-lasting professional relationships, the dynamics of networking in the region, the invaluable support of a business community, and balancing work and family. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kevin-brockland Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this discussion, Tsun-Yan Hsieh, Founder & Chairman of LinHart Group, and Jeremy Au talk about three key themes: 1. Board Member Dynamics & Real Conversations: Tsun Yan emphasizes the importance of both strategic and tactical aspects as a board member, drawing from his experiences with companies like Sony, Airtel, Dyson, Singapore Airlines, SingHealth, and Manulife. He sheds light on the essence of real conversations and attributes of results, detailing the significance of pre-meeting dinners and side chats. He believes that being a board member isn't just about agreement, but also about bringing diverse viewpoints to the table. He recalls times when he voiced opinions that went against the grain and urged the board to revisit certain decisions, suggesting they were crucial in ensuring the company didn't overlook potential pitfalls or become complacent in its strategic direction. 2. Coaching, Consulting, and Positive Influence: Tsun Yan explores the art of coaching and consulting. Drawing from his extensive career and his journey in establishing a coaching business, he explains the nuances of providing advice and mentorship. He also discusses his co-authored book, "Positive Influence," and elaborates on the difference between being a leader who merely manages vs. one who truly inspires and drives transformational change. He underscores the distinct strategies required when mentoring fresh minds vs. seasoned professionals. For the former, the approach is more exploratory, given their potential to pivot in their career trajectories, and for the latter, it's about honing and refining skills, as senior executives often seek to perfect their craft or achieve specific leadership milestones. 3. Tsun Yan’s Personal Journey: Tsun Yan reflects on his curiosity from a young age, leading up to his days as a young executive. He narrates instances where he mustered the bravery to engage in lengthy discussions and shares an anecdote about entering a room and holding an engaging conversation for four hours. He shared that it wasn't just about the duration but the depth and quality of the discourse. He also discussed that negotiations and engagements often revolved around facilitating changes, requiring him to navigate the challenges of agreements with top-tier executives and always pushing for the necessary evolution. They also delve into the evolving leadership paradigms in Southeast Asia, authentic communication in the workplace and how it can foster trust and drive productivity, the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in today's dynamic business environment, and how genuine feedback can be instrumental in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tsun-yan-hsieh Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au, talked about three key topics: 1. Conglomerate Underperformance: Shiyan and Jeremy discuss the Southeast Asia report by Bain & Company, diving into the transformation of conglomerates – entities that once stood as beacons of success and now grapple with dwindling performances. They touch on potential causes of underperformance such as the challenges faced in managing diverse business units, rapid technological advancements, and the rise of competitors. They also talk about key success factors conglomerates need to focus on enhancing core competencies, leveraging synergies across business units, and maintaining a robust governance structure. They emphasized that conglomerates must realign their strategies with the changing business environment. 2. Super Apps and Conglomerate Parallels: Shiyan and Jeremy delve into the similarities between the growth strategies of super apps and traditional conglomerates, both aiming to be the go-to solution for a wide range of user needs. For super apps, this means integrating diverse services like e-commerce, ride-hailing, food delivery, and financial services into one seamless platform to drive user engagement, increase stickiness, and maximize transaction value. However, just as conglomerates faced challenges in managing diverse business units and ensuring consistent quality across all ventures, super apps also grapple with the complexities of offering multifaceted services while retaining user trust and ensuring optimal user experience. 3. Building Trust with Users: Shiyan spotlights Costso’s approach to cultivating and maintaining a loyal customer base. They underline that businesses should focus on curating offerings that genuinely align with users' needs and prioritizing their interests above all else, rather than pushing products and services. They discuss that organic alignment is the cornerstone of a long-lasting, trusted relationship and that adapting to shifts in user interests can sustain relevance in their markets, keeping them ahead of competitors. They also talk about biotech as an underexplored area in the region, the evolution of game distributors and publishers, the regulatory hurdles startups face across different countries, the gamification of e-commerce, and the behavioral economics behind app designs. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/conglomerate-underperformance Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this discussion, Wilson Yanaprasetya, Cofounder of Dagangan, and Jeremy Au talk about three main themes: 1. Motivation Behind Dagangan: Wilson narrated the striking disparities between supply and demand he witnessed when he moved to a different city and discovered the same ice cream he couldn’t buy back home was more affordable and accessible. His upbringing in a Tier III city played a crucial role in the building of Dagangan with his cofounders who hailed from similar backgrounds. They realized the pressing need to address inequity and wanted to bridge the gap, ensuring that people, irrespective of their location or socio-economic status, had equitable access to products. 2. Warung Tech Deep Dive: Wilson shared a comprehensive overview of Warung Tech’s varied approaches from radical, disruptive innovations that aim to overhaul traditional systems to more nuanced models designed to enhance and integrate with existing supply chains. He highlighted the importance of tailoring strategies for cities ranging from Tier 1 urban centers to the often overlooked Tier 3 and Tier 2 towns to ensure Warung Tech’s solutions are relevant and impactful. He also elaborated on its financial aspects, emphasizing the nuances of contribution margins, gross margins, and Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). 3. Experiencing a 'Different Kind of Happiness': Wilson elaborated on how his tenure at Northstar Group equipped him with a foundational understanding of building sustainable businesses, emphasizing the importance of relevant metrics that ensure business health and longevity. He discussed the essence of “a completely different happiness”, or the joy derived from creating, leading, and scaling a startup that’s different from the satisfaction of investing in one. As a founder, the happiness stems from the firsthand challenges faced, the teams built, the culture nurtured, and the tangible impact made, whereas as an investor, the contentment arises from identifying potential, nurturing growth, and witnessing a startup's journey from infancy to success. They also discussed the importance of cultural adaptability in the tech industry, the evolving consumer behavior in Southeast Asia, the vital role of technology in bridging societal gaps and promoting inclusivity, leadership in times of uncertainty, and the power of mentorship in nurturing the next generation of tech leaders. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/wilson-yanaprasetya Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Maria Li, COO of Tech in Asia, and Jeremy Au discuss three key topics: 1. TIA’s Editorial Ethos & SE Asia’s Growing Ecosystem: Maria shares Tech in Asia's mission to be a guiding beacon in the region's tech ecosystem. She elaborates on the challenges stemming from information opacity and asymmetry inherent in the region’s young digital landscape. She also talks about the newsroom’s constant grapples with the tightrope walk between maintaining unyielding editorial integrity and ensuring sustainable growth, especially amidst the ever-evolving technological advances and the proliferation of new media channels. 2. Decoding the COO Role: Maria delves into the multifaceted nature of her position as the COO of Tech in Asia. She explains that the role is not standardized across organizations, but its essence lies in operational effectiveness and making pivotal decisions. She shares that aspiring COOs should prioritize understanding various perspectives, valuing feedback, and fostering effective team dynamics. She also stresses the value of setting aside personal ego and focusing on serving employees, clients, and stakeholders 3. Career Reflections & Learnings: Maria talks about career decisions, recounting her own journey of transitioning between geographies, roles, and industries. She emphasizes the importance of acquiring new knowledge, evaluating one's own life satisfaction, and introspecting on which decisions are merely steps in a path versus those that shape the path itself. She also shares her personal litmus test for career moves: distinguishing between decisions that can be rolled back and those that are decisively life-altering. She advocates for granting oneself the grace to pivot when a choice doesn't pan out as expected but also stresses the value of commitment when the stakes are high. They also touched upon the digital transformation in the region and the emerging trends and the challenges related to it, the pivotal role of trust in her role as COO, the significance of audience engagement, and the balance between monetization and unbiased content. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maria-li Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Gita Rusmida Sjahrir, Head of Investments at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founder to VC Transition: Gita talked about her prior startup founder's roller-coaster life where every decision directly impacted business growth, team morale, and product trajectory. She eventually moved to the “dark side” with VC, becoming the Head of Investment at BNI Ventures. With her 13 years of experience building businesses and fundraising from VCs, she learned that founders need mentorship and strategic guidance from their investors. She invests time in debriefing and introspection after each pitch session in order to communicate and resonate with entrepreneurial teams. 2. Kauffman Fellowship Learnings: Gita joined the Kauffman Fellowship Program, influenced by her investor brother's recommendation. The program gave her a nuanced perspective on venture capital fundamentals and enabled her to network with a diverse group of fellow VCs. She explained how the program focuses on challenging one's values, vision, and self-imposed limitations. She also discussed the internal barriers that hold back people from achieving their true potential such as limiting beliefs and societal expectations. 3. Indonesian Market Misconceptions: Gita underscored that many of the views about Indonesia are either oversimplified or tainted by foreign media biases. She brought up the narrative around Jakarta's air pollution and explained that while it’s a pressing concern, the story is more layered than typically portrayed. She urges listeners to challenge these narratives by stepping out of their informational bubbles. She also discussed that contrary to the belief that Indonesia is just a consumer market, the nation is fast emerging as a hub for tech-driven solutions tailored to the region’s challenges. She shared her insights on the country’s political landscape such as how grassroots movements, youth participation, and a diverse set of leaders are shaping the nation's democratic journey. They also touched upon the influences shaping the portrayal of countries in the news, especially within the US-China dynamic context, the necessity to be aware of the limited perspectives one might harbor, and the importance of firsthand experiences over media-induced perceptions. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-market Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Projjal Ghatak, Cofounder & CEO of OnLoop, and Jeremy Au, talk about leadership and coaching dynamics. They discuss three key themes: 1. The Power of Leadership: Projjal and Jeremy talked about how they initially hesitated to invest in executive coaching due to its perceived high cost but they stressed the invaluable returns it brings. They underlined the significance of a structured coaching approach, emphasizing that leaders must be intentional about it as it enhances decision-making. They noted that leadership involves making choices that profoundly impact a company's future, and highlighted that its value lies in mastering well-informed decision-making. 2. Venture Capital vs. Private Equity: Projjal explained the prevalence of entities in Southeast Asia that label themselves as VCs but function more like small to mid-sized enterprise private equity firms (SME PE), aiming for 2 to 3X returns on investments within a short time frame. This contrasted with the VC model, which embraces asymmetric outcomes and rapid growth. They explained that understanding the differences is crucial for founders and investors alike, as it greatly impacts the leadership dynamics and decision-making processes within a company. They also talked about the significance of a harmonious board of directors in guiding a company's direction, and that it should be comprised of individuals who not only bring diverse expertise but also foster healthy debates and discussions. 3. Effective Coaching Dynamics: Projjal highlighted that for coaches to be truly effective, they need personal empathy and experience in the domain of the individual being coached, similar to having a deep understanding of the "sport" or field they are coaching in, even if it's not identical. He also distinguished between coaches and mentors or advisors, emphasizing that coaches must prioritize listening and asking questions over telling individuals what to do. He suggested that formal training, such as the Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program, can provide a solid foundation for coaching. They also explored the significance of aligning founder-investor perspectives, Projjal's unique perspectives on narcissism, the depth of trust required in such relationships, and the importance of critical thinking in the current instant gratification era. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/projjal-ghatak2 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Andy Hwang, General Partner of Wavemaker Partners, and Jeremy Au, discuss three main topics: 1. Early Years and Financial Inquisitiveness: Andy shares that his early days in Cupertino, California played a pivotal role in shaping his financial awareness and curiosity. His fascination with having access to his bank balance at a young age and investing in Apple stocks highlights his early entrepreneurial mindset. He had a front-row seat to witness the growth and evolution of Apple Inc. which gave him a unique perspective on the world of tech and business from an early age. He also mentioned that being surrounded by family members who are engineers played a role in fostering a learning mindset and passion for tech and innovation. 2. The Impact of Coaching: Andy talks about his experiences as both a recipient and a provider of coaching, underscoring the significance of introspection and self-improvement. He explains that coaching goes beyond addressing technical challenges and that it extends to the "people side" of building an organization. He shares that instead of founders seeking coaching only when they encounter setbacks, they should see it as a proactive step and seek it early on to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate challenges effectively. 3. Risks and Decisiveness: Andy challenges the conventional perception of risk as something to be feared or avoided, and encourages people to have a more nuanced understanding of it. He argues that risk isn’t a binary concept, where something is either entirely risky or entirely safe, but with varying degrees of potential outcomes. He also talks about how fear holds people back from taking necessary risks and emphasizes the importance of considering the possibility of success and positive outcomes. He also shares that startup founders often need to make decisions and explains that the ability to make choices promptly and confidently helps them navigate challenges more effectively and seize opportunities as they arise. They also talk about cultural stigmas related to Asian males asking for help, the evolving startup landscape in Southeast Asia, the significance of self-awareness for founders, and the transformative power of empathy in coaching. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/andy-hwang Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au, talked about three key topics: 1. Southeast Asia Tech Investment Landscape: Shiyan and Jeremy talked about the significant developments in the region’s tech investment landscape, such as Vertex Ventures closing a fund of $541 million and GlobalFoundries, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, opening its $4 billion chip fabrication plant in Singapore. They also discussed that with the right infrastructure and support, Singapore could have become a prominent player in the semiconductor industry, potentially rivaling countries like Taiwan. 2. Web3 and Cryptocurrency: Shiyan and Jeremy delved into Web3 and cryptocurrencies, and emphasized the value of stablecoins in providing financial stability, especially in regions where traditional currencies are subject to inflation and volatility. They also shared how digital assets are making cross-border transactions more accessible and efficient. They explained how Web3 is disrupting traditional industries and how this shift toward decentralized systems can empower individuals and communities by reducing the reliance on centralized intermediaries. 3. Dollarization of Currencies and Interoperability Challenges: Shiyan and Jeremy touched on the dollarization of currencies of other countries, like Latin America, unofficially adopting the USD as a standard for transactions due to the instability or inflation of their local currency. They explained that it isn't just limited to physical USD cash but can extend to digital assets like USDC. They also shared the interoperability challenges faced by tech companies operating in the region, and how CVCs can potentially help by working with regulators and creating solutions that adhere to different regulations while enabling cross-border operations. They also explored the impact of recent Singapore events on the country’s economy, the different cryptocurrency use cases, the impact of regulatory dynamics on the crypto space, and the fluctuating nature of Web3-focused funds. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/web3-and-crypto Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Yann Schuermans, Founder & CEO of Baskit, and Jeremy Au, talked about three key topics: 1. Career Transitions and Entrepreneurship: Yann recounted his journey to join AB InBev and reflected on the valuable experiences and insights he gained, which equipped him with a broad perspective on supply chain complexities and industry nuances. He shared his decision to leave his secure role at AB InBev, joining Circles.Life, and later starting his own venture, Baskit. He explained the different considerations behind every career move, including factors like access to capital, geographic location, and even the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He advised aspiring entrepreneurs to gain experience and build a strong foundation in their chosen domain before embarking on entrepreneurial endeavors. 2. 400 Years Family Legacy: Yann shared his background of growing up with a family history deeply rooted in supply chain expertise spanning 400 years. He discussed how he witnessed his father navigating various supply chain crises and how this upbringing ignited his own passion for the industry. Unlike conventional career paths, where individuals often pursue professions like law or finance, his family legacy exposed him to the world of supply chain management from a young age, which not only provided him with valuable insights but also fueled his passion for the field. 3. Indonesia's Supply Chain: Yann provided his insights on the supply chain from his time at the global beverage company, AB InBev. He talked about Indonesia's vast and multi-faceted supply chain, highlighting the country’s market, geographic challenges, and diverse topography. He also provided a tiered structure of the supply chain, distinguishing between various layers, including wholesalers, distributors, and brands. He also shared his insights on monetization strategies, and unit economics, and to carefully assess whether it’s better to disrupt or complement an existing supply chain model. They also discussed Yann’s vision for Baskit as a software-defined supply chain platform, the importance of staying light and flexible in the industry, various monetization strategies within the supply chain space, and the significance of multi-category approaches. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/yann-schuermans Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Jennifer Ong, Founder & Career Coach at Ctrl Alt Career, and Jeremy Au, discuss three main topics: 1. Personal and Career Journey: Jennifer shares her career transition from finance to the tech industry, eventually becoming a career coach. Six months into her tenure at BlackRock, she realized that she needed to leave. However, it took her 6 years to reflect and eventually pull the trigger on moving on to a new chapter in her career. She shared her struggles with following societal and parental expectations vs. pursuing her own path, and emphasized the importance of unpacking these pressures when making significant career decisions. 2. Coaching Insights & Approaches: Jennifer shares her structured coaching method and her belief in setting clear frameworks to guide her clients. She highlighted the value of both personal and business coaching, and how her seeking guidance from a coach has accelerated her business and personal growth. She also explained the trade-off between time and money, advocating for the proactive seeking of expert guidance to avoid long-term pitfalls. 3. Reframing Success Narrative: Jennifer introduces the concept of reframing one's success narrative. She emphasized the importance of aligning one's career and life choices with personal values. She discussed various elements that contribute to success, including financial stability, external validation, passion, and professional achievement. She stressed the idea that it's not a black-and-white choice between money and purpose, but finding the right balance that aligns with one's unique values and aspirations. They also talk about the misconception that coaching is solely about resume and interview preparation, the challenges of reinventing oneself in new professional roles, the criteria in choosing a good coach, and the value of support networks in one’s career journey. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jennifer-ong Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id Check out Jennifer's website at https://www.ongjennifer.com/

Nir Eyal, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes related to technology, sleep, and personal growth: 1. Sleep Medication Impact & Melatonin Patent: Nir and Jeremy discussed the health implications of sleep medication and highlighted the lack of regulation in the supplement industry, including melatonin products. They touched upon the significance of understanding the origin, purpose, and dosage when considering sleep supplements. They also emphasized the importance of natural sleep cycles and cautioned against reliance on sleep aids without a deep understanding of their implications. 2. Technology in Sleep Optimization and Future of Sleep Predictive Analytics: They discussed various tools to optimize sleep, including a Kindle, for bedtime reading to earplugs for undisturbed rest. They talked about tools like the Oura Ring, which provides insights on sleep quality and patterns, and the Apple Watch, which tracks and analyzes sleep metrics. They believe that the future of sleep tech lies in predictive analytics, which would offer real-time feedback on sleep quality and help people in making healthier sleep choices. 3. Inserting Friction for Mindful Technology Use: They stressed the value of creating friction to make conscious decisions about technology use. Nir shared about an experimental approach such as the NFC chip tool that limits access to certain apps during work hours, requiring extra steps to access potential distractions. They explained that adding these friction points aids in a more mindful and intentional relationship with our devices, and ensures that they serve us instead of dominating our time and attention. They also talked about the placebo and nocebo effects in relation to sleep, how a lot of sleep medications can be habit-forming, the importance of being vigilant in media consumption, and the significant effect of overstimulation in both children and adults’ sleep patterns. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sleep-habit-fundamentals Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Maaike Doyer, Founder and Managing Partner of Epic Angels, and Jeremy Au discuss three main points: 1. Diversifying Investments with Female Representation: Maaike shares her journey in building Epic Angels, a female investor syndicate focused on diversifying investments in the Asia-Pacific region. They invest not only in female founders but also in teams that have female representation. She also shares how Epic Angels educates and onboards new female investors, helping them understand the region, optimizing asset allocation, and fostering an appreciation for diverse investment opportunities 2. Risk Awareness and Mindset: They underscore the critical importance of risk awareness in angel investing. Maaike highlights that the first step in managing risk is recognizing it. She emphasizes the need for investors, regardless of gender, to be acutely aware of the risks associated with their investments. She explains that acceptance of uncertainty, embracing a long-term perspective, emotional resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning are important in derisking in investing. They also talk about how investors should prioritize diversification, align decisions with their risk tolerance, and have contingency plans for unexpected events. 3. Personal Moments of Bravery and Optimism: Maaike shares her journey from her move to Southeast Asia from Europe. She talks about her experiences and learnings, underlining the significant differences between countries and regions and the unique challenges and opportunities they present. She also discusses her optimism and hope for Southeast Asia's growth compared to Europe's slower prospects. They also touch on founder-investor dynamics, transparency, and the challenges and opportunities presented by the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, the role of mentorship in startups, importance of exit strategies, and the increasing accessibility and democratization of angel investing due to technological advancements. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maaike-doyer Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Max Thornton and Dom Kalousek, hosts of Rising Giants podcast, share about their experiences and insights in Cambodia with Jeremy Au. They touch upon three major themes: 1. Personal Journeys in Cambodia: Max and Dom's partnership began during the constraints of the pandemic, an unusual yet serendipitous connection. Their shared passion led them to dive deep into Cambodia's market, navigating its complexities and opportunities. They eventually started the Rising Giants podcast, which captures their drive to understand Cambodia's tech landscape, its nuances, and potential. They share the micro lessons they learned along the way, from the significance of local partnerships to understanding unique consumer behaviors. 2. Unpacking Cambodia's Market: They discuss how Cambodia is often overlooked in the broader Southeast Asia narrative. They delve into the country’s multifaceted identity, encompassing not just its economic indicators but the stories, experiences, and lessons that shape it. They also talk about the textile industry that contributes significantly to its GDP, and the unconventional use of Telegram as a business, and unmask an intricate tapestry of local players, the Khmer population. 3. Advice on Navigating Cambodia: Max and Dom emphasize the indispensable virtues of patience and courage. They share that success in this market hinges on deep-rooted local connections, genuine engagements with the local populace, and an authentic alignment with the market's reality over its perception. Their advice revolves around a deep-rooted respect for the local culture and a commitment to growth through collaboration. They also touch upon the relevance of Rising Giants in the larger Southeast Asia narrative, the challenges and rewards of venture creation in emerging markets, and the pivotal role of execution in business success in such frontier markets. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/cambodia-market-dynamics Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au dissect the intricate dynamics of initial founder-investor interactions. Here are the three main themes: 1. Initial Engagements & Decision-making Dynamics: Shiyan and Jeremy stress the value of the first meetings. For investors, it's a chance to see the viability of the partnership, gauging not just the business's potential but also the founder's vision and adaptability. For founders, it’s an opportunity to understand the investor's decision-making process. They share that both parties should have a set of clear expectations and an understanding of the next steps. They also see the first meeting as a helpful way to build trust, align visions, and ensure that both the founder and investor are on the same trajectory toward a potential long-term collaboration. 2. Technical Aspects of Pitching: They discuss the significance of the preparation for the pitch. Practicing their pitch, testing their tech setup, and even recording themselves to check for any issues can make a big difference. A smooth meeting exhibits professionalism and respect for time. 3. Navigating the Conversation Framework: Jeremy and Shiyan talk about how conversations between investors and founders can focus on various topics such as the business model, its overarching strategy, specific industry or vertical, or even personal qualities of the founder and how it’s vital to know which "frame" the conversation is in. They point out that while various questions might arise, the underlying query remains as to whether the two parties are capable of collaborating over the next decade to build a successful company. They also talk about pitching horror stories related to poor technical setups and how bad audio can ruin a good pitch, the art of striking a balance between high-level overviews and in-depth discussions during pitches, and the value of building rapport in the first meeting. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/first-meeting-dynamics Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id #Pitching #Founders #Investor #Startups #fundraising #ConversationFramework #BuildingRapport #Partnerships #venturecapital

Ilya Kravtsov, Founder of Ringkas, and Jeremy Au discuss three primary topics: 1. Ilya’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Ilya elaborates on wrapping up his time at his last company, building a new startup, and how he approached the quest to find a compatible co-founder. He emphasizes the importance of aligned values, mutual respect, and complementary skills when looking for a co-founder. He also shares how he and his cofounder used an experimental approach in identifying the right business vertical to enter and engaged in a thorough process of testing and validating to understand the market gaps and opportunities better. 2. Indonesia’s Property Landscape: Ilya delves deep into his latest venture, Ringkas, which emerges as a solution to the intricacies of the Indonesian property market by streamlining it, offering potential homeowners clarity and guidance. He talks about the challenges of the property market like the varying interest rates, the nuances between primary and resale markets, and the cumbersome mortgage loan process. He also emphasizes the importance of robust market data in understanding rental returns and the complexities homeowners face in the country's tangled mortgage process. 3. Southeast Asia's Diverse Cultural Fabric: Ilya and Jeremy talk about Southeast Asia’s rich cultural diversity where every country, city, and community offers its own unique set of experiences. Ilya advises folks new to the region to immerse themselves in the local culture. He discusses how people should step out of their comfort zones and explore other cities besides the metropolises like Jakarta or Singapore since they do not encapsulate the entirety of what the region has to offer. He underscores that understanding local nuances, such as in business regulations or consumer behaviors, is vital for anyone aiming to succeed in the region. They also talk about understanding varied GDP per capita across Southeast Asian nations, the evolving regulatory dynamics in the business realm, the intricacies of starting a business amidst a global pandemic, and the evolution of the startup ecosystem in the region and its comparisons with global counterparts. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ilya-kravtsov2 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id #Indonesia #PropertyMarket #Mortgages #Localization #CulturalDiversity #startups #founder #businesstransition #southeastasia

Der Shing Lim, Cofounder and Partner at AngelCentral, and Jeremy Au delve into entrepreneurship, investment, and personal growth. The discussion focuses on three main themes: 1. Early Journey as an Engineer and Founder: Der Shing reflects on his early years as an engineer at Sembcorp Industries, and how his obsessively competitive nature drove him to build Job Central with his then-girlfriend, Shao-Ning Huang. Rather than rushing into markets as a first or second mover, he talks about the strategic advantages of being a 'third mover'—carefully observing the landscape, learning from others' mistakes, and making his own move. His self-described obsessive and competitive nature served as a catalyst in this phase, pushing him to strive for nothing less than the best. 2. Identity Shift, Angel Investing, and Parenting Philosophy: Der Shing speaks about his evolution into an angel investor and how his focus areas extend beyond business into parenting and social contributions. He shares insights into the emotional and intellectual shifts that come with these different 'hats,' especially his commitment to education and volunteering. His approach to parenting mirrors his business ethos: not just about success but about raising good humans and future leaders. 3. Technical Advice & Historical Perspective: Der Shing shares technical advice for budding investors that he has learned from being a VC fund LP and decades-long experience in the Southeast Asian landscape. He emphasizes the nuances of early-stage investing and the importance of not just looking at metrics but understanding the story and vision behind a startup. He delves into the trends in investments, like the rise of tech startups and e-commerce platforms. He also shares a retrospective view of the region’s startup scene and pivotal moments that signaled the region's potential. They also talk about how setbacks and failures are crucial learning points in the founder's journey, the importance of fostering genuine human connections in the digital era, and the significance of networking in the entrepreneurial world. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/der-shing-lim Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au took a deep dive into Vietnam’s tech and VC landscape. They discuss three main topics: 1. Vietnam’s VC Scene: Valerie shares that the primary driver for her initiative to build a Vietnam VC fund is the glaring funding gap in the country, particularly for early-stage companies that struggle to secure the capital needed for growth. The fund aims to bridge this gap and foster a more robust ecosystem for startups in Vietnam. 2. VNG and VinFast IPOs: They talk about the much-anticipated IPOs of tech giants VNG and VinFast. Valerie points out how VNG's super app, Zalo, brings a unique set of services to its users such as messaging, social networking, and e-commerce, setting it apart from similar apps like WeChat. They also discuss how VNG and VinFast aim to tap into international capital markets and how the U.S. stock market offers them a broader platform to raise significant capital and gain international recognition. Valerie also names companies that are poised for IPOs such as Momo, Tiki, and more. 3. Zalo and TikTok Shop UX: Valerie shares her hands-on experiences as a user of various tech products, such as Zalo and TikTok Shop. She’s impressed with the seamless in-app shopping experience on TikTok, contrasting it with other platforms that require users to leave the app to complete a purchase. She shares how Zalo has deeply localized content that recognizes and adapts to the local Vietnamese audience’s preferences. Jeremy and Valerie also talk about Vietnam's export-oriented economic model and its associated challenges, especially in light of reduced orders from major markets like the US and Europe, the diverse tech ecosystems across Southeast Asia, and the hurdles Vietnamese startups face in terms of profitability and listing regulations. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-ecosystem Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

“We too, can decide to defragment our souls. We, as humans, always get to choose who we eventually become.” - Jeremy Au, Host of BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/soul-defragmentation Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Leanne Robers, Cofounder of She Loves Tech, and Jeremy Au talked about three major highlights: 1. Foundational Journey: Leanne shares her personal journey from working at Siemens, to building multiple ventures like The Hedge Club and Comish, and how those cumulative experiences helped build She Loves Tech, first as a passion project, and eventually becoming the world's largest startup competition and acceleration program for women in tech. she aims to address the unique challenges that women tech founders face by providing them with tools, resources, and exposure to influential figures like Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, and Tim Draper. 2. Gender Dynamics & Supportive VC Relationship: They talk about the nuances of gender dynamics in the startup ecosystem, highlighting the challenges female founders often face when seeking and internalizing feedback from VCs. Leanne advises female founders to proactively seek feedback, not taking it personally, and using it positively. She also underscores the responsibility of male VCs to be empathetic and thoughtful in their approach, ensuring their feedback is both constructive and empowering. 3. Integrating Psychology into Entrepreneurship: Drawing from her profound respect for psychology and the role models in her life, especially her father, Leanne explains how understanding psychological concepts can be a game-changer in entrepreneurship. She says that understanding human behavior, motivation, and cognition has equipped her with unique insights into the challenges and opportunities women face in tech entrepreneurship. Integrating these principles has helped her tailor She Loves Tech's initiatives, ensuring they resonate on a deeper level with female founders, and providing them not just with business insights, but also with personal growth tools and strategies. They also touched on the significance of mental well-being for founders, the importance of building relationships in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the courage to leave a stable job to pursue a passion project, and the role of communities in fostering innovation and growth. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/leanne-robers Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund and Jeremy Au discuss three main topics: 1. Down Rounds, Recaps, & the Psychological Implications: Jeremy and Shiyan talk about the complex dynamics startups face when fundraising expectations aren't met. Shiyan shares that startups consider accepting down rounds, which might come as an ego blow, or considering recap, rewriting the cap table to accommodate new investors and ensure the incentive for existing stakeholders. Jeremy explains that it’s pivotal for management teams to exhibit their adaptability and lessons learned, both at a company and personal level, while making actionable changes, such as cost-cutting or strategic shifts, that validate their readiness for the next phase. 2. Failure Patterns in Southeast Asia: They explore common failure patterns that often result in down rounds and recapitalizations, such as market saturation, lack of product differentiation, and rapid, uncontrolled expansion. Shiyan notes that many startups in Southeast Asia share these failure patterns due to a mix of hyper-competition, immature ecosystems, and differences in consumer behavior across countries in the region. Jeremy adds that external economic factors and regulatory changes, especially in diverse markets like Southeast Asia, can also lead to such scenarios. They advise founders to keep a close watch on market trends and be agile in their strategies. 3. The Role of the Founder and Investors on the Board: They stress the pivotal roles that both founders and investors play during challenging times and highlight the necessity for founders to maintain open lines of communication with their investors, sharing both good and bad news. Investors should also offer guidance and support. They share that effective boards can facilitate difficult but necessary conversations about layoffs and pivoting and that the founder's role also shifts from being a visionary to being a crisis manager, which is crucial for the survival of the startup. They also discuss the significance of customer segmentation for maximum business impact, mental resilience, and emotional intelligence for founders during tumultuous times, strategies to generate revenue such as lending and SaaS models, and the importance of concentrating on a single product or offering before expanding. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/downturns-and-recaps Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

“Don’t worry too much about your individual metrics per se. If I look at you today as a junior associate versus what I expect a general partner to look like, I want to see charisma. I want to see that you are someone that founders respect and able to support, and that you are somebody who understands their mistakes and you’re able to learn from them. Coaching mindset is much more important. If you have that mindset, then you know it becomes a marathon rather than a sprint about how you can improve yourself as a VC, not just at that one fund, but across multiple funds, andmultiple roles. You can be a junior VC who becomes an operator, who does an MBA, and then, it goes back to being a VC. There are different paths to get there, and so don't limit yourself to that static snapshot of the metrics of the month.” - Jeremy Au Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong talk about performance metrics and expectations for junior VCs and investors. Throughout the conversation, three primary themes emerge: 1. Understanding Performance at the Fund Level: Jeremy breaks down performance at the fund level, discussing five essential tasks that a fund should excel in: raising capital, sourcing companies, making judgment calls on investments, aiding companies in their growth, and deciding on the right time to exit an investment. The focus is not only on the outcome metrics but also on the process and understanding of the entire lifecycle of an investment. 2. Coaching vs. Measurement Perspective: For junior VCs, it's not merely about meeting certain benchmarks. The more important aspect is their growth trajectory. Jeremy emphasizes the difference between the measurement perspective, which is about hitting certain KPIs, and the coaching perspective, which is about personal and professional growth. The goal should be to grow in capabilities across all dimensions of venture capital, ensuring that the individual is well-prepared for more senior roles in the future. 3. Time Lags and Learning in VC: Jeremy explains that Venture Capital involves long time horizons, and outcomes of investments can take years to manifest. This poses a challenge for both junior VCs trying to learn and for their mentors attempting to teach. A decision that seems right today might not bear fruit for several years, and the lessons to be learned from that decision might take even longer to become apparent. Jeremy points out that while some aspects of VC, like raising capital and sourcing companies, can be measured relatively quickly, others such as judging the potential of a company, helping it grow, and deciding when to exit, are subject to these time lags. Jeremy and Adriel also touch upon the role of cognitive biases in decision-making, the unpredictable nature of the venture capital landscape, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in this fast-paced environment. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/junior-vc-performance Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Daan Van Rossum, Founder and CEO of FlexOS, and Jeremy Au discuss and reflect on three major themes: 1. Career Navigation to Entrepreneurship: Daan's journey began with founding Cyberfood, a food delivery startup all the way back in 2000 using fax machines. He went on to become a marketer at Media Highway for 7 years, worked with Ogilvy for 9 years, and moved from Chicago to Singapore to Vietnam. He then founded Bright and later spearheaded the growth of Dreamplex, Vietnam’s top coworking space, and FlexOS, an HR service platform that provides tools, guides, and community events to remote teams. He shares the decision-making process behind each career move and underscores the value of prioritizing goals, understanding risks, and embracing change as an integral part of the entrepreneurial journey. 2. Southeast Asian Work Landscape: Daan shares his insights on the productivity and cultural aspects of Southeast Asian work environments. He explains the stark contrast between working models, such as Singapore's mostly hybrid approach, and Vietnam's strong return to full-time office work due to factors like evolving job markets and trust dynamics. Daan acknowledges the gradual convergence of work trends globally, yet points out that certain regions are not yet ready for hybrid or remote models due to their recent transition from manufacturing to knowledge-based industries and the need for foundational structures like trust and KPIs. 3. Personal Trade-offs and Growth: Daan’s personal experience of facing challenges and making trade-offs to prioritize family time stresses the importance of aligning personal and professional values. He talks about the toll his work was taking on his well-being, took time to delve into underlying issues, and made transformative changes for a more fulfilling life. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities in remote work, the evolving landscape of co-working and office spaces, and the impact of market differences on these models. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/daan-van-rossum Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund and Jeremy Au answer some listeners’ questions. They discuss three major themes: 1. Founder-Investor Trust Dynamics & Reality Checks: Shiyan and Jeremy underscore the importance of cultivating transparent relationships between founders and investors. Founders often hesitate to reveal business setbacks to investors, but transparency is vital and investors can assist better when they're kept in the loop. They discuss that perfection is unattainable and not believable, and it’s more credible for founders to admit when they don't have answers and share their approach to resolving uncertainties. They also advise founders to confront the reality of their business, whether to pivot to a small business model, return the remaining capital to investors, or pursue an alternative route. 2. Buy Now, Pay Later Credit Policies: Shiyan highlights that successful BNPL models extend credit at the point of sale based on quality underwriting, especially in emerging markets with underdeveloped credit scoring systems. Jeremy also talks about how certain products, like Peloton in the US, are well-suited for BNPL due to the high price point and the creditworthiness of its typical consumers, but there’s a challenge in finding products that align with the BNPL model in markets where transaction volumes may be low, and the costs of underwriting could outweigh the benefits. 3. US SEC Impact on SEA VC Landscape: They discuss how SEC guidelines, particularly those affecting investments in China, pose challenges for US LPs looking to diversify into Asia. They highlight the significant shift of Chinese founders and global investment teams and their consideration to move to Singapore as a reaction to the current investment climate. They also share that the trend of decoupling between the U.S. and China is unlikely to improve in the near future, prompting both investors and founders to strategize accordingly for the long term. They also talk about venture debt as a financing option, how founders can deal with emotional ups and downs and the value of seeking advice, and the significance of devising a contingency plan. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/listener-qna Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

“True change comes from within. Greatness awaits outside.” - Jeremy Au Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/personal-transformation Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

“So much transition is happening. Southeast Asia needs many people to solve as meaningful problems as possible. It’s not just chasing the highest ROI problem, but chasing the hardest problems to solve. My hope is for us to solve meaningful problems because they’re incredibly hard but they’re not just about gaining profits. They’re also about serving the specific needs of people who are marginalized, underserved, and those who are on the fringes.” - Wai Hong Fong “A lot of founders underappreciate the value of execution. I still see a lot of founders overstating the idea and the value of the idea. The appreciation is around the journey itself. Some founders only see the outcome. If your goal or outcome is to make money, don't be a founder. You can be an IB or something else with a more secure way to get there. Being a founder is about the journey. It is the most valuable thing about being a founder and I don't think that’s appreciated enough.” - Wai Hong Fong “In every genre of games, there is an element that is incredibly meaningful toward understanding and making decisions as an entrepreneur. If you think about StarCraft, it’s all about timing and knowing your power spikes and when to and not to expand. If I had taken out the original phrase, you have thought I would be talking about business. It's really quite interesting that these things we practice so heavily in games influence our decision-making.” - Wai Hong Fong In this engaging conversation between Jeremy Au and Wai Hong Fong, the founder of StoreHub, listeners gain valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and the complexities of building a successful business. The discussion covers three key topics: 1. The Accidental Journey to Entrepreneurship: Wai Hong shares his unexpected path to becoming a founder, starting a business in his uncle's garage, and the challenges he faced in scaling StoreHub. 2. Deep Dive into the Point of Sale (POS) Industry: Wai Hong provides a comprehensive analysis of the POS industry's evolution, discussing different waves and common mistakes made by others in the field. 3. The Intersection of Gaming and Business Strategy: The conversation delves into how Wai Hong's gaming experiences influenced his decision-making as an entrepreneur and how gaming strategies can be translated into effective business strategies. Throughout the dialogue, Wai Hong emphasizes the importance of open and honest conversations, especially during challenging times, to shape the company's future and make meaningful decisions. This candid and informative discussion offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in the dynamics of the tech industry. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/wai-hong-fong Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/