BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders and Venture Capital VC
752 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 6 hours ago -Learn from Southeast Asia's best tech leaders. Build the future, learn from our past & stay human in between. No B.S on success. Southeast Asia's #1 startup & venture capital podcast with 60,000+ listeners.
Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solves all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders.
Published on Monday and Thursday 6am (Singapore Time). Monday: Weekly tech news & debate with Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund (40min). Thursday: Changemaker interviews & listener Q&As (30min).
Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast. Pro bono resources and training for founders.
"Learned a lot from the journeys. Must-listen for anyone seeking advice to be a leader" @lindatangxy
"Refreshing to hear from distinguished founders what they learned, both the good & bad" @seanojw
"Incredibly useful in kickstarting my thought process around customers as an entrepreneur" @klowetan
"After tuning into a couple of episodes, this is now my weekly routine. Keep it up!!" @joshrodes8
Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.comWhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzdeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0TYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAuApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyauInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauzTwitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyauLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea
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Episodes
Indonesia: 200% China Import Tariffs, Ransomware Attacks 282 Agencies & 27,000+ Government Apps Consolidation with Gita Sjahrir - E446
July 14, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. 200% China Import Tariffs: Jeremy and Gita explored Indonesia's recent imposition of up to 200% tariffs on Chinese imports like footwear, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, and ceramics. Indonesia's trade minister's remarks "I told my colleagues not to be afraid or hesitant. America can impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on ceramics and clothing; we can too" show that America is serving as a role model for furth...
Lonelytech: Isolation Epidemic, Digital Companions & Manufacturing Pretend Empathy - E445
July 11, 2024 21:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBJeremy Au examines the rise of 弱者営業 ("jaku-sha eigyō") "lonelytech" - the emerging AI companion industry. His observation of a man on a train openly interacting with an AI girlfriend highlights the rapidly increasing prevalence of digital companionship, e.g. Rosanna Ramos and Scott, who have formed intimate relationships with AI companions who offer consistent emotional support without the complexities of flawed humans. He discusses why societal shifts in family structures and community...
Roy Ang: Grab Executive to D2C Founder, Evo Commerce Consumer Secrets & Overcoming Pivot Challenges - E444
July 09, 2024 21:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBRoy Ang, CEO & Cofounder of Evo Commerce, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Grab Executive to D2C Founder: Roy began his professional journey in banking but soon realized it wasn't his calling. After a year, he shifted to the tech media industry, landing a job at E27 through a bold cold call to Mohan Balani, E27’s founder. Roy thrived at E27, organizing tech conferences across Asia. This experience ignited his passion for tech and startups, leading him to Grab in 2016. H...
Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict, Climate Change Creating Arctic Shipping Route & Trump 10% Global & 60% China Tariffs with Shiyan Koh - E443
July 07, 2024 21:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict: Shiyan and Jeremy examined the severe traffic congestion at Singapore's port, now at unprecedented levels. Yemen's Houthi rebel attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping (in support of the Gaza conflict) has diverted container ships from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope route, thus forcing ships to refuel and unload car...
Mohan Belani: Founding e27 & Echelon, Media Business Myths & Angel & Orvel VC Investing Journey - E442
July 04, 2024 21:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBMohan Belani, Cofounder & CEO of e27, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founding e27 & Echelon: Mohan discussed his early career decisions as a computer engineering undergraduate with the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program, failed founder and startup executive. He shared how he juggled his studies and his founding role in e27, often receiving warning letters for his grades. He and his co-founder Thaddeus faced significant challenges, including resetting the brand, clean...
Thomas Jeng: BCG Consultant to Aspire GM, Navigating Regional Fragmentation & Continuous Learning Self-Awareness - E441
July 02, 2024 23:27 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBThomas Jeng, Singapore General Manager of Aspire, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. BCG Consultant to Aspire GM: Thomas discussed his decision-making process at Georgetown University aiming to become a lawyer or diplomat, but switched to consulting at BCG where he worked on challenging projects like "delayering" cases. He recounted his transition to an executive advisor role at Gartner in Singapore, and eventually completing a Yale MBA. He also shared how founding a digi...
Thailand: Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits, 2029 Super-Aged Population & D2C Consumer & VC Opportunities with Wing Vasiksiri - E440
June 30, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBWing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits: Recent legal events (Thailand's court delay in the verdict on dissolving the Kao Klai (Move Forward Party), Thaksin Shinawatra lawsuit and PM Srettha Thavisin cabinet hearing) contribute to political instability, affecting investor confidence and stock market performance. They also discussed the economic impact of Thailand’s highest interest rate in a decade at 2.5%,...
Cognitohazards: Suicide Social Contagion, 1982 Tylenol Poisonings & Extremist Self-Radicalization - E439
June 27, 2024 21:00 - 9 minutes - 8.31 MBJeremy Au delved into the concept of “cognitohazards” — information that causes harm upon comprehension. Introduced by the sci-fi novel "There is No Antimemetics Division," this definition helps encapsulate a new danger in modern society. Examples include the "Werther effect" where suicide becomes contagious due to social replication and mass media, self-radicalization by online extremist content (a Singapore Chinese teenager became a believer of white supremacist idealogy and wanted to...
Sam Gibb: New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC, Regional Fintech Upside & Aspiring VC Partner Advice - E438
June 25, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBSam Gibb, Managing Partner of Resolution Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC: Initially set on a legal career, Sam quickly realized it wasn't his calling after interning at a law firm. Sam transitioned to PwC, where he worked in the finance sector. In 2011, Sam relocated to Singapore to tap into the deeper capital markets and work with hedge funds and private equity firms, focusing on Asian equities. By 2014, Sam had founded R...
$3B Money Laundering Singapore Family Offices, Apple AI Integration & VC Fraud Maze with Shiyan Koh - E437
June 23, 2024 21:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $3B Money Laundering Family Offices: Jeremy and Shiyan highlighted recent fraud cases in Singapore involving Chinese nationals, focusing on a massive $3 billion scheme by a group of 10 individuals who set up five family offices. This prompted tighter regulations from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) across the entire industry. Shiyan pointed out the vague and advantageous nature of...
Darwinian VC Evolution: Strategy Changes Due to Low Southeast Asia Fund Performance 0.4X vs. USA, India & China - E436
June 20, 2024 21:00 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBAdriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au assessed Southeast Asia's low VC fund performance (median 0.4X returns vs. USA (1X) and India (1.3x). They discussed VCs shifting towards more realistic and localized investment strategies, while also taking into account growing geopolitical USA vs. China tensions with their resulting trade and economic impacts on countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. They explored a range of strategies: shift towards earlier-s...
Tommaso Demarie: Quantum Computing Startup, PHD Academia to Founder & Michelin Mistake Ownership - E435
June 18, 2024 21:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBTommaso Demarie, CEO & Cofounder of Entropica Labs, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Quantum Computing Startup: Tommaso shared his insights on quantum computing and its potential applications. He talked about his company, Entropica Labs, which focuses on developing software for quantum error correction, a crucial element in quantum computing that mitigates errors caused by noise. He explained that quantum computers, unlike classical computers, leverage quantum mechanics...
Vietnam: New President Tô Lâm, South China Sea Island Building (692 Acres) & Coal Energy & Flight Price Jumps with Valerie Vu - E434
June 16, 2024 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBValerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. New President Tô Lâm: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the recent stabilization efforts by the Vietnamese government amidst political and economic turbulence, with the election of the new president, Tô Lâm, who previously served as the Minister of Public Security. The filling of this and other vacant leadership positions signifies a commitment to anti-corruption measures. They also discussed t...
Bittersweet Goodbyes Before Raffles Junior College Demolition - E433
June 13, 2024 21:00 - 8 minutes - 8.09 MBJeremy Au reflects on his nostalgic visit to his alma mater Raffles Junior College before its demolition. He remembers his initial excitement of joining a new school, bitterness over a personal loss, and the processing of his grief over the next 2 decades. He also reconnected with former teenage classmates who are now fellow middle-aged adults, all of whom were enjoying seeing the campus one last time. He discusses the fleeting nature of time and the value of treasuring each moment befo...
Agung Saputra: Indonesia Pollution Crisis, 48 Million Tons of Food Waste (170kg Per Capita) & Surplus Marketplace App - E432
June 11, 2024 21:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBAgung Saputra, CEO & Founder of Surplus Indonesia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia Pollution Crisis: Agung flagged that Indonesia is one the top 3 polluters in the world: #2 plastic polluter, #2 food wastage and #1 most air polluted city (Jakarta). He highlighted the lack of regulations and public awareness as major barriers to effective waste management for the country's severe environmental challenges. Indonesia's reliance on “ticking time bomb” landfills (...
Post-AI "Good Jobs", SGX & IDX Capital Market Challenges & USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance with Shiyan Koh - E431
June 09, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance: Bain’s 2023 private equity report shows that Southeast Asia's VC returns have been lower over the past decade, with median LP distributions of 0.4X for Southeast Asia, China 0.6X, Europe 0.7X, USA 1X and India 1.3X. Shiyan attributed this due to the oversupply of capital - despite an order of magnitude increase in venture capital into Southeast As...
Army Lessons: Might Makes Right, Camaraderie Humor & Sacrifice Crucible into Adulthood - E430
June 06, 2024 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBJeremy reflects on his teenage military experience in the Singapore army across two years: 1. might makes right 2. camaraderie humor and 3. sacrifice as a crucible into adulthood. He details the transition from the implicit social norms of school into the military, where he learned that laws which codify right and wrong are actually backed by the use of force. He shares the camaraderie built through shared hardships and the deep humor by fellow soldiers. Arduous challenges pushed him be...
Fady Abdel-Nour: Antler Partner ($285M AUM) Outlook, Naspers & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Learnings and India vs. China vs. Southeast Asia VC - E429
June 04, 2024 21:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBFady Abdel-Nour, General Partner at Antler, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Naspers & Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Learnings: Fady shared his career path, starting in investment banking during the peak financial markets of 2007. He then transitioned to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, focusing on long-term and solution capital investments. There, he led Ontario Teachers’ first private deal in China with Ganji and worked on JD.com. Later, at Naspers, he specialized in...
Singapore vs. USA Education Systems, WEIRD AI Teddy Bears & US Senate $32B AI Investment Bill with Shiyan Koh - E428
June 02, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Singapore vs. USA Education Systems: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed differences in structure, funding, and outcomes. In Singapore, the education system is centralized with high academic rigor, while in the USA, quality varies significantly due to local property tax funding, leading to disparities between affluent and less affluent areas. They highlighted how the Singapore system is envied by g...
Success Habit: Creator Craftsmanship & Amplify Your Voice To Reach Millions - E427
May 30, 2024 21:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBJeremy Au discusses the success habit of creating content, rather than consuming. He remembers the nervousness in launching the first podcast episode, his desire for deep, human-centric stories about tech leaders, and overcoming writer's block. He advises rising thought leaders to start with a topic they are passionate about, the importance of consistency and other practical advice. He also discusses personal growth, community engagement and mistakes he had made. Watch, listen or read ...
Huawei R&D Leadership, Public Sector Digital Transformation and Resilience with Hong-Eng Koh - E426
May 28, 2024 21:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBJeremy Au collaborated with Huawei’s Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist, Mr. Hong-Eng Koh, to discuss insights from the 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok. They talked about three main themes: 1. Public Sector Digital Transformation: Mr. Hong-Eng Koh shared his journey from the Singapore Police Force to leading Huawei's global public sector team. He emphasized the significance of digital transformation in Singapore, starting with computerizing police reports in the 1990s to na...
China: Diaspora Waves, Bamboo Network Economic Interdependence & 996 MNC Culture with Jianggan Li - E425
May 26, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBJianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. China Diaspora Waves: Jeremy and Jianggan discussed the long-standing historical connections between China and Southeast Asia, dating back to the era of Admiral Zheng He's voyages during the Ming Dynasty. They touched on the various dialect groups Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese & Peranakan and event drivers across trade, piracy, civil war, invasions and re-opening. 2. Bamboo Network E...
Digital Immortals: Fear of Death, Human Longevity & Homo Digitalis Species - E424
May 23, 2024 21:00 - 30 minutes - 28 MBJeremy Au reflects on the finite nature of life, creating the human desire to survive, build a family, or leave behind a legacy of accomplishments. He explores longevity and discusses life extension champion Bryan Johnson and his "don't die" slogan. He references Mark Manson's book "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," which argues that confronting (instead of ignoring) mortality drives people to better appreciate life. He thus delves into digital immortality, where advanced AI technol...
Helen Wong: AC Ventures Managing Partner Leadership Journey, China VC Acceleration & Indonesia Growth Optimism - E423
May 21, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBHelen Wong, Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. AC Ventures Managing Partner Leadership Journey: Helen shared her extensive journey from Oxford University to investment banking to GGV Capital to INSEAD MBA to Qiming Ventures to Managing Partner of AC Ventures. She highlighted her 20 years of investing experience across the booming Silicon Valley tech ecosystem to the early rapidly growing China tech scene of the early 2000s. The Asian Finan...
Indonesia: Prabowo on Western "Double Standards", Jakarta City Master Plan & Microsoft $1.7B Investment with Gita Sjahrir - E422
May 19, 2024 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au, talked about three main themes: 1. Jakarta City Master Plan: Gita highlighted Jakarta's urgent urban planning needs to address rising sea levels, land subsidence, air pollution, traffic congestion, sanitation upgrades and education requirements. Miscommunications, fragmented stakeholders and the recurring blame game in political discourse have contributed to this impasse. They discussed the new Jakarta Agglomeration Area ...
Robot Propaganda So You Will Love AI and AI Loves You Too - E421
May 16, 2024 21:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBJeremy Au explores "roboganda," the new wave of propaganda promoting the benefits of robots and AI. Roboganda playbook: 1. Emphasize transformation of industries with increased productivity, downplay short-term negative job displacement, reskilling and search costs for individuals. 2. Humanize AI to satisfy individual social needs (loneliness, validation & empathy) substituting for societal archetypes (colleague, mentor, lover, child) across media (product demos, game NPCs and Hollywood...
Chia Jeng Yang: Reset Your Hunger, VC to Founder Transferable Skills & USA vs. SE Asia Startup Ecosystems - E420
May 14, 2024 21:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBJeremy and Chia discussed his experience changing careers from Southeast Asia VC Principal to US AI founder. He outlined the non-transferable nature of many VC skills when becoming a founder. While VC offers a high-level understanding of market and investment dynamics, it lacks the hands-on operational skills needed to build a startup from zero. They also compared the competitive, fast-paced U.S. startup environment to Southeast Asia's, highlighting differences in market depth, competit...
Singapore: New Prime Minister Transition, Immigration Assimilation & Schools and CTO & Engineering Pass with. Shiyan Koh- E419
May 12, 2024 21:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Prime Minister Transition: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the transition of Prime Minister leadership from Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong. They discussed the potential challenges that the new Prime Minister would face such as addressing wealth inequality and evaluating the efficacy of current social programs. They also speculated on potential policy shifts that might occur under the new ...
3-Body Problem: Social Darwinism, Technology Blockades & Community Over Individuals by Liu Cixin - E418
May 09, 2024 21:00 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBJeremy Au as a science-fiction and history nerd reviewed the 3 complex themes of Liu Cixin's "Three-Body Problem" series. Spoilers ahead: 1. Social Darwinism: "Dog eat dog" foundational psychological core of human society due to the survival instincts of individual humans, in stark contrast to Western fiction like social utopian “Star Wars,” moral clarity of "Star Trek," inspirational "Lord of the Rings," and political sacrifices of "Game of Thrones". In a dark real-life parallel, the ...
Jason Edwards: Lawyer to Founder & VC, Alternatives.pe Regional Capital Insights & January Capital Venture Debt Strategy - E417
May 07, 2024 21:00 - 37 minutes - 34 MBJason Edwards, CEO & Founder of Alternatives.pe, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Lawyer to Founder & VC: Jason recounted his legal career at Baker & McKenzie in Australia and Hong Kong. Due to the Asian Financial Crisis, he focused on financial restructuring for distressed firms (many of whom had borrowed heavily in US dollars) across Bangkok, Singapore and Asia. He later moved into private equity with Clearwater Capital Partners ($1.2B AUM) and venture capital by co-f...
Vietnam: $24B Bank Bailout & Legislature Chairman Resignation, FPT $6B Tech Conglomerate Growth and Apple Investment & China High-Speed Rail - E416
May 05, 2024 21:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBValerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Vietnam $24B Bank Bailout & Legislature Chairman Resignation: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the $12B fraud at Saigon Bank, the death penalty verdict, the appeals process and the closure of 50+ bank branches. The Vietnamese central bank injected $24B of "special loans" to prevent a banking crisis, which reduced the liquidity of their foreign exchange by one quarter. They touched on new politic...
Huawei 2024 APAC Congress: AI & Hardware Vertical Integration, Ecosystem and R&D Leadership & Genuine ASEAN Partnerships - E415
May 02, 2024 21:00 - 7 minutes - 6.57 MBJeremy Au partnered with Huawei to share his observations of their 2024 APAC Congress in Bangkok, which highlighted their latest advancements in AI, hardware, and infrastructure. He analyzed Huawei’s R&D investment commitments, vertical integration, manufacturing scale, globalizing workforce and local partnerships - positioning them as a formidable force in shaping the global tech landscape as well as Southeast Asia. Huawei was the world's #1 patent filer at the World Intellectual Prope...
Léa Klein: 98% Southeast Asians Want Meaning At Work, Western vs. SE Asia On Sustainability & Economic Stability For Family - E414
April 30, 2024 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBLéa Klein, CEO of Makesense, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 98% Southeast Asians Want Meaning At Work: Léa and Jeremy highlighted that regional workers' desire for purpose contrasts with the dissatisfaction many feel with the level of meaning in their current roles. They discussed how companies could bridge this gap between desire and reality by enhancing mission-driven work and integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and learning opportuni...
$1.5 Trillion USD Green Investment Gap, Competition vs. China Industrial Policy and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Viability with Gita Sjahrir - E413
April 28, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $1.5 Trillion USD Green Investment Gap: Jeremy and Gita agreed with Bain & Company’s report that Southeast Asia is "woefully off track" on green investments to reduce emissions and needs new policies and financial mechanisms to help bridge the gap. They discussed the significant costs associated with transitioning to green energy, e.g. retiring a single coal-fired power plant would cost o...
Charoen Pokphand (CP) $85B Conglomerate: China to Thailand to Kitchen of the World - E412
April 25, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBCP Group, a prominent Thai conglomerate, traces its beginnings to the founder Chia Ek Chor migrating from Chaozhou, China to Thailand in 1919. Despite early skepticism, he started a humble seed business which grew significantly by adapting to local agricultural challenges and changing global climate patterns. This foundation allowed his son and successor, Dhanin Chearavanont, to expand CP Group into a vast empire - touching multiple industries and generating an annual revenue of ~$85 bi...
Shuyin Tang: Radical Responsibility, Strategic Debt As Tool & Consultant to Venture Philanthropy to Impact Investing - E411
April 23, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBShuyin Tang, CEO of Beacon Fund and Partner of Patamar Capital, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Consultant to Venture Philanthropy to Impact Investing: Shuyin initially aspired to a career in diplomacy but was rejected - leading to her choice to become a management consultant at Bain & Company. She worked hard at Bain to merge business skills with social impact initiatives by working with nonprofits, e.g. through nonprofit projects and a strategy engagement to improve ...
51% SE Asia Favor China (vs. USA), Sequoia & GGV VC Decoupling & Mobility Competitor Game Theory with Shiyan Koh
April 19, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 51% SE Asia Favor China (vs. USA): Jeremy and Shiyan debated how the region is politically and economically reacting to the China vs. USA's "strategic competition". If ASEAN decision-makers were forced to pick sides, 51% opted for China vs. 49% for USA (ISEAS Institute poll). Pro-China: Malaysia 75%, Indonesia 73%, Thailand 52%, Singapore 39%, Vietnam 21%, Philippines 17%. 2. Sequoia & GGV ...
Bootstrap vs. Venture Capital Dilemma, 2x2 Matrix Decision & Time Machine Regrets - E409
April 18, 2024 21:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBJeremy Au delved into startup founders’ decision to choose between bootstrapping and venture capital funding. He shared his dual experiences as both a founder (who had done both routes) and a venture capitalist (who had to judge startups). He reset the framing that bootstrapping has historically been the norm and the default financing pathway for startups even today, whereas VC funding has only 50 years of history and is aimed at high-growth potential businesses. He explained the VC fun...
Richard Armstrong: Thailand Startup Ecosystem Challenges, Creator Insights & Media Founder Transition to Venture Capital - E408
April 16, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBRichard Armstrong, Venture Partner at TA Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. 267,000 Instagram Followers Insights: Richard recounted his formative years growing up in multiple countries leading to his interest in sharing his personal journey. He debunked common myths about media creators: emphasizing that success in the space requires more than just creativity, but also demands business acumen and a strong support system. He highlighted that despite popular beliefs,...
Vietnam: $12B Fraud Death Penalty, "Blazing Furnace" Anti-Corruption Campaign & Cambodia China 180km Canal Tensions - E407
April 14, 2024 21:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBValerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $12B Fraud Death Penalty: Jeremy and Valerie discussed Vietnam's largest-ever fraud trial regarding Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan and the Van Thinh Phat group. The $12B case impacted 6% of Vietnam's GDP and has led to real estate distress, economic uncertainty and regulatory upheaval. They elaborated on Truong’s moves to control Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), far beyond legal limits (90%...
You Can't Have It All: Parenting vs. Career Sacrifices, Life Myths vs. Reality and Intentional Trade-Offs - 406
April 11, 2024 21:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBJeremy reflected on how becoming a father of 2 daughters has reshaped his self-identity and the complex interplay between career ambitions vs. family responsibilities. He explored the evolving discourse on work-life balance, the brutal reality of trade-offs and the importance of intentional sacrifices. Jeremy tied together insights from Sheryl Sandberg’s "Lean In" movement, Anne-Marie Slaughter’s rebuttal “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All," and Harvard MBA Professor Clayton Christensen...
Maxime Chaury: Rocket Internet GM, Flash Coffee Indonesia Learnings & Courage as a Muscle - E405
April 09, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBMaxime Chaury, Cofounder of Upworth, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Rocket Internet GM: Maxime shared his transition from working in management consulting to embracing the dynamic startup environment in Southeast Asia, notably with Rocket Internet and later ZEN Rooms in Malaysia. He discussed the strategic considerations behind opting for leasing rooms, franchising, or adopting a white label approach in the hospitality industry, especially in the context of the COVID-...
Thailand: Pheu Thai Pro-Business Reform, Cannabis, LGBTQ & Gaming Legislation, and Fintech Market Study Optimism - E404
April 07, 2024 21:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBWing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Pheu Thai Pro-Business Reform: Wing and Jeremy discussed the new Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's ambitious plans to stimulate the economy through pro-business reforms. The administration has decided to focus on helping and investing in the tourism sector to recover, from a pre-pandemic 19.3% of GDP to a potential 30% of GDP in 2030. They debated whether this is a strategic or differentiated sect...
Regional VC Returns Skepticism, Structural Challenges & Value Creation vs. Sucker Trading Consequences with Adriel Yong - E403
April 04, 2024 21:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBAdriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Angels, and Jeremy Au frankly discussed the public's skepticism about Southeast Asia's venture capital (VC) landscape. They contrasted USA VC exit outcomes vs. the reality of regional exits: smaller at around $0.1-0.5B (refer to Cento Ventures report), taking longer than 10 years (vs. closed fund lifecycle requirements) and weaker trade sale + IPO pathways (NYSE/ NASDAQ vs. IDX, SGX, SET). Portfolio math models thus need to be updated in light ...
YC Request For Startups: Southeast Asia Viability, Hidden Comparative Advantages & Geographical Business Model Traps with Jeff Lonsdale - E402
April 02, 2024 21:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBJeff Lonsdale, Partner of Starstorm Ventures, and Jeremy Au embark on a comprehensive exploration of how Y Combinator's 20 startup requests flies (or flunks) within the Southeast Asian (SEA) entrepreneurial landscape. They debate sectors poised for regional adaptation and growth, such as robotics (per capita deployment), defense technology and the strategic repositioning of manufacturing away from China. They discuss SEA's inherent benefits, like cost-efficient engineering resources and...
TikTok Trump vs. Biden Ban Resurrection, Grab "Too Big To Fail" Debate & ShopBack Best-In-Class Layoffs with Shiyan Koh - E401
March 31, 2024 21:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. TikTok Trump vs. Biden Ban Resurrection: Jeremy and Shiyan delved into the USA political establishment's snowballing momentum to nationalize TikTok via divestment due to national security, anti-China, social media regulation and moderation of public opinion concerns. China is most likely to veto a forced sale of the TikTok algorithm and team, thus leading to a possible total market exit of ...
Struggle Towards 400 Podcast Episodes, Why I Almost Quit, Key Learnings and The Future of BRAVE - E400
March 28, 2024 21:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBFor the 400th BRAVE episode, Jeremy discussed the hard 4-year journey of founding the podcast during the global pandemic to becoming Southeast Asia's #1 tech podcast. He shared why he decided to spotlight local tech stories and how he almost quit due to burnout multiple times. He learned to value "oyakodon" craftsmanship over maximalism, continue "kaizen" continual improvement and prioritize authentic conversations. Jeremy's vision for BRAVE is fostering a stronger community with more f...
Adrian Li: Cambridge & Stanford MBA Childhood Inspiration, Indonesia VC Outlook (Pure Play vs. Small-Cap Private Equity) & China Edtech & Rocket Internet Founder Journey - E399
March 26, 2024 21:00 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBAdrian Li, Founder & Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Cambridge & Stanford MBA Childhood Inspiration: Adrian shared his multicultural upbringing across Hong Kong and the UK, leading to a pivotal teenage moment where he decided to study his way into Cambridge University. He evolved from academic success towards the ambition to use technology for social and economic betterment in emerging markets due to being exposed to rural poverty while...
Indonesia: Prabowo & Gibran 59% Electoral Win (Party vs. Candidate), Quick Commerce Viability Debate & VC Accountability - E398
March 24, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Prabowo & Gibran 59% Electoral Win: Gita shared the aftermath of Indonesia's election, highlighting Prabowo’s landslide victory in a 3-way contest. She delved into opposition voters' dismay and demonstrations in Jakarta, tempered by the fasting month which limited the extent of public protests. She also revealed that despite Gerindra's presidential candidates' landslide victory, the winning ...
Why Startups Fail: Tom Eisenmann Harvard MBA Case Studies & 6 Patterns of Startup Failure - E397
March 21, 2024 21:00 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBJeremy Au talked about the multifaceted nature of startup failures through insights from Professor Tom Eisenmann's book, "Why Startups Fail." He highlighted how startup failure is more common than people think, revealing that only 4% of companies were able to achieve 10x to 50x or higher returns. He discussed the six types of startup failures from the book: good idea, bad fellows, where a promising concept flounders due to team issues; false start, involving misjudged product-market fit...