Thomas Tsao: First-Generation Immigrant to Founding Gobi Partners, Asia Career Growth & Challenges and Southeast Asia Investment Thesis "Crouching Panda, Hidden Tapir" - E359

Thomas Tsao, Cofounder of Gobi Partners, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes:

1. Early Life and Education: Thomas talked about his background as a first-generation immigrant. He shared his family's journey from China to the USA and how aspirations and work ethic influenced his upbringing. He discussed the complexities of navigating life as an immigrant student at Harvard and contemplated 'selling out' vs. maintaining his ideals while choosing his first job post-graduation. He opted for a career in banking to gain financial independence and pay off student loans which led him to Wall Street and starting his career at Merrill Lynch.

2. Asia Career Growth & Challenges: Thomas recalled his career journey that paralleled Asia's growth, from the optimism of Hong Kong to the Asian financial crisis. He witnessed and contributed to the technological expansion in China and Asia. His journey included multiple experiences in the Asian financial markets, the tech boom, and the transformative economic landscape of the region. This experience shaped his understanding of market cycles, the importance of frugality, and the value of adapting to new technologies.

3. Founding of Gobi Partners & "Crouching Panda Hidden Tapir" Investment Thesis: Thomas shared his experiences during the Asian financial crisis and the dot-com bubble, which led to the founding of the Beijing Technology Development Fund and later, Gobi Partners, amidst uncertainties like 9/11 and the SARS outbreak. He navigated the challenges in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) and saw China's potential for homegrown innovation, shaping Gobi's focus on fostering innovation. He later saw a unique opportunity to connect Asia with Southeast Asia, leading to the strategy of "Crouching Panda, Hidden Tapir." He discussed that his move to Malaysia solidified Gobi's expansion and focus on underserved markets like Taqwa Tech, aimed at the global Muslim economy.

They also discussed Thomas’ learnings from Harvard University, the founding of Beijing Technology Development Fund, the SARS outbreak and its impact on business, and the integration of diverse cultures in corporate environments.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thomas-tsao

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