BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders and Venture Capital VC
723 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days 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 20,000+ 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
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...
Justin Banusing: Philippines Gaming & ESports Boom, Founding Communities & Startups and Content Creator Monetization & AI - 396
March 19, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBJustin Banusing, Cofounder & CEO of Clout Kitchen, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Philippines Gaming & ESports Boom: Justin shared that the Philippines, and by extension, Southeast Asia, has a vibrant gaming and esports ecosystem. He attributed this enthusiasm to the country's usage of mobile gaming and esports as both socialization and competitive engagement in the realities of an urbanizing emerging economy. Justin highlighted the "loading screen of commuting" (loca...
Taylor Swift $500M Singapore Economy Boost, Barbell Entertainment Blockbusters vs. Long Tail & City Talent Vortex & Industry Concentrations with Shiyan Koh - E395
March 17, 2024 21:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Taylor Swift $500M Singapore Economy Boost: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the Singapore government’s strategic chess moves for Taylor Swift's concert exclusivity in Southeast Asia. They discussed the excellent return on investment of the $3M move for a $500M increase in Singapore’s tourism receipts, stimulating national GDP by 0.25% points for Q1 2024. They also discussed the regional competi...
Patrick McGinnis: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) vs. FOBO (Fear of Better Option), Overcoming Career Paralysis & VC & Life Decision Frameworks - E394
March 14, 2024 21:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBBRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Patrick McGinnis, VC & Creator of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Sapiens, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) vs. FOBO (Fear of Better Option): Patrick shared how he had created the terms FOMO and FOBO during his MBA student days at Harvard. He shared how he was surprised 10 years later that his lingo with friends had grown into globally recognized phenomena. These behavior patterns of overcommitment, indecisivene...
Bernard Leong: Astrophysics PHD to Serial Founder, Disrupting Extractive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems & Startup vs. Family Career Decisions - E393
March 12, 2024 21:00 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBBernard Leong, Founder of Analyse Asia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. PhD to Serial Founder: Bernard talked about his initial career in academia, specializing in theoretical physics and obtaining his PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology, before moving into machine learning at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, home of the Human Genome Project. His entrepreneurial journey started with the co-founding of Chalkboard, a location-based advertising startup that faced strate...
Vietnam: Air Quality Pollution vs. Industrial Growth, China Tourism & Taylor Swift and Food Delivery Industry Economics (ShopeeFood vs. Grab vs. Foodpanda) - E392
March 10, 2024 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBValerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. China Tourism & Taylor Swift: Valerie shared the significant impact of Lunar New Year celebrations on Vietnam's work culture and economy, highlighting the extended holiday period shared with its neighbors like China and Singapore. She explored the potential economic benefits of reviving Chinese tourist numbers to pre-COVID levels, considering China's tourists historically accounted for a ...
Sean Ellis: Hacking Growth Unicorn Successes, Easy Money vs. Hard Times and Achieving & Scaling Product-Market Fit - 391
March 07, 2024 21:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBSean Ellis, Bestselling Author of “Hacking Growth”, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Growth Hacking Unicorn Successes: Despite not considering himself a "techie," he shared his transition from traditional marketing to growth hacking and helping five startups navigate to unicorn billion-dollar valuations. Sean discussed the strategic pivot of LogMeIn from a paid to a freemium model and thus innovating in pricing and distribution to capture market leadership and different...
Ameer Jumabhoy: Revolutionizing Tourist Value-Added Tax Refund Industry, Pandemic Hard Choices & Personal Resilience with Family - E390
March 05, 2024 21:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBAmeer Jumabhoy, Cofounder of Utu, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Revolutionizing Tourist Value-Added Tax Refund Industry: Ameer delved into the complexities of the VAT refund process, highlighting that tourists typically reclaim only a portion (i.e., getting only $65 from a $100 tax refund on a $500 purchase) due to high processing fees from numerous entities involved in the refund process. He shared Utu's $33M Series B fundraise and mission to enhance the tax-free sh...
Indonesia: Prabowo Victory & Jokowi Legacy, "Golden Indonesia 2045" GDP Vision and Middle-Income Trap & Societal Challenges - E389
March 03, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Prabowo Victory & Jokowi Legacy: Gita underscored Prabowo's dedication to further Jokowi's economic initiatives, notably the ambitious relocation of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara to stimulate balanced development across the archipelago. A key focus was on mobilizing Gen Z voters, whose significant influence in the election underscores the necessity for clear political messaging tailo...
David Zhou: Silicon Valley Thought Leadership, On Deck Community Building & Emerging LPs Investing in VC Funds - E388
February 29, 2024 21:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBDavid Zhou, Writer of Cup of Zhou & Head of Investor Relations at Alchemist Accelerator, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Silicon Valley Thought Leadership: David shared his journey from being a shy introvert to becoming a thought leader in the LP & VC space. He talked about his early exposure to entrepreneurship through his father's ventures that laid the groundwork for his ambitious career. Berkeley SkyDeck and On Deck catalyzed his transition to guide investments, ad...
Sao Lonsdale: “Fish In The Water” Journey, Vietnam Gen Z Consumers & LIXIBOX Founder Pivots - E387
February 27, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBSao Lonsdale, CEO & Founder of LIXIBOX, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. “Fish In The Water” Journey: Sao shared about her family experience growing up in a military compound in front of the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum. Feeling the desire to explore, she moved to the U.S. as a teenager and found herself embracing new communities and cultural experiences. She also discussed how she was inspired by Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" book to eventually leave behind her US corporate career...
Overreaction, Dislocation & Confusion, 2023 vs. 2024 Investment Landscape and $9B Annual Capital Intake & Realistic Exit Expectations with Shiyan Koh and Dmitry Levit - E386
February 25, 2024 21:00 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBDmitry Levit, General Partner of Cento Ventures, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. 2023 vs. 2024 Investment Landscape: Dmitry, Shiyan and Jeremy discussed the Cento Southeast Asia Tech 2023H1 report and noted the discrepancy between the economic doom perception in the media and the reality of Southeast Asia’s funding numbers. Dmitry pointed out a "reset" in investment activity, with stable "core early funding stack" (Seed to S...
Midlife Crisis: Navigating Change with Grace Across Career, Family & Identity To Achieve Self-Actualization - 385
February 22, 2024 21:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBJeremy delves into the midlife crisis, distinguishing between dramatic Hollywood portrayals (fast cars, alcohol and irresponsibility) and the quieter, introspective reality many face. Coined by psychoanalyst Elliott Jaques in 1965, the midlife crisis is driven by the realization of mortality, sense of past limitations and the desire for change. Referencing psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" pyramid, he emphasizes the underlying foundational shift that people experience a...
Rachel Wong: Law ChatGPT AI Revolution, Bastardized YC SAFE & Founder Legal Templates with FDLite - E384
February 20, 2024 21:00 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBRachel Wong, startup lawyer & Founder of Founders Doc, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Law ChatGPT AI Revolution: Rachel discussed how ChatGPT is revolutionizing the legal profession and changing the way lawyers interact with clients and how they draft and amend legal documents. Rachel explained the significance of legal AI companies, such as Litera, in enhancing the efficiency of drafting processes for lawyers by clearly understanding and addressing their specific needs....
Singapore: Founders Reviewing VCs, Startup Fraud Triangle & Difficult Wind-Down Decisions with Shiyan Koh - E383
February 18, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBIn this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founders Reviewing VCs: Shiyan reflected on founders conducting due diligence on their funding sources. They discuss the value (and further improvements) of public reference lists like TechinAsia’s Glasswall which indexes the fundraising process, and how founders should seek private feedback from (post-fundraise) portfolio companies. 2. Startup Fraud Triangle: Jeremy an...
Save Your New Year Resolutions, Misleading Weight Loss Industry & Personal Health Transformation with Nir Eyal - E382
February 15, 2024 21:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBNir Eyal, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Hooked” and "Indistractable”, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Save Your New Year Resolutions: Nir discussed the nature of January 1 resolutions and the high rate of people abandoning their goals. He attributed this to a warped ecosystem of advice that fails to address the root causes of behavioral stagnation. He emphasized the importance of reconstructing routines to foster consistency, which is essential for rejuven...
Trasy Lou: Uber & Atome GM Launching Markets, Motherhood vs. Entrepreneurship, and Fintech Founder Learnings - E381
February 13, 2024 21:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBTrasy Lou, Cofounder & CEO of Fluid, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Uber & Atome GM Launching Markets: Trasy highlighted the mission-driven culture at Uber, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the autonomy she had as a GM. Her time as GM at two growth-stage startups exemplified the resilience required to lead teams towards a shared mission. She also discussed the unique challenges of market launching, emphasizing the value of playbook sharing across countr...
Singapore: Silicon Box Unicorn, TheAsianParent Acquisition and Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Shifts (GIC, Temasek) with Shiyan Koh - E380
February 11, 2024 21:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au covered three main topics: 1. Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Shifts: Jeremy and Shiyan talked about how GIC conservatively deployed 46% less capital in 2023, and Temasek 53%. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) deployed $31.6 billion in 2023, 53% higher than the $20.7 billion it invested the previous year - alongside other Gulf funds. This is due to high oil prices, investment mandates and national strategies to div...
Jobless = Useless = Meaningless Life, Unemployment Neurosis and Man's Search For Meaning - E379
February 08, 2024 21:00 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBJeremy Au discussed the psychological impact of unemployment and its deep-seated effects on self-identity. Society often equates jobs with utility, and thus the determination of personal self-worth. Jeremy emphasized the importance of distinguishing between economic value and an individual's quest for purpose - beyond a series of professional achievements. He used examples from Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning” (a psychiatrist's memoir of surviving Nazi concentration camps) an...
Ajay Bulusu: Google & Grab Mapping Challenges, Geospatial B2B API SaaS Insights and Layoff Resilience with Bold Steps - E378
February 06, 2024 21:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBAjay Bulusu, Cofounder of NextBillion.ai, and Jeremy Au discussed three key topics: 1. Google & Grab Mapping Challenges: Ajay shared his mapping build-out at Google and Grab that had overcome geographic and infrastructural challenges in Southeast Asia - where standardization of data and addressing systems differ significantly from Western norms. He described how the team approached the problem with measures such as prioritizing high-traffic areas, leveraging data-driven strategies, tes...
Indonesia: Young Democracy Elections, Gen Z & Millennial 52% Electorate Majority & 2023 Bear Market Reflections with Gita Sjahrir - E377
February 04, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBGita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. 2023 Bear Market Reflections: Jeremy and Gita touched on the local startup market downturn, the importance of sticking to business fundamentals and good corporate governance to navigate economic headwinds, and how VCs have to build trust with founders. 2. Indonesia Young Democracy: Gita walked through Indonesia’s relatively new electoral system, the negotiations process post the election,...
Society's Hunger For Heroes (Anthony Bourdain, Ali Wong) and The Stories We Tell Other People vs. Ourselves - E376
February 01, 2024 21:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBJeremy discusses the stories that we tell ourselves, we tell others, and others tell about us. He contrasts Anthony Bourdain's self-descriptions in the travelogue "Parts Unknown," the posthumous Netflix documentary "Roadrunner" and the unauthorized biography "Down and Out in Paradise," ("I hate my fans. I hate being famous. I hate my job. I am lonely and living in constant uncertainty.") as well as the comedian Ali Wong's "Dear Girls" autobiography on family and her eventual divorce. He...
Aaron Fu: Africa Market Complexity, Terrorism Tragedy & Purpose and Venture Capital Mission - E375
January 30, 2024 21:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAaron Fu, VC at Digital Currency Group, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Venture Capital Mission: Aaron narrated his decisions to focus on fintech, venture capital, and emerging markets. He emphasized the importance of aligning professional choices with his personal values, and how investing as a career lets him help build the future 2. Africa Market Complexity: Aaron dissected the multiple frames of Africa's market, across country, city and vertical. He compared acces...
Vietnam: US & China "Love Triangle," 2023 GDP Growth Underperformance & 2024 Economy Forecast with Valerie Vu - E374
January 28, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBValerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics: 1. 2023 Vietnam GDP Growth Underperformance: Valerie Vu reflected on the challenges faced by Vietnam’s economy in 2023, including 2023's GDP growth of 5.1% being lower than the government target of 6.5%. They discussed root causes such as the global economic slowdown, slowing imports, US interest rates, inflation, Vietnam's domestic anti-corruption campaign, and intertwined local real estate...
Misery Poker: Competitive Vulnerability, Social Validation Commercialization & Empathy Generational Shift - E373
January 25, 2024 21:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MBJeremy discusses the rise of "Misery Poker" where people are increasingly incentivized to competitively share personal hardships. The natural human desire for social validation and the cultural shift towards authenticity intersects with declining community support structures, social media engagement algorithms and the commercialization of para-social relationships. He addresses the societal implications and how genuine empathy, intentional community building, and mindful social media en...
Henry Motte-de la Motte: Education Startup Challenges & Gritty Reality, Standardized Testing Debate vs. True Life Skills and Personal Passion For Learning - E372
January 23, 2024 21:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBHenry Motte-de la Motte, Founder & CEO of Edge Tutor, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics: 1. Personal Passion For Learning: Henry shared his background as an introverted child moving frequently due to his father's job. His personal exposure to multiple educational systems inspired him to later build two education tech startups to help nurture the next generation both in the Philippines and globally. 2. Standardized Testing Debate vs. True Life Skills: Henry debated the role of ...
2024 Regional Tech Forecast, 2023 Bear Market Reflections and Podcast Hosting Gratitude with Shiyan Koh - E371
January 21, 2024 21:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBShiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Podcast Hosting Gratitude: Jeremy and Shiyan reviewed their year-long journey of podcasting covering Southeast Asia tech. They reflected on the growth, challenges, and rich interactions they've had with their audience, and shared their appreciation for each other. 2. 2023 Startups & VC Bear Market: Jeremy and Shiyan recapped the challenges that regional startups, especially in later stages, f...
20s "Hustle & Grind" to 30s "Health is Wealth": Army, Founder & Parent Life & Success Lessons - E370
January 18, 2024 21:00 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MBJeremy reflects on his 20s with the "hustle and grind" mindset during army, Bain consultant, and founder days. He pushed the limits of his body with a "macho man" mentality with all-nighters, eating poorly, and bad lifestyle choices. Turning 36 years old, discovering a severe vitamin D deficiency, and becoming a dad changed his mindset towards "health is wealth." Perseverance "mind over matter" is actually an output function of a healthy and integrated human biological system which requ...
Carlo Chen-Delantar: Iron Triangle in Emerging Markets, Philippines Gobi VC & Alibaba Report & Career Journey from Social Impact to VC - E369
January 16, 2024 21:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBCarlo Chen-Delantar, Founding Partner of Gobi-Core Philippine Fund & Head of ESG at Gobi Partners, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Career Journey from Social Impact to VC: Carlo shared his journey from a family of entrepreneurs in the Philippines to his work in the nonprofit sector, focusing on social impact and clean water access. His transition to venture capital was unplanned, influenced by the realization of the potential impact through technology and capital alloc...
Thailand: BCG Startup Report, Ecosystem Underperformance (Smallest in ASEAN-6) & Why The Time is Now with Wing Vasiksiri - E368
January 14, 2024 21:00 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBWing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Thailand Strong Economics Macros: Wing shared how Thailand ranks 2nd in GDP ($495B USD), 3rd in GDP per capita ($6900 USD) and 4th in population (72M) among the ASEAN-6 nations. Highly educated, robust household internet connectivity (90%) and strong daily usage of the internet (9h). 2. Historical Startup Ecosystem Underperformance: Despite economic strengths and fundamentals, Thailand is ranked last ...