BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders and Venture Cap

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/51-se-asia-favor-china-vs-usa-sequoia-ggv-vc-decoupling-mobility-competitor-game-theory-e410

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Bootstrap vs. Venture Capital Dilemma, 2x2 Matrix Decision & Time Machine Regrets - E409

Jeremy Au delved into startup founders’ decision to choose between bootstrapping and venture capital funding. He shared his dual experiences as both a founder (who had done both routes) and a venture capitalist (who had to judge startups). He reset the framing that bootstrapping has historically been the norm and the default financing pathway for startups even today, whereas VC funding has only 50 years of history and is aimed at high-growth potential businesses. He explained the VC fund model’s expectation of $1B returns within a decade creates both a judgment yardstick and pressure-cooker board pressure for businesses to rapidly scale, regardless of unit economics or profitability. He also touched on the dangers of mismanaging large capital inflows, where excessive funding can lead to inefficient spending which can hasten a company’s failure. He suggested using a 2x2 matrix to think through their company’s fit for VC funding.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bootstrap-vs-vc-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/bootstrap-vs-venture-capital-dilemma-2x2-matrix-decision-time-machine-regrets-e409

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:00:11 +0000

Richard Armstrong: Thailand Startup Ecosystem Challenges, Creator Insights & Media Founder Transition to Venture Capital - E408

Richard Armstrong, Venture Partner at TA Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points:

1. 267,000 Instagram Followers Insights: Richard recounted his formative years growing up in multiple countries leading to his interest in sharing his personal journey. He debunked common myths about media creators: emphasizing that success in the space requires more than just creativity, but also demands business acumen and a strong support system. He highlighted that despite popular beliefs, most creators are not wealthy and that success in the media follows a power-law curve where only a small percentage of top earners can earn a good living.

2. Founder Transition to Venture Capital: Richard shared about his first ventures in e-commerce and food waste management, and why he eventually moved into angel investing and eventually into venture capital. He highlighted the stark differences, particularly the challenges of accessibility and the importance of networking within the VC community. His journey was motivated by the desire to leverage his understanding of emerging markets and bridge the funding gap faced by startups in these countries.

3. Thailand Startup Ecosystem Challenges: Richard pointed out that despite Thailand’s strong GDP, the startup ecosystem remains underfunded relative to other Southeast Asian peer countries - particularly at the seed stage. He discussed his optimism for potential growth in the next two years, driven by investor interest, improved market conditions and more focused government support.

Jeremy and Richard also talked about the global impact of regional strategies, the importance of building partnerships vs. focusing solely on disruption, and the role of personal background and global exposure in enhancing VC effectiveness.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/richard-armstrong-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/richard-armstrong-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/richard-armstrong-267-000-instagram-followers-insights-thailand-startup-ecosystem-challenges-and-founder-transition-to-venture-capital-e408

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:00:17 +0000

Vietnam: $12B Fraud Death Penalty, "Blazing Furnace" Anti-Corruption Campaign & Cambodia China 180km Canal Tensions - E407

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. $12B Fraud Death Penalty: Jeremy and Valerie discussed Vietnam's largest-ever fraud trial regarding Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan and the Van Thinh Phat group. The $12B case impacted 6% of Vietnam's GDP and has led to real estate distress, economic uncertainty and regulatory upheaval. They elaborated on Truong’s moves to control Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), far beyond legal limits (90% control versus the regulatory cap of 5% for individuals). They also talked about Vietnamese regulators’ harsh response by tightening financial controls, mandating bank ownership disclosures, and proposing to reduce the maximum ownership stake an individual can hold in a bank from 5% to 3%. They touched on the similarities between China and Vietnam for the intertwining of real estate and banking.

2. "Blazing Furnace" Anti-Corruption Campaign: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the campaign by Nguyễn Phú Trọng, general secretary of the Communist Party that has arrested or forced resignations of key political figures, including ministers and deputy prime ministers. They drew parallels between Vietnam and China’s anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping, where both aim at purging the system of corruption yet lead to power vacuums that will be filled by individuals loyal to the new leadership.

3. Cambodia China 180km Canal Tensions: The planned $1.7B Funan Techo Canal project allows Cambodia's imports and exports to bypass Vietnam's Mekong River ports and directly access the South China Sea. China's financing and development partnership is tied to its Belt and Road Initiative, investments to escape US military containment of key trade routes, and rebalancing with Vietnam. They discussed the negative environmental impact on downstream Vietnamese farmers already struggling with saltwater intrusion and climate change.

Jeremy and Valerie also talked about the psychological impact of fluctuating property values on Vietnamese consumers, ongoing economic reforms to diversify away from real estate dependency, and parallels with Singapore's concern regarding the Thai Kra Canal.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-fraud-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-fraud-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vietnam-12b-fraud-death-penalty-blazing-furnace-anti-corruption-campaign-cambodia-china-180km-canal-tensions-e407

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 21:00:17 +0000

You Can't Have It All: Parenting vs. Career Sacrifices, Life Myths vs. Reality and Intentional Trade-Offs - 406

Jeremy reflected on how becoming a father of 2 daughters has reshaped his self-identity and the complex interplay between career ambitions vs. family responsibilities. He explored the evolving discourse on work-life balance, the brutal reality of trade-offs and the importance of intentional sacrifices. Jeremy tied together insights from Sheryl Sandberg’s "Lean In" movement, Anne-Marie Slaughter’s rebuttal “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All," and Harvard MBA Professor Clayton Christensen’s "How Will You Measure Your Life." Success in both domains requires thoughtful planning, the willingness to ask for help, a great support system, resources and good luck. He also stressed the responsibility of current generations to pay it forward and support future parents through advocacy for family-friendly policies and honest conversations about the realities of balancing career and family life.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parenting-vs-career-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/you-can-t-have-it-all-parenting-vs-career-sacrifices-life-myths-vs-reality-and-intentional-trade-offs-406

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 21:00:17 +0000

Maxime Chaury: Rocket Internet GM, Flash Coffee Indonesia Learnings & Courage as a Muscle - E405

Maxime Chaury, Cofounder of Upworth, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Rocket Internet GM: Maxime shared his transition from working in management consulting to embracing the dynamic startup environment in Southeast Asia, notably with Rocket Internet and later ZEN Rooms in Malaysia. He discussed the strategic considerations behind opting for leasing rooms, franchising, or adopting a white label approach in the hospitality industry, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the general manager role's complexity, involving strategic planning, team leadership, and quick industry adaptation, reflecting his shift from a strategic consultant to a hands-on leadership role in startups.

2. Flash Coffee Indonesia Learnings: Maxime recounted his role in transforming Flash Coffee's performance in Indonesia from the least to the most profitable market segment. He highlighted the importance of understanding market-specific consumer behavior, noting significant differences across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. He discussed the tailored strategies for each market, underlining the local autonomy within a global brand strategy, and the challenges and implications of venture capital liquidity and investment decisions, which are crucial for startups navigating rapid growth and scalability.

3. Courage as a Muscle: Maxime reflected on courage as a foundational virtue in leadership and entrepreneurship. He argued that courage facilitates the practice and effectiveness of other virtues, essential for personal growth and professional decision-making. His narrative of choosing to become a general manager, navigating roles in Malaysia and Indonesia, and eventually founding his own startup underscored courage's role in stepping into unknown territories and embracing growth opportunities.

Jeremy and Maxime also talked about the strategic pivot of ZEN Rooms towards technology solutions, the nuances of market-specific strategies and consumer behavior in the coffee retail industry, and the implications of global venture capital trends on startup scalability and market focus.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maxime-chaury-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/maxime-chaury-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/maxime-chaury-rocket-internet-gm-flash-coffee-indonesia-learnings-courage-as-a-muscle-e405

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:00:17 +0000

Thailand: Pheu Thai Pro-Business Reform, Cannabis, LGBTQ & Gaming Legislation, and Fintech Market Study Optimism - E404

Wing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points:

1. Pheu Thai Pro-Business Reform: Wing and Jeremy discussed the new Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's ambitious plans to stimulate the economy through pro-business reforms. The administration has decided to focus on helping and investing in the tourism sector to recover, from a pre-pandemic 19.3% of GDP to a potential 30% of GDP in 2030. They debated whether this is a strategic or differentiated sector to invest in, vs. Vietnam's focus on China + 1 manufacturing and Singapore's focus on finance and trade. They also discussed the electoral promise to stimulate the economy by distributing 10,000 Thai baht to every citizen, and the political pressure on the Bank of Thailand to lower interest rates. They discussed Thailand's GDP forecast, and whether the country would be able to escape the middle-income trap.

2. Cannabis, LGBTQ & Gaming Legislation: Wing and Jeremy discussed the legislative push to roll back the legalization of weed and the prior administration's distribution of 1 million cannabis plants to households. Wing expressed skepticism about the complete rollback of cannabis decriminalization, given its popularity, integration into the economic retail landscape, and its attraction as a tourism booster. They also discussed how 96.6% of public support for same-sex marriage is driving LGBTQ legal reforms and the parallels with Taiwan. They also touched on the push towards legalizing gaming casinos to attract foreign investment with a 17% tax on gross gaming revenue (one of the lowest tax regimes in the region) and further boost tourism receipts.

3. Fintech Market Study Optimism: Wing shared about WV's recent market study on Thailand's financial tech sector (which is ranked 4th globally in transaction value of real-time payments), thus indicating a robust digital payments infrastructure and entrepreneurial optimism. They also discussed the broader fintech landscape, including the country’s debate on whether the consumer handout stimulus should incorporate blockchain technology (vs. existing mobile wallets), as well as the potential issuance of virtual banking licenses (despite challenges such as high minimum capital requirements).

Jeremy and Wing also talked about the underreported issue of Bangkok’s poor air quality, the importance of the national soft power strategy, and how the various reforms are synergistic with each other.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-pheu-thai-reform-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/thailand-pheu-thai-pro-business-reform-cannabis-lgbtq-gaming-legislation-and-fintech-market-study-optimism-e404

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Grain here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 21:00:14 +0000

Regional VC Returns Skepticism, Structural Challenges & Value Creation vs. Sucker Trading Consequences with Adriel Yong - E403

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Angels, and Jeremy Au frankly discussed the public's skepticism about Southeast Asia's venture capital (VC) landscape. They contrasted USA VC exit outcomes vs. the reality of regional exits: smaller at around $0.1-0.5B (refer to Cento Ventures report), taking longer than 10 years (vs. closed fund lifecycle requirements) and weaker trade sale + IPO pathways (NYSE/ NASDAQ vs. IDX, SGX, SET). Portfolio math models thus need to be updated in light of the young ecosystem's structural market challenges, resulting in the current funds' moves towards earlier-stage deals with lower pricing risk, secondary sales, deploying venture debt, and more disciplined investing with tighter economic and control terms. They contrast this to the small-cap private equity model and the usage of debt leverage for revenue multiple expansion. Founders must decide on profitability over growth, conflicting with VC mandates that are disempowered by minority ownership norms. They also discuss the Series B death valley/cliff, reverse human capital arbitrage (hiring expensive talent to solve low-margin markets, vs. cheap labor to attack high-margin markets), why VCs have to up their game at actual value creation (rather than trading on momentum), and how founders can better plan their fundraising with an honest view of reality and behind-the-scenes incentives.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck-id

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-returns-suck-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/regional-vc-returns-skepticism-structural-challenges-value-creation-vs-sucker-trading-consequences-with-adriel-yong-e403

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here: https://www.grain.com.sg

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 21:00:14 +0000

YC Request For Startups: Southeast Asia Viability, Hidden Comparative Advantages & Geographical Business Model Traps with Jeff Lonsdale - E402

Jeff Lonsdale, Partner of Starstorm Ventures, and Jeremy Au embark on a comprehensive exploration of how Y Combinator's 20 startup requests flies (or flunks) within the Southeast Asian (SEA) entrepreneurial landscape. They debate sectors poised for regional adaptation and growth, such as robotics (per capita deployment), defense technology and the strategic repositioning of manufacturing away from China. They discuss SEA's inherent benefits, like cost-efficient engineering resources and burgeoning markets, juxtaposed against the challenges of market fragmentation and complex regulations. They also explore whether the economics of climate tech could work in the region, space exploration viability, how healthcare is actually built in the region. They also touch on how to actually capture value in Southeast Asia from productivity-improving AI, in a region with low cost of labor as a substitute for automation vs. global market opportunities. We encourage listeners to review Jeff's original blog review and the base YC Request for Startups in parallel with the episode, due to the in-depth discussion.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeff-lonsdale-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeff-lonsdale-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/yc-request-for-startups-southeast-asia-viability-hidden-comparative-advantages-geographical-business-model-traps-with-jeff-lonsdale-e402

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:00:08 +0000

TikTok Trump vs. Biden Ban Resurrection, Grab "Too Big To Fail" Debate & ShopBack Best-In-Class Layoffs with Shiyan Koh - E401

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. TikTok Trump vs. Biden Ban Resurrection: Jeremy and Shiyan delved into the USA political establishment's snowballing momentum to nationalize TikTok via divestment due to national security, anti-China, social media regulation and moderation of public opinion concerns. China is most likely to veto a forced sale of the TikTok algorithm and team, thus leading to a possible total market exit of TikTok rather than the sale desired by American legislators. They concluded on the low likelihood of a ban before the US election to avoid turning off Gen Z and millennial Democrat voters but speculated on the higher likelihood of an eventual ban in the Biden 2024 electoral victory scenario since Trump is now against the Ban. They also touched on the negative impact on mental health, and the importance of encouraging in-person interactions outside of digital platforms.

2. Grab "Too Big To Fail" Debate: Jeremy and Shiyan critiqued the recent media speculation of Grab being "too big to fail," arguing that this concept traditionally applies to financial institutions with systemic importance, rather than tech companies. They also debated Grab's competitive position, its eventual profitability after years of market subsidies, and how fast Gojek would be able to substitute for Grab's logistics, mobility, and consumer operations.

3. ShopBack Best-In-Class Layoffs: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed ShopBack’s layoff and commended the professional handling by the founder and executive team. They highlighted the transparent communication regarding their prior decision-making, comprehensive support package (e.g. severance, immigration support, job transition services, etc.), and the surrounding tech industry's boom and bust cycles. They discussed whether this was comparable to Silicon Valley packages and whether this approach had been best-in-class in terms of process in Southeast Asia.

Jeremy and Shiyan also discussed the impact of rapid scaling on startup sustainability, the regulation of social media platforms, and the nuances of employment and layoff policies in different jurisdictions.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-us-ban-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tiktok-trump-vs-biden-ban-resurrection-grab-too-big-to-fail-debate-shopback-best-in-class-layoffs-with-shiyan-koh-e401

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Struggle Towards 400 Podcast Episodes, Why I Almost Quit, Key Learnings and The Future of BRAVE - E400

For the 400th BRAVE episode, Jeremy discussed the hard 4-year journey of founding the podcast during the global pandemic to becoming Southeast Asia's #1 tech podcast. He shared why he decided to spotlight local tech stories and how he almost quit due to burnout multiple times. He learned to value "oyakodon" craftsmanship over maximalism, continue "kaizen" continual improvement and prioritize authentic conversations. Jeremy's vision for BRAVE is fostering a stronger community with more features for premium membership, writing his second in-depth book and being more honest (yet growth-oriented) about the region's true tech ecosystem while bringing in more of his personal humor and interests.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes-id

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/400-podcast-episodes-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/struggle-towards-400-podcast-episodes-why-i-almost-quit-key-learnings-and-the-future-of-brave-e400

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:00:13 +0000

Adrian Li: Cambridge & Stanford MBA Childhood Inspiration, Indonesia VC Outlook (Pure Play vs. Small-Cap Private Equity) & China Edtech & Rocket Internet Founder Journey - E399

Adrian Li, Founder & Managing Partner of AC Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Cambridge & Stanford MBA Childhood Inspiration: Adrian shared his multicultural upbringing across Hong Kong and the UK, leading to a pivotal teenage moment where he decided to study his way into Cambridge University. He evolved from academic success towards the ambition to use technology for social and economic betterment in emerging markets due to being exposed to rural poverty while backpacking and his early career in investment banking. He also shared about how he used his Stanford MBA education to find a cofounder and begin entrepreneurship.

2. China Edtech & Rocket Internet Founder Journey: Adrian shared his personal learnings vs. mistakes in founding a China edtech venture that used innovative call center technology for English language training. He discussed navigating uncharted markets and the challenges of finding the right product-market fit. He also shared about his leadership at Rocket Internet, where he led a competitive "Airbnb" online accommodations platform in China for scaling, carving out differentiation, and executing strategic maneuvers in challenging market conditions. He highlighted the critical role of timing in entrepreneurship, noting that while being early to the market offers first-mover advantages, it also presents challenges like market education and regulatory hurdles, which significantly impact a startup's success trajectory.

3. Indonesia VC Outlook (Pure Play vs. Small-Cap Private Equity): Adrian articulated his investment vision for the transformative power of digital technology. He addressed common misconceptions about the country’s tech market, particularly the belief that it's overly expensive for investors - and argued that higher valuations are justified by Indonesia's vast market potential and the opportunity for significant business growth. He also discussed Indonesia's tech investment evolution from the 2010-2021 internet boom where pure-play tech platforms like Tokopedia, Gojek and Traveloka grew from modest valuations into multibillion-dollar enterprises, to the current focus on digital transformation in the real economy. He noted how this shift implies a future where investments resemble those of small to mid-cap private equity, prioritizing disciplined financial strategies and operational efficiency.

Jeremy and Adrian also talked about the role of cultural adaptability in global ventures, the sobering impact of the 9/11 attack on his first days joining the workforce, and the importance of leadership in fostering growth among startups.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-li-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-li-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/adrian-li-cambridge-stanford-mba-childhood-inspiration-indonesia-vc-outlook-pure-play-vs-small-cap-private-equity-china-edtech-rocket-internet-founder-journey-e399

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 21:00:16 +0000

Indonesia: Prabowo & Gibran 59% Electoral Win (Party vs. Candidate), Quick Commerce Viability Debate & VC Accountability - E398

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes:

1. Prabowo & Gibran 59% Electoral Win: Gita shared the aftermath of Indonesia's election, highlighting Prabowo’s landslide victory in a 3-way contest. She delved into opposition voters' dismay and demonstrations in Jakarta, tempered by the fasting month which limited the extent of public protests. She also revealed that despite Gerindra's presidential candidates' landslide victory, the winning party's failure to secure a leading position in the legislature forecasts a complex political landscape and potential governance challenges. The percentage of voter blocks, Jokowi's moves on the Golkar party and division among major candidates underscored the evolving debate within the country’s electorate on the influence of political personas vs. party ideologies. She also highlighted Indonesia’s increased freedom of expression allowing for political discourse across social and mainstream media, in contrast with the Suharto era.

2. Quick Commerce Viability Debate: Gita discussed the sustainability and profitability challenges in quick commerce within markets like Indonesia, where lower GDP per capita and high capital burn rates demand significant model adjustments for viability. She noted that market size and consumer behavior emphasized the critical need for adapting quick commerce to align with the local population’s purchasing power and real needs, rather than replicating models from India and more affluent economies like USA and Europe. She also talked about the potential integration of quick commerce with traditional commerce, leveraging infrastructure to blend digital speed with physical market realities and focusing on areas like private label products for sustainability.

3. VC Accountability & Founder Dynamics: Jeremy and Gita delved into the accountability of VCs and the crucial role of frank discussions between VCs and founders. They underscored the importance of VCs being more than just financial backers by becoming genuine thought partners for founders. They critiqued the "negative blitzscaling" model in Southeast Asia, cautioning against scaling businesses with negative unit economics. They also emphasized that founders should scrutinize their growth strategies and prioritize sustainability over rapid expansion, highlighting the risks of scaling inefficiencies rather than solutions. They need to retain decision-making authority and evolve towards prioritizing long-term business viability and market relevance.

Jeremy and Gita also talked about the importance of political party financing transparency, the role of media in shaping public opinion post-election, the significance of recalibrating growth and scaling expectations for startups, and the evolution of e-commerce models in response to market demands.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-electoral-win-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/indonesia-prabowo-gibran-59-electoral-win-party-vs-candidate-quick-commerce-viability-debate-vc-accountability-e398

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:00:09 +0000

Why Startups Fail: Tom Eisenmann Harvard MBA Case Studies & 6 Patterns of Startup Failure - E397

Jeremy Au talked about the multifaceted nature of startup failures through insights from Professor Tom Eisenmann's book, "Why Startups Fail." He highlighted how startup failure is more common than people think, revealing that only 4% of companies were able to achieve 10x to 50x or higher returns. He discussed the six types of startup failures from the book: good idea, bad fellows, where a promising concept flounders due to team issues; false start, involving misjudged product-market fit; false positives, where early enthusiasm doesn't translate to broad market appeal; speed trap, depicting rapid growth that outpaces sustainable development; help wanted, indicating operational or strategic missteps in a growing company; and cascading miracles, which requires multiple, high-risk achievements for success. He underscored that learning from these failures can equip founders, investors, and operators with the knowledge to navigate the complex startup ecosystem more effectively.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail

Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail-id

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-startups-fail-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/why-startups-fail-tom-eisenmann-harvard-mba-case-studies-6-patterns-of-startup-failure-e397

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:00:16 +0000

Justin Banusing: Philippines Gaming & ESports Boom, Founding Communities & Startups and Content Creator Monetization & AI - 396

Justin Banusing, Cofounder & CEO of Clout Kitchen, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Philippines Gaming & ESports Boom: Justin shared that the Philippines, and by extension, Southeast Asia, has a vibrant gaming and esports ecosystem. He attributed this enthusiasm to the country's usage of mobile gaming and esports as both socialization and competitive engagement in the realities of an urbanizing emerging economy. Justin highlighted the "loading screen of commuting" (local challenging commute conditions) driving mobile gaming's popularity. He also delved into the symbiotic yet complex relationship between publishers, fans, third-party companies, and creators - and the inherent challenges and opportunities in monetizing and sustaining a viable niche within eSports in Southeast Asia.

2. Founding Communities & Startups: Justin shared his beginnings as a high school student passionate about gaming and organizing a Super Smash Brothers gaming tournament in a Chinese restaurant's back room. He went on to found AcadArena, the leading campus gaming startup that scaled to 250,000 verified students across Southeast Asia and Latin America. Justin talked about his commitment to building in the Philippines despite the allure of opportunities abroad, and his eventual decision to remain in the country to contribute to the growing startup ecosystem. He also highlighted the importance of taking risks and the potential for significant impact through building companies that address local needs and opportunities and encouraged others to dream big and pursue their passions with determination.

3. Content Creator Monetization & AI: Justin touched upon the potential of digital creators as the next generation of entertainment icons, and their broader evolution beyond gaming as a content vertical. He also discussed the hurdles they face, such as time constraints, scalability and earning more. He explained why he founded Clout Kitchen, an AI studio aimed at transforming content creators into interactive digital experiences, and highlighted their mission to facilitate deeper fan interactions with creators.

Jeremy and Justin also discussed the importance of aligning business ventures with personal missions, the impact of digital hobbies and gaming on the region’s youth, the socioeconomic factors influencing gaming habits in Southeast Asia, and the nuanced understanding of privilege in the startup ecosystem.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/justin-banusing-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/justin-banusing-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/justin-banusing-philippines-gaming-esports-boom-founding-communities-startups-and-content-creator-monetization-ai-396

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 21:00:07 +0000

Taylor Swift $500M Singapore Economy Boost, Barbell Entertainment Blockbusters vs. Long Tail & City Talent Vortex & Industry Concentrations with Shiyan Koh - E395

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Taylor Swift $500M Singapore Economy Boost: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the Singapore government’s strategic chess moves for Taylor Swift's concert exclusivity in Southeast Asia. They discussed the excellent return on investment of the $3M move for a $500M increase in Singapore’s tourism receipts, stimulating national GDP by 0.25% points for Q1 2024. They also discussed the regional competition for hosting such blockbuster events, along with the underappreciated aspects of the nationalization of the Singapore sports hub, travel logistics hub infrastructure and sensitivity to cultural norms.

2. Barbell Entertainment Blockbusters vs. Long Tail: Jeremy and Shiyan explored the Internet’s explosion of the content industry, leading to bimodal distribution, where both blockbuster events and niche content find substantial audiences thanks to the zero marginal cost of digital consumption - and the plunge in middle-tier content. They also discussed how generative AI will impact the shape of this barbell. They reference the book Blockbusters by Harvard professor Anita Elberse and The Long Tail by Chris Anderson.

3. City Talent Vortex & Industry Concentrations: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by talent concentrations. They discussed how cities become industry hubs, such as finance in Singapore, entertainment in LA and tech in SF, with a thought experiment on whether Southeast Asia could produce a global superstar like Taylor Swift. They stressed the structural and cultural factors that influence where talent flourishes, the role of national policy in nurturing ecosystems that can compete on the global stage, and how individual talented individuals should react.

Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about the social aspects of fasting vs. eating, the fan communities of avatar-driven Vtubers, and their personal preferences for content consumption like Dune by writer Frank Herbet vs. director Denis Villeneuve.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/taylor-swift-economics-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/taylor-swift-500m-singapore-economy-boost-barbell-entertainment-blockbusters-vs-long-tail-city-talent-vortex-industry-concentrations-with-shiyan-koh-e395

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 21:00:09 +0000

Patrick McGinnis: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) vs. FOBO (Fear of Better Option), Overcoming Career Paralysis & VC & Life Decision Frameworks - E394

BRAVE 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, indecisiveness and optionality maximization have been exacerbated by the endless choices and information overload facilitated by digital platforms, leading to widespread analysis paralysis and stress. He discusses why he thinks FOBO is less popular than FOMO due to its darker nature and more insightful lens into human decision-making.

2. Overcoming Career Paralysis: Patrick shared his personal journey from a career in venture capital to becoming an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. He shared how he had to have a heart rate monitor installed due to the high stress of his job that he fundamentally disliked, and the eventually lonely, painful and scary decision to take a career sabbatical and step outside the conventional path that would have been expected from a Harvard MBA graduate.

3. VC & Life Decision Frameworks: Patrick detailed his conscious effort to integrate strategies to combat FOMO and FOBO, sharing a framework for categorizing decisions (high stakes, low stakes, and no stakes) to streamline decision-making processes. Patrick shared his frustrations with the VC industry's incentive structures, including the challenges of decision-making in an environment rife with FOMO and FOBO. He emphasized the importance of discipline, due diligence, and being mindful of underlying motivations when making investment decisions. He also shared examples from his "FOMO folio" strategy to manage investment temptation.

He also discussed the societal shift towards constant comparison and indecision, strategies for combating decision fatigue, and why he's exploring coaching and building for the next stage of his career.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/patrick-mcginnis-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/patrick-mcginnis-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/patrick-mcginnis-fomo-fear-of-missing-out-vs-fobo-fear-of-better-option-overcoming-career-paralysis-vc-life-decision-frameworks-e394

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Bernard Leong: Astrophysics PHD to Serial Founder, Disrupting Extractive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems & Startup vs. Family Career Decisions - E393

Bernard Leong, Founder of Analyse Asia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. PhD to Serial Founder: Bernard talked about his initial career in academia, specializing in theoretical physics and obtaining his PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology, before moving into machine learning at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, home of the Human Genome Project. His entrepreneurial journey started with the co-founding of Chalkboard, a location-based advertising startup that faced strategic challenges and ended in a shutdown. He also co-founded SG Entrepreneurs, which successfully exited to Tech in Asia. He also shared his experiences heading digital transformation initiatives as a tech executive, such as his digital transformation leader at SingPost and pioneering Singapore's first-ever drone delivery.

2. Disrupting Extractive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Bernard shared his vision for revolutionizing ERP systems to address the inefficiencies and high costs associated with traditional ERP software. He discussed the history of ERP systems and the challenges companies face, including high customization costs and the extractive nature of the consulting model associated with ERP implementation. Bernard aims to leverage generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Microsoft CodePilot to create a next-generation open business operating system that is 10X more efficient, productive, and adaptable than current offerings. He discussed the reasons behind his focus on the medium segment of the small and medium enterprise market and counter-positioning strategy against existing ERP giants.

3. Startup vs. Family Career Decisions: Bernard compared the life of a serial entrepreneur to that of a football team manager, emphasizing the importance of taking each challenge as it comes. He discussed the practicalities of negotiating entrepreneurship with family responsibilities, highlighting the importance of financial planning, shared goals, and open communication with his wife who’s also an entrepreneur. He also discussed what repeat founders do differently than first-time founders, ranging across distribution, mindset and adaptability.

Jeremy and Bernard also touched on the "first love startup" problem, first-principles thinking, the people who bet against his success, and the future implications of AI in business.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bernard-leong-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bernard-leong-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/bernard-leong-phd-astrofisika-hingga-pendiri-serial-mendisrupsi-sistem-perencanaan-sumber-daya-perusahaan-erp-ekstraktif-keputusan-karier-startup-vs-keluarga-e393

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Join the Singapore Growth & AI Summit with Sean Ellis! Use code seanbrave7 today.

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Vietnam: Air Quality Pollution vs. Industrial Growth, China Tourism & Taylor Swift and Food Delivery Industry Economics (ShopeeFood vs. Grab vs. Foodpanda) - E392

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. China Tourism & Taylor Swift: Valerie shared the significant impact of Lunar New Year celebrations on Vietnam's work culture and economy, highlighting the extended holiday period shared with its neighbors like China and Singapore. She explored the potential economic benefits of reviving Chinese tourist numbers to pre-COVID levels, considering China's tourists historically accounted for a third of foreign visitors to Vietnam. They also discussed Taylor Swift's Singapore concert as a case study in tourism marketing.

2. Food Delivery Industry Economics: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the inherent challenges of the food delivery industry, characterized by low margins and, in many cases, negative profitability. They mentioned the failed negotiation between Foodpanda (under Delivery Hero) and Grab, highlighting the tough economic realities of the sector. Valerie also expressed her preference for ShopeeFood over Grab due to the smaller, local merchants, and "mom-and-pop" restaurants that the platform partners with. She also touched on the broader market dynamics, including the exit of other players like Bé Minh, the third-largest food delivery service, which left the Vietnamese market to focus on its primary market in South Korea.

3. Air Quality Pollution vs. Industrial Growth: Jeremy and Valerie talked about Vietnam’s economic benefits from its industrial sector, with the smartphone export growth of 16% year-on-year in January 2024. The economic boon comes at the cost of environmental degradation, with both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively placing 3rd and 10th on alarming air quality index rankings. They explored potential strategies for addressing air quality such as temporarily halting industrial activities which China did around the 2008 Olympics to improve its air quality. They discussed the lack of substantial policy measures from the Vietnamese government to combat the air pollution problem partly due to the government's prioritization of economic growth through manufacturing, which is a key driver of Vietnam's GDP.

Jeremy and Valerie also talked about the influence of high-profile educational backgrounds like Harvard, Oxford and NUS on tech startups, environmental policy, and the impact of global cultural events on local economies.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-air-pollution-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vietnam-air-quality-pollution-vs-industrial-growth-china-tourism-taylor-swift-and-food-delivery-industry-economics-shopeefood-vs-grab-vs-foodpanda-e392

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 21:00:10 +0000

Sean Ellis: Hacking Growth Unicorn Successes, Easy Money vs. Hard Times and Achieving & Scaling Product-Market Fit - 391

Sean Ellis, Bestselling Author of “Hacking Growth”, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Growth Hacking Unicorn Successes: Despite not considering himself a "techie," he shared his transition from traditional marketing to growth hacking and helping five startups navigate to unicorn billion-dollar valuations. Sean discussed the strategic pivot of LogMeIn from a paid to a freemium model and thus innovating in pricing and distribution to capture market leadership and differentiate vs. well-funded competitors. He highlighted the lack of established language or tools for scaling companies with product-market fit during his early career and the difficulty in understanding the nuances of what makes products indispensable to users, which he later encapsulated in his book "Hacking Growth."

2. Achieving & Scaling Product-Market Fit: Sean emphasized that achieving product-market fit is a blend of art and science that necessitates deep market understanding, creativity, and rigorous validation. He stressed the critical role of targeted, domain-specific advice for startups and that generic advice lacks the impact of insights tailored to a startup's unique context. He also pointed out the importance of fair compensation for advisors, highlighting that those providing high-value, targeted advice leading to tangible outcomes deserve appropriate rewards.

3. Easy Money vs. Hard Times: Sean discussed bull & bear startup funding environments, from periods of easy money (startups become complacent and focus more on rapid growth at the expense of efficiency and long-term sustainability) to more challenging financial climates (which necessitates a disciplined approach to growth, spending, prioritizing efficiency and lean operations). He highlighted that companies that optimize resources and operations are best positioned for survival and growth regardless of funding availability.

Jeremy and Sean also talked about why large tech companies slow down at growth, the critical role of early-stage market validation, the importance of maintaining a growth-focused culture, and the strategies for sustaining momentum.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sean-ellis-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sean-ellis-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sean-ellis-hacking-growth-unicorn-successes-easy-money-vs-hard-times-and-achieving-scaling-product-market-fit-391

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:00:08 +0000

Ameer Jumabhoy: Revolutionizing Tourist Value-Added Tax Refund Industry, Pandemic Hard Choices & Personal Resilience with Family - E390

Ameer Jumabhoy, Cofounder of Utu, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Revolutionizing Tourist Value-Added Tax Refund Industry: Ameer delved into the complexities of the VAT refund process, highlighting that tourists typically reclaim only a portion (i.e., getting only $65 from a $100 tax refund on a $500 purchase) due to high processing fees from numerous entities involved in the refund process. He shared Utu's $33M Series B fundraise and mission to enhance the tax-free shopping experience by maximizing the refund value for tourists through partnerships that benefit all stakeholders involved, including tourists, retailers, and the government.

2. Pandemic Hard Choices: Despite the severe impact on the travel and retail sectors, Utu made the humanitarian decision not to lay off any staff despite the significant financial and operational cost. He underscored the leadership's commitment to their team and the long-term vision without compromising on their values. Utu had to strategically follow the reopening of global tourism city by city and travel corridor by corridor, e.g. the UAE deciding to launch the World Expo in 2021. He also talked about their acquisition of CardsPal and the launch of new services aimed at providing greater rewards for travelers with their evolving post-pandemic consumer behavior.

3. Personal Resilience With Family: Ameer recounted his experiences navigating professional responsibilities alongside personal challenges during the pandemic. He detailed the decisions to move across countries for family and work, emphasizing the importance of support systems. He shared his thoughts on how parenthood had shaped his perspectives on leadership and entrepreneurship.

Jeremy and Ameer also talked about the rationale behind the current VAT refund system's inefficiencies, Utu’s future product roadmap, and the significance of cross-border shopping trends.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ameer-jumabhoy-in

观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ameer-jumabhoy-cn

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/ameer-jumabhoy-revolutionizing-tourist-value-added-tax-refund-industry-pandemic-hard-choices-personal-resilience-with-family-e390

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:00:13 +0000

Indonesia: Prabowo Victory & Jokowi Legacy, "Golden Indonesia 2045" GDP Vision and Middle-Income Trap & Societal Challenges - E389

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes:

1. Prabowo Victory & Jokowi Legacy: Gita underscored Prabowo's dedication to further Jokowi's economic initiatives, notably the ambitious relocation of the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara to stimulate balanced development across the archipelago. A key focus was on mobilizing Gen Z voters, whose significant influence in the election underscores the necessity for clear political messaging tailored for this digitally savvy cohort accustomed to prolific social media engagement.

2. "Golden Indonesia 2045" GDP Vision: The discussion extended to the campaign goal of aiming to position Indonesia as a beacon of economic prosperity, with substantial enhancements in GDP per capita, human capital, and global competitiveness. Gita highlighted this vision as part of a larger ambition to elevate Indonesians' quality of life through superior education and self-fulfillment opportunities.

3. Middle-Income Trap & Societal Challenges: Addressing Indonesia's societal hurdles, including poverty and child stunting, was central to their conversation. Gita and Jeremy emphasized the imperative for growth strategies that not only extricate Indonesia from the middle-income quagmire but also champion equitable progress. The importance of nurturing an informed citizenry was also stressed, to ensure a populace that recognizes its civic responsibilities and the consequential nature of their voting actions.

Jeremy and Gita also talked about the significance of legislative checks and balances, the role of foreign policy in shaping the country’s international relations, Singapore's view of the Indonesia electoral outcome and the importance of comprehensive educational reforms.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/golden-indonesia-2045

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/golden-indonesia-2045-in

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/indonesia-prabowo-victory-jokowi-legacy-golden-indonesia-2045-gdp-vision-and-middle-income-trap-societal-challenges-e389

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 21:00:13 +0000

David Zhou: Silicon Valley Thought Leadership, On Deck Community Building & Emerging LPs Investing in VC Funds - E388

David Zhou, Writer of Cup of Zhou & Head of Investor Relations at Alchemist Accelerator, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Silicon Valley Thought Leadership: David shared his journey from being a shy introvert to becoming a thought leader in the LP & VC space. He talked about his early exposure to entrepreneurship through his father's ventures that laid the groundwork for his ambitious career. Berkeley SkyDeck and On Deck catalyzed his transition to guide investments, advise, and help both startups and emerging fund managers. He underscores the power of personal growth and how his varied experiences enriched his understanding of venture capital, culminating in his current focus on LP decision-making.

2. On Deck Community Building: David discussed how his On Deck tenure offered valuable lessons on nurturing talent communities, intentional design and fostering a culture of innovation, speed & aggression. He also talked about his reflections on how communities shifted before, during and after the pandemic due to communication platforms. He also reflected on what it takes to make the transition from passive content consumption to active knowledge creation.

3. Emerging LP Investing in VCs: David delved into the multifaceted realm of fund investing, from the perspectives of both LPs and VC managers. He also shared about how the term “Emerging LP” was coined by Andrew Gluck from IrrvrntVC. He shared insights into the motivations and considerations for Limited Partners (LPs) within the ecosystem, alongside the strategic thought processes fund managers should employ. He also talked about his journey from being a content creator to an LP, the evolving nature of investment strategies, and the importance of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Jeremy and David also touched on his strategic cadence to cold emailing, maintaining consistent writing and publishing discipline, and the symbiotic relationship between technology and human engagement.

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

Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/david-zhou-id

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/david-zhou-silicon-valley-thought-leadership-on-deck-community-building-emerging-lps-investing-in-vc-funds-e388

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:00:14 +0000

Sao Lonsdale: “Fish In The Water” Journey, Vietnam Gen Z Consumers & LIXIBOX Founder Pivots - E387

Sao Lonsdale, CEO & Founder of LIXIBOX, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes:

1. “Fish In The Water” Journey: Sao shared about her family experience growing up in a military compound in front of the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum. Feeling the desire to explore, she moved to the U.S. as a teenager and found herself embracing new communities and cultural experiences. She also discussed how she was inspired by Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" book to eventually leave behind her US corporate career to return to Vietnam and launch a new venture.

2. Vietnam Gen Z Consumers: Sao highlighted the generational shift with the aspirational Gen Z, who never experienced the wars with the US, France and China, and are thus focused on building better lives. She noted the significant impact of TikTok, Instagram and local social media platforms on the retail landscape, as well as the growing consumer demand for personalized and niche products.

3. LIXIBOX Founder Pivots: Sao highlighted the initial market landscape that Lixibox had entered into, and how the startup had to rapidly pivot every six months in response to the swiftly changing Vietnam market (consumer behavior, market trends and platform shifts). She shared about the difference between high-end and mass-market brands, and what it takes to build a strong omnichannel presence that sells both in-house and partner brands' products online and offline.

Jeremy and Sao also talked about reverse culture shock, the impact of professional executive coaches, and her own personal skincare routine.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sao-lonsdale

Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sao-lonsdale-id

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sao-lonsdale-fish-in-the-water-journey-vietnam-gen-z-consumers-lixibox-founder-pivots-e387

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:00:20 +0000

Overreaction, Dislocation & Confusion, 2023 vs. 2024 Investment Landscape and $9B Annual Capital Intake & Realistic Exit Expectations with Shiyan Koh and Dmitry Levit - E386

Dmitry Levit, General Partner of Cento Ventures, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. 2023 vs. 2024 Investment Landscape: Dmitry, Shiyan and Jeremy discussed the Cento Southeast Asia Tech 2023H1 report and noted the discrepancy between the economic doom perception in the media and the reality of Southeast Asia’s funding numbers. Dmitry pointed out a "reset" in investment activity, with stable "core early funding stack" (Seed to Series A/B) maintaining momentum while later-stage growth deals significantly decreased. This bifurcation reflects a broader trend of cautious optimism among early-stage investors and a recalibration of expectations among late-stage financiers. They also underscored the importance of understanding these two parallel ecosystems for founders and investors alike, suggesting that strategies need to be adjusted depending on the stage of investment.

2. $9B Annual Capital Intake & Realistic Exit Expectations: Dmitry Levit observed that the long-term average capital intake for the region averages around $9 billion. He highlighted that prudent exit expectations in Southeast Asia should consider $100 million exits as very good, with exceptional cases potentially exceeding $250 million, and added further details on the growth rate. He emphasized the importance of disciplined fund strategies across IPO, trade sales, and secondaries.

3. Overreaction, Dislocation & Confusion: They discussed the fog of war in the region’s tech ecosystem driven by global economic pressures, media hype and doom cycles, and changing investment flows. Missed opportunities, strategy-market misalignments, and pressure on value-creation teams are currently being sorted out. They discussed how founders and investors need to urgently align their growth and exit strategies with the region’s market's realities. They also talked about the time lag of news absorption across the Vietnam ecosystem and how the search for the next "Indonesia" story is on pause.

Dmitry, Shiyan and Jeremy also talked about the role of perception vs. reality in shaping investment strategies, the challenges for the multi-country expansion narrative, and the "small-cap private equity without leverage" VC theme in play.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/overreaction-dislocation-confusion

Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/overreaction-dislocation-confusion-id

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/overreaction-dislocation-confusion-2023-vs-2024-investment-landscape-and-9b-annual-capital-intake-realistic-exit-expectations-with-shiyan-koh-and-dmitry-levitan-e386

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 21:00:10 +0000

Midlife Crisis: Navigating Change with Grace Across Career, Family & Identity To Achieve Self-Actualization - 385

Jeremy delves into the midlife crisis, distinguishing between dramatic Hollywood portrayals (fast cars, alcohol and irresponsibility) and the quieter, introspective reality many face. Coined by psychoanalyst Elliott Jaques in 1965, the midlife crisis is driven by the realization of mortality, sense of past limitations and the desire for change. Referencing psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" pyramid, he emphasizes the underlying foundational shift that people experience as they mature from deficiency "lack" motivators towards personal growth motivators. Beethoven suffered deafness in his mid-30s, and went on to compose his greatest musical works. Mike Posner at the age of 36 overcame his "I Took A Pill In Ibiza" days to redefine himself beyond his fame towards a more fulfilling personal life. Jeremy reframes the midlife crisis from a feared stagnation surrounded by community disapproval, towards a pivotal moment for growth, discovery and self-actualization.

Watch, listen or read the full insight in English at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/midlife-crisis

Saksikan, dengarkan atau baca wawasan lengkapnya dalam Bahasa Indonesia di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/midlife-crisis-id

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/the-midlife-opportunity-navigating-change-with-grace-e385

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:00:14 +0000

Rachel Wong: Law ChatGPT AI Revolution, Bastardized YC SAFE & Founder Legal Templates with FDLite - E384

Rachel Wong, startup lawyer & Founder of Founders Doc, and Jeremy Au discussed three main topics:

1. Law ChatGPT AI Revolution: Rachel discussed how ChatGPT is revolutionizing the legal profession and changing the way lawyers interact with clients and how they draft and amend legal documents. Rachel explained the significance of legal AI companies, such as Litera, in enhancing the efficiency of drafting processes for lawyers by clearly understanding and addressing their specific needs.

2. Bastardized Y Combinator Safe Agreement: Rachel delved into the complexities of the Y Combinator (YC) Safe Agreement and its impact from various perspectives including economic and control rights. She discussed the maladaptation of the Safe Agreement over time in response to economic shifts and the dynamics of negotiation power between startups and investors.

3. Founder Legal Templates: Rachel noticed increased demand by clients using online templates and AI for legal document amendments. They have launched FD Lite, a platform designed to make legal documents more accessible and affordable, especially for startups in the early stages of fundraising.

Jeremy and Rachel also covered the regulatory hurdles for legal entrepreneurs, increasing defensive specialization vs. commoditization within the legal sector, the expanding role of in-house legal teams, and the importance of making legal documents understandable to non-lawyers.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/rachel-wong-2

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://www.hdmall.co.th

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/rachel-wong-law-chatgpt-ai-revolution-bastardized-yc-safe-founder-legal-templates-with-fdlite-e384

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 21:00:09 +0000

Singapore: Founders Reviewing VCs, Startup Fraud Triangle & Difficult Wind-Down Decisions with Shiyan Koh - E383

In this discussion, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Founders Reviewing VCs: Shiyan reflected on founders conducting due diligence on their funding sources. They discuss the value (and further improvements) of public reference lists like TechinAsia’s Glasswall which indexes the fundraising process, and how founders should seek private feedback from (post-fundraise) portfolio companies.

2. Startup Fraud Triangle: Jeremy and Shiyan examined the darker side of the regional startup culture, including fraudulent accounting trends and their impact on the local funding ecosystem. They agree that while most founders don't set out to defraud, poor decisions under pressure can take the opportunity to conduct unethical actions.

3. Difficult Wind-Down Decisions: The vast majority of startups fail to meet expectations after substantial fundraising. Shiyan shared the rarity but reputational importance of attempting to return capital to investors when a pivot isn't feasible. She advises founders to treat investors with respect during wind-downs, as the startup industry is a "repeated game" where one's actions can influence future opportunities.

They also talked about the emotional toll of admitting failure, potential for biased VC reviews, and the societal role of media in reporting startup successes and failures.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/founders-reviewing-vcs

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/singapore-founders-reviewing-vcs-startup-fraud-triangle-difficult-wind-down-decisions-with-shiyan-koh-e383

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 21:00:15 +0000

Save Your New Year Resolutions, Misleading Weight Loss Industry & Personal Health Transformation with Nir Eyal - E382

Nir 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 rejuvenating lost aspirations. He advised to be thoughtful about the systemic approach to personal growth, rather than relying on transient motivations or flawed self-help strategies.

2. Misleading Weight Loss Industry: Nir took a critical look at the health and fitness industry, highlighting the ambiguity and often misleading information surrounding weight loss and exercise. He pointed out the vested interests in maintaining a level of confusion among consumers, with examples ranging from meal bars to dietary supplements. He advocated for debunking the quick-fix myths propagated by the fitness industry and a focus on the fundamentals: nutrition, regular exercise, and the importance of social connections.

3. Personal Health Transformation: Nir shared his personal transformation from being clinically obese to achieving fitness at the age of 46, highlighting his passions for surfing and running barefoot as key elements of his fitness regime. He also discussed his experiments with different activities, including the reasons why swimming and trampolining did not work for him and offered a personal perspective on finding joy in exercise and the trial-and-error process of discovering what works for individual fitness goals.

Jeremy and Nir also touched upon the broader implications of technology in facilitating behavioral change, the psychological challenges associated with dieting and exercise, and the role of community and social support in sustaining healthful habits.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sustainable-health-habits

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://www.hdmall.co.th

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/save-your-new-year-resolutions-misleading-weight-loss-industry-personal-health-transformation-with-nir-eyal-e382

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:00:14 +0000

Trasy Lou: Uber & Atome GM Launching Markets, Motherhood vs. Entrepreneurship, and Fintech Founder Learnings - E381

Trasy 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 countries to avoid reinventing the wheel and accelerate growth. Key insights included setting stretch goals, hiring for potential, and fostering a flat organizational structure for open communication

2. Fintech Founder Learnings: Trasy discussed how she founded Fluid, a flexible financing solution for B2B purchases, amidst a funding winter. She outlined the challenges and learning curves associated with fundraising and starting a fintech startup during economically tough times. She dispelled common misconceptions about fintech, specifically the differences between consumer and B2B fintech solutions. She also gave her advice on fundraising, highlighting the need for preparation and strategic timing.

3. Balancing Motherhood & Entrepreneurship: Trasy shared her personal journey of balancing the roles of a GM, founder, and mother. Her experiences during critical moments at Uber, including having her water break during a conference call, underscored the underestimated strength of women in leadership positions. She emphasized the importance of support systems, both within organizations and at home, for successful entrepreneurship and parenthood.

Jeremy and Trasy also talked about scaling across different geographies, hiring for potential to build effective teams, and securing debt facilities in fintech.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/trasy-lou-uber-atome-gm-launching-markets-motherhood-vs-entrepreneurship-and-fintech-founder-learnings-e381

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:00:07 +0000

Singapore: Silicon Box Unicorn, TheAsianParent Acquisition and Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Shifts (GIC, Temasek) with Shiyan Koh - E380

Shiyan 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 diversify their economies away from energy dependence.

2. Unicorn Silicon Box: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed Silicon Box (Singapore's latest unicorn), their veteran leadership and $2 billion Tampines facility build-out. They highlighted its role in the shifting landscape of semiconductor manufacturing in Southeast Asia and its implications for the region’s economic growth.

3. TheAsianParent Acquisition of Motherswork: Jeremy and Shiyan touched on the parenting platform’s strategy to expand from its digital roots into omnichannel physical retail. They also talked about the challenges brought by declining birth rates in several Asian economies, the dynamics of education, and national fertility & family policies.

They also touched on Noah Smith (Noahpinion with 139,000+ subscribers) wanting to work for Jacqueline Poh of Singapore's EDB (at the same managerial level as Patrick Collision of Stripe), and the reasons behind the interest in parenting startups in Southeast Asia, spanning services across childcare, IVF and egg freezing.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fund-investment-shifts

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/silicon-box-unicorn-theasianparent-acquisition-and-sovereign-wealth-fund-investment-shifts-gic-temasek-with-shiyan-koh-e380

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Jobless = Useless = Meaningless Life, Unemployment Neurosis and Man's Search For Meaning - E379

Jeremy 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) and Walter Kiechel's "Lords of Strategy" (Bruce Henderson bragged that he had been fired from all of his prior jobs prior to founding Boston Consulting Group (BCG)).

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jobless-useless-meaningless

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/jobless-useless-meaningless-life-unemployment-neurosis-and-mans-search-for-meaning-e379

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:00:11 +0000

Ajay Bulusu: Google & Grab Mapping Challenges, Geospatial B2B API SaaS Insights and Layoff Resilience with Bold Steps - E378

Ajay 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, testing machine learning, and crowdsourcing.

2. Geospatial B2B API SaaS Insights: Ajay delved into the complexities of developing a mapping technology stack and the balance between in-house development and outsourcing. He also shared the decision-making process companies face when choosing to build or buy.

3. Layoff Resilience with Bold Steps: Ajay recounted his personal story of resilience, particularly after being laid off from Google. He highlighted the significance of taking bold steps in challenging situations, like reaching out to the governor of California for help with his green card.

Jeremy and Ajay also talked about the role of technology in transportation and logistics, the evolution of the mapping industry, and B2B customer education strategies.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/ajay-bulusu-google-grab-mapping-challenges-geospatial-b2b-api-saas-insights-and-layoff-resilience-with-bold-steps-e378

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 21:00:15 +0000

Indonesia: Young Democracy Elections, Gen Z & Millennial 52% Electorate Majority & 2023 Bear Market Reflections with Gita Sjahrir - E377

Gita 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, and the significance in shaping policy. She also touched on the young age of political parties and emphasized the increasing cooperation between the public and private sectors post-1998.

3. Gen Z & Millennial Electorate Majority: Gita shared her observations about Gen Z in Indonesia, noting their active involvement in politics and public service, idealism, and significant role in addressing environmental and inequality issues. She highlighted the differences and similarities between Indonesian Gen Z and their global counterparts, emphasizing their active engagement in the political discourse through modern communication mediums like short-form video like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Jeremy and Gita also reviewed the evolution of democracies in Southeast Asia, the nuances of Indonesian politics, and the significance of party affiliations.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/indonesia-young-democracy

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/indonesia-young-democracy-elections-gen-z-millennial-52-electorate-majority-2023-bear-market-reflections-with-gita-sjahrir-wright-e377

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 21:00:06 +0000

Society's Hunger For Heroes (Anthony Bourdain, Ali Wong) and The Stories We Tell Other People vs. Ourselves - E376

Jeremy 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 explained what consumers would gain from becoming more aware of the incentives behind self-representation vs. external narratives, the process of media gatekeeping, and society's hunger for heroes rather than imperfect humans.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/hunger-for-heroes

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about HDMall here:

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/societys-hunger-for-heroes-anthony-bourdain-ali-wong-and-the-stories-we-tell-other-people-vs-ourselves-e376

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:00:11 +0000

Aaron Fu: Africa Market Complexity, Terrorism Tragedy & Purpose and Venture Capital Mission - E375

Aaron 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 accessibility, infrastructural development, and political stability, with examples of how government regulations and competition with local telecommunications companies shape the practical business reality for emerging startups.

3. Terrorism Tragedy & Risk: Aaron shared about the tragic loss of a friend and colleague in a terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. He discussed the real dangers of operating on the ground, and also the sense of purpose in building a better future for the next generation in Africa.

Jeremy and Aaron also talked about the impact of digital transformation, the evolution of consumer behavior, and the significance of building sustainable business models.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/aaron-fu-africa-market-complexity-terrorism-tragedy-purpose-and-venture-capital-mission-e375

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 21:00:15 +0000

Vietnam: US & China "Love Triangle," 2023 GDP Growth Underperformance & 2024 Economy Forecast with Valerie Vu - E374

Valerie 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 turmoil and credit crunch.

2. 2024 Vietnam Economy Forecast: Valerie shared her optimistic outlook for Vietnam's economy in 2024 with her expectation that the government will implement stimulus measures and improve policies to achieve a 6 to 6.5% GDP growth target. She believes that this is driven by the upcoming 2026 14th National Congress as well as the the continued shift from traditional industries to technology-intensive sectors, particularly semiconductors and software. She also emphasized Vietnam's transition from 'Made in Vietnam' to 'Make in Vietnam', signifying a new industrial policy push to move up the production value chain (as Singapore had done in the 1970s).

3. US & China "Love Triangle": They discussed President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping's 2023 diplomatic visits to Vietnam and how Western and Chinese media portrayed Vietnam's relationship with US and China. Valerie shared how the Vietnam government is focused on technology deals with the US, and infrastructure with China - and which country they are most aligned with.

Jeremy and Valerie also discussed the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economy, Vietnamese youth’s passion for entrepreneurship, and the significance of educational reforms in fostering innovation.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/us-china-love-triangle

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/valerie-monthly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 21:00:07 +0000

Misery Poker: Competitive Vulnerability, Social Validation Commercialization & Empathy Generational Shift - E373

Jeremy 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 engagement can be a path forward.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/misery-poker-competitive-vulnerability-social-validation-commercialization-empathy-generational-shift-e373

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 21:00:13 +0000

Henry Motte-de la Motte: Education Startup Challenges & Gritty Reality, Standardized Testing Debate vs. True Life Skills and Personal Passion For Learning - E372

Henry 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 standardized testing - advocating for its continuation but also recommending expansion to include more relevant 21st-century skills. He discussed the need for further educational reform with the aid of technology and an eye on the jobs of the future.

3. Education Startup Challenges & Gritty Reality: Henry spoke about the idealism prevalent in the education sector, the challenge of multi-stakeholder sales dynamics and the consequences of the pandemic-driven remote learning movement. He reflected on his personal growth as a founder operating across multiple countries and educational systems.

Jeremy and Henry also touched upon topics like the pivotal influence of government policies in education, the future of AI in learning, and the challenges of innovating within a traditional industry like education.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/henry-motte-de-la-motte

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/henry-motte-de-la-motte-education-startup-challenges-gritty-reality-standardized-testing-debate-vs-true-life-skills-and-personal-passion-for-learning-e372

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 21:00:13 +0000

2024 Regional Tech Forecast, 2023 Bear Market Reflections and Podcast Hosting Gratitude with Shiyan Koh - E371

Shiyan 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, faced in adapting to the bear funding landscape of 2023. Beyond founder mindset changes, they touched on the importance for VCs to conduct structural reflections on their investment decisions (both successes and failures) and the challenges due to the different incentives and lifecycles for junior and senior investors.

3. 2024 Southeast Asia Tech Predictions: Jeremy and Shiyan shared their predictions for 2024 such as the continued bear market challenges for later-stage companies that need to thus grow more to justify their bull-market valuations and/or conduct significant cuts. They view the press to be a lagging signal of these impending decisions. They also predicted deeper press and LP scrutiny on regional VC's individual investments (business models, operational efficiency and bottom-line sustainability). They also raised the upcoming political inflection points (and thus confluence) for the 2024 elections of Taiwan, USA, Indonesia and India.

They also talked about the significance of understanding unit economics for startups, the understated role of customer selection in business success, and the importance of understanding the multi-factorial causes of failure in the VC process.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/2024-tech-forecast

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/2024-regional-tech-forecast-2023-bear-market-reflections-and-podcast-hosting-gratitude-with-shiyan-koh-e371

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 21:00:08 +0000

20s "Hustle & Grind" to 30s "Health is Wealth": Army, Founder & Parent Life & Success Lessons - E370

Jeremy 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 requires focus and self-care.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/health-vs-success

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/special-ep-7-20s-hustle-grind-to-30s-health-is-wealth-army-founder-parent-life-success-lessons-e370

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 21:00:13 +0000

Carlo Chen-Delantar: Iron Triangle in Emerging Markets, Philippines Gobi VC & Alibaba Report & Career Journey from Social Impact to VC - E369

Carlo 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 allocation.

2. Gobi & Alibaba Philippines Startup Report: Carlo discussed the burgeoning startup landscape, the importance of understanding the local ecosystem, the role of technology in economic and social progress, and the challenges and opportunities for startups. He emphasized the structural and policy need to improve the ease of doing business and the attraction, retention, and training of talent across the country.

3. Emerging Markets Iron Triangle: Carlo explained the concept of the "Iron Triangle" in emerging markets (fintech, e-commerce & logistics). He shared specific FinTech opportunities and emphasized the significance of national ID systems and growth opportunities (in sectors like health tech and gaming) fueled by the young and digitally savvy.

Jeremy and Carlo also discussed the challenges of doing business, the cost of brain drain, government policies affecting startups, and the importance of inclusive development across different regions of the Philippines.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/carlo-chen-delantar

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/carlo-chen-delantar-iron-triangle-in-emerging-markets-philippines-gobi-vc-alibaba-report-career-journey-from-social-impact-to-vc-e369

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:00:10 +0000

Thailand: BCG Startup Report, Ecosystem Underperformance (Smallest in ASEAN-6) & Why The Time is Now with Wing Vasiksiri - E368

Wing 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 among the ASEAN-6 with only 180 funded startups (Singapore 1780, Indonesia 860, Vietnam 340, Malaysia 280, Philippines 185). Wing discusses key factors including entrepreneurship culture, limited risk capital, corporate-centricity of VC, language, startup talent flywheel, and lack of prior government support for innovation.

3. Why The Time is Now: Wing expressed optimism about the future of Thailand's startup ecosystem, citing positive changes driven by government funding initiatives, cultural shift towards entrepreneurship, strong stock exchange allowing for domestic listings, They also discussed other potential improvements that individual, corporates and policy-makers can choose to make.

Wing and Jeremy also talked about the impact of corporates on the economy, inequality's influence on startups, and Thailand's stock market’s unique liquidity paths for startup exits.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-bcg-report

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/thailand-bcg-startup-report-ecosystem-underperformance-smallest-in-asean-6-why-the-time-is-now-with-wing-vasiksiri-e368

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:00:08 +0000

Phoenix Founders: Revenge, Rebound & Rebirth Startups and How To Maximize Your Success As A Second-Time Founder - E367

Over 90% of VC-funded startup founders fail. In other words, the default scenario for a founder is moving on from their startup and figuring out their next career chapter. Most founders will naturally consider launching another startup vs. other employment opportunities. Learn more about Harvard research about what types of second-time founders succeed on their next venture. Jeremy then shares about the three patterns of sequel startups: revenge, rebound and rebirth startups. Examples include Adam Neumann (Flow vs. WeWork), Travis Kalanick (Cloud Kitchens vs. Uber), Kevin Systrom (Artifact vs. Instagram), Conrad Parker (Rippling vs. Zenefits) and Palmer Luckey (Anduril vs. Oculus). Jeremy then goes into how to gain personal closure, maintain professional integrity and explore what it takes to succeed in a new venture.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/paths-forward-revenge-rebound-and-rebirth-startups-e367

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:00:12 +0000

Anthony Tjajadi: Indonesia Market Insights, Trihill Capital Investment Thesis & Venture Capitalist VC Tradecraft - 366

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast:

Anthony Tjajadi, Founding Partner at Trihill Capital,and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Indonesia Market Insights: Anthony discussed that the necessary qualities of successful Indonesian founders are hard work, being savvy at market dynamics and understanding of local political nuances, with examples in supply chain challenges and consumer behavior in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He shared his assessment that while Indonesia boasts a large, young, and growing middle-class population, the potential for consumer spending is not as robust as macro indicators suggest.

2. Trihill Capital’s Investment Thesis: Anthony described Trihill Capital as a sector-agnostic, early-to-growth-stage VC that prefers investing in tech-enabled businesses. He talked about their focus on scalability, profitability, unit economics, and speed of growth when evaluating companies, as well as their approach to investing in public equities.

3. VC Tradecraft: Anthony advised about what VCs should look for in potential investments and how to navigate the Indonesian market in comparison to the US and China. He stressed the need for VCs to be extroverted and people-oriented, given the need for constant interaction with founders and other investors. He shared about the bold step he took in moving to Singapore to start the fund and advised aspiring venture capitalists to be prepared to make mistakes and understand their personal risk appetite.

Jeremy and Anthony also discussed the thesis behind investing in agritech, the necessity for founders to be fully aware of their market, and the importance of a strong support system for entrepreneurs.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/anthony-tjajadi-indonesia-market-insights-trihill-capital-investment-thesis-venture-capitalist-vc-tradecraft-366

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 21:00:15 +0000

Jelmer Ikink: 10 Year Life Projections, Foxmont VC Founding Vision & Childhood Curiosity (Lehman Brothers & McKinsey) - E365

Jelmer Ikink, Founding Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics:

1. Childhood Curiosity (Lehman Brothers & McKinsey): Jelmer shared about his childhood habit of walking around with his hands behind his back and asking questions. This deep-rooted curiosity translated into his academic life, initially pursuing finance for his undergraduate studies and law and diplomacy for his master's degree. He talked about his transition from investment banking at Lehman Brothers to McKinsey management consulting to entrepreneurial ventures in China and the Philippines.

2. Foxmont Founding Vision: Jelmer discussed how they decided on the name Foxmont Capital Partners after being inspired by the discerning nature of foxes as well as their regular meeting spots at the Fairmont and Raffles hotels. He highlighted Foxmont's commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial landscape in the Philippines. He also talked about the success of their annual Foxmont Summit that convenes the founder ecosystem.

3. 10-Year Life Projections: Jelmer dove into the significant risk he took in deciding to move to Asia and away from a more certain career path. He used the technique of projecting himself ten years into the future to weigh where he would rather be and what stories he would like to have accumulated in his life. He acknowledged that while parts of the journey turned out better (and worse) than expected, he had intentionally chosen to be more mindful of his experience with fewer expectations of himself.

Jeremy and Jelmer also talked about the future shifts in the Philippines’ investment landscape, the country’s macroeconomic growth and the role of luck in VC.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/jelmer-ikink-10-year-life-projections-foxmont-vc-founding-vision-childhood-curiosity-lehman-brothers-mckinsey-e365

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 21:00:08 +0000

Fandy Cendrajaya: Indonesia Bull vs. Bear Market, Founding Kopital Ventures and Tough Startup Exit Environment & Strategy - E364

In this discussion, Fandy Cendrajaya, Founding Partner of Kopital Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Indonesia Bear vs. Bull Market: Fandy talked about Indonesia’s evolving market sentiment from the bullish 2020-2021 to the more cautious investor sentiment in from 2022 to 2024. He shared the importance of being realistic in comparing Indonesia vs. benchmark startups in larger markets like India, China, and the US. He also explained the nuances of the local tech ecosystem across commodity-based growth, consumer-driven trends, and localization requirements.

2. Founding Kopital Ventures: Fandy described building Kopital Ventures with his cofounder who shared the same vision and complementary skill sets. He explained their LP fundraising approach by emphasizing their seed-only investments without follow-on funding, allowing them to collaborate with other VCs.

3. Tough Startup Exits & Strategy: Fandy emphasized the scarcity of significant exit opportunities for startups in Southeast Asia, which affects how VCs should both invest and counsel their portfolio companies. He talked about the IPO and stock performance of startups GoTo, Grab, and Bukalapak on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), and how this local listing approach contrasts with the US IPO strategy. He underscored why founders should therefore be more thoughtful and agile in their exit strategies, thus setting benchmarks for valuations and investor expectations better.

Jeremy and Fandy also discussed the importance of looking at company valuation comparables, the nuances of angel investing, and the significance of empathy in working with founders.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/fandy-cendrajaya-indonesia-bull-vs-bear-market-founding-kopital-ventures-and-tough-startup-exit-environment-strategy-e364

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 21:00:16 +0000

JX Lye: China vs. US Tech Culture, Career Decisions (Bytedance, Dropbox, Lyft and EDB) & Making Bank Integrations Fast & Simple with Acme - E363

JX Lye, Founder of Acme Technology and former Chief Product Officer of Endowus, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics:

1. Early Career & Academic Decisions: JX recounted his academic choices across junior college in Singapore, mandatory military service, University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree at Stanford University. He talked about his initial career at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) attracting tech investments to Singapore. He shared what he learnt working in the US as a Product Manager at the scaling growth-stage startups of Dropbox and Lyft.

2. China vs. US Tech Culture: JX discussed the differences between the US and China’s tech work environments. He noted the fast-paced, competitive and intense consumer focus of ByteDance, which required him to unlearn his US product manager training. He brought these learnings to Endowus as Chief Product Officer and worked on scaling both the front-end user experience for a seamless customer experience and the complex financial backend needed for compliance.

3. Revolutionizing Bank Integrations: JX shared how his insights at Endowus helped him identify significant inefficiencies in bank integrations and financial transactions. He saw the opportunity to streamline financial processes not just for fintech companies but also across various industries, which led him to build Acme Technology. He shared the challenges of starting a new company and emphasized the importance of continuous selling, customer focus, and adapting to market needs.

Jeremy and JX also talked about the emergence of the product manager role, the different market segments in fintech, and the importance of understanding real-world problems instead of theory.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/jx-lye-china-vs-us-tech-culture-career-decisions-bytedance-dropbox-lyft-and-edb-making-bank-integrations-fast-simple-with-acme-e363

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:00:10 +0000

Sonny Vu: Founding Misfit Wearables ($260M Fossil Acquisition), Vietnam American Roots and Navigating Tough Decisions - E362

In this episode, Sonny Vu, Founder of Alabaster and former founder of Misfit Wearables, and Jeremy Au discuss three main themes:

1. Vietnam & America Roots: Sonny talked about growing up in the Midwest as his older brother’s sidekick and a Vietnamese immigrant who spoke Vietnamese to his American friends. He decided to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois, but quickly realized his passion lay elsewhere - and shifted to eventually studying computational linguistics at MIT under Professor Noam Chomsky. He also shared why he felt Noam Chomsky was misunderstood by the broader public.

2. Founding Misfit Wearables ($260M acquisition by Fossil): Sonny’s entrepreneurial journey started when he participated in the MIT $50K Business Plan Competition with FireSpout, a startup focused on machine learning-assisted natural language processing (NLP). After selling his first startup, he co-founded other startups including AgaMatrix, an electrochemical biosensor for diabetes management, and Misfit Wearables, a wearable technology company that was eventually acquired by Fossil for $260 million. He discussed how he figured out product-market fit by reading 5,000 reviews of competitors’ wearables and emphasized the importance of timing and market needs. He also stressed the importance of assembling a crew that’s deeply committed to the mission beyond personal gain and celebrates the rare and precious servant leaders who prioritize the team and the mission over themselves.

3. Navigating Tough Decisions: Sonny shared a story of physical bravery while hiking in Turkey, as well as a critical business decision during his second company’s near bankruptcy, where ethical considerations led him to reject a term sheet that would have been detrimental to previous investors. He asserted that true bravery and courage emerge not from the absence of fear but from facing and navigating through it despite potential risks. The key is considering the long-term perspective of self-perception and integrity.

Jeremy and Sonny also talked about how the disciplines of art, math, and languages and are a unified pursuit of beauty, the evolving nature of entrepreneurship, failure as a more potent teacher than success, the importance of sales in startups, and the value of continuous learning.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

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

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sonny-vu-linguistics-ph-d-journey-with-noam-chomsky-50k-mit-business-plan-competition-startup-financing-ethical-dilemmas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com

#PublicService #Philippines #Healthcare #Harvard #SME #Telehealth #SocialImpact #Entrepreneurship #BRAVEpodcasts

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Camille Ang: Founding Hive Health, Harvard Kennedy School & MBA and Public Service Passion - E361

Camille Ang, CEO & Cofounder of Hive Health, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Family & Public Service Passion: Camille shared about her upbringing in a third-generation Chinese Filipino family that emphasized education and hard work. Her passion for public service and desire to address societal inequality through infrastructure development led her to start her career in the government sector. She noted the stark difference between working in the public sector (which offers a slow-moving but broad change) vs. the private sector (which provides rapid effect-focused impact).

2. Founding Hive Health: Camille highlighted the challenges of limited social health insurance coverage, care coordination, and prevalent misconceptions about healthcare in the Philippines. She co-founded Hive Health, a YC-backed full-stack health insurance company that offers comprehensive plans for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She elaborated that Hive Health integrates tele-health services and EMR systems to address the gap in healthcare accessibility, where less than 10% of the country’s population has HMOs. She also shared about the acquisition of Health Plan Philippines, which allowed the company to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to Filipinos.

3. Harvard MPA/ID & MBA: Camille shared about what she experienced at her joint Master of Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Harvard. She discussed her desire to understand poverty reduction, the role of infrastructure in emerging economies, and the impact of big businesses on society. She shared how her studies shifted her focus from macro-level industrial policies towards making a direct and meaningful impact in the Philippines and Southeast Asia through entrepreneurship.

Jeremy and Camille also talked about the nationwide legalization of Transport Network Vehicles (TNVs), the role of the public sector in driving legislation, and commuting as a metaphor for inequality.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/camille-ang-founding-hive-health-harvard-kennedy-school-mba-and-public-service-passion-e361

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Hive Health here: https://www.ourhivehealth.com/

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Bernard Chong: Acquittal of False Drug Smuggling Allegations, Childhood with World Balance and Building Philipines' eSports Community with AP.Bren - E360

Bernard Chong, Founder of professional esports organization AP.Bren, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics:

1. Childhood with World Balance: Bernard talked about his childhood experiences learning the family business, World Balance, the biggest local shoe brand in the Philippines. He learned from his parents about the importance of hard work, clear decision-making, and the importance of stepping back when necessary. He also explained how this foundational training later led to his future entrepreneurial ventures including an animation studio, the local coffee brand franchise Tim Horton’s, the platform business Easy Franchise, and now setting up businesses in the US.

2. Acquittal of False Drug Smuggling Allegations: Bernard recounted his 3-year struggle to prove his innocence after being falsely accused of smuggling $34M of methamphetamine. He shared how he had angel invested in FortuneYield, a cargo company, and how the culprit Wealth Lotus had misled the legal system to believe that FortuneYield had been the consignee. He described the emotional turmoil faced by his family, particularly his children, who faced ridicule and doubt due to the public nature of the accusations. He had to stay silent and have faith in the legal system while the investigation proceeded until he finally received the news that the court had acquitted him and revoked the arrest warrant.

3. Building the Philippines eSports Community: Bernard discussed how his love for gaming and the potential he saw when he observed communities forming around games like DOTA and Street Fighter led him to found the eSports team AP.Bren. He believes in the necessity of patience in allowing time for communities to grow organically. He also highlighted that youth can learn life lessons through professional gaming such as leadership, team management, planning, and resource management.

Bernard also touched on investing in different industries, building overseas, and his passion for teaching which led him to set up an education foundation.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/bernard-chong-acquittal-of-false-drug-smuggling-allegations-childhood-with-world-balance-and-building-philipines-esports-community-with-ap-bren-e360

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 21:00:17 +0000

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

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https://pod.co/bravedynamics/thomas-tsao-first-generation-immigrant-to-founding-gobi-partners-asia-career-growth-challenges-and-southeast-asia-investment-thesis-crouching-panda-hidden-tapir-e359

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Gabby Dizon: Founding Yield Guild Games (YGG), Web3, Gaming & Crypto Infrastructure and Generational Shift from Millennials to Gen Z - E358

Gabby Dizon, Cofounder of Yield Guild Games, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Founding Yield Guild Games (YGG): Gabby reflected on his childhood passion for computer games which led him to a career in game development and startups. He shared how he first met his cofounders Beryl Li and Owl of Moistness online, and how his CTO maintained his anonymity during a later $4.6M funding round from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).

2. Web3, Gaming & Crypto Industry: He delved into the cyclical bull-and-bear nature of crypto, and the contrasting roles of good and bad actors. He also discussed digital scarcity and how it applies to the gaming world, emphasizing the parallels with physical assets and trading. He also discussed YGG's strategic evolution from an asset lending model to a more comprehensive system involving quests, achievement platforms, and the integration of real-world applications like credentials.

3. Generational Shifts: Gabby spoke about the importance of bridging the gap between millennials, Gen Z, and future generations. He underscored the founder's responsibility of reshaping the world and normalizing new technologies and connects this to his personal experience as a father who is comfortable discussing with his children about Web3 as a place for learning and experimentation.

They also talked about the future of work and the relevance of traditional education, how content consumption influences actions, and the impact of communities in the crypto and gaming sectors.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/gabby-dizon-founding-yield-guild-games-ygg-web3-gaming-crypto-infrastructure-and-generational-shift-from-millennials-to-gen-z-e358

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Franco Varona: Grab GM to Foxmont Capital Partners, Empowering Filipino Entrepreneurs & Startup Success Blueprint - E357

Franco Varona, Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Entrepreneurial & Grab Beginnings: Franco detailed his early entrepreneurial experiences before the age of Google and widespread digital resources. He founded Creative Spark and subsequently Global Media, a company focused on advertising sales that serviced international media outlets. He shared how he was invited by Jesse Maxwell, a friend and later a partner at Foxmont, to launch Grab’s operations in the Philippines as country GM. He shared what it was like to live in founder Anthony Tan's apartment, to figure out how to localize and scale on-demand ride-sharing across Manila and other markets. He highlighted the hurdles he faced like dealing with slow and expensive internet infrastructure and training drivers to use smartphones.

2. Philippine Market Dynamics: Franco discussed his long-term vision for the Philippines, driven by a childhood dream of giving back to his home country. He discussed the growing middle class, the global diaspora's knowledge, and the rising adoption of digital solutions like mobile wallets. He also envisions a future where the local startup ecosystem is key for poverty reduction and education accessibility

3. Foxmont Capital Investment Philosophy: Franco discussed Foxmont Capital's mission as a cornerstone local VC investor to serve as a market filter and promote exceptional Filipino entrepreneurs, They initiated the Foxmont & BCG Philippine Venture Capital Report, which provides an annual overview of the country's rapid digital transformation, market insights and key changes. He discussed how they look at Indonesia as a benchmark startup market, and also share their investment philosophy that focuses on backing simple yet essential Filipino solutions to local problems.

They also talked about the role of CVCs in the Philippines, expectations vs. realities of building a business, and the pandemic’s impact on digital transformation.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/franco-varona-grab-gm-to-foxmont-capital-partners-empowering-filipino-entrepreneurs-startup-success-blueprint-e357

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 21:00:11 +0000

$1.5B ByteDance Tokopedia Investment with GoTo For TikTok Shop, Indonesia E-Commerce War & Winners. vs. Losers - E356

In this episode, Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics:

1. $1.5B Bytedance Tokopedia GoTo Deal Analysis: They discussed ByteDance's $500 million payment to acquire a 75% stake in the merged entity of Tokopedia and TikTok Shop Indonesia. This would create the new Indonesia e-commerce market leader with 40% market share. ByteDance committed to investing a future $1 billion into the operations of the new entity, which will contractually not dilute GoTo's 25% minority stake. The deal was motivated by TikTok's need to resume its Indonesia operations after a ban by the Indonesia government, Tokopedia's -0.4% adjusted EBITDA as % of GTV (Q3 2023), and the opportunity to create the #1 Indonesia e-commerce platform with larger economies of scale, a new media-led growth engine and a wider seller base.

2. Indonesia E-Commerce War: They discussed Indonesia's $52B e-commerce market: Shopee (36% market share), Tokopedia (35%), Lazada (10%), Bukalapak (10%), TikTok Shop (5%), and Blibli (4%). They explained how this consolidation reflects the regional trend of increasing focus on efficiency, logistics, and leveraging technological synergies to gain dominance, similar to Uber Southeast Asia's strategic sale to Grab to concentrate on core markets. Credit goes to Momentum Works and Freeman Ding for their analysis.

3. Winners, Losers, and Future Moves: They identified Indonesian consumers as clear winners due to continued intensive competition on lower prices and innovation in services, similar to the Uber vs. Grab vs. Gojek rivalry. They also discussed other beneficiaries, how this reflected the growing maturation of the region for M&A activity, and how competitors like Grab and Sea Group would react to this market development.

Shiyan and Jeremy also talked about the challenges of founders fundraising during the holiday season and their own upcoming family vacation plans.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bytedance-tokopedia-investment

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/1-5b-bytedance-tokopedia-investment-with-goto-for-tiktok-shop-indonesia-e-commerce-war-winners-vs-losers-e356

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Janson Seah: Time Theft & Blue-Collar Workforce Management, Market Selection & Entry and Product-Led Growth vs. Go-To-Market Motion - E355

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

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https://pod.co/bravedynamics/janson-seah-time-theft-blue-collar-workforce-management-market-selection-entry-and-product-led-growth-vs-go-to-market-motion-e355

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 21:00:11 +0000

David He: Startup Law Partnership Journey, Choosing the Right Lawyer & Founder Legal Roadmap - E354

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

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/david-he-startup-law-partnership-journey-choosing-the-right-lawyer-founder-legal-roadmap-e354

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:00:13 +0000

OpenAI Board Acceleration vs. Doomers, Job Displacement vs. Replacement & Parasocial Winners vs. Losers - E353

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/openai-board-acceleration-vs-doomers-job-displacement-vs-replacement-parasocial-winners-vs-losers-e353

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Scott Hartley: Global Pre-Seed VC, Regional Investment Insights & Valuation vs. Pricing Risk in Emerging Markets - E352

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

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/scott-hartley-global-pre-seed-vc-regional-investment-insights-valuation-vs-pricing-risk-in-emerging-markets-e352

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Tri Ahmad Irfan: Indonesia Upbringing to USA Tech Inflection Point, YC Founder Experience & CTO Engineering Leadership - E351

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

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tri-ahmad-irfan-indonesia-upbringing-to-usa-tech-inflection-point-yc-founder-experience-cto-engineering-leadership-e351

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:12:47 +0000

Indonesia: $1B Southeast Asia Climate VC Funding, Indonesia Energy Infrastructure & Investments, and Emerging vs. Developed Country Carbon Debates - E350

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

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/indonesia-1b-southeast-asia-climate-vc-funding-indonesia-energy-infrastructure-investments-and-emerging-vs-developed-country-carbon-debates-e350

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Acme Technology here: https://www.tryacme.com

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 21:07:29 +0000

Raffy Montemayor: Country General Manager Learnings, Classifieds Insights and Philippines Fintech Founder - E349

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/raffy-montemayor-country-general-manager-learnings-classifieds-insights-and-philippines-fintech-founder-e349

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Fengru Lin: TurtleTree Milk Precision Fermentation, Biotech Cofounder Serendipity & Balancing Commercial and Scientific Decisions - E348

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/fengru-lin-turtletree-milk-precision-fermentation-biotech-cofounder-serendipity-balancing-commercial-and-scientific-decisions-e348

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Conferences: Bad Event Organizers, Speaker & Moderator Hacks and Democracy vs. Republic Audience Engagement - E347

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/conferences-bad-event-organizers-speaker-moderator-hacks-and-democracy-vs-republic-audience-engagement-e347

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 21:00:09 +0000

Li Ling Yung: First Southeast Asian Woman to Swim The English Channel, 13 Hours & 34km of Sea Tides & Childhood Journey - E346

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/li-ling-yung-first-southeast-asian-woman-to-swim-the-english-channel-13-hours-34km-of-sea-tides-childhood-journey-e346

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Jianggan Li: China Tech Giant Expansion, Entering Southeast Asia & Venture Building Lessons - E345

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/jianggan-li-china-tech-giant-expansion-entering-southeast-asia-venture-building-lessons-e345

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Vietnam: Intel $1B Investment Withdrawal, Power Blackouts & License Delays and North vs. South Investment & FDI Flows - E344

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vietnam-intel-1b-investment-withdrawal-power-blackouts-license-delays-and-north-vs-south-investment-fdi-flows-e344

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Southeast Asia Agritech: Industry Players & Value Chain, Digitization and Mechanization & Livestock vs. Crop Farming Agriculture - E343

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/southeast-asia-agritech-industry-players-value-chain-digitization-and-mechanization-livestock-vs-crop-farming-agriculture-e343

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Alina Truhina: Climate Change Reality, Political Refugee Journey & Navigating ESG - E342

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/alina-truhina-climate-change-reality-political-refugee-journey-navigating-esg-e342

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Tech in Asia $30M Acquisition by SPH, News Industry Evolution & Fragmented Media Consumption - E341

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tech-in-asia-30m-acquisition-by-sph-news-industry-evolution-fragmented-media-consumption-e341

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 21:00:08 +0000

Three Lessons From Anthony Bourdain's Biography "Lost In Paradise" - E340

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/three-lessons-from-anthony-bourdains-biography-lost-in-paradise-e340

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Ryan Manafe: McKinsey to Founder, Indonesia Infrastructure Bottlenecks & Hub-and-Spoke Business Model - E339

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/ryan-manafe-mckinsey-to-founder-indonesia-infrastructure-bottlenecks-hub-and-spoke-business-model-e339

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Gita Sjahrir: Indonesia TikTok Shop Ban, Cloud Kitchen Shutdowns & Founder Market Adaption - E338

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/gita-sjahrir-indonesia-tiktok-shop-ban-cloud-kitchen-shutdowns-founder-market-adaption-e338

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Three Things I Learned From Turning 36 - E337

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/three-things-i-learned-from-turning-36-e337

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 21:00:11 +0000

John Aguilar: Philippines Business Reality TV, Methods to Greatness & Failure before "The Final Pitch" - E336

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/john-aguilar-philippines-business-reality-tv-methods-to-greatness-failure-before-the-final-pitch-e336

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Fluid! Get in touch with Trasy, Fluid’s cofounder at trasy@gofluid.io

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 21:00:16 +0000

Flash Coffee & Biofourmis Layoffs, Tech-Enabled Food Thesis & AI Productivity Regulations - E335

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/flash-coffee-biofourmis-layoffs-tech-enabled-food-thesis-ai-productivity-regulations-e335

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Matt Abrahams: Stanford MBA Public Speaking Research, Conquering Anxiety Biology & Gen Z vs. Millennial Attention Span - E334

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/matt-abrahams-stanford-mba-public-speaking-research-conquering-anxiety-biology-gen-z-vs-millennial-attention-span-e334

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Craig Bristol Dixon: Maximizing Startup Potential, Family Office Partnerships & Bravery vs. Stupidity - E333

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/craig-bristol-dixon-maximizing-startup-potential-family-office-partnerships-bravery-vs-stupidity-e333

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 21:00:08 +0000

Vietnam Semiconductor Investments with President Biden, Professional Learning White Space & Local Consumer Trends - E332

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vietnam-capital-investments-president-biden-visit-adult-learning-space-e332

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 21:00:06 +0000

Kevin Brockland: Founding IndelibleVentures, Elevating Malaysia's Startup Ecosystem & Navigating Fatherhood - E331

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/kevin-brockland-founding-indelibleventures-elevating-malaysias-startup-ecosystem-navigating-fatherhood-e331

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Tsun-Yan Hsieh: Board Leadership (Sony, Dyson & Singapore Airlines), Art of Coaching & Positive Influence - E330

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tsun-yan-hsieh-board-leadership-sony-dyson-singapore-airlines-art-of-coaching-positive-influence-e330

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Conglomerate Underperformance Bain Report, Super App Business Logic & User Trust Relationship Path - E329

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/conglomerate-underperformance-bain-report-super-app-business-logic-user-trust-relationship-path-e329

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Wilson Yanaprasetya: Warung Tech Deep Dive, Bridging Social Gaps & A Different Kind of Happiness - E328

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/wilson-yanaprasetya-warung-tech-deep-dive-bridging-social-gaps-a-different-kind-of-happiness-e328

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 21:00:21 +0000

Maria Li: Tech In Asia Editorial Ethos, Information Opacity & COO Conundrum - E327

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/maria-li-tech-in-asia-editorial-ethos-information-opacity-coo-conundrum

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Gita Rusmida Sjahrir: Founder to VC, Indonesia Market Narratives & Kauffman Fellowship Learnings - E326

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/gita-rusmida-sjahrir-founder-to-vc-indonesia-market-narratives-kauffman-fellowship-learnings

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Projjal Ghatak: Leadership Coaching, Venture Capital vs. Private Equity and Learning Power - E325

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/projjal-ghatak-leadership-coaching-venture-capital-vs-private-equity-and-learning-power

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Andy Hwang: Early Financial Curiosity, Capital vs. Coaching in VC & Risk Assessment - E324

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/andy-hwang-early-financial-curiosity-capital-vs-coaching-in-vc-risk-assessment

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 21:00:18 +0000

$4B Singapore Chip Fabrication Plant, Regional Web3 Investments & Corporate VC Funds - E323

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/4-billion-chip-fabrication-plant-southeast-asia-web3-landscape-corporate-vc-funds

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 21:00:19 +0000

Yann Schuermans: 400 Years Family Legacy, Indonesia Supply Chain & AB InBev to Circles.Life to Baskit Founder - E322

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/yann-shuermans-400-years-family-legacy-indonesia-supply-chain-ab-inbev-to-circles-life-to-baskit-founder

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Jennifer Ong: BlackRock to Style Theory GM to Life Coach, Career Transition Advice & Reframing Success - E321

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/jennifer-ong-blackrock-to-style-theory-gm-to-life-coach-career-transition-advice-reframing-success

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 21:00:18 +0000

Nir Eyal: Sleep Habit Fundamentals, Adding Friction For Mindful Technology Usage & Future Of Optimized Rest - E320

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/nir-eyal-sleep-habit-fundamentals-adding-friction-for-mindful-technology-usage-future-of-optimized-rest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 21:00:23 +0000

Maaike Doyer: Women Investor Syndicates, Diversification Strategies & Investor Risk Management - E319

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/maaike-doyer-women-investor-syndicates-diversification-strategies-investor-risk-management

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Cambodia Market Dynamics, Local Partnerships Nuance & Khmer Population and Industry - E318

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/cambodia-market-dynamics-local-partnerships-nuance-khmer-population-and-industry

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Founder-Investor First Meeting Dynamics, Pitching Preparation & Navigating The Conversation Framework - E317

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/founder-investor-first-meeting-dynamics-pitching-preparation-navigating-the-conversation-framework

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

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Ilya Kravtsov: Indonesia Property Market, Cultural Assimilation & Navigating Startup Transitions - E316

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/ilya-kravtsov-indonesia-property-market-cultural-assimilation-navigating-startup-transitions

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

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Der Shing Lim: Founder to Angel Syndicate Leader, Disrupting Yourself & Shifting Identities - E315

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/der-shing-lim-founder-to-angel-syndicate-leader-disrupting-yourself-shifting-identities

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:00:16 +0000

Vietnam Funding Gap, VNG & VinFast IPO and Zalo & TikTok Shop UX - E314

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/valerie-vu-vietnam-vc-landscape-deep-dive-vng-vinfast-ipo-zalo-tiktok-shop-ux

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Soul Defragmentation & Choosing Our Narrative - E313

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/soul-defragmentation-choosing-our-narrative

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Leanne Robers: She Loves Tech, Founder-VC Gender Feedback Dynamics & Entrepreneur Psychology - E312

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/leanne-robers-she-loves-tech-founder-vc-gender-feedback-dynamics-entrepreneur-psychology

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Down Rounds & Recapitalizations, Startup Failure Patterns and Founder Persevere vs. Pivot vs. Shutdown - E311

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/down-rounds-recapitalizations-startup-failure-patterns-and-founder-persevere-vs-pivot-vs-shutdown

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Q&A: Junior VC Performance & Investment Metrics - E310

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/q-a-8

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Daan van Rossum: Navigating Career Shifts, Vietnam Work Culture Landscape & Entrepreneurial Persistence and Trade-Offs - E309

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/daan-van-rossum-navigating-career-shifts-vietnam-work-culture-landscape-entrepreneurial-persistence-and-trade-offs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Listener Q&A: Founder-Investor Trust, Buy-Now Pay-Later Credit Models & USA SEC Regulatory Impact on SE Asia VC - E308

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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/listener-q-a-founder-investor-trust-buy-now-pay-later-credit-models-usa-sec-regulatory-impact-on-se-asia-vc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 21:00:10 +0000

WhenThe Egg Is Broken From The Inside, Life Begins - E307

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/whenthe-egg-is-broken-from-the-inside-life-begins

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Wai Hong Fong: Malaysian Dream, Gamer Founder Mindset & Point-of-Sale (POS) Industry Deep Dive - E306

“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://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/wai-hong-fong-malaysian-dream-gamer-founder-mindset-point-of-sale-pos-industry-deep-dive

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 21:00:08 +0000

Sea Group Stock Price 29% Drop, Digital Bank Strategy Synergy & Fintech Underwriting Quality - E305

“With fintech, people over-index on the math of why someone should do something. They forget about the psychology of someone buying that financial product. There are a lot of considerations that go into purchasing a financial product, and they're not all math. Most people are emotion-driven, not math-driven. Founders forget to talk to their customers about their considerations. They go straight to the numbers and the math, and a lot of people don't enjoy that because it doesn't resonate. They don't engage with it well.” - Shiyan Koh

“Neobanks were a huge category that got funded, but the report indicates only about 5% of them are profitable. This is where they run into that problem, which is you can go out and get a lot of users, but if you're not disciplined about how you underwrite and monetize them, it can be a money-losing proposition. It's on the neobanks and incumbent banks to improve the product experience and make customers stay even if other places offer slightly more interest.” - Shiyan Koh

“People tend to focus a lot on the cost of acquisition because that seems to be a more straightforward go-to-market. A lot of aspiring fintech founders end up getting shocked by the cost of capital, especially since there's been a lot of change over the past three years. So a lot of models that seem to work don’t work at different levels of cost of capital. I've seen some fintech founders fail when they don’t think about how each of these factors could change over time.” - Jeremy Au

Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, discuss three pivotal topics:

1. Sea Group's Strategy: They talk about the Sea Group’s 30% stock drop despite its profitability since Q4 of the previous year. The contraction is attributed to increasing competition from Alibaba (Lazada) and Bytedance (TikTok) across Southeast Asia, the decision to focus on growth to compete and the US public markets pricing in their assessment of the situation. 2. Digital Banks and Underbanked Market: They discuss the under-banked segment in emerging markets, where incumbent banks often focus on high-end customers. New players like Sea, Grab-Singtel, and Standard Chartered with NTUC Fairprice are entering the banking scene to target this underbanked segment and leverage their vast distribution networks. They also share the challenge of identifying the right financial services to offer to ensure profitable operations.

3. Southeast Asia's Fintech Models: They talk about the importance of founders having a clear understanding of their business model, especially on net interest margin. They underscore the value of knowing the cost of capital, acquisition costs, and the quality of underwriting early on to allow the business to be proactive rather than reactive.

They also delve into the rise of neobanks, benchmarking in the fintech realm, the essence of humility in founders, the crucial aspect of aligning with market realities, and how understanding underwriting accurately can shape the success trajectory of a FinTech startup.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-bank-strategy

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sea-group-stock-price-29-drop-digital-bank-strategy-synergy-fintech-underwriting-quality

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Founder Etymology Paradox: Building, Sinking & Audacity - E304

"This is the profile paradox that sums up the life of a founder. To be a brave captain setting sail on the vast sea of the unknown, to build a ship armed with nothing but a vision. The journey is filled with seas that are treacherous, the winds that are fickle, and the ever-present threat of foundering, of sinking beneath the waves. Yet every founder knows that to reach new horizons, they have to take this risk. Failure isn't as possible. It's probable. It's likely. Yet it's only true in the prospect of foundering that true resilience emerges as the strength to rise from the depths of failure." - Jeremy Au, Host of BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/founder-etymology-paradox-building-sinking-audacity

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:00:20 +0000

Triston Francis: Advice for Harvard MBA Admits, 120 Alumni Reflections & Crafting Your Life - E303

“You can meet a lot of people in the HBS MBA program. What you want to do is identify people that have a similar set of values and interests because those are the individuals that you really have the most potential to build with. The sooner that you can start getting to know your classmates, the better. It takes the nerves out because you start to realize that you and the other 929 people that are showing up on campus the same day have no idea what to expect. As I was talking to people that started, it normalized it for me and made me feel more comfortable.” - Triston Francis

“Therapy is a resource that was helpful. It's an opportunity to really sit and spend a concentrated hour with somebody who is trained at helping you unpack the things that you're thinking through. It doesn't have to be focused around areas that are negative. I view therapy as no different from going to the gym and working out to maintain a healthy body as opposed to fixing it when there's something wrong.” - Triston Francis

“I was a research associate of Organizational Behavior Professor Leslie Parlow. If it weren’t for that, I probably would've come out of HBS overly focused on the professional side of the equation. If you go to a place like HBS, things will work themselves out on the professional front for the most part. That doesn't mean that you're going to found the next unicorn. It means you'll be able to find good jobs that will allow you to provide for yourself and your family. The bigger variability I saw after interviewing 120 alumni was around how things shook out on the personal side of the equation. That's the bigger driver in people's satisfaction with how their life unfolded. There's a lot of value and importance in there that unfortunately gets overshadowed by the professional component.” - Triston Francis

This conversation between Jeremy Au and Triston Francis, who leads People & Organizational Strategy at Sea and former HBS Student Body Co-President, gives advice to incoming Harvard MBA students. The discussion highlights three main takeaways:

1. Thoughtful Planning: Triston emphasizes the importance of having a well-defined plan before starting the MBA program. He draws an analogy to being a DJ with a playlist and highlights the importance of setting clear goals and priorities to effectively utilize time and resources.

2. Veteran Stories and Nostalgia: Both Jeremy and Triston share their experiences and reflect on their time at HBS. Their anecdotes on social events, planning, and relationship building showcase the diversity of paths and opportunities available during the MBA program.

3. Embracing Experience and Uncertainty: They share the value of cherishing experiences, no matter how small. They encourage potential students to build deep connections with professors, administration, and peers and to be kind to themselves as they navigate the challenges they will face during this career inflection point.

They also discussed the significance of personal relationships and building communities, therapy as a helpful resource, and the creation process of the course Crafting Your Life, which aims to help MBA students live with greater intentionality.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/triston-francis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit: https://baskit.app/

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Biden’s China VC Investment Ban, Singapore Ecosystem Guide & Reverse Culture Shock

“I'm incredibly optimistic about this ecosystem. There's a lot of macro stuff that is really pushing us along that I don't think we could've imagined five years ago. Some of it is geopolitical, but in terms of what we, as an ecosystem, can do to help move it along further, there's this notion around information exchange and community building. Helping each other is really important. We want to encourage people to do that, to connect more, create more moments of this serendipity, and then, we can all prosper together.” - Shiyan Koh

“We need to get more comfortable sharing imperfect things and works in progress. Not everything is shiny and perfect. That's how we progress as an ecosystem. We have to show what we got, be transparent about where we’re struggling, and ask for help. That's how we're going to progress together. That's a point that we are still immature in this ecosystem. We want perfection, and we like to exalt people too early. We hold them up and be like, ‘This is a paragon of entrepreneurship.’” - Shiyan Koh

“Founders are generally more reticent in the region. I had a founder conversation recently. He didn't really want to show weakness to his investors. That's something we want to change. We want people to ask for help more. Everyone is figuring it out. It is okay not to know. It is normal, and you are going to know faster by asking, not pretending. We should be open about helping each other progress.” - Shiyan Koh

Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, discuss the Southeast Asia startup ecosystem and the key considerations for fostering growth. The conversation covers three key takeaways:

1. Biden Administration VC Investment Ban: Jeremy and Shiyan discuss that the ban is a progression in curtailing investments in Chinese semiconductors, quantum computing, and certain AI applications. This prompts VCs to reevaluate strategies and diversify into other regions due to concerns over reporting requirements and potential long-term legislative changes.

2. Ecosystem Density & Serendipity: They talk about entering Singapore's tech ecosystem, especially in regards to getting access to local communities and information asymmetry. They also talked about how Singapore is small yet the benefit is a dense ecosystem that allows for serendipity, interaction, and high-velocity networking.

3. Information Asymmetry vs. Sharing: They highlight the tension between sharing knowledge and keeping ideas secret. Shiyan believes that true value comes from unique execution rather than just knowing the concept. Jeremy points out that market players do benefit from information asymmetry especially incumbents and emerging market leaders, and has been weight against other pros and cons. They agree that fostering an environment of open collaboration is key to the growth of the region’s startup ecosystem.

Also, they talked about the challenges of reentering the Singapore ecosystem as a sea turtle, sharing imperfect work, and the role of media in highlighting startup success stories while acknowledging that fundraising announcements do provide a market signal of validation from gatekeepers.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-investment-ban

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/bidens-china-vc-investment-ban-singapore-ecosystem-guide-reverse-culture-shock-1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 23:14:33 +0000

Huijin Kong: Quitting McKinsey, Identity Metamorphosis & Helping 1 Million People to Uncover Their True Selves - E301

“For me, the purpose is very important. Everyone deserves to be helped. Some moments of conscientious crisis are situations when assessing if the leaders are being purposeful. Are they being selfless or self-interested? Sometimes, things can get a little bit political. Most leaders give their best, do things for the right reasons, try to rise to the occasion, and uncover something very powerful within themselves. I could continue every day to do what I do, and I love the privilege of witnessing these light bulb moments. I have a lifetime goal of helping at least a million people to uncover their true selves and channel that toward better decisions and more positive influence.” - Huijin Kong

“The principle I learned from reading a lot of books during my soul-searching era is awareness. It’s the process of metamorphosis. Something in you is dying and then your true self is emerging. Awareness means not being afraid to face it. It makes you mobilize different parts of your brain and your heart to guide you to what to do with it. It’s not practical to repress it.” - Huijin Kong

“I quit McKinsey and knew that the road had come to an end. I was learning some things, but not at the rate that I wanted to, and I was afraid I’d get stuck in the exploration. I quit without having any alternatives. I went through three to four years in my own pursuit of trying to find myself and be a person that I could only vaguely, intuitively feel. People felt sorry for me saying I’ve really lost it. They said I had so much potential, but they didn’t know what's going become of me. Some people thought I was depressed. The whole process of letting go of an old self and birthing the true self is a very tumultuous, emotional one. It's almost like dying and renewing yourself.” - Huijin Kong

In this conversation between Jeremy Au and Huijin Kong, Principal at LinHart Group and co-author of Positive Influence: The First and Last Mile of Leadership, they discussed personal evolution, leadership, and positive influence. The discussion illuminates three primary themes:

1. The Unveiling of Self-Identity: Huijin opens up about her dynamic personality, portraying herself as an energizer bunny, compass, and challenger. From her academic star student beginnings to her time at McKinsey, she candidly shares her evolution and passion for helping others become better leaders and influencers.

2. The Metamorphosis of Identity: Huijin delves into the complexities of identity transformation, sharing her own shift from old identity death to new identity rebirth. She offers poignant advice for those undergoing similar shifts, emphasizing the importance of confronting uncomfortable feelings.

3. Positive Influence and Purposeful Leadership: Huijin discusses her co-authored book 'Positive Influence.' She fervently articulates the need for more positive influences in our society, particularly in leadership roles, despite the prevalence of negative influences.

Throughout the conversation, they also talked about Huijin’s learnings from her soul-searching journey, the significance of self-awareness in personal growth, and balancing productivity and caring for other people’s well-being.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/huijin-kong-quitting-mckinsey-identity-metamorphosis-helping-1-million-people-to-uncover-their-true-selves

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 21:00:10 +0000

56% Startup Funding Decline 2023, Indonesia Bans <$100 SKU E-commerce Imports & Founder Fundraising Tactics

“For us sitting in the pre-seed stage, we really haven't changed our pace, but for the portfolio companies who are raising seed and plus, we've definitely noticed a slowdown in processes. Public market valuations are coming down and that cascades all the way down through the different private stages. Normally, it's a six-month lag. We're starting to see that kick in. We're also in the lull of summer where things tend to slow down a little bit on the deal-making side, so this is consistent with what we're seeing in the market.” - Shiyan Koh

“The general rule is things always take longer than you think. If you're going to raise, you need to start sooner and you need a plan B. You need to figure out if there’s a way you can get to cashflow breakeven faster in order to take control of your own destiny. We're seeing that in good and bad ways. In good ways, people have been cutting a lot and some companies are finding out they’re running a little too fast and can achieve similar results on a much lower opex space. The bad thing is that some people won't cut in time and they're not going to make it.” - Shiyan Koh

“A lot of protectionist policies have started to come out. India recently did an export ban on rice, which also has a net transfer of wealth and consumer surplus dynamic. Who benefits and who doesn’t? The winners at the top of my head are the small medium manufacturers in Indonesia and the domestic workforce that's associated with it. Another thing I think about is that there could be some e-commerce enablers or middlemen who basically are buying these goods in the right regulatory licensing. These middlemen would benefit to some extent because the demand will still be there.” - Jeremy Au

In this conversation, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh discussed the ever-evolving Southeast Asia startup landscape. The discussion covers three main themes:

1. Startup Funding Decline: They discussed the significant 56% decline in startup funding in the first half of 2023, as reported by DealStreetAsia. This sheds light on the complexities entrepreneurs face in securing financial support and the need for strategic planning, timeboxing, and adaptability in uncertain times.

2. Indonesia's E-commerce Law: They talked about Indonesia's decision to ban imported goods below $100 on e-commerce platforms and have digital marketplaces seek permits and pay taxes like small businesses. They explored the implications of this move for businesses and those who will benefit (small, medium manufacturers, e-commerce enablers & middlemen) and those who won’t (ByteDance’s TikTok, Chinese manufacturers & e-commerce platforms selling cheap items).

3. Globalization and Protectionism: They shared their insights on the pros and cons of protectionist policies adopted by some countries. They discuss how these measures can impact local companies' growth and competitiveness, raising questions about finding a balance between protecting domestic industries and fostering global trade.

They also shared valuable tactics for founders aspiring to raise, India’s legislation on regulating low-cost, low-value cross-border products and the resurgence of deal volume in Vietnam.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-funding-decline

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/56-startup-funding-decline-2023-indonesia-bans-100-sku-e-commerce-imports-founder-fundraising-tactics

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Nir Eyal: Mastering Indestractability (Managing Internal Triggers & Taking Personal Responsibility), Distraction vs. Traction & Taming the Technology Beast - E299

“These days, we have so many labels around. Some say they have a short attention span, that they have an addictive personality, or they’re not good at time management. We use these labels that are really self-defeating. If you believe in these labels, you will act accordingly, so choose a good label. The best label is to become indistractable. I chose that title because it sounds like indestructible. It's meant to be a moniker that you can use to say that’s who you are.” - Nir Eyal

“There's no such thing as overnight success in business, even the fastest growing companies. It takes consistent effort. That's really the secret to a life well-lived. It's putting in the time in the right places in your life according to your values. So many people are cheap with their money, but when it comes to their time, they give it away to whoever wants it. It should be actually the opposite because you can always make more money, but you can't make more time. We should be stingy with our time and generous with our money.” - Nir Eyal

“Most people would say the opposite of distraction is focus. That's not exactly right. Based on the word’s entomology, the opposite of distraction is traction, which means any action that pulls you towards what you said you were going to do. Both words have the same Latin root ‘trahere’, which means to pull. Traction is any action that pulls you towards what you said you were going to do and distraction is any action that pulls you away from what you plan to do. Distraction is an action that we ourselves take. It depends on the intent.” - Nir Eyal

This conversation between Jeremy Au and Nir Eyal, the bestselling author of “Hooked” and "Indistractable," shares insights into mastering focus and avoiding distractions. The discussion revolves around three key themes:

Understanding the Psychology of Distraction: Nir explains the internal and external triggers that lead to distraction and emphasizes the importance of mastering emotional discomfort as the first step to becoming indistractable.

Time Management and Calendar Control: He highlights the significance of planning time for traction, aligning one's schedule with personal values, and using schedule syncs to prioritize tasks and prevent distractions.

Building Consistency and Identity: He also shares his personal journey towards becoming indistractable and advocates for adopting the identity of an indestructible person to make focused choices consistently.

Throughout the conversation, they talk about the power of intentionality in one’s personal and professional life, implementing the strategies outlined in his book. They also discussed the impact of technology in creating habits, the challenges of writing a book and achieving personal growth through consistent effort.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/nir-eyal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:00:17 +0000

Request for Startups: LLM for Bahasa Indonesia, Community Unbundling, Wealth Advisors and More - E298

“A lot of social science research reinforces the idea that changing your context helps you change your behavior. Imagine if there was a bot that makes everyone more active. It can egg you on and make the passive dynamic a little bit more active to remind you where your goals are. These are not technically complex and you could see them becoming ubiquitous. These little voices are trying to nudge you in a specific direction.” - Shiyan Koh

“Generative AI is really helpful because there's a trust component. If you have multiple accounts, you traditionally need an agent or representative to support you. There's also a privacy component. I can tell them everything. To some extent, you could trust an AI a little bit more because it's not talking to a human who could potentially talk about the topic over dinner, no matter their NDA. So yeah, that's a really interesting idea. I think that's a good idea. Especially because you know, you can do all the things right? It can be like a real wealth advisor.” - Jeremy Au

“What’s interesting about the things people wish existed is that they weren't that crazy. There were a bunch of requests for things that are not that far off but the challenge is not the technical execution. We’ve seen various versions of these but they've never really taken off because of distribution or monetization challenges.” - Shiyan Koh

In this insightful conversation between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, the Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, they talk about entrepreneurship and forward-thinking perspectives on innovative ventures. The discussion highlights three pivotal areas:

Language Model Advancements: The conversation highlights the potential of exploring Large Language Model (LLM) technology for Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. The applications of LLM in these languages could revolutionize communication and accessibility, opening up new opportunities for businesses in diverse markets.

Community Unbundling and AI: They introduce the concept of community unbundling, where AI-driven platforms can empower individuals to navigate personal finance and health decisions independently. The idea of a personal financial advisor powered by AI that analyzes individual spending patterns is particularly intriguing.

AI Applications in Health and Wellness: The conversation delves into the possibilities of AI applications in the health and wellness space. Shiyan Koh and Jeremy Au discuss the potential of AI health assistants, capable of nudging individuals toward their fitness goals and providing personalized feedback on nutrition and exercise choices.

The discussion provides a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and personal management systems, from finance to health, making it a must-listen for entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future of AI applications.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/request-for-startups

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/request-for-startups-llm-for-bahasa-indonesia-community-unbundling-wealth-advisors-and-more

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Sherry Jiang: Web3 Market Turbulence, Product-Market Iteration & Team Trust - E297

“Trust makes teams efficient because you don't have to fact-check and feel anxious about what someone else is doing. Everyone knows what’s going on so the flow of information is hyper-fast. We’re not like separate brains trying to figure out what each other knows at certain points in time. We're operating with a hive mind and are all collectively in the same context. This is not always perfect, so it's something that we really strive for because execution is not just about yourself but the team as well.” - Sherry Jiang

“Most of the time, what you think is a brilliant idea for your company isn't what comes out. When you start executing it, meeting real potential users, and building the product, it evolves and changes to something that you may have not even imagined in the beginning. A startup should figure out a way to experiment and test what can work in the cheapest way possible. You should be hypotheses-driven and find a way to test and validate the idea. Once you have the inkling that you’re potentially right, narrow down your space, double down in that area, and soon, you will realize that there are a million more ideas related to what you're doing that you have to solve.” - Sherry Jiang

“The idea of things going well feels so foreign because we’re used to the bear market right now. You always have to manage risks. When cataclysmic events happen, you don’t want to be caught on the wrong end of things. We are a company born out of a market where being prudent and cautious is better than being aggressively growth-oriented. We are able to learn the lessons about risk management without suffering as many consequences.” - Sherry Jiang

In this engaging conversation between Jeremy Au and Sherry Jiang, the cofounder of Bluejay Finance, they delve into the world of cryptocurrency entrepreneurship and the challenges faced in the Web 3.0 era. Sherry shares her journey from tech leadership roles at Google and Amazon to founding her own crypto startup, providing practical lessons on risk management and asset diversification. She emphasizes the significance of execution and teamwork in the startup landscape, and how her company fosters efficient communication and builds trust within the team. Sherry's personal growth as a founder shines through as she discusses overcoming stage fright and embracing vulnerability to thrive in entrepreneurship.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of Sherry's career from tech giants to founding Bluejay Finance

• Challenges and lessons learned during the collapse of FTX and the importance of risk management and diversification

• The value of efficient execution and teamwork in startup success

• Balancing strategic planning with rapid execution in the fast-paced crypto space

• Sherry's personal journey and growth as a founder, embracing vulnerability and bravery

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sherry-jiang-web3-market-turbulence-product-market-iteration-team-trust

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 23:44:19 +0000

Taylor Swift UOB Card 45% Surge, 17.4% Women VC Representation & Career Advice for Investors - E296

“There are a lot of requests from people wanting to break into the VC space. I encourage people to start thinking about the VC processes like sourcing, picking, helping, exiting, and demonstrate their competence by writing about it. Show a record of your thinking because that's essentially what investing is. It's thinking and making a decision. I don't encourage people with pure finance backgrounds to go straight into early-stage VC where it’s pretty hands-on and operational and you won't have a lot of context or empathy for that stage. I always encourage people that if you've only done two years banking or you’re fresh grads, go work at a company first instead of trying to get straight into VC.” - Shiyan Koh

"You have to meet and believe in the founder, but you also have to do the math on the market size, the product market fit, and the acquisition costs. If you do the math, you're better than a good chunk of investors out there. You have to be thoughtful about putting the numbers in writing and ask yourself if you believe it. There's a huge value added to the founder when you have that conversation with them openly, and it's also a great way for you to better differentiate between good and great companies” - Jeremy Au

“We strive for an unbiased, open application process and if it's someone we know personally, we try to ask someone else on the investment team to evaluate it. We try to remove bias from all parts of the system, and that's our part of the universe that we're trying to make as fair as possible. That goes back to what is the zone that you can control. We want to promote other women, suggest them for speaking spots, and make introductions for them, but at the end of the day, there are other things that we’re not going to be able to control.” - Shiyan Koh

In this insightful conversation between Jeremy Au, and Shiyan Koh, the Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, they discuss various aspects of venture capital and investing. They highlight the importance of diversity and representation in the VC industry, the need to address biases, and a fair and unbiased approach to the investment process. They also delve into the challenges faced by women and minorities in the field, along with the significance of mentorship and support in breaking into VC.

Jeremy and Shiyan share advice for aspiring VCs, emphasizing the importance of understanding companies deeply and demonstrating competence in sourcing and picking. They discuss the indeterminate nature of venture investing and the need to enjoy the process, despite its uncertainty. Reflecting on their experiences, they offer insights into the journey of a VC and the value of continuous learning.

Key Topics:

• Importance of diversity and representation in the VC industry

• Addressing biases in the investment process

• Challenges faced by women and minorities in VC

• Significance of mentorship and support in breaking into VC

• Understanding companies deeply and demonstrating competence

• Embracing the uncertainty and enjoyment of the venture investing process

• Continuous learning and growth as a VC

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/women-vc-representation

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/taylor-swift-uob-card-45-surge-17-4-women-vc-representation-career-advice-for-investors

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://www.nodeflair.com/

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Phillip An: Vietnam Property Financing, First Vietnamese Y Combinator Startup, Cofounder Firing & Probabilistic Thinking - E295

“In the early stages of a startup, it’s not your monetization or competitors that can kill the company, but the team. Most of this is due to cofounders’ conflicts. When you have tough times, it's up to you to actually survive through them, so finding a cofounder whom you get along with and who serves as your anchor is the most important thing to do.” - Phillip An

“My mentors pushed me towards probabilistic thinking. When I have a really tough decision to make, I think about it as an expected value equation where if you take two choices, within each probability, what is the expected value of success that could drastically change your outcome?” - Phillip An

“It's very hard to run a business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we explored other business models that solved the needs of the market at the time and we survived through it. We have the kind of mentality that regardless of what happens, we can power through and we can be the ones that prove everyone wrong. It's almost like having that chip on your shoulder. It’s such an important experience to have that conviction to just go for it and not look back.” - Phillip An

Jeremy Au and Phillip An, the founder of Homebase, touched upon the challenges and opportunities in the Southeast Asian property sector, the journey of building a startup, and personal experiences in entrepreneurship. Phillip shared valuable insights on navigating complexities within the organization, balancing financial sustainability and market needs, and the importance of a strong founding team. He also discussed the significance of home ownership in Asian culture and how Homebase aims to address the growing home price crisis. Additionally, Phillip shared a personal story of overcoming adversity during the early stages of his company.

Key Topics:

Challenges and opportunities in the Southeast Asian property sector
Building a startup and the importance of a strong founding team
Balancing financial sustainability and market demands
Addressing the home price crisis and the significance of home ownership
Overcoming adversity and personal experiences in entrepreneurship

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/phillip-an-vietnam-property-financing-first-vietnamese-y-combinator-startup-cofounder-firing-probabilistic-thinking

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Family Office Investment Dynamics, Conspicuous Consumption & Social Inequality & Redefining Local - E284

“I hope they invest in the local ecosystem and not just in financial assets. The benefit of being wealthy is you can do what you want. Instead of a Lamborghini, can you invest in public art and public education? Can you invest in sports and things that a lot of people can enjoy? That improves the quality of life in the city and the people around you. It’s not just for personal benefits. Hopefully, we build more robust and deep capital markets, which are things that New York and London have had a stranglehold on, and it would be great to be able to shift some of that center of gravity out to Asia.” - Shiyan Koh

“In the short term, family offices will continue to go up. Singapore is working hard to attract wealth from Europe, the US, and China. I think more jobs will be created because more family offices will start to hit their two to three- year timeline to start hiring local professionals. That will start emerging as its own vertical.” - Jeremy Au

“One of the concerns people have in working for a family office is how much decision-making authority they will have. Ultimately, is everything going to be decided by the principal, or will you have the latitude to build a more institutional investment process and committee? At the same time, there is an incredible opportunity in working with families that want to be aggressive, want to diversify, and build new platforms. I’ve seen friends come out from institutions to help bigger families build new verticals.” - Shiyan Koh

Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh shared insights regarding family offices and their influence on Singapore's economy were discussed. They explored the motivations behind family offices seeking global investments, the unique characteristics of family office landscapes, and the challenges and opportunities they present.

Key Topics Discussed:

Global Investments: Family offices are increasingly diversifying their portfolios by seeking investments outside their home countries, driven by the desire for exposure to different geographies and asset classes.
Role of Private Banks: While family offices typically receive advice from private banks, they seek additional opportunities beyond what traditional financial institutions can provide, particularly in terms of access to emerging managers or smaller funds.
Allocation and Family Dynamics: Financial advice to family offices revolves around diversification, helping them move away from being solely exposed to their core operating businesses. Discussions around wealth transfer, familial decision-making, and philanthropy play a crucial role in shaping their strategies.
Impact on Local Economy: Singapore has witnessed a rise in family offices, attracting talent and investments, which contribute to job creation and economic growth. Family offices are encouraged to invest locally and contribute to the development of capital markets.
Societal Considerations: Balancing the influx of wealth with social cohesion is a challenge, and conversations around social support, inequality, and defining the notion of "local" are ongoing. The importance of avoiding conspicuous consumption and embracing community engagement is emphasized.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/family-office-investment-dynamics-conspicuous-consumption-social-inequality-redefining-local

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Nir Eyal: Habit Design Masterclass (Trigger, Action, Variable Reward & Investment), The Carrot Is The Stick & User Behavior Hooks - E293

“The carrot is the stick. The brain gets us to do anything and everything for one reason, and that is to escape discomfort. Everything you do, every product you buy, and every action you take is about the desire to escape discomfort. Even the pursuit of pleasurable emotions, wanting, lusting, craving, and desiring are uncomfortable. We have to realize that from that perspective, it doesn't help us to think about customer needs in terms of wanting to feel good. It's much better to think about the pain points.”- Nir Eyal

"An internal trigger is an uncomfortable emotional state that we seek to escape, like boredom, loneliness, fatigue, uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. When the user feels that internal trigger, they look for relief with our product or service. It is always a negative emotion. The only reason why people use a product or service is to manipulate their mood. It's to feel something different. As a product designer, entrepreneur, or marketer, you have to understand the feeling that your customer is trying to escape before focusing on the product feature, which is less important." - Nir Eyal

“The brand is not what keeps people coming back. What Shein has is economies of scale. They can make stuff dirt cheap. Walmart used to be all about cheap products, then Amazon came along and it was also doing the same thing. After that, Shein came along, and there will be something after Shein that makes stuff super cheap. Competing on price alone can be a winning strategy, but you're going to have a lot of knives on your back. You have to be careful because somebody's going to try and copy that very quickly, especially since we know people at manufacturers in China are emulating and copying these types of strategies. I would take out the Hook model and ask myself where it is the weakest. It is weakest in the investment phase. This can be fixed by personalizing the product based on customer preferences.” - Nir Eyal

In this insightful discussion between Jeremy Au, a Venture Capitalist, and Nir Eyal, an expert on habit formation, the focus is on the Hook Model and its relevance in different industries. The conversation delves into the trigger, action, variable reward, and investment phases that create habit-forming products. The key takeaway is that by understanding and implementing the Hook Model, businesses can cultivate user engagement and loyalty. The discussion highlights real-world examples, including edtech and health tech, where the model is being successfully applied.

Key Topics Discussed:

The four phases of the Hook Model: trigger, action, variable reward, and investment
The importance of understanding user psychology and internal triggers
Examples of habit-forming products in industries like edtech and health tech
The role of personalization and customization in creating stickiness
The potential of future developments in e-commerce and personalized experiences
The need for businesses to go beyond price competition and focus on creating habits

This engaging discussion provides valuable insights into how businesses can leverage the Hook Model to create engaging products and services that build long-term customer relationships.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/habit-design-masterclass

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/nir-eyal-habit-design-masterclass-trigger-action-variable-reward-investment-the-carrot-is-the-stick-user-behavior-hooks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://www.nodeflair.com/

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:00:17 +0000

Super Apps Dive (Grab, GoTo & WeChat), Vietnam’s World-Class Education System & Founder Leadership Transitions (Spenmo)

“As a country, investing in education is a no-brainer. It can increase the marginal productivity of the citizens, thus increasing GDP. Often, education gets politicized. There’s also a cultural aspect where rich people want their kids to go to better schools. They spend money on them and take control of what their kids learn. It can lead to a bifurcation where you can have more or less resource schools. That leads to people pulling their kids out of public systems to go to private systems, which also leads to defunding of public systems and eventually to a negative cycle.” - Shiyan Koh

“At the end of the day, you have to be really clear and honest with yourself on what the actual math of user acquisition and repeat usage is. Be disciplined in seeing cohort profitability and getting people to come back. People do a lot of price comparisons and they don't have as much loyalty. It makes the additional usage of other services weaker, whereas anyone who has gone to China and used WeChat or Ali, has really been blown away by that ecosystem where you can do anything and everything runs on the same payment rails. Ultimately, that is incredibly sticky and compelling.” - Shiyan Koh

“It's important for Southeast Asia’s education system to be well-managed. You need both the quality of management and the quantity of capital to go into it. Vietnam is turning into a technology hub because they are highly sophisticated in computer engineering and how they're looking at the world. Everyone says Vietnam is so good, but they don't talk about the education system decisions that were made 30 years ago. People ask what it takes for this country's ecosystem to be a great technology place. I say we have to talk about education today and in 30 years, we're going to see the tech system ecosystem evolve.” - Jeremy Au

In a thought-provoking conversation between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights emerge. The discussion covers product-market fit, the challenges of monetization, the importance of customer education, and the dynamics of leadership transitions in companies. They also delve into the Vietnamese education system, highlighting its success and the factors contributing to its effectiveness. One key takeaway is the need for startups to carefully consider their monetization strategies and align them with customer behavior and willingness to pay. It is crucial to understand the value proposition and educate consumers effectively to generate recurring demand and avoid pulling forward future demand.

The discussion on leadership transitions reveals the ongoing debate between founder-led companies and the introduction of professional management. While some companies benefit from founder leadership throughout their growth stages, others thrive with the expertise of experienced managers. The conversation highlights the importance of striking the right balance between technical skills and management capabilities.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/super-apps-success-emerging-vs-developed-markets-educational-landscape-vietnam-vs-southeast-asia-continuous-learning-through-technology

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Michael Smith Jr.: Embracing Generalism, Parenting in the Age of AI and Technology Duality (Good vs. Bad Faith Actors) - E291

“The world is going to be more generalist. It’s tough to pick one thing. I find that I can let myself off the hook by not picking one thing and doing lots of things and learning. Fortunately, in tech careers, that can work. A lot of papers call it deep generalism. People that you think are specialists have a background in being more of a generalist until they found something they loved and excelled at.” - Michael Smith Jr.

“I don't think the Southeast Asia ecosystem is bad. We’re seeing the first true downturn. This is the most layoffs we have ever seen in big tech in our own backyard. I'm fortunate that I'm okay, but I know people that are not and I totally get that, but I don't think you can put a stamp on the whole thing and say it is messed up.” - Michael Smith Jr.

“This idea of unfettered access to a supercomputer for an 11-year-old is not a good thing. I'm glad I didn't experience that, but I do think computers are a part of our life and AI is real. I'm in the camp that says this is going to be like a superpower that will allow us to do more things, but there will always be people that are bad actors. I do think it will help more often than not. It's an interesting time because it's moving faster at a speed that we're not used to and there's still a lot of figuring out to do.” - Michael Smith Jr.

During the discussion between Jeremy Au and Michael Smith Jr., APAC GM of Microsoft for Startups, several key insights were shared. Firstly, Michael emphasized the value of being a generalist in the startup ecosystem, having experience as an investor, builder, and potentially exploring new avenues in the future. He highlighted the importance of adaptability and learning from diverse experiences.

Secondly, Michael discussed his parenting philosophy, sharing how he raised his children differently by limiting their exposure to smartphones and social media. He emphasized the importance of fostering independence and creativity in children, allowing them to have a childhood free from excessive technology use.

Lastly, the conversation delved into the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on startups. Michael expressed his belief that AI can be a powerful tool for startups to enhance productivity and reach broader markets. However, he also cautioned against blindly investing in pure AI ventures, noting the need for further development and infrastructure before such investments become more viable.

Overall, the discussion showcased Michael's experiences as a generalist, his thoughtful approach to parenting, and his insights on the role of AI in the startup ecosystem.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/michael-smith-jr

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/michael-smith-jr-embracing-generalism-parenting-in-the-age-of-ai-and-technology-duality-good-vs-bad-faith-actors

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://www.nodeflair.com/

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Vireak Chea: Return to Cambodia, Transforming Neighborhood Pharmacies & Prioritizing Family - E290

“Nothing will be easy. Along the journey, you will learn a lot more than you think. Don't worry about mistakes because they are meant to be made. We're human. The most important thing is how we can learn from them.” - Vireak Chea

“Do something that you really love, not something people tell you to do. Once you do, everything will start falling into place.” - Vireak Chea

“We help digitalize the pharmacy SMEs in Cambodia. When you start to become more digitalized, you have less work in the back end and you have more busy work in the front end, which is exactly what you want. Ultimately, that provides better care for the patients.” - Vireak Chea

Jeremy Au interviewed Vireak Chea, a pharmacist and the founder of PillTech, a Cambodia-based B2B marketplace for the pharmaceutical industry, and discussed his motivations, experiences, and hopes for the future. Vireak expressed his desire to be closer to his family, which influenced his decision to return to Cambodia and build his business. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance while pursuing ambitious ideas and emphasized the importance of finding harmony between work and family.

Vireak’s primary goal is to provide access to affordable and legitimate medications in Cambodia, aiming to revolutionize the pharmacy industry and improve patient care through technology. He envisions expanding his venture to other countries with similar pain points in the pharmacy sector. He shared his insights on the journey of building a pharmacy business, including the need to understand customer journeys, educate customers, and adapt strategies based on learnings.

Throughout the discussion, Vireak’s strong family orientation emerged as a driving force behind his decisions and his commitment to improving healthcare for other families. He encouraged listeners to pursue their passions and emphasized that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Lastly, the importance of maintaining a work-life balance was highlighted, with the reminder that work will always be there, but family needs care and attention.

Overall, this interview provided valuable insights into the motivations, challenges, and aspirations of a pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur aiming to make a positive impact on healthcare in Cambodia.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vireak-cheah-return-to-cambodia-transforming-neighborhood-pharmacies-prioritizing-family

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 21:00:17 +0000

Winnie Wong: You Don’t Have To Look The Part, Workplace Vulnerability and Personal Storytelling vs. Bamboo & Glass Ceiling - E289

"There's a gap between men and women, but an even bigger gap between white women and Asian women. What is an Asian woman supposed to be like? A lot of reports in Western society show that women fulfill more emotional needs for their colleagues and are expected to get involved in diversity and inclusion efforts, which can sometimes turn into additional unpaid roles resembling human resources. It's fascinating to learn about these issues faced by women, especially those who belong to double minority groups." - Winnie Wong

"Initially, my book centred around the stories of East Asian female founders and the lessons we learned from them. I did a pre-order campaign and shared the first drafts with my friends. They said it’s great, but they didn’t understand why I’m writing it and there wasn’t enough of myself in the book. It was scary to open up about my past experiences. The tough part is that I didn't want to portray myself as a victim, point fingers or blame anyone, and I wanted to maintain a positive perspective. It helped me reflect and share my experiences as objectively as possible." - Winnie Wong

“In some ways, Southeast Asia can be ahead than the western world in supporting women in their careers. The future diversity in the region is still uncertain because visas have been declining, Singaporean population is becoming a lot more educated over time, and the middle income is growing. It's great that region is growing and I hope that representation will also grow eventually.” - Winnie Wong

In this discussion between Jeremy Au and Winnie Wong, significant insights emerged including women's challenges in the workforce, the glass ceiling versus the bamboo ceiling, sponsorship and mentorship, and the role of diversity and inclusion. Winnie’s book, “You Don't Have To Look The Part”, played a prominent role in the conversation, blending personal narratives with research findings.

One significant aspect explored was the apprehension and vulnerability associated with sharing personal stories. Winnie expressed her concerns about potential backlash and cancel culture. However, she emphasized the importance of authenticity and acknowledging the challenges faced, while maintaining a positive and constructive outlook.

The conversation also highlighted the issue of representation, extending beyond gender diversity to encompass race, ethnicity, and disabilities. Winnie stressed the need for organizations to actively include underrepresented voices at all levels and explore diversity metrics. By doing so, companies can develop improved products and services that cater to a broader population.

Feedback received led her to include more of her own experiences in the book, striking a balance between objectivity and subjectivity. She aimed to avoid victimhood narratives and instead presented her reflections and the realities encountered throughout her life.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/winnie-wong

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/winnie-wong-you-dont-have-to-look-the-part-workplace-vulnerability-and-personal-storytelling-vs-bamboo-glass-ceiling

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Billionaire Cagematch (Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg), Grab & GoJek Layoffs and Singapore Press Holdings Audit Findings - E288

“Grab has laid off 10% of the workforce, which is a very sizeable dynamic. Previously, they have been letting people leave and haven't been adding people. Effectively, a hiring freeze has been a way for them to tighten expenses. I did feel that the communication of it was done straightforwardly and no one's surprised about the layoffs in this crisis of tech winter. Since the announcement, their stock market price has jumped by another 6% and shareholders are appreciative of this move.” - Jeremy Au

“Full employment in Singapore is continuous. There are still jobs people are hiring for. It’s more of taking a job that wasn't necessarily your dream job, thinking about different versions of how your skills can be applied and being open to new opportunities, or taking a bit of time off, regrouping, and doing something independent. The good thing about Singapore is that the costs aren’t totally out of control, whereas in the Bay Area, the housing cost is very high, so it can be quite challenging to stay if you're not getting paid, and that leads to more dislocation.” - Shiyan Koh

“I remember an interesting paper that said that if you graduated during a downturn, your lifetime earnings are some percentage lower. It was an interesting analysis where you have your first job’s salary, then you get increments on that job at your second, third, fourth job. There's an interesting cohort effect where if you graduate in a downturn, you're always one bound smaller in terms of total compensation, which is a tragedy for a lot of people in this current tech space situation. If you're in different verticals like hospitality or communications, there are a lot of jobs that are still available to you, but it's interesting to see that the tech side suddenly loses that shine.” - Jeremy Au

Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh engaged in a discussion covering various topics, including Elon Musk versus Mark Zuckerberg, the Grab and Gojek layoffs, and the Singapore Press Holdings report. Regarding the hypothetical cage match between Musk and Zuckerberg, Jeremy expressed his bet on Elon Musk, envisioning a media event of significant magnitude. While both individuals shared their perspectives, it remained a light-hearted speculation about the outcome. The discussion then shifted to the layoffs at Grab and Gojek, acknowledging the potential impact on employees. They highlighted the importance of handling such transitions with care and sensitivity, recognizing the challenges faced by those affected.

Lastly, the conversation delved into the Singapore Press Holdings audit report. Jeremy commended the transparency and detail provided in the report, emphasizing the value of acknowledging mistakes and learning from them. Shiyan shared a similar sentiment, valuing the comprehensive nature of the report and the opportunity for accountability and improvement within the organization.

Throughout the conversation, the focus was on understanding different viewpoints and engaging in thoughtful analysis. The discussion highlighted the significance of transparency, empathy in managing layoffs, and the value of comprehensive reports in fostering accountability and improvement within organizations.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/sph-audit-report

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/elon-musk-vs-mark-zuckerberg-grab-and-gojek-layoffs-and-singapore-press-holdings-report

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 21:00:17 +0000

Tiang Lim Foo: Founding Forge VC, Maximizing Founder Potential & Long-Distance Venture Capital Investments with Haruki Murakami

"I feel like part of this is driven by the fear of providing incorrect advice. For instance, someone from the pharmacy might approach me and say, 'Tiang, can I spend some time with you to gain your insights?' The truth is, I don't have all the answers. So, I worry about giving the wrong advice at the wrong time. Each company's situation is unique, and it's challenging to offer generic advice that would be truly helpful. For instance, suggesting cutting 30% of your workforce and extending runaway by six months during a downturn may not be the right approach for every company. Instead, I believe in asking questions like, 'Have you considered this?' because it depends on the specific circumstances of the company. Providing valuable advice requires a significant amount of effort and analysis." - Tiang Lim Foo

“My aim is to ensure that founders realize their potential while also taking into account the broader business ecosystem. Finding a balance in this regard is challenging, and there are no simple answers. Each decision often feels like a trade-off, particularly during high-stress periods such as a downturn when viable options may seem scarce. However, I perceive my role as assisting founders in exploring various alternatives and even uncovering previously unknown possibilities. By helping them think through different options, I can contribute to generating new avenues that they may not have considered before.” - Tiang Lim Foo

“For me, one way to exemplify the courage of the moment is through the act of making decisions. When I committed to this path for the next 10 years, I realized that there were numerous other avenues I could have pursued. It was indeed a little daunting. The most intimidating aspect, I believe, is ensuring that I choose the right individuals to join me on this journey. I question myself: What knowledge am I lacking? It's often the unknown unknowns that can be detrimental. Dealing with this uncertainty and managing the accompanying anxiety is an integral part of the process.” - Tiang Lim Foo

The discussion between Jeremy Au and Tiang Lim Foo offers key insights into the world of investing, with a focus on Tiang's decision to embark on an investing journey, the delicate balance between founder friendliness and potential maximizing, and the influence of Haruki Murakami.

The conversation also delves into the tension between being friendly with founders and driving their potential to the maximum. Tiang shares his approach of tough love, where he aims to bring out the best in founders while providing guidance and governance.

The influence of Haruki Murakami, particularly his book on running, resonates with Tiang. He draws parallels between the discipline required in long-distance running and his approach to investing. Tiang finds solace and clarity through running, and this mindset translates into his investing philosophy—embracing a long-term perspective, managing anxiety, and focusing on mastery.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/tiang-lim-foo

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tiang-lim-foo-founding-forge-vc-maximizing-founder-potential-long-distance-venture-capital-investments-with-haruki-murakami

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:00:11 +0000

OpenAI Sam Altman Singapore & Jakarta Townhalls, AI Regulation & Job Displacement and Founder Stress, Burnout & Failure Report by Startup Snapshot

“I think what else was interesting was Rachel Lim, a Singaporean co-hosting with Sam Altman as part of the Open AI team. The key phrase that became the headline was about humanity co-evolving with artificial intelligence. It was a striking statement, indicating a generational shift and an accelerant to evolution itself.” - Jeremy Au

"People's energy can be sensed, and they may withhold it from you. However, it's understandable. The reality is, it's challenging. When I was a founder, I honestly placed more trust in certain investors over others. Even with the investors I did trust, I had to consider that I only had limited time, perhaps just one hour a week or even one hour a month, to process various matters. So, was I going to discuss my emotions? I'd rather focus on work or decisions since there are so many topics to cover. As a founder, I experienced stress, and I would probably place myself in the category of the 90% who did not confide in their investors about their stress." - Jeremy Au - Jeremy Au

“When I was in the thick of it, my coach advised me to take four hours off and disconnect. Sometimes, it's crucial to remind people to do just that. Another important aspect, especially in the remote work environment, is encouraging founders to prioritize their teams' well-being. I once advised a founder, saying, 'You and your team have been working relentlessly for the past 12 months. It's essential to take them on an offsite that isn't solely focused on work. Just have fun together. Otherwise, you'll risk burning out your team.' Sometimes, it's about reminding people and normalizing the idea of taking breaks, even if they didn't explicitly seek my permission." - Shiyan Koh

In the discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights emerged. They explored the concept of founders dealing with success and failure, particularly during the winding-down phase of a startup. Shiyan emphasized the importance of founders conducting themselves with integrity, treating everyone well, and communicating effectively during this challenging period.

The conversation also touched on the issue of founder stress, burnout & failure report by Startup Snapshot. Shiyan highlighted the significance of taking breaks and encouraging founders to prioritize their well-being by allowing themselves to disconnect and recharge.

Jeremy shared his personal experiences of finding restoration and clarity through hikes and off-the-grid experiences, including his month-long hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. He emphasized the value of giving oneself time and space for personal growth and reflection, and encouraged founders to seize opportunities for off-the-grid experiences, especially during transition periods.

Additionally, the discussion addressed Sam Altman's push for the regulation of AI and the use of "co" language such as "co-evolving" or "co-pilot" in relation to artificial intelligence. This highlighted the need for humanity to co-exist and evolve alongside AI, suggesting a paradigm shift and a call for responsible development and utilization of this technology.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/open-ai-founder-stress

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/openai-sam-altman-singapore-jakarta-townhalls-ai-regulation-job-displacement-and-founder-stress-burnout-failure-report-by-startup-snapshot

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 21:00:17 +0000

Oswald Yeo: Glints Product-Market Fit Pivots, Indonesia Market Leadership & Beginner's Mindset - E285

"One pattern I've noticed is teams that are close and trust each other can talk about problems. They tend to go a long way together, and founders stick on the journey. The second one is a mission. If they have a clear mission and they're very clear about why they're doing this for a purpose larger than serving themselves. If you have a mission that you're living for, that you're fighting for, larger than yourself, then that will give you the motivation to keep going when things are tough." - Oswald Yeo

"It was the awareness that it's not only about working hard and going through the grind day after day, that's very important. You just have to put in the hours. But it's the awareness that clarity is key, especially when you're building and leading a team. If you're leading a hundred people, a thousand people, you can be working hard, but if they're all working on the wrong things, then your head is heading off in the wrong direction at a faster velocity. So having clarity and ensuring that you take a step back to make sure your team is working on the right things, executing the right strategy." - Oswald Yeo

"So one thing we have at our company, Glints, is a value called a beginner's mindset. We ask questions like, 'When was the last time someone gave you negative feedback?' and we observe how people react to that. Some people react defensively to feedback, while others respond well, becoming reflective and striving to improve themselves. At the core of it, it is ego, because if you can set aside your ego and reflect, recognizing that there are areas for improvement, I believe that, in combination with habits like reading or learning from mentors, it will propel you a long way." - Oswald Yeo

In a discussion between Jeremy Au and Oswald Yeo, the CEO of Glints, key insights emerged regarding Oswald's entrepreneurial journey in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia. He emphasized the importance of adapting to Indonesia's unique market needs and tailoring strategies accordingly, while also building a strong team based on trust and clear communication. Oswald highlighted the significance of gaining clarity through mindfulness practices like silent retreats and meditation.

Despite acknowledging funding challenges in the tech landscape, Oswald remained optimistic about opportunities for startups in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, and encouraged founders to prioritize clarity and strategy execution for success. He also shared insights about Glints' product market fit pivot, showcasing the company's adaptability to cater to the demands of the Southeast Asian talent market.

Additionally, Glints recently released the Southeast Asia Startup Talent Report 2023 in collaboration with Monk's Hill Ventures. The report provides comprehensive salary and equity data, startup trends, and valuable insights from interviews with founders, VCs, and operators in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Overall, the discussion shed light on Oswald's entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of local market adaptation, effective team building, mindfulness, and the positive outlook for tech startups in Southeast Asia.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/oswald-yeo

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/oswald-yeo-glints-product-market-fit-pivots-indonesia-market-leadership-beginners-mindset

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 21:00:09 +0000

Sequoia Capital Spins Off HongShan 红杉 & Peak XV, Apple Vision Pro and Societal Impact of VR & AR

"At the end of the day, people are, in some weird way, mourning the drop of Sequoia because it feels like it's splitting up. So there's a little bit of grief in the short term. But I think it could be a good thing, honestly, in the medium to long term. Obviously, Hong Shan, they’re going to do what they want to do and invest in what they want to do, and I think it would be a good thing for Peak. Everybody recognizes that Southeast Asia and India are different markets from America and Europe, and it's a very different market from China. So you might let them build a focused approach tailored for the ecosystem." - Jeremy Au

"The Apple Vision Pro could be cool if, like, part of the workflow now is sometimes I'll ask someone, 'Can you read this email? Do I sound angry?' It would be cool if you could be side by side and flick something over to them, like 'Hey, check this.' It seems very possible in the Apple universe, considering we can already share wifi passwords, which is the best feature ever. Why can't you airdrop documents or views back and forth? If that were possible, it would be a lot more interesting and have a more interactive quality." - Shiyan Koh

"There was an article where someone was talking about what was the societal impact of the button. So like in, Google Docs or in Microsoft Word, right? Basically, they're integrating GPT, and so there's a button that's basically just like start writing, and it's always easier to kind of edit than it is to come up with new like de novo stuff. But what does it do to the quality of our thinking as a society if no one has to struggle to come up with new things? Like you just kind of edit derivative things." - Shiyan Koh

During a discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights were revealed. One notable topic of conversation was Sequoia Capital spinning off HongShan 红杉 and Peak XV. This split was seen as a strategic move to adapt to geopolitical tension, changing VC landscape and better cater to the specific needs of startups in different regions. Additionally, this move reflects the dynamic nature of the VC industry, where adaptability and specialization are crucial for success in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Another significant point of discussion revolved around the Apple Vision Pro. They mentioned the product and contemplated its potential purchase for research purposes. They briefly touched on the contrasting strategies of companies like Tesla and Facebook. While Tesla started with high-end products and gradually expanded to a broader market, Facebook adopted a more affordable and mass-market strategy from the beginning. This comparison highlighted the different business models and revenue streams of these companies.

Furthermore, Jeremy and Shiyan explored the educational and entertainment possibilities of VR and AR. They discussed immersive learning experiences and innovative storytelling in the entertainment industry. Additionally, they considered the social implications of these technologies, including the blurring of physical and virtual boundaries and the impact on human connection and empathy.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/sequoia-capital-spins-off

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sequoia-capital-spins-off-hongshan-peak-xv-apple-vision-pro-and-societal-impact-of-vr-ar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:00:18 +0000

Q&A: Student Career Planning, Exploration vs. Exploitation & Navigating Uncertainty Across First Job, Passion & Mid-life Crisis - E283

“It's nice to feel the anxiety and nervousness. Don't penalize yourself for telling people that you feel uncertain. It's not a popular emotion to share out loud, but I challenge you to feel it and take action because its purpose is to solidify certainty. Do the bound exploration pathing, the butterfly testing, and the experiments. When you do those things, you don’t only acknowledge your feeling of uncertainty, but you are also solving it.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host

“Half of the folks who have midlife crises already had the signals all the way back at university or at their first job but they kept brushing it off. It’s been happening for a long time, but it wasn't allowed to be felt. They end up being locked into that path they don't like and then they have to do a rupture move where they jump entirely to a different path. You can save yourself the pain of a midlife crisis by being in touch with your feelings, the tribe you want to be with, and the lifestyle you want to build, and acknowledging and accepting the trade-offs of that passion or hobby. Go out there and slowly build the life that you want. You can have a happy life no matter what role you have.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host

“It's much harder to explore careers when you're 50 years old. It’s more ideal and socially acceptable to do that when you're in your 20s. You’d want to create a very bounded exploration path. You have more energy, and fewer obligations in terms of family and salary, and you are part of a tribe where everyone’s doing the same thing. People expect you to explore new geographies, and do different things, and you don't get penalized for it.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host

In their discussion, Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong offer valuable insights for individuals seeking personal fulfillment and making career choices. They advise approaching career decisions as a series of experiments and being open to exploring different paths. Rather than getting locked into a job that doesn't align with one's true passions and values, they suggest embracing feelings of uncertainty and seeking diverse perspectives from a wide range of people.

Jeremy stresses the importance of gathering insights from various individuals before committing to a particular path, particularly for university graduates. The speakers highlight that uncertainty is a signal for change and growth, and individuals should acknowledge and discuss this openly. They both caution against ignoring early signals of dissatisfaction and emphasize the significance of pursuing personal happiness and fulfillment over external expectations. By gradually experimenting and exploring different options, individuals can potentially save themselves from drastic career changes or midlife crises down the line.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/student-career-planning

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/q-a-student-career-planning-exploration-vs-exploitation-navigating-uncertainty-across-first-job-passion-mid-life-crisis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

#CareerPlanning #CareerExploitation #CareerExploration #Harvard #CareerExperiments #MidlifeCrisis #Passion #Fulfillment

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:00:06 +0000

Temasek FTX Review, 6% Early Stage Startups AUM Cap, Crypto Regulatory Debate & Retail Investor Democratizatio - E282

“Financial education and financial access are not the same. I get pitches on this all the time. They say they are democratizing access and teaching people. When I read the deck, I ask about what they teach. They teach about technical analysis and how to day trade, but I think that’s an incomplete lesson. You can teach them about the current practice of others, but in the context of what’s happening, that’s really hard because you don’t even talk about the fundamentals of capital formation.” - Shiyan Koh

"There’s something you can do with a day-to-day sort of off-market, public markets investment, whether it’s good or bad, but you're not going to slide to zero straight away in a sense of off-private equity. We all know venture capital, as an asset class, is very risky. You have 1 out of 20 that's a home run if you are an above-average VC, and 19 out of 20 do right and effectively go to zero. Some are going to land the plane gracefully, some will lean the plane very roughly, and some of them will just crash." - Jeremy Au

"The most interesting markets for crypto are emerging markets because that's where the rails are the worst and that's where people have a real need for alternatives that are not subject to the whims of their government per se. They really need to transact. In LATAM, you see a lot of use cases around inflation hedging and I'm interested to see some of those. People want to get their money out of the peso or the real and get into USDC. It's not even a speculative use case, it's literally just wanting my money to hold value." - Shiyan Koh

In their discussion, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh touched upon several key insights, with a particular focus on crypto and Temasek's independent review of FTX. They emphasized the risks and potential rewards associated with different investment strategies. Jeremy highlighted the contrasting nature of public markets and private equity investments, emphasizing that public market investments can fluctuate day-to-day but are unlikely to plummet to zero as quickly as off-private equity investments. He emphasized the inherent riskiness of venture capital as an asset class, where only one out of twenty investments may yield significant returns while the rest may result in zero or negative outcomes.

Shiyan brought attention to the potential of emerging markets as the most intriguing areas for crypto adoption. She pointed out that these markets often face inadequate financial infrastructure, making them more open to alternative solutions that are not subject to government control. Use cases in Latin America, for example, demonstrate a demand for inflation hedging, where people seek to protect their money's value by exchanging it for stable cryptocurrencies like USDC.

Furthermore, the discussion touched on the distinction between financial education and access. Shiyan expressed skepticism towards approaches that merely focus on democratizing access without providing comprehensive education. She cautioned against teaching individuals solely about technical analysis or day trading, emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader context of financial markets.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/temasek-ftx-pay-cut

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/temasek-ftx-pay-cut-6-early-stage-startups-aum-cap-crypto-regulatory-debate-retail-investor-democratizatio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Bhavik Vashi: B2B SaaS Masterclass & Business Model Learnings, AI Opportunity Speculation, and Southeast Asia Market Uniqueness

"Startups can use AI to expedite their time-to-market, but they still need an innovative product or a unique problem-solving approach to truly thrive. AI can accelerate their potential for rapid growth and scalability in certain situations, however, I don't believe that a startup solely relying on AI plugins or functionalities can sustain a long-term business model." - Bhavik Vashi

“The beauty of Asian SaaS companies’ business model is that 50 to 70% of costs will be people's costs. Everything else is controllable. If you're building in Asia, you're serving consumers and businesses at a lower price point but you’re also paying at a lower price point. If you're running a company in the west and serving the east is a failing proposition, but if you’re running and serving in the east, then you've brought both down." - Bhavik Vashi

"Enterprise sales require a strong value proposition and a higher ASP or average sales price associated with your product. I always worry about a company that's running a sales-driven motion with a low ASP because something seems missing. Solving a complex and impactful problem will likely require a human-to-human interaction to understand the specific context and how your product, along with a service, can address it." - Bhavik Vashi

In the discussion between Jeremy Au and Bhavik Vashi, several key insights were shared regarding B2B SaaS, AI, and personal experiences. Regarding B2B SaaS, it was highlighted that building a successful B2B SaaS product at a lower price point requires careful consideration of unit economics, including accurate estimation of customer lifetime value and acquisition costs. Many companies tend to underestimate these factors, leading to challenges in profitability. Additionally, Bhavik emphasized the potential in Asia for B2B SaaS, where lower price points for serving consumers and businesses are matched by lower costs, creating a balanced equation.

The conversation shifted to AI, where both participants explored its potential impact. While acknowledging uncertainties, they speculated that proprietary data sets could become increasingly valuable, potentially benefiting startups by leveraging AI technologies. They also mentioned the need for a nuanced approach, considering ethical considerations and potential challenges such as bias.

Lastly, Bhavik shared his personal experience of relocating from the US to Asia. The decision involved leaving behind established personal and professional networks, and while family and friends were reversible, the professional implications were more significant. However, Bhavik expressed satisfaction with his choice and highlighted the growth and learning opportunities it provided. Overall, the discussion provided insights into building B2B SaaS products, the potential of AI, and the personal challenges associated with making bold life decisions.

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

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/bhavik-vashi-b2b-saas-masterclass-business-model-learnings-ai-opportunity-speculation-and-southeast-asia-market-uniqueness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/

#bravesea #B2BSaaS #PricingStrategies #AIInnovation #AsianMarkets #Opportunities #CostEfficiency #Commoditization

Wed, 31 May 2023 21:00:13 +0000

VC Market 2023-2024 Outlook, Tough Fundraising Decisions vs. <6 Months Runway Reality and Board vs. CEO Scenarios & Discussions - E280

"The struggle I'm seeing is in the middle-stage startups that raised several rounds of capital over the past five years. With this new structure, there are challenges such as layoffs and reevaluating the operating model. I've realized the importance of being thoughtful in understanding their current business and discussing their challenges. Moreover, it's crucial to communicate the higher expectations they need to meet. In previous rounds, the bar wasn't set as high. As long as we make significant progress, the next round of funding will come." - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Podcast Host

"The tricky part I've seen this with multiple founders is that they're fundraising with less than six months of runway. They have a plan, projection, and forecast with a target growth rate. They've also heard stories about how some people barely make it through fundraising with just one month of payroll, surviving near-death experiences. So there's this tension between constantly engaging with investors, keeping them in the loop, and working through the process. Some investors move quickly and professionally while others take their time, but then you reach this stall zone where you're not progressing as fast as you'd like. It's like dropping out of the sky because you can't make significant cuts. Cutting risks the progress you've made in fundraising, but if you don't cut, you'll hit a wall in three months." - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Podcast Host

"How do you decide which line of action to take? Let's play out the scenarios. Scenario one: you keep spending on marketing, but you're unable to raise. Two: you cut marketing, growth plummets, and you still can't raise. Then, the golden scenario everyone desires is you keep spending on marketing and can raise, or you cut marketing and still manage to raise. So, for me, it also depends on the founder's mindset. If they're ready to throw in the towel if they can't raise, then it's a guns-blazing scenario, spending until the end, but if there's an asset they've built and they're willing to cut marketing spend to preserve it, then that's a different approach." - Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner at Hustle Fund

In this discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights emerged regarding the challenges faced by founders in the startup ecosystem. The conversation revolved around the difficult decisions founders have to make when their companies are struggling. One central theme was the importance of being realistic and taking decisive action.

Both of them emphasized the significance of community and support networks for founders. They highlighted the value of founder communities that provide a space for shared experiences, advice, and a sense of camaraderie. Engaging with like-minded individuals can help founders navigate transitions and explore new opportunities. The conversation concluded with a mention of upcoming events, such as the Phoenix community's virtual offsite and Camp Hustle Asia in Bali, where founders can connect, learn, and build meaningful relationships.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-market-outlook

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vc-market-2023-2024-outlook-tough-fundraising-decisions-vs-6-months-runway-reality-and-board-vs-ceo-scenarios-discussions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

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#VCInsights #FounderCommunity #ToughDecisions #StartupEcosystem

Sun, 28 May 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Q&A: Cambodia’s Startup Ecosystem, Investment Hotbeds, Historical Conflicts & Tech Predictions for the Next 10 Years

"My point of view is that over the next 10 years, the population will continue to educate themselves through parents, their own osmosis via the internet, and through investments, either from the public or private sector. The aspirational hope, hunger, and entrepreneurial ambition will continue to grow and naturally continue." - Jeremy Au

“I do think it's true that we don't see as many regional or local VCs in Cambodia, but what I was surprised about was seeing global impact investors, Korean impact investors, and even regional impact investors being very active there. They're investing in startups, whether it's agritech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or education. Some local Cambodian founders shared that education and healthcare are the two hottest sectors to build for right now in Cambodia.” - Adriel Yong

"My reflection on that is that so much entrepreneurship is from YouTube and the internet. We were chatting with aspiring entrepreneurs, and they said they wanted to be founders because they watched it on YouTube and heard stories about it. The concept of building technology, the resources they have on the internet, and English literacy are very high in Cambodia." - Jeremy Au

Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong discussed Cambodia's startup ecosystem, highlighting its growth potential, challenges, and historical conflicts. They noted that despite the country's tumultuous history, Cambodia has a young and growing population, with a high percentage of tech-savvy youth who are increasingly interested in entrepreneurship. However, they also acknowledged that the ecosystem is still in its early stages, with limited access to funding and a lack of infrastructure and support services.

To address these challenges, both Jeremy and Adriel emphasized the importance of collaboration and community building, particularly between entrepreneurs and government officials. They also noted the potential for regional partnerships and the growing interest of foreign investors in the Cambodian market.

In terms of growth potential, they identified several promising sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and agritech, and discussed the potential for Cambodia to become a hub for Southeast Asian startups. However, they also cautioned that progress will depend on continued political stability and the ability to address ongoing corruption and issues around bureaucracy and infrastructure.

Overall, while Cambodia's startup ecosystem is still in its early stages, Jeremy and Adriel remain optimistic about its potential for growth and development, particularly with the support of local and international stakeholders.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/cambodia-startup

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/q-a-cambodias-startup-ecosystem-investment-hotbeds-historical-conflicts-tech-predictions-for-the-next-10-years

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

#SoutheastAsia #Cambodia #CambodiaStartupEcosystem# #CambodiaStartups CambodianEconomy #GrowthPotential #Challenges #HistoricalConflicts #Entrepreneurship #EarlyStages #Funding #Infrastructure #SupportServices #Collaboration #CommunityBuilding #GovernmentPartnerships #RegionalPartnerships #ForeignInvestors #Fintech #Ecommerce #Agritech #SoutheastAsiaHub #Optimism #ASEANMarkets #OneBeltOneRoad

Wed, 24 May 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Mastering Fundraising as a System, Mistakes vs. Wins, Philosophy vs. Tactics vs. Trust-Building

"In the teaser deck, there should be a money slide. When you hit that slide, you should immediately feel compelled to take this meeting. Many people overlook this aspect and end up with lengthy blurbs that leave investors questioning why they should meet. Spend time crafting a concise and captivating blurb and teaser deck that aims to grab someone's attention and secure the meeting. Save the detailed explanations for the actual meeting itself. Remember, to get the meeting, you need a strong hook from the start." - Shiyan Koh

"Chemistry matters in fundraising. While it's important to focus on raising money for your business, it's equally crucial to understand the person you're partnering with on this journey. Take the time to assess their compatibility by reaching out to other founders they've backed, both successful and unsuccessful ones. Gain insights into what it's like to work with that person. Ultimately, you don't want to find yourself three years into the journey, despising the investor on your board. Building a positive and productive relationship is beneficial for everyone involved." - Shiyan Koh

"Don't be overly sales-oriented, especially if you come from a professional services background like consulting. I've personally experienced this transition from being a consultant to a founder, and I was too quick to provide easy answers. It's important to acknowledge the reality of what's truly challenging in the startup journey. Not everything can be easy; otherwise, it wouldn't be a startup. Be candid and sincere about the genuine difficulties and don't hesitate to admit that you haven't solved them yet." - Jeremy Au

Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh engage in a valuable discussion on the fundraising process for startups, offering key insights to navigate this crucial aspect of the business. They stress the significance of creating an attention-grabbing blurb and teaser deck that entice potential investors, advising founders to invest time in drafting these materials to secure meetings. The duo suggests focusing on a concise set of 10 slides that cover essential elements such as revenue, traction, team, market problem, solution, and fundraising goals. They caution against going overboard with slide numbers and instead encourage founders to make these slides clear and crisp, rather than perfecting design aesthetics.

The importance of honesty and transparency in fundraising emerges as a recurring theme. Jeremy and Shiyan emphasize the need for founders to refrain from lying or exaggerating, as trust is crucial in building investor relationships. They suggest that founders should be prepared to say "I don't know" when faced with questions, but should also articulate their plan to find answers. Setting milestones is deemed crucial, allowing investors to gauge progress and the startup's ability to deliver on promises. The chemistry between founders and investors is highlighted as a key consideration, prompting founders to investigate potential investors' track records and seek input from other founders they have supported. By internalizing these insights, startups can navigate the fundraising landscape more effectively, fostering trust and increasing their chances of securing funding.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mastering-fundraising

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/mastering-fundraising-as-a-system-mistakes-vs-wins-philosophy-vs-tactics-vs-trust-building

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/

#bravesea #FundraisingTips #PitchPerfect #InvestorRelations #StartupJourney

Sun, 21 May 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Joan Yao: Impact Investing to Kickstart VC, Philippines Startup Perception vs. Reality (Brain Drain, Families & Acceleration) and Lose Nothing By Asking

"Many of the jobs I've had weren't advertised, and I had to create the opportunities for myself. Our president, Minette, always says, 'You lose nothing by asking.' If you can imagine something or if you want something, try to have a conversation about it and see if you can make it happen. If it doesn't happen, that's okay. You'll be right back to where you started."- Joan Yao

"People often perceive that the Philippines is controlled by families and conglomerates, making it difficult for new ventures to start and grow. This preconceived notion is what stops people from trying. As a Filipino who grew up in the Philippines, I remember a time when all the bookstores and drugstores were mainly one brand and malls only have three brands, so Filipinos tend to strongly associate certain categories with a particular brand or family. It creates a mental programming that these entities are too big to topple over or fight against." - Joan Yao

"People often confuse the type of capital they need for their business. There are companies that don't need or want to scale much and there are other vectors they optimize for, whether they are a social enterprise, a small business, or a lifestyle business. The challenge arises when they take venture funding to hit those goals. VCs will push them to grow, scale and expand, which puts the founders in a difficult position because they may not want to grow that much. It's essential to be clear about how far you want to take your company and find the right partners to help you get there." - Joan Yao

Jeremy Au and Joan Yao discussed several key insights on the topic of impact investing in the Philippines. Yao shared her personal journey from accidental investor to impact investor, and the challenges she faced along the way. They also discussed the perception of the Philippine startup ecosystem versus the reality, including the role of the diaspora in building the ecosystem, the potential for innovation in the space of families and conglomerates, and the impact of the pandemic on the acceleration of the ecosystem.

Another key insight from the conversation was the importance of self-talk and how it can affect one's relationships with others and their chances of success. Yao discussed the inner critic that many Asian kids grow up with and how it can be both helpful and counterproductive. She emphasized the importance of learning to talk to oneself with love and kindness, which can lead to better relationships and a willingness to take chances. Finally, the phrase "lose nothing by asking" was highlighted as a key takeaway from the conversation, encouraging individuals to ask for what they want and not let feelings of self-worthiness hold them back. Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights into impact investing in the Philippines and the importance of positive self-talk and taking chances.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/joan-yao

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/joan-yao-impact-investing-to-kickstart-vc-philippines-startup-perception-vs-reality-brain-drain-families-acceleration-and-lose-nothing-by-asking

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

#bravesea #StartupAdvice #PhilippinesStartupScene #VentureFunding #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Opportunities #Networking #CorporateCulture #AsianBusiness #DiversityAndInclusion #CompanyCulture #AsianHeritage #WomenInLeadership #CareerAdvice

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:00:07 +0000

People Leadership Failures, Performance vs. Recruiting vs. HR & Organizational Design Regional Differences - E276

"I often advise people that they are essentially operating two machines when running a business. The first machine is the business itself, which includes marketing, personnel expenses, and revenue and profits. The second machine is the people who operate the first machine. It's important to think carefully about both machines and ensure that the right people are in the right roles. While many tend to focus solely on the business machine, it's critical to view the two machines as an integrated system and think about how to evolve the team to ensure long-term success." - Shiyan Koh

"This is Southeast Asia's first real economic downturn, and there are no heroic stories of companies raising significant funds. It’s acceptable that companies are winding down and others are making difficult decisions, however, there is a risk that past bad behavior may come to light for other companies during this time. The press and public are currently sifting through this process. This may lead to some well-justified criticism and some that are less justified." Jeremy Au

"I see three distinct periods in a startup's journey. The first is a period of relative calm when things are going well. The second is when companies face challenges and have to pivot to survive. The third is when companies experience explosive growth, but struggle to manage it effectively. These moments can often be the seeds of future destruction or errors that may come to light later. Startups go through a cycle of ups and downs,and it's a sequence of that.” Jeremy Au

In a recent discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they talked about how to build high-performing teams and organizations. They discussed the importance of people leadership, founder behaviour, and organizational design. Regarding people leadership, they highlighted the importance of setting clear expectations, communicating effectively, and creating a culture of feedback. Leaders must also be willing to empower their team members and trust them to make decisions. They should also be willing to admit mistakes and take corrective action when necessary.

Regarding founder behaviour, they emphasized the importance of self-awareness and the ability to let go of control. Founders should also be willing to seek help and support when needed and be open to learning from others. Regarding organizational design, they talked about the importance of creating a structure that supports the company's goals and values. This includes setting clear roles and responsibilities, creating processes and systems, and fostering a culture of collaboration. In conclusion, building a successful organization requires effective people leadership, founder behaviour, and organizational design. By focusing on these areas, leaders can create a high-performing team and a culture of success.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/people-leadership

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/the-importance-of-leadership-culture-and-organizational-design-for-startup-success

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech/

#LeadershipLessons #FounderInsights #OrganizationalDesign #EntrepreneurialJourney #TeamBuilding #CultureFit #BusinessStrategy #FutureOfBusiness #TechIndustry #LeadershipSkills #FounderChallenges #TeamManagement #CollaborationCulture

Sun, 14 May 2023 21:00:10 +0000

RIP Din Tai Fung Founder: Life Lessons of Yang Bing-Yi’s Journey Across China’s Civil War, Taiwan Refugee, Cooking Oil Delivery Man, Entrepreneurial Couple, Pivoting at 45 & Retiree Dumpling Billionaire - E275

“The world is full of 20 and 30-year-olds who feel frustrated that they could be doing something with their lives or that they should be on the world stage. It's refreshing to reset and think about Din Tai Fung, a very famous restaurant chain that only succeeded after Yang Bing Yi’s product-market fit pivoted when he was 45. It's not a guarantee that everybody will be successful. Even if success arrives, it may not be on your desired schedule. It may come later, after a lot of hard work, pivoting, and pain." - Jeremy Au

"It's crazy how he went through a ton of wars. As a young man, he saw people dying and being drafted. He saw relatives and friends fighting one another and witnessed multiple government changes. In many ways, his story is unique, and yet it also represents the diaspora in the 1900’s where people left China in search of peace, a job, and a place to be."- Jeremy Au

"We often think about luck, being mentioned by the press, and accolades as being the things that create opportunity, yet the opportunity actually only emerges because you've been working your ass off for so many years." - Jeremy Au

Jeremy Au, in his reflections, discusses the life of Din Tai Fung's founder Yang Bing-Yi, who passed away at the age of 96. Din Tai Fung is now an award-winning chain restaurant, famous for its soup dumplings, and has over 170 locations worldwide. However, in 1958, Din Tai Fung was founded as a tribute to Heng Tai Fung, Yang's former workplace, and DinMei Oils, their oil supplier. Initially, Din Tai Fung sold peanut oil and bottles, which was a solid business until the market changed, and vegetable oils became packaged in tin containers. In 1972, they pivoted half of the store to sell xiao long bao, the steamed soup dumplings, which became incredibly popular. Din Tai Fung continued to evolve and eventually focused only on selling food, leading to international success. Yang's unique story of success, business pivots, perseverance, and hard work is a representation of the diaspora in the 1900s, where people left China in search of peace and a better life. Jeremy Au reflects on Yang's journey and emphasizes the lessons of hard work, consistency, resilience, and adaptability that can be learned from his life story.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/din-tai-fung

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/rip-din-tai-fung-founder-life-lessons-of-yang-bing-yis-journey-across-chinas-civil-war-taiwan-refugee-cooking-oil-delivery-man-entrepreneurial-couple-pivoting-at-45-retiree-dumpling-billionaire

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://www.nodeflair.com/

#bravesea #DinTaiFung #YangBingYi #SoupDumplings #Taiwan #China #HongKong #MichelinStar #RestaurantChain #Founder #Pain #Pivots #HardWork #Success #Reflections #Research #CivilWar #Refugee #CookingOil #XiaoLongBao #PeanutOil #NewYorkTimes #Diaspora #Legacy #InternationalExpansion #GlobalFame #Legacy #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration

Wed, 10 May 2023 21:00:12 +0000

23.8% Taiwan Conflict 2024 Odds (Russian Roulette), China & USA Decoupling vs. Containment & Southeast Asia Upside vs. Startup Risk Management

"What does it mean when each economy is going back to the spheres and how do technology companies handle it? The first thing that came to mind is limited access to Taiwanese semiconductors. We'll see the relocation of US chips or see chips from China, with no fancy or commercial applications. Suddenly, the cost of computing will go up. The most advanced microchips will be more expensive, and technologies reliant on them, such as mobile phones, virtual reality headsets, and AI, will be relatively more insulated from the rise of computing power." - Jeremy Au

"We see a lot of reshoring and moving manufacturing out of China that has benefited Southeast Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore are seeing net inflows in manufacturing activity from American and Chinese factory capital, which is trying to get that 'made in Southeast Asia' brand. We still see a lot of talent from China moving to Southeast Asia to continue building and manufacturing, which is detrimental to some manufacturing towns in China."- Jeremy Au

"The Chinese are buying all the condos" is a headline that people love, but they are also starting businesses and diversifying away from a pure China play. Five years ago, the average Chinese entrepreneur would not have considered going outside of China because the world's greatest market was on their doorstep. Whether it is due to the COVID measures or the lockdown in Shanghai, Chinese entrepreneurs became more aware that it might be good to have an outside China strategy." - Shiyan Koh

In this discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they reflect on the impact of global decoupling and the possible scenarios that could result from it. They discuss how the recent geopolitical tensions between China and the US have accelerated this trend, and how it could affect startups and businesses around the world. They suggest that businesses should prepare for a range of scenarios, including the possibility of supply chain disruptions and political instability. Some measures that startups could take include identifying their dependencies on supply chains, preparing efficiency measures, and having a list of contingency plans.

The speakers also touch on the potential impact of global decoupling on immigration, with Chinese nationals considering localization of their immigration status in other South Asian countries. They discuss the waves of Chinese immigration and how localizing has helped these communities to weather political tensions in their host countries. Ultimately, they offer a hopeful message, citing the historical resilience of humanity in the face of conflict and war. Overall, the discussion highlights the need for businesses to be prepared for a range of scenarios and to consider the impact of geopolitical tensions on their operations.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/taiwan-conflict-2024

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/23-8-taiwan-conflict-2024-odds-russian-roulette-china-usa-decoupling-vs-containment-southeast-asia-upside-vs-startup-risk-management

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

Learn more about Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/

#bravesea #GlobalDecoupling #TechIndustry #SoutheastAsia #Manufacturing #China #US #Semiconductors #BusinessDiversification #Entrepreneurship #COVID19Impact

Sun, 07 May 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Kenneth Lou: Seedly Exit & 3X Founder Learnings, Vipassana Insights & Everyone Dies One Day

"I think learning to manage larger teams by delegating is not easy for first-time founders or managers. Initially, you try to do everything, but then you realize you can't and need a good second-in-command to let them express themselves and figure things out on their own. As a founder, you should guide them. Founder communities in the region have evolved a lot, and I'm part of Southeast Asia Founders, where we come together to discuss the problems we face, almost like a focus group or cell group. This helps us figure things out together because we don't have all the answers, which is natural for any new and young founder." - Kenneth Lou

"When we were searching for problems to solve, we spoke to an investor who shared a lot about the health space. It was daunting because I had zero experience in the space, but we realized there are 8 billion people in the world who are aging, and that's a huge market. Everyone dies one day. This relates back to what I learned during that period of Vipassana meditation. How do we ensure that the idea of health spending, which is the years free from disease, is right?" - Kenneth Lou

"There's an interesting survey that Peter Attia, a famous longevity doctor in the US, did. He asked people if they wanted to live a longer life. Most people said they wouldn't be interested, but when asked if they wanted to see their great-grandchildren or play a game of soccer with them, most people said yes. It's about phrasing it as experiences that they can have later in life, not just about the quantity of life." - Kenneth Lou

Kenneth Lou, the CEO and cofounder of Mito Health, discussed his experiences and learnings in a recent conversation with Jeremy Au. Previously, Lou co-founded Seedly, which was acquired by ShopBack in 2018. He also shared insights on his meditation break at Vipassana and career break. During the discussion, Lou highlighted the importance of understanding the problems his company is trying to solve and the potential market for those solutions.

He emphasized the need to delegate and manage larger teams effectively as a founder. Lou also spoke about the importance of building a supportive founder community and learning from fellow entrepreneurs. Lou discussed his previous ventures and how he learned from the failures and successes of those companies. He emphasized the importance of having a strong team and shared his experiences building his own.

Lou also shared insights on his meditation break at Vipassana, where he spent 10 days in silence, disconnected from the world. He discussed how the experience allowed him to gain clarity and focus, and helped him prioritize his goals and aspirations. Additionally, Lou shared his thoughts on the need for people to reevaluate their life and career choices periodically. Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights into Lou's experiences as a founder and entrepreneur, and highlighted the importance of self-reflection, delegation, and community-building in achieving success.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/kenneth-lou

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WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/kenneth-lou-seedly-exit-3x-founder-learnings-vipassana-insights-everyone-dies-one-day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

#bravesea #SeedlyExit #FounderLearnings #VipassanaInsights #EveryoneDies #Entrepreneurship #StartUpJourney #SelfDiscovery #Meditation #Mindfulness #LifeLessons #PersonalGrowth #Legacy #EmbraceMortality #Gratitude #Inspiration #Motivation

Wed, 03 May 2023 21:00:08 +0000

Sustainability & ESG Investing Fundamentals, Climate Change Stakeholders & Alliances and Regional Impact Startups - E272

“There’s going to be a net increase in carbon emissions across the region. The growth is slow for developed markets and there may be some ways to plateau or shrink carbon emissions. For developing markets, their priority and popular vote is taking on more energy consumption, which leads to carbon emissions as a byproduct. The awkward reality for Southeast Asia is that everybody wants to be more carbon-efficient in their future energy growth expansion, but that still results in a slower rise in total emissions.” Jeremy Au

“People want to work on things that are meaningful, but there are a lot of other things we can do like walk, ride a bike, or use public transit. Those who walk and bike more will also be less costly to the public healthcare system later. These structural changes can lower people's carbon footprint and benefit society as a whole. It isn't all the touchy-feely, feel-good type of things.There are dollars and cents associated with that.” Shiyan Koh

"There are so many climate tech companies dependent on carbon credits. My bearishness stems from the fact that nearly 20 years ago, we talked about carbon credits and pricing carbon to create commercial incentives. It's been tough for startups relying on a carbon credit price. Monetizing and selling are difficult, and there's not much conviction in a significant future uptake." - Jeremy Au

In a recent discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they touched upon various topics, including climate change, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and sustainable businesses. Shiyan highlighted the importance of transitioning to low-carbon transportation solutions, noting that if individuals chose to walk or bike for short trips, it would benefit both personal health and the planet. Jeremy agreed, hoping for increased availability and acceptance of e-bikes and scooters in the coming decade.

The conversation also covered a variety of sustainable business models. They mentioned Tiger Energy, which aims to develop a battery-swapping network in Indonesia to accelerate EV adoption, and Pollen, which focuses on reducing waste and increasing manufacturing efficiency by reselling overproduced FMCG products. Another discussed venture, Unravel Carbon, works on carbon accounting, highlighting the growing interest in tracking and mitigating emissions.

Jeremy and Shiyan acknowledged the challenges of promoting sustainable practices but remained optimistic about the future. They both expressed hope that EVs would become more widespread and accessible, contributing to the fight against climate change.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/climate-change

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9icmF2ZWR5bmFtaWNz

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sustainable-investing-climate-change-impactful-startups-esg-metrics-and-carbon-accounting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

#bravesea #ClimateChange #ClimateTechRevolution #CarbonEmissionsReduction #CarbonAccountability #CleanEnergyFuture #SustainableLiving #NetZeroCarbon #ClimateInnovation #GreenTechSolutions #LowCarbonEconomy #RenewableEnergy #climatech #ev #esg

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Evan Heng: Building $6.7M Revenue Startup During University, 99.9% Focus Student Founder (Sacrificed Love) and the Power of Education

"In the first year from May 2019 until the start of Covid, it was tough since I had to juggle school and didn't do well at the beginning. So, I decided to take a leave of absence and go all-in 100%. That first year of difficulties laid the foundation for the company today, in terms of how everything is run. Although it was challenging, looking back, I enjoyed it. I consider myself process-driven rather than outcome-driven, as I enjoy the process more than achieving the outcome." - Evan Heng

“Education is powerful. By providing opportunities for the next generation to receive a good education, we're not just shaping their future, but we're also paving the way for future generations. Without these opportunities, they won't be able to achieve their full potential. For me, the impact of education goes beyond just helping the current generation secure good jobs and create a better future. It has a multiplying effect, and that's why I find it hard to consider any other industry. I've experienced firsthand how impactful education can be, and I want to continue to be a part of that impact.” - Evan Heng

"Don't be afraid to reach out. People are very willing to help, even if they don't get anything in return. It's very important that if you are a founder, you better start networking. You better start talking to as many people as you can because of the sheer amount of knowledge and information that you are able to gain from all these different opportunities." - Evan Heng

In a recent discussion with Evan Heng, founder of the education tech startup Zenith Education, we learned about his journey to becoming a founder and the challenges he faced along the way. Evan's passion for education led him to start Zenith. One of the most significant challenges Evan faced was building a team with diverse skill sets and aligned values. He overcame this by focusing on recruiting individuals with complementary skill sets and a shared vision for the company. Another challenge was obtaining funding for the startup. Evan managed to secure funding from various sources, including angel investors and grants, by creating a compelling business plan and demonstrating the potential impact of Zenith.

Evan also highlighted the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning in building a successful startup. He advised other founders to stay committed to their vision, be open to feedback and criticism, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. In conclusion, Evan Heng's journey to becoming a founder and building a successful education tech startup is inspiring. By overcoming significant challenges and staying committed to his vision, Evan has shown other founders the importance of building a strong team, securing funding, and embracing perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/evan-heng

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

#bravesea #startuplife #entrepreneurship #edtech #innovation #education #studentfounder #founderjourney #scaling #venturecapital #networking #mentoring #collaboration #teamwork #learningcurve #perseverance #resilience #problem-solving #futureofwork #technology

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/evan-heng-building-6-7m-revenue-startup-during-university-99-9-focus-student-founder-sacrificed-love-and-the-power-of-education

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Children in the Age of AI, Robot Best Friends & Contrarian Parenting Beliefs - E270

"I think finding win-win solutions may be the most contrarian thing. Not thinking of the world as zero-sum. I grew up pretty competitive, but I'm not sure if that's the best thing actually. It might be more productive to teach them to be less competitive with others and more about better global outcomes. I don't know how to teach that though. There's a set point in children where they don't like losing, so even when you try to explain to them why this loss is irrelevant or it's in their head, they get upset." - Shiyan Koh

"Teachers don't want students to generate essays using ChatGPT and submit them, but there could be a learning process where you write an outline in class first, then feel free to interact with ChatGPT at home and go through the iterative process of improving the essay. Educators need to restructure how they assign work and get work out of kids because so much can be automated. It doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. There are ways to incorporate automation into the learning process that would improve the quality of learning." - Shiyan Koh

In this discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they talk about the impact of artificial intelligence on parenting and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. They discuss how AI can help parents in various ways, such as monitoring children's behaviour, providing personalized learning experiences, and automating routine tasks. However, they also recognize the potential risks associated with relying too much on AI, such as the loss of human connection and the potential for bias. Regarding parenting in the age of AI, they emphasize the importance of balancing technology and human connection. They suggest that parents should view AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human interaction and that they should stay informed about its potential risks and benefits.

When it comes to their hopes for the future of their children, Jeremy and Shiyan express the desire for their children to be well-equipped to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape. They want their children to develop critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and adaptability to succeed in an increasingly automated world. Overall, the discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh highlights the potential benefits and challenges of AI in parenting and the need to approach technology with caution and balance.

Read the transcript at https://bravesea.com/blog/parenting-ai

WhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau?lang=en

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Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

#bravesea #ParentingInTheAgeOfAI #AIandEducation #TechEducation #FutureOfWork #ContrarianParenting #WinWinSolutions #GlobalOutcomes #AIAssistedLearning #EdTech #LearningSolutions #FutureOfEducation #TechInEducation #ValuesInEducation #AIValuesEducation #FutureOfLearning

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/the-future-of-parenting-in-the-age-of-ai-challenges-opportunities-ethical-concerns-and-solutions

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 21:00:12 +0000

David Yin: Random Walk to Career (Journalist to VC Partner), Finding Yourself at Stanford & Harvard, & Drinking From Firehoses Startups

“Writing a story similar to writing an investment memo, and finding a good story, is figuring out what’s not being reported. You try to dig for information where there's no information. You talk to people in the ecosystem, you talk to CEOs and founders, and then we ultimately put everything together. It all goes back into a storyline at the end of the day when people say that investing is both an art and a science.” - David Yin

“It's a bit weird that I'm not doing something in early-stage tech. The other part that I realized was that I liked the aspect of a job where I got to work with people and grow with people. That's something that I didn't really find in public equity. So as I thought about what I wanted to do, what I'm relatively excited by, I thought that venture capital was a good combination or it allowed me to do investing in early-stage companies, but also allow me to work with many interesting folks.” - David Yin

In this episode of BRAVE, David Yin and Jeremy Au discussed several key themes related to career growth and personal development. One of the main themes was the unpredictable nature of career paths. David shared his journey from journalism to venture capital, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two fields, including the importance of crafting compelling stories, learning about diverse industries, and building strong networks. Another topic they explored was the value of attending a prestigious institution like Harvard, where one has the opportunity to discover and develop their interests and potential. The conversation also touched on coping with the challenges of working in venture capital, including the need to make ambiguous choices and learn quickly. They discussed different investment styles and the importance of being brave and taking risks in this field.

Throughout the conversation, David emphasized his desire to make a positive impact and help others in the ecosystem become better investors and founders over the next decade. He shared his personal experience of backpacking around the world and attempting a challenging land crossing between Jordan and Israel as examples of his own courage and willingness to take risks.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/david-yin

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau?lang=en

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Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

#bravesea #journalism #venturecapital #SoutheastAsia #bravery #careeradvice #diversity #globalization #immigrantfounders #expatriatefounders #humility #teambuilding #geopolitics #risks #impact #mentoring #learningcurve

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/david-yin-random-walk-to-career-journalist-to-vc-partner-finding-yourself-at-stanford-harvard-drinking-from-firehoses-startups

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Startup Tech Talent Insights, Salary Arbitrage, Skill Gaps, Equity Differences, Bonus Structures and Hybrid vs. Remote vs. Office Thanks to Monk’s Hill Ventures & Glints - E268

"To build, sell, and lead. Those are three essential roles for the future, and learning to do all three simultaneously or being ambidextrous is incredibly challenging but valuable. Building is key - can you code or understand code and leverage technology to construct and organize effectively? Selling is about understanding human needs and identifying problems to solve." - Jeremy Au

"I think values are important for leadership because people need to connect with you and understand what you stand for. It's about creating a just environment and treating others fairly, not just in a transactional way. Values are connected to your sense of self and confidence in knowing what you believe in, even if it goes against what others think. It's important to have a sense of right and wrong and a sense of self in those things." - Shiyan Koh

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh discuss the current state of the job market and provide advice for individuals navigating this challenging time. They predict that the pain caused by the pandemic is likely to drag on for another two years and that layoffs will continue to be a reality for many companies. They caution against shallow cuts, which can negatively impact morale and create uncertainty among remaining employees. When it comes to preparing for the future, they highlight the importance of building skills in communication, technology, and statistics. Rather than training for specific jobs, they emphasize the need to develop these core skills, which can be applied to a range of positions. In addition to technical skills, they stress the importance of values and the ability to lead, sell, and build.

They also discuss the need to maintain a sense of self and confidence in the face of uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of having values and being able to communicate them effectively, as well as the need to build resilience and develop the ability to thrive in challenging situations. Overall, they provide practical advice for individuals looking to navigate the job market during a time of great uncertainty and change.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-tech-talents

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz/

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Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

#bravesea #startup #founder #southeastasia #singapore #entrepreneurship #futureproof #skills #coding #stats #values #communication #jobmarket

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/building-future-proof-skills-writing-comms-coding-stats-values-navigating-the-job-market

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 21:00:10 +0000

Shao-Ning Huang: Angel Investor Economics & Mistakes, Women Founder & Investor Representation & Cut Off Toxic Relationships

“I invest because I believe in the founder, and I want to believe that the business will make a difference in the ecosystem and the economy in the future. There are many problems in the space, in life, business, economies, financial technology, and everything. If we don't support new ideas to disrupt, support, and improve, then we will never progress” - Shao-Ning Huang

“I am not in favour of angels who invest solely because it's a hot space or because their friends are investing in it. The space you invest in should be something that you have a personal affinity for and that you feel is relevant to you. It's all about how you read the founder, decipher that part, and apply your personal understanding of the space or market. While a good founder is very reflective of themselves, an angel investor has to reflect on their own value system before choosing which space to invest in.” - Shao-Ning Huang

In this episode of BRAVE, Shao-Ning Huang, an angel investor and co-founder of AngelCentral, shares her insights on angel investing, women representation in the industry, and personal experiences. She advises new investors to listen to at least 20 pitches before investing and to invest in spaces that they understand and feel personally relevant. She emphasizes the importance of analyzing the execution capability of founders beyond their charisma. She stresses that angel investing is time-consuming and can be a high-risk, high-reward activity, and encourages individuals to invest with the intention of making a difference to the ecosystem and economy. Regarding women representation in the industry, Shao-Ning acknowledges the challenges that women founders and investors face, including biases in business culture, masculine coding and communication, and limited access to networks and resources. She encourages women to adapt and evolve to raise capital or step up as investors, while also promoting a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Shao-Ning shares her personal experience of cutting off toxic relationships in her life and the struggle she faced in the process. She emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's own emotional health and seeking professional help if needed. She suggests compartmentalizing one's life and feelings and addressing personal issues in a way that is authentic and relevant to oneself.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shao-ning-huang

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

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Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

#bravesea #angelinvesting #startupinvesting #femalefounders #investorrepresentation #diversityandinclusion #entrepreneurship #investmentadvice #toxicrelationships #emotionalhealth #professionalgrowth #careeradvice #earlystageinvesting #investingstrategy #startupfunding

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/shao-ning-huang-angel-investor-economics-mistakes-women-founder-investor-representation-cut-off-toxic-relationships

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Ethan Ang: Glassdoor vs. Indeed vs. Nodeflair, Founder Persona Projection & Vulnerable Honesty / Dare to Lead - E266

"When you admit to not knowing and being scared, it can make you feel weak, but if you have the right team, they will want to help you even more. It's ironic, the more you say you can't do something, the more people come forward and offer their assistance." - Ethan Ang

“One of the most accelerating things for me was getting a coach. It helps because I realize that a lot of the mistakes or the reasons why NodeFlair is not growing as fast as I wish it could have been in 2018 till now and I'm a firm believer that the business grows as fast as the founder. A lot of the kind of bottlenecks or problems that we face was just because of my not being mature enough and not being clear with what I wanted.” - Ethan Ang

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au interviews Ethan Ang, the cofounder and CEO of NodeFlair, a company that provides a one-stop-shop platform for job seekers and employers in Singapore. Ethan shares his journey from his university days, his struggles in the HR Tech industry, to his growth as a founder and CEO. Throughout the epsiode, Ethan highlights the importance of vulnerability and honesty in leadership, stressing that being open about weaknesses and uncertainties can attract more help and support from team members. He also underscores the value of self-reflection and coaching in accelerating personal growth and the growth of one's company.

Ethan delves into the challenges and trade-offs in creating a business that serves both job seekers and employers, and shares insights on product development and decision-making. He highlights the importance of building a team with a shared vision and values, and his strategy of hiring team members who are willing to be vulnerable and honest in their work. Overall, this interview offers valuable insights and lessons on leadership, teamwork, and growth, making it a must-listen for aspiring founders and entrepreneurs looking to create a successful business that makes a positive impact in their community.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ethan-ang

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

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#bravesea #startuplife #founderstruggles #leadershipdevelopment #teamwork #honesty #vulnerability #coaching #selfreflection #bookrecommendations #professionaldevelopment #hrtech #recruiting #companyculture #growthmindset

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/ethan-ang-glassdoor-vs-indeed-vs-nodeflair-founder-persona-projection-vulnerable-honesty-dare-to-lead

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Philippines Market Dive (Macros, Fintech, & Founders Outside Manila), Positives (Demand, Culture, Language) vs. Improvements (Talent Gap, Education, Food Security) Thanks To Foxmont Capital Partners & BCG - E265

"I fear brain drain. If you aren't optimistic about your country in the long term and want to move somewhere else, it creates a net outflow of talent that makes it hard for the ecosystem to build. There are very few countries in the world that actually have a net outflow. To have it continuously for so many years, especially when there's no war or push factor, is quite an interesting dynamic. This drives the FinTech sector. There's a self-perpetuating cycle here, where nobody wants to upset this flow. But from a tech ecosystem standpoint, there's so much more to build in the Philippines." - Jeremy Au

"I see a lot of my founders asking for support specifically for product manager and growth lead talents. We lack that a little bit because tech giants are all regional. So a lot of the positions are actually Singapore-based compared to being Manila-based, which is a bit of a lacking cohort of product managers and senior growth lead talents that some of our startups need, especially at Series B stages. I think that's the biggest gap." - Mark Sng

In this episode of the BRAVE, Jeremy Au, Mark Sng, and Shiyan Koh discussed the Philippines' current state and potential in terms of technology and startups. The conversation revolved around the country's young population, its highly skilled and English-speaking workforce, and its growing FinTech sector. The hosts also talked about the challenges faced by the Philippines, such as brain drain due to the lack of optimism about the country's long-term prospects. They also noted the fragmented nature of the country, with numerous islands and logistical challenges, as well as the effects of inflation on the economy. Despite these challenges, the hosts expressed optimism about the Philippines' potential for growth and innovation, citing the strong alumni networks of companies such as Rocket Internet and the country's openness to foreign businesses.

The hosts also highlighted various startups in the country, such as Locad, which offers software-driven, flexible solutions to e-commerce fulfillment and logistics, and Shipmates, a courier platform for e-commerce. They also mentioned the Philippines' burgeoning improv comedy scene, which speaks to the country's openness to new ideas and cultural influences. Overall, the hosts concluded that while the Philippines faces significant challenges, such as brain drain and logistical obstacles, it has the potential to be a major player in the global startup ecosystem, thanks to its young population, skilled workforce, and openness to innovation.

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/philippines-market-dive

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz/

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Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

#bravesea #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #founderstories #fintech #techindustry #globalbusiness #investmentstrategy #investorinsights #asiaeconomy #emergingmarkets #philippinestech #singaporetech #VCperspective #techleadership

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/philippines-market-dive-macros-fintech-founders-outside-manila-positives-demand-culture-language-vs-improvements-talent-gap-education-food-security-thanks-to-foxmont-capital-partners-bcg

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 21:00:08 +0000

Robert Huynh: Google Moonshots to Vietnam YC Founder, Harvard MBA Dropout & Sea Turtle and Product Market Fit Iteration

In this insightful episode of Brave, Robert Huynh, co-founder of construction labor marketplace Nook, shares his journey from a successful career at Google's X Moonshot to dropping out of Harvard Business School to start his own company in Vietnam. Huynh discusses his approach to risk-taking, cultural transitions, and product iteration. He emphasizes the importance of community and shares valuable lessons learned. Through his story, Huynh showcases the power of embracing challenges, staying true to your values, and taking decisive action towards your goals.

“I have this gamer mindset that just means maximizing the things I'm good at, minimizing the things I suck at. Whenever I do something, I just go all in. It’s a lot less about de-risking, I think it's more about expanding my options and just taking decisions and going with it. It’s like dropping out of school. I didn't think too much about it. It was just a decision th at at the end of the day I made and we just never looked back and so I think it just happened that way that all these things led to de-risking each decision.” - Robert Hyunh

"The bootcamp part of Y Combinator is often overlooked. People talk about demo day and getting all these investors, but the advice in the bootcamp was so relevant. It was impactful to have different founders come in and talk to us and understand where we are right now. It's something that I wouldn't have been able to understand if I wasn't going through that journey then." - Robert Hyunh

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blo g/robert-huynh

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/robert-hyunh-google-moonshots-to-vietnam-yc-founder-harvard-mba-dropout-sea-turtle-and-product-market-fit-iteration

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Vikram Bharati: Facing Loneliness To Be Your Own Best Companion, Building One Million Businesses and Extreme Difficulty vs. Real Need

Meet Vikram Bharati, the visionary founder of Draper Startup House, a global network of entrepreneurial hubs. Vikram's journey from a successful banking career to solo backpacking around the world led him to settle down in Singapore and launch his hospitality company, originally known as Tribe Theory. His mission is to build one million new businesses worldwide by 2030 through a unique combination of traditional hospitality, micro-campuses, and investment houses. With a presence in 25 countries, Vikram's background in venture capital investments and banking has enabled him to create a new category in hospitality that supports startups across the globe. Join us in Vikram's mission to revolutionize the startup ecosystem and drive innovation forward.

“I’ve learned from my travels, banking, and being born in certain economic strata that building a business is the most powerful tool that we have. It is the solution to the world's problems because through it, you create new employment opportunities, trade with each other and with other countries, and build more social cohesion. The more people I can help build a business with, the more the world becomes a better place.” - Vikram Bharati

"I met a lot of entrepreneurs who started with nothing and built an empire. The motivation in the back of my mind was that I would also build something one day. The desire was always there, but it never manifested into something until I paused and decided I wanted a substantial change in my life. Once I took that break, things fell into place. As I was traveling, the experience became a great catalyst for me to start doing what I'm doing today." - Vikram Bharati

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vikram-bharati

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vikram-bharati-facing-loneliness-to-be-your-own-best-companion-building-one-million-businesses-and-extreme-difficulty-vs-real-need

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Founder & VC “Lost In Translation”, Common Misunderstandings (Rejections, Interrogations & NDAs) and Positive Sum Negotiations & Reference Checks - E262

In this engaging conversation between two seasoned venture capitalists, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they discuss the challenges that can arise due to "lost in translation" moments in the world of start-up investment. From cultural differences to communication breakdowns, the duo explore the importance of building a trusted and respectful relationship between founders and investors, as well as the need for transparency and honesty throughout the process. Ultimately, they conclude that it's crucial to work with people of high integrity who are committed to creating a positive-sum world, where entrepreneurs can succeed and create value that didn't exist before.

"The deck is a demonstration of your thinking, and its goal is to get the meeting. The goal of the meeting is to get another meeting. There's a process, but it's a progressive learning and trust-building exercise, so a conversation is really important. Recently, I was at an interesting pitch where the founder sent over an FAQ page on top of the deck. When we started the meeting, I was already advanced in the conversation, which is a great way to build trust and move the ball forward effectively."- Shiyan Koh

"A lot of founders are very focused on the pitch deck, but it's really about the relationship and evaluation of the founder as a business leader of the new technology. Having a deck that indicates expansion plans is not really a problem per se, but it's about why it exhibits a certain judgment. It’s about the realism of the traction and how hard it is when the rubber hits the road. Any startup that's being decided today is a giant experiment being done in the process." - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/lost-in-translation

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/lost-in-translation-moments-founder-vc-misunderstandings-in-young-ecosystems-nda-requests-and-fostering-collaboration-and-transparency-in-the-startup-world

Visit our community at: https://www.bravesea.com

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Fatherhood Changed Me: Life Dimension Color, Time Travel (Present, Past & Future) and Seven Generation Contract - E261

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au reflects on how becoming a father changed him, the new dimension of life he discovered, his changed relationship with time, the concept of seven-generation stewardship and technology's impact on the next generation.

“I think about the future, the environment, and social issues. I also think about my role as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist and how I’m going to invest my time, attention, capital, and wisdom in the technologies, leaders, and companies that are going to build the future. Suddenly, I'm not just investing capital for capital returns but for something that will transform millions of lives. I hope my children will live better lives because of the technology we’re building together.” - Jeremy Au

"My children gave a deeper meaning to my life and it's on a different axis from happiness. Happiness comes and goes, but meaning doesn’t. This calls back to the philosophy I read that life may not necessarily be happy. It can be full of bad things, fear, tears, and anger, yet it’s meaningful. We also see this in different jobs. Pastors, soldiers, doctors, and the police often have tough lives and they’re not necessarily happy every day, but there’s a deeper meaning in what they do that’s not just qualitative but also quantitatively proven across behavioral economics." - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fatherhood-changed-me

WhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/fatherhood-changed-me-life-dimension-color-time-travel-present-past-future-and-seven-generation-contract

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Hugh Mason: Founding JFDI Accelerator & Mistakes, Just F***ing Do It and Choosing Your Tribe

Co-founding JFDI.Asia, Southeast Asia's first startup accelerator, gave Hugh Mason the chance to work with and invest in the ideas of hundreds of local entrepreneurs, just as the regional startup scene got going. He's also worked with some of the biggest multinationals in the region to inspire corporate innovation. Now with the freedom to reflect on what makes some ventures succeed and others not, he's partway through a PhD that's helping to reveal the underlying psychology of startup founders, the networks they need to succeed and what his own career as an entrepreneur was all about.

"The conclusion I’ve come to, which academic research also shows, is that a well-run accelerator does make a difference by attracting great talent. The aggregation of great talent and the community you build around an accelerator are more important than any kind of process. There isn’t a magic selection process to pick out winners and ensure success. We created a community because we wanted to bring people together. If you think of trying to get chemical reactions to happen, you put some molecules in a box and shake it and try and bang them into each other." - Hugh Mason

“The theory that I'm trying to explore through my Ph.D. is that when we are stuck on the level of operational or immediate activities in front of us, we can't see the big picture. The key is reframing what you’re trying to understand and control, knowing where that’s in conflict, and reframing things to remove the conflict. Pivoting is about reframing. If there’s no way to do that, it means that’s a good time to close down and move on.” - Hugh Mason

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/hugh-mason

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/hugh-mason-founding-jfdi-accelerator-mistakes-just-f-ing-do-it-and-choosing-your-tribe

Visit our community at: https://www.bravesea.com

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:00:12 +0000

TikTok vs. Congress, Pro vs Anti Ban Argument, Gen Z Lobbying, Darwinian Content Curation & Historical Parallels

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh discuss the ongoing conflict between TikTok and Congress, examining both the pro and anti-ban arguments. They also dive into the role of Gen Z in lobbying for TikTok, the Darwinian content curation of the platform, and historical parallels to similar conflicts in the past.

“I believe the argument is valid and relevant to the need for broader social media regulation. I support the idea of equal rules for all. Similar to the implementation of seat belts in cars, initially, there was resistance to the idea until the government intervened to address the high number of injuries and deaths caused by car accidents. The mandate led to the creation of safer steering wheels and airbags. In the same way, there should be a minimum requirement for social media platforms to adhere to safety standards, and the government should create fair rules for everyone.” - Jeremy Au

“I worry that this is the world our children will grow up in. They would have to sort through what is true, what story is being told, what they really believe, or what other people’s motivations are in pushing these narratives. There’s a lot of media awareness that has to be taught these days that we didn’t have to face when we were kids.“ - Shiyan Koh

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiktok-vs-congress

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/tiktok-vs-congress-pro-vs-anti-ban-argument-gen-z-lobbying-darwinian-content-curation-historical-parallels

Visit our community at: https://www.bravesea.com

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Q&A: How to Choose Great VCs, Red Flags, Reference Checks & Capital Optionality

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong discuss how to choose great VCs, conduct reference checks, increase capital optionality, and the red flags to watch out for.

“Building a great business with product market fit gives you a lot of capital optionality. You don’t have to build a billion-dollar company in order to raise millions of dollars. It means if you're trying to raise from angel capital, then you should de-risk. You have to be thoughtful about strategy. You should think about how you're bracketing the set of de-risked experimental progress milestones that help you understand the business model in a way that's proportionate to what the capital is looking for.” - Jeremy Au

“I had an experience with a great VC. We told each other what we wanted because we’re both going to gain if we hit a certain level of outcome. If we don't get there, we won’t get an outcome. We have a conversation about what the parameters are and the reasons why they are important. We build trust because I'm going to have to fundraise from the next investors. I have to trust this guide explaining the financial terms because it's a long relationship.” - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/choosing-vc

WhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/q-a-how-to-choose-great-vcs-red-flags-reference-checks-capital-optionality

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:00:15 +0000

Will Fan: Vietnam Refugee & Cab Driver Family Legacy, Pivoting to NewCampus Product-Market Fit, and Invincible Grief From Sister's Death - E257

Will Fan is an accomplished business leader, writer, and academic. He is the CEO and Head of School at NewCampus, a prestigious business school catering to emerging leaders in Asia. Prior to this, Will was the co-founder and CEO of QLC, a successful startup focused on virtual internships. Will is also a respected writer and has contributed articles to e27 and Forbes Business Council. Will holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from UNSW.

“My grandfather who I never met, fled the Vietnam War. He sent his seven kids, in three different parts. One was by foot through Thailand, the other was by boat to Malaysia and the other by train to China. My mom was actually through the train. My grandfather went MIA with my grandmother and two of my uncles never heard from me again. I put together a journal of all those stories of Vietnamese families two years ago with the family and I think a lot about the legacy that his family and our family have built, his brother and all the cousins, including my mom who went to Sydney. I actually felt so proud that was part of a legacy that they built.” - Will Fan

“My LinkedIn has a dove that’s a personal representation of strength. When I'm back against a wall or having a bad day, it allows me to take a step back, reflect and realize it's not that big of a deal, and move forward. I use the word “invincible” as a reminder that the world's not gonna die tomorrow. Just keep moving forward, sleep it off, and restart.” - Will Fan

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/will-fan

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/will-fan-vietnam-refugee-cab-driver-family-legacy-pivoting-to-newcampus-product-market-fit-and-invincible-grief-from-sisters-death

Visit our community at: https://www.bravesea.com

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Vietnam Market Dive, Bull (Education, FDI, Friendshoring) vs. Bear (Exit Pathing, Stock Market, Banking Liquidity), Anti-Corruption Campaign and Patient Capital - E256

In this discussion, Jeremy Au and Valerie Vu explore the Vietnam market from both bull and bear perspectives. The bull case is supported by factors such as education, foreign direct investment, and "friendshoring," while the bear case highlights concerns about exit pathing, the stock market, and banking liquidity. The conversation also covers the potential impact of the anti-corruption campaign and the importance of patient capital in Vietnam's economic development.

"I hope to see more talents returning to Vietnam. I’m so impressed with Vietnam’s Gen Z but now they choose to start their careers in developed countries like Singapore, the US, and Europe. I spend a lot of time giving them advice on how to best move back to Vietnam and navigate the differences here. That's why I'm passionate about building a community and giving out the best educational content. I show conviction and build up their conviction for the country so they can return home to make an impact and build up Vietnam." Valerie Vu

"We get a lot of learning and inspiration from Chinese politics. China has also consolidated power and launched anti-corruption campaigns in the last eight years. Vietnam is also going through an anti-corruption campaign, but on a shorter timeline. Things might seem overwhelming for a lot of foreign investors, especially US investors who are not familiar with Asian politics. We want to attract more FDIs for the country, grow the economy, and improve Vietnamese people's lives." Valerie Vu

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-market-dive

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/vietnam-market-dive-bull-education-fdi-friendshoring-vs-bear-exit-pathing-stock-market-banking-liquidity-anti-corruption-campaign-and-patient-capital

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Q&A: Founders "Showing Off", Fundraising Privilege, Board Accountability & Responsible Capital Deployment - E255

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au answers a listener’s questions about why founders “show off”, the fiduciary duties of executives, board members, and VCs, and the advantages of being able to raise capital in startups and how to responsibly deploy it.

“The difference between privilege and advantage is what you are doing with it. A lot of people have advantages but they just sit on them. They’re comfortable with it and some of them even squander it. We have advantages in different areas, so let’s be clear-eyed and realistic and build in those areas as much as we can. Let’s take a step back and respect those who want to make a difference regardless of their advantage.” - Jeremy Au

"The media really wants human stories. It’s interesting to know company stories about growth rates and how robust the business is, but they want to talk about classic heroes' journeys that came through, how they overcame obstacles, got advice, changed their lives, and built a business that’s doing well." - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/fundraising-privilege

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/q-a-why-do-founders-show-off-privilege-in-fundraising-board-responsibilities-how-is-capital-deployed-responsibly

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Roger Egan: RedMart's Untold Origin Story (Almost Missing Payroll 4 Times), Sacrifices vs. Black Hole, & Constructionist Child Learning Startup

Roger Egan is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. He is currently Cofounder & CEO of Nurture, a pre-launch EdTech / Media startup that enables children to co-learn with their parents via fun, bonding activities. Prior to Nurture, Roger was Cofounder and CEO of RedMart, the largest online grocery in Singapore. Roger has an MBA in Entrepreneurship from INSEAD Business School and a BA in Economics from The University of Pennsylvania.

“The Constructionist Learning Theory is about learning by doing and experiencing things. It's self-directed so that you learn in the context of something you're motivated to learn about. You can apply those skills as needed, as opposed to instructionism, where there's an authoritative figure who has all the knowledge that they impart to the student, which you see as a vessel to fill up with a lot of materials. They measure learning through a test which is not the best way to measure learning and determine how successful someone’s going to be.” - Roger Egan

“Technological change is only going to accelerate. We’re seeing a huge acceleration in AI which will make human skills uniquely valuable in the future. Adapting is going to be much more important and there is learning that you have to do alone. I would teach kids how to use AI as a tool, ask it the right questions, learn from it, and apply it in building a second brain. They should learn how to leverage this tool than ban it.” - Roger Egan

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/roger-egan

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/roger-egan-redmarts-untold-origin-story-almost-missing-payroll-4-times-sacrifices-vs-black-hole-constructionist-child-learning-startup

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:00:16 +0000

Silicon Valley Bank Implosion, SE Asia Impact, Underwriting Quality (Diversification vs. Correlation), 2023 Fintech Trends and International Women’s Day

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh delve into F Prime’s 2023 report on fintech, and also empowerment and gender equality for women on International Women’s Day. They also discuss the rise of Pay Now and its impact on the payment industry, taking the lead over traditional players like MasterCard.

Check out F Prime’s 2023 State of fintech report here.

“Intellectually, everybody knows what to do because there's so many substacks, and VC taught leadership what to do. It's either expense reduction, cost reduction, or revenue improvement. What's interesting is, people are looking for stories. It's more about the emotionality and not in a bad way, but at the end of the day, it's a human decision by the founder to change mindset, point of view, or optimism. People are looking for human stories. That's so important because that's what people are asking for.” - Jeremy Au

“Product market fit means you aren’t blowing yourself up with your underwriting when these books are starting to mature. In the early days, people often get really loose with their underwriting standards to show growth. When the market turns, that's when a lot of this stuff blows. At the end of the day, the capital efficiency piece is really important whether you are an investor or a founder. You are in the business of capital allocation and you need to be really honest about how effectively that capital is working for you.” - Shiyan Koh

Read the transcript here at: https://www.bravesea.com/blog/silicon-valley-bank-implosion

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/silicon-valley-bank-implosion-se-asia-impact-underwriting-quality-diversification-vs-correlation-2023-fintech-trends-and-international-womens-day

Visit our community at:www.bravesea.com

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 21:00:12 +0000

Future of VR (Bull vs. Bear), Metaverse Generational Gap (Millennials vs. Gen Z vs. Gen Alpha) & Hikikomori & Whale Normalization

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au discusses the dynamics of the metaverse. He explains the parallels between the development of AI and VR in terms of generational adoption, the bullish market of VR in the long run, and the rise of whales in the next generation.

"At the end of the day, is virtual reality dead? The answer is no. It's alive in the hearts of Generation Alpha who will really drive it to peak usage. The ones who are going to build and monetize it are the millennials and Generation Z.” - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/future-of-vr

WhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/future-of-vr-bull-vs-bear-metaverse-generational-gap-millenials-vs-gen-z-vs-gen-alpha-hikikomori-whale-normalization

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:00:16 +0000

Caela Tanjangco: Cautious Optimism Around Philippines, Founder Storytelling Advice & Nautical Stars Tattoo - E251

Caela Tanjangco is a Director for Asia at Endeavor Catalyst. She started with Medical School but later pursued a business career, including founding a healthcare startup. She is also Co-Chair of the Impact Council at the Global Shapers Community and holds a Master's Degree in International Management and a BS in Psychology.

"We have companies that have raised Series B, had the first female founder raise the highest amount of Series A funding, and have CBCs, which is the biggest ever in the Philippines. I'm cautiously optimistic about the country in terms of the next stage of funding because of what's happening in the market. We have a lot of good founders and strong fundamentals, but because of what's happening in the public and private markets, we’re affected in terms of the succeeding funding in Series C, pre-IPO, and Series B. We lack investors in that area for all the companies that have just raised their Series B."- Caela Tanjangco

"There are disadvantages to being founders who don't speak English or who might have problems communicating about their startup when pitching to global funds. I won’t say that's a shortfall, but it's an issue that entrepreneurs need support with. It’s a gap that we need to address so that they're better acknowledged and understood by global investors." - Caela Tanjangco

Read the transcript here at: www.bravesea.com/blog/caela-tanjangco

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/caela-tanjangco-cautious-optimism-around-philippines-founder-storytelling-advice-nautical-stars-tattoo

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:00:14 +0000

Luxury & Conspicuous Consumption, Brand vs. Performance Startup Marketers, Premium Lifestyle vs. Features vs. Referral & Luxury Marketing Narrative (One Championship vs. Nike vs. Patek Philippe)

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh discuss luxury, startup marketing, and the three types of human stories. Shiyan explains how talent and supply chain management drive economies of scale in the luxury industry. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of understanding consumers and being a great communicator to succeed in marketing. The discussion also touches on how the three types of human stories relate to branding and marketing strategies.

“Marketing is often seen as the company communicating to the consumers and the market is the consumers’ feedback on product features and campaigns. At an early stage of a startup, there are so many adjustments based on market feedback and it can be a bit of a shock for marketers. Both performance and brand marketers can fail if they don't use the time to really understand what a consumer wants, so a great marketing officer is also a great communicator, both on brand and performance. ” Jeremy Au

“Luxury is special because it’s limited and not everyone can have it. The economies of scale come in terms of talent and supply chain. Supply chain is easier to think about but talent is really interesting. If you are working inside a single family-owned brand, you can't advance unless your boss leaves, but if you own a family of brands, you can have opportunities to move laterally and learn from lots of different brands. You can disproportionately attract better talent, both on the creative side and on the managerial side, which you both need for a luxury business.” - Shiyan Koh

Read the transcript here at: www.bravesea.com/blog/luxury-conspicuous-consumption

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/luxury-conspicuous-consumption-brand-vs-performance-startup-marketers-premium-lifestyle-vs-features-vs-referral-luxury-marketing-narrative-one-championship-vs-nike-vs-patek-philippe

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:00:11 +0000

Sabrina Ooi: Bipolar & Being Arrested For Suicide, Turning Passion to Startup & Managing Founder Stress - E249

Sabrina Ooi is the cofounder & CEO of Calm Collective Asia, an organization with the mission to normalize mental health conversations in Asia. She is a mental health expert by experience, having achieved personal recovery and well-being through her journey with bipolar disorder. Through her work with Calm Collective, she has consulted for and created global mental health programs for brands like Spotify, The Body Shop, and Standard Chartered. She has been featured in various publications and was named a Gen.T Honouree in 2021. Sabrina has worked in the software and marketing industries and was a professional DJ in top nightlife establishments.

"I have bipolar disorder and I’ve gone through struggles before I got diagnosed. I got arrested for attempting suicide and lost two friends to suicide. Surviving that horrible, challenging period of my life helped me learn how to manage and thrive with it. My personal journey has given me a lot of learnings and insights around mental health, from the stigma that we face to just a lot of things that we don't know about. It gave me that motivation to share what I've learned with more people so they can seek mental health support before it's too late." - Sabrina Ooi

"Bipolar disorder is basically manic depression. Depression is unipolar. Bipolar means there's depression, but there's also mania. Mania is quite interesting because you can feel energetic and sociable when you're in that state. For me, mania can show itself on nights when I don’t get any sleep. I would be very excited and start 10 or 20 new projects, but would probably not finish any of them. I would be the life of the party, but at the same time, I can be very irritable and quick to annoy people." - Sabrina Ooi

Read the transcript here at: www.bravesea.com/blog/sabrina-ooi

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/sabrina-ooi-bipolar-being-arrested-for-suicide-turning-passion-to-startup-managing-founder-stress

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 21:00:13 +0000

Digital Immortality, Personal Avatar Resolution Fidelity, Data Footprint Rights & Entertainment Industry Resurrection of Celebrities - E248

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au talks about the "resurrection" of deceased characters in the form of a hologram, the impact of digital avatars on the film industry and the different fidelity resolutions of personal avatars.

“All of us are already digitally immortal. Anybody who has a public presence can have a hologram. If I give access to my private copyrighted materials and private communications, you could create a really high-resolution avatar with my face, speaking habits and mannerisms. If I pass away, my digital footprint rights will be given to the next-of-kin and wills have to eventually include that generative-AI-replication consent clause. We have to make a decision about whether you consent to generate a level-one, middle, or very high fidelity resolution of your personality and soul.” - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript here at www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-immortality

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/digital-immortality-personal-avatar-resolution-fidelity-data-footprint-rights-entertainment-industry-resurrection-of-celebrities

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:00:10 +0000

AI vs. Electricity Adoption Trajectory, USA vs. China Startup-Military-Industrial Complex Integration & Accelerating State Subsidy Race - E247

In this episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au reflects on deep learning breakthroughs’ timeline, AI’s impact on military technology and the increased incentives for more AI engineer training, funding and integration, based on a ChinAI article written by Jeffrey Ding.

“AI is going to accelerate the military-industrial complex. It’s not just good for the economy or academics, but also for national security. That's going to be a very interesting fusion. There may also be multiple attempts by states to build out those AI hubs over a 20 to 30-year timeframe, so we might see more subsidies, education, advocacy and championing for folks to learn AI.” - Jeremy Au

Read the transcript here at Read the transcript here at www.bravesea.com/blog/ai-electricity-adoption

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/diary-1-ai-vs-electricity-adoption-trajectory-usa-vs-china-startup-military-industrial-complex-integration-accelerating-state-subsidy-race

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:00:14 +0000

SaaS Marketplaces vs. Middleware, Embedded Finance, and Urban Income Inflection Points thanks to January Capital

In the latest episode of BRAVE, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh analyze January Capital's monthly report on Southeast Asia, focusing on the region's marketplaces with low margins. They delve into how these marketplaces are leveraging embedded finance to increase their profit margins, while also considering the role of retention in simplifying their operations. Furthermore, the discussion also touches upon the shifting trends in the SaaS landscape of Southeast Asia.

Download the January Capital report here.

Read the transcript here at: www.bravesea.com/blog/january-capital-report

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

https://pod.co/bravedynamics/january-capital-report-embedded-finance-revenue-retention-saas-trends-in-southeast-asia

Visit our community at: www.bravesea.com

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 02:27:50 +0000

Michael Kosic: VC Diversification Free Lunch, Sortino vs. Sharpe Ratio and Open-Ended Funds - E245

Michael Kosic is a Managing Partner of the Loyal VC, founded in 2018. Loyal runs a global venture fund with flexible redemptions and a proprietary gate-stage process, reducing investment bias and unlocking greater returns. Loyal draws on Michael's lifelong experience as a technology entrepreneur, professional Industrial Engineer, and Angel Investor, while heavily leveraging his INSEAD network, where he earned his MBA, and the Founder Institute accelerator.

Read the transcript here at: www.bravesea.com/blog/michael-kosic

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu/featured

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464