Episodi

  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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  • 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

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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    Learn more about HDMall here:

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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    Learn more about HDMall here:

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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    Learn more about HDMall here:

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  • 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

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    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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  • 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

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  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Learn more about HDMall here:

    htps://www.hdmall.co.th

    https://www.hdmall.id

  • ​​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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Learn more about HDMall here:

    htps://www.hdmall.co.th

    https://www.hdmall.id

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    Learn more about HDMall here:

    htps://www.hdmall.co.th

    https://www.hdmall.id

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

    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

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

    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

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

    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

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

    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

  • 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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

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

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

    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