BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast

This BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast interview of Gobi Partners’ Carlo Chen-Delantar is a real deep-dive into the Philippine startup ecosystem’s current state, and the various internal and external factors that influence its trajectory. If you’re curious about how the ecosystem is poised to take advantage of 2025’s opportunities, and what stakeholders need to do to overcome the hurdles, take some time to watch this. Good job on a super episode, Jeremy Au 区汉辉!

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: VC Advantages: Market Expertise, Due Diligence vs. Fraud & LonelyTech Case Study - E499 Jeremy Au 区汉辉 examined the key advantages for venture capital judgment, with a focus on local market expertise in Southeast Asia. VCs must confront the limits of their knowledge and not be overconfident, especially in frontier markets. Global funds have been burned by high-profile and hidden cases of unchecked fraud (e.g., Theranos, FTX, and Zilingo), illustrating how localized due-diligence analysts. He discusses how VCs are evaluating and investing in “lonelytech” AI companionship, exemplified by companies like friend.com, which offers on-demand AI friends for those seeking constant companionship. Reflecting on his experience with Professor Howard Gardner’s work on multiple intelligences and the "Good Citizen Project," Jeremy underscored the societal shift from traditional support systems to commodified relationships, now facilitated by technology. He highlighted the VC’s responsibility in distinguishing sustainable value from fleeting trends while navigating the ethical terrain between investment potential and societal impact. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/g39uX3yj Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gUXN-SkC 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gaVMuXsj Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gRfwvD5m #VentureCapital #FraudDetection #RiskAnalysis #SoutheastAsiaStartups #LonelyTech #VC #ArtificialIntelligence #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Kheng Lian Ho: Law to Turn Capital Managing Partner, Buying Flash Coffee Thailand & Turnaround & Emerging Fund Manager Advice - E498 Kheng Lian Ho, Managing Partner at Turn Capital 龍丞資本, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Law to Turn Capital Managing Partner: Kheng’s disciplined childhood as a 11-year old Singapore national badminton athlete laid the foundation for her early legal carer For six years, she practiced restructuring and cross-border litigation in Singapore and Hong Kong, drawn to the intellectual challenges but stifled by routine and limited personal connection. Kheng left her law career to do angel investing, be a venture partner at Vectr Ventures in Hong Kong, facilitated deal sourcing and capital markets, and founded the Open Circles community to connect entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Building on her extensive network and operational expertise, Kheng co-founded Turn Capital alongside Joseph Phua and Shang Koo. With a focus on acquiring and transforming underperforming consumer tech companies, Turn Capital leverages 40 combined years of experience to revitalize these businesses and guide them back to profitability. 2. Buying Flash Coffee Thailand & Turnaround: Her fund strategy is a. acquired former VC-backed startups plagued by high costs and inefficiencies in social, entertainment, media, and e-commerce sectors b. limited number of acquisitions for deep hands-on business engagement and c. balanced goal of 3-5x returns over five years. Their first acquisition, Flash Coffee Thailand, showcases this method: by reducing the original 46 outlets by half, the team swiftly brought operations to break-even, paving the way for sustainable expansion and long-term growth. Acquiring majority operational control is key to execute rightsizing and achieve profitability within nine months. She shares that they bring an external, objective eye, vs. founders, board and executives that may not be able to reach a consensus to execute the turnaround internally. 3. Emerging Fund Manager Advice: By 2023, Turn Capital successfully raised over $20 million, backed by prominent investors such as Kee Lock from Vertex Ventures, Peng Ong from Monk’s Hill Ventures, and Twitch cofounder Kevin Lin. Kheng underscored the importance of a distinct and well-defined investment strategy to stand out in the competitive market. Kheng leveraged her established network to attract high-profile investors, emphasizing the value of relationships cultivated over time. She recommends first-time fund managers tap into their existing networks as they often become key supporters during fundraising. Unlike her prior advisory roles where rejection felt indirect, leading as a general partner made setbacks personal, demanding strong emotional resilience. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/ghYn_Dnf #StartupAcquisition #FundManagement #FlashCoffee #EmergingMarkets #InvestmentFund #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Trump 2028 Tariffs, iPhone Ban Protectionism vs. Globalization & ASEAN Unity & Peace - E497  Gita Sjahrir-Wright, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Trump 2028 Tariffs: With Trump’s return to the presidency and Republican dominance in the Senate, House, and Supreme Court, the stage is set for new tariffs on Chinese imports. This is likely to redirect manufacturing to Southeast Asia, positioning countries like Vietnam and Indonesia as key beneficiaries, particularly in sectors such as electronics and textiles. However, this move will also lead to an influx of low-cost Chinese exports into Southeast Asia, challenging local markets and putting pressure on SMEs. Concurrently, rising US labor costs fueled by stricter immigration policies are driving American companies to ramp up automation while also making Southeast Asia an attractive hub for labor-intensive industries. In aggregate, the region's business mix is likely to move from local SMEs & conglomerates to more US and China MNCs. 2. iPhone Ban Protectionism vs. Globalization: Indonesia has imposed device manufacturing local content requirements, thus leading to a ban on the Apple iPhone 16 and Google Pixel. While these policies provide temporary leverage, Gita noted that sustainable growth requires more than protectionist measures, Indonesia needs to build private-sector capacity and improve its business environment. China manufacturers are also building more local joint-venture partnerships to comply with Indonesia's proposed 200% anti-China import tariffs. This is similar to Japan’s relocation of factories to Southeast Asia during the 1970s and 1980s in response to US trade barriers. In contrast, Singapore continues to keep borders open to to Chinese and global capital - with the goal of becoming the regional talent hub vs. Hong Kong. 3. ASEAN Unity & Peace: Diplomacy across the region is vital to maintain regional stability and cohesion to address external pressures. Jeremy and Gita praised ASEAN’s ability to maintain peace despite diverse political systems and cultures. This multi-party relational resilience has underpinned decades of peace and economic growth since the Vietnam War, even in an era marked by rising protectionist policies. Remarkably, they noted how ASEAN leaders continue to come together annually for a group photo and joint communiqué — a symbolic gesture to cooperation among 700 million people across the region’s vastly different nations, cultures and languages. Jeremy and Gita also talked about Indonesia’s EV & nickel battery market potential, Malaysia’s new proactive foreign direct investment approach, and growth vs. redistribution-focused economic policies. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gm3tM8bF #USIndonesiaRelations #TradeAndTariff #ASEAN #TechAndAutomation #GlobalizationChallenges #VC #VentureCapitalist #BRAVEPodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Trump Win vs. Southeast Asia Trade, China Talent Flows & Silicon Valley Divided with Shiyan Koh - E496  Shiyan K., Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Trump Win vs. Southeast Asia Trade: Trump’s 2024 landslide election victory across the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, will reshape Southeast Asia’s economic landscape. His proposed “global 10% tariff” on all US imports and a targeted 60% tariff on Chinese goods may severely disrupt Southeast Asia’s trade flows. Singapore could face challenges for export-driven industries and its role as a key transit hub for US-China trade. Chinese-funded products manufactured in Southeast Asia—such as solar cells produced in Vietnam— may now face similar tariffs as those directly from China. Biden-era “reverse CFIUS” restrictions, which limit US investment in Chinese firms across sectors such as AI and advanced manufacturing, coupled with Trump's new China hawk administration will further accelerate American LPs and MNCs to redirect foreign direct investment (FDI) towards Southeast Asia instead of China. 2. China Talent Flows: Known as the “Delaware of Asia,” Singapore stands to benefit as both US and Chinese firms seek a neutral and stable base for regional Asia operations (versus Hong Kong). As US-China tensions deter many Chinese families and professionals from pursuing American education and career paths, Singapore has become an appealing alternative. Singapore, a nation built by immigrants, has long maintained a social contract that includes national service (NS) obligations as a cornerstone of fostering social cohesion among its diverse population. However, the country has historically faced complex challenges in determining which types of immigrants to accept, how best to integrate them into society and to improve income inequality. Jeremy shared a story about a former Thai employee who had to leave America after her H-1B visa renewal was denied during Trump’s first term, illustrating how Trump’s immigration policies could drive talent to return to the regional tech ecosystem. 3. Silicon Valley Divided: Opinions remain split, with Trump’s pro-deregulation stance sparking optimism in some corners, evidenced by a surge in Bitcoin prices and positive reactions from equity markets. Supporters point to potential gains for sectors like crypto and tech equities, alongside corporate tax cuts that help maintain profits, boost R&D, and provide attractive exit opportunities for venture capitalists. Concerns were raised that while deregulation under Trump may fuel market growth, higher tariffs could exacerbate economic disparities and be the wrong solution for the middle class. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/g4gKKGpg #USPolitics #SoutheastAsia #TechLeaders #GlobalEconomy #VC #VentureCapital #BRAVEPodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Charles Ormiston: Founding Bain Southeast Asia, Reengineer Your Career & Angsana Council on China vs. USA Rivalry - E495 Charles Ormiston, Founding Partner of Bain Southeast Asia, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Founding Bain Southeast Asia: Charles established Bain's office in Singapore, which initially faced major skepticism from Bain’s leadership who favored Hong Kong as the regional hub. Believing Singapore’s strategic location to be better suited for Southeast Asia, Charles stood firm - even at the risk of his career. His bet paid off when the Singapore office flourished and became the regional leader. He pursued a unconventional hiring strategy for that time: prioritizing local talent over international hires and avoiding expatriate perks like housing allowances. This talent core cultivated a leadership pipeline deeply committed to the region’s long-term growth, with key figures like Edmund Lin rising from the office's second employee to Chairman today. 2. Reengineer Your Career: After a health wake-up call, he decided to hand over to Till Vestring and move to an advisory role. His successor led Bain to new heights by expanding to a regional footprint with Bangkok, Jakarta and other offices. After a 14-month break working with nonprofits, Charles returned to focus on "transformation" projects which aligned with his strengths. This pivot allowed him to achieve a new "capstone" level of career impact and personal satisfaction. 3. Angsana Council on China vs. USA Rivalry: Charles co-founded the think-tank with Peng T. Ong of Monk's Hill Ventures to improve global understanding of Southeast Asia’s high-growth markets. Their research is powered by prominent members like former Indonesian trade minister Gita Wirjawan and former Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo and partnership with Bain & DBS Bank. Charles shared how many business and political leaders had once underestimated China's ability to rise as a global innovation leader. ASEAN countries must navigate the increasingly complex global rivalry in order to maximize benefits and reduce risk from this trade & research decoupling. Charles and Jeremy also discussed being inspired by in-person meetings with Lee Kuan Yew and Bain's Chairwoman Orit Gadiesh, how consulting has evolved in the era of hybrid work, and his personal passion for cycling. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gS6VSJMy Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gtfGm3fk 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gCKtKzdX Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gkrJSn3G #Bain&Company #LeadershipJourney #SoutheastAsia #Consulting#Singapore #GrowthMindset #CareerPivot #BuildingTheFuture #BRAVEpodcast

"Market selection is crucial. When I was in America, expanding from Boston to New York or DC was challenging due to factors like demographics, economy, and housing structure, but it wasn’t a different language or culture. For many founders in Singapore, the approach has to be even more strategic. Instead of expanding to 'Indonesia,' they’re actually expanding to Jakarta, the capital, where GDP per capita is vastly higher than in other parts of Indonesia. This level of thoughtfulness is essential when deciding how to enter new geographic markets. It may look straightforward on a PowerPoint slide, but executing it in practice is far more complex." - Jeremy Au 区汉辉, Host of BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gEVxmGb9 Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gPE-JUUW 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gVCRzTC5 Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gZFEdFmB #MarketSelection #GlobalExpansion #BusinessStrategy #CulturalAwareness #Jakarta #GrowthMindset #EconomicFactors #Entrepreneurship #ExpansionStrategy #SingaporeanFounders #BRAVEpodcast

"For most people in tech, there's an inherent draw due to a high risk and reward appetite. You’re not average; you’re exceptional in some way, even if it’s just in your preferences. I see it like a two-way door—traveling somewhere and back isn’t a big deal. It might be a 20-hour flight, but trying out a new place for a month, three months, or a year is relatively low-cost compared to my great-grandparents’ time, when a journey by boat took months and was often one-way. Now, you can FaceTime loved ones, and the world is flatter, more connected than ever. So, my point is that you have to try it. Travel, experience it firsthand, and decide if it’s for you. And if you’re already there and considering moving back, give it a try and see if the timing feels right for you." - Jeremy Au 区汉辉, Host of BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gEVxmGb9 Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gPE-JUUW 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gVCRzTC5 Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gZFEdFmB #LifeDecisions #EconomicChanges #FutureOfTech #AIEconomy #PersonalGrowth #TechWorldInsights #GDPTrends #CareerChoices #InnovationJourney #RiskAndReward #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Silicon Valley Talent Vortex, Southeast Asia Time Machine & Sea Turtle Migration with Adriel Yong - E493 Jeremy Au 区汉辉 and Adriel Yong 👋🏻 discussed whether Southeast Asian founders should move to Silicon Valley, and why "sea turtle" professionals are returning from America (and China) to Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. San Francisco and New York are global tech talent vortexes, where non-American founders are attracted to their deep VC funding pools and a multi-generational legacy of founder support since the 1950s, e.g. the "father of VC" Georges Doriot of America Research & Development Corporation (ARDC). America's large ecosystem also holds transformative appeal for deep tech and frontier tech founders, as well as higher pricing power for both SaaS and consumer brands. In contrast, Singapore has the same GDP per capita (US$88K) as America, with a better quality of life for families looking for healthcare, public safety, education and housing. Southeast Asian diaspora returning to their home countries should be realistic about Asia's higher number of working hours compared to America and EU, fragmented markets, regulatory challenges and less mature economies. Savvy international founders have a "time machine" mindset: visualizing the country's future in 10-20 years, seeing the industry as it actually is and then building the companies that make sense for this decade and geography. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gEVxmGb9 Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gPE-JUUW 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gVCRzTC5 Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gZFEdFmB #SoutheastAsia #SiliconValley #GlobalExpansion #VentureCapital #TechFounders #Diaspora #DeepTech #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEpodcast