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BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English): Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jeremy Au
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- Yesterday34 min
Wen-Szu Lin: Lessons learnt from Franchise Failure to Scaling Uber in Asia - E696
In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au is joined by Wen-Szu Lin who opens up about the brutal reality of entrepreneurship, from securing the master franchise for Auntie Anne's in China just before the 2008 Olympics, to navigating massive business failure, and eventually scaling Uber's Community Operations across Asia. Wen-Szu shares the untaught lessons that propelled his corporate success after his startup collapsed. Discover the hidden challenges of operating a foreign food brand in Beijing, how strict local regulations stifled growth, and why a "growth mindset" is the ultimate tool for tech leaders and founders. Whether you are building a startup in Southeast Asia, exploring venture capital, or looking to growth hack your career, this candid conversation about bouncing back from a failed venture is essential listening. Check out Wen-Szu Lin’s books The China Twist and Deliver: The untaught lessons to growth hack your career at www.wenszulin.com 00:00 - Introduction 01:46 - Wen-Szu Lin's Background & Journey to China 04:55 - Securing the Auntie Anne's Master Franchise 07:23 - The Reality of Doing Business in Beijing (2008 Olympics) 11:42 - Why the Pretzels Failed: Malls, Regulations & Foot Traffic 16:19 - Knowing When to Fold & Moving to the Philippines 20:41 - Overcoming the Stigma of Failure: Writing "The China Twist" 24:42 - Scaling Uber's Community Operations in Asia 27:53 - Untaught Lessons: Writing "Deliver" 30:28 - Following Curiosity Over Bravery 31:54 - Three Key Mindsets for Success & Conclusion Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/wen-szu-lin-deliver Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Philippines #China #Franchise #Business #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast
- 5 days ago8 min
Find Your Unfair Advantage in Business and Use It - E695
Is the world fair? How do you find your true purpose in business? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au shares his deeply personal journey into the cancer diagnostics space following a tragic loss. He breaks down the crucial difference between "problem-market fit" and "founder-problem fit," the reality of life's unfairness, and why you must play to your unfair advantages to succeed in the hyper-competitive tech ecosystem. Whether you are a founder in Singapore or an aspiring entrepreneur anywhere in Southeast Asia, these insights will redefine how you view marketing, leadership, and resilience. Tune in to discover the "Yin and Yang" of marketing, why good things don't always happen to good people, and how to harness your unique strengths to build something that truly matters. 00:00 - The Yin and Yang of Marketing 01:09 - The Importance of Founder-Problem Fit 02:07 - Jeremy's Personal Mission to Fight Cancer 04:13 - Breaking the Fairytale: The World Isn't Fair 06:47 - How to Find Your Unfair Advantage 07:46 - Outro & Community Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/find-your-unfair-advantage Audio Description Watch, listen or read the full insight at Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
- 1 weeks ago25 min
Solo Founding at 58 and AI as a force multiplier for the medical industry | Jay Fajardo - E694
In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Jay Fajardo, serial entrepreneur and CEO of BetterClinic, straight from Manila, Philippines. Jay discusses his return to the founder’s seat at age 58, driven by the massive paradigm shift of the Artificial Intelligence supercycle. We dive deep into how AI is completely transforming digital healthcare by eliminating doctor burnout and drastically reducing administrative "pajama time" from 40% to 10%. Jay also reveals why AI makes being a solo founder an absolute superpower, how cloud tools are changing the venture capital landscape, and the looming impact of AI on the Philippine BPO industry. If you are building a startup in Southeast Asia or are fascinated by the future of AI health tech, this is a masterclass in adapting to technological shifts. 00:00 - Introduction & The AI Supercycle 01:55 - The Shift from Ecosystem Builder to AI Founder 04:26 - Why AI is a "Superpower" for Experienced Founders 05:10 - Fixing Healthcare & Reducing Doctor Burnout 08:44 - Eradicating "Pajama Time": AI Scribes & Clinic Workflows 10:52 - A Hybrid Go-To-Market Strategy for HealthTech in SEA 14:43 - The Rise of the Solo Founder Movement 18:29 - Age vs. Experience: Building Startups in Your 50s 20:00 - The Future of AI in Medicine (An AI Assistant?) 22:50 - AI's Looming Threat to the Philippine BPO Industry 23:40 - 3 Key Takeaways Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jay-fajardo-betterclinic Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
- 1 weeks ago28 min
How the Global Energy Crisis is rewiring Southeast Asia Tech | Kristie Neo - E693
How is the ongoing Middle East conflict reshaping the global economy, energy markets, and the tech sector? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Kristie Neo, PitchBook's newly appointed Asia Editor, to unpack the macroeconomic shockwaves hitting Southeast Asia and the Gulf. From surging oil prices and the fuel emergency in the Philippines to the sudden acceleration in green energy and defense tech investments across Singapore and the UAE, we cover what founders and investors need to know to navigate this crisis. Tune in for deep-dive insights on venture capital shifts, global capital flight, the resilience of safe-haven economies, and why times of conflict often forge the strongest technological innovations. 00:00 - Introduction & PitchBook’s APAC Expansion 03:10 - The Middle East Crisis & Macro Impacts 06:45 - How the Conflict Affects UAE Venture Capital 09:30 - Inflation, Supply Chains & Asia's Energy Security 12:28 - Surging Demand for Renewables & Nuclear Power 15:28 - Tech Capital, LPs, & Diversification out of the Gulf 22:48 - The Rise of Defense Tech in Singapore & Israel Parallels Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kristie-neo-global-energy-crisis Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Singapore #TechNews #StartupNews #Business #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast
- 2 weeks ago41 min
Dennis Velasco: The Reality of the Trust Gap and Building a Tech Startup in Southeast Asia - E692
Dennis Velasco, founder of Prosperna, provides a raw and definitive account of transitioning from Silicon Valley leadership roles at Salesforce and Xero to the front lines of the Philippine startup ecosystem. In this episode, you will learn the structural mechanics of the "Trust Factor Gap" in Southeast Asian B2B markets and how Velasco navigated a $300,000 personal investment across multiple failed ventures before finding product-market fit. We explore the high-stakes reality of moving a family across the globe to build a legacy and the specific tactical shifts required to scale a Philippine-based SaaS company to meet Western market expectations. Core Themes Explored: The Silicon Valley Straitjacket: Why high-salary careers in the US can prevent founders from achieving true creative autonomy. The B2B Trust Deficit: Strategies for overcoming the "scam" perception by utilizing physical office culture and extreme customer commitment. Unit Economic Reality: Why Philippine startups must expand to global markets sooner to survive local price sensitivity. The Pandemic Pivot: How Prosperna transitioned from real estate listings to a dominant AI-powered e-commerce platform for SMEs. This conversation is hosted by Jeremy Au as part of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, the region’s leading resource for venture capital insights and founder resilience. Whether you are a venture capitalist evaluating the Manila tech hub or a diaspora founder considering a "return home" strategy, this episode provides the unvarnished truth about building in one of the world's most fragmented markets. 00:00 - The $300,000 Cost of Building in the Philippines 02:50 - Leaving Salesforce & Xero: Escaping the Silicon Valley Straitjacket 07:03 - The Founder’s Family Risk: Moving Kids from the US to Manila 12:15 - Why My First Two Startups Failed: Health Tech & Real Estate Realities 15:47 - Navigating Government Corruption & Transparency in Property Tech 18:09 - The 2020 Pivot: Launching Prosperna 3 Months Before Lockdown 20:51 - The Trust Factor Gap: Why B2B Sales are Harder in the Philippines 24:38 - Price Sensitivity vs. Australia/US: The Local Provider Trap 27:01 - The Scam Perception: Why Startups Need a Physical Office to Survive 32:54 - Advice for Spouses: The Brutal Honesty Required for Startup Longevity 37:34 - Scaling to the West: Why Philippine Startups Must Go Global Sooner 41:40 - Summary: Building a Service Hub for the World from Manila Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dennis-velasco-building-a-tech-startup Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube |<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/brave-chinese-%E4%B8%9C%E5%8D%97%E4%BA%9A%E7%A7%91%E6%8A%80-%E
- 2 weeks ago10 min
The 3 Phases of Startup Success: From the Jungle, through the Dirt Road & to the Highway - E691
Is Southeast Asia entering its Golden Age? Jeremy Au breaks down the "1 in 40" gamble of building a unicorn, the David vs. Goliath strategy for startups, and the brutal reality of the VC Power Law. Learn the three phases of startup growth—from the jungle to the highway—and how to identify the six clusters of failure before they kill your company. Essential viewing for founders, investors, and tech leaders across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines looking to master network effects and unit economics in the world's fastest-growing digital economy. 00:00 The 1 in 40 Gamble: Odds of Becoming a Unicorn 00:41 The Thesis for Southeast Asia's Golden Age 01:05 The Innovator's Mental Reset & Generational Shifts 02:17 David vs. Goliath: The Slingshot Strategy 03:20 From Jungle to Highway: The 3 Startup Phases 04:39 The 10x Rule: Better, Faster, or Cheaper 05:50 Building Moats: The Power of Network Effects 06:38 Mastering Unit Economics & LTV 07:17 Inside the VC Mindset: Hunting for Home Runs 07:57 The Power Law: Why 90% of Rewards Go to the Top 08:32 The 6 Clusters of Startup Failure 09:00 Monopoly vs. Competition: Peter Thiel’s Core Insight Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/3-phases-of-startup-success Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
- 3 weeks ago39 min
Inside the Boardroom: How VCs Actually Deal with Fraud & "Bad Faith" Founders - E690
How do you build a multi-billion dollar company while navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of Southeast Asia? In this episode, Jeremy Au sits down with Jecky Pelaez, Legal and Investment Partner at Kickstart Ventures, to pull back the curtain on the "unsexy" but critical side of venture capital: Governance and Compliance. Jecky reveals the stark differences between incorporating in Singapore vs. the Philippines, explaining why taxation on revenue (rather than profit) can be a "startup killer." They dive deep into the recent wave of startup fraud in Southeast Asia, the rise of down rounds, and the technical reality of managing a cap table when the "frothy" years of 2021 are long gone. Whether you are a founder trying to stay motivated during a bridge round or an investor looking to de-risk your portfolio, this masterclass in startup law provides the tactical blueprint for building a sustainable tech empire in Manila, Singapore, and beyond. 00:00 – The Critical Role of Governance in Growth 01:09 – Philippines vs. Singapore: The Incorporation Race 02:40 – From Banking to Law: Jecky Pelaez’s Journey to Kickstart Ventures 08:13 – A Day in the Life: "Making Sure No One Goes to Jail" 12:10 – Addressing Startup Fraud and Scrutiny in SE Asia 19:00 – The Reality of Bridge Rounds & Down Rounds in 2026 24:35 – Bad Faith Founders & The "Stuck" Capital Problem 30:35 – "Founder Friendly" vs. "Investor Protected" Clauses 35:00 – How the Philippines Can Improve Its Startup Ecosystem 38:15 – A Personal Story: Bravery, Grief, and Moving Forward Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jecky-pelaez-kickstart-ventures Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Philippines #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast
- 3 weeks ago9 min
VC Economics & Exit Strategies: Case Studies from Seed to IPO - E689
Ever wonder how venture capitalists actually judge your startup behind closed doors? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au breaks down the brutal reality of VC economics and the math that drives the tech industry. We explore why just 5% of startups generate almost all of a fund's returns (The Power Law) and why struggling founders often get left behind. We also dive into real-world case studies, analyzing the dramatic valuation shifts during Instacart's IPO, and unpacking the legendary $1 Billion dilemma faced by the founders of Instagram (Kevin Systrom) and Snapchat (Evan Spiegel). Whether you're building an AI-native startup in Singapore or scaling a deep-tech company in the Philippines, understanding MOIC, DPI, and how the smart money moves is crucial. 00:00 - The VC’s Dual Role: Value-Add vs. Portfolio Judge 01:02 - The Power Law: Why 5% of Startups Carry the Fund 01:38 - The Help Paradox: Prioritizing Winners Over Strugglers 02:23 - Case Study: Valuation Shifts in the Instacart IPO 04:21 - Exit Outcomes: Liquidations, Acqui-hires, and Cash-outs 04:58 - The $1 Billion Dilemma: Instagram vs. Snapchat 05:59 - Going Public & Raising VC Funds (LP/GP Dynamics) 06:51 - The Brutal Math of VC Returns: MOIC & DPI 09:03 - Outro & Community Resources Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-economics-exit-strategies Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #VentureCapital #Business #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast
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About BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
Learn from Southeast Asia's best tech leaders. Build the future, learn from our past & stay human in between. No B.S on success. Southeast Asia's #1 startup & venture capital podcast with 80,000+ listeners.Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solves all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders. Published on Monday & Thursday. Weekly tech news debates, changemaker interviews & listener Q&As.Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast."Learned a lot from the journeys. Must-listen for anyone seeking advice to be a leader" @lindatangxy"Refreshing to hear from distinguished founders what they learned, both the good & bad" @seanojw"Incredibly useful in kickstarting my thought process around customers as an entrepre
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