BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

“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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

“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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Ringkas here: https://www.ringkas.co.id

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

“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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/

“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://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e 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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Learn more about Baskit here: https://baskit.app/