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

"One pattern I've noticed is teams that are close and trust each other can talk about problems. They tend to go a long way together, and founders stick on the journey. The second one is a mission. If they have a clear mission and they're very clear about why they're doing this for a purpose larger than serving themselves. If you have a mission that you're living for, that you're fighting for, larger than yourself, then that will give you the motivation to keep going when things are tough." - Oswald Yeo "It was the awareness that it's not only about working hard and going through the grind day after day, that's very important. You just have to put in the hours. But it's the awareness that clarity is key, especially when you're building and leading a team. If you're leading a hundred people, a thousand people, you can be working hard, but if they're all working on the wrong things, then your head is heading off in the wrong direction at a faster velocity. So having clarity and ensuring that you take a step back to make sure your team is working on the right things, executing the right strategy." - Oswald Yeo "So one thing we have at our company, Glints, is a value called a beginner's mindset. We ask questions like, 'When was the last time someone gave you negative feedback?' and we observe how people react to that. Some people react defensively to feedback, while others respond well, becoming reflective and striving to improve themselves. At the core of it, it is ego, because if you can set aside your ego and reflect, recognizing that there are areas for improvement, I believe that, in combination with habits like reading or learning from mentors, it will propel you a long way." - Oswald Yeo In a discussion between Jeremy Au and Oswald Yeo, the CEO of Glints, key insights emerged regarding Oswald's entrepreneurial journey in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia. He emphasized the importance of adapting to Indonesia's unique market needs and tailoring strategies accordingly, while also building a strong team based on trust and clear communication. Oswald highlighted the significance of gaining clarity through mindfulness practices like silent retreats and meditation. Despite acknowledging funding challenges in the tech landscape, Oswald remained optimistic about opportunities for startups in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, and encouraged founders to prioritize clarity and strategy execution for success. He also shared insights about Glints' product market fit pivot, showcasing the company's adaptability to cater to the demands of the Southeast Asian talent market. Additionally, Glints recently released the Southeast Asia Startup Talent Report 2023 in collaboration with Monk's Hill Ventures. The report provides comprehensive salary and equity data, startup trends, and valuable insights from interviews with founders, VCs, and operators in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Overall, the discussion shed light on Oswald's entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of local market adaptation, effective team building, mindfulness, and the positive outlook for tech startups in Southeast Asia. Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/oswald-yeo Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

"At the end of the day, people are, in some weird way, mourning the drop of Sequoia because it feels like it's splitting up. So there's a little bit of grief in the short term. But I think it could be a good thing, honestly, in the medium to long term. Obviously, Hong Shan, they’re going to do what they want to do and invest in what they want to do, and I think it would be a good thing for Peak. Everybody recognizes that Southeast Asia and India are different markets from America and Europe, and it's a very different market from China. So you might let them build a focused approach tailored for the ecosystem." - Jeremy Au "The Apple Vision Pro could be cool if, like, part of the workflow now is sometimes I'll ask someone, 'Can you read this email? Do I sound angry?' It would be cool if you could be side by side and flick something over to them, like 'Hey, check this.' It seems very possible in the Apple universe, considering we can already share wifi passwords, which is the best feature ever. Why can't you airdrop documents or views back and forth? If that were possible, it would be a lot more interesting and have a more interactive quality." - Shiyan Koh "There was an article where someone was talking about what was the societal impact of the button. So like in, Google Docs or in Microsoft Word, right? Basically, they're integrating GPT, and so there's a button that's basically just like start writing, and it's always easier to kind of edit than it is to come up with new like de novo stuff. But what does it do to the quality of our thinking as a society if no one has to struggle to come up with new things? Like you just kind of edit derivative things." - Shiyan Koh During a discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights were revealed. One notable topic of conversation was Sequoia Capital spinning off HongShan 红杉 and Peak XV. This split was seen as a strategic move to adapt to geopolitical tension, changing VC landscape and better cater to the specific needs of startups in different regions. Additionally, this move reflects the dynamic nature of the VC industry, where adaptability and specialization are crucial for success in a rapidly changing global landscape. Another significant point of discussion revolved around the Apple Vision Pro. They mentioned the product and contemplated its potential purchase for research purposes. They briefly touched on the contrasting strategies of companies like Tesla and Facebook. While Tesla started with high-end products and gradually expanded to a broader market, Facebook adopted a more affordable and mass-market strategy from the beginning. This comparison highlighted the different business models and revenue streams of these companies. Furthermore, Jeremy and Shiyan explored the educational and entertainment possibilities of VR and AR. They discussed immersive learning experiences and innovative storytelling in the entertainment industry. Additionally, they considered the social implications of these technologies, including the blurring of physical and virtual boundaries and the impact on human connection and empathy. Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/sequoia-capital-spins-off Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/

“It's nice to feel the anxiety and nervousness. Don't penalize yourself for telling people that you feel uncertain. It's not a popular emotion to share out loud, but I challenge you to feel it and take action because its purpose is to solidify certainty. Do the bound exploration pathing, the butterfly testing, and the experiments. When you do those things, you don’t only acknowledge your feeling of uncertainty, but you are also solving it.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host “Half of the folks who have midlife crises already had the signals all the way back at university or at their first job but they kept brushing it off. It’s been happening for a long time, but it wasn't allowed to be felt. They end up being locked into that path they don't like and then they have to do a rupture move where they jump entirely to a different path. You can save yourself the pain of a midlife crisis by being in touch with your feelings, the tribe you want to be with, and the lifestyle you want to build, and acknowledging and accepting the trade-offs of that passion or hobby. Go out there and slowly build the life that you want. You can have a happy life no matter what role you have.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host “It's much harder to explore careers when you're 50 years old. It’s more ideal and socially acceptable to do that when you're in your 20s. You’d want to create a very bounded exploration path. You have more energy, and fewer obligations in terms of family and salary, and you are part of a tribe where everyone’s doing the same thing. People expect you to explore new geographies, and do different things, and you don't get penalized for it.” - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast Host In their discussion, Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong offer valuable insights for individuals seeking personal fulfillment and making career choices. They advise approaching career decisions as a series of experiments and being open to exploring different paths. Rather than getting locked into a job that doesn't align with one's true passions and values, they suggest embracing feelings of uncertainty and seeking diverse perspectives from a wide range of people. Jeremy stresses the importance of gathering insights from various individuals before committing to a particular path, particularly for university graduates. The speakers highlight that uncertainty is a signal for change and growth, and individuals should acknowledge and discuss this openly. They both caution against ignoring early signals of dissatisfaction and emphasize the significance of pursuing personal happiness and fulfillment over external expectations. By gradually experimenting and exploring different options, individuals can potentially save themselves from drastic career changes or midlife crises down the line. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/student-career-planning Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/ #CareerPlanning #CareerExploitation #CareerExploration #Harvard #CareerExperiments #MidlifeCrisis #Passion #Fulfillment

“Financial education and financial access are not the same. I get pitches on this all the time. They say they are democratizing access and teaching people. When I read the deck, I ask about what they teach. They teach about technical analysis and how to day trade, but I think that’s an incomplete lesson. You can teach them about the current practice of others, but in the context of what’s happening, that’s really hard because you don’t even talk about the fundamentals of capital formation.” - Shiyan Koh "There’s something you can do with a day-to-day sort of off-market, public markets investment, whether it’s good or bad, but you're not going to slide to zero straight away in a sense of off-private equity. We all know venture capital, as an asset class, is very risky. You have 1 out of 20 that's a home run if you are an above-average VC, and 19 out of 20 do right and effectively go to zero. Some are going to land the plane gracefully, some will lean the plane very roughly, and some of them will just crash." - Jeremy Au "The most interesting markets for crypto are emerging markets because that's where the rails are the worst and that's where people have a real need for alternatives that are not subject to the whims of their government per se. They really need to transact. In LATAM, you see a lot of use cases around inflation hedging and I'm interested to see some of those. People want to get their money out of the peso or the real and get into USDC. It's not even a speculative use case, it's literally just wanting my money to hold value." - Shiyan Koh In their discussion, Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh touched upon several key insights, with a particular focus on crypto and Temasek's independent review of FTX. They emphasized the risks and potential rewards associated with different investment strategies. Jeremy highlighted the contrasting nature of public markets and private equity investments, emphasizing that public market investments can fluctuate day-to-day but are unlikely to plummet to zero as quickly as off-private equity investments. He emphasized the inherent riskiness of venture capital as an asset class, where only one out of twenty investments may yield significant returns while the rest may result in zero or negative outcomes. Shiyan brought attention to the potential of emerging markets as the most intriguing areas for crypto adoption. She pointed out that these markets often face inadequate financial infrastructure, making them more open to alternative solutions that are not subject to government control. Use cases in Latin America, for example, demonstrate a demand for inflation hedging, where people seek to protect their money's value by exchanging it for stable cryptocurrencies like USDC. Furthermore, the discussion touched on the distinction between financial education and access. Shiyan expressed skepticism towards approaches that merely focus on democratizing access without providing comprehensive education. She cautioned against teaching individuals solely about technical analysis or day trading, emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader context of financial markets. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/temasek-ftx-pay-cut Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech

"Startups can use AI to expedite their time-to-market, but they still need an innovative product or a unique problem-solving approach to truly thrive. AI can accelerate their potential for rapid growth and scalability in certain situations, however, I don't believe that a startup solely relying on AI plugins or functionalities can sustain a long-term business model." - Bhavik Vashi “The beauty of Asian SaaS companies’ business model is that 50 to 70% of costs will be people's costs. Everything else is controllable. If you're building in Asia, you're serving consumers and businesses at a lower price point but you’re also paying at a lower price point. If you're running a company in the west and serving the east is a failing proposition, but if you’re running and serving in the east, then you've brought both down." - Bhavik Vashi "Enterprise sales require a strong value proposition and a higher ASP or average sales price associated with your product. I always worry about a company that's running a sales-driven motion with a low ASP because something seems missing. Solving a complex and impactful problem will likely require a human-to-human interaction to understand the specific context and how your product, along with a service, can address it." - Bhavik Vashi In the discussion between Jeremy Au and Bhavik Vashi, several key insights were shared regarding B2B SaaS, AI, and personal experiences. Regarding B2B SaaS, it was highlighted that building a successful B2B SaaS product at a lower price point requires careful consideration of unit economics, including accurate estimation of customer lifetime value and acquisition costs. Many companies tend to underestimate these factors, leading to challenges in profitability. Additionally, Bhavik emphasized the potential in Asia for B2B SaaS, where lower price points for serving consumers and businesses are matched by lower costs, creating a balanced equation. The conversation shifted to AI, where both participants explored its potential impact. While acknowledging uncertainties, they speculated that proprietary data sets could become increasingly valuable, potentially benefiting startups by leveraging AI technologies. They also mentioned the need for a nuanced approach, considering ethical considerations and potential challenges such as bias. Lastly, Bhavik shared his personal experience of relocating from the US to Asia. The decision involved leaving behind established personal and professional networks, and while family and friends were reversible, the professional implications were more significant. However, Bhavik expressed satisfaction with his choice and highlighted the growth and learning opportunities it provided. Overall, the discussion provided insights into building B2B SaaS products, the potential of AI, and the personal challenges associated with making bold life decisions. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/bhavik-vashi Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/ #bravesea #B2BSaaS #PricingStrategies #AIInnovation #AsianMarkets #Opportunities #CostEfficiency #Commoditization

"The struggle I'm seeing is in the middle-stage startups that raised several rounds of capital over the past five years. With this new structure, there are challenges such as layoffs and reevaluating the operating model. I've realized the importance of being thoughtful in understanding their current business and discussing their challenges. Moreover, it's crucial to communicate the higher expectations they need to meet. In previous rounds, the bar wasn't set as high. As long as we make significant progress, the next round of funding will come." - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Podcast Host "The tricky part I've seen this with multiple founders is that they're fundraising with less than six months of runway. They have a plan, projection, and forecast with a target growth rate. They've also heard stories about how some people barely make it through fundraising with just one month of payroll, surviving near-death experiences. So there's this tension between constantly engaging with investors, keeping them in the loop, and working through the process. Some investors move quickly and professionally while others take their time, but then you reach this stall zone where you're not progressing as fast as you'd like. It's like dropping out of the sky because you can't make significant cuts. Cutting risks the progress you've made in fundraising, but if you don't cut, you'll hit a wall in three months." - Jeremy Au, BRAVE Podcast Host "How do you decide which line of action to take? Let's play out the scenarios. Scenario one: you keep spending on marketing, but you're unable to raise. Two: you cut marketing, growth plummets, and you still can't raise. Then, the golden scenario everyone desires is you keep spending on marketing and can raise, or you cut marketing and still manage to raise. So, for me, it also depends on the founder's mindset. If they're ready to throw in the towel if they can't raise, then it's a guns-blazing scenario, spending until the end, but if there's an asset they've built and they're willing to cut marketing spend to preserve it, then that's a different approach." - Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner at Hustle Fund In this discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, several key insights emerged regarding the challenges faced by founders in the startup ecosystem. The conversation revolved around the difficult decisions founders have to make when their companies are struggling. One central theme was the importance of being realistic and taking decisive action. Both of them emphasized the significance of community and support networks for founders. They highlighted the value of founder communities that provide a space for shared experiences, advice, and a sense of camaraderie. Engaging with like-minded individuals can help founders navigate transitions and explore new opportunities. The conversation concluded with a mention of upcoming events, such as the Phoenix community's virtual offsite and Camp Hustle Asia in Bali, where founders can connect, learn, and build meaningful relationships. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-market-outlook Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/ #VCInsights #FounderCommunity #ToughDecisions #StartupEcosystem

"My point of view is that over the next 10 years, the population will continue to educate themselves through parents, their own osmosis via the internet, and through investments, either from the public or private sector. The aspirational hope, hunger, and entrepreneurial ambition will continue to grow and naturally continue." - Jeremy Au “I do think it's true that we don't see as many regional or local VCs in Cambodia, but what I was surprised about was seeing global impact investors, Korean impact investors, and even regional impact investors being very active there. They're investing in startups, whether it's agritech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or education. Some local Cambodian founders shared that education and healthcare are the two hottest sectors to build for right now in Cambodia.” - Adriel Yong "My reflection on that is that so much entrepreneurship is from YouTube and the internet. We were chatting with aspiring entrepreneurs, and they said they wanted to be founders because they watched it on YouTube and heard stories about it. The concept of building technology, the resources they have on the internet, and English literacy are very high in Cambodia." - Jeremy Au Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong discussed Cambodia's startup ecosystem, highlighting its growth potential, challenges, and historical conflicts. They noted that despite the country's tumultuous history, Cambodia has a young and growing population, with a high percentage of tech-savvy youth who are increasingly interested in entrepreneurship. However, they also acknowledged that the ecosystem is still in its early stages, with limited access to funding and a lack of infrastructure and support services. To address these challenges, both Jeremy and Adriel emphasized the importance of collaboration and community building, particularly between entrepreneurs and government officials. They also noted the potential for regional partnerships and the growing interest of foreign investors in the Cambodian market. In terms of growth potential, they identified several promising sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and agritech, and discussed the potential for Cambodia to become a hub for Southeast Asian startups. However, they also cautioned that progress will depend on continued political stability and the ability to address ongoing corruption and issues around bureaucracy and infrastructure. Overall, while Cambodia's startup ecosystem is still in its early stages, Jeremy and Adriel remain optimistic about its potential for growth and development, particularly with the support of local and international stakeholders. Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/cambodia-startup Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech #SoutheastAsia #Cambodia #CambodiaStartupEcosystem# #CambodiaStartups CambodianEconomy #GrowthPotential #Challenges #HistoricalConflicts #Entrepreneurship #EarlyStages #Funding #Infrastructure #SupportServices #Collaboration #CommunityBuilding #GovernmentPartnerships #RegionalPartnerships #ForeignInvestors #Fintech #Ecommerce #Agritech #SoutheastAsiaHub #Optimism #ASEANMarkets #OneBeltOneRoad

"In the teaser deck, there should be a money slide. When you hit that slide, you should immediately feel compelled to take this meeting. Many people overlook this aspect and end up with lengthy blurbs that leave investors questioning why they should meet. Spend time crafting a concise and captivating blurb and teaser deck that aims to grab someone's attention and secure the meeting. Save the detailed explanations for the actual meeting itself. Remember, to get the meeting, you need a strong hook from the start." - Shiyan Koh "Chemistry matters in fundraising. While it's important to focus on raising money for your business, it's equally crucial to understand the person you're partnering with on this journey. Take the time to assess their compatibility by reaching out to other founders they've backed, both successful and unsuccessful ones. Gain insights into what it's like to work with that person. Ultimately, you don't want to find yourself three years into the journey, despising the investor on your board. Building a positive and productive relationship is beneficial for everyone involved." - Shiyan Koh "Don't be overly sales-oriented, especially if you come from a professional services background like consulting. I've personally experienced this transition from being a consultant to a founder, and I was too quick to provide easy answers. It's important to acknowledge the reality of what's truly challenging in the startup journey. Not everything can be easy; otherwise, it wouldn't be a startup. Be candid and sincere about the genuine difficulties and don't hesitate to admit that you haven't solved them yet." - Jeremy Au Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh engage in a valuable discussion on the fundraising process for startups, offering key insights to navigate this crucial aspect of the business. They stress the significance of creating an attention-grabbing blurb and teaser deck that entice potential investors, advising founders to invest time in drafting these materials to secure meetings. The duo suggests focusing on a concise set of 10 slides that cover essential elements such as revenue, traction, team, market problem, solution, and fundraising goals. They caution against going overboard with slide numbers and instead encourage founders to make these slides clear and crisp, rather than perfecting design aesthetics. The importance of honesty and transparency in fundraising emerges as a recurring theme. Jeremy and Shiyan emphasize the need for founders to refrain from lying or exaggerating, as trust is crucial in building investor relationships. They suggest that founders should be prepared to say "I don't know" when faced with questions, but should also articulate their plan to find answers. Setting milestones is deemed crucial, allowing investors to gauge progress and the startup's ability to deliver on promises. The chemistry between founders and investors is highlighted as a key consideration, prompting founders to investigate potential investors' track records and seek input from other founders they have supported. By internalizing these insights, startups can navigate the fundraising landscape more effectively, fostering trust and increasing their chances of securing funding. Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mastering-fundraising Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau Learn more about NodeFlair here: https://nodeflair.com/ #bravesea #FundraisingTips #PitchPerfect #InvestorRelations #StartupJourney

"Many of the jobs I've had weren't advertised, and I had to create the opportunities for myself. Our president, Minette, always says, 'You lose nothing by asking.' If you can imagine something or if you want something, try to have a conversation about it and see if you can make it happen. If it doesn't happen, that's okay. You'll be right back to where you started."- Joan Yao "People often perceive that the Philippines is controlled by families and conglomerates, making it difficult for new ventures to start and grow. This preconceived notion is what stops people from trying. As a Filipino who grew up in the Philippines, I remember a time when all the bookstores and drugstores were mainly one brand and malls only have three brands, so Filipinos tend to strongly associate certain categories with a particular brand or family. It creates a mental programming that these entities are too big to topple over or fight against." - Joan Yao "People often confuse the type of capital they need for their business. There are companies that don't need or want to scale much and there are other vectors they optimize for, whether they are a social enterprise, a small business, or a lifestyle business. The challenge arises when they take venture funding to hit those goals. VCs will push them to grow, scale and expand, which puts the founders in a difficult position because they may not want to grow that much. It's essential to be clear about how far you want to take your company and find the right partners to help you get there." - Joan Yao Jeremy Au and Joan Yao discussed several key insights on the topic of impact investing in the Philippines. Yao shared her personal journey from accidental investor to impact investor, and the challenges she faced along the way. They also discussed the perception of the Philippine startup ecosystem versus the reality, including the role of the diaspora in building the ecosystem, the potential for innovation in the space of families and conglomerates, and the impact of the pandemic on the acceleration of the ecosystem. Another key insight from the conversation was the importance of self-talk and how it can affect one's relationships with others and their chances of success. Yao discussed the inner critic that many Asian kids grow up with and how it can be both helpful and counterproductive. She emphasized the importance of learning to talk to oneself with love and kindness, which can lead to better relationships and a willingness to take chances. Finally, the phrase "lose nothing by asking" was highlighted as a key takeaway from the conversation, encouraging individuals to ask for what they want and not let feelings of self-worthiness hold them back. Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights into impact investing in the Philippines and the importance of positive self-talk and taking chances. Read the transcript at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/joan-yao Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Esevel here: https://esevel.com/it-services-carepacks/ #bravesea #StartupAdvice #PhilippinesStartupScene #VentureFunding #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Opportunities #Networking #CorporateCulture #AsianBusiness #DiversityAndInclusion #CompanyCulture #AsianHeritage #WomenInLeadership #CareerAdvice

"I often advise people that they are essentially operating two machines when running a business. The first machine is the business itself, which includes marketing, personnel expenses, and revenue and profits. The second machine is the people who operate the first machine. It's important to think carefully about both machines and ensure that the right people are in the right roles. While many tend to focus solely on the business machine, it's critical to view the two machines as an integrated system and think about how to evolve the team to ensure long-term success." - Shiyan Koh "This is Southeast Asia's first real economic downturn, and there are no heroic stories of companies raising significant funds. It’s acceptable that companies are winding down and others are making difficult decisions, however, there is a risk that past bad behavior may come to light for other companies during this time. The press and public are currently sifting through this process. This may lead to some well-justified criticism and some that are less justified." Jeremy Au "I see three distinct periods in a startup's journey. The first is a period of relative calm when things are going well. The second is when companies face challenges and have to pivot to survive. The third is when companies experience explosive growth, but struggle to manage it effectively. These moments can often be the seeds of future destruction or errors that may come to light later. Startups go through a cycle of ups and downs,and it's a sequence of that.” Jeremy Au In a recent discussion between Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, they talked about how to build high-performing teams and organizations. They discussed the importance of people leadership, founder behaviour, and organizational design. Regarding people leadership, they highlighted the importance of setting clear expectations, communicating effectively, and creating a culture of feedback. Leaders must also be willing to empower their team members and trust them to make decisions. They should also be willing to admit mistakes and take corrective action when necessary. Regarding founder behaviour, they emphasized the importance of self-awareness and the ability to let go of control. Founders should also be willing to seek help and support when needed and be open to learning from others. Regarding organizational design, they talked about the importance of creating a structure that supports the company's goals and values. This includes setting clear roles and responsibilities, creating processes and systems, and fostering a culture of collaboration. In conclusion, building a successful organization requires effective people leadership, founder behaviour, and organizational design. By focusing on these areas, leaders can create a high-performing team and a culture of success. Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/people-leadership Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://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 Pollen here: https://www.pollen.tech/ #LeadershipLessons #FounderInsights #OrganizationalDesign #EntrepreneurialJourney #TeamBuilding #CultureFit #BusinessStrategy #FutureOfBusiness #TechIndustry #LeadershipSkills #FounderChallenges #TeamManagement #CollaborationCulture