AI Companions, Unicorn Odds, and Southeast Asia’s Next 100 Years of Startups - E605

Jeremy Au explores how exponential tech progress is reshaping the future, why Southeast Asia is positioned for a surge in unicorns, and how venture capitalists evaluate founders. From AI relationships to realistic startup odds, this discussion challenges assumptions about the next 100 years of innovation and entrepreneurship.

01:15 100 Years of Progress: Jeremy compares sampans to reusable rockets to illustrate the speed of change in the last century. He asks if anyone in 1924 could have predicted the internet and cat GIFs in 2024. The message is clear, by 2124, what feels absurd today may become normal.

02:26 AI Companions as Real Startups: Jeremy shares that the latest wave of venture-backed startups in California are focused on building AI-powered romantic partners. What started as a joke has become a funded reality, forcing us to consider how digital relationships could redefine human connection.

04:01 Unicorn Odds and Reality: Many students are surprised to learn that seed-stage startups have a 1 in 40 chance of becoming unicorns. Jeremy emphasizes that while the journey requires effort and resilience, the odds are better than most assume and worth pursuing with intent.

04:34 Southeast Asia’s Golden Era: Asia Partners believes the next 50 years will bring more unicorns in Southeast Asia. Jeremy highlights that local universities like NUS are producing many of these founders, signaling strong homegrown potential in the region.

10:00 VCs as Elite Talent Scouts: Jeremy explains that venture capitalists are not teachers or advisors, but high-performance coaches who are assembling winning teams. They focus on backing the best early, not out of charity, but to generate home runs that deliver massive returns.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/billion-dollar-futures

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