Kristie Neo: Channel News Asia to DealStreetAsia VC Editor, Investigative Journalism, Unicorn Mismanagement (Revolution Precrafted) - E526

Kristie Neo, VC (Southeast Asia) Editor at DealStreetAsia, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Channel News Asia to DealStreetAsia VC Editor: Kristie began her journalism career at Channel News Asia (CNA), working in documentaries and later transitioning to business news. She emphasized CNA’s commitment to telling stories through an “Asian perspective,” which shaped her approach to reporting. Later, Kristie also joined DealStreetAsia (DSA) as a venture capital and startup reporter, contributing to its growth from a small team. She highlighted the challenges of establishing credibility as a startup newsroom, including building relationships with key stakeholders and securing access to major press events.

2. Investigative Journalism: Kristie spearheaded the use of Singapore’s ACRA database to access private company filings, uncovering financial insights that shaped investigative reporting at DealStreetAsia (DSA). Her work involved analyzing complex financial reports, connecting the dots between stakeholders, and leveraging this data to produce in-depth reports. Over time, these efforts evolved into Data Vantage, a proprietary tool offering comprehensive company data and insights across Southeast Asia, becoming a critical resource for DSA’s operations.

3. Unicorn Mismanagement (Revolution Precrafted): Kristie led an exposé on Revolution Precrafted, a Philippine unicorn valued at over $1 billion, revealing fraudulent activities. Through on-ground investigations in Manila, she uncovered unfulfilled development projects and inconsistencies in financial operations. Her findings triggered a national government investigation, highlighting the risks of informal structures in Southeast Asia’s startups and emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in the ecosystem.

Jeremy and Kristie also discussed ethical challenges in journalism, declining media trust, technology's impact on storytelling, and Southeast Asia’s cultural nuances in startup reporting.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kristie-neo

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