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

Beatrice Lion, General Partner and CEO of True Global Ventures, joins Jeremy Au to unpack how early conviction, long cycles, and hands-on learning shaped her path from finance student to venture capital leader. They explore why blockchain and AI only look obvious in hindsight, how decentralization solves real risks created by centralized platforms, and why hype often masks weak demand rather than weak technology. The conversation covers building a venture fund from self-funded roots to institutional scale, navigating fundraising and regulation, and what it takes to grow as an investor across multiple market cycles. Beatrice also shares how staying in one firm for years can still mean many different careers, and why resilience and judgment matter more than timing. 02:52 A no-pay internship reshaped career direction: Shadowing a GP showed how small actions, like one introduction, could determine a startup’s survival. 04:11 Venture capital felt more meaningful than banking: Direct impact on founders and companies mattered more than prestige or salary. 13:20 Decentralization drove blockchain conviction: Seeing Animoca lose its business overnight to a centralized platform clarified the risk of single gatekeepers. 16:33 Technology does not create demand: Tokenization only works when real markets already exist, not when assets lack buyers. 22:22 Market crashes build resilient founders: Repeated crypto downturns filtered out weak actors and strengthened surviving teams. 29:00 Eight years in one fund meant many roles: Beatrice moved across portfolio support, fundraising, regulation, and investment decisions without stagnation. 41:20 Leadership required personal courage under scrutiny: As a young CEO, Beatrice led a long MAS licensing process while managing deep self-doubt. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/beatrice-lion-application-layer-advantage WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #VentureCapital #AIApplications #BlockchainInvesting #TechCycles #EmergingManagers #FundraisingJourney #InvestorConviction #StartupEcosystem #RegulatedInnovation #BRAVEpodcast

Rocky Yu, Founder and CEO of AGI House, joins Jeremy Au to unpack how early curiosity in computer graphics led him from engineering and startups to building one of the world’s most influential AI communities. They explore why talent density matters more than scale, how AGI House emerged during the pandemic as a mission-first experiment, and what it takes to turn deep technical conversations into real companies. The conversation covers Rocky’s journey from academia to entrepreneurship, how dinners and hackathons sparked breakout AI startups, and why AGI should be understood as a system of applied intelligence rather than a single god-like model. Rocky also shares his views on resilience, uncertainty, and how young people and parents should think about work, purpose, and opportunity in an AI-shaped future. 02:00 Early fascination with computer graphics shaped Rocky’s path: Curiosity about how computers generate realistic images pulled him into computer science long before AI was mainstream. 06:06 The pandemic triggered a mission reset: Isolation and deep conversations about purpose and intelligence sparked the idea that later became AGI House. 08:12 Talent density became the core design choice: AGI House prioritized curating elite researchers and founders over scaling a broad, open community. 12:32 Invite-only dinners and open hackathons worked together: Private discussions built depth while hackathons surfaced raw, unproven talent who later broke out. 15:29 Resilience comes from knowing why you build: Rocky explains that founders who love status quit early, while those driven by curiosity endure hardship. 17:21 AGI is a system, not a single god model: Intelligence emerges from many specialized agents improving through real-world deployment. 29:02 Learning to live with uncertainty builds founders: Traveling the world with no money trained the mindset Rocky later relied on as an entrepreneur. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/rocky-yu-building-agi-together WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #ArtificialIntelligence #AGI #AICommunity #TechFounders #StartupEcosystem #FutureOfWork #FounderMindset #TalentDensity #HumanPotential #BRAVEpodcast

Eldred Wee, Founder of Edenity, joins Jeremy Au to unpack why corporate services and accounting firms sit at the center of Southeast Asia’s next wave of SME acquisitions. They explore how Eldred’s early career in Big Four audit shaped his ability to spot incentives, fraud, and double or triple books, and why these realities define investing in the region. The conversation covers the rise of roll-ups in accounting and corporate services, why organic growth is hard for B2B services in Southeast Asia, and how aging founders and low digitization are creating a narrow transition window for buyers. Eldred also shares why price arbitrage alone rarely works, how culture and trust determine post-deal success, and why relationship-driven execution matters more than capital in small business M&A. 04:33 Big Four audit trained judgment, not just rules: Eldred learned how incentives, weak controls, and human behavior enable fraud to persist over years. 09:21 Double and triple books are a regional reality: Separate records exist for tax, management, and true economics, shaping how investors must assess risk. 11:58 Accounting is at a transition point: AI and digitization are advancing fast while many traditional firms remain underprepared. 12:38 SMEs form the backbone of Singapore’s economy: Small firms drive close to half of GDP and most employment, making corporate services critical infrastructure. 14:20 Inorganic growth beats organic growth for B2B services: Fragmentation and regulation push buyers to acquire existing firms rather than scale from scratch. 18:47 Culture outweighs financials in small acquisitions: Employee loyalty and founder habits often determine post-deal success or failure. 29:12 Personal history shapes leadership and dealmaking: Eldred’s early life experiences reinforce his focus on trust, relationships, and long-term legacy. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/eldred-wee-inside-sme-deals WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #SMEacquisitions #SearchFunds #SoutheastAsiaBusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #CorporateServices #AccountingAndFinance #RollUpStrategy #FounderTransitions #TrustInBusiness #BRAVEpodcast

Florian Hoppe, Partner at Bain, joins Jeremy Au to unpack insights from the Bain Southeast Asia Digital Economy Report 2025 and explain why the region’s digital economy keeps growing despite global uncertainty and negative headlines. They explore the long-term forces behind this resilience, including consumer adoption, payments and logistics infrastructure, and sustained middle-class demand. The conversation covers the expansion from ASEAN six to ASEAN ten, how regional scale really works for founders, and why competition from China and global players continues to fuel innovation. Florian also explains why AI and data centers should be seen as foundational utilities, how local AI solutions create real value in healthcare and education, and what investors, policymakers, and parents should focus on as Southeast Asia enters its next digital decade. 03:03 Adoption drives resilience: Smartphone penetration, payments, logistics, and trust infrastructure enabled durable digital behavior over time. 05:52 ASEAN expanded from six to ten countries: New markets added population and long-term upside, even with limited short-term GMV impact. 08:51 Regional strategy depends on product depth: High-end offerings cluster in major cities, while mass-market products still scale across ASEAN. 14:18 AI growth starts with infrastructure: Data centers and talent form the base layer before real business value emerges. 15:52 AI in Southeast Asia prioritizes quality and access: Lower labor costs shift focus from cost cutting to better healthcare and education outcomes. 22:17 Digital economy reached policy relevance: It now represents a meaningful share of GDP and employs tens of millions across the region.  29:50 Preparing the next generation for an AI economy: Florian argues parents should train curiosity, abstract thinking, and learning ability, rather than over-optimizing for specific technical skills too early. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/florian-hoppe-compounding-southeast-asia WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #SoutheastAsiaTech #DigitalEconomy #AIinAsia #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #ASEAN #FutureOfWork #DataCenters #TechTrends #BRAVEpodcast

Jeremy Au breaks down how venture capitalists actually think about startups, founder selection, and long-term value creation. Drawing from real VC decisions, classroom debates, and emerging technologies, he explains why learning speed beats polish, why most “obvious” winners only look obvious in hindsight, and how founders navigate pivots, problem selection, and 10× breakthroughs. The conversation also explores how strange technologies move from science fiction to commercialization, and how VCs evaluate scale, network effects, and unit economics in practice. 01:19 Founder potential vs. founder today: The gap between who a founder is now and who they must become over ten years, shaped by grit, learning, timing, and luck. 04:38 Learning speed as a competitive advantage: Jeremy explains why the fastest learners outcompete both startups and incumbents. 07:00 From non-problems to startups: How ideas like AI companions turn situational pain into viable businesses. 09:13 Commercializing breakthrough science: How founders think about customer personas, regulation, and product-market fit for radical technologies. 12:21 Product stays, customer changes: How commercialization often means reframing who the technology is really for. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/how-vcs-pick-winners WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #VentureCapital #StartupLife #FounderMindset #UnicornBuilding #LearningFast #TechInnovation #ProductMarketFit #ScaleAndGrowth #SoutheastAsiaTech #BRAVEpodcast

Kelvin Chan, an AI researcher at Google, joins Jeremy Au to unpack his unconventional path from mathematics in Hong Kong to applied AI research across Singapore and the United States. They explore how AI research differs from traditional academic work, why iteration and results often matter more than theory, and how scale has transformed research culture from small experiments to highly collaborative, compute-heavy systems. The conversation covers the rapid evolution of image and video models including Google’s Nano Banana model, the push toward world modeling and embodied AI, and how AI tools are reshaping daily productivity for engineers. Kelvin also reflects on choosing AI in 2018 before it was mainstream, and why he believes the long-term future lies in AI as a trusted partner that augments human work rather than replaces it. 03:18 Image processing redirected Kelvin away from finance: Hands-on work with visual data revealed a stronger pull toward applied problem solving than abstract financial paths. 06:00 AI research prioritizes iteration over proofs: Progress comes from training models, debugging failures, and refining results rather than deriving formal guarantees. 09:16 Nano Banana reflects Google’s applied AI approach: Large-scale models are used to speed up coding, debugging, documentation, and internal productivity. 11:00 Results matter more than explanations in applied AI: Kelvin focuses on whether models work in practice, not on fully understanding internal neural mechanisms. 16:12 Scaling models reshaped research culture: Moving from millions to billions of parameters forced deeper collaboration and reduced solo experimentation. 20:05 World modeling targets physical understanding: Researchers aim to teach AI how gravity, motion, and real-world constraints actually behave. 26:25 Choosing AI before it was mainstream required risk: Kelvin’s decision to pursue AI in 2018 became the most defining and courageous move of his career. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kelvin-chan-inside-google-ai WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #GoogleAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIResearch #FutureOfAI #TechCareers #MachineLearning #DeepLearning #AITrends #AIatScale #BRAVEpodcast

China analyst and Momentum Works founder Jianggan joins Jeremy Au to break down how US–China tensions evolved through a year of tariffs, rare earth leverage, supply chain shocks, and fast-moving geopolitical swings. They examine why both sides misread each other, how Chinese companies adapted faster than expected, and why the global system settled into a tactical pause instead of a decisive split. Their discussion shows how on-the-ground China differs from Western narratives, how product iteration and factory conditions changed under competitive pressure, and why neither side can force a quick victory. Jianggan also shares insights from thirteen trips across China as he tracks e-commerce exporters, shifting macro sentiment, and the emerging negotiation patterns that shape 2026. 02:28 US tariffs aimed to hurt China but failed to break its exporters: Chinese firms diversified markets, adjusted production, and kept shipping strong volumes even as analysts expected collapse. 03:08 China deployed rare earths and soybeans as leverage: Beijing used export controls, licensing rules, and supply pivots to respond in structured tit for tat moves that surprised US policymakers. 07:04 A tactical pause replaced escalation: Both sides realized they could not win quickly, creating a fragile equilibrium shaped by low trust but stable expectations. 10:06 Factory floors tell a different story: Air-conditioned warehouses, livestreamed food production, one dollar meals, and rising worker savings show a more complex China than what headlines describe. 21:12 Chinese product cycles sped up dramatically: Exporters improved quality within a year, added more features, and stayed cheaper, putting global incumbents under real pressure. 26:26 Narratives on both sides miss the nuance: Sensational media framing and echo chambers make Americans underestimate China and make Chinese underestimate America. 29:06 TikTok deal shows coexistence is possible: Restructuring turned adversaries into stakeholders and created a template for how cross-border platforms can operate under political pressure. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jianggan-li-chinas-counterplay Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/engineering-soft-landings WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #USChinaRelations #Geopolitics #ChinaEconomy #TradeWar #RareEarths #GlobalSupplyChains #SoutheastAsiaTech #TariffTalks #MarketDynamics #BRAVEpodcast

Lance Katigbak, Principal at BCG Manila, joins Jeremy Au to break down why Filipino households, not individuals, are the true drivers of economic decisions in the Philippines. Drawing from BCG’s large scale research on the Filipino family, they explore how family structures shape spending, saving, and borrowing behavior, and why health risk sits at the center of financial anxiety. The conversation covers multi earner and extended households, the role of informal lending, and how overseas Filipino workers remain deeply involved in family decisions from abroad. Lance also explains why most products miss the market by designing for individuals, and how companies can unlock real opportunity by building for the household instead. 03:25 Filipino families fall into six major structures: Nuclear families make up less than half of households, with one earner, dual earner, and multi earner families each representing about a third of the population. 09:07 Informal lenders understand households better than banks: Five six lenders assess family level ability to repay, unlike formal finance that underwrites individuals. 13:01 Debt is driven by medical necessity: Paying off debt is the top priority for the poorest families, with health emergencies as the main trigger for borrowing. 18:35 Overseas Filipino workers anchor household budgets: OFWs send home most of their income and remain actively involved in family decisions through constant communication. 23:17 The Filipino dream centers on family security: Top goals are financial protection against health shocks and starting small stable businesses. 29:16 Spending roles differ by gender: Women often manage savings and budgets while men more often handle investments and hardware purchases. 32:04 Families seek modest upgrades, not luxury: Aspirations focus on stress free groceries, affordable dining out, and daily stability rather than status. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/lance-katigbak-filipino-money-decisions WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #PhilippineEconomy #FilipinoFamilies #HouseholdDecisions #HealthRisk #OFWLife #FinancialBehavior #EmergingMarkets #FamilyFirst #SEATech #BRAVEpodcast

Annie Huang, Harvard MBA and founder of Taiwan’s first traditional search fund, joins Jeremy Au to share how global exposure shaped her decision to return home and build in a market others overlook. She traces her journey from growing up outside Taiwan’s major cities to working across Southeast Asia, then studying at Harvard Business School before choosing entrepreneurship over a conventional prestige path. Annie explains how Taiwanese capital and talent move fluidly across China, Southeast Asia, and the US, why aging founders and overseas children have created a real SME succession crisis, and how search funds offer a practical solution. They discuss her experience fundraising from both global and local investors, what daily life looks like as a searcher speaking with founders nearing retirement, and how becoming a mother during her MBA unexpectedly strengthened trust with business owners. Their conversation explores why the biggest opportunities often sit in familiar markets, how autonomy and equity drive long-term wealth, and what it takes to build conviction while balancing family, risk, and leadership. 01:18 Growing up outside Taiwan’s major cities built independence: Annie shares how early freedom and family trust pushed her to explore work and life beyond her comfort zone. 04:43 Taiwanese investment focus shifted from China to Southeast Asia: She explains how investors followed growth momentum as Southeast Asia became more attractive over the past five to six years. 09:20 Younger Taiwanese professionals avoid China’s intense job market: Gen Z prioritizes lifestyle and flexibility, unlike older cohorts who once saw China as the top destination. 10:59 Harvard MBA expanded options but clarified where she could win: Annie pursued global exposure, then realized her biggest upside was in her home market. 17:38 Discovering search funds aligned past experience and future goals: She connects business development, fundraising, and investing into one coherent path. 18:55 Taiwan’s SME succession crisis created a clear opportunity: Aging founders, overseas children, and low birth rates leave strong businesses without successors. 31:28 Motherhood strengthened trust with founders: Having children helped Annie connect emotionally with older business owners and build credibility faster. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/annie-huang-taiwan-search-fund WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #SearchFund #TaiwanSMEs #SuccessionCrisis #Entrepreneurship #HomeMarket #HarvardMBA #AsiaInvesting #FounderJourney #Leadership #BRAVEpodcast

Violet Lim, Co-Founder & CEO of Lunch Actually Paktor Group, and Jeremy Au explore how dating, expectations, and technology have evolved across Southeast Asia over the past two decades. Violet traces her path from studying law in the UK to banking in Singapore, before leaving a stable career at 24 to start Lunch Actually, now one of Asia’s longest-running matchmaking groups. They discuss the early stigma around dating services, why lunch dating worked as a low-pressure solution for busy professionals, and the realities of expanding across markets like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Their conversation digs into why some people find partners quickly while others repeat the same patterns, how coaching closes gaps in mindset and behavior, and why surface-level filters often block long-term compatibility. They also examine how dating apps reshaped expectations, how Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X approach dating differently, and how AI companionship is beginning to challenge traditional ideas of intimacy, loneliness, and commitment. 01:45 How she met her husband: Violet recounts meeting her university sweetheart through student society events, ICQ conversations, and a first lunch date that later inspired her business model.  03:35 Identifying the dating gap: While rotating through Citibank, Violet notices many eligible colleagues are single and constantly busy, realizing lunch is often the only time people can realistically meet someone new.  06:23 Quitting at 24 despite stigma: Violet explains why she chose not to practice family law, moved into HR and banking, and faced deep cultural resistance to matchmaking before deciding to go all in.  15:43 Overcoming early barriers: Advertisers refuse to run dating ads, landlords reject office rentals, clients hide to avoid being seen, and a bold half-empty newspaper ad becomes the breakthrough moment.  18:39 Scaling across Asia: Singapore and Malaysia grow naturally, Hong Kong requires language and cultural adaptation, and Taiwan fails when the team realizes the concept of dating does not yet exist in the market.  31:21 Coaching drives successful matches: Violet explains why some clients succeed quickly while others stall, leading to mindset coaching, image support, and WhatsApp critique to fix blind spots.  42:16 AI reshapes emotional norms: Violet describes how abundance, analysis paralysis, fear of better options, and AI companionship are changing how people define connection and commitment. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/violet-lim-modern-matchmaking WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #DatingInAsia #ModernLove #Matchmaking #DatingApps #GenZDating #AIFuture #HumanConnection #Relationships #Loneliness #BRAVEpodcast