Sean Ang, Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. NUS Alumni Ventures: Sean shared how NUS Alumni Ventures (NAV), established in 2020, connects NUS alumni to startups across Southeast Asia for partnerships and investments. Inspired by Stanford Angels, NAV focuses on matchmaking rather than direct funding, organizing four major events annually to link startups with alumni in various industries. The platform engages both seasoned professionals and students, teaching investment analysis and fostering connections. Sean emphasized NAV’s role as a facilitator rather than an investment firm, focusing on SaaS, B2C, and B2B startups. 2. University Unicorn Founders: Sean highlighted NUS’s role as a key entrepreneurship hub in Southeast Asia, citing successful alumni-led companies like Carousell (Siu Rui, Lucas, and Marcus) and PatSnap (Jeffrey Tiong and Guang Tian). Programs like NUS Overseas College (NOC) and research initiatives such as GRIP drive innovation, although more commercialization of deep tech is needed. NUS attracts top talent through its strong academic programs, which create an environment for entrepreneurship and research to thrive. 3. USA vs. Singapore Angels: Sean discussed the distinct cultural landscape of Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem compared to the U.S., where angel investors often reinvest from successful exits. In Singapore, most angels come from traditional industries—banking, consulting, and law—recycling high incomes. This difference impacts startup funding dynamics. Sean noted NAV’s role in bridging gaps, activating alumni, and helping early-stage startups navigate this unique landscape through targeted, quality connections. Jeremy and Sean also touched on the role of Block71 in connecting students with startups, the cultural importance of warm introductions and his new project to connect business angels and family offices across the region. === Sean Ang is the Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures (NAV), a society that seeks to connect the NUS Alumni network to businesses in SEA for business matching opportunities (partnerships or investments). NAV is a value-driver to two different categories: senior NUS alumni and junior NUS alumni. Besides the core mission of helping people to reconnect with the alma mater, facilitating the interactions of these two distinct generations is another core mission that NAV has been very proud of enabling since our establishment 4 years ago. Besides the alumni community, NAV is also committed to training the next generation that is passionate about being significant future contributors to the innovation industry. We recruit a batch of 50 new students (undergrads, masters, PhDs) every year, trained by retained senior NAV associates. On the backdrop of this committed resource, we organize 4 demodays quarterly interspersed with smaller networking events to grow the ecosystem. Driven by his passion for connecting people, Sean is co-founding SEADS—a people-first platform transforming how entrepreneurs and investors navigate Southeast Asia’s fragmented early-stage investment ecosystem. Featuring a meticulously curated database of business angels, venture capitalists, and family offices, SEADS empowers entrepreneurs and investors alike by fostering meaningful connections and streamlining access to regional funding opportunities. Sean is starting SEADS with a fellow NAV alumni member. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ nus-alumni-ventures Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ nus-alumni-ventures 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ nus-alumni-ventures Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ nus-alumni-ventures

Cheryl Lau from “Edit History” Podcast and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Law & PHD Dropout: Cheryl reflected on leaving law school in Hong Kong in 2018 despite earning a scholarship due to self-awareness gained during internships and to focus on a research degree instead. She later had to choose to drop out of her Hong Kong PhD during the pandemic in order to join her now-husband in Singapore. She shared her mixed emotions about leaving academia and choosing love. Although her parents initially disapproved, they came to respect her independence and ability to take responsibility for her choices. 2. Side Hustle to Thought Leadership Podcaster: Cheryl described her podcast’s transformation from “The Side Hustle Club” to “The Thought Leadership Club” and now “Edit History.” This latest iteration critiques and reflects on past works, showcasing personal and professional growth. Cheryl, as a solopreneur, manages every aspect of production, emphasizing storytelling and thought-provoking content. She highlighted the importance of meaningful long-form content, which she finds more resonant than short-form media in today’s AI-driven landscape. 3. Asian Childhood Beliefs vs. Personal Growth: Growing up in Canada as the child of Asian immigrants, Cheryl internalized the value of hard work but later questioned whether diligence alone ensured success. Leaving law school was a pivotal moment, prompting her to focus on aligning her career with her strengths. Cheryl also overcame insecurities about her appearance and public speaking by committing to daily Instagram video stories, building confidence and refining her ability to connect with others. These experiences now shape her work as a coach and content creator, helping others build meaningful bodies of work. Additionally, Cheryl shared her thoughts on balancing short-form and long-form content, her childhood aspiration to edit textbooks and how the pandemic profoundly shaped her career transitions and personal life. === Cheryl Lau is a podcaster who helps entrepreneurs and creators around the globe build a substantial and compelling body of work that matters. Cheryl believes that your impact isn’t defined by your audience size, your business revenue, or whether you have a LinkedIn Top Voice badge. Instead, it is measured through whether you’ve built something that matters to you and your people. This is precisely what your body of work does. Her podcast is the Thought Leader Club (previously called Side Hustle Club). The podcast was shortlisted for the 2024 Asia Podcast Awards (by Radioinfo Asia) in the “Best Money and Business Podcast” category and won the 2023 Golden Crane Award (by the Asian American Podcasters Association) in the “Best Entrepreneur/Solopreneur Podcast” category. Cheryl has quit graduate school twice - Law school in 2018 and PhD in 2022. Both times, it felt like she went from being the Asian parent’s dream child to their biggest disappointment overnight. But since starting to build a body of work in 2019, Cheryl has created new business and career opportunities that not only make her proud… But it also makes her parents proud. Today, Cheryl’s work empowers entrepreneurs and creators to stay committed to pursuing what they truly believe in and always take full responsibility for their decisions and actions - And it all starts with building a body of work that matters. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ law-dropout-to-podcaster-coach Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ law-dropout-to-podcaster-coach 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ law-dropout-to-podcaster-coach Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ law-dropout-to-podcaster-coach Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

Tony Pang, founder of IME International Mandarin Education, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Veteran EdTech Founder Journey: Tony shared his evolution from a Boston University graduate to a seasoned entrepreneur. After working at Toshiba in Japan during its economic peak, he returned to Hong Kong in the 1990s to launch eSchool, a corporate e-learning platform during the dot-com boom. Despite the bubble burst, he bought back his shares and sold the company to a larger firm. In 2005, he sold his Mandarin training company—the largest in Hong Kong—to The Washington Post. Tony also broke new ground in 2001 by collaborating with Disney to design the world’s first Disneyfied mobile phone, rebuilding hardware and software from scratch. This experience highlighted his focus on innovation, calculated risks, and leveraging partnerships for success. 2. Rise of Chinese Language Learning: Tony explored the growing demand for Mandarin as a second language, driven by China’s global influence, particularly in ASEAN countries. He contrasted Eastern cultures’ preference for assessment-driven learning with the West’s more relaxed approach. Through IME, Tony uses edtech to make HSK assessments accessible, affordable, and engaging globally, addressing challenges like fragmented demand and the Ministry of Education’s reliance on outdated models. He noted that improving accessibility can unlock significant latent demand, even in regions where Mandarin is not traditionally popular. 3. Risk vs. Resilience: Tony emphasized the importance of calculated risks and identifying a unique competitive edge. He shared lessons from his Disney mobile phone project, showing how entrepreneurs can thrive against larger competitors by focusing on niche markets and innovative solutions. He encouraged resilience through perseverance, leveraging resources, and aligning strategies with long-term goals. Jeremy and Tony also touched on the role of luck in entrepreneurial success, generational shifts toward multilingualism and geographic trends in Mandarin language adoption. === Tony Pang, based in Hong Kong and founder of International Mandarin Education (IME), is an accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record in education and e-learning. With over 20 years of expertise in Mandarin education, he specializes in information systems and assessment. His strong connections with the Ministry of Education of China (MOE) underscore his pivotal role at the intersection of education and technology. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities

Clement Pang, a serial entrepreneur and co-CEO of Lirvana Labs, shares his journey from a Google engineer to a $400M exit. He discusses his startups, including how he identified market gaps and scaled teams to handle massive data. Clement introduces his innovative AI education tool inspired by 'The Diamond Age,' designed to personalize learning for young children. He reflects on the impact of AI in education, addressing its potential and challenges for Gen Z's interpersonal skills in a tech-driven world.

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Singles' Day 11/11 eCommerce: Jianggan shared his recent immersion trip to Hangzhou, where he observed China’s vibrant e-commerce and live commerce sectors. With Singles’ Day on November 11 approaching, he noted how this biggest shopping holiday in China has influenced shopping behaviors across Southeast Asia. Major platforms like Lazada and Shopee now promote Singles’ Day regionally and have inspired monthly events like 10.10 and 9.9 sales, reflecting how Chinese shopping culture has permeated the region’s markets. These frequent sales resonate with local consumers, and the rise of “payday promotions” as SEA brands continually invent new reasons to engage consumers between big sale events. This trend has raised demand for popular Chinese products, which occasionally leads to counterfeit goods, such as longjing "dragon well" tea.. He also highlights a visit to a logistics center in China, where human workers sort 3.5 million parcels daily, which rise to 8 million at peak periods, significantly contrasting Southeast Asia's relatively lower volume. 2. Trump vs. BRICS & Exporters: Reflecting on the US-China trade war, they outlined how supply chain shifts began during the 2016 Trump administration when tariffs on Chinese exports pushed some manufacturers to relocate to Vietnam and Cambodia. Although challenging, this diversification trend was essential for reducing tariff exposure and mitigating political risk. Chinese founders had to overcome frauds and scams in these frontier markets. The recent BRICS summit, with Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand joining as partners, highlights a shift toward a multi-polar economic strategy. A handshake between Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit indicated efforts to ease border tensions while China maintained its role as India’s largest trading partner. 3. Singapore Suzhou Industrial Parks & Hangzhou: They examined the role of regional industrial parks, with a focus on the Suzhou Industrial Park, a collaboration with Singapore that set a model for attracting FDI and spurred local development. Both Jiangsu (Suzhou) and Zhejiang (Hangzhou) provinces now lead China’s wealthiest regions, each with a GDP per capita of about $20,000, double the national average. Suzhou’s FDI-driven approach contrasts with Zhejiang’s privatized clusters, where private entrepreneurs, such as those in Yiwu, naturally formed their own industries. This economic contrast highlights how both regions have fostered complementary ecosystems, with distinct founder “vibes” reflecting diverse business cultures. Jeremy and Jianggan also discussed why China is holding off on a fiscal stimulus till America's election results, how Singaporean brands are entering America's “affordable luxury” niches which align with America’s higher GDP per capita, and the expansion of Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee and Chagee into the US market. === Jianggan Li is the Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, a Singapore-headquartered venture outfit. Prior to founding Momentum Works, he co-founded Easy Taxi in Asia, and served as Managing Director of Foodpanda. He is also the co-author of the book Seeing the Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants' Global Venturing. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a degree in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. Apart from English and his native Mandarin, he is also fluent in French and conversational in Cantonese & Spanish. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters

Valeri Vu, Founding Partner at Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Vietnam Likes Trump Win: Valerie analyzed the positive local sentiment towards Trump’s recent U.S. presidential win in 2024. She highlighted the $100 billion trade surplus Vietnam holds with the U.S. which brings potential American tariff risks, with a potential Vietnamese counterproposal to balance the trade relationship by purchasing defense and technology goods, such as aircraf. Trump’s hawkish stance on China indirectly benefits Vietnam by encouraging manufacturing shifts, but also brings challenges for maintaining stable trade relationships. Valerie highlighted Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” referencing recent efforts by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to engage with both the U.S. and China. 2. China Factory Relocation: The discussion focused on Vietnam’s growing role as a manufacturing hub, fueled by U.S. tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. Valerie detailed how relocations, including consumer electronics factories, are concentrated in industrial parks in Bac Ninh (North) and Binh Duong (South), benefiting Vietnam’s manufacturing share, which currently stands at 2–3% globally. However, challenges persist, such as workforce skill gaps, rising coal consumption, and environmental concerns like air pollution. Vietnam is targeting growth in high-tech sectors, such as AI and software, to diversify its economic base. She also predicted that domestic consumption in Vietnam, currently sluggish due to lingering effects of a real estate crisis, will recover in 2025 as the economy stabilizes. 3. Startup Protectionism & Opportunities: Valerie outlined how local startups struggle to compete with international e-commerce giants like Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Temu, which dominate Vietnam’s market through aggressive pricing and logistics advantages. Local platforms such as Tiki and Sendo have seen their market shares eroded, a stark contrast to Indonesia, where protectionist policies like banning Temu have shielded domestic players. She highlighted the rise of Vietnamese diaspora founders, like Pham Nhat Vuong of Vingroup, who are returning to Vietnam with global experience to build competitive ventures. Valerie stressed the need for startups to go global to thrive, citing successful Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyen Coffee. She noted that SMEs face significant challenges as global competition intensifies, but startups targeting cross-border opportunities, especially in Southeast Asia, show promise. === Valerie founded Ansible Ventures, a seed fund dedicated to Vietnam in 2022. Previously, she served as Vietnam Country Head for Venturra Capital, where she led over a dozen investments from 2020 to early 2022. From 2016 to 2019, she worked at Deloitte U.S. as a senior consultant where she advised hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment management clients. Valerie graduated magna cum laude in 2016 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a major in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Pennsylvania. She also founded Career Opportunities in Vietnam (COVN), providing advice to aspiring professionals and co-hosted Forward Vietnam Podcast. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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

ZQ, Cofounder of Sleek EV, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Electric Vehicle Founder Passion: ZQ shared his unconventional path from university studies to co-founding Sleek EV. Pivotal milestones include being inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial roots and self-discovery traveling in a self-renovated solar-powered van and a NUS Overseas Colleges internship in New York. Two years after launching, the company has grown to 90 employees and deployed over 3,000 electric motorcycles across Southeast Asia, with its operations hub based in Bangkok. 2. Thailand EV Market Selection: ZQ chose Thailand over other Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, due to the centralized market, strong motorcycle culture, and rapid adoption of new technologies making it an ideal entry point. ZQ highlighted the challenges of competing with established brands like Honda, which dominates 80% of the local market, and the importance of designing an affordable and reliable product to meet consumer demands. He also discussed the evolving EV ecosystem, emphasizing partnerships with local manufacturers, the role of CATL batteries, and the complexities of developing a standardized charging infrastructure. 3. Balancing Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship: ZQ reflected on the challenges of managing his dual roles as an entrepreneur and a father to his two-year-old daughter. He candidly shared the sacrifices his family has made, including long periods away from home and financial uncertainties. Despite the difficulties, ZQ emphasized that fatherhood has enhanced his leadership skills and emotional resilience, helping him grow personally and professionally. He also discussed his belief in allowing his child the freedom to choose her own path, supporting her dreams—whether entrepreneurial or otherwise. They also discussed the role of ESG values in driving Sleek EV’s mission, challenges in scaling a hardware vs. software startups and the future of EV charging infrastructure for mass adoption. === Zhang Quan (ZQ) is the co-founder and COO of Sleek EV, one of the fastest-growing electric motorcycle companies in Southeast Asia. With over five years of experience in the electric motorcycle industry, ZQ has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of sustainable transportation. Before launching Sleek EV, he co-founded companies that distributed various electric motorcycle brands and developed Thailand's first digital financing platform for electric motorcycle hire purchase. A passionate advocate for the startup ecosystem, ZQ has held positions at tech companies such as Klook in Singapore and collaborated with pioneering Spotify team members in New York City to establish a social networking app, which attracted over 300,000 users within just six months. Currently, he balances his professional commitments with family life, shuttling between Bangkok and Singapore. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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

Edward Booty, Founder of reach52, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Health Access For 6M Lives: Edward Booty, CEO of reach52, shared how the company addresses healthcare gaps in rural and underserved regions across Asia and Africa. Initially conceptualized during Edward’s travels in India, reach52 shifted from a tech-heavy model reliant on shared kiosks to a comprehensive platform empowering local health workers. The organization uses data-driven tools to map community health needs and deliver targeted interventions, improving access to essential medicines and education. By 2023, reach52 had impacted over 6 million lives across seven countries, aiming to expand further into Africa due to extreme medication price disparities—sometimes 30 times higher than in the UK. 2. reach52 Business Model: Edward detailed the complexities of balancing impact and profitability as a social enterprise. reach52 operates on dual funding—corporate sponsorships and distribution margins from affordable medicines. He highlighted systemic challenges like fragmented impact measurement frameworks and vested interests in rural markets, which can hinder scale. Edward underscored the importance of embracing market complexities, such as regulatory engagement and supply chain management, to achieve scalable impact without diluting the mission. 3. Social Enterprise Perceptions: The conversation explored how perceptions of social enterprises have evolved over the past decade. While “social business” was trendy in the 2010s, health equity has become the focal point in global discourse. Edward reflected on navigating fluctuating funding priorities, avoiding inauthentic rebranding to chase trends, and staying committed to Reach 52's mission of health access for underserved communities. They also discussed the role of training in empowering unpaid health workers, collaborative models with governments and NGOs to scale local health solutions and the economic impact of health expenditures on poverty in rural regions. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #HealthEquity #AffordableMedicine #SocialEnterprise #GlobalHealthcare #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEPodcast

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. 6 Million Population: Singapore’s population reached 6 million in 2023, up from 5 million in 2010. Shiyan noted the population was 2.7 million when she left two decades ago in 1990, highlighting rapid growth. Increased density has boosted economic diversity, comparable to New York City’s business environment. Unlike USA or the EU, Singapore’s population growth is driven by legal immigration due to strong border enforcement. International events like the F1 Grand Prix and Token 2049 contribute to an influx of expatriates, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a global business hub. 2. Anti-Immigration vs. Education Assimilation: With Singapore’s GDP per capita at USD 88,000, which six times higher than neighboring Malaysia, Shiyan highlighted that Singapore naturally attracts workers from ASEAN countries. She emphasized that immigration often fills jobs that the local population does not. Jeremy noted that immigration, while necessary for economic growth, is controversial globally, especially when people feel its benefits aren’t equally shared. They both suggested that schools should serve as platforms for integrating immigrant children, given Singapore’s declining birth rate. They also discussed how international schools, equal government funding across local schools, socio-economic factors, tuition, and parent self selection drives competition across families for local school slots. 3. US$230M Bitcoin Theft Lessons: 20-year-old Singaporean Malone Lam was arrested in Los Angeles for stealing 4,100 Bitcoin, worth USD 230 million. He partied hard with the proceeds, gave away Birkin bags at nightclubs, and bought luxury cars. Prioritizing long-term thinking and value creation leads to sustainable success, rather than chasing short-term career gains that sacrifice integrity. Jeremy and Shiyan also touched on fostering "kampung community spirit”, the impact of alumni networks and socioeconomic background on local school performance, and the role of expatriates in Singapore's business ecosystem. === Shiyan Koh is the Managing Partner at Hustle Fund, a venture capital fund that invests in pre-seed software startups in the U.S., Canada and Southeast Asia. Prior to that she was VP Business Operations and Corporate Development at NerdWallet, a Fintech Startup that helps users with a range of financial decisions through content, community and tools. Over the course of six years at NerdWallet, she led product teams, ran business operations and corporate development, and helped grow the company from US$1M to US$150M in revenue. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-population-growth Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-population-growth 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-population-growth Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-population-growth Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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

Jeremy Au examined the key advantages for venture capital judgment, with a focus on local market expertise in Southeast Asia. VCs must confront the limits of their knowledge and not be overconfident, especially in frontier markets. Global funds have been burned by high-profile and hidden cases of unchecked fraud (e.g., Theranos, FTX, and Zilingo), illustrating how localized due-diligence analysts. He discusses how VCs are evaluating and investing in “lonelytech” AI companionship, exemplified by companies like friend.com, which offers on-demand AI friends for those seeking constant companionship. Reflecting on his experience with Professor Howard Gardner’s work on multiple intelligences and the "Good Citizen Project," Jeremy underscored the societal shift from traditional support systems to commodified relationships, now facilitated by technology. He highlighted the VC’s responsibility in distinguishing sustainable value from fleeting trends while navigating the ethical terrain between investment potential and societal impact. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-advantages Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-advantages-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-advantages-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-advantages-vn Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities