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

Carlo Chen-Delantar, Co-founder of Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Philippines 2025 Challenges: Carlo highlighted the 2024 Philippine Horizons Report, calling for the full implementation of the Innovative Startup Act of 2019 to address gaps in visas, taxes, and funding. Ambitious goals, such as creating four unicorns by 2030 (with GCash and Maya leading), face challenges from bureaucratic inefficiencies like the six-month minimum timeline for establishing businesses. The BPO sector, a significant economic driver, faces disruption from AI-driven automation. Incomplete infrastructure projects, promised under the Duterte administration, also hinder the country’s competitiveness. 2. Trump Geopolitical Tensions: Under the Trump administration, U.S.-China decoupling in global trade policies will impact the Philippines’ reliance on Chinese imports, which dominate platforms like Lazada. Carlo noted that over 50% of cars sold in 2024 were Chinese EV brands, reflecting this dependence. The West Philippine/ South China Sea dispute can also increase tensions with China. 3. Corporate vs. Independent VCs: Corporate venture capital (CVC) dominates the Philippines, similar to Thailand, while independent VCs remain limited. Conglomerates like Ayala and Aboitiz support talent development, but the ecosystem lacks robust support for independent startups. As the Philippines approaches middle-high-income status by 2026, it must emulate successful pro-local policies in Indonesia, such as fostering unicorns like GoTo, to stimulate long-term growth. Carlo highlighted the risks of CVC dominance in curbing the broader multiplier effects independent startups offer. Jeremy and Carlo also discussed how AI adoption could disrupt traditional workflows while benefiting startups, the need for improved visa policies to retain diaspora talent, and opportunities to enhance the Philippines’ service industries for global competitiveness. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/philippines-challenge Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/philippines-challenge 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/philippines-challenge Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/philippines-challenge 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

Join Jeremy Au and Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, as they share 5 bold predictions about Southeast Asia's tech ecosystem, including how VCs continue to shift their strategy, silent death of funds and the second-order impact of US-China decoupling on regional markets. Balancing optimism with pragmatism, they also discuss 5 wishes for the region, including overhauling financial accounting operating standards and supporting "failed" founders to bounce back into the talent network. === 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 www.bravesea.com/blog/ 5-predictions-5-wishes Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ 5-predictions-5-wishes 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ 5-predictions-5-wishes Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ 5-predictions-5-wishes 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 #DeepTechSingapore #SoutheastAsiaTech #USChinaDecoupling #VentureCapitalTrends #TechInnovationHub

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

Jeremy Au and Gita Sjahrir discussed three key themes during their conversation: 1. Apple’s $1 Billion Investment in Indonesia and Local Content Policies: Indonesia’s regulation requiring local components in imported products initially banned iPhone 16 sales, sparking public frustration. The government negotiated with Apple, escalating from a $10 million offer to a $1 billion investment. Gita highlighted President Prabowo Subianto’s role in global diplomacy, marking a shift from Indonesia’s traditionally insular policies. They also explored the broader context of deglobalization, where nations prioritize domestic production, and discussed how similar strategies could be applied in other markets like Vietnam. 2. Traveloka and the Middle-Class Economy: Traveloka, founded in 2012 by Ferry Unardi, Derianto Kusuma, and Albert Zhang, represents a scalable digital-first platform in Indonesia. Despite this potential, economic insecurity among the middle class limits its growth. Indonesia’s GDP grew 5% in 2023, but discretionary spending remains low due to middle-class vulnerability. Traveloka also faces competition from Agoda, part of Booking Holdings, and new entrants from China. Jeremy and Gita stressed that stabilizing the middle class is crucial not just for Traveloka but for consumer-driven industries across the region. 3. Cultural Barriers and Financial Literacy in Startups: Gita discussed how Indonesia’s “shame culture” prevents founders from addressing their weaknesses, particularly in financial literacy. She noted that one in three founders struggles with basics like distinguishing GMV, revenue, and contribution margins, which often leads to poor decision-making. Jeremy and Gita emphasized the importance of personal growth to overcome these challenges, encouraging founders to “do it scared” and take action despite fear. Jeremy and Gita also discussed the challenges of navigating the “messy middle” in startups, often spanning over a decade; lessons from the 2014–2015 tech boom, which highlighted the risks of overfunding and rapid scaling; the transition from physical to digital industries, with Indonesia’s digital economy growing 16% in 2023; Prabowo Subianto’s efforts to position Indonesia as a neutral geopolitical player; and how founders can reassess their long-term priorities and time investments in startups. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ indonesia-apple-1b-deal Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ indonesia-apple-1b-deal 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ indonesia-apple-1b-deal Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ indonesia-apple-1b-deal 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 #AppleInvestment #IndonesiaEconomy #TechPolicy #MiddleClassChallenges #StartupCulture

Ron Baetiong, Founder of Podcast Network Asia, and Jeremy Au discussed: Philippines Basketball Jock to Founder Exit: Ron shared his early life as a basketball jock raised in a lower-middle-class Filipino household by his single mother. Determined to achieve the Filipino dream of owning a house, Ron worked in a call center at 18 while studying at the University of Santo Tomas. Ron’s time at Groupon (2011) taught him foundational sales skills that later became pivotal. He launched his first startup, a nightlife app called Partyphile, inspired by his personal pain points as a clubgoer. Despite initial traction with 50,000 users, the business struggled with monetization. By 2016, Ron pivoted to Chatbot.ph, leveraging the emerging chatbot market. Within a year, the company was acquired by Sterling Paper Group, allowing Ron to fulfill his dream of buying his mother a house. 2. Startup Failure Lessons: His journey revealed key lessons about being a solo founder and the importance of monetization strategies. Ron shared how missing opportunities to sell club tables—a lucrative revenue stream—hindered growth. The business faced a turning point in 2016, following a tragic incident at a major rave event and political shifts under Duterte’s presidency that dampened the nightlife scene. Transitioning to Chatbot.ph, Ron capitalized on timing and his ability to build quick MVPs. By mid-2017, the company generated over $10,000 in monthly revenue and attracted investors, leading to its acquisition. Ron highlighted how this pivot taught him to prioritize building strong teams and focusing on cash flow. 3. Podcast Network Asia & Serye FM In 2019, Ron founded the podcast HustleShare to document startup journeys and give back to the Philippine ecosystem. He expanded this passion into Podcast Network Asia (PNA), which grew to manage 320 shows, including exclusive collaborations with Spotify, paying $20,000 per show annually. However, Spotify’s strategic pivot in 2023—ending exclusivity deals—led to significant financial strain for PNA. In response, Ron launched Serye FM to address the growing demand for localized audio content. Serye FM adopted a paywall model within Spotify, enabling Filipino listeners to access serialized audio series. With 100% month-on-month growth over five months, Serye FM has emerged as a rising star. Ron’s teaming with co-founder Rexy Dorado, formerly of Kumu, reinforced the platform’s potential to replicate its success. Jeremy and Ron also talks about the grief of losing his co-founder in 2023, managing platform risks with Spotify, and his plans to scale Serye FM from the Philippines to the U.S. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ ph-founder-podcast-lesson Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ ph-founder-podcast-lesson 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ ph-founder-podcast-lesson Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ ph-founder-podcast-lesson 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

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

Xiaoyin Qu, founder and CEO of Heeyo.ai, and Jeremy Au discussed: Facebook Product Manager to Stanford MBA Dropout Founder: Xiaoyin shared her journey from Shandong, China to studying at Pomona College in 2009, part of an early wave of Chinese students pursuing U.S. undergraduate degrees. Initially focused on economics, her career pivot to computer science was inspired by an internship at Atlassian, then a small startup. Her subsequent Product Manager role at Facebook with Instagram’s early product management team of 20–30 members in 2014 introduced her to Silicon Valley’s dynamics of scaling tech platforms. Xiaoyin reflected on reconciling cultural differences, including her Confucian upbringing and Silicon Valley’s fast-paced, innovation-driven ethos. She shared why she joined Stanford MBA, and why she dropped out to be a founder Run The World Pandemic Learnings: Xiaoyin recounted founding her virtual events startup in 2019 with a term sheet from Andreessen Horowitz. Launching the platform in February 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the company experienced explosive demand, scaling from 10 to 50 employees by year’s end. A viral TechCrunch article highlighted their services, drawing hundreds of clients daily. However, Xiaoyin noted the high churn rates in the events industry and the challenges of sustaining growth post-pandemic. Reflecting on the “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) era, she discussed the pressures of over-hiring and subsequent layoffs, lessons that now guide her to focus on strategic agility and resource efficiency, particularly as economic conditions evolve. Heeyo AI Generation Alpha Education: Xiaoyin’s current venture, Heeyo.ai, focuses on AI-driven interactive education for children aged 3 to 11. Inspired by her upbringing and fascination with technology, the platform uses text-to-speech and large language models to support over 30 languages, serving users in 100+ countries. Heeyo.ai allows parents to customize educational content, incorporating values and interests like STEM, social-emotional learning, and cultural heritage. This design ensures the platform resonates with Gen Alpha, a tech-savvy generation naturally integrating AI into their daily lives. Xiaoyin emphasized safety, age-appropriateness, and ethical AI interactions, supported by child psychologists and educators. She also highlighted AI’s potential to democratize education globally, addressing disparities and providing personalized learning experiences. They also discussed the role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future, cultural customization of AI tools to reflect personal values and evolving educational approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence and social learning. In addition to these main points, Jeremy and Xiaoyin briefly explored several other themes: - The role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future. - Cultural customization of AI tools to reflect regional and personal values. - The impact of “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) on startup hiring practices during COVID-19. === Xiaoyin Qu is the founder and CEO of heeyo.ai which provides interactive AI tutor and playmate for kids aged 3-11 and is funded by OpenAI. Prior to Heeyo, Xiaoyin Qu founded Run The World, a leader in virtual events software and was awarded Inc's Top 100 Female Founder and Fast Company's Most Innovative Company in events. She was a Stanford MBA dropout. She co-founded Stoooges Education, a leading College Admissions Consulting firm in China when she was 19. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com