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

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

Kheng Lian Ho, Managing Partner at Turn Capital, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Law to Turn Capital Managing Partner: Kheng’s disciplined childhood as a 11-year old Singapore national badminton athlete laid the foundation for her early legal carer For six years, she practiced restructuring and cross-border litigation in Singapore and Hong Kong, drawn to the intellectual challenges but stifled by routine and limited personal connection. Seeking more impactful, people-centered work, Kheng left her law career to do angel investing, be a venture partner at Vectr Ventures in Hong Kong, facilitated deal sourcing and capital markets, and founded the Open Circles community to connect entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Building on her extensive network and operational expertise, Kheng co-founded Turn Capital alongside Joseph Phua and Shang Koo. With a focus on acquiring and transforming underperforming consumer tech companies, Turn Capital leverages 40 combined years of experience to revitalize these businesses and guide them back to profitability. 2. Buying Flash Coffee Thailand & Turnaround: Her fund strategy is a. acquired former VC-backed startups plagued by high costs and inefficiencies in social, entertainment, media, and e-commerce sectors b. limited number of acquisitions for deep hands-on business engagement and c. balanced goal of 3-5x returns over five years. Their first acquisition, Flash Coffee Thailand, showcases this method: by reducing the original 46 outlets by half, the team swiftly brought operations to break-even, paving the way for sustainable expansion and long-term growth. Acquiring majority operational control is key to execute rightsizing and achieve profitability within nine months. She shares that they bring an external, objective eye, vs. founders, board and executives that may not be able to reach a consensus to execute the turnaround internally. 3. Emerging Fund Manager Advice: By 2023, Turn Capital successfully raised over $20 million, backed by prominent investors such as Kee Lock from Vertex Ventures, Peng Ong from Monk’s Hill Ventures, and Twitch cofounder Kevin Lin. Kheng underscored the importance of a distinct and well-defined investment strategy to stand out in the competitive market. Kheng leveraged her established network to attract high-profile investors, emphasizing the value of relationships cultivated over time. She recommends first-time fund managers tap into their existing networks, especially those who have financially benefited from past collaborations, as they often become key supporters during fundraising. Unlike her prior advisory roles where rejection felt indirect, leading as a general partner made setbacks personal, demanding strong emotional resilience. To maintain balance amidst the pressures of high-stakes investing, Kheng incorporates daily hot yoga, meditation, and the support of close friends into her routine. Jeremy and Kheng also discussed how her personal identity has shifted over time, what it meant to turn away from the legal career ladder and what she likes about being a fund manager. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kheng-lian-ho Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kheng-lian-ho-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kheng-lian-ho-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kheng-lian-ho-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

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Trump 2028 Tariffs: With Trump’s return to the presidency and Republican dominance in the Senate, House, and Supreme Court, the stage is set for new tariffs on Chinese imports. This is likely to redirect manufacturing to Southeast Asia, positioning countries like Vietnam and Indonesia as key beneficiaries, particularly in sectors such as electronics and textiles. However, this move will also lead to an influx of low-cost Chinese exports into Southeast Asia, challenging local markets and putting pressure on SMEs. Concurrently, rising US labor costs fueled by stricter immigration policies are driving American companies to ramp up automation while also making Southeast Asia an attractive hub for labor-intensive industries. In aggregate, the region's business mix is likely to move from local SMEs & conglomerates to more US and China MNCs. 2. iPhone Ban Protectionism vs. Globalization: Indonesia has imposed device manufacturing local content requirements, thus leading to a ban on the Apple iPhone 16 and Google Pixel. While these policies provide temporary leverage, Gita noted that sustainable growth requires more than protectionist measures, Indonesia needs to build private-sector capacity and improve its business environment. China manufacturers are also building more local joint-venture partnerships to comply with Indonesia's proposed 200% anti-China import tariffs. This is similar to Japan’s relocation of factories to Southeast Asia during the 1970s and 1980s in response to US trade barriers. In contrast, Singapore continues to keep borders open to to Chinese and global capital - with the goal of becoming the regional talent hub vs. Hong Kong. 3. ASEAN Unity & Peace: Diplomacy across the region is vital to maintain regional stability and cohesion to address external pressures. Jeremy and Gita praised ASEAN’s ability to maintain peace despite diverse political systems and cultures. This multi-party relational resilience has underpinned decades of peace and economic growth since the Vietnam War, even in an era marked by rising protectionist policies. Remarkably, they noted how ASEAN leaders continue to come together annually for a group photo and joint communiqué — a symbolic gesture to cooperation among 700 million people across the region’s vastly different nations, cultures and languages. Jeremy and Gita also talked about Indonesia’s EV & nickel battery market potential, Malaysia’s new proactive foreign direct investment approach, and growth vs. redistribution-focused economic policies. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-and-indonesia-tariff Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-and-indonesia-tariff-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-and-indonesia-tariff-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-and-indonesia-tariff-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

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of  Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au discussed: 1.  Trump Win vs. Southeast Asia Trade: Trump’s 2024 landslide election victory across the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, will reshape Southeast Asia’s economic landscape. His proposed “global 10% tariff” on all US imports and a targeted 60% tariff on Chinese goods may severely disrupt Southeast Asia’s trade flows. Singapore could face challenges for export-driven industries and its role as a key transit hub for US-China trade. Chinese-funded products manufactured in Southeast Asia—such as solar cells produced in Vietnam— may now face similar tariffs as those directly from China. Biden-era “reverse CFIUS” restrictions, which limit US investment in Chinese firms across sectors such as AI and advanced manufacturing, coupled with Trump's new China hawk administration will further accelerate American LPs and MNCs to redirect foreign direct investment (FDI) towards Southeast Asia instead of China. 2. China Talent Flows: Known as the “Delaware of Asia,” Singapore stands to benefit as both US and Chinese firms seek a neutral and stable base for regional Asia operations (versus Hong Kong). As US-China tensions deter many Chinese families and professionals from pursuing American education and career paths, Singapore has become an appealing alternative. Singapore, a nation built by immigrants, has long maintained a social contract that includes national service (NS) obligations as a cornerstone of fostering social cohesion among its diverse population. However, the country has historically faced complex challenges in determining which types of immigrants to accept, how best to integrate them into society and to improve income inequality. Jeremy shared a story about a former Thai employee who had to leave America after her H-1B visa renewal was denied during Trump’s first term, illustrating how Trump’s immigration policies could drive talent to return to the regional tech ecosystem. 3. Silicon Valley Divided: Opinions remain split, with Trump’s pro-deregulation stance sparking optimism in some corners, evidenced by a surge in Bitcoin prices and positive reactions from equity markets. Supporters point to potential gains for sectors like crypto and tech equities, alongside corporate tax cuts that help maintain profits, boost R&D, and provide attractive exit opportunities for venture capitalists. Concerns were raised that while deregulation under Trump may fuel market growth, higher tariffs could exacerbate economic disparities and be the wrong solution for the middle class. Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about how China exporters like BYD electric cars will now increasingly focus on Southeast Asia markets, Singapore’s low birth rate like Japan and the growing number of startups building digital AI companions. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-win-vs-se-asia Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-win-vs-se-asia-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-win-vs-se-asia-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/trump-win-vs-se-asia-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

Charles Ormiston, Founding Partner of Bain Southeast Asia, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Founding Bain Southeast Asia: Charles established Bain's office in Singapore, which initially faced major skepticism from Bain’s leadership who favored Hong Kong as the regional hub. Believing Singapore’s strategic location to be better suited for Southeast Asia, Charles stood firm - even at the risk of his career. His bet paid off when the Singapore office flourished and became the regional leader. He pursued a unconventional hiring strategy for that time: prioritizing local talent over international hires and avoiding expatriate perks like housing allowances. This talent core cultivated a leadership pipeline deeply committed to the region’s long-term growth, with key figures like Edmund Lin rising from the office's second employee to Chairman today. 2. Reengineer Your Career: After a health wake-up call, he decided to hand over to Till Vestring and move to an advisory role. His successor led Bain to new heights by expanding to a regional footprint with Bangkok, Jakarta and other offices. After a 14-month break working with nonprofits, Charles returned to focus on "transformation" projects which aligned with his strengths. This pivot allowed him to achieve a new "capstone" level of career impact and personal satisfaction. 3. Angsana Council on China vs. USA Rivalry: Charles co-founded the think-tank with Peng T. Ong of Monk's Hill Ventures to improve global understanding of Southeast Asia’s high-growth markets. Their research is powered by prominent members like former Indonesian trade minister Gita Wirjawan and former Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo and partnership with Bain & DBS Bank. Charles shared how many business and political leaders had once underestimated China's ability to rise as a global innovation leader. ASEAN countries must navigate the increasingly complex global rivalry in order to maximize benefits and reduce risk from this trade & research decoupling. Charles and Jeremy also discussed being inspired by in-person meetings with Lee Kuan Yew and Bain's Chairwoman Orit Gadiesh, how consulting has evolved in the era of hybrid work, and his personal passion for cycling. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/charles-ormiston Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/charles-ormiston-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/charles-ormiston-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/charles-ormiston-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

Jeremy Au and Adriel Yong discussed whether Southeast Asian founders should move to Silicon Valley, and why "sea turtle" professionals are returning from America (and China) to Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. San Francisco and New York are global tech talent vortexes, where non-American founders are attracted to their deep VC funding pools and a multi-generational legacy of founder support since the 1950s, e.g. the "father of VC" Georges Doriot of America Research & Development Corporation (ARDC). America's large ecosystem also holds transformative appeal for deep tech and frontier tech founders, as well as higher pricing power for both SaaS and consumer brands. In contrast, Singapore has the same GDP per capita (US$88K) as America, with a better quality of life for families looking for healthcare, public safety, education and housing. Southeast Asian diaspora returning to their home countries should be realistic about Asia's higher number of working hours compared to America and EU, fragmented markets, regulatory challenges and less mature economies. Savvy international founders have a "time machine" mindset: visualizing the country's future in 10-20 years, seeing the industry as it actually is and then building the companies that make sense for this decade and geography. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/silicon-valley-talent-vortex Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/silicon-valley-talent-vortex-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/silicon-valley-talent-vortex-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/silicon-valley-talent-vortex-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

Adrian Tan, Author of “No More Bosses” & Chief Marketing Strategist at Marketing Sumo, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Laid-Off To HR Founder: Adrian’s career in HR began as he navigated the volatile job market of the early 2000s. After layoffs from tech companies during the dotcom bubble and another setback in 2003 with the SARS epidemic, he sought greater stability by starting his own recruitment business in 2004. Over the next 11 years, he grew this business through multiple economic cycles, worked hundred-hour weeks, and learned on the job. He reflected on a missed opportunity during a lucrative growth phase to scale his business, which he now views as a turning point that could have changed his career path. This built his resilience and industry insights, which later shaped his journey as an independent HR consultant. 2. Writing "No More Bosses": Adrian’s new book, No More Bosses: The Journey to Sustainable Self-Employment, draws from his own pivot to freelancing. He received a LinkedIn message from a Penguin editor, which he initially believed to be a scam. He wrote the book to inspire mid-career professionals, especially in high-cost cities like Singapore, to explore independence. Real-life case studies include Nancy Lai who launched a D2C baby products business, showing that solopreneurship can be successful with strategic planning. 3. Solopreneur Work-Life Challenges: Adrian shared the ups and downs of self-employment, noting that while independence provides autonomy, it demands discipline and structure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he struggled with maintaining boundaries as he worked from his dining table, often working late into the evening. To maintain work-life balance, he set smartwatch reminders like “World’s Greatest Dad” at 7pm to ensure he prioritized family time. However, he stressed that the goal in self-employment is not just income, but optimizing time and flexibility, which he values more than the financial stability offered by corporate roles. Jeremy and Adrian also talked about the importance of fully outlining chapters before beginning to write,  the role of perseverance in professional development, and how personal branding landed him multiple opportunities. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-tan Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-tan-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-tan-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-tan-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

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. 109 Member 48 Ministry Cabinet Coalition: With the inauguration on October 20, 2024, President Prabowo Subianto expanded the cabinet from 34 to 48 ministries, the largest since 1966. Prabowo's coalition-building strategy is to accommodate political allies and unify the seven-party coalition behind him. They drew comparisons to Germany’s coalition politics, emphasizing the importance of coordination between Indonesia’s national and regional leaders for effective governance. 2. Temu Ban, TikTok & Bukalapak: In early October 2024, Indonesia banned Chinese social commerce platform Temu, similar to TikTok Shop which then had to acquire Tokopedia. The Indonesian government also requested Apple and Google to block the Temu app to prevent local downloads. Other nations, including the United States and EU, are scrutinizing Chinese exporter practices, with the US tightening tax exemptions on low-cost imports in 2023. Gita explained that while such protectionism shields MSMEs, Indonesia’s core issues (e.g., complex bureaucracy, high business costs, lack of raw materials and a multi-year backlog for trademarks) remain unaddressed. She argued that easing these foundational barriers would create a fairer, more sustainable advantage for local businesses, rather than just temporary protection from foreign competition. 3. VC Investments: Indonesia has already attracted interest in green joint ventures (JVs), particularly with China. Jeremy highlighted MAKA Motors, founded by former GoJek CTO Raditya Wibowo, as a local player advancing EV production, while Gita mentioned Toba’s push for renewable energy. They underscored the cultural importance of home ownership, noting that many Indonesians aspire to own land despite its often low financial returns, which drives prop-tech startup Rukita. Rekosistem is also a key startup addressing waste management in Indonesia’s growing urban areas. They also discussed the pressures faced by Indonesia’s “sandwich generation,” who often support both aging parents and their own families, and how these dynamics shape housing affordability and socio-economic mobility. Jeremy and Gita also talked about the film “Home Sweet Loan, which explores Indonesians’ struggle with housing affordability, the influx of green investments into EV battery production and the regulatory challenges surrounding the rise of online gambling among youth. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/prabowo-48-ministry-cabinet Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/prabowo-48-ministry-cabinet-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/prabowo-48-ministry-cabinet-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/prabowo-48-ministry-cabinet-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