Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of  Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Allianz Insurance Acquiring NTUC Income: Jeremy and Shiyan dissected the business logic and new facts that have emerged, especially regarding the current competition and performance challenges facing NTUC Income. They addressed the confusing public communications, emphasizing the need for transparent messaging to maintain stakeholder trust and societal confidence. They also reflected on the lessons for nonprofits and social enterprises regarding the importance of the constitution to safeguard social objectives. 2. USA Civilian Nuclear Deal: Singapore signed a thirty-years long “123” agreement to access US nuclear energy technologies and expertise that are under export controls. 95% of Singapore’s electricity is powered by fossil fuels, with low opportunities for solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources. Nuclear modular reactors would be one of the few ways to achieve Singapore’s ambitious 2050 net zero carbon emissions pledge. America signed similar deals with Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam - with implications for energy security, diplomatic alliances and optionality for national defense. 3. Politicians vs. Technocrats: They explored the contrasting leadership styles and political approach of Tim Walz, JD Vance, and Mitt Romney. With different experiences as teacher, veteran, venture capitalist, management consultant and community organizer, they exhibit the difference in skillsets between governance and winning votes. They compare this to Singapore’s policy and political landscape, and whether technocrats or retail politicians better serve their communities. Jeremy and Shiyan also discussed the role of regulatory oversight in corporate transitions, the influence of legal structures on organizational missions, and the cultural implications of business practices across different regions. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-usa-nuclear-deal Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-usa-nuclear-deal-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-usa-nuclear-deal-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-usa-nuclear-deal-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Jeremy Au listed the 3 reasons for joining Lucence, a startup leveraging next-generation sequencing AI for early cancer detection with a single blood test. He reflected on his teenage years grieving over a personal loss due to lymphoma. He contrasted the builder role with the job of a VC, with a different set of “atomic” work outcomes. He appreciates being "the dumbest person in the room” and learning from experts in genetics, medicine, and data science. This role fulfills his entrepreneurial energy with a strong sense of purpose: getting revenge on cancer, improving patient treatment outcomes and saving lives globally. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-i-joined-lucence Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jwhy-i-joined-lucence-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-i-joined-lucence-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/why-i-joined-lucence-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Jeremy Tan, Managing Partner and Cofounder of Tin Men Capital, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Cambridge Engineer & Harvard MBA: Jeremy Tan shared his journey from a playful student to getting into a life-changing education at Cambridge. His early life goal of becoming a refinery chemical engineer shifted after a pivotal internship, which propelled him into finance with Morgan Stanley investment banking and later private equity. Getting an MBA at Harvard Business School opened up many doors for him, especially in building a global alumni network that later allowed him to secure essential early LP funding for his VC fund. 2. Founding Tin Men Capital: Jeremy shared what catalyzed his inspiration to finally make a leap of faith and launch a VC fund focused on B2B technology startups in Southeast Asia. Raising the first fund in a nascent VC market was challenging, and he shared his perspective on how to be successful as an emerging manager. He also shared the importance of understanding local industries and maintaining a tight, selective portfolio. 3. Fatherhood Insights: Jeremy reflected on how becoming a parent influenced how he now manages partnerships in business. He noted the importance of communication and empathy, and advocates for a balance between personal and professional aspirations. Just as it did in his own personal transformation journey and relationship with his children, directive approaches often fail when collaborating with founders. They also discussed his initial challenges of settling in at Cambridge, the influence of childhood experiences on leadership styles, and his personal coping mechanisms for stress. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeremy-tan Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeremy-tan-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeremy-tan-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jeremy-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia & Trump Tariffs: Indonesia's new tariffs target imports like China-manufactured footwear, clothing, and ceramics to protect 65M local micro, small and medium enterprises employing 109M people. These trade barriers have negatively impacted local customers, e.g a hotpot restaurant struggling to get custom-branded plates. Similar measures include Brazil's quota for steel products, South Africa's tariffs on solar panels, and Trump's proposal to increase US tariffs to 60% on Chinese goods. 2. China Manufacturing Dominance: Manufacturing efficiency is driven by specialization, scale and agglomeration, e.g. Zhejiang dominates specific industries such as fishing rods, while Zhongshan (Guzhen) is known as the "lighting capital of the world." Historical precedents are Germany and Japan's post-WWII industrialization surge that resulted in global trade wars, UK protectionism and USA enacting the Plaza Accords to protect their manufacturers. 3. Involution 内卷 & Education Labor Mismatch: Intense competition in China's manufacturing sector has resulted in low profit margins and thus low salaries for workers. Fierce competition among workers for limited gains leads to significant burnout, a phenomenon known as "involution" (内卷, nèijuǎn). Chinese workers heavily invest in gaokao (高考) education for their children as a ticket to a better life, but too many families doing so has led to an oversupply of university graduates vs. the actual labor market - further exacerbating stress and pressure. Overseas consumers benefit the most by enjoying low prices and high-quality goods, which contribute to low inflation in their own countries. Jeremy and Jianggan highlighted Singapore and Malaysia's collaboration challenges on data centers, Germany's vocational education system, and the long-term benefits of Chinese businesses setting up operations abroad. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-trade-wars Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-trade-wars-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-trade-wars-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-trade-wars-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Jeremy Au discussed the increasing intensity of "algostorms" - unpredictable social media “weather systems” driven by algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth. The Internet’s transition from human-centric, chronological forums to a volatile online environment where individuals are caught in fluctuating must-discuss trends manipulated by botnets, corporations, and professional influencers. He also drew parallels to the stock market, where algorithm-driven trading can cause flash crashes, leading to rapid market drops and recoveries. Some people trendjack to push their agendas, others unconsciously follow what seems to be majority opinion, and some seek refuge in genuine human interactions. He pointed out government actions to regulate content platforms and deploy Internet “circuit-breaker” blackouts, across Singapore, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Iran and Bangladesh. Acknowledging the power of online influence is the first step to taking back control over one’s reactions and gaining intentionality in the digital sphere. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/algostorm-survival Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/algostorm-survival-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/algostorm-survival-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/algostorm-survival-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au discussed three major topics: 1. Startup Accounting Tricks (GMV, Revenue, Gross Margin, Contribution Margin): Local VCs have often confused Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) with actual platform revenue, and gross margins with actual unit profitability. Startups have also split reporting contribution margin into CM1, CM2, CM3 and CM4. This has caused investor misunderstandings, accusations of misleading financial reporting and startup boards to focus on the wrong metrics. Prevalance is high due to inexperienced finance teams, emerging VCs and poor market norms/ incentives. 2. Revenue Bundling & Valuation Multiples: Jeremy and Adriel addressed how one-stop-shop/ superapp startups may bundle multiple revenue streams under a single total "revenue" term: one-off sales, onboarding fees, GMV-based revenue, direct material sales, SaaS subscription, and lending revenues. VCs may mistakenly apply the same "tech valuation multiple" to all of these different revenue streams, leading to inflated valuations and later misunderstandings of the actual growth rate. For example, many VCs failed to understand net interest margins for lending startups, thus failing to account for non-performing loans. 3. Founder Frauds: Jeremy and Adriel discussed real-life anonymized examples of theft, misrepresented financials, inflated invoices, related party transactions without proper disclosure and fake school credentials. They noted that these practices are common in markets with less rigorous due diligence processes or less professional founder / executive business norms. VCs face challenges in detecting fraud, such as spot-checking large-scale operations or non-existent offices, underscoring the need for thorough due diligence to verify data accuracy. Jeremy and Adriel also talked about the impact of bribery and kickbacks on market operations, effective methods for verifying company operations, and the importance of appointing neutral CFOs to oversee transparent financial practices. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-tricks Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-tricks-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-tricks-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-tricks-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Kamala vs. Trump USA Election: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed Kamala Harris stepping into the presidential race, and speculated on her potential policy directions and how her leadership might influence relations with Asia. The excitement around her candidacy and the shift in political dynamics were key points, along with how both parties still view being tough on China as beneficial. 2. NTUC Income Insurance Privatization by Allianz: Jeremy and Shiyan explored the implications of selling a majority stake of NTUC Income, Singapore's insurance cooperative, to Allianz. Allianz CEO's “We're not in Asia to buy top line; we want to build a resoundingly profitable business” reflects how this acquisition will transfer wealth from policyholders towards current shareholders. They debated the public policy rationale behind the decision, in light of the complexities of balancing profitability with social benefits in the insurance sector. 3. Indonesia D2C & Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG): Jeremy and Shiyan talked about the income distribution and purchasing power disparities in Indonesia, and shared about a founder who pivoted from a B2B SaaS model to a direct-to-consumer retail business called Lucky Bundle, which focuses on serving the lower-income 80% of the population. They also discussed the productivity solutions grant (PSG) in Singapore, discussing how government subsidies can impact market competitiveness. The implementation approach of these subsidies may accidentally support sub-standard vendors, thus hindering the development of globally competitive businesses. Jeremy and Shiyan also covered the challenges of building in different GDP per capita zones, differences between public and private healthcare costs, and the role of cooperatives in balancing market dynamics. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-insurance-cooperative-privatization Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-insurance-cooperative-privatization-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-insurance-cooperative-privatization-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/singapore-insurance-cooperative-privatization-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Jeremy Au reflects on the most important insight that he learned from interviewing hundreds of tech leaders across the region. Every secret has a shelf life, as private information diffuses into the public markets and becomes known by everyone. Leaders who discern emerging patterns before they become common wisdom can take action and make high-conviction bets while others mock them. He also underscores the value of understanding other's personal narratives to uncover motivations and predict future actions in a rapidly-evolving web of relationships. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/brave-secrets Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/brave-secrets-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/brave-secrets-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/brave-secrets-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

​​Parin Mehta, Venture Partner & Board Member at Menyala, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Google & Airbnb GM Career: Parin's journey began with his parents' migration from Uganda to the UK. Moving to Japan to teach English was a transformative experience that spurred his desire to return to Asia one day. He shared how he made the jump in 2007 from management consulting to Google rapidly scaling across USA, Europe, Africa, and eventually Singapore. He then stepped up as Airbnb's Asia-Pacific General Manager to lead the division for growth and through the pandemic. 2. Tech Executive to Founder Coach: Initially, coaching was a necessity because he led teams with more qualified individuals (which made directing them less effective) and thus focused on asking questions and removing blockers. This naturally evolved into a coaching style, which he has refined over the years through practice, certification and intentional development into a more reflective approach. He shared the joy and power of asking the right question at the right time. 3. Leadership Advice: Executives and founders are often lonely, stuck with difficult decisions, and actually responsible for the company challenges they now face. People seeking coaching will eventually come to understand that it’s not about getting answers but discovering insights through thoughtful questions. He stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for reflection and deep thinking, which leads to more meaningful actions. Jeremy and Parin also discussed the importance of chemistry between coach and coachee, the misconceptions about coaching vs. consulting or mentoring, and COVID-19’s impact on team dynamics. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parin-mehta Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parin-mehta-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parin-mehta-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/parin-mehta-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Putin Bamboo Strategy: Vietnam’s “bamboo strategy” foreign policy involves maintaining strong roots while being flexible, which allows Vietnam to navigate relationships with global superpowers like the US, China, and Russia. Valerie highlighted that in less than a year, Vietnam hosted visits from Presidents Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, and Vladimir Putin. This balancing act is crucial for Vietnam given its historical ties with Russia for military supplies and Vietnam war support, and its growing economic connections with the US and China. Valerie also pointed out that while the US expressed disappointment over Putin’s visit, Vietnam’s neutral stance is essential for its strategic, political, and economic interests. 2. Data Sovereignty & 49% Foreign Ownership Limit: Vietnam's new data sovereignty laws require tech giants like Amazon and Google to store data locally, similar to China and USA. They also discussed the foreign ownership cap, which limits foreign entities to 49% ownership in sensitive sectors like banking to safeguard national interests. However, insufficient local data capacity has led Vietnam to now allow 100% foreign ownership in data centers to attract more data center operators. 3. Investment Landscape: Valerie shared insights into the sectors thriving in Vietnam despite global financial uncertainties. She mentioned that consumer goods, healthcare, and education are performing exceptionally well. She discussed the challenges faced by fintech startups in Vietnam, particularly due to the lack of an open regulatory sandbox and the dominance of well-established banks. Jeremy and Valerie also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions on FDI in Vietnam, the importance of infrastructure development for sustained economic growth, and the shift in educational trends. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-bamboo-strategy Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-bamboo-strategy-id 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-bamboo-strategy-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-bamboo-strategy-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 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co