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

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

Latest episodes

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Jul 21, 2024 • 31min

Vietnam: Putin Bamboo Strategy, Data Sovereignty & 49% Foreign Ownership Limit & Investment Landscape with Valerie Vu - E449

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 
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Jul 18, 2024 • 13min

Don't Ask Stupid Questions vs. High Performer Learning & Humility - E448

Jeremy Au reflects on the transformative power of asking questions by sharing his personal career experiences. He reveals how an early experience in the army working for a boss who discouraged questions shaped his initial approach to leadership and masculinity. He had to face a pivotal internship experience where not asking questions nearly derailed his career in order to learn the importance of transforming feedback into growth. Acknowledging what we don't know and being brave to confront social vulnerability is key to eventually reaching high performance. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dont-ask-stupid-questions Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dont-ask-stupid-questions-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dont-ask-stupid-questions-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dont-ask-stupid-questions-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
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Jul 16, 2024 • 41min

Karl Mak: Viral Memes Founder, Price of Fame & Hepmil Media Evolution - E447

Karl Mak, Cofounder & CEO of Hepmil Media Group, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Viral Memes Founder: Karl shared the story of how SGAG was born out of boredom during his university days at Singapore Management University (SMU) where he and his co-founder Adrian spent time creating side businesses. The breakthrough came in 2012 when Singapore's McDonald's ran out of curry sauce, a rare headline that inspired them to create a viral meme. This led to the creation of SGAG, a Facebook page where they posted memes that quickly gained popularity. They realized the potential of their reach when they saw that their memes were engaging millions of Singaporeans weekly. They initially monetized by selling t-shirts but soon found it unsustainable. They got inspired by BuzzFeed and Vice and shifted to integrating brands into their content, leading to their first big break with Scoot Airlines. 2. Hepmil Media Evolution: Despite challenges, such as a failed M&A with a large media company in 2018, they persisted and reimagined the business, leading to significant growth, with the company now employing 200 people across six offices in Southeast Asia. Karl described how they expanded both geographically (from Singapore to Malaysia and Indonesia, reaching 15 million young people) as and with new verticals like Hepmil Creators Network to support young content creators on platforms like TikTok. This led to a successful Series A funding and by 2021, they ventured into social commerce, leveraging their network for live streaming sales in Vietnam and the Philippines. 3. The Price of Fame: Karl reflected on why people want to be famous and the challenges that come with it. He categorized people into three groups: artists with a creative itch, those who become famous accidentally, and those seeking recognition for vanity reasons. He highlighted the downsides of fame, such as loss of privacy and the pressure to constantly post content, leading to burnout and identity crises. He also stressed the importance of mental and physical well-being, advising creators to take breaks and maintain a clear separation between their personal and online personas. He shared his own coping mechanisms during COVID-19, such as running and cycling, which helped him manage stress and maintain his mental health. Jeremy and Karl also discussed the impact of accidental fame, the evolving nature of media consumption, and strategies for mental health and well-being for content creators. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/karl-mak Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/karl-mak-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/karl-mak-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/karl-mak-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 
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Jul 14, 2024 • 29min

Indonesia: 200% China Import Tariffs, Ransomware Attacks 282 Agencies & 27,000+ Government Apps Consolidation with Gita Sjahrir - E446

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. 200% China Import Tariffs: Jeremy and Gita explored Indonesia's recent imposition of up to 200% tariffs on Chinese imports like footwear, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, and ceramics. Indonesia's trade minister's remarks "I told my colleagues not to be afraid or hesitant. America can impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on ceramics and clothing; we can too" show that America is serving as a role model for further trade decoupling and is no longer a champion for free trade. They discussed the rationale of "protecting MSMES" - with varied impacts on different sizes and types of local businesses. Gita highlighted Indonesia's historical tendency towards protectionism and the broader implications of such policies on the country's business environment. Jeremy and Gita agreed that while tariffs might provide short-term relief, they do not address the underlying systemic problems around industrial policy or "ease of business" reforms. 2. Ransomware Attacks on 282 Agencies: Jeremy and Gita discussed the recent ransomware attack that compromised the data of millions of Indonesian citizens. Gita explained that hackers held government data hostage and later returned the key due to the government's unpreparedness. She mentioned that ministers and heads of security showed a lack of responsibility and accountability, which highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures. Gita and Jeremy also discussed the broader implications of such lapses on public trust and governance. They emphasized the importance of having knowledgeable leaders in charge of technology and security to prevent future breaches. 3. 27,000+ Government Apps Consolidation: Jeremy and Gita touched on the Indonesian government's initiative to consolidate over 27,000 government apps into a more efficient system. President Jokowi's directive aimed to reduce redundancy and improve cybersecurity. Gita mentioned that one ministry alone could have over 500 apps, and the government spent around $386 million in the past year creating new apps. They explained that the consolidation effort is intended to streamline operations and enhance security by reducing the surface area vulnerable to attacks. They also discussed the challenges of implementing such a consolidation and the resistance from those benefiting from the current inefficiencies. They emphasized the importance of political will and effective communication in driving these large-scale changes. They also added that the agency responsible for this initiative would be called GovTech Indonesia, similar to Singapore's successful model. Jeremy and Gita also discussed the potential relocation of Chinese companies to Indonesia, Indonesia’s private sector’s resilience despite governmental challenges, the need for cybersecurity improvements following recent data breaches, and strategies for reducing bureaucratic red tape to foster a better business environment. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-import-tariffs Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-import-tariffs-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-import-tariffs-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/china-import-tariffs-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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jul 11, 2024 • 13min

Lonelytech: Isolation Epidemic, Digital Companions & Manufacturing Pretend Empathy - E445

Jeremy Au examines the rise of 弱者営業 ("jaku-sha eigyō") "lonelytech" - the emerging AI companion industry. His observation of a man on a train openly interacting with an AI girlfriend highlights the rapidly increasing prevalence of digital companionship, e.g. Rosanna Ramos and Scott, who have formed intimate relationships with AI companions who offer consistent emotional support without the complexities of flawed humans. He discusses why societal shifts in family structures and community are driving the "loneliness epidemic" - and how startups are looking to serve, commercialize and medicalize this market gap. He warns about the potential societal consequences, including the displacement of messy real human connections. Jeremy advocates for building genuine communities, maintaining moderation in AI interactions and emphasizing the importance of intentionality in using technology to support, rather than replace, human relationships. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-girlfriend-industry Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-girlfriend-industry-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-girlfriend-industry-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/digital-girlfriend-industry-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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jul 9, 2024 • 33min

Roy Ang: Grab Executive to D2C Founder, Evo Commerce Consumer Secrets & Overcoming Pivot Challenges - E444

Roy Ang, CEO & Cofounder of Evo Commerce, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Grab Executive to D2C Founder: Roy began his professional journey in banking but soon realized it wasn't his calling. After a year, he shifted to the tech media industry, landing a job at E27 through a bold cold call to Mohan Balani, E27’s founder. Roy thrived at E27, organizing tech conferences across Asia. This experience ignited his passion for tech and startups, leading him to Grab in 2016. He also helped build Grab’s financial services division which scaled from a team of five to a 2000-person operation and created payments and rewards programs for millions. 2. Evo Commerce Consumer Secrets: Roy's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Evo Commerce in 2020, just as COVID-19 began. He and his co-founder initially started a live-streaming software for celebrities and influencers. However, they found the market for live streaming limited and non-recurring, prompting a pivot to direct-to-consumer (D2C) products. He launched Evo Commerce with a hangover supplement called bback, capitalizing on his personal experience and market demand. He transitioned to personal care products like hairdryers and curlers, leveraging their digital marketing expertise to achieve rapid growth. 3. Overcoming Pivot Challenges: Roy openly discussed the personal and professional challenges of entrepreneurship. He explained that the initial pivot from live streaming to direct-to-consumer(DTC) met with skepticism from investors and his team. However, Roy’s strong conviction and adaptability were key to navigating this transition. He highlighted the loneliness and mental strain of being a founder, emphasizing the importance of support systems, including family and a network of fellow entrepreneurs. He stressed the significance of maintaining a work-life balance, time-blocking for family, and seeking positive energy from the community. Jeremy and Roy also touched on the contrasting experiences of working in startup ecosystems vs. large tech companies, the personal challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and maintaining a balanced family life. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/roy-ang Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/roy-ang-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/roy-ang-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/roy-ang-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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jul 7, 2024 • 24min

Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict, Climate Change Creating Arctic Shipping Route & Trump 10% Global & 60% China Tariffs with Shiyan Koh - E443

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict: Shiyan and Jeremy examined the severe traffic congestion at Singapore's port, now at unprecedented levels. Yemen's Houthi rebel attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping (in support of the Gaza conflict) has diverted container ships from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope route, thus forcing ships to refuel and unload cargo in Singapore instead of Middle Eastern ports. The USA Biden administration's increased tariffs on China have prompted Chinese exporters to expedite shipments before the tariffs take full effect, further exacerbating the congestion. The broader manufacturing "China Plus One" decoupling strategy has also compounded the supply chain management issues. 2. Climate Change Creating Arctic Shipping Route: Global warming is melting the Arctic North Pole ice, thus empowering ships to soon bypass traditional shipping routes through the Straits of Malacca and thus Singapore. They discussed why Russia and China are interested in overcoming the substantial infrastructural and financial challenges to establish viable northern ports, and why this is a negative for Singapore’s shipping industry over the course of the next 100 years - similar to the fall of the Venetian empire due to shifting trade routes. 3. Trump 10% Global & 60% China Tariffs: Jeremy noted that if Trump wins the 2024 election, his proposed tariffs could dramatically alter global trade dynamics, with tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports. They discussed how this trade war scenario would force Chinese companies to accelerate relocating to Southeast Asia or other regions. Shiyan shared insights from her recent trip to China, emphasizing the country’s robust infrastructure capabilities and the strategic responses of Chinese companies. Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about Singapore’s historical role as a deep-water port, technology’s role in shaping future economic landscapes, and the potential for increased domestic manufacturing in the US. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/global-supply-chain-disruptions Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog//global-supply-chain-disruptions-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog//global-supply-chain-disruptions-cn Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog//global-supply-chain-disruptions-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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jul 4, 2024 • 31min

Mohan Belani: Founding e27 & Echelon, Media Business Myths & Angel & Orvel VC Investing Journey - E442

Mohan Belani, Cofounder & CEO of e27, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founding e27 & Echelon: Mohan discussed his early career decisions as a computer engineering undergraduate with the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program, failed founder and startup executive. He shared how he juggled his studies and his founding role in e27, often receiving warning letters for his grades. He and his co-founder Thaddeus faced significant challenges, including resetting the brand, cleaning up the cap table, and attracting investors from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia between 2012 and 2013​​​​. Despite these challenges, e27 has developed into a leading player in the region’s tech ecosystem. 2. Media Business Myths: Mohan highlighted the profitability potential of media and events businesses, despite common misconceptions. He emphasized avoiding vanity metrics and focusing on real ROI. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e27 pivoted from physical events to online channels, resulting in significant growth in media and webinar revenues from 2021 to 2023. This strategic shift resulted in the three best years in the company’s history. He also discussed the tough decisions, such as canceling events instead of postponing them and making hard choices around salaries and compensation. He underscored the importance of navigating partnerships with government agencies, which often have different operating metrics and objectives compared to for-profit companies. 3. Angel & Orvel VC Investing Journey: Mohan recounted the lessons learned from his 30 angel investments that begun in 2013. He shared how founding Orvel Ventures with Milan Reinartz and Jeremy Au required a new systematic approach to evaluating companies, including analyzing gross margins and exit opportunities. His experience as an LP in funds like Golden Gate Ventures and Rebel Fund provided insights into the importance of localized GPs and focused investment strategies. He also stressed the need for funds to support local ecosystems and avoid overly ambitious scaling plans. Jeremy and Mohan also talked about effective onboarding practices, the evolution of the tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia and the use of OKRs to plan and assess personal and professional progress. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mohan-belani Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mohan-belani-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mohan-belani-cn 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jul 2, 2024 • 35min

Thomas Jeng: BCG Consultant to Aspire GM, Navigating Regional Fragmentation & Continuous Learning Self-Awareness - E441

Thomas Jeng, Singapore General Manager of Aspire, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. BCG Consultant to Aspire GM: Thomas discussed his decision-making process at Georgetown University aiming to become a lawyer or diplomat, but switched to consulting at BCG where he worked on challenging projects like "delayering" cases. He recounted his transition to an executive advisor role at Gartner in Singapore, and eventually completing a Yale MBA. He also shared how founding a digital talent startup that eventually failed enriched his leadership skills. He helped scale 500 Startups' ecosystems business from $2 million to $16 million and then led the Singapore market as GM for Aspire, one of Asia's leading fintech startups. 2. Navigating Regional Fragmentation: Thomas talked about Southeast Asia's fragmented market, emphasizing its complexity and the need for tailored strategies. He contrasted the region's challenges with the more straightforward dynamics of the US market and identified fintech as a significant growth sector in the region, particularly in Singapore, due to favorable geopolitical conditions. He also highlighted underinvested areas like professional services, legal services, and logistics. For aspiring regional managers and GMs, he stressed the importance of people management, communication, and functional expertise. Successful GMs should understand broader organizational contexts, influence product roadmaps, and develop strategic visions aligned with company goals. 3. Continuous Learning Self-Awareness: Thomas reflected on his journey towards self-awareness and the importance of confidence and humility. He advised his younger self to balance confidence in his strengths with the recognition of areas needing improvement. He noted that the balance is crucial for personal and professional growth. He also emphasized that effective learning involves acknowledging knowledge gaps and actively seeking to fill them. He shared how his experiences, from consulting to startups, taught him the value of both strategic planning and execution. Jeremy and Thomas also talked about the emotional toll of "delayering" consulting cases, challenges in digital transformation within traditional banking, and the impact of generative AI on professional and legal services. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thomas-jeng Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thomas-jeng-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thomas-jeng-cn 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 Learn more about Evo Commerce at bback.co and stryv.co 
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Jun 30, 2024 • 37min

Thailand: Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits, 2029 Super-Aged Population & D2C Consumer & VC Opportunities with Wing Vasiksiri - E440

Wing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits: Recent legal events (Thailand's court delay in the verdict on dissolving the Kao Klai (Move Forward Party), Thaksin Shinawatra lawsuit and PM Srettha Thavisin cabinet hearing) contribute to political instability, affecting investor confidence and stock market performance. They also discussed the economic impact of Thailand’s highest interest rate in a decade at 2.5%, and the ongoing conflict between the Prime Minister and the Bank of Thailand over whether to lower rates to stimulate growth. The country's economic growth forecast stands at 2.6%, lagging behind neighbors like Indonesia and Vietnam. 2. 2029 Super-Aged Population: Thailand reached the "aged" demographic milestone in 2023 (20% of its population 60+ years old), and is projected to become a "super-aged" society by 2029. This shift presents challenges such as increased social welfare burdens and reduced productivity. However, it also creates opportunities in sectors like healthcare and elder care. They also noted the trend towards health-conscious consumer behavior, indicating potential for businesses to cater to this demographic shift. 3. D2C Consumer & VC Opportunities: They discussed the success of Thai and Singaporean D2C companies like "After You," a dessert chain that went public by localizing consumer food preferences. Wing highlighted a common issue where many companies seek venture capital (VC) without being suitable for it. He clarified that venture capital is a specific type of financing intended for highly volatile and high-growth potential businesses. He also emphasized that raising venture capital does not inherently validate a company's worth and pointed out that VC suitability depends on the business’s ability to capture significant enterprise value quickly, often driven by market dislocations such as technological advancements or regulatory changes. Jeremy and Wing also compared consumer market trends in Thailand vs. Singapore, regulatory changes for marijuana and alcohol production, and public-private partnerships in supporting infrastructure projects. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/super-aged-thailand Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/super-aged-thailand-id 观看、收听或阅读全文,请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/super-aged-thailand-cn 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 Reach out to joe@heymax.ai to learn more about Heymax

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