

Asia Tech Podcast
Michael Waitze Media
All Things Asia, All Things Tech
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 31min
EP 290 - Tom Williams - Number 8 Bio - Agriculture Is the Foundation of All Civilization
Tom Williams, co-founder and CEO of Number 8 Bio, discusses topics such as the impact of agriculture on climate change, mechanization and automation in farming, addressing sustainability issues, and commercializing deep tech innovations in agriculture.

Aug 8, 2023 • 37min
EP 289 - Nathalie Rafeh - Splashup - I Was Set On Solving the Customer Experience Problem
The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Nathalie Rafeh, CEO of Splashup, to discuss some of the issues and opportunities surrounding starting a brand in today's market. She also acknowledges the challenges of navigating the ecosystem and marketing a brand effectively. Nathalie explains how Splashup, an AI-driven partnerships platform, helps brands connect with complementary brands post-checkout to reach new target audiences.
Some of the larger topics Nathalie covered:
Why communities are so important for brand building
How privacy has become a big concern for online shoppers
The significance and impact of changes in privacy and cookie tracking on the advertising landscape
How AI enhances the pos-purchase experience to help brands connect with complementary brands
The insights gained and the power of sharing ideas as a startup advisor at UNSW's Entrepreneurship Division
Why building a startup is like surfing!
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
A Beautiful Entrepreneurial Curse
It’s All About the Back and Forth
We Are this New Channel That Is More Cost Effective
Build a Community First
It's Just Like Surfing

Aug 2, 2023 • 30min
EP 288 - Pang Xue Kai - Untukmu - We Want to Create a Story in a Gift
Pang Xue Kai, Co-founder at Untukmu, discusses how the development in the AI space drove his decision to start a new company. He explores the intersection of AI and Crypto, the cultural importance of gifting, and the core AI systems being developed at Untukmu. Kai also highlights how AI can be used to create personalization and why storytelling matters.

Jul 26, 2023 • 36min
EP 287 - Tim Warren - Co-Founder and CEO of Ambit - A Pragmatically Optimistic Conversation About Artificial Intelligence and LLMs
The Asia Tech Podcast was joined by Tim Warren, a co-Founder and CEO of Ambit, a platform for customer service at scale through automated conversations. Tim expressed optimism about the future of AI and emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as bias and privacy regulations.
Some of the topics Tim discussed:
The development and adoption of large language models (LLMs)
The role of GPUs and the potential for specialized hardware for AI
AI and wearables
The potential benefits of AI in increasing productivity rather than replacing jobs
The challenges and implications of bias in AI and the need for regulation and privacy protection
This thoughtful article Tim wrote about organizational readiness for AI
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
We're Stronger When We Do It Together
Imagine When AI Meets Wearables
Everything is Derivative
AI Is a Cultural Mirror
Simple Questions for People are Complicated Questions for Machines
I Do Think It’s a Hybrid Experience

Jul 18, 2023 • 31min
EP 286 - Alex Bouaziz - co-Founder and CEO of Deel - The Best Employee Experience Possible
In this truly amazing episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, Alex Bouaziz, a co-Founder and the CEO of Deel shares his journey from not speaking a word of English when he arrived in Israel to building a company that enables companies to hire and manage remote employees around the world.
Some of the topics that Alex discussed:
The importance of product-founder fit
How his personal background as a second-generation immigrant influences his desire to help others succeed
The challenges of building a localized platform in different countries
Enabling companies to work with anyone, anywhere in the world
The desire to make a positive impact by providing opportunities and empowering individuals
The importance of the Asian market to Deel
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
There Are Amazing People Everywhere
Entrepreneurial Families are the Ones That Pressure You the Least
That’s Why I Wake Up in the Morning
We Want to Help You Hire in That Country When You Don’t Have Infrastructure
Empowering the Global Workforce and Democratizing Opportunity

Jul 11, 2023 • 31min
EP 285 - Kirill Bratchenko - Novation Academy - I Want to See More People Flying
This episode of the Asia Tech Podcast features Kirill Bratchenko, the Managing Director of Novation Academy. Kirill shares his inspiring journey from Ukraine to Cambodia and his almost two decades of entrepreneurship.
Some of the topics Kirill discussed:
How a one-year contract to go to Cambodia changed his life
Building a company in Cambodia and what he learned along the way
How his fear of flying lead to his interest in aviation and building a flight training school
The huge potential for civil aviation growth in Asia
Kirill's dreams for the future
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
I Have Fire in My Eyes
My Fear of Flying Was From Lack of Control
I Want to Build It All Around the Academy
It’s a Crazy, Crazy Dream

Jul 4, 2023 • 34min
EP 284 - Andrew McKeown - CEO at LogChain - In Logistics, the Sound of Victory Is Silence
Get ready to be inspired by the incredible journey of Andrew McKeown, CEO at LogChain, as he shared his story on the Asia Tech Podcast. Andrew's passion for logistics and supply chain shines through as he recounts his unconventional entry into the industry. From working in civil engineering to becoming a specialist in chemical logistics, Andrew's career has taken him to different parts of the world, including living in shipping containers in Iraq and working in Zambia and the DRC.
Some of the topics that Andrew covered in detail:
A focus on Change Management with a clearly identified "Why"
Blockchain in the context of LogChain and why data immutability for Logistics is so important
How digital transformation is NOT about moving documentation online, but is about harnessing the power of data
The need for logisticians to embrace change, be flexible, and cut through obstacles
Why Bruce Lee would have made a great logistician
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Change Management Is Never the What, It’s Always the Why
You Need To Respect the Domain Knowledge
Disruption Means a Ship Going Sideways in the Suez Canal
It’s Not About Documents, It’s About Data
We’re Turning the Clipboard to Glass
Logistics Will Always Be People Managing Assets Moving Other Assets

Jun 28, 2023 • 43min
EP 283 - Sheldon Li - CEO Buyandship - The Value of an Entrepreneur Is to Make the Right Decision on Priorities
Get ready to be inspired by this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast with Sheldon Li as we embark on a transformative journey through the founding of Buyandship and its focused purpose of helping people buy products from anywhere and making the entire experience feel like shopping locally. This episode is packed with wisdom, innovation, and the remarkable story of Buyandship.
Some of the topics that Sheldon covered:
How Sheldon's sister helped inspire the founding of Buyandship
Uncovering the sources of price arbitrage in cross-border eCommerce
How data and technology continue to revolutionize online shopping
Innovative global expansion and market entry strategies
The profound impact of sustainability and eco-friendly practices in Buyandship's logistics partners
The power of focus, the art of saying "No.", and some invaluable lessons learned from making mistakes
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
The Experience Has to Be the Same as Shopping Locally
I Am Able to Sell Anything as Long as the Product Is Being Sold Online
Talking To Another Person Is Always Inspiring
The Best Way to Work With Local Partners Is to Align Long-Term Interests
Until I Make That Mistake Myself, I Would Not Really Learn It

Jun 20, 2023 • 38min
EP 282 - Derek Feebrey - CEO of Trendspek - Drop Everything, It’s Time to Start Now
In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we speak with Derek Feebrey, co-founder of Trendspek, a tech company revolutionizing the way built structures are inspected. With roots in aviation and drone services, Trendspek uses drone technology to capture high-resolution images and generate detailed 3D interactive reports of structures like bridges, vastly outpacing traditional methods.
Some of the topics Derek covered:
How Trendspek uses drone technology to inspect built structures
The production of extremely granular data sets and interactive reports
How Precision Reality Twins improves asset value and early detection of defects
The potential for artificial intelligence to fill in some data gaps for older buildings
The crucial role Trendspek can play in the insurance industry
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
They Dub It 'The Cradle to Grave'
The Ancestry.com for that Particular Asset
We Can’t Keep Going On the Way We Are Doing It
What’s the Best Roof Slope?

Jun 13, 2023 • 42min
EP 281 - Carl Heaton - True Digital Group - You Must Show the Road That Has Been Traveled
The Asia Tech Podcast had an awesome conversation with Carl Heaton, the Head of UX/UI at True Digital.
Carl tells incredible stories, has had some amazing experiences and shares some great insights on entrepreneurship, Thailand and how to build and keep a high-performing team engaged.
Some of the topics Carl covered in detail include:
Some of the mythology around entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurial spirit of the Thai people
Thailand's watershed co-working moment
How Thailand's tech scene has changed since his arrival more than 15 years ago
Some of the challenges and benefits of transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate life
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
The Process Was Hilarious
Covid Killed My School
I Want to Teach Somebody I See Tomorrow
I’ve Got Things to Fix
It’s ‘Buy One Get One Kinda Free’