
Asia Tech Podcast
All Things Asia, All Things Tech
Latest episodes

Jan 23, 2024 • 44min
EP 311 - Swapna and Nirmal David - co-Founders at Hobo Interactive - The World of the IP Is Most Interesting For Us
The Asia Tech Podcast really enjoyed its conversation with Swapna and Nirmal David, the co-founders of Hobo Interactive. In an era where digital interactivity redefines our narrative experiences, Hobo Interactive focuses on bringing high quality visuals and appealing storytelling to games and other interactive experiences. Their journey, woven with the threads of world-building, storytelling, and a risk-taking entrepreneurial spirit, offers a captivating insight into the transformative power of gaming as a storytelling medium.
Some of the topics that Swapna and Nirmal spoke about in detail include:
The Power of Storytelling in Gaming
Gaming's Expansion Beyond Traditional Audiences
The Evolution of Gaming as a Community Experience
Building and Integrating Rich Worlds and IP Development in Gaming
Fearlessness and Creativity in Entrepreneurship
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
It’s Less about the Game and More About the Community
The Medium of Games Can Have Way More Powerful Storytelling Tools Than Films
I Had Civilizations to Build and Empires to Destroy and Create
We’ve Always Been Storytellers
We’re All Gamers, Naturally
Two cool quotes I just had to share:
Nirmal David: "For me, world building is the first thing when it comes to any storytelling... I think games are the most powerful medium for that."
Swapna David: "We've always been storytellers...everything's a story for us. Funny story, engaging stories. That's been where we've always been. So I think was organic for us to get into this industry."

Jan 17, 2024 • 30min
EP 310 - Rebecca Schwabe - Founder at Saigon A.I. - Pioneering Data Science and AI Innovation in Vietnam
In an enlightening conversation on the Asia Tech Podcast, Rebecca Schwabe, COO and Founder of Saigon A.I., shared invaluable insights into her journey through the tech industry, the evolving landscape of technology in Vietnam, and the unique challenges and opportunities of being an entrepreneur in this rapidly transforming space.
Some of the topics that Rebecca covered:
Her career pivot from finance to tech
Why she identified Vietnam as an emerging tech hub
The impressive growth of Vietnam's tech ecosystem
Breaking stereotypes and encouraging women to participate in the tech revolution
Artificial intelligence and the future of tech
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Truth and Explainability
It Was a Lot of Fun Until You Got a Page at 2 AM
The Next Tech Frontier: Vietnam's Emerging AI Landscape
Empowering Women in Tech in Vietnam
The AI Revolution in Southeast Asia

Jan 9, 2024 • 49min
EP 309 - Glenn Lai - FR8Labs - The Next Generation Modern Operating System for Freight Forwarders
Freight forwarding is a complex and often misunderstood industry that plays a crucial role in global trade. The Asia Tech Podcast had a fascinating conversation with Glenn Lai, the co-founder and CEO of FR8Labs to learn more the industry at large and FR8Labs specifically.
Some of the insights that Glenn shared with us included:
Embracing unconventional career paths can lead to innovative solutions
The role of a freight forwarders and why FR8Labs focuses on SMEs
The power of digital transformation in traditional industries
Leveraging existing networks and knowledge
Building scalable and adaptable business models - The platform approach
The role of AI and technology in enhancing industry practices
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
You Can’t Really Have Digital Palm Oil
The Paper Becomes the Commonality Across the Entire Chain
Redefining Logistics and Revolutionizing Freight Forwarding
Reshaping the Future of Freight Forwarding in Southeast Asia
Digital Transformation and Leading a New Era in Asian Freight Forwarding

Dec 26, 2023 • 36min
EP 308 - Gabriel Le Roux - co-Founder and CEO of Primer - Payments Has to Be a Catalyst for Growth and Innovation
The Asia Tech Podcast had the opportunity to delve into the world of payment innovation with Gabriel Le Roux, the co-founder and CEO of Primer. Gabriel's journey from working at Braintree and PayPal to creating Primer provides invaluable insights into the evolution and future of payments.
Some of the topics that Gabriel covered:
The growing demand among businesses for more comprehensive payment solutions
The impact of integrated payment ecosystems
The power of data-driven decision making in payments
How Primer is leveraging AI for payment optimization
Primer's vision for the future of payments
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Rethink the Way You Are Managing Payments
We Want to Give Superpowers to People Managing Payments
This Notion of Payment Success Is Super Critical to Us
You Need to Think of Payments as a Catalyst for Innovation
We Are Fundamentally Reinventing Payments

Dec 19, 2023 • 36min
EP 307 - Neha Mehta - Author of "One Stop" and the Founder of FemTech Partners - How Super Apps Are Transforming Financial Inclusion
The Asia Tech Podcast had a captivating conversation with Neha Mehta, author of "One Stop" and founder and CEO of FemTech Partners in which she unraveled the complexities and the potential of Super Apps in the context of financial inclusion. Her insights shed light on the evolving digital landscape and its impact on society in Asia. The future looks promising, with technology paving the way for more inclusive and efficient financial services.
Some of the main topics that Neha covered in detail included:
Her Personal Growth Journey Amidst Global Challenges
How Super Apps Continue to Build a New Era of Digital Integration
The Role of AI in Financial Services
The Future of Super Apps: Quality over Quantity
Why Financial Literacy Is a Key Component for Inclusion
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
The Super App Revolution: Insights on Tech and Inclusion
Empowering the Unbanked: A Deep Dive into Super Apps
Super Apps as Catalysts for Change
A New Digital Era: Super Apps and Financial Empowerment
Reimagining Finance and the Power of Super Apps
Look for Neha Mehta's book, "One Stop" here.

Dec 12, 2023 • 34min
EP 306 - Pablo Riveros - Manabu.dev - The Passion Was Always There
The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Pablo Riveros, the founder of Manabu.dev an innovative platform utilizing AI and machine learning to simplify sustainability and ESG reporting for businesses.
Some of the topics that Pablo discussed in detail:
How entrepreneurs benefit from a global perspective
The importance of building global communities
The necessity to build sustainability into the core of one's business
Harnessing the power of data and technology to solve real-world problem
Entrepreneurs need to be flexible and adaptable
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
From Digital Nomad to Tech Innovator
Tech, Travel, and Transformation
Blending Tech, Sustainability, and Building Communities and Startups
Sustainability in Tech: Helping Companies Understand Their Data
Building ESG Frameworks With Visual Data

Dec 5, 2023 • 34min
EP 305 - Shrikant Patil - DigiAlly - Solving Access to Finance for SMEs
Shrikant Patil, CEO of DigiAlly, discusses challenges faced by SMEs in accessing finance and the importance of trust. Credit score alone is insufficient for assessing SMEs. Collaboration between fintechs, governments, and institutions is crucial. The potential for SME financing is enormous.

Nov 28, 2023 • 49min
EP 304 - Daniel Lim - Pi-xcels - We Created Our Whole System to Be Augmentive
The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Daniel Lim, the Founder and CEO of Pi-xcels, a technology company that specialises in digital receipt issuance, offering an eco-friendly alternative to paper receipts for retailers, corporates, and any establishment that utilises receipts.
Some of the insights I learned from Daniel included:
The Value of Embracing a Non-Linear Career Path
The True Power of Collaboration
The Value of Shopper-Centric Data
Augmenting Existing Systems for Greater Impact
Balancing Perfection and Good Enough
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
A Shopper-Centric Experience
From Geeky Hardware to Transformative Software
Unlocking the Potential of Offline Retail with Innovative Technology
Enabling Seamless Experiences and Empowering Shoppers
How Pi-xcels is Enhancing the Shopper Experience

Nov 21, 2023 • 44min
EP 303 - Mehdi Ravanbakhsh - Mapizy - Maps Are the Basis for Decision Making for Any Activities on the Planet
The Asia Tech Podcast had the opportunity to speak with Mehdi Ravanbakhsh, the CEO and Founder of Mapizy, who has over a decade of experience in geospatial mapping and AI. Mehdi shared his insights on the importance of learning languages, the intersection of geospatial mapping and AI, and his journey from academia to entrepreneurship.
Some of the topics that Mehdi discussed in detail:
Language as a key to understanding culture
How geospatial mapping and AI go hand-in-hand
The fact that drones have revolutionized aerial mapping
How mapping data on the blockchain ensures transparency and accuracy
The importance of entrepreneurship requires taking the first step
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Just Start Something
How AI Is Changing the Game
Ensuring Data Integrity in Geospatial Information
Starting from Somewhere: The Key to Entrepreneurial Success
Information About the Built and Natural Environment

Nov 17, 2023 • 36min
EP 302 - Michael Currie - Founder of Fling - We Add All of Our Value on the Software
The Asia Tech Podcast hosted Michael Currie, the founder of Fling, who shared several insights he has gained from his experience in the drone industry in Southeast Asia. With a background in financial software development and AI research, Currie moved to Southeast Asia in 2017 and founded Fling in 2018, a company pioneering drones and AI in the region.
Some of the topics Michael covered in detail:
The Importance of Listening to Customers
Enablement Over Disruption
Overcoming Operating Challenges in Low-Wage Environments
Leveraging Commodity Drones with Proprietary AI Software
Expansion and Growth Opportunities for Fling
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
This Is Where I Really Learned to Listen
Visibility Into the Whole Supply Chain Process
How Fling's Drones Are Revolutionizing the Supply Chain
Transforming Warehouses with AI
Pioneering Drones and AI in Southeast Asia