Asia Tech Podcast

"It was a bit of a blind bet... if something feels right, I don't really need a long time to make the decision... I was like, ‘You know what, what do I have to lose?’" The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Sherry Jiang, a co-Founder and the CEO of Peek. Sherry is no ordinary entrepreneur. She is super bright and filled with an energy that has to be experienced to be believed. Our conversation was so awesome, covered a ton of ground and I had to put an end to it, so that it would not turn into a three-hour episode. Some of the topics that Sherry covered included: The importance of embracing change and taking calculated risks in both business and life The power of a clear and relatable vision (Marie Kondo of Finance) that also 'sparks joy' Embracing vulnerabilities and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities Creating a real emphasis on building a supportive community in the entrepreneurship ecosystem The necessity of balancing passion with practicality in the entrepreneurial journey Some other titles we considered for this episode: Clutter-Free Finance: The Marie Kondo of Finance Embracing the Unknown: From Silicon Valley to Southeast Asia Breaking the Mold and Betting on Change Angel Investing and Cultivating Community in the Startup Ecosystem I'm All About Abundance Mindset

The podcast featured Ritwik Ghosh and Sauvik Datta, co-founders of SeedFlex, discussing bridging market gaps for micro-entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia, the power of data in unlocking financial services, embracing tech innovation for seamless solutions, creating tailored financial products, and the importance of ecosystem partnerships.

In an enlightening episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, Igor Vincetic, the General Manager, Singapore at Electrolux, shares transformative insights into the ever evolving home appliance industry. Some of the topics that Igor covered in detail included: The importance of innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainability innovative business models that focus on flexibility and convenience for consumers Creating holistic customer experiences, prioritizing service and relationship-building to enhance consumer satisfaction The necessity for companies to adapt continuously, keeping pace with changing consumer expectations and fostering a culture of agility and resilience Electrolux's dedication to leading the home appliance industry through innovative strategies, with a focus on sustainability and a customer-focused approach to business Some other titles we considered for this episode: Navigating Innovation and Sustainability The Evolution of Consumer Needs: A Commitment to Service The Future is Convenient Leading with Purpose

The Asia Tech Podcast was joined by Nathaniel Yim, the Founder of Nila Studios and a non-executive co-Founder of Janio Asia. When Nathaniel asserted during our recording, "You cannot sell what you don't understand.", it really resonated with me. When you understand your products and their impact on customers, your enthusiasm, confidence, and sincerity shine through naturally. Some of the other topics Nathaniel covered: Understanding your product's value proposition and the problems it solves for customers How customer empathy enables deep customer connections and fosters trust and credibility The critical role of content creation and leveraging networks in building brand visibility The importance of aligning marketing efforts with sales objectives The significant impact of personal branding and founder influence Some other titles we considered for this episode: Whatever You Publish, Make Sure It Is Really Good You Just Have to Rise to the Occasion Infantry Is Like Sales That Opened up My Eyes to the Possibilities of Entrepreneurship  You Have to Learn Everything and Do Everything

In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we spoke with Nirali Zaveri, co-founder and CEO of Friz, about her transition from a corporate job, to founding a neobank for freelancers to pivoting towards a SaaS platform for marketing tech. Nirali discusses the challenges of scaling her initial venture, the strategic decision to pivot, and the lessons learned from being part of Y Combinator.  Some of the topics that Nirali covered in detail: The Power of the Ecosystem and Community The Startup Journey Is a Continuous Learning Curve Pivoting Is Not a Sign of Failure but a Step Towards Finding the Right Path The Importance of Being Customer Centric The Role of Accelerators in Shaping Founders and Startups Some other titles we considered for this episode: That Passion Is Really Different When You Can Use Your Own Product The Interface of the Internet is Going to Change Very Soon It’s Super Critical That Everything Gets Discussed They Scaled Their Learning Curve Very Quickly Be Willing to Fail Publicly

The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Maaike Doyer, a Founder and Managing Partner at Epic Angels, back to the show to discuss a recent article she wrote on 'Why Stricter Angel Investing Rules Miss the Mark'. In the 3 years since Maaike founded Epic Angels along with Hester Spiegel-vdSteenhoven, the network has grown to nearly 300 female investors across 27 countries! Some of the topics we discussed in detail from Maaike's article included: The untapped potential of women in angel investing and the importance of creating a supportive network to facilitate their growth Advocating for less restrictive regulatory criteria that would allow a wider range of individuals, especially women and younger investors, to participate in angel investing Her passionate explanation for the importance of education and access in empowering more women to become angel investors How collaboration among relevant stakeholders can lead to more inclusive investment opportunities and regulatory frameworks that recognize the diversity of investors’ backgrounds and experiences Maaike's unwavering passion for making a difference and challenging the status quo Some other titles we considered for this episode: Redefining Risks: A Mission to Diversify Angel Investing Changing the Game: A Journey to Reshape Angel Investing The Power of Networks to Unlock Investment Potential It's More About Courage than Anything Else Redefine Regulations from Constraints to Catalysts

In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Itai Boublil, a co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of KNOTS. KNOTS is reimagining the workplace for finance professionals; it is the first GenAI employee for finance teams. Some of the topics that Itai discussed: A funny story about his first trip to the US from Israel to visit his cousin The critical role that technology can play is solving complex problems for finance teams How GenAI will not replace you, but it will surely change the way we work Building a culture of innovation and continuous improvement The expectation that KNOTS will evolve into a comprehensive ecosystem that connects different departments within a company, powered by AI Some other titles we considered for this episode: It’s Not About What Are We Trying To Build, It’s About What Are We Trying to Change We Wanted to Provide a New Experience for Finance Teams How Do You Take 16 Hours of Work and Turn It Into 10 Seconds? The Idea Is to Humanize the Whole Process I Enjoy Solving Complicated Problems

In the complex and vibrant Asian metropolises, the process of relocation and finding the right place for you and your family to reside can often feel daunting. The region presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities and addressing them requires an innovative approach. The Asia Tech Podcast spoke to Dominic Schacher, a co-Founder of Rently, as he delves into the intricacies of the Asian real estate market, marked by its chaotic rental processes and procedural intricacies. Some of the topics Dominic covered in detail include: The complexity of relocation and real estate in Asia The role of curated real estate platforms The convergence of PropTech and FinTech and how this leads to innovative solutions Building a flexible and scalable tech infrastructure Expanding outside of Asia while continuing to create a comprehensive real estate service offering Some other titles we considered for this episode: Let’s Provide a Great Experience Providing an Experience for Both Sides That Is Ideal It Was Literally Geotagged to Your Biometrics Less Is More, But Higher Quality The Game Changer for Us Is the Real Estate Management Piece

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."

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