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

Jeremy Au explored how talent, policy, and capital flows shape startup ecosystems across Southeast Asia, India, and China. The discussion covered talent strengths and weaknesses across countries, the role of industrial policy and government subsidies, the challenges of building large language models outside the US and China, and the impact of US China geopolitical tensions on venture capital flows. 01:18 Southeast Asia talent rankings: Jeremy explains Asia Partners’ view that Singapore and Indonesia rank higher in talent, while Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia sit in the middle, and Thailand lags. 04:01 Quick commerce lessons: He compares how India’s delivery startups slowed timelines to survive, showing why founders must adapt to market development levels. 05:10 TSMC and industrial policy: Jeremy highlights Taiwan’s deliberate investment in semiconductors as a case study of state-driven strategy creating global champions. 07:30 Policy shapes business: He outlines the chain: “Policy leads to law, law leads to business, and business leads to everything else.” 15:08 Sequoia’s split: Jeremy explains how US–China tensions and new rules like reverse CFIUS forced Sequoia to separate its US, China, and Southeast Asia/India arms. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/talent-gaps-rising 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au explored why venture capitalists hunt unicorns and how Southeast Asia fits into this global race. He discussed the Asia Partners golden age thesis, the importance of technology stack progression, and how localization shapes billion dollar outcomes. The conversation compared the US, China, India, and Southeast Asia, broke down country strategies, and examined how ideas migrate across ecosystems. 03:10 Golden Age Thesis: Asia Partners argues Southeast Asia is entering a golden age as GDP growth enables tech ecosystems to flourish. 06:00 Technology Stack and Localization: China sped through decades of development, while Southeast Asia companies like Grab had to adapt ride hailing to local gaps such as drivers without smartphones. 09:20 Copy and Localize Models: Founders replicate proven ideas such as Uber or e commerce while tailoring them to Southeast Asia’s conditions. 12:15 Fragmented Markets: Southeast Asia is not a single region but a patchwork of cities and countries, making scaling strategies complex. 14:10 Three Paths to Unicorns: Indonesia only giants such as GoJek, regional players like Ninja Van and Shopee, and Vietnam conglomerates like VNG. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/capital-calls-vs-returns 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au and an anonymous guest discuss the challenges of pursuing career opportunities in the United States from Singapore. They talk about how visa rules limit options, why overseas LinkedIn applications often fail, and the appeal of Silicon Valley’s innovation cycles. They also cover cultural differences that require stronger self-promotion, and why resilience is needed when adapting to life abroad. 03:03 LinkedIn job applications feel slow and ineffective: By the time roles are posted, they may already be filled, and rejections arrive quickly 12:52 Graduate programs bring uncertainty: Even Ivy League graduates face high unemployment, making MBAs and master’s degrees a risky bet 16:03 Financial expertise is a strength: Skills like FP&A and CFA provide a clear value proposition to startups seeking structured knowledge 17:40 Silicon Valley offers faster innovation cycles: It draws high-risk, high-reward talent, with constant new waves from VR to crypto to AI 27:42 Cultural norms are different: U.S. workplaces expect stronger self-marketing and bold salesmanship, unlike Southeast Asia’s modest approach 35:02 Relocation requires resilience: Those who prefer routine must adapt to chosen and unchosen struggles when moving abroad Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/southeast-asia-move-to-silicon-valley 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au broke down how venture capital funds design LP decks, allocate capital, and differentiate themselves in competitive markets. The discussion covered portfolio construction math, capital call strategy, the role of opportunity funds, and how funds highlight unique value-adds like founder wellness programs. 02:12 Capital Calls and Timing Funds usually deploy half their capital in the first two years, with follow-ons between years two to five, balancing liquidity with legal cost efficiency. 04:15 Marking Winners and Power Laws Most of a fund’s value, about 60 to 75 percent, often comes from one breakout company, driving the case for raising opportunity funds to double down. 07:27 Signaling with Follow-On Investors A strong follow-on rate signals quality to LPs. “If your companies are all Ds and shit, then nobody’s gonna come in.” Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/inside-lp-deck 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au and Jianggan explore why China business environment is locked in cycles of over-competition that destroy margins and push firms to seek growth abroad. They trace how JD, Meituan, and Alibaba’s food delivery war escalated into billions of yuan in subsidies, why regulators hesitate to intervene, and how clusters like Shenzhen and Hangzhou still thrive despite intense rivalry. Their discussion highlights collapsing product margins, subsidy-driven chaos in the EV sector, and the role of provincial governments in fueling excessive competition. They also examine how talent migration and generational shifts are reshaping workforce dynamics, with younger Chinese workers increasingly prioritizing lifestyle and aspirations over hardship-heavy careers. 00:24 Over-competition defined daily life in China: Companies copied each other’s hardware and burned billions on subsidies in food delivery, bubble tea, and coffee. 02:49 JD, Meituan, and Alibaba escalated into a price war: Subsidies wiped out profits and locked companies into a prisoner’s dilemma. 07:11 Government offered mixed signals: Some regulators praised subsidies for boosting consumption while others warned about disruption. 13:04 Hardware margins collapsed quickly: AI note-taking devices saw profits fall from 20 percent to 1 percent within a year as competitors rushed in. 15:35 EV industry showed subsidy-driven chaos: BYD slashed prices by 25 percent, alarming regulators who feared smaller firms would be wiped out. 18:58 Shenzhen and Hangzhou emerged as key clusters: They benefited from policy support, inertia, and government backing for overseas expansion. 23:59 Younger workers demanded balance: Unlike older generations, they sought personal aspirations and resisted hardship-heavy roles abroad. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jianggan-li-china-price-wars 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au and Gita Sjahrir unpack Indonesia’s turbulence, from corruption scandals and startup economic uncertainty due to the collapse of eFishery. They contrast Singapore’s stability with Indonesia’s volatility, explore how weak rule of law erodes trust, and discuss how scandals damage both founders and investors. They also analyze the role of boards, GPs, and operating partners in strengthening Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. 02:00 Corruption scandals seem to show political motivation: The Tom Lembong case introduced the charge of “potential loss to the state,” which was never proven, and targeted him while other ministers who made similar decisions were left untouched. 04:46 Public mistrust deepens: Indonesians question whether corruption cases are genuine, ploys, or selective prosecutions, and many view them as witch hunts that worsen the disconnect between government and citizens. This has resulted in street protests. 09:19 Economic data raises skepticism: Official growth figures of above 5 percent confused the public, as weak indicators like falling auto sales, rising unemployment, and declining foreign direct investment suggest economic hardship is the reality. 12:12 Central bank cuts interest rates: The surprise decision was a move to boost growth to increase domestic investments and spending. Observers argued that transparency and equal rule of law remain the true foundation for long-term capital flows. 15:07 eFishery founder detained by Indonesia police: The founder’s detention followed a public Bloomberg interview in which he admitted to misconduct, reinforcing concerns that the scandal severely damaged trust in Indonesia’s startup scene. Law enforcement may improve public trust and deter bad-faith actors 19:33 Investor reaction turns punitive: Indonesia founders are asked to show profitability very early, to hit one million ARR within their first year, and to give up more than 20 percent equity even before a Series A. 28:17 VC operating partner model is missing: Unlike private equity, Southeast Asian venture capital rarely employs experienced operating partners - to support founders directly or fill board seats, leaving a gap in hands-on help and corporate governance. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/gita-sjahrir-indonesia-trust-crisis 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au and DJ Tan sit down to discuss how Prefer grew from a bold bean-free coffee experiment into a flavor house tackling climate-threatened ingredients. They explore the evolution from naive product launches to customer-driven adoption, why B2B positioning makes more sense than B2C in food tech, and how shifting investor expectations shaped their fundraising strategy. Their conversation covers product development cycles with baristas, the science of replicating flavors like coffee and chocolate, and how climate change is forcing businesses to rethink supply chains. DJ also shares lessons on storytelling, scaling options, and the importance of founder transparency when building trust with investors. 02:28 Founding Mission Expands: Prefer was co-founded in 2022 with the mission to make coffee without beans and has since expanded into chocolate while building towards a broader sustainable flavor house. 04:25 Customer Adoption Through Blends: Cafe partners showed reluctance to add a completely new menu item so Prefer gained traction by becoming part of blends such as cappuccinos with ten percent inclusion instead of selling as a separate bean-free option. 09:19 Messaging Shifts to Flavor House: Messaging evolved from pitching only bean-free coffee to presenting Prefer as a flavor house once traction with coffee and chocolate proved product market fit. 16:12 Designing for Applications: Coffee used in cocktails, tiramisu, iced cans or espresso requires different flavor formulations and the R and D team now designs products to fit specific applications. 19:38 Climate Change Disrupts Supply: Climate change has created volatility in coffee, cocoa, vanilla, hazelnut and citrus supplies with events like a blight wiping out most of Florida’s orange harvest and forcing shifts in supermarket juice offerings. 24:05 B2B Model Prevails Over B2C: The B2C experiments validated that consumers were unwilling to pay premiums but B2B customers valued Prefer for protecting margins, supply continuity and preventing shrinkflation. 37:30 Fundraising with Clear Milestones: DJ emphasized raising funds by starting with the end in mind asking investors what metrics will matter in 18 months and working towards those clear goals. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dj-tan-brewing-without-beans 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Kristie Neo and Jeremy Au compare Southeast Asia and the Middle East, exploring how mood shifts, tariffs, scandals, and cultural codes are shaping technology and finance. They discuss Southeast Asia’s dampened atmosphere after 2021, the role of sovereign wealth in the Middle East, and how generational challenges meet an AI-driven job market. Their conversation unpacks scandals like eFishery, co-founder disputes in Vietnam, startup archetypes in Southeast Asia, and the global expansion of Chinese firms. They close by reflecting on how organizational cultures differ across regions and why code-switching leaders succeed. 04:20 Kristie reflects on returning from a year in the Middle East and noticing how Singapore’s CBD felt “like a wet blanket” compared to the optimism she had seen abroad. She explains that sovereign wealth still fuels Middle Eastern investments, while Southeast Asia is adjusting to the reality that 2021’s boom years were not normal. 07:59 Jeremy and Kristie discuss how tariffs and slipping oil prices weigh on both regions. Southeast Asia is forced into restructuring as global trade slows, while the Middle East faces pressure on sovereign wealth funds. They agree that uncertainty is dampening growth and making fundraising harder for local fund managers. 09:06 Kristie highlights how fund managers now avoid hiring fresh graduates, preferring experienced talent as AI tools allow smaller and leaner teams. She points out Gen Z’s overreliance on ChatGPT, while Jeremy adds that pandemic-era remote learning left many under-socialized and struggling with basic workplace norms and meeting etiquette. 33:27 Kristie recounts the Alterno co-founder dispute in Vietnam, where founder Kent Nguyen accused his partners of forcing him out after building a patented sand thermal battery. Legal battles followed, investors stepped back, and public allegations mounted on both sides. Jeremy frames this as part of the normal startup cycle where most companies fail through co-founder conflict and lack of governance, especially when investors hold only safe notes. 39:19 Jeremy outlines five main startup archetypes in Southeast Asia. The first are regional connectors that link countries. The second are local conglomerates building multiple businesses. The third are consumer plays for the rising middle class. The fourth are global-facing ventures with Southeast Asia exposure. The fifth are pure tech companies such as SaaS or crypto. Kristie observes that Chinese consumer brands are also pushing aggressively into Southeast Asia with marketing scale and price competitiveness. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/engineering-soft-landings 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Rob Liu, Founder of ContactOut, and Jeremy Au dive into the realities of building a profitable SaaS business, the myths of venture capital, and the role of lifelong learning. Rob shares how he scaled ContactOut by stacking insights from competitors, why bootstrapping gave him more control, and how he now invests in young founders. Their conversation also explores his shift from chasing wealth to pursuing impact, his family’s role in the journey, and the brave choice that defined his career. 05:23 Bootstrapping versus venture capital: By focusing on recruiter data, ContactOut secured a foothold and achieved 70 percent margins without outside funding. Rob contrasts this with VC-backed peers who scaled faster but gave up equity, comparing venture capital to credit card debt that adds confusion more than growth. 08:56 Wealth lessons from small businesses: Rob notes that many traditional entrepreneurs, like car dealership or farm owners, often end up wealthier than startup founders because steady profits compounded over years can match billion-dollar exits. 11:07 Early solo founding and first customers: After failed co-founder attempts, Rob pressed forward alone, with his wife later closing the first million in revenue. They grew sales through 500 Startups in Silicon Valley, while Rob taught himself to code to evaluate engineers and guide product development. 15:33 A disciplined approach to learning: Rob listens to audiobooks at triple speed while exercising, studies science and engineering textbooks on his phone, and uses AI tools for clarity. Inspired by Elon Musk’s method of self-education, he is spending two years building technical depth to explore deep tech. 21:28 Shifting from wealth to impact: Rob reflects on wasting much of his twenties chasing money, parties, and relationships. He now believes happiness plateaus after modest income and regrets not focusing earlier on science and impact, drawing inspiration from pioneers like Richard Feynman and John von Neumann. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/rob-liu-science-over-money 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au spoke about the dangers of chasing only professional success and why it can lead to emptiness despite external achievements. He explained the importance of balancing career ambition with personal happiness, introduced a shifting framework for finding purpose, and shared stories that highlight resilience, injustice, and the values that truly define a meaningful life. 02:45 Defining Personal Success: He urges listeners to think about health, love, and family as true measures of success, warning against sacrificing them for career ambition. 03:40 Ikigai Framework: Jeremy explains ikigai as the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs, stressing that this sweet spot shifts over time with career and life changes. 05:15 Career Shifts and Change: He shares his journey from Bain consultant to founder in the US to returning to Southeast Asia, illustrating how life choices evolve with circumstances and values. 06:00 Ray Jefferson’s Sacrifice: Jeremy recounts Jefferson’s bravery in holding a malfunctioning grenade, which cost him his hand but saved teammates’ lives, and his later struggles to rebuild his career. 07:30 Eight-Year Injustice: Jefferson fought for years to clear his name after false accusations during his public service career, showing the harsh realities of politics and unfairness. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/success-without-happiness 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Javier Lorenzana, former EdTech founder turned content creator, joins Jeremy Au to revisit their first meeting during an On Deck podcasting course and trace his journey from startup building to social media success. They discuss the creation and shutdown of his pandemic-born company Upnext, the personal and professional fallout that followed, and how he rebuilt confidence through fitness, self-work, and creative risk-taking. Javi shares how his founder mindset shapes his content strategy, why authenticity is his biggest growth lever, and how he measures long-term success through influence and connection rather than vanity metrics. Their conversation covers building product market fit for a personal brand, handling public scrutiny, and creating viral formats that blend entertainment with personal values. 00:06 Meeting in an On Deck podcasting course during the pandemic led to early discussions about creator ambitions. Javi shares how he was building his EdTech startup Upnext while Jeremy was launching the BRAVE podcast. 02:36 Upnext began as a Southeast Asia version of On Deck for live online learning during lockdown. It grew to hundreds of students with seed funding before demand collapsed post-pandemic, prompting layoffs and eventual closure. 05:09 Shutting down caused sleepless nights, weight loss, co-founder disagreements, and deep self-blame. Javi describes dragging out the process before finally accepting the need for a reset. 07:45 Returning to the University of Toronto, he skipped classes and used ChatGPT while focusing on personal growth through reading, fitness, and diet—his “villain arc” to rebuild confidence. 10:17 Choose content creation over a traditional career after months of journaling and admitting it was a long-held personal goal. The first six months brought low views until the viral “shirtless book review” series. 15:40 The series gained millions of views by combining fitness and literature, sparking reposts and online jokes about ignoring the reviews for his physique. Javi refined his approach with a mix of original ideas and adapted formats. 24:13 Measures success through influence and real-world connection rather than follower counts, believing this has the highest leverage for future opportunities. His bravest moment was posting that first shirtless review despite fear of judgment. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/javier-lorenzana-viral-book-muscles 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au and Sang Shin trace Sang’s journey from a privileged childhood in the Philippines to his evolution as an entrepreneur, investor, and philosopher. They unpack the pivotal moments that shaped his outlook, the hard lessons from building a privacy-first startup that challenged big tech, and his creation of Fafty, a belief system grounded in the idea that life is a simulation and the true goal is to elevate personal existence. Their conversation weaves together stories of youthful awakening, the realities of startups and investing, and reflections on AI, religion, and parenting as forces that guide self-transformation. 02:00 A street encounter in high school sparked gratitude and change: Seeing a boy his age pushing a cart barefoot on hot asphalt made Sang realize his privilege. He cut his hair as a symbolic reset, faced teasing and rumors at school, and used the experience as fuel to work harder, eventually earning straight As and getting into a good college. 08:35 Chose environmental science and economics at Tufts University to understand the conflict between economy and ecology: Realized there was no silver bullet to solving environmental problems and pivoted toward technology during the early internet era. Self-taught web skills allowed him to compete in a new field where there was no entrenched expertise. 16:52 Built a privacy-focused ad tech startup to give users control over their data: The product let people opt out of ad networks or opt in to get paid directly by advertisers. It went viral with millions of downloads but was later banned by Apple, which also revoked Sang’s developer access. This taught him the lesson that money always wins. 21:08 Moved to Singapore in 2016 believing the US had peaked: Saw Southeast Asia as an emerging startup hub and wanted to help founders and grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem from the investor side. 24:35 Realized startups are another kind of rat race: Founders still face systems, funding stages, boards, and oversight similar to corporate hierarchies, challenging the idea of full autonomy. 27:28 Created Fafty, a belief system rejecting centralization and canonization: Based on the belief that reality is a simulation, it encourages people to respawn as a fully conscious player rather than an NPC, gaining control over impulses and actions instead of following programmed behavior. 45:28 Parenthood and training AI shaped his views on intelligence and consciousness: Observed parallels in how his children and AI models learn but emphasized that AI lacks qualia, the subjective experience of sensations like sweetness or pain. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sang-shin-inside-the-simulation 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au shares why long-term career success depends on investing in health, cultivating purpose, and learning to handle inevitable criticism. He explains the link between purpose and happiness, why choosing your challenges makes them more bearable, and how treating yourself as your own best friend helps you grow despite setbacks. 02:00 The Role of Relationships: Research shows people with more high-quality relationships live happier and longer lives, and university is when most people have the largest friend networks. 04:15 Purpose Over Pure Happiness: Happiness is a fleeting biological reward; purpose sustains motivation even through tough times. 06:00 The Purpose–Happiness Trade-off: Some high-purpose jobs offer low day-to-day happiness but bring deep fulfillment over time. 08:00 Criticism Comes with Power: Greater influence brings more public scrutiny, and avoiding criticism by conforming means losing individuality. 10:00 Being Your Own Best Friend: Self-kindness turns criticism into useful feedback without damaging self-confidence, enabling long-term resilience. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/health-purpose-criticism 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Adrian Choo, CEO of Career Agility International, joins Jeremy Au to explore how AI, job insecurity, and shifting regional trends are reshaping the future of work in Southeast Asia. They discuss why Singapore is losing its dominance as a regional employment hub, how mid-career professionals are getting priced out, and why Gen Z graduates are entering the job market without marketable skills. Adrian shares how he sold skeletons to pay for university, how he pivoted from headhunter to coach, and why building career resilience is more urgent than ever. He also explains how his AI assistant "Becky" helps him think faster, make decisions, and stay ahead in a volatile job market. 02:00 Adrian bootstrapped university by selling ethically sourced skeletons: He imported medical-grade bones from Europe after a supply shortage in Asia and sold them to medical students, storing 30 sets in his bedroom when no one would rent him storage space. This experience taught him practical business skills before he even began his degree. 04:10 Career insecurity, not job insecurity, shaped his path from GE Plastics to headhunting: Adrian realized early that employees have no real control over their job stability. He pivoted into executive search to own the entire value chain, hunting, closing, delivering, and later into coaching to future-proof his impact and income. 12:47 He pivoted again after seeing LinkedIn disrupt headhunting: In 2012, Adrian began preparing to move into strategic career coaching, anticipating that LinkedIn would flood the market and erode differentiation. It took him six years to complete the transition, positioning himself as the only coach with C-suite search experience in Singapore. 16:50 Career coaching today is about adjacencies, vertical scaling, and AI integration: He explains that landing a job doesn't fix a sunset industry or outdated skill set. Instead, he focuses on helping client’s re-skill toward adjacent roles or industries. His in-house AI, Carol, is being trained to suggest such strategic pivots. 21:13 Adrian uses a personally trained GPT AI named Becky as a sparring partner: He trained Becky to match his communication style and decision logic, enabling her to summarize dense research, propose coaching content, and even argue against his ideas. This AI assistant has become a productivity multiplier and trend-spotting tool. 24:18 Singapore jobs are being offshored to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok: Due to high costs and tighter visa regulations, multinationals are moving regional functions out of Singapore. A returning Malaysian diaspora and strong expat interest in cities like KL and Bangkok are fueling this trend, making Singapore-based professionals less competitive. 30:48 Gen Z graduates are leaving school with skills employers do not want: Many lack coding, business, or AI skills. Adrian cites examples of graduates from top local universities who remain unemployed or underprepared. He urges them to lean into AI, gain real-world experience, and stop relying on paper qualifications alone. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adrian-choo-career-in-crisis 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jianggan Li, Founder of Momentum Works, joins Jeremy Au to unpack the evolving trade dynamics between China, Vietnam, and the United States. They compare Vietnam’s swift concessions with China’s calculated rare earth strategy, discuss the blurred lines of transshipment, and explore how Apple, Pop Mart, and Labubu reflect larger trends in global manufacturing and consumer behavior. The conversation also reveals how Chinese brands are outpacing global competitors in TikTok marketing and why luxury culture in China is undergoing a quiet transformation. 02:28 China used rare earths as a strategic trade weapon: Jianggan references a Deng Xiaoping quote from the 1980s highlighting rare earths as vital. China’s long-term planning turned these materials into a key negotiation tool, influencing American industry pressure and leading to relaxed US restrictions without an official announcement. 04:56 Vietnam offered zero tariffs on US goods to secure a deal: Faced with a sudden 46 percent US tariff, Vietnam’s leadership moved quickly. To Lam personally called Trump and agreed to a deal where Vietnam’s exports would face 20 percent tariffs, suspected transshipped goods 40 percent, and US imports would enter Vietnam tax-free. 08:41 Vietnamese factories feel pressure from China’s scale and efficiency: Mid-sized business owners in Vietnam, even those driving Porsches, admit they can’t compete with China on speed and cost. The concern is especially acute for standardized products without strong local customization needs. 13:20 Transshipment rules are hard to define and even harder to enforce: A Made in Vietnam label can apply if 40 percent of value is added locally but calculating that percentage is difficult. Inputs often come from China, and enforcement depends on both accounting practices and political discretion across borders. 17:25 US criticism of Apple’s China ties expands across party lines: A Daily Show clip highlights Apple training Chinese factories and hollowing out US jobs. This marks a shift in criticism from being Republican led to becoming bipartisan, with concerns about offshoring now voiced by Democrats as well. 29:22 China’s middle class shifts from luxury logos to quiet quality: Before the pandemic, wealth was flaunted through bags and status goods. Post-pandemic, that has changed. Consumers now see luxury as a stupid tax and prefer high-quality domestic brands that offer better value. 34:03 Labubu’s rise shows China’s edge in branding and execution: Pop Mart succeeded by combining designer signings, local manufacturing, and fast restocking strategies that undercut scalpers. The brand also leveraged deep operational know-how from Douyin, giving it a major advantage on TikTok over Western brands reluctant to invest in the platform. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jianggan-li-tariffs-and-toys 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au speaks about the uncomfortable truth that the world isn’t fair. He urges listeners to let go of idealism, understand real-world power dynamics, and make deliberate career choices. From decoding hypocrisy in leadership to choosing when to be a small fish in a big pond, he shares how to survive and thrive by thinking both outside-in and inside-out. 01:00 Life Isn’t Fair: Jeremy dismantles the idea that good things always happen to good people and explains why embracing life’s unfairness is key to strategic decision-making 02:15 Choose Your Battles: Understanding your advantages lets you pick domains where you are more likely to win rather than relying on the myth of a fair system 03:24 Power Isn’t a Dirty Word: Power will come with professional growth. Learn to use it consciously and ethically without being afraid of it 04:33 Say vs Do: Leaders often say one thing and do another. Learn to read actions not just words when assessing people or systems 06:00 Big Fish Small Pond: Jeremy breaks down how switching between being a big or small fish in a pond can serve different career stages with examples from his own path 09:36 Outside-In vs Inside-Out: Use outside-in logic like market size and trends and inside-out values like what you enjoy and who you want to work with together to guide your decisions Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/fairness-isnt-real 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Tiang Lim Foo, General Partner at Forge Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed how Southeast Asia’s tech and venture capital landscape is evolving through cycles of hype, correction, and AI-driven transformation. They unpack the eFishery scandal as a clearing event, reframe expectations around exits, and debate whether venture capital remains viable in a region where only one unicorn appears every four years. They explore the split between local and global-first startups, how AI is reviving SaaS through productivity gains, and why only a few VC funds will likely outperform. Tiang also shares how fatherhood shaped his leadership style and how delayed gratification builds better founders and better kids. 02:43 eFishery was a clearing event that exposed systemic gaps: The scandal’s late-stage exposure revealed weaknesses in due diligence from seed to growth rounds. Tiang and Jeremy discuss how this singular event damaged investor confidence and might risk Southeast Asia facing a “lost decade” unless the ecosystem regains trust and transparency through police investigations. 08:20 Power law math must shift for Southeast Asia: Tiang explains why assuming a unicorn every year is flawed. With only one home run in Southeast Asia every four years, only two to four VC funds will hit top-tier returns in the region. He outlines how funds must underwrite exits between $100 million to $500 million and reverse-engineer ownership, dilution, and ticket size accordingly. 14:32 The ecosystem is splitting into two startup types: Baskit is an example of a hyper-local play focused on Indonesia’s supply chain, while Mito Health began in Singapore and now earns more revenue in the US. Tiang shares how these two paths local capital efficiency versus global market scale require different underwriting logic and founder support. 21:04 AI is reviving SaaS by changing productivity math: SEA companies previously avoided SaaS due to low labor costs. Now, AI-powered tools like Vercel enable 10x productivity, allowing startups to reduce headcount and speed up delivery cycles. Boards and management are pushing AI pilots across conglomerates and tech companies. 26:08 ChatGPT’s viral growth unlocked new software models: Tiang highlights how its intuitive UI and cross-language support made it usable with zero training. Unlike older tools like Evernote that required localization, ChatGPT’s frictionless adoption signals a shift in how enterprise software scales globally. 29:03 AI is widening the power law: Some lean teams hit 15K to 20K MRR without fundraising. Others build toward massive ARR and attract large rounds. Tiang explains how AI-native startups either stay bootstrapped or scale explosively, polarizing outcomes and reshaping venture expectations. 37:47 Parenthood reshaped Tiang’s leadership and time discipline: With two kids and a hard stop at 5:30 p.m. daily, Tiang structures board meetings around decisions, ensures clear agendas, and enforces pre-reading. He also draws parallels between parenting and investing both require influence, not control. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tiang-lim-foo-sea-vc-reset 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Sudhir Vadaketh, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Jom, returns to BRAVE after four years to share how he built a long-form journalism outlet in Singapore. He and Jeremy Au discuss the journey from solo writer to team manager, the real risks and support systems behind independent media, and how Jom navigates Singapore’s evolving boundaries on speech. They unpack the emotional weight of managing editorial freedom, public fear of backlash, and what bravery looks like in today’s media landscape. Sudhir also explains how Jom could grow across Southeast Asia while staying rooted in local storytelling. 02:00 Sudhir founded Jom to fill a missing niche in literary journalism: After years of contributing to platforms like Mothership and RICE, Sudhir realized that Singapore lacked a long-form, English-language publication focused on literary, thoughtful reporting. He launched Jom with ambitions to serve not just Singapore but a growing English-speaking audience across Southeast Asia. 04:00 Building the team started with salary stability and trust: To attract good people and avoid early burnout, Sudhir promised his co-founders and first employee a two-year minimum runway with modest pay. He prioritized financial stability overgrowth, knowing many media ventures collapse when salaries can’t be sustained. 09:49 Collaborative journalism values shaped Jom’s internal culture: Sudhir brought the collaborative instincts from his journalism background into Jom’s management. Team members collectively weigh in on everything—from editorial language on sensitive topics to pricing event tickets—creating a shared sense of responsibility and editorial rigor. 12:25 The team’s reaction to POFMA exposed leadership blind spots: When Jom received three POFMA correction orders, Sudhir took it in stride, but his teammates—especially younger ones—were rattled. He learned that being a leader also means holding emotional space and directly addressing the team's concerns in moments of pressure. 22:53 Fear of online backlash affects contributors and limits open dialogue: Writers and interviewees are often hesitant to go public, even on non-political pieces, due to fears of doxxing, trolling, or professional retaliation. This culture of fear, fueled by social media and polarized discourse, creates challenges for independent media. 30:38 Jom’s expansion model will prioritize local content through decentralized teams: Sudhir envisions future Jom teams embedded in cities like KL, Bangkok, or Jakarta. Each would produce 80 percent local content and 20 percent regional stories, ensure relevance and avoiding a top-down, Singapore-centric approach to Southeast Asia. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/sudhir-vadaketh-bravery-in-print 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner at Hustle Fund, joins Jeremy Au to explore Singapore’s exploration of nuclear energy, the Southeast Asia startup downturn, and how AI is changing both business and social behavior. They discuss how the government seeds long-term energy strategy, what optimism looks like in a bear market, and why human interaction must remain a priority as digital tools evolve. Together, they reflect on resilience, founder mindset, and parenting in an increasingly AI-driven world. 02:15 Singapore is quietly exploring nuclear power as an energy source: In 2024, Singapore signed a civil nuclear cooperation "123 Agreement" with America and launched the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (targeted ~100 researcher lab) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). 03:46 Hitting carbon net zero may require nuclear energy: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general Rafael Grossi: “When it comes to decarbonising, what are your options? Here, there is no hydropower. You have renewables, but you don’t have much territory... It’s a small country, so you cannot have wind parks for kilometres on end... In my opinion... Singapore could rightly (be) the most perfect example of a country that needs nuclear energy." 06:28 Nuclear acceptance may follow the NEWater playbook: They compare it to the early skepticism around NEWater, which underwent societal education, trial balloons, and gradual integration. Hurdles include nuclear safety, exploration of small modular reactor designs and concerns/ collaborations with neighboring countries. 13:59 Southeast Asia’s startup mood has soured post-boom: After years of hype and capital, many founders now face disillusionment. Shiyan calls it a hangover from the zero-interest era but also notes new AI-driven opportunities are emerging. 15:36 Founders can now build global-first with AI: Southeast Asia’s fragmented markets make regional scaling hard. Shiyan explains that founders can now launch globally from day one using AI tools, bypassing local limitations. 19:32 AI changes what’s possible, but customers, not VCs, decide: Even with better tools, Shiyan reminds founders that most startups still fail. What matters is whether customers are willing to pay, not just whether investors believe. 23:00 Real connection still beats AI companionship: They explore whether AI waifus can help people practice social skills or just create more isolation. Shiyan argues nothing replaces shared quirks, jokes, and emotional presence in real life. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shiyan-koh-singapore-nuclear-energy 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Jeremy Au breaks down why most startups fail and what it really takes to succeed in the AI age. He explains the six patterns of startup failure, the tricky economics of service businesses, and why AI will wipe out average workers. He also explores how caring about a problem gives founders their edge and why listening, not output, is the real marker of a great marketer or executive. 00:59 Startup Failure Is the Default: Jeremy explains that failure is the norm in startups and outlines six common patterns including false starts, speed traps, bad luck, and weak founding teams. 03:30 Service Startups Need Tech to Scale: He shares how AI and automation can transform service businesses like call centers into high-margin ventures by replacing labor with scalable technology. 07:00 GPT Raised the Bar: Repeating what AI can do is not enough. The gap between average and exceptional performance has narrowed and effort alone is no longer a differentiator. 09:39 Founder Problem Fit Drives Impact: Success is easier when people work on problems they care about. Founder problem fit is just as important as product market fit. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/startup-failure-ai-takeover 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 English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts