BRAVE: Gian lận eFishery của Indonesia, Cược luật VC Power, Công việc phụ kéo dài 8 năm cho đến Nhà sáng lập toàn thời gian tại 44 & D*ck Pics for Science
Regional News & Deep Dives
Jianggan Li, CEO of Momentum Works, discussed China’s expansion to the Middle East and the country’s export strategy amidst US trade tensions.
Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about Indonesia’s eFishery fraud allegations and trust deficit and Southeast Asia’s financial governance and exit strategies.
Jeremy Au explored venture capital financial returns and governance dynamics, the financial dynamics and structure of VC, VC power law bets, product-market fit pivot, Southeast Asia's VC landscape and startup adaptation, and customer personas and lifetime value.
Popular Interviews
Dave Overton: Philippines Humanitarian Commitment, Serendipity at Geeks On A Beach Community, Cebu Serial Founder: Dave moved to the Philippines in 2003, supporting a nonprofit that delivered 7,000+ babies and expanded to 50 medical professionals. He co-founded Geeks On A Beach, built Symph.co and Flying Tigers Express, and played a key role in shaping Cebu’s tech ecosystem.
Pinn Lawjindakul: Bain Consultant to Grab Head, Tiger Global to Lightspeed VC Partner, Southeast Asia vs. China & India: Pinn led Grab’s expansion against Uber before honing data-driven investing at Tiger Global and transitioning to Lightspeed to back early-stage startups. She emphasized Southeast Asia’s unique market dynamics, debunking comparisons to China and India, and highlighted the need for sustainable capital allocation.
Yudara Kularathne: D*ck Pics for Science, Child Emergency Doctor to AI Founder & Model Training vs. Regulatory Affairs: Yudara transitioned from managing 10,000+ pediatric emergency cases to founding HeHealth, an AI-driven men’s health app that gained 20,000 downloads within weeks. He shared insights on using community-contributed data for STI detection, navigating a $50M FTC lawsuit, and balancing AI innovation with regulatory challenges in health tech.
Edric Poon: Podcaster Buddy Truths: Edric explored his passion for the iconic Super 55 microphone as a symbol of his podcasting journey. He shared deep insights on resilience, self-acceptance, and the quirks of seasoned podcasters through a blend of humor and vulnerability.
Kristie Neo: Channel News Asia to DealStreetAsia VC Editor, Investigative Journalism, Unicorn Mismanagement (Revolution Precrafted): Kristie discussed her transition from Channel News Asia to investigative journalism, uncovering financial irregularities in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. She highlighted her exposé on Revolution Precrafted, which triggered a government investigation, and explored the evolving role of media in shaping transparency and accountability.
Nicolas Bivero: 8-Year Side Hustle to Full-Time Founder at 44, Japan Intern to Philippines Director and PEO Industry for Filipino Talent: Nicolas transitioned from an 18-year career in Japanese logistics to co-founding Penbrothers, a platform addressing global talent shortages. He highlighted the rise of remote work in the Philippines, the role of PEOs in retaining local talent, and the need for government support to foster globally competitive professionals.
Community News
Sherry Jiang, CEO & Cofounder of Peek, was featured by MSN for her approach on balancing the demands of running a startup while managing hundreds of investor and customer conversations daily. Read her perspective on the Web3 market turbulence and navigating product-market fit pivots.
Joan Yao, General Partner at Kickstart Ventures, shared in Business World the firm’s plan to invest in up to five early-stage startups in Southeast Asia by 2025. Learn more about her insights on impact investing in the Philippines and the power of self-talk and taking chances.
Kevin Brockland, Founder & Managing Partner of Indelible Ventures, shared insights in Tech in Asia on how excessive government intervention is stalling Malaysia’s startup ecosystem and making it harder for private capital to thrive. Check out his episode on building Malaysia’s startup ecosystem and balancing entrepreneurship and fatherhood.
Notable Press & Listener Feedback
“Great episode today - You and Gita touched upon a bunch of aspects and nuances that aren't addressed enough. Believe will be quite eye opening for a lot of folks.” - Antara Sara Mathai, Cofounder of Durianpay
“Local people on the ground know the most. That's why its important for VCs to be on the ground for that particular City, especially if looking for deals or connections. This is to avoid Fraud and reduce risk. Love this episode.” - Curry Kho, Wildnerve
Quote
“Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow.” - Robert Pirsig
Reflection
“The most lucrative, fun, and most rewarding six months of my life started on the day that I had to push through that discomfort zone, and then now I've been doing that ever since. And so, all of my biggest growth happens when I stepped out of my comfort zone, made the leap, and did something.” - Sean Ellis
Sean’s journey from an unconventional investor to a key player in the tech world is a testament to curiosity, adaptability, and an eye for transformative potential. Without an initial passion for technology, his entry into the tech scene began with a strategic investment in a friend’s internet gaming company during the mid-90s—an era when the internet was still in its infancy. That investment quickly yielded a 50% return, sparking his deeper involvement in the company’s growth and eventual success as a top 10 website in total usage time. His decision to invest and contribute wasn’t driven by technical expertise but by recognizing the internet’s potential to reshape industries. Sean’s path underscores the value of stepping into unfamiliar spaces and embracing opportunities beyond one’s initial interests. His success came from focusing on practical solutions that served broad user needs, rather than being driven by technological fascination alone. His story is a reminder that impact in the tech world is often built on empathy, adaptability, and the courage to act—regardless of where you start.
When have you stepped out of your comfort zone and found that it led to significant personal or professional growth?
Share the BRAVE Monthly Newsletter: Know anyone who wants to stay in the loop on Southeast Asia tech’s top insights and leaders? Please forward them this monthly newsletter and sign up at https://www.bravesea.com/newsletter