Adrian Tan, Author of “No More Bosses” & Chief Marketing Strategist at Marketing Sumo, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Laid-Off To HR Founder: Adrian’s career in HR began as he navigated the volatile job market of the early 2000s. After layoffs from tech companies during the dotcom bubble and another setback in 2003 with the SARS epidemic, he sought greater stability by starting his own recruitment business in 2004. Over the next 11 years, he grew this business through multiple economic cycles, worked hundred-hour weeks, and learned on the job. He reflected on a missed opportunity during a lucrative growth phase to scale his business, which he now views as a turning point that could have changed his career path. This built his resilience and industry insights, which later shaped his journey as an independent HR consultant.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Kamala vs. Trump USA Election: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed Kamala Harris stepping into the presidential race, and speculated on her potential policy directions and how her leadership might influence relations with Asia. The excitement around her candidacy and the shift in political dynamics were key points, along with how both parties still view being tough on China as beneficial.

​​Jeremy Au discussed the increasing intensity of "algostorms" - unpredictable social media “weather systems” driven by algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth. The Internet’s transition from human-centric, chronological forums to a volatile online environment where individuals are caught in fluctuating must-discuss trends manipulated by botnets, corporations, and professional influencers. He also drew parallels to the stock market, where algorithm-driven trading can cause flash crashes, leading to rapid market drops and recoveries. Some people trendjack to push their agendas, others unconsciously follow what seems to be majority opinion, and some seek refuge in genuine human interactions. He pointed out government actions to regulate content platforms and deploy Internet “circuit-breaker” blackouts, across Singapore, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Iran and Bangladesh. Acknowledging the power of online influence is the first step to taking back control over one’s reactions and gaining intentionality in the digital sphere.

Jeremy Tan, Managing Partner and Cofounder of Tin Men Capital, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points:

1. Cambridge Engineer & Harvard MBA: Jeremy Tan shared his journey from a playful student to getting into a life-changing education at Cambridge. His early life goal of becoming a refinery chemical engineer shifted after a pivotal internship, which propelled him into finance with Morgan Stanley investment banking and later private equity. Getting an MBA at Harvard Business School opened up many doors for him, especially in building a global alumni network that later allowed him to secure essential early LP funding for his VC fund.

Jeremy Au listed the 3 reasons for joining Lucence, a startup leveraging next-generation sequencing AI for early cancer detection with a single blood test. He reflected on his teenage years grieving over a personal loss due to lymphoma. He contrasted the builder role with the job of a VC, with a different set of “atomic” work outcomes. He appreciates being "the dumbest person in the room” and learning from experts in genetics, medicine, and data science. This role fulfills his entrepreneurial energy with a strong sense of purpose: getting revenge on cancer, improving patient treatment outcomes and saving lives globally.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au talked about three main points:

1. Allianz Insurance Acquiring NTUC Income: Jeremy and Shiyan dissected the business logic and new facts that have emerged, especially regarding the current competition and performance challenges facing NTUC Income. They addressed the confusing public communications, emphasizing the need for transparent messaging to maintain stakeholder trust and societal confidence. They also reflected on the lessons for nonprofits and social enterprises regarding the importance of the constitution to safeguard social objectives.

Patrick Linden, Cofounder & Managing Partner of Match.Asia, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points:

1. Dealguru $34M Acquisition: Patrick shared his journey beginning from a small village in Germany to moving to Singapore and building iHipo, a platform to connect European students with opportunities in Southeast Asia. This early experience ignited his entrepreneurial passion, and he recounted the inception of Dealguru, an e-commerce platform inspired by the Daily Deal model. He described a strategic marketing stunt involving Starbucks vouchers that catapulted the platform into the public eye, which quickly established it as a key player in Singapore’s e-commerce sector.

Htay Aung, CEO & Founder of Anywheel, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. Early Inspiration and Challenges: Htay detailed his journey from an immigrant student facing cultural and language barriers in Singapore to becoming the founder of Anywheel. His initial inspiration came from dealing with traffic in Sydney and Singapore, which led to the idea of a bike-sharing service during his studies at the University of Sydney in 2017. He recounted the early challenges of integrating into a new culture and educational system, which shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ): They explored the potential impact of the upcoming Johor-Singapore SEZ agreement, scheduled for signing in November. The SEZ, which is more than 4 times the size of Singapore, is seen as an opportunity to deepen economic ties between the two regions by leveraging Singapore’s capital, technology, and skilled workforce alongside Johor’s land and infrastructure. They noted regulatory challenges such as Johor’s year-long permit approval process, which contrasts with quicker timelines in other Malaysian states like Selangor. Both emphasized that political cooperation across Malaysia's federal government, Singapore and Johor's state government & king would be essential to the SEZ’s success, particularly in attracting multinational corporations (MNCs) and improving labor mobility across the border. They discussed the anticipated real estate developments, economic forecasts and potential surge in cross-border economic activities.

Borko Kovacevic, Cofounder of Poddster, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Serbia Childhood to Singapore: Borko reflected on his childhood in Serbia during the 1980s and 1990s, witnessing both Yugoslavia's prosperity and the hardships of the Bosnian and Kosovo wars. Economic instability and rising crime taught him street smarts and resilience, values he now aims to instill in his children, who are growing up in Singapore’s safety. He stressed the importance of teaching gratitude and perseverance despite their comfort, helping them appreciate hard work and innovation. Borko contrasted his challenging upbringing with his children’s blessings, focusing on how to nurture their development without fostering complacency.

Jeremy Au explored the evolution of technology marketing and how marketers have adapted to communicate complex innovations effectively. He began by referencing sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke’s 1974 “crazy” prediction about how their room-sized computers would eventually shrink to the size of briefcases and that people would eventually be able to work from anywhere in the world. Early software marketers like WordStar focused on explaining and promoting “groundbreaking” features, such as moving text blocks—capabilities that were previously unimaginable with typewriters. Jeremy emphasized that while technology continues to advance, the core human desires for status, security, and convenience remain unchanged. Companies like Apple, with products like the augmented reality Vision Pro and Apple Watch, and Dyson have mastered the art of blending functionality with premium status to appeal to early adopters and affluent consumers. He concluded by noting that despite the shifting landscape of technology -from floppy disks to cryptocurrency and AI companions - the fundamental marketing strategy endures: simplify the message and prioritize solving immediate consumer needs, a timeless approach evident in both historic and modern claims of achieving 10x disruptive improvements vs. the pain of the status quo.

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of  Hustle Fund, and ​​Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Singapore Vetoes Allianz $4.4B Insurer Acquisition: They discussed the Singapore government’s veto of the NTUC Income and Allianz merger, primarily over concerns of an undisclosed plan for $2B capital withdrawal post-merger. This case illustrated the delicate balance required between pursuing financial strategies and adhering to a social mission, especially in a cooperative structure transitioning to a corporatized entity.

Michael Chua, Award-Winning Actor, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Consultant to Award-Winning Actor at Age 50: Michael had a a long and successful career as a technology consultant traveling across Europe. At the age of 50, he was talent-scouted through a Facebook photo to become an actor. His curiosity exploring a new creative field quickly blossomed into a successful career, with over 400 acting credits and several awards, including Best Actor and Best Film at the Singapore International Film Festival. He shared his experience learning to act in films like Ilo Ilo which won the prestigious Camera d'Or award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and the 50th Golden Horse Awards in 2014. He also discussed his experience acting in popular YouTube shows like Titan Academy led by JianHao (7.5 million subscribers).

Johann Wah, President & Cofounder of Nika.eco, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Student Founder Beginnings: While attending Yale-NUS, Johann founded a sustainable apparel company to pay for his university expenses and dates with his now-wife. The business started gaining traction after a Straits Times article featured their eco-friendly fabrics, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to canceled orders and an overwhelming inventory. Faced with financial challenges, he borrowed money from friends and family to meet his Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for the fabrics. When B2C sales dried up, he pivoted to B2B, cold calling and knocking on doors of corporations with sustainability mandates. After three months of high risk, he secured contracts with Western multi-national corporations headquartered in Singapore that allowed him to clear his debts and pay for his university fees.