DJ Tan, CTO & Cofounder of Prefer, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics:

1. Government Food Scientist: DJ recounted his early fascination with science and his studies in chemistry at UCL, leading to a focus on food science at Singapore's ASTAR government lab. He shared how his academic and laboratory experiences shaped his decision to experiment at the frontier of what humans eat and drink and merge rigorous scientific methods with innovative culinary practices. He discussed the challenges that novel food products face, particularly in achieving cost parity and consumer acceptance regarding taste.

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.

Jingjing Zhong, CEO & Cofounder of Superbench, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:

1. UC Berkeley to Investment Banking: Jingjing reflected on her time at UC Berkeley where the competitive environment introduced her to the high-stakes world of investment banking. She shared her initial motivation for joining Houlihan Lokey, which was to make money (influenced by societal expectations from her upbringing in China). Her experience in the financial sector led to a significant reevaluation of her definition of success and steered her away from banking despite its financial allure.

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

1. Disney+ Arbitration PR Crisis: A woman died from an allergic reaction after eating at a Disney-affiliated restaurant. The husband sued Disney for "wrongful death" and $50,000+ of damages. Disney in May 2024 alleged that the husband accepted a forced arbitration agreement when signing up for Disney Plus in 2019. This caused a firestorm of public criticism about the company's accountability. The hosts discuss the broader implications of such legal strategies on public trust and branding, and Disney's withdrawal of this legal case serves as a cautionary tale about balancing tactical legal defenses with keeping a broader strategic eye.

Raditya (Dito) Wibowo, CEO & Founder of MAKA Motors, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Gojek Chief Transportation Officer: Raditya describes his seven-year tenure rise from managing a nascent on-demand transportation service from the modest two-story home HQ with only 2 toilets to becoming Chief Transport Officer. Developing Gojek's first dynamic pricing algorithm was key to beating competition from traditional and emerging tech players. His strategic thinking was pivotal in navigating these emerging problems, including how to navigate the demand vs. supply aspects of Ramadan.

Serena Lam, CEO & Cofounder of Fuzzy Sequence, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. IBM to SaaS Founder: Serena described her seven-year tenure at IBM, where she tackled diverse strategic roles across the U.S., China, and India. This experience provided her with a robust foundation in technology and business strategy, crucial for her later ventures. She emphasized the comfort and security of a well-structured corporate environment, noting how it fostered her ability to save and enjoy a reliable income, which contrasted with the uncertainties of startup life.

Rob Snyder, Founder of Reframe, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. McKinsey to Harvard MBA Founder: Rob detailed his initial career moves from political philosophy to starting at McKinsey, where he developed critical analytical skills and professional discipline. His time at Harvard Business School was shaped by the “Founder's Journey” course, which provided a realistic portrayal of the challenges in entrepreneurship through case studies and alumni insights, preparing him for t ing Product-Market Fit: Rob's strenuous two year journey to identify product-market fit was marked by numerous strategy pivots. Direct customer feedback led to a streamlined product offering and catalyzed a growth spurt, increasing revenue from zero to $4 million ARR. He shared on how and why psychological barriers like confirmation bias were harder to overcome than the actual pivots.

Oscar Jesionek, CEO & Cofounder of Fonos, and Jeremy Au discussed:

1. Austria Digital Nomad to Vietnam Founder: Oscar traces his entrepreneurial path, starting from his academic background in economics in Austria to his diverse professional experiences in headhunting, healthcare, and finance. His early career was a period of self-discovery, where he evaluated various sectors and geographies before narrowing his focus to roles that aligned with his values and desire for social impact. Oscar shares how these experiences, along with a growing dissatisfaction with conventional industries, led him to Vietnam, where he found a deeper sense of purpose through entrepreneurship.