Channel Title: BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast with Jeremy Au Channel Description: Learn from Southeast Asia's best tech leaders. Build the future, learn from our past & stay human in between. No B.S on success. Southeast Asia's #1 startup & venture capital podcast with 60,000+ listeners. Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solve all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders. Published on Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6am (Singapore Time). Monday: Weekly tech news & debate with Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund (40min). Wednesday: Changemaker interviews. Friday: Bite-sized insights and Q&As. Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast. Pro bono resources and training for founders. Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com <video> Leveraging Global Opportunities for Startups Description: Valeri Vu, Founding Partner at Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Vietnam Likes Trump Win: Valerie analyzed the positive local sentiment towards Trump’s recent U.S. presidential win in 2024. She highlighted the $100 billion trade surplus Vietnam holds with the U.S. which brings potential American tariff risks, with a potential Vietnamese counterproposal to balance the trade relationship by purchasing defense and technology goods, such as aircraf. Trump’s hawkish stance on China indirectly benefits Vietnam by encouraging manufacturing shifts, but also brings challenges for maintaining stable trade relationships. Valerie highlighted Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” referencing recent efforts by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to engage with both the U.S. and China. 2. China Factory Relocation: The discussion focused on Vietnam’s growing role as a manufacturing hub, fueled by U.S. tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. Valerie detailed how relocations, including consumer electronics factories, are concentrated in industrial parks in Bac Ninh (North) and Binh Duong (South), benefiting Vietnam’s manufacturing share, which currently stands at 2–3% globally. However, challenges persist, such as workforce skill gaps, rising coal consumption, and environmental concerns like air pollution. Vietnam is targeting growth in high-tech sectors, such as AI and software, to diversify its economic base. She also predicted that domestic consumption in Vietnam, currently sluggish due to lingering effects of a real estate crisis, will recover in 2025 as the economy stabilizes. 3. Startup Protectionism & Opportunities: Valerie outlined how local startups struggle to compete with international e-commerce giants like Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Temu, which dominate Vietnam’s market through aggressive pricing and logistics advantages. Local platforms such as Tiki and Sendo have seen their market shares eroded, a stark contrast to Indonesia, where protectionist policies like banning Temu have shielded domestic players. She highlighted the rise of Vietnamese diaspora founders, like Pham Nhat Vuong of Vingroup, who are returning to Vietnam with global experience to build competitive ventures. Valerie stressed the need for startups to go global to thrive, citing successful Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyen Coffee. She noted that SMEs face significant challenges as global competition intensifies, but startups targeting cross-border opportunities, especially in Southeast Asia, show promise. === Valerie founded Ansible Ventures, a seed fund dedicated to Vietnam in 2022. Previously, she served as Vietnam Country Head for Venturra Capital, where she led over a dozen investments from 2020 to early 2022. From 2016 to 2019, she worked at Deloitte U.S. as a senior consultant where she advised hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment management clients. Valerie graduated magna cum laude in 2016 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a major in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Pennsylvania. She also founded Career Opportunities in Vietnam (COVN), providing advice to aspiring professionals and co-hosted Forward Vietnam Podcast. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #VietnamEconomy #ManufacturingShift #StartupsVsGiants #USChinaTrade #GlobalAmbitions </video> <video> Why Stability in Two Wheelers Wins Honda's Success? Description: ZQ, Cofounder of Sleek EV, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Electric Vehicle Founder Passion: ZQ shared his unconventional path from university studies to co-founding Sleek EV. Pivotal milestones include being inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial roots and self-discovery traveling in a self-renovated solar-powered van and a NUS Overseas Colleges internship in New York. Two years after launching, the company has grown to 90 employees and deployed over 3,000 electric motorcycles across Southeast Asia, with its operations hub based in Bangkok. 2. Thailand EV Market Selection: ZQ chose Thailand over other Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, due to the centralized market, strong motorcycle culture, and rapid adoption of new technologies making it an ideal entry point. ZQ highlighted the challenges of competing with established brands like Honda, which dominates 80% of the local market, and the importance of designing an affordable and reliable product to meet consumer demands. He also discussed the evolving EV ecosystem, emphasizing partnerships with local manufacturers, the role of CATL batteries, and the complexities of developing a standardized charging infrastructure. 3. Balancing Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship: ZQ reflected on the challenges of managing his dual roles as an entrepreneur and a father to his two-year-old daughter. He candidly shared the sacrifices his family has made, including long periods away from home and financial uncertainties. Despite the difficulties, ZQ emphasized that fatherhood has enhanced his leadership skills and emotional resilience, helping him grow personally and professionally. He also discussed his belief in allowing his child the freedom to choose her own path, supporting her dreams—whether entrepreneurial or otherwise. They also discussed the role of ESG values in driving Sleek EV’s mission, challenges in scaling a hardware vs. software startups and the future of EV charging infrastructure for mass adoption. === Zhang Quan (ZQ) is the co-founder and COO of Sleek EV, one of the fastest-growing electric motorcycle companies in Southeast Asia. With over five years of experience in the electric motorcycle industry, ZQ has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of sustainable transportation. Before launching Sleek EV, he co-founded companies that distributed various electric motorcycle brands and developed Thailand's first digital financing platform for electric motorcycle hire purchase. A passionate advocate for the startup ecosystem, ZQ has held positions at tech companies such as Klook in Singapore and collaborated with pioneering Spotify team members in New York City to establish a social networking app, which attracted over 300,000 users within just six months. Currently, he balances his professional commitments with family life, shuttling between Bangkok and Singapore. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #Entrepreneurship #EVRevolution #SoutheastAsia #SustainableInnovation #WorkLifeBalance </video> <video> Expanding Beyond Borders to Southeast Asia Description: Valeri Vu, Founding Partner at Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Vietnam Likes Trump Win: Valerie analyzed the positive local sentiment towards Trump’s recent U.S. presidential win in 2024. She highlighted the $100 billion trade surplus Vietnam holds with the U.S. which brings potential American tariff risks, with a potential Vietnamese counterproposal to balance the trade relationship by purchasing defense and technology goods, such as aircraf. Trump’s hawkish stance on China indirectly benefits Vietnam by encouraging manufacturing shifts, but also brings challenges for maintaining stable trade relationships. Valerie highlighted Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” referencing recent efforts by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to engage with both the U.S. and China. 2. China Factory Relocation: The discussion focused on Vietnam’s growing role as a manufacturing hub, fueled by U.S. tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. Valerie detailed how relocations, including consumer electronics factories, are concentrated in industrial parks in Bac Ninh (North) and Binh Duong (South), benefiting Vietnam’s manufacturing share, which currently stands at 2–3% globally. However, challenges persist, such as workforce skill gaps, rising coal consumption, and environmental concerns like air pollution. Vietnam is targeting growth in high-tech sectors, such as AI and software, to diversify its economic base. She also predicted that domestic consumption in Vietnam, currently sluggish due to lingering effects of a real estate crisis, will recover in 2025 as the economy stabilizes. 3. Startup Protectionism & Opportunities: Valerie outlined how local startups struggle to compete with international e-commerce giants like Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Temu, which dominate Vietnam’s market through aggressive pricing and logistics advantages. Local platforms such as Tiki and Sendo have seen their market shares eroded, a stark contrast to Indonesia, where protectionist policies like banning Temu have shielded domestic players. She highlighted the rise of Vietnamese diaspora founders, like Pham Nhat Vuong of Vingroup, who are returning to Vietnam with global experience to build competitive ventures. Valerie stressed the need for startups to go global to thrive, citing successful Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyen Coffee. She noted that SMEs face significant challenges as global competition intensifies, but startups targeting cross-border opportunities, especially in Southeast Asia, show promise. === Valerie founded Ansible Ventures, a seed fund dedicated to Vietnam in 2022. Previously, she served as Vietnam Country Head for Venturra Capital, where she led over a dozen investments from 2020 to early 2022. From 2016 to 2019, she worked at Deloitte U.S. as a senior consultant where she advised hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment management clients. Valerie graduated magna cum laude in 2016 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a major in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Pennsylvania. She also founded Career Opportunities in Vietnam (COVN), providing advice to aspiring professionals and co-hosted Forward Vietnam Podcast. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #VietnamEconomy #ManufacturingShift #StartupsVsGiants #USChinaTrade #GlobalAmbitions </video> <video> The Health Expenses and Bankruptcy Description: Edward Booty, Founder of reach52, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Health Access For 6M Lives: Edward Booty, CEO of reach52, shared how the company addresses healthcare gaps in rural and underserved regions across Asia and Africa. Initially conceptualized during Edward’s travels in India, reach52 shifted from a tech-heavy model reliant on shared kiosks to a comprehensive platform empowering local health workers. The organization uses data-driven tools to map community health needs and deliver targeted interventions, improving access to essential medicines and education. By 2023, reach52 had impacted over 6 million lives across seven countries, aiming to expand further into Africa due to extreme medication price disparities—sometimes 30 times higher than in the UK. 2. reach52 Business Model: Edward detailed the complexities of balancing impact and profitability as a social enterprise. reach52 operates on dual funding—corporate sponsorships and distribution margins from affordable medicines. He highlighted systemic challenges like fragmented impact measurement frameworks and vested interests in rural markets, which can hinder scale. Edward underscored the importance of embracing market complexities, such as regulatory engagement and supply chain management, to achieve scalable impact without diluting the mission. 3. Social Enterprise Perceptions: The conversation explored how perceptions of social enterprises have evolved over the past decade. While “social business” was trendy in the 2010s, health equity has become the focal point in global discourse. Edward reflected on navigating fluctuating funding priorities, avoiding inauthentic rebranding to chase trends, and staying committed to Reach 52's mission of health access for underserved communities. They also discussed the role of training in empowering unpaid health workers, collaborative models with governments and NGOs to scale local health solutions and the economic impact of health expenditures on poverty in rural regions. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia:https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #HealthEquity #AffordableMedicine #SocialEnterprise #GlobalHealthcare #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEPodcast </video> <video> China: Trump vs. BRICS & Exporters, Singles' Day 11/11 eCommerce, Suzhou Industrial Parks - E506 Description: Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Singles' Day 11/11 eCommerce: Jianggan shared his recent immersion trip to Hangzhou, where he observed China’s vibrant e-commerce and live commerce sectors. With Singles’ Day on November 11 approaching, he noted how this biggest shopping holiday in China has influenced shopping behaviors across Southeast Asia. Major platforms like Lazada and Shopee now promote Singles’ Day regionally and have inspired monthly events like 10.10 and 9.9 sales, reflecting how Chinese shopping culture has permeated the region’s markets. These frequent sales resonate with local consumers, and the rise of “payday promotions” as SEA brands continually invent new reasons to engage consumers between big sale events. This trend has raised demand for popular Chinese products, which occasionally leads to counterfeit goods, such as longjing "dragon well" tea.. He also highlights a visit to a logistics center in China, where human workers sort 3.5 million parcels daily, which rise to 8 million at peak periods, significantly contrasting Southeast Asia's relatively lower volume. 2. Trump vs. BRICS & Exporters: Reflecting on the US-China trade war, they outlined how supply chain shifts began during the 2016 Trump administration when tariffs on Chinese exports pushed some manufacturers to relocate to Vietnam and Cambodia. Although challenging, this diversification trend was essential for reducing tariff exposure and mitigating political risk. Chinese founders had to overcome frauds and scams in these frontier markets. The recent BRICS summit, with Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand joining as partners, highlights a shift toward a multi-polar economic strategy. A handshake between Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit indicated efforts to ease border tensions while China maintained its role as India’s largest trading partner. 3. Singapore Suzhou Industrial Parks & Hangzhou: They examined the role of regional industrial parks, with a focus on the Suzhou Industrial Park, a collaboration with Singapore that set a model for attracting FDI and spurred local development. Both Jiangsu (Suzhou) and Zhejiang (Hangzhou) provinces now lead China’s wealthiest regions, each with a GDP per capita of about $20,000, double the national average. Suzhou’s FDI-driven approach contrasts with Zhejiang’s privatized clusters, where private entrepreneurs, such as those in Yiwu, naturally formed their own industries. This economic contrast highlights how both regions have fostered complementary ecosystems, with distinct founder “vibes” reflecting diverse business cultures. Jeremy and Jianggan also discussed why China is holding off on a fiscal stimulus till America's election results, how Singaporean brands are entering America's “affordable luxury” niches which align with America’s higher GDP per capita, and the expansion of Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee and Chagee into the US market. === Jianggan Li is the Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, a Singapore-headquartered venture outfit. Prior to founding Momentum Works, he co-founded Easy Taxi in Asia, and served as Managing Director of Foodpanda. He is also the co-author of the book Seeing the Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants' Global Venturing. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a degree in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. Apart from English and his native Mandarin, he is also fluent in French and conversational in Cantonese & Spanish. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ trump-vs-brics-exporters 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities </video> <video> Tony Pang: Veteran EdTech Founder Journey, Rise of Chinese Language, Risk vs. Resilience - E508 Description: Tony Pang, founder of IME International Mandarin Education, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Veteran EdTech Founder Journey: Tony shared his evolution from a Boston University graduate to a seasoned entrepreneur. After working at Toshiba in Japan during its economic peak, he returned to Hong Kong in the 1990s to launch eSchool, a corporate e-learning platform during the dot-com boom. Despite the bubble burst, he bought back his shares and sold the company to a larger firm. In 2005, he sold his Mandarin training company—the largest in Hong Kong—to The Washington Post. Tony also broke new ground in 2001 by collaborating with Disney to design the world’s first Disneyfied mobile phone, rebuilding hardware and software from scratch. This experience highlighted his focus on innovation, calculated risks, and leveraging partnerships for success. 2. Rise of Chinese Language Learning: Tony explored the growing demand for Mandarin as a second language, driven by China’s global influence, particularly in ASEAN countries. He contrasted Eastern cultures’ preference for assessment-driven learning with the West’s more relaxed approach. Through IME, Tony uses edtech to make HSK assessments accessible, affordable, and engaging globally, addressing challenges like fragmented demand and the Ministry of Education’s reliance on outdated models. He noted that improving accessibility can unlock significant latent demand, even in regions where Mandarin is not traditionally popular. 3. Risk vs. Resilience: Tony emphasized the importance of calculated risks and identifying a unique competitive edge. He shared lessons from his Disney mobile phone project, showing how entrepreneurs can thrive against larger competitors by focusing on niche markets and innovative solutions. He encouraged resilience through perseverance, leveraging resources, and aligning strategies with long-term goals. Jeremy and Tony also touched on the role of luck in entrepreneurial success, generational shifts toward multilingualism and geographic trends in Mandarin language adoption. === Tony Pang, based in Hong Kong and founder of International Mandarin Education (IME), is an accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record in education and e-learning. With over 20 years of expertise in Mandarin education, he specializes in information systems and assessment. His strong connections with the Ministry of Education of China (MOE) underscore his pivotal role at the intersection of education and technology. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ chinese-language-learning-boom 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #MandarinLearning #EdTechInnovation #EntrepreneurshipJourney #GlobalAccessibility #LanguageEducation </video> <video> The effect of revolutionizing the EV Charging Description: ZQ, Cofounder of Sleek EV, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Electric Vehicle Founder Passion: ZQ shared his unconventional path from university studies to co-founding Sleek EV. Pivotal milestones include being inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial roots and self-discovery traveling in a self-renovated solar-powered van and a NUS Overseas Colleges internship in New York. Two years after launching, the company has grown to 90 employees and deployed over 3,000 electric motorcycles across Southeast Asia, with its operations hub based in Bangkok. 2. Thailand EV Market Selection: ZQ chose Thailand over other Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, due to the centralized market, strong motorcycle culture, and rapid adoption of new technologies making it an ideal entry point. ZQ highlighted the challenges of competing with established brands like Honda, which dominates 80% of the local market, and the importance of designing an affordable and reliable product to meet consumer demands. He also discussed the evolving EV ecosystem, emphasizing partnerships with local manufacturers, the role of CATL batteries, and the complexities of developing a standardized charging infrastructure. 3. Balancing Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship: ZQ reflected on the challenges of managing his dual roles as an entrepreneur and a father to his two-year-old daughter. He candidly shared the sacrifices his family has made, including long periods away from home and financial uncertainties. Despite the difficulties, ZQ emphasized that fatherhood has enhanced his leadership skills and emotional resilience, helping him grow personally and professionally. He also discussed his belief in allowing his child the freedom to choose her own path, supporting her dreams—whether entrepreneurial or otherwise. They also discussed the role of ESG values in driving Sleek EV’s mission, challenges in scaling a hardware vs. software startups and the future of EV charging infrastructure for mass adoption. === Zhang Quan (ZQ) is the co-founder and COO of Sleek EV, one of the fastest-growing electric motorcycle companies in Southeast Asia. With over five years of experience in the electric motorcycle industry, ZQ has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of sustainable transportation. Before launching Sleek EV, he co-founded companies that distributed various electric motorcycle brands and developed Thailand's first digital financing platform for electric motorcycle hire purchase. A passionate advocate for the startup ecosystem, ZQ has held positions at tech companies such as Klook in Singapore and collaborated with pioneering Spotify team members in New York City to establish a social networking app, which attracted over 300,000 users within just six months. Currently, he balances his professional commitments with family life, shuttling between Bangkok and Singapore. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #Entrepreneurship #EVRevolution #SoutheastAsia #SustainableInnovation #WorkLifeBalance </video> <video> The Shocking Truth About Medicine Prices Description: Edward Booty, Founder of reach52, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Health Access For 6M Lives: Edward Booty, CEO of reach52, shared how the company addresses healthcare gaps in rural and underserved regions across Asia and Africa. Initially conceptualized during Edward’s travels in India, reach52 shifted from a tech-heavy model reliant on shared kiosks to a comprehensive platform empowering local health workers. The organization uses data-driven tools to map community health needs and deliver targeted interventions, improving access to essential medicines and education. By 2023, reach52 had impacted over 6 million lives across seven countries, aiming to expand further into Africa due to extreme medication price disparities—sometimes 30 times higher than in the UK. 2. reach52 Business Model: Edward detailed the complexities of balancing impact and profitability as a social enterprise. reach52 operates on dual funding—corporate sponsorships and distribution margins from affordable medicines. He highlighted systemic challenges like fragmented impact measurement frameworks and vested interests in rural markets, which can hinder scale. Edward underscored the importance of embracing market complexities, such as regulatory engagement and supply chain management, to achieve scalable impact without diluting the mission. 3. Social Enterprise Perceptions: The conversation explored how perceptions of social enterprises have evolved over the past decade. While “social business” was trendy in the 2010s, health equity has become the focal point in global discourse. Edward reflected on navigating fluctuating funding priorities, avoiding inauthentic rebranding to chase trends, and staying committed to Reach 52's mission of health access for underserved communities. They also discussed the role of training in empowering unpaid health workers, collaborative models with governments and NGOs to scale local health solutions and the economic impact of health expenditures on poverty in rural regions. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia:https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #HealthEquity #AffordableMedicine #SocialEnterprise #GlobalHealthcare #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEPodcast </video> <video> AI Driven Books for Kids Description: Xiaoyin Qu, founder and CEO of Heeyo.ai, and Jeremy Au discussed: Facebook Product Manager to Stanford MBA Dropout Founder: Xiaoyin shared her journey from Shandong, China to studying at Pomona College in 2009, part of an early wave of Chinese students pursuing U.S. undergraduate degrees. Initially focused on economics, her career pivot to computer science was inspired by an internship at Atlassian, then a small startup. Her subsequent Product Manager role at Facebook with Instagram’s early product management team of 20–30 members in 2014 introduced her to Silicon Valley’s dynamics of scaling tech platforms. Xiaoyin reflected on reconciling cultural differences, including her Confucian upbringing and Silicon Valley’s fast-paced, innovation-driven ethos. She shared why she joined Stanford MBA, and why she dropped out to be a founder Run The World Pandemic Learnings: Xiaoyin recounted founding her virtual events startup in 2019 with a term sheet from Andreessen Horowitz. Launching the platform in February 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the company experienced explosive demand, scaling from 10 to 50 employees by year’s end. A viral TechCrunch article highlighted their services, drawing hundreds of clients daily. However, Xiaoyin noted the high churn rates in the events industry and the challenges of sustaining growth post-pandemic. Reflecting on the “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) era, she discussed the pressures of over-hiring and subsequent layoffs, lessons that now guide her to focus on strategic agility and resource efficiency, particularly as economic conditions evolve. Heeyo AI Generation Alpha Education: Xiaoyin’s current venture, Heeyo.ai, focuses on AI-driven interactive education for children aged 3 to 11. Inspired by her upbringing and fascination with technology, the platform uses text-to-speech and large language models to support over 30 languages, serving users in 100+ countries. Heeyo.ai allows parents to customize educational content, incorporating values and interests like STEM, social-emotional learning, and cultural heritage. This design ensures the platform resonates with Gen Alpha, a tech-savvy generation naturally integrating AI into their daily lives. Xiaoyin emphasized safety, age-appropriateness, and ethical AI interactions, supported by child psychologists and educators. She also highlighted AI’s potential to democratize education globally, addressing disparities and providing personalized learning experiences. They also discussed the role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future, cultural customization of AI tools to reflect personal values and evolving educational approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence and social learning. In addition to these main points, Jeremy and Xiaoyin briefly explored several other themes: - The role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future. - Cultural customization of AI tools to reflect regional and personal values. - The impact of “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) on startup hiring practices during COVID-19. === Xiaoyin Qu is the founder and CEO of heeyo.ai which provides interactive AI tutor and playmate for kids aged 3-11 and is funded by OpenAI. Prior to Heeyo, Xiaoyin Qu founded Run The World, a leader in virtual events software and was awarded Inc's Top 100 Female Founder and Fast Company's Most Innovative Company in events. She was a Stanford MBA dropout. She co-founded Stoooges Education, a leading College Admissions Consulting firm in China when she was 19. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #AIinEducation #StartupJourney #FutureofLearning #TechInnovation #VirtualEvents </video> <video> Vietnam vs. Thailand vs Indonesia on Technology growth! Description: ZQ, Cofounder of Sleek EV, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Electric Vehicle Founder Passion: ZQ shared his unconventional path from university studies to co-founding Sleek EV. Pivotal milestones include being inspired by his parents’ entrepreneurial roots and self-discovery traveling in a self-renovated solar-powered van and a NUS Overseas Colleges internship in New York. Two years after launching, the company has grown to 90 employees and deployed over 3,000 electric motorcycles across Southeast Asia, with its operations hub based in Bangkok. 2. Thailand EV Market Selection: ZQ chose Thailand over other Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, due to the centralized market, strong motorcycle culture, and rapid adoption of new technologies making it an ideal entry point. ZQ highlighted the challenges of competing with established brands like Honda, which dominates 80% of the local market, and the importance of designing an affordable and reliable product to meet consumer demands. He also discussed the evolving EV ecosystem, emphasizing partnerships with local manufacturers, the role of CATL batteries, and the complexities of developing a standardized charging infrastructure. 3. Balancing Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship: ZQ reflected on the challenges of managing his dual roles as an entrepreneur and a father to his two-year-old daughter. He candidly shared the sacrifices his family has made, including long periods away from home and financial uncertainties. Despite the difficulties, ZQ emphasized that fatherhood has enhanced his leadership skills and emotional resilience, helping him grow personally and professionally. He also discussed his belief in allowing his child the freedom to choose her own path, supporting her dreams—whether entrepreneurial or otherwise. They also discussed the role of ESG values in driving Sleek EV’s mission, challenges in scaling a hardware vs. software startups and the future of EV charging infrastructure for mass adoption. === Zhang Quan (ZQ) is the co-founder and COO of Sleek EV, one of the fastest-growing electric motorcycle companies in Southeast Asia. With over five years of experience in the electric motorcycle industry, ZQ has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of sustainable transportation. Before launching Sleek EV, he co-founded companies that distributed various electric motorcycle brands and developed Thailand's first digital financing platform for electric motorcycle hire purchase. A passionate advocate for the startup ecosystem, ZQ has held positions at tech companies such as Klook in Singapore and collaborated with pioneering Spotify team members in New York City to establish a social networking app, which attracted over 300,000 users within just six months. Currently, he balances his professional commitments with family life, shuttling between Bangkok and Singapore. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thailand-electric-vehicles 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #Entrepreneurship #EVRevolution #SoutheastAsia #SustainableInnovation #WorkLifeBalance </video> <video> Clement Pang: Google Engineer to $400M Exit, “Diamond Age” Education AI, Gen Z Future - E507 Description: Clement Pang, cofounder of Lirvana Labs and Jeremy Au explored: 1. Google Engineer to $400M Exit Clement detailed his journey from a computer science graduate at Rice University in 2004 to starting at Google during its IPO phase and later GLMX in 2007 to build a financial trading platform as a founding engineer. In 2012, he co-founded Wayfront, an observability SaaS company that filled a gap in system monitoring. Early customers included Workday, Yammer, and Lyft, and the platform eventually scaled to serve companies like Reddit and DoorDash. Wayfront’s acquisition by VMware in 2017 for $400 million provided Clement with invaluable lessons about scaling cross-functional teams and handling millions of data points per second. He emphasized minimizing dependency on external factors, a lesson learned from GLMX’s reliance on interest rates, and aligning teams with a clear vision—a skill he honed while managing 2,000 engineers at VMware. 2. “Diamond Age” Education AI: Drawing inspiration from Neil Stephenson’s The Diamond Age, Clement envisions AI as a tool to democratize education and approximate human tutors. In 2021, Clement co-founded Livano Labs with his sister to transform early childhood education using generative AI. Their app, Yeti Confetti Kids, launched in 2022, targets children aged 3 to 9, teaching math, English, and social-emotional skills. AI designs personalized learning experiences instead of relying on pre-set algorithms. Feedback loops enabled the AI to improve its outputs by analyzing real-world usage data. He emphasized curriculum alignment for classroom settings, where AI must adhere to structured learning goals. 3. Gen Z Future: Clement reflected on how tools like ChatGPT are changing interpersonal communication, particularly for Gen Z. He drew parallels to the introduction of calculators in education, noting how technological tools shift norms and practices. He discussed AI’s role as a sounding board for personal and professional problem-solving, encouraging users to engage critically with its outputs while leveraging its strengths. They also discussed lessons from Clement’s experiences managing cross-functional teams during Wayfront’s rapid growth, how decreasing costs are enabling scalable applications like Yeti Confetti Kids, and the role of AI in enhancing collaboration and decision-making. === Clement Pang is a serial entrepreneur (400MM in exits) and current co-founder and co-CEO of Lirvana Labs, a startup that created an AI Learning Companion to teach children the critical literacy and reasoning skills that change lives and destinies. With over 17 years of experience in software engineering, architecture, and leadership, Clement is passionate about building purposeful products that leverage the power of AI and data to solve real-world problems and improve human well-being. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ google-engineer-to-400M-exit Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ google-engineer-to-400M-exit 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ google-engineer-to-400M-exit Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ google-engineer-to-400M-exit 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #Startups #GenerativeAI #Leadership #EducationTech #Entrepreneurship </video> <video> Affordable Medicines for East Africa! Description: Edward Booty, Founder of reach52, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Health Access For 6M Lives: Edward Booty, CEO of reach52, shared how the company addresses healthcare gaps in rural and underserved regions across Asia and Africa. Initially conceptualized during Edward’s travels in India, reach52 shifted from a tech-heavy model reliant on shared kiosks to a comprehensive platform empowering local health workers. The organization uses data-driven tools to map community health needs and deliver targeted interventions, improving access to essential medicines and education. By 2023, reach52 had impacted over 6 million lives across seven countries, aiming to expand further into Africa due to extreme medication price disparities—sometimes 30 times higher than in the UK. 2. reach52 Business Model: Edward detailed the complexities of balancing impact and profitability as a social enterprise. reach52 operates on dual funding—corporate sponsorships and distribution margins from affordable medicines. He highlighted systemic challenges like fragmented impact measurement frameworks and vested interests in rural markets, which can hinder scale. Edward underscored the importance of embracing market complexities, such as regulatory engagement and supply chain management, to achieve scalable impact without diluting the mission. 3. Social Enterprise Perceptions: The conversation explored how perceptions of social enterprises have evolved over the past decade. While “social business” was trendy in the 2010s, health equity has become the focal point in global discourse. Edward reflected on navigating fluctuating funding priorities, avoiding inauthentic rebranding to chase trends, and staying committed to Reach 52's mission of health access for underserved communities. They also discussed the role of training in empowering unpaid health workers, collaborative models with governments and NGOs to scale local health solutions and the economic impact of health expenditures on poverty in rural regions. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://www.bravesea@gmail.com/health-access-for-6M-lives 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia:https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #HealthEquity #AffordableMedicine #SocialEnterprise #GlobalHealthcare #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEPodcast </video> <video> Our AI Interactive Tutor for Kids Description: Xiaoyin Qu, founder and CEO of Heeyo.ai, and Jeremy Au discussed: Facebook Product Manager to Stanford MBA Dropout Founder: Xiaoyin shared her journey from Shandong, China to studying at Pomona College in 2009, part of an early wave of Chinese students pursuing U.S. undergraduate degrees. Initially focused on economics, her career pivot to computer science was inspired by an internship at Atlassian, then a small startup. Her subsequent Product Manager role at Facebook with Instagram’s early product management team of 20–30 members in 2014 introduced her to Silicon Valley’s dynamics of scaling tech platforms. Xiaoyin reflected on reconciling cultural differences, including her Confucian upbringing and Silicon Valley’s fast-paced, innovation-driven ethos. She shared why she joined Stanford MBA, and why she dropped out to be a founder Run The World Pandemic Learnings: Xiaoyin recounted founding her virtual events startup in 2019 with a term sheet from Andreessen Horowitz. Launching the platform in February 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the company experienced explosive demand, scaling from 10 to 50 employees by year’s end. A viral TechCrunch article highlighted their services, drawing hundreds of clients daily. However, Xiaoyin noted the high churn rates in the events industry and the challenges of sustaining growth post-pandemic. Reflecting on the “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) era, she discussed the pressures of over-hiring and subsequent layoffs, lessons that now guide her to focus on strategic agility and resource efficiency, particularly as economic conditions evolve. Heeyo AI Generation Alpha Education: Xiaoyin’s current venture, Heeyo.ai, focuses on AI-driven interactive education for children aged 3 to 11. Inspired by her upbringing and fascination with technology, the platform uses text-to-speech and large language models to support over 30 languages, serving users in 100+ countries. Heeyo.ai allows parents to customize educational content, incorporating values and interests like STEM, social-emotional learning, and cultural heritage. This design ensures the platform resonates with Gen Alpha, a tech-savvy generation naturally integrating AI into their daily lives. Xiaoyin emphasized safety, age-appropriateness, and ethical AI interactions, supported by child psychologists and educators. She also highlighted AI’s potential to democratize education globally, addressing disparities and providing personalized learning experiences. They also discussed the role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future, cultural customization of AI tools to reflect personal values and evolving educational approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence and social learning. In addition to these main points, Jeremy and Xiaoyin briefly explored several other themes: - The role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future. - Cultural customization of AI tools to reflect regional and personal values. - The impact of “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) on startup hiring practices during COVID-19. === Xiaoyin Qu is the founder and CEO of heeyo.ai which provides interactive AI tutor and playmate for kids aged 3-11 and is funded by OpenAI. Prior to Heeyo, Xiaoyin Qu founded Run The World, a leader in virtual events software and was awarded Inc's Top 100 Female Founder and Fast Company's Most Innovative Company in events. She was a Stanford MBA dropout. She co-founded Stoooges Education, a leading College Admissions Consulting firm in China when she was 19. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #AIinEducation #StartupJourney #FutureofLearning #TechInnovation #VirtualEvents </video> <video> Thriving in the Age of AI Description: Xiaoyin Qu, founder and CEO of Heeyo.ai, and Jeremy Au discussed: Facebook Product Manager to Stanford MBA Dropout Founder: Xiaoyin shared her journey from Shandong, China to studying at Pomona College in 2009, part of an early wave of Chinese students pursuing U.S. undergraduate degrees. Initially focused on economics, her career pivot to computer science was inspired by an internship at Atlassian, then a small startup. Her subsequent Product Manager role at Facebook with Instagram’s early product management team of 20–30 members in 2014 introduced her to Silicon Valley’s dynamics of scaling tech platforms. Xiaoyin reflected on reconciling cultural differences, including her Confucian upbringing and Silicon Valley’s fast-paced, innovation-driven ethos. She shared why she joined Stanford MBA, and why she dropped out to be a founder Run The World Pandemic Learnings: Xiaoyin recounted founding her virtual events startup in 2019 with a term sheet from Andreessen Horowitz. Launching the platform in February 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the company experienced explosive demand, scaling from 10 to 50 employees by year’s end. A viral TechCrunch article highlighted their services, drawing hundreds of clients daily. However, Xiaoyin noted the high churn rates in the events industry and the challenges of sustaining growth post-pandemic. Reflecting on the “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) era, she discussed the pressures of over-hiring and subsequent layoffs, lessons that now guide her to focus on strategic agility and resource efficiency, particularly as economic conditions evolve. Heeyo AI Generation Alpha Education: Xiaoyin’s current venture, Heeyo.ai, focuses on AI-driven interactive education for children aged 3 to 11. Inspired by her upbringing and fascination with technology, the platform uses text-to-speech and large language models to support over 30 languages, serving users in 100+ countries. Heeyo.ai allows parents to customize educational content, incorporating values and interests like STEM, social-emotional learning, and cultural heritage. This design ensures the platform resonates with Gen Alpha, a tech-savvy generation naturally integrating AI into their daily lives. Xiaoyin emphasized safety, age-appropriateness, and ethical AI interactions, supported by child psychologists and educators. She also highlighted AI’s potential to democratize education globally, addressing disparities and providing personalized learning experiences. They also discussed the role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future, cultural customization of AI tools to reflect personal values and evolving educational approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence and social learning. In addition to these main points, Jeremy and Xiaoyin briefly explored several other themes: - The role of AI in fostering creativity as a key skill for the future. - Cultural customization of AI tools to reflect regional and personal values. - The impact of “zero interest rate policy” (ZIRP) on startup hiring practices during COVID-19. === Xiaoyin Qu is the founder and CEO of heeyo.ai which provides interactive AI tutor and playmate for kids aged 3-11 and is funded by OpenAI. Prior to Heeyo, Xiaoyin Qu founded Run The World, a leader in virtual events software and was awarded Inc's Top 100 Female Founder and Fast Company's Most Innovative Company in events. She was a Stanford MBA dropout. She co-founded Stoooges Education, a leading College Admissions Consulting firm in China when she was 19. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ gen-alpha-ai-educ 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #AIinEducation #StartupJourney #FutureofLearning #TechInnovation #VirtualEvents </video> <video> Is Chinese Manufacturing Moving South? Description: Valeri Vu, Founding Partner at Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Vietnam Likes Trump Win: Valerie analyzed the positive local sentiment towards Trump’s recent U.S. presidential win in 2024. She highlighted the $100 billion trade surplus Vietnam holds with the U.S. which brings potential American tariff risks, with a potential Vietnamese counterproposal to balance the trade relationship by purchasing defense and technology goods, such as aircraf. Trump’s hawkish stance on China indirectly benefits Vietnam by encouraging manufacturing shifts, but also brings challenges for maintaining stable trade relationships. Valerie highlighted Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” referencing recent efforts by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to engage with both the U.S. and China. 2. China Factory Relocation: The discussion focused on Vietnam’s growing role as a manufacturing hub, fueled by U.S. tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. Valerie detailed how relocations, including consumer electronics factories, are concentrated in industrial parks in Bac Ninh (North) and Binh Duong (South), benefiting Vietnam’s manufacturing share, which currently stands at 2–3% globally. However, challenges persist, such as workforce skill gaps, rising coal consumption, and environmental concerns like air pollution. Vietnam is targeting growth in high-tech sectors, such as AI and software, to diversify its economic base. She also predicted that domestic consumption in Vietnam, currently sluggish due to lingering effects of a real estate crisis, will recover in 2025 as the economy stabilizes. 3. Startup Protectionism & Opportunities: Valerie outlined how local startups struggle to compete with international e-commerce giants like Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Temu, which dominate Vietnam’s market through aggressive pricing and logistics advantages. Local platforms such as Tiki and Sendo have seen their market shares eroded, a stark contrast to Indonesia, where protectionist policies like banning Temu have shielded domestic players. She highlighted the rise of Vietnamese diaspora founders, like Pham Nhat Vuong of Vingroup, who are returning to Vietnam with global experience to build competitive ventures. Valerie stressed the need for startups to go global to thrive, citing successful Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyen Coffee. She noted that SMEs face significant challenges as global competition intensifies, but startups targeting cross-border opportunities, especially in Southeast Asia, show promise. === Valerie founded Ansible Ventures, a seed fund dedicated to Vietnam in 2022. Previously, she served as Vietnam Country Head for Venturra Capital, where she led over a dozen investments from 2020 to early 2022. From 2016 to 2019, she worked at Deloitte U.S. as a senior consultant where she advised hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment management clients. Valerie graduated magna cum laude in 2016 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a major in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Pennsylvania. She also founded Career Opportunities in Vietnam (COVN), providing advice to aspiring professionals and co-hosted Forward Vietnam Podcast. === Watch, listen or read the full insight at www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại www.bravesea.com/blog/ vietnam-likes-trump 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 Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 Learn more about Nika.eco! Reach out to info@nika.eco if you are a geospatial data scientist or climate researcher who is interested to partner on a pilot or research opportunities #VietnamEconomy #ManufacturingShift #StartupsVsGiants #USChinaTrade #GlobalAmbitions </video>

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Description

Learn from Southeast Asia's best tech leaders. Build the future, learn from our past & stay human in between. No B.S on success. Southeast Asia's #1 startup & venture capital podcast with 60,000+ listeners.

Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solve all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders.

Published on Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6am (Singapore Time). Monday: Weekly tech news & debate with Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund (40min). Wednesday: Changemaker interviews. Friday: Bite-sized insights and Q&As.

Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast. Pro bono resources and training for founders.

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

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