Asia Tech Podcast Michael Waitze Media

"I think Hong Kong is a very special city. I think the spirit of the people, it's been a very entrepreneurial city over whatever, 100 plus years...Hong Kong, at the end day also has a good capital markets environment, for fundraising, especially for companies that have good traction and whatnot, I think it's a great place to track capital." - Christopher Yu

The Asia Tech Podcast hosted Christopher Yu, the President and CFO at KPay Group. Chris shared his journey from investment banking to the entrepreneurial sector, highlighting his transition from a generalist in the corporate realm to embracing more entrepreneurial challenges. It was a really cool conversation.

Some of the topics that Chris highlighted in detail included:


The strength found in a longstanding partnership among KPay's founders, who have been together for over 15 years, proving that a cohesive team can significantly impact a business's resilience and adaptability.
The importance of timing and self-awareness in corporate to entrepreneurial transitions, advocating for the entrepreneurial path as a platform for continued learning and growth.
The necessity for building a deep understanding of the pain points faced by SMEs, emphasizing the importance of starting with a real, tangible problem and expanding solutions organically.
Understanding local nuances while addressing universal pain points is crucial for successful market penetration and customer satisfaction.
How KPay envisions a platform that is as seamless as upgrading from one smartphone model to another, emphasizing the importance of a synchronized, user-friendly experience that allows SMEs to focus on their core business.

"I've been moving by myself since I was 17... And each time I managed to pull myself up. And each time I managed to build a community around myself. And I think I was doing well in my own definition. So really, I believe any situation I can do well." - Jingjing Zhong

In a revealing conversation on the Asia Tech Podcast, Jingjing Zhong, co-founder of Superbench, shared her entrepreneurial journey and the innovative work her company is doing in the home services industry.

Some of the topics that Jingjing covered in detail included:


Navigating cultural nuances can enhance business growth and communication
The transition from corporate to entrepreneurship requires courage and the clarity of 'why'
Emerging technological innovation can solve traditional business pain points
Robust data management can lead to better decision-making and increased efficiency
The importance of building a business model that scales by aligning closely with customer demands and industry dynamics

Some other titles we considered for this episode:


From Banking to AI: Revolutionizing Home Services
The Future of Home Services: An AI-Driven Approach
Empowering Small Businesses Through AI
From Investment Banking to Tech Innovations: Revolutionizing Home Services with AI

"We are in a very interesting time where we will see the embrace of technology in a much more rapid rate…We want to be the first in the industry to be delivering a truly autonomous machine vision platform for manufacturing." - Dushyant Verma

The Asia Tech Podcast engaged with Dushyant Verma, a co-Founder and the CEO at SmartViz to explore the intersection of AI and Manufacturing.

Some of the topics that Dushyant covered in detail included:


The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into manufacturing processes represents a pivotal shift from manual inspections to automated, precise quality control.
The exploration of how technology empowers manufacturers to evolve from being process-focused to data-centric entities.
The often-underestimated significance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing ecosystem.
The global nature of the opportunity for AI technology adoption in manufacturing.
The transformative impact of modular technology on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Some other titles we considered for this episode:


Revolutionizing Quality Control: The Future of Smart Manufacturing
AI and Modular Tech: Transforming the Manufacturing Landscape
From Manual to Autonomous: The Evolution of Manufacturing Processes
Redefining Precision: AI's Role in Flawless Production
The New Age of Manufacturing: Quality, Efficiency, and AI

"It was a bit of a blind bet... if something feels right, I don't really need a long time to make the decision... I was like, ‘You know what, what do I have to lose?’"

The Asia Tech Podcast welcomed Sherry Jiang, a co-Founder and the CEO of Peek. Sherry is no ordinary entrepreneur. She is super bright and filled with an energy that has to be experienced to be believed. Our conversation was so awesome, covered a ton of ground and I had to put an end to it, so that it would not turn into a three-hour episode.

Some of the topics that Sherry covered included:


The importance of embracing change and taking calculated risks in both business and life
The power of a clear and relatable vision (Marie Kondo of Finance) that also 'sparks joy'
Embracing vulnerabilities and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities
Creating a real emphasis on building a supportive community in the entrepreneurship ecosystem
The necessity of balancing passion with practicality in the entrepreneurial journey

Some other titles we considered for this episode:


Clutter-Free Finance: The Marie Kondo of Finance
Embracing the Unknown: From Silicon Valley to Southeast Asia
Breaking the Mold and Betting on Change
Angel Investing and Cultivating Community in the Startup Ecosystem
I'm All About Abundance Mindset

The Asia Tech Podcast was joined by the co-founders of SeedFlex, Ritwik Ghosh and Sauvik Datta.

Ritwik Ghosh's extensive background in consumer and SME credit, first with Capital One Bank and then with Oliver Wyman, ingrained a deep understanding of credit systems in him, which he further enriched by spearheading Grab's fintech lending division.

Sauvik Datta's career spans over two decades in financial services, marked by significant roles at McKinsey, American Express, and Standard Chartered Bank, before his entrepreneurial venture with Validus Capital. His specialization in risk management, credit scoring, and the application of machine learning models for customer underwriting has positioned him at the forefront of financial innovation.

Some of the topics they covered in detail included:


Identifying and bridging the market gap with a mission-driven approach and addressing the underserved micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs in Southeast Asia
The power of data in unlocking financial services and enabling SeedFlex to extend credit to those deemed too risky by conventional standards
Embracing technological innovation for seamless financial solutions and effectively introducing a "pay as you sell" advance
The emphasis on ecosystem partnerships as a vehicle for scaling and building trust
The creation of tailored financial products that cater specifically to the unique needs of micro-entrepreneurs

In an enlightening episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, Igor Vincetic, the General Manager, Singapore at Electrolux, shares transformative insights into the ever evolving home appliance industry.

Some of the topics that Igor covered in detail included:


The importance of innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainability
innovative business models that focus on flexibility and convenience for consumers
Creating holistic customer experiences, prioritizing service and relationship-building to enhance consumer satisfaction
The necessity for companies to adapt continuously, keeping pace with changing consumer expectations and fostering a culture of agility and resilience
Electrolux's dedication to leading the home appliance industry through innovative strategies, with a focus on sustainability and a customer-focused approach to business

Some other titles we considered for this episode:


Navigating Innovation and Sustainability
The Evolution of Consumer Needs: A Commitment to Service
The Future is Convenient
Leading with Purpose