BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders and Venture Cap Jeremy Au

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au assessed Southeast Asia's low VC fund performance (median 0.4X returns vs. USA (1X) and India (1.3x). They discussed VCs shifting towards more realistic and localized investment strategies, while also taking into account growing geopolitical USA vs. China tensions with their resulting trade and economic impacts on countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. They explored a range of strategies: shift towards earlier-stage investments, private debt, exploring less saturated/ underpriced markets like Malaysia, increased focus on consumer categories, "rightsizing" towards smaller fund sizes, pushing for complex yet needed secondary transactions, instituting more disciplined investment practices and managing capital better.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/darwinian-vc-evolution


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English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


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Tommaso Demarie, CEO & Cofounder of Entropica Labs, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:


1. Quantum Computing Startup: Tommaso shared his insights on quantum computing and its potential applications. He talked about his company, Entropica Labs, which focuses on developing software for quantum error correction, a crucial element in quantum computing that mitigates errors caused by noise. He explained that quantum computers, unlike classical computers, leverage quantum mechanics to process information, enabling them to tackle complex problems that classical computers cannot solve efficiently. He also emphasized the transformative potential in fields like secure communications, chemistry, and optimization problems, providing examples such as the ability to crack cryptographic codes and simulate chemical properties of molecules more accurately​​.


2. PHD Academia to Founder: Tommaso first pursued a bachelor's and a master's in physics, followed by a PhD in quantum information theory. Despite an initial job in financial risk modeling, his passion for quantum computing led him to join the academic research community in Singapore. He shared how IBM's 2016 release of the first cloud-based quantum computer, making quantum computing more accessible, motivated Tommaso to transition from academia to entrepreneurship. He highlighted the challenges, including the importance of focusing on relevant problems and leveraging one's core competencies​​.


3. Michelin Mistake Ownership: Tommaso shared a personal story about working in a Michelin-starred restaurant, which taught him valuable lessons in ownership and accountability. In this high-pressure environment, he learned the importance of owning mistakes and seeking help to correct them. This experience paralleled his journey as a startup founder, where resilience, continuous learning, and adaptability are crucial. He also emphasized that taking ownership and being genuine in addressing mistakes are key traits for successful leadership and personal growth, especially in the startup ecosystem​​.


Jeremy and Tommaso also talked about revolutionizing climate modeling, the challenges in fundraising for deep science startups, and the evolution of quantum error correction techniques.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/tommaso-demarie


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


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Reach out to joe@heymax.ai to learn more about Heymax

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes:


1. New President Tô Lâm: Jeremy and Valerie discussed the recent stabilization efforts by the Vietnamese government amidst political and economic turbulence, with the election of the new president, Tô Lâm, who previously served as the Minister of Public Security. The filling of this and other vacant leadership positions signifies a commitment to anti-corruption measures​​. They also discussed the government lending an additional $1.2 billion to Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) in the past two months, summing up to a total $24.5 billion bailout (equivalent to 6% of Vietnam's GDP, and primarily financed by increasing money supply).


2. South China Sea Island Building (692 Acres): Jeremy and Valerie discussed the country's dredging and landfill work in the South China Sea, creating almost as much new land as in the previous two years combined. They also covered significant initiatives like the high-speed railway from Hanoi to Kunming, China, and the implications of the controversial Funan canal project in Cambodia. She explained that these projects are part of Vietnam's broader strategy to enhance its regional influence and secure its economic future.


3. Coal Energy & Flight Price Jumps: State-owned EVN (Vietnam Electricity) has urged consumers and factories, including Foxconn, to reduce power consumption by 30% to avoid power cuts. Despite efforts to improve North-South hydropower linkage, Vietnam's infrastructure delays and the continued manufacturing-centric industrial plan have led to sharply increased reliance on imported and carbon-emitting coal. They also explained the reasons behind the 25% year-on-year increase in domestic flight prices, which has made direct flights within Vietnam more expensive than international layovers. They compared the budget carrier VietJet, known for its cost-effective international flights but frequent domestic delays, with the more reliable state-owned Vietnam Airlines.


Jeremy and Valerie also talked about the influence of political changes on investor confidence, the effects of rising fuel costs on domestic travel & logistics, and the tension between maintaining cultural heritage and embracing economic modernization.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vietnam-new-president


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


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


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Jeremy Au reflects on his nostalgic visit to his alma mater Raffles Junior College before its demolition. He remembers his initial excitement of joining a new school, bitterness over a personal loss, and the processing of his grief over the next 2 decades. He also reconnected with former teenage classmates who are now fellow middle-aged adults, all of whom were enjoying seeing the campus one last time. He discusses the fleeting nature of time and the value of treasuring each moment before they inevitably become memories.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/school-demolition-bittersweet-goodbyes


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


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Agung Saputra, CEO & Founder of Surplus Indonesia, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes:


1. Indonesia Pollution Crisis: Agung flagged that Indonesia is one the top 3 polluters in the world: #2 plastic polluter, #2 food wastage and #1 most air polluted city (Jakarta). He highlighted the lack of regulations and public awareness as major barriers to effective waste management for the country's severe environmental challenges. Indonesia's reliance on “ticking time bomb” landfills (rather than incineration or recycling) poses significant safety hazards, e.g. a landfill explosion in Bandung led to fatalities. Deforestation for urban development has led to significant biodiversity loss, e.g. the new capital city of Nusantara in Borneo. He underscored the need for comprehensive governmental action and community involvement to improve environmental practices​​.


2. 48 Million Tons of Food Waste: Agung addressed the rapidly-rising problem of food waste, driven by its large population, increasing affluence and cultural attitudes (e.g. viewing an empty plate at the end of the meal as impolite). Harvard research shows that 20M people (8%) in Indonesia are unable to meet their nutritional needs every year, and stunting affects one-third of children under five years old. However, 48 million tons of food worth $39B USD (~5% of Indonesia's GDP) is lost annually, which is equivalent to 170kg of food waste per person. Not only would redirecting edible food to food banks support people experiencing hunger and chronic malnutrition, but it would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced from food ending up in the landfill. He warns that food waste will continue to increase as Indonesia gets larger and richer unless effective interventions are implemented. 


3. Surplus Marketplace App: Agung described how Surplus Indonesia operates as a marketplace for surplus food, connecting consumers with discounted food items that would otherwise go to waste. The platform works similarly to Foodpanda, allowing users to find and purchase surplus food from local businesses via an app. Surplus Indonesia has grown significantly, reporting a threefold increase in revenue in 2023, which indicates a rising demand for sustainable practices. He also discussed the company's approach to ensuring food safety and quality, including a two-strikes policy for vendors who fail to meet standards. He highlighted that the primary customers are younger Indonesians, who are more environmentally conscious and willing to support sustainable businesses​​. He explained that the demographic shift is reflected in the increasing number of sustainability startups in the country, from just a few in 2019 to nearly a hundred by 2024.


Jeremy and Agung also talked about managing different types of waste and recycling streams, growth in sustainability-driven sectors, and the increasing involvement of young Indonesians in environmental issues.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/agung-saputra


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


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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz


Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Reach out to joe@heymax.ai to learn more about Heymax!

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


1. USA VC vs. Southeast Asia Fund Performance: Bain’s 2023 private equity report shows that Southeast Asia's VC returns have been lower over the past decade, with median LP distributions of 0.4X for Southeast Asia, China 0.6X, Europe 0.7X, USA 1X and India 1.3X. Shiyan attributed this due to the oversupply of capital - despite an order of magnitude increase in venture capital into Southeast Asia, this influx has not led to a proportional increase in scalable, successful companies, thus leading to inflated valuations and reduced returns​​.


2. SGX & IDX Capital Market Challenges: Jeremy and Shiyan examined the hurdles faced by Southeast Asian companies in accessing capital markets. Jeremy noted the low liquidity on local exchanges, with turnover rates at 32% in Singapore, 19% in Indonesia, and 73% in the Philippines, compared to the New York Stock Exchange's 103%​​. Shiyan emphasized that local regulatory constraints, such as the Singapore Stock Exchange’s requirement for profitability (to protect retail investors), deter many tech startups, prompting them to seek international listings, particularly in the US, where they can list at higher valuations despite ongoing losses​​. They also discussed the role of capital controls in limiting retail investors' access to offshore equities in China and India, driving demand for domestic listings​​.


3. Post-AI "Good Jobs": Jeremy and Shiyan examined the impact of AI on Southeast Asia's labor markets, focusing on how integrating AI with lower-cost labor could create a competitive advantage against purely AI-driven models in the US​​. Shiyan suggested that developing AI-native companies could drive innovation in service sectors like call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO). They also touched on the concept of the “iron rice bowl”—a metaphor for job security and stability in traditional sectors, such as government-related roles, which might be less affected by AI​​. They noted that while AI could make some roles obsolete, particularly those involving repetitive tasks, it might also open new opportunities by automating routine aspects of jobs, thus enhancing overall productivity.


Jeremy and Shiyan also talked about the importance of mid-sized companies for talent recycling, AI’s role in the creative fields, and how global economic trends impact founder fundraising in the region.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/post-ai-good-jobs


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


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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


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Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Reach out to joe@heymax.ai to learn more about Heymax