BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capit

Jeremy Au
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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 80,000+ listeners. Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solves all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders.  Published on Monday & Thursday. Weekly tech news debates, changemaker interviews & listener Q&As. Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast. "Learned a lot from the journeys. Must-listen for anyone seeking advice to be a leader" @lindatangxy "Refreshing to hear from distinguished founders what they learned, both the good & bad" @seanojw "Incredibly useful in kickstarting my thought process around customers as an entrepreneur" @klowetan "After tuning into a couple of episodes, this is now my weekly routine. Keep it up!!" @joshrodes8 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.comWhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02eSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0TYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAuApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyauInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauzTwitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyauLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

  1. Dennis Velasco: The Reality of the Trust Gap and Building a Tech Startup in Southeast Asia - E692

    2D AGO

    Dennis Velasco: The Reality of the Trust Gap and Building a Tech Startup in Southeast Asia - E692

    Dennis Velasco, founder of Prosperna, provides a raw and definitive account of transitioning from Silicon Valley leadership roles at Salesforce and Xero to the front lines of the Philippine startup ecosystem. In this episode, you will learn the structural mechanics of the "Trust Factor Gap" in Southeast Asian B2B markets and how Velasco navigated a $300,000 personal investment across multiple failed ventures before finding product-market fit. We explore the high-stakes reality of moving a family across the globe to build a legacy and the specific tactical shifts required to scale a Philippine-based SaaS company to meet Western market expectations. Core Themes Explored: The Silicon Valley Straitjacket: Why high-salary careers in the US can prevent founders from achieving true creative autonomy. The B2B Trust Deficit: Strategies for overcoming the "scam" perception by utilizing physical office culture and extreme customer commitment. Unit Economic Reality: Why Philippine startups must expand to global markets sooner to survive local price sensitivity. The Pandemic Pivot: How Prosperna transitioned from real estate listings to a dominant AI-powered e-commerce platform for SMEs. This conversation is hosted by Jeremy Au as part of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, the region’s leading resource for venture capital insights and founder resilience. Whether you are a venture capitalist evaluating the Manila tech hub or a diaspora founder considering a "return home" strategy, this episode provides the unvarnished truth about building in one of the world's most fragmented markets. 00:00 - The $300,000 Cost of Building in the Philippines 02:50 - Leaving Salesforce & Xero: Escaping the Silicon Valley Straitjacket 07:03 - The Founder’s Family Risk: Moving Kids from the US to Manila 12:15 - Why My First Two Startups Failed: Health Tech & Real Estate Realities 15:47 - Navigating Government Corruption & Transparency in Property Tech 18:09 - The 2020 Pivot: Launching Prosperna 3 Months Before Lockdown 20:51 - The Trust Factor Gap: Why B2B Sales are Harder in the Philippines 24:38 - Price Sensitivity vs. Australia/US: The Local Provider Trap 27:01 - The Scam Perception: Why Startups Need a Physical Office to Survive 32:54 - Advice for Spouses: The Brutal Honesty Required for Startup Longevity 37:34 - Scaling to the West: Why Philippine Startups Must Go Global Sooner 41:40 - Summary: Building a Service Hub for the World from Manila Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/dennis-velasco-building-a-tech-startup Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    42 min
  2. The 3 Phases of Startup Success: From the Jungle, through the Dirt Road & to the Highway - E691

    6D AGO

    The 3 Phases of Startup Success: From the Jungle, through the Dirt Road & to the Highway - E691

    Is Southeast Asia entering its Golden Age? Jeremy Au breaks down the "1 in 40" gamble of building a unicorn, the David vs. Goliath strategy for startups, and the brutal reality of the VC Power Law. Learn the three phases of startup growth—from the jungle to the highway—and how to identify the six clusters of failure before they kill your company. Essential viewing for founders, investors, and tech leaders across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines looking to master network effects and unit economics in the world's fastest-growing digital economy. 00:00 The 1 in 40 Gamble: Odds of Becoming a Unicorn 00:41 The Thesis for Southeast Asia's Golden Age 01:05 The Innovator's Mental Reset & Generational Shifts 02:17 David vs. Goliath: The Slingshot Strategy 03:20 From Jungle to Highway: The 3 Startup Phases 04:39 The 10x Rule: Better, Faster, or Cheaper 05:50 Building Moats: The Power of Network Effects 06:38 Mastering Unit Economics & LTV 07:17 Inside the VC Mindset: Hunting for Home Runs 07:57 The Power Law: Why 90% of Rewards Go to the Top 08:32 The 6 Clusters of Startup Failure 09:00 Monopoly vs. Competition: Peter Thiel’s Core Insight Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/3-phases-of-startup-success Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

    10 min
  3. Inside the Boardroom: How VCs Actually Deal with Fraud & "Bad Faith" Founders - E690

    APR 27

    Inside the Boardroom: How VCs Actually Deal with Fraud & "Bad Faith" Founders - E690

    How do you build a multi-billion dollar company while navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of Southeast Asia? In this episode, Jeremy Au sits down with Jecky Pelaez, Legal and Investment Partner at Kickstart Ventures, to pull back the curtain on the "unsexy" but critical side of venture capital: Governance and Compliance. Jecky reveals the stark differences between incorporating in Singapore vs. the Philippines, explaining why taxation on revenue (rather than profit) can be a "startup killer." They dive deep into the recent wave of startup fraud in Southeast Asia, the rise of down rounds, and the technical reality of managing a cap table when the "frothy" years of 2021 are long gone. Whether you are a founder trying to stay motivated during a bridge round or an investor looking to de-risk your portfolio, this masterclass in startup law provides the tactical blueprint for building a sustainable tech empire in Manila, Singapore, and beyond. 00:00 – The Critical Role of Governance in Growth 01:09 – Philippines vs. Singapore: The Incorporation Race 02:40 – From Banking to Law: Jecky Pelaez’s Journey to Kickstart Ventures 08:13 – A Day in the Life: "Making Sure No One Goes to Jail" 12:10 – Addressing Startup Fraud and Scrutiny in SE Asia 19:00 – The Reality of Bridge Rounds & Down Rounds in 2026 24:35 – Bad Faith Founders & The "Stuck" Capital Problem 30:35 – "Founder Friendly" vs. "Investor Protected" Clauses 35:00 – How the Philippines Can Improve Its Startup Ecosystem 38:15 – A Personal Story: Bravery, Grief, and Moving Forward Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jecky-pelaez-kickstart-ventures Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Philippines #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    39 min
  4. VC Economics & Exit Strategies: Case Studies from Seed to IPO - E689

    APR 23

    VC Economics & Exit Strategies: Case Studies from Seed to IPO - E689

    Ever wonder how venture capitalists actually judge your startup behind closed doors? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au breaks down the brutal reality of VC economics and the math that drives the tech industry. We explore why just 5% of startups generate almost all of a fund's returns (The Power Law) and why struggling founders often get left behind. We also dive into real-world case studies, analyzing the dramatic valuation shifts during Instacart's IPO, and unpacking the legendary $1 Billion dilemma faced by the founders of Instagram (Kevin Systrom) and Snapchat (Evan Spiegel). Whether you're building an AI-native startup in Singapore or scaling a deep-tech company in the Philippines, understanding MOIC, DPI, and how the smart money moves is crucial. 00:00 - The VC’s Dual Role: Value-Add vs. Portfolio Judge 01:02 - The Power Law: Why 5% of Startups Carry the Fund 01:38 - The Help Paradox: Prioritizing Winners Over Strugglers 02:23 - Case Study: Valuation Shifts in the Instacart IPO 04:21 - Exit Outcomes: Liquidations, Acqui-hires, and Cash-outs 04:58 - The $1 Billion Dilemma: Instagram vs. Snapchat 05:59 - Going Public & Raising VC Funds (LP/GP Dynamics) 06:51 - The Brutal Math of VC Returns: MOIC & DPI 09:03 - Outro & Community Resources Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/vc-economics-exit-strategies Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #VentureCapital #Business #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    10 min
  5. How MK Bertulfo Built a 500K+ Community for Filipino Virtual Assistants - E688

    APR 19

    How MK Bertulfo Built a 500K+ Community for Filipino Virtual Assistants - E688

    In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with MK Bertulfo, the visionary founder of Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms). MK shares her raw and inspiring journey transitioning from an overworked, underpaid BPO call center agent in Manila to building the largest online community for work-at-home mothers in the Philippines, now boasting over 540,000 members globally. We dive deep into the realities of the freelance economy, bridging the gap between international employers and Filipino virtual assistants (VAs), and navigating the intense pressures of startup growth and "mom guilt." MK also breaks down the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence and shares her strategies for upskilling freelancers to prevent them from being left behind by AI agents, pushing them to eventually become SaaS entrepreneurs themselves. Whether you are a startup founder looking to hire remote offshore talent, or a professional aiming to scale an organic community into a profitable tech platform, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and localized Southeast Asian insights. 00:00 - Introduction to FHMoms & MK Bertulfo 02:44 - Surviving the BPO Call Center Industry 06:33 - The Transition to Being a Virtual Assistant 10:20 - Juggling Motherhood, Freelancing, & "Mom Guilt" 13:50 - Building FHMoms: From Facebook Group to Tech Startup 17:45 - Bridging the Gap Between Employers and Remote Talent 25:14 - Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Virtual Assistants? 31:30 - The Future: Transitioning from VA to SaaS Entrepreneur 34:55 - Overcoming Early Backlash & Staying Brave Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mk-bertulfo-fhmoms-virtual-assistants Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Philippines #VirtualAssistant #EdTech #Startup #Founder #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    41 min
  6. The Hidden Strategies of Venture Capital - E687

    APR 15

    The Hidden Strategies of Venture Capital - E687

    Ever wondered how venture capitalists actually pick winning startups? In this solo breakdown on the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of venture capital. Whether you are building a stealth startup in Singapore or scaling across Indonesia and the Philippines, understanding the investor mindset is crucial for securing funding. Jeremy breaks down the four core functions of a great VC and the spectrum of fund strategies, from index portfolios like Y Combinator to highly concentrated bets like Union Square Ventures. Learn the intense mathematics behind deal flow, why top VC funds sift through over 5,000 pitches just to invest in 10, and how you can position your startup to stand out in the highly competitive Southeast Asian tech ecosystem. Key Takeaways: Collaboration vs. Competition: How VCs work together (and against each other) across different funding stages. The 4 VC Fund Strategies: Discover the differences between Index Portfolios, Concentrated Bets, Multi-stage Aggregators, and Venture Builders. The VC Sourcing Funnel: Why changing your LinkedIn to "Stealth Startup" gets VC associates' attention immediately. Unicorn Hit Rates: A comparative look at the success rates of Union Square Ventures (8%) versus Y Combinator (0.95%). 0:00 - Collaboration vs. Competition in Venture Capital 0:47 - The Startup Stages: From Pre-Seed to Growth VC 1:23 - The Four Core Functions of Every Great VC 1:36 - 4 Major VC Fund Strategies Explained 3:52 - Minority Investment vs. Management Control (Tesla vs. Toys "R" Us) 4:42 - Unicorn Hit Rates: Union Square Ventures vs. Y Combinator 5:45 - The Intense VC Sourcing Funnel (5,000 Startups to 10 Deals) 7:00 - Proprietary Sourcing & "Stealth Startups" on LinkedIn 8:23 - How VCs Do Reference Checks and Share Deals Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/hidden-vc-strategies Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #VentureCapital #Business #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    10 min
  7. Eugene Cheah: Open-Source AI and the Future of Work - E686

    APR 12

    Eugene Cheah: Open-Source AI and the Future of Work - E686

    Is open source the true future of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Eugene Cheah, CEO and Co-Founder of Featherless AI. They dive deep into the architecture of the RWKV model, the intense global competition between open source and closed source AI, and how China is aggressively pushing an open source strategy to bypass chip constraints. Recorded with a focus on the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem, this episode breaks down the immediate impact of AI on the global south, specifically highlighting the vulnerability of the BPO and call center industries in the Philippines. Eugene also shares his extraordinary journey from building UIlicious to securing a $1M investment in San Francisco with no pitch deck, and his ongoing work with the Linux Foundation and the World Trade Organization to bridge the global AI language divide. Discover tactical insights into startup bootstrapping, macroeconomics, and the entrepreneurial mindset required to navigate the hyper-competitive deep tech space. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your business and stay ahead of the AI curve in Southeast Asia. 00:00 - Introduction & Featherless AI 02:59 - From UIlicious to AI Research 05:45 - RWKV & the Transformer Alternative 07:13 - Spinning Out Featherless as a New Company 09:10 - Fundraising in San Francisco 16:15 - Open Source vs. Closed Source AI 21:52 - China's Open Source AI Strategy 23:57 - Advantages & Disadvantages of Open Source 28:06 - Inference as a Service & Model Variety 32:13 - The Future of AI: Reliability & Specialization 36:35 - Personal Growth & Navigating AI Politics 39:01 - Policy Advice for Southeast Asia & Global AI Impact 43:39 - Multilingual AI & Closing the Global Divide 48:44 - Being Brave: Founding Story & Closing Reflections Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/eugene-cheah-featherless-ai-open-source-ai Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Singapore #China #Philippines #AI #ArtificalIntelligence #MachineLearning #Technology #TechNews #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    52 min
  8. Paulo Campos: Founding Philippines ZALORA & Kaya Founders Venture Capital Lessons - E685

    APR 9

    Paulo Campos: Founding Philippines ZALORA & Kaya Founders Venture Capital Lessons - E685

    Is the Philippines the next major tech hub in Southeast Asia? In this episode of BRAVE, venture capitalist Jeremy Au sits down with Paulo Campos, Founding Managing Partner of Kaya Founders. From leaving a lucrative career at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to pioneering cash-on-delivery (COD) as a co-founder of ZALORA Philippines, Paulo has been at the forefront of Southeast Asia's digital revolution. We dive deep into the "Cambrian explosion" of startups in Manila following the 2020 pandemic, why returning "sea turtles" (diaspora talent) are reshaping the local economy, and what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable tech company in today's venture capital climate. Whether you are building in Calabarzon or raising funds in Singapore, this is a masterclass in emerging market entrepreneurship. 0:00 - Introduction & Growing Up in 1990s Manila 4:40 - A Grandfather’s Lesson: "The Best Way to Help is to Create Jobs" 7:55 - Choosing the Philippines Over Wall Street & Ayala Group 11:54 - Harvard Business School (HBS) & Discovering Venture Capital 14:00 - Why BCG is the Ultimate Training Ground for Founders 20:50 - The Leap of Faith: Leaving Corporate to Co-Found ZALORA 28:00 - Building a Company in a 10sqm Room & "Founder Energy" 29:10 - The Masterstroke: Unlocking E-Commerce with Cash on Delivery (COD) 34:50 - The Pandemic Pivot & Angel Investing in Local Builders 38:40 - Launching Kaya Founders to Fuel the Philippine VC Ecosystem 44:20 - The "Language Lock" Advantage & The Return of the Diaspora 51:50 - The Bravery Required to Build and Invest in Tech Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/paulo-campos-kaya-founders-zalora Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter X : https://x.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #Philippines #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

    56 min
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About

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 80,000+ listeners. Hosted by Jeremy Au. VC & serial founder. Harvard MBA & UC Berkeley. Sci-fi nerd & dad of two daughters. Growth and personal growth solves all problems. The best feeling is coaching good humans to be great leaders.  Published on Monday & Thursday. Weekly tech news debates, changemaker interviews & listener Q&As. Community of listeners and guests across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & the Philippines. Global top 10% podcast. "Learned a lot from the journeys. Must-listen for anyone seeking advice to be a leader" @lindatangxy "Refreshing to hear from distinguished founders what they learned, both the good & bad" @seanojw "Incredibly useful in kickstarting my thought process around customers as an entrepreneur" @klowetan "After tuning into a couple of episodes, this is now my weekly routine. Keep it up!!" @joshrodes8 Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.comWhatsApp Weekday Insight: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02eSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0TYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAuApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyauInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauzTwitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyauLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

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