The On Call with Insignia Podcast

Insignia Ventures Partners
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Singapore and Southeast Asia's longest running VC podcast! Previous guests include Dianping founder Zhang Tao, Nobel Laureate in economics Michael Spence, MUFG APAC Chief of Staff and Mars Growth founder Osamu Abe, Kaszek Ventures and MercadoLibre founder Hernan Kazah, Endeavor Catalyst managing partner Allen Taylor, monashees founding partner Eric Acher, Tao of Alibaba author and Alibaba Global Initiatives’ Brian Wong, JETRO Director General of Innovation Takeo Nakajima, Ard Financial Group executive chairman Ganhuyag, Appier founder Chih Han Yu, and Carro founder Aaron Tan.

  1. Ganhuyag Chuluun Hutagt, Ard Financial Group Executive Chairman, on Building Mongolia's Investor Nation

    4D AGO

    Ganhuyag Chuluun Hutagt, Ard Financial Group Executive Chairman, on Building Mongolia's Investor Nation

    Ganhuyag Chuluun Hutagt shares stories and insights from his journey of over 30 years, from his first job at the Mongolian Stock Exchange at age 18 to becoming a pivotal figure in the country’s financial and technological evolution. As a founder of key institutions like XacBank and Ard Financial Group, he has been a relentless champion for financial inclusion and innovation. In this episode, he discusses his vision for transforming Mongolia into a leading "investor nation," the challenges and opportunities presented by Mongolia’s geography, and his ambitious plans to leverage tokenization, AI, and renewable energy to secure Mongolia's place on the global stage. A great conversation to learn from for decision makers looking for inspiration on driving market development. Transcript About our Guest Mr. Ganhuyag Chuluun Hutagt is a highly successful and innovative banking executive, entrepreneur, and a champion for financial inclusion. As the CEO and founder of Ard Financial Group, Mr. Hutagt serves as chairman of Ard Holdings' various subsidiaries, including Ard Credit, Ard Insurance, and Ard Securities. Under his leadership, Ard Holdings became the second-largest company on the Mongolian Stock Exchange. With 30 years in the banking and microfinance industry, Mr. Hutagt has an extensive and distinguished career. He is the founder of XacBank, which was named one of the top 100 global microfinance institutions by Forbes Magazine. He has served as an advisor to the President and Prime Minister of Mongolia and is a founding member of the Mongolia Economic Forum. He also served as the country's Vice-Minister of Finance. Mr. Hutagt has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Alumni of his alma mater, Corvinus University of Budapest. His work has been featured in The Economist, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, and the New York Times. He was also selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009. He lives in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with his wife and children. Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any Insignia Ventures fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    37 min
  2. Osamu Abe, MUFG Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific, on venture investing for banks and institutions

    JAN 8

    Osamu Abe, MUFG Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific, on venture investing for banks and institutions

    Osamu Abe shares stories and insights from his career of nearly 30 years at MUFG from investment banking to taking an executive education on Sand Hill Road, later on setting up MUFG's first international CVC fund then MUFG's first spin out growth debt and equity funds (Mars Growth Capital and Mars Equity), and finally continuing to work with startups as Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific. Timestamps (01:15) Intro to startups and venture; (03:43) How Japanese corporates have evolved in their approach to venture investment globally; (10:44) How MUFG spun out Mars Growth Capital and Equity, and Abe-san’s views on the real value of venture debt; (20:36) Abe-san’s views on the impact of the Japan Southeast Asia corridor on adoption of emerging technologies; (23:40) Advice for founders on working with Japanese corporates; (26:36) Advice on developing corporate governance for startups; (29:39) What Abe-san has learned from leading and managing several venture funds through the years; (32:42) Rapid Fire Round; About Mr. Osamu Abe Mr. Osamu Abe was appointed Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific for MUFG Bank in May 2025. Based in Singapore, he is responsible for managing the safety and soundness of the bank’s branch operations — which include risk, compliance, and regulatory matters — across 17 markets in South-east Asia, East Asia (including China), South Asia (including India) and Oceania. Prior to the current appointment, Mr. Abe was CEO and board member of Mars Equity M.C. Pte. Ltd. where he oversaw the launch of investment activity at the $500-million growth equity fund based in Singapore. He also served as the board member of Mars Growth Capital, a startup debt fund with total commitment of $1 billion. Mr. Abe will continue to serve on the Boards of the two entities. Mr. Abe has over 28 years of extensive experience in corporate & investment banking through senior postings across MUFG’s global network. When he relocated to Singapore in 2023, Mr. Abe was appointed Managing Director and Deputy Head of Global Corporate & Investment Banking (GCIB) for Asia Pacific, where he was responsible for managing MUFG’s global corporate client portfolio and oversaw all governance and control aspects of this business across the region. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of the Bank’s GCIB Planning Division in Tokyo, a position he held since 2019. He was a senior member of MUFG Americas’ GCIB Planning Division in New York in 2017 where he supported the implementation of the region’s strategic plan and drove key initiatives. Mr. Abe also held roles with the Human Resources Office and Global Planning Division’s Strategic Planning department in Tokyo, and Global Credit Liaison. He began his career in 1997 with the then Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi’s Nihonbashi Corporate Banking Office, followed by his first overseas assignment in 2001 with the European Business Division in London. Mr. Abe holds a Master of Science in Business from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Bachelor of Law from Tokyo University. Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    37 min
  3. Robert Subbaraman, Nomura Global Head of Macro Research, on Japan's return to the investor spotlight

    12/16/2025

    Robert Subbaraman, Nomura Global Head of Macro Research, on Japan's return to the investor spotlight

    Fresh from the Japan SEA Market Forum last November, we managed to have a quick chat with Robert Subbaraman, Managing Director and Global Head of Macro Research on Nomura, about the rest of the world's views on the Japan opportunity, especially in AI, their role in an increasingly multipolar world, and how the Japan "revival" ties to the Southeast Asia's growth story. About Robert Subbaraman Rob Subbaraman joined Nomura in October 2008 and is Chief Economist and Head of Global Markets Research for Asia ex-Japan. He manages a team of 20 economists and strategists, who forecast Asia's economies and make market trade recommendations. Beyond analyzing the economic cycle, the team prides itself on its collaborative, thematic research. Rob chairs the Asia ex-Japan research exec committee, and is on Nomura exec committees for Global Markets Research and Global Emerging Markets. Prior to joining Nomura, Rob was at Lehman Brothers for 12 years and was Chief Economist, Asia ex-Japan. Rob is based in Singapore and has spent the last 18 years in Asia, including living in Hong Kong and Tokyo. He has a central banking background, having worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia in the Economic Analysis Department for seven years prior to joining Lehman Brothers.  Timestamps (00:37) What Makes Japan Exciting Again; (03:07) Japan's Role in the Global AI Supply Chain; (05:25) TechnoNationalism and its Implications; (07:42) A Macro View of the Southeast Asia Private Market Opportunity; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    10 min
  4. From Japan's public markets to a Singapore venture capital firm with Rei Murakami (Insignia Ventures Academy Cohort 3 Alum, Kadan Capital Founding Partner)

    12/10/2025

    From Japan's public markets to a Singapore venture capital firm with Rei Murakami (Insignia Ventures Academy Cohort 3 Alum, Kadan Capital Founding Partner)

    After several years working at Mistubishi and then for her family office foundation investing in the public markets, Rei Murakami found a new goal while she was working out of Singapore: to get into venture capital investing. She joined our Certificate in Venture Capital for its third cohort in 2022 and a year later founded Kadan Capital, an early stage venture firm investing in fintech and AI startups across Asia.  She goes on call to share her journey from Japan to Singapore, from the public markets to venture capital, and going from Insignia Ventures Academy's 12 week program to setting up Kadan Capital.  Rei also hosts Kadan's podcast True Founders Stories Timestamps (00:30) Introducing Rei and her journey from Japan to Singapore; (02:00) Why Rei became interested in venture capital; (02:59) Rei's Insignia Ventures Academy experience; (05:39) Starting Kadan Capital with a focus on fintech and AI in Southeast Asia; (09:18) Rei's value-add as an investor; (11:00) Rei's views on the Japan-Southeast Asia cross-border venture activity and investing in Japan; (14:12) Advice for founders on expanding to Japan; (16:03) Rei's views on exits in Southeast Asia; (18:38) Learnings on being a venture capitalist;  (20:07) Make or break moment in Rei's career; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    22 min
  5. How Akhil Nigam, Finmo CPO and co-founder, is Redefining Treasury Management with AI and Strategic Partnerships | Call 199

    12/03/2025

    How Akhil Nigam, Finmo CPO and co-founder, is Redefining Treasury Management with AI and Strategic Partnerships | Call 199

    Finmo CPO and co-founder Akhil Nigam joins Paulo for a chat live from the 10th Singapore Fintech Festival 2025 to talk about Finmo's journey creating a truly connected intelligence platform for finance teams and treasury management able to serve businesses from SMEs to larger multi-market enterprises. A lot of it has to do with Akhil's partnership-first approach to product development. This interview was recorded live at the Finmo booth in Singapore Fintech Festival 2025.   Timestamps (00:04) How Akhil became co-founder and CPO of Finmo; (02:39) Why Finmo started out with money movement; (05:15) The evolving needs of CFOs and finance teams; (08:49) The role of stakeholder partnerships in product development; (13:37) Finmo's journey with leveraging AI; (18:23) How does AI help with Finmo's vision for treasury management; (21:23) How Finmo's product developments over the past year have strengthened its competitive advantages; (25:01) Managing product and partnerships priorities across multiple markets; (28:22) The next ten years of treasury management; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    30 min
  6. What it takes to drive AI agent adoption for SMEs in Southeast Asia with Fluid CEO Trasy Lou Walsh

    12/01/2025

    What it takes to drive AI agent adoption for SMEs in Southeast Asia with Fluid CEO Trasy Lou Walsh

    Live from Singapore Fintech Festival, we sat down with Fluid CEO and co-founder Trasy Lou Walsh on the future of B2B payments and finance they are building with AI agents on their platform. This interview was recorded live at Media Lounge in Singapore Fintech Festival 2025. Timestamps (00:00) Catching up with Trasy on Fluid since our last call in 2024; (02:52) Understanding the automation needs for SME payments from a process perspective; (04:26) Use cases for AI agents in the B2B payments flow; (06:28) Learnings from driving AI agent adoption for SMEs so far; (07:43) Biggest challenge so far driving AI agent adoption for SMEs; (09:49) Competitive advantage for Fluid with its development of an AI agent stack; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    11 min
  7. The real reason Japan is investing in Southeast Asia innovation with Takeo Nakajima

    11/21/2025

    The real reason Japan is investing in Southeast Asia innovation with Takeo Nakajima

    15% of the total trade volume of Japan with the world comes from Southeast Asia, the country's third largest trading bloc. More than 15,000 Japanese firms are active in the region. Cash-rich Japanese firms looking to scale up growth globally. Local governments are looking for innovative solutions to societal issues like depopulation. We discuss these drivers for cross-border innovation and more with Takeo Nakajima, Director General of Innovation at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). This interview was recorded live in Singapore from the Japan SEA Market Forum 2025 hosted by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikkei Asia, and JETRO. Timestamps (00:25) Japan’s Layered Trade and Innovation Relationship with Southeast Asia; (03:36) Innovation Opportunities for Southeast Asia and Japanese Innovation; (06:42) Message to Founders Looking to Build Cross-Border Innovation Between Japan and Southeast Asia; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    8 min
  8. Tonik's Greg Krasnov gets the tea on IPOs from Tokyo Stock Exchange APAC Deputy Head Beomsu Son

    11/13/2025

    Tonik's Greg Krasnov gets the tea on IPOs from Tokyo Stock Exchange APAC Deputy Head Beomsu Son

    We brought together Philippine digital bank Tonik CEO and founder Greg Krasnov and Tokyo Stock Exchange APAC Deputy Head and IPO Specialist Beomsu Son for a conversation on the Philippines digital banking opportunity (from a Japan POV), opening up Japan's public markets to more issuers internationally, the first Philippine company in TSE's Asia Startup Hub, and the value of going public in Asia's deepest liquidity pool. Timestamps (00:08) Not Beomsu's first time in the Philippines; (00:50) Introducing Tonik and the Philippines; (01:54) Japan Public Markets going global; (03:38) A Philippine Digital Bank's View of the Japan Public Markets; (04:54) Southeast Asia's Impact on the Japan Public Market Playbook; (06:18) Leveraging Tokyo Stock Exchange's Asia Startup Hub; (07:48) Making the Most out of Going Public in Japan; (09:29) What Makes Digital Banking in the Philippines exciting; Directed by Paulo Joquiño Produced by Paulo Joquiño Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

    12 min
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Singapore and Southeast Asia's longest running VC podcast! Previous guests include Dianping founder Zhang Tao, Nobel Laureate in economics Michael Spence, MUFG APAC Chief of Staff and Mars Growth founder Osamu Abe, Kaszek Ventures and MercadoLibre founder Hernan Kazah, Endeavor Catalyst managing partner Allen Taylor, monashees founding partner Eric Acher, Tao of Alibaba author and Alibaba Global Initiatives’ Brian Wong, JETRO Director General of Innovation Takeo Nakajima, Ard Financial Group executive chairman Ganhuyag, Appier founder Chih Han Yu, and Carro founder Aaron Tan.

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