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

Jeremy Au
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. Find Your Unfair Advantage in Business and Use It - E695

    3D AGO

    Find Your Unfair Advantage in Business and Use It - E695

    Is the world fair? How do you find your true purpose in business? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au shares his deeply personal journey into the cancer diagnostics space following a tragic loss. He breaks down the crucial difference between "problem-market fit" and "founder-problem fit," the reality of life's unfairness, and why you must play to your unfair advantages to succeed in the hyper-competitive tech ecosystem. Whether you are a founder in Singapore or an aspiring entrepreneur anywhere in Southeast Asia, these insights will redefine how you view marketing, leadership, and resilience. Tune in to discover the "Yin and Yang" of marketing, why good things don't always happen to good people, and how to harness your unique strengths to build something that truly matters. 00:00 - The Yin and Yang of Marketing 01:09 - The Importance of Founder-Problem Fit 02:07 - Jeremy's Personal Mission to Fight Cancer 04:13 - Breaking the Fairytale: The World Isn't Fair 06:47 - How to Find Your Unfair Advantage 07:46 - Outro & Community Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/find-your-unfair-advantage Audio Description Watch, listen or read the full insight at  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

    8 min
  2. Solo Founding at 58 and AI as a force multiplier for the medical industry | Jay Fajardo - E694

    6D AGO

    Solo Founding at 58 and AI as a force multiplier for the medical industry | Jay Fajardo - E694

    In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Jay Fajardo, serial entrepreneur and CEO of BetterClinic, straight from Manila, Philippines. Jay discusses his return to the founder’s seat at age 58, driven by the massive paradigm shift of the Artificial Intelligence supercycle. We dive deep into how AI is completely transforming digital healthcare by eliminating doctor burnout and drastically reducing administrative "pajama time" from 40% to 10%. Jay also reveals why AI makes being a solo founder an absolute superpower, how cloud tools are changing the venture capital landscape, and the looming impact of AI on the Philippine BPO industry. If you are building a startup in Southeast Asia or are fascinated by the future of AI health tech, this is a masterclass in adapting to technological shifts. 00:00 - Introduction & The AI Supercycle 01:55 - The Shift from Ecosystem Builder to AI Founder 04:26 - Why AI is a "Superpower" for Experienced Founders 05:10 - Fixing Healthcare & Reducing Doctor Burnout 08:44 - Eradicating "Pajama Time": AI Scribes & Clinic Workflows 10:52 - A Hybrid Go-To-Market Strategy for HealthTech in SEA 14:43 - The Rise of the Solo Founder Movement 18:29 - Age vs. Experience: Building Startups in Your 50s 20:00 - The Future of AI in Medicine (An AI Assistant?) 22:50 - AI's Looming Threat to the Philippine BPO Industry 23:40 - 3 Key Takeaways Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jay-fajardo-betterclinic 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

    25 min
  3. How the Global Energy Crisis is rewiring Southeast Asia Tech | Kristie Neo - E693

    MAY 7

    How the Global Energy Crisis is rewiring Southeast Asia Tech | Kristie Neo - E693

    How is the ongoing Middle East conflict reshaping the global economy, energy markets, and the tech sector? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Kristie Neo, PitchBook's newly appointed Asia Editor, to unpack the macroeconomic shockwaves hitting Southeast Asia and the Gulf. From surging oil prices and the fuel emergency in the Philippines to the sudden acceleration in green energy and defense tech investments across Singapore and the UAE, we cover what founders and investors need to know to navigate this crisis. Tune in for deep-dive insights on venture capital shifts, global capital flight, the resilience of safe-haven economies, and why times of conflict often forge the strongest technological innovations. 00:00 - Introduction & PitchBook’s APAC Expansion 03:10 - The Middle East Crisis & Macro Impacts 06:45 - How the Conflict Affects UAE Venture Capital 09:30 - Inflation, Supply Chains & Asia's Energy Security 12:28 - Surging Demand for Renewables & Nuclear Power 15:28 - Tech Capital, LPs, & Diversification out of the Gulf 22:48 - The Rise of Defense Tech in Singapore & Israel Parallels Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kristie-neo-global-energy-crisis 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 #TechNews #StartupNews #Business #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast

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

    MAY 3

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

    APR 30

    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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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