6 episodes
Unsensible - The Podcast Unsensible
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- Business
Welcome to the Unsensible Podcast, your essential guide to Asia's dynamic startup scene. The local startup scene is different from the rest of the world so, each week, we chat with innovative local founders and funders who are making waves in the industry, bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to our audience.
But this is not just an interview podcast. Alongside these fascinating conversations, we offer practical advice and strategies. Learn how to develop a compelling value proposition, build an effective marketing strategy, or deliver a persuasive pitch. Our discussions focus on the building blocks of startup success, providing you with the tools to navigate the challenging Asian market.
Hear directly from those who have been there and done it. Gain insights into their approaches, understand their tactics, and apply their wisdom to your own journey. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, an investor, or an interested observer, the Unsensible Podcast is a resource designed for you.
Join us at the Unsensible Podcast, where we decode the complexities of starting and growing a successful business in Asia's vibrant startup ecosystem.
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Dr. Ryan Manuel | Bilby: Tech startup using AI to predict regulatory change
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ryan Manuel, professor of Chinese politics turned tech innovator.
Dr. Manuel is Founder & CEO at tech startup Bilby where his team has developed a groundbreaking platform that is transforming how individuals understand and engage with governments. By deciphering legislative signals, they are changing the landscape of decision-making for businesses worldwide.
Tune in to hear about Bilby's origins, why Hong Kong is an ideal hub for AI startups, and an honest discussion about the realities of being a founder. Dr. Manuel also shares his vision for the future, where accessing government insights is as seamless as navigating financial markets.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups. -
Joan Low | ThoughtFull: HealthTech startup helping make mental health a priority for everyone every day
In this episode, we sit down with Joan Low, Founder and CEO of ThoughtFull, a startup with a unique mental health app that offers end-to-end care through daily bite-sized coaching.
Despite the crowded marketplace, ThoughtFull is gaining traction, especially in the corporate space, recently closing a $4 million funding round led by Temasek.
Joan shares her personal journey and the fragmented and stigmatized mental health care system that inspired her to create ThoughtFull. We also discuss the lack of innovation and capital in mental health compared to other therapeutic areas, Joan’s experience fundraising during challenging economic times, and her passion advocating for female founders to be better represented in the startup and VC space.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups. -
Rajiv Chandna | Kinetic: Revolutionising the fintech payments sector to tackle a $300B challenge
In this episode, we are joined by Rajiv Chandna, Co-Founder of Kinetic, who shares how his venture is revolutionising payments in an effort to build a more frictionless e-commerce landscape. With $300 billion tied up in escrow worldwide, Rajiv highlights how the burdensome collateral demands stifle growth and can even spell the end for small businesses.
As we explore the complexities of advance payments, we also discuss the role of AI in risk assessment and pricing, the nuances of building a robust startup team, and the confluence of events that makes Kinetic’s solution timely in the rapidly evolving fintech space.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups. -
Rachel Troublaiewitch | Gateway Private Markets, HK: Better venture funding from a banker turned founder
Dive headfirst into the world of venture capitalism with Rachel, co-founder of Gateway Private Markets. Beginning her career as a banker in Asia to her role disrupting the private markets, Rachel's journey is one of innovation and perseverance. Rachael covers the the explosive growth in the startup sector over the past decade, examining the rise of unicorns and the increasingly diverse range of investors including hedge funds, public market investors, and family offices.
What if the venture capital market, now valued at over $1.7 trillion, could be democratised? Rachel shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in the evolution of this market. We discuss the importance of an efficient ecosystem for capital flows and explore how Gateway Private Markets is rising to this challenge. Listen in as we tackle issues around access to liquidity and due diligence, as we unveil how Gateway Private Markets is empowering founders and intermediaries to make informed decisions and ensure liquidity for early investors. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the fascinating world of private markets!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups. -
John D. Evans, CFA | SEIML Ventures, CN: Four decades of fraud, fundraising and the Founder Institute
The funding environment is tough, but there is precedence. This episode’s guest, John D. Evans, CFA founder and general manager of SEIML Ventures, spent over 24 years as an investment banker, 12 years as a professor of practice, and 7 years in corporate finance. He's seen the highs and lows, booms and busts, of various economic cycles, making him a wealth of knowledge. With his unique insights, we explore the tough competitive nature of markets and the struggle startups face to generate revenue. Ever wondered how similar government-backed currency and private cryptocurrency markets are? We navigate that too!
Expanding our fiscal exploration, we peer into the darker side of finance, examining the history of financial fraud and its prevalence in boom and bust markets. You might be surprised by the similarities between Bernie Madoff and Bankman-Fried, and the distinct risks linked to neo banks and single-purpose fintechs. We also discuss the often-overlooked hurdle startups face: being able to commercialise. It's not all about the idea, it's about distribution and market demand.
If you're considering launching a fintech in Asia, you'll definitely want to hear about the FinTech ASEAN program, an all inclusive startup training program. Get ready to uncover the fascinating, complex, and often tumultuous world of finance and entrepreneurship.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups. -
Justin Chan | Gense, HK: The early detection device that actually works.
Meet Justin Chan, a Forbes' 30 Under 30 awardee whose groundbreaking tech invention could revolutionize healthcare as we know it. As the founder of Gense, Justin’s passion for positive impact and problem-solving is actualised through a palm-sized device that scans critical organs for disease in under a minute. His vision for a decentralized, accessible healthcare system is radical, but you'd never hear him say so.
As we navigate the implications of his tech post-pandemic, we explore its potential in both developed and emerging markets. Accessibility, affordability, and early detection of chronic diseases form the core of our discussion. Sprinkled through are personal anecdotes of being broke, meeting Obama and issuing bonds to a now-deposed Myanmar government.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews, investor insights, and pitch deck tips.
Visit our website to learn more about our work with Asia's leading tech startups.