BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Yudara Kularathne: D*ck Pics for Science, Child Emergency Doctor to AI Founder & Model Training vs. Regulatory Affairs - E523 Yudara Kularathne MD, FAMS(EM), CEO & Cofounder of HeHealth, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. D*ck Pics for Science: Yudara described the progress of HeHealth, an AI-powered men’s health app launched in 2022. The app helps users detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by analyzing images. Within two weeks of its release, the app received over 20,000 downloads globally, including from countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Yudara recounted a case where a user with monkeypox contributed 150 detailed images documenting his condition over two weeks to help improve the app’s diagnostic accuracy. This approach leveraged community contributions to create robust, annotated datasets while adhering to ethical guidelines. 2. Child Emergency Doctor to AI Founder: Yudara reflected on his journey from managing over 10,000 cases as a pediatric emergency doctor to founding HeHealth. During his time at Sengkang General Hospital, he built a dedicated pediatric emergency department with support from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted hospital workflows and inspired him to address healthcare gaps. He cited a personal encounter in 2019, when a friend mistakenly believed he had HIV and considered suicide, as the moment that fueled his commitment to bridging stigma-driven healthcare disparities through technology. 3. Model Training vs. Regulatory Affairs: Yudara emphasized the balance between building AI models and navigating regulations. HeHealth used incremental data collection and synthetic data to improve accuracy and reduce biases, particularly for underrepresented groups. In 2023, HeHealth faced a $50 million FTC lawsuit in the U.S., citing privacy concerns about sensitive user data. Using AI tools for legal strategy and transparent communication, Yudara successfully resolved the case within two months. He highlighted how innovation often outpaces regulation and the importance of proactive collaboration with regulators to mitigate risks. Jeremy and Yudara also talked about the role of synthetic data in addressing racial biases in AI healthcare tools and the challenges of scaling health tech in emerging markets. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/guBActFr  #HealthcareInnovation #AIinMedicine #PediatricCare #EntrepreneurshipJourney #MenHealthTech #SyntheticData #StartupResilience #GlobalHealthTech #LeadershipInCrisis #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Whaling Power Law, LP Incentives & VC 2 & 20 - E522 Jeremy Au 区汉辉 explored the nuances of venture capital through three lenses. He described how LPs, such as sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors, pursue diversification and long-term returns, often seeking a 25% net IRR to justify the high risks of VC, as seen in Southeast Asia's emerging tech ecosystem. Using the "2 and 20" model, Jeremy explained that a. general partners commit 1% of the fund size (e.g., $1M for a $100M fund) as skin in the game while limited partners provide 99% of the capital. b. GPs spend 2% of the fund size on operations for 10 years and c. GPs receive 20% of the fund exit upside and LPs 80%. He shared examples like Sequoia's $100M investment in Zoom, yielding 22x returns, and Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, which turned a $60M investment into $3B. Lastly, he likened VC to 19th-century whaling, where only 6% of deals produce 60% of returns, drawing parallels to how power-law distributions shape the industry’s focus on rare, high-value investments. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.braves https://lnkd.in/gnZe8brS #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #SoutheastAsiaTech #PowerLawReturns #UnicornHunting #TechInvestments #InnovationEconomy #EntrepreneurshipInsights #TechGrowth #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: VC Selection Edge vs. Startup Fraud, Local Expertise & Whaling Power Law - E521 Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed the nuanced challenges faced by venture capitalists in assessing startups, emphasizing the importance of local expertise and first-principles thinking. For example, he shared how his understanding of Singaporean founders—gained through years of personal interactions—provided him with an edge over Silicon Valley VCs. He highlighted the risks of fraud in Southeast Asia, citing cases like Zilingo and comparing them to global examples such as Theranos and FTX, which underscore the need for robust due diligence. He explained how VCs use strategies like hiring fraud analysts or leveraging local networks to address these risks. Drawing parallels to the 19th-century whaling industry, Jeremy illustrated how power law dynamics dominate VC returns, with only about 6% of investments producing 60% of total returns, as seen in analysis from Horsley Bridge. This perspective frames VCs as high-performance scouts navigating a market where a single unicorn, like Grab or Gojek, can make or break a fund’s success. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gt7QvKiG #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #SoutheastAsiaTech #TechLeadership #InnovationEcosystem #FraudMitigation #PowerLawReturns #EmergingMarkets #BRAVEpodcast 

This BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast interview of Gobi Partners’ Carlo Chen-Delantar is a real deep-dive into the Philippine startup ecosystem’s current state, and the various internal and external factors that influence its trajectory. If you’re curious about how the ecosystem is poised to take advantage of 2025’s opportunities, and what stakeholders need to do to overcome the hurdles, take some time to watch this. Good job on a super episode, Jeremy Au 区汉辉!

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: VC Advantages: Market Expertise, Due Diligence vs. Fraud & LonelyTech Case Study - E499 Jeremy Au 区汉辉 examined the key advantages for venture capital judgment, with a focus on local market expertise in Southeast Asia. VCs must confront the limits of their knowledge and not be overconfident, especially in frontier markets. Global funds have been burned by high-profile and hidden cases of unchecked fraud (e.g., Theranos, FTX, and Zilingo), illustrating how localized due-diligence analysts. He discusses how VCs are evaluating and investing in “lonelytech” AI companionship, exemplified by companies like friend.com, which offers on-demand AI friends for those seeking constant companionship. Reflecting on his experience with Professor Howard Gardner’s work on multiple intelligences and the "Good Citizen Project," Jeremy underscored the societal shift from traditional support systems to commodified relationships, now facilitated by technology. He highlighted the VC’s responsibility in distinguishing sustainable value from fleeting trends while navigating the ethical terrain between investment potential and societal impact. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/g39uX3yj Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gUXN-SkC 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gaVMuXsj Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gRfwvD5m #VentureCapital #FraudDetection #RiskAnalysis #SoutheastAsiaStartups #LonelyTech #VC #ArtificialIntelligence #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Kheng Lian Ho: Law to Turn Capital Managing Partner, Buying Flash Coffee Thailand & Turnaround & Emerging Fund Manager Advice - E498 Kheng Lian Ho, Managing Partner at Turn Capital 龍丞資本, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Law to Turn Capital Managing Partner: Kheng’s disciplined childhood as a 11-year old Singapore national badminton athlete laid the foundation for her early legal carer For six years, she practiced restructuring and cross-border litigation in Singapore and Hong Kong, drawn to the intellectual challenges but stifled by routine and limited personal connection. Kheng left her law career to do angel investing, be a venture partner at Vectr Ventures in Hong Kong, facilitated deal sourcing and capital markets, and founded the Open Circles community to connect entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Building on her extensive network and operational expertise, Kheng co-founded Turn Capital alongside Joseph Phua and Shang Koo. With a focus on acquiring and transforming underperforming consumer tech companies, Turn Capital leverages 40 combined years of experience to revitalize these businesses and guide them back to profitability. 2. Buying Flash Coffee Thailand & Turnaround: Her fund strategy is a. acquired former VC-backed startups plagued by high costs and inefficiencies in social, entertainment, media, and e-commerce sectors b. limited number of acquisitions for deep hands-on business engagement and c. balanced goal of 3-5x returns over five years. Their first acquisition, Flash Coffee Thailand, showcases this method: by reducing the original 46 outlets by half, the team swiftly brought operations to break-even, paving the way for sustainable expansion and long-term growth. Acquiring majority operational control is key to execute rightsizing and achieve profitability within nine months. She shares that they bring an external, objective eye, vs. founders, board and executives that may not be able to reach a consensus to execute the turnaround internally. 3. Emerging Fund Manager Advice: By 2023, Turn Capital successfully raised over $20 million, backed by prominent investors such as Kee Lock from Vertex Ventures, Peng Ong from Monk’s Hill Ventures, and Twitch cofounder Kevin Lin. Kheng underscored the importance of a distinct and well-defined investment strategy to stand out in the competitive market. Kheng leveraged her established network to attract high-profile investors, emphasizing the value of relationships cultivated over time. She recommends first-time fund managers tap into their existing networks as they often become key supporters during fundraising. Unlike her prior advisory roles where rejection felt indirect, leading as a general partner made setbacks personal, demanding strong emotional resilience. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/ghYn_Dnf #StartupAcquisition #FundManagement #FlashCoffee #EmergingMarkets #InvestmentFund #BRAVEpodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Trump 2028 Tariffs, iPhone Ban Protectionism vs. Globalization & ASEAN Unity & Peace - E497  Gita Sjahrir-Wright, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Trump 2028 Tariffs: With Trump’s return to the presidency and Republican dominance in the Senate, House, and Supreme Court, the stage is set for new tariffs on Chinese imports. This is likely to redirect manufacturing to Southeast Asia, positioning countries like Vietnam and Indonesia as key beneficiaries, particularly in sectors such as electronics and textiles. However, this move will also lead to an influx of low-cost Chinese exports into Southeast Asia, challenging local markets and putting pressure on SMEs. Concurrently, rising US labor costs fueled by stricter immigration policies are driving American companies to ramp up automation while also making Southeast Asia an attractive hub for labor-intensive industries. In aggregate, the region's business mix is likely to move from local SMEs & conglomerates to more US and China MNCs. 2. iPhone Ban Protectionism vs. Globalization: Indonesia has imposed device manufacturing local content requirements, thus leading to a ban on the Apple iPhone 16 and Google Pixel. While these policies provide temporary leverage, Gita noted that sustainable growth requires more than protectionist measures, Indonesia needs to build private-sector capacity and improve its business environment. China manufacturers are also building more local joint-venture partnerships to comply with Indonesia's proposed 200% anti-China import tariffs. This is similar to Japan’s relocation of factories to Southeast Asia during the 1970s and 1980s in response to US trade barriers. In contrast, Singapore continues to keep borders open to to Chinese and global capital - with the goal of becoming the regional talent hub vs. Hong Kong. 3. ASEAN Unity & Peace: Diplomacy across the region is vital to maintain regional stability and cohesion to address external pressures. Jeremy and Gita praised ASEAN’s ability to maintain peace despite diverse political systems and cultures. This multi-party relational resilience has underpinned decades of peace and economic growth since the Vietnam War, even in an era marked by rising protectionist policies. Remarkably, they noted how ASEAN leaders continue to come together annually for a group photo and joint communiqué — a symbolic gesture to cooperation among 700 million people across the region’s vastly different nations, cultures and languages. Jeremy and Gita also talked about Indonesia’s EV & nickel battery market potential, Malaysia’s new proactive foreign direct investment approach, and growth vs. redistribution-focused economic policies. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gm3tM8bF #USIndonesiaRelations #TradeAndTariff #ASEAN #TechAndAutomation #GlobalizationChallenges #VC #VentureCapitalist #BRAVEPodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Trump Win vs. Southeast Asia Trade, China Talent Flows & Silicon Valley Divided with Shiyan Koh - E496  Shiyan K., Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Trump Win vs. Southeast Asia Trade: Trump’s 2024 landslide election victory across the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, will reshape Southeast Asia’s economic landscape. His proposed “global 10% tariff” on all US imports and a targeted 60% tariff on Chinese goods may severely disrupt Southeast Asia’s trade flows. Singapore could face challenges for export-driven industries and its role as a key transit hub for US-China trade. Chinese-funded products manufactured in Southeast Asia—such as solar cells produced in Vietnam— may now face similar tariffs as those directly from China. Biden-era “reverse CFIUS” restrictions, which limit US investment in Chinese firms across sectors such as AI and advanced manufacturing, coupled with Trump's new China hawk administration will further accelerate American LPs and MNCs to redirect foreign direct investment (FDI) towards Southeast Asia instead of China. 2. China Talent Flows: Known as the “Delaware of Asia,” Singapore stands to benefit as both US and Chinese firms seek a neutral and stable base for regional Asia operations (versus Hong Kong). As US-China tensions deter many Chinese families and professionals from pursuing American education and career paths, Singapore has become an appealing alternative. Singapore, a nation built by immigrants, has long maintained a social contract that includes national service (NS) obligations as a cornerstone of fostering social cohesion among its diverse population. However, the country has historically faced complex challenges in determining which types of immigrants to accept, how best to integrate them into society and to improve income inequality. Jeremy shared a story about a former Thai employee who had to leave America after her H-1B visa renewal was denied during Trump’s first term, illustrating how Trump’s immigration policies could drive talent to return to the regional tech ecosystem. 3. Silicon Valley Divided: Opinions remain split, with Trump’s pro-deregulation stance sparking optimism in some corners, evidenced by a surge in Bitcoin prices and positive reactions from equity markets. Supporters point to potential gains for sectors like crypto and tech equities, alongside corporate tax cuts that help maintain profits, boost R&D, and provide attractive exit opportunities for venture capitalists. Concerns were raised that while deregulation under Trump may fuel market growth, higher tariffs could exacerbate economic disparities and be the wrong solution for the middle class. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/g4gKKGpg #USPolitics #SoutheastAsia #TechLeaders #GlobalEconomy #VC #VentureCapital #BRAVEPodcast

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: Charles Ormiston: Founding Bain Southeast Asia, Reengineer Your Career & Angsana Council on China vs. USA Rivalry - E495 Charles Ormiston, Founding Partner of Bain Southeast Asia, and Jeremy Au 区汉辉 discussed: 1. Founding Bain Southeast Asia: Charles established Bain's office in Singapore, which initially faced major skepticism from Bain’s leadership who favored Hong Kong as the regional hub. Believing Singapore’s strategic location to be better suited for Southeast Asia, Charles stood firm - even at the risk of his career. His bet paid off when the Singapore office flourished and became the regional leader. He pursued a unconventional hiring strategy for that time: prioritizing local talent over international hires and avoiding expatriate perks like housing allowances. This talent core cultivated a leadership pipeline deeply committed to the region’s long-term growth, with key figures like Edmund Lin rising from the office's second employee to Chairman today. 2. Reengineer Your Career: After a health wake-up call, he decided to hand over to Till Vestring and move to an advisory role. His successor led Bain to new heights by expanding to a regional footprint with Bangkok, Jakarta and other offices. After a 14-month break working with nonprofits, Charles returned to focus on "transformation" projects which aligned with his strengths. This pivot allowed him to achieve a new "capstone" level of career impact and personal satisfaction. 3. Angsana Council on China vs. USA Rivalry: Charles co-founded the think-tank with Peng T. Ong of Monk's Hill Ventures to improve global understanding of Southeast Asia’s high-growth markets. Their research is powered by prominent members like former Indonesian trade minister Gita Wirjawan and former Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo and partnership with Bain & DBS Bank. Charles shared how many business and political leaders had once underestimated China's ability to rise as a global innovation leader. ASEAN countries must navigate the increasingly complex global rivalry in order to maximize benefits and reduce risk from this trade & research decoupling. Charles and Jeremy also discussed being inspired by in-person meetings with Lee Kuan Yew and Bain's Chairwoman Orit Gadiesh, how consulting has evolved in the era of hybrid work, and his personal passion for cycling. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gS6VSJMy Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gtfGm3fk 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gCKtKzdX Xem, nghe hoặc đọc toàn bộ thông tin chi tiết tại https://lnkd.in/gkrJSn3G #Bain&Company #LeadershipJourney #SoutheastAsia #Consulting#Singapore #GrowthMindset #CareerPivot #BuildingTheFuture #BRAVEpodcast