BRAVE is celebrating our 5 year founding anniversary! Join our party in Singapore on April 12, Saturday 6-10pm. Connect with podcast hosts, prior guests and fellow community members. RSVP here at https://lu.ma/bdhmzm4c.
Regional News & Deep Dives
- Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, explored the rising youth unemployment due to AI replacing entry-level jobs and why education must shift towards problem-solving skills.
- Gita Sjahrir, Senior Advisor at TBS Energi Utama, analyzed the $12B Pertamina corruption case and its ripple effects on public trust and energy governance and how poor policy communication and short-term decisions triggered investor uncertainty and public concern.
- Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, discussed how US-China tensions are pushing more investment into Vietnam and how local reforms are preparing the economy for future growth.
Jeremy Au reflected on why most startups fail despite strong ideas, why blitzscaling is risky and how execution and timing often matter, how VCs evaluate startups, and how great startup pitching focuses on clear thinking and believable futures.
Popular Interviews
- Kwok Jiachuan: COVID-19’s Impact on Nonprofits, Conjunct’s Shift in Business Model & The Role of Capacity Builders: Jiachuan discussed co-founding Conjunct Consulting to connect nonprofit needs with young professionals seeking purpose. He detailed building a sustainable model, navigating early skepticism, and how the platform evolved into a community that has shaped future impact leaders.
- Sadaf Sultan: eFishery Scandal Breakdown, Startup Financial Shenanigans & VC Fraud Detection: Sadaf broke down the eFishery scandal from revenue inflation and shell company round-tripping, to overlooked red flags like large bonuses and sudden staff exits. He also discussed how investors can improve safeguards through forensic audits, local insight, and clear whistleblower channels.
- Benjamin Loh: Polarizing Thought Leadership, Social Media Hard Truths & Family Commitment Learnings: Benjamin went from public speaking to training professionals and leading a thought leadership agency. He explained why bold storytelling matters, how social media favors strong opinions, and why leaders must be willing to polarize to stand out. He also reflected on handling online criticism and the personal cost of chasing ambition at the expense of family.
- Vikram Bharati: Draper Startup House Expansion, Global Team Building Challenges & Startup Ecosystem Design: Vikram founded Draper Startup House into a global network with 15 locations globally, blending physical spaces with startup community programming. He explored the rise of hybrid work models and the concept of digital nations, rethinking traditional borders and opportunities.
Mike Michalec: $1B+ Edtech Investments, Market Due Diligence Failures & Real-World Education Gaps: Mike shared how he moved from molecular research to education work in Southeast Asia and why many edtech startups struggle to scale across its fragmented markets. He explained how China’s crackdown pushed companies into the region and stressed improving existing tools over new ones, especially for young learners.
Community News
- Janine Teo, CEO of Solve Education, shares how her team uses AI and gamified learning to boost literacy and digital skills from low-income communities on Lenovo StoryHub. Check out her episode on her journey from being a software engineer to an edtech founder using AI and game-based platforms to deliver flexible and effective learning.
- Amanda Cua, CEO & founder of BackScoop, was featured by MEGA Magazine for building a leading Southeast Asia-focused startup newsletter at 19. Read about her learnings on choosing an unconventional path and her approach to newsletter monetization.
- Hon Weng Chong, founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, announced on Capital Brief the launch of CL1, a biological computer combining brain cells and silicon to power next-gen AI. Read more about his transition from medicine to entrepreneurship and his reflections on uncertainty and founder resilience.
Anna Haotanto, CEO and founder of Zora Health, shared with The Peak Magazine how her personal fertility journey led her to build a platform tackling stigma and access gaps in reproductive healthcare. Check out her episode failure stigma and the role of financial literacy in empowering personal and professional decisions.
Quote
“Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, “What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Reflection
"There was a certain amount of fear in being able to commit fully to something uncertain, but it really gave me a sense of reinforcement that if you put my mind into something, and you set aside the time and put in the hard work, you can control that outcome. You’ll have a really good shot of getting what you want out of it.” - Adrian Li
Young Adrian Li was once in a boarding school dining room, staring at a wall of names of former students who had made it to Oxbridge when a tutor casually told him that such a path was unlikely for someone like him. Instead of being discouraged, he took the comment as fuel, diving into his studies with a newfound discipline that eventually earned him a place at Cambridge. That early moment of doubt became a turning point, showing how determination, long-term planning, and a structured approach can turn even distant dreams into reality. His experience reveals how clear goals, persistent effort, and the ability to transform skepticism into motivation can pave the way not just to a top university, but to later success in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Can you recall a moment when someone doubted your abilities or ambitions? How did you respond to this skepticism and what was the outcome?
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