Leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE network
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Discover the power of early childhood education with Kreedo! Tune in now and listen to the latest episode of the Kreedo Podcast series for inspiring insights from experts shaping the future of education.
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Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we want to share and uncover Hard Truths - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital experience across Southeast Asia & India. Tune in to hear from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know. If you like what you hear, please click follo ...
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We interview successful founders in Vietnam and South East Asia to discuss their journeys, especially the stories and challenges of their first few months. Learn and be inspired by how some of the hottest startups in the region made early hires, raised funds, found product-market fit and so much more. If you're a startup founder in South East Asia or aspiring to be one, please follow the show, share it with fellow entrepreneurs and send in your stories. We'd love to hear from you!
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Why India’s Startup Hustle Is a Wake-Up Call for Singapore
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43:47What happens when a FinTech insider also happens to be a media personality, startup investor, and Gen Z trailblazer? I’ve known Vanessa Ho through many avatars - and in this episode of TiE Talks Singapore, I finally got to sit down with her to unpack it all. From hosting events at 15 to building cross-border startup bridges between Singapore and In…
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The Untold Story Behind Olympic Medals | Ravi Dahiya & Viren Rasquinha
1:02:17
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1:02:17What does it really take to turn a medal dream into reality? This time, I sat down with Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya and hockey legend & OGQ CEO Viren Rasquinha to talk about the fight behind the podium moment. We went from nail-biting Olympic bouts and injuries to the mindset and support that build champions. Ravi opened up about wha…
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Can India Build The Next OpenAI or Databricks?
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47:59What happens when the tables turn and I get to interview one of India’s top VCs - who’s usually the one asking the questions? In this TiE Talks Singapore episode, I sit down with Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Managing Partner at Neon Fund and host of the popular Neon Show Podcast, to talk about his journey from startup founder to venture capitalist. We div…
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Why Consumer Is India VC’s Forever Bet | Ben Mathias, Managing Partner at VVSEAI
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38:16
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38:16What’s it like to bet big on beauty brands, snacks, and even quick commerce in India? In this episode, I sit down with Ben Mathias, Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, to unpack his journey of spotting consumer opportunities where others only saw risk. Ben shares how he went from backing early players like FirstCry to today’…
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“Winners Don’t Do Different Things…” Shiv Khera on Leadership That Lasts
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38:24How do you introduce someone whose words are quoted at airports, in books, and in classrooms across the world? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with Shiv Khera, the bestselling author, educator, and motivational speaker behind the iconic line “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently.” We dive into his extraordinary jou…
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10 Years, 10 Contradictions: What Venture Capital Really Teaches You
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43:59
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43:59What is it really like to be a VC when you're not from finance—or even from “the club”? In this episode, I speak with Puiyan Leung, who’s spent the last 10 years in venture capital, after starting out in a corporate role. She opens up about feeling like an outsider, learning to trust her gut, and what it means to support founders through both the h…
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The IIT Engineer Who Cracked India’s Beauty Market
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31:07What would make an IIT Bombay graduate ditch a high-paying finance job to start a beauty brand? In this episode of Hard Truths by Vertex, I sit down with Gagandeep, co-founder of Pilgrim, to unpack his unconventional journey—from engineering and investment banking to building a ₹700 crore beauty empire. He shares the moment he secretly quit his job…
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AI fluency is now a CEO’s job. Most are still stuck in 1984
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39:05What do you do after building one unicorn? Well, if you’re Dheeraj Pandey, you build another. I sat down with Dheeraj, the founder of not one but two unicorns—Nutanix and now DevRev—to unpack what really drives him. It’s not the funding rounds or the fancy valuations—it’s building things people love. From transforming IT infrastructure to reimagini…
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Why Most Startups Die - Even With Brilliant Founders
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45:01Ever met a guy who politely told Google and Twitter, Thanks, but I’ll pass? I’m Prantik, and in this episode I sit down with Vijay Krishnan—my fellow IIT Bombay alum who swapped a Stanford PhD track for back‑to‑back startups. He shares how a non‑conformist streak led him from a personalised search engine exit to co‑founding Turing, the remote‑first…
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No gym, no diets, no problem: the longevity secret your smartwatch can’t sell
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43:43What if you could extend your life by 25 years more - and still have the energy to enjoy them? In this episode, I sit down with Naveen Bhat, ex‑finance exec now building 25 Years More, and Abhi Patwardhan, a Stanford Longevity ambassador who helps people redesign life after the corporate grind. Naveen explains why he swapped boardrooms for biomark…
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S3E5 | We Don’t Build Restaurants, We Buy Them | DailyCo’s 100 K
37:21
37:21
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37:21What happens when a founder thinks long-term in a trend-chasing industry? I sat down with Kelvin Subowo, the founder and CEO of DailyCo—Indonesia’s fastest-growing multi-brand F&B company. We talked about his journey from launching a single rice box brand to building a business that serves millions of meals every month. He shared how acquisitions, …
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Why Telling People to Consume Less Is Just... Unnatural
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42:03
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42:03What legacy will your kids remember you for? In this episode, I sit down with Rajeev Peshawaria—author, speaker, and CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre—to explore how leaders can do well by doing good. Rajeev shares stories from global companies that prove profit and purpose can go hand in hand. We also talk about his own journey, why he believes the t…
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Why They Left Corporate Jobs to Build Their Own Things
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36:50What happens when two best friends take completely different paths—then end up changing the world in their own ways? I’m joined by two inspiring guests this week—Puneet Pushkarna and Atul Temurnikar. We go back to their early days in Mumbai, sharing flats and figuring out life at HCL. Puneet ventured into Silicon Valley and became a serial tech ent…
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Inside the Mind of a Startup Investor w/ Avik Ashar
47:19
47:19
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47:19What does it take to go from being a founder to a VC? In this episode, I sat down with Avik Ashar, who’s been on both sides of the table—building businesses and now investing in them. He started as a founder, scaled companies across multiple markets, ran a family office, and now backs early-stage startups and a Principal, at Riverwalk Holdings. We …
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S3E4 | How This Indian Startup Made $6M+ Selling AI to US Car Dealers (Without a US Team)
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33:08How is an Indian business dominating the U.S. market without a single person on the ground there? Today on "Hard Truths by Vertex," I'm sitting down with Sanjay, the innovative co-founder and CEO at Spyne, who's going to share just how they pulled it off. Spyne isn't just another software company; it's revolutionizing how car dealerships use AI to …
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What happens when startup dreams collide with governance concerns? Hi, I’m James, and in this episode, I sit down with two powerhouse voices from the investor and legal world—Vijay Sambamurthi and Nicholas Cator. Vijay’s a seasoned lawyer who founded Lexygen Law in India and now leads its Singapore office, while Nick is a consumer-focused investor …
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Could you beat an Olympic athlete at their own game? Doubtful, but let's chat about those who actually might! Join me, Prantik, as I dive into the exhilarating world of sports development and impact capital with two pioneers, Rukmini Pandit and Amrut Joshi. Discover how Rukmini leads Sattva Consulting in revolutionizing the sporting landscape in So…
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S3E3 | Lessons from Indonesia’s Startup Crash and the Road to a Stronger Future
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30:42In this episode of Hard Truths by Vertex, Gary Khoeng, partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, joins host Rahul Thayyalamkandy to explore the Indonesian startup ecosystem. They discuss the recent decline in capital flows, attributing it to global macroeconomic conditions, underperforming IPOs, and election uncertainties. Gary also addr…
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Defying Traditions: How Sanjeev Kapoor Redefined Being a Chef!
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30:39Want to know how a chef's uniform stirred up a national conversation? Join me as I dive into the flavorful life of Sanjeev Kapoor, a culinary maestro who's not just spicing up dishes but also shaping destinies with his visionary approach. From his bold stance at the Padma Shri awards to revolutionizing Indian cuisine on global platforms, Sanjeev sh…
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Learning from India’s near-misses in the Olympics
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32:01What drives a small-town athlete to Olympic glory? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with two incredible champions: Viren Rasquinha, former captain of the Indian hockey team and CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, and Navdeep Singh, Paralympic gold medalist. Together, we dive into their inspiring journeys—from small-town beginnings to world stages, a…
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Unlocking the Startup Code: Insights from Serial Entrepreneurs!
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29:56How do serial entrepreneurs build successful companies across different sectors? Can you become one yourself? In this episode, we chat with Pankaj Gupta and Saurabh Bhattacharyya, two visionary founders who have not only shaped industries but also navigated the complex world of startups in both India and Singapore. Pankaj, a three-time founder, tal…
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Conferences Redefined: Innovation, Connection, and Real Impact
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32:49
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32:49How do big events like the Singapore FinTech Festival or Dreamforce actually shape industries—and even nations? In this episode, I chat with Amit Gupta and Harsh Rungta, two visionary leaders whose journeys are as impressive as the global meetups they frequent. Amit, a tech entrepreneur and Global Chair of TIE, and Harsh, a financial leader with a …
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S3E2 | Burnout, Feedback, and the Making of a Leader: PatSnap CEO’s Story
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36:24Ever been told you’re not fit for the job? That’s exactly what happened to Jeffrey during a pivotal moment early in his journey as the CEO of PatSnap. In this episode, I sit down with Jeffrey to explore how he turned tough feedback into fuel for growth. From starting PatSnap right out of university to leading a global tech company, he shares candid…
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Dream Big, Start Young: A Blueprint for Success
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35:35What drives two young entrepreneurs to take bold risks? In this episode, I sit down with Krish and Samyak, two young entrepreneurs who took the bold steps of leaving school to pursue their dreams. Krish shares his journey from gaming to building his own VC firm, while Samyak reveals how his passion for biotech and pet nutrition led him to make big …
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Are Indian workplaces designed to support employee well-being? In this episode, I sit down with two close friends and passionate advocates, Bala Swaminathan and Ritu G. Mehrish, who are dedicated to rethinking corporate culture. Bala shares the heartbreaking events that pushed him to speak out on workplace stress and ethics, drawing on decades of e…
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S3E1 | Will India hit its EV Targets? | Akshay Shekhar from Kazam
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46:19
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46:19Are you ready for a future where electric vehicles are the norm? In this episode, we chat with Akshay, co-founder of Kazam, who’s on a mission to revolutionize how we think about EVs and energy. From leasing EVs to building cutting-edge charging infrastructure, Akshay shares his journey of tackling India’s EV challenges and scaling solutions global…
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How Two Leaders Are Using Capital to Drive Real Change
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44:53
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44:53What happens when two leaders from different industries come together with a shared mission to create a positive impact? In this episode, I sit down with Maya Hari, CEO of Terrascope, and Michelle Cheo, CEO and Vice Chair of Mewah Group. Both are seasoned leaders who combine their deep business expertise with a passion for climate tech, health, and…
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Is it possible for impact investing to truly change the world? In this episode, we sit down with Sugandhi Matta, one of the founding partners of ABC Impact. She shares her incredible journey from traditional private equity to leading the charge in impact-driven investments. As a breast cancer survivor, Sugandhi’s personal experiences deeply shaped …
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What makes someone leave behind a comfortable life in Asia for the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with Raj Verma, CEO of SingleStore, to dive into his fascinating journey from Australia and Hong Kong to becoming a tech leader in the heart of innovation. Raj opens up about the personal drive that fueled …
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Impact Investing: Doing Good While Making Money
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27:04
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27:04What inspires a successful business leader to embrace sustainability and impact investing? In this episode, Amit Mehta, the Director of LNB Group, takes us through his journey from working across various industries, including his experience at Tata, to leading a family-owned business with a strong focus on sustainability. Amit shares how his upbrin…
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The Future of Farming, Tech and Sustainability: Olam’s Journey
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34:59How does one transform a company from millions to billions? In this episode, we chat with Suresh Sundararajan from Olam International, who has been with the company since 1996, witnessing its growth from a $50 million business to a $50 billion giant. We delve into his background in finance, his role in making Olam public, and his leadership in the …
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Bio-Based Materials: The Next Big Trend in Construction Sustainability
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33:31How can a trained architect influence global sustainability efforts through the built environment & real estate? In this episode, we have Joelle Chen, a professional with over two decades of experience in stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development. Joelle shares her journey of leveraging architecture for sustainable practices in the construct…
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S2E9 | She dropped out of Harvard to change the lives of 600M women in India — Achitha Jacob
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40:29What motivated Achitha Jacob to shift her focus from a career in a Fortune 500 healthcare company to founding Proactive for Her, and how does she envision the impact of her work on women's health in India? Join us as we delve into the journey of Achitha Jacob, the founder of Proactive for Her. Discover how Achitha's passion for women's health led h…
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A-Z on preschool journey | Everything you should know about preschool business | PreSchool Diaries
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19:48Join us in this episode of Preschool Diaries as we chat with Ms. Umme Razia, the founder of Cutie Pies Preschool. Discover how she ventured into the world of early education during a pandemic, transformed her school from 0 to 70 students in just a year, and her vision for the future. Get inspired by her journey and insights, and learn how quality p…
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S2E8 | How Guan Dian built a Tech Unicorn from Ground up to address the Trillion-dollar R&D market
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44:28Imagine building a global tech powerhouse from scratch. That's the story of Guan Dian, cofounder, CMO and APAC GM of Patsnap, a pioneer in AI-powered patent search and analytics. From humble beginnings in China to leading a global tech team, Guan Dian's story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of service excellence. Tune in …
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S2E7 | How Roshni went from babysitting to owning SEA's largest parenting empire
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42:06What does it take to go from an idea to owning the Southeast Asia Parenting space? In this episode, we have a conversation with Roshni Mahtani Cheung, the founder and CEO of The Parentinc, a pioneering parent-tech leader renowned for owning the largest content-community-commerce online platform for parents in the region. The Parentinc recently made…
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S2E6 | PayPal Mafia Insider on Winning In a Tough Market | Jack Selby
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24:50Join host Elise Tan in this special episode of the Hard Truths by Vertex podcast, as she sits down with member of the PayPal mafia, Jack Selby, venture investor and independent film director. Discover the untold stories of PayPal's early days, including the merger with X.com and the birth of the pioneering digital payment giant. Jack shares valuabl…
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S2E5 | Unlocking the trillion dollar Indian startup ecosystem with Nikhil Marwaha
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33:51In this episode, Nikhil Marwaha, Senior Executive Director, shares his extensive investment journey spanning early and later-stage companies in sectors like consumer, B2B enterprise, and healthcare. Learn about his experiences with growth equity funds, insights into venture investing, and the exciting trends in the Indian startup ecosystem. Based i…
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S2E4 | Unlocking the Trillion dollar SEA Startup Ecosystem - the Malaysia's context with Chan Yip Pang
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27:21In this episode of Hard Truths by Vertex podcast, Chan Yip Pang, Executive Director at Vertex Ventures SEA & India, explores the Malaysian startup ecosystem, delving into his journey and the three phases of Malaysian tech development. The conversation covers notable investments, the strengths of the Malaysian ecosystem, and Vertex's investment thes…
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S2E3 | Unlocking the Trillion dollar SEA Startup Ecosystem - the Indonesia's context with Gary Khoeng
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32:50Indonesia is the largest market in Southeast Asia but with a nascent startup ecosystem, how can entrepreneurs navigate rapid growth while ensuring bottom-line profitability? In this episode, Gary Khoeng shares insights on Indonesia's startup landscape. Covering topics across profitability, unit economics, and internal governance, Gary provides a pr…
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S2E2 | Hard Truths About Minting the Next Indian Unicorn w/ Piyush Kharbanda
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41:21How do Indian startups navigate constraints and build innovative businesses? In this episode of Hard Truths by Vertex podcast, Elise Tan and Piyush Kharbanda discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Indian startup ecosystem, drawing insights from successful ventures like KukuFM and Kissht. Explore the unique dynamics of the Indian ecosystem …
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S2E1 | Unlocking the Trillion-Dollar SEA Startup Ecosystem - The Singapore Context w/ Carmen Yuen
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27:05What are the evolving trends in the Southeast Asia startup ecosystem? In this episode of Hard Truths by Vertex podcast, Carmen Yuen, General Partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, shares her journey from government-backed initiatives to becoming a key player and rare woman partner in the startup landscape. Get into the mind of a promi…
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Innovation, holistic learning and transparency | Manushree Chaturvedi and Abhishek Jain, Crossmaze | India, Pre-School Education
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18:58Join us on the next episode of "Preschool Diaries" as we dive into the journey of Manushree Chaturvedi and Abhishek Jain, the entrepreneurs behind Crossmaze, a set of innovative preschools partnered with Kreedo since 2019. Discover how Manushree and her team revolutionised the preschool industry by creating a safe and child-centric environment that…
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Evaluating Startups with Hero Choudhary: Team, Timing, And Traction (TTT)
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30:57Join us in this episode of 'TiE Talks' with Hero Choudhary as he takes us on a journey from trading billions in financial markets to investing in startups across Southeast Asia and India. Hero's insights reveal the art of evaluating early-stage companies, focusing on team, timing, and traction (TTT). As a seasoned investor, Hero shares stories of b…
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PD1 | How We Offer Free, High-Quality Rural Education | Lakshmi Ramamurthy, Amyga Foundation | India, Pre-School Education
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24:05Discover the inspiring journey of Mrs. Lakshmi Ramamurthy, founder of Amyga Academy, as she revolutionizes education in rural areas through a unique government partnership model. In this episode, we uncover the incredible story of Amyga's mission to bring free education to rural areas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through a groundbreaking partnership…
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TT2 | Legalities of Angel Investing with Karun Cariappa | Investment Insights
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19:23In this episode, the host delves into the world of angel investing, exploring the legalities, due diligence process, and exit scenarios for both founders and investors. The conversation begins with a discussion on the documents involved in angel investing, such as non-disclosure agreements and term sheets. The importance of due diligence in early-s…
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From favourite moments to putting lessons in play, Hau and Adrian reflect on their takeaways about hiring and retaining early team members. In This Episode (00:20) How the show came into being (02:45) The importance of people strategy (04:42) How the show’s making a difference for founders (08:40) ‘Eye-opening’ and ‘Intriguing’ (11:22) Amazing anal…
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TT1 | From Idea to Execution w/ James Chan, ION Mobility | EV, Hardware
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28:19We talk to James Chan, founder of ION Mobility, about the challenges and triumphs of building an electric motorbike company in Southeast Asia. We discuss everything from the inception of the company to the unique challenges of hardware development as well as the secret sauce that makes them special. In This Episode (01:47) Inception of ION Mobility…
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AV7 | C-suite Hiring and Why “Business Problems are People Problems”| Minh Giang - Newing Company| AVV Founders & Friends
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38:45Corporates are much better than startups at hiring impactful C-level leaders and it isn’t just because they pay more. Fortunately, startups can apply the same methods and mindsets to find the right people solutions to their business problems. Minh Giang, former partner of Talent and Culture at Mekong Capital sheds light on executive, corporate hiri…
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S1E11 | Truths about Automating and Growing F&B and Retail businesses in Southeast Asia | Fong Wai Hong
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35:27How do you build a business servicing a client base that operates on a fine line between survival and failure? And how do you ensure your business is not just client-churn proof but also emerges resilient towards funding challenges? Find out from Wai Hong, founder of StoreHub. In This Episode (00:55) How StoreHub got started (04:25) Hard Truths abo…
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