Best Mckinsey China Podcasts (2024)

1
Joseph Mocanu: PHD MedTech Founder, Global Healthcare VC & Emerging Manager Investor Myths - E477 31:14

1h ago31:14

31:14

Joseph Mocanu, Managing Partner at Verge HealthTech Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. PHD MedTech Founder: Joseph shared his educational journey from studying molecular genetics at the University of Toronto where he initially focused on aging and cancer research, to realizing the essential role of business skills in bringing scientific advancements…

1
Indonesia: Pope Visit, Shrinking Middle Class & Policy Reforms & Financial Literacy with Gita Sjahrir - E476 30:44

2d ago30:44

30:44

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Pope Visit: They reflect on Pope Francis’ recent visit to Indonesia, emphasizing its significance as a beacon of positive media influence. The visit was part of a broader Asia Pacific tour and marked the first extensive travel of the Pope to the region. Gita noted the mas…

1
Sherry Jiang: Founder Poker Strategy, Navigating Product-Market Fit Pivots & Big Tech Career Advice- E475 25:50

5d ago25:50

25:50

Sherry Jiang, CEO & Cofounder of Peek, and Jeremy Au explored three key topics: 1. Navigating Product-Market Fit Pivots: Crypto winter forced Sherry to pivot from her original idea—an algorithmic stablecoin protocol for Southeast Asian currencies. This shift led to the creation of Peek, an AI-powered platform for managing net worth. She highlighted…

1
Oscar Jesionek: Austria Digital Nomad to Vietnam Founder, Audio Learning Product-Market Fit & Trust Your Gut - E474 33:29

7d ago33:29

33:29

Oscar Jesionek, CEO & Cofounder of Fonos, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Austria Digital Nomad to Vietnam Founder: Oscar traces his entrepreneurial path, starting from his academic background in economics in Austria to his diverse professional experiences in headhunting, healthcare, and finance. His early career was a period of self-discovery, where h…

1
Singapore: Johor Special Economic Zone, US Anti-China Reverse CFIUS & Regional Trade Diversification with Shiyan Koh - E473 18:32

9d ago18:32

18:32

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ): They explored the potential impact of the upcoming Johor-Singapore SEZ agreement, scheduled for signing in November. The SEZ, which is more than 4 times the size of Singapore, is seen as an opportunity to deepen economic ties between the tw…

1
Rob Snyder: McKinsey to Harvard MBA Founder, Cracking Product-Market Fit & Accelerate Or Die - E472 28:31

12d ago28:31

28:31

Rob Snyder, Founder of Reframe, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. McKinsey to Harvard MBA Founder: Rob detailed his initial career moves from political philosophy to starting at McKinsey, where he developed critical analytical skills and professional discipline. His time at Harvard Business School was shaped by the “Founder's Journey” course, which provi…

1
Serena Lam: Vietnam Refugee Inspiration, IBM to SaaS Founder & Sales Automation Consequences - E471 33:14

14d ago33:14

33:14

Serena Lam, CEO & Founder of Fuzzy Sequence, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. IBM to SaaS Founder: Serena described her seven-year tenure at IBM, where she tackled diverse strategic roles across the U.S., China, and India. This experience provided her with a robust foundation in technology and business strategy, crucial for her later ventures. She empha…

1
China: Black Myth Wukong $1B AAA Game, $86B Tencent Publisher (League of Legends, SEA Group & VNG) & Real Estate Bubble Burst with Jianggan Li - E470 32:40

16d ago32:40

32:40

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Black Myth Wukong $1B AAA Game: Jianggan and Jeremy examined the reinterpretation of 'Journey to the West' in the gaming blockbuster 'Black Myth: Wukong'. The developers overcame huge skepticism, incorporated complex cultural narratives into gameplay and overcame technical ch…

1
Jesse Choi: Bain Capital & Stanford MBA, Moving To Indonesia For Love & Founding Reku Investment Platform - E469 33:17

19d ago33:17

33:17

Jesse Choi, Cofounder of Reku, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Bain Capital & Stanford MBA: Jesse shared his journey from an operations research and economics student at Columbia University to an early career at Bain management consulting and Bain Capital private equity. His Stanford MBA experience also expanded his professional network, deepened his a…

1
Raditya Wibowo: Gojek Chief Transportation Officer, Founder MAKA Motors & How Hard Can It Be? - E468 28:25

21d ago28:25

28:25

Raditya (Dito) Wibowo, CEO & Founder of MAKA Motors, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Gojek Chief Transportation Officer: Raditya describes his seven-year tenure rise from managing a nascent on-demand transportation service from the modest two-story home HQ with only 2 toilets to becoming Chief Transport Officer. Developing Gojek's first dynamic pricing…

1
Vietnam: New President Tô Lâm, Immediate China State Visit & USA Rejection "Non-Market Economy"- E467 21:58

23d ago21:58

21:58

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. New President Tô Lâm: The death and state-mandated mourning period for Vietnam's former Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong culminated in the swift elevation of Tô Lâm from the Ministry of Public Defense to President. This transition exhibited the controlle…

1
Avik Ashar: Zilingo Ethical Dilemmas, India vs. Southeast Asia Startups & Market & Consumer Diversity - E466 20:07

26d ago20:07

20:07

Avik Ashar, Principal at Artha Venture Fund, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Zilingo Ethical Dilemmas: Avik reflected on his experiences at Zilingo where rapid expansion led to questionable practices such as buying and selling Apple watches on their fashion lifestyle platform just to meet monthly sales targets, in order to achieve founder and board exp…

1
Huiting Koh: Solo General Partner (GP) Experience, Gen Z vs. Generation Alpha & Blueprint's Distinctive Strategy - E465 23:54

28d ago23:54

23:54

Huiting Koh, Founding Managing Partner of Blueprint Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. Solo General Partner (GP) Experience: Huiting discussed her journey as a solo GP, emphasizing the complexities of establishing Blueprint, her venture fund. She shared insights into the initial setup, overcoming challenges, and the decision-making processes inv…

1
Disney+ Arbitration PR Crisis, Good vs. Bad Startup Sci-Fi Ideas & Defence Tech Rise with Shiyan Koh - E464 18:58

1M ago18:58

18:58

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Disney+ Arbitration PR Crisis: A woman died from an allergic reaction after eating at a Disney-affiliated restaurant. The husband sued Disney for "wrongful death" and $50,000+ of damages. Disney in May 2024 alleged that the husband accepted a forced arbi…

1
Jingjing Zhong: UC Berkeley to Investment Banking, General Manager Firefighting & Superbench Services AI Founder - E463 30:43

1M ago30:43

30:43

Jingjing Zhong, CEO & Cofounder of Superbench, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. UC Berkeley to Investment Banking: Jingjing reflected on her time at UC Berkeley where the competitive environment introduced her to the high-stakes world of investment banking. She shared her initial motivation for joining Houlihan Lokey, which was to m…

1
Htay Aung: Anywheel Founder Struggles, Winning The Bike-sharing War & Rejecting VC & Acquisition Offers - E462 39:27

1M ago39:27

39:27

Htay Aung, CEO & Founder of Anywheel, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Early Inspiration and Challenges: Htay detailed his journey from an immigrant student facing cultural and language barriers in Singapore to becoming the founder of Anywheel. His initial inspiration came from dealing with traffic in Sydney and Singapore, which led…

1
Indonesia 39% Debt to GDP Ratio vs. Singapore, Free School Lunch Program & Capital City Move from Jakarta to Nusantara with Gita Sjahrir - E461 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia 39% Debt to GDP Ratio vs. Singapore: Jeremy and Gita delved into the policy debate behind Prabowo's decision to increase Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio from 39% to 50%, and invest towards achieving an aggressive growth rate of 8% through a ni…

1
DJ Tan: Prince of Fermentation, Coffee Without Beans & Government Food Scientist - E460 30:18

1M ago30:18

30:18

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast: DJ Tan, CTO & Cofounder of Prefer, and Jeremy Au talked about three main topics: 1. Government Food Scientist: DJ recounted his early fascination with science and his studies in chemistry at UCL, leading to a focus on food science at Singapore's ASTAR government lab. He shared how his academic and laboratory exper…

1
Patrick Linden: Dealguru $34M Acquisition, Southeast Asia Roll-Up Strategy & Match.asia M&A Marketplace - E459 35:31

1M ago35:31

35:31

Patrick Linden, Cofounder & Managing Partner of Match.Asia, and Jeremy Au discussed three main points: 1. Dealguru $34M Acquisition: Patrick shared his journey beginning from a small village in Germany to moving to Singapore and building iHipo, a platform to connect European students with opportunities in Southeast Asia. This early experience ignit…

1
Singapore: USA Civilian Nuclear Deal, Politicians vs. Technocrats & Allianz Insurance Acquiring NTUC Income with Shiyan Koh - E458 23:49

1M ago23:49

23:49

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Allianz Insurance Acquiring NTUC Income: Jeremy and Shiyan dissected the business logic and new facts that have emerged, especially regarding the current competition and performance challenges facing NTUC Income. They addressed the confusing public commu…

1
Why I Joined Lucence: Personal Loss, Atomic Building & Being the Dumbest Person in the Room - E457 12:00

2M ago12:00

12:00

Jeremy Au listed the 3 reasons for joining Lucence, a startup leveraging next-generation sequencing AI for early cancer detection with a single blood test. He reflected on his teenage years grieving over a personal loss due to lymphoma. He contrasted the builder role with the job of a VC, with a different set of “atomic” work outcomes. He appreciat…

1
Jeremy Tan: Cambridge Engineer & Harvard MBA, Founding Tin Men Capital & Fatherhood Insights - E456 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

Jeremy Tan, Managing Partner and Cofounder of Tin Men Capital, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Cambridge Engineer & Harvard MBA: Jeremy Tan shared his journey from a playful student to getting into a life-changing education at Cambridge. His early life goal of becoming a refinery chemical engineer shifted after a pivotal internship…

1
China: Indonesia & Trump Tariffs, Manufacturing Dominance & Involution 内卷 & Education Labor Mismatch with Jianggan Li- E455 28:45

2M ago28:45

28:45

Jianggan Li, Founder & CEO of Momentum Works, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Indonesia & Trump Tariffs: Indonesia's new tariffs target imports like China-manufactured footwear, clothing, and ceramics to protect 65M local micro, small and medium enterprises employing 109M people. These trade barriers have negatively impacted local …

1
Algostorm: Algorithm Storm Social Manipulation, Trendjacking Botnets & Government Countermeasures - E454 24:21

2M ago24:21

24:21

Jeremy Au discussed the increasing intensity of "algostorms" - unpredictable social media “weather systems” driven by algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth. The Internet’s transition from human-centric, chronological forums to a volatile online environment where individuals are caught in fluctuating must-discuss trends manipulated by bot…

1
How Asia is harnessing AI for social good 35:24

1M ago35:24

35:24

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of sustainable development in Asia. How can we ensure that the benefits of AI-driven advancements reach even the most marginalized communities in Asia? In this episode, Angela Buensuceso of the McKinsey Future of Asia Podcast speaks with Jennifer Echevarria, Vice President of Commercial Strategic S…

1
Founder Frauds, Startup Accounting Tricks (GMV, Revenue, Gross Margin, Contribution Margin) & Revenue Bundling & Valuation Multiples with Adriel Yong - E453 43:05

2M ago43:05

43:05

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au discussed three major topics: 1. Startup Accounting Tricks (GMV, Revenue, Gross Margin, Contribution Margin): Local VCs have often confused Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) with actual platform revenue, and gross margins with actual unit profitability. Startups have also split reporting…

1
Kamala vs. Trump USA Election, NTUC Income Insurance Privatization by Allianz & Indonesia D2C & Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) - E452 23:17

2M ago23:17

23:17

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Kamala vs. Trump USA Election: Jeremy and Shiyan discussed Kamala Harris stepping into the presidential race, and speculated on her potential policy directions and how her leadership might influence relations with Asia. The excitement around her candidac…

1
BRAVE's Secret Learnings: Seeing The Future, High-Conviction Bets & Personal Narrative Mental Models - E451 10:55

2M ago10:55

10:55

Jeremy Au reflects on the most important insight that he learned from interviewing hundreds of tech leaders across the region. Every secret has a shelf life, as private information diffuses into the public markets and becomes known by everyone. Leaders who discern emerging patterns before they become common wisdom can take action and make high-conv…

1
Parin Mehta: Google & Airbnb GM Career, Tech Executive to Founder Coach & Leadership Advice - E450 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

Parin Mehta, Venture Partner & Board Member at Menyala, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Google & Airbnb GM Career: Parin's journey began with his parents' migration from Uganda to the UK. Moving to Japan to teach English was a transformative experience that spurred his desire to return to Asia one day. He shared how he made the j…

1
Boeing and Airbus headwinds are hard to escape 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

The troubled US jet maker and its European rival aren’t delivering as many planes as customers want. On this Exchange podcast, AirInsight co-founder Addison Schonland explains how some problems stretch back to Covid, whether a third player can break the duopoly, and much more. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our priva…

1
Vietnam: Putin Bamboo Strategy, Data Sovereignty & 49% Foreign Ownership Limit & Investment Landscape with Valerie Vu - E449 30:52

2M ago30:52

30:52

Valerie Vu, Founding Partner of Ansible Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Putin Bamboo Strategy: Vietnam’s “bamboo strategy” foreign policy involves maintaining strong roots while being flexible, which allows Vietnam to navigate relationships with global superpowers like the US, China, and Russia. Valerie highlighted that in l…

1
Don't Ask Stupid Questions vs. High Performer Learning & Humility - E448 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

Jeremy Au reflects on the transformative power of asking questions by sharing his personal career experiences. He reveals how an early experience in the army working for a boss who discouraged questions shaped his initial approach to leadership and masculinity. He had to face a pivotal internship experience where not asking questions nearly deraile…

1
Karl Mak: Viral Memes Founder, Price of Fame & Hepmil Media Evolution - E447 41:10

2M ago41:10

41:10

Karl Mak, Cofounder & CEO of Hepmil Media Group, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Viral Memes Founder: Karl shared the story of how SGAG was born out of boredom during his university days at Singapore Management University (SMU) where he and his co-founder Adrian spent time creating side businesses. The breakthrough came in 2012 whe…

1
European board pay requires a US-style overhaul 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

Non-executive directors at UK and EU-based firms own little equity in the companies they oversee. In this Exchange podcast, Liad Meidar of the hedge fund Gatemore argues that this is a problem, while Peter Boreham of the pay consultancy Mercer explains why it’s hard to change. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our priva…

1
Indonesia: 200% China Import Tariffs, Ransomware Attacks 282 Agencies & 27,000+ Government Apps Consolidation with Gita Sjahrir - E446 29:25

2M ago29:25

29:25

Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed: 1. 200% China Import Tariffs: Jeremy and Gita explored Indonesia's recent imposition of up to 200% tariffs on Chinese imports like footwear, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, and ceramics. Indonesia's trade minister's remarks "I told my colleagues not to be afraid or hesitant. …

1
Lonelytech: Isolation Epidemic, Digital Companions & Manufacturing Pretend Empathy - E445 12:50

3M ago12:50

12:50

Jeremy Au examines the rise of 弱者営業 ("jaku-sha eigyō") "lonelytech" - the emerging AI companion industry. His observation of a man on a train openly interacting with an AI girlfriend highlights the rapidly increasing prevalence of digital companionship, e.g. Rosanna Ramos and Scott, who have formed intimate relationships with AI companions who offe…

1
Adopting Generative AI: The future of work in Australia 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

Generative AI has emerged as a significant new force with the potential to reshape the future of work, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Join host Debbi Cheong on The McKinsey Future of Asia Podcast as she engages with Seckin Ungur, Partner at McKinsey’s Sydney office, and Jacob Johnson, Associate Partner in McKinsey’s Canberra office. Th…

1
Roy Ang: Grab Executive to D2C Founder, Evo Commerce Consumer Secrets & Overcoming Pivot Challenges - E444 32:35

3M ago32:35

32:35

Roy Ang, CEO & Cofounder of Evo Commerce, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Grab Executive to D2C Founder: Roy began his professional journey in banking but soon realized it wasn't his calling. After a year, he shifted to the tech media industry, landing a job at E27 through a bold cold call to Mohan Balani, E27’s founder. Roy thrive…

1
Copper’s green step change is an uphill struggle 29:55

2M ago29:55

29:55

Supplies of the red metal have to motor if the world is to adequately decarbonise. In this Exchange podcast Tae-Yoon Kim, senior energy analyst at the International Energy Agency, lays out the challenges that need to be overcome if the private sector is going to make that happen. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our pr…

1
Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict, Climate Change Creating Arctic Shipping Route & Trump 10% Global & 60% China Tariffs with Shiyan Koh - E443 23:35

3M ago23:35

23:35

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main points: 1. Singapore Port Traffic Jam From USA Tariffs & Middle East Conflict: Shiyan and Jeremy examined the severe traffic congestion at Singapore's port, now at unprecedented levels. Yemen's Houthi rebel attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping (in support of the …

1
Mohan Belani: Founding e27 & Echelon, Media Business Myths & Angel & Orvel VC Investing Journey - E442 31:02

3M ago31:02

31:02

Mohan Belani, Cofounder & CEO of e27, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Founding e27 & Echelon: Mohan discussed his early career decisions as a computer engineering undergraduate with the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program, failed founder and startup executive. He shared how he juggled his studies and his founding role in e27, often…

1
Thomas Jeng: BCG Consultant to Aspire GM, Navigating Regional Fragmentation & Continuous Learning Self-Awareness - E441 34:52

3M ago34:52

34:52

Thomas Jeng, Singapore General Manager of Aspire, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. BCG Consultant to Aspire GM: Thomas discussed his decision-making process at Georgetown University aiming to become a lawyer or diplomat, but switched to consulting at BCG where he worked on challenging projects like "delayering" cases. He recounted h…

1
India's consumer market is large but demanding 24:43

3M ago24:43

24:43

Consumption is not a bright spot in the South Asian country, with growth half the pace of GDP. In this Exchange podcast, former Nestlé India board member Rama Bijapurkar explains why international companies need to stick their elbows out to tap the low-earning masses. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and da…

1
Thailand: Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits, 2029 Super-Aged Population & D2C Consumer & VC Opportunities with Wing Vasiksiri - E440 36:48

3M ago36:48

36:48

Wing Vasiksiri, General Partner of WV, and Jeremy Au discussed three main themes: 1. Thaksin Lese-Majeste & PM Lawsuits: Recent legal events (Thailand's court delay in the verdict on dissolving the Kao Klai (Move Forward Party), Thaksin Shinawatra lawsuit and PM Srettha Thavisin cabinet hearing) contribute to political instability, affecting invest…

1
Cognitohazards: Suicide Social Contagion, 1982 Tylenol Poisonings & Extremist Self-Radicalization - E439 9:04

3M ago9:04

9:04

Jeremy Au delved into the concept of “cognitohazards” — information that causes harm upon comprehension. Introduced by the sci-fi novel "There is No Antimemetics Division," this definition helps encapsulate a new danger in modern society. Examples include the "Werther effect" where suicide becomes contagious due to social replication and mass media…

1
Sam Gibb: New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC, Regional Fintech Upside & Aspiring VC Partner Advice - E438 29:37

3M ago29:37

29:37

Sam Gibb, Managing Partner of Resolution Ventures, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. New Zealand Law to Southeast Asia VC: Initially set on a legal career, Sam quickly realized it wasn't his calling after interning at a law firm. Sam transitioned to PwC, where he worked in the finance sector. In 2011, Sam relocated to Singapore to ta…

1
Why the French vote also matters to Italy 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

The outcome of snap elections in France will reverberate beyond its borders. Debt-laden Italy is particularly exposed if borrowing costs rise. In this Exchange podcast, former top Treasury official Fabrizio Pagani discusses Rome’s fiscal challenges in a changing EU landscape. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privac…

1
$3B Money Laundering Singapore Family Offices, Apple AI Integration & VC Fraud Maze with Shiyan Koh - E437 23:26

3M ago23:26

23:26

Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner of Hustle Fund, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. $3B Money Laundering Family Offices: Jeremy and Shiyan highlighted recent fraud cases in Singapore involving Chinese nationals, focusing on a massive $3 billion scheme by a group of 10 individuals who set up five family offices. This prompted tighter reg…

1
Darwinian VC Evolution: Strategy Changes Due to Low Southeast Asia Fund Performance 0.4X vs. USA, India & China - E436 30:07

3M ago30:07

30:07

Adriel Yong, Head of Investments at Ascend Network, and Jeremy Au assessed Southeast Asia's low VC fund performance (median 0.4X returns vs. USA (1X) and India (1.3x). They discussed VCs shifting towards more realistic and localized investment strategies, while also taking into account growing geopolitical USA vs. China tensions with their resultin…

1
Tommaso Demarie: Quantum Computing Startup, PHD Academia to Founder & Michelin Mistake Ownership - E435 33:51

3M ago33:51

33:51

Tommaso Demarie, CEO & Cofounder of Entropica Labs, and Jeremy Au talked about three main themes: 1. Quantum Computing Startup: Tommaso shared his insights on quantum computing and its potential applications. He talked about his company, Entropica Labs, which focuses on developing software for quantum error correction, a crucial element in quantum …

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