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From Wrappers to Agents: Why AI Startups Are Cashing Out (00:55:05)
In the first 60/40 episode of 2026, the team breaks down one of the most talked-about AI deals in Singapore — Meta’s acquisition of Manus — and asks the uncomfortable question: what if it doesn’t go through?We unpack why Manus sold at a reported $2B valuation, what Meta is really buying (hint: it’s not just tech), and how geopolitics, export controls, and trust are reshaping the global AI landscape.From there, we zoom out to the surprising IPO debuts of Chinese AI darlings MiniMax and Zhipu in Hong Kong, why they’re listing earlier and at higher revenue multiples than their Western peers, and what this tells us about “sovereign AI” in 2026.We close with a look ahead: China, Hong Kong, and India’s IPO pipelines, which markets will stay hot, and what could still derail the AI boom.If you care about where AI, capital, and power are actually heading — this episode is for you.Timestamps00:00 – "We’re all talking about it as if it’s done — but it may not be”02:10 – Meta acquires Manus: deal overview03:45 – The revenue math: is a 16× multiple crazy?06:00 – Why Manus sold now (and not later)22:10 – Are AI startups selling too early? (Manus vs Groq)32:30 – Zhipu & MiniMax IPO: what just happened in Hong Kong39:00 – Sovereign AI and why revenue multiples look “wrong”42:00 – Why global investors want China AI exposure47:30 – China vs Hong Kong vs India IPO pipelines49:00 – India names to watch: PhonePe, Flipkart, OYO50:40 – What could actually derail the IPO boom54:30 – Closing thoughts: Asia’s AI moment in 2026Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li. A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
60/40 Wrapped: From 2025’s Shockers to 2026’s Big Bets (00:58:28)
For our final episode of the year — and our 20th since launch! — the full 60/40 crew gets together to look ahead at what 2026 will bring for Asia’s tech and business landscape. Before jumping into predictions, we rewind through the biggest plot twists of 2025: Grab’s glow-up, DeepSeek shaking the global AI order, Pine Labs racing to IPO, tariffs reshaping supply chains, and crypto’s unexpected glow-up.Then we fast-forward into the future.From agentic app stores to AI-specialist “doctors,” from dark factories to sovereign AI races, from robotics momentum to the potential popping (or wobbling) of the AI bubble — we break down the biggest forces that will shape 2026. We debate which Asian markets will break out, which AI players might stumble, and which startups will emerge as next year’s winners and casualties.We also revisit our best (and worst) predictions from the past year and end with our 2026 wish list — plus a few bold calls that we’ll have to answer for 12 months from now.Timestamps00:00 – Kicking off our 20th episode!01:25 – Top 2025 headlines05:30 – Biggest tech changes in 202512:20 – What 60/40 got right (and wrong)19:00 – Predictions for 202623:00 – AI Asia power rankings25:45 – Will the AI bubble pop in 2026?33:00 – Startup winners & losers in 202645:00 – Our 2026 wish list48:00 – Stock picks & macro bets56:00 – Final reflectionsGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li. A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
How Endowus charted their own path to $10B in AUM (01:04:14)
This week, 60/40 sits down with Endowus co-founders Gregory Van and Samuel Rhee — the duo behind one of Asia’s fastest-growing wealthtech platforms. We unpack their latest $70M fundraise, how they built a conflict-free investing model in a region dominated by commissions, why they stayed laser-focused on Singapore and Hong Kong, and how they survived the tech winter without mass layoffs.Greg and Sam also get candid about their co-founder dynamic, risk appetites, early failures, and yes — who really loses their cool in a meeting. Plus, a lightning round of “Superlatives” that you won’t want to miss.Timestamps00:00: Intro01:50: The $70M raise and why fundraising still sucks03:48: Singapore first, Hong Kong second, and the B2B opportunity09:42: Fundraising in a bad VC market & reverse inquiries14:31: The founding story: CPF shock, Grab learnings, and pensions17:41: Why most Asian robos failed — and why Endowus is different21:06: Trailer fees, misaligned incentives, and systemic industry flaws32:54: Bootstrapping, employees buying shares, and ESOP culture36:27: Co-founder dynamics: complementary skills & Monday meetings46:32: The hardest moment: navigating tech winter without layoffs52:01: AI as a tool, not a strategy — how Endowus sees the future56:18: Do they think about exits? The partnership ethos58:51: The Superlatives game + closing commentsGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guests, Gregory Van and Samuel Rhee from Endowus.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Why the AI bubble isn’t a bubble (yet) (00:55:16)
In this episode of 60/40, the crew goes into full AI group therapy mode.Maria, Prashanth, Peter, and Alexey debate whether we’re living through another tech bubble—or just the warm-up act. From OpenAI’s trillion-dollar spend and AMD’s $90 billion chip deal, to SoftBank’s robotics binge and Deloitte’s AI “oops” moment, the team breaks down where the hype ends and the hard math begins.They unpack why OpenAI might actually be too big to fail, how retail investors end up holding the bag, and why Asia’s energy constraints could make it the AI world’s blind spot. Along the way: humanoid robots, nuclear-powered data centers, and a few cuddly market bears.Timestamps00:00 – The Bearish Camp. Are we really in an AI bubble? Goldman data says not yet — AI capex still under 1% of global GDP.02:30 – What If OpenAI Fails? A trillion-dollar spend, no profits, and systemic risk: is OpenAI too big to fail?09:10 – Capacity vs Demand. AWS déjà vu — everyone’s building at once, but can demand keep up?14:30 – Bubble Math. From 1890s railroads to 1990s fiber optics: why today’s AI hype is still early-stage.18:10 – Round-Tripping & Retail Bags. Cross-investments, AMD warrants, and who really pays when the music stops.25:20 – SoftBank’s Robot Empire. Masa bets $5.4B that humanoids will outlast the hype.31:00 – AI in the Workplace. Deloitte’s $440K AI flop vs Bank of Singapore’s “10-day-to-1-hour” win.40:50 – The Vibe Coding Hangover. Lovable’s crash, hype fatigue, and the next evolution of AI-assisted work.42:55 – Powering the Future. Why Southeast Asia’s missing the data-center race — and that might be okay.53:30 – Wrap-Up: Friendly Bears Edition. We’re still in 1999, not 2000. The last sucker hasn’t walked in yet.Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
The Empire Strikes Back: Stablecoins vs. the Old Financial Order (00:52:27)
Stablecoins are having a main-character moment.In this episode, Maria, Peter, and Prashanth are joined by Milind Sanghavi, co-founder of XWeave.io, to decode the hype and the hard reality behind the $30 trillion cross-border payments market.Together, they explore:What stablecoins actually are (and why “stable” is a misleading word)How the Genius Act cements U.S. dollar dominance in the digital ageWhy Asia’s regulators (Singapore, Philippines, Japan) are seeking to lead the next waveHow “agentic commerce” and programmable money could change how we buy, sell, and move valueAnd whether the Empire (read: traditional finance) will strike backIt’s a crash course in the new galactic order of money — less lightsabers, more ledgers.Timestamps00:00 – Cold Open & Studio Intro02:00 – Headlines: OpenAI, Agentic E-Commerce & the Buy Button09:56 – Stablecoins 101: What They Are and Why They Matter13:06 – Programmability, Regulation & The “Clean Money” Future17:56 – Real-World Use Cases: Remittances, Trade & Local Stables21:31 – Who’s Who: Inside the Stablecoin Value Chain26:21 – The White Space: New Issuers, Local Currencies & Rules28:39 – XWeave.io: Building the Pipes for Digital Money33:17 – The Genius Act: America’s Digital Dollar Power Play40:00 – Asia’s Response: Singapore, Japan & the Philippines47:57 – Will the Empire Strike Back? Big Banks vs. Startups49:23 – Founder Reflections: The Lonely Road of Yeses and No’s51:06 – The Stablecoin Poem (Yes, Really)Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li. Special thanks to this week's guest, Milind Sanghavi from XWeave.io.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Overpromised or underrated? OpenAI, Europe, and Southeast Asia on the line (00:52:29)
This week, the 60/40 team dives into the eye-popping $300 billion OpenAI–Oracle deal and what it signals about the future of compute, models, and AI monetization. We also unpack OpenAI’s StatSig acquisition, Europe’s big swing with ASML backing Mistral, and whether we’re already in an AI bubble. Plus, the gang breaks down Alibaba’s latest earnings and Lightspeed’s “consumer barbell” thesis in Southeast Asia. Expect sharp takes, laughs, and yes, Peter’s poems are back.Timestamps00:00 – Kicking off with OpenAI & Oracle’s $300B compute deal03:00 – Can OpenAI really afford this? Risks, revenues & runway12:30 – A poetic take on Oracle + OpenAI13:30 – OpenAI acquires StatSig: why it matters for safe model deployment20:10 – ASML’s $1.5B bet on Mistral and Europe’s AI ambitions26:31– Is there an AI bubble—or just the next paradigm shift?34:40 – Alibaba’s flat revenue but booming cloud numbers40:45 – Southeast Asia’s “consumer barbell” thesis: hits and misses50:20 – The pitfalls of fintech lending and “cheap dopamine” appsGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, Aleksey Mironenko, and Maria Li. A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
From Hype to Hard Truths: Vertex’s CEO on Southeast Asia’s startup reality check (01:01:29)
This isn’t Kee Lock Chua’s first rodeo. Widely regarded as the OG of Singapore’s VC scene, Kee Lock — CEO of Vertex Holdings — joins 60/40 to break down the state of Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. From LP demands to inexperienced VCs to the curse of excess capital, he offers candid lessons from decades in the industry.We cover:Why Southeast Asia’s venture market is in “recalibration mode”How LPs themselves fueled irresponsible investingWhat VCs should really look for in founders (ability, motivation, and attitude)The fallout from scandals like eFishery on regional fundraisingWhere AI can realistically deliver wins in Southeast AsiaTimestamps00:00 The Curse of Excessive Capital02:25 Current State of Southeast Asia's Startup Ecosystem06:09 Challenges in Fundraising for VCs10:14 The Role of LPs in Venture Capital13:09 Assessing Founders: Beyond Ability18:09 Learning from Failure: Backing Founders Again22:20 The Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship26:14 Navigating the VC Ecosystem's Challenges29:07 Impact of Scandals on LP Perception32:09 The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Faking It Till You Make It37:07 Understanding the LP Mindset and Market Concerns40:58 AI in Southeast Asia: Opportunities and Challenges55:12 The Future of the Startup Ecosystem in Southeast Asia01:00:45 Navigating Global Relationships and Economic BifurcationGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Kee Lock Chua, CEO of Vertex Holdings.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Why Ula’s Founder Walked Away With $50M Still in the Bank (00:57:04)
Ula was once one of Southeast Asia’s brightest startups. In under two years, it raised $140M from Tiger Global, Lightspeed, Peak XV, and even Bezos Expeditions — all while seeking to reinvent Indonesia’s warung (roadside kiosk) economy.But when global markets turned in 2022, co-founder and CEO Nipun Mehra saw the writing on the wall. Without fresh capital, tough choices loomed. What followed was a grueling two-year stretch of layoffs, a failed M&A attempt, and, by late 2023, Ula’s shutdown.Now, for the first time, Nipun tells the full story — and unveils his next venture — exclusively on the 60/40 Podcast.Timestamps00:00 – The single hardest thing to do as an entrepreneur 01:35 – What’s happening in Indonesia’s startup scene06:55 – Nipun’s own journey to founding Ula09:05 – Why Ula set out to transform Indonesia’s warung economy15:00 – Cracks appear: global downturn, local realities20:20 – When growth-at-all-costs stopped working25:48 – The most critical assumption for any founder27:00 – Layoffs, pivots, and the psychology of tough calls31:10 – The $50M question: why Nipun chose to shut down38:15 – Giving capital a choice and a failed M&A process43:26 – Walking away from a potential $100M fortune45:50 – Announcing his new startup — and what he’s building next51:40 – Founders just have to keep going and keep buildingGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Nipun Mehra, CEO & Co-founder of Ula and Neoflo.AIA podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Are SEA’s and India's Unicorns Finally Delivering on Their Billion-Dollar Promises? (00:52:18)
Southeast Asia’s and India’s leading tech firms are, at long last, delivering on the promise of profitability. Sea, Grab, GoTo, and Paytm all reported better-than-expected numbers in Q2, and markets rewarded them accordingly. At the same time, the global conversation around AI shifted again. The launch of GPT-5 raised more questions than it answered: have we reached a plateau in AI advancements, or are we merely pausing before the next great leap? On this episode of 60/40, Maria Li and Prashanth Ranganathan team up with analyst Aleksey Mironenko to untangle the hype from the signal, swap notes on how Southeast Asia’s fintech engines are quietly powering growth, and even indulge in a detour to China’s very first Humanoid Olympics (spoiler: lots of bad robot soccer).Timestamps00:00 – Kicking off with Beijing’s Humanoid Olympics01:00 – GPT-5: leap forward or overhyped minor tweak?07:30 – The three phases of AI (spoiler: we’re still in kindergarten)12:00 – Perplexity’s Chrome bid: bold play or PR theater?22:00 – Southeast Asia Q2 earnings: profit finally shows up to the party31:00 – Fintech takes the spotlight (and why banks can’t keep up)35:30 – Robots as the new factory workers (and geopolitical pawns)47:00 – Would you buy a Chinese humanoid robot for your home?51:30 – Wrap: AI, earnings, and robots all in one breathGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our resident analyst, Aleksey Mironenko.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
How Asia’s IPO Boom, China's AI Race, and a Genius Stablecoin Shake-Up Are Reshaping Tech (01:02:31)
Asia’s IPO window is finally open — but the action isn’t in New York anymore. From Hong Kong’s rebound to India’s retail-fueled listings, Maria, Prashanth, and new resident analyst Aleksey Mironenko break down why Asia’s biggest tech players are staying closer to home this round.They then tackle the deepening AI divide: is the world headed toward two tech stacks, two chipsets, and two digital ecosystems? And finally, they decode the U.S. Genius Act — a cleverly named law that could quietly cement the dollar’s dominance in the crypto future.Three macro shifts. One sharp conversation. Welcome to 60/40.Timestamps[00:00] Welcome back + Meet new co-host Aleksey Mironenko[01:20] The IPO window is open — is Asia ready to step through?[04:45] Why Chinese and Indian tech giants are listing closer to home[06:20] Geopolitics, dual listings, and the case for staying off NASDAQ[08:50] India’s IPO moment: Retail frenzy, deep markets, and homegrown confidence[11:30] Why Singapore (still) isn’t a real contender[13:10] Are we headed for a bifurcated AI world? Two tech stacks, two chipsets[18:00] China’s hardware edge vs. the US software play[22:00] Is AI already becoming a commodity?[27:00] The AI agent wars: Why loyalty doesn’t matter (yet)[36:00] Is the Genius Act actually genius?[38:00] Stablecoins, dollar dominance, and programmable money[49:00] The business model behind stablecoins: Who profits, and how[52:00] AI agents, microtransactions, and the future of digital money[58:00] Tariffs, Trump, and Tokyo’s $550B surprise deal[01:01:30] Wrap-up: Should we keep Aleksey?Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our resident analyst, Aleksey Mironenko.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
The Role of a Lifetime: PropertyGuru’s CEO reflects on his first 100 days (00:45:35)
In this episode of 60/40, we sit down with Lewis Ng, the new CEO of PropertyGuru, to explore the evolving role of marketplaces in Southeast Asia—and what it takes to lead one.In conversation with Peter Bithos (his former boss, no less!), Lewis reflects on his path from telesales to the C-suite, how he deliberately built career experience to become a tech executive, and why he believes marketplaces still offer some of the most resilient business models around.They also unpack:The difference between the C-suite and CEO roleWhat it's really like leading a private equity-backed companyHow PropertyGuru performs in both boom and downturn marketsWhat the company’s renewed focus on core markets looks likeListen for a clear-eyed conversation on scaling with purpose, managing investor expectations, the beauty of marketplaces, and what it really feels like to step into the CEO seat.Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Property markets up, PropertyGuru upLewis explains why PropertyGuru does well in both hot and cold markets.01:20 – Welcome to 60/40Peter introduces the show and Lewis Ng, filling in for Maria and Prashanth.02:10 – Tech headlines of the weekNVIDIA hits $4T, McDonald’s AI bot gets hacked (with “123456” as the password), and Foxconn shifts strategy in India.07:25 – Career rewind: From telesales to the C-suiteLewis’s journey across Telstra, Apple, News Corp, TripAdvisor, Carousel, Seek—and now, CEO at PropertyGuru.08:45 – What is PropertyGuru?Lewis gives an overview of the platform and its markets.09:50 – How do you become a CEO?Career philosophy, mentors, and the story of writing “CEO” on a customs card at age 17.11:30 – Career strategy: Getting into classifieds and Asia techWhy Lewis took a role at Global Yellow Pages to break into marketplaces.13:00 – What’s different about being CEO?How the mindset shift hits you—and why it’s more consuming than expected.15:00 – Working with private equity (EQT)Lewis shares how PropertyGuru’s investor is an “active owner” and what that really means.16:45 – Strategic shift: Doubling down on core marketsWhy PropertyGuru streamlined its business—and how EQT supported that call.19:05 – CEO priorities: Focus, innovation, and peopleLewis’s three-part plan for PropertyGuru’s next phase.20:20 – Property trends across Southeast AsiaMacroeconomic uncertainty, sentiment vs. demand, and Vietnam’s growth potential.23:10 – Product pillars: Trust, efficiency, and sustainabilityHow PropertyGuru is building for impact—from verified agents to AI listings to inclusive rental tools.25:40 – Why AI is helping upgrade agent listingsThe rise of smart listing tools and the surprising value of bad toilet photos.27:25 – Real estate differences: SEA vs. AustraliaWhy property photos and seller involvement vary across markets—and why that’s starting to shift.31:50 – Why Lewis loves marketplacesScalability, defensibility, impact—and how each marketplace has touched his life personally.37:55 – First job lessons: Telesales and target pressureHow early sales experience built communication, empathy, and drive.39:30 – Rapid-fire roundFavorite food? Pho. Country to expand into? Indonesia. Secret wish? Be an artist.43:00 – Peter’s poem: From Seek to CEOA custom 60/40 sign-off in verse form.Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Lewis Ng, CEO of PropertyGuru.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
AI's Coming. Asia’s Not Waiting. Growth, Geopolitics & GPTs with Ronnie Chatterji from OpenAI. (00:39:57)
In this high-energy episode, we sit down with Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist at OpenAI, to unpack why Southeast Asia might just be the most exciting region for AI adoption right now. While the West debates regulation and risk, Asia’s young, ambitious workforce is seizing AI as a tool to leapfrog outdated development models — from rethinking education to building local AI-powered apps. We talk growth-hacking governments, geopolitics, calorie-counting with ChatGPT, and why the real AI race isn’t about who builds the models — but who uses them best.Timestamps00:00 – "We Need Smarter Models"Ronnie kicks things off by stating OpenAI’s not-so-secret sauce: better models in products people actually want.01:00 – Professor to Policy to OpenAI: How Did He Get HereRonnie shares his career path — from academia to the White House to the bleeding edge of AI.07:45 – Why Southeast Asia’s AI Optimism Is DifferentAsia’s younger, hungrier, and way more bullish on AI than the West. Ronnie explains why.11:00 – Advice for Governments: Educate, Build Infra, Pick Your LaneThree things every emerging market leader should do today to prep for AI.14:00 – Is There Really an AI Race? Spoiler: It’s Not Zero-SumRonnie breaks down why "US vs China" is too simplistic — and where Southeast Asia fits in.18:30 – Chips, Supply Chains & Econ 102We dig into semiconductors, national security, and how Ronnie helped architect the CHIPS Act.21:20 – Which Jobs Are Safe? Which Aren’t?From classrooms to call centers — Ronnie predicts where AI hits hardest (and where it won’t).24:00 – Will Robots Replace Steph Curry?We talk robotics, blue-collar disruption, and why humans still matter — especially in the NBA.27:00 – Should We Regulate AI Now?Ronnie makes the case for adaptive regulation and cross-sector collaboration.30:00 – Inside OpenAI: Culture, Speed & 12 Products in 12 DaysWhat's it really like working at OpenAI? Hint: it's a bit like finals week, every week.32:45 – What OpenAI Must Get Right NextRonnie lays out the two things OpenAI has to nail to stay ahead.37:20 – Teaching Kids Critical Thinking in an AI WorldRonnie the dad explains how to balance screen time, schoolwork, and AI exposure at home.39:00 – A Hopeful Future: What Ronnie Wants AI to UnlockA surprisingly sweet close: better tools, deeper curiosity, and more meaningful work for the next generation.Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist of OpenAI. A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Fly like an Eagle: Soaring from the Doom Loop to the Hope Loop (00:39:36)
We are back with Khailee Ng, Managing Partner at 500 Global, for Part 2 of our conversation and how founders can move from the doom loop to the hope loop!From healing grief to revenue-first strategies, AI-enabled reinvention, and going global with conviction, Khailee shares a blueprint for how founders can turn pain into possibility. Whether you’re fundraising, bootstrapping, or in between, this episode reminds us: we can’t wait for optimism to show up in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. We have to build it.Now, onto the hope loop!Timestamps00:30 – Part 1 RecapWe revisit the highlights from Part 1, including the vicious cycle throttling Southeast Asia’s startup momentum—from LPs to media to founders themselves.02:30 – “I’m Not Here to Motivate You”Forget the pep talk. Khailee explains why real talk, not rah-rah, is what founders need to survive—and why you should be stacking probabilities, not just chasing vibes.04:45 – Why Rejection Hurts So Damn MuchThe unexpected link between founder trauma and VC rejection. Grief counseling meets fundraising reality check. One of the most honest moments in the episode.07:40 – Fork in the Road: Fundraise or Fire?A real-world founder dilemma: raise now or lay off half your team? Khailee breaks down how to make gut-wrenching calls with clarity.12:10 – Your “Second Founding” Starts NowFrom AI toys turned unicorns to solo devs making $60K/month, this is Khailee’s blueprint for reinventing your startup—and yourself.15:00 – Building Your Own Hope LoopNo one’s coming to save you. Here’s how to rebuild optimism from the inside out and take back control of your narrative, your team, and your growth.17:30 – The Geography MythSEA founders, take note: opportunity isn’t local. It’s wherever the demand is. Brazil, Zambia, Denmark—go where the money wants to find you.21:25 – Death by Risk AversionWhat happens when VCs and LPs stop taking risks? Khailee explains how fear is silently suffocating innovation in SEA—and how to reverse it.29:10 – The “Right to Win” Starts with Three ThingsShip. Iterate. Last. Khailee’s mantra for modern founders—and why staying in the game might be the biggest superpower of all.35:50 – Don’t Be a Duck. Fly Like an Eagle.The final mic drop: a simple, unforgettable metaphor for how founders should think, act, and rise above the noise.Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Khailee Ng, Managing Partner of 500 Global.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times. Produced by Studio+65.
Crabs in a Tub: Southeast Asia’s Startup Doom Loop with 500's Khailee Ng (00:52:41)
This is a spicy one. In a no-holds-barred convo with 500 Global’s Khailee Ng, we unpack the emotional, economic, and ecosystem-wide challenges currently plaguing Southeast Asia’s startup scene. In this Part 1, Khailee describes his concept of a "doom loop" in brutal detail - characterized by decreased venture capital funding, lower returns for investors, and an emotional toll on founders and employees. This challenging period stems from a combination of macroeconomic shifts, and a "flight to safety" among global investors.Khailee throws down an open challenge to us all: want out? Stack your leverage, play smarter kung fu, and stop being a crab in the tub.Timestamps00:30 – The One-VC TrapWhy betting on a single investor makes founders desperate—and why VCs can smell it a mile away.03:00 – The Origin of the Doom LoopKhailee calls out the emotional + economic spiral dragging down SEA’s ecosystem—and the ripple effect from LPs to media.07:00 – “We're Already in the Doom Loop”A reality check: how Southeast Asia's weak returns, capital flight, and startup stagnation form a self-reinforcing mess.13:30 – Buy Now, Panic LaterKhailee explains SEA’s economic moment through TikTok shopping sprees, Labubus, and why we’re spending money we don’t have.18:30 – Founder Fantasy vs. Founder RealityUp rounds, Forbes lists, and dreams of glory crash into layoffs and bad term sheets.22:10 – 🦀 Crabs in a Tub MetaphorThe viral moment: Khailee’s gut-punch story about crabs tearing each other apart—aka, what happens when the ecosystem turns toxic.26:00 – The Founder/VC Power FlipHow “founder-friendly” went too far, and why true ecosystem health requires more than just swinging the pendulum.35:00 – Real Tactics to Escape the Doom LoopKhailee drops tactical fundraising kung fu—alternate capital sources, customer-led funding, and the underrated “ladder strategy.”39:00 – Walk Up the Ladder, Walk Down with PowerHow to build momentum with small checks, close the middle, and bring in the whales last.41:30 – Media’s Role: Balance or Blame?A candid back-and-forth on whether media is exposing injustice—or just feeding emotional virality.47:00 – Viral Positivity Is UnderratedWhy “wholesome hustle” needs to go viral too—and how startup media can learn from Upworthy and educators on TikTok.52:00 – “We're Squabbling Over Chairs on the Titanic”A callout to the ecosystem: focus on fixing fundamentals, not finger-pointing.Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Khailee Ng, Managing Partner of 500 Global.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times. Produced by Studio+65.
Is AI coming for the recruitment industry? (01:03:33)
In episode 7 of the 60/40 Podcast, co-hosts Maria, Prashanth, and Peter discuss the evolving landscape of AI in business and recruitment with Grant Wright, the group executive for AI at Seek.The group explores how AI is reshaping the recruitment process and how Seek, one of the largest jobs platforms in Asia, is staying ahead of the AI trend to disrupt its core business. This conversation covers the importance of trust and identity in recruitment, the future of work with AI agents, the intersection of AI and robotics, and more!Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Current Headlines02:59 AI in Venture Capital and Traditional Business Models06:00 The Role of AI in Recruitment and Job Matching08:46 Building AI Capabilities at Seek12:10 The Impact of AI on Job Roles and Recruitment14:51 Navigating Change in the Recruitment Landscape18:06 Trust and Identity in AI Recruitment20:51 The Future of Job Markets and AI Agents24:04 Innovations in Candidate and Recruiter Experiences27:02 Business Model Evolution in Recruitment30:03 The Future of Work and AI Agents36:48 The Shift in Work Dynamics39:11 Trust in the Corporate Landscape43:20 AI and Robotics: A New Era48:28 Evolving Skills for the Future51:30 Investing in AI: Where to Focus54:45 Personal AI Integration in Daily LifeGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Grant Wright, Group Executive of Artificial Intelligence for Seek.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
No such thing as a free lunch (or chocolate) - Walter de Oude reflects on Chocolate's withdrawal crisis (00:58:31)
Walter de Oude is the founder and CEO behind Chocolate Finance, the Singaporean fintech company that got swept up in a mass withdrawal debacle in March (check out episode 2 for more details about that!). In this episode, Walter chats with the 60/40 team about lessons learned from March, what keeps him building, and how he's cracked the most important part of any startup journey - scaling.Hot takes of the week cover the prospects for a merged Grab/GoTo financial services platform and the demise of Skype, the OG video calling service.Timestamps00:00 Intros by Prashanth!03:08 The world’s most exciting actuary?06:10 The journey of building SingLife14:02 How to raise $50M 16:00 The joy of building17:10 Why the Chocolate product works21:03 There’s no such thing as a free lunch (or chocolate)24:20 The dark side of super scaling27:55 What Walter would have done differently33:00 The power of finfluencers35:00 Where does Chocolate go from here?37:00 Ain’t my first rodeo39:20 Chocolate AI41:28 Where AI will impact the financial services industry first42:58 The joy of doing fun stuff44:30 A blessing in disguise46:20 Grab/GoTo - how the financial services support each other50:34 Farewell to Skype, the end of an eraGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Walter de Oude of Chocolate Finance.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
The Future of Pine Labs with Amrish Rau // Blusmart not so smart // Indonesia's Trump concessions (01:06:24)
Pine Labs is one of India's hottest fintech startups, a position cemented by recent headlines over its upcoming IPO. We hear firsthand from Amrish Rau, CEO of Pine Labs, on his journey to transform the company from a hardware, offline based payments company to the leading fintech solutions provider of the future. For hot takes of the week, we turn our attention to the Blusmart/Gensol case in India, before wrapping up on Indonesia possibly relaxing its Local Content Requirements in response to the Trump tariffs. Timestamps1:12 Why did Amrish take over the 20-year old Pine Labs in 2020?10:02 Pine Lab’s competitive moat13:50 Reinvigorating a 20-year old company17:25 The best and worst day of a founder’s life21:20 The future of payments in India29:00 Great leaders look at input metrics33:20 What to expect from the pending IPO40:30 Blusmart, not so smart52:30 Is Indonesia changing its tune on Local Content Requirements?1:02:40 AI taking over healthcare Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Amrish Rau, CEO of Pine Labs
Japan's startup scene // Shopify's AI memo // Grab earnings // Aspire's Indonesia exit (01:13:26)
The 60/40 Podcast dives into what’s really happening in Japan’s startup and fintech ecosystem. Is the world’s fourth largest economy finally ready to embrace the tech and startup opportunity? The team touches on everything from market fundamentals, to fundraising, to gender norms in Japan.Hot takes of the week include Shopify’s AI memo, Grab 2024 earnings, and news of Aspire withdrawing from the Indonesia market. Tune in to learn about all these topics and more!Timestamps:00:00 Welcome & intro03:30 What’s happening in Japan’s tech and startup scene19:10 State of fundraising in Japan25:30 The need for cash conservation in building a startup in Japan30:30 The Triple F- Female, Foreign, Founder34:50 Shopify CEO’s AI memo41:20 The difference between value creation vs. value capture by AI57:30 Grab’s 2024 earnings and the hard road to profitability1:04:21 Aspire withdrawing from the Indonesian market - does it make sense?Give us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Sam Ghiotti of Habitto. A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Startups and VCs in the age of AI // Asia's reaction to Liberation Day // Grab-GoTo rumors (01:05:23)
This week, the 60/40 Podcast tackles some of the biggest existential questions for the startup community: How does AI change the process of building startups, for early stage and late stage companies? What is AI's impact on VC fund economics? What is the current state of fundraising in Southeast Asia?Tune in to hear Hsu Ken Ooi, Managing Partner of Iterative Capital, discuss these topics and more with Prashanth and Maria. Timestamps:00:00 Introductions01:08 Is the rise of AI-driven, small companies true?08:40 The human vs. AI edge in building startups13:56 Tech talent at risk of replacement by AI24:18 When capital still matters29:30 The impact of AI-native companies on VC funds39:34 State of LP fundraising in Southeast Asia48:46 Trump's April 2 tariffs in Asia57:00 Grab/GoTo acquisition rumorsGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Hsu Ken Ooi.A podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times.
Spill the T: The Age of AI in Indonesia - Irzan Raditya of Kata.ai (00:52:47)
[Bahasa is used in this episode] Building AI often feels like an expensive challenge, but Irzan Raditya, Co-Founder & CEO of Kata.ai, believes it starts with something simpler—culture. In this episode of Spill the T, he shares how AI can transform businesses through small shifts and why Indonesia needs its own 'Gojek moment' for AI-driven solutions. Irzan also reflects on a decade of building a startup, revealing key lessons, innovations, and strategies for long-term growth. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of AI and entrepreneurship!
Unpacking Chocolate Finance // China’s Seven Titans and AI Push // Malaysia’s Chip Dream (00:57:35)
In this episode of the 60/40 Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the recent drama surrounding Chocolate Finance, a fintech company in Singapore. They discuss the rapid rise of the company, its innovative product offerings, and the subsequent fallout due to marketing miscalculations and customer trust issues. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for the fintech industry, the role of influencers in shaping customer behavior, and the regulatory landscape. Finally, the hosts explore the current state of China's tech scene and Malaysia's ambitions in the AI and semiconductor sectors, concluding with reflections on the future of these markets.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the 60/40 Podcast01:22 The backstory to the Chocolate Finance drama03:50 Understanding Chocolate Finance's product13:10 The challenge of instant liquidity22:50 Challenges of frequent flyer promotions28:50 The dangers of finfluencers and homogeneous population36:06 The one thing that Chocolate did wrong41:51 The rise of China's Seven Titans51:55 Malaysia's AI and semiconductor industry potentialGive us feedback or nominate topics & speakers at 6040podcast@techinasia.com60/40 is co-hosted by: Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li. Special thanks to our guest, Aleksey MironenkoA podcast by Tech in Asia, a member of The Business Times
India's NSE // Trump tariffs // TSMC USA // Jack Ma is back! // Revitalising SGX (00:52:57)
With special guest Raghav Kapoor, founder & CEO of SmartKarma(0:00) Why 60/40(1:20) India's NSE - is the market correction overblown?(13:40) Trump tariffs in China - are there any winners?(24:00) TSMC in the US - why now?(32:30) Jack Ma is back! What does it mean for China's tech industry?(37:50) Exciting times for Singapore's SGX - new measures to support the SGX and what else should be doneDrop us a line at 6040podcast@techinasia.com to share feedback, suggest topics, or nominate speakers!
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