037: The State of SE Asia's VC and Startup Ecosystems w/ Cap Connect's Chris Tran
Release Date: 09/27/2021
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050: RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? How the Middle East is driving technology innovation and spend
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This is the first in a series on Technology and Innovation trends in the Middle East. Things have gone quiet in Asia post-pandemic - and the global recession has not helped. However, the Middle East is thriving. Hardly a week goes by where there isn’t another jaw-dropping announcement related to emerging technologies like AI, autonomous vehicles and the Metaverse in the Middle East - or the massive investment in initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM. To help us delve deeper into the Middle East’s technology innovation landscape, I’m joined by . He's based in Abu Dhabi,...
info_outlineIn a recent TechBurst Asia podcast, we delved deep into Singapore’s startup and venture capital ecosystems. Not surprisingly, they are both evolving well. But what I wanted to do as a follow up is look at the wider Southeast Asia startup and venture capital ecosystems to see how countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the others are progressing.
To help me with this, I am joined by my good friend Chris Tran, who has been supporting start-ups in those countries for the past 12 years. This makes him ideally suited to discuss how the markets are developing, identify what works and what needs improvement. And I’m also keen to learn more about the launch of his new Boutique Investment Bank that supports Southeast Asian Technology Entrepreneurs and Investors, Cap Connect.
Show notes:
00:00 Intro to Cap Connect and what led Chris to launch his own boutique investment firm
05:15 How does Chris source deal flow across the many countries in SE Asia
08:00 How is the startup ecosystem evolving across SE Asia, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines
16:00 How does the VC industry support SE Asia? Is it all Singapore-based or has each country developed its own funding ecosystem?
19:30 What’s the good, the bad and the ugly about Singapore innovation and VC industries?
21:30 What industries are driving innovation across SE Asia
26:30 How has the pandemic impacted startups across the region - and what has been the impact on valuations?
32:00 How Chris got into venture capital and what brought him to Singapore 12 years ago
33:00 What Chris looks for in a founder or startup - and what are the red flags
34:30 What advice do you have for aspiring venture capitalists?
37:45 Tell us something about yourself that will surprise us (note: I recommend listening to this, it is the funniest segment of any podcast I have ever recorded)