Anonymous Q&A: Moving to Silicon Valley from Southeast Asia, USA Hiring & Visa Roadblocks and Talent Ecosystems – E624

Anonymous Q&A: Moving to Silicon Valley from Southeast Asia, USA Hiring & Visa Roadblocks and Talent Ecosystems – E624

Author: Jeremy Au September 8, 2025 Duration: 56:23

Jeremy Au and an anonymous guest discuss the challenges of pursuing career opportunities in the United States from Singapore. They talk about how visa rules limit options, why overseas LinkedIn applications often fail, and the appeal of Silicon Valley’s innovation cycles. They also cover cultural differences that require stronger self-promotion, and why resilience is needed when adapting to life abroad.


03:03 LinkedIn job applications feel slow and ineffective: By the time roles are posted, they may already be filled, and rejections arrive quickly

12:52 Graduate programs bring uncertainty: Even Ivy League graduates face high unemployment, making MBAs and master’s degrees a risky bet

16:03 Financial expertise is a strength: Skills like FP&A and CFA provide a clear value proposition to startups seeking structured knowledge

17:40 Silicon Valley offers faster innovation cycles: It draws high-risk, high-reward talent, with constant new waves from VR to crypto to AI

27:42 Cultural norms are different: U.S. workplaces expect stronger self-marketing and bold salesmanship, unlike Southeast Asia’s modest approach

35:02 Relocation requires resilience: Those who prefer routine must adapt to chosen and unchosen struggles when moving abroad

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/southeast-asia-move-to-silicon-valley

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com


WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz


Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts



There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
Podcast Episodes
Startup Failure Patterns, AI Job Risk & Founder-Problem Fit - E607 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:37
Jeremy Au breaks down why most startups fail and what it really takes to succeed in the AI age. He explains the six patterns of startup failure, the tricky economics of service businesses, and why AI will wipe out averag…