Olzhas (Oz) Zhiyenkul: From Soviet Collapse to Disrupting Global Wealth Tech - E592

Olzhas (Oz) Zhiyenkul: From Soviet Collapse to Disrupting Global Wealth Tech - E592

Author: Jeremy Au June 25, 2025 Duration: 33:24

Olzhas (Oz) Zhiyenkul, CEO and co-founder of Investbanq, joins Jeremy Au to share how his journey from post-Soviet Kazakhstan to launching a full-stack wealth operating system was shaped by hardship, global education, and the inefficiencies he witnessed firsthand across Asia’s financial sector. They discuss how legacy systems fail family offices, why most wealth managers still operate on Excel, and how Investbanq aims to empower rather than replace relationship managers. Olzhas also recounts building boats from garbage on reality TV, reflects on cultural shocks from the UK to Singapore, and maps out his long-term vision for a digital-native wealth future.


06:21 He originally planned to become a nuclear physicist: His passion for math and physics drove dreams of commercializing cold fusion, but advice from a successful uncle led him to pivot toward finance for greater career stability and impact.


09:55 He moved to Singapore to manage a proprietary trading desk: A job offer brought him to Singapore, where he was initially overwhelmed by the heat but impressed by the country’s legal, economic, and governance systems, eventually calling it home.


11:42 He rose to CIO of a fund before founding multiple ventures: After working across trading, fund management, and private banking, he identified widespread inefficiencies and started several businesses, including a software studio and wealth firm with co-founder Damir.


17:45 Investbanq was built after failed attempts to digitize wealth management: Disappointed by market solutions that only solved narrow problems, he built a modular operating system with BPMS, CRM, portfolio management, and client reporting, integrated across workflows.


26:50 On reality show Meet the Drapers, he chose discomfort over comfort: During a survival challenge with ex-military participants, Oz gave up the warm seat on a garbage-built boat to join his team in freezing water, valuing full effort over taking the easy role.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/olzhas-zhiyenkul-legacy-systems-broken

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


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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)
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