Stop Chasing Unicorns - E719

Stop Chasing Unicorns - E719

Author: Jeremy Au August 6, 2026 Duration: 41:21

Jeremy Au joins an episode of The Accidental VC podcast. Hosted by seasoned founders and VCs from ANZ and SEA, this show reveals how unlikely beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Whether you’re building, backing, or just curious—tune in for stories, strategies, and sharp takes from those who’ve been there. 


In this episode, we explore the thought that “Everyone wants a unicorn. But what if that's the wrong goal?” Mohan Belani and Jeremy Au join Milan Reinartz to challenge what founders and investors think they know about building in Southeast Asia, from venture capital and AI to startup exits, global expansion, and the future of entrepreneurship.


Support The Accidental VC: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccidentalVC 


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/stop-chasing-unicorns 


BRAVE is Southeast Asia's leading tech podcast, hosted by Jeremy Au. Honest conversations with the region's top founders, investors, and operators on building startups in Southeast Asia.

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.


Listen & Subscribe

YouTube (English), YouTube (Bahasa Indonesia), Spotify (English), Spotify (Bahasa Indonesia), Spotify (Chinese), Spotify (Vietnamese), Apple Podcasts


Follow BRAVE

LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp


Follow Jeremy Au

LinkedIn, X / Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Twitch


Resources

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


#VentureCapital #SoutheastAsia #StartupFunding


00:00 Intro

02:44 What 2026 actually looks like in Southeast Asia

07:10 Big problems, small wallets: who in the region can actually pay

10:00 Why a $50 million exit is a real outcome

11:14 Power law investing vs micro private equity

17:13 Block lays off 40% and blames AI

18:43 Is Southeast Asia facing a K-shaped economy?

26:21 Future shock: a Waymo, a Costco chicken and no jobs

27:59 What founders should focus on now

31:03 Moat building in the age of AI

36:48 Quick fire: biggest wins and fails in VC




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: 50

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
Podcast Episodes
What 500 Harvard Case Studies Actually Do To Your Brain - E729 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:50
Jeremy Au takes the hot seat in a reverse interview hosted by Edric Poon to unpack the true value of a Harvard MBA and the fundamental principles of business leadership. Jeremy unbundles the prestigious degree into three…
The Truth About China's Competitive Advantage - E728 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:19
Jianggan Li returns for a China read: Europe's run on Chinese air conditioners, the humanoid robot games, Shein's discounted Hong Kong listing, and what breaks when Chinese firms go abroad. One thread runs through all fo…
Itamar Novick: Where AI Replaces People, and Where It Does Not - E727 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:08
"How are you going to stay ahead of the competition in a world where two kids can vibe code a clone of your product over a weekend?" Itamar Novick is a solo capitalist and the founder of Recursive Ventures, a pre-seed fu…
The Innovation Playbook of 3 Southeast Asian Founders - E724 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
Where does innovation in Southeast Asia actually start? Not in a lab. In this compilation from the BRAVE archive: a lock that took eleven hours to install, a Peter Thiel put-down at Harvard, and customers using a real es…
Leadership Lessons From Best-Selling Authors - E723 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
An offhand compliment from a leader becomes praise. An offhand insult becomes a verdict. Nobody in a leadership role gets to opt out of that. Three conversations from the BRAVE archive with three best-selling authors, an…