Venture Capital 101: Why VCs are backing other startups and not yours - E684

Venture Capital 101: Why VCs are backing other startups and not yours - E684

Author: Jeremy Au April 6, 2026 Duration: 16:54

What does it actually take for a venture capitalist to invest in your startup? In this masterclass episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au breaks down the hidden mechanics of venture capital, how VCs evaluate founders, and the brutal math behind finding the next billion-dollar unicorn.

Whether you are building the future in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, or beyond, understanding the VC playbook is critical. Jeremy explores the history of startup funding, the massive difference between private equity and venture capital, and why the tech industry operates on a "power law" where a few Olympic-level outliers take 80% to 90% of the market. We also dive deep into the Startup Financing Cycle—from surviving the "valley of death" with friends and family, to raising money from angel investors, scaling with institutional LPs, and ultimately reaching an IPO

If you are an entrepreneur, an operator, or just looking to understand how smart money moves in Southeast Asia and the globe, this is your blueprint.


00:00 Introduction: How VCs Evaluate Unicorn Potential

01:17 The Father of Venture Capital: Georges Doriot

02:00 From Minicomputers to Microcomputers: The DEC Story

03:07 The Financial Ecosystem: Private Equity vs. Venture Capital

04:54 The Power Law vs. Normal Distribution

07:22 Why Meta and TikTok Dominate the Market

08:42 Case Study: Sequoia Capital's 50x Return on WhatsApp

09:43 How a VC Fund is Structured: GPs, LPs, and the 2/20 Rule

11:06 Who Are Limited Partners (LPs)?

13:26 The Startup Financing Cycle: Surviving the Valley of Death

14:39 Angel Investors, Early-Stage VCs, and the Path to IPO

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/venture-capital-101

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

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

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

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Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

#VentureCapital #Business #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast


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)
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