🎙️ #57 Is Southeast Asia Finally Investable? AI, SGX & Grab+Gojek & 2026

A high-signal, no-filter roundtable with• Hian Goh (OpenSpace Capital)• Alex Dwek (COO, Nas.io)• Michael Smith Jr. (The Generalists)• Raz Kotler (The Generalists)Southeast Asia just had a rare real win — the Hepmil acquisition — and this episode breaks down why it matters, why early backers actually made money, and how this exit finally gives founders a real benchmark in the creator & media ecosystem. From there, the table dives into AI, sovereign compute, Grab+Gojek merger dynamics, the future of SGX, ASEAN as an investable region, and why 2026 may be the most interesting year yet for Southeast Asia.This is the full uncut November roundtable — strategy, insights, debates, predictions, and the occasional spicy jab.📖 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the Hepmil acquisition is a meaningful benchmark for Southeast AsiaThe VC behind Hepmil and why his connections matteredReal revenue, real EBITDA, and the fundamentals that drove the dealEarly-stage outcomes: houses, windfalls… and realistic 20× returnsWhy Publicis was the natural acquirer (“fingerprints all over it”)The MCN model & why it died in the U.S. but still works in AsiaHow influencer networks succeed (or fail) across the regionWhy this exit helps agency and creator founders pitch with confidenceThe truth behind “overnight success” stories and multi-pivot journeysThe real state of AI: compute demand, sovereign AI, specialized modelsWhether we’re in an AI bubble and what the big tech earnings revealGrab+Gojek merger logic, regulation, and what consolidation would meanHow ASEAN can produce the next wave of $10B+ companiesSGX’s dual-listing mechanism with NASDAQ and what it unlocksHow India’s IPO boom influences SEA founder psychologyWhat the table is excited about heading into 2026👥 The Table Hian Goh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiangoh/Alex Dwek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexdwek/Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/Raz Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razkotler/🔗 Links & MentionsHepmil: https://www.hepmil.comPublicis Groupe: https://www.publicisgroupe.comQuest Ventures: https://www.questventures.comTBWA: https://tbwa.comAsian Food Channel: https://www.asianfoodchannel.comMCN (Multi-Channel Network): https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2737059Nas.io: https://nas.ioGrab https://www.grab.comGojek: https://www.gojek.com🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, startup wisdom & entrepreneurial insights.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2apfGY403NGr1EyTNkJfG4?si=a25c777a19854616Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-generalists