SEA of Startups Podcast Por Decoding the Pulse of Founders Capital & Conviction in Southeast Asia. arte de portada

SEA of Startups

SEA of Startups

De: Decoding the Pulse of Founders Capital & Conviction in Southeast Asia.
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🎙 SEA of Startups Decoding the pulse of founders, capital, and conviction in Southeast Asia. This isn’t another “startup success” show — it’s the real conversation behind what actually works (and what doesn’t) when you’re building, funding, or navigating the region’s wild, ambitious ecosystem. From Singapore’s capital corridors to Jakarta’s chaos, Manila’s energy to Ho Chi Minh’s grit — we unpack how ambition, culture, and capital collide. Expect deep dives into founder psychology, venture strategy, and the unspoken truths shaping Southeast Asia’s next decade. Hosted by Kim Yeoh and Kevin Brockland, it’s where strategy meets psychology — a mirror to the builders and believers shaping Southeast Asia. Part strategy, part soul — unfiltered, intelligent, and entirely real.

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Episodios
  • Four people are flying around the moon right now.

    Four people are flying around the moon right now.
    Apr 9 2026

    Episode Title: The New Space Age Is Actually Here | Artemis II, SpaceX IPO & The Rise of Orbital Infrastructure

    Episode Summary

    Right now, four humans are flying around the moon. Not in a simulation. Not in a film. For real. Kevin uses the launch of Artemis II on April 1, 2026 as the jumping-off point for a deep dive into the most consequential shift in space exploration since the Apollo era — and why this time, it's not just governments leading the charge.

    From SpaceX's against-all-odds origin story to the trillion-dollar IPO that just rocked public markets, this episode charts how the economics of space fundamentally changed, what that means for a new generation of startups, and whether the science fiction stories we grew up watching are finally, actually, coming true.

    What We Cover

    Artemis II — Who's on board, what they're testing, and why this 10-day lunar flyby matters beyond the symbolism

    The cost collapse — How SpaceX drove launch costs from $10,000–$20,000/kg down to under $2,000/kg (and potentially below $100 with Starship)

    The space economy by the numbers — $8B+ raised in 2025 alone, 154% YoY growth, 35,000+ companies globally, a projected $1T market by 2033

    Startups reshaping the supply chain — Rocket Lab, Apex, Hadrian, The Exploration Company, and the infrastructure plays most people aren't watching

    Earth observation goes commercial — How Planet Labs and others turned satellite data into a sovereign government revenue model

    The SpaceX IPO — Filed confidentially the same day as Artemis II, targeting a June NASDAQ listing at a reported $1.5–2T+ valuation (potentially the largest IPO in history)

    Starlink's numbers — 10M subscribers, $10B revenue in 2025, projected $24B by end of 2026, and what direct-to-cell really means

    Orbital data centers — Star Cloud's H100 GPU satellite, Google's Project Suncatcher, Blue Origin's TeraWave, and why AI's energy problem might get solved in orbit

    The moon as infrastructure — Lunar ice mining, the South Pole fuel depot play, and Lone Star Data Holdings building a data center on the lunar surface

    The sci-fi question — Are the stories we grew up with finally coming true?

    Key Numbers

    StatFigureSpace tech funding raised in 2025$8B+YoY growth in space funding154%Projected space market by 2033~$1 trillionNew employees added in the past year~200,000Cost to orbit in the 1990s$10,000–$20,000/kgCost to orbit today (Falcon 9)Under $2,000/kgStarlink subscribers (end of 2025)10 millionStarlink revenue 2025$10BSpaceX IPO reported valuation$1.5–2T+Star Cloud Series A valuation$1.1B (18 months old)

    Companies & Missions Mentioned

    SpaceX · Artemis II / NASA · Rocket Lab · Planet Labs · Apex · Hadrian · The Exploration Company · Star Cloud · Lone Star Data Holdings · Blue Origin (TeraWave) · Google (Project Suncatcher) · xAI · Starlink

    People Mentioned

    Reed Wiseman — Artemis II Commander

    Victor Glover — Artemis II Pilot; first Black person to travel to the moon

    Christina Koch — First woman to travel to the moon

    Jeremy Hansen — First Canadian to travel this far from Earth

    Jared Isaacman — NASA Administrator

    Elon Musk — SpaceX / xAI / X

    Chad Anderson — Founder, Space Capital

    Quotes Worth Sharing

    "SpaceX didn't just build a business. It rewrote what was possible."

    "The interplanetary story is no longer confined to Elon Musk's conference slide decks. It's in regulatory filings. It's in rocket test programs. It's in the hiring plans of hundreds of companies."

    "The gap between what the stories promised and what actually happened at times felt like a wound. But now I look at what's actually happening and I find myself genuinely surprised."

    Follow the Show

    🎙️ SEA of Startups — Real. Raw. Relatable. YouTube | TikTok | Instagram



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com
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    32 m
  • AI-First Starts Inside: What Tiwa York Actually Said (And Why It Should Worry You)

    AI-First Starts Inside: What Tiwa York Actually Said (And Why It Should Worry You)
    Mar 26 2026
    Most AI content gives you a framework. Tiwa York gives you a verdict.The founder who built Kaidee to 35 million users and guided it to a successful exit sat down with SEA of Startups and said what most operators are afraid to say out loud: your team is probably performing AI adoption, not doing it. And the longer you stay there, the harder it gets to move.Here’s what he actually said — the numbers, the examples, the provocations.The 5 Levels of AI Maturity (And Why 1.5 Is a Trap)Tiwa’s framework runs from 0 to 4. Most conversations stop at listing the levels. The more important conversation is why so many companies get stuck halfway through Level 1.Level 0 — Unaware: No AI tools in use. Working like it’s 2019.Level 1 — Curious: ChatGPT is bookmarked. It gets used for emails and translation. Actual work output: unchanged.Level 1.5 — The Trap: This is where Tiwa spends most of his time on stage. A few people are experimenting. Strategy decks mention AI. But workflows, decisions, and output haven’t moved. He calls this adoption theater — and it’s where the majority of SEA companies currently sit.Level 2 — Active: AI is genuinely built into daily work. Measurable productivity gains of 25–50%.Level 3 — Integrated: Multiple AI tools connected in smooth workflows. The data analyst goes from one report a week to one a day. The PM tests ideas overnight with simulated customers. 2–3x productivity — and completely redesigned ways of working.Level 4 — Transformative: Creating value streams that simply didn’t exist before. Tiwa estimates this is roughly 2% of the global workforce today.The goal isn’t to inch from 1.5 to 2. It’s to move from 1.5 to 3, and then to 4. Anything less is rearranging deck chairs.The Mental Model That Changes EverythingTiwa’s most useful reframe isn’t a framework — it’s a metaphor.Think of AI as the most capable but most forgetful intern you’ve ever hired. It can do almost anything better than any employee on your team. But the moment it leaves a conversation, it remembers nothing. Zero context. Starting from scratch.This metaphor matters because it tells you exactly what your job is: you’re not a user of AI. You’re a systems designer for AI. Your task is building the handoff infrastructure — the context-carrying mechanisms, the memory systems, the structured prompts — that prevent that amnesia from killing your output quality.Tiwa draws a direct parallel to the Toyota Production System. You’re not optimising one conversation. You’re building a manufacturing process for intelligence, with daily standups, continuous improvement loops, and institutional memory that compounds over time.Most companies treat AI like a vending machine. High performers treat it like a factory floor.The Numbers That Should Stop You Mid-SentenceIf you think the efficiency gap between good and great AI usage is somewhere between 20–30%, Tiwa has a number for you.The difference between a 30% productivity gain and a 300x productivity gain isn’t the model you’re using. It’s how you’re using it.That’s not a typo. 300x. The delta between someone using AI as a faster search engine and someone who has built genuine fluency — with context management, iteration discipline, and system-level thinking — is not incremental. It’s categorical.On token economics specifically, Kevin cited Jensen Huang’s framing directly: a developer earning $500K annually should be spending roughly $250K a year in AI tokens. That’s the ratio of a high-performance AI-native engineer. For context: serious power users are already spending $500+/month on tokens. Some AI-native startups are at $1,000 per person per day.If your developers aren’t asking for AI budget, Tiwa’s take is unambiguous: that’s a performance issue.The Hiring Freeze Argument (And Why It’s Not Crazy)The most provocative position Tiwa took in the recording:Freeze all hiring until your AI implementation is complete.The reasoning is mathematical. Communication pathways explode non-linearly with headcount:* 5 people → 10 pathways* 10 people → 45 pathways* 20 people → 190 pathwaysEvery person you add before you’ve stabilised your AI workflows creates coordination overhead that compounds. You’re layering human complexity on top of unresolved process complexity. The problems don’t add — they multiply.The implication for most early-stage SEA founders: your instinct to hire for growth may be the thing slowing your growth. A team of 6 people who are genuinely at Level 3 will outrun a team of 15 people stuck at Level 1.5, every time.The Middleware Trap: A Warning for BuildersTiwa is an investor. He’s pattern-matching on where value will be captured — and where it will evaporate.His verdict on horizontal and middleware AI companies: 18-month obsolescence risk. The major frontier models are absorbing middleware functionality as a matter of course. If your moat is sitting between the model ...
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    59 m
  • The SEA SaaSpocalypse & The Rise of the Space Lobsters

    The SEA SaaSpocalypse & The Rise of the Space Lobsters
    Mar 12 2026
    In the ever-changing landscape of technology and business, the term “SaaSpocalypse” has emerged to describe the recent downturn in public software stocks. But what does this mean for the future of SaaS companies, especially in Southeast Asia? In this blog post, we’ll explore the nuances of the SaaSpocalypse, the potential for growth amidst disruption, and what established and emerging companies can do to adapt.Understanding the SaaSpocalypseThe term SaaSpocalypse refers to the recent significant decline in the valuations of publicly traded SaaS companies. This decline has raised concerns about the future viability of these companies. But is the doom and gloom justified?The Current Landscape- Valuation Adjustments: Many SaaS companies have seen their valuations drop sharply, leading to discussions about overvaluation in the sector. As Chris Birrell notes, some of these companies were indeed due for a correction.- Growth Continues: Despite the downturn, many SaaS companies are still experiencing growth rates of 15-20% year-over-year, which, although lower than previous highs, indicates resilience in the market.Key Insight: The SaaS market is not dying; it’s evolving. Companies that can adapt to new technologies, especially AI, may find new opportunities for growth.The Role of AI in SaaSAI is a game-changer for many industries, and SaaS is no exception. As the demand for AI integration grows, traditional SaaS companies must adapt.Embracing AI Technologies- Increased Demand for AI Solutions: Companies are under pressure to integrate AI into their workflows. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for incumbents who can leverage their existing customer relationships to offer new, AI-driven solutions.- The Risk of Disruption: While established companies may have a strong foothold, they are not immune to disruption. New entrants who can offer innovative solutions may quickly gain traction.Example: Companies like Salesforce are well-positioned to sell AI-driven solutions, thanks to their existing customer base and established workflows.Navigating Change: Strategies for SaaS CompaniesAs the industry evolves, SaaS companies in Southeast Asia must consider their strategies carefully. Here are a few key areas to focus on:Focus on Core Competencies- **Defensible Moats**: Companies with deep integrations into their clients’ workflows are better positioned to weather market fluctuations. Understanding what makes your service indispensable can help you maintain customer loyalty.- **Avoiding the Surface-Level Solutions**: Companies that offer point solutions without deep integration risk losing market share to more comprehensive platforms.Capitalizing on Regional NuancesSoutheast Asia is a unique market, and understanding local dynamics can provide a competitive edge.- Local Expertise: Companies with founders who understand regional challenges are likely to succeed where larger, global firms may falter. This localized approach can help companies tailor their solutions to meet specific market needs.The Future of SaaS in Southeast AsiaLooking ahead, what does the future hold for SaaS companies in Southeast Asia?Opportunities Amidst Challenges- Emerging Startups: As Chris mentions, startups that can build reusable software components tailored for AI-driven environments may find success. There’s a growing need for specialized solutions that can integrate seamlessly with existing workflows.- BPO Evolution: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies are also on the brink of transformation. By leveraging AI, they can enhance their service offerings and improve efficiency, setting the stage for a new era in service delivery.Conclusion: Adapting for SuccessIn conclusion, while the SaaSpocalypse presents challenges, it also opens up avenues for growth and innovation. Companies that can adapt to the changing landscape—embracing AI, focusing on core competencies, and understanding regional market nuances—will be well-positioned to thrive in the future.Key Takeaways:- The SaaSpocalypse is not the end, but a transition. - Embrace AI and focus on integration to maintain your market position. - Understand regional dynamics to tailor your solutions for success.---Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the SaaSpocalypse?The SaaSpocalypse refers to the significant decline in valuations of publicly traded SaaS companies, raising concerns about the future of the industry.How can SaaS companies adapt to the changing landscape?By integrating AI solutions, focusing on their core competencies, and understanding regional market dynamics, SaaS companies can navigate the challenges ahead.Is the SaaS industry dying?No, the SaaS industry is evolving. Companies that can innovate and adapt will continue to thrive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com
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    44 m
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