TechBurst Asia Podcast: Recent Episodes

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Cyber attackers aren't smashing down doors anymore. They're moving in, settling down, and learning the house before anyone notices.

Host Charles sits down with Adam Basedow, CTO at VECTRA (an Ensign InfoSecurity company), to unpack why AI is accelerating cyber risk faster than most organisations can keep up — and why the fundamentals still matter more than ever.

Adam brings twenty-five years of experience across systems, infrastructure, managed services and security operations to explain VECTRA's practical, operating-model approach to cybersecurity, and how its position within Ensign InfoSecurity — Asia's largest pure-play cybersecurity group — gives clients local accountability backed by 24/7 global SOC scale, threat intelligence and incident response.

Together they dig into the state of the threat landscape: attackers automating faster with AI, dwell times creeping upward as adversaries linger undetected to steal credentials and move laterally, and the unglamorous root causes still behind most breaches — weak MFA, stolen credentials, unpatched systems, poor visibility and slow response.

From there, the conversation turns to the risks reshaping boardrooms in 2026: shadow AI and the data walking out the door through unmanaged LLMs, the danger of putting all your security eggs in one AI vendor's basket, and a sobering real-world case of deepfake-enabled fraud that cost one engineering firm US$25 million. They close with practical, personal advice — password managers, passphrases, and why you should ditch SMS-based MFA for good.

In this episode: * 00:00 — Welcome and Security Focus * 00:52 — Meet Adam and VECTRA * 02:10 — The Ensign Partnership Explained * 03:49 — How AI Is Accelerating the Threat Landscape * 05:48 — Dwell Time Demystified * 07:49 — Why Organisations Keep Ignoring Security Warnings * 09:42 — Shadow AI and the Data Risk Nobody's Watching * 15:23 — What a SOC Actually Does * 16:57 — Agentic AI Inside the SOC * 19:26 — The First 72 Hours After a Breach * 21:20 — Virtual CISO: A Practical Option for SMEs * 23:27 — How AI Has Changed the Security Conversation * 24:22 — The $25M Deepfake Wake-Up Call * 26:43 — Defending Against Deepfake Fraud * 28:01 — Reality Check: How Scared Should We Actually Be? * 29:41 — Safe(r) Use of Public LLMs * 32:08 — The Risk of Vendor Concentration * 32:50 — Why Cyber Is Now a Board-Level Issue * 33:49 — The MFA Fatigue Attack That Should Worry You * 34:59 — Identity Compromise and the Enduring Email Threat * 37:11 — Your Personal Security Checklist * 39:12 — Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways

Connect with Adam

Explore VECTRA and Ensign Infosecurity

Get the data behind the conversation - Ensign Infosecurity's Cyber Threat Landscape Report 2025

Catch every episode of Techburst Talks, including audio, video, carousels, shorts and more, all in one place - click here.

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Your board has an AI strategy. It's probably rubbish.

Nathan Bell has spent 25 years delivering transformation programmes inside the world's biggest telcos. Now a Partner at Kearney, he's the person companies call when the proof-of-concept graveyard keeps growing and the CFO starts asking uncomfortable questions.

In this episode: why most AI programmes are expensive theatre, how to actually get ROI, and why your change management track record matters more than your technology choices.

We also get into agentic AI gone wrong — a recruiting agent that only wanted to hire golfers, a CEO town hall that triggered a queue at HR, and an AI agent that doxxed a developer and got its creator hired by Sam Altman. Make of that what you will.

Plus rapid-fire telco takes and a deeply scientific Australia vs Netherlands lifestyle quiz that ended in a draw.

Time Stamps:

00:00 — AI Strategy Hype vs Reality: Why Most Exec Talk Is Rubbish

00:37 — Is This AI Wave Different from Dot-Com, Cloud, and 5G?

02:19 — From Boardroom Buzz to Production: The Proof-of-Concept Trap

03:44 — How to Actually Get ROI: Start Small, Make Big Bets, Fund Like a VC

06:47 — Low-Hanging Fruit: Internal Knowledge, Customer Service, and Procurement

09:16 — Metrics That Matter: MVP Milestones Over 2-Year "Goals"

11:21 — Making the VC Model Real: Phased Rollout and Cultural Change

13:26 — Market Whiplash: When AI Adoption Threatens Your Revenue Model

14:51 — AI as a Business Capability, Not a Shopping List of Tools

16:10 — Agentic AI and the Human Factor: Bias, Process Drift, and Set-and-Forget Myths

21:10 — The People Side of Agents: Fear, Trust, and How Leaders Miscommunicate

24:41 — Why AI Transformations Fail: Change Management and HR as the Quarterback

26:44 — When Agents Go Rogue: The Python Library Incident and What It Signals

28:28 — Who's Responsible for AI Agents? Why Human-in-the-Loop Still Matters

29:19 — When AI Monitors AI: The Two-Agent Marketing Campaign Story

31:03 — Legacy, Culture and Operating Model: Why Big Firms Struggle to Adopt AI

33:49 — Ethics, Bias and Copyright: The Legal Minefield of Generative AI

35:40 — Who's Winning with AI and Why: Consumer Goods, Banks and Telcos

38:01 — Regulation Reality Check: EU AI Act, Vendor Audits and the Air Canada Case

39:37 — Where Telcos Should Start with AI: Customer Service, Vendors and Billing

41:41 — Transformation Lessons from Telcos: People, Forgive the Past, Progress Over Perfection

44:39 — AI Hype vs Jobs Reality: Using AI to Augment People, Not Just Cut Headcount

46:51 — What Still Motivates Transformation Leaders + Rapid-Fire Telco Takes

51:49 — Finale: Australia vs Netherlands Quickfire (and a Perfect Tie)

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The New World Order: It's Not a Transition, It's a Rupture

The world's gone completely mental since Andy Staples left The Economist and launched GeoPol Asia. Turns out his timing was perfect - just in time for Trump's tariff chaos, military interventions, and the complete breakdown of the "rules-based order" everyone keeps banging on about.

The old playbook is dead. This isn't your typical trade spat or diplomatic tiff. As Mark Carney put it at Davos: we're witnessing a rupture, not a transition. And from Singapore's "grave concern" over Venezuela to Japan's new PM calling China's bluff, everyone's scrambling to figure out what the hell comes next.

Andy breaks down why Singapore's politicians are probably doing constant eye-rolls dealing with Trump's "favours from friends" tariff nonsense, why Malaysia's quietly winning at this geopolitical game, and whether we're all heading to the pub because the world's ending (spoiler: we're definitely putting our coats on).

If you're trying to run a business in this chaos or just want to understand why everything feels completely unhinged, this is your reality check.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back, Andy Staples!

00:26 Reflecting on a Year of Chaos

02:00 Predictions and Realities

04:45 Hard Power and Global Dynamics

05:28 Trump's Davos Speech

08:27 Middle Powers and Global Order

11:47 Asian Geopolitical Landscape

14:36 Japan's New PM and China Relations

17:49 Elections and Political Shifts in Asia

20:25 Singapore's Resilience

21:56 Johor's Investment Boom

23:12 Vietnam's Economic Resilience

24:13 US-Singapore Relations

26:44 Business Sentiment in Asia

30:27 Geopolitical Risks and Predictions

34:08 Rapid-Fire Questions

40:06 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Key Takeaways:

• The US has shifted to unilateral military action as policy tool
• "Middle powers" like Canada, Singapore, and the EU are exploring Plan B
• Asia's playing the ultimate balancing act between US security and Chinese economics
• Business leaders need to build "geopolitical muscle" or get left behind
• We're all walking towards the pub, but hopefully it stays open

About Andy Staples:

Andy is the founder of GeoPol Asia, offering geopolitical advisory services to businesses navigating Asia's complex political landscape. Previously at The Economist, he specialises in helping Western MNCs understand the shifting power dynamics and build their "geopolitical muscle" for this new era.

Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystaples/

Learn more about GeoPol Asia: https://geopolasia.com/

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Telco's Sophistication Paradox: Why They Can't Explain Their Own Genius

The Telco Century Club (100+ years of telco experience between us) is back with a brutal reality check on an industry that's mastered building brilliant technology but completely botched explaining why anyone should care.

Charles teams up with telecoms veterans Rob Jones (Sylva Growth Partners) and Chris Lewis (Lewis Insights, The Great Telco Debate) for an unfiltered dissection of why 25 years of "transformation talk" has changed absolutely nothing. From Telstra's genius digital twin platform that died because no one could pitch it internally, to network APIs that sound impressive but solve problems nobody asked for - this episode exposes the sophistication paradox that's killing telco innovation.

Key Battlegrounds:

• Why telco layoffs are a perpetual pattern, not strategic responses
• The "build it and they will come" mentality that's still sabotaging 5G monetisation
• How MVNOs are eating traditional operators' lunch through superior segmentation
• AI-native platforms making MVNO entry cheaper and easier than ever
• Middle Eastern operators like e& and STC outplaying Western telcos with actual execution
• The coming satellite reality check (spoiler: it won't replace mobile networks)
• Network APIs heading to the technology graveyard alongside network slicing

Reputation-Staking Predictions for 2026: Chris bets on AI chatbots finally becoming genuinely useful. Rob sees Google dominating user experience through AI integration. Charles predicts internal AI efficiency gains - if telcos can resist their urge to overcomplicate everything.

Plus: Will the US take a stake in Nokia or Ericsson? And our final verdict on whether telcos will transform, disappoint as usual, or somehow make things worse.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Telco Century Club Returns

00:53 18 Months Later: Still Building Tech Nobody Understands

03:13 The Layoff Epidemic: Why It Never Actually Ends

08:04 Telco to TechCo Dreams Meet Harsh Reality

10:02 Network APIs: The Communication Disaster Continues

20:26 AI Reality Check: Separating Hype from Hope

28:20 Why OpenAI Might Go Broke (And Apple's Playing It Smart)

29:15 MVNOs Quietly Stealing Market Share

33:14 AI-Native Platforms: The MVNO Revolution Nobody Saw Coming

36:41 Satellite Hype Crashes Into Indoor Coverage Reality

41:15 2026 Predictions: Putting Reputations on the Line

49:35 Final Verdict: Will Telcos Finally Transform or Keep Disappointing?

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Here's the complete description with show notes for Libsyn:

IoT Reality Check: Fresh Insights from the Latest Benchmarking Report - Matt Hatton from Transforma Insights Breaks Down What's Really Working

In this episode of TechBurst Talks, I sit down with Matt Hatton, founding partner at Transforma Insights, to dive deep into his latest IoT peer benchmark report covering 27 MNOs and MVNOs worldwide. Matt brings over 15 years of industry experience, having founded Machina Research (sold to Gartner in 2016) before launching Transforma Insights.

We explore the most surprising findings from his fresh research, including the rise of SGP 32 for eSIM localization, how AI is finally being used for IoT-specific operations rather than just generic business functions, and why many connectivity providers are diversifying into adjacent markets like fixed wireless access.

Matt breaks down the persistent challenges around network fragmentation, explains why IoT growth remains steady rather than explosive, and shares his outlook for 2026. We also discuss the symbiotic relationship between IoT and AI, where IoT provides the essential data feeds that make AI applications truly valuable.

The conversation wraps up with some personal insights about music, favorite bands, and best concert experiences.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background Matt Hatton introduces himself as founding partner at Transforma Insights, sharing his journey from telematics and M2M days through founding Machina Research (sold to Gartner in 2016) to his current focus on IoT, AI, and edge computing.

00:17 Transforma Insights and IOT Market Overview of Transforma Insights' focus areas and Matt's specialization in connectivity, mobile network operators, MVNOs, and the supporting infrastructure that makes IoT deployments possible.

00:56 Telecoms and Connectivity Focus Discussion of the complexity and diversity of IoT solutions, covering the full tech stack from devices through networks, platforms, and applications - and why telecoms expertise is crucial for understanding the space.

02:51 IOT Peer Benchmark Reports Deep dive into Transforma Insights' comprehensive research analyzing 27 MNOs and MVNOs worldwide - the methodology, scope, and dual purpose of identifying industry trends while helping enterprises evaluate connectivity providers.

04:43 Surprising Findings in IOT Key discoveries from the latest report including: localization trends driven by regulatory and performance needs, AI evolution from generic business tools to IoT-specific operations, and diversification into adjacent higher-revenue markets like fixed wireless access.

15:25 Challenges in IOT Connectivity The persistent problem of network fragmentation - 2G/3G shutdowns, patchy 5G rollouts, NB-IoT adoption challenges, and why the mobile industry's choppy technology evolution continues to complicate global IoT deployments.

19:25 SGP 32 and Its Impact Explaining SGP 32 eSIM localization technology in layman's terms - how it enables better multi-country IoT connectivity, reduces reliance on roaming, but doesn't solve all the commercial relationship challenges.

26:22 The State of IoT: Current Trends and Challenges Assessment of where IoT stands today - realistic expectations vs. hype cycles, the role of specialist players vs. major tech vendors, and why steady incremental growth remains the norm.

26:52 The Evolution of IoT: From Telematics to Today Matt's perspective on IoT's steady evolution since 2011, the importance of expectation management, and how regulated mandated use cases provide the few "hockey stick" growth moments in the industry.

28:54 The Role of Major Tech Vendors in IoT Discussion of how major tech vendors have stepped back from IoT, the transition from buzzword marketing to business-as-usual implementations, and the value of focusing on business outcomes rather than technology labels.

31:57 The Intersection of AI and IoT Exploring how IoT serves as the "eyes and ears" for AI systems, enabling interaction with the real world through applications like video analytics, autonomous driving, and industrial optimization.

33:41 Future Trends in IoT: Looking Ahead to 2026 Key trends for the coming year: AI-IoT integration, video analytics adoption, compliance and regulatory drivers, and the continued shift toward value-based selling over connectivity selling.

35:33 The Impact of Satellite Connectivity on IoT Current state and future potential of satellite IoT - from traditional high-value asset tracking to new capabilities from Starlink and others, plus the limitations and cost considerations that remain.

38:43 Personal Insights: Music and Career Reflections Lighter conversation about shared musical tastes in punk/alternative rock, first concerts (Ned's Atomic Dustbin vs. a legendary $10 show featuring Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers), favorite bands, and career reflections.

45:20 Conclusion: Reflecting on IoT's Progress and Future Wrapping up with realistic optimism about IoT's steady progress, the importance of business case-driven implementations, and looking forward to continued industry evolution.

Guest: Matt Hatton, Founding Partner, Transforma Insights

Key Companies/Technologies Mentioned: Vodafone, AT&T, Verizon, Telefonica, SGP 32, eSIM, NB-IoT, LTE Cat-1, 5G RedCap, Starlink, Machina Research, Gartner

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Alistair Fulton has spent 25 years watching IoT make nearly every mistake possible - and he's not shy about calling them out.

From incubating Microsoft's Azure IoT platform to quadrupling Semtech's IoT division to $300M revenue, he's learned one hard truth: brilliant technology means nothing if you don't understand the customer's actual problem.

In this conversation:

• Why inflated market forecasts ($7T → $1.7T overnight) poisoned the industry
• The LPWAN wars and "one technology to rule them all" fallacy
• Why telcos completely failed at IoT despite owning connectivity
• How successful IoT companies don't even use the word "IoT"
• Regional reality check: US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East
• Why AI is about to repeat IoT's worst mistakes
• His advice: work within existing industry players, not against them

Blunt, pragmatic, and refreshingly honest about the gap between tech hype and business reality.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:13 Alistair's Background in IoT

00:42 Career Journey and Key Roles

03:06 Insights on IoT Industry Challenges

06:38 Early IoT Market Missteps

10:44 Collaboration and Ecosystem Building

11:18 Technological Wars and Lessons Learned

18:44 Current State of IoT

20:03 Naive Optimism and Realizations in IoT

21:10 The Shift from Tech Talk to Business Solutions

22:28 Challenges and Risks in IoT and AI

24:43 The Evolution of IoT and Industry-Specific Solutions

31:52 Global Perspectives: IoT in the US, Europe, and Asia

43:15 The Middle East: A Promising Market for IoT

52:45 Reflections and Future Outlook

Video Podcast available on YouTube - and stay tuned for 15+ "60 Second Highlight" videos that will be released on YouTube over the next week.

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Antony Slumbers is a leading voice on the future of real estate, keynote speaker, and educator on AI for property leaders.

Antony Slumbers doesn't just talk PropTech—he created it. Long before "PropTech" was even a word, he launched the UK's first commercial real estate website in 1995. Now he's teaching the industry how to survive what's coming next.

This isn't your typical tech cheerleading session. Antony cuts through the noise to explain why PropTech's cooling hype actually signals its maturation. The party's over. Now comes the real work.

The brutal truth? Most real estate companies are trapped in silos, burning millions on point solutions that don't talk to each other. Meanwhile, smart operators are building ecosystems that orchestrate data, tools, and trust into genuine competitive advantages.

We dive into Space as a Service—Antony's concept that predicted the death of the 20-year lease. Real estate has flipped from creating bonds for investors to creating experiences for humans. Miss this shift, and you're toast.

Then there's Generative AI. MIT just dropped a bombshell: 95% of corporate AI projects are failing spectacularly. We break down why this mirrors every tech adoption cycle in history—and what the winning 5% are doing differently.

The warning is clear: Companies that don't master these tools will face competitors operating at 5-10x their speed. It's "slowly then suddenly" time.

We close with Antony's unfiltered take on tech hype. Spoiler: he really hates the Metaverse.

Timestamps:

00:00 – From art history to PropTech pioneer 01:58 – Launching the UK's first real estate website (1995) 02:18 – PropTech reality: hype is cooling, adoption is heating up 03:58 – Why big firms waste millions on innovation theater 06:01 – Breaking silos: the only way forward 17:05 – Space as a Service: bonds are dead, experiences win 24:25 – GenAI's 95% failure rate (and what works) 30:00 – The "slowly then suddenly" competitive apocalypse 38:27 – Tech rants: why the Metaverse is anti-human

You can watch the Video Podcast on Spotify or my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson

Stay tuned, I'll be releasing 10 - 15 "60 Second Insight" video shorts at: https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson/shorts

As always, please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE.

More information:

Follow Antony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonyslumbers/

More on Antony's Gen AI for Real Estate Course: https://www.antonyslumbers.com/

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IoT isn't a buzzword anymore. It's business.

Wienke Giezeman built The Things Industries from scratch. Now he's managing 3 million connected devices globally. $4M in annual revenue. And he did it by breaking every Silicon Valley rule.

No "winner takes all" mentality. Pure collaboration.

This episode cuts through the IoT hype cycle. Wienke reveals why most IoT projects failed. How his company survived when others didn't. And why sharing your IP actually grows the market.

Real talk on scaling hardware. Building communities. Making AI work with IoT data.

From cattle tracking to vape detection in school bathrooms. From forest fire sensors to toilet paper dispensers. The use cases that actually make money.

Plus: Why the next wave of IoT growth is coming. And how startups can avoid the graveyard.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:13 Wienke Giezeman's Background and Company Overview

00:52 Early Days and Inspiration

01:34 Building a Global Network

02:08 Community and Collaboration

06:31 The Things Conference

09:22 Trends in IoT and AI Integration

15:12 Future Prospects and Reflections

25:10 Advice for IoT Startups

27:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hit subscribe for more unfiltered tech insights. Rate us 5 stars if this episode delivered value.

Connect with Wienke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wienke/

The Things Network: https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/

The Things Industries: https://www.thethingsindustries.com/

The Things Conference: https://www.thethingsconference.com/ 23-24 September 2025, Amsterdam

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Jeff Apcar spent 24 years as a Distinguished Engineer at Cisco and has zero patience for tech BS.

5G? Overhyped. IoT? Mostly failing. Service providers? Becoming dinosaurs.

But quantum computing? That's where things get interesting—and terrifying.

Jeff breaks down what's actually working, what's pure marketing fluff, and why the hyperscalers are eating everyone's lunch.

Plus: why AI makes him both excited and worried about the future.

No vendor pitches. No fairy tales. Just 46 years of brutal honesty about where tech is really heading.

🎧 Listen on all major platforms

🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: YouTube.com/@charlesreedanderson

Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Jeff's 46-year tech journey

01:10 What being a Cisco Distinguished Engineer actually means

03:06 MPLS and how it changed enterprise networking forever

06:46 Why 5G is struggling and service providers are lost

10:52 Network APIs: The latest pipe dream?

15:07 IoT reality check: Connection vs. collection

19:55 Starlink and why LEO satellites actually work

21:59 How satellite internet created the digital nomad revolution

23:22 AI: Godsend or threat to expertise?

24:41 Why AI is getting dumber and what that means

31:09 Quantum computing: Game changer and nightmare

32:27 Why C-suite executives don't understand their tech risks

36:25 Career reflections and the proudest moment

37:58 Best case scenario: Tech saving lives

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In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, Charles sits down with Rob DeMillo — ex-JPL, serial entrepreneur, SparkLabs Venture Partner, and now CEO of Sophia Space — to unpack one of the most disruptive tech ideas out there: putting compute in orbit.

Rob walks us through his wild career path from space science to cloud animation, to architecting data centers in the sky. And learn how he was about to produce 7 EXITS from 9 STARTUPS! They dive deep into Sophia Space’s modular “tile” technology, built from first principles for space — not retrofitted earth tech — and explore the near-term use cases that matter: defence, air traffic control, disaster response, and real-time edge processing in orbit.

This isn’t a pitch about sci-fi fantasy — it’s a raw look at how real, scalable, space-based computing is already taking shape. Rob also shares what it really takes to build seven successful startups, why “dumb luck” matters, and the mindset needed to thrive on the edge of what’s possible.

🎧 Listen on all major platforms

🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: YouTube.com/@charlesreedanderson

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:37 Career Journey and Achievements

01:51 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Exits

04:46 Joining Mandala Space Ventures

08:51 Sophia Space and Orbital Data Centers

09:39 Innovative Tile Technology

12:46 Market and Future Plans

16:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Space

18:08 Why Orbital Data Centers?

19:57 The Heat Problem of Data Centers

20:29 Advantages of Space-Based Data Centers

21:23 Use Cases for Space-Based Computing

22:15 Real-Time Applications and Sensor Fusion

24:23 Technological Advances Enabling Space Computing

25:27 Scaling and Deployment of Orbital Data Centers

27:58 Commercial Applications and Future Prospects

33:22 Advice for Entrepreneurs

34:41 Motivation and Future Plans

38:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson

Catch the “60 Second Insights” — short hits of the smartest stuff from each episode:

https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson/shorts

Like what you see? Subscribe and hit the bell — or don’t, and miss the future while it’s happening.

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Middle East’s Tech Revolution: From Regional Ambitions to Global Leadership

In this episode of TechBurst Talks, Charles sits down with Danial Mausoof, Vice President of Mobile Networks for the Middle East & Africa at Nokia, to explore how the region is transforming into a global tech powerhouse.

From government-driven infrastructure investments to next-gen telecom innovation, the Middle East is no longer playing catch-up — it’s leapfrogging the rest of the world.

We dive into:

• Why the Middle East is attracting global talent and tech capital
• The rise of private 5G networks in Saudi and the UAE
• How AI, network APIs, and 6G are redefining telecoms
• Why telcos must crack the monetisation code — or risk being left behind
• The role of satellite connectivity in Africa and beyond
• And how this region is becoming the proving ground for global telecom innovation

Danial also breaks down the regional nuances, the critical importance of trust-based business culture, and what telcos must do to turn hype into actual business outcomes.

🎧 Listen on all major platforms

🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: YouTube.com/@charlesreedanderson

⏱️ Show Notes:

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

00:22 – Danial’s Role and Background at Nokia

01:56 – Middle East Innovation and Visionary Leadership

03:21 – Geopolitical Risks and Stability in the Region

06:34 – Talent Influx, Trust-Based Business Culture

22:19 – Private 5G Networks in Action (ADNOC, Aramco)

26:39 – 6G, AI, and the Next Telecom Leap

29:24 – Satellite as a Complement to Traditional Networks

31:57 – Why the Middle East Is a Testbed for Global Innovation

35:37 – Final Thoughts and What’s Next

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In this explosive Tech Burst Talks episode, host Charles sits down with Andrew Staples, a battle-tested geopolitical expert who made the leap from The Economist to founding his own advisory firm, GeoPol Asia.

Together, they dissect how corporations across Asia are caught in the crossfire of escalating US-China tensions, tariff wars, and supply chain disruptions. This isn't just academic analysis - it's corporate survival intelligence from the trenches.

Staples reveals how multinationals are paralysed by uncertainty, with investment plans on hold whilst executives scramble to navigate everything from Vietnam's tariff backlash to China's strategic overseas expansion.

The conversation exposes the volatile landscape where Singapore battles the Middle East for innovation talent, venture capital dries up across Southeast Asia, and Western MNCs find themselves demoted to third-tier priorities by nervous headquarters.

From the miscalculation risks that keep geopolitical experts awake at night to Japan's demographic time bomb spurring unprecedented innovation, this episode delivers the tactical insights C-suite leaders need to thrive when caught between superpowers.

Whether you're repositioning supply chains or managing expat teams in Asia's dynamic markets, Staples provides the intelligence needed to survive the corporate crossfire of our fractured global order.

SHOW NOTES:

00:08 Introduction and Guest Background

04:17 Geopolitical Climate and Business Impact

06:44 Navigating Uncertainty in Asia

11:02 China's Strategy and Global Influence

13:57 Challenges for Western MNCs in Asia

15:54 Middle East vs. Asia: Innovation and Investment

20:05 VC Slowdown and Future Strategies

22:09 Advice for Western Expats in Asia

23:31 Networking and Curiosity in Asia

24:52 Geopolitical Risks in Asia

26:22 Future Prospects and Global Order

29:58 Personal Reflections and Predictions

37:27 The Allure of Japan

39:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, Bryan Ma joins Charles to unpack the shifting landscape of the global smartphone and device industry. From the US–China tariff shake-up to Apple’s manufacturing pivot toward India and Vietnam, they break down how supply chains are being reengineered in real time.

They also dig into the latest AI integrations—from smartphones to PCs—and what Computex 2025 revealed about the future of consumer tech. Expect insights on Samsung, Google, OpenAI, and what might finally follow the smartphone era.

Tariffs, AI, and tech power plays—this is the episode that connects the dots.

SHOW NOTES

00:10 Introduction and Greetings

00:23 Annual Update on Smartphones and Devices

00:41 Impact of Tariffs on the Tech Industry

04:03 Apple's Strategy to Navigate Tariffs

05:31 Samsung and Other OEMs' Responses

11:56 PC Industry and Tariff Implications

14:13 Shifts in Global Manufacturing

16:33 AI PCs: Hype or Reality?

20:28 AI on Smartphones: The Evolution

21:21 Samsung's AI Innovations

21:48 The Search for AI Use Cases

24:30 OpenAI's Big Move

25:30 Future of AI Hardware

27:13 AI's Rapid Adoption

28:o0 Challenges in AI Deployment

29:18 Foldable Phones and Future Trends

31:12 Wearables: The Next Frontier

35:40 Computex Highlights

38:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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🚀 AI is transforming advertising, and in this episode, we dive deep into how digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising is changing the game.

My guest, Dagny Lacka, founder of Flow City, explains how her company is using AI, foot traffic analytics, and real-time bidding to make billboard advertising as dynamic and targeted as online ads. No more two-week static campaigns—now brands can target the right people, at the right time, in the right place.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

✅ How AI is revolutionising outdoor advertising

✅ The power of real-time ad buying & precision targeting

✅ How challenger brands are using AI to take on big advertisers

✅ The future of DOOH advertising—from 3D billboards to hyperlocal campaigns

🔥 Whether you’re in marketing, AI, or just curious about how technology is reshaping the industry, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in now!

SHOW NOTES:

⏳ [00:00] Introduction

• Charles welcomes Dagny Lacka, founder of Flow City.

• Today’s topic: How AI is transforming the digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising industry.

⏳ [01:30] What is Digital Out-of-Home Advertising?

• DOOH is modern outdoor advertising using digital billboards instead of static posters.

• Ads can now be traded in real time, rather than booked in weeks-long slots.

• More flexibility and precision targeting for advertisers.

⏳ [04:15] How Flow City is Changing the Game

• Flow City connects AI, foot traffic data, and ad space to help brands buy smarter and target better.

• Real-time audience insights: Ads are served when the right people are present.

• Example: A tech brand targeting London professionals can buy space at peak commute hours in key locations.

⏳ [08:30] Dagny’s Journey: From Journalism to AI & Advertising

• Started in TV advertising, later shifted into digital outdoor advertising.

• Founded Flow City to make advertising more data-driven and accessible.

• Early challenges: Moving from retail analytics to smart city-driven ad placements.

⏳ [12:00] AI & Footfall Analytics in Advertising

• Predicting audience movement in cities using AI.

• Why traditional retail analytics didn’t work, but DOOH was a perfect match.

• Dynamic content: Tailoring ads in real-time based on location and audience type.

⏳ [16:30] The Pandemic Pivot: Turning Crisis into Growth

• COVID-19 shut down outdoor advertising, leaving Flow City in crisis.

• The tech team used the downtime to develop better automation.

• Breakthrough moment: Secured direct access to premium ad networks, unlocking major growth.

• New model: Clients only pay for ads when they are actually seen, reducing risk.

⏳ [21:00] AI’s Role in Pricing & Campaign Optimization

• AI helps brands find the best locations at the best prices.

• Avoiding high-cost ad slots by identifying when advertising competition is lower.

• Strategic ad buying: Instead of running for two weeks, brands can spread ads over months for better impact.

⏳ [25:15] Challenger Brands vs. Big Advertisers

• Big brands are slow to adopt change, while small brands use AI to disrupt the market.

• Case study: A challenger brand outperformed an industry leader, which eventually went into administration.

• Startups and new brands can now compete with industry giants using targeted, affordable ad placements.

⏳ [30:00] How Flow City Works for Clients

• AI analyzes audience behavior and suggests optimal ad placements.

• Example: Instead of random billboards across London, the system targets a specific group repeatedly for higher impact.

• Smart pricing: Ads are placed where they cost less but still reach the right people.

⏳ [34:00] The Future of Digital Out-of-Home Advertising

• 3D digital ads & transparent screens are the next big innovations.

• Hyperlocal targeting: Global brands are now customizing ads per city and even per neighborhood.

• AI is improving real-time engagement in advertising, making campaigns more interactive.

⏳ [37:30] Startup Challenges & The London VC Scene

• London’s VC market is risk-averse, making it harder for startups to secure funding.

• Many European startups end up raising money in the US or Asia.

• Flow City grew by focusing on profitability instead of chasing VC funding.

⏳ [40:00] Final Thoughts & Closing

• Flow City’s mission: Help challenger brands take market share from incumbents.

• The future: Expanding to more markets, helping millions of businesses run smarter ad campaigns.

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🚀 Tech, Marketing, and a Football Obsession—What Could Go Wrong?

In this episode of TechBurst Talks, I sit down with my old mate Jon Buckthorp—Commercial Director of Differentiated, founder of Jon B Studios, and the kind of guy who juggles marketing, content, board advisory roles, and a questionable football allegiance (looking at you, Lincoln City).

We cut through the noise of B2B marketing, diving into:

🔥 Why creativity is the secret weapon in tech marketing

🔥 The brutal truth about building a personal brand

🔥 How to stay authentic in a world of corporate BS

Plus, we chat about Jon’s journey from Vodafone to his portfolio career, the future of B2B marketing, and—because he can’t help himself—football.

This one’s raw, insightful, and packed with no-BS lessons on career, creativity, and making an impact. Tune in, laugh a little, and maybe even learn something.

01:15 Welcome to TechBurst Talks with Jon Buckthorp

02:05 Jon's Journey in Tech and Marketing

04:00 The Birth of a Portfolio Career

05:10 Inside Differentiated: Creativity in B2B Marketing

06:36 Jon B Studios: Influencer Marketing Redefined

08:15 Challenges and Triumphs of Personal Branding

17:40 The Women's Sports Alliance: Promoting Women in Sports

19:45 Future Goals and Aspirations

21:30 B2B Tech Marketing: The Good, The Bad, and The Creative

22:50 Deliberate Marketing Strategies

23:33 B2B Marketing Success Stories

26:35 Challenges in 5G Marketing

28:20 Innovative Marketing Approaches

33:25 Personal Reflections and Career Advice

36:05 Fun and Personal Questions

41:40 Closing Remarks

Find out more:

Differentiated Web Site Linkedin

Women's Sports Alliance Web Site Linkedin

Follow Jon on LinkedIn X BlueSky

Download Differentiated’s “Art and Science Research Report” here

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In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, I sit down with Ian Chong from Samsung Electronics to talk about his work on the mobile B2B team and the cutting-edge advancements Samsung is making, particularly in AI technology for smartphones.

We dive into the new Galaxy AI capabilities, including features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Transcript Assist. Ian shares why on-device AI is critical for ensuring both security and speed and discusses Samsung’s collaborations with major tech players.

We also explore how AI is being implemented in industries like law enforcement and finance. On a lighter note, Ian opens up about his passion for coffee and his quirky sock collection. To wrap up, we talk about the future of AI and its transformative potential across different sectors.

Show Notes:

00:45 Welcome to Tech Burst Talks

01:00 Introducing Ian Chong and His Role at Samsung

01:35 AI Innovations in Samsung Smartphones

02:13 Galaxy AI Features in Action

04:25 Live Translate and Business Features

08:00 Samsung’s Security Measures

10:49 Rugged Devices for Various Industries

13:27 Customer Insights on AI

16:58 Samsung’s Open Ecosystem and Partnerships

21:45 Enhancing Experiences with AI

22:21 Addressing AI Skepticism

24:25 The Power of Hyper-Connected Devices

25:38 Future of AI and Gen AI

26:44 AI in Retail and B2B Applications

29:36 Transformative AI in Healthcare

31:20 Personal Addictions: Coffee and Crazy Socks

36:18 Reflections and Future Aspirations

38:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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In this episode of TechBurst Talks, we’re taking on the challenge of demystifying AI and breaking down the overwhelming flood of buzzwords. You’ve heard them before—AI, ML, DL, LLM, SLM, RAG, ChatGPT, Custom GPT, NLP—the list goes on.

Our goal is to make these terms accessible and easy to understand, no matter your background.

I’m thrilled to be joined by Bernard Leong, who is the Host of the Analyse Asia podcast, the founder of Dorje.ai, and an expert in the field of Artifical Intelligence.

What makes this episode special is that Bernard and I approach learning differently. Bernard is a theoretical learner, able to grasp complex concepts with ease. On the other hand, I’m more of a kinesthetic learner—I need to see how these terms apply in the real world, rather than just understanding the theory.

Together, we’ll cover the essential AI buzzwords and trends, with something for everyone. Whether you’re on the cutting edge of AI or just trying to get a handle on the jargon, this episode will bring clarity to the chaos.

01:00 Welcome and Introduction to AI

01:26 Bernard Leon's Background and Expertise

04:30 Understanding Artificial Intelligence

05:10 Big Data vs. Artificial Intelligence

06:29 Machine Learning and Deep Learning Explained

10:23 Generative AI: The Game Changer

17:30 Real-World Applications of AI

21:56 AI in Everyday Life and Business

31:14 The Evolution of Wind Turbine Maintenance

32:50 ChatGPT Revolutionizes Data Cleaning

34:21 Ethical Considerations in AI

37:09 Federated Learning and Privacy

38:47 AI's Impact on Jobs and Productivity

44:49 Future Trends in AI

49:48 Challenges in AI Adoption

51:57 Introducing Dorje.ai

55:24 Final Thoughts and Advice on AI

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In this episode of the Techburst Talks podcast, we delve deep into the current challenges and future prospects of the telecom industry.

I'm joined by industry veterans Chris Lewis from Lewis Insight and Rob Jones, CEO of Bluefire, the discussion spans a wide array of topics including:

• the financial viability of 5G - is anyone actually making $$$?
• the adaptation of telcos to new technologies like IoT - can telcos deliver complex solutions?
• and the increasing importance of customer-centric business models.

The conversation also examines the role of #AI in transforming the industry, the impact of global markets, and the structural changes needed to stay competitive.

The trio emphasizes the necessity of partnerships, the limitations of current business models, and the importance of personalized services in the evolving telecom landscape.

00:00 Introduction to Telecom Industry Challenges

00:13 Meet the Experts: Chris Lewis and Rob Jones

01:07 Chris Lewis: Insights on Telecom Dynamics

02:02 Rob Jones: Global Telecom Experience

02:49 Current Trends in the Telecom Industry

06:46 Challenges in Telecom Pricing and Competition

10:32 Strategies for Telecom Operators

13:14 The Role of Connectivity in Telecom Services

15:52 Telcos and the Competitive Landscape

28:26 The Future of IoT in Telecom

31:12 Learning from Other Industries

31:54 Economic Evolution and Partnering

33:29 Structural Changes in Telecom

35:28 Impact of AI on Telecom

37:41 Challenges and Opportunities with AI

49:24 Future of Telecom: 6G and Beyond

58:15 Collaboration and Personalization in Telecom

01:02:58 Concluding Thoughts

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TechBurst Talks Season 4 Episode 2

IoT Re-Imagined: Practicality over Promises

In this episode of the Tech Burst Talks podcast, host Charles interviews Gerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr.

Gerhard discusses his transition from running the IoT business at Telstra, Australia’s largest telecoms operator, to a startup environment, his current role at Kallipr and the company's innovative IoT solutions. He elaborates on Kallipr’s unique approaches to sensor technology, total cost of ownership, and real-world applications in industries like rail and water management.

The conversation also touches on global IoT market trends, including the rise of India as a tech superpower and the impact of satellite connectivity. Gerhard shares personal anecdotes and offers a glimpse into his future vision for Kallipr, emphasising digitising infrastructure and leveraging AI for efficient data management.

00:40 Welcome Back, Gerhard Loots!

00:48 Career Transition: From Telstra to Kallipr

02:40 Introducing Kallipr

03:51 Competing in the Global Market

04:52 Focus on Total Cost of Ownership

06:35 Real-World Use Cases and Success Stories

11:00 Fun with B2B Marketing

13:30 Future Plans for Kallipr

19:00 Industry Insights and Market Trends

32:40 Personal Stories and Fun Questions

38:00 Closing Remarks and Farewell

🎥 Catch the Full Podcast Video on the TechBurst Talks YouTube Channel! Dive deep into our conversation at YouTube Link 🚀

Follow Kallipr:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kallipr

Kallipr’s entertaining B2B videos (about time someone made tech fun!)

Edge Battery Change video

https://youtube.com/shorts/oMDikM3Wi24?si=cglkUMVEoHYsU5hC

Radar Tech Demo: Scientific Beer Evaluation

https://youtu.be/PE_QsYIxy18?si=Gu7KJDBNSLmkD1rz

How we IP68 Test Our IoT Devices

https://youtu.be/xj5NWMu9D0g?si=JQn_ocLXD29YoUmH

20 Year Battery Life

https://youtu.be/Jybt_4eC91M?si=JVCK1l94MYf1GsUm

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In this episode, we talk about Uma's transition from technology industry executive to purpose-driven entrepreneur - and how focusing on her inner self helped drive that transition - and transform her life.

01:15 Uma’s journey of Self Discovery through the Hoffman Process

07:56 Introducing solitude in your life

11:40 The Corporate Perception of Self Help: “Are you OK” versus “Investing in yourself”

14:30 Uma’s new venture ELEVATE - and her first three startups

21:40 Why Now? What led Uma down the path of Self Discovery?

25:00 How this journey helped ease her transition from tech industry leader to purpose-driven entrepreneur

40:40 Uma’s journey to financial stability and independence

45:00 Five Year Outlook: What will success look like?

49:30 Why “How are you?” is now one of the most interesting questions someone can ask

Find out more about Uma:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umathana/

Instagram: @rawwithuma @umathana1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RawWithUma

Find out more about ELEVATE:

https://www.elevateasia.org/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-the-business

Instagram: @elevateasiaorg

Find out more about the Hoffman Process

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoffmanCentre/

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If you keep up to date with the latest technology news, you know that the momentum and investment has shifted from Asia to the Middle East. But gone are the days where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE just import technology and talent - the new trend across the Middle East is how to create a home-grown technology startup ecosystem - and this is what we are going to cover in today’s podcast.

Let’s face it - money is not going to be an issue - but as we have seen from other countries, just throwing money at the startup ecosystem is no guarantee that it will be successful.

To help us go through this topic, we are joined by the Partner & Co-Founder of SparkLabs Group, Bernard Moon. SparkLabs has made a name for itself by launching accelerators and VC funds in Asia, Australia and the US, but now they are entering the Middle East market, so let’s see what has drawn SparkLabs to that region - and what Bernard thinks will be the critical success factors to making sure they get a return on their investments.

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro to Bernard Moon and SparkLabs Group

02:30 SparkLabs new accelerator programs in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi

06:00 How does SparkLabs plan to find the “best of the best” startups in the Middle East

08:45 Do you see any similarities between the Middle East markets and other countries where you have had success with your accelerators (e.g. Korea, Taiwan)? And are there any specific opportunities and / or risks compared to the other markets you operate in?

14:30 What are the critical success factors for the Middle East markets to develop a home grown startup ecosystem? And what is the role of academia in creating this?

20:30 What does SparkLabs look for in startups that they want to invest in? And are there any red flags that you watch out for?

24:00 What will it take for SparkLabs to view their entry into the Middle East accelerator market a success?

26:00 What can countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE learn from other markets, like Singapore, that haven’t made the most of their investment / funding of their local startup ecosystem?

30:00 Why are startups keen to be involved with SparkLabs versus the many other accelerator programs in the market?

33:00 Last week, SparkLabs listed it’s USD 100m SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) on Nasdaq. Can you give us an overview of how this came about and what your strategy for the SPAC is?

More information on SparkLabs can be found here:

Contact Bernard directly: bernard@sparklabsglobal.com

SparkLabs Saudi Arabia

SparkLabs Korea

SparkLabs Taiwan

SparkLabs Cultiv8

SparkLabs Group

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In Part II of our Middle East Deep Dive, we talk with Carrington Malin to find out how the government's in the Middle East are driving unprecedented growth and innovation.

But it's more than just the tech, they are up-skilling their workforces and training students on how to leverage emerging technologies to transform the traditional industries that support their economies - and develop new ones. Exciting times to say the least...

Show Notes:

1:00 Intro to Carrington Malin and the various roles he has played in the Middle East’s technology ecosystem for the past 30 years.

5:00 How Middle East governments are driving innovation that leverages emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence by dedicating funds to support their initiatives and creating detailed action plans and deliverables to ensure they go beyond the hype.

11:00 The region’s plans to build “home-grown” taken to support it’s tech and innovation initiatives

16:00 The growth in large language models (e.g. Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institutes Falcom LLM that rivals ChatGPT and OpenAI)

23:00 How government policies and regulations will ensure the countries like Dubai will lead the way globally around autonomous vehicles - and not just self-driving taxis, they are getting ready for flying taxis

30:00 How government-led initiatives is transforming the region’s talent pool

You can follow Carrington's Middle East AI News on Substack and LinkedIn.

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This is the first in a series on Technology and Innovation trends in the Middle East. Things have gone quiet in Asia post-pandemic - and the global recession has not helped.

However, the Middle East is thriving.

Hardly a week goes by where there isn’t another jaw-dropping announcement related to emerging technologies like AI, autonomous vehicles and the Metaverse in the Middle East - or the massive investment in initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM.

To help us delve deeper into the Middle East’s technology innovation landscape, I’m joined by Danial Mausoof. He's based in Abu Dhabi, but covers the Middle East and Africa as part of his job, so we are lucky to have him with us to share his unique insights and perspectives.

Show Notes:

02:45 Key market trends in the Middle East

06:30 The Talent Issue: How the Middle East is starting to build a local talent pool to drive and support innovation

08:30 Overview of the three key markets: Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi

13:00 Why the recession has not derailed tech spend in the Middle East.

16:45 The state of 5G in the Middle East - and why they could lead in 5G monetisation

23:00 Artificial Intelligence: How the combination of investment, education and regulation is making the Middle East a leader in AI

28:00 Smart Cities: How the greenfield Smart Cities like NEOM will drive global innovation

33:00 Autonomous Vehicles: How the Middle East’s progressive regulatory environments have ensured they will lead in self-driving taxis and, believe it or not, flying taxis

40:00 Our future forecasts - when will we go beyond the hype on….

• 5G
• 5G monetisation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Large Language Models (e.g. ChatGPT)
• Metaverse
• Smart Cities
• Autonomous Vehicles

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In this episode, we are joined by Jordan Kostelac, co-founder of Deploy Capital, to discuss the current state - and what the future holds - for PropTech in Asia Pacific.

Show Notes:

02:50 What the hell is PropTech and is it still a buzzword?

02:45 Intro to Jordan Kostelac, Asia’s PropTech Provocateur

06:45 Jordan’s experience working with PropTech startups with the JLL & Lendlease “Propell Asia” accelerator programme.

08:05 Examples of PropTech startups in Asia that are delivering value

13:45 How will PropTech in Asia evolve in the future?

22:15 AI & PropTech: so many opportunities, but what about the security and data privacy risks?

34:20 How will the next wave of emerging technologies, including web3, the metaverse and ChatGPT, impact PropTech.

39:45 Jordan’s new venture, Deploy Capital, that combines blockchain, PropTech & venture capital.

43:45 Look to the future - if PropTech succeeds, what did we do right? And if it fails, what did we screw up?

45:45 Tell us something about yourself that will surprise us?

Stay in touch with Jordan

Twitter: @scopelessness

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jkostelac/

www.jordankostelac.net

Stay in touch with Deploy Capital

Twitter: @deplo0x

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deploycapital-online/

deploycapital.online

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We need to face the facts - our Return to the Office strategies are failing. Giving away free beer once a week is not enough to make our employees WANT to come back to the office. So what will make them? That’s what we are going to discuss today.

I’m joined by Helen Snowball, JLL’s Global Head of People Solutions and Experience, to discuss how showing empathy, creating purpose and delivering enhanced employee experiences are the keys to attracting and retaining talent in the post pandemic world.

Show notes:

00:30 Intro to Helen Snowball, Global Head of People Solutions and Experience, JLL

03:30 How delivering enhanced employee experiences can help attract and retain the best talent

07:55 How JLL has managed the transition back to the office for its 100,000+ workforce by implementing the hybrid model that employees want

12:30 How upskilling middle management to manage hybrid work environments is vital to make your return to the office successful

14:30 Why ignoring the human impact of the pandemic - and a lack of empathy - has led to the failure of most our return to the office strategies

18:30 The importance of trust when implementing a hybrid work strategy - and why hybrid should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat

23:30 What can companies do (spoiler alert: focus on purpose) to attract and retain the best talent and mitigate the risk of the Great Resignation?

31:30 What mistakes do companies make with their return to the office strategies and initiatives?

34:30 What advice do you have for people trying to redesign their organisations for the Future of Work?

37:30 What do you do to keep yourself motivated, energised and inspired?

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One of the challenges with Sustainability is that while people like talking about it, it can be hard to find people driving real impact. But luckily for you, today’s guest is one that it driving impact. In this episode of the TechBurst Asia podcast, we will speak to Adrien Desbaillets, the CEO and Co-Founder of Salad Stop, about the growth of his business - and how they were able to deliver SouthEast Asia’s first Net Zero F&B outlet.

00:30 Intro to Adrien & SaladStop!

05:00 How technology and a drive to innovate has contributed to their expansion to 65 stores in 8 markets across Asia

07:15 How SaladStop! Incorporates sustainability into its strategy and operations, including launching Southeast Asia’s first Net Zero F&B outlet

09:40 The challenges SaladStop! overcame to launch a Net Zero store - and what challenges they will have to overcome to have all their stores achieve Net Zero by 2030.

13:15 How SaladStop! Educates its customers on their sustainability journey

14:55 What does the future hold for SaladStop!?

16:15 What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting a F&B business, raising Venture Capital funding and creating a Net Zero store?

19:45 Adrien’s passion for wearable technology

22:15 If you had to start a new business that couldn’t be in the F&B industry, what would it be and why?

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Apple recently announced it's latest smartphones and smartwatch, so it's time to bring Asia's top device analyst - IDC's Bryan Ma - back onto the TechBurst Asia podcast to discuss what these launches mean to the industry.

00:45 Overview of the Apple Launch Event

02:00 Apple goes after the competitive athlete market with the Apple Watch Ultra - what does it mean for vendors like Garmin and Suunto? Or the other leader smartwatch - the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro.?

08:00 Bryan’s view of the new Apple iPhone 14

• Satellite communications
• eSIMs

09:30 Why does the new iPhone 14 have a satellite connection?

12:00 Apple goes eSIM! Why they made the shift and what it means to the mobile operators.

15:15 Huawei’s launch of its Mate 50 flagship smartphone - nice device, but it’s still 4G only

17:45 When is keeping Apple from launching a foldable smartphone? And when can we expect it? And could there be a foldable iPad?

19:00 Comparing Samsung’s S22 to the latest iPhones

20:00 If you had to pick one device from the iPhone 14, Samsung S22, Samsung Flip and the Huawei Mate 50, which one would you pick and why?

21:00 The device manufacturer’s dilemma - how to differentiate in a mature market?

22:30 What’s the latest on the Chinese & Indian device markets - and has the pandemic slowed demand?

26:00 Is the chipset shortage finally sorted?

27:10 How do you see the market for smartphones and smartwatches developing - and how can the device manufacturers differentiate?

28:15 The latest on the PC market (pandemic driving growth) and AR/VR - and when can we expect an Apple VR headset?

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Just 10 years ago, today's guest (Rafael Aldon) worked in telecoms in the UK. But over the past decade, he moved to Singapore as he first transitioned to Private Equity, then early stage Venture Capital, and finally into Impact Investing. It's been quite a journey!

He’s also the co-host of 2 podcasts (Investing for Impact and Disruptors for Good) on Cause Artist, which is a discovery hub for conscious consumers, social entrepreneurs and impact investors.

If you don’t know what impact investing is, you’ll love this episode because it will give you a solid understanding not only of what it is, but why it is so desperately needed. And if you already do know about it, you’ll still enjoy hearing about his amazing journey.

Show Notes:

01:30 Rafael’s journey from Telecoms to Private Equity to Early Stage VC to Impact Investing

10:00 What led you to narrow your investment focus to Impact Investing?

12:00 Difference between ESG Investing & Impact Investing

15:00 Raf’s focus on regenerative businesses - and what does regenerative mean?

18:00 What is Regenr8?

22:00 The value you get from angel investing

24:00 What is the current state of Impact Investing in Asia & globally? Is it still niche?

26:30 What needs to be done to drive more Impact investing

29:00 Can we get enough momentum going to help us address the global climate challenges before it’s too late?

31:00 What are the biggest risks we face that will prevent us from making progress towards addressing those issues?

33:30 What advice do you have for start-ups that are playing in the Impact space?

37:30 You can do your career all over again. What would you rather be - an Impact Investor or a Rockstar?

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After a decade of struggling to live up to the hype, augmented reality and virtual reality are finally gaining traction in the B2C and B2B spaces. Today, we will sit down with Auggd’s Matthias Krampe to discuss the 3 main reasons for this. First, the technologies and ecosystems that support AR & VR have evolved considerably.

Second, B2B customers are starting to understand how these technologies can be leveraged to deliver tangible business value through a variety of use cases.

And third, they are intrinsically linked to the Metaverse, which has to be approaching the top of the hype curve.

Whether you agree with Zuckerberg - and believe that we will all live and work in the metaverse - or whether you agree with NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway that the metaverse is “a giant flaming bag of sh*t”, one thing is for sure, the hype around the metaverse is driving the AR & VR industries

But the question is, can this new found interest help AR & VR reach mass adoption?

01:30 Intro to Matthias and his augmented reality firm, Auggd

05:30 What types of AR industry solutions (e.g. construction) does Auggd create?

07:00 Glimpse Group - the AR / VR collective - acquired Auggd in 2021

08:00 Augmented reality has struggled for adoption. What has held it back from reaching its potential?

12:30 What are the key trends (industry trends, hardware and evolution, 5G, etc) driving the AR industry? And is the talent shortage holding the industry back?

16:30 What industries (construction, retail, training) are driving AR adoption?

18:45 How is the virtual reality industry progressing - and what trends are driving it?

21:30 How long will it be before we are having meetings in the metaverse?

30:30 On a scale from 1 to 10, how overhyped is the metaverse?

35:30 You have looked at hundreds of AR and VR solutions, what are some of the best - and worst - solutions you have seen?

Auggd: www.auggd.com

The Glimpse Group: www.theglimpsegroup.com

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As we approach the end of 2021, we enter into one of the tech industry’s favourite seasons - 2022 Predictions. While all the industry evangelists will be predicting what mega-trends are going to transform our cities next year, I’m going to take a different approach. I’m going to focus on the mega-blockers that we need to overcome in order to live up to the industry hype.

And to do this, I am joined by 3 guests who sit in different areas of the Smart Cities ecosystem.

• Josh Sattler, A/CEO - General Manager Innovation, Growth and Development Services at City of Darwin in Australia

• Tim Kobe, Founder & CEO of the global strategic design firm Eight Inc.

• Zachary Wang, the Founder & CEO of Neuron Mobility, a leading rental e-scooter company and micro-mobility technology developer operating in cities across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Canada.

For simplicity’s sake, view it this way. Zach represents the tech innovator’s supplying Smart City solutions, Josh represents the market demand, and Tim the planning and design side that has to liaise between the supply and demand side.

Show Notes:

01:20 Guest Intros

03:40 Smart Cities have not lived up to the hype. What types of challenges have you encountered that are holding back innovation?

07:35 Mega-blockers for the adoption of AI / Facial Recognition: how to overcome citizen’s concerns over data privacy

15:00 Mega-blockers for the adoption of Urban Mobility: eScooters, eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft - aka Flying Taxis), etc.

20:50 Mega-blockers for the adoption of Sustainability solutions: balancing ROI and social impact

27:40 We have the technology to deliver transformative solutions, but sometimes people and processes hold us back. What do we need to do as humans to become Smart City enablers instead of blockers?

34:00 Rapid Fire round

Do we need more government regulation to drive innovation?

What is the one thing that needs to happen to the Smart Cities ecosystem to drive more innovation?

What’s the biggest risk that Smart Cities face in 2022?

What’s your personal wish list?

• Tim - name one client you would like to work with

• Josh - if you could lead any city’s Smart City initiatives, which would it be?

• Zach - if Neuron could “win” one new city in 2022, which city would it be?

Let’s close on a positive - tell me something that you are proud of that happened during the pandemic.

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Over the past few years, delivering sustainable solutions and reducing carbon emissions have moved up the corporate agenda. But while many people like talking about it, few are ready to act.

One reason that people claim that holds them back is that sustainability solutions come with a green premium - which is the additional cost of choosing a clean technology over one that emits a greater amount of greenhouse gases. But that’s not always the case anymore.

In this podcast, we are joined by the CEO & Co-founder of Ampd Energy, Brandon Ng. His company proves that you don't have to increase your costs to decrease your carbon emissions.

01:40 Intro to Brandon & Ampd Energy

• How an approach from Gammon Construction in Hong Kong changed Ampd’s focus to reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry

05:00 Ampd Energy targets the construction industry, which is an industry laggard when it comes to driving productivity and innovation. However, you are seeing very strong traction in your home market in Hong Kong. What is driving your success?

• Sole focus is on the construction industry

• First customer was a marquee company - Gammon Construction

• Electric Vehicles have been in Hong Kong for over 10 years, so battery technology is viewed as “ready for primetime”, not an emerging tech.

• The business case stacks up. Ampd Energy doesn’t come with a “green premium”, it actually reduces costs from the current solutions deployed.

10:00 Hong Kong’s Construction Industry Council partnered with Hong Kong’s Development Bureau to launch at HKD 1 Billion (USD 130m) Construction Innovation Technology Fund. How has this been adopted and leveraged by the construction industry and what benefits has it delivered?

12:45 What are the biggest challenges you face when trying to win new business?

• Lack of product awareness leads to misconceptions and misunderstandings about what we do

• Fear of change

14:45 What is your business model? Do customers have to buy (CapEx) yoru solution or can they lease (OpEx) it?

15:45 What are your key objectives to grow your business over the coming 12 - 24 months

• Increase market share in HK

• Expand to Singapore and other markets across Asia

• Continue to educate and advocate for greener, cleaner and quieter construction sites using Ampd’s products

18:00 What impact has the rise in importance of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions had on your business?

• Investment firms holding industry responsible for the carbon emissions

19:30 What are the Critical Success Factors for driving your long term (5-10 year) growth and success? And the biggest risks?

• Urbanisation

• Bridging the gap in debt financing to give Ampd the working capital to build more product in advance of orders received

• Attracting talent

25:45 What do you know today that you wish you knew when you started Ampd in 2015?

26:40 When you expand into new markets, will you go direct or leverage channel partners?

28:00 How can the audience follow Ampd Energy or get in touch with you?

Website: www.ampd.energy

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

Brandon Ng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branng/

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If you are a regular listener to the TechBurst Asia podcast, you’ll know I love talking about OpenRAN, which is kind of strange. I have spent much of the past 20 years looking at the solutions that can leverage the latest and greatest networks, but I am far from an expert when it comes to what it takes to build those networks - and even less of an expert on the technology they run on. So why does OpenRAN fascinate me? Well, it isn’t the technology behind it, it’s the disruptive business, operating and financial models that it creates. And I like to see how the industry will respond to this disruption.

And let’s face it, OpenRAN has been riding pretty high on the hype curve, so I want to understand what it will take for it to live up to that hype.

Today’s guest is uniquely suited to help me understand this. He has spent the past couple years working on the groundbreaking Rakuten OpenRAN deployment in Japan, so he’s seen first hand the benefits OpenRAN can deliver - and the challenges faced when deploying it.

In addition to that, he works for a company that, on the surface, looks like it would be one of the main companies disrupted by this new model, so I want to understand why they are embracing it.

He is Terry McCabe, Nokia’s Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific & Japan, where he spearheads Nokia’s 5G technology strategy. And yes, we’ll talk a bit about 5G - and 6G - as well.

Show Notes:

01:30 How does Nokia define OpenRAN?

04:10 OpenRAN has the potential to disrupt how mobile operators will purchase their networks in the future - yet that didn’t stop Nokia from being an early supporter of the OpenRAN Alliance. What was the rationale behind that decision?

05:30 The first major OpenRAN network deployment was Rakuten in Japan - and Nokia was one of the vendors involved in it. What were your major learnings from this deployment?

09:30 What are Nokia’s plans for the next phase of OpenRAN?

10:45 It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for OpenRAN, not least when Nokia and some other vendors halted their participation in the OpenRAN Alliance due to concerns raised by the US government about IP protection. That has since been resolved, but is this a sign of the challenges OpenRAN will face in the future?

12:00 When some operators, like AT&T, talk about their plans for OpenRAN, they state their initial deployments will be for in-building and rural coverage. Does that mean we won’t see it deployed in city centres?

13:15 What does the ideal OpenRAN customer look like?

14:15 OpenRAN and its potential role in Private 5G

15:30 Who / What / Where should we be keeping an eye on for the next phase of growth for OpenRAN?

17:30 Some people believe that it’s too late for OpenRAN to be leveraged for 5G network deployments, meaning that it’s real impact would be on 6G deployments. Would you agree?

18:30 What are the Critical Success Factors for OpenRAN to live up to the hype?

19:30 What are some of the risks OpenRAN faces (e.g. energy consumption, openness)

21:30 How do you think the OpenRAN Alliance will evolve - and what impact will the hyperscalers have on the industry?

23:35 What’s your prediction for how OpenRAN will evolve in the near term (12-24 months)?

26:00 What are the Best & Worst Case Scenarios for OpenRAN in the medium to long term (5-10 years)?

28:00 Beyond OpenRAN, what else excites you about the future of connectivity?

(spoiler alert: 6G, Enterprise Solutions, Private Networks)

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Welcome to the final episode of our 3 part series on Emerging Tech Trends with our guest, Analyse Asia’s Bernard Leong.

In part 2, we covered the latest developments in Drones, AI and digital transformation.

For this final episode, we’ll dig deep into what’s going on with Crypto, what are NFTs, why have they become so popular and how can they be used - and then we’ll close out by addressing the big one - what the hell is going on with China.

(note: this podcast was recorded prior to China’s recent announcement that declares all crypto-currency transactions illegal - amazing how fast things change!)

Show Notes:

00:40 What’s the latest trends we need to know about Crypto & Blockchain?

• Private blockchains are just databases - and they have failed

02:10 The latest killer apps - Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

• NFT use cases beyond memes

• Creating a syndicate - Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO)

• Countries issuing their one cryptocurrency - like the Digital Chinese Yuan

07:40 Bitcoin / crypto and the Sustainability issues

11:00 The latest on the US / China trade war

• There will be two supply chains - China and the rest of the world

15:40 China’s crackdown on its own consumer tech vendors

• China’s trying to avoid the demographic time bomb that the US, Japan and Singapore face

18:30 How China imposes “shock therapy” on its own ecosystem

• Making online education market non-profit

• Killing off the 9x9x6 work culture

• The US, Japan and Singapore killed off their own manufacturing industries - China wants to retain theirs and copy Germany’s model

• Crackdown on children’s gaming - limited to a few hours per week during specific times

25:00 If I’m a Chinese tech billionaire, should I be scared right now?

25:40 What’s next for Bernard and Analyse Asia

28:10 What have you been reading lately that had the most impact on you?

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In the first episode of this 3 part series, we did a role reversal, where I switched from being the host - to being the guest to share my views on the latest trends, opportunities and risks related to Smart Cities and 5G.

For this episode, it’s back to normal - I’ll be interviewing Analyse Asia’s Bernard Leong to get his take on the future of drones, the latest developments around AI and Machine Learning, and what digital transformation trends evolved due to the pandemic.

Show Notes:

00:00 Bernard hasn’t been on a podcast in two years, including his own Analyse Asia podcast. What has he been up to in the meantime?

01:30 How has the pandemic impacted the future of drones? Are you more or less optimistic?

09:15 What are the latest trends we need to know about in AI and Machine Learning?

• How Machine Learning works

• What’s real and what’s hype?

• Artificial General Intelligence vs Artificial Narrow Intelligence

21:00 AI’s Ethics Dilemma - how do we overcome privacy concerns, the data bias problem, etc.

27:45 What are the COOL emerging solutions that are leveraging AI?

32:00 The pandemic has fast-tracked everyone’s digital transformation agendas - what are the key trends (e.g. eKYC) that we need to know about?

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Welcome to the first of a 3-part series on emerging trends in Asia’s technology and innovation ecosystems. In this episode, we are going to look at how the Smart Cities & 5G are progressing - and we have a special guest to help us delve into that topic...me. That’s right, the host becomes the guest - and we have a special guest host as well.

Many of you will know him as the former host of the hugely successful Analyse Asia podcast - and he was also the guest on my first ever TechBurst Asia podcast. He’s none other than Bernard Leong, making his first podcast appearance in over 2 years.

In parts 2 and 3 of this Emerging Trends series, we will revert back to the normal format, with Bernard joining us as the guest to discuss a wide range of topics, including the latest on drones, AI, digital transformation, crypto, NFTs and what in the world is going on in China. Parts 2 and 3 will be out in the coming days, so stay tuned.

Show Notes:

01:15 What are your learnings from doing the TechBurst Asia podcast? And what have you learned from interviewing your guests?

03:15 What is the right user experience for a citizen in a Smart City?

05:45 Smart Buildings: What is the ideal experience for the business owner or facilities manager?

09:00 Why have Smart Cities not lived up to the hype?

12:05 How has Covid pandemic changed the way that people look at Smart Cities?

14:10 How will cities evolve to address the remote working trend?

17:30 Smart City Rankings - why did you create the CRAP Smart City Ranking

19:15 What metric would you use to make a “good” Smart City ranking?

20:40 How do you evaluate the progress on Smart Cities, IoT & 5G?

23:10 What will be the key applications that will leverage 5G?

25:35 If I gave you a magic wand, what would you want to see in the next 3 - 5 years?

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In a recent TechBurst Asia podcast, we delved deep into Singapore’s startup and venture capital ecosystems. Not surprisingly, they are both evolving well. But what I wanted to do as a follow up is look at the wider Southeast Asia startup and venture capital ecosystems to see how countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the others are progressing.

To help me with this, I am joined by my good friend Chris Tran, who has been supporting start-ups in those countries for the past 12 years. This makes him ideally suited to discuss how the markets are developing, identify what works and what needs improvement. And I’m also keen to learn more about the launch of his new Boutique Investment Bank that supports Southeast Asian Technology Entrepreneurs and Investors, Cap Connect.

Show notes:

00:00 Intro to Cap Connect and what led Chris to launch his own boutique investment firm

05:15 How does Chris source deal flow across the many countries in SE Asia

08:00 How is the startup ecosystem evolving across SE Asia, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines

16:00 How does the VC industry support SE Asia? Is it all Singapore-based or has each country developed its own funding ecosystem?

19:30 What’s the good, the bad and the ugly about Singapore innovation and VC industries?

21:30 What industries are driving innovation across SE Asia

26:30 How has the pandemic impacted startups across the region - and what has been the impact on valuations?

32:00 How Chris got into venture capital and what brought him to Singapore 12 years ago

33:00 What Chris looks for in a founder or startup - and what are the red flags

34:30 What advice do you have for aspiring venture capitalists?

37:45 Tell us something about yourself that will surprise us (note: I recommend listening to this, it is the funniest segment of any podcast I have ever recorded)

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We hear the hype about how great our mobile networks are, yet when I speak with enterprise customers, they always talk about the challenges they face to get fast and reliable connectivity across their global sites and operations.

In this podcast, we are going to talk to a Singaporean-based start-up about how they help customers address those challenges. Blue Wireless started in Singapore in 2015, but already supports customers across 80+ countries. We are joined by their Founder and CEO, Ivan Landen, to discuss their start-up journey and how they are committed to doing one thing - and to doing that one thing well - Connectivity.

Show Notes:

01:45 Background on Ivan and his company, Blue Wireless

02:45 The Blue Wireless start-up journey

08:40 From one country to 80 in six years

13:00 Many tech vendors are moving into adjacent sectors, but Blue Wireless focuses on solving just one problem - connectivity. Why did you choose to only focus on your core competencies?

14:45 What does your typical client look like - and industry verticals do you target?

26:50 Is 5G impacting customer demand?

30:45 What’s next for Blue Wireless?

32:30 What do you know today that you wish you knew when you started Blue Wireless?

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In recent years, Sustainability has risen to the forefront of the strategic objectives for companies and governments. What concerns me is that when I speak with some of the leaders in ESG, they say there is still too much talk...and too little action. Well, that’s not the case for all companies. In this podcast, we’ll speak to Renee Peet, Head of Product Management and Marketing for Xylem, about how they lead by example. Xylem is ranked as one of the, if not the, world’s best company with regards to sustainability objectives and deliverables. If you want to learn how you - and your company - can make a difference, I truly recommend you listen to this episode.

Show Notes:

01:45 What does water have to do with Sustainability?

05:00 Who is Xylem - and what role do they play in the Sustainability ecosystem?

08:15 What types of solutions does Xylem provide - and how do they differ for developed and developing markets?

13:50 Who are the major players in the Water Sustainability ecosystem?

14:30 What impact has the pandemic had on your customers? Are they moving forward or holding back?

18:30 How does Xylem drive innovation and how do they engage the wider ecosystem to deliver it?

23:30 Driving a Sustainability agenda at a high level is easy - how does Xylem ensure that it permeates to all levels within the organisation?

29:30 What are the biggest challenges the industry faces?

32:30 Bottom line - what’s the worst case scenario if we don’t address the world’s water issues?

34:30 And the best case scenario - what does the ecosystem need to do to make sure we don’t hit the worst case scenario?

36:30 What can I - and we - do on a personal level to help avoid water / climate disaster?

Do your part, check out: https://www.xylem.com/en-ms/watermark/

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Keeping up with Asia’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems is challenging because the region’s DeepTech, Venture Capital and Start-up ecosystems are incredibly complex and diverse. Today, we are going to try to break it down by focusing on the ecosystems in just one country - Singapore.

We are going to discuss three key topics. First, we’ll look at DeepTech to discover the latest trends and to understand what unique challenges start-ups in this space face.

Second, we’ll look at the state of Venture Capital in Singapore, and, more specifically, is there enough VC funds available to support the longer commercialisation cycles of DeepTech Startups.

Finally, we’ll discuss how the start-up ecosystem is evolving and find out what cool new innovations are on the horizon.

To do this, we are joined by David Toh, the Interim CEO of NTUitive, which is the innovation and enterprise subsidiary of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which is ranked Number 12 in the latest World University Rankings.

Show Notes:

01:00 Intro to NTUitive, including how it supports start-ups and engages with the technology innovation ecosystem.

06:00 How does NTU look at DeepTech? And some examples of DeepTech solutions coming out of NTU.

13:30 What unique challenges do DeepTech start-ups face? And due to their longer commercialisation cycle, how do they set near-term success metrics?

19:30 Where has NTUitive been successful, and where is there room for improvement?

21:30 David’s journey from semicon engineer to equity analyst to fund manager to the world of Venture Capital.

27:45 Some of the start-ups David has helped on their start-up journey

29:45 What’s the current state of Singapore’s start-up and venture capital ecosystems?

37:45 What characteristics does David look for in start-ups - and are there any red flags that would prevent him engaging with a start-up.

43:45 Let’s look five to ten years in the future, and DeepTech has been incredibly successful in Singapore. How did the ecosystem evolve to enable that success?

Alternatively, let’s say that DeepTech bombs. What mistakes did the ecosystem make?

48:30 What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about creating a start-up? Or someone who wants to go into Venture Capital?

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The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on many industries - with the Food & Beverage industry one of the hardest hit. Most countries, at some point, have had to ban dining in - and even once that restriction is lifted, they have limited the restaurant capacity to only 50-70% of the pre-pandemic levels.

To survive financially, restaurants have had to pivot their business and operating models online to create new revenue streams.

In this episode, we are going to look at the role tech has played in helping restaurants overcome these unprecedented challenges.

If you live in Asia and like food, you’ll know today’s guest, Dave Pynt. Dave is the chef and owner of the one Michelin starred restaurant Burnt Ends - which is currently ranked #14 on Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants and #59 globally.

Show Notes:

01:30 Intro to Dave and how a surfer from Western Australia developed into one of Asia's top chefs

08:00 Dave's restaurant portfolio, including 2 x Meatsmiths in Singapore, another Meatsmith in Doha and The Ledge in the Maldives

10:50 How Dave leveraged tech in the pre-Covid world

12:45 How the Burnt Ends Group has used tech to transform their operations

18:30 How does a restaurant with no IT department drive digital transformation?

24:00 What's next for Burnt Ends Group (hint: BE to move from Teck Lim to Dempsey - and a Brew Pub launching in 2023)

And more chats about Dave's favourite places to eat, the importance of good ingredients and what it's like to cook a wild boar on a spit on the slopes of Mt. Fuji.

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Last week, GSMA hosted Mobile World Congress 2021 in Barcelona. Because we are still in a pandemic, it was quite different from previous events. But what I want to know is what was the latest news and buzz coming out of MWC. And luckily, I know someone who attended the event in person - so let’s get the lowdown from him.

Ferry Grikpink is a Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company, the founder of McKinsey's Center for Advanced Connectivity and McKinsey's Global Lead, Digital & Analytics, for Technology, Media & Telecommunications.

Show Notes:

03:00 What were the key themes at MWC

07:00 The US (284) has nearly as many cities with 5G coverage as China (376), but it only has 10% of the number of 5G subscribers. What causes this variance?

14:00 The latest on OpenRAN, including the announcements from NTT/NEC, Google Cloud and more

17:00 Data Privacy - has the operator's failure to monetise mobile advertising created a new Value Proposition for them?

20:00 The coolest solutions at MWC, including multi-player AR gaming, creating mesh networks from chipsets and more.

23:00 Rapid Fire Q's

• Biggest surprise at MWC

• Biggest disappointment

• Wish List - what wasn't discussed that should have been?

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There’s a new tech industry buzzword floating around that I need to understand better - and that buzzword is OpenRAN.

The reason I need to understand it better is because it seems like it has the capability to transform the way mobile operators purchase, deploy and support their networks.

In the old days, it was easy, you rang up one of the network equipment manufacturers, like Nokia, Ericsson or Huawei, and they built your network.

But with OpenRAN, operators can choose from hundreds of vendors and thousands of network configurations. That sounds complex - so I want to understand better what OpenRAN is - and why are so many companies and operators are excited by it.

In this podcast, we are joined by the Founder & CEO of the global business advisory firm BlueFire, Rob Jones, for our introduction to OpenRAN.

Show Notes

02:00 Intro to Rob & BlueFire

05:00 What the hell is OpenRAN - and why should we care about it?

07:30 The transformation from buying from one vendor (e.g. Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei) to the OpenRAN model

11:00 OpenRAN promises massive OpEx and CapEx savings, can it deliver on those promises? And if so, what does that mean for the network equipment manufacturers.

18:00 Will the reduced costs de-risk 5G network investments and increase deployments?

22:00 How will the OpenRAN ecosystem evolve, and what role with the likes of Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei play in it?

27:00 The role of the hyperscalers - how Microsoft, Google, AWS and Facebook have jumped on the OpenRAN bandwagon.

31:00 OpenRAN's role in Private 5G

32:00 What will it take for OpenRAN to be a success?

35:00 What are the biggest risks across the OpenRAN ecosystem that could prevent it from living up to the hype?

40:00 Examples of mobile operator innovation, including Rakuten and Malaysia's 5G strategy

45:00 The bottom line - will OpenRAN live up to the hype

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The pandemic put unprecedented pressures on the healthcare industry. Few countries were prepared for the crisis, which not only exposed the inefficiencies within the healthcare industry, but also led to many unnecessary deaths.

The TRUTH is - many healthcare systems around the world are in desperate need of repair, but the QUESTION is, can technology save the healthcare industry?

To help me answer this question, I am joined by Craig Vercruysse from the Lean Healthcare Practice at Moss Adams, and the former Chief Operating Officer, Chief Process Officer & Chief Information Officer for California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.

Show notes:

01:45 Craig’s background in the healthcare industry

05:30 What is the LEAN management system - and how can it be deployed to benefit the healthcare industry?

09:45 How the US got its initial Covid response so wrong - and why Craig wasn’t surprised

14:30 Why the US transitioned from contact tracing to testing

22:30 The positives that came out of the pandemic, including the re-tooling of the manufacturing industry to address the PPE shortage, the explosion of TeleHealth and more.

30:00 While the US screwed up its initial Covid response, it has done remarkably well with vaccinations. What changed to allow this?

35:00 Vaccine Passports may be required for travel in the future, but how can they be deployed, supported and secured?

39:30 Can technology save healthcare and help address the “collective trauma” being experienced by the frontline workers, transform the patient experience and solve the lack of interoperability amongst healthcare providers?

46:30 How wearables and sensors will drive the personalisation of patient management

56:30 The impact that automation will have on healthcare workers - and do we need a Universal Basic Income?

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This TechBurst Asia podcast will give you your gadget fix for 2021. We will discuss Smartphones - which ones are doing well (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi), which ones are struggling (Huawei, LG), and what features you can expect in the coming years.

We will look at the smart wearables market to see if Smartwatches have finally lived up to the hype, and to find out if anyone can catch the Apple Watch.

And finally, we’ll get the lowdown on the latest announcements from Apple about its latest iPad innovations, the launch of AirTags, and the new colourful iMacs.

To help us with this analysis, we are joined by one of the world’s leading device analysts, IDC Asia Pacific’s Bryan Ma.

SHOW NOTES:

02:00 Who is winning the smartphone race?

04:00 LG exits the smartphone market - what mistakes did they make?

06:30 Why do so many smartphone vendors fail (Nokia, BlackBerry, LG)

08:50 How the China / US trade war has led to Huawei’s chipset crisis

14:30 What are the latest features (cameras, foldables, rollables) that are driving the market?

18:00 What impact is 5G having on the smartphone market?

20:40 What the hell is a rollable phone? And do we need it?

22:00 When will Apple come out with a foldable phone?

23:00 Apple is releasing an iPhone software update with a new privacy feature that requires apps like Facebook to ask for the user’s approval to track them. Facebook hates this, I love it, what does Bryan think?

27:20 Can 5G’s speeds and low latency save AR/VR?

31:00 The latest on wearables - the big three vendors (Xiaomi, Apple, Huawei) are running away with it. Can Google save Fitbit? Should Samsung give up on the smartwatch market? And can anyone catch the Apple Watch?

39:00 Apple’s new product launches - the slick new iPads, colourful iMacs and surprise launch - Apple goes into tracking with AirTags.

49:00 Bryan’s predictions - what will the world look like in 5 years for smartphones, wearables and AR / VR / Mixed Reality headsets.

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In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of initiatives that have raised global awareness about the importance of gender diversity, the challenge of the gender pay gap - as well as the issue of a lack of women in senior leadership positions.

But while these initiatives draw more attention to these issues, what I want to understand is has this attention led to progress. Are we getting any closer to closing the Gender Gap?

And today’s guest, Uma Thana Balasingam, is ideally suited to help me delve deeper into this question.

In her day job, she’s the Vice President of the Partner & Commercial Organization for VMWare in Asia Pacific. She has also been recognised by CRN in their “Most Powerful Women of the Channel” global list, and she also features in Singapore’s Top 100 Women in IT.

But she does so much more across the ICT ecosystem than just that.

She’s also the Co-Founder of Lean In’s Singapore Chapter and the Founder of Lean In Women in Tech Asia and Women in Tech Singapore.

Show Notes:

02:00 Intro to Uma - how she got where she is today

07:20 The opportunities the pandemic created for VMWare

10:00 How has the pandemic affected how you communicate with your internal and external teams?

14:00 What do you understand today from a business perspective that you wish you understood 5 or 10 years ago?

17:00 How has an introvert thrived in what many would think are extrovert roles?

20:00 We hear about gender equality and the gender pay gap, but the question is, are we really making progress?

24:00 The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021 highlights the massive gender gaps in emerging jobs - what do we need to do to improve this?

31:30 Intro to Lean In Singapore

33:30 What is unconscious bias? And can you give us examples of where you have experienced it?

42:40 The Provocative Questions. Uma and I agreed that I would be intentionally provocative in this section - asking her questions that some men might want to ask, but won’t because they are concerned they will be branded as sexist.

64:30 What can men do to help create fair and equal environments for women?

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The amount of data that we create, capture, and consume is growing exponentially. In fact, according to IDC, the amount of data we will create in the next three years - will be more than the data we created over the past 30 years. That sounds great, but it does raise a lot of questions.

What are companies and governments doing with that data?

Is our data being used ethically?

Who should be responsible for setting the regulations about how data captured can be used?

These are just some of the questions that we will discuss in this podcast.

Today’s guest, Michael Conlin, will help delve deeper into these questions. He currently is the Chief Technology Officer for Definitive Logic, a US-based analytics and digital transformation specialist vendor, and was previously, the first ever Chief Data Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense (and almost the U.S. Data Czar - listen in to find out what happened).

Show Notes:

02:00 The journey that led a psychology major to become the first Chief Data Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

09:00 The transition from the private to the public sector - what attracted Micheal to the DoD?

14:30 What was it like on Day 1 when you realised you were responsible for straightening out the data structure and strategy for the DoD’s 3.2 million employees and across its 13,000 operational IT systems?

20:00 The U.S. has a Border Czar, Bird Flu Czar & Cybersecurity Czar - was he the Data Czar?

23:30 What are the main differences between being a CTO/CDO in the public versus private sector - and what unique challenges did you face with the DoD?

33:15 Why do we still trust Facebook despite its data breach that released the personal information of 533 million users - but don’t trust the government with our data?

43:15 The role of Ethics in Artificial Intelligence

52:15 Who should be responsible for setting the rules and regulations relating to the acceptable and ethical use of data captured by companies, governments, etc.?

60:00 Microsoft recently signed a USD 22 Billion contract with the US military to deliver 120,000 HoloLens mixed reality headsets. If you were the CDO/CTO overseeing this for the military, how would you mitigate the risks - and what opportunities would you see for the devices?

67:15 You recently left the U.S. DoD and its 3.2 million employees for Definitive Logic and its 250 employees. What led to the change?

71:30 The Fun questions

How does an introvert like you thrive in situations that require you to play the role of an extrovert?

Tell us about your interesting hobbies, including being a blacksmith, enamelist, glass gaffer, goldsmith, sculptor & lapidary.

Prince William was recently crowned the world’s sexiest bald man - are you disappointed that you weren’t nominated?

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The global pandemic has impacted every industry, but one industry that will face more impact than most is the Real Estate industry.

In this podcast, we’ll look at the pandemic’s impact on the Future of Buildings from the Design, Build and Operate perspectives.

Guests:

Tim Kobe

• Founder and CEO, Eight Inc.
• Founder and Chairman, x8ventures
• Author of the new book, Return on Experience

Thomas Jakob

• Regional President, Bosch.IO Asia Pacific

Susheel Koul

• Division President - Corporate Solutions, JLL Asia Pacific

Show Notes

02:00 Intro to the guests, their companies and the role they play in the Future of Buildings

03:30 What’s something that the pandemic has fundamentally changed with your business?

08:40 Once you got over the initial shock of the pandemic, what opportunities did you identify that your companies should go after?

14:20 Let’s say that I am your customer. Not only am I trying to ensure that I can create a safe and secure environment for my employees, customers and citizens to return to, but also an environment they WANT to return to. What advice would you give me?

21:15 You each sell products & services to corporate clients, but people are the end users. How do you incorporate the consumer - or employee - or citizen experience into your work?

27:50 One positive that has come about as a result of the pandemic, is that governments have used the time to fast-track their sustainability initiatives - which will hopefully lead to more green & energy efficient buildings in the future. How has this increased focus on sustainability impacted your company and your clients?

33:25 You each possess a vision for what is possible - even if the market isn’t ready for it. Tell me about something your company has the capabilities to deliver, but you’re still waiting for someone to say, “yeah, let’s go for it”.

38:20 The pandemic has forced companies to care more about the welfare of their employees. The question is, will this corporate empathy last when we shift into the post-pandemic world?

43:00 What is your key takeaway that the audience should remember for the post-Covid future?

47:00 Fast and fun round of questions

• What’s your prediction for when we get back to business as usual - or will we?
• Tell me something about the future of work that will be fundamentally different post covid.
• Work from home - will it last in a post-covid world?
• Tell me something your company has done during the pandemic that makes you proud.
• In pre-Covid days, we all spent much of our time travelling around the world for our work. But those days are long gone. What’s the best - and worst - thing about not having the crazy travel schedule?

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We live in a world where the latest technologies, including AI, 5G, and blockchain, have the capability to truly transform the way we work, live and play. The problem is, they don’t always live up to the hype.

Far too often, the ICT industry pushes the latest technologies and solutions on the market and hope they get adopted, rather than by tailoring solutions to meet the market’s needs and proving that they can deliver tangible business value.

The supply and demand sides of the market don’t work together as effectively as they should, and that’s why we are lucky to have today’s guest, Michael Gryseels, with us because he sits at the crossroads of technology supply and market demand.

He’s currently the Executive Vice Chairman of Thailand’s True Digital Group and the Chief Digital Officer for CP Group, which is Thailand’s largest private company and one of the largest conglomerates globally.

This combination of roles provides him not only with insights into the market’s requirements - but also the capability to launch solutions to meet those requirements.

Prior to these roles, he spent nearly 20 years with McKinsey & Company, where he was a Senior Partner and led McKinsey Digital Labs in Asia.

Show notes:

01:15 Intro to True Digital, CP Group and A Day in the Life of Michael

05:15 CP Group operates in 15 industry verticals. What process do you follow to identify the opportunities and source the innovation that will digitise these industries?

07:00 You have been in your roles for 3 years, can you give us some examples of the initiatives that you've implemented, or solutions that you've deployed, that you're proud of?

10:00 Status of 5G in Thailand, including which 5G use cases has True Digital identified, does Thailand’s strong manufacturing sector create an opportunity for Private 5G, and what are the Critical Success Factors for operators to be successful in 5G?

15:10 Where would you like to see True Digital and CP Group in 3 years time?

17:15 When you look at the global mobile operators, which ones do you think are doing the best job at driving digital solutions?

19:00 When implementing digital solutions, companies often get stuck in what McKinsey defines as “Pilot Purgatory”. What advice do you have for companies to overcome this?

22:10 Which technologies do you think will have the biggest impact in the next 12 to 24 months?

24:00 Fun Questions

• What do you know today about True Digital / CP Group / Thailand that you wish you understood when you started on this journey?
• You have lived in 15 countries - and worked in many more. Outside of Thailand, where did you find the most exciting place to work?
• When I was 16 years old, I had a blond mohawk, spent my after school hours skateboarding and attending as many punk rock shows as possible. What were you doing at 16?
• Let’s say I have the power to turn back time - and I can turn you into a university student today. What would you study - and what would you want to do with your career?

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We recently have talked about the future of 5G - and today - we will take that to the next level. We'll discuss the models being used to fund 5G investments, the consumer and enterprise solutions and services that will help operators monetise those investments and discuss which types of operators are best suited to capitalise on the emerging opportunities.

We are joined by Ferry Grijpink, a Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company based out of Amsterdam. Ferry is also the Founder of the McKinsey Center for Advanced Connectivity and is their Global Lead for Digital and Analytics for the Telecoms, Media and Tech Industry.

Show notes:

01:00 Intro to Ferry Grijpink, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company

02:20 How can operators monetise consumer 5G solutions and services - beyond gaming

06:00 The 5G funding models - is network sharing the way forward?

09:30 What is OpenRAN - and can it become a game changer?

13:45 Why do operators struggle to provide solutions and services to the SMB market segment?

17:30 Which industry verticals and use cases will drive the Enterprise 5G market opportunity?

20:45 What role - if any - will operators play in the Private 5G market?

23:30 Which telecoms markets do you find the most exciting?

26:35 What advice do you have for operators to help them build the infrastructure, solutions and services to be successful in the 5G world?

28:45 The fun questions

• Which 5G buzzwords (e.g. OpenRAN, Private 5G, shared network infrastructure) will get the most hype in 2021?

• What do you miss about living and working in Asia?

• What would you do with your career if you weren't in consulting?

Ferry has a new "5G Chart of the Day - all charts, no bullshit" newsletter. You can subscribe to it here: https://ferrycgrijpink.substack.com/

Keep an eye out for Ferry & I talking on Clubhouse soon...

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TechBurst Asia sat down with PwC's Mike Graham to discuss Southeast Asia's latest tech trends and the annoying buzzwords and catchphrases we have been forced to endure during the pandemic. We also talk about our predictions for what WILL - and WON'T happen in 2021.

Show Notes

01:00 Intro to Mike Graham and his multiple roles at PwC

08:20 Review of 2020: Which companies managed the pandemic well - and not so well?

12:15 What positives can we take from 2020?

15:50 What will the big stories in 2021 related to 5G in Southeast Asia

23:50 Why have Southeast Asia telcos lagged behind the global telcos with regards to innovation?

28:30 We keep hearing that during 2020, companies will implement 10 years of digital transformation in 2 months - can we keep the pace of change?

32:00 Which buzzword (e.g. 5G, OpenRAN, Digital Twins, FinTech) will have the biggest impact in 2021?

34:30 Random tech chats about OpenRAN, Rakuten, Jio, Drones, Smart Cities, higher education’s role in PPP’s, etc.

43:15 What WON’T happen in 2021?

47:00 What is the worst buzzword or phrase we created during the pandemic?

48:00 The importance of finding a way to decompress while working from home (spoiler alert: jigsaw puzzles help!)

52:00 PwC’s new B2B digital marketplace to help their clients source innovative solutions - and help start-ups reach enterprise customers.

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In this podcast, we are going to take another look at 5G. In our last episode, we discussed whether Telcos will be able to monetise their 5G investments. We were pretty harsh in our criticism of the 5G ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t think 5G will be a game changer. Rather, I just think we need to reset our expectations of capabilities and benefits that 5G will bring to the market.

Yes, 5G will bring faster speeds, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In this episode, we sat down with Danial Mausoof, Nokia’s Global Sales Head for Enterprise Services, to discuss what differentiates 5G from traditional networks - and and whether 5G will become the tech industry buzzword that FINALLY lives up to the HYPE. .

Show Notes:

01:30 Danial’s career journey with Motorola Solutions & Nokia

09:05 What differentiates 5G from the existing networks like 4G?

12:40 Today’s 5G networks deliver faster speeds, but there is still more spectrum to be allocated that will support future 5G services (e.g. mission-critical services). How do you see 5G deployments evolving?

17:00 Nokia recently released its “5G Readiness Report”, where it surveyed 1,628 global technology decision makers about “5G+ enabled digitalisation.” To start, what the hell is 5G+ enabled digitalisation?

19:50 In 2030, 5G+ spend in 2030 will reach $4.5 Trillion - but only $600 Billion (13%) will be for public connectivity. $2.2 Trillion (48%) will be on Edge Infrastructure / Cloud Platforms. How is this related to 5G?

22:10 $900 Billion (20%) of this spend will be on Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning - how is this related to 5G?

24:40 The final $800 Billion (18%) relates to the deployment of Private 5G networks. Why do we need Private 5G networks - and why are companies like John Deere and Bosch deploying them to support their manufacturing plants?

30:00 86% of decision makers already have some kind of a 5G strategy - what are the use cases that are driving the strategic focus on 5G?

33:00 72% of those surveyed say they plan to invest in 5G by 2025. What do these enterprises need to do to make sure they get a positive ROI on these investments - and what challenges will they need to overcome?

36:20 How will 5G impact Smart Cities?

39:00 Tough Question #1: What are the security implications for 5G?

43:20 Tough Question #2: Let’s say I am a tech decision maker managing the complexities created by the global pandemic - why should I give a damn about 5G?

45:20 Tough Question #3: 500,000 South Korean consumers have switched back to 4G from 5G - does that mean that we really don’t need 5G?

47:15 Tough Question #4: As an industry, we have failed to live up to the hype around the latest tech trends (e.g. 4G, IoT, or Smart Cities). Will we learn from our past mistakes - or will 5G follow a similar path?

49:15 What is something going on in the 5G ecosystem that we should be tracking? (spoiler alert: it is OpenRAN)

50:30 Tell me about a solution that 5G will enable that I - as a consumer - should be excited about.

52:00 When do we have to start worrying about 6G?

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In 2021, most mobile operators in the developed markets will have launched 5G - the question is - will they be able to monitise it. And more importantly, do customers even care about 5G?

Today’s guest, Chris Lewis, has over 30 years’ experience as a telecoms and ICT industry analyst, but don’t let that scare you. While many analysts pontificate about their vast knowledge, Chris’ insights are pragmatic and entertaining - which is why I like him so much.

Chris is also one of the UK’s leading advocates for the visually impaired. Is the telecoms industry doing enough to drive inclusivity? Or are we creating yet another digital divide? And why doesn’t his guide dog Varley have his own Instagram account?

Show Notes:

01:00 Intro to Chris Lewis, Founder of Lewis Insight and the Great Telco Debate

05:50 Connectivity - the invisible service

07:30 Highlights from the 2020 Great Telco Debate

11:30 Telcos in a post-Covid world: are we creating a two-tier Telecoms industry?

14:00 Are the Telcos ready for 5G? And do customers actually want or care about 5G?

20:00 Telcos have a sustainability issue - should we see more network sharing?

24:30 What the future holds for the tech industry analyst industry

27:00 The key to career success - find something you are passionate about

29:00 Telcos tell us the future is mobile - in reality, the world runs on fixed. And why the hell do telcos still charge us for having a home fixed line phone when no one has one?

36:00 Accessibility - are telcos doing enough to help? Chris is one of the UK’s leading advocates for ensuring people with disabilities get access to the digital lifestyle through his work on the boards of the Royal Institute of Blind and Vision 2020 Technology For Life initiative.

41:00 Telstra was ranked #1 globally in a recent ICT industry “Digital Inclusion Benchmark”, which ranks vendors’ focus on digital inclusion as part of their overall strategy.

42:00 Why doesn’t Chris’ guide dog Varley have his own Instagram account?

48:30 How telcos can use emerging technology to support guide dogs. In a difficult year like 2020, where charities for the visually impaired have struggled to raise money, why hasn’t someone like Vodafone sponsored guide dog technology? Jon Buckthorp - over to you!

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Many of you will know today’s guest, Steve Melhuish, as the Co-Founder,former CEO and Vice Chairman of one of the darlings of the SE Asia's start-up ecosystem, PropertyGuru Group, but he’s also a Venture Partner with Wavemaker Partners - the venture capital firm, and the Founder and CEO of Planet Rise - a company that invests and supports start-ups that tackle climate change and poverty.

In this episode, we are going to discuss sustainability. And more specifically, how do you find the right balance from delivering social impact - while still creating a profitable business.

Show Notes:

02:10 What Steve has been up to since he left his role as CEO of PropertyGuru (hint: Angel investing in startups that address climate change & poverty)

04:10 What characteristics Steve looks for in the start-ups he invests in

07:15 The evolving sustainability ecosystem - and how the economics/business case behind renewables finally stacks up

10:50 Governments seem to be launching more sustainability initiatives during Covid-19 - is there a correlation or is it just a coincidence?

13:45 How well has the sustainability ecosystem progressed - and what will it take to move it forward?

18:50 How do you balance the profits versus social impact dilemma when you evaluate your investments?

21:50 What does Steve understand about the sustainability ecosystem today that he wishes he knew when he started investing in sustainability start-ups?

25:50 What are the “red flags” Steve looks out for when evaluating early stage businesses?

27:00 What lessons did Steve learn during the dotcom era that he still applies to his work with start-ups today?

30:30 What’s your craziest start-up story?

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The challenges created by the global pandemic mean the role of talent acquisition and leadership strategy have never been more important. Companies must transform their approach not only to navigate the current crisis, but also to prepare for the future.

In this episode, we are joined by a global leader in this space - Elaine Yew - Senior Partner & Global Co-Head of Leadership Development for Egon Zehnder - the world's largest privately held executive search and leadership development firm.

Show Notes:

00:50 Elaine’s journey from a drama student to Senior Partner at Egon Zehnder

06:52 "A Day in the Life" of Elaine

10:00 How has the executive search and leadership development industries have evolved over the years

14:30 Can AI replace humans in the executive search process?

19:00 How companies are adapting their Leadership strategies during the global pandemic

22:45 How Egon Zehnder has evolved it’s business to adapt to the crisis

27:00 What will it take to see more women in leadership across Asia

33:38 Elaine's involvement in the "end to end lifecycle" of the workforce - from high school students to the C-suite

• What skills we all need to survive in today's world
• The importance of "range"

42:20 The value of coaching

47:15 The positive things that come out of negative events like the pandemic

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Let’s face it, Smart Cities have failed to live up to the hype - and given the additional challenges cities face due to the global pandemic, it’s easy to think that it is not going to get better anytime soon. But every now and then, you run into someone who restores your confidence in the industry because not only do they possess a realistic vision for the future, but also a clear and detailed strategy on how to deliver it.

Today we are joined by Theo Scherman, Chief Strategy Officer for Hitachi Asia, and he is definitely one of those people.

Show Notes:

01:00 From South Africa to Singapore

02:20 What led a serial entrepreneur to join one of the world’s largest companies?

04:20 Hitachi Asia’s go-to-market strategy

05:30 Hitachi’s Smart City/Precinct initiatives – OneBangkok (Thailand) & Bhartiya City (India)

08:00 Commercialising Smart City data – it’s not just about saving money, it’s about generating new revenue streams

10:00 Hitachi’s differentiator – most vendors are focusing on becoming a “Platform of Platforms”, Hitachi is creating a “Platform Business Model.” This model is normally reserved for consumer brands (e.g. Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google), can Hitachi be the first enterprise to create one?

16:00 Moving the target from Smart Cities to Digital Smart Cities

23:00 Does a Digital Smart City concept work for both “greenfield” and “brownfield” cities?

26:00 How Hitachi helps cities that are facing budget shortfalls due to Covid-19 by

27:20 What should cities do to deliver against the Smart City promise?

29:30 What do you understand about being in large corporate today that you wish you understood when you started out?

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Singapore has been investing heavily in DeepTech - and in this episode we sit down with one of the key players in the space, SGInnovate's new CEO, Dr. Jui Lim. We'll discuss the current state of the market, what it will take to move DeepTech from early stage to commercialisation & the amazing journey he followed from medical school in NYC to where he is today.

Show Notes:

00:30 Why Jui refers to himself as a "rolling stone"

03:20 Transitioning from medical school to venture capital...

05:20 ...and from venture capital to a start-up...

08:30 ...and from a start-up to setting up accelerators

11:00 Jui's role as the newly appointed CEO of SGInnovate

12:50 Why Singapore must focus on DeepTech commercialisation

15:15 State of Singapore's start-up ecosystem

21:45 What Jui understands today that he wish he knew when he started out in venture capital

25:50 What personal skills or characteristics have allowed Jui to be successful in so many industries

28:50 Fun Q #1: Of the thousands of start-up solutions you have looked at, can you give us an example of one that really "wowed" you?

32:00 Fun Q #2: If I give you one week off from your current job - and you HAVE to go back to one of your previous roles, would you rather be the CEO of a start-up, setup another accelerator, or bartend?

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TechBurst Asia spoke to Frank Meehan, Co-Founder of the sustainability platform start-up Equilibrium.world and Co-Founder & General Partner of SparkLabs Global Ventures about what will happen to corporate sustainability initiatives in the post-pandemic, new normal world.

In our G&T-infused discussion, we also discuss:

• Frank's roles on the Boards of companies like Spotify and Siri
• Similarities in the hype cycles of 3G, 4G & 5G
• Why has Asia handled the coronavirus pandemic better than the West, and
• What the future of work will look like (spoiler alert: loads less travel - and that's not a bad thing)

Show Notes:

02:22 Intro to Equilibrium, Frank’s latest start-up that creates a Sustainability data operations platform to help companies meet their emissions and sustainability targets.

11:45 Who owns the sustainability agenda in corporates?

14:10 Which industries are driving sustainability today?

15:00 Will companies willingly drive sustainability initiatives - or do they only respond to government regulation?

16:30 Frank’s background: From Sydney to Sweden to Singapore to London to San Fran to...

22:50 You’ve held too many Board decisions to mention them all, but which ones were the most interesting? Spotify, Siri

25:25 How did you first get involved with SparkLabs Group?

27:40 You’ve been around through 3G, 4G and 5G - do see any similarities in the hype cycles of each?

32:00 What will the operators need to do to make money out of 5G?

35:40 Why has Asia handled the coronavirus pandemic better than the West?

40:00 Will contact tracing apps like Singapore’s Trace Together and Australia’s COVIDSafe be successful?

41:50 What will going to the office be like in the post-pandemic, new normal world? And what will it be like when we start travelling again?

43:15 Tell me something positive that has come about as a result of the global pandemic?

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Let’s face it, we’re facing a “new normal” in the post-pandemic world. This will create risks and challenges for companies that cannot adapt, but massive opportunities for those that can.

In this episode, we spoke with Graham Brown, host of the Asia Tech Podcast and Chief Storyteller of Pikkal & Co, about how successful companies will transform themselves to succeed in the “new normal” world, in particular around the way they leverage marketing and comms. They will move from a pipeline to platform model - from controlling to curating comms - and from efficiency to effective communications. It’s about turning your employees from assets into advocates.

Show Notes:

00:50 How Graham went from travelling the world and living out of suitcases to starting one of Asia’s leading podcasts

04:10 An agile mindset is what will allow people - and companies - to adapt to the current crisis and be successful in the “new normal” world.

09:10 As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” How to survive and thrive in the current environment.

10:30 Covid-19 is driving the innovation of communication. Future comms will transform from a pipeline model to a platform model - from controlling to curating comms - from efficiency to effective communication.

15:50 Who is adapting the comms strategy well?

• Zappos’ human-centric customer engagement

• Xiaomi’s “unofficial” advertising strategy that leverages fans

• McKinsey & Company’s “Future of Asia” and “Leap” podcasts

20:05 What advice would you give to a marketing director today to prepare for the post-coronavirus “new normal”? It’s not about contacts, it’s about connections.

22:45 Is this the end for tech events?

23:45 The Future of Work - companies will shift their focus from B2C to B2E as they realise that leveraging their employees can be great brand advocates.

39:44 What are some of the interesting ways that emerging technologies will help us overcome the crisis? Topics include urban farming, how Japan has used Robots and Zoom - as well as Minecraft - to conduct graduation ceremonies.

46:20 What is the strangest coronavirus story that you have heard? Including how 5G causes Covid-19 and pro wrestling is considered an “essential service” during the lockdown in Florida?

50:00 The rise of Zoom “happy hours” and Graham’s after hours podcast, The Grind.

52:30 Graham has done over 750 podcasts - what’s the funniest thing that has happened on a podcast? Eating a fried scorpion on a live podcast is not recommended.

55:40 Leaders that communicate with honesty and transparency build a following

1:01:00 What is something you know today about podcasting that you wish you knew when you started out?

1:05:00 Tell me a positive benefit that will come about as a result of coronavirus

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Today's Guest:

Josh Sattler, GM of Innovation, Growth & Development Services, City of Darwin, Australia

Show Notes:

01:25 How did a surfer from the Gold Coast end out running the Smart City operations for Darwin?

02:30 Darwin, while only 130k people, has delivered Australia’s largest Smart City project. What are the types of solutions delivered as part of this initiative?

05:55 Overcoming the data privacy challenges - how to build trust with your citizens

11:10 How has Darwin been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic?

12:50 How can drones, robots & autonomous vehicles be used to help fight the coronavirus? And which ones have you looked at using in Darwin?

16:00 How AI - and facial recognition in particular - is being used to enforce violations against isolation and stay at home orders.

20:00 How AI is being use for contact tracing

• Citizen opt-in: Singapore’s Trace Together
• Government enforced tracking through mobile networks
• Enterprise focused: Vault Intelligence
• China’s QR code system - the medical passport concept

27:40 What impact will coronavirus have on the near-term future of Smart Cities

• Funding: Budget shortfalls
• Impact on technology vendors
• Regulatory impact - setting acceptable use policies around drones, AV and AI

35:30 The press if filled with doom and gloom - tell us something positive that will come out of the coronavirus crisis

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So what is the 3-2-1 podcast? It includes 3 interviews with IoT industry leaders recorded over the 2 days of Bosch Connected World 2020 in Berlin - all in 1 podcast.

01:40 Tanja Rueckert, CEO & President of Bosch Building Technologies

We discuss Tanja's keynote, “Vision or Reality? Intuitive, Intelligent and Integrated Buildings.”

19:25 Dirk Slama, Vice President Co-Innovation and IoT Alliances, Bosch.IO

We discuss the themes of BCW 2020 - Addressing Global Warming / Sustainability and the intersection of AI & IoT, creating AIoT.

25:10 Thomas Jakob, Regional President Asia Pacific, Bosch.IO

We discuss the recent rebranding of Bosch Software Innovations to Bosch.IO. What is it and what has changed?

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In this episode, we speak to David Goh, GM for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific for Daimler Mobility Services.

1:00 An intro to Daimler Mobility Services

2:35 Daimler Mobility Services has a different target market than your traditional line of businesses - how have you had to adapt your go-to-market to reach this new customer base?

3:30 The role of collaboration - how DMS partners with its traditional competitors (e.g. BMW) to create their offering for the sharing economy

7:00 What role does DMS play in the Smart Cities space?

8:30 The State of Autonomous Vehicles - what is holding the industry back from reaching its potential?

10:00 Which Smart Cities in Asia are leading the way?

11:55 What would have to happen over the next 5 years for the Smart Cities and Urban Mobility markets to become more successful - and how is DMS helping the market reach that outcome?

13:00 So what could go wrong? What could hinder innovation and evolution of the Smart Cities and Urban Mobility markets?

14:20 How can we minimise the risk of a hacked Autonomous Vehicle?

15:40 How has what you have learned about innovation in other roles helped you in your current role with DMS?

16:50 Which cities in Asia do you see driving the most innovation?

19:00 Are there any new solutions you have seen recently that have mad you go “WOW” - and what has failed to live up to expectations?

21:20 Tell us something about yourself we won’t have expected?

22:30 You have lived and worked all over the world - but let’s say you have to settle in one location for the rest of your work career - where would it be?

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In today’s podcast, we discuss one of the technologies that underpins the Internet of Things - Low Power Wide Area Network, or LPWANS for short. And more specifically, we are going to take a look at LoRa - one of the leading LPWAN technologies.

I’m pleased to be joined by one of the global leaders in the space - Wienke Giezeman - the Co-Founder & CEO of The Things Industries - and the Initiator of The Things Network.

01:20 What is The Things Network?

05:25 What has led to your impressive growth - to the point where you are now in 151 countries, have a community of over 100k developers and have deployed 18k LoRaWAN gateways worldwide?

08:10 The Things Network has grown into a global LoRaWAN network - wouldn’t it have been easier to leverage existing mobile networks than trying to build your own?

• The “Moving Forward, Looking Backward” paradigm

11:00 What are some of the top LoRa use cases that are driving adoption?

16:40 How creating a collaborative LoRaWAN network led to the creation of The Things Conference - the world’s largest LPWAN conference.

• 1500 attendees, 61 countries
• Sponsors included AWS, Microsoft, Semtech & ST Micro
• All the videos from the event can be found here

20:00 What’s next? The Things ________?

25:00 IoT has not lived up to the hype. What has held the industry back from reaching its potential?

28:00 Narrowband IoT, or NB-IoT, has exploded in China, but had sluggish growth elsewhere. What has hindered it’s growth outside of China?

32:55 What’s the best IoT solution you have ever seen?

34:00 Final question - about What is FEBO - and do you still eat there? Spoiler alert - he’s a fan of “bamischijf”!

Find out more

Connect with Wienke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wienke/

The Things Network:
www.thethingsnetwork.org

The Things Industries:
https://www.thethingsindustries.com

The Things Conference:
https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/conference/

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv85CXnZUXEKnlZpQapTAwQ

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Hear the latest insights on the global accelerator and venture capital industries from one of Silicon Valley’s leading players, SparkLabs Group Partner & Co-Founder, Bernard Moon.

01:15 Intro to the SparkLabs Group accelerators and VC funds - and how back in 2012 they came up with the concept to launch their first accelerator in Seoul

04:45 What locations are you planning for the launch of the next SparkLabs accelerators?

06:05 Overview of one of the latest SparkLabs initiatives - SparkLabs Frontier - which partners with universities to drive innovation

• The first program is with Arizona State University - the #1 ranked US university for innovation

09:30 Many accelerators start in the US and go global. SparkLabs started out as a global accelerator. Did that make it harder or easier to raise funding and attract applicants?

10:30 The SparkLabs strategy is to grow slowly, but the model and culture works. Bernard cites how Edgar Chiu has turned SparkLabs Taipei into the leading accelerator in Taiwan in the first two years after launch.

11:40 Startups don’t come to SparkLabs for the money, they come to be part of the SparkLabs Ecosystem.

• How does SparkLabs differentiate from the other leading accelerator programs, like Y Combinator, TechStars and Plug & Play?

13:30 What makes a good accelerator program?

• Are there too many accelerators?
• • 60% of corporate accelerators fail within 2 years - CB Insights
  • 100+ accelerators and incubators in Singapore alone
• Is the industry set for a shake-up?

17:30 An overview of the SparkLabs venture capital funds

19:50 SparkLabs has invested in over 260 companies, what are some of the highlights?

• Andela
• Memebox

22:00 Silicon Valley has long been the home of venture capital - but many firms are now looking to Asia. Where does the Valley see the opportunities in Asia?

• The next billion middle class in Asia

25:00 Overview of the recent launch of SparkLabs Foundry - SparkLabs’ “Innovation as a Service” offering for the Fortune 500 - and it’s partnership with SRI International, one of the world’s leading research and innovation institutes.

27:25 Bernard just launched his 13th Annual Industry Predictions on VentureBeat - titled “2020: Our meatless, cashless, city-less future” - what are the highlights?

32:25 You live in Silicon Valley, but the other co-founders live in Korea, the UK and Singapore. How do you manage to keep everyone in contact - and on the same page - with regards to your investment strategy, expansion plans, etc.?

34:00 Let’s say SparkLabs doesn’t exist - and you wanted to start an accelerator today. Where would you locate it - and why? (spoiler alert: it’s not Silicon Valley)

35:15 What do you know today - that you wish you knew when you started SparkLabs?

36:50 Final question - tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know.

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Building a successful IoT business in Asia Pacific isn't easy, but Bosch Software Innovations has done just that.

In this podcast, I speak with Thomas Jakob, Regional President for Asia Pacific, to find out how Bosch developed their impressive IoT solutions portfolio.

What I found most interesting is that while many tech vendors drive innovation by acquiring innovative companies, Bosch has built many of their own custom solutions – and partnered with start-ups to jointly develop others – to meet the diverse local requirements of the Asia Pacific market.

We hear about the importance of the “localisation” of solutions – Bosch in Asia Pacific is the perfect example of how it should be delivered.

(Note: In January 2020, Bosch Software Innovations was renamed Bosch.IO)

Show notes:

1:40 Intro to Thomas

2:50 Tell us about Bosch Software Innovations

4:20 Which industries does Bosch work with in Asia?

7:00 How Bosch is using technology to transform the agriculture industry

8:45 How Bosch sources innovation

10:00 Bosch's new lift/elevator management solution

13:50 How Bosch has leveraged Smart Building solutions to IoT-ise their business

16:35 An overview of Bosch in China

18:40 The importance of localised solutions that meet customer requirements

• Anti-counterfeit solutions in China
• Greenhouse farming solutions in Japan
• Oyster farming in Australia

25:00 What has kept the IoT industry from reaching its potential

29:25 What is the most interesting IoT market in Asia?

31:45 Name one solution over the past decade that has exceeded your expectations? And failed to live up to expectations?

35:20 The fun questions

• Electric or classic cars?
• German or Singaporean food?
• Christmas by the fire or the beach?

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What do Apple Stores, Tokyo’s Nissan Crossing, a car dealership with no salespeople and the Notre Dame Cathedral have in common? Today’s guest on the TechBurst Asia podcast.

You may not know him by name, but you will undoubtedly know his work. Today I’m pleased to be joined by a design industry legend and visionary, Eight Inc.’s Founder & CEO, Tim Kobe.

Show notes:

01:30 What was it like when you first discussed the Apple Store concept with Apple’s Steve Jobs back in 1998?

04:40 When the first Apple store launched in 2001, it wasn’t a guaranteed success. We were in the middle of the dotcom bust - this was a new paradigm for retail - and Bloomberg went so far as to write an article titled “Sorry Steve, Here’s Why Apple Stores Won’t Work”.

07:30 How did you maintain your belief in the Apple Store concept - even when the industry doubted whether the stores could succeed?

09:00 How Apple Stores were built with sustainability in mind - “if” one ever closes, it can be broken down and recycled. “If”.

11:00 How well are we doing with regards to sustainability in Asia?

16:20 Some of Tim’s other work…

Nissan Crossing in Ginza, Tokyo

Xioami’s flagship store in Shenzhen, China

Lincoln’s car dealerships in China - with no salespeople

25:30 The industry’s move away from "Return on Investment" and towards "Return on Experience"

27:00 What is the role of design and human experience with regards to technology products, like a smartphone, a wearable, or random widget?

30:00 Tim had shared a video with me from Lee Clow, the creative genius behind Apple’s iconic commercials, including the “1984” Super Bowl commercial. The video is titled “Disrupt Manifesto” - and its message is don’t do the right thing, but don’t do the wrong thing - do the BRAVE thing. Who does Tim think is doing the “brave thing” today?

32:30 What career advice would Tim give to young tech entrepreneurs?

35:20 What is the most unique project you have been asked to work on?

36:45 Where does Tim go to find inspiration?

38:00 Tim and his team’s submission for the Notre Dame Cathedral design competition

40:30 Tim’s new book, Eight Inc.: Return on Experience, is about the importance of the design and business relationship - and why you need to design your business around the human outcome. It is available for pre-order on Amazon now.

See Tim presenting his work and approach at Property Guru’s Asia Real Estate Summit on 21 November 2019 in Bangkok.

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We sit down with Tata Communication's Anthony Bartolo to discuss disruption in the telecoms industry, including the impact IoT, eSIMs, vSIMs, iSIMs, NB-IoT & 5G. 01:30 Intro to Tata Comms & Anthony Bartolo 03:00 What role does a fixed operator like Tata Comms play in the IoT space? 07:00 What is an embedded SIM (eSIM) and how will it transform the telecoms industry? And why have most telcos resisted it? 11:30 eSIM use cases (e.g. Device Manufacturers getting into the connectivity game, connected cars) and the new business cases that will emerge 19:15 How did lifts/elevators become the hot topic with eSIMs? 21:00 While Tata Comms, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom & Telstra have moved forward with eSIMs, why have the other Tier 1 mobile operators been resisting eSIMs 23:20 What's next? The shift to virtual SIMs (vSIMs) - and how this creates opps for brands like Amazon, Google & Facebook - and also the owners of SuperApps like Grab, Uber & GoJek. 29:00 What's the future? Integrated SIMs (iSIMs) - connectivity built into the chipset - and everything comes "Born Connected" 32:25 Why have the telcos struggled with IoT? And why has Light Reading coined it IoVFT (Internet of Very Few Things)? 35:00 Why has NB-IoT done so well in China - and not lived up to the hype in the rest of the world? 40:55 What's the current state of 5G - and what opportunities will it create for enterprises? 44:10 What advice would you give to a telco that is starting down the IoT solution path? 46:00 What's next for Tata Comms? 48:00 What technology will have the biggest impact on your life in the future? 49:45 Silicon Valley or Singapore - where's the best place for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

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In this episode, we sat down with Asia's top device analyst, IDC's Bryan Ma, to discuss the smartphone market in 2019. Listen in to find out about...

• His view on the latest flagship launches from Google, Apple, Samsung & Huawei
• The impact the China v US trade war will have on Huawei
• Whether we actually need foldable phones
• How much is too much for a smartphone
• Punk music, skateboarding, karaoke and much more...

Show Notes & Timestamps:

02:30 How did a skatepunk foodie from California end out as Asia’s top device analyst?

05:00 Bryan’s take on the Google Pixel 4 launch (loves the AI camera)

07:10 ...the Apple iPhone 11 Pro (loves the 3 lenses)

09:00 ...Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10 (he's worried their mainstream products are becoming “rather plain”)

10:50 ....Huawei Mate Pro (likes the Leica lens & sensors) - and what will the impact of the China v US trade war have on Huawei's future?

14:55 What camera functionality will drive future smartphone sales - the lens (e.g. Huawei w/ Leica) or the AI?

16:20 Why the hell would anyone want a foldable phone?

19:50 What is going to drive the next wave of differentiation in smartphones? (today it’s the camera, but the future is all about display technology)

27:50 How much is too much for a smartphone?

30:00 What’s the best phone to buy if I want…

• The best phone
• Best battery life

33:30 Which manufacturer has the best opportunity to gain market share in the next 24 months? His answer may surprise you!

39:15 Wearables - i had made a prediction that said early adopters would be the only adopters for smartwatches - was I correct? Has the market taken off?

• We need use cases - e.g. Healthcare (Omate’s Elderly Care) or Vault Intelligence for Lone Worker protection

43:30 Let’s go old school - what was your favourite smartphone pre-iOS and Android?

46:15 What mistakes did the old industry leaders (e.g.Blackberry, Nokia, Palm) make when they were on top of the market that led to their downfall?

Enough of the serious questions, let’s have some fun!

50:00 What’s your most embarrassing moment you have had on TV?

51:45 You get to live you life all over again - what would you want to be next time?

• Device analyst
• Punk singer
• Karaoke singer
• Skateboarder
• Professional eater

53:00 What is Bryan’s favourite...

• Punk band
• Karaoke song (seriously, he said "Earth Wind & Fire")
• City for karaoke
• Drink while doing karaoke (Baijo - it’s rocket fuel)
• Post-karaoke food

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I’m sure many of you are wearing an Apple Watch, Samsung Gear or other gadget on their wrist right now. This market started to gain attention when the first Apple Watch launched in 2016 - and the market has advanced in terms of technology & sales since then - but the question is, what does the future hold for the smartwatch? Is it the one size fits all model of the large vendors? Or is it better to customise the smartwatches to target specific users or use cases?

In this podcast, we’ll talk to Omate’s Laurent Le Pen, a smartwatch industry pioneer, to find out how he views this evolving market.

Show notes:

01:30 Introduction to Omate

02:20 How did someone from France end out starting a device manufacturer in Shenzhen?

03:50 The market segments and challenges Omate targets - Elderly Care, Children, Lone Workers

07:00 Deep dive into the Omate’s Elderly Care solution

10:50 How Omate brought together the supply and demand sides of the market, including SafeMotion, Credit Mutual Arkea and Medical Guardian, to launch their Elderly Care management solution in France and the US

12:45 Omate’s innovative Wearables-as-a-Service (WaaS) business model

15:15 The challenges in launched a wearables service in the healthcare industry

17:20 Omate’s Nanoblock children’s watch - and the importance of end-to-end security

21:10 The latest device and solution launches from Omate

24:00 What has prevented wearables from living up to the hype?

30:50 The fun round of questions, including Laurent’s side project, the Oclean smart toothbrush

Laurent’s details

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentlepen/

Twitter: @llepen @omateofficial

www.omate.com

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BpaO2GWyQqalpeWX2q82c

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In this TechBurst Asia podcast, I speak with Gerhard Loots, Telstra’s Global IoT Solutions Executive at the end of the Telstra Vantage event, to discuss the role of the service provider, or Telco, in the Internet of Things.

While most service providers see IoT as a lucrative new revenue stream, few have been able to capitalise on that market opportunity. Telstra, on the other hand, has expanded its IoT solutions and services portfolio to make sure it doesn’t miss the opp.

Show Notes:

01:48 How did a guy from South Africa’s winelands end out running the IoT business for Australia’s leading service provider?

02:30 Telstra has been in the IoT business for many years, how has the IoT solution portfolio and business evolved over the years?

05:48 What are the latest developments with Telstra’s IoT solutions and products?

07:33 How has Telstra moved across the IoT solution stack, branching out from connectivity to hardware, software and services?

09:50 What advice would you give to a service provider that is just starting out in IoT?

11:20 Telstra offers similar solutions that can run across many network types, including Bluetooth, NB-IoT, LTE, etc., and at many different price points. Where is the current market demand coming from?

13:15 Overview of Telstra’s Enterprise eSIM offering - and why it is attractive to manufacturers.

18:30 Why I think Telstra is now Asia Pacific’s “benchmark” for IoT solutions for a service provider

• Choice (networks and price points)
• New Revenue opportunities - moving across the IoT solution stack
• The services opp with Telstra Purple
• The eSIM offering

20:00 What’s next for Telstra’s IoT portfolio and solution offering

23:00 What has held the IoT industry back from reaching its potential?

• Amara's Law: We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.

26:28 What are the unique challenges and opportunities for Australia’s IoT market?

27:50 Which emerging technology enabler (e.g. 5G, blockchain, AI) is Gerhard most excited about?

29:40 The REALLY important things, Gerhard’s view on...

• Surfing in Australia versus South Africa
• Who makes better wine, Australia or South Africa?
• What’s better, shrimp on the barbie or boerwors on the braai?
• How well will Australia and South Africa do in the Rugby World Cup - who will Gerhard support - and who will win

Links:

Telstra’s IoT offering: https://www.telstra.com.au/business-enterprise/solutions/internet-of-things

Gerhard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerhard-loots-298bb93/

Follow the TechBurst Asia podcast via:

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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/techburst-asia/

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Twitter: @TechBurstAsia

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Ever wondered how the world bank leverages the technology and innovation to disrupt the agriculture industry in developing markets? In this podcast, we speak with the World Bank’s Parmesh Shah to find out how they engage developed countries like Korea to drive disruption and innovation in developing markets like Vietnam, Kenya & Nigeria.

Show Notes:

01:10 Background on the World Bank’s Parmesh Shah - Global lead for a global solutions group that looks to find innovative and creative solutions for rural entrepreneurship and innovation

• How the combination of being an agricultural engineer with an MBA and a doctorate in development studies led him to his role at the world bank

04:00 What is the World Bank’s “Disruptive Agriculture Technology Roadshow” - and what do you mean by “Disruptive Agriculture”?

• How does the World Bank work with the Korean government to help you reach your objectives?

08:15 Overview of the some of the Smart Agriculture solutions behind deployed across Africa

• Hello Tractor - an Uber-like solution helping rural tractor owners get the most value out of their assets - and how this benefits farmers that cannot afford their own tractors. The new buzz word, Tractors-as-a-Service!
• Tulaa - provides smallholder farmers with quality agricultural inputs on credit and brokers the sale of their crop at harvest time.
• AgriWallet - a mobile business account allowing farmers to save, borrow and pay for income generating activities to increase food security and fight poverty

14:30 How the World Bank is leveraging IoT sensors to help rice farmers in Vietnam better manage their crops.

17:00 What challenges to you encounter when trying to deliver Disruptive Agriculture in developing markets?

20:50 The World Bank’s three “labs” to experiment and drive innovation: BlockChain Lab - Big Data Lab - Disruptive Technology Lab.

22:15 Overview of some of the Korean Smart Agriculture startups

• Telofarm - sensors that you can stick into the plant's stem - The Internet of Plants
• N.thing - indoor and container farming

27:40 What role does Korea play in the World Bank’s plan?

30:30 How to find the best #SmartAg innovators? Run a Challenge! More info at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2019/04/05/disruptive-agricultural-technology-challenge-and-conference#3

34:40 what will the World Bank do to keep the Disruptive Agriculture momentum going?

36:20 Let’s say it’s a perfect world and I can grant you one wish to help you drive Disruptive Agriculture in developing markets, what would you wish for?

38:15 How can our audience get more information about you and the World Bank’s Disruptive Agriculture initiatives?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parmesh-shah-1b8b4933/

Twitter: @ShahParmesh

World Bank Disruptive Technologies: https://olc.worldbank.org/content/disruptive-technology-overview

Disruptive Agriculture Initiatives: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2019/04/05/disruptive-agricultural-technology-challenge-and-conference#3

Follow the TechBurst Asia podcast via:

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In this podcast, we take a look at the role Venture Capital and Accelerator programs play in the tech ecosystem. While some countries, like Singapore, are inundated with them, why have other markets, like Taiwan, not seen the same level of interest?

Podcast Overview with time stamps

01:30 Intro to Edgar Chiu, Managing Partner of SparkLabs Taipei and founder of JumpStart Global, a talent acceleration program that focuses on matching top talent from large corporates with exciting startups.

03:00 The evolution of SparkLabs Taipei since its founding less than two years ago

06:00 Overview of SparkLabs Taipei Demo Day 2

• Over 800 attendees, including 150 investors from Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Silicon Valley, etc.
• 6 startup presentations
• Panel with 4 leading players from the Silicon Valley VC scene
• How high labour costs are forcing Silicon Valley startups to look farther afield for talent – and why Taiwan is well suited to reap the benefits.

11:30 Overview of the fireside chat with best-selling author Steven Johnson where he discusses his book Where Good Ideas Come From: A Natural History of Innovation

12:40 How has the Taiwan start-up scene has evolved over the past 8 years

• Used to be well known for manufacturing products (e.g. iPhones)
• Companies (e.g. Google) are now coming to Taiwan to leverage its strong Software Engineering skills to drive their R&D
• The transformation from a manufacturing power to a digital power

14:45 Singapore has been invested heavily by both Venture Capital firms and Accelerator programs in recent years, is Taiwan going to be Asia’s next “hot spot” for startups and innovation?

17:00 The importance of startups in Taiwan having a “global” mentality due to the limited size of the local market

18:35 What types of companies presented at Demo Day?

23:40 What advice would Edgar give to Taiwan and international startups or entrepreneurs?

25:20 What advice would you give to the Silicon Valley Venture Capital players about tapping into Taiwan market opportunity?

26:30 What advice would you give the Taiwanese government to help drive entrepreneurship and innovation while attracting foreign investment?

27:30 Which emerging technologies do you think will create the next wave of opportunities for startups?

29:30 And which emerging technologies will have the greatest impact on society?

31:55 How do you think the Taiwanese startup scene – and SparkLabs Taipei – will evolve in the coming years?

33:00 What do you think will happen in Taiwan’s 2020 Presidential election – and how do you think that will/could impact the country’s startup ecosystem

36:15 Tell us something about yourself or your background that will surprise us

• Note: if you want to know why Edgar started JumpStart and SparkLabs Taipei, his answer to this question will make it clear.

39:30 What is the best food for visitors to Taiwan to try

• Try the fruit!
• Edgar's wife’s CookInn Taiwan cooking school - which teaches foreign visitors how to make local dishes like beef noodle, xiao long bao, and bubble tea.

41:25 How can the listeners get more information about SparkLabs Taipei?

SparkLabs Taipei

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparklabstaipei/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparklabs-taipei/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparklabs_taipei/

JumpStart Global:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumpstart.do/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jumpstart-global/about/

Follow the TechBurst Asia podcast via:

www: www.TechBurst.Asia

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/techburst-asia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechBurstAsia/

Twitter: @TechBurstAsia

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/techburstasia

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In this first TechBurst Asia podcast, we interview Bernard Leong, Vice President of Airbus Aerial and founder and host of the Analyse Asia podcast, to discuss the future of drones.

What are the roles of drones in society? More importantly, just because it is technically feasible to deliver a package or person via drone, does that mean we should? Will drones take over the skies and transform our lives? Or will the potential security risks hold the industry back and hinder innovation and progress?

Show notes and timestamps:

01:30 Bernard's background - university and early career

04:10 The move from academia to the start-up world

05:45 Leaving the start-up world for the corporate life

09:56 The rationale behind starting the Analyse Asia podcast

11:05 Tell us something about yourself that we won't know

13:15 Ok, time to discuss drones. Tell us about your role in delivering the world’s first drone postal deliver for SingPost (Sept 2015).

20:29 How has the drone industry evolved since 2015? And what is the impact of the recent drone security scares (e.g. Gatwick airport)

21:34 The economics behind drone parcel delivery (e.g. Uber drone deliveries of McDonalds in San Diego). Are the financial and business models really viable?, including cost per delivery in western markets versus China. And how China leads the low cost delivery race despite having a lower cost labour base than the more developed markets like the US and Australia.

26:37 Will B2C drone deliveries create new security risks? What is the role of government regulation to ensure the safety of drones. And tell us about China's drone regulatory environment compares to the rest of the world.

31:10 Air Taxis - are we ready for for it?

34:55 The enterprise use cases for drones - including real estate, emergency services, mining, etc.

37:45 Which markets excite you for the future of drones (besides China)?

38:42 What challenges to governments need to overcome to help drive drones in the future

40:30 Bernard's view of the best case scenario for drones in the coming 3 - 5 years - and the worst case.

41:50 The main question - will drones move beyond the hype in the coming years and deliver true value and use cases - or will drones become an overhyped toy?

43:20 How can the audience find out more about you and the Analyse Asia podcast?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bleongcw/

Twitter: @BernardLeong

Analyse Asia podcast: www.analyseasia.com

Bernard's Blog: www.bernardleong.com

Note: This interview was recorded at the end of June 2019. Bernard has since left Airbus Aerial to pursue other career opportunities.