One More Scoop

CJ Looi is the co-founder and CEO of PixCap. There, PixCap's mission is to make 3D accessible to everyone, starting with graphic design. 3D opens up many possibilities for designers, including mockups, realistic visuals and animations. Yet, the complexity of accessing 3D technology remains a challenge. PixCap overcomes this by offering a vast library of 3D templates on the browser through WebGL, enabling brands and designers to customize mockups, icons and 3D animations at scale.Topics:[00:00:00] - Personal Growth and Family Dynamics[00:04:55] - Strict Upbringing and Video Game Influence[00:11:42] - Study Abroad and Startup Challenges[00:18:52] - Inspired Journey to Entrepreneurship and Tech[00:24:09] - Career Transition From Banking to Startups[00:31:19] - Transitioning to Entrepreneurship Through Internships[00:38:38] - Journey Through Tech Careers[00:48:35] - AI Motion Capture Technology Pivot[00:53:41] - Evolution of 3D Design Software[01:03:55] - Evolution of PixCap's 3D Tools[01:08:58] - The Challenges and Fulfillment of Startups[01:14:58] - The Three C'sLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Cj Looi’s social media pages:Cj (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-looi/PixCap (Website): https://pixcap.com/index.html

Dhruv Arora is the Founder and CEO of Syfe, Asia’s leading holistic digital wealth management platform empowering people to build their wealth for a better future. Built on the pillars of access, advice and affordability, Syfe caters to the different wealth needs of individuals with diversified proprietary portfolios, cash management solutions and brokerage. Syfe has grown quickly since launching in 2019, with nearly 5% of adult Singaporeans using the platform to achieve their financial goals.Licensed and operational in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, Syfe has customers from 60+ countries. The company has raised $52M and is backed by leading global investors including Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, Unbound, and partners from DST.Before starting Syfe, Dhruv was part of the early core team that built Grofers (now Blinkit)—a Softbank and Sequoia-backed e-commerce company acquired by Zomato for US$570M—where he led the Product, Growth and Consumer verticals.Topics:[00:00:02] – Dhruv's Childhood and Interests[00:09:35] –  Career Path Discovery in Finance[00:11:06] – Navigating Career Challenges in Finance[00:19:04] – Investing Journey and Career Transition[00:27:34] – Career Transition and Entrepreneurship Exploration[00:31:35] – Startup Growth, Transition, and Learning[00:39:47] – Entrepreneur's Journey to Starting SAIF[00:48:33] – Navigating Startup Challenges and Employee Retention[00:56:22] – Finding Purpose Through Work and GrowthLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Dhruv Arora’s social media pages:Dhruv (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/arora-dhruv/Syfe (Website): https://www.syfe.com/

Joe Zhang is a Partner at TNB Aura, focusing on the fund's operations in research, investment, and portfolio management. Before TNB Aura, he worked at Fosun RZ Capital, where he focused on investments in Southeast Asia's growing tech startups.Joe's background includes venture building, technology consulting, wealth management, and engineering before he entered the VC field. He graduated as a top MBA student from the National University of Singapore and holds an Engineering degree from the same institution.Topics:[00:02:27] - Childhood Memories and Curiosity[00:06:24] - Boarding School Experience and Friendships[00:11:51] - University Experience[00:22:25] - Navigating Career Paths[00:35:39] - Leveraging Relationships for Career Advancement[00:42:38] - End-to-End VC Investment Approach[00:50:12] - Early Investments & Top-Down Approach[00:54:39] - Breaking Into Venture Capital IndustryLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Joe Zhang’s social media pages:Joe (Linkedin): linkedin.com/in/joe-zhang TNB Aura (Website): https://www.tnbaura.vc/ 

Patrick Gentry is the founder and CEO of Sprout Solutions, a SaaS startup building HR solutions for the Philippines. In 2023, they raised a $10.7M Series B. Before Sprout, Patrick was the co-founder of KMC Solutions and was working for a startup in Silicon Valley.Like the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCua

Stacie Chan is the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at 1BStories, an AI storytelling company. She spent eight and a half years at Google leading product partnerships on Google's 1 billion user consumer products including Google News, Search, Web and Assistant. Before Google, she was an award-winning journalist in Silicon Valley, managing a team of 10 reporters for AOL's Patch.com. But that's not the most interesting part about Stacie. Fun fact: She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her voiceover acting work.Topics:[00:01:06] - Meet Stacie Chan[00:04:43] - Parental Support in Acting Career[00:07:34] - Expanding Horizons Through Animated Roles[00:10:49] - Navigating Career Changes and Unexpected Opportunities[00:19:49] - AOL's Patch[00:29:48] - Global Opportunities at Google[00:33:58] - Building a Company With Charismatic Vision[00:38:44] - Navigating the Fundraising Landscape[00:41:53] - Lessons From Big Tech to Startups[00:52:33] - Career Sacrifices and FulfillmentLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Stacie Chan’s social media pages:Stacie (Twitter): https://twitter.com/staciechan?lang=en 1 Billion Stories (Website): https://www.1bstories.com/#home 

Joan Yao is the Vice President of Investments at Kickstart Ventures Inc., the corporate venture capital arm of Globe Telecom. Prior to Kickstart, she was Investment Manager for Southeast Asia at LGT Venture Philanthropy, a global impact investing firm headquartered in Europe.Kickstart Ventures manages the Philippines’ largest technology venture capital funds, investing globally in early- to growth-stage tech startups via three funds, including the Ayala Corporation Technology Innovation Venture Fund (“ACTIVE Fund”). Kickstart is a wholly-owned corporate venture capital firm of Globe Telecom, the Philippines’ leading mobile operator.Topics:[00:05:29] - Losing a loved one[00:11:29] -  Choosing a Major and College Experience[00:25:22] - The Link Between Finance and Narrative[00:34:21] -  LGTVP - A Funny Misunderstanding[00:37:21] - Unusual Job Demands and Youthful Enthusiasm[00:41:39] -  First Investment and Growing Friendship[00:47:36] -  Decision Making Authority and Stereotypes[00:51:11] - VC and Tech Startups in Asia[00:58:16] -  Investments in Agriculture and HRISLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Joan Yao’s social media pages:Joan (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanyao/Kickstart Ventures (Website): https://kickstart.ph/

Rishab is Partner, Seed investments at Jungle and heads up First Cheque@Jungle. He has a passion for building businesses and working closely with entrepreneurs through key inflection points in their journey. As an angel investor with 15+ companies in his portfolio, Rishab loves rolling up his sleeves and working with these founders on product, go-to-market and fundraising aspects of their journey.Jungle Ventures is a Singapore-based venture capital firm focused on early to growth-stage investments in Southeast Asia and India, with a focus on building long-lasting businesses. Jungle partners with the region’s most exciting founders to build high-growth, capital-efficient technology businesses, and supports their growth from seed to unicorn to IPO. The Jungle portfolio includes regional and global category leaders like Kredivo, Moglix, Pomelo, Livspace, builder.ai, Sociolla, and more.Topics:[00:03:23] - Education, Sports, and Regret[00:08:35] - Choosing University and Pursuing Dreams[00:14:48] - Impacts of Undergrad Experience in Texas[00:17:53] - Interning at Motorola and Immigration Challenges[00:24:49] - Building Relationships and Embracing Diversity[00:27:08] - Career Transition and Pursuing Higher Education[00:31:11] - Considering Future Work Opportunities in Asia[00:41:23] - Entrepreneurial Journey in Different Startups[00:46:59] - Opportunity to Join Jungle Ventures[01:00:42] - Balancing Work, Family, and InvestmentsLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Rishab Malik’s social media pages:Rishab(Linkedin): linkedin.com/in/rishabmalikJungle Ventures (Website): https://www.jungle.vc/ First Cheque (Website): https://www.jungle.vc/first-cheque

Fandy Cendrajaya is the Founding Partner of Kopital Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-focused fund based in Southeast Asia that is looking to invest in 40 Companies in the next three years. Before Kopital Ventures, Fandy was an angel investor and F&B entrepreneur.Topics:[00:02:08] - Childhood and challenges growing up[00:04:45] - Journey Towards Education and Self-Realization [00:09:12] - Painful Lessons in Failing School [00:12:50] - Education Opportunities in the US[00:31:05] - First Successful F&B Venture [00:38:29] - Becoming an Angel Investor[00:42:04] - Hardest Part of Angel Investing [00:46:50] - Micro Fund for Early-Stage Investments Like the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Fandy Cendrajaya’s social media pages:Fandy (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/fandy-cendrajaya-903b92152/Kopital Ventures (Website): https://kopitalventures.com/

Abhay Saboo is the co-founder and CEO of CoLearn, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing K-12 edtech platforms. By providing access to the best teachers across the country for just $7/month through cohort-based live classes, CoLearn is gradually increasing the motivation of Indonesians to learn.Before CoLearn, Abhay founded Viva Health - one of Indonesia’s largest primary care chains, with 100+ pharmacies and clinics spread throughout the islands of Java and Bali.He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.Topics:[00:00:00] - Passion for Education and Healthcare[00:05:25] - Childhood Hobbies and Memories of Malls[00:09:26] - Education and Study Abroad Experiences[00:12:58] - Tutoring and Choosing Electrical Engineering[00:20:31] - Studying at Georgia Tech, Feeling at Home[00:24:17] - Georgia Tech Co-Op Program and International Experience[00:31:05] - Working at GE Healthcare[00:39:21] - Entrepreneurship, Education, and Retail in India[00:49:26] - Longevity and Growth of Businesses[00:55:38] - Vipassana Meditation and Life's EpiphanyLike the show? Subscribe to the BackScoop newsletter to stay updated with the latest news in Southeast Asian startups in minutes: backscoop.com.Visit BackScoop’s social media pages and show your support!BackScoop (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/company/backscoop/BackScoop (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BackScoopHQBackScoop (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/BackScoopBackScoop (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/backscoopVisit Amanda Cua’s social media pages:Amanda (Linkedin): https://ph.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cuaAmanda (Twitter): https://twitter.com/itsAmandaCuaVisit Abhay Saboo’s social media pages:Abhay (Linkedin): linkedin.com/in/abhay-saboo-3700218Website (CoLearn): https://www.colearn.com/ Website (Viva Health): https://vivaapotek.co.id/