BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  VC in 2025: Trump 2.0, AI Hype, & Rise of Secondaries

VC in 2025: Trump 2.0, AI Hype, & Rise of Secondaries

Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner, Indelible Ventures | Yeoh Chen Chow, Founder, 1% Advisory & Coaching

07-Jan-25 12:00

VC in 2025: Trump 2.0, AI Hype, & Rise of Secondaries

From Trump 2.0’s potential boost for M&As and $40 billion in AI foundational model funding to the rise of secondary transactions providing liquidity and SoftBank’s $100 billion commitment to US companies, 2024 brought significant shifts in funding priorities, valuation corrections, and global politics that are reshaping the venture capital and startup ecosystem for 2025.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner at Indelible Ventures, and Yeoh Chen Chow, Founder of 1% Advisory & Coaching, join us to unpack the major developments of 2024 and what they are watching for the year ahead. They dive into the AI funding boom, secondaries as a liquidity tool, Malaysia’s evolving role in Southeast Asia’s VC landscape, and how Trump 2.0 may impact M&A and regulatory frameworks.

Here are some AI-generated highlights of key areas covered in the conversation:

1. The 2024 VC Slowdown: The Southeast Asian venture capital space experienced a notable slowdown in 2024, with Malaysia seeing a limited number of deals. Kevin and Chen Chow examine how this impacted startup funding, valuations, and the evolving dynamics of capital flows in the region.

2. Global Political Shifts and VC: The return of Donald Trump and his administration’s likely regulatory rollbacks are expected to influence M&A activity and startup opportunities in the US. Kevin and Chen Chow analyse how these shifts, combined with the rise of Japanese investors and Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, could create opportunities for Southeast Asian startups.

3. The Rise of Secondary Transactions: Secondary transactions emerged as a critical tool for providing liquidity to founders, early employees, and investors. The speakers highlight why secondaries are gaining traction, the typical discounts involved, and how these transactions are reshaping the VC landscape.

4. Liquidity Challenges for Investors: The conversation highlights the stark realities of limited distributions to LPs in Southeast Asia, with DPI figures as low as 0.4 for some vintages. The speakers discuss the implications for future fundraising and how this affects investor confidence in the region.

5. AI Hype vs. Substance: AI funding doubled in 2024, but separating hype from real value remains a challenge. Kevin and Chen Chow explore foundational models, productivity tools, and the potential for AI agents to transform business operations. They also discuss how AI might shift from a buzzword to a foundational layer for businesses of all sizes.

6. SoftBank’s $100B US Commitment: SoftBank’s $100 billion commitment to US companies under the Trump administration signals a strategic bet on AI, semiconductors, and innovation. The speakers reflect on SoftBank’s mixed legacy and what this move could mean for the VC landscape globally and in Southeast Asia.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketseconomymanagingCorporatesinternationalpoliticsgovernmentinvestments

Tags:  secondary transactionsglobal politicsventure capitalstartup ecosystemm&a





Play / Pause

Listen now : Enterprise Explores: Murugason R. Thangaratnam, Co-Founder and CEO, Novem CS

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Song Seng Wun of CGS International Securities tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Chen Zheng, CITICS Policy Analyst discusses the outcome of China's Two Sessions and what is needed to boost its economy.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Muar MP Syed Saddiq discusses the importance of constituency development funds for the work of an MP.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of Mydin shares how the retailer adapts to rising costs, shifting spending habits, and subsidy reforms while sustaining growth.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Prof. Peter Taylor-Gooby of the University of Kent weighs in on the UK government’s welfare reform plans and their impact on vulnerable groups.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) World Market Watch: Song Seng Wun of CGS International Securities tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

We explore Malaysia's growing wealth and luxury real estate trends with Knight Frank's Keith Ooi.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Swift Bridge Technologies Role In Malaysia’s Semiconductor Future

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO, Stewardship Asia Centre

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Murugason R. Thangaratnam, Co-Founder and CEO, Novem CS

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of Mydin shares how the retailer adapts to rising costs, shifting spending habits, and subsidy reforms while sustaining growth.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Seagrass meadows are vital to marine life and the environment, but they are disappearing rapidly. Marine ecologist Dr Jillian Ooi discusses the challenges of seagrass conservation and why protecting existing seagrass should be a priority.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Finding it hard to stay fit after you hit 40? Find out how the body changes and how you can adapt your workouts.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Good Things

Discover how Sehri Tales, a global Ramadan writing challenge, inspires creativity before dawn as we speak to its founders, Sabrina and Abak, about its impact on community and storytelling.

7:00 PM

Made in Malaysia

From the sizzling murtabaks stalls at bazaars to the comforting warmth of bubur lambuk, we explore the enduring appeal of Malaysia’s favourite Ramadhan eats.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my