BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  Why SEA Startups Should Ditch the Silicon Valley Playbook

Why SEA Startups Should Ditch the Silicon Valley Playbook

Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair, Soonicorn Collective

14-Nov-24 12:00

Why SEA Startups Should Ditch the Silicon Valley Playbook

Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem is growing, but is the Silicon Valley playbook holding it back? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, I speak with Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair of the Soonicorn Collective and Senior Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator, about the pitfalls of adapting Silicon Valley’s approach to Southeast Asia—especially in Malaysia.

We dive into the revenue-driven pressures faced by startups, question whether the $100 million revenue benchmark is realistic for the region, and explore how rethinking valuations could unlock Southeast Asia’s true entrepreneurial potential. Dr. Siva also unpacks why moving beyond the Silicon Valley mindset might be the key to building sustainable, high-margin ventures that thrive in this unique market.

Key areas of discussion include:

- Revenue Pressures: Why the $100 million target is unrealistic for Southeast Asian startups and the structural challenges it highlights.

- Market Size Dynamics: How VC priorities like market size and revenue multiples often overlook the realities of Southeast Asia’s industries.

- Rethinking Valuations and Mindsets: The need for alternative valuation methods that better reflect Southeast Asia’s market potential, with a focus on building profitable, high-margin businesses.

- VC Dynamics: The pressures on venture capitalists to deliver high returns and how that impacts funding strategies in Southeast Asia.

Produced by: Carol Wong

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


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

Categories:  economymanagingmarketsentrepreneursinvestmentsinternational

Tags:  startupsventure capitalsilicon valleysoutheast asia





Play / Pause

Listen now : Open For Business : A&D Nature's Growth and Ambitions: Navigating the Plant...

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

Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global 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

Vivek Vaidya, Partner from Frost & Sullivan, unpacks the implications of US tariffs to the global automakers.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

. Criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee, joins us to break down the legal provisions pertaining to house arrests.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Prof. Datuk Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir shares how UCSI’s climb to 265th in the QS World University Rankings reflects its growth and impact.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Entry: Adrian Pereira of NSI discusses the importance of EPF contributions for foreign workers.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability discusses Malaysia's strategy to ramp up enforcement on environmental crimes through stronger police powers.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Jesse Liew of Principal Asset Management shares his perspective on opportunities in the local fixed income market as tariff war looms in the US.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Gerald Ambrose, former Country Head of Aberdeen Malaysia examines the Kwek family feud at City Developments Limited (CDL) and its lessons on succession.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

A&D Nature's Growth and Ambitions: Navigating the Plant Industry

11:05 AM

P&L

How SMEs & MTCs Can Unlock New Capital Opportunities

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Andrew Chan, Director, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Prof. Datuk Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir shares how UCSI’s climb to 265th in the QS World University Rankings reflects its growth and impact.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Will the proposed Seed Bill threaten biodiversity, food security and smallholder farmers by giving corporations control over seeds?

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Are supplements safe if you’re on treatment for mental health disorders? We break down how the ingredients of supplements and certain medications interact with psychiatric drugs.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture