Podcast: Hard Truths by Vertex | Episode 3 - Opportunities in Southeast Asia and India with Ben Mathias

Ben MATHIAS | 15 Feb 2023

Vertex Ventures has been investing in South East Asia and India long before it became fashionable (!) so we know a thing or two about which sectors are on the rise.

Tune in to hear from Ben Mathias, managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India in this episode. He is a tech and VC veteran, at the age of 38, he transitioned from an illustrious career in tech and supply chain in the USA to start a new VC office in India. Find out

how does transitioning from corporate to VC look like?
And the differences between what makes each sector tick?

They also delved into where he sees the startup opportunities in supply chain, fintech and consumer, and discuss the differences between the Southeast Asia and India markets.

Our Guest

Ben Mathias is Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures South East Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex Ventures, he was Partner at NEA. Before joining the world of VC, he held leadership positions at E2open and i2 Technologies.

In This Episode

• (01:00) Differences and learning from corporate and VC

• (13:30) Companies are having to turn profitable overnight - and they can
• (18:30) It’s the golden age of VC in South East Asia and India
• (21:21) Opportunities in Supply Chain
• (25:13) Opportunities in Consumer
• (27:50) Differences between South East Asia and India
• (31:47 ) Opportunities in Fintech
• (33:40) Opportunities in Open Banking

The Hard Truths podcast is a top 10 show in Singapore. If you are a founder, investor or interested in the startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia and India do subscribe now so you don’t miss any of our upcoming episodes.

Links

Notes and Full Transcript for Episode 3 here.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-truths-by-vertex/id1659392336

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JMf3yPwhuOIY85rpx5B2Y

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2hhcmQtdHJ1dGhzLWJ5LXZlcnRleA

Watch Episode 3 on YouTube: Part 1

Part 2

Or watch our other episodes here.

If you like what you hear please follow or subscribe to the show so you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming discussions.

Your Host

Elise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.

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Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.

If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.

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