The Founders Peak Podcast

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Founders Peak Podcast, live from the heart of innovation at the GFTN Forum in Tokyo, Japan! This season, we are diving deep into a theme that every founder, investor, and builder can relate to: resilience. In a tough market, these stories come from the front lines of what it takes to not just survive, but thrive. Across these 10 talks, you will find a thread th...

Is being under estimated a disadvantage, or a secret weapon? Caroline Tran, founder of Hello Clever, flips the script on the challenges female founders face, arguing that these very obstacles cultivate distinct advantages—like sharper judgment and more resilient strategies. A powerful lesson in how to turn bias into a profitable edge.

Is your pitch a static document, or a living story? Evan Burkosky, a solo sailor turned AI founder, makes the powerful argument that constantly refining your narrative is the most critical survival skill in the startup world. Learn why storytelling is the key to raising capital, closing deals, and building a team that truly believes.

Do you need to be a superhuman to build a successful company? Joe Lu, an “accidental entrepreneur” who failed his YC interview three times, dismantles the myth of the perfect founder. In this refreshingly honest talk, he shares how his own feelings of being average and flawed ultimately gave him a unique and powerful edge.

What does “safety” truly mean in today’s world? Keisuke Kimura grew up with a mother who, scarred by financial instability, urged him to find a “safe job.” In this talk, he shares his journey of defying that definition to prove that true security comes not from a corporate safety net, but from the courage to build your own value.

How do you find the courage to build something that has never existed before? Aishwarya Jaishankar, co-founder of Hyperface, reveals the simple but powerful question that has guided her entire career: “Why the hell not?” Learn how this mindset helped her navigate the chaos of India’s demonetization and turn complexity into courageous progress.

How do you survive when a $20 million funding deal vanishes overnight? Ritesh and Deepak Jain, co-founders of FlexiLoans, share a powerful lesson in leadership and collective calm. Discover how their pact to “not panic at once” and the discipline to say “no” became their ultimate survival strategy in a moment of crisis.

In a fragile and rapidly changing world, is the greatest risk standing still? Yusuke Jindo, a crypto-native CPA and new father, makes the compelling case that becoming an entrepreneur was the most stable and conservative decision he could make. A fascinating perspective that challenges everything you think you know about risk.

What do you do when your most important partner tries to exploit your dependence? Himanshu Chandra of Progcap shares a cautionary tale every founder needs to hear. He recounts the moment his company had to make an impossible choice, revealing how the painful decision to walk away ultimately saved their business.

Can technology solve the global loneliness epidemic? Felix Wong, a global citizen and founder of EMOKA, asks a profound question. Inspired by a conversation with a NASA astronaut about the loneliness of space, he explores how AI can be a tool not just for efficiency, but for connection, and what it takes to build an AI that truly knows how to care.

What happens when you reach the peak of your corporate career and realize you are on the wrong mountain? Sanjay Tripathy, co-founder of BRISKPE, shares his incredibly honest story of walking away from comfort and security, revealing that the biggest challenge wasn’t changing his business model, but fundamentally changing himself.

Welcome to a super special Season 15 of The Founders Peak Podcast, live from the 10th milestone edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival! This season is a homecoming to our flagship event, where we immerse you in the heart of the startup ecosystem. Over three days, 23 exceptional founders from around the world took the stage to share their deepest, unfiltered wisdom from their founder journey. Tu...

What does it mean to truly win? Dilip Modi, founder of Spice Money, shares his journey from chasing inherited ambition to being led by a deeper purpose. In this talk, he reveals how redefining his own definition of “winning” became his greatest success and the key to empowering over a million rural entrepreneurs in India.

For a true survivor, every obstacle is an opportunity. Rosaline Chow Koo, founder of CXA Group, delivers a masterclass in perseverance, reminding us that every setback is data, every pivot is progress, and every failure is fuel for what comes next. A powerful lesson for every founder.

In new markets, should you build product or build trust first? In this energetic and unconventional talk, FailSafe co-founders Flynn and Wui share how choosing “Hard Mode” forces clarity and why, sometimes, the most logical path is the one that doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

Can fear be a founder’s greatest asset? Qin En Looi of Onigiri Ventures delivers a raw and powerful reflection on how fear can be a founder’s greatest teacher—teaching courage through action, identity beyond achievement, and conviction even when no one else believes.

How do you go from designing aircraft engines to building a fintech unicorn? Arthur Mak, co-founder of YouTrip, shares a powerful lesson in how curiosity and optimism can help you build something that truly matters. This talk reminds us that purpose isn’t found—it’s built in the value you create and the people you serve.

What can a mountain teach you about leadership? Adeeb Ahamed, founder of LuLu Financial Holdings, reveals how the simple Swahili mantra of “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) taught him that sustainable leadership lies in balancing purpose, pace, and people. Learn when to surge and when to steady the rhythm for your team.

When you’re generating billions in new credit, hypergrowth isn’t a goal—it’s a daily reality. Avital Pardo, co-founder of Pagaya, breaks down how to manage the chaos by focusing on three pillars: people, product, and process. This is a playbook for scaling at breakneck speed and knowing when to level the plane.

Building a unicorn is an emotional rollercoaster. Mathias Imbach, co-founder of the world’s first digital asset bank, Sygnum, gives an essential guide to navigating the intense swings of entrepreneurship, showing how passion, people, and positivity can help you turn that volatility into fuel.

In the world of venture-backed startups, playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Anna Joo Fee, a solo, non-technical founder, gives a masterclass in conviction, teaching us that avoiding death is not the same as thriving. To truly succeed, you have to stop playing not to lose and start playing to win.

What does it take to go from village roots to building one of Southeast Asia’s largest fintech companies? Shou Dong, co-founder of ADVANCE.AI, shares an inspiring story about the three kinds of GUTS a founder needs: the courage to never give up, the courage to change, and the courage to serve a mission bigger than yourself.

After leading two unicorns (Freelancer.com and Bukalapak) through massive IPOs, Willix Halim knows what it takes to win. In this rapid-fire masterclass, he delivers eight incredibly sharp and usable insights, covering everything from metrics and fundraising to the critical importance of speed and knowing your numbers to survive and thrive.

In the startup world, there is only one strategy that truly matters: survival. Ankit Ratan of Signzy tells a gripping and honest story of near-death moments, teaching us that cash buys you time, and sometimes, the oxygen you need to survive comes from the most unexpected places.

What if being underestimated is your greatest advantage? Vincent Iswara, co-founder of DANA, delivers an inspiring message for every founder who feels overlooked, showing us that being the underdog gives you the freedom to rewrite the rules and the hunger to be undeniable.