Asia Startup Pulse

China is obsessed with data. But how can you access it, and leverage it to your benefit? Kenneth Cheung shines a light on how you should be using data to market yourself or your company, and shares with us the “golden rule of WeChat marketing”. From initially acquiring data to actually learning how to use it properly, Kenneth walks this integral process while talking about his work in consulting on brand management and KOL influencer marketing in China. He also talks about the power of mini-apps, the first principals of market, and much, much more! If you want to market your brand on WeChat to its maximum potential, this is a can’t-miss episode.

Show Notes

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Kenneth Cheung, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

What do investors look for in startups? This week, we have invited Jörn Helms, Senior Advisor at the Bank of Taizhou and Country Director for China with Portier Technologies. Portier is a smartphone platform for luxury hotels allowing guests to access the internet as well as order hotel services thereby increasing hotel revenues. With an extensive background in small business landing (as the former VP of Bank of Taizhou) and angel investing, Jörn is experienced with both large companies and small startups entering China.

From his first days in Taizhou, when he had to re-learn Chinese because of the local dialect, to his time as a mentor for Chinaccelerator, Jörn has personally crossed borders and found success in a new environment. Hear what he has to say about succeeding in the China startup scene from the perspective of an investor!

Know more about Bank of Taizhou: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-11-15/military-drills-help-china-s-best-bank-toughen-up-its-staff

Show Notes: Jörn’s background 1:44 Banking Career in China 3:16 The principal of “see and touch” 12:39 Being a mentor 15:29 Breaking the China barrier as a foreign investor 21:03 Lightning round questions 23:20

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Jörn Helms, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared.

Both new startup founders and veteran business owners may often find themselves confronted by conflict, whether they’re personal, familial, or business-related complications. This week, our mentors share some of their own personal experiences in conquering these obstacles and their words of wisdom on what helps a company succeed.

Join us for our 8x8 Series Finale, where our final three speakers emphasize the value in venturing out into the unknown to revive passion and to crush fear, stress the importance in organizing a proper IP strategy for a business in China’s vast market, and offer strategic advice to help better the life of a startup. We hope you enjoy!

Show Notes

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, speakers Nishtha Mehta, Ziv Rotenberg, and James Lalonde, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

Being a good entrepreneur is a multi-faceted skill. Proficiency in one aspect does not guarantee overall success, but failure or inefficiency in one discipline could cost you your business. Our guests this week provide sage advice on topics ranging from securing funding to proper networking.

With years of experience in the China Startup scene, this week’s guests speak from the heart on their mistakes and lessons learned: how they sought the wrong advice, pursued the wrong business ideas, and how you should deal with the problems you will inevitably face while building your business. Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or someone struggling with their first start-up, this episode is worth a listen!

Show Notes

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, speakers Trevor Owens, Rich Bishop, and Kenneth Cheung, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

Being an entrepreneur is often defined not by one’s success, but by the way one deals with failure. This week’s three guests have all used their past experiences, both positive and negative, to find success in their current endeavors.

From a past career as a skateboarder to the challenge of overcoming a midlife crisis, this week’s speakers have experienced a unique set of highs and lows which have enhanced their focus, creativity, and self-awareness, among other things. Make sure you don’t miss this episode!

Show Notes

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, speakers Ilya Cheremnikh, Tim Coghlan, and Curt Shi, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

This episode’s guest is a pioneer and innovator in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency: Emurgo senior advisor and Chinaccelerator alumnus Darren Camas! He talks about his career and experiences in crypto, an industry for which he has been at the forefront since the beginning. He stresses the importance of having responsible business practices, the inability to plan for luck, and other lessons learned. Also interesting is his discussion of Cardano, the revolutionary generation 3 blockchain technology, which pushes improved scalability, interoperability, and sustainability. This podcast is sure to be thought-provoking and informational to both blockchain enthusiasts and those less accustomed with the industry.

Show Notes:

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Darren Camas, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

In this episode, we have invited Florian Bohnert, head of global partnerships for Mobike. As an entrepreneur, Florian developed an interest for Asian culture and the East very early on and has been leading Mobike’s global expansion journey, especially in China. He stresses the importance of being in the country where you want to expand your business and letting passion drive you. He also touches upon the positive impact mobike has on people’s health other than the obvious convenience it has brought to people’s lives.

Show Notes:

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Florian Bohnert, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website at chinaccelerator.com!

Running a business is an exciting and rewarding process, but at times, can also be very stressful and fraught with many pitfalls. In this episode, Mike Burns, Founding Partner of Asia Growth Solutions, talks about his experiences as an executive coach, business coach, and strategy consultant in China. He highlights the challenges his clients often encounter and gives crucial advice to leaders of all levels. This includes the importance of having a good support network, the need for strong personal values compatible with business, and the 4 key issues most leaders face! With prior leadership experience at Walmart and General Electric, Mike’s advice is invaluable to all those trying to navigate the difficult task of starting a successful business in China.

Show Notes:

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us. If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it.

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Mike Burns, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator

Blockchain is hot. However, what we do not know is whether ICO is a viable way for entrepreneurs under the dual effects of legal regulations and market booms. Robin8, a data-driven influencer marketing platform utilizing AI and Big data, raised 3.6 million USD and also closed ICO in 6 weeks. Miranda Tan, CEO and Founder of Robin8 joined us to introduce how she developed Robin8 in China, raised money after meeting over 100 investors, and met blockchain in the end.

She shared many factors she considered for the fundraising and ICO. For example, how consistent product and repeated pitch practices helped her to raise ICO in a short time. Not stopping at talking about the positive sides of ICO, she also noticed the drawbacks. Can’t wait to share this episode with you! Click to listen to it!

Show Notes:

Feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation with us! If you have an ideal guest whom you would like to listen to, please let us know and we'll do our best to realize it!

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken, guest Miranda Tan, editor David and Geep, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared.

In this episode, we have invited Casey Lau, Co-host for the largest tech conference in Asia - RISE.

0:38: Casey Lau intro