What if the biggest risk is never taking one?

In this episode of The Epicenter with Ronen Mense, entrepreneur and investor Simon Squibb, founder of HelpBnk, shares how he went from being homeless at 15 to selling his company to PwC, and why the real path to success isn’t a salary. It’s starting before you’re ready.

You’ll hear how to start a business with no money, use AI tools to build faster and smarter, and overcome the fear that keeps most people stuck in the 9-to-5. Whether you’re planning a big leap or stuck at square one, this episode is your blueprint for starting over on your terms.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to overcome fear of failure and survival-mode thinking

• Why job security is a myth, and what real freedom looks like

In Episode 42 of The Epicenter, we’re joined by Galit Galperin, an AI product advisor helping organizations and their leaders adopt AI, to discuss why AI literacy is no longer optional for professionals and leaders. From mastering the art of prompting to reshaping workflows, Galit shares her expertise on how AI is transforming corporate ecosystems.

Key Highlights:

Tune in for practical advice and fresh perspectives on the AI revolution.

In this episode of The Epicenter, we’re joined by Som Puangladda, a seasoned fractional CMO and advocate for women in tech. Som breaks down the power of fractional leadership—combining high-impact strategy with flexibility—and shares how businesses can leverage it to build stronger alignment between marketing and sales.

Ronen and Som cover crucial topics like sales-led marketing, data visualization, and the need to focus on customer happiness beyond lead generation. Som also compares the US and Southeast Asia tech scenes, offering practical tips for navigating both ecosystems rooted in understanding key behavioral nuances. 

Som reflects on her journey as a woman in technology, offering advice on breaking barriers and creating impact. Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or tech enthusiast, this episode delivers fresh insights on leadership, alignment, and thriving in today’s AI-first landscape.

“AI heavily depends on how organizations have structured their data.” 

“AI is about adoption, not just execution.”

In this special episode of Ronen’s Epicenter, Dr. Ayesha Khanna, one of Asia’s top tech voices, dives into the “operationalization” of AI. She emphasizes AI’s real value in enhancing everyday processes over flashy innovations. This 45-minute remote episode, filmed in Singapore, also explores the ethical dimensions of big tech, the essence of modern data architecture, and how AI can create economic opportunities for all.

AI or Die

with Shelly Palmer, CEO of The Palmer Group

"AI is a Skills Amplifier, Not a Skills Democratizer."

In this special episode of Ronen’s Epicenter, Shelly Palmer, a renowned AI authority and media visionary, makes his Asia audience debut. From his journey as an award-winning composer to a Fortune 500 consultant, Shelly, in conversation with Ronen Mense, explores how creativity, analytical skills, and expertise intersect in the AI-driven world.

This 60+ minute episode dives deep into topics like entrepreneurship, government regulation, China,"data elite," social media, and personal productivity—making it a must-listen for anyone navigating the AI landscape.

“There’s too much $ in Climate Tech but not enough entrepreneurs with ideas.”

We welcome Djoann Fal, co-founder of GetLinks, Asia's premier tech talent network. Through Atlas Capital, he is currently focused on funding vital sustainability tech innovations in the region. 

Featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30, Djoann is a pioneer in linking tech professionals with prime opportunities. With a background in engineering and consulting, he has expanded GetLinks across multiple countries, achieving unprecedented scale for that industry.

In an intimate conversation with Ronen, Djoann shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building a tech startup, and Asia’s promising potential in climate tech. He also discusses working with conglomerates to shift towards green projects, dealing with “carbon credit bros,” and his efforts to help Asian cities adapt to climate change.

This episode pairs perfectly with Djoann’s Substack, The Adaptive Economy.

How to Get “FUNDABLE”

with Sephi Shapira, Tech Entrepreneur, Founder and Mentor 

Sephi Shapira has spent over twenty years as a tech entrepreneur, founding multiple start-ups. Since 2010, he has mentored over 100 tech CEOs as they secured over $1 billion in financing at various growth stages. 

In an intimate conversation with longtime friend Ronen Mense, Sephi shares the core principles of getting funded, the uselessness of “company decks,” and why it’s critical to demonstrate bold leadership over obedient followership in attracting investors. 

With decades of experience as a mentor, he discusses the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship and offers solid, practical insights on resolving it.

Ronen and Sephi’s wide-ranging conversation also includes thoughts on Adam Neumann’s media savvy, differences between VCs in Asia and the West, and the direct relationship between clarity of vision and the ability to execute.  

This episode is a perfect companion to Sephi’s book FUNDABLE: Why Some Entrepreneurs Get Funded, And Others Do Not!

Sonika Manandhar, a trailblazing co-founder and CTO of Aloi Global, shares unique insights and invaluable lessons from her wide-ranging experience as a woman tech founder from Nepal, a perspective that is sure to inspire and empower.  

In an intimate conversation with Ronen Mense, Sonika provides anecdotes on glass-ceiling challenges, such as dealing with prejudices, overcoming work archetypes, and relentless upskilling.     

A large chunk of the episode is devoted to a deeper understanding of powering microfinance for informal sectors - and how that is transformational not just for business owners but also for the day-to-day lives of many. 

Also a UN Environment Young Champion of Earth and National Geographic Explorer awardee, Sonika closes the episode with her 4Ps principles of people, planet, profit, and prosperity. Watch the episode to discover why one can’t exist without the other.

Jeffrey Towson, top-notch Asia analyst, podcaster, and business transformation consultant, sits down with Ronen Mense to answer strategy judgment questions about all things digital. 

In this nearly one-hour episode, we delve into a range of topics that are highly relevant to businesses, regardless of their maturity level and geographical focus. A particularly intriguing discussion revolves around how the stakes of winning and losing in business are becoming more and more extreme. 

The first half explores digital transformation strategies, while the rest of the discussion focuses on real-life business transformation examples from the likes of BYD Auto and Amazon. 

A consultant and investor with +20 years of experience across the US, China/Asia, and the Middle East, Jeffrey wraps up the episode with his thinking and strategy framework for shaping the future of the digital economy.

George Hartel, Chief Commercial Officer at GQ Thailand, Southeast Asia's leading Tech Apparel company, shares his expertise in omnichannel innovation, business transformation, and brand development. 

In a conversation with Ronen, George sheds light on GQ's evolution from a retail fixture to a comprehensive Tech Apparel business. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing profitability in e-commerce from the outset, and discusses leveraging social media for positive unit economics, citing GQ's remarkable sales surge from 200 to 4,000 shirts per day following a viral campaign in 2019.

Drawing on his role as an e-commerce expert, George provides firsthand insights into adapting to Asia’s rapid pace of innovation, often called "China speed." The episode concludes with practical tips for enhancing sales through the TikTok Shop platform.