The Exponential Show

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Jennifer (Jenn) Villalobos for a conversation on career reinvention, leadership, AI, entrepreneurship, and building with purpose through different stages of life.

Jenn’s career has taken an unconventional path, from journalism and storytelling into technology, digital transformation, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship. Along the way, living, working, and raising a family across different countries and cultures has shaped how she thinks about leadership, resilience, and the strengths people carry with them throughout their careers.

In this conversation, Jenn shares the experiences behind her “strengths over skills” philosophy, what she is building with ALYA, and how the idea evolved from “Dumb Mirrors” to “Intimate Algorithms.”

She also reflects on the transition from senior corporate leadership to becoming an early-stage builder, the realities of creating something from the ground up, and how women can approach new chapters of their careers with greater confidence and intention.

The conversation closes with practical advice for the next generation of women leaders and a look at what Jenn is working toward next with ALYA.

This episode was shot at True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive landing spot for international businesses and individuals.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:37 - Jenn’s unconventional journey from journalism to technology

05:42 - Why Jenn believes in strengths over skills

11:52 - Building ALYA: From “Dumb Mirrors” to “Intimate Algorithms”

26:38 - From corporate leadership to becoming an early-stage builder

32:11 - From mother to matriarch: Advice for women entering a new chapter

35:41 - Foundations for the next generation of women leaders

43:03 - What’s next for ALYA

If you’re interested in AI, leadership, entrepreneurship, career reinvention, women in leadership, or navigating major transitions with purpose, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective from someone who has experienced several of those shifts firsthand.

#TheExponentialShow #AI #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInLeadership #FutureOfWork #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Ankesh Saxena for a conversation on market research, consumer insights, AI, storytelling, community, and how the insights industry is evolving.

Ankesh brings over 25 years of experience in understanding people, markets, and decision-making. His work sits at the intersection of research, business, AI, and conversations that help shape better decisions.

In this conversation, Ankesh shares his journey in market research, the major shifts he has seen across the industry, how AI tools are changing the way we study audiences, and why storytelling and community continue to matter in making insights more useful.

The episode also touches on his work with The Collaborative Canvas and The Leader’s Canvas, his observations on Thailand and Southeast Asia’s market research landscape, and what he is building next.

This episode was shot at True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive landing spot for international businesses and individuals.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

02:25 - Ankesh’s origin story and career milestones in market research

14:08 - How the market research industry is evolving

19:48 - Balancing AI tools with human understanding

27:48 - The role of storytelling and community in shaping better insights

38:03 - Ankesh's experience at the The 2026 Asia Pacific Conference

47:45 - Thailand and Southeast Asia’s market research landscape

52:04 - What’s next for Ankesh

If you’re interested in market research, consumer insights, AI, storytelling, or the future of decision-making, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at where the industry is heading next.

#TheExponentialShow #MarketResearch #ConsumerInsights #AI #Storytelling #SoutheastAsia #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Ashu Bhatia, Global Data & AI Lead at Dexian, for a conversation on technology, value creation, AI, digital transformation, and what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing business landscape.Ashu brings decades of experience across digital technology strategy, transformation, cloud, data, AI, analytics, and advisory. He is also the author of Value Creation, a book that explores how businesses and leaders can think more clearly about creating value through technology.In this conversation, Ashu shares key career lessons, how technology’s role in value creation has evolved, where Thailand and Southeast Asia stand in the AI opportunity, and what enterprises, SMEs, startups, and individuals should do to prepare for the next phase of change.This episode was shot at True Digital Park in Bangkok.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:31 - Ashu Bhatia’s career journey and key milestones04:54 - What technology has taught him about value creation08:01 - How AI is changing the value creation landscape15:11 - Thailand and Southeast Asia’s AI opportunity26:40 - Tech Bytes with Ash: Ashu's content creation journey31:48 - AI preparedness advice for enterprises34:19 - AI preparedness advice for SMEs and startups38:04 - AI preparedness advice for individuals and workforce participantsIf you’re interested in AI, digital transformation, business strategy, technology leadership, or how companies can create value in a changing world, this conversation offers a practical and thoughtful perspective.#TheExponentialShow #AI #DigitalTransformation #ValueCreation #TechnologyLeadership #BusinessStrategy #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Laksh Gangwani, Chief Growth Officer at ViewTrade, for a conversation on fintech, capital markets, AI, tokenized stocks, and the future of financial services.

Laksh has played an important role in ViewTrade’s growth across APAC and the Middle East, with experience spanning Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Dubai, India IFSC, and other key markets. His work sits at the intersection of capital markets infrastructure, cross-border financial services, and business growth.

In this conversation, Laksh shares his journey in fintech, how the industry is evolving, what 24x5 trading and tokenized stocks could mean for capital markets, and how AI is reshaping financial services, careers, and the next generation of wealth decisions.

This episode was shot at True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive landing spot for international businesses and individuals.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Laksh Gangwani’s journey to becoming Chief Growth Officer at ViewTrade
03:24 - 24x5 trading and what it means for capital markets
07:15 - The questions we should be asking about tokenized stocks
12:32 - How real is AI disruption in financial services?
18:30 - Is Gen Z at a disadvantage in today’s job market?
21:32 - How the next generation may change banking and wealth decisions
22:55 - Delivering great outcomes to customers
25:58 - ViewTrade in Thailand and the wider APAC region
34:09 - One thing Laksh would change in finance today
37:30 - The future is bright for finance in the region

If you’re interested in fintech, capital markets, AI in financial services, tokenized assets, or the future of banking and wealth, this conversation offers a practical view of where the industry may be heading next.

#TheExponentialShow #ViewTrade #Fintech #CapitalMarkets #AI #WealthTech #FinancialServices #ThailandBusiness

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Anthony (Tony) Petrilli, Chairman & CEO of ViewTrade, for a conversation on fintech, investment access, wealth technology, and the future of financial services.

Tony brings decades of experience across finance, brokerage, infrastructure, and wealth technology. Through his work at ViewTrade, he has been involved in building technology and market access solutions that support financial institutions, investors, and ecosystem partners around the world.

In this conversation, Tony shares his journey through finance, how investment access has evolved, what still needs to change, and how technology, regulation, AI, and market infrastructure are shaping the next phase of investing.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Tony Petrilli’s career journey in finance
02:27 - How access to investment opportunities has changed
05:33 - ViewTrade’s role in facilitating cross-border trade
07:42 - Recognition for Tony & ViewTrade’s achievements
11:20 - Balancing technology growth with stakeholder management
17:50 - The multi-dimensional role of AI in financial services
25:10 - ViewTrade’s work in Thailand & the broader APAC region
32:01 - Tony’s approach to client relationships
35:14 - What’s on the horizon for ViewTrade and cross-border financial services

If you’re interested in fintech, wealth technology, investment access, AI in financial services, or the future of global investing, this conversation offers a grounded perspective from someone who has spent decades building in the space.

This episode was shot at True Digital Park - Thailand’s most comprehensive landing spot for international businesses and individuals.

#TheExponentialShow #ViewTrade #Fintech #WealthTech #InvestmentAccess #FinancialServices #ThailandBusiness

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Yanni and Leo, founders of OLY Snacks, for a conversation on building a better-for-you snack brand in Thailand.OLY is a high-protein cereal snack brand created by two founders with complementary backgrounds: one in food science and one as a fitness enthusiast. Their mission is to make snacking healthier, more enjoyable, and more accessible by combining taste, quality ingredients, and better nutrition.In this conversation, Yanni and Leo share the story behind OLY, how customer preferences are changing, what it takes to compete in a crowded snack market, and why community and collaborations have played an important role in their growth.A special thank you to our episode sponsor, True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive soft-landing platform for international individuals and companies.True Digital Park brings together workspace, community, and ecosystem support to help businesses and talent launch, grow, and scale in Thailand.What we cover in this episode:00:00 – Introduction02:00 – Origin storyYanni and Leo share their backgrounds, key milestones, and what led them to start OLY Snacks.05:30 – Changing customer preferencesHow consumer needs are evolving, and how OLY’s products are built around better snacking, taste, and nutrition.13:53 – Competing in a crowded marketWhat it takes to build a new snack brand while competing with large incumbents and established players.17:23 – Community and collaborationsWhy partnerships, community, and collaborations have been important in growing awareness and building trust.22:30 – Thailand as a baseThe pros and cons of building a consumer brand from Thailand, and what the local market teaches founders.25:33 – What’s next for OLY SnacksUpcoming goals, milestones, and what Yanni and Leo are working toward next.If you’re interested in food startups, consumer brands, health-focused products, entrepreneurship, or building from Thailand, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to create a modern snack brand.#TheExponentialShow #OLYSnacks #FoodStartup #ConsumerBrand #ThailandStartup #Entrepreneurship #HealthySnacking #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Kitiya Vongkamjan, Founder and CEO of UniFAHS, for a conversation on food safety, biotech, phage technology, entrepreneurship, and building science-led solutions from Thailand for global markets.

Kitiya’s journey spans academia, research, food science, and entrepreneurship. Through UniFAHS, she is working on phage-based innovations that improve food safety and sustainability across the food supply chain, from farms to processing plants and beyond.

This conversation explores the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, the opportunity for Thailand to become a stronger biotech and agritech hub, the realities of fundraising in a difficult market, and the lessons Kitiya has learned as a founder and parent.

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive soft-landing platform for international individuals and companies.

True Digital Park brings together workspace, community, and ecosystem support to help businesses and talent launch, grow, and scale in Thailand.

00:00 – Introduction

01:39 – Kitiya’s origin story
Her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and the lessons from research and teaching that shaped how she builds UniFAHS.

04:56 – The problem UniFAHS is solving
How UniFAHS is using phage technology to improve food safety from farm to fork.

11:19 – Thailand as a biotech hub
Kitiya’s experience building in Thailand, and the opportunities and challenges for biotech and agritech in the country and region.

18:00 – Raising capital during the funding winter
How UniFAHS raised a seed round in Thailand, and what helped the company secure investor confidence during a difficult fundraising environment.

21:35 – Untapped opportunities in agritech
Areas in agriculture and food systems that Kitiya believes remain underserved in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

27:16 – Lessons from parenting
How being a parent has influenced the way Kitiya leads, builds teams, and operates her company.

31:02 – What’s next for UniFAHS
Upcoming goals, milestones, and announcements as UniFAHS continues working toward safer and more sustainable food systems.

If you’re interested in biotech, agritech, food safety, entrepreneurship, or Thailand’s role in science-led innovation, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build deep-tech solutions from the region.

#TheExponentialShow #Biotech #Agritech #FoodSafety #PhageTechnology #UniFAHS #ThailandStartup #Entrepreneurship #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Rashmi Sharma, Founder of Innergy.Club, for a conversation on leadership, human performance, wellness, and how people management is evolving in the age of AI.

Rashmi brings years of experience working with leaders and teams across global organizations, helping them navigate change, build resilience, and unlock performance in more human-centered ways.

In this conversation, we explore her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the role of leaders in an AI-enabled workplace, the connection between physical and mental health and team performance, and how parenting has shaped the way she thinks about people, growth, and leadership.

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, True Digital Park, Thailand’s most comprehensive soft-landing platform for international individuals and companies.

True Digital Park brings together workspace, community, and ecosystem support to help businesses and talent launch, grow, and scale in Thailand.

What we cover in this episode:

00:00 – Introduction

01:32 – Rashmi’s origin story
Key career milestones, leadership experiences, and the journey that led to starting Innergy.Club.

04:03 – From corporate to entrepreneurship
How corporate life prepared Rashmi for building her own venture, and the surprises that came with the transition.

09:45 – People in the age of AI
How the role of people, managers, and leaders may evolve as AI tools reshape the workplace.

17:21 – The 3 dimensions of leadership
Rashmi explains leadership through cognitive, social, and physiological dimensions.

22:28 – Wellness and performance
The role physical and mental health play in individual and team performance, and whether leaders are taking it seriously beyond surface-level conversations.

32:37 – Lessons from parenting
How becoming a parent shaped Rashmi’s understanding of people, personalities, and leadership.

38:10 – What’s next for Innergy.Club
New goals, announcements, and milestones Rashmi is working toward in the near future.

If you’re interested in leadership, people management, wellness, AI at work, or building high-performing teams, this episode offers a grounded look at what leadership may need to become next.

#TheExponentialShow #Leadership #FutureOfWork #PeopleManagement #AI #Wellness #InnergyClub #TrueDigitalPark

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Alex D. Scheer, CEO and Co-Founder of zkMe, during Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok.

This conversation explores how trust, privacy, and identity verification are becoming critical as finance moves toward more autonomous systems.

Alex shares the journey behind zkMe, the problem the company is solving, and why privacy-preserving identity infrastructure matters for the next generation of financial services. We also discuss the opportunity in Thailand and Southeast Asia, his experience at Money20/20 Asia, and what it meant to win the Startup Pitch Competition at the event.

A special thank you to Money20/20 Asia for having Exponential as one of the media representatives during the event. We would also like to thank our partners at Midas PR for making this conversation happen and for their support behind the scenes.

What we cover in this episode:

00:00 – Introduction

01:14 – Alex’s origin story

His professional journey, early experiences, and what led him into digital identity, privacy, and autonomous finance.

06:42 – The problem zkMe is solving

Why trust and identity verification matter in Web3, fintech, and autonomous financial systems.

14:25 – Thailand and Southeast Asia opportunity

Why the region is an important market for digital finance, identity infrastructure, and privacy-led innovation.

17:09 – Money20/20 Asia and the Startup Pitch Competition

Alex reflects on the experience of presenting at Money20/20 Asia and winning the Startup Pitch Competition.

21:21 – Challenges and lessons as an entrepreneur

The realities of building a startup, navigating uncertainty, and the key lessons learned along the way.

23:15 – What’s next for zkMe

The major goals, milestones, and areas of focus Alex is working toward in the coming months.

If you’re interested in fintech, digital identity, autonomous finance, privacy, Web3 infrastructure, or Southeast Asia’s role in the future of financial innovation, this episode offers a practical look at where the industry may be heading next.

#TheExponentialShow #Money2020Asia #Fintech #AutonomousFinance #DigitalIdentity #PrivacyTech #zkMe #StartupPitch #MidasPR

In this episode of The Exponential Show, host Mayank Singh sits down with Pei Ling Tin, Co-President of MetaComp, during Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok for a conversation on finance, technology, governance, partnerships, and entrepreneurship.Pei Ling shares her perspective on the evolution of digital finance, MetaComp’s journey and legacy, the rise of agentic finance, and why strong governance frameworks will be critical as financial systems become more autonomous.The conversation also explores Southeast Asia’s role in shaping the future of financial innovation, the importance of strategic partnerships, and Pei Ling’s work in supporting women’s empowerment.What we cover in this episode:00:00 – Introduction01:07 – Key career milestones04:44 – MetaComp’s legacy and recent move into agentic finance08:41 – A governance framework for autonomous finance19:43 – The role of strategic partnerships and the importance of Thailand and Southeast Asia22:06 – Pei Ling Tin’s work in women empowerment29:16 – Message for the audienceA special thank you to Money20/20 Asia for having Exponential as one of the media representatives during the event.We would also like to thank our partners at Midas PR for making this conversation happen and for their support behind the scenes.If you’re interested in fintech, digital assets, autonomous finance, governance, strategic partnerships, or Southeast Asia’s evolving business ecosystem, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where the industry may be heading next.#TheExponentialShow #Money2020Asia #Fintech #AgenticFinance #DigitalFinance #MetaComp #SoutheastAsia #ThailandBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WomenEmpowerment #StrategicPartnerships #FutureOfFinance