Osamu Abe shares stories and insights from his career of nearly 30 years at MUFG from investment banking to taking an executive education on Sand Hill Road, later on setting up MUFG's first international CVC fund then MUFG's first spin out growth debt and equity funds (Mars Growth Capital and Mars Equity), and finally continuing to work with startups as Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific.

Timestamps

(01:15) Intro to startups and venture;

(03:43) How Japanese corporates have evolved in their approach to venture investment globally;

(10:44) How MUFG spun out Mars Growth Capital and Equity, and Abe-san’s views on the real value of venture debt;

(20:36) Abe-san’s views on the impact of the Japan Southeast Asia corridor on adoption of emerging technologies;

(23:40) Advice for founders on working with Japanese corporates;

(26:36) Advice on developing corporate governance for startups;

(29:39) What Abe-san has learned from leading and managing several venture funds through the years;

(32:42) Rapid Fire Round;

About Mr. Osamu Abe

Mr. Osamu Abe was appointed Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific for MUFG Bank in May 2025. Based in Singapore, he is responsible for managing the safety and soundness of the bank’s branch operations — which include risk, compliance, and regulatory matters — across 17 markets in South-east Asia, East Asia (including China), South Asia (including India) and Oceania.

Prior to the current appointment, Mr. Abe was CEO and board member of Mars Equity M.C. Pte. Ltd. where he oversaw the launch of investment activity at the $500-million growth equity fund based in Singapore. He also served as the board member of Mars Growth Capital, a startup debt fund with total commitment of $1 billion. Mr. Abe will continue to serve on the Boards of the two entities.

Mr. Abe has over 28 years of extensive experience in corporate & investment banking through senior postings across MUFG’s global network. When he relocated to Singapore in 2023, Mr. Abe was appointed Managing Director and Deputy Head of Global Corporate & Investment Banking (GCIB) for Asia Pacific, where he was responsible for managing MUFG’s global corporate client portfolio and oversaw all governance and control aspects of this business across the region.

Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of the Bank’s GCIB Planning Division in Tokyo, a position he held since 2019. He was a senior member of MUFG Americas’ GCIB Planning Division in New York in 2017 where he supported the implementation of the region’s strategic plan and drove key initiatives. Mr. Abe also held roles with the Human Resources Office and Global Planning Division’s Strategic Planning department in Tokyo, and Global Credit Liaison.

He began his career in 1997 with the then Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi’s Nihonbashi Corporate Banking Office, followed by his first overseas assignment in 2001 with the European Business Division in London.

Mr. Abe holds a Master of Science in Business from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Bachelor of Law from Tokyo University.

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

Fresh from the Japan SEA Market Forum last November, we managed to have a quick chat with Robert Subbaraman, Managing Director and Global Head of Macro Research on Nomura, about the rest of the world's views on the Japan opportunity, especially in AI, their role in an increasingly multipolar world, and how the Japan "revival" ties to the Southeast Asia's growth story.

About Robert Subbaraman

Rob Subbaraman joined Nomura in October 2008 and is Chief Economist and Head of Global Markets Research for Asia ex-Japan. He manages a team of 20 economists and strategists, who forecast Asia's economies and make market trade recommendations. Beyond analyzing the economic cycle, the team prides itself on its collaborative, thematic research. Rob chairs the Asia ex-Japan research exec committee, and is on Nomura exec committees for Global Markets Research and Global Emerging Markets.

Prior to joining Nomura, Rob was at Lehman Brothers for 12 years and was Chief Economist, Asia ex-Japan. Rob is based in Singapore and has spent the last 18 years in Asia, including living in Hong Kong and Tokyo. He has a central banking background, having worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia in the Economic Analysis Department for seven years prior to joining Lehman Brothers. 

Timestamps

(00:37) What Makes Japan Exciting Again;

(03:07) Japan's Role in the Global AI Supply Chain;

(05:25) TechnoNationalism and its Implications;

(07:42) A Macro View of the Southeast Asia Private Market Opportunity;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

After several years working at Mistubishi and then for her family office foundation investing in the public markets, Rei Murakami found a new goal while she was working out of Singapore: to get into venture capital investing. She joined our Certificate in Venture Capital for its third cohort in 2022 and a year later founded Kadan Capital, an early stage venture firm investing in fintech and AI startups across Asia. 

She goes on call to share her journey from Japan to Singapore, from the public markets to venture capital, and going from Insignia Ventures Academy's 12 week program to setting up Kadan Capital. 

Rei also hosts Kadan's podcast True Founders Stories

Timestamps

(00:30) Introducing Rei and her journey from Japan to Singapore;

(02:00) Why Rei became interested in venture capital;

(02:59) Rei's Insignia Ventures Academy experience;

(05:39) Starting Kadan Capital with a focus on fintech and AI in Southeast Asia;

(09:18) Rei's value-add as an investor;

(11:00) Rei's views on the Japan-Southeast Asia cross-border venture activity and investing in Japan;

(14:12) Advice for founders on expanding to Japan;

(16:03) Rei's views on exits in Southeast Asia;

(18:38) Learnings on being a venture capitalist; 

(20:07) Make or break moment in Rei's career;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

Finmo CPO and co-founder Akhil Nigam joins Paulo for a chat live from the 10th Singapore Fintech Festival 2025 to talk about Finmo's journey creating a truly connected intelligence platform for finance teams and treasury management able to serve businesses from SMEs to larger multi-market enterprises. A lot of it has to do with Akhil's partnership-first approach to product development. This interview was recorded live at the Finmo booth in Singapore Fintech Festival 2025.  

Timestamps

(00:04) How Akhil became co-founder and CPO of Finmo;

(02:39) Why Finmo started out with money movement;

(05:15) The evolving needs of CFOs and finance teams;

(08:49) The role of stakeholder partnerships in product development;

(13:37) Finmo's journey with leveraging AI;

(18:23) How does AI help with Finmo's vision for treasury management;

(21:23) How Finmo's product developments over the past year have strengthened its competitive advantages;

(25:01) Managing product and partnerships priorities across multiple markets;

(28:22) The next ten years of treasury management;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

Live from Singapore Fintech Festival, we sat down with Fluid CEO and co-founder Trasy Lou Walsh on the future of B2B payments and finance they are building with AI agents on their platform.

This interview was recorded live at Media Lounge in Singapore Fintech Festival 2025.

Timestamps

(00:00) Catching up with Trasy on Fluid since our last call in 2024;

(02:52) Understanding the automation needs for SME payments from a process perspective;

(04:26) Use cases for AI agents in the B2B payments flow;

(06:28) Learnings from driving AI agent adoption for SMEs so far;

(07:43) Biggest challenge so far driving AI agent adoption for SMEs;

(09:49) Competitive advantage for Fluid with its development of an AI agent stack;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

15% of the total trade volume of Japan with the world comes from Southeast Asia, the country's third largest trading bloc. More than 15,000 Japanese firms are active in the region. Cash-rich Japanese firms looking to scale up growth globally. Local governments are looking for innovative solutions to societal issues like depopulation.

We discuss these drivers for cross-border innovation and more with Takeo Nakajima, Director General of Innovation at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

This interview was recorded live in Singapore from the Japan SEA Market Forum 2025 hosted by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikkei Asia, and JETRO.

Timestamps

(00:25) Japan’s Layered Trade and Innovation Relationship with Southeast Asia;

(03:36) Innovation Opportunities for Southeast Asia and Japanese Innovation;

(06:42) Message to Founders Looking to Build Cross-Border Innovation Between Japan and Southeast Asia;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

We brought together Philippine digital bank Tonik CEO and founder Greg Krasnov and Tokyo Stock Exchange APAC Deputy Head and IPO Specialist Beomsu Son for a conversation on the Philippines digital banking opportunity (from a Japan POV), opening up Japan's public markets to more issuers internationally, the first Philippine company in TSE's Asia Startup Hub, and the value of going public in Asia's deepest liquidity pool.

Timestamps

(00:08) Not Beomsu's first time in the Philippines;

(00:50) Introducing Tonik and the Philippines;

(01:54) Japan Public Markets going global;

(03:38) A Philippine Digital Bank's View of the Japan Public Markets;

(04:54) Southeast Asia's Impact on the Japan Public Market Playbook;

(06:18) Leveraging Tokyo Stock Exchange's Asia Startup Hub;

(07:48) Making the Most out of Going Public in Japan;

(09:29) What Makes Digital Banking in the Philippines exciting;

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

POPMART Head of Southeast Asia & Middle East Jeremy Lee hops on a quick but jam packed conversation with On Call host Paulo on the role of Southeast Asia in POPMART's Global Business, the opportunities for creators and storytellers in the age of generative AI and new innovations in IP protection, and his learnings on leadership across several years leading regional business development for consumer brands.

This On Call with Insignia episode is part of a series featuring speakers from the NOVA 2025: SG60 Edition event co-hosted by Smobler, the New York Stock Exchange, Gemini, Nifty Gateway Studio, and Skadden.

Timestamps

(00:28) Role of Southeast Asia in POPMART's Global Business;

(01:33) Role of Role of Singapore and Southeast Asia for Consumer Brand Creation;

(02:51) Learnings on IP Protection and IP Innovation for Brands;

(04:40) Thoughts on AI and Future of Storytelling;

(06:41) GTM Learnings from Southeast Asia;

(07:58) Blind Box Leadership Questions;

About Jeremy Lee

Jeremy Lee is Head of Southeast Asia & Middle East for POPMART. Prior to POPMART, he held regional sales and business development leadership roles across consumer brands, from the Lego Group to J&J. He has also been handpicked across these roles to be a leading Diversity & Inclusion advocate, co-creating a psychological safe space to enable team members to bring the best versions of themselves to the workplace.

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

Dr Loretta Chen, PhD, a mulitihyphenate figure in the media, education, publishing, performing arts & cultural scene for over two decades, hops on a quick but jam packed conversation with On Call host Paulo on the future of storytelling, finding its value in leadership, and sifting through the noise to tell stories that matter.

This On Call with Insignia episode is part of a series featuring speakers from the NOVA 2025: SG60 Edition event co-hosted by Smobler, the New York Stock Exchange, Gemini, Nifty Gateway Studio, and Skadden.

Timestamps

(00:18) Significance of SG60 for Loretta;

(01:38) Power of Storytelling in Leadership;

(03:43) Evolution of Storytelling for Leaders;

(05:57) Role of Technology in Storytelling;

(06:57) Emerging Technologies for Storytelling;

(09:24) Future of Storytelling;

(10:45) Advice on Storytelling for Leaders;

(11:51) Blind Leadership Questions;

(14:00) Epilogue: What is Smobler?;

About Loretta

A multifaceted and influential figure in the media, education, publishing, performing arts & cultural scene for over two decades, Dr Chen was the People's Choice for Nominated Member of Parliament and has been the International Consultant to the Kingdom of Bhutan since 2011. She is a passionate advocate for social equity - challenging the status quo through artistic, literary and entrepreneurial avenues.

When the Metaverse came into play, Dr Chen envisioned a unique opportunity to shape social narratives with technology. Through her latest venture, Smobler, Dr Chen aims to create a Metaverse for Good to drive positive change, promote inclusivity and leverage emerging technologies to empower and inspire audiences across the globe. Dr Chen is part of the AWS Women Founders Program, UBS Project Female Founder, a Top 100 WoWomen of the Future, Forbes and Asia’s Most Inspiring.

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.

NYSE Head of International Markets Cassandra Seier hops on a quick but jam packed conversation with On Call host Paulo on Singapore and Southeast Asia public market opportunities going global, the ways NYSE is diversifying capital access for issuers and investors, globalization of venture exits, and more.

This On Call with Insignia episode is part of a series featuring speakers from the NOVA 2025: SG60 Edition event co-hosted by Smobler, the New York Stock Exchange, Gemini, Nifty Gateway Studio, and Skadden.

Timestamps

(00:38) Singapore and Southeast Asia Public Market Opportunities Going Global;

(02:32) Diversifying Capital Access for Issuers and Investors;

(03:48) Globalization of Venture Exits;

(05:41) Enriching the Public Markets Playbook;

(07:35) Public Markets as Innovation Bellwether;

(08:25) Why you should engage with exchanges early;

(13:00) Blind Leadership Questions;About Cassandra SeierCassandra Seier is the Head of International Capital Markets for NYSE Group, a part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE).

Cassandra is responsible for attracting new listings from companies around the world, including Asia, Canada, EMEA and Latin America. She advises private companies, private equity and venture capital firms, investment bankers and others on the IPO landscape, NYSE initiatives and listing venue selection.

Prior to joining the NYSE, Cassandra spent more than 24 years at Goldman Sachs, where she most recently served as a Managing Director focusing on futures and OTC clearing. During her time at Goldman, Seier worked in the bank’s offices in Singapore, New York and London.

Cassandra earned a BA in Finance with a minor in Economics from the University of Oregon. She has been a CFA charterholder since 2004. Seier is President and CEO of Women in Financial Markets (WIFM), a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect, elevate, and advance female leaders in the financial industry.

Directed by Paulo Joquiño

Produced by Paulo Joquiño

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, tax, or business advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Insignia Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ fund. Any and all opinions shared in this episode are solely personal thoughts and reflections of the guest and the host.