60/40 Podcast: Startups and VCs in the age of AI

This week, the 60/40 Podcast tackles some of the biggest existential questions for the startup community: how building and funding startups will change in the age of AI.

The co-hosts discuss how AI changes the way early-stage and late-stage startups build their businesses, as well as where founders still have a critical edge. The podcast then shifts gears to consider the impact of more AI-driven startups on a VC’s portfolio and fund economics, before giving an update on the current state of fundraising in Southeast Asia.

The episode also touches on Asia’s reaction to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs as well as the latest acquisition rumors between Grab and GoTo.

Listen on your preferred platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

Send us feedback or nominate topics at 6040podcast@techinasia.com.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introductions
01:08 Is the rise of AI-driven small companies true?
08:40 The human vs. AI edge in building startups
13:56 Tech talent at risk of replacement by AI
24:18 When capital still matters
29:30 The impact of AI-native companies on VC funds
39:34 State of LP fundraising in Southeast Asia
48:46 Trump’s April 2 tariffs in Asia
57:00 Grab-GoTo acquisition rumors

60/40 is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Prashanth Ranganathan, Peter Bithos, and Maria Li.

Special thanks to our guest, Hsu Ken Ooi, managing partner of Iterative Capital.