Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Using active intelligence to find and back companies creating transformational impact at the intersection of tech and life. That’s what we’re going to talk about today.  Founded in 2014, our guest is Openspace Ventures, a multi-stage investor that looks at Southeast Asian B2C and B2B businesses with a compelling vision for expansion.  The firm looks at three types of targets: (a) Series A and B firms with an established product-market fit and need capital for rapid scaling, (b) Series C and D firms who are market leaders with proven revenue traction but need capital for expansion into new markets or adjacent spaces and finally, (c) firms that belong to the rising asset class of crypto and Web3.  Openspace Ventures currently has 6 funds and over US$800 million under management, supported by regional institutional investors including Singapore’s state investor Temasek, Germany’s DEG, Norway’s Norfund and the Softbank Group.  The VC firm has over 45 portfolio companies under its belt and is one of the early investors into GoTo. Other notable companies it has invested in include Finnomena, Halodoc as well as homegrown fashion label Love Bonito.  But what role has Openspace Ventures played in helping its portfolio companies become who they are today using active intelligence and how far can that playbook be used for other startup targets? Meanwhile, the SE Asia Deal Review compiled by DealStreet Asia revealed in May this year that startups in Southeast Asia raised US$1 billion in equity funding in the first quarter of 2024, down 41 per cent on a yearly basis.  Does this mean that VCs are more selective with investment targets? And given Openspace Venture’s focus on Web 3 firms, how does it screen for quality investments amid the generative AI craze? And is this the time for the firm to cash out on some of its existing investments? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Hian Goh, Founder and General Partner, Openspace Ventures.

For Korean celebrities and idols, diving into the dating scene is a big taboo. The moment their carefully constructed public image collides with the messy truth of their romantic relationships, chaos ensues. And their dating life becomes a scandal. Some are issuing apologies to fans, while even their entertainment agencies’ stock prices plunge. But why all the commotion? On K-WAVE, Hongbin Jeong dives into some dating scandals that have rocked the K-industry. 

Get ready to breathe, stretch and Glow as Glow Festival returns for its third installation this year. An inaugural presentation by Prudential, Glow Festival will be held at Marina Bay Sands’ Event Plaza and Rain Oculus from 6 to 21 July 2024, with over 70 fitness and wellness workshops across six wellness zones – promising the biggest wellness event you’ve ever seen. Martin Capstick, Founder of Glow Festival Singapore shares more about the conceptualisation of Glow Festival 2024 and  the revolution of the wellness landscape in Singapore.  Presented by: Roshan Gidwani Feature produced and edited by: Nadiah Koh  Do you have a story to tell on The Evening Runway show? Contact nadkoh@sph.com.sg

Matthew Baloglow is a digital marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in marketing, eCommerce, and leadership. Eventually, he took the risk and left his full-time job to build a startup. On R.I.C.H., Roshan Gidwani speaks to Matthew Baloglow, Founder, Journalfy, to find out more. Presented by: Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

On What's Trending, a rare hoodwinker sunfish, thought to only live in temperate waters in the southern hemisphere, has washed up on Oregon's northern coast. Also, a traveler at Boston Logan International Airport was found to have mummified remains of four monkeys, including heads, in his bag.

Since Billie Eilish shot to worldwide stardom she has also scooped up multiple awards such as the Oscar for Best Song. But the singer also said that she struggled to maintain friendships when she first found fame.

Kevin Ou is a renowned entrepreneur and creative visionary, known for his multifaceted career spanning photography, entertainment consulting, and luxury experience design. And now, he has transitioned to working as an entertainment consultant. On R.I.C.H., Roshan Gidwani speaks to Kevin Ou, Chief Experience Officer, The Lumenere Group, to find out more. Presented by: Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares began trading in positive territory today, after US stocks inched up overnight.  In the morning, the Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent higher at 3,328.91 points after 47.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Seatrium after the firm announced that its director Lai Chung Han will resign on the 30th of June.  Elsewhere, from more on SIA and compensation for affected passengers on the turbulence hit SQ321 flight, to Apple and Open AI’s partnership to bring ChatGPT technology to the phone maker’s devices, more corporate headlines are in focus today.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Prashant Dagur, Investment Counselor Team Lead at Citi Private Bank. 

Ever wanted to go to South Korea and teach English there? Well this guest did just that. She’s an inspiring influencer who put her passion for teaching and her love for travel together. She’s moved all the way from the US to South Korea in 2021 to embark on a new adventure in a rural city of South Korea. On K-WAVE, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Eliza Mikunda to find out more about her journey to South Korea and how she became a teacher in the rural city of Asan.

Zapateria is a creative hub in Marikina, Philippines, that promotes shoemaking and encourages collaboration among aspiring designers, makers, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists. On Culture Club, Roshan Gidwani speaks to Glice Batulan, Managing Director, Zapateria, to find out how it aims to elevate Filipino shoemaking to a world-class level. Presented by: Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!