The asiabits Podcast
What happens in Asia increasingly shapes tomorrow's world. Yet people still underestimate the developments unfolding in China, South Korea, and Japan—the emerging technologies, shifting markets, and groundbreaking deals. We want to change that. We talk to entrepreneurs, founders, and other inspiring leaders about their journeys, businesses, and products.
About the hosts:
Thomas Derksen is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and content creator with over 10 million followers on social media. Recognized as one of the most influential Western voices on China, Thomas offers deep insights into the country's culture, society, and rapidly evolving digital economy.
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afuthomas/
Michael Broza is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in fintech and AI-powered M&A, connecting the M&A community throughout the German-speaking region. He now develops advanced AI-powered tools to enhance efficiency, primarily in the M&A sector. Based in Shanghai, Michael regularly provides insights into Asia's tech and venture ecosystems, builds strategic networks, and actively shares his knowledge through social media and direct community engagement.
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-broza/
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The asiabits Podcast
Ep. 2: She Got Abu Dhabi Royals to Invest Millions
Audrey Quan went from college student to founder with investments from Abu Dhabi's royal family. At just 20-something, she built an AI company that impressed some of the wealthiest investors in the Middle East.
In this episode, Audrey shares her journey from studying mass communication in China to creating AI digital humans and translation devices that caught the attention of investors in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The Royal Investment Story: How Audrey attracted backing from Middle East investors for her AI startup
• AI Digital Humans: The technology behind creating digital avatars that can replace yourself
• Building Innoaio: Her real-time translation device that breaks down language barriers
• From Animation to AI Hardware: How she pivoted from creating animation videos to building AI products
• The "Shenzhen Speed" Advantage: How Chinese founders develop and pivot ideas faster than anywhere else
• Challenges in the Middle East Market: Why UAE reminded her of "China 10 years ago"
• Advice for Hardware Founders: Navigating China's manufacturing ecosystem and scaling production
About Audrey Quan:
Audrey is a young founder from Henan Province, China, now based in Shenzhen. She started her company while still in college, initially creating animation videos for oil and financial industries. Today, she builds AI-powered products including digital humans and the Innoaio real-time translation device, with backing from investors across Asia and the Middle East.
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asiabits is on a mission to bridge the gap between East and West. We provide non-biased, on-the-ground insights into technology, innovation, and the future of business in Asia.
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