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. 5: He Used ChatGPT to Build the Smartest Dog Toy at CES
"My dog is so lonely at home. I want to fix that." Jacky is 24. He scraped 1 million social media comments, fed them to ChatGPT, and built a smart remote-control ball for dogs in Shenzhen.
Featured at CES 2026 and covered by CNET, PePeHola lets you play with your dog from anywhere in the world. Kickstarter launches February 26.
In this episode, we discuss:
• AI-powered market research: How ChatGPT analyzed 1 million comments to find the real problem
• The InnoX Academy: Backed by DJI's co-founder, only founders under 30 can join
• Shenzhen speed: From 3D-printed prototype to CES in under two years
• Smart design: Why 90% of pet camera owners still can't interact with their pets
• The bone controller: Play with your dog from another country via WiFi
• Next product: A smart collar that detects your dog's emotions and stress
About Jacky & Jay:
Jacky (24) is the co-founder of PePeHola, a smart pet tech startup from Shenzhen's InnoX Academy. Jay handles product discovery for the US market and moved from Korea to join the team.
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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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