Content Creation, Venture Capital Trends, and Southeast Asia’s Startup Ecosystem
In episode 137 of Rising Giants, hosts Max and Dom welcomed Ollie Forsyth, Founder of New Economies Newsletter, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the fast-evolving venture capital landscape in Southeast Asia, and the challenges of content creation in a digital-first world. Based in Thailand, Forsyth’s newsletter has rapidly gained traction as a top resource for tracking the latest technology trends shaping global markets.
From Teenage Entrepreneur to Venture Capitalist
Ollie’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 13 when he launched an e-commerce platform that helped families find the perfect gifts for teenagers. “In the first six months, we generated 25,000 GBP in turnover,” he recalled. This early success opened his eyes to the importance of networking and personal branding. Ollie left school at 16, determined to pursue his passion for startups, and began building connections in the venture capital world. “I started meeting people in the VC space early on, learning from my experiences, and growing my network. That eventually led me to founding my own fund,” he explained.
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During his four years at Antler, a global venture capital firm, Ollie witnessed rapid growth, which provided him with crucial insights into the startup world. He reflected on his departure earlier this year, adding, “It was a great learning experience, but I wanted to focus on building something new and unique.”
Creating Content and Building a Personal Brand
Ollie also discussed his experience creating The Makers Podcast, where he interviewed prominent startup founders. “It might sound daunting to get big names on a podcast, but once you get one, like we did with the Netflix founder, others will follow,” he shared. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an authentic relationship with the audience. “The style of interview should be free-flowing and open. This helps build a connection with your listeners, which is essential for long-term success.”
Ollie’s move from London to Thailand also shaped his perspective on global startup ecosystems. “I had the opportunity to live in different places, including South Korea, but I found Thailand to be particularly exciting. The opportunities here for foreign entrepreneurs are immense because the startup ecosystem is still developing,” he said. Ollie pointed out that only 180 Type A startups in Thailand have received funding, in stark contrast to the daily investments seen in markets like the US and UK. He also praised Thailand for offering a higher sense of personal safety compared to other regions.
Expanding New Economies and the Content Creation Process
Ollie’s current venture, New Economies Newsletter, has rapidly grown by offering both free and paid subscription plans. The paid tier, which costs $15 per month or $150 annually, offers members benefits such as $5 million in discounts on tech tools, access to an exclusive community, and deep-dive sessions into market trends. “We aim to provide readers with the latest insights in a digestible format. Our goal is for people to read the newsletter in under 10 minutes,” Ollie said.
A key factor in the newsletter’s success has been understanding content distribution dynamics. “The first hour after release is crucial. If the content doesn’t gain traction then, it probably won’t. Timing matters, and we’ve found that releasing content at 9:53 PM Thai time on Sunday works best for us,” he explained. Ollie also highlighted the importance of transparency with his readers and maintaining a balance between positivity and reality in the content. “It’s vital to be transparent, but also bring readers along for the journey. We’ve seen a 3x increase in paid subscribers over 30 days, and we’re now seeing a new subscriber every 10 minutes.”
Discussing his content creation process, Ollie revealed that, for now, he handles all aspects of content on his own but is open to hiring help when the time is right. “I’ve learned from previous startups that it’s important to do as much as you can yourself before hiring. Once you start managing others, it can sometimes become more time-consuming,” he said. He emphasized that understanding the niche market you serve is particularly important in the content creation space.
Ollie also touched on the broader implications of the creator economy, particularly the rise of solo entrepreneurs thanks to advances in artificial intelligence. “AI is enabling more people to build small side hustles. It’s important to be prepared for how AI will impact everyone’s jobs in the future,” he said.
Navigating Burnout and Lessons for Founders
A key theme in the discussion was work-life balance, with Ollie advising against the notion of constant work. “You don’t need to work 24/7. It’s about working hard during the week but ensuring you take time off. For me, Bangkok offers a great lifestyle, and it’s important to build a supportive community around yourself,” he explained. Ollie also stressed the importance of connecting with others when working remotely, particularly in an industry as isolating as content creation.
Reflecting on the current state of venture capital in Southeast Asia, Ollie noted that while Singapore leads the region, there are many untapped opportunities in markets like Thailand and Cambodia. “It takes about 10 years to see if a company is truly successful. Southeast Asia is still young in terms of venture capital, and we need more accelerators to support startups,” he observed.
When asked what he would be doing if he weren’t in the VC and content creation space, Ollie joked that he might pursue a career as a television presenter, potentially for a business network like Bloomberg. He also addressed the issue of imposter syndrome, advising entrepreneurs to live day by day. “You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so try not to stress too much about it,” he said.
In closing, Ollie offered some key advice for entrepreneurs: “Don’t listen to the dream stealers. They’ll always give you negative energy. Focus on being your best and pushing forward.”
