Empathy. Impact. Honesty. At ASEAN Startup Connect 2025, we had the privilege of speaking with Martalia Lo, the CEO and Founder of Academy of Careers and Technology (ACT) in Cambodia. Through her work, she is transforming the education landscape by empowering youth with 21st-century skills and project-based learning. 📚 Reflecting on her time at ASC, Martalia emphasized the profound value of the connections and relationships fostered across the region, creating powerful new opportunities for cross-border expansion and collaboration. One of her most powerful takeaways was: “If it’s not honest, it’s not useful.” When founders lead with authenticity and build genuine relationships, the impact they can create is limitless. Are you looking for a community that authentically helps eachother in building a business? Sign up for our Mentorship Programme to get dedicated support for ASEAN cross border expansion. Join here: https://aseanstartupconnect.org/en/asc-mentorship-programme#mentee

Here are the sources! £78 billion dividends / £64 billion debt: Financial Times via Left Foot Forward - https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/16-water-monopolies-have-paid-out-a-total-of-78bn-in-dividends-as-thames-water-teeters-on-the-brink/ UK Parliament Hansard October 2023: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-10-23/debates/FC2D9F7F-5961-4512-B448-24C16E9B75FA/WaterCompaniesRegulationAndFinancialStability Scottish Water ranked number one: https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2023/09/21/scottish-water-tops-british-waters-annual-water-company-performance-survey/

This one is about why the electricity vs energy distinction matters, why privatising energy generation without the right oversight leaves countries exposed, and why now is exactly the right moment to push for renewables. NOT as an environmental argument, but as a sovereignty one. Watch it and then tell your local representative.

I wrote a book for you 😁 The 5 Spheres of Empathy: How to Build Something That Outlives You. Here's the first look at the cover. It's a framework I've been building over 15 years working with founders, governments and NGOs all around the world. It's not about being kind. It's about making better decisions for the people your work actually affects - including the ones you'll never meet. If you'd like to know when it drops, sign up here below! Also coming in Polish (5 Sfer Empatii).