1. Tell us about SEAmplified. What does it do and who does it help?

SEAmplified is a media and community platform that invites young adults to rethink what success means — and discover new possibilities for life and work in Southeast Asia. Through online content and community events, we spotlight the people, paths and perspectives that often go unseen. SEAmplified helps young adults connect the dots between personal purpose and regional potential, especially those who feel curious about Southeast Asia but don’t quite know where to start.

2. What led you to start the SEAmplified?

I was interning in a market research startup in Jakarta in 2023 and realised that despite many ASEAN advocacy efforts, we still do not know our regional neighbours well — their motivations, lived experiences, or how they define success. When I returned to Singapore, I actually attended a tech networking session held by GoodHub SEA, and that’s where I met people who suggested that I could try starting a newsletter, given my interest in writing :)

3. How do you use technology to increase the reach and impact of the stories you tell?

We use social media analytics to understand how our stories fare — from reach and engagement to which formats resonate most with our audience. This helps us iterate intentionally, whether it’s experimenting with short-form videos, carousels, or long-form features. Technology allows us to meet young people where they already are, while staying grounded in meaningful storytelling rather than chasing virality for its own sake.

4. What’s the most memorable conversation you had while working on SEAmplified?

One of the most memorable conversations I had was an interview I did with a Singaporean who quit her six-figure consulting career to start a skincare brand that’s suitable for use in Southeast Asia’s warm and humid climate. I admired her courage to leave behind a high paying stable career to head into R&D. Her journey reminds us that sometimes, new opportunities are just around us, if we pay closer attention to where we live.

SEAmplified career summit booth — *Our first booth at a career exploration summit!*

5. What’s one thing you’re excited about for the future?

I’m super excited about the potential Southeast Asia has if we deepen collaboration and understanding across borders. The region is often talked about in terms of growth and numbers, but I believe its real strength lies in its people and shared lived experiences. If young people across Southeast Asia see each other as collaborators, I’m confident the region can create more inclusive, grounded and human-centred definitions of success.

6. What do you hope AI can change in your industry?

I don’t see AI as something that replaces creatives entirely. Instead, I hope it becomes a thoughtful assistant that frees creatives from mundane and repetitive work — things like admin, transcription, or early research — so they can focus on what humans do best: telling stories that connect, resonate, and reflect real experiences.

SEAmplified SEAcret Gatherings — *SEAcret Gatherings*

7. If you could have dinner with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?

I’d choose Lee Kuan Yew because I want to hear his thoughts on whether Southeast Asia could be understood not just as individual countries, but as a shared community. His vision for governance and nation-building has been admired across Southeast Asia, and I’m sure that his insights will be beneficial for the rest of the region, especially in an increasingly fragmented world we live in today.

Our ‘Founders Feature’ series goes behind the scenes with people in Southeast Asia who are tackling real problems in their communities in creative and courageous ways. No jargon, just real talk and real impact.

Founders Feature: Tan Zhan Tiam, Founder, SEAmplified

Founders Feature: Ho Thai Binh, Co-Founder, Survival Skills Vietnam