Aaron Sarma

Entrepreneur | Investor | Speaker

I've spent the last decade backing, building, and breaking things across Southeast Asia's digital economy — as a founder, investor, corporate operator, policy advisor, and board member. Still figuring it out. Just with better pattern recognition now.Today I'm a Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia, where I work with 38 portfolio companies navigating the messy middle between early traction and real scale. I'm also co-founder of Remote Ventures, a venture studio where we don't just advise. We roll up our sleeves and build new digital companies from scratch.Along the way: founded a startup acquired by AirAsia, helped build AirAsia.com, and witnessed the birth of what is now AirAsia MOVE.Regular speaker, writer, and commentator on entrepreneurship, technology, and the future of Southeast Asia.Always building.

Speaker · Entrepreneur · Digital Economy Commentator

Aaron Sarma

On building companies at the edge of infrastructure, capital, and Southeast Asia's digital future.


Astro Awani · Commentator
BFM 89.9 · Commentator
The Edge · Contributor
KrAsia · Contributor
TEDx · Speaker
Tatler Asia Most Influential 2021
Signature Talks
01
The Entrepreneurial Mindset: How Founders, Investors & Builders Think Differently
Drawing on three sides of the table — as a founder of multiple companies, an investor in 42 startups, and a venture builder inside a corporate — Aaron unpacks what separates entrepreneurs who last from those who stall. Practical, personal, and built for leaders who want to think differently.
Keynote45–60 minBusiness Schools · Leadership
02
Future-Proof: Navigating Digital Disruption, AI, and the Transformation of Your Industry
AI isn't coming for your job — but someone using AI might be. Aaron maps the real trajectory of digital disruption, what it means for professionals and businesses today, and how to build the adaptability needed to thrive in a world that won't stop changing.
Keynote30–60 minCorporate · Professional Audiences
03
Southeast Asia's Startup Purgatory — and How to Build Through It
The ecosystem has graduated from "early" but hasn't reached maturity. Aaron maps the structural gaps — from Series B deserts to LP concentration — and what founders and investors must do differently to survive the middle and come out the other side.
Keynote · Panel30–45 minEcosystem · VC · Policy
04
Build The Future: Why the Next Generation of Tech Leaders Must Start Now
The window for young people to shape the digital economy is open right now — and it won't stay that way. Aaron makes the case for why youth need to engage with technology not just as consumers, but as builders, and what it takes to step into that role before someone else does.
Keynote · TEDx20–45 minYouth · University · Tech
Selected Engagements
AACSB International
Annual Conference — 250+ business school leaders, 28 countries
Keynote
2024
Intuit QuickBooks
Global Product Showcase — international finance audience
Keynote
2024
Techsauce Global Summit
Bangkok — Climate Tech stage, fireside + moderator
Fireside · Moderator
2023
TEDx
"Build The Future" — Youth in tech and the digital economy
TEDx Talk
Also spoken for
Axiata
Khazanah
MDEC
MaGIC
Shell Livewire
ScaleUp MY
Recognition
Tatler Asia Most Influential, 2021
DNA Digerati 50, 2020 & 2021
ASEAN Rice Bowl — Founder of the Year
Published Author, Edward Elgar Publishing
"I speak from the scar tissue, not the slide deck."