Why Silicon Valley Playbooks Fail in Emerging Markets with Ivy Russell

Take What’s Next? with you If you're driving, at the gym, or boarding a flight, take this conversation with you. Go to Spotify and hit Follow. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3o... Where will the next generation of billion-dollar startups come from? In this episode, entrepreneur and investor Ivy Huq Russell shares how she built Maya, a digital health platform that delivered over 15 million consultations, and why she believes South Asia is becoming one of the world's most exciting regions for innovation. You'll learn: • Why Bangladesh could be the next major startup hub after India • What founders get wrong when they copy Silicon Valley models • How Maya built trust in one of the most sensitive industries: healthcare • What investors really look for in early-stage startups • Why founders should focus on monetization much earlier Whether you're building a company, investing in startups, or curious about emerging markets, this conversation offers practical lessons on creating products that solve real problems and scale. Watch now to discover where the next wave of entrepreneurship is taking shape. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:55 Why South Asia Is Growing Fast 03:03 Why South Asian Founders Stand Out 04:35 Markets Investors Should Watch 06:38 Biggest Startup Opportunities 07:37 How Access to Capital Is Changing 10:10 What Ivy Looks For in Founders 11:50 Advice for First Time Founders 14:21 Why Ivy Started Maya 18:29 Building Trust in Digital Healthcare 22:06 Why Copying Silicon Valley Fails 24:34 What Ivy Would Do Differently 26:38 nvesting Through a Founder's Eyes 28:20 Why AI Makes Ivy Optimistic Connect with Ivy Russel: linkedin.com/in/ivy-huq-russell-417487 What’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future. Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change. 🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner: https://www.philipmeissner.com/   / pmeissner   🎧 Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3o... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... "What’s Next with Philip Meissner“ A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast! Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership. #SouthAsiaStartups #Entrepreneurship #StartupFounder #VentureCapital #StartupInvesting #BangladeshStartups #IndiaStartups #HealthTech #FinTech #EmergingMarkets #BusinessPodcast #StartupGrowth #Innovation #FounderJourney #AIInnovation