#54: 5 Quotes From Southeast Asian Youths That Inspired Us In 2025
Welcome to SEAmplified’s newsletter—where we share inspiring stories for youths to explore what’s possible in Southeast Asia!
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This year, we continued to feature young founders and changemakers across Southeast Asia who are challenging conventions, rethinking what success means, and building the region’s future in real time.
As we wrap up 2025, we would like to share with you five quotes from the profiles we interviewed this year—lines that inspired us the most and made us reflect on what it means to embrace Southeast Asia.
Curiosity & Growth
“[We can] start by observing our surroundings, and be open to gain one percent more knowledge than others.”
William Bounlieng Phanthapanya, Laotian, founder of Startnovation
William reminds us that growth begins with curiosity. In a region brimming with opportunities, the willingness to learn can compound into meaningful change. For young people seeking to carve out their own path, this is a valuable mindset to adopt.
When we met William in Laos at Startnovation’s Entrepreneurship Weekend Summit, we saw this mindset in action — in particular, his commitment to helping more Laotian youths learn from entrepreneurs in Laos and beyond.
Discovering Regional Potential
“I was ignorant… people would think that Westerners are best in tech, but I realized that good thinking was not exclusive to Silicon Valley.”
Yeo Eng Heng, Singaporean, co-founder of Kabana
Eng Heng’s reflection challenges the ‘superiority bias’: the notion that the best ideas originate only from the West. His journey shows that Southeast Asia itself is filled with brilliant ideas and capable talents—a perspective we hope more people will embrace.
Rethinking Resilience
“We always say Filipinos are resilient, but it’s romanticized. You don’t want to be resilient all the time — it’s exhausting, and it hides the failures of the system.”
James, Filipino, Banker, Farmer & Sustainability Advocate
Resilience is often celebrated as an inherent virtue. James encourages us to look deeper by acknowledging the toll it takes and the systemic challenges behind it.
And as much as we encourage people to explore opportunities in Southeast Asia, we don’t shy away from the fact that real challenges still exist in the region. James’ reflection reminds us that what matters isn’t pretending these challenges don’t exist, but learning from how people navigate them.
Action & Collaboration
“What can technology do? What can I do to help people in Southeast Asia? How can we tap into each other’s strengths and make an impact together?”
Joanne Tan, Singaporean, co-founder of GoodHub SEA
Joanne’s questions got us thinking about what’s possible beyond personal growth and ambitions. The true power lies in collective action—connecting, collaborating, and using our skills to uplift the region together.
Embracing Southeast Asia
“Southeast Asia is a small giant that is waking up, and we should take advantage of it.”
Miguel Bay, Malaysian, founder of Heritage Bay
Miguel captures the optimism we see across the region. Southeast Asia is made up of 11 different countries, but it is full of potential and ready for those willing to step forward and create impact. His words remind us to act with both ambition and awareness to embrace what the region has to offer.
These quotes capture the curiosity, courage, and creativity of Southeast Asia’s youth this year. They inspire us to see what’s possible in the region, and we will continue to uncover these voices across our content and events in 2026.
Here’s to an inspiring 2026, together.
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