Podcast by Eric Golden on Web3 businesses, Web3 Breakdowns

Web3 Breakdowns

Podcast by Eric Golden on Web3 businesses

Web3 Breakdowns is a series of conversations exploring innovation in the decentralized internet. Each episode will focus on a different topic - we will cover NFT projects, crypto assets, blockchain-based protocols, and businesses being built with Web3 architecture. We will talk to founders, artists, investors and influencers to understand this emerging ecosystem. Visit joincolossus.com to find more episodes, transcripts and a library of content to continue your learning.

Private Capital Markets

DataDirect Networks / Private Capital Markets

DataDirect Networks offers a comprehensive Data Intelligence Platform designed to enhance data storage and management for AI applications. The platform supports over 500,000 GPUs and is optimized for high-performance computing, enabling organizations to efficiently process massive datasets. With tailored solutions for various roles, DDN empowersdata scientists, IT professionals, and researchers to unlock insights and drive innovation.

<ul><li>Paul Block, co-founder and CEO of DDN, discusses how his company recognized the AI inflection point early on and is now partnering with major players like Nvidia, Google, and Blackstone.</li><li>DDN specializes in providing data storage and access for AI infrastructure, working closely with Nvidia to deliver high performance and low latency solutions for customers.</li><li>While historically seen as competitors, DDN now collaborates with hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft to provide specialized systems for large-scale AI workloads, offering better performance and cost efficiency.</li></ul><p><em>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.</em></p>

Paul Block, co-founder and CEO of DDN, discusses how his company recognized the AI inflection point early on and is now partnering with major players like Nvidia, Google, and Blackstone.DDN specializes in providing data storage and access for AI infrastructure, working closely with Nvidia to deliver high performance and low latency solutions for customers.While historically seen as competitors, DDN now collaborates with hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft to provide specialized systems for large-scale AI workloads, offering better performance and cost efficiency.This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Paul Bloch: Powering the AI Revolution - [Making Markets, EP.68]

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst

KT Capital Group

Principal investments and advisory firm that focuses on connecting the CIS countries with East Asia.

Principal investments and advisory firm

Tencent Holdings Limited operates as an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides Internet and mobile value-added services (VAS), online advertising, and e-commerce transactions. Tencent Holdings offers services to users worldwide.

<ul>
<li>Tencent's recent investment in Uzum marks the first investment by a Chinese tech giant in a local Central Asian startup, signaling a fundamental strategic pivot in the region.</li>
<li>Central Asia now presents potential markets for Chinese tech companies, beyond just infrastructure or commodity-focused opportunities, following the execution of the earlier phases of the Belt &amp; Road Initiative.</li>
<li>Given Uzbekistan's larger population and more diversified economy, it is generally seen as better fitted for tech companies' growth, esp. B2C platforms, compared to Kazakhstan (a raw materials giant).</li>
</ul>


Tencent's recent investment in Uzum marks the first investment by a Chinese tech giant in a local Central Asian startup, signaling a fundamental strategic pivot in the region.
Central Asia now presents potential markets for Chinese tech companies, beyond just infrastructure or commodity-focused opportunities, following the execution of the earlier phases of the Belt &amp; Road Initiative.
Given Uzbekistan's larger population and more diversified economy, it is generally seen as better fitted for tech companies' growth, esp. B2C platforms, compared to Kazakhstan (a raw materials giant).


Tencent's Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of "Digital Silk Road"?

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Goodai Global is a K-beauty distribution and marketing platform company.

<ul>
<li>Goodai Global is the most aggressive M&amp;A player in the Korean cosmetics industry. It has grown its business mainly through M&amp;As.</li>
<li>It has achieved the strongest growth in sales and profits among the major Korean cosmetics companies in the past four years. </li>
<li>In early August 2025, Goodai Global secured 800 billion won, with a pledge to go public within three years. Goodai's value is estimated to be about 4 trillion won. </li>
</ul>


Goodai Global is the most aggressive M&amp;A player in the Korean cosmetics industry. It has grown its business mainly through M&amp;As.
It has achieved the strongest growth in sales and profits among the major Korean cosmetics companies in the past four years. 
In early August 2025, Goodai Global secured 800 billion won, with a pledge to go public within three years. Goodai's value is estimated to be about 4 trillion won. 


Goodai Global (Unlisted) - The Most Aggressive M&A Player in the Korean Cosmetics Industry

Danggeun Market / Private Capital Markets

Daangn Market Inc. operates as a second hand trading life information software company. The Company provides second hand deals, neighborhood information, online advertisements and transactional, mobile messengers, mobile platform construction, and other related mobile internet services. Danggeun Market markets its products throughout South Korea.

<ul>
<li>Danggeun (Karrot) is the largest used goods e-commerce marketplace in Korea. There have been some local reports that the company could complete its IPO as early as 2025.</li>
<li>In the private market, some shares of Karrot were put up for sale recently, and the valuation of the company ranged 2.5 trillion won 2.7 trillion won.</li>
<li>The company has tremendously scaled up its business in the past couple of years, in terms of sales and profits.</li>
</ul>


Danggeun (Karrot) is the largest used goods e-commerce marketplace in Korea. There have been some local reports that the company could complete its IPO as early as 2025.
In the private market, some shares of Karrot were put up for sale recently, and the valuation of the company ranged 2.5 trillion won 2.7 trillion won.
The company has tremendously scaled up its business in the past couple of years, in terms of sales and profits.


Initial Thoughts on the Karrot (Danggeun) IPO (Largest Used Goods E-Commerce Platform in Korea)

FWD Group Holdings / Private Capital Markets

FWD Group Holdings Limited offers insurance services. The Company provides life insurance, health insurance, and other related products. FWD Group Holdings conducts businesses throughout Hong Kong.

<ul>
<li>The saga of CK Hutchison's Panama Canal Ports sale might also impact FWD due to tensions between China and the Li family.</li>
<li>Despite minimal mainland China presence, FWD faces exposure through its significant HK and Macau operations; HK and Macau contributed 40% - 50% of the group's VNB and operating profits.</li>
<li>After FWD's failed IPO attempts, PCG might consider a strategic sale for liquidity; FWD might offer a good strategic fit to Korean insurers looking to expand to Southeast Asia. </li>
</ul>


The saga of CK Hutchison's Panama Canal Ports sale might also impact FWD due to tensions between China and the Li family.
Despite minimal mainland China presence, FWD faces exposure through its significant HK and Macau operations; HK and Macau contributed 40% - 50% of the group's VNB and operating profits.
After FWD's failed IPO attempts, PCG might consider a strategic sale for liquidity; FWD might offer a good strategic fit to Korean insurers looking to expand to Southeast Asia. 


FWD: An Ideal Acquisition Target for Korean Insurers?