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Let’s talk facts.

Being young in North America is like starting a race 10 years late.
Everyone’s already doing something. Tech is crowded. Ideas are recycled. Your spot? Taken.
And the odds of launching something? Shrinking by the minute.

But not everywhere looks like this.

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But FIRST

If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:

📈 Why No One Successful Wants to Mentor You ​Read More →​

🎨 Best tools for building your passion project ​ ​Read More​ →​

📘 The Future Belongs to Borderless Thinkers ​ ​Read More​ →​

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ASEAN emerging market where the playing field is still wide open.

Through our summer cohorts, we’ve worked directly with numerous high-growth startups across Southeast Asia, and we’ve seen a powerful shift happening:

ASEAN businesses are building for necessity, not clout.
They’re not chasing the metaverse. They’re solving real, painful problems — with tech that actually works for their people.

Most importantly, they value your talents.

Unlike the overcrowded, over-credentialed markets in North America where you're just another resume in a stack.

In ASEAN, if you show up, take initiative, and solve real problems, you’ll stand out fast.

There’s a real shortage of product thinkers, engineers, growth hackers — and young global minds like yours are in demand.
If you’ve got skills, hunger, or even just curiosity, ASEAN is where your work can actually move the needle.

This is the time.

We believe Southeast Asia is entering its breakout decade — not from hype, but from infrastructure being laid, fast.

1.Leapfrog Infrastructure

ASEAN isn’t upgrading legacy systems — it’s bypassing them entirely. This means countries are skipping desktop-era tech and going straight to mobile-first banking, voice-first UX, and WhatsApp commerce.

Where the U.S. debates Web3 and metaverse integrations, ASEAN startups are building micro-health tools for elders in rural provinces and last-mile logistics for offline commerce. Opportunities based on core needs, not incremental wants.

2. ASEAN is Young and Growing.

In Southeast Asia, the median age is under 30.
Cities are booming. The middle class is growing.
Every year, millions of young people are coming online — ready to learn, earn, and build.

Meanwhile in North America?

• Populations are aging and shrinking
• Birth rates are down
• Fewer young people = fewer fresh ideas, new businesses, and energy in the system

3. Going Global — Fast

Because of new trade deals and better infrastructure, businesses that launch in Vietnam can expand to Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond — without massive roadblocks.

That means what starts as a local project can scale and become a regional movement.

TL;DR:

Southeast Asia is full of real problems, real opportunties, and is hungry for your talent.
It’s not crowded. It’s not clout-chasing. It’s open.

And if you want to make something that matters —
​this is where you go.

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Like what you read? Share with friends!

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PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in? We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders. ​ OCE Summer Cohort ​ You can also explore purposeful opportunities through our Impact Internship Opportunities Database. ​ Get Curious.

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Lena

​https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/​