Velocity Ventures ’s Post

I spoke to Singapore’s leading trade association and startup ecosystem ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) on what makes an exceptional Founder. The fund-raising market is extremely tough, and more than just credentials, this is what makes a bankable and investible Founder: Humility: Staying humble to recognise that while hard skills and industry experience are highly valuable, Founders don’t necessarily have all the answers, making one constantly curious and open to continuous improvement. Resilience: To assess resilience, we delve into a founder’s track record in handling past failures or setbacks. In interviews, we inquire about specific instances where the founder faced adversity and the strategies employed to overcome it. Foresight: Good foresight allows a founder to see opportunities where others may see obstacles. Leadership: Effective communication is key, as it allows us to evaluate how Founders articulate their vision, strategies, and obstacles, revealing transparency and clarity in their communication. Adaptability: We assess a founder's adaptability through scenario-based discussions and case studies, presenting potential situations that the startups can face and assess how a Founder reacts to it. Across my investing career, I had my fair share of mistakes. I believe picking Founders is very much an art rather than a science whereby a VC investor experience is even more crucial than technical skill. This experience comes only through surviving the ups and downs over decades. In addition, I believe we are in the business of picking great founders and have the responsibilities to work with these leaders to maximise a startup’s success. Thanks ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) for this interview and Robin M and Jaewoon Yoon for the work put into this! #Whatmakesanexceptionalfounder #Startups #Founders #Fundraise @ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) Patrick Lim @Velocity Ventures A. Patrick Imbardelli Nicholas Cocks Jonathon Cocks https://lnkd.in/g77RNF4Y

"The best investments are in ideas that challenge the status quo. The future belongs to those bold enough to disrupt the present." With this mindset, I’ll be evaluating startups at Expand North Star—seeking innovations that break traditional business models and unlock new possibilities. As a Board Member and Co-Investor with multiple large family business groups across the Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia, I’m particularly drawn to ideas with the potential to become Profitable, Scalable, Sustainable, and Investable. If the idea of operating under the umbrella of renowned Large Family Business Groups, with the resources and infrastructure to scale, excites you—let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate! #ExpandNorthStar #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #InvestingInTheFuture #BusinessTransformation #ExpandNorthStar2024 #Entrepreneurship #Investments

The power of paying it forward is transforming economies worldwide. We call this Endeavor’s Multiplier Effect™: successful founders mentoring, investing in, and inspiring the next generation. From the Middle East’s first unicorn Careem—whose founders have invested in over 80 companies—to Turkey’s Peak Games—acquired for $1.8B and inspiring 120+ new startups—high-impact entrepreneurs across the globe are driving economic transformation and creating ripples of impact. Our community is proof: when entrepreneurs pay it forward, economies thrive. Read more from Kori Hale in Forbes: https://lnkd.in/e2h4GQS4 #MoreThanScaleMultiply #Entrepreneurship

🤝 Trust: The Cornerstone of Entrepreneur-Investor Relationships 🤝 In the world of startups and venture capital, confidence between entrepreneurs and investors is not just important—it’s essential. Without it, even the most promising innovations can struggle to thrive. As highlighted in our book "Innovate, Fund, Thrive" by Jean-François Denault and I (Taylor & Francis Group), building a strong, trust-based relationship early on can significantly impact long-term success. Here’s why: - Transparency fosters confidence. Entrepreneurs who share both their vision and challenges with investors create a foundation of openness that strengthens partnerships. - Investors don’t just fund ideas—they fund people. Demonstrating confidence in your ability to execute is crucial in attracting and retaining the right investors. - For investors, knowing that an entrepreneur is both resilient and coachable can make all the difference during critical moments of decision-making. Our book underscores how trust and open communication lay the groundwork for a successful collaboration, ensuring both sides work towards a shared goal of growth and innovation. 🌱 If you're an entrepreneur or investor, remember that trust is built over time—but it starts with that first conversation. Let’s work on nurturing these relationships to fuel greater innovation! 💡 📖https://lnkd.in/ec5V6xbz 📚https://lnkd.in/eksmdXG4 #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #innovation #trust #lifesciences #startups

Are the founders you see truly from Ivy League schools? 🫣 Fake founders have been exposed for lying about their credentials by publications like Tech in Asia. 🤬 Is it a justifiable fake it to make it spirit? Tell us what you think in the comments below. 👇🏻 Bennett Lee, CFA, CAIA Vanessa Ho Octopus Indonesia Vizzio Technologies Pte Ltd #startups #entrepreneurship #founders

Critical Thinking #2 – Failures in Risk-taking In entrepreneurship, you're often told that you need to be a visionary and a risk-taker. As Singaporeans, we grew up with the expectations of success beaten into our psyche, creating an overwhelming subconscious fear of failure in many of us that left no room for innovation or experimentation. Thus, despite entering the scene with an engineering portfolio instead of business school credentials, I was eager to overcome these mental blocks and take a chance – after all, you miss 100% of the shots you never take. However, throughout my own entrepreneurial journey, I have often overlooked the Critical Thinking process when making risks and suffered many unnecessary consequences. Picture this: some years ago, a ragtag team of ambitious partners decided to launch new enterprises. Not just one or two, but multiple: they ventured into co-workspaces and business incubation, M&A, investment, and even started a social enterprise. All while growing a consultancy business. I was one of them, and together, we thought we could conquer the world! And after three years, we failed. Why? 1.     Synergy We were unable to properly tap into the synergy we thought we had and spread ourselves thin across too many fronts. Like a bumbling orchestra where everyone had different sheets while juggling many background tasks, but played nonetheless expecting a harmonious symphony. We forgot to prioritise. 2.     Independence At the same time, we took our belief in collaboration to the extreme; we relied on each other so much that we forgot how to stand on our own two feet. We only realised later that we had to do some things on our own when building and expanding our business. 3.     SHARP We did not employ the SHARP habits — to be Strategic, Humble, Analytical, Resourceful, and Prudent. We lacked strategic focus, humility to admit our limitations, and the analytical skills to assess risks and opportunities. We were not resourceful in managing our ventures effectively, nor prudent enough in making critical decisions.   Looking back, Critical Thinking could have saved us a lot of effort and heartaches from our misadventures. It would have helped us find focus and better analyse our chaotic situation, and therefore, allowed us to manage the risks, prioritize our focus and find innovative solutions. Although I was beaten hard by those failures, I've slowly bounced back thanks to Critical Thinking. And as I look back with new glasses and old eyes, those three years taught me more than any business school ever could. #criticalthinkingacademy #criticalthinking

🚀 Exciting News! CapeC. Consulting and Startup Khulna have joined forces under a new MoU to turbocharge the entrepreneurial spirit in Khulna! Together, we're embarking on a mission to elevate local startups and SMEs through tailored capacity-building programs, designed to hone entrepreneurial skills, business development, and operational management. 🤝 We’re all about collaboration! This partnership will see us co-developing and co-designing initiatives, including incubation and accelerator programs specifically crafted for the unique challenges of Khulna’s vibrant business ecosystem. 💼 🧠 Mentorship is key, and with CapeC. Consulting entrepreneurs will gain a guiding hand to become investment-ready, mastering everything from financial modeling to perfecting their investor pitches. 🎯 💸 Plus, we're not just about ideas—we're about action! With our deep network and expertise, we're set to bridge the gap between potential and success by facilitating essential access to finance for our graduates. 💰 🌍 On the ground in Khulna, Startup Khulna will be the pulse, ensuring these programs are executed flawlessly with full local engagement and support. 🌱 Here’s to creating a flourishing future for Khulna’s business talents. The journey begins, and we can’t wait to see where it leads! 🚀 #Partnership #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #CapeCConsulting #StartupKhulna #BusinessGrowth #KhulnaStartups

This is an underbelly of the startup ecosystem that not many are willing to talk about. The pressure for startups to deliver is extremely high and there are dishonest founders where VCs might not have the financial discipline or appropriate due diligence knowledge to sieve these bad actors out. Refreshing to see Tech in Asia and Terence Lee holding stakeholders accountable as this is essential for the long-term success for the startup ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gR-WbVc7 Is it a justifiable fake it to make it spirit? Hatch & Hustle Vanessa Ho IG: https://lnkd.in/gSbsApSk #Fakeittillyoumakeit #Fraud #Startups

🚀 Exciting Investment Opportunity🚀 Are you passionate about mindful innovation and growth-driven ideas? Do you want to be part of a movement that combines purpose with profit? I am reaching out to investors who are looking for unique, scalable opportunities in startups that prioritize sustainable growth and impact. We’re offering an exclusive business proposal for those who are ready to make a meaningful difference in the world of mindful entrepreneurship. 🌱 This is your chance to invest in businesses that are not only set to grow but are driven by purposeful ideas that align with the changing needs of our global community. 🔑 What’s in it for you? Access to high-potential startups with unique value propositions. A chance to be part of the next wave of conscious, purpose-led business ventures. A growing network of like-minded investors and entrepreneurs. 💼 If you're looking to diversify your investment portfolio with forward-thinking, socially-conscious companies, let’s start the conversation. 👉 Comment down below interested and we will reach out to you to discuss about this exciting proposal. Let’s build something that matters together! 🌍💡 #InvestmentOpportunity #StartupInvestment #MindfulEntrepreneurship #PurposeDrivenBusiness #SocialImpact #SustainableGrowth #Innovation #ConsciousCapital #InvestInTheFuture #GrowthMindset #StartupCulture #MindfulInvesting #BusinessGrowth #OpportunityKnocks #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting

Discover how China's venture capitalism is reshaping global innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a new tech landscape beyond Western dominance. #Innovation #GlobalEntrepreneurship #VentureCapitalism