Hard Truths By Vertex

How do you build a business servicing a client base that operates on a fine line between survival and failure? And how do you ensure your business is not just client-churn proof but also emerges resilient towards funding challenges? Find out from Wai Hong, founder of StoreHub.In This Episode (00:55) How StoreHub got started (04:25) Hard Truths about F&B and Retail (06:43) How they create a scaled marketing and sales process  (09:55) Early days of Storehub (12:18) Meeting his co-founder and CTO (14:27) Meeting Vertex (15:41) Hard truths about fund-raising (18:06) How Vertex is different from many other VCs (20:00) Product-Market Fit isn’t a static thing (22:15) How StoreHub launched a food delivery business in just 48 hours (26:06) Being resilient to funding challenges (28:57) Building a pro sports team culture Hard Truths by Vertex is a top 5 Entrepreneurship show in Singapore and we interview some of the most accomplished founders, investors, and experts from across the Asian ecosystem. If you are interested in the startup space, make sure you subscribe or follow so you never miss any of our great episodes.Our GuestsWai Hong Fong is the co-founder of StoreHub, an all-in-one technology platform that offers an ecosystem of solutions ranging from a cloud-based POS system to QR-based table ordering, loyalty, customer engagement, and many more. This platform helps restaurants and retailers throughout Southeast Asia automate and grow their businesses.He also built OZhut, an Australian multi-niche online retailer, before creating StoreHub. In 2011, while running OZHut, he was recognized as Melbourne's "Top 100 Most Influential People" by The Age Newspaper and Australia's "Best Young Entrepreneur" by StartupSmart.Wai Hong describes himself as an accidental entrepreneur, a geek, a foodie, and a gamer for life.  He is passionate about creating profitable, purpose-driven businesses and believes that the methods used to do so should be characterized by honesty, modesty, and generosity.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she had extensive experience in investor relations and partnerships at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce, and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

How do you get millennials to buy something usually recommended by their grandparents? And how do you keep their attention when the product you sell takes months to show results? How do you know when you’ve achieved product-market fit?In This Episode (01:02) Ameve’s story and the inception of Kapiva (05:38) How Kapiva Retains Customers (07:22) Vertex and Kapiva (08:49) Partnering with movie star Malaika Arora (10:40) Hard Truths about building D2C brands (13:10) Launching new products and (14:01) The case for geographic expansion (16:00) Sometimes timing beats product (17:22) A simple test for Product-Market Fit (19:33) A simple tactic for customer centricity (21:12) How a best-seller was built from customer feedback (24:00) Finding good investors (25:47) Honest investor conversations (28:47) Vision for Kapiva Hard Truths by Vertex is a top 5 Entrepreneurship show in Singapore and we interview some of the most accomplished founders, investors, and experts from across the Asian ecosystem. If you are interested in the startup space, make sure you subscribe or follow so you never miss any of our great episodes.Our GuestsAmeve Sharma is the founder and CEO of Kapiva, a leading Ayurvedic brand in India. Kapiva offers a wide range of natural and effective products for health and wellness. Using only the highest-quality ingredients and traditional techniques, Kapiva is committed to delivering better health outcomes to its customers through holistic Ayurvedic solutions. Links Show notes and full transcript for the episode Your HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she had extensive experience in investor relations and partnerships at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce, and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

How do you convince billion-dollar institutional investors to trust a relative upstart with their funds in a market with so much financial turmoil? And how do you plan expansions into multiple countries, all of which have entirely different regulations around your business? Where do you even begin building out such a financial portfolio?In This Episode (01:45) Nikhilesh’ story (03:42) The inception of Validus (06:02) Moving from mass to premium positioning (08:04) Localisation of their model (10:35) Hards truths about expansion (12:32) Pressing the accelerator (15:55) Getting to profitability (17:10) Making SMEs’ lives better (21:46) Current scale (22:56) Hard truths about financial digitization (24:46) Validus is secretly an impact business (27:13) A happy childhood (28:34) Hard truths about being a founder Hard Truths by Vertex is a top 5 Entrepreneurship show in Singapore and we interview some of the most accomplished founders, investors, and experts from across the Asian ecosystem. If you are interested in the startup space, make sure you subscribe or follow so you never miss any of our great episodes.Our GuestsNikhilesh Goel is the co-founder of Validus Capital. He leads the Singapore team and collaborates with the Vietnam CEO to manage the Vietnam team. Prior to founding Validus Capital, he worked in private equity and corporate finance in Southeast Asia for the previous 14 years. His experience includes debt and equity financing in a variety of industries, as well as portfolio management and value creation in SMEs. He also established Taipan Partners' M&A advisory practice, which focuses on consumer and technology sector transactions throughout Southeast Asia.He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Nagpur University as well as an MBA in Finance from the University of Delhi's Faculty of Management Studies. He contributes to the fintech ecosystem by sharing insights on alternative lending, small business financing, and peer-to-peer platforms at fintech and SME conferences on a regular basis.He was recently named one of the 'Top 10 Fintech Leaders in 2019 and 2020 - Singapore Fintech Association Awards', as well as the 'Innovation Leadership Achievement in Singapore Award 2021 - The Asian Banker'.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she had extensive experience in investor relations and partnerships at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce, and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

We often think about startups as a 0 to 1 game with a team of founders working and pivoting around one theme in the hope of finding success. But that is a highly risky way to try and build VC-scale businesses. In this episode we learn of a different model, one that has led to the creation of a billion-dollar, profitable business in the highly competitive media and content space.In This Episode (00:53) Sound On acquisition and building a portfolio of startups (03:27) How 17LIVE was formed (06:28) Vertex’s role in their success (08:55) The NYSE listing that never happened (11:32) Hard Truths for entrepreneurs (13:59) Changing trends in content distribution and monetization (17:27) Not being sure about doing the right thing (19:41) The future of content and media businesses (23:48) Variables affecting content businesses (26:42) Closing thoughts Hard Truths by Vertex is a top 5 Entrepreneurship show in Singapore and we interview some of the most accomplished founders, investors, and experts from across the Asian ecosystem. If you are interested in the startup space, make sure you subscribe or follow so you never miss any of our great episodes.Our GuestsJoseph Phua is Chairman at Turn Capital and the SoundOn Group as well as Co-Founder and Chairman at 17LIVE Inc. 17LIVE is a portfolio company of Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. He also recently started the fast-growing Next Apple News media platform.Prior to this, he founded Paktor, a pioneering dating app that has expanded beyond Singapore to the rest of Southeast Asia and North Asia, to form the largest social dating group in the region. Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she had extensive experience in investor relations and partnerships at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce, and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Indonesians are voracious consumers of social media, and the creator economy is set to grow massively in the coming years. As the industry grows, unmet needs in engaging and monetizing their content arise. How does TipTip as a platform better serve their needs? And what are some of the tips and best practices for creators to make money on the platform?In This Episode (01:53) First Impressions (03:41) About TipTip and their journey so far (06:49) Vertex’s Investment thesis for TipTip (09:19) How Paulina was convinced to join TipTip (12:30) Hard Truths about being a startup CMO (14:22) Vertex is indexing more towards unit economics (15:28) Advice for female leaders (20:40) Learnings from being on The Apprentice (24:10) Memorable customer stories (27:45) Finding Product-Market Fit (29:43) Tips for succeeding as an influencer (32:29) How TipTip works and what’s coming next Our GuestsPaulina Purnomowati is the Chief Marketing Officer at TipTip, the go-to monetization platform for Southeast Asian content creators and a one-stop shopping and learning destination for digital content and live sessions for everyone. Prior to joining TipTip, Paulina was the Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Evolve MMA, Asia's premier martial arts championship brand. She has nearly 20 years of experience in brand building, marketing, innovation, business development, and corporate development for leading brands such as L'Oréal, P&G, Evolve MMA, Chanel, Mount Scopus, Valiram, Mitra Adiperkasa, Global Brands Group, TOD'S, and ERHA CLINIC. She was the sole Indonesian representative and top five finalists for The Apprentice: One Championship edition in 2021.Khushbu Topandasani is an Associate Director, Investments at Vertex Ventures South East Asia & India, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Her portfolio includes TipTip, Fairatmos, Dailybox, Cosmart, Fairbanc, and Sirclo. Prior to joining Vertex, Khushbu was a Product Manager at Citibank where she was also part of the prestigious Management Associate Program. At Citibank, she undertook several roles including Corporate Banking, Insurance, Wealth Management, and Cards & Loans. Khushbu also interned at Ernst & Young Singapore and Starwood Hotel & Resorts Singapore (now Marriott International).Links Show notes and full transcript for the episode Your HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she had extensive experience in investor relations and partnerships at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups, and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists, and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce, and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

What are the hard truths about building a climate tech market in a country and region where the awareness, tech and regulations are yet to mature? And how do you make massive change happen while also handling the demands of being a new mother? Hear from Ria and Puiyen as they discuss the challenges, pitfalls and the immense impact of category creation in Climate Tech.In This Episode (01:53) About FairAtmos (04:53) First impressions between Vertex and FairAtmos (07:53) Vertex’ investment thesis for FairAtmos (10:02) State of Carbon markets in SEA (11:15) How FairAtmos is trying to be an early mover in SEA Climate Tech (14:11) Hard Truths about category creation in Climate tech (16:25) Impact beyond climate (17:30) It’s not just about money (21:22) Hard truths about being a mom investor and entrepreneur (25:03) Vertex’ views on climate tech investments (27:05) FairAtmos business model (28:15) Advice for female founders (33:22) How their childhood shaped them Our GuestsNatalia Rialucky is the Founder & CEO of Fairatmos, a platform that finds, verifies, and connects carbon projects with businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Prior to this, she was Chief Strategy and Social Impact Officer at TaniHub. She was the Head of Social Impact at the Boston Consulting Group before Tanihub. She has over ten years of experience in agri-tech, impact investing, growth capital, management consulting, and start-ups in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific region at leading firms such as BCG, KKR, TaniHub, Grab, Xendit, and 01VC.She earned her bachelor's degree in International Relations and Affairs from the University of Indonesia and her MBAs from the University of California, Berkeley, and INSEAD.Puiyan Leung is Partner, Investments at Vertex. She joined Vertex Ventures SEA & India in 2020 and focuses on opportunities in Southeast Asia. Pui Yan previously worked as a Director of Investments and Operations at Singtel Innov8, the corporate venture arm of Singtel. Prior to that, she held a variety of operational roles, including serving as Singtel's Indonesia-based lead in representing Singtel's digital portfolio's local market development and expansion interests. Pui Yan earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS). She joined the Kauffman Fellows Program in 2019, which focuses on innovation leadership and venture capital for US and global investors.Vertex Ventures is proud to be associated with over 20 female-founded startups across SEA and India and this episode is part of our special series for International Women’s Day 2023. Throughout March we will feature four accomplished women business leaders along with their Vertex investors so do subscribe to our show and discover what it takes for women leaders to succeed in what is still a male-dominated space.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

It’s hard to translate vision into reality - and especially so when you are trying to help workers build a better life. But when you see it happening, the moment is magical! Listen to Nelly and Jessica discuss the highs and lows of building Pintarnya, the huge potential it has to transform blue-collar workers' lives as well as Nelly’s take on how women can be more empowered to take charge of their lives and careers.In This Episode (02:24) First impressions of Vertex and Pintarnya (05:46) How Pintarnya was conceived based on personal experience (07:26) Being picked to be CEO by her accomplished co-founders (10:30) Vertex’ investment thesis for Pintarnya (12:44) The hard truth about translating vision into reality (17:00) One key difference between male and female founders (20:02) A magic moment in the journey (22:30) A big vision (25:52) Co-founders and spirit animals (28:57) Nelly’s thoughts on female empowerment (33:28) How her mother shaped her ambitions Our GuestsNelly Nurmalasari is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pintarnya, a technology startup based in Indonesia with a mission to unlock employment and financial opportunities for millions of blue-collar workers in Indonesia. She began her career at BCG, spending over 10 years as a project leader and was chosen to receive a full scholarship towards an MBA at The Wharton School. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in technology and eventually joined Traveloka, where she rose to the position of SVP, leading a business unit with over 600 employees. She also ran a salon on the side, the pain points of which led to the idea that birthed Pintarnya.Jessica Koh has been with Vertex Ventures SEA and India for close to five years. She is currently an Investment Director at VVSEA&I, and led the investment in Pintarnya. Prior to Vertex, Jessica was at 500 Startups, involved in Investments & Fundraising. She graduated from NUS placing on the Dean’s List, and spent a year in Silicon Valley as part of the NUS Overseas Colleges programme. Vertex Ventures is proud to be associated with over 20 female-founded startups across SEA and India and this episode is part of our special series for International Women’s Day 2023. Throughout March we will feature four accomplished women business leaders along with their Vertex investors so do subscribe to our show and discover what it takes for women leaders to succeed in what is still a male-dominated space.LinksShow notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

What are the hard truths about being a startup builder in manufacturing, and what was Vertex Ventures’ thesis for investing in such a tradition-bound and notoriously difficult space? And how does it feel to be a female only founder-investor pair in such a male-dominated world?In This Episode(01:10) Vertex and Karkhana; Meeting, first impressions and the investment thesis(08:18) How Karkhana got started(12:50) Hard Truths about building and investing in manufacturing startups(18:20) How Karkhana scaled their business(21:32) Importance of company culture(27:42) The value Vertex brought to Karkhana as an investor(29:23) Hard Truth about authenticity(31:10) Insights about being a female VC and advice for new female foundersOur GuestsSonam Motwani is the founder & CEO of Karkhana.io, a one-stop solution for custom manufacturing that offers clients on-demand manufacturing with seamless execution from quotation to delivery.Kanika Mayar is the partner with Vertex Ventures SEA and India who led the investment in KarkhanaVertex Ventures is proud to be associated with over 20 female-founded startups across SEA and India and this episode is part of our special series for International Women’s Day 2023. Throughout March we will feature four accomplished women business leaders along with their Vertex investors so do subscribe to our show and discover what it takes for women leaders to succeed in what is still a male-dominated space.LinksShow notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn and Instagram

Vertex Ventures has been investing in South East Asia and India long before it became fashionable (!) so we know a thing or two about which sectors are on the rise. Tune in to learn how we view the key sectors of Supply Chain, Consumer and Fintech.Our GuestBen Mathias is Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures South East Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex Ventures, he was Partner at NEA. Before joining the world of VC, he held leadership positions at E2open and i2 Technologies.In This Episode (01:00) Differences and learning from corporate and VC (13:30) Companies are having to turn profitable overnight - and they can (18:30) It’s the golden age of VC in South East Asia and India (21:21) Opportunities in Supply Chain (25:13) Opportunities in Consumer (27:50) Differences between South East Asia and India (31:47 ) Opportunities in Fintech (33:40) Opportunities in Open Banking The Hard Truths podcast is a top 10 show in Singapore. If you are a founder, investor or interested in the startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia and India do subscribe now so you don’t miss any of our upcoming episodes.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episode.Your HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we seek to share and uncover the Hard Truth - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital knowledge from across Southeast Asia and India. Tune in to learn from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help dreamers become do-ers. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn or Instagram

Starting with a little office in a dilapidated old building to joining the rarefied ranks of unicorns in Southeast Asia, Nium has come a long way. But what did it take to keep it going even when the chips were down and fresh funding was hard to come by? What set them apart from their competition and what were some of the bets they had to make? And what were some of the Hard Truths they learned on the way?Our GuestsPratik Gandhi is the COO and co-Founder of Nium (formerly InstaReM), a leading embedded fintech company that provides banks, payment providers, and businesses of any size with access to global payment services. He leads the global finance, operations, and customer service teams, with responsibility for driving focus on Nium’s financial activities and helping the company deliver exceptional experiences.Prior to Nium, he worked for companies such as Arthur Andersen, Xerox, PepsiCo and Telstra before specialising in banking, an industry where he held senior roles at Fullerton India Credit, Standard Chartered Bank, and Citibank.In This Episode (00:58) Joining Nium (04:34) Relationship with CEO Prajit Nanu (08:53) Partnering with banks (15:06) Difficult moments (21:27) A big bold bet - acquiring Ixaris (26:47) Hard Truths (32:19) Catching the Startup bug (35:40) Culture at Nium If you like what you hear please follow or subscribe to the show so you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming discussions.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we want to share and uncover Hard Truths - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital experience across Southeast Asia & India.Tune in to hear from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn or Instagram

You might know of Vertex Ventures as a successful VC in South East Asia and India. But did you know that it had a troubled start? So how did we then go on to becoming one of the top VCs in the region with investments in Grab, Nium and PatSnap and what is our secret recipe for identifying the kinds of founders that build unicorns? What are the hard truths about building an enduring VC? Learn about these and a lot more directly from Kee Lock Chua, CEO of Vertex Holdings.Our GuestsChua Kee Lock is CEO of Vertex Holdings and concurrently Managing Partner of Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India as well as Chairman of Vertex Growth Fund.Prior to this, he held senior positions in Biosensors International Group, Ltd., a developer / manufacturer of medical devices; Walden International, a US-headquartered venture capital firm; NatSteel Ltd., a Singapore industrial products company, and Intraco Ltd., a Singapore-listed trading/distribution company. Mr. Chua co-founded MediaRing, provider of voice-over-internet, which later listed on Singapore’s stock exchange.Mr. Chua was appointed by the Singapore Government as a Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Panama in 2020. He currently serves on the boards of several companies, including Yongmao and Credit Bureau Asia, which are publicly listed.Mr. Chua graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and a M.Sc. degree from Stanford University.In This Episode (01:18) What’s top of mind for Kee Lock (03:10) Kee Lock’s most memorable deal (07:38) How Vertex tries to evaluate founder passion and the example of Nium (10:48) Challenges Kee Lock faced in the early days of Vertex (17:58) Lessons from Kee Lock’s father that still hold good today (22:25) The key ingredients for work life balance (25:45) What female founders most need (28:11) Words to live by If you like what you hear please follow or subscribe to the show so you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming discussions.Links Show notes and full transcript for the episodeYour HostElise Tan is the Director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Prior to joining Vertex, she has had extensive experience in investor relations and partnership at global venture funds and accelerators with more than $100m in AUM. Elise also currently runs a Southeast Asia-based startup community of nearly 800 entrepreneurs called the Asia Startup network and actively supports their startup journey through panels, meet-ups and mentoring programs.—-Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a pioneer in investing in tech start-ups in this region and has helped to build a number of unicorns. In this podcast, we want to share and uncover Hard Truths - raw, unfiltered insights and venture capital experience across Southeast Asia & India.Tune in to hear from leading founders, innovators, venture capitalists and industry experts in the region and to gain industry insights from those in the know.If you like what you hear, please click follow or subscribe and share it with entrepreneurs or investors in your circle so we can all grow, succeed and build the future of SEA and India together.—This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers. Find us on our Website, LinkedIn or Instagram

Hard Truths gives you a behind the scenes view of the most exciting startups and investment opportunities in SE Asia and India. It's brought to you by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, an early-stage investor in the region's most promising startups and one of Southeast Asia’s oldest VC funds. If you're a startup founder, entrepreneur or startup investor, follow/ bookmark and share this show - it's one you definitely cannot miss.