
My background is in Electrical Engineering and my first job out of school was to develop embedded devices and systems for the aerospace industry. After completing a dual Masters programme at MIT and SUTD, I worked at a technology transfer office in Singapore, helping to bridge the divide between technology development and commercial deployment, before joining EDBI as an investment professional.
My role at EDBI is both fascinating and rewarding. Being at one of the premier investment funds in the region is an eye-opener for me to the world of venture capital and startups, as we seek amazing companies that we could partner with to grow in Asia through Singapore. Beyond the roller coaster excitement and intensity of action chasing down deals and closing them, I enjoy the teamwork and the experience working alongside highly talented and like-minded individuals to achieve the common objective of anchoring our portfolio companies in Singapore, and be their springboard into the region.
One of my first deals was Appier, a Taiwanese startup with a highly technical team applying AI for cross-device marketing. I recall our frequent interaction with its CEO as we persuaded him and his board to consider a partnership with EDBI. In all honesty, the investment process is very much like a courtship between 2 parties to find an optimal fit. We eventually invested in their Series C round alongside Softbank, Naver and Line, and that was when the real work gets started. Post investment, we worked closely with the company CEO to explore opportunities to expand his team in Singapore. A year after our investment, his Singapore office had expanded to about 1.5 times and is building up a technical team as well.
I am now based at EDBI’s San Francisco office, an experience which had broadened my horizon tremendously as I get the opportunity to rub shoulders and exchange views with some of the best venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. It’s truly different when I get to meet some of these highly talented and accomplished individuals face to face instead of over a phone call or video screen - the experience can be rather intimidating as they size me up and figure if it would make sense to work with EDBI.
Working at EDBI is rewarding but not effortless. We work with some of the smartest people in the world and help bridge their ambitions with that of Singapore’s. The reward for me, at the end of the proverbial rainbow, lies in seeing our portfolio companies expand their presence in Singapore and help our economy take a small step into the future.