Andy Hwang: Early Financial Curiosity, Capital vs. Coaching in VC & Risk Assessment - E324

Andy Hwang, General Partner of Wavemaker Partners, and Jeremy Au, discuss three main topics:

1. Early Years and Financial Inquisitiveness: Andy shares that his early days in Cupertino, California played a pivotal role in shaping his financial awareness and curiosity. His fascination with having access to his bank balance at a young age and investing in Apple stocks highlights his early entrepreneurial mindset. He had a front-row seat to witness the growth and evolution of Apple Inc. which gave him a unique perspective on the world of tech and business from an early age. He also mentioned that being surrounded by family members who are engineers played a role in fostering a learning mindset and passion for tech and innovation.

2. The Impact of Coaching: Andy talks about his experiences as both a recipient and a provider of coaching, underscoring the significance of introspection and self-improvement. He explains that coaching goes beyond addressing technical challenges and that it extends to the "people side" of building an organization. He shares that instead of founders seeking coaching only when they encounter setbacks, they should see it as a proactive step and seek it early on to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate challenges effectively.

3. Risks and Decisiveness: Andy challenges the conventional perception of risk as something to be feared or avoided, and encourages people to have a more nuanced understanding of it. He argues that risk isn’t a binary concept, where something is either entirely risky or entirely safe, but with varying degrees of potential outcomes. He also talks about how fear holds people back from taking necessary risks and emphasizes the importance of considering the possibility of success and positive outcomes. He also shares that startup founders often need to make decisions and explains that the ability to make choices promptly and confidently helps them navigate challenges more effectively and seize opportunities as they arise.

They also talk about cultural stigmas related to Asian males asking for help, the evolving startup landscape in Southeast Asia, the significance of self-awareness for founders, and the transformative power of empathy in coaching. 

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/andy-hwang

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

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