Going global
HAVING reached out to young tech entrepreneurs across Asia through educational workshops, TSS co-founder and Industry Development Lead, Leroy Yau said his first impression of TSS is probably the most common across the globe – energetic, smart, daring and young.
“Besides imparting technical components, for example, key clauses in term sheets or methodologies such as lean startup and design thinking, we try to instil the right mindset: action oriented, willingness to try new things, ability to listen and learn, building the right relationships and most of all, there is never a ‘standard answer’ – every entrepreneurship journey is different. And the biggest reason why I am involved in this industry is the opportunity for me to learn from them,” Yau said.
Meanwhile, TSS VP of Startup Development, Jeffrey Ling said although not all opportunities are sexy, as some start-up topics such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, the important thing is to ask yourself if the chosen topic is something worth doing for the next three to five years (this is how long it will usually take to arrive at some meaningful outcomes) and if it has enormous unrealised market potential (unless it is for a charitable cause).
“Do not be afraid of talking to a number of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors before you embark on the new venture. It will save you from wasting years of fruitless efforts, not to mention they may be able to help in some way,” said Ling, who was born and raised in Sibu, Sarawak before migrating to New Zealand where he worked for nearly 13 years.
Ling believes Malaysians should experience less hurdles when it comes to going onto the global stage. Although the Malaysian start-up scene is not as vibrant as the one in Taiwan yet, this does not mean the scene in Taiwan is mature, especially when compared to counterparts in Silicon Valley, Beijing and Seoul.
“This means room for improvement and therefore a lot of really exciting stuff are still awaiting to be done in both Taiwan and Malaysia. Taiwan start-ups are very interested in learning about the Malaysian market, and a few ties have already been established for both sides, such as the one between Taiwan and Selangor State Government.
“I hope more will be forthcoming in the near future, and I will be really ecstatic if I can help in effecting some of the ties. We hope that we will eventually be able to create the opportunities for these start-ups to do so, and vice versa for the Malaysian start-ups,” Ling said.