Building in Asia: Lessons in Growth, Grit, and M&A

On "the yellow circle" at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, Patrick shares his entrepreneurial journey, from struggling to make payroll to leading startups to IPOs and exits. Patrick emphasises resilience, creativity, and relentless execution as keys to thriving in Asia’s dynamic startup ecosystem.

Key highlights:

1. Embrace Bold Risks and Creativity

• Stand Out in Crowded Markets: A $20,000 Starbucks voucher PR stunt established deal.com.sg as a leader in e-commerce.
• Leverage Storytelling: Bold narratives attract attention and funding, even with limited resources.

2. Relentless Execution is Essential

• Stay Focused: Building Dealguru required hyper-focus and persistence during hyper-competitive growth.
• Think Regionally: Scaling with acquisitions drove critical mass and positioned businesses for success.

3. Build Teams and Pay It Forward

• Strong Teams Drive Success: Treat teams like top-tier sports players, enabling exponential growth.
• Give Back: Use your experience to mentor others and support the next generation of founders.

Conclusion:

Patrick urges us to embrace our uniqueness, anticipate trends, and execute relentlessly. Building strong teams and giving back are crucial to sustained success. By combining creativity, grit, and forward-thinking, founders can create impactful ventures and inspire future leaders in the startup ecosystem.

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