Daryl is currently an Investor at Trihill Capital, investing in early-stage startups across South-East Asia & Founder of The Next Batch.
He was previously at Hypotenuse AI (YC S20) and Deskimo (YC S21), wearing multiple hats across Growth, Product, Partnerships, Marketing and Analytics.
Guest Author: Daryl Lim
🙌 Welcome back to Startup Wednesdays, featuring hashtag#VCs, hashtag#founders & hashtag#operators here in South-East Asia. For this week, we have Khanh Dang, Investment Associate at FEBE Ventures
đź’ What made you interested in the world of startups?
I’ve always had an independent and rebellious streak, even as a child. Exploring the world of startups is a natural extension of my curiosity and desire to challenge the status quo.
I also hold a deep belief in the power of technology to create value at scale. With the advent of digital tools and platforms, it’s the first time in history that a couple of people with laptops can change the lives of millions. It’s a very exciting time and I want to be a part of this transformation.
đź’How do you support your portfolio companies beyond financial investment?
At FEBE, I’m very lucky to work with my Partners – Olivier Raussin, Nicolas El Baze, Aditya Pendyala, and Jai Choi – all former founders themselves.
In fact, FEBE stands for ‘For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs,’ a name that we believe reflects our ethos. FEBE’s Partners have collectively built over 30 companies and achieved multiple exits across three continents. It’s been a great learning experience to see how they apply their entrepreneurial experiences in every interaction with startups.
This includes efforts like forming robust syndicates and advisory boards early in a startup’s journey, or actively assisting with business development, fundraising, recruitment, and go-to-market strategies.
Given their experience through various boom-and-bust cycles, our Partners emphasize a long-term outlook, focusing on building sustainable EBITDA businesses, rather than chasing short-lived trends.
đź’ What key qualities do you look for in the founders of the companies you choose to support?
The founders I admire most embody the inherent paradoxes of entrepreneurial life. They think for the long term while executing for the short term; possess deep domain knowledge yet keep enough perspective to challenge the status quo; and maintain a strong focus, but are also open to feedback and adapting to market shifts.
Often, it’s rare to find all these traits in one individual. Many admirable founders I’ve worked with at FEBE demonstrate remarkable self-awareness and humility, seeking co-founders or core team members who complement their skills in these crucial areas.
But in general, I have the utmost respect for all founders. I admire those who have the drive to tackle big problems, the guts to step into the unknown, and the resilience to stick it through good and bad times. It’s been a privilege to meet so many of them here in Southeast Asia, even in cases where an investment isn’t the right fit for FEBE.
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