My guest this week is Mohan Belani, the Co-founder and CEO of e27, the preeminent platform for fostering connections, providing insights, and facilitating funding opportunities within Southeast Asia's dynamic startup ecosystem. With a compelling vision to equip entrepreneurs with the essential tools for nurturing and expanding their businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, e27 stands as the go-to resource.

Mohan is a trailblazing figure in the Southeast Asian startup and venture capital landscape, having embarked on this journey over a decade ago. His investment journey commenced shortly after completing his studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and he has since achieved notable success as an early-stage investor. Among his noteworthy portfolio companies are ]gLife, NirogStreet, Mindbloom and some early stage funds including Golden Gate Ventures, Kearny Jackson and Foxmont Capital.

In our conversation, I had the privilege of delving deep into Mohan's invaluable insights on scaling, tailored for both investors and startup founders. He also shared invaluable advice for founders navigating the challenges of the current funding landscape, often referred to as the 'funding winter.' Furthermore, Mohan shared the inspiring trajectory of his own personal journey and reflected on the significant leadership transformations he has witnessed over the years.

“Be willing to be misunderstood.”

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