The Startup Journey

Startup founders often agree that the process of building something new and novel to serve a significant, unmet need can be immensely rewarding, even if it may not succeed at times.

Being prepared means gaining a thorough understanding of all aspects of the startup journey – even if that involves confronting some hard truths before taking that first step. This may make all the difference between success and failure.

Vertex Ventures SEAI | Interview with Warung Pintar CEO

In Indonesia, there are more than 2.5 million warungs (micro-businesses and kiosks that sell basic products) that account for more than 80% of total retail sales. However, these warungs are typically mom-and-pop owned and highly fragmented in both demand and supply.

Launched in 2017, Warung Pintar aims to empower warungs through digitalization. With its focus on e-commerce services and supply chain, the company has reduced warung transaction costs by 28% on average.

Vantage | February 2021

Here are the latest updates on the portfolio companies across the Vertex network.

Venture Capital Landscape in Southeast Asia

Grab, Shopee, PropertyGuru, Carousell, Anywheel... many Singaporeans would have some experience with these apps. Beyond Singaporean startups, Zoom, Netflix, WhatsApp, Slack, may be apps one uses in their daily lives. These examples tell us the importance of innovation and how these businesses cannot be overlooked.

In Japan, the startup ecosystem is gaining traction, with a rising trend toward Digital Transformation (DX) and the establishment of Corporate Venture Capital (CVC). Takaki Nakamura sheds light on the VC industry as well as investment and key trends in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the challenges facing this industry.

Vertex Ventures US | Podcast: Convert frustration into desire to create a new business | The Sure Shot Entrepreneur

Sandeep Bhadra is a partner at Vertex Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC firm that invests in B2B software and services. He candidly talks about his career as an engineer and experiences in venture capital. His methodical approach to researching startups creates the thesis for his investments.

Vertex Ventures SEAI | Wise Words from the LO

With a lack of clarity of how 2021 will unfold, founders need to demonstrate wisdom and courage to do the right thing to take their companies through another fluid year. Right could mean different things for different companies, hence the consultation and dialogue with shareholders, board members and staff will remain important.

Read more on Carmen Yuen’s reflections and advice to founders.