A few days ago, I danced alongside reps from IDEO, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, at MSC Innotech 2008.
Perhaps its not fair to call it a dance, although that would have been neat. Imagination aside, it was more like a series of talks.
Mine was a concise 9 minute session, directed at entrepreneurs who just got their pre-seed grants:
- Made a case against common perceptions of ‘innovation’.
- Examples and experience from managing a fast-growing startup Joel and I have recently put together.
- Definitely not one of my best speeches, considering the ANIMAL IN ME didn’t emerge. But I was still accused of being energetic, and there may be some useful ideas in there, especially for those from a tech background, moving into business.
(My full speech transcript is at the end of this blog post)
You can also download slides of other speakers’ presentations.
Speech aside, I met so many cool people at the event!
For example, you would never expect a Venture Capitalist (VC) to be like Chok Bee Wee, Managing Director of Teak Capital.
Chok, who invested in Jobstreet and helped groom them to be the hundred million dollar company it is today, is not your typical VC. She is straightforward and caring, LIKE A MOTHER. Feels like someone who will look out for you, and won’t hesitate to tell you to your room is a complete mess.
Then there’s Pamir, a VC from investment group Newtonmore Advisors in the UK. He gave us plenty of good advice.
We also bumped into successful young entrepreneurs like Bob Chua of Pulse Group. One of the more bobular dudes who spoke that day, his journey from bedroom entrepreneur to and IPO in AIMS in 33 months, has MOMENTUM written all over him, pushing the future of market research as we know it. At the rate he is going, he will easily be one of Malaysia’s most globally successful entrepreneurs in the next 3 years.
Got a pic with Ashroff, too, a familiar face in these circles! Another dude who makes you feel like family.
We also met two silly looking zombies who look eerily familiar.
And Ganesh Kumar, a real success story. Read “Going for broke” (Published by TeAM, in bookstores now) to hear his full story.
It’s worth the read.
Many early stage startups were also at Innotech. Like Socialwalk, with Tham King Yiew, who was ranting about bad experiences with web developers.
And how can I not forget… The MDeC Crew!
Life has been full of surprises ever since I set out to sail on my own. And along the way, friends have strangers have been very kind to me.
I don’t catch up with Roslan and MDeC team often, but in the background they’ve been opening up many doors to local technologists and entrepreneurs. I have personally benefited a lot from the efforts of the MDeC crew, including the invitation to speak here at Innotech 2008.
Lets have a look at a few of them!
“Good Vibes” Syafinaz.
Jamie “Rock Steady” Haniff
And Roslan, um, “Bakri” Zakaria
Thanks everyone!
Overall it was a great day with great food, great conversations, and we left Innotech having added validation of our business model, and added excitement to follow through with the journey we set out on.
For those of you who are curious about my presentation, here it is:
