Khailee Ng
Khailee Ng is considered one of the most successful founders from Southeast Asia. He sold daily deals site GroupsMore to Groupon in 2011 and later sold social curation and news platform Says.com to Malaysian media giant Media Prima Bhd. Now, as one of the managing partners of 500 Startups, he oversees Southeast Asia as a region. Ng’s venture capital experience in the region as both a founder and an investor has been impressive, with three of his investments already becoming unicorns: Grab, Revolution Precraftd, and Bukalapak.
Gracy Fernandez: What is the most challenging aspect of mentoring and advising founders? How do you ensure a successful investor-founder relationship?
Ng: Instead of assuming I will be the primary mentor and advisor to founders, I focus on how to scale these efforts effectively. At 500 Startups, we leverage our large portfolio to run programs that provide mentorship and guidance. By bringing in experts and running growth programs, we aim to support founders with the necessary tools and resources for success.
Founder burnout and mental health issues are real concerns, which is why we have introduced programs focused on emotional well-being to assist founders in managing stress and other challenges.
Also Read: How mental health startup Intellect’s founder catalysed his personal battle with anxiety
Gracy Fernandez: Can you provide more insights into the impact of founder burnout, stress, and depression on both founders and their companies? How have you addressed these issues with innovative solutions?
Ng: Founder burnout can have severe consequences, as evidenced by cases of suicide within the startup community. It’s essential for founders to prioritize self-care and mental well-being, as these factors can significantly affect their ability to lead effectively. By providing tools for awareness, communication, and vulnerability, we aim to support founders in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Also Read: How I nurtured and scaled a mental health ecosystem during the pandemic
It’s crucial for founders to have a support system in place and to prioritize their well-being, as building a successful startup is a long-term endeavor that requires resilience and self-care. By acknowledging these challenges and offering resources for support, we aim to foster a community of healthy and successful founders.
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This content has been adapted from Asian Founders at Work by Ezra Ferraz and Gracy Fernandez (Apress, 2020).
To purchase the book, please visit Amazon.
This article was originally published on April 29, 2020.
Image Credit: Khailee Ng
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