Benedict Tan is a Senior Associate at Vertex Ventures, who joined in 2020. He focuses on opportunities in Southeast Asia, across Fintech, Consumer, Gaming, and Property tech sectors, Oh, and he’s actively covering the Philippines' startup ecosystem too. 

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

We invest and work hand-in-hand with our startup founders to build the next generation of regional champions. 

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

My home is like a mini-zoo/bird park! Growing up, my family used to keep parrots, lovebirds, arowana, chickens, terrapins, frogs, rabbits, hamsters, chinchillas, dogs, and more. 

I still find it strange when I step into my friends’ homes and do not see any pets roaming around! 

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Definitely working closely with my portfolio founders to creatively solve business problems together—be it winning our competitors, formulating go-to-market strategies/market launches, or even, product innovations! There is so much fun and fluidity in the thinking process. 

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

I have been looking at fintech opportunities since I started, and the past few months have been slow. (Yes, really!) 

I still do believe that there are lots of opportunities and inefficiencies within SEA's fintech realms that are waiting to be built like B2B fintech infra opportunities etc. 

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Always keep an open mindset and be ready to challenge the current paradigms. Many solutions that couldn't work in the past may just work now—catching the timing on when it works is the key. 

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

Badminton! 

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Rick and Morty!

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Dark chocolate.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.