Jeremy Loh is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Genesis Alternative Ventures. He is also an Investment Panel member at SEEDS Capital.

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

Genesis is a Singapore-based venture debt firm that invests debt capital into early-growth startups across Southeast Asia. Think of Genesis as a startup "bank" dedicated to serving venture-backed companies.

A fun fact: startups in the US raised close to $30B in debt financing in 2021 alone to grow their business.

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

We get to wear T-shirts and jeans like how startup founders would dress up! As VCs, we need to understand new trends and business models. We are learning all the time!

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

Seeing the successful exit of an investment that we made, validating our thesis.

However, it's not always bright and shiny in the VC world, and we have our fair share of investments that do not perform to expectations. We learn from these experiences and hope to do better in the future.

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

As venture debt investors, we are eyeing trends that are maturing rather than ones that hold early promises.

We hope to see more foodtech startups emerge and become good candidates for Genesis to invest in.

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

Genesis has a 6-month internship program where we hire undergraduates from different backgrounds. A financial background would be essential, but most importantly, you'd need a curious mind to find out how things work.

I am surprised that many students can't name their favorite startups. Just look around you. We're surrounded by startups who send us food, transport us from point A to B, satisfy your e-Commerce shopping appetite and more.

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

Definitely my journey from being an academic research person with a PhD to a venture equity investor and now venture debt. It took me long while, and it was hard to figure out what I wanted to do.

When I finally landed in venture, I was glad to be given an opportunity to develop my skills and now onto a new aspect of fund management.

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

I'm a Kdrama fan. The plots and amazing acting skills never fail to entertain me. I'd say Parasite (movie) and Itaewon Class (drama) get top spots.

🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Oooooh, this is a hard one. Mao Shan Wang with real durian bits.