Jerome Eger is the co-founder and CEO of Smile API, which is built to be the one trusted source for employment data in Asia. They provide access to valuable employment and income data from HR, payroll and more, helping fintech lenders make better credit decisions.

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

At Smile API, we provide real-time employment data directly from reliable data sources for lending and financial institutions in the Philippines. This is so they can make better credit decisions and reduce non-performing loans.

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

I am a second-time founder, so I have experience and know what I'm getting myself into.

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

The biggest highlight was meeting many amazing people with whom I could talk about exciting things and innovation.

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

Digital lending in Southeast Asia is still at a very early stage. We have seen explosive growth in other regions in Asia, for example, China and India before, but we believe SEA is a region that will see hyper-growth in the years to come.

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

When starting out in this field, I suggest building a team capable of doing great things for your company and themselves. Let them do what they are good at, and everything will fall into place.

Another piece of advice would be to see hardships as a challenge to improve in the next phase!

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

Startups, innovation and food

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Blade Runner. The whole cyberpunk dystopia is very fascinating in contrast to my mostly optimistic views about the future.

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

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie, but some of my best friends are fruit ice people, and that's totally fine.