Kate Williams is the founder of Cultivate, a Singapore-based recruitment and HR services provider specializing in supporting founders, business leaders, and investors in the APAC tech ecosystem.

Before Cultivate, Kate was VP for People Operations and Interim Director of Sales at Hmlet.

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

We help founders, business leaders, and investors to source, select, and retain a-player talent by providing recruitment, HR, and visa services.

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

I've always dreamed of becoming a pilot. 

I even took flying lessons when I was younger and hope to pick it up again (one day!).

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

By far, launching Cultivate. 

We provide approachable solutions and services that are desperately needed, and I wish I had access to them when I was in-house. 

I am lucky to do what I love (and am good at) alongside like-minded and passionate founders.

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

There is a lot—anything related to the circular economy and sustainability from a scalable e-commerce lens, the evolution of early-stage investment in APAC, and anything that has the potential to disrupt the recruitment industry. 

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

Get comfortable with rejection. 

Unfortunately, a large part of our job is informing candidates they are unsuccessful or being told by clients they don't need our services. 

It's not personal, so focus only on what you can control and the quality of service you provide to those around you. 

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

True crime podcasts—white collar, murders, scandals, and anything broadly criminal-related. 

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Too many to list—Modern Family, Beaches, Yellowstone, Peaky Blinders. 

And not ashamed to admit I love a good reality series to escape. 

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

Mint chocolate chip—from anywhere. But my favorite ice cream of all time is Ferrero Rocher from Massimo's in Noosa, Australia.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.