Sam Shafie is the co-founder and CEO of pitchIN, a Malaysian platform for equity and token fundraising.

Oh, and they’re also a registered Recognized Market Operator by the Securities Commission of Malaysia. 

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

We help companies raise funding by listing them on our platform for the general public and investment community to invest in them. 

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

I was formerly a Deputy Public Prosecutor in the early 90s with the Attorney General Chambers of Malaysia. 

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

Being voted by my peers as Malaysia's Fintech Ecosystem Builder of the Year (2023) was a pleasant surprise as well as pitchIN, being chosen "Startup of the Year" in 2021 by the Malaysia Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (MVCA).

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

EV infra and support. 

As more drivers opt for electric cars, the infra and support need to kick into high gear, Another is AgTech. How do you get more bucks from lands but at the same time, do minimal damage to it? 

The third is closer to what pitchIN does, which is to offer alternative financing by way of Token fundraising, which is also non-dilutive.

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

There is no shortcut. Find a problem big enough. Talk to your customers/clients. Be focused and tune out the noise.

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

Liverpool FC. 

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Movie: Pulp Fiction / TV Show: Narcos.

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

Vanilla. A safe bet. 

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.