Tiffine Wang is a Partner at MS&AD Ventures, an early-stage global fund backed by Mitsui Sumitomo & Aioi Nissay Dowa.

The VC firm has invested in Singapore-based unicorn Carro, HR tech startup Hybr1d, remote work platform Multiplier, and Intellect, a mental health startup. 

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

Venture capital is like having a helpful advisor who believes in your idea and wants to help you make it real. This person is called a venture capitalist. 

VCs have access to money (capital) and they invest in your idea and become part owners of your business. Their job is to help you grow and navigate the growth of your business.

Be careful which VC partner you choose because sometimes these relationships can last longer than some marriages.

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

For venture, it is long and lonely hours and often filled with difficult decisions. Many people have a stereotype that venture is glamorous but it is not that simple.

Corporate innovation takes a lot of patience. 

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

When I was a little girl, I imagined working with some of the smartest people around the world to solve interesting problems to make our world better. 

With 100 portfolio companies globally now, I feel blessed that that is exactly what I get to do day to day. 

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

AI has been around for a while. [But we’re also watching] quantum, next-generation security, silvertech, digital health, and more. 

At MS&AD Ventures, we like to keep things open so we are not missing what we are not looking for. 

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

In VC, you need to be very proactive and take initiative. When I was growing up, there were no blogs or training courses on venture capital. 

Today, there are a lot, so if you are serious about it, pick up a few books and get a foundation before asking for a meeting with a Partner. 

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

Human dynamics, business strategy, [the] intersection of cultures, and food from around the world.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Life is exciting enough for me. 

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

It depends on what country I am in. Stracciatella in Italy, pistachio in Portugal, coconut in Mexico, pandan in SG/SEA, chocolate in Switzerland, matcha and azuki in Japan, and lavender in France. You get the point.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.