Laurence ONFROY

Today’s announcement has been months in the making. I’m very happy to share a significant milestone for VentureBlick in Singapore: our appointment as an official programme partner of the Startup SG Accelerator programme! 🇸🇬   In my decades long healthcare career, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by startups in this space.   It’s not just about having a groundbreaking idea; it’s about navigating the complex landscape, finding the right resources, and most crucially, connecting with the right people.   Many startups need more than just guidance; they need someone to hold their hand through the journey and make those meaningful connections that can push them forward.   That’s precisely what we aim to do for healthcare at VentureBlick, and that’s what Startup SG aims to do for Singapore startups.   VentureBlick’s appointment as a programme partner of the Startup SG Accelerator’s programme partner network is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovation and driving real, tangible impact in the healthcare sector.   We’re on a mission to enable healthcare entrepreneurs to not just dream big but to turn those dreams into reality.   To all the visionary entrepreneurs out there, remember: you’re not alone in this journey. 💪🏼   Startup SG is an initiative of Enterprise Singapore. Thank you Enterprise Singapore, for placing your trust in us. 💚   #VentureBlick #HealthcareInnovation #Partnership

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Exploring the intersection of sheltertech and climate tech uncovers immense potential for transformative impact. The built environment, responsible for a significant share of global emissions, offers a prime opportunity for innovation and sustainable development. This journey through the emerging opportunities in sheltertech investment has revealed a pressing need to bridge the gap between our climate ambitions and the realities of urban development. By prioritizing investments in affordable, sustainable housing technologies, we have the power to catalyze climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. This is not just about building homes; it's about reshaping our future towards a more sustainable and equitable world. Let's take this call to action seriously and leverage sheltertech as a pivotal arena for driving environmental sustainability and social well-being. For a deeper understanding and to explore the opportunities within sheltertech, I encourage you to check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eHrjw3c5 #Proptech #ShelterTech #Sustainability

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Most discussion sessions intended for founders suck because the content is not practical/operational enough, there’s too many people in the room, or worse, someone’s trying to sell you something. Next Friday, I am hosting the inaugural Founder Salon in Singapore at the Lightspeed Southeast Asia office for 10 founder/CEOs or CHROs that is definitely none of that. Sunil Setlur (former Gojek CHRO) and I will be jamming on topics like: 🏗 Tradeoffs between functional and business unit-oriented organization structures 💵 How to design compensation strategies for teams 🌵 Several more thorny subjects on organization building These were all informed by the debates we’ve had at Gojek and learnings from the multitude of painful mistakes we’ve made - I'm creating a forum that I wish I had back when I was building. If you are a founder/CEO or CHRO, please apply here:

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🌍 Innovating How We Spend and Access Health and Wellness: The Global Scalability of Mentwell 🌍 As the Chairman of Mentwell, I’m excited to share the innovative strategies that will set us apart and enable us to scale globally with ease. At Mentwell, our mission is to revolutionise how people spend on health and wellness around the globe. By providing personalised, accessible, seamless experiences, we are able to truly created a distinguished offering for consumers who want to gift wellness to businesses who want their employees at their best. 🔧 One Innovation Behind Mentwell: Our platform leverages advanced merchant codes, which means we don’t need to sign up each individual supplier separately. This is a game-changer because it allows us to: ·     Streamline Integration: Quickly and efficiently incorporate a diverse array of services and products without the usual lengthy onboarding processes. ·      Enhance Accessibility: Provide our users with a broader selection of health and wellness resources from the best providers worldwide. ·      Maintain Flexibility: Adapt and expand our offerings based on emerging trends and user needs, ensuring we stay at the forefront of mental health innovation. 🌟 Why Mentwell Can Scale Globally: 1.    Universal Application: Mental wellness is a universal need, and our platform is designed to cater to diverse cultures and lifestyles. 2.    Scalable Technology: Our use of merchant codes allows for rapid and scalable integration with suppliers across different regions without extensive administrative overhead. 3.    Global Network: By not being tied to individual supplier sign-ups, we can leverage local card networks, ensuring our users have access to the Mentwell ecosystem, no matter where they are. Join us on this journey to make pay for health and wellness accessible to everyone, everywhere. Together, we can build a healthier, happier world. #Innovation #MentalWellness #GlobalScalability #TechInnovation #MentalHealth #Mentwell #HealthTech

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Great news for gender equality in Singapore! The recent Straits Times report showing Singapore's impressive 8th place ranking for low gender inequality is certainly something to celebrate. It's a testament to the progress made in creating a more equitable society. As we acknowledge this achievement, it's crucial to recognise the unique context of Singapore. The availability of domestic helpers plays a significant role in enabling many women to pursue demanding careers and leadership positions. This is a privilege not enjoyed by women in many other countries. Let's celebrate our progress, while also acknowledging the factors that have contributed to it. Openly recognising these nuances is essential for a truly honest conversation about gender equality. #genderequality #Singapore #carework #leadership #womeninbusiness #diversityandinclusion https://lnkd.in/ga3mwaV4

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I’ve been writing lately about what we look for in founders, qualities like grit, resilience, disruptive thinking and an ability to adapt to shifting market and customer dynamics. This also applies to our B Capital team members. We compete for talent in highly competitive and close-knit talent networks. To find the right talent, we have to offer a strong corporate culture and a set of shared values that transcend borders and align with employees’ broader ambitions. That’s why I’m so proud to share Why Business Building in Asia Begins with Talent, a new report from our partners at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) that features insights on our talent strategy in Asia from our own Sandi Sadek. The report identifies Talent as the most critical strategic asset in accelerating growth and business building. As B Capital’s Chief People Officer, Sandi has been central to growing our team and building our reputation across Asia and Southeast Asia. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gaRvMBsw

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Still reeling from all the great takeaways at Founders Forum Asia. This year, I was invited by Founder’s Forum to moderate a panel and share the stage with some brilliant investors and founders. (Thanks to Sean and Carolyn) The topic at heart is the state of capital stack in Southeast Asia. We discussed far ranging topics from the depth of capital, exits and investment strategies. Some key take aways: ✳️ Regional ecosystem is till relatively young - reflexive to changes in the US ✳️ Markets are fragmented and there is no regional exchange supporting large exits. ✳️ Probability of building large companies quickly is much lower vs [less fragmented] markets. ✳️ Exit options are more limited without a viable IPO avenue - listing in the US is limited to a few ✳️ Tighter portfolio of conviction and specialist funds tend to work better in the region ✳️ Founders expanding in the region require more hands-on support ✳️ Investors should collaborate to consolidate companies for more scale and better unit economics ✳️ Ecosystem is not yet self-sustaining; need to show exits (distribution) ✳️ Capital freed up from exits can be recycled to help grow ecosystem ✳️ A deep and well-functioning regional exchange is important to support exits (not just for unicorns) ✳️ IPO is not the only exit option. Strategic M&As are rising in the region ✳️ High-time to reset the metric for startup success (unicorn status is too narrow) -- We have come far along as an ecosystem and this is a base we can build on to mature further. There is much to celebrate including the growth we are witnessing in SEAsia. We’ve been in winter for awhile now, give it a bit more time. The post-event exhaustion also kicked in fairly quickly this time. Back to my cave before the next event. 💨 Credit goes to my amazing panel of experts: Geetali Iesan Edoardo Henry 📸 : The panel session with some great conversations

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🇸🇬Chilli crab, Gender Diversity, and ClimateTech - just an (extra)ordinary dinner in Singapore: “Do you think Singapore has a DEI problem?” asked one of our dinner guests as he sat up in his chair, eagerly looking around the table of 10, to see who’d be keen to share a point of view. Comments followed, with insights from the UK, Finland, Philippines…India. Definitions of “working women” debated, and comparisons of paternity leave across geographies exchanged. “How can we ensure that women coming back from maternity leave can have the same opportunities - roles and compensation - and are not disadvantaged by their decision to have children?” asked someone from the other side of the table. It was a humid Tuesday evening at Long Beach, with a group of colleagues coming together to talk #sustainability, #biodiversity, #naturecapital, the roles of investment and corporate sectors in driving change, most interesting areas to invest across decarbonization and #adaptation…And of course - #gender. After all, gender and climate are intrinsically linked and this group of highly-engaged and driven individuals coming from banking, legal, family office, startup, corporate and other sectors - were not afraid to dive in deep and bring up controversial topics. While some knew each other from other circles and reconnected (some even went to high school together) — others met for the first time and (hopefully) made new friends and climate allies. With mango dessert as a finishing course, we hugged an evening goodbye. “We need clear and consistent messaging for private sector to invest in more climate innovation and technological solutions” pointed out a representative of a family office. And she is not wrong. 🙏 An enormous thank you to Ann-Marie Wun and Christine Amour-Levar for bringing together some of the most incredible people of Singapore for dinner with The Radical Fund Here is to many more radical encounters. #climateresilience #investorsforclimate #climategender

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I recently came across an article by Nikkei Asia on menopause in Japan and across Asia, which sheds light on some critical issues and I wanted to share some key insights from it. Japan is currently facing challenges with its declining population and the economic participation of women. A significant barrier is the societal discomfort in discussing menopause openly, making this article particularly impactful. It appears that the Japanese government is beginning to recognize the importance of supporting menopausal women. However, the private sector seems less convinced of the necessity to act, or perhaps they are unsure of how to start addressing this issue. This disparity highlights a crucial area where more awareness and proactive measures are needed to support women and improve their participation in the workforce.

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With Accelerating Asia Ventures celebrating our 6th birthday this week, I thought I would reshare a little story. In 2016, I applied for a job at a "fast-growing" startup. It was a social impact partnerships role, working in a globally distributed team. The role was to grow their global partnerships with non profits and social enterprises to support the company's growth and their work with women and girls in Africa. Seemed like a perfect fit. I got through all the interview rounds and my final step was an interview with the founder. Unfortunately, it was one of the worst interview experiences I've ever had. It seemed like he had already profiled me, doubtful about everything that I had done during my career. He would ask a question and then interrupt me as I answered, cynical. It was about 30 minutes of me constantly on the back foot desperately trying to prove myself. He ended the interview abruptly by telling me that there are too many twenty-something year olds running around the world with their laptops thinking that they are going to create social impact, and that it's not the kind of person they were looking for. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. (Well actually, I don't know... maybe it's still an option because I never heard from the company again after that interview) But at the time, for a twenty-something year old person who was pretty hopeful that I could be doing something impactful with my job, that experience was pretty confidence crushing. 2 years later in 2018, Craig Bristol Dixon and I started Accelerating Asia Ventures. And *I* became a twenty-something year old person, running around the world with my laptop, working with startups who are creating a positive impact and changing the world. We now have 80 portfolio companies across Southeast Asia and South Asia. The results are still coming in from our most recent metrics gathering exercise across the portfolio. But from my initial number crunching, I can tell you this: ✨ Our portfolio companies have created jobs for close to 17k people across the region ✨ 2.5mil individuals and micro-enterprises have gained access to financial services through their work ✨ Over 8mil patients have been provided access to healthcare services through work that portfolio companies are doing in the healthcare space. ✨ 1.4mil students have been able to access quality education digitally around the region through our ed-tech investments ✨ 60k farmers have gained access to customised farming advice and information through portfolio companies in the agri-tech industry ✨ And 62k metric tonnes of co2 have been avoided through the work of portfolio companies in the green economy. You know, every now and then life throws you a teachable moment. The feelings associated with those moments can often be pretty negative but I've been learning that these are the moments that define what kind of person you want to be like. Or, most importantly, the kind of person you don't want to be like.

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🌟 Redefining Team Wellness With Conscious Connected Breathwork 🗣️ At Sustainable Times, fostering team spirit is a top priority. Last month, we ditched the usual team bonding activities involving alcohol for something truly transformative: breathwork. Breathwork has profoundly impacted my mental state and life, thanks to Dr Joe Dispenza’s teachings. We took our team to Plunge & Sauna in Shoreditch, where David Tran guided us through Conscious Connected Breathwork (holotropic breathwork). The experience was nothing short of unbelievable. Why Breathwork? 🧘‍♂️ 1. Oxygenation: Boosts blood oxygen levels, enhancing vitality. 2. Stress Reduction: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. 3. Emotional Release: Helps release suppressed emotions, leading to clarity. 4. Mental Clarity: Quiets the mind, improving focus. Benefits: ✅ Enhanced mental and emotional well-being ✅ Improved physical health and energy ✅ Greater self-awareness ✅ Better stress management Our team felt incredible after the session, experiencing firsthand how conscious breathing can alter physical and mental states. The cold plunge and sauna amplified these benefits, leaving everyone rejuvenated. Given the impact, breathwork will now be a regular part of our wellness routine. I’m grateful for our team’s openness and to David Tran for guiding us. Here’s to making breathwork a staple in our wellness program! 🌿 How do you prioritize wellness in your team?

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Enjoyed participating in a discussion on mobilizing investment to deliver a net-zero economy at the #JapanEnergySummit. The biggest barrier constricting VC capital flow is the potential for"death-by-pilot" where start-ups fail to secure the necessary funding required to support multiple iteration and scale-up phases often with moving goalposts from customers and partners. Contrary to popular belief, it is often commercial inertia that extends these timelines, not fundamental technology issues. While commercial partners need to manage risk, start-ups need to find partners where the highest levels of management see the vision for future alignment and are not just tinkering. And start-ups need to be able to give confidence to investors by striking early commercial deals with these partners that are subject to performance milestones and show real skin in the game.

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What is the Value Proposition of Changer Club? The most frequent question I receive during the last couple years. Scaling community to global, learning from world best minds in self-development, becoming international angel investor, stepping off own industry to see disruptions in other markets, luxury travel with meaning, rekindling love and inviting spouses, making a trampline for your kids to grow ..... or simply look at new landing page of the Changer Club. Bravo head of relationships of MENA Kevin Engelbert 🌀for putting it together. Talk to Kevin he will go very deep what means exponential growth for a entelectualy advance entrepreneurs https://lnkd.in/dSB9SJ3X

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【Temasek’s Bold $10 Billion Investment in India 🇮🇳】 -- A Strategic Move Amid China Slowdown In a move that underscores India’s growing significance on the global investment landscape, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek Holdings, has announced plans to invest $10 billion in India over the next three years. 🇨🇳 This ambitious investment comes at a time when the performance of #Chinese markets has been lackluster, underscoring #India’s importance as one of Temasek’s top two preferred markets globally, alongside the #US. 🇸🇬 Looking at Temasek's #trackrecord, it's impressive to note that they have already deployed around $37 billion in India over the past two decades.. 💡As of 2023, India now makes up 7% of Temasek’s global portfolio by underlying assets, up from 4% in 2020. In 2023 alone, they invested a record $3 billion in the country. What stands out to me is their perspective on India's market dynamics: "India has always commanded a premium due to its growth potential. By identifying and investing in the right businesses, consistently achieved returns that justify the higher valuations" "The capital markets and deal sizes in India have been steadily increasing, thanks to the expanding and maturing financial markets. The current high valuations are justified by the potential for above-average returns," Temasek’s #InvestmentStrategy in India will focus on several key areas, including technology, financial services, healthcare, and consumer goods. 🌡️ For instance, Temasek’s portfolio, Sheares Healthcare Group, healthcare investor, recently invested almost $2 billion in Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, Indian leading muli speciality hospital operator, with total stake of 59% (new 41%) at $4.9 billion valuation. This valuation is justified by Manipal’s strong financial performance, including 1) a revenue of around $488 million, 2) an EBITDA margin of 24% for FY 2023, 3) several millions patient as sticky customers and 4) potential for free cash flow generation. Later, they sold 8% stake to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala while holding majority shares. Very successful story and foreseen investment. I reckon their increasing investment in India reaffirms the country's status as a pivotal destination for global investors. As someone keenly observing these developments, it's clear that India's market offers tremendous opportunities, and Temasek’s commitment only strengthens this outlook. Ravi Lambah Alex Lin #startup #Singapore #Investment

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What does the future hold? 🤔 According to top VC Vinod Khosla, it's looking optimistic! In a recent article, Vinod Khosla at Khosla Ventures shared his views on our plausible futures in 2035-2049, and it's a nice counterbalance against the too-pessimistic doom thinking out there. ⚡ Khosla believes that entrepreneurs, with passion for a vision, invent the future they want. And if we allow it to happen, abundant, awesome, technology-based, “possible tomorrows” are likely ⚡ ----------------------- Are you interested in building the future with/ for your company? Take the first step here 📆 https://lnkd.in/e6kjakzF Let's make the future happen! 🚀 #Future #Venturing #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Technology #Possibilities

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In our latest analysis we took a deeper look at the activity of Digital Health Investors in Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region presents unique challenges, especially in Southeast Asia, where investors have traditionally been cautious in deploying capital. Each region and market within Asia Pacific has its own challenges and regulatory frameworks, adding complexity to investment decisions. Good to see East Ventures as part of the top 5 early stage investors by volume! Wesley Tay 👋🏽 https://lnkd.in/d2UF4869 #investors #investment #APAC

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[ 💎 Support Women in Entrepreneurship ] At Newfund, gender diversity is a priority. We track our data to eliminate bias in our investments. Women founders are underrepresented and receive less funding than men. To address this, we developed a 2023 action plan to promote female entrepreneurship, aiming for 25% of initial appointments with startups co-founded by women. Here's our progress: 📌 17% of opportunities were from startups co-founded by women, up from 11% in 2022. 🤝 21% of first meetings were with female founders, up from 13% in 2022. We're committed to reaching 25% in 2024 and welcome your support in recommending Newfund to female founders. 🌟 Let's drive diversity and innovation together ! hashtag#GenderDiversity hashtag#WomenInTech hashtag#VentureCapital hashtag#DiversityAndInclusion hashtag#Startups hashtag#Newfund

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Social value: A revival in philanthropy? 🤔 Great speaking on a panel at the Footprint+ conference to discuss & debate how we can better connect developers with VISABLE social impact! A few key themes that came from the convo: 📈How do we actually measure social value? The ‘E’ in ESG has a more defined measurement but what about the ‘S’? If we can’t fully measure it, we can’t track it. Thoughts? 🎯 How do we better facilitate direct tie ups between developers and local charities? (Southwark charities is a stellar example of this) 💡How do we look at social impact and business performance as not mutually exclusive? We’re seeing more and more signs that a business that stands for something and gives back can actually enhance its bottom line. Thanks to my fellow panelist’s for a great session! Chris Bowie-Hill @Chris Wilson of Southwark Charities and @Juraj Marko of JTRE #proptech #ESG #impact #hospitality #realestate #footprint

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🌟 **Networking with Empathy: My Transformative Experience at BHX Bali 2024** 🌟   We often view networking as a means to an end – a calculated process to achieve our goals. But my recent experience at BHX's Bali edition in July 2024 completely redefined this notion.   Picture this: 20 diverse entrepreneurs under one roof, sharing space, meals, ideas, and stories. No pretenses, no hidden agendas – just authentic connections.   This brings me to a powerful concept: **"Networking with Empathy."**   At BHX Bali, connections weren't forged with a singular aim to gain. Instead, we focused on: • Giving first • Fostering genuine relationships • Creating a space where real value emerges organically   💡 **Key Takeaways:** 1. **Authenticity**: Be your true self, always. 2. **Shared Experiences**: Bond through storytelling and mutual understanding. 3. **Mutual Support**: Ask "How can I help?" before "What can I get?" 4. **Deep Connections**: Build relationships rooted in trust and empathy.   Empathetic networking shifts the question from "What's in it for me?" to "How can we grow together?" In this mindset of giving, I found I received far more than I could have imagined.   Let's redefine networking – not as a task to complete, but as a journey to cherish and a community to nurture.   Have you experienced the power of empathetic networking? Share your thoughts below! 👇   #ProfessionalNetworking#SharedExperiences# #EmpathyInBusiness#ValueDrivenNetworking #EmpathyExchange#bhxproject

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