Founders Night with Khailee Ng and Ray Chan – exclusive for Bootstrap Alley startups

Having produced the likes of Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn, it’s no wonder that entrepreneurs around the world, including Asia, consider Silicon Valley a holy grail and key to building the next wave of world changing companies. However, given differences in culture and business style, can Silicon Valley’s style of working help startups thrive in Asia?

Khailee Ng (managing partner of 500 Startups) and Ray Chan (founder and CEO, 9Gag) have both built companies that combine the best elements of Silicon Valley while retaining their own identity. Now they are teaming up with Tech in Asia to help other founders figure out how to do the same. Khailee and Ray will discuss their experiences in an exclusive founders-only session on the evening of September 8, following Day 1 of Tech in Asia Tokyo 2015. It will be held in HiveShibuya, a coworking space run by Skyland Ventures and East Ventures.

This is an invite-only event, limited to founders who are exhibiting in Bootstrap Alley. There are 45 seats available and invitees will be selected at random.

If you have yet to secure your Bootstrap Alley booth, you now have until August 12 to apply in English or in Japanese.

Find out from Khailee and Ray just how much of Silicon Valley’s style can (or should) be successfully replicated in your startup. This session is sure to be filled to the brim with insider tips from two industry experts. Don’t miss out on your chance to join!

Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Startups

Khailee Ng started dabbling in creating web products at 15. Today, he is a familiar name in the Southeast Asian startup scene, with a prolific record as an investor and entrepreneur who builds and exits ventures at a rapid pace. He co-founded GroupsMore and Says.com, which were acquired by Groupon and merged with Malaysian media giant REV Asia Berhad (previously known as Malaysian media giant Catch Media) respectively in no time at all.

Khailee first joined technology venture capital firm 500 Startups as entrepreneur-in-residence and an active angel investor, often staking his own money on a variety of tech companies including the likes of App.io, Privy, CompStak, SupplyHog, Noonswoon and iMoney. It was there he discovered his passion for helping other founders in growing their companies, moving on to set up a 500 Startups fund dedicated to Southeast Asia (also known as 500 Durians).

Promoted to managing partner late last year, Khailee now spearheads the global expansion, while continuing to manage the Southeast Asian fund and form bridges between emerging markets and Silicon Valley.

Ray Chan, founder and CEO, 9Gag

What started out as a side-project during Hong Kong native Ray Chan’s university days has now become one of the most well-loved startups in Asia and worldwide. It’s safe to say 9Gag hasn’t deviated much from its original purpose to inject fun and joy in everyday life.

The one thing that has changed is its popularity with users, which has seen massive growth. While it has seen impressive traction since early days, no one – not even the man himself – anticipated just how popular the user-generated content website would grow to be.

Ray has checked all the boxes when it comes to creating a successful startup. He’s taken 9Gag on a Silicon Valley adventure, graduated from 500 Startups and Y Combinator and raised close to US$3 million in funding – all while retaining and growing 9Gag’s user base.

Time schedule

18:00 – 19:00 Khailee and Ray Founders Talk w/ Q & A
19:00 – 20:00 Networking

Location

2–10–12, Dogenzaka, SHIBUYA, TOKYO, 150–0043
Shintaiso Bldg. N0.3 5F