Sign up for the Daily Newsletter, sent exclusively to our premium subscribers. We break down the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community. Get the newsletter in your inbox everyday with a premium subscription.
Hi readers,
I’ve never been a competitive person my entire life, which is why I can’t see myself as an athlete. A 100-meter dash? You mean a 100-meter walk, right? I kid, of course.
I had the opportunity to interview former Japanese footballer Keisuke Honda during the recent KL20 Summit as part of a feature story on athletes wading into the VC world.
I asked him why he stepped into a risky investment class. Usually people of his stature would put their money into real estate or some sports-related stuff, or maybe set up an academy and do private coaching.
He told me that he was always exposed to risk as a sportsman, so wearing the VC hat isn’t any different.
Playing sports and betting on an investment are two different things. But he is right to point out that his life as a sportsperson made him used to taking risks.
The life of a sportsperson is about highs and lows – there’s no middle. You are either at the top of your game or you crash and burn. You spend money, time, and effort for just a single goal.
Any financial adviser will tell you that’s a bad investment and you should diversify instead.
But there are merits, on certain occasions, where going all-in may be worth it.
To be sure, none of these athletes are going all-in as VCs. It’s just one part of their large portfolio.
A question posed to me while writing this article was whether founders would purposely undervalue their startups for some of these athletes to show up on companies’ cap tables.
It’s a good question to which I have no answers.
But what these celebrities bring to the table is a different dynamic to the VC space, especially on this side of the globe. And more are expected to throw their hats in the ring in the chase of landing the next “decacorn.”
Perhaps being risk-on in investing is one of many ways for them to continually feel like being in the ring.
Top stories this week
RSVP now to rub elbows with the who’s who of Vietnam’s genAI scene
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
