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Author Neil Gaiman’s hefty American Gods details how deities attempt to connect with the modern world. Things have evolved since those gods were first around, and they’ve realized they have to change to keep up with times.
Changes are constantly afoot in the dizzyingly fast world of startups too, changes that are existence-defining.
And despite there being other stakeholders in the ecosystem, the brunt of these changes is often shouldered by startups. This is why Temasek – and its current strategy – caught our attention.
The Singapore-based investor, which has backed companies all over the globe, now has its very own startups. The unforeseen move opens up a world of questions: Why did Temasek pull its sleeves up and launch its own startups when it could have picked from the creme de la creme? How closely involved will the investor be in the functioning of these startups?
Holding the reins can be a tricky thing. Too tight and you may stifle growth. Too slack and you might never achieve what you set out to do. Striking a balance is key, and Temasek believes it has found the secret.
Personally, I had never seen Temasek as a company that could change directions with ease, but folks at the firm beg to differ. In the words of Song Hwee Chia, deputy CEO at Temasek International, the firm is “agile and nimble,” it is “flexible” enough to do what it takes.
Unlike the gods in Gaiman’s universe, Temasek certainly doesn’t have to claw its way up in the world. But that hasn’t stopped the investment firm from pushing itself into newer territory.
Temasek certainly seems to have caught on to the power – and the need – to adapt to a brave new world.
— Nikita Puri, journalist at Tech in Asia
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