YC’s Garry Tan has advice for SEA’s founders

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Hello reader,

I’m a worrier by nature.

It comes with being a classic overthinker that my brain automatically dwells on the worst-case outcome for almost any scenario.

Take last month’s Tech in Asia Conference in Jakarta. I was asked to help moderate a panel on stage and while I said yes, I was also quaking in my boots.

Would I freeze up there in front of a few hundred people? Would I say something so lamebrained that I’d be unable to show my face in public again? Would I spontaneously combust under the glare of the lights?

All these thoughts and more ran through my head but as it turned out, the panel session went off without a hitch. The lesson for me? To have a little more faith in myself.

Garry Tan had to deal with some worriers last week too. The CEO of Y Combinator (YC) told our Founders’ Meetup audience in Singapore that YC was still funding Southeast Asian startups after he heard concerns to the contrary. Have a little faith, founders.

Today we look at:

• Garry Tan’s advice for founders in Southeast Asia
• Grab’s focus on affordability as it aims to build on first profitable quarter
• Other newsy highlights such as Hodlnaut facing liquidation and a new VC fund in Dubai.

Premium summary

It’s fun to fund with YC, eh?

Image credit: Timmy Loen

Garry Tan recently joined a Tech in Asia Founders Meetup in Singapore for a fireside chat.

The president and CEO of Y Combinator revealed why he’s still bullish on consumer tech, why he sees tough times ahead for lending firms, and more.

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