Get All Access for $5/mo

MDI Ventures' Shannon Lee on why Start-ups Should be Cautious Before Pitching for Venture Debt Capital Chaluangco has joined MDI Ventures as investments director to lead the company's Singapore operations

By Dipen Pradhan

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

shutterstock

Shannon Lee Chaluangco, who will now lead Indonesia-based MDI Ventures' investments in Singapore, believes that venture debt capital is a "good alternative source of financing with less dilution." She, however, cautions startups not to "over leverage" it.

She is not wrong. Start-ups avail venture debt capital when they don't want to dilute the equity of the company. However, they will have to repay the borrowed sum along with interest within a given period of time. And, failure to repay can even lead the company to be sold or to liquidate.

"It (venture debt capital) is great if your numbers are improving and have the ability to secure additional financing, but obviously it can create pressure otherwise. So work with a credible provider that will be a little more patient if things get tough," Chaluangco said.


In pic: Shannon Lee Chaluangco, a newly appointed Investments Director, MDI Ventures, Singapore

A 29-year-old Chaluangco joined MDI Ventures, which focusses its investments on tech-driven high growth businesses, as investments director for the company's Singapore operations. She earlier worked with CapitaLand's corporate venture capital (CVC) initiative C31 Ventures as an investment manager.

Meanwhile, MDI Ventures today (8 August) announced Chaluangco's appointment only a week after the venture capital's former CEO, Nicko Widjaja, joined PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia to lead the latter's new corporate venture arm, BRI Ventures. Widjaja backed 32 startups during his tenure at MDI Ventures.

The Telkom Indonesia-backed MDI Ventures is a US$140 million corporate venture capital firm, with headquarters in Jakarta and operations in Singapore and Silicon Valley. It has so far invested in 33 startups. The company earlier announced that MDI Ventures returned 40 per cent this year after a 28 per cent gain in 2018. Further, the VC firm is spearheading talks with limited partners in Asia to raise additional funds as it plans to go full-throttle in its expansion plans.

"MDI Singapore is a new outfit, but MDI is a known name especially in Indonesia where most of our investments have been made so far. However, that will change with the establishment of our Singapore office, which is part of our move towards being a global VC," Chaluangco said.

And her success strategy for startups? "Founders and early employees in startups wear many hats, and it can be tempting to do many things at once," Chalaungo says. "However, it's important to be focussed, especially in the early days and to understand who your customers are, what they want, and what they will pay for."

"Ideas are cheap, so execute quickly yet thoughtfully. Be mentally prepared for it to be several gruelling years ahead. Oh, and don't be an asshole." - Shannon Lee Chaluangco

Asia attracted 38 per cent of all CVC deals in 2018, up from 31 per cent in 2017, according to CB Insights. The same report suggests that CVCs accounted for 38 per cent of all disclosed funding for tech startups in Asia.

Dipen Pradhan

Senior Correspondent, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

Dipen is a senior correspondent for Entrepreneur, Asia Pacific edition. He joined Entrepreneur after a stint reporting on India's startup ecosystmem for Inc42 and, prior to that, more than four years covering human interest news on an array of issues for The Statesman. He is a graduate in Humanities & Social Sciences, with major in English and Journalism from Orient College, Tribhuvan University. You may write to him at dpradhan@entrepreneurapj.com
Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business Process

How CEOs Can Take Control of Their Emails and Achieve Inbox Zero

Although there are many methodologies that leaders can use to manage their emails effectively, a consistent and thought-through process is the most effective way to systemize and respond to emails and is a step of stewardship for the effective leader.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.