Building for and investing in emerging markets, from China to Indonesia | Adrian Li, Founder & Managing Partner of AC Ventures

Author: BackScoop and Amanda Cua
Published: Sun 12 Nov 2023
Episode Link: https://shows.acast.com/onemorescoop/episodes/65504a3146e5c90011229e7c

Adrian Li is the founder and managing partner of AC Ventures, formerly known as Convergence Ventures. AC Ventures is an early stage, Indonesia-focused tech VC fund. They manage five funds with an AUM of over $500 million and a portfolio of over 120 businesses. Investments led for the fund include Payfazz, Koinworks, Julo, Stockbit, Xendit, Astro, Carsome, and more.

But that's not the most interesting part. Adrian's first startup was Idapted, where as CEO and co-founder, he raised two rounds of funding, led the company to be the largest live online English training service in China of all places, and also exited the company.

Topics:

[00:00:00] - Childhood Influences and Personal Journeys

[00:11:08] - Boarding School Experience and Oxbridge Goals

[00:14:47] - Academic Study and Goal Setting

[00:23:28] - Backpacking Through Remote China (aka, the scariest trip of his life!)

[00:33:25] - Failed Entrepreneurial Attempt With Essay-Exchange Website

[00:36:09] - The Struggles of Investment Banking

[00:38:45] - MBA to Starting a Venture in China

[00:46:14] - Testing English Language Product in Beijing

[00:49:20] - Entrepreneurship and Investment in Indonesia

[00:56:20] - Entrepreneurship, Advice and Personal Goals

[01:01:41] - Benefits of Physical Fitness for Life