Evan Heng: Building $6.7M Revenue Startup During University, 99.9% Focus Student Founder (Sacrificed Love) and the Power of Education

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders and Venture Capital VC

"In the first year from May 2019 until the start of Covid, it was tough since I had to juggle school and didn't do well at the beginning. So, I decided to take a leave of absence and go all-in 100%. That first year of difficulties laid the foundation for the company today, in terms of how everything is run. Although it was challenging, looking back, I enjoyed it. I consider myself process-driven rather than outcome-driven, as I enjoy the process more than achieving the outcome." - Evan Heng

“Education is powerful. By providing opportunities for the next generation to receive a good education, we're not just shaping their future, but we're also paving the way for future generations. Without these opportunities, they won't be able to achieve their full potential. For me, the impact of education goes beyond just helping the current generation secure good jobs and create a better future. It has a multiplying effect, and that's why I find it hard to consider any other industry. I've experienced firsthand how impactful education can be, and I want to continue to be a part of that impact.” - Evan Heng

"Don't be afraid to reach out. People are very willing to help, even if they don't get anything in return. It's very important that if you are a founder, you better start networking. You better start talking to as many people as you can because of the sheer amount of knowledge and information that you are able to gain from all these different opportunities." - Evan Heng

In a recent discussion with Evan Heng, founder of the education tech startup Zenith Education, we learned about his journey to becoming a founder and the challenges he faced along the way. Evan's passion for education led him to start Zenith. One of the most significant challenges Evan faced was building a team with diverse skill sets and aligned values. He overcame this by focusing on recruiting individuals with complementary skill sets and a shared vision for the company. Another challenge was obtaining funding for the startup. Evan managed to secure funding from various sources, including angel investors and grants, by creating a compelling business plan and demonstrating the potential impact of Zenith.

Evan also highlighted the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning in building a successful startup. He advised other founders to stay committed to their vision, be open to feedback and criticism, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. In conclusion, Evan Heng's journey to becoming a founder and building a successful education tech startup is inspiring. By overcoming significant challenges and staying committed to his vision, Evan has shown other founders the importance of building a strong team, securing funding, and embracing perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Read the transcript at www.bravesea.com/blog/evan-heng

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp Daily Insight: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CeL3ywi7yOWFd8HTo6yzde

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

#bravesea #startuplife #entrepreneurship #edtech #innovation #education #studentfounder #founderjourney #scaling #venturecapital #networking #mentoring #collaboration #teamwork #learningcurve #perseverance #resilience #problem-solving #futureofwork #technology