Kevin Sutantyo - You Have to Back the Right Founders

My Worst Investment Ever Podcast

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BIO: Kevin Sutantyo is the Partner for South East Asia investments for Sovereign’s Capital, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage, tech-driven, scalable companies.

STORY: Kevin invested in a company, thinking that he had more influence over the outcome of the company than he actually did. So, he directed the company owners on what to do, making them over-dependent on Kevin’s opinion. As an investor, he wasn’t always in the office, so sometimes he wouldn’t be reachable. The company would get stuck without Kevin’s decision.

LEARNING: You have to back the right founders. As investors, you’re here to guide companies, not to be prescriptive. The founders ultimately have to make final decisions because it’s still their company.

“As investors we’re here to guide companies, but not be prescriptive. We need to help them when they ask for our help.”

Kevin Sutantiyo

Guest profile

Kevin Sutantyo is the Partner for South East Asia investments for Sovereign’s Capital, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage, tech-driven, scalable companies.

Kevin was an active Angel investor in both the US and SEA prior to his work at Sovereign’s Capital.

He was an operator/investor for four years at an environmental biotechnology company focused on waste management.

Kevin also has experience with the Indonesian public markets as a Commissioner at a local Indonesian securities brokerage, maintaining a fit and proper standing with the Indonesian regulator (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan).

Worst investment ever

Kevin’s worst mistake was investing in a company and thinking he had more influence over the company’s outcome than he actually did. For some reason, Kevin thought he was more experienced and knew better, so he directed the company owners on what to do. This made them over-dependent on Kevin’s opinion. As an investor, he wasn’t always in the office, so sometimes he wouldn’t be reachable. The company would get stuck without Kevin’s decision.

Lessons learned

You have to back the right founders.
As investors, you’re here to guide companies, not to be prescriptive. Help them only when they ask.
The founders ultimately have to make final decisions because it’s still their company.
Realize that your influence may have some limitations.
Trust the founder.
Endeavor to be in a helpful position instead of a combative one, even when you and the founder have a difference of opinion.

Andrew’s takeaways

As an angel investor, your responsibility is to provide ideas and outside views.

Actionable advice

Don’t be a burden to the company. Take the approach that you’re investing in someone’s hopes, dreams, and mission and are here to support it. If you don’t believe in those hopes, dreams, and missions, don’t invest. Wait until you find another company that will align with precisely what you are looking for.

No.1 goal for the next 12 months

Kevin’s number one goal for the next 12 months is to continue with the fundraising trail. At the same time, he’ll continue looking for new, high-growth, and potential startups in Southeast Asia.

Parting words

“Be excited about the investment space and innovation. Get in there, and keep building. Our region is exciting, and I do see a bright future ahead.”

Kevin Sutantiyo

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