With a host of startup projects such as the Commissioning & Operational Readiness System being launched, most business people ask what it is like to work with Asian entrepreneurs. Well, if you are interested to know about Asian investors, then read on. At this moment, we are going to look into the current reputation of Asians in the startup sector. They are vital entrepreneurs you should know. We will wrap it up with a piece of advice about mixing corporate culture and geographical culture.
First things first, the reality is that the difference between entrepreneurs from the West and those from the East is not as prominent as you may think. However, there is evidence that cultural differences do play a part in how people invest. Importantly, these differences do relate to an individual rather than an institutional investor.
Major investors stick to the same rules when it comes to investment attitude. Typically, you will catch investors saying they look at product-market fit and market size among a host of other related variables.
The Growth in Numbers of Asian Investors
Lately, many Asian firms have been investing in Silicon Valley startup projects. According to one American magazine, there has been an upsurge in the number of public and private Asian firms that have rushed to get a slice of the most promising tech.
Statistics show that over a quarter of America’s successful startups like Uber and Snapchat have an investor from either China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Japanese Entrance into the Investment Network
Most publications and press have been focusing on the Chinese involvement in Silicon Valley. However, Japan is slowly making a name for itself in the startup investment chain. According to a particular science and tech report, Japan ranks second in the financial markets with an approximated 16 trillion dollars in personal financial assets.
Japan’s interest in tech and investment is growing by the year. In addition to significant investments in existing firms, Japan has also been making strong statements proving their intent to become major investors in tech startups. For example, Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has made noteworthy investments in the financial field.
As one of the global financial giants, investors from Japan offer global go-to avenues, access to new markets, finances, and state of the art design and manufacturing competencies.
Geographical Stereotypes vs. Corporate Culture
Working with investors from the East can have a lot of benefits for startups. At the top of the list is that it opens up new markets overseas. However, even though both the Eastern and Western investors might have similar investment views, chances are that difference in opinions on how to manage the businesses might arise.
The disparities could rise from the rate of decision making or detail and planning required. Experts warn that it is not wise to assume a company’s moves are determined by regional ethics and not those brought up by the firm itself.
The number of Asian investors is growing by the day, and startups should not turn them down. It is critical for you to determine investors and firms whose interests ideally align with your requirements. The bottom line is that startups should be meticulous in choosing potential investors and not use cultural stereotypes to decide who to partner with.