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Elise Tan and her Values, Passion and Purpose

This article first appeared on the SG60 feature series by Wantedly Hire.

Elise Tan is the founder of Asia Startup Network (ASN) since 2020, a vibrant community of >3,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and partners dedicated to empowering early-stage ventures through knowledge sharing, and support, enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to accelerate their growth. Giving back is a central theme at ASN, and together with the community, they raised nearly S$190,000 in donations over the past three years, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. She was the director of Communications and Community at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, one of the oldest and most established early stage venture capital firms.

Elise and volunteers at ASN's Charity Futsal Tournament for Beyond Social Services, 2024

1. What are your top 3 values? Please explain.

  • Collaboration: I see collaboration as the cornerstone for business success. By bringing together diverse perspectives and experts in networks like Asia Startup Network, I enjoy creating synergies that inspire growth and mutual learning.
  • Empowerment: I’m deeply committed to empowering individuals, especially aspiring entrepreneurs, through education and community-building. Whether through the our ASN events, Pre-founder Catalyst Program or the Remarkable Women Group, it brings me satisfaction to help people unlock their entrepreneurship potential and take bold steps toward their goals, as well as take their business forward.
  • Innovation: As someone with experience in AI innovation and insurance, I value forward-thinking solutions that drive change. I believe in fostering creativity and leveraging technology to solve pressing problems.

Elise conducting the Pre-founder Catalyst Program, 2024

2. What keeps you up at night?

I think about the barriers people face when starting their journeys—lack of funding, mentorship, or access to the right networks—and I want to find innovative yet cost effective ways to address these challenges, especially in Asia, where startups have so much untapped potential.

3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

The opportunity to make a tangible impact on someone’s startup journey excites me. Whether it’s connecting 2 individuals who may potentially collaborate with each other, mentoring a founder, creating a course that changes perspectives, or hosting a successful event, knowing that my efforts could inspire someone to pursue their dreams keeps me motivated every day.

4. What fills your cup?

Seeing others succeed because of something I initiated or contributed to is incredibly fulfilling. Watching someone go from uncertain to confident—whether it’s through the ASN programs or Remarkable Women Group, a pitching event like Angels Arena, connecting them to the right person—brings me joy and drives me to continue.

5. What’s your vision for Asia Startup Network? What will it take for that to be realised?

My vision for the Asia Startup Network is to be a thriving ecosystem where on one side aspiring founders can access mentorship, funding, and partnerships, making it the go-to platform for entrepreneurial success across Asia. On the other side, we would like to also enable talents to support Asian entrepreneurs, whether through providing fractional services, investment, mentorship or advisory services. To realize this, we need:

  • Strong partnerships with key stakeholders like operators, fractional professionals, investors, incubators, and governments.
  • Consistent and high-quality programming that addresses the unique needs of Asian startups.
  • A vibrant, inclusive community that fosters trust and collaboration.

Elise at a Founders' Dinner, 2024

6. Please leave us with your advice for startups/founders.

Focus on building meaningful relationships and networks. Your journey will often depend more on who you know than what you know. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to seek help or collaborate. You’ll be surprised at how much support is out there if you’re willing to engage with authenticity.

You can reach me via LinkedIn or email elise@asiastartupnetwork.com, or connect directly with Asia Startup Network through our website or social media channels. Let’s create something remarkable together!


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