Fandy Cendrajaya is the Founding Partner of Kopital Ventures. They’re a Southeast Asian-based pre-seed and seed-focused fund looking to invest in 40 companies in the next three years.

They recently raised $12M for their maiden fund. 

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I democratize opportunities for people of all backgrounds to go after their entrepreneurial dreams by investing in their ideas.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I majored in Psychology as an undergrad and I would like to believe it has helped in my capability to analyze founders. 

No matter how great the business is running, I have learned that the best downside protection is investing in the right people. (Are they investor-friendly? Will they be prudent in their expenditures? Are they open and honest? Are they willing to admit when they have made a mistake?)

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Investing in some of the most ambitious and passionate people since day one and seeing them overcome multiple obstacles to achieving new milestones after milestones is a surreal feeling.

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

There is no particular space that I am particularly looking at. We are very founder-driven. 

A trend that I have been seeing are founders raising at a friendlier valuation with less dilution which is very different from a few years ago when everyone was trying to optimize valuations from day one without considering the long-term ramification. 

Typically, these founders are also not in any rush to raise external funding but are looking for strategic investors to expedite their growth.

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

I don't think I am qualified to be handing out any career advice as I am constantly seeking advice myself.

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Personally, I would encourage anyone to constantly reflect on him/herself, maintain high self-awareness, stay humble and open-minded, and continue to expand his/her network. Build genuine relationships. Be helpful. 

Rome wasn't built in a day, we don't know who we might need in difficult times.

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

The intangible qualities of a top-tier founder/fund manager.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

The Big Short, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Internship.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Matcha.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.