Umar Munshi is the Managing Partner of HASAN.VC, a VC fund and accelerator focused on nurturing and investing in 50 early-stage, ethical and impactful tech startups.

HVC invested in 13 startups in their first 6 months during the second half of 2024, and targets a total of 35 by the end of 2025.

Umar founded Ethis, a fintech Venture Builder in 2014. They launched the first real estate P2P investment platform in Asia that year, focused on funding social housing in Indonesia.

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

We identify, train, invest in and support early-stage tech startups that strive to solve problems for and uplift humanity. Our startups must fulfil ethical criteria.

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

We are serial founders who went into VC to help other founders.

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

The first and only Singaporean to receive awards from dignitaries such as the Sultan of Malaysia and the Crown Prince of Dubai for our pioneering work to advance fintech and venture capital in the Islamic finance industry.

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

Decentralized AI to distribute AI infra and capability away from big tech, Agentic AI to revolutionize automation in IR, finance, and ops, and Ethical Fintech because finance for good is much needed.

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

Actively engage with and understand startup founders before jumping into VC.

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

Ethics in business and finance!

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Shark Tank.

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

Dark chocolate.