My guest this week is Hanqing Wu, CEO & Founder of KMind, an gen AI focused venture, dedicated to leading the AI revolution with innovative concepts such as programmable personal computers, marking the beginning of a new era for intelligent assistants. Hanqing, also known as Dao Ge, is a renowned figure in the world of cybersecurity.

Starting as a teenage prodigy, he delved into hacking and founded the Phantom Forum at the age of 16, a leading security organization in China. Hanqing played a pivotal role in establishing Alibaba's network security system and, at just 28, led the defense against one of the largest DDoS attacks in internet history. His expertise and contributions earned him recognition, making him a key figure at Alibaba and a global innovator in technology, acknowledged by MIT Technology Review in 2017.

During this interview, we explored the captivating narrative of Hanqing's tech journey, We discussed his most significant scaling regrets and delved into his distinctive management philosophy and leadership lessons.

As requested by the guest, this episode is audio only.

Happy #iwd2024 to all your beautiful and brave women today!

My special guest this week is another brave startup female founder, Anastasia Kuskova, Co-founder and CEO of Sirius, a groundbreaking startup dedicated to revolutionizing sustainability in the mining and metals industry using the power of #ai.

From Moscow to Shanghai, and Geneva to her current home in Amsterdam, it hasn't been an easy ride both professionally and personally. Due to her Russian identity, despite graduating from a top-tier institution, Anastasia faced numerous rejections throughout job interviews. However, her unwavering perseverance led her to repeatedly challenge her own destiny, redefining her life. From strategic consulting to #worldeconomicforum , Anastasia rose through the ranks in world-class organizations, becoming one of the thought leaders in the #ESG space.

In our conversation, Anastasia shares gripping anecdotes from her life stories, illustrating the journey of breaking barriers, defying odds, and relentlessly pursuing her aspirations. She also imparts invaluable leadership insights, particularly aimed at empowering female leaders in today's world.

"If no one is betting on you, bet on yourself!"

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In this bonus episode, I delved deep into Andrew's insights on the current funding winter and its impact on the startup/vc ecosystem.

Jerry: Lastly, I'd like to discuss the scaling regrets you've experienced, considering your experience on both sides – as an investor and as someone who has started their own venture. What is your number one regret, and what lessons can you share?

Andrew: I believe a significant mistake prevalent in the startup and VC ecosystem in China is the relentless pursuit of expansion without recognizing the importance of timing. Many are accustomed to the 'go, go, go' mentality, persistently expanding even in unfavorable market conditions. They continue burning money when the market is down and the investment landscape is unfavorable, accumulating debts until eventual bankruptcy. The Chinese ecosystem, in my opinion, has yet to undergo substantial market corrections, and the absence of a role model sometimes leads to a forgetfulness that, in a downturn, the wisest course of action is often to wait patiently and do nothing rather than persisting with the hope that growth will miraculously bring new opportunities.

Successful entrepreneurs and investors with a long-term orientation understand the importance of adapting, whether it's for expansion or, at times, for cost-cutting, or even doing nothing. Additionally, the rise of AI is making it easier than ever to initiate ventures. Previously, one might need to hire a marketing person, a contact center, and various other roles, but now, the landscape allows for a more streamlined start.

So, my advice to the ecosystem is to focus on the timing, stop pursuing the low-hanging fruits and focus on the bigger picture and long-term strategies.

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