EP 348 - What if Your Amazing Startup Idea Isn’t as Amazing as You Think? - Oliver Palmer - DQ Ventures

In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we explore a refreshing approach to entrepreneurship with Oliver Palmer, co-founder of DQ Ventures. Instead of encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to quit their jobs and dive headfirst into a startup, Oliver advocates for a more measured strategy.

Some of the topics Oliver covered in detail included:

• Why DQ Ventures focuses on working with slightly more mature founders—individuals who have been in the workforce for 10 to 20 years. These founders often have significant experience and insights into their industry, making them well-suited to identify and solve real problems.
• One of the most powerful insights from Oliver was the idea of making "little bets"---testing ideas in small, manageable ways before committing to a full-scale launch.
• The importance of investing in people, not simply in ideas., leading to the importance of finding co-founders who are not only passionate but also compatible.
• One of the key milestones DQ Ventures looks for before advising founders to quit their jobs is external validation.
• Entrepreneurial journeys do not have to be a high-wire acts. By taking a measured approach, making small bets, and validating ideas before fully committing, aspiring entrepreneurs can significantly increase their chances of success while minimizing risk.