Alvin Foo, Co-Founder, DAOventures
Alvin is Co-founder at DAOventures, President at NASDEX, Previously Google's Head of Mobile. as well as:
China - IPG Reprise's Managing Director,
China - Omnicom's Head of Mobility and Innovation.
China - Advisors for SXSW.
China - Accelerator.
Sparklabs Korea.
Emerging Tech and Marketing Evangelist.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
My favourite social media platform is Twitter. Not only does it help me to spread the good news, but it also provides me with the quickest way to stay up to date with whatever that's going on in the tech space.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I m currently focusing my entire effort on blockchain and fintech, more specifically crypto, defi, NFT and metaverse.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I had the opportunity to evolve from many areas in tech, starting from the advent of the internet covering ad tech, e-commerce, gaming, social media, telecoms and now blockchain. The exciting part of my business is we are once again at another inflexion point in technology where web 2.0 as we know it will soon graduate into web 3.0.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
On life: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" - George Carlin.
On career: "Do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." - George Washington.
On learning: "Learn, unlearn and re-learn."
On tech: "Learn and appreciate technology, but don't fall in love with it as it's ever-evolving."
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My motivation is my family; they have always encouraged me to be the best, follow my dreams, and never give up. Even at the young age of 74, my dad inspires and mentors me till these days.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My pride are my beautiful children, who are almost grown-ups but will forever be my little babies.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
While I do meet and connect a lot of new friends on social media, I m still pretty old school where I would prefer to meet them in person.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
The one skill that has helped me a lot in my entire career is the ability to learn new things over and over again.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I would have wished to have mastered computer programming.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
The first one is Bill Gates! My perspective on tech and the internet was re-shaped; having read his book "The Road Ahead" in the 90s and this has encouraged me to take a plunge into the tech business.
The second one is Warren Buffett, my investment mentor, whom I had learned how to invest wisely in stocks.
The third one is Elon Musk, a complete disruptor who has inspired me to take on tough projects even when most people are against it.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Besides work, I spend quite a bit of time reading as I believe 'you are what you read". In fact, a lot of my thinking and ideas were shaped by reading which has been impactful to my career.
For recreation, I m an avid badminton player, been playing ever since elementary school, something which I have continued till these days.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
I guess it's an adjustment we all have to make. Life will never be the same with the pandemic, and I must admit it took time for all of us to adjust. But, we have to live with the new normal, and so far, we have been doing great, and business is as usual.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I do have a few mentors, but my dad has impacted me the most. He has shaped my life from a young age and continues to mentor and advise me these days. For this reason, I have also actively mentored others hoping to pass down the dos and don'ts.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
The only skill that an individual needs to hone is the ability and willpower to learn, unlearn and re-learn.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Most people lack perseverance and prefer to stay in their comfort zone. It's always easier to give up than to push forward.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Yes, I think Tesla and SpaceX.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
You have to start by defining success and start living a life based on those definitions. And that definition has to be more than just career and money.
Life comes with choices, and you will need to prioritise actions that bring you joy, a sense of accomplishment and progress.
You can start by working towards daily goals, not only the trophy that comes at the journey's end. Do this every day, and your actions will bring you closer to your ultimate goal of being truly successful and happy.