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Built 2nd Startup at 23, Execution was Everything | Intellect Theodoric Chew
@ EO
04/21/25
Takeaways
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Having a huge amount of ambition and a good amount of naivety helps entrepreneurs get started; that dreamer within you enables bolder actions that others might avoid.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I decided against attending university because I wanted to build something I care about and believe in, opting instead to learn by doing and joining companies.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
My first company was a digital media platform that gathered thought leaders to contribute expert articles, focusing on personal growth and development.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I believe in simply doing; one does not need to have all the knowledge or skills at any point in time to start; experience comes from taking action.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
After exiting my first company, I spent time working at startups and venture builders to gain experience and learn from faster-growing companies.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I was very intentional about my choices and believe there are trade-offs in both paths of education and entrepreneurship; both can lead to valuable experiences.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I learned equally, if not more, from working in a fast-growing startup than I would have in college, especially in understanding how a venture builder or VC thinks.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Mental health has always been a personal journey for me; I struggled with anxiety during my teenage years and started seeing a therapist at 16.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Therapy can be incredibly helpful, and if more people understood its benefits, they would seek it out more often.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
In Singapore, a pre-pandemic survey revealed a 4 to 7 year treatment gap for mental health care, meaning individuals often wait years before receiving necessary support.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
The mental health market globally, especially in Asia, is worth tens of billions of dollars and is growing at double-digit rates annually.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
In 2019, I recognized that addressing mental health was a key priority, especially after witnessing the struggles of friends and peers.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
We started with a lean setup to understand the mental health landscape and identified that people in Asia want help but often don't know where to begin.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Our initial hypothesis at Intellect was to make mental health care accessible and straightforward for everyone, regardless of the severity of their issues.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Building a startup is challenging, especially in the mental health space, where many investors initially did not prioritize it.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I believe mental health is as crucial as physical health, and addressing it is not just a matter of choice but a necessity.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Starting small and having a clear vision helped us validate our approach and gradually work towards our larger goals.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
Having a mix of ambition and naivety can empower entrepreneurs to take bold steps that they might not otherwise consider.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap, as there has never been a better time to start a company with the resources available today.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
While not everyone is destined to be an entrepreneur, anyone can try, and the experience can lead to significant personal growth and impact.
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Theodoric Chew
04/21/25
@ EO
There are many paths to fulfillment and success, and my journey is just one of many possible routes.