Build What People Need: The Ultimate Customer Discovery Playbook
In the startup world, success doesn’t begin with code — it begins with understanding. Too many founders fall in love with their solution...
Erdinc Ekinci
17 min read
Understanding How Venture Capital Works for Startups
Venture Capital (VC) is often seen as the “golden ticket” for startup founders. If you raise VC, it feels like you’ve made it—it’s a big...
Erdinc Ekinci
5 min read
Comprehensive Guide for a 1-Minute Pitch (No Slides) to Secure Meetings with Investors
In the startup world, you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. Whether you’re at a networking event, pitching on stage,...
Erdinc Ekinci
6 min read
M&A and Venture Capital Trends in Asia
" M&A activity will be driven by businesses needing to balance growth and geopolitical and supply chain risk right especially after Trump...
Erdinc Ekinci
5 min read
Scaling from Seed to Series A: Insights from a Former VC & Exited Founder
What It Really Takes to Raise a Series A Round in Today’s Market I recently had the opportunity to moderate a focused conversation with...
Erdinc Ekinci
4 min read
Startup Funding in Taiwan: How to Raise Money with VC (Gaviann Tseng) and Angel Investor (Elias Ek)
Earlier this month, I hosted an in-depth and candid fireside chat featuring two key figures from Taiwan’s startup investment landscape:...
Erdinc Ekinci
4 min read
What It Really Takes to Build a Startup in Japan & East Asia
Lessons from Founders Who’ve Done It I had the honor of moderating a powerful and eye-opening panel discussion titled “How to Run Your...
Erdinc Ekinci
3 min read
Hi! I started a YouTube channel to support startup founders more and advocate entrepreneurship 🚀
A New Chapter in My Journey For nearly 20 years , yes since middle school times, I’ve been immersed in the startup ecosystem , working...
Erdinc Ekinci
3 min read
The AI Agent Revolution – Why Now is the Best Time to Build!
AI agents and Agentic AI are transforming the startup world, and I was recently invited to a panel discussion in Tokyo by TAI to give my...
Erdinc Ekinci
5 min read
Your Round Hot or Not? Decoding Investor Signals for Startups
The information provided herein is intended exclusively for informational purposes and does not constitute, and should not be construed...
Erdinc Ekinci
13 min read
Why & How Bite-Sized Collaborations Work for Engaging with Your Prospects
Engaging with other VCs and LPs often feels like a high-stakes game: detailed pitch decks, drawn-out scheduling, and multiple rounds of...
Erdinc Ekinci
5 min read
My Pledge to Embracing VC-Lab's The Mensarius Oath
In the dynamic realm of venture capital, the choices made by investors can revolutionize industries, redefine markets, and touch the...
Erdinc Ekinci
2 min read
Why Supporting Startups Should be Mainstream Priory for Everyone?
The Importance of Supporting Startups: A Call to Action In today's rapidly evolving world, startups play a crucial role in driving...
Erdinc Ekinci
3 min read
Redefining LP Returns: Beyond the Venture Capital All-or-Nothing Game
Venture capital (VC) investing is a high-stakes game that has fascinated and bewildered many startup founders, particularly those in the...
Erdinc Ekinci
4 min read
The Reverse Startup: Get Traction Without Product - Collaborate > Monetize > Then Product!
Hello friends! In my journey as the co-founder and CEO of Openfor.co, and as a person who runs a startup accelerator the Founder...
Erdinc Ekinci
4 min read
Curiosity is "the new wealth": Where do "what if" questions come from, and how to come up with more?
We're all filled with "what if" scenarios. Have you ever wondered about the possible outcomes of a situation or considered alternate...
Erdinc Ekinci
10 min read
Founder, Reader, Leader: The Value of Reading for Entrepreneurs with 33 book suggestions
As a startup founder, you are constantly faced with new challenges and opportunities. It's important to have a growth mindset and be...
Erdinc Ekinci
8 min read
Why finding (right) problems to solve is so hard?
Finding the right problems to solve is an important task for entrepreneurs and organizations, as it determines the direction and impact...
Erdinc Ekinci
3 min read
The Importance of Building a Strong Network in Japan's Entrepreneurial Scene
As an entrepreneur, building a strong network of connections is important no matter where you are in the world. But in Japan, where the...
Erdinc Ekinci
2 min read
My Overcoming Burnout Journey as an Entrepreneur: 11 Strategies
As an entrepreneur, it's all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind of building a business. But if you're not careful, you can...
Erdinc Ekinci
3 min read