E28: Han Shen on Unsexy Startups, Consumer Trends, and Investing Slightly Early

Our guest this week is Han Shen, Founding Partner of iFly.vc. iFly is an early-stage firm with a non-consensus, high-conviction approach to investing. Han himself is a very successful investor but also matches that success with equal levels of modesty and empathy. We talked about investing in non-consensus startups in an industry that is very consensus-driven, the vibe shift, investing with conviction, and how Han was turned down by hundreds of investors for his first fund and still lived to tell the tale. Please enjoy. 

 

Takeaways

+ Unsexy parts of the market can yield the best opportunities.
+ Non-consensus investing allows for unique insights.
+ Consumer spending is a massive market with evolving trends.
+ Tech enablement is crucial for driving consumer innovation.
+ Listening to customers is essential for success.
+ Fundraising can be an emotional journey filled with challenges.
+ Building relationships is key in venture capital.
+ Diversity in investing goes beyond just ethnicity.
+ Concentrated investing can lead to better outcomes.
+ Continuous learning is vital for founders and investors alike.

 

Investing in Startups is hosted by Joe Magyer and produced by Seaplane Ventures.