How YOU Can Use Business Planning To Secure INVESTMENT in Your Startup

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to discuss investment, investors and business planning with our guest and global investor Bernard Chong.

Bernard has a billion-dollar portfolio that cuts across tech startups, real estate, entertainment, and beyond. A serial entrepreneur and savvy investor whose journey started from the humble beginnings of selling family shoe products in grade school to steering the helm of World Balance - a leading footwear brand in the Philippines.

His investment acumen shines through in ventures such as the award-winning Bren Esports and innovative companies across animation, F&B, IT, and more.

As we delve into lessons learned and secrets to success in investing and business growth, join us in welcoming the indomitable force behind BrenNetwork, the Mendo Coffee Company’s expansion, and the BrenSEED Foundation - a testament to his belief in the power of education and giving back. Get ready for an insightful journey into making your business successful with investors and investments.

TIMELINE SUMMARY:

0:00 Introduction to the podcast topic of investment and business planning.
2:24 Business history and building a world championship-winning eSports team.
4:57 What businesses should focus on when approaching investors.
6:14 The importance of building a relationship with investors.
7:51 Is character more important than the product.
8:54 The journey of the investor and the invested.
11:26 The importance of the relationships an investor brings.
15:29 Investing in an idea vs. a formed business.
18:04 Focus on building cash flow businesses rather than flipping.
22:24 Expanding a business.
25:38 What Investors look for in business plans and how founders should use investment.
28:37 An Education Foundation called Bren Seed Foundation.
35:16 Lessons learned from failures and successes.
51:24 The future of investing and platform businesses.
52:43 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Bernard Chong = https://www.linkedin.com/in/iambrenchong/

Website = https://brenseedfoundation.org/

Additional Information:

Bernard Chong is a savvy investor and serial entrepreneur whose billion-dollar portfolio ranges from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to angel investments in tech startups, retail, real estate, entertainment and food and beverage. Armed with an immense passion for intellectual growth, Chong achieved an Electronics Computer Engineering degree from the prestigious La Salle University in Manila. Chong prides himself as a lifelong student and avid reader. A natural businessman, in grade school he was already selling the products of his family’s shoe business. 

While at University, he ventured into entrepreneurship through several businesses, initially honing his sales and distribution knowledge in the recycling industry. After finishing his studies, he took over the family business and transformed it into the leading footwear brand in the Philippines, World Balance. During this time, he began diversifying his portfolio with several other investments. Chong has stakes in animation – ASI Studios; radio and communications - Energy FM; F&B – Tim Hortons/Kko Kko; entertainment – RKB Productions; IT – Thirty One Digital/Beepbeep.ph; in the Esports Industry, BrenPro Inc. and many more companies.

As an investor in multiple start-ups around the globe, Chong is world-renowned for founding the award-winning Bren Esports (now APBren) organization in 2017 and his investment in the expansion of the Canadian Tim Horton’s coffee brand in the Philippines. Bren's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team achieved a historic win as the first Philippine team to win the M-series World Championship title. Chong is preparing for the launch of several new ventures such as Mendo Coffee Company’s U.S. expansion, a new platform mobile app, housing developments in Panama, the BrenNetwork investment fund and a global education-focused non-profit, BrenSEED Foundation.