March 7, 2025: At BlackStorm Consulting, we believe that strong entrepreneurial foundations are built not just on ambition, but on clarity, strategy, and the right network. On 7th March 2025, we were honoured to contribute to this belief in action as our Managing Partner, Paddy Tan, joined the MSVC Inner Circle event hosted at BLOCK71 — a cornerstone of Singapore’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
The event, organised by students from the NUS MSc in Venture Creation (MSVC) programme, created a meaningful space for aspiring entrepreneurs and alumni to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from real-world startup builders.
Figure: Assoc. Prof (Adjunct) Dr Wilson Wang, Acting Academic Director at NUS Enterprise Academy, delivering his opening remarks
Figure: Mr Paddy Tan, Managing Partner of BlackStorm, and Anirban Manna, Business & Operations Principal of Atomionics was on a fireside chat and Q&A session on the challenges of building and scaling startups
Insights from the Ground: Realities of Building a Startup
During the fireside chat, Paddy spoke candidly about what it really takes to launch and grow a business in Singapore and beyond. While Singapore is often celebrated for its ease of doing business, Paddy encouraged founders to look beyond local shores when considering long-term success. He reminded the audience that Southeast Asia is a fragmented but opportunity-rich region — and that founders must be intentional about market expansion from the start.
Drawing from BlackStorm’s experience working with startups across ASEAN, Paddy also introduced the concept of “Little Pony” startups — businesses that focus on sustainable growth, realistic milestones, and regional traction, rather than chasing unicorn valuations from the get-go.
Building Winning Teams: Lessons from the Ground
Complementing Paddy’s growth-focused approach was Anirban Manna’s thoughtful perspective on team building. In a world where startups compete with tech giants for talent, Anirban underscored the need for founders to think differently when hiring.
He encouraged founders to look for passion and adaptability, not just polished resumes:
“Don’t find a reason to reject someone but a reason to get on a call with them, to explore their passion and uncover their potential.” — Anirban Manna
Instead of seeking perfect fits, he proposed that founders embrace a strengths-based hiring mindset — one where intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn often trump credentials. The hiring process, he said, should be more of a conversation than an interrogation.
He challenged attendees to go beyond good hires — and start shaping their own hiring philosophies to build extraordinary teams.
Actionable Advice for Early-Stage Founders
Figure: Featuring the Moderator Steffany Christentia (NUS MSVC Class of AY 24/25), together with fireside chat speakers Paddy and Anirban, as well as her classmate and co-moderator Pravin Nyanes
Paddy also shared practical guidance for founders at the beginning of their journey, especially international students seeking to incorporate in Singapore. From engaging a corporate secretary to understanding when to raise capital and how to pitch before formal incorporation — his advice was rooted in pragmatism and experience.
Other key points included:
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Launch fast, iterate faster — early market feedback is more valuable than perfection.
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Don’t let incorporation be a bottleneck — validation can start before the paperwork is complete.
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Your founding team is your culture. Choose wisely and intentionally.
Learning through Conversation: A Fireside Chat with Value
Alongside fellow speaker Anirban Manna from Atomionics, the session was rich in perspectives — blending operational advice with leadership insights on hiring, building culture, and nurturing intellectual curiosity in early hires. Moderated by MSVC students Steffany and Pravin, the fireside chat addressed challenges that many in the audience will soon face — and offered clarity on how to navigate them with confidence.
Looking Ahead: Building a Generation of Sustainable Startups
BlackStorm Consulting remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs through knowledge-sharing and honest conversations. Events like the MSVC Inner Circle are vital in seeding the next generation of founders — not just with ambition, but with strategy, network, and grounded expectations.
We’re grateful to the NUS MSVC team for inviting us to be part of this initiative, and we look forward to supporting more founders in their journey to build ventures that scale meaningfully across Southeast Asia.
Credits: The article is adapted from the article at NUS MSc in Venture Creation’s medium.
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