Giacomo Ficari Is A Passionate Athlete And The Co-Founder Of Lifepal, A Marketplace For Health And Life Insurance
What’s your story?
I left banking in London in 2012 to join Rocket Internet to build Lazada as one of the early employees. After that, I have been working in the internet industry in Southeast Asia building startups in several countries in Asia (MY, ID, PH, SG, JP, CN).
I have participated in the Y Combinator program in W18. I am a passionate athlete, I have been a professional and national team water polo player during college.
In 2019, I launched with a few friends, Lifepal.co.id to help customers in choosing and using the right insurance for their needs.
What excites you most about your industry?
The fact that the Insurance industry is one of the most important pillars in a person’s financial life but unfortunately is one of the most broken industries of our time.
What’s your connection to Asia?
Professionally I grew up in Asia – I participated in the tech industry since its beginning and all my professional experience comes from tech in SEAsia.
On a personal level, I always felt grateful for the opportunities that I gained and I feel even more connected since getting married, my wife is Chinese.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Jakarta. One of the fastest-growing cities with nice people and many opportunities.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Always take (calculated) risks.
Who inspires you?
All the tech entrepreneurs due to their perseverance during the tough times, and their capabilities to generate hypergrowth.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Hypergrowth is counterintuitive. Product market fit is underrated.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would be less impatient. I would listen more.
How do you unwind?
Reading and writing. Walking alone and with friends.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Japan. The sense of respect of its culture transfers a sense of calm, strength, and legacy.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“The hard thing about hard things” is definitely a great book to start with. Paul Graham’s essays are also a must.
Shameless plug for your business:
https://lifepal.co.id/
How can people connect with you?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giacomoficari/
Social Media Links?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giacomoficari/
https://twitter.com/giacomoficari
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Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built, and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’, and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
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Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
