Making a positive difference to the world, Leroy Yau’s venture invests in exactly that…. Start ups aiming to make a positive impact on society.

What’s your story?
I used to be an advisory partner with EY but somehow stumbled into the startup world. Recently I cofounded #43 Ventures. We invest and nurture startups that aim to make a positive difference to our society.

What excites you most about your industry?
The great thing about startups is, people are always supportive and have wonderful energy.  Also, we are starting a movement that enables, in my opinion, a better world. How can that not be exciting?

What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born in Hong Kong, educated in Australia and I have worked in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan.

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Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
It has to be Hong Kong but Taipei is a close second.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
To achieve work life balance, it’s not so much about ‘balance’ but everything to do with whether you have a ‘life.’

Who inspires you?
People around me.

What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Recently I did a few career talks in Hong Kong high schools and I am surprised how smart and sophisticated the students are!

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Sorry, I don’t think too much about ‘what could haves, would haves or should haves.’

How do you unwind?
Alcohol, moderately of course.  And I like writing.

Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Taiwan – great people, great food and great environment!

Everyone in business should read this book:
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

Shameless plug for your business:
What I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me…. 🙂

How can people connect with you?
Email me at [email protected]

Twitter handle?
@yauleroy although I am not that active in the twitter universe…

This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:

CallumConnectsCallum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia.  He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries.  He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence.  A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.

Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>

Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com

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