Founders are buying gold, not Lamborghinis, after the exit
A running joke in Singapore’s startup circles holds that a founder’s net worth exists only in two places: the cap table and the LinkedIn bio. For most of Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurs, the joke still lands. IPO windows open and slam shut, trade sales are thin on the ground, and secondary sales have become the region’s […] The post Founders are buying gold, not Lamborghinis, after the exit…
A recent HSBC study reveals that successful founders in Southeast Asia are increasingly shifting their investment strategies beyond traditional ventures. The study, based on surveys of over 3,000 business owners, suggests that these founders are adopting a "barbell" approach, balancing their risk-taking through their own companies with more conservative investments.
Gold, at 43% of the sampled entrepreneurs' assets, emerges as the most popular asset class, particularly among younger founders (67%) and those with larger businesses (74%). Real estate funds follow as a second choice, with 55% planning to increase their holdings. The report suggests that while private markets are gaining ground on listed equities, with 28% of respondents owning private equity funds and 27% holding venture capital funds, the concentration of investments in a single sector raises concerns about the potential for a crowded trade.
Despite the allure of AI and deeptech investments, founders remain cautious about fully automating their financial decisions, preferring human advisors who understand their unique circumstances and broader context.
Written by urgent.news from e27's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
