At the recently held USTechTimes Global Launchpad event, Nishant Bhaskar, founder of Nereal and former creator of Lomads, provided essential insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia’s growing web3 ecosystem.
With a career spanning automotive R&D to strategic design and venture building, Bhaskar emphasized the importance of using web3 technologies as tools to solve real-world problems rather than viewing them as end goals.
Bhaskar’s latest venture, Nereal, is a consultancy that “turns ‘what ifs’ into reality for bold businesses.” Drawing from his experiences advising Fortune 500 companies like P&G and Intel and designing consumer electronics at the Godrej Group, Nishant aims to help organizations “spot hidden opportunities, build cool products, and navigate the wild seas of change in today’s business world.”
Nishant Bhaskar, who successfully launched Lomads, a platform for decentralized community management, highlighted the potential of web3 in creating equitable and transparent organizational structures.
He advised startups to focus on integrating web3 with existing tools and to continually iterate based on customer feedback. His message was clear: startups should use web3 to address fundamental challenges, not just to adopt the latest technology.
He said, “Web3 is just a technology just like any other. It’s like a toolkit, and when building something, you pick up what’s needed.” This pragmatic approach stems from his success with Lomads, a “game-changing web3 platform” that was recently acquired.
Balancing Business Principles and Ecosystem Knowledge
The month’s speaker also highlighted the challenges facing web3 startups, particularly the need to balance deep ecosystem knowledge with solid business fundamentals. He cautioned against overspending during market peaks and stressed the importance of planning for the cyclical nature of the crypto industry. “Even in the best of times, a bear market could be around the corner,” he warned, urging entrepreneurs to maintain prudence for long-term success.
He stressed the importance of customer-centric development: “It’s really about having conversations with your real customers and understanding what they value most.”
Addressing the unique position of Southeast Asian startups, Bhaskar underscored the importance of understanding cultural differences when expanding globally. Drawing on the Hofstede framework, he encouraged founders to navigate cultural nuances to avoid being intimidated in international business dealings.
Fundraising Strategies for Southeast Asian Startups
Regarding fundraising, Bhaskar recommended leveraging alumni networks and incubator connections to build trust with investors. He emphasized the importance of creating concise, impactful pitch decks, noting that the average venture capitalist spends just two and a half minutes on a pitch deck. He advised treating fundraising as a strategic business development exercise with clear timelines.
Looking ahead, Bhaskar touched on integrating hardware with web3, mentioning the development of “phygital” objects—physical devices connected to decentralized networks. While applications are emerging, he acknowledged the challenges in speed and efficiency that must be addressed.
As Southeast Asia continues to emerge as a hub for web3 innovation, Nishant Bhaskar’s insights offer a valuable roadmap for entrepreneurs navigating this complex and rapidly evolving landscape. His focus on solving real problems, understanding market dynamics, and building resilient teams provides a blueprint for the next generation of startups in the region.
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