The Founders Peak Podcast · Where exceptional startup founders share untold stories that shaped who they are

The Best Leaders Are Scared - Season 15 (Singapore, Nov 2025)

·11 min

Chinen, a founder turned VC partner, shares a raw personal narrative about how fear has been his greatest teacher in entrepreneurship. He recounts three pivotal moments: borrowing from his parents' retirement to drop out of Stanford, losing his startup identity due to co-founder conflict, and persisting with blockchain investing during a downturn. The episode explores how fear can teach courage, clarify identity, and build conviction.

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