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Alan Tsen

Day: Looking for my next thing Night: investor in fintech startups + former chair of Fintech Australia, writer of Fintech Radar.

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Disposable Apps: Digital Toothpicks for Every Task

AI is flipping the script on how we create and use software. Forget app stores and coding boot camps. Now, you can conjure up a custom app as easily as jotting down a quick note. These aren't watered-down widgets or clunky prototypes, but full-fledged, personalised tools built on the fly.

Disposable Apps: Digital Toothpicks for Every Task
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Writing Plainly

As you write more, there's a subtle trap waiting to ensnare you: the allure of complexity. You might feel compelled to use fancier words, construct more intricate sentences, or dive into convoluted explanations. Don't fall for it. The best writing is simple and direct. It's not about showing off your

Writing Plainly
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Writing as a Tool for Clarity and Connection

One of the most underrated habits for founders and creators is consistent writing. Many make the mistake of thinking that writing about your company and journey can come across as "salesy." Far from it, if done genuinely, it can become a powerful tool for self-discovery and connection with others. Writing

Writing as a Tool for Clarity and Connection
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Generational Companies Don't Take TAM; They Create It

Generational companies don't just capture existing markets; they create new ones. Stripe is a perfect example. When Patrick Collison said, "The biggest, most important companies that will be Stripe's customers do not exist yet. They are still just ideas in someone's mind," he was highlighting how Stripe wasn't just about

Generational Companies Don't Take TAM; They Create It
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Why Clarity Beats Perfection in Decision-Making

In the quest to "get it right", it's easy to fall into the trap of seeking perfection. The pursuit of flawlessness often results in paralysis, where decisions are delayed and missing the opportunity to make progress. Clarity, on the other hand, is a powerful catalyst for progress. When you prioritise

Why Clarity Beats Perfection in Decision-Making
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Platforms, Interoperability And Standardisation

Every tech company dreams of building a platform—a central hub where all transactions happen and a wide array of use cases is covered. The allure is clear: once established, platforms generate revenue with minimal effort, creating a virtuous cycle of growth. It's no wonder that many start-ups and established

Platforms, Interoperability And Standardisation
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The Power of Momentum

Regardless of what you're building, the power of continuous forward motion becomes evident quickly. It sometimes feels counterintuitive, but success is less about perfection and more about momentum. At any given time, decisions are made with the information at hand. Waiting for perfect clarity leads to paralysis. Action, even if

The Power of Momentum
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The True Measure of a City’s Food Culture

When visiting a country, it's easy to get sucked into the TikTok and Instagram food culture of "Five spots you need to check out!" Contrary to what the 25-year-old influencer is telling you in a calming tone over some shaky video footage, the true character of a city’s food

The True Measure of a City’s Food Culture
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The Timelessness of Quality

Quality is timeless. This simple idea cuts through the noise of our fast-paced, ever-changing world. We live in an age where trends come and go with alarming speed, and what is celebrated today is often forgotten tomorrow. Yet, true quality, in any form, endures. Consider the Eames chair, a paragon

The Timelessness of Quality
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The Powers and Perils of Pattern Recognition

Pattern recognition is a term that gets tossed around a lot, especially by investors when they’re sizing up early-stage companies. It goes something like this: "Why did you invest in that company?" "The founder/company/idea reminds me of..." I mean, the logic is sound. If you've been investing

The Powers and Perils of Pattern Recognition