#299 Chris Quek: Building the Next Gen, Starting With His Own

Chris Quek isn’t just building startups—he’s building a generation. 

In this second half of his story, he shares how selling his inheritance became the launchpad for Thrive, a VC firm that invests in Southeast Asia’s overlooked next-gen entrepreneurs. From structuring value-aligned startups to teaching his kids the principles behind technology, Chris shows how legacy isn’t something you receive—it’s something you design. 

For Gen Xers navigating intergenerational tension, personal ambition, and regional impact, this episode delivers both hard-won wisdom and a hopeful blueprint.

>>From Closure to Creation

“I didn’t inherit a business—I shut it down.”

Chris shares the emotional closure with his father, the sale of the family factory, and how he turned personal loss into a new professional beginning.

>>Southeast Asia’s Family Business Wake-Up Call

“We raised a generation of lawyers and bankers—but who’s left to run the businesses?”

He explains how Singapore’s success came at a cost: the erosion of entrepreneurial drive—and why he’s now building the bridge back.

>>Designing a VC That Feeds the Ecosystem

“Our investors are second-gen family owners. Our startups solve their problems.”

Chris outlines Thrive’s unique model: a purpose-built flywheel that connects capital, tech, and legacy businesses in Southeast Asia.

>>Capital with a Conscience

“We backed a ride-hailing company where drivers take home 40% more pay.”

From AgriMax to Tata, Chris shares examples of startups Thrive has funded that combine profitability with real, human impact.

>>Fatherhood, Values, and the Next Next Gen

“I don’t teach my kids my methods—I teach them my values.”

Chris opens up about parenting three children under 13, mentoring with intention, and why good values—not rigid playbooks—are what truly last.

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Christopher Quek

 

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