15. What Is Innova/on Anyway?
‐> “Innovare“ means to renew, to change in La/n.
To innovate is not to reform. Innova/on is the process of turning ideas
– Edmund Burke into manufacturable and marketable form.
– WaCs Humphrey
Innova/on dis/nguishes between a
leader and a follower. – Steve Jobs
Innova/on is the crea/on of the new or the re‐
arranging of the old in a new way. – Michael
Vance
The innova/on point is the pivotal moment
when talented and mo/vated people seek the
opportunity to act on their ideas and dreams.
‐ W. Arthur Porter I don’t f***ing want innova/on.
‐ Marc Pincus
16. Who can ask norma/ve ques/ons?
‐> There is a big grey area WRT innova/on vs. Imita/on.
• Who decides if imita/ng is good or bad?
• Isn’t hyper‐localiza/on a sub form of innova/on?
• Should Asian entrepreneurs wait for US and other
startups to enter the market? Why?
• Aren’t almost all big web players “clones” of others?
• My opinion: it depends on the quality of the service.
Most “clones” are bad, but not because they are clones
but because they are bad. If you execute, solve a
problem, have users and make money, awesome.
28. What Can Be Done In Asia‘s Web Scene?
‐> Biggest problem: underdeveloped ecosystems in Asia.
• low number of QUALITY startups
• weak exit environment (IPOs, trade sales)
• few competent VCs firms/angel investors
• poli/cal and legal problems in some South
• low propensity of talents to work for startups, East Asian countries (IP protec/on,
• few people with an entrepreneurial mindset bureaucracy for startups, general poli/cal
• historically, culturally, and economically
instability)
diverse markets • massive “brain drain”
• much lower online spend than in North
• s/ll low Internet penetra/on
America or Europe • fragmented mobile landscape
• underdeveloped online and mobile payment
infrastructure (if any)