Yang En Tan

Chief of Staff @ Pollen | AI | Former VC turned operator

Singapore

About

Experienced 0-to-1 builder at the intersection of strategy, ops, and finance. Former VC turned operator, previously in public service building startup ecosystems and anchoring public-private partnerships. Building with AI to hack productivity/bizops and take on global problems like waste and climate change. Based in Singapore.

Experience

  • Chief of Staff at Pollen
    2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

    AI agents to help brands manage and clear excess inventory. Pre-A startup funded by top-tier VC in SEA. Partnering with CEO & Co-Founders on biz ops, strategy, and fundraising.

  • Investor at Insignia Ventures Partners
    2023 - 2024 · 1 yr

    Early-stage investments in Southeast Asia (Seed, Series A) Generalist with spikes in AI, climate tech, and consumer. Notable investments and portfolio companies managed include: Pollen, Intellect, Ease, Nimbly, Float Foods

  • Co-Founder & Venture Builder at Audacity World
    2019 - 2023 · 4 yrs

    Anchored a public-private partnership between JTC and Mistletoe (started by Taizo Son) to grow the deep-tech startup ecosystem at Singapore's largest greenfield site - Jurong Innovation District. Part of pioneer team which led and incubated ventures that supported the vision of humanity-centric cities.

  • Manager, Startup and Policy Dept at JTC Corporation
    2017 - 2023 · 6 yrs

    Grew the world's densest entrepreneurial ecosystem by crafting startup-friendly policies and building active community partnerships. Connected early-stage tech startups (pre-seed to Series B) with investors, multipliers, corporates and government to accelerate their growth. Developed an AI model to automate the assessment of startups for LaunchPad space.

  • Venture Fellow at Insignia Ventures Academy
    2022 - 2022 · Less than a year

    Venture Scout for Insignia Ventures Partners. Led Climate Tech team to First Place in Final Demo Day.