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Qin En Looi is an inspiring founder turned investor with a remarkable journey, full of unexpected turns, and packed with insights on transitioning from founding a successful startup to becoming a venture capitalist. In this conversation, we delved into Qin En’s early life, the founding and growth of his company, Glints, and his transition to […]
Qin En Looi is an inspiring founder turned investor with a remarkable journey, full of unexpected turns, and packed with insights on transitioning from founding a successful startup to becoming a venture capitalist.
In this conversation, we delved into Qin En’s early life, the founding and growth of his company, Glints, and his transition to venture capital, shedding light on the realities and challenges of each phase.
Listen to the full podcast episode and review the transcript here.
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Early Life in Singapore
Qin En was born and raised in Singapore, a place he fondly remembers as fostering a rigorous academic environment. Growing up with “tiger parents,” both educators, instilled in him the importance of academics.
His father, a university professor, and his mother, a middle school Mandarin teacher, emphasized the need for academic excellence. This upbringing shaped the first 18 years of his life, leading him to pursue opportunities beyond the borders of Singapore.
The Leap to Stanford and Military Service
Singapore’s meritocratic scholarship program enabled Qin En to attend Stanford University. However, before he could embark on this academic journey, he had to complete two years of mandatory military service.
During this time, the seeds of entrepreneurship were sown. Along with two friends, Qin En started what began as a side project and eventually blossomed into Glints, a Series D company that has raised more than US$80M.
Founding Glints
Glints began out of a sense of frustration during military service. Qin En and his friends sought mental challenges, leading them to startup internships.
Realizing a broader need, they began connecting fellow peers with startups, thus creating a platform that served both small startups and eager young interns.
Interestingly, the name Glints is a mashup of “global internships,” reflecting its origins. At the time, Qin En and his friends had full-ride scholarships and were ready to go to top colleges in the US such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Wharton.
Despite initial intentions to keep it as a project, a serendipitous meeting with an angel investor provided the funding needed to turn Glints into a full-fledged business. The first challenge? Incorporating the company—something Qin En and his co-founders had no prior experience with.
Growth and Business Model Evolution
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