Sunrise Speaker Spotlight: David Yu, VeVe

Welcome to another week behind the scenes with our Sunrise Aotearoa speakers. Today, we're chatting with David Yu. David has been breaking boundaries as an entrepreneur since the age of 14: when he started selling stamps and phone cards to raise money for his first business, Games R US. Now, with a continuation of that journey, David is the visionary founder of VeVe, a trailblazer in the realm of digital collectibles.

David's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation have been instrumental in shaping VeVe's path, transforming it from a promising startup into an industry game-changer. His focus on the long-term vision - creating an immersive universe where fans can interact with their favourite brands through digital collectibles - has driven VeVe's meteoric rise.

Today, VeVe boasts a growing community of passionate collectors worldwide, capturing the attention of comic and pop culture enthusiasts, tech aficionados, and forward-thinkers. And they're not slowing down anytime soon, continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of digital collectibles.

We were stoked to sit down with David and delve into his extraordinary career, innovative mindset, and unique experiences. Consider this a sneak peek of the captivating conversation you can expect when we #MeetAtSunrise this year in Aotearoa on September 20.

Blackbird: If you were to summarise your career in a single sentence, what would you say

David Yu: As an entrepreneur, my career journey has been a transformative eye-opener, leading me on a full-circle path back to where it all began

Blackbird: You've delved into a lot of different industries. Are there any common threads in how you approach innovation and creativity when entering a new market?

David Yu: I believe in fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and openness to new ideas, remain agile and adaptable, ready to pivot and iterate as we learn and grow, ultimately driving our success and continued impact in the markets we enter.

Blackbird: How has your love for collecting influenced how you approach product development and the customer experience for collectors?

David Yu: As an avid collector, I understand collectors' passion and emotional connection with their favorite brands and intellectual properties. This understanding fuels my drive to create products that resonate deeply with our user base and cater to their specific desires and interests.

In order to build a sticky product for users, I believe in closely monitoring market trends and consumer behavior, which allows us to stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions. By keeping a keen eye on emerging trends, we can create innovative and relevant offerings that capture the imagination of collectors and provide them with unique, sought-after experiences.

Moreover, my own love for collecting has instilled in me the importance of community-building. Collecting is often a social activity, and collectors are passionate about sharing their interests with like-minded individuals. Therefore, we place great emphasis on fostering a strong and inclusive community of collectors within the VeVe platform. We encourage interaction, engagement, and collaboration among collectors, creating a space where they can connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared interests with authenticity and trust

Blackbird: What's the biggest lesson you have learned as a founder?

David Yu: The importance of resilience and adaptability. Building and leading a startup is a challenging journey, filled with ups and downs, unforeseen obstacles, and constant uncertainty. Throughout this process, I have come to understand that setbacks and failures are inevitable, but it's how we respond to them that truly defines our success.

The ability to bounce back from failures, learn from mistakes, and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial. Being open to feedback, embracing change, and continuously iterating on our strategies and approaches have been instrumental in our growth and evolution as a company, also the value of building a strong and cohesive team. Surrounding myself with talented individuals who share the same vision and passion has been key to overcoming challenges and driving our collective success. The power of collaboration and a supportive company culture cannot be underestimated.

Blackbird: Thinking about the current NZ start-up community, what is one thing you’re excited to discuss or learn more about at Sunrise Aotearoa?

David Yu: I'm eagerly looking forward to meeting and learning from other like-minded entrepreneurs at Sunrise Aotearoa. One thing that excites me about the current NZ start-up community is the potential for collaboration and knowledge sharing. leveraging local resources, talents, and networks. Additionally, I'm keen to delve into the ways in which founders have navigated the global landscape and tapped into international markets from New Zealand.

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David has so much more wisdom to share and we’re excited to host him at Sunrise, Aotearoa ✨

Haven't got your tickets yet? GA tickets are now available here.

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