What It Takes to Succeed in Global Investing and Cross-Border Dealmaking

Succeeding in global investing requires cultural awareness, respect for local context, strong relationship-building, long-term curiosity, and the ability to adapt strategy and execution across regions, markets, and regulatory environments.

A Global Investor’s Perspective

This debut episode of Venturing Abroad features Ervin Tu, an investor whose career spans Goldman Sachs in New York, major global deals at SoftBank including ByteDance and Uber, and leadership as former Group President and CIO at Prosus in Amsterdam.

His experience offers a rare window into how global investment decisions are made.

Closing Deals Across Regions and Cultures

Ervin has operated across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, navigating diverse markets and business environments.

He emphasizes that successful cross-border dealmaking depends on:

• Understanding local market dynamics
• Respecting cultural norms and expectations
• Avoiding one-size-fits-all investment approaches

Local context shapes both opportunity and execution.

Relationships as a Strategic Asset

According to Ervin, relationships are not a byproduct of investing. They are a core strategy.

Building genuine connections enables investors to:

• Gain trust and access
• Navigate uncertainty
• Make better long-term decisions

In global investing, strong relationships often matter more than financial engineering.

Curiosity as a Long-Term Advantage

Ervin describes himself as a lifelong learner.

Curiosity allows investors and entrepreneurs to:

• Stay open to new perspectives
• Understand unfamiliar markets
• Continuously refine judgment

In rapidly changing global environments, curiosity becomes a competitive advantage.

Lessons for Founders and Global Investors

This conversation highlights what it truly takes to succeed in global investing.

Those who thrive across borders:

• Respect local context
• Build and maintain relationships
• Stay curious and adaptable
• Think long term

For anyone building companies or closing deals internationally, these principles are foundational.