Dato’ Andrew Tan awarded the 10th Malaysia Top 20 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2025 

Andrew Tan Yan Hoang is known for his multifaceted leadership—he is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, educationist, and most famously, a business strategist with a heart of gold. As the Managing Partner of TinkBig Venture Limited, a licensed VC firm certified by the Securities Commission of Malaysia, Andrew has made a mark in equity structuring and fundraising across borders. He has also served as CEO of two other VC platforms: Malaysia’s licensed equity crowdfunding platform CrowdPlus.asia, and Denmark’s 3B Ventures.

Andrew’s entrepreneurial story begins in Batu Pahat, where his teenage years were spent picking up business know-how over casual ‘kopitiam’ conversations. At 13, he worked illegally in a bar where he met a life mentor who would later help change the course of his life. Through this mentorship, Andrew was guided onto a path of purpose, education, and international ambition.

With perseverance and his mentor’s support, Andrew earned a Master’s degree in International Trading and E-Commerce in 2003 from Queen Mary University of London. He then began his professional journey at eBay and PayPal in the UK. Returning to Malaysia, he led two companies to IPO—on the MESDAQ market of Bursa Malaysia and the GEM board in Hong Kong.

Andrew’s reach and influence extend across Asia. He serves as the Malaysian representative for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a mentor for China Accelerator, an advisor to Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, and a partner of Thailand’s National Innovation Accelerator. His regional expertise makes him a trusted bridge between founders and capital across borders.

In 2015, Andrew established TinkBig Ventures (TBV Capital), which today partners with over 30 Southeast Asian investment institutions. He later founded Wealthstone Academy—a business education platform offering intensive 3+2 day workshops followed by a 12-month “Inner Circle” coaching program. Through this, he helps SMEs scale through equity planning and strategic funding.

Despite his successes, Andrew has faced serious setbacks—including two bankruptcies. These experiences became the foundation of his resilience and mentorship style. He often shares: “You can lose everything—except your mindset.”

To Andrew, success is not defined by wealth or titles, but by the lives he can impact through knowledge and access. Receiving the Malaysia Top 20 Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2025 reaffirms his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Southeast Asian entrepreneurs.