Cover Papadopoulos' mission is to turn the odds in favour of entrepreneurs aspiring to launch tech companies while ensuring higher returns for investors (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
Papadopoulos' mission is to turn the odds in favour of entrepreneurs aspiring to launch tech companies while ensuring higher returns for investors (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
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Tatler+
Lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Anastasios Papadopoulos has been quietly changing the odds of success for Hong Kong entrepreneurs looking to build tech start-ups
After attending law school and earning a master’s degree in business management at HEC Paris, Anastasios Papadopoulos began his career at the Paris branch of New York law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. While working on some of the decade’s biggest tech deals he realised the significant opportunities that the industry had to offer, and so seven years ago, he left law to launch his first company in Hong Kong: IMS, a top-tier digital agency that specialises in building Silicon Valley-level enterprise solutions.
It quickly became the largest independent digital agency in Hong Kong, serving some of the biggest private equity and corporate projects, and rivalling established players. Papadopoulos recognised that the tech solutions his agency was delivering could also be used to level the playing field for start-ups, so he pivoted the agency and its battle-tested army of engineers into venture building. His mission: to turn the odds in favour of entrepreneurs aspiring to launch tech companies while ensuring higher returns for investors.
IMS Digital Ventures now has a portfolio valued at over US$250 million and currently supports ten ventures with its all-star team of almost 300 software engineers, growth marketers and analysts.
Tatler speaks to Papadopoulos about his secrets to start-up success.
Above "We see our founders like F1 drivers. They’re in the driving seat and we’re the ones tuning their car" — Anastasios Papadopoulos (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
"We see our founders like F1 drivers. They’re in the driving seat and we’re the ones tuning their car" — Anastasios Papadopoulos (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
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What is so innovative about the IMS Digital Ventures business model?
Start-ups are far more likely to fail than to succeed. Few early-stage companies can afford high-calibre CTOs or attract the right talent for technical roles. We’re changing that by giving entrepreneurs access to our ecosystem of talent, tech and expertise, and maximising their odds of success. We see our founders like F1 drivers. They’re in the driver’s seat and we’re the ones tuning their car. This differentiates us from other venture capital firms that just provide funding; we help define the product, build it and scale it. I like to think we’re changing the rules of the game: stacking the odds in the entrepreneur’s favour.
To what do you attribute your achievements with IMS?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible founders at the forefront of our ventures. Over the last few years, I’ve learnt to look for partnerships with founders who have acquired deep industry experience—usually with careers spanning several decades. The narrative of a twenty-something Ivy League drop-out launching unicorns has been romanticised by success stories like Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates, but it’s an exception, not a replicable formula.
What would you say is your core strength?
I believe strongly in fairness—probably from having studied law for so many years—and I hope that comes across when negotiating deals with partners and investors. I want to protect my investors’ interests but at the same time make it a win-win. The goal is to set the right tone for a long-lasting cooperation.
What do you look for in a venture?
We specialise in SaaS software. We look for opportunities with a sizeable market and an entrepreneur with deep industry expertise. Bonus points if market interactions are based on a shaky foundation of trust—this is where we can build a real business case for blockchain.
Is blockchain a technology you are focused on?
Blockchain, AI and web3 technologies can all be integrated into SaaS business models. One up-and-coming project I am excited about combines SaaS with NFT technology in the luxury space, and is backed by some of the best-known investors in the world.
What’s one habit that’s non-negotiable as an entrepreneur?
Sweating it out. I try to box every day and have been into muay thai since I was young. To me, it’s a form of meditation. It helps clear my thoughts and gets me prepared for the day ahead.
2022 has been an eventful year. What are you proudest of?
We took a big step by opening our London office in the heart of Mayfair, focusing our expansion on supporting our cybersecurity software OwlGaze and our SaaS real estate solution Property Raptor. I’m so proud of how our ventures have been received by UK investors and excited about the talent we’ve been able to attract. We’re on our way to reaching 100 employees by Q2 2023.
And what’s next?
I’d love to grow our portfolio to 30 ventures while expanding our current ventures internationally. We are still a private investment vehicle; I am working hard to put in place the foundations to open it up to other investors, and even considering an IPO in the next three to five years.
Find out more about IMS Digital Ventures.
