Min-Yi Shih didn’t follow a straight path into investing. He started in physics and engineering, moved through executive leadership roles, and only later pivoted into the startup ecosystem as an angel investor and advisor. That nonlinear journey—spanning hard tech, business operations, and global networks—now informs how he evaluates founders and helps startups grow.

Today, as Chair of Due Diligence at Tech Coast Angels and Director at the Taiwan Global Eastbound Association, Min-Yi bridges worlds: technology and business, Asia and the U.S., investors and founders. His story is about staying curious, building resilient teams, and finding joy in the process of innovation.

In this episode, we talk about what investors really look for at the earliest stages, why pitch decks often miss the point, and how international collaboration creates opportunities far beyond capital. Min-Yi also shares his philosophy on curiosity as a lifelong strategy, the realities of global expansion, and what it means to balance optimism with practicality.

This is a conversation about mindset, markets, and the bridges that make startup ecosystems stronger.

Here’s what’s covered:
• Why founders—not just business models—determine startup outcomes
• The most overlooked element of a pitch deck (and why business plans still matter)
• Product-market fit vs. hype: what actually attracts investment
• How curiosity and joy fuel resilience in the startup world
• Lessons from reviewing dozens of startups each month at TCA
• Why cross-border collaboration between Asia and the U.S. is a growth multiplier
• Advice for international founders entering the U.S. market
• How to stay adaptable in a world of constant change

Learn more about Tech Coast Angels and Min-Yi’s work supporting global founders (⁠link here⁠).