How to Build Power and Influence on Our Own Terms with Hyphen Capital Founder Dave Lu
Guest: Dave Lu (Managing Partner of Hyphen Capital. Founder of Expo and Fanpop. Founder of Stand with Asian Americans. Producer of 38 at the Garden. Board of Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.)
Host: John Wang
In this episode, John sits down with Dave Lu, a serial entrepreneur, Emmy-winning producer, and the founder and managing partner of Hyphen Capital, one of the top VC funds focused on backing Asian American founders and cross-cultural entrepreneurs. From the viral "Enough" letter in the Wall Street Journal to the nuances of venture capital, Dave is a walking masterclass on how to stop being "invisible" and start being audacious.
In our conversation Dave dives into the "hoop-jumping" mentality that traps many Asian American professionals and explains how to transition from feeling the need to seek validation to building real influence.
Notable Quotes:
"I started from a place where I felt Asians are invisible….But I realized that, we feel like we’re unseen, but oftentimes we don’t even see ourselves. So how can anyone else see us?” — Dave Lu
“I did everything I thought I needed to do to make my parents proud, but also to find validation and self-worth through all the hoops I was jumping through. And I think that chase for self-worth and validation from just doing things and achieving things, it just led to emptiness again and again.” — Dave Lu
“All the rules to gain power are antithetical to how Asians are raised. We’re raised to follow every rule, don’t stick out, don’t break rules, don’t disagree, don’t argue. But one of the rules to gain power is to be self-promotional and build your brand, and we’re never taught to do that.” – Dave Lu
"If you don’t take credit for your work, someone else will. Advocating for yourself is having agency." — Dave Lu
Dave Lu Links:
https://www.davelu.com/podcast
Big Asian Energy
The Big Asian Energy Show is designed for Asian Americans, Canadians, or anyone wanting to learn more about psychology, mindset, and personal growth. Each week, host John Wang interviews and showcases Asian changemakers, pioneers, leaders, and entrepreneurs who share their journies of success and reveal the secrets and strategies they've learned along the way.
In the show, John draws on scientific studies, psychology research, and 15 years of coaching and real-life stories to share practical knowledge on breaking through mental blocks, maximizing your potential, and finding your purpose. He has amassed a passionate following of over 300,000 followers on social media, empowering a new generation of purpose-driven Asian Americans seeking to become the best version of themselves and make a positive impact in the world.
If you're ready to take your life to the next level, break through your internal ceilings, or just want to learn more about super-inspirational Asians, tune in to The Big Asian Energy Show.
Follow John on instagram @johnwangofficial or check out our webpage at www.bigasianenergy.com
- No. of episodes: 71
- Latest episode: 2026-03-24
- Education Business Self-Improvement Entrepreneurship
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