Maurice Simon

In 1988, when I was a child, my mother stood on stage with Steve Jobs as he demonstrated NextOS to an audience in Singapore. A concert violinist, she played a captivating Bach concerto in E Minor, while a computer synthesised sound formed the other half of the duet. This juxtaposition of music and technology would serve as a serendipitous blueprint for my life.

My parents, and their respective journeys, have been a major inspiration to me. My mother moved to Germany at 16 to study violin. She dedicated her life to an Arts career, a path few Singaporeans pursue, and became a celebrated, renowned violinist. My dad left Germany as a teen and hustled his way across multiple jobs in Europe, finally settling in Singapore, working in finance (with a stint running supermarkets in Cambodia along the way). They forged their own unique paths, and desired that I, too, find my own way. 

I became a lawyer to understand the world of business and to help great entrepreneurs make an impact on the world. I recently spent several years at GoTo, launching their consumer and fintech services across SEA, whilst moonlighting as a DJ at clubs and festivals to keep the musical side of my soul revved up. 

My parents taught me that overcoming adversity is how we grow, and that our legacy is measured by our impact to others. This is what great founders do and know. I’m grateful to now be at Peak XV Partners, where I help founders across SEA partner with us to achieve their vision to build enduring companies.

Lawyers absolutely need to stretch beyond their core domain to serve as business enablers to deliver true commercial value.