Growing up in Kuching, Sarawak, Edrea Lee Yian Huay values her parents’ dedication to ensuring she receives an excellent education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, USA, where she also gained valuable experience working for a year post-graduation. Returning to Malaysia, Edrea honed her skills as a Strategy Analyst before embarking on a career break.
Currently, she is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Business Analytics at the Imperial College Business School, London. Edrea embodies a commitment to lifelong learning and takes pride in her Malaysian roots.
Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Edrea’s entrepreneurial journey began with Vespid, a financial literacy platform for Malaysians. Initially funded with USD 10k from the University of Michigan’s optiMize Social Innovation Challenge, she envisioned Vespid as an interactive stock investing platform designed to simplify trading for beginners overwhelmed by traditional platforms.
Navigating Malaysia’s strict regulatory environment for trading platforms prompted a pivot towards addressing a more urgent need: financial literacy. She recognised that Malaysians need accessible financial knowledge, and thus, Vespid transformed into a platform dedicated to educating users in bite-sized financial concepts.
“Though this entrepreneurial journey has not always been a bed of roses, and there are times when the team feels very lost about what they’re doing, their passion for problem-solving, specifically addressing the issue of financial literacy, does not die.”
With a team of just five, Edrea is now focused on accelerating Vespid’s development to meet the growing demand for financial education.
Storytelling Across Borders
Beyond entrepreneurship, Edrea amplifies Malaysian voices through Borak Overseas (B.O.S), a podcast showcasing the experiences of Malaysians worldwide. B.O.S provides a platform for Malaysians to share their diverse experiences abroad.
“I’m very impressed by how talented Malaysians from all corners of the world really are, regardless of their profession […] Meeting Malaysians abroad, we can always feel this sense of connection and warmth.”
Edrea has interviewed a diverse range of guests, including the co-founder of CoffeeSpace, a Tinder-like “match-making” app for connecting co-founders; an accounts executive turned content creator; a civil engineer who has built his career from Malaysia to the Middle East and then to London; and a couple pursuing their dreams of travelling and working remotely as digital nomads.
Edrea’s hosting skills earned her the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion on “Advancing Malaysia’s Venture Ecosystem” during the MyHeart Innovate Startup Accelerator Sharing Session. Her skilled moderation brought out the best in the panel members, including the Group CEO of Cradle (Malaysia’s focal agency for the startup ecosystem), the Founding Partner of RHL Ventures (a multi-stage venture capital firm in Malaysia), and the Founder of Accendo Technologies (a local startup). The participants, primarily venture builders and aspiring entrepreneurs, gained valuable insights into Malaysia’s startup landscape.
A Journey Back Home
Despite her global journey, Edrea is drawn back to Malaysia after pursuing studies and work in the USA and the UK. With her Master’s degree in sight, she aims to contribute her skills and experiences to Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s evolving landscape. Edrea’s aspiration stems from a desire to find meaningful work that aligns with her values and makes a positive impact in her homeland.
Edrea believes that Malaysians abroad can contribute significantly to the country. Addressing brain drain doesn’t necessarily mean just brain gain—brain circulation is key as global mobility increases. Malaysians can support national development even while living abroad.
If you’re a Malaysian abroad looking to connect with fellow Malaysians like Edrea, join the MyHeart community to tap into its global network of Malaysians.
Editor’s Note:
In September 2023, Edrea returned to Malaysia after completing her Master’s degree in the UK. She currently serves as a Senior Strategy Associate at ZUS Coffee and continues to develop Vespid with the support of MyHeart Innovate—a program designed to help Malaysians abroad embark on entrepreneurial ventures in Malaysia.
