e27 has been nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Programme offers a platform for sharing unique insights. As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’ series, we shine a spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.

This episode features Yvan Goudard, an Innovation and Communication Strategist, author of Startup Dot Comms, and a seasoned branding and communications expert with a passion for storytelling and a deep understanding of the startup landscape. As a communication consultant, advisor, and mentor, he works closely with founders and teams to craft narratives that align their vision with compelling brand messages, driving growth and engagement.

In the sections below, he reflects on his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what keeps her going.

How I got here

When I look back, there hasn’t been just one defining moment. I’ve had to evolve constantly. One quote that stuck with me is from Heraclitus of Ephesus: “Panta Rhei” (πάντα ῥεῖ), everything flows. Or as we say now, the only constant is change.

From publishing to advertising, from startups to consulting, I’ve reinvented myself many times. Each reinvention came with its own set of doubts, learning curves, and excitement. But that’s the game. Stay curious, stay adaptable, and keep learning. That’s how I’ve kept moving forward.

If I had to explain my work to a kid

I help startups and small businesses explain what they do in a way even other five-year-olds can understand. My job is to make complicated things simple so everyone gets it.

Lessons learned along the way

The truth is: not all innovation is good, and not all startups are honest. Scams were rampant in the early crypto days, and now the same red flags are popping up in AI.

Also Read: Sebastian Tai Jian Haw on growth, reinvention, and showing up real

So I’ve learned to slow down and do the boring but essential work: due diligence. Look into the founders. Check the legal structure. Understand the regulatory risks. That’s where the real answers are, not just in the pitch deck.

What more people should notice

AI is all the rage, and understandably so. It’s powerful, exciting, and attracting capital like a magnet. But in all the noise, we often forget two critical things:

• Founder motivation matters more than hype. A founder obsessed with the problem they’re solving, not just the trend of the day, is far more likely to stick it through.
• Low-tech still works. Not everything needs to be a shiny AI product. There’s a huge, underserved space for simple, reliable, low-tech solutions that solve real-world problems.

Why I write

I’ve been writing about tech and startups in Thailand for years on LinkedIn, Medium, and Substack. It started as a way to record what I learned at events. Basically, notes to self. But then I realised others could benefit from it too.

Joining e27 felt like a natural next step. You cover Southeast Asia as a whole, and much of what I’ve seen and written in Thailand applies across the region. Getting the chance to share these insights more broadly has given me a bigger sense of purpose.

My advice for aspiring thought leaders

Attend events. Talk to people. Take notes. Then reflect.

I started writing because I didn’t want to forget what I learned. But in the process, I realised I understood it better. That’s the trick: if you can explain it clearly to others, you’ve really learned it.

As Nicolas Boileau said: “Ce qui se conçoit bien s’énonce clairement, et les mots pour le dire arrivent aisément.” Roughly: “What is well conceived is clearly stated, and the words to say it come easily.”

Also Read: The power of automation: How Sabrina ‘Princessa’ Wang uses AI to create time for what matters most

What drives my curiosity

Outside of work, it’s coding.

I took Harvard’s CS50 course a few years ago, one of the best things I’ve done. It was hard at first, but incredibly rewarding. Understanding how code works helps me better understand the tech world I’m working in every day. It’s like peeking behind the curtain and seeing how the magic happens… and where the bugs live.

Influences that shaped me

A few names come to mind. I’ve written about some of them on Substack, the Karoui brothers, Jean-Louis Saquet, and Antonio Boulos, mentors who didn’t just teach me things but reshaped how I think.

Then there are those who remind me how small we are in the big picture: Sabine Hossenfelder and Neil deGrasse Tyson are among them. Their work puts things into cosmic perspective, and that helps me stay grounded, especially when things get tough.

As for tools: I use YouTube, though less and less I’ve had to filter out too much AI junk lately. And ChatGPT is now my daily tutor. It’s not perfect, but when used critically, it’s a powerful tool for learning and refining ideas.

Take a look at Yvan’s articles here for more insights and perspectives on his expertise.

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