logo
How a CEO's Faked Results Led to a $300 Million Wipeout

How a CEO's Faked Results Led to a $300 Million Wipeout

Bloomberg06-05-2025

By , Yang Yang, and Naomi Ng
Save
Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today.
In late 2018, five years after launching fish-feeding company eFishery, Gibran Huzaifah found himself all out of cash. To save his business, the CEO started plugging fake numbers into financial reports. The brighter picture drew hundreds of millions of investor dollars. But his house of cards was doomed to collapse.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why investing in growth-stage AI startups is getting riskier and more complicated
Why investing in growth-stage AI startups is getting riskier and more complicated

TechCrunch

time37 minutes ago

  • TechCrunch

Why investing in growth-stage AI startups is getting riskier and more complicated

Making a bet on AI startups has never been so exciting — or more risky. Incumbents like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are scaling their capabilities fast to swallow many of the offerings of smaller companies. At the same time, new startups are reaching the growth stage much faster than they historically have. But defining 'growth stage' in AI startups is not so cut-and-dried today. Jill Chase, partner at CapitalG, said on stage at TechCrunch AI Sessions that she's seeing more companies that are only a year old, yet have already reached tens of millions in annual recurring revenue and more than $1 billion in valuation. While those companies might be defined as mature due to their valuation and revenue generation, they often lack much of the necessary safety, hiring, and executive infrastructure. 'On one hand, that's really exciting. It represents this brand new trend of extremely fast growth, which is awesome,' Chase said. 'On the other hand, it's a little bit scary because I'm gonna pay at an $X billion valuation for this company that didn't exist 12 months ago, and things are changing so quickly.' 'Who knows who is in a garage somewhere, maybe in this audience somewhere, starting a company that in 12 months will be a lot better than this one I'm investing in that's at $50 million ARR today?,' Chase continued. 'So it's made growth investing a little confusing.' To cut through the noise, Chase said it's important for investors to feel good about the category and the 'ability of the founder to very quickly adapt and see around corners.' She noted that AI coding startup Cursor is a great example of a company that 'jumped on the exact right use case of AI code generation that was available and possible given the technology at the time.' Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW However, Cursor will need to work to maintain its edge. 'There will be, by the end of this year, AI software engineers,' Chase said. 'In that scenario, what Cursor has today is going to be a little less relevant. It is incumbent on the Cursor team to see that future and to think, okay, how do I start building my product so that when those models come out and are much more powerful, the product surface represents those and I can very quickly plug those in and switch into that state of code generation?'

Why Your New Company Needs a Mission Statement Before Its First Transaction
Why Your New Company Needs a Mission Statement Before Its First Transaction

Entrepreneur

time40 minutes ago

  • Entrepreneur

Why Your New Company Needs a Mission Statement Before Its First Transaction

A mission statement is the foundation of a company and should be developed before a business ever accepts a transaction. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. A lot goes into building a company before it ever makes a sale — from brainstorming the idea to developing a business plan and crafting a go-to-market strategy. Whether you're launching a physical storefront or an online business, early-stage planning involves countless moving parts. But there's one critical step that often gets overlooked: writing a mission statement. A mission statement defines the purpose of your business in one or two clear, compelling sentences. It acts as a north star for your team, your customers and your stakeholders — guiding decisions, shaping culture and communicating what your company stands for. It should be completed before launch, because it lays the foundation for everything that follows. In my experience managing 22 companies across 89 countries, I've learned this firsthand: the businesses with the clearest missions move faster, scale smarter and stay grounded in their values. Related: 11 Effective Marketing Strategies to Help Streamline Your Startup Why a mission statement matters At its core, a mission statement explains why your company exists. It clarifies your purpose, expresses your values and points to your goals. It's not just a description — it's a declaration. A good mission statement is: Clear and concise Actionable and achievable Aligned with your company's five-year plan It doesn't just inspire; it directs. When my team faces a major decision, I often ask: What does our mission statement say? That one lens can resolve uncertainty, align priorities and keep us on course. For example, one of my companies has a simple mission: To empower individuals by providing clean, effective and science-backed wellness solutions. That clarity filters everything — from product development to marketing to customer service. And it keeps us focused on our longterm goals, not just short-term wins. How to write a mission statement Writing a mission statement isn't about sounding impressive. It's about being intentional. Here's a simple formula that works: "Our mission is to [main goal for the next five years], in order to [the impact you want to make]." This structure keeps your mission grounded and forward-looking. Save the big, audacious future goals for your vision statement — that's where longterm aspiration lives. Here are some great examples of clear, focused mission statements: Nike: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. JPMorgan Chase: To be the most respected financial services firm in the world. To be the most respected financial services firm in the world. Ford: To help build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. Now compare that to their vision statements, which take a broader, longterm view: Nike: To do everything possible to expand human potential. To do everything possible to expand human potential. Ford: To shorten the distance between where you are and where you want to go. Mission statements should be memorable. If you can't say it in a single sentence, it's not a mission — it's messaging. Why it should come before launch Think of your mission as the blueprint for your business. Just like an architect wouldn't start building without a plan, you shouldn't start accepting orders without clarity on why your company exists. Your mission should guide key decisions before you ever go to market: Product development: Does this align with our purpose? Does this align with our purpose? Hiring: Do these candidates reflect our values? Do these candidates reflect our values? Branding and marketing: Are we communicating what we truly stand for? After launch, your mission continues to guide you, ensuring that growth doesn't come at the expense of your core purpose. It also helps your business adapt while staying anchored to its identity. A tool for attracting the right investors and talent Investors today want more than financial returns. They want to believe in your why. A strong mission statement tells them you're building something that lasts — not just chasing short-term profit. The same is true for your team. A well-defined mission increases engagement, attracts values-aligned talent and builds a strong internal culture. People want to do meaningful work — and your mission tells them what that meaning is. Related: How to Write An Unforgettable Company Mission Statement Set your direction before you hit "go" A mission statement does more than clarify your purpose — it drives focus, builds culture, and attracts support. It helps every stakeholder — from employees to investors to customers — understand your business on a deeper level. By crafting your mission before your company makes its first sale, you create alignment from day one. You establish a guiding principle that shapes every action and decision — now and into the future. Before you launch, take the time to ask: What's the purpose behind this business? Your answer might just be the most valuable asset you create.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store