This is a keynote presentation that I shared for the launch of the MaGIC Startup Academy in Malaysia. The theme is challenging startup conventions, or thinking in ways which are different than what is commonly accepted. It comes from my observation that startups - while doing things that are new and different - are often expected to follow a set path to success. The presentation is divided into three parts: 1) The growth of the New York tech ecosystem and how it was unique from Silicon Valley 2) The opportunities for the Malaysian tech ecosystem (and all up-and-coming tech ecosystems) through the lens of a Challenger mentality 3) Nine ways that I've challenged conventional thinking in startup marketing and growth