Nathanael Lim thrives on new challenges. Driven by an insatiable desire for growth and a passion for purposeful work, his career journey has been anything but conventional. From his early days in law to co-founding Avium and now serving as its Chief Commercial Officer, Nathanael’s path has been fueled by innovation and a commitment to personal development.
Starting as a Justices’ Law Clerk at the Supreme Court, Nathanael honed his litigation skills before moving into corporate and technology law. Despite the stability and prestige of the legal profession, he felt an undeniable pull to explore something more dynamic.
After switching firms and navigating new environments, he realised he wanted a change—one that allowed him to truly shine. “I’m very good at failing,” he jokes, embracing each career shift as a fresh opportunity to grow.
Leaving law behind wasn’t an impulsive decision. It was the fulfillment of a promise Nathanael had made to himself—to return to technology within ten years. Armed with a double degree in business and law and a keen interest in finance, he saw his chance to make an impact in the startup world.
For Nathanael, gaming played a pivotal role in his journey. An avid gamer from a young age, he discovered the power of gamification to make any task more engaging. “Gamifying a process makes it more fun,” he says, reflecting on how this mindset helped him tackle challenges, whether running a marathon or studying law. Today, this passion fuels his role at Avium, which has evolved from a media and gaming company into a leader in gamified trading technology.
The transition from law to startups hasn’t been without hurdles. Nathanael had to move from structuring complex deals with high-level executives to crafting simple, compelling messages for the consumer market. “In law, you work with complexity. In consumer-facing industries, simplicity is key,” he explains. Crafting messages that resonate with a broad audience remains one of his toughest challenges.
For anyone considering a career change, Nathanael offers two pieces of advice: First, ensure your “pull” reason for switching is stronger than the “push” reason. “It’s easy to leave a career out of frustration, but you need a clear vision for where you’re going,” he advises. Second, immerse yourself fully in your new industry. “Take a sabbatical, go part-time—do whatever it takes to get up to speed. Transitioning means being ready to learn and grow like a first-year associate.”
Nathanael’s story is a testament to the power of embracing change and pursuing purpose, no matter where it leads.