Prime Minister of Malaysia
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is currently serving as Malaysia’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister. He is recognised for his unwavering stance against corruption and his adept handling of the country's economy during the Asian financial crisis. Over the years, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been dedicated to strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Malaysia. He has consistently called for bold reforms in the political and economic systems to ensure Malaysia's competitiveness in the 21st century. YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasises the importance of addressing the plight of the poor and marginalised while focusing on infrastructure development, attracting foreign investment, and fostering economic growth.
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim leadership is expected to prioritise democratic principles, economic reforms, and the overall well-being of Malaysians. His extensive experience in politics and international institutions, including roles such as President of the UNESCO World Council and Chairman of the Development Committee of the World Bank and IMF, reflects his commitment to national development and progress. YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim tenure as Prime Minister is seen as a continuation of his longstanding dedication to Malaysia's advancement.
Throughout his career, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has held key positions in international institutions, including President of the UNESCO World Council, Chairman of the Development Committee of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Honorary President of Accountability, and Advisory Board member of the International Crisis Group.
Is speaking at
KL20 Summit 2024 Official Opening Ceremony
Minister of Economy Malaysia
YB Rafizi Ramli is the Minister of Economy in Malaysia where he spearheads the nation’s strategic planning for medium- and long-term socio-economic development.
Born in 1977, YB Rafizi Ramli pursued his academic endeavour in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Leeds University, United Kingdom. Subsequently, he became a member of the prestigious Institute of the Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), showcasing his commitment to excellence in the field of finance and accounting.
His professional journey commenced at Jeffreys Henry Chartered Accountants in London, where he honed his skills and gained invaluable experience. Demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication, he was appointed as the youngest General Manager at PETRONAS, Malaysia’s leading petroleum corporation. In a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership, he embarked on a new venture by founding INVOKE, a pioneering technology startup focused on delivering innovative digital solutions.
YB Rafizi Ramli’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable growth underscores his dedication to fostering prosperity and innovation in Malaysia’s economy.
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Panel: From Malaysia to the World: Open for Tech Business
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia
YB Chang Lih Kang is the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation December 2022. He is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Malim since May 2018.
YB Chang Lih Kang holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia and a Master in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
In his ministerial role, YB Chang Lih Kang launched the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR) to address critical energy challenges, including reliability, affordability, and sustainability. This roadmap serves as a dynamic blueprint for new technologies and innovations in energy transition, harnessing the potential of the hydrogen economy. YB Chang Lih Kang aims for a gross expenditure on Research & Development (GERD) of 3.5% by 2030 and envisions Malaysia ranking among the top 20 in the Global Innovation Index (GII) by 2025.
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Opening & Launch
Minister of Digital Malaysia
YB Gobind Singh Deo is the inaugural Minister of Digital, Malaysia since December 2023. He is an elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Damansara since November 2022. Prior to becoming the MP of Damansara, he was Member of Parliament for Puchong from March 2008 until October 2022. He created a historic milestone by becoming the first Sikh Cabinet minister in Malaysian history.
He served as Minister of Communications and Multimedia from May 2018 until February 2020. During his tenure as Minister, he pushed for reforms in various sectors such as making broadband more affordable and accessible, media freedom, transitioning national broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) into the digital era, and enhancing the country’s digital connectivity through 5G.
He holds a law degree from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and is a Barrister of Lincoln’s Inn. Gobind’s Legal career, spanning from 1996, saw him practicing at renowned firms like Messrs. Karpal Singh & Co. and establishing his own firm.
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KL20 Summit 2024 Official Opening Ceremony
Deputy Chief Investment Officer China Investment Corporation
Dr. Qi Bin is the Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at CIC. Previously, he held various positions at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, including Director General of the Department of International Affairs, Director General of the Department of Innovative Business Supervision, Director General of the Research Center, and Executive President of the Beijing Institute of Securities and Futures. He also served as Deputy Director General of the Department of Fund Supervision and was a Member of the Strategy and Development Committee. Dr. Qi holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Tsinghua University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
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Keynote: The Intersection of China and ASEAN: In Search of Growth Verticals
Chief Technology Officer Amazon.com
Chief Technology Officer at Amazon.com where he is responsible for driving the company's customer-centric technology vision. As one of the forces behind Amazon's approach to cloud computing, he is passionate about helping young businesses reach global scale and transforming enterprises into fast-moving digital organisations.
Vogels joined Amazon in 2004 from Cornell University where he was a distributed systems researcher. He has held technology leadership positions in companies that handle the transition of academic technology into industry. Vogels holds a PhD from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and has authored many articles on distributed systems technologies for enterprise computing. On his blog, All Things Distributed, Werner shares insights and thought leadership content on a range of topics, such as cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, as well as his annual technology predictions.
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AI for Good
CEO KWAP
Currently CEO of KWAP, Datuk Hajah Nik Amlizan Mohamed specialises in investment functions, fund management, transformational change, and corporate governance. Previously, she served as Chief Investment Officer and CEO of LTAT. Her commitment to excellence and ethical practices is evident through her involvement in various organisations such as the Malaysia Institutional Investors Council and Minority Shareholders Watch Group. She is a highly experienced financial professional with nearly thirty years in financial services and pension funds. She also mentors future leaders through the Women Leadership Foundation Malaysia. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics/Accounting from Claremont McKenna College, she combines practical experience with a solid academic background.
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Panel: From Malaysia to the World: Open for Tech Business
President of Taiwan & ASEAN, Arm Limited
CK Tseng is the President of Arm Taiwan, overseeing business, strategy, and operations in the region. With nearly 20 years of experience in the high-tech industry, he initially joined Arm in 2010 as a business development and sales manager, leading key initiatives and partnerships. He then served as Vice President of global sales and marketing at M2COMM, a startup focused on IoT applications, achieving significant revenue growth and managing overseas subsidiaries. In 2017, Tseng returned to Arm as a senior director, eventually rising to Vice President of Sales in 2018 and President of Arm Taiwan in 2019. He holds a master's degree in electrical engineering and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from National Taiwan University.
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Roundtable: A Trillion Dollar Industry: Meeting the Growing Demand for Semiconductors
Managing Director Khazanah
Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir is the Managing Director at Khazanah. Before this, he served as Group CFO at Maybank, and prior to that, was the Group Head of Global Banking at Maybank.
Currently, he chairs Iskandar Investment Berhad, M+S Pte Ltd, Yayasan Khazanah, and Amanah Warisan Negara (“AWAN”), and sits on the Board of Trustee of Yayasan Hasanah and Khazanah Research Institute. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, and a Chartered Banker with the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a focus on Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics & Political Science, UK, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
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Panel: From Malaysia to the World: Open for Tech Business
Senior Managing Partner Granite Asia
Jenny Lee, Senior Managing Partner at Granite Asia, is renowned for her pioneering investments in Edtech, Fintech, Foodtech, Metaverse, and Energy Sustainability Technologies. With a portfolio boasting 17 companies valued at over $1 billion and nine IPOs in the last five years, across major global exchanges, she has made a significant mark in the investment landscape. Jenny's previous roles at Singapore Aerospace, Morgan Stanley, and JAFCO Asia, coupled with her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, laid the foundation for her venture capital career. Since joining GGV Capital in 2005, she has played a pivotal role in the firm's expansion into China and successful investments in startups like Alibaba, Didi Chuxing, Xiaomi, and Grab.
Jenny serves on the boards of Temasek and SATS Ltd (SGX: S58), as well as being a member of Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC) and the Asia Business Council.
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Panel: Venture Capital in Asia: Why SEA is Poised to Continue Attracting Capital in the Next Decade
Deputy Governor Bank Negara Malaysia
Adnan Zaylani is a prominent figure in Malaysia's financial sector, currently serving as Assistant Governor of BNM. He oversees crucial areas such as Islamic Banking and Takaful, Financial Development and Innovation, Insurance Development, and Development Finance and Inclusion. Adnan plays a key role in BNM's strategic direction and decision-making processes, serving on various committees. Additionally, he holds pivotal positions such as Board Member of KWAP and INCEIF, where he chairs the Executive Committee. He is also a distinguished Member of LFSA and the Board Executive Committee of IILM. Adnan's diverse contributions and leadership roles highlight his significant impact on Malaysia's financial sector and global engagement in Islamic finance and banking.
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Panel: SEA's Next Big Fintech Export: Islamic Finance
Executive Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia
Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin was appointed the Executive Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) on 1 June 2022. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
He has served as Malaysia’s Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) from 2014 to 2016 and Chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) from 2017 to 2018, with extensive experiences in economics and finance, having spent over 30 years in government and public service. He served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development from 2004 to 2006 and Deputy Minister of Finance from 2006 to 2013 and also a member of Parliament from 2004 to 2008, and a senator from 2009 to 2013.
Awang Adek was with Bank Negara Malaysia for 17 years from 1985 until 2001 and has served on the boards of directors of several financial institutions and organisations including the SC, the first Director General of the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and also Chairman of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS).
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VC Golden Pass Showcase
Founder & CEO Phison
KS Pua, the CEO and original founder of Phison Electronics, has been at the helm of the Taiwan-based company since its inception in 2000, leading it to remarkable achievements in the technology sector. His pioneering leadership oversaw the development of the world's first single-chip USB flash controller storage device, the "Pen Drive," marking a significant milestone for Phison. Under Mr. Pua's guidance, Phison has evolved into the largest independent NAND flash controller and storage solution provider globally, with a strong emphasis on high-tech innovation and continuous research & development efforts. While renowned for its storage controllers, Phison's diverse product line, including Enterprise, Client, Industrial SSDs, Flash Memory Cards, USB Flash Drives, and IP Licensing, generates substantial revenue, with the company recording over $2 billion in annual revenue in 2022. As a testament to his commitment to community engagement, Mr. Pua actively participates in various director roles, including the Schoolfellow Association of NCTU, the Pan Wen Yuan Foundation, and the Global Talentrepreneur Innovation and Collaboration Association.
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Roundtable: A Trillion Dollar Industry: Meeting the Growing Demand for Semiconductors
Managing Partner K3 Ventures
MX is the Founder & CEO of K3 Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital investment firm. Since 2012, he has invested in and partnered with visionary founders of category-leading companies that drive innovation in today’s world. He started his career at the Kuok Group’s Shangri La Hotels where he worked for a decade, expanding it to Europe, West Asia and Sri Lanka. MX serves as a board member of Kuok Singapore Ltd, Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd, TVS Motor, Tuya, and the Anglo-Chinese Schools Foundation. He is also a Senior Advisor to TPG Capital.
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Panel: From Malaysia to the World: Open for Tech Business
Managing Partner Nordstar
Ole Ruch serves as Managing Partner and Chairman at Nordstar Partners. He served as a Board Member at Rainforest. He served as an Advisor at Antler. While at WeWork from 2015 - 2020, he launched and oversaw WeWork's expansion and operations in the Asia and Australia region as Managing Director and Head of Asia, and subsequently oversaw WeWork's global strategy. He serves as a Board Member at Antler. He has invested in and advised several growth companies on their international operations and expansion. He served as Managing Director International at Airbnb overseeing their markets in Northern Europe and Asia, and prior to that, he was VP International for Groupon.
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Panel: Venture Capital in Asia: Why SEA is Poised to Continue Attracting Capital in the Next Decade
Co-Founder & Chairman Blue Chip Venture Capital
Dato’ Lai Pin Yong is Co-Founder & Chairman of Blue Chip Venture Capital. He is a distinguished technology leader and education advocate, has made significant contributions throughout his illustrious career spanning over three decades. Graduating from Taiwan University in 1968, he embarked on a journey that saw him in key leadership positions at Intel Malaysia and later at Intel's headquarters in the USA, culminating in his role as General Manager upon his return to Malaysia in 1983. He also had a tenure at Motorola as a senior vice president of Motorola Inc. Beyond his corporate achievements, Lai's passion for education led him to establish the GEM Education Group in Suzhou, China, and co-found BlueChip Venture Capital in early 2023. His multifaceted expertise, coupled with his involvement in educational initiatives and leadership roles at esteemed organisations like the Malaysian Academy of Science and the US Center of Creative Leadership, cements his legacy as a transformative figure in both technology and education.
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Roundtable: A Trillion Dollar Industry: Meeting the Growing Demand for Semiconductors
Founder The Hive Climate AI
Geraldine Andrieux Gustin is recognized expert in Innovation and Disruption Management to generate value from research to market. Expert in molecular biology by education, she has always been fascinated by the concepts of DNA, ecosystems and energy that she turned into models to drive disruption. She loves exploring new areas to generate creative and sustainable solutions. She is enjoying a bit of craziness and communicative positive energy to push the boundaries to open new pathways to make disruption happen.
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Panel: The Future of Clean Energy
Group CEO Inari Amertron
Mr Lau occupies the position of Group Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director at Inari Amertron Bhd. He started his career in 1991 at Intel Penang, followed by KESP Sdn Bhd, Penang in engineering positions. He joined the Globetronics Technology Berhad Group in 1996 as a Senior Engineer and progressed within the Globetronics Group to become Senior Vice President of Iso Technology Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary, before joining Inari Berhad. He has about twenty years of working experience in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry and has broad experience in leading EMS operations including primary responsibilities in top and bottom line performance and managing key customer relationships. Mr Lau holds a Diploma in Electronics Engineering from Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Kuala Lumpur and is a graduate of University of Warwick, United Kingdom with a Master in Science (MSc) in Information Technology for Manufacturing.
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Roundtable: A Trillion Dollar Industry: Meeting the Growing Demand for Semiconductors
CEO Nothing
Carl Pei Yu, known as Carl Bhai, is a Chinese-Swedish entrepreneur who founded Nothing in 2021 after leaving OnePlus in 2020, aiming to innovate technology experiences. He also co-founded OnePlus with Pete Lau in 2013. Though he started studying at the Stockholm School of Economics, he left in 2011 to enter the Chinese smartphone industry. With a brief stint at Nokia, he then joined Meizu's marketing team and later became Oppo's international markets manager. As a co-founder of OnePlus, Carl played a key role in launching successful smartphones like OnePlus One, OnePlus 2, OnePlus 3, and OnePlus 5, thanks to his strategic vision and marketing expertise. Carl's achievements earned him recognition in prestigious lists such as Marketing Week Vision 100, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Fortune 40 Under 40.
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Fireside Chat: The Future of Personal Computing in the age of AI
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Intrinsic VC
Andrew is Co-Founder and Chairman of Intrinsic Innovations and CEO Intrinsic Venture Capital. He is passionate about technology and innovation, enabling the success of entrepreneurs, and seeking ways to grow the economies of Calgary, Alberta and Canada. His expertise includes the startup ecosystem, the energy sector, the defence communications sector, venture capital, and small-cap private equity. Andrew is a vocal advocate for economic immigration, and serves as an active member of CVCA’s international and government relations committees.
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Malaysia-North American Bridge: Entering New Markets
Partner GP Bullhound
Ben Prade is a Partner at GP Bullhound, brings a wealth of experience from a diverse career and is deeply committed to empowering technology entrepreneurs in shaping the companies of tomorrow. His passion lies in supporting and guiding emerging founders, leveraging his expertise to help them navigate the complexities of building successful ventures. Additionally, Ben collaborates closely with accomplished technology entrepreneurs within our network, facilitating their efforts to reinvest their knowledge and resources to nurture the next generation of visionary founders. His dedication to fostering innovation and mentorship underscores his pivotal role in driving forward the growth and success of the technology ecosystem.
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Panel: Venture Capital in Asia: Why SEA is Poised to Continue Attracting Capital in the Next Decade
Founder & CEO Airwallex
Jack Zhang, Founder and CEO of Airwallex, ventured into entrepreneurship within the banking industry before establishing Airwallex. Airwallex revolutionises global business operations with its advanced financial infrastructure, empowering businesses to operate internationally with ease. Founded in December 2015, Airwallex boasts a robust technology stack and impressive external funding exceeding $360M USD from investors like Tencent, DST, Sequoia, Salesforce, and MasterCard. With offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, London, and San Francisco, Airwallex facilitates transactions in over 130 countries and 50 currencies, cementing its status as a leading innovator in global financial solutions.
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Fireside Chat: How Emerging Markets Will Reshape The Future Global Economy
Chairman OCI Holdings Ltd.
Lee Woo-Hyun is the Chairman & Co-CEO of OCI Holdings Co. Ltd. and CEO of Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. He also holds the position of Vice Chairman & Co-CEO at OCI Co. Ltd and board positions in six other companies. With an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree from Sogang University, he has overseen OCI's strategic transition from coal chemicals to solar power since 2013. His leadership has driven significant growth in polysilicon for photovoltaics, semiconductor materials, and battery materials. Under his guidance, OCI has achieved impressive financial performance, with notable increases in operating profit, sales, and net income.
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Panel: The Future of Clean Energy
Founder & Chairman of HOPU Investments
Fang Fenglei is a respected investor known for delivering shareholder value. He is the founder and chairman of HOPU Investments and serves as a director at Goldman Sachs Gao Hua Securities Company Limited and chairman at Beijing Gaohua Securities Company Limited. Previously, he held key positions at China International Capital Corporation (CICC), BOC International Holdings Ltd, and ICEA Finance Holdings Limited. Fang played a significant role in various high-profile transactions, including China Telecom’s acquisition of Hong Kong Telecom and the IPOs of major Chinese companies. He was named one of the "Top Ten Influential Leaders of China’s Capital Market" in 2003 and received the "Asian Financial Service Development Outstanding Achievement" award in 2008. Fang is also involved in philanthropic endeavors, including serving as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Teach for China and founding the Duancun School and Fuxi School. He holds a B.A. in Chinese and Economics from Zhongshan University and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
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Fireside Chat
Chief Investment Officer KWAP
Hazwan Hilmi is the current Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of KWAP. He previously served as the Managing Director of Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned real-estate subsidiary of Johor Corporation (JCorp), and as the Chief Executive Officer of AMAL by Malaysia Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian Aviation Group. With a background at Khazanah Nasional Berhad spanning over 12 years, Hazwan held various roles, including Senior Vice President of Khazanah Europe Investment Limited in London and Vice President of Khazanah Turkey Regional Office in Istanbul. His expertise lies in private equity and venture capital investments, focusing on strategy formulation, investment execution, deal negotiations, and value creation planning across multiple sectors. Hazwan holds an MEng (1st Class) in Engineering, Economics, and Management from Balliol College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and an MSc in Operational Research from the London School of Economics & Political Science, United Kingdom.
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Panel: Venture Capital in Asia: Why SEA is Poised to Continue Attracting Capital in the Next Decade
Founder & CEO, Mundi Ventures
Javier Santiso is the Founder & CEO of Mundi Ventures, a prominent international VC fund with a focus on deep tech and climate tech investments. Previously, Santiso led tech investments at Khazanah, where he played a pivotal role in backing multi-billion-dollar tech unicorns like Farfetch and Skyscanner.
Beyond his venture capital endeavours, Santiso holds influential board positions at Paris-based FNAC Darty and Madrid-based Prisa. He is an active investor in numerous unicorns worldwide, including Wefox, Bolttech, and Shift Technology. As a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, Santiso founded Club Mundi, a vast network connecting Spanish executives globally. He has also spearheaded initiatives like Start Up Spain and plans to bridge art and technology through innovative forums and publications.
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Panel: The Future of Clean Energy
Co-Founder Plug and Play
Jojo Flores, born and raised in the Philippines, is the co-founder of Plug and Play, a global early-stage investor and accelerator platform. He graduated from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a degree in Business Administration. His entrepreneurial journey began with the launch of Wilkins Bottled Water in 1992, which later expanded globally with the support of his business partner, Saeed Amidi. Transitioning into the US real estate sector in 2005, Flores and Amidi ventured into creating a co-working space in Silicon Valley, giving rise to Plug & Play in 2006. Over the years, Plug & Play has grown into an influential ecosystem that facilitates collaboration among startups, investors, governments, and corporations to drive innovation and technological advancements. As an experienced entrepreneur, Flores not only fosters the growth of startups but also contributes insights on innovation and strategic investments in emerging technologies.
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Panel: It Starts from the Grassroots: Fostering Talent to Build Quality Teams in Asia
Founder & General Partner Openspace Ventures
Hian Goh is the founder of Openspace Ventures. As a general partner of Openspace in 2014, Hian has worked side-by-side with Shane Chesson to build the firm and lead significant investments. He sits on the Investment Committee, focuses on new growth strategies, and represents us on the Boards of some of our fastest growing investments, including Kumu, Nutrition Technologies, Love, Bonito and FreshKet. He also led the first institutional fundraising round for Gojek. He has a great deal of practitioner experience having founded and built Asian Food Channel, a 24-hour pay TV channel, which was sold to US media giant, Scripps Interactive in April 2013. He sits on the A*STAR portfolio management committee and was previously on the Board of the Singapore Science Centre. Hian holds an MBA from INSEAD Singapore and a Law Degree from Trinity College, Oxford.
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Openspace Showcase
Co-Founder TransLink Capital
Jackie Yang is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Translink Capital, specialising in investing in semiconductor and mobility companies across Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia while also supporting portfolio efforts in these regions. He previously served as Senior Vice President at UMC Capital, leading investment initiatives in the US and China before co-founding Translink. Jackie began his venture capital career in 1996 with Investar Capital, leveraging Taiwan's industrial relationships for investments in Silicon Valley. He holds an MBA from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. Beyond work, Jackie enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle and savoring a Starbucks latte. His diverse portfolio includes ventures in automotive networking, semiconductor technologies, social networking, lithium-ion battery materials, protective technology, personal transportation, wireless power solutions, and more.
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Panel: The Evolution of Smart Cities
Managing Partner Insignia Venture Partners
Yinglan Tan is a founding Managing Partner at Insignia Venture Partners, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in venture capital and entrepreneurship. Previously, he served as the first Director for China at 3i Venturelab, INSEAD, where he collaborated with Chinese enterprises on growth strategies. His background includes a senior role at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Singapore, focusing on Economic Development Board Investments. With an impressive educational background, Yinglan Tan holds degrees from Harvard, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon, specializing in management science, engineering, and economics. He is a Certified Risk Analyst and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, teaching modules on Entrepreneurial Finance and Management. Yinglan Tan is also an accomplished author, with notable works like "The Way Of the VC" and "Chinnovation." Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and selected as one of the 100 Leaders Of Tomorrow by the St Gallen Symposium, Yinglan Tan continues to be a prominent figure in the venture capital and entrepreneurial landscape.
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Panel: Unlocking Capital in Southeast Asia
Chairman & Senior Partner, Soonicorn Collective & ScaleUp Malaysia
Dr. Siva has extensive experience in entrepreneurship and investments, having coached more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and investors over 20 years in the startup ecosystem.
He was the founding President of the Malaysian Business Angel Network, and has invested personally in 16 startups, and through Malaysia’s most successful late stage accelerator, ScaleUp Malaysia, he has already made 30 investments and plans to have 50 investments by 2023.
He was appointed Chairman of a Ministerial Task Force to restructure the funding ecosystem in Malaysia, and his recommendations have had a significant impact on the angel investment and venture capital industry in Malaysia. Dr.Siva has a Ph.D in Venture Capital from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and is a sought after speaker, panellist, and writer.
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Soonicorn Collective: Changing the Startup Narrative and Building Enduring Companies
Co-President HOPU Investments
Shaun Lim is a seasoned private equity professional with over 20 years of experience in alternative investments and corporate finance. As the Co-President and Partner at HOPU Investment Management Co., he plays a pivotal role in driving the firm's overall strategy, operations, and performance. Shaun specializes in creating value through strategic investments globally, with a particular focus on opportunities with an Asian nexus. His responsibilities include leading the origination, execution, and management of private equity deals, ensuring that investments align with the firm's objectives and deliver superior returns for investors. Additionally, Shaun serves as the Head of Hopu Arm Innovation Fund, a specialized fund dedicated to investing in deep tech companies in collaboration with Arm, a global leader in semiconductor technology. With a mission to leverage his expertise, network, and industry resources, Shaun aims to source proprietary opportunities, support portfolio companies, and drive growth and success in the alternative asset management space.
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Panel: Unlocking Capital in Southeast Asia
Partner Openspace Ventures
Jessica Huang Pouleur is a Partner at Openspace, where she collaborates with Shane Chesson and Hian Goh. She takes the lead in managing OSV+, the mid-stage growth fund, while also playing a significant role in the investment team's leadership. With over 14 years of experience in growth- and late-stage investment as well as corporate strategy in Asia Pacific, Jessica brings a wealth of expertise to Openspace. Her previous roles include leading the investment team for Southeast Asia at Providence Equity Partners, a global private equity fund focused on the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors. She also served as the head of Corporate Strategy & Business Development, APAC, at The Walt Disney Company, where she spearheaded key strategic initiatives and managed M&A activities across the region. Earlier in her career, Jessica worked in healthcare investment banking and Asia Debt Capital Markets at Citigroup. She holds a BA in Political Science from Barnard College, Columbia University.
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Panel: Unlocking Capital in Southeast Asia
Division President for Southeast Asia Mastercard
As division president for Southeast Asia, Safdar Khan is responsible for delivering increased value to Mastercard stakeholders by driving the implementation of the company’s multi-rail digital payment agenda in all 10 Southeast Asian Markets.
Khan started his career with Mastercard in 2006 and has since held numerous leadership positions across multiple regions, including division president, Indonesia, Malaysia & Brunei, country manager Malaysia & Brunei, country manager Qatar, Oman & Kuwait, as well as lead, HSBC Global Key Account, South Asia, Middle East & Africa.
Prior to Mastercard, he held pivotal roles in financial services, technology, and e-businesses, in companies such as ABN Amro, Citibank, and Oracle, across North America, Asia and the Middle East.
Is speaking at
Panel: Real World Digital Assets and Financial Inclusion
Head of IP Ecosystem Alliance Intel (Foundry Services)
Chek-San (CS) Leong is Senior Director and Head of IP Ecosystem Alliance at Intel Foundry. As a seasoned technology leader with a distinguished career in the semiconductor industry, CS Leong has a strong track record of success in forging strategic alliances and partnerships. His expertise in Intellectual Property (IP) licensing and experience as a start-up entrepreneur adds valuable depth to his leadership role.
CS Leong is recognized as a trusted strategy, marketing, and technical executive, adept at crafting and deploying strategic marketing alliances that create substantial value for both the company and its customers. With a background as a technical lead, he has a proven track record of successfully delivering complex System-on-Chip (SoC) projects at the leading-edge of process technology.
His specialties include technology and IP licensing, vendor and supplier
management, global business development, large-scale SoC project management, and technical leadership in SoC design and manufacturing. CS Leong's in-depth understanding of semiconductor products further strengthens his ability to drive innovation and business growth.
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Panel: IC Design: Is Malaysia Ready for Disruption?
Chief Digital Officer, Technology Innovation Park Malaysia (MRANTI)
Well known in the digital ecosystem, Muhundhan has led business digital adoption teams, spearheaded the growth of the Malaysian digital landscape, and helped businesses embrace digital transformation and innovation.
As part of his experience, Muhundhan established the first corporate accelerator initiative, which helped guide many large organisations in their early innovation ventures which were in partnership with McKinsey Digital, Deloitte, BOSCH, Siemens, Roland Berger, EY, Rainmaking, ABB and many other digital labs.
With over 20 years of helming key leadership roles that span the domains of multiple industries, Muhundhan now serves as Chief Digital Officer for MRANTI to help move innovation forward into society - with speed, the right support structures and systems, synergies, towards a sustainable future.
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Panel: KL Innovation Belt Showcase
Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Lesha Bank
Glenn Johnstone is Lesha Bank’s Chief Investment Officer, with over 20 years of expertise in investment banking and investment management. Glenn currently oversees the private equity, real estate investment, and wealth management businesses, which together comprise the overall investment function of the Bank.
He commenced his career at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division in Sydney, after which he transferred to London with the ultimate role of Executive Director in UK Investment Banking. Additionally, he occupied senior investment roles at both Qatar Foundation Endowment and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).
Glenn’s education includes a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from the University of Melbourne.
Is speaking at
Panel: Real World Digital Assets and Financial Inclusion
Co-Founder, Chairman, & CEO FiscalNote
Tim Hwang is the Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of FiscalNote, a leading tech and media company in policy information. Under his leadership, FiscalNote serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 100 companies, with software tools, AI-driven insights, and comprehensive data sets. Headquartered in Washington, DC, FiscalNote has global offices and is the largest tech employer in the DC area. Tim has raised over $230 million in venture capital, counting investors like The Economist, S&P Global, Mark Cuban, and NEA. Before FiscalNote, Tim began in politics with the Obama ’08 campaign and later served on the Montgomery County Board of Education. He's dedicated to public service, leading organisations like the National Youth Association and Operation Fly. Inc. He is a Princeton University graduate and has received recognition from Forbes, Inc., Washingtonian, Goldman Sachs, CNN, and Business Insider. He also serves in various leadership roles, including as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and trustee on the Board of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
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Panel: Unravelling Artificial General Intelligence
Chairwoman & CEO Space Faculty Pte. Ltd.
Lynette Tan is a pioneering leader in Singapore’s space industry. In 2007, she co-founded Singapore Space & Technology Limited (SSTL), catalysing the nation’s space sector development. She has developed initiatives that support early-stage deep tech and space startups like Project Cyclotron; and Space Accelerator Programme. The latter, launched in 2020, has nurtured 40 companies from 18 countries, with a combined valuation of over a billion dollars. To bridge the resulting talent gap from this rapid growth, Lynette has more recently established Space Faculty, a spin-off that focuses on developing career pathways and educational resources at the tertiary level. The organisation helms The International Space Challenge (ISC), a global space design competition for students that has seen past participants enter the industry. For her accomplishments and contributions, Lynette has been awarded a Karman Fellowship and was recognised as an Inspiring Business Leader in 2022 by the Economic Times.
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Panel: Charting the Next Phase of Fintech Growth
Founder & CEO Wahed
Junaid Wahedna, Founder and Chairman of Wahed, brings extensive experience from Wall Street banking to address financial mobility and exclusion. With a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University, Junaid holds designations like Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and CIMA Diploma in Islamic Finance (CDIF). He established Wahed Invest, a Shariah-compliant robo-advisory platform, democratizing access to Islamic finance. Within three years, Wahed has served over 2,000 clients in the US and UK, with plans for global expansion. Junaid's vision and leadership have made Wahed a leading force in halal investing, driven by innovation and inclusivity, shaping the finance sector and beyond.
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Panel: SEA's Next Big Fintech Export: Islamic Finance
Founder & Chief Technologist nanoSkunkWorkX
Dr. Amani Salim is the founder of nanoSkunkWorkX. She received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2001 and 2003 respectively, and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University in 2009. With this strong educational background, Dr. Amani has emerged as a seasoned engineer, researcher, and project manager with expertise in nanotechnology, biomedical, electrical, and materials engineering. She was the first non-American Muslim PI for a NASA project, an honor earned post-PhD at Purdue. An award-winning innovator, Amani has worked on mission-critical projects under prestigious organizations like NASA, EPA, NSF, and NIH. She’s currently channeling her talent into entrepreneurship, driving impactful innovation in Malaysia with global ambitions. Additionally, Dr. Amani is a member of the National Digital Economy and 4IR Council (MED4IRN) and the Malaysian Innovation Network for Advanced Technologies (MINAT) group, contributing her expertise to shaping Malaysia's digital economy and fostering innovation.
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Roundtable: A Trillion Dollar Industry: Meeting the Growing Demand for Semiconductors
Partner AppWorks
Jessica is a Partner at Appworks, where she leads the company's efforts in Southeast Asia and the region's growing blockchain ecosystem. With a passion for helping visionary founders reach their full potential, Jessica has been actively involved in the digital industry since 2010. She began her career managing online marketing for Standard Chartered Bank's cross-selling strategies before joining AppWorks in 2014. During her time at AppWorks, Jessica has closely monitored the development of consumer internet applications, particularly in relation to deep technologies' increasing prevalence. She previously held the role of Associate, overseeing the Accelerator and Southeast Asia initiatives, among other significant projects, before being promoted to Partner in 2019. Jessica holds a B.B.A from the University of Southern California.
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Breaking out of the mould - Doing it the Malaysian way
Partner, NRL Capital
Tony Zhang is a Partner specialising in Semiconductor & Advanced Manufacturing at NRL Capital, bringing with him over 15 years of diverse experience in investment, strategy, and corporate management. Before joining NRL Capital, Tony served as a partner at Kunzhong Capital, where he honed his skills in investment analysis and strategic planning. Prior to his venture into the investment sector, Tony held key positions at Qualcomm and Broadcom, globally renowned chip companies, where he contributed significantly to technology development and management initiatives. His rich professional journey also includes a stint at McKinsey, further enhancing his expertise in corporate strategy and consulting. Tony holds a prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Wharton School, complemented by a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Akron. He kickstarter his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, laying a solid foundation for his successful career in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing domains.
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The Intersection of Science and Capital
Principal AppWorks
Sophie Chiu is a Principal at AppWorks, leading the Southeast Asia Arm and overseeing initiatives to support and invest in outstanding founders in the region. She joined AppWorks as an Associate in 2020 and swiftly rose to the position of Principal in 2023. Prior to her tenure at AppWorks, Sophie accumulated a decade of experience in public equity. She contributed significantly to the portfolio management team at Neuberger Berman, with a primary focus on emerging market opportunities. Before that, she served as a research analyst at renowned institutions such as Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, and Autonomous Research in London. Sophie's academic background includes a Master of Finance with distinction from Warwick Business School and a BS in Finance from National Taiwan University. Beyond her financial expertise, Sophie is also an accomplished author with two published poetry books.
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Panel: It Starts from the Grassroots: Fostering Talent to Build Quality Teams in Asia
Co-Founder WIZ.AI
Jianfeng Lu is the co-founder and chairman of WIZ.AI, a leading Generative AI company in Southeast Asia, established in Singapore in 2019. Under Jianfeng's leadership, WIZ.AI specialises in hyper-localised and omnichannel customer engagement solutions, managing over a million automated customer interactions every hour. Serving 300 clients across 17 nations, including Fortune 500 companies and unicorn startups, WIZ.AI has become a trusted player in the market. Prior to WIZ.AI, Jianfeng held key roles at Trend Micro Inc and Qihu 360 Inc (NYSE: QIHU). He's also a successful angel investor, with his portfolio including unicorn companies. Jianfeng's expertise and strategic vision make him a prominent figure in the tech and entrepreneurial landscape of the region.
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Panel: Unravelling Artificial General Intelligence
Founding General Partner, B Capital
Kabir Narang is Founding General Partner at B Capital Group. He is the head of B Capital’s South and Southeast Asia team and executes cross border investments at the firm.
Prior to B Capital, he held leadership and investing roles at Eight Roads, Fidelity’s private investment arm, and Warburg Pincus. Kabir was Managing Director at Eight Roads leading investments in technology. He was also a core member of the Regional Investment Committee, which evaluated investment opportunities across Asia, including India, SE Asia, China and Japan.
Kabir is a mathematician by training and has a bachelor’s degree in the subject from St. Stephen’s College, India. He holds an MBA from Oxford University.
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Panel: Charting the Next Phase of Fintech Growth
Co-Founder, Tin Men Capital
Murli is the co-founder of Tin Men Capital driving Tin Men’s investment strategy and market analysis functions. He was previously with Temasek Holdings, JAFCO, and INSEAD.
Murli has been a board member of more than 25 venture-backed firms since 2008 across an array of enterprise tech sectors, countries (Singapore, India, Australia, and the US), and stages (from pre-revenue startups to 2000+ employee firms). His first board roles came just as the global financial crisis began, which was a brutal crash course in the vagaries startups must navigate.
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Panel: Solving the Labour Crunch with Agritech
Founder & CEO CYFIRMA
Kumar Ritesh is an experienced executive with extensive cybersecurity knowledge in both public and private sectors. As the Founder and CEO of CYFIRMA, one of the best performing cybersecurity startups in SEA, he pioneered the world's first unified external cyber threat management product, overseeing business strategy and global expansions. Prior to this, Ritesh served as the head of cyber-intelligence and counterterrorism at a national intelligence agency, gaining valuable experience in cybersecurity on the front lines of cyber warfare. Transitioning to IBM Research, he developed innovative products utilized across various industries. With his background as an executive at PWC managing large cyber consulting programs and as the global CISO of a major mining company, Ritesh offers a unique perspective on cybersecurity as a practitioner, innovator, and business leader.
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Panel: Charting the Next Phase of Fintech Growth
Chief Investment Officer MAVCAP
He has wide experience spanning over 13 years in Corporate Investment Banking, Private Equity and Venture Capital. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (“MAVCAP”) which is one of the largest Venture Capital setups in Malaysia. He began his career at Maybank Investment Bank Berhad where he worked on several initial public offerings (IPO’s) and merger & acquisition transactions in Malaysia.
He subsequently joined OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad in 2011 as a Relationship Manager in the Public & Institutional / Corporate Banking Department. In 2015 he served as Director / Malaysia Cluster Head – Mezzanine Capital Unit (Private Equity & Special Opportunities) which is the Private Equity arm of OCBC Bank with cumulative assets under management over S$1 billion across South East Asia and China. During his tenure at OCBC, he played an instrumental role in deal origination and participated in prominent corporate transactions regionally within the Bank's core markets.
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Malaysia Venture Capital Roadmap
Group CEO Hijra
Dima Djani is the Group CEO of Hijra, a leading Islamic challenger bank based in Indonesia that provides Sharia-compliant financial technology solutions to over 2 billion Muslims worldwide. With a background spanning ten years in esteemed financial institutions such as Société Générale and Citi, Dima brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries including energy, mining, infrastructure, telecommunications, media, and consumer sectors. He holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD Business School, where the idea for ALAMI, a Sharia-compliant financial platform, was conceived, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to ethical finance.
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Panel: SEA's Next Big Fintech Export: Islamic Finance
Co-Founder & CEO Streamline Media Group
Alexander L. Fernandez is a visionary entrepreneur with over two decades of
groundbreaking experience in the video game and creative industries. As the CEO
and Co-Founder of Streamline Media Group, Alexander has been the driving
force behind the company's meteoric rise from a modest startup in an Amsterdam
apartment to an influential global powerhouse with a presence in Japan, Malaysia,
Colombia, and the United States.
Under Alexander's leadership, Streamline Media Group has made significant
contributions to an extensive array of video game and entertainment franchises.
The company's portfolio boasts over 400 productions, collectively generating
over $6 billion in sales. This impressive track record includes pivotal roles in the
development of renowned titles such as Final Fantasy XIV, James Cameron’s
Avatar, Gears of War, Bioshock Infinite, and Street Fighter V. Alexander's
influence extends beyond gaming, as evidenced by successful collaborations with
iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Balenciaga, and James Bond.
A recognized Endeavor Entrepreneur and a Harvard Business School alumnus,
Alexander's expertise encompasses driving innovation, fostering economic
growth, and harnessing technology and creativity as tools for socio-economic
advancement. His leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of diversity
and inclusivity in the tech and gaming industries, promoting these values as
essential components of corporate success and social responsibility.
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Panel: Southeast Asia, the Springboard to Asia Pacific
Founder & CEO Wootzano
Dr. Atif Syed, Founder and CEO of Wootzano, brings expertise in Electronics, Nanotechnology, Robotics, and AI to revolutionise robotics. With a PhD in Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, his leadership has made Wootzano a leading force. His work includes developing electronic skin and the Avarai™ fruit packaging robotic system, bringing innovation and cost savings globally. Dr. Syed's influence extends beyond Wootzano, serving on the Executive Committee for Robotics and Mechatronics at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). With significant funding and a robust portfolio of patents and publications, he is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of nanotechnology and robotics.
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Panel: Solving the Labour Crunch with Agritech
Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Middle East at Carta
Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Middle East at Carta - leads the strategic growth of the company across this region. He is passionate about supporting the private market ecosystem with technology and is an active angel investor and advisor to startups globally.
Before this, Bhavik worked across both AMER and APAC to help build and scale Anaplan’s global presence from a startup with ~80 employees and <US$10M in revenue to an established category leader with 2000+ employees and US$800M+ in revenue, while achieving key milestones such as a successful IPO in 2018 and an eventual sale to private equity firm Thoma Bravo in 2022.
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Panel: Unlocking Capital in Southeast Asia
COO Tenstorrent
Keith Witek serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Tenstorrent, overseeing operations, legal, HR, finance, and partnerships. With leadership experience at Google, SiFive, Tesla, and AMD, he's played pivotal roles in alliances, corporate development, and technology. As Associate General Counsel at Tesla, he focused on R&D technology, including autopilot capabilities. At AMD, as Corporate VP, he led M&A, strategy, and alliances. With a background in engineering and law, Keith holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas Austin. He's authored an Internet and IP Law Treatise and holds over 30 US patents. Keith's commitment to entrepreneurship is reflected in his board membership at Startingblock Madison, supporting innovative startups.
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Panel: Unravelling Artificial General Intelligence
Head of Clean Energy & Power, Asia-Pacific, Google
Giorgio is Head of Clean Energy and Power at Google in Asia-Pacific where he drives Google's efforts to achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy goals while working towards net-zero emissions throughout operations and value chain.
His experience in the energy sector includes leading Schneider Electric's Cleantech advisory in APAC, co-founding the offshore wind startup Blue Aspirations, and holding leadership positions at Vestas Wind Systems. He also served as the National Energy Chair at the European Chamber of Commerce in China.
Giorgio holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering from La Sapienza University of Rome and a dual-degree EMBA from Tsinghua University and INSEAD
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Panel: The Future of Clean Energy
Founder & Chief Scientist Qarbotech
Dr. Suraya Abdul Rashid is the Chief Scientist at Qarbotech, leveraging her expertise as a professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia specialising in carbon nanomaterials and nanotechnology applications. With a background in Chemical Engineering from University of Nottingham and a PhD from Imperial College London, she is recognized as a chartered engineer and nanotechnologist. Dr. Suraya's groundbreaking work includes inventing a patented method for producing carbon quantum dots (CQD) from agrowaste biochar, offering a sustainable and scalable solution. Her research extends to exploring CQD applications, particularly in enhancing plant photosynthesis as a photocatalyst. As the Deputy Director of the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ION2) at UPM, she is at the forefront of advancing carbon nanomaterial synthesis and processing. Additionally, as a co-founder of Qarbotech Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Suraya plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and development within the company while contributing significantly to the field of nanotechnology.
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Panel: Solving the Labour Crunch with Agritech
Co-Founder BoomGrow Farms
Dr. Jay Desan is the Co-Founder of BoomGrow Farms, a Kuala Lumpur-based agritech startup focused on revolutionizing the global food system through sustainable practices. With a Ph.D. in corporate responsibility standards from Queen Mary, University of London, Jay brings nearly two decades of experience advising multinational corporations on sustainability policies and environmental social governance. Her passion for sustainability was ignited during her university years, particularly through her research on women and environmental issues, leading her to advocate for reimagining the world for a better future. Jay's journey from academic researcher to accidental entrepreneur stems from her desire to address the challenge of accessing affordable, pesticide-free produce for her family, inspiring her to co-found BoomGrow Farms and innovate in the sustainable food and agritech space.
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Panel: Solving the Labour Crunch with Agritech
Founder & CEO Aye Solutions
Yee Yun Lim is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aye Solutions, an AI-focused startup specialising in retail solutions. With a background in policy analysis gained from her work in the Malaysian Parliament and a US strategic consulting firm, Yee Yun brings a unique problem-solving perspective to her role as CEO, overseeing everything from R&D to client relations and investor partnerships. Her passion for technology and AI's potential for positive impact led her to launch Aye Solutions in 2020, initially focusing on computer vision applications in the retail sector. Over time, Aye Solutions has evolved into a versatile enterprise offering advanced solutions across various retail verticals. Yee Yun's entrepreneurial journey has taught her valuable lessons in managing ambiguity, humility, and commitment to long-term goals. She is driven by a vision of leveraging technology for ethical and socially responsible solutions that contribute to societal improvement. Beyond her work, Yee Yun finds joy in reading non-fiction, boxing, Pilates, and exploring the outdoors to foster big-picture thinking and creativity.
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Fireside Chat: Malaysia Startup Showcase
Managing Director, DSS PropertyGuru Group
Shyn Yee Ho-Strangas is the Managing Director of Data and Software Solutions (DSS) at PropertyGuru, where she brings over two decades of experience in enterprise SaaS, marketplace technology, and business management to drive innovation in the property sector. Previously, she spent nearly ten years at Expedia Group, leading global strategic initiatives. Beyond her professional achievements, Shyn Yee is passionate about social causes such as gender equality and sustainability, serving on the board of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and as a fellow at the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. She is also a featured speaker at industry conferences like Big Data World Asia and InnovFest. Shyn Yee holds a Certificate in International Business from Grenoble Ecole De Management, France, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Singapore Management University.
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Panel: The Evolution of Smart Cities
Co-Founder & CEO TechSauce
Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, also known as Mimee, is the CEO and Co-founder of Techsauce, the prominent technology and innovation ecosystem builder in Thailand. Techsauce is renowned for organizing the largest technology conference in Southeast Asia, called Techsauce Global Summit (https://summit.techsauce.co/).
In addition to her role at Techsauce, she serves as the General Partner at VentureBridge VC fund and is a co-founder of Thailand Accelerator. Her significant contributions have solidified her reputation as a key influencer in shaping the Thai tech startup industry.
Furthermore, Oranuch is a board member at Thailand’s National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). Oranuch is one of Thailand’s leading women with expertise in technology, besides her success in the technology industry, she is also interested in expanding the opportunity to bring technology to help society as useful as possible especially among vulnerable people like refugees children, women, the elderly or refugees with disabilities.
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Panel: Southeast Asia, the Springboard to Asia Pacific
Co Founder, International Digital Economies Association Chairman, Digital Pilipinas
Amor Maclang is the Founder of Digital Pilipinas, a significant private sector-led movement focused on cultivating an innovation and technology ecosystem in the Philippines. She is also the convenor of the World Fintech Festival-Philippines and the Philippine Fintech Festival, showcasing her leadership in advocating for the adoption of nascent technologies such as blockchain, web 3, e-commerce, and fintech. Amor plays a crucial role as an advisor to various government departments including the Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Health, offering strategic guidance on technology adoption and innovation. Additionally, she is the Co-Founder and Chief Reputation Architect of GeiserMaclang, a renowned company specializing in special situations, risk management, crisis communication, and strategic consulting across multiple industries including technology, renewable energy, public health, tourism, urban planning, and financial services. Her 22-year-old startup has established itself as a leader in navigating high-impact, high-risk, and highly regulated sectors.
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Panel: The Evolution of Smart Cities
Partner Antler
Markus Bruderer is a Partner at Antler, overseeing the investment and operational activities of Antler in Southeast Asia. With almost a decade of experience working with technology ventures in the region, Markus brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Prior to joining Antler, he held Venture Development Roles at Zalora and Global Fashion Group (GFG) across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Markus holds a Master's degree in Banking and Finance from the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland.
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Panel: It Starts from the Grassroots: Fostering Talent to Build Quality Teams in Asia
Co-Founder & CEO WeAssist
Tiffany Khoo is the Co-Founder and CEO of WeAssist, an innovative app focused on bridging healthcare facilities and professionals for faster, safer, and more efficient interactions. With a diverse background in the hospital and healthcare industry, coupled with legal expertise in financial regulation, Tiffany brings a unique blend of skills to her role. She is proficient in people management, legal writing, financial regulation, teamwork, and public speaking. Tiffany is a dual-qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, as well as a New York Attorney and Counselor at Law. She holds an LLB in Laws from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), further enhancing her understanding of legal complexities and healthcare dynamics.
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Panel: Advancements & Opportunities in Healthtech
Founder & CEO MedPlanner
Dr. Ezam Mat Ali is the CEO of Circles.MD, bringing with him extensive experience as a paediatrician trained in the UK. His professional journey includes working in London as a consultant neonatologist and former head of department. Dr. Ezam has a keen interest in leveraging technology to enhance patient care, particularly in emergency care and high-risk scenarios. In 2009, he pioneered the setup of the first simulation lab in London, integrating high-fidelity mannequins, software, and modern teaching methodologies to train healthcare professionals effectively.
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Panel: Advancements & Opportunities in Healthtech
Co-Founder & CEO Xeraya Capital
Fares Zahir is the Chief Executive Officer at Xeraya Capital Sdn Bhd, based in Kuala Lumpur, MY. He brings extensive experience from previous roles at Khazanah Nasional, UBS Investment Bank, Seacorp-Schroder Capital Management, and AIA. Fares holds a degree from Cambridge Judge Business School and has a robust skill set in Venture Capital, Mergers and Acquisitions, Financial Modeling, Business Strategy, and Start-Ups. With around 30 years of experience in investment in public and private equities, Fares co-founded Xeraya and played a pivotal role in its success, achieving numerous milestones such as executing the world’s first cross-border shariah-compliant venture deal in 2015. He is actively involved in the industry, serving on boards and contributing valuable insights to the field of investment and entrepreneurship.
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Panel: Advancements & Opportunities in Healthtech
Group CEO Cradle Fund
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke currently serves as the Group CEO of Cradle, assuming the role from June 1, 2022. With a diverse heritage of Malay and Belgian descent, Norman's journey at Cradle began in 2020 when he joined as the Head of Finance and Corporate Services. His professional trajectory commenced as an auditor at KPMG, leading him to hold pivotal roles in Strategy, Finance, and Management within local and multinational oil & gas entities and government agencies. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Queensland, Australia, and a degree in Software Engineering from Multimedia University, Malaysia. Norman's profound interest in technology and innovation grew from his experiences and educational background, igniting his passion to drive local Malaysian tech companies to become more competitive compared to their global counterparts.
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Panel: Southeast Asia, the Springboard to Asia Pacific
Co-Founder & CEO WORQ
Stephanie is an accomplished entrepreneur with a strong academic background and extensive experience in technology and real estate. She leveraged her expertise to launch WORQ, a leading coworking space and real estate innovation company in Malaysia. She graduated in the top 5% at Stanford University with degrees in Economics and Management Science and Engineering. Inspired by her experiences in the vibrant startup community at Stanford, Stephanie aims to create hyper-localised communities at each WORQ site, revolutionising Malaysia's real estate industry. Recognised with awards like the Malaysian Venture Capital Association’s Outstanding Female Entrepreneur Award and the TechNode Global ORIGIN Innovation Award for Best Community Builder, Stephanie's journey reflects her commitment to innovation, community-building, and positive impact.
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Panel: It Starts from the Grassroots: Fostering Talent to Build Quality Teams in Asia
Co-Founder & CEO, PolicyStreet
Yen Ming has extensive experience in insurance, risk management, finance, strategy, marketing, sales, digital, channel management, research, customer relationship and product development spanning over more than 20 years in 7 multinational corporations.
Prior to starting PolicyStreet, he was the Director for Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia spearheading its digital initiatives. He was instrumental in building and expanding the bank’s digital assets and led many leadership roles in driving short-term and long-term strategy which won the bank numerous accolades globally.
Under his leadership, PolicyStreet was awarded the General Insurance and Reinsurance licence from Labuan Financial Services Authority and is an approved Financial Adviser and Islamic Financial Adviser by Bank Negara Malaysia, allowing it to provide cutting-edge digital insurance solutions to businesses and consumers in Southeast Asia and Australia.
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Fireside Chat: Malaysia Startup Showcase
CEO, SkyeChip
Swee Kiang (SK) Fong has more than 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. He started his career with Intel for more than 20 years in various technical and management positions in the US and Malaysia. He was instrumental in starting up Intel Design Center in Malaysia and growing the organisation to 1500 people responsible for microprocessor, Chipset, SOC design and development. He then joined Altera Corporation as VP of R&D, leading the development of advanced FPGA, IP and Quartus software in Malaysia. He was the senior director of Broadcom Corporation overseeing the global operation of a USD1B division before starting up SkyeChip.
SK holds a First Class BSEE degree from the University of Technology, Malaysia; and earned his EMBA degree (Beta Gamma Sigma) from Olin School of Business WUSTL, Missouri and Shanghai Fudan University, China.
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Panel: IC Design: Is Malaysia Ready for Disruption?
Group CEO, Malaysia Building Society Berhad
Rafe Haneef is the Group CEO of MBSB Holding that comprises MBSB Bank and MIDF group. He was previously the CEO of Group Transaction Banking at CIMB from 2019 to June 2023. He began his banking career in 1999 with HSBC Investment Bank in London. Over the past 25 years, he has held various leadership roles at HSBC Middle East, ABN Amro UAE, Fajr Capital UAE and CitiGroup Malaysia. He was then appointed as the CEO of HSBC Amanah Bank and subsequently joined CIMB as the CEO of CIMB Islamic Bank. He also served as CIMB’s Group Chief Sustainability Officer and the CEO of CIMB Foundation, where he was instrumental in positioning the sustainability agenda as a key strategic driver for CIMB Group.
Rafe read law and Islamic law at the International Islamic University Malaysia and then pursued his Master of Laws at Harvard Law School.
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Panel: Real World Digital Assets and Financial Inclusion
CEO and Co-Founder, Fasset
Mohammad Raafi Hossain is an entrepreneurial-minded strategist with a strong execution track record of building scalable platforms at both the public and private sector levels. Possessing a diverse background, he has worked on global solutions that have addressed a variety of domains ranging from climate change to fintech.
Mohammad is currently an Advisor to the UAE Prime Minister’s Office where he advises across several portfolios including the World Government Summit and Artificial Intelligence.
Previously, he founded Finocracy, a boutique research and development firm that specialises in cutting edge solutions that blend ethical finance and technology. Prior to that, Mohammad worked for the United Nations across several MENA countries in the fields of agriculture and environmental management.
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Panel: Real World Digital Assets and Financial Inclusion
Director of Strategy, Soft Space
Chris Leong is the current Chief Strategy Officer at Soft Space. A technology enthusiast, Chris played a part in building the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia. Chris's experience ranges from being involved in growing struggling start-ups into successful companies, to kick-starting the early stage funding ecosystem with Cradle Fund.With his past experience, Chris is able to assist Soft Space in expanding its business regionally.
Soft Space is currently deemed the leading Mobile Point-of-Sales (mPOS) provider in the South East Asian region, marking its presence in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
Is speaking at
Fireside Chat: Malaysia Startup Showcase
Head of Health Partnerships and Innovation, NEOM
Jordan Sellman is a large-scale transformation expert, delivering strategy development, organisational design, and project execution for private and public sector entities for nearly 20 years. Over the past three years with NEOM’s Health and Wellbeing Sector, he has played a leading role in the design and implementation of NEOM’s future health ecosystem.
In his current role as the Head of Partnerships, Innovation & Commercialization he drives the formation of strategic, high-growth partnerships to deliver Health and Wellbeing core operations, technology, investment, and innovation businesses. Prior to NEOM, Mr. Sellman held multiple roles advising cabinet ministers, government agencies, corporates, and small-medium enterprises for program activities in the defence, telecom, finance, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. On a personal level, he has advised and invested in several business ventures and innovative startups start-ups in the United States, Middle East, and Africa.
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Panel: Advancements & Opportunities in Healthtech
Co-Founder & CEO, Pandai
Khairul Anwar is the Co-Founder & CEO of Pandai, a fast-growing education app that helps school students learn & improve their academic performance. Since 2007, he has carved a path as a serial entrepreneur, founding tech and education-focused ventures. Notably, he serves on the international committees of several global education initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to advancing learning opportunities worldwide.
Khairul is an alumnus of Y Combinator and has won numerous local & international awards, including being recognized as the Best Social Entrepreneur by MOSTI, and as the Gen. T Honouree & Top Asian Young Leader by Tatler. Khairul is also a World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Young Fellow.
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Fireside Chat: Malaysia Startup Showcase
Founder & CEO, Kiddocare
Nadira Yusoff is the founder and CEO of Kiddocare, a technology-driven platform that connects parents with trained and certified on-demand childcare providers.
A lifelong advocate for women entrepreneurs and empowering women and girls through technology, Nadira Yusoff has also served as the Deputy President of the National Council of Women’s Organizations Malaysia (NCWO) where she was responsible for Economic & Entrepreneurship. She is the former President of the Women Entrepreneur Network Association Malaysia (WENA) and Managing Director of Girls in Tech Malaysia.
Trained as an Electrical Engineer, her passion has always been about building technology to create great impact.
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Fireside Chat: Malaysia Startup Showcase
Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
He is a prominent veteran of visionary and strategic national initiatives. He is a strong advocate for digital transformation and social digital inclusion and often shares his insights and thoughts on digital economy at various speaking engagements and events including the Smart City Expo World Congress, UN Habitat World Urban Forum and Mobile World Congress.
He spent the past 20 years developing and leading strategies and initiatives such as the Cyberjaya Global Tech Hub, the National Regulatory Sandbox (which later gave birth to the NTIS of today), and the Malaysia Digital (MD) national initiative that succeeds the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia – giving it a refresh in many critical areas. Ts. Mahadhir also serves as a member of the board of Johor Land Group (JLG) including state digital
economy councils.
Ts. Mahadhir is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital
Economy Corporation (MDEC), a keynote speaker, and someone who enjoys
Sports.
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Panel: The Evolution of Smart Cities
Head of Business Services, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
A senior executive with over 23 years of experience in a variety of roles ranging from business development, corporate, legal & regulatory affairs, communications and sales & marketing in various sectors such as defence, construction, FMCG, telecoms & broadcast, biotechnology and Government.
He acted as a technical adviser for the Malaysian Sustainable Energy Development Authority on aspects of the Feed in Tariff framework and led the management of large-scale tech development programmes such as Malaysia’s push into Biotech development in 2006-2012.
Notable was his stewardship of the Malaysian Business Angel Network from 2015-2018 where he helped secure the group’s financial independence through corporate sponsorships, grow its membership from 56 to >200 accredited angel investors as well as successfully led efforts to create an ASEAN grouping of angel investors known as the ASEAN Angels Alliance in 2016 with angel groups from 8 ASEAN countries as its members.
Razif read Law at Coventry Polytechnic and is a Barrister-at-Law (Lincoln’s Inn, London).
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Innovation + Unicorn Golden Pass Showcase - MDEC
Co-Founder and General Partner, X&
Keisuke Honda is a Co-Founder and General Partner of X&. Mr. Honda is a Japanese professional soccer player, former head coach of Cambodia's national team, angel investor and entrepreneur. He achieved goals and assists in three consecutive World Cups, which is the sixth best in history. As for investments, Mr. Honda has executed more than 200 investments globally. In 2016, he launched KSK Angel Fund (Japan focused) and in 2018 established Dreamers VC (US focused) with Will Smith. He recently launched X&KSK Fund which focuses on investing in Japanese startups with global aspirations.
Is speaking at
Panel: Unlocking Capital in Southeast Asia
APAC CEO, TruStar
Ravenna Chen currently holds the position of Director of Asia Pacific at TusStar and serves as the
CEO of TusStar (Malaysia), COO of TusStar Singapore, CEO of TusStar Australia, and Vice General
Manager of TusCBEC. TusStar is the largest incubator network originating from China.
Honored as One of the 2023 Forbes China 100 Most Influential Chinese Selection.
Active in the
Asian venture capital network, Global Outstanding POWER 100 and Dragon 100, has been elected
to the United Nations and the European Parliament Youth Event for many times. Chinese
representative at the ASEAN Youth Summit. Indonesia, Malaysia Tourism Ambassador.
She has co-founded the cross-border payment and the social beauty platform. Good at incubating
science and technology projects, cross-border business implementation and strategic planning.
Assisted hundreds of science and technology enterprises in cross-border incubation and landing.
Is speaking at
Go China Landing Programme
