Programme Mentors

Alex Tay

Principal Consultant /Angel Investor, Venture Capital Business Advisory

Key Skills

  • Formulating Bankable Business Model & Revenue Streams
  • Getting & Growing Sales
  • GTM & Overseas Expansion
  • Making Good Startups Great & Bankable For Funding
  • Structuring & Delivery of Impactful Fund-Raising Pitch Deck

Alex Tay has over 25 years of experience in leadership, international management, and commercial roles across startups, SMEs, and MNCs.

He specializes in revenue growth, Go-To-Market strategies, and market expansion for both early ventures and mature businesses. An award-winning business mentor and coach, he was part of a Norwegian startup that listed on NASDAQ.

Alex shares his expertise with Nanyang Business School’s MBA programs, NUS’s Venture Creation programs, and other national bodies.

Andeed Ma

President, Risk and Insurance Management Association of Singapore (RIMAS)

Key Skills

  • AI Management System
  • Blockchain
  • Fintech
  • Go-To-Market Strategies

Mr. Andeed Ma, President of RIMAS and Partner at AIII, brings over 16 years of expertise in AI, Fintech, and Risk Management, with contributions to ServiceNow, ByteDance, and CyberArk.

A lecturer and mentor at SUSS and SMU, he specializes in Automation, Cloud Computing, RegTech, and Sustainable AI Ethics.

He co-authored “AI for Humanity” and advises on responsible AI Management Systems, playing a pivotal role in developing the Singapore Standard for ISO 42001:2023 AI Management System.

Anders Soh

Director, Programmes, Temasek Foundation

Key Skills

  • Business Development
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Project Management
  • Business Coaching

Anders joined Temasek Foundation in 2017, and is part of the Climate & Liveability team championing disruptive sustainability innovations to create significant positive impact on society and the planet.

He is experienced in cross-sector collaborations and partnerships in the philanthropic sector where prior to joining Temasek Foundation, he held various roles in fundraising and fund management within the Singapore public service.

Anthony Chong

Deputy Director, A*Start Central

Key Skills

  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Startup Ecosystem
  • Venture Building

With over two decades in the startup and innovation ecosystem, Anthony Chong drives deep tech innovation and entrepreneurship at AStartCentral, ASTAR’s open innovation and incubation centre.

He manages programmes, partnerships, and the physical centre for deep tech startups. Leveraging his venture building, business development, and marketing experience, he helps founders and startups in emerging markets.

Anthony believes in connecting the dots and views tech-entrepreneurship as a journey.

April Ong Vaño

Head, Environmental, Social and Governance, Quest Ventures

Key Skills

  • Ecosystem Building
  • Program Design and Implementation
  • Public Speaking
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Social Innovations for Climate Action

April Ong Vaño is Head of Environmental, Social & Governance at Quest Ventures. She collaborates with startups to boost their growth through various acceleration services and programs.

Her expertise includes strategic partnerships, program design and implementation, and public speaking as a trainer-facilitator and moderator. She is actively involved in the Philippines and across Asia.

April is an ecosystem builder focused on tech startups that drive social innovations for climate action, women empowerment, and sustainable economic development.

Arthur Leong

Head of Strategy and Digital Engagement, Group Channels and Digitalisation, UOB

Key Skills

  • Digital engagement
  • Strategic planning
  • Project management
  • Partnership development
  • Team management

Arthur Leong serves as the Head of Strategy and Digital Engagement for Group Channels and Digitalisation at United Overseas Bank. In his current role, Arthur is at the forefront of shaping the ASEAN FinTech landscape through his leadership and strategic insights.

He oversees digital engagement operations, special projects with unconventional ecosystem partnerships, strategy formulation and is a leading player in the ever-evolving digital banking sector.

Chenyu Wang

Senior Manager, Venture Investing, SGInnovate

Key Skills

  • Fundraising
  • Business Strategy
  • Budgeting
  • Storytelling

Chenyu is an investment manager at SGInnovate. She brings over 4 years of experience in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.

Driven by a passion for sustainability and innovation, she excels in bridging the gap between visionary entrepreneurs and the resources they need to succeed.

Don Wee

Senior Vice President, Corporate Sustainability Office

Key Skills

  • Sustainability Finance,
  • Sustainability Assurance
  • Public Finance
  • Trade Financing
  • Credit Marketing

Don is a Chartered Accountant by training and joined UOB Group’s Corporate Sustainability Office in 2022 after spending 18 years in the area of Transaction Banking.

He works closely with business units to inform bank’s clients on latest developments pertaining sustainability.

Don also serves with the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment. He is also with Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Green Skills Committee which was set up in 2023.

Edison Yu

Executive Director, Head of Business Innovation and Analytics, Group Channels and Digitalisation, UOB

Key Skills

  • Customer growth strategies
  • Digital platform development
  • Client relationship management
  • Global markets analysis and development
  • Operations and risk management
  • Financial literacy 

Edison heads up the Business Innovation and Analytics function in Group Channels and Digitalisation at United Overseas Bank. In his role, he works with business and functional teams across the bank to drive forth their digitalisation and innovation initiatives, by forging strategic collaborations with ecosystem partners and technology vendors alike.

His team also looks at empowering stakeholders with the effective and responsible usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics tools to deliver impactful outcomes for the bank.

Ho Giao Pik

Managing Director, Head of Strategic Alliance and Fintech, Group Channels and Digitalisation, UOB

Key Skills

  • Strategic alliances
  • Customer growth strategies
  • Digital platform development
  • Client relationship management
  • Global markets analysis and development
  • Operations and risk management

Ho Giao Pik is a Managing Director at United Overseas Bank and leads Strategic Alliances and Fintech for the Group franchise. In her current capacity, Giao Pik brings her strong banking experience to enterprise digitalisation, building ecosystem partnerships and identifying digital capabilities to drive growth in customer segments through innovative fintech and digital platform solutions. 

Prior to that, Giao Pik had overall business responsibilities for Banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions clients in South and South East Asia as well as leading all Bank-client relationships for the Group with a mandate to deliver on total client relationship value across Capital Markets, Global Markets and Global Transaction Banking products.

Preceding UOB, Giao Pik held roles in senior management, client coverage, risk management and operations in ANZ and Standard Chartered Bank. In ANZ Singapore, she led the Financial Institutions business in various geographies for ANZ’s International Banking business. A member of ANZ Singapore’s Management Group and leadership committees, Giao Pik is also a founding EXCO member of Money-Minded Singapore, ANZs flagship financial literacy program.

Giao Pik is passionate about diverse leadership, perspectives and inclusion in the wider community and sits on BoardAgender Management Committee, a Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) initiative. She is also a champion and mentor with Financial Women’s Association.

Jack So

Deputy Director, A*Start Central

Key Skills

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Startup Ecosystem
  • Sustainability Technology
  • Venture Building

Jack So is the Deputy Director at A*STAR Innovation & Enterprise, specializing in venture building for sustainability tech startups.

Previously, as Programme Director for NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme (NUS GRIP), he spearheaded the creation of over 120 startups in five years and led the venture building of around 20 startups.

With over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience in Singapore, Malaysia, China, and the US, Jack is also an angel investor with investments in six startups.

Jason Tang (Dr)

Chief Sustainability Officer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Director, EWTCOI

Key Skills

  • Technology Development
  • Innovation
  • Technology Commercialisation
  • IP Management
  • Dot Connector

Dr. Jason Tang heads the Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CfES) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, aiding companies in sustainability innovation.

He led the development of the world’s 1st commercial distributed pumping system for central cooled buildings, cutting electricity use by up to 20%.

Having joined the centre in 2008, he is skilled in consultancy and R&D projects in energy, water, and waste. As Chief Sustainability Officer, he guides NP towards SG Greenplan 2030 targets.

Marion Ang

Co-Founder and ESG Lead, TriOn & Co

Key Skills

  • Corporate and Brand Reputation Building
  • Integrated Communications
  • Issues and Crisis Management
  • Public Relations and Public Affairs
  • Stakeholder Engagement

Marion Ang is the Co-Founder and ESG Lead at TriOn & Co, an award-winning strategic communications consultancy.

With broad experience across industries, she has represented multinationals, startups, and government agencies in B2B, consumer, technology, energy, and industrial markets.

Marion specialises in ESG communications, corporate reputation, and thought leadership, providing strategic counsel in Singapore and Southeast Asia, transforming complex jargon into impactful narratives.

Miguel Laburu

Renewables - Business Development Director - APAC, TotalEnergies

Key Skills

  • Comprehensive Industry Experience
  • Dedication to Mentee Growth
  • Entrepreneurial Respect
  • Strategic Mentorship

Miguel Laburu is an energy expert and entrepreneur with experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

He has founded ventures, invested as an angel investor, and mentored startups. His influence spans apparel/retail, F&B, and SaaS, with a strong passion for sustainability.

Miguel has worked in R&D, technology manufacturing, renewable fuels, and waste-to-X initiatives to promote circular ecosystems. He seeks new mentorship opportunities to share his knowledge and experience.

Norhazry Johari

Director, Start-Ups & Special Projects, A*STAR, Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2)

Key Skills

  • Business Development
  • Plant Operations
  • Project Management
  • Technology Licensing

Norhazry Johari, with over 25 years in the Chemicals and Energy industry, has led in Technology Licensing, Mass Transfer Technologies, and Chemical Plant Operations.

He has guided multinational start-ups in Singapore, establishing a regional presence in Asia Pacific.

His expertise includes managing multidisciplinary initiatives and complex projects. Currently, he supports Climate Tech start-ups at the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy, and Environment.

Reuben Lim

Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Fintech Association

Key Skills

  • Go-To-Market Strategies
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team and People Management
  • Intellectual Property / Intangible Asset Management
  • Partnership and Channel Development

Reuben Lim is the CEO of the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA), where he leads initiatives to enhance Singapore’s FinTech ecosystem.

With over 18 years of experience in business development and management, he has driven growth for large enterprises, SMEs, and government agencies across various industries, including aviation and real estate.

A graduate of SMU with a Magna Cum Laude in Business Management, he also holds a Graduate Diploma in IP and Innovations Management from SUSS.

Patrick Ng

Innovation Director, Spark Launchpad

Key Skills

  • Technology Scouting & Partnership
  • Innovation Strategy & Creation
  • Facilitating Design Thinking Workshop
  • Venture Creation Strategies
  • Executive Leadership

Patrick Ng is passionate about innovation, helping enterprises identify innovation opportunities and build better products.

With over 23 years in engineering and corporate experience, he filed 12 patent families and held leadership roles in innovation and R&D.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are synonymous with Patrick; he offers venture creation knowledge to startups and corporates. Patrick also teaches entrepreneurship and innovation at universities, guiding founders on their venture journey.

Richie Lee (Dr)

Head of Sustainability, Group Corporate Real Estate Services, UOB

Key Skills

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Renewable Energies
  • Net Zero
  • Sustainability
  • Sustainable Project Investment/Financing

Dr. Richie Lee has 25 years of experience as Group Head of Energy & Sustainability at MNCs in Asia, focusing on sustainability, ESG, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation.

He is skilled in solutions, technologies, consulting, project development, and sustainable project investment/financing across various sectors.

Richie holds a PhD in High-tech Innovation Management from University of Cambridge and is a certified Net Zero Carbon Emissions Leader and Sustainability Reporting Specialist.

Lim Song Joo

Founder, BWG Consulting

Key Skills

  • Go-To-Market Strategies
  • Market Analysis & Insights
  • Organization Development
  • Marketing & Presentation Skills
  • Partnership Development

Song Joo boasts over 25 years in the Technology and Financing industry, leveraging his extensive experience and network to boost new ventures.

As a co-founder of a start-up, he navigated initial struggles to secure $1 million in funding, turning a near-failure into a $2 million profit within a year, leading to a successful investor exit.

Now, he mentors start-ups on go-to-market and funding strategies and collaborates with universities and accelerators as a listed Entrepreneurship Training Provider by Enterprise Singapore.

Thng Tien Tat

Executive Director, UOB Venture Management

Key Skills

  • M&A Negotiation
  • Business Projection Planning
  • Team Management
  • Vietnam Appreciation
  • Financial Services and Products

Tien Tat, with over 20 years in banking, works for UOB Venture Management in Singapore, having returned from Vietnam in 2016.

Formerly UOB’s Country Manager in Vietnam, he spent 14 years focusing on the Mekong region. He led investments in hydropower, solar energy, F&B, healthcare, digital entertainment, and fintech in Southeast Asia.

He sits on several boards and authored “Vietnam Currency Notes: The Untold Stories.” He graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Banking and Insurance.

Yina Chua

Associate Director, NUS Cities

Key Skills

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Collaborative Leadership
  • Effective Communication
  • International Relations & Engagement
  • Sustainability & Decarbonisation Strategies
  • Strategic Vision & Planning

Yina Chua is the Associate Director of NUS Cities, overseeing sustainability advisory services, strategic planning, international relations, and industry partnerships.

She focuses on corporate sustainability, decarbonization strategies, and creating sustainableurban environments.

Previously, she was the Chief Sustainability Officer at Singapore Polytechnic and is recognized as a World Cities Summit and BCA Young Leader. Yina holds certifications in Green Mark and climate-neutral building design.

Arvind Mohan

Head of Customer Service, DHL Express Malaysia

Key Skills

  • Digital Strategy
  • Program Management
  • Team Management

Arvind Mohan is the Head of Customer Service at DHL Express Malaysia. With 19 years at DHL, he has held roles at the country, regional, and global levels.

His experience includes frontline customer service, industry-adjacent tools and technology, process convergence, and digitalisation.

Currently, Arvind is responsible for providing the best customer experience for DHL Express Malaysia customers through various contact channels.

Fadli Amin

Head of Sustainability, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

Key Skills

  • Public-Private Partnership
  • Public Policymaking & Implementation
  • Sustainability Management

Fadli Amin is the Head of Sustainability at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

He honed his expertise at Accenture, transforming a Fortune 500 energy company’s gas operations, and at Bank Negara in strategic and digital portfolio management.

In 2022, he earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford. He then contributed to the UK HM Treasury’s “Transition Planning Taskforce,” shaping the “gold standard” for private sector climate transition plans.

Joey Tan (Dr)

Head of Sustainability, Amazon Web Services

Key Skills

  • Econometrics
  • Internationalisation
  • Strategy & Leadership
  • Supply Chain & Logistics

Joey has over 26 years of experience in international expansion, strategy, and sales management.

He leads AWS’s sustainability effort in ASEAN, launching initiatives for a low-carbon economy. Joey advocates for sustainability programs with industry associations and NGOs, providing thought leadership on green technology.

Previously, he held leadership roles at Alibaba, driving globalisation strategy and expanding cloud datacenter coverage. He sits on various advisory boards and resides in Singapore.

Soo Ching Ching

Chief Financial Officer, DHL Express Malaysia

Key Skills

  • Finance Expertise
  • Leadership and Team Direction
  • Project Management
  • Stakeholder Relationship Management
  • Strategic Initiative Implementation

Soo Ching Ching is a seasoned financial professional with over 25 years of experience in finance and large-scale project management across local, regional, and global industries.

She has a proven track record in strategic initiatives to drive growth, enhance productivity, and optimise value. An inspiring leader, she excels in directing finance teams and establishing relationships with key stakeholders.

She holds a Master’s degree in Finance, a Chartered Accountant certificate, and is a Fellow of ACCA, UK.

Wan Imran

Chief Executive Officer, Director and Trainer, Fuller Academy

Key Skills

  • Business Development Strategy
  • Project Management
  • Sustainability Strategy Planning & Delivery
  • Technology Planning & Development

Wan Imran, CEO of Fuller Impact, drives sustainability initiatives and offers ESG solutions through Fuller Academy and Fuller360.

With a BSc in Computing & IT from the University of Surrey, he has extensive experience in business development, strategic planning, and technology.

Formerly, as CEO of PAPER + TOAST, Malaysia’s pioneering coworking space, he built a dynamic community and strategic partnerships. He also founded Hyper Studio, leading advertising and digital media projects.

Banlang Wongthawatchai

Head of Digital Engagement & Fintech Innovation, UOB Thailand

Key Skills

  • Banking Knowledge, Both Wholesale & Retail Banking
  • Business & Analytical Mindset
  • Digital Solution & Engagement
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Planning

Banlang Wongthawatchai is Head of Digital Engagement and Fintech Innovation at UOB.

He builds the digital ecosystem for SMEs and tech startups in Thailand and develops the Digital Engagement Strategy for UOB Thailand.

His business knowledge aids business partners and SMEs in transitioning to the digital era with new tech solutions.

Chatchai Khunpitiluck

Senior Executive Vice-President & Chief of Operation, Digital Ecosystem Promotion Agency

Key Skills

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation Development
  • Process Engineering
  • Public Policy Management
  • Software & Hardware Expertise

Chatchai Khunpitiluck is the COO and SEVP of depa under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. With over 15 years in software and hardware, he became a successful entrepreneur at 25, founding and selling “Siam Page” which later exited via IPO.

He joined the government in 2007, contributing his tech expertise. Chatchai has been with depa since 2017 and was a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information Communication Technology.

He holds double Bachelor’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon and a Master’s from Stanford.

Kit Boochangkool

Head of Sustainability, Corporate Real Estate Services, UOB Thailand

Key Skills

  • Climate Adaptation & Mitigation
  • Environmental Data Reporting & Green Building Certifications
  • Net Zero Strategy
  • Sustainable Real Estate

Kit Boochangkool is the Head of Sustainability under Corporate Real Estate Services at UOB Thailand. He leads and integrates sustainability into UOB’s operations.

Kit develops UOB Thailand’s Decarbonisation Roadmap to 2030, strategises on sustainable real estate, focusing on energy efficiency, climate adaptation, health, safety, and sustainable procurement.

He oversees environmental data reporting and green building certifications and supports sustainability programmes across the organisation.

Oranuch Lerdsuwankij

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Techsauce

Key Skills

  • Business Partnership Development
  • B2B Solution
  • Digital & Technology Engagement
  • Entrepreneurship Skill
  • Fundraising
  • Strategic Management

Oranuch Lerdsuwankij is the CEO and Co-founder of Techsauce, which organises Southeast Asia’s largest tech conference, Techsauce Global Summit.

She aims to make Thailand the tech gateway of Southeast Asia by attracting investment and boosting Thai startups’ global reach. She is also a General Partner at VentureBridge VC fund, co-founder of Thailand Accelerator, and a board member at NECTEC and the Digital Council of Thailand.

Oranuch is dedicated to using technology to help refugees, children, women, and the elderly.

Pakpoum Mahasith

Chief Executive Officer, GreenRocket

Key Skills

  • Business Strategy with strong knowledge of Environmental Impact
  • Global Pains Analysis
  • Global Market Strategy & Competitiveness
  • Greentech Innovator & Technology Developer
  • Human Centric Design Strategy
  • Impact Investment Management

Pakpoum Mahasith has over 15 years of experience as a global strategist for luxury fashion and cosmetics in Paris.

In 2013, he founded Ecolotech, a Greentech startup developing water-from-air technology to combat plastic bottled water in Thailand. Ecolotech has since created startups in reforestation by robotics, urban waste management, and city transportation.

Pakpoum is now an investor in game-changing technologies, with GreenRocketVC having offices in Taiwan, Beijing, Paris, and New York.

Panittra Vejiajiva

Head of Financial Institutions & ESG Solutions, UOB Thailand

Key Skills

  • Business / Credit Analysis
  • Investment Banking / Corporate Finance
  • Risk Management
  • Sustainable Finance

Panittra Vejjajiva has over 17 years of experience in Banking and Investment Banking.

She joined UOBT in 2017 to lead the Financial Institutions team in Thailand, covering Banks, Non-Banks, Global Property Funds, and Financial Sponsors, building the bank’s franchise in this segment.

In 2024, she became Head of ESG Solutions, driving and supporting UOB’s Sustainability directives under the Sustainable Finance Framework to help clients achieve their sustainability targets.

Pariwat Wongsamran

Deputy Executive Director, National Innovation Agency

Key Skills

  • Corporate Planning
  • Performance Management
  • Startup Community

Pariwat Wongsamran has developed innovative projects with prominent public and private sector players across various industries to support startups and entrepreneurs.

He focuses on enhancing the national innovation system by creating extensive collaborative programs, nurturing a favourable business environment, and positioning Thailand as an innovation nation.

His goal is to make Thailand a leading global startup hub, fostering growth and investment opportunities.

Sansanee Huabsomboon

Director, Business Innovation Division, National Science and Technology Development Agency

Key Skills

  • Business Incubation
  • Project Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Strategy for Government Support

Sansanee Huabsomboon has fostered and incubated over 2,000 tech entrepreneurs and startups through BID-NSTDA’s programs. She serves as a judge and speaker in tech business competitions and startup pitch challenges.

Sansanee manages cross-border incubation, bringing startups to Thailand and helping Thai tech startups expand overseas.

She is a key strategist for Thailand’s startup ecosystem and Innovation Driven Enterprises under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.

Sathit Boonchalok

Head of Product Management, Marketing, and Acting Customer Experience & Digital Business Banking, UOB Thailand

Key Skills

  • Customer Experience Management
  • Digital Transformation
  • Ecosystem Collaboration
  • Financial Product Development
  • SME Support & Efficiency Improvement

Sathit Boonchalok develops and manages financial products and services at UOB Thailand, including deposits, loans, cash management, and bancassurance to support SMEs.

He collaborates with ecosystem partners to provide business solutions like accounting, HR, inventory, CRM, and payment services, supporting digital transformation and efficiency for SMEs.

In his roles, he ensures comprehensive customer experience and drives digital initiatives in Business Banking.

Siriporn Wutthigul

Managing Director, Mind2Market Company Limited (BizzUp)

Director & Co-Founder, The Concept Drink Company Limited

Assistant Director, Center of Entrepreneurship & Executive Development

Selection Committee, Technology and Innovation-Based Enterprise Development Fund

Partnership Engagement Director, Association of Family Business & Entrepreneurship

Key Skills

  • Business Strategy in Scaling Up

  • General Management

  • Marketing & Communication

Siriporn Wutthigul has experience in retail, food, media, and education. She mentors and consults for startups and SMEs, helping with strategy and fundraising.

She is an ESG and corporate governance expert, having served as a senior executive at the Thai Institute of Directors.

Online programme

Start Smart Programme

Designed for business owners to enhance their digital capabilities through practical learning, this programme takes businesses to the next level.

Online programme

Start Smart Programme

Designed for business owners to enhance their digital capabilities through practical learning, this programme takes businesses to the next level.

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