Founder Institute
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CEO and Co-founder of Squirrel AI
Squirrel AI CEO and co-founder Zhou Wei was formerly VP of Only Education International, a K12 educational institution. He was also the GM of Only Education’s strategic expansion department from 2010, growing its student base from 100,000 to 1m over three years, acquiring the biggest share of the children’s English education market in China and once had opened 600 institutions in one year. Prior to joining Only Education, Zhou worked at Avon Products as its GM in Shanghai, where he achieved a record RMB 500m in annual sales and won the Best Regional and Team-Lead Sales Performance title for four consecutive years .
Squirrel AI CEO and co-founder Zhou Wei was formerly VP of Only Education International, a K12 educational institution. He was also the GM of Only Education’s strategic expansion department from 2010, growing its student base from 100,000 to 1m over three years, acquiring the biggest share of the children’s English education market in China and once had opened 600 institutions in one year. Prior to joining Only Education, Zhou worked at Avon Products as its GM in Shanghai, where he achieved a record RMB 500m in annual sales and won the Best Regional and Team-Lead Sales Performance title for four consecutive years .
CCO and Co-founder of Play2Speak
Alberto Gordillo started his career in 1994 as a Spanish creative and art director specializing in animations, illustrations and VR experiences. He has over 23 years of industry experience, specializing in visual narrative, concept art, 3D content and virtual world-building. In 2003, he moved to Guildford in UK to work for Lionhead Studios, the computer games company that created Black & White, The Movies and the Fable series.In 2016, he and Lionhead colleague Fabio Polimeni left the company to co-found Poligor Studios where they spent a year developing VR experiences of famous heritage places, offering users immersive experiences of historical events.In 2017, he returned to Madrid to become the CCO, art director and co-founder of Play2Speak, an AI-powered edtech that produces VR immersive learning materials and programs.
Alberto Gordillo started his career in 1994 as a Spanish creative and art director specializing in animations, illustrations and VR experiences. He has over 23 years of industry experience, specializing in visual narrative, concept art, 3D content and virtual world-building. In 2003, he moved to Guildford in UK to work for Lionhead Studios, the computer games company that created Black & White, The Movies and the Fable series.In 2016, he and Lionhead colleague Fabio Polimeni left the company to co-found Poligor Studios where they spent a year developing VR experiences of famous heritage places, offering users immersive experiences of historical events.In 2017, he returned to Madrid to become the CCO, art director and co-founder of Play2Speak, an AI-powered edtech that produces VR immersive learning materials and programs.
Founder and CEO of Haoqipei of Haoqipei
Haoqipei Founder and CEO Chen Xi graduated from Tianjin University's Special Class for the Gifted Young. He is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the gaming and social networking sectors. Before founding Haoqipei in 2016, Chen co-founded corporate management solutions provider Redsoft, mobile gaming startup CMF Mobile Game, mobile marketing solution provider CMF Mobile and business social networking startup Renmaitong.
Haoqipei Founder and CEO Chen Xi graduated from Tianjin University's Special Class for the Gifted Young. He is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the gaming and social networking sectors. Before founding Haoqipei in 2016, Chen co-founded corporate management solutions provider Redsoft, mobile gaming startup CMF Mobile Game, mobile marketing solution provider CMF Mobile and business social networking startup Renmaitong.
Product Manager and co-founder of SigmaRail
Mario Fernández Marín is Co-founder of railway consultancy firm SigmaRail and is also its product manager. From 2004 to 2008, Fernández undertook internships at several Spanish and French enterprises including Unión Fenosa, Dusco-SesameTV, Groupe Assonance and IRCICA. He was a research engineer at the Polytechnic University of Madrid before joining Airbus in 2009, where he working at both its Paris and Madrid operations. He later became Lead Design Engineer at both Siemens and Thales for three years. Fernández is a telecommunications engineering graduate of the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
Mario Fernández Marín is Co-founder of railway consultancy firm SigmaRail and is also its product manager. From 2004 to 2008, Fernández undertook internships at several Spanish and French enterprises including Unión Fenosa, Dusco-SesameTV, Groupe Assonance and IRCICA. He was a research engineer at the Polytechnic University of Madrid before joining Airbus in 2009, where he working at both its Paris and Madrid operations. He later became Lead Design Engineer at both Siemens and Thales for three years. Fernández is a telecommunications engineering graduate of the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
Co-founder of SigmaRail
Jorge López Sánchez is a co-founder of railway consultancy firm SigmaRail. Focused on the railway sector since the beginning his career, he started as an intern at railway technology R&D center CITEF. He was later Alstom's automatic train control leader until 2011 and NSW's technical manager until 2016. López holds a first degree in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Electromagnetic Compatibility, both from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He also holds a degree in the design and set up of solar-powered facilities from the Censolar professional training center in Seville.
Jorge López Sánchez is a co-founder of railway consultancy firm SigmaRail. Focused on the railway sector since the beginning his career, he started as an intern at railway technology R&D center CITEF. He was later Alstom's automatic train control leader until 2011 and NSW's technical manager until 2016. López holds a first degree in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Electromagnetic Compatibility, both from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He also holds a degree in the design and set up of solar-powered facilities from the Censolar professional training center in Seville.
CEO of Krakakoa
Sabrina Mustopo is the founder and CEO of Krakakoa Chocolate, a "farmer-to-bar" social enterprise that works directly with smallholder cocoa farmers to produce chocolate. She is also an independent consultant with experience in strategy, project management, agriculture and sustainable development. Mustopo previously worked in Singapore as an associate and research analyst for international consultancy McKinsey & Co., where she focused on climate change and agricultural topics and served public sector clients in the Asia-Pacific region and East Africa. She graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Agriculture and Rural Development.
Sabrina Mustopo is the founder and CEO of Krakakoa Chocolate, a "farmer-to-bar" social enterprise that works directly with smallholder cocoa farmers to produce chocolate. She is also an independent consultant with experience in strategy, project management, agriculture and sustainable development. Mustopo previously worked in Singapore as an associate and research analyst for international consultancy McKinsey & Co., where she focused on climate change and agricultural topics and served public sector clients in the Asia-Pacific region and East Africa. She graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Agriculture and Rural Development.
Co-founder of Pintek
Formerly a financial analyst, Ioann Fainsilber graduated from the University of Bath in UK, with a bachelor's in business administration in 2012. He also has a master's in Finance and Private Equity from the London School of Economics. While at university, he worked briefly as an analyst at Essilor's USA and Lloyd's Banking Group. He also acted as financial advisor for a student advertising company for over two years in Bristol while studying for his degree.In 2014, Fainsilber joined Morgan Stanley as a tech analyst. In 2016, he worked as a private equity associate at American VC Silver Lake. He left UK for Indonesia in 2017 and became the CFO of Ayopop, an android developer for e-commerce platforms and payment apps. Pintek, with Ayopop as shareholder, was established by Fainsilber and Ayopop co-founder Tommy Yuwono in March 2018. Fainsilber remained as CFO at Ayopop until January 2019.
Formerly a financial analyst, Ioann Fainsilber graduated from the University of Bath in UK, with a bachelor's in business administration in 2012. He also has a master's in Finance and Private Equity from the London School of Economics. While at university, he worked briefly as an analyst at Essilor's USA and Lloyd's Banking Group. He also acted as financial advisor for a student advertising company for over two years in Bristol while studying for his degree.In 2014, Fainsilber joined Morgan Stanley as a tech analyst. In 2016, he worked as a private equity associate at American VC Silver Lake. He left UK for Indonesia in 2017 and became the CFO of Ayopop, an android developer for e-commerce platforms and payment apps. Pintek, with Ayopop as shareholder, was established by Fainsilber and Ayopop co-founder Tommy Yuwono in March 2018. Fainsilber remained as CFO at Ayopop until January 2019.
CEO and co-founder of Digitanimal by SensoWave
Carlos Callejero is co-founder and CEO at Spanish IoT and data startup SensoWave, as well as its brand Digitanimal, aimed at remote farming, where he has worked full-time since 2014. Prior to this, Callejero established one of Spain's first sensor tech companies, co-founding Alfa Imaging in 2006 and working there as Technical Manager until its closure in 2014. The company produced body scanners updated periscopes for Spanish submarines and autonomous sensors to protect borders and infrastructure, leading to Callejero becoming one of Spain's IoT pioneers. Callejero holds a first degree in physics from the University of Zaragoza, an MSc in Applied Modern Optics from Reading University (UK) and a PhD in Millimeter Waves from the same institution. These latter studies led to his work with sensors with Spain's Army Research Laboratory upon his return to Spain. He also briefly worked at telecom company Telefonica as an optical engineer.
Carlos Callejero is co-founder and CEO at Spanish IoT and data startup SensoWave, as well as its brand Digitanimal, aimed at remote farming, where he has worked full-time since 2014. Prior to this, Callejero established one of Spain's first sensor tech companies, co-founding Alfa Imaging in 2006 and working there as Technical Manager until its closure in 2014. The company produced body scanners updated periscopes for Spanish submarines and autonomous sensors to protect borders and infrastructure, leading to Callejero becoming one of Spain's IoT pioneers. Callejero holds a first degree in physics from the University of Zaragoza, an MSc in Applied Modern Optics from Reading University (UK) and a PhD in Millimeter Waves from the same institution. These latter studies led to his work with sensors with Spain's Army Research Laboratory upon his return to Spain. He also briefly worked at telecom company Telefonica as an optical engineer.
Co-founder, CEO of SingularCover
González-Montejano is the Spanish CEO and co-founder of AI-enhanced insurtech SingularCover, where he has worked since 2018. Prior to this, he briefly worked as CMO at the US-based Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, an exchange program, and at Madrid-based automotive marketplace startup Autingo. He previously spent five years as Senior Vice-President for Southern Europe of Affinion, a global leader in loyalty and engagement solutions and a provider of insurance to large multinationals. Before that, he had spent almost two decades working in the US, the UK, Spain and Southern Europe in a range of executive posts in large multinationals, incuding Citigroup and BNP Paribas. He holds an MBA in Finance from Carroll School of Management, Boston College, and a Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as a professional qualification as a licensed insurance broker in Spain. González-Montejano volunteers frequently for organizations helping the elderly.
González-Montejano is the Spanish CEO and co-founder of AI-enhanced insurtech SingularCover, where he has worked since 2018. Prior to this, he briefly worked as CMO at the US-based Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, an exchange program, and at Madrid-based automotive marketplace startup Autingo. He previously spent five years as Senior Vice-President for Southern Europe of Affinion, a global leader in loyalty and engagement solutions and a provider of insurance to large multinationals. Before that, he had spent almost two decades working in the US, the UK, Spain and Southern Europe in a range of executive posts in large multinationals, incuding Citigroup and BNP Paribas. He holds an MBA in Finance from Carroll School of Management, Boston College, and a Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as a professional qualification as a licensed insurance broker in Spain. González-Montejano volunteers frequently for organizations helping the elderly.
Co-founder, CEO of Virtuleap
Amir Bozorgzadeh is the Canadian-Iranian CEO and co-founder of Virtuleap, a Portugal-based cognition training and assessment VR startup, where he has worked since 2018. He also writes regularly about tech for websites such as VentureBeat and CrunchBase .He was previously based in Dubai, where he co-founded two startups: Gameguise, a gaming publisher and developer, and Time Dirham, the Middle East’s first circular economy time bank. He was also managing partner at digital marketing agency Conovi and a consultant at digital media agencies Massive Media and BizX, both based in Dubai. He additionally worked at YouGov in business development in his decade-long Dubai residence. Bozorgzadeh’s first posts were in project and account management in Vancouver, where he also studied Management at its Sauder School of Business. He holds a first degree in Liberal Studies from Toronto’s York University and also studied the Executive Leadership Program at Amsterdam’s THINK- School of Creative Leadership.
Amir Bozorgzadeh is the Canadian-Iranian CEO and co-founder of Virtuleap, a Portugal-based cognition training and assessment VR startup, where he has worked since 2018. He also writes regularly about tech for websites such as VentureBeat and CrunchBase .He was previously based in Dubai, where he co-founded two startups: Gameguise, a gaming publisher and developer, and Time Dirham, the Middle East’s first circular economy time bank. He was also managing partner at digital marketing agency Conovi and a consultant at digital media agencies Massive Media and BizX, both based in Dubai. He additionally worked at YouGov in business development in his decade-long Dubai residence. Bozorgzadeh’s first posts were in project and account management in Vancouver, where he also studied Management at its Sauder School of Business. He holds a first degree in Liberal Studies from Toronto’s York University and also studied the Executive Leadership Program at Amsterdam’s THINK- School of Creative Leadership.
CEO and co-founder of Biel Glasses
Jaume Puig Adamuz is co-founder and CEO of Biel Glasses, a medtech developing smart glasses for people with low vision. Prior to founding the startup in 2017, he was a pre-sales and product manager at cloud services company MediaCloud, and was the Workplace Transformation Governance Manager in the Government of Catalonia's education department, where he was in charge of its digital transformation.In total, he has over 25 years' experience as a manager in various technology companies, including British Telecom, Deustche Bank, Telefónica and Tiscali. Puig also previously founded two companies, Mobbiz Communication, a mobile marketing services company, where he worked from 2003 to 2013, and Fleet Control Systems, one of the first commercial radio and GPS fleet location and management systems, where he worked from 1995 to 1998.Puig holds a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Ramon Llull in Barcelona.
Jaume Puig Adamuz is co-founder and CEO of Biel Glasses, a medtech developing smart glasses for people with low vision. Prior to founding the startup in 2017, he was a pre-sales and product manager at cloud services company MediaCloud, and was the Workplace Transformation Governance Manager in the Government of Catalonia's education department, where he was in charge of its digital transformation.In total, he has over 25 years' experience as a manager in various technology companies, including British Telecom, Deustche Bank, Telefónica and Tiscali. Puig also previously founded two companies, Mobbiz Communication, a mobile marketing services company, where he worked from 2003 to 2013, and Fleet Control Systems, one of the first commercial radio and GPS fleet location and management systems, where he worked from 1995 to 1998.Puig holds a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Ramon Llull in Barcelona.
Co-founder of UpHill
Sequiera is a Portuguese co-founder at UpHill, whose SaaS helps healthcare professionals keep up-to-speed on the latest clinical treatments and protocols using AI. Despite being heavily involved in the development of the software Simulate, Sequiera continues to work in the medical field full-time.He works as a consultant at the SPMS – Shared Services of the Ministry of Health in Portugal – that centralizes, optimizes and rationalizes the procurement of goods and services in the state health service. He also lectures part-time in Leadership and Management in Healthcare at his former university, where UpHill was established.Sequiera has been President of ANEM, the Portuguese Medical Students’ International Committee and for two years helped develop the medical curriculum at the University of Luxembourg. He also holds a postgraduate qualification in Information Management and Business Intelligence in Healthcare from NOVA Information Management School in Lisbon.
Sequiera is a Portuguese co-founder at UpHill, whose SaaS helps healthcare professionals keep up-to-speed on the latest clinical treatments and protocols using AI. Despite being heavily involved in the development of the software Simulate, Sequiera continues to work in the medical field full-time.He works as a consultant at the SPMS – Shared Services of the Ministry of Health in Portugal – that centralizes, optimizes and rationalizes the procurement of goods and services in the state health service. He also lectures part-time in Leadership and Management in Healthcare at his former university, where UpHill was established.Sequiera has been President of ANEM, the Portuguese Medical Students’ International Committee and for two years helped develop the medical curriculum at the University of Luxembourg. He also holds a postgraduate qualification in Information Management and Business Intelligence in Healthcare from NOVA Information Management School in Lisbon.
Co-founder, CEO of Rheaply
Garry Cooper is the CEO and co-founder of pioneering circular economy B2B asset reuse platform Rheaply where he has worked full-time since 2016. Before that, he worked in research for over 10 years at Chicago’s Northwestern University Feinburg School of Medicine, leading Parkinson's disease treatment investigation there for four years and, before that, as a graduate student researcher. He also temporarily served as a member of the Life Science Practice R&D division at consultancy EY, during this time. Cooper holds a PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern University, a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Indiana University Bloomington and a Certificate in Management for Scientists and Engineers from the Kellogg School of Management. Cooper also continues to be an adjunct assistant professor at Northwestern University and a member of several local business associations, including the Economic Club of Chicago, Forbes Chicago Business Council and 1871.
Garry Cooper is the CEO and co-founder of pioneering circular economy B2B asset reuse platform Rheaply where he has worked full-time since 2016. Before that, he worked in research for over 10 years at Chicago’s Northwestern University Feinburg School of Medicine, leading Parkinson's disease treatment investigation there for four years and, before that, as a graduate student researcher. He also temporarily served as a member of the Life Science Practice R&D division at consultancy EY, during this time. Cooper holds a PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern University, a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Indiana University Bloomington and a Certificate in Management for Scientists and Engineers from the Kellogg School of Management. Cooper also continues to be an adjunct assistant professor at Northwestern University and a member of several local business associations, including the Economic Club of Chicago, Forbes Chicago Business Council and 1871.
CEO and co-founder of iLoF
Recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 30 Under 30 for science and healthcare, Luís Valente completed a master’s thesis in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Porto in Portugal. He also has won awards at the Global Management Challenge and the Global Marketing Competition.In 2009, he founded Gadgets4All, an online store supplying novelty gadgets in Portugal. While running his online business, he worked at Eurosider in the steel sector for over eight years in the technical support and procurement and supply chain departments. He exited the online business in 2016.In 2018, Valente joined INESC Technology and Science as a researcher in project management, procurement & supply chains. In May 2019, he left to work as a business manager for seven months at Portuguese startup Veniam. Valente left Veniam to focus full-time as CEO and co-founder of iLoF.
Recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 30 Under 30 for science and healthcare, Luís Valente completed a master’s thesis in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Porto in Portugal. He also has won awards at the Global Management Challenge and the Global Marketing Competition.In 2009, he founded Gadgets4All, an online store supplying novelty gadgets in Portugal. While running his online business, he worked at Eurosider in the steel sector for over eight years in the technical support and procurement and supply chain departments. He exited the online business in 2016.In 2018, Valente joined INESC Technology and Science as a researcher in project management, procurement & supply chains. In May 2019, he left to work as a business manager for seven months at Portuguese startup Veniam. Valente left Veniam to focus full-time as CEO and co-founder of iLoF.
Co-founder and CTO of Feedzai
Paulo Marques is CTO and co-founder at Feedzai, the world’s market-leading solution in fighting online fraud and the fourth Portuguese unicorn, where he has worked full-time since 2009, from before its official launch. He has also been a member of Forbes Technology Council since 2016 and simultaneously Scientific Director and part of the leadership team of the Carnegie Mellon Portugal international program.He was previously an expert technical consultant for the European Space Agency at the European Space Operation Center in Darmstadt, Germany for six years as well as simultaneously being an assistant professor at his former university, the University of Coimbra. Marques was also previously a software consultant at Coimbra’s Critical Software for 11 years and founded his own software company WIT Software. Marques holds a PhD in informatics engineering from the University of Coimbra and also studied software engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.
Paulo Marques is CTO and co-founder at Feedzai, the world’s market-leading solution in fighting online fraud and the fourth Portuguese unicorn, where he has worked full-time since 2009, from before its official launch. He has also been a member of Forbes Technology Council since 2016 and simultaneously Scientific Director and part of the leadership team of the Carnegie Mellon Portugal international program.He was previously an expert technical consultant for the European Space Agency at the European Space Operation Center in Darmstadt, Germany for six years as well as simultaneously being an assistant professor at his former university, the University of Coimbra. Marques was also previously a software consultant at Coimbra’s Critical Software for 11 years and founded his own software company WIT Software. Marques holds a PhD in informatics engineering from the University of Coimbra and also studied software engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.
Jorge Dobón of Demium Startups: Precocious founder who prizes risk and failure
Thanks to its unique pre-incubation model, Jorge Dobón’s Demium Startups has supported hundreds of startups in less than six years, with a portfolio worth €130 million
Mobike founder Hu Weiwei: A crazy idea that touched millions of lives
In just three years, Hu Weiwei has changed the way over 150 million people travel in the city with her company’s dockless bikes
How Xiaomi founder Lei Jun became a billionaire by pursuing passion, not fortune
From young man deconstructing and rebuilding smartphones at Kingsoft to top of the smartphone world as founder and chair of Xiaomi, Lei has always let his interests lead the way
Luo Yonghao: Maverick founder who gave Smartisan its allure, but couldn't build a winner
The Smartisan founder and internet celebrity is making a comeback with live commerce, after failing to sell enough smartphones at his own company
ID Capital CEO & founder Isabelle Decitre, an early mover investing in Asian agrifood startups
An early backer of Ynsect, one of the best-funded insect protein startups to date, Decitre sees growing interest in agrifood tech startups, but notes they still need to offer exit opportunities
Big Idea Ventures Founder Andrew D Ive: Asia will lead cell-based meat innovation
In a wide-ranging interview, the managing general partner of the US- and Singapore-based foodtech investor also expounds on his goal to extend sustainability to the rest of the food sector, combining good returns with doing good
East Ventures raises funds, teams up with state agency to produce Covid-19 tests for Indonesia
East Ventures investee Nusantics has been working with state researchers to produce the prototype; expects mass production of the test kits soon
SWITCH Singapore 2021: Benefits and challenges of AI applications in healthcare
Medical experts and healthcare startups agree AI can contribute more to healthcare beyond improving diagnosis and personalized treatment, but hurdles still remain
Li Zexiang and his game-changing plans to take Chinese robotics global
An early supporter of drone giant DJI, Professor Li Zexiang is building robotics hubs across China to pivot homegrown enterprises into global players
TreeFrog Therapeutics: Mimicking how stem cells grow in the human body
The French biotech’s proprietory technology to cultivate pluripotent stem cells in a 3D environment can be scaled to mass-produce high-quality cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s
Despite a lack of infrastructure and threats from middlemen, Aruna continues to help Indonesian fishing communities find buyers for their catch and manage their money better.
For your X-ray records, just check the cloud
A Chinese startup has built a digital medical image library on the cloud, bringing ease and cost savings to patients, doctors and hospitals countrywide
iLoF: Accelerating access to personalized medicine, from a drop of blood
Backed by Microsoft’s venture fund M12, Mayfield and Melinda Gates’s Pivotal Ventures, iLoF focuses on painless screening to facilitate disease detection, forecasting and drug development, from Alzheimer’s to Covid-19
Amartha CEO and founder apologizes for Covid-19 letter that mixed government work with his business
Andi Taufan retracted the letter, saying haste to support Covid-19 prevention program led to administrative errors, after public uproar and allegations of conflict of interest
Carbo Culture: Adapting indigenous techniques to remove and store CO2
By turning biomass into biochar, the startup’s technology locks carbon into a stable, solid form, with a storage life of over 2,000 years
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