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Founder and CEO of Mobvoi
Ex-Googler Li Zhifei ("Watch Bro") is founder and CEO of advanced voice recognition tech startup Mobvoi, producer of the bestselling TicWatch smartwatch. After graduating from Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Li worked at MobileSoft on WAP and Bluetooth-related projects from 1999-2002. He received his PhD in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University in 2010. At JHU, he built Joshua, an open-source software for machine translation. Li joined Google in 2010, where he helped create Google's mobile offline translation system. Inspired by the launch and success of Siri released in 2012, he left Google and returned to China to found Mobvoi end-2012.
Ex-Googler Li Zhifei ("Watch Bro") is founder and CEO of advanced voice recognition tech startup Mobvoi, producer of the bestselling TicWatch smartwatch. After graduating from Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Li worked at MobileSoft on WAP and Bluetooth-related projects from 1999-2002. He received his PhD in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University in 2010. At JHU, he built Joshua, an open-source software for machine translation. Li joined Google in 2010, where he helped create Google's mobile offline translation system. Inspired by the launch and success of Siri released in 2012, he left Google and returned to China to found Mobvoi end-2012.
Cofounder and Chief Evangelist of Hacktiv8
With more than 15 years of experience in web app development, Riza Fahmi is Chief Evangelist and co-founder of programming academy and web development bootcamp, Hacktiv8. After earning a bachelor's in Information Technology from Universitas Bina Nusantara in 2003, he worked as a programmer for PT Ainet Indonesia, developing systems like SMS alerts and school administration platforms. In 2007, he left PT Ainet Indonesia and worked for various companies, including news portal Okezone. From 2013 to 2015, he worked as a developer at edtech platform HarukaEDU and, from 2015 to 2016, he was CTO of Citizen Lab, a Belgian SaaS platform for smart cities to get feedback from the public. He returned to Indonesia in 2016 and co-founded Hacktiv8 with Ronald Ishak. He also has a master's in Information Technology from Universitas Indonesia.
With more than 15 years of experience in web app development, Riza Fahmi is Chief Evangelist and co-founder of programming academy and web development bootcamp, Hacktiv8. After earning a bachelor's in Information Technology from Universitas Bina Nusantara in 2003, he worked as a programmer for PT Ainet Indonesia, developing systems like SMS alerts and school administration platforms. In 2007, he left PT Ainet Indonesia and worked for various companies, including news portal Okezone. From 2013 to 2015, he worked as a developer at edtech platform HarukaEDU and, from 2015 to 2016, he was CTO of Citizen Lab, a Belgian SaaS platform for smart cities to get feedback from the public. He returned to Indonesia in 2016 and co-founded Hacktiv8 with Ronald Ishak. He also has a master's in Information Technology from Universitas Indonesia.
CTO and co-founder of IOMED Medical Solutions
Gabriel de Maeztu is CTO and co-founder of IOMED Medical Solutions, which facilitates data extraction from electronic health records (EHR) and where he has worked since 2016. He had the idea for the software in 2014 and worked on it from then, completing two internships during that time: at QMENTA, formerly Mint Labs, a US drug development startup dedicated to brain diseases (where he worked in data science) and at Barcelona bioresearch center IDIBAPS in neuro-imaging research.De Maeztu holds a doctorate in Medicine from the International University of Catalonia, where he first had the idea for IOMED. He also holds a bachelor’s in Mathematics and a postgraduate qualification in Data Processing, Data Science and Big Data. He was also previously a developer at Barcelona tech agency Chroma Branding.
Gabriel de Maeztu is CTO and co-founder of IOMED Medical Solutions, which facilitates data extraction from electronic health records (EHR) and where he has worked since 2016. He had the idea for the software in 2014 and worked on it from then, completing two internships during that time: at QMENTA, formerly Mint Labs, a US drug development startup dedicated to brain diseases (where he worked in data science) and at Barcelona bioresearch center IDIBAPS in neuro-imaging research.De Maeztu holds a doctorate in Medicine from the International University of Catalonia, where he first had the idea for IOMED. He also holds a bachelor’s in Mathematics and a postgraduate qualification in Data Processing, Data Science and Big Data. He was also previously a developer at Barcelona tech agency Chroma Branding.
CEO and Co-founder of Cobee
Borja Aranguren Herrera has a MSc in Industrial Engineering specializing in both mechanical engineering and business administration. In 2012, he received a scholarship for an exchange program at the San Diego State University in California which he successfully completed with the best possible grades.Since 2018, he has been the CEO and co-founder of Cobee, a fast growing fintech app that helps companies manage employee benefits. Prior to this, Aranguren Herrera worked for several years as a consultant at McKinsey and late led strategy and business expansion at OnTruck, one of the most promising logistics startups in Spain.
Borja Aranguren Herrera has a MSc in Industrial Engineering specializing in both mechanical engineering and business administration. In 2012, he received a scholarship for an exchange program at the San Diego State University in California which he successfully completed with the best possible grades.Since 2018, he has been the CEO and co-founder of Cobee, a fast growing fintech app that helps companies manage employee benefits. Prior to this, Aranguren Herrera worked for several years as a consultant at McKinsey and late led strategy and business expansion at OnTruck, one of the most promising logistics startups in Spain.
CEO and co-founder of X1 Wind / PivotBuoy
Trained in mechanical engineering, Alex Raventos graduated from the MIT-Portugal’s Executive Master’s program focused on sustainable energy systems. In 2017 he joined the prestigious Global Solution Program led by Singularity University at NASA Research Park in Mountain View, California, where talents meet to develop innovative technology and groundbreaking solutions that address the greatest challenges for humanity today.Raventos has gained significant experience as head of economics and project coordinator in companies in the energy sector such as WavEC Offshore Renewables and Bluewater.In 2014 he founded Inn2Grid, consulting companies in renewable energy and focused on ocean energy technologies. Since 2017 he has been CEO and co-founder of X1 Wind, a Barcelona-based startup developing a downwind turbine technology to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) in offshore wind plants.
Trained in mechanical engineering, Alex Raventos graduated from the MIT-Portugal’s Executive Master’s program focused on sustainable energy systems. In 2017 he joined the prestigious Global Solution Program led by Singularity University at NASA Research Park in Mountain View, California, where talents meet to develop innovative technology and groundbreaking solutions that address the greatest challenges for humanity today.Raventos has gained significant experience as head of economics and project coordinator in companies in the energy sector such as WavEC Offshore Renewables and Bluewater.In 2014 he founded Inn2Grid, consulting companies in renewable energy and focused on ocean energy technologies. Since 2017 he has been CEO and co-founder of X1 Wind, a Barcelona-based startup developing a downwind turbine technology to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) in offshore wind plants.
COO and co-founder of Xendit
Tessa Wijaya joined Indonesian fintech Xendit as co-founder and COO in 2016, a year after the payment gateway startup graduated from the Y Combinator program and launched its platform in Indonesia.Wijaya obtained a master’s in philosophy from the University of Sydney in 2006 after graduating from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2003. She returned to Indonesia and worked as a corporate development officer for over three years. In 2010, she became an analyst at Principia Management Group and Fairways Investment Group, both being Southeast Asia-focused investment firms. In 2013, Wijaya went on to work as an associate at Singapore-based investment firm Mizuho Asia Partners for over three years before joining Xendit back in Jakarta.
Tessa Wijaya joined Indonesian fintech Xendit as co-founder and COO in 2016, a year after the payment gateway startup graduated from the Y Combinator program and launched its platform in Indonesia.Wijaya obtained a master’s in philosophy from the University of Sydney in 2006 after graduating from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2003. She returned to Indonesia and worked as a corporate development officer for over three years. In 2010, she became an analyst at Principia Management Group and Fairways Investment Group, both being Southeast Asia-focused investment firms. In 2013, Wijaya went on to work as an associate at Singapore-based investment firm Mizuho Asia Partners for over three years before joining Xendit back in Jakarta.
Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Beyond Leather Materials / Leap
Hannah Michaud first started exploring ways to develop sustainable textiles in 2016 while completing her studies in sustainable fashion at Copenhagen’s KEA School of Design & Technology. She also studied fashion technology and design at the KEA academy from 2012 to 2015.Michaud worked as a fashion design intern at Danish company Barbara I Gongini in 2016 and also at Weekend CPH in 2014. After her graduation in 2017, she decided to continue her research work on sustainable fabrics as co-founder and chief creative officer of Danish alt-leather startup, Beyond Leather Materials ApS, in Copenhagen.Originally from Maine, US, Michaud also studied music as a classical flutist at the University of Maine, where she was first chair in its Symphony Orchestra, and Sustainable Agriculture in the university’s Natural Science and Forestry department.
Hannah Michaud first started exploring ways to develop sustainable textiles in 2016 while completing her studies in sustainable fashion at Copenhagen’s KEA School of Design & Technology. She also studied fashion technology and design at the KEA academy from 2012 to 2015.Michaud worked as a fashion design intern at Danish company Barbara I Gongini in 2016 and also at Weekend CPH in 2014. After her graduation in 2017, she decided to continue her research work on sustainable fabrics as co-founder and chief creative officer of Danish alt-leather startup, Beyond Leather Materials ApS, in Copenhagen.Originally from Maine, US, Michaud also studied music as a classical flutist at the University of Maine, where she was first chair in its Symphony Orchestra, and Sustainable Agriculture in the university’s Natural Science and Forestry department.
CPO and Co-founder of Kuaishou
Cheng Yixiao began his career as a software engineer at HP in Dalian where he met Kuaishou co-founder Yang Yuanxi. Cheng left HP to join Renren as an iPhone client software developer.In 2011, Cheng started a photo-sharing platform GIF Kuaishou and obtained some seed funding. In 2013, he was introduced to a successful entrepreneur Su Hua. They decided to pivot GIF Kuaishou into a video-sharing app, with Cheng as CPO and Su as CEO.Many believe that his earlier experiences of living in Tieling, a county in northeast China, and later in Beijing’s suburb Tiantongyuan, have helped him to identify business opportunities and develop social media tools for the grassroots. He has quite a reputation for his creativity and passion for product development in tech circles.
Cheng Yixiao began his career as a software engineer at HP in Dalian where he met Kuaishou co-founder Yang Yuanxi. Cheng left HP to join Renren as an iPhone client software developer.In 2011, Cheng started a photo-sharing platform GIF Kuaishou and obtained some seed funding. In 2013, he was introduced to a successful entrepreneur Su Hua. They decided to pivot GIF Kuaishou into a video-sharing app, with Cheng as CPO and Su as CEO.Many believe that his earlier experiences of living in Tieling, a county in northeast China, and later in Beijing’s suburb Tiantongyuan, have helped him to identify business opportunities and develop social media tools for the grassroots. He has quite a reputation for his creativity and passion for product development in tech circles.
Chairman and co-founder of Everimpact
Jan Mattsson is a former senior UN official and the head of an ESG management consultancy. He is also chairman and co-founder of Everimpact, a GHG monitoring company that uses satellites, ground sensors, AI and machine learning to deliver more reliable carbon emissions data to public bodies, municipalities, and businesses. Mattsson has four decades of experience in development, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, and has led operations and programs in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central Asia. He spent nearly 14 years as UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the operational arm of the UN. Over his professional career, Mattsson has also engaged with international organizations such as the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund. Outside of Everimpact, Mattsson is founder and CEO of M-Trust Leadership AB, an independent ESG and sustainable development management consultancy. He chairs the board of the Museum for the United Nations, and 4Life Solutions (formerly known as SolarSack), a company offering a solar-powered product that can provide safe drinking water to low-income and vulnerable communities. Mattsson also serves on the boards of The Management Lab, which aims to help investors analyze the social and environmental impact of their investments and philanthropy, as well as the World Benchmarking Alliance, an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization that aims to measure and incentivise businesses’ contributions towards the UN SDGs.
Jan Mattsson is a former senior UN official and the head of an ESG management consultancy. He is also chairman and co-founder of Everimpact, a GHG monitoring company that uses satellites, ground sensors, AI and machine learning to deliver more reliable carbon emissions data to public bodies, municipalities, and businesses. Mattsson has four decades of experience in development, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, and has led operations and programs in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central Asia. He spent nearly 14 years as UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the operational arm of the UN. Over his professional career, Mattsson has also engaged with international organizations such as the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund. Outside of Everimpact, Mattsson is founder and CEO of M-Trust Leadership AB, an independent ESG and sustainable development management consultancy. He chairs the board of the Museum for the United Nations, and 4Life Solutions (formerly known as SolarSack), a company offering a solar-powered product that can provide safe drinking water to low-income and vulnerable communities. Mattsson also serves on the boards of The Management Lab, which aims to help investors analyze the social and environmental impact of their investments and philanthropy, as well as the World Benchmarking Alliance, an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization that aims to measure and incentivise businesses’ contributions towards the UN SDGs.
CEO of Shenzhourong
Data services veteran Huang Haijia was the director of the Chinese government’s first online project in 1998; and the co-founder and former COO of ID5, set up in cooperation with the national police, for online identification checks and involving the digitization of ID data of the 1.3 billion population. In 2001, Huang founded Guozhengtong, an IT consultancy supporting local governments in their digitization and, subsequently, banks and telcos. He later founded financial data and credit risk management SaaS company Shenzhourong, which he heads as CEO. Huang holds an EMBA from the Central European International Business School. He is also a member of the fifth batch of entrepreneurs from the incubation program of AAMA (Asia America Multi-Technology Association), Silicon Valley's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the Asian American high-tech community.
Data services veteran Huang Haijia was the director of the Chinese government’s first online project in 1998; and the co-founder and former COO of ID5, set up in cooperation with the national police, for online identification checks and involving the digitization of ID data of the 1.3 billion population. In 2001, Huang founded Guozhengtong, an IT consultancy supporting local governments in their digitization and, subsequently, banks and telcos. He later founded financial data and credit risk management SaaS company Shenzhourong, which he heads as CEO. Huang holds an EMBA from the Central European International Business School. He is also a member of the fifth batch of entrepreneurs from the incubation program of AAMA (Asia America Multi-Technology Association), Silicon Valley's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the Asian American high-tech community.
CEO and Founder of Bailian.ai
Feng Shicong graduated from Peking University (PKU) in 2003 with a degree in Computer Science. He was a weighted member of the PKU Sky Network search engine program (the predecessor of Baidu) and has years of experience in the sectors of NLP, big data and information retrieval. Feng developed an acronym search and automatic disambiguation vertical search engine during his time at HP China Research Institute. He has more than 50 patents and over 20 papers published in academic journals such as TKDE and CIKM. Feng is a founding member of Miaozhen Systems and co-founder of MINING LAMP technology. Bailian.ai is his third company.
Feng Shicong graduated from Peking University (PKU) in 2003 with a degree in Computer Science. He was a weighted member of the PKU Sky Network search engine program (the predecessor of Baidu) and has years of experience in the sectors of NLP, big data and information retrieval. Feng developed an acronym search and automatic disambiguation vertical search engine during his time at HP China Research Institute. He has more than 50 patents and over 20 papers published in academic journals such as TKDE and CIKM. Feng is a founding member of Miaozhen Systems and co-founder of MINING LAMP technology. Bailian.ai is his third company.
Co-founder of Waterdrop and general manager of Shuidi Chou of Waterdrop (Shuidi)
Xu Hanhan graduated from the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University, in 2008. She then worked at the VC, China Renaissance Capital Investment, and later became personal assistant to ByteDance CEO and founder Zhang Yiming during the startup's early years. She co-founded Waterdrop in 2016 and is now in charge of Waterdrop Crowdfunding. She also started another of Waterdrop's platforms, Waterdrop Public Wellness, which helps charitable organizations fundraise as well as report on the usage of the funds received.
Xu Hanhan graduated from the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University, in 2008. She then worked at the VC, China Renaissance Capital Investment, and later became personal assistant to ByteDance CEO and founder Zhang Yiming during the startup's early years. She co-founded Waterdrop in 2016 and is now in charge of Waterdrop Crowdfunding. She also started another of Waterdrop's platforms, Waterdrop Public Wellness, which helps charitable organizations fundraise as well as report on the usage of the funds received.
Co-CEO and co-founder of Deep Solutions
Oscar Serra is a co-founder and co-CEO as well as a big-data scientist at Deep Solutions, a producer of deep neural network software for image recognition. He combines this role with a multi-disciplinary management role in his family's €15m-revenue industrial machinery company Serra Workshops, where he has worked since 2010. Prior to this, he worked at Honda Research Institute Europe in Germany as a software programmer for one year, and as a PhD researcher in computer vision, deep learning and neural networks at Barcelona's Institute of Robotics and Industrial Information Systems (IRI). Serra has a total of five Master's degrees: Programming, Robotics, Neuroscience, Computer Vision, and an MBA. He has studied at Hult International Business School in San Francisco, Lumière University Lyon 2 in France, at Barcelona's IRI and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
Oscar Serra is a co-founder and co-CEO as well as a big-data scientist at Deep Solutions, a producer of deep neural network software for image recognition. He combines this role with a multi-disciplinary management role in his family's €15m-revenue industrial machinery company Serra Workshops, where he has worked since 2010. Prior to this, he worked at Honda Research Institute Europe in Germany as a software programmer for one year, and as a PhD researcher in computer vision, deep learning and neural networks at Barcelona's Institute of Robotics and Industrial Information Systems (IRI). Serra has a total of five Master's degrees: Programming, Robotics, Neuroscience, Computer Vision, and an MBA. He has studied at Hult International Business School in San Francisco, Lumière University Lyon 2 in France, at Barcelona's IRI and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
CEO and Co-founder of WOOM
Belgian-born Laurence Fontinoy graduated in Commercial Engineering at Belgium’s Louvain Catholic University in 1994 and went on an exchange program for one year at New York’s Stern Graduate Business School. She worked for almost four years at Belgacom Mobile in Belgium, where she supervised the launch of its first prepaid card. In 1999, she moved to the Netherlands to join Dutch telecoms provider Ben as a customer development manager. After completing an MBA in 2002 at IESE University of Navarra, the mother-of-three joined eBay Spain as head of category and seller development. In 2005, she was promoted to marketing and communications director but left in 2008 to join Google as the regional country marketing manager for Spain and Portugal. In 2015, she left to become the CEO and co-founder of WOOM with former eBay colleague Clelia Morales.
Belgian-born Laurence Fontinoy graduated in Commercial Engineering at Belgium’s Louvain Catholic University in 1994 and went on an exchange program for one year at New York’s Stern Graduate Business School. She worked for almost four years at Belgacom Mobile in Belgium, where she supervised the launch of its first prepaid card. In 1999, she moved to the Netherlands to join Dutch telecoms provider Ben as a customer development manager. After completing an MBA in 2002 at IESE University of Navarra, the mother-of-three joined eBay Spain as head of category and seller development. In 2005, she was promoted to marketing and communications director but left in 2008 to join Google as the regional country marketing manager for Spain and Portugal. In 2015, she left to become the CEO and co-founder of WOOM with former eBay colleague Clelia Morales.
Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder of Modulous Tech
Markus Cosmann is co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at UK-based Modulous, the first end-to-end generative design and delivery solution for affordable, sustainable and modulized housing, where he has worked since 2018. He was simultaneously a director at engineering consultancy Optimise, based in London and Dubai, until 2020, where he had worked since 2012, and where the concept for Modulous was conceived. His construction project credits include the Oslo National Museum and the German and Swiss Pavilions at Dubai Expo 2020. He previously worked in management for six and a half years in Copenhagen at Danish civil engineering company Ramboll, and has an extensive background in fire engineering in his native Germany and the UK, both in research and commercial projects. Cosmann is a certified civil engineer, graduating from the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.
Markus Cosmann is co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at UK-based Modulous, the first end-to-end generative design and delivery solution for affordable, sustainable and modulized housing, where he has worked since 2018. He was simultaneously a director at engineering consultancy Optimise, based in London and Dubai, until 2020, where he had worked since 2012, and where the concept for Modulous was conceived. His construction project credits include the Oslo National Museum and the German and Swiss Pavilions at Dubai Expo 2020. He previously worked in management for six and a half years in Copenhagen at Danish civil engineering company Ramboll, and has an extensive background in fire engineering in his native Germany and the UK, both in research and commercial projects. Cosmann is a certified civil engineer, graduating from the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.
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
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.
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
A Q&A with the Veniam founder and CEO
Ruangguru, Amartha founders made aides to Indonesian President
Seven young leaders appointed to assist President Joko Widodo in non-ministerial tasks, with an emphasis on innovation
Gojek CEO resigns to join Indonesia's new cabinet; named education minister
Nadiem Makarim was confirmed as Indonesia's education and culture minister and will become "a passive shareholder" in Gojek
Aurora Tech AI: Helping new parents sleep at night, and not on the job
When employees become new parents, the challenges they face can lead to sleep deprivation and a loss of productivity at work. Aurora Tech AI says it has a solution
AgroCenta: Providing market access and credit to African smallholder farmers
AgroCenta’s platforms empower Ghanaian subsistence farmers, especially women, boosting productivity and sales with e-payments, micro-credits and insurance, and direct connections to buyers, cutting out the intermediaries
The death of Wazypark: A tale of too much money, and no business model
It was an investors’ and media darling. But the story of Wazypark got bitter in 2017, when management disputes and ballooning losses culminated in the startup’s final days
Neil Shen: The super unicorn hunter
His bet on ByteDance, the startup that gave the world TikTok, helped Neil Shen top this year's Forbes Midas List. But for Shen, even in that deal he once made the wrong call
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