TECH PLANTER in Singapore 2024 is happening this Saturday! [Judge Announcement]

Keynote Speech

Introduction of Judges and Criteria

5 minute Q&A per team

5 minute Q&A per team

5 minute Q&A per team

Mr. Shohei Maekawa

Mr. Maekawa is Director of Leave a Nest Singapore and President of Leave a Nest UK. He was born in the USA and raised in Europe. He studied Zoology for his undergraduate degree and Evolutionary Anthropology for his postgraduate degree, both at University College London. With experience abroad and passion towards advancement of science and technology, he joined Leave a Nest in 2013. He became the Director of Leave a Nest Singapore Pte. Ltd. from May 1st 2019 with the vision to interconnect various industry partners for global development.

Mr. Henry Tao

Henry is part of the investment team of Real Tech Global Fund, where he covers deep tech innovations that can create a positive climate impact. Previously, Henry was an investor and operator in the sector of Agri-Food tech. Henry graduated from Harvard Business School with MBA degree.

Dr. Aya Wada

Accomplished scientist with extensive research experience with international collaborators across US, Singapore and Europe in academic biomedical research and cosmetic industry projects. Ph.D in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University, USA.

Dr. Ho Chaw Sing

Chaw Sing is the CEO of NAMIC Singapore, a national platform he co-founded that focuses on translational research to develop and scale industrial adoption of digital additive manufacturing technologies. Chaw Sing is active in the deep-tech startup scene and global AM community. He co-chairs the ISO/TC 261 Additive Manufacturing Chair's Advisory Group and Singapore Standards AM Technical Committee. He also serves as a Scientific and Technology Advisor at CREATE's Singapore-Hebrew University Alliance for Science and Technology among others. A prolific inventor in his early career, Chaw Sing holds several U.S. and internationally issued-patents. He earned his Ph.D. and Bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the National University of Singapore, where he also lectures part-time as an Adjunct Professor at NUS College of Design and Engineering. Chaw Sing is an ASTM International board member.

Mr. Long Quan

Mr. Long Van Quan is Senior Director for supply chain innovation. He has an experience over 25 years career in P&G in assignments across Asia, Ukraine, Pakistan & India. He was involved in 3 key business units(Fabric, Oral & Shavecare) and was responsible for leading the front-end engineering, design, construction and start-up of 4 dry laundry & 1 shavecare manufacturing modules both brown and green field sites. He is currently responsible for Go-To-Market Innovation and Delivery in the APAC, Middle-East & Africa region across the domains of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Automation & Digitisation technology, Logistics Engineering, Supply Chain Digital Track & Track, eCom, Supply Network Modelling & Simulation; and Warehousing & Trucking.

Mr. Norio Asahara

Glico manufactures not only confectionery and ice cream, but also a wide range of food categories such as beverages, dairy products, processed foods and baby milk powder. Mr. ASAHARA is the director of research and development in Glico Asia Pacific. He is looking for new research partners as well as technical support, investment and opportunities for various collaborations such as buying of new ingredients. He is responsible for new business in Asia Pacific.

Mr. Kouhei Miyajima

Kouhei Miyajima joined East Japan Railway Company in 2020. Before joining the company, he studied abroad at a business school in France and learned about management and economics. After joining the company, he worked on the ground as a station staff and a railway driver, gaining first hand insight JRE’s assets and it can be leveraged to foster a startup ecosystem. Since 2023, he has been in charge of Takanawa Gateway City project, which is one of the largest real estate development projects in Tokyo to create a global startup ecosystem in Takanawa Gateway City.

Mr. Kenji Minefuji

Kenji Minefuji has led various open innovation activities with his business strategy and venture finance expertise. Since 2016, he has provided hands-on support for many startups in over 10 countries as a mentor. During his communication with startups, he developed novel collaboration schemes/concepts between startups and multinational corporations. He started his career as a research scientist of optical communication technology at the Information Technology R&D Center. In his mid-career, he planned the R & D strategy of the R&D center, and was in charge of resource allocation and project management, too. His deep understanding and experience of both cutting edge science & technology and business strategy made him launch unique open innovation activities with startups at the Center for Future Innovation. He plays a key role in running “ME Innovation Fund” established as a CVC fund in 2022.

Dr. Ryo Niishiro

The corporate mission of Mitsui Chemicals Inc. is to contribute to society by providing high-quality products and services to customers through innovations and the creation of materials and products. Dr. Niishiro is scouting new ideas and technologies related to Mitsui Chemicals’ four business domains; Life & Healthcare solutions, Mobility solutions, ICT solutions, and Basic & green materials. He has a strong desire to create new businesses in Southeast Asia by integrating the new innovative technologies and Mitsui Chemical’s wide variety of products.