SINGAPORE / COMPANY PROFILE

Dr. Tokue is Managing Director of Leave a Nest Singapore, and Founder of Leave a Nest Malaysia. She was born in Tokyo but raised in Southeast Asia, studied bachelor degree in America and then moved to Australia for Master and PhD degree carrying out field work. Currently she is creating platform in ASEAN to nurture the next generation innovators, startups involving business development partners from industry. Her dream is to one day bring a change to a world with advancement of science and technology with true understanding and appreciation for nature.

Mr. Maekawa is the President of Leave a Nest UK. He was born in 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 aboard and passion towards advancement of science and technology, he joined Leave a Nest in 2013. Currently president of Leave a Nest United Kingdom and Director of Global Bridge Laboratory of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. He became Director of Leave a Nest Singapore Pte. Ltd. from May 1st 2019 with the vision to interconnect various industry partners for global development.

Dr. Maru is the founder and CEO of Leave a Nest Group. He earned a Doctorate degree at the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo. He founded Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. in 2002, which became a leading science bridge communication company in Japan. Dr. Maru is the technical advisor for euglena Co., Ltd. which was listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2014. He is also an innovator who has been involved in launching more than 78 startups including Challenergy, Inc. At the same time, he is holding the role as co-founder of Real Tech Fund and science evangelist of Drone Fund. He is an expert in advising young entrepreneurs in business development and venture spirit. Not limited in Japan, he has taken initiatives expanding his business to the world.

Dr. Yuko Ueno received her Ph.D in Ocean microbiology-biochemistry and joined Leave a Nest in 2013. She has experience in human resource development especially in entrepreneur education, and frontier business development with MNC. While utilizing her own research experience, she discovers and nurtures deep tech startups in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines where the Leave a Nest Group is based, and at the same time designs new businesses for Japanese companies in collaboration with the startups. She also has experience in accelerating Japanese deep tech startups enter the Southeast Asian market and Southeast Asian startups to enter the Japanese market, and has been appointed as a Director of Leave a Nest Singapore since December 2022.

Ms. Maiko Miyashita is in the Administration Division in Leave a Nest Singapore. She received her bachelor’s degree in Public Economics at Chuo University in Japan. Her interest is in social science. She is a state certified social insurance and labor consultant and has experience as a consultant for starting up a business for ten years. Her experience in previous jobs allows her to support Leave a Nest members by creating an environment to allow members to engage on projects to bring Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness. In addition, the experience will allow her to support the startup which tackles global issues with Leave a Nest group in the future. 

Siva, recently graduated in Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and specialised in Advanced Manufacturing, awarded with Honours with Distinction from National University of Singapore (NUS). Previously, He obtained first degree in Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (Honours) from National University of Singapore (NUS) as well. During his Master and Bachelor degree, his research include, ink jet 3D printing using Graphene which can be used in Healthcare, Flexible electronics, Satellites, etc, and Optimization of parameters for Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) for certain kind of nickel alloys. 

Mark is a Bachelor degree graduate of Environmental Science and Aquaculture at James cook University. Mark helped to pioneer the start of aquaculture club during his university days where he helped to raise awareness of sustainable ocean practices through organising workshops and field trips. He joined Leave a Nest Education Division in order to express science to students in an easy and enjoyable way. Mark also hopes to advance science and nurture the next generation through environmental conservation topics and science workshops.

Ambrose graduated with a Master degree in Technopreneurship and Innovation from Nanyang Technological University. He holds a Bachelor degree in human Factors in Safety from Singapore University of Social Sciences. He is passionate about community building and ecosystem nurturing. During his master’s degree studies, he was an active member of his program’s student committee, proposing and executing various student led activities. As a member of Leave a Nest Human Development Division, Ambrose hopes to strengthen the science and deep technology startup ecosystem through partnership with Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning.

Haruka graduated with a MSci Chemistry degree from Imperial College London where she conducted her Master’s research at MIT in silk microneedles for vaccine application in aquaculture.
With a Japanese background and having grown up in Singapore for 18 years, at Leave a Nest she works at the interface of bridging the deep tech ecosystem between Japan and Southeast Asia, such as supporting overseas expansion of deep tech startups and SMEs from Singapore to Japan and vice versa. Her passion is to build an ecosystem where sustainable capitalism is accelerated with social implementation of deep tech.

Leeyon graduated from Osaka University with a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, and joined Leave a Nest in 2024. Through his research experience in university, he became interested in the potential of basic research beyond the lab. At Leave a Nest, he aims to create change by bridging basic research and social issues. Leeyon also gained an interest in science education through his time as a tutor in science workshops at Osaka University, and is further exploring this interest with Leave a Nest.
Having built many connections in Japan, Leeyon aims to serve as a bridge between Singapore and Japan, both with Leave a Nest as well as in a personal capacity.

Ruchira, a Civil Engineering graduate from Nanyang Technological University’s Class of 2024, is passionate about  green innovation. Though her degree is rooted in engineering, her heart beats for environmental sustainability. Driven by a passion for fostering startups that champion a greener future, she’s dedicated to making a tangible impact on both the planet and the lives of students. Whether it’s mentoring future leaders or supporting eco-conscious ventures, Ruchira’s mission is to blend her technical expertise with her unwavering commitment to environmental progress.

Aisha Siddheeqa is part of the HR and Administration team, providing back-office support for Leave a Nest Singapore. With a diploma in pharmaceutical studies and five years of experience in accounting, she has a deep passion for both science and finance. This passion led her to Leave a Nest, where she contributes to the investment and support of science-driven companies while assisting with their back-office accounting. Her expertise in financial management, process improvement and administrative operations helps ensure smooth and efficient processes within the organization.

Ayu graduated from SUTD with a Bachelors in Science (Hons) specialising in design and artificial intelligence. With a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence and 3D printing, she’s also quietly driven by an entrepreneurial mindset. During university, she worked closely with the Office of International Relations, supporting SUTD students on one-week immersion trips to various countries. Her passion lies in making science more accessible and engaging for young people. She hopes to use her skills and background to connect the youth with the broader world of science and innovation, and to help bridge the understanding between the different generations.