034: The State of Singapore's DEEPTECH, VC & START-UP Ecosystems w/ NTUitive's David Toh
Release Date: 08/07/2021
TechBurst Talks
In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, I sit down with Ian Chong from Samsung Electronics to talk about his work on the mobile B2B team and the cutting-edge advancements Samsung is making, particularly in AI technology for smartphones. We dive into the new Galaxy AI capabilities, including features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Transcript Assist. Ian shares why on-device AI is critical for ensuring both security and speed and discusses Samsung’s collaborations with major tech players. We also explore how AI is being implemented in industries like law enforcement and finance. On a...
info_outline 056: DEMYSTIFYING AI: Simplifying Complex Terms for Everyday UseTechBurst Talks
In this episode of , we’re taking on the challenge of demystifying AI and breaking down the overwhelming flood of buzzwords. You’ve heard them before—AI, ML, DL, LLM, SLM, RAG, ChatGPT, Custom GPT, NLP—the list goes on. Our goal is to make these terms accessible and easy to understand, no matter your background. I’m thrilled to be joined by , who is the Host of the , the founder of , and an expert in the field of Artifical Intelligence. What makes this episode special is that Bernard and I approach learning differently. Bernard is a theoretical learner, able to grasp complex...
info_outline 055: TELCO TRENDS 2024: The 5G Profit Puzzle & Telco TransformationTechBurst Talks
In this episode of the Techburst Talks podcast, we delve deep into the current challenges and future prospects of the telecom industry. I'm joined by industry veterans from and , CEO of , the discussion spans a wide array of topics including: the financial viability of 5G - is anyone actually making $$$? the adaptation of telcos to new technologies like IoT - can telcos deliver complex solutions? and the increasing importance of customer-centric business models. The conversation also examines the role of #AI in transforming the industry, the impact of global markets, and the structural...
info_outline 054: IoT REIMAGINED: Practicality over PromisesTechBurst Talks
TechBurst Talks Season 4 Episode 2 IoT Re-Imagined: Practicality over Promises In this episode of the Tech Burst Talks podcast, host Charles interviews Gerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr. Gerhard discusses his transition from running the IoT business at Telstra, Australia’s largest telecoms operator, to a startup environment, his current role at and the company's innovative IoT solutions. He elaborates on Kallipr’s unique approaches to sensor technology, total cost of ownership, and real-world applications in industries like rail and water management. The conversation also touches...
info_outline 053: The NO BULLSHIT Journey: Discovering Your True SelfTechBurst Talks
In this episode, we talk about Uma's transition from technology industry executive to purpose-driven entrepreneur - and how focusing on her inner self helped drive that transition - and transform her life. 01:15 Uma’s journey of Self Discovery through the Hoffman Process 07:56 Introducing solitude in your life 11:40 The Corporate Perception of Self Help: “Are you OK” versus “Investing in yourself” 14:30 Uma’s new venture ELEVATE - and her first three startups 21:40 Why Now? What led Uma down the path of Self Discovery? 25:00 How...
info_outline 052: THE MIDDLE EAST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: The money is there, now what?TechBurst Talks
If you keep up to date with the latest technology news, you know that the momentum and investment has shifted from Asia to the Middle East. But gone are the days where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE just import technology and talent - the new trend across the Middle East is how to create a home-grown technology startup ecosystem - and this is what we are going to cover in today’s podcast. Let’s face it - money is not going to be an issue - but as we have seen from other countries, just throwing money at the startup ecosystem is no guarantee that it will be successful. ...
info_outline 051: AI, CHATGPT & FLYING TAXIS: How Government-led initiatives drive the Middle East's Innovation EcosystemTechBurst Talks
In Part II of our Middle East Deep Dive, we talk with Carrington Malin to find out how the government's in the Middle East are driving unprecedented growth and innovation. But it's more than just the tech, they are up-skilling their workforces and training students on how to leverage emerging technologies to transform the traditional industries that support their economies - and develop new ones. Exciting times to say the least... Show Notes: 1:00 Intro to Carrington Malin and the various roles he has played in the Middle East’s technology ecosystem for the past 30 years. 5:00...
info_outline 050: RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? How the Middle East is driving technology innovation and spendTechBurst Talks
This is the first in a series on Technology and Innovation trends in the Middle East. Things have gone quiet in Asia post-pandemic - and the global recession has not helped. However, the Middle East is thriving. Hardly a week goes by where there isn’t another jaw-dropping announcement related to emerging technologies like AI, autonomous vehicles and the Metaverse in the Middle East - or the massive investment in initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM. To help us delve deeper into the Middle East’s technology innovation landscape, I’m joined by . He's based in Abu Dhabi,...
info_outline 048: Why RETURN TO THE OFFICE Strategies FAIL (Hint: FREE BEER is not enough)TechBurst Talks
We need to face the facts - our Return to the Office strategies are failing. Giving away free beer once a week is not enough to make our employees WANT to come back to the office. So what will make them? That’s what we are going to discuss today. I’m joined by Helen Snowball, JLL’s Global Head of People Solutions and Experience, to discuss how showing empathy, creating purpose and delivering enhanced employee experiences are the keys to attracting and retaining talent in the post pandemic world. Show notes: 00:30 Intro to , Global Head of People Solutions and...
info_outline 047: Driving INNOVATION and SUSTAINABILITY in the F&B IndustryTechBurst Talks
One of the challenges with Sustainability is that while people like talking about it, it can be hard to find people driving real impact. But luckily for you, today’s guest is one that it driving impact. In this episode of the TechBurst Asia podcast, we will speak to Adrien Desbaillets, the CEO and Co-Founder of Salad Stop, about the growth of his business - and how they were able to deliver SouthEast Asia’s first Net Zero F and B outlet. 00:30 Intro to Adrien & SaladStop! 05:00 How technology and a drive to innovate has contributed to their expansion to 65 stores in...
info_outlineKeeping up with Asia’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems is challenging because the region’s DeepTech, Venture Capital and Start-up ecosystems are incredibly complex and diverse. Today, we are going to try to break it down by focusing on the ecosystems in just one country - Singapore.
We are going to discuss three key topics. First, we’ll look at DeepTech to discover the latest trends and to understand what unique challenges start-ups in this space face.
Second, we’ll look at the state of Venture Capital in Singapore, and, more specifically, is there enough VC funds available to support the longer commercialisation cycles of DeepTech Startups.
Finally, we’ll discuss how the start-up ecosystem is evolving and find out what cool new innovations are on the horizon.
To do this, we are joined by David Toh, the Interim CEO of NTUitive, which is the innovation and enterprise subsidiary of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which is ranked Number 12 in the latest World University Rankings.
Show Notes:
01:00 Intro to NTUitive, including how it supports start-ups and engages with the technology innovation ecosystem.
06:00 How does NTU look at DeepTech? And some examples of DeepTech solutions coming out of NTU.
13:30 What unique challenges do DeepTech start-ups face? And due to their longer commercialisation cycle, how do they set near-term success metrics?
19:30 Where has NTUitive been successful, and where is there room for improvement?
21:30 David’s journey from semicon engineer to equity analyst to fund manager to the world of Venture Capital.
27:45 Some of the start-ups David has helped on their start-up journey
29:45 What’s the current state of Singapore’s start-up and venture capital ecosystems?
37:45 What characteristics does David look for in start-ups - and are there any red flags that would prevent him engaging with a start-up.
43:45 Let’s look five to ten years in the future, and DeepTech has been incredibly successful in Singapore. How did the ecosystem evolve to enable that success?
Alternatively, let’s say that DeepTech bombs. What mistakes did the ecosystem make?
48:30 What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about creating a start-up? Or someone who wants to go into Venture Capital?