How do serial entrepreneurs build successful companies across different sectors? Can you become one yourself?

In this episode, we chat with Pankaj Gupta and Saurabh Bhattacharyya, two visionary founders who have not only shaped industries but also navigated the complex world of startups in both India and Singapore. Pankaj, a three-time founder, talks about his journey from launching an IT services company to leading Enablex, a customer engagement platform. Saurabh, transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, discusses the growth and acquisition of his company, Quantum Inventions, which revolutionized GPS in taxis. Dive into their stories, learn about the challenges of different markets, and discover the crucial decisions that defined their paths!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Meet the Innovators: Unveiling the Journeys of Pankaj and Saurabh
(02:00) Why Singapore? Discover the Strategic Choice for Business Expansion
(05:00) The Co-Founder Conundrum: Benefits and Challenges
(09:30) Timing is Everything: Navigating the Startup Lifecycle
(13:00) Strategic Exits: Insights from the Trenches
(17:00) Shifting Gears: Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Intrapreneur
(21:00) Founders on the Other Side: The Transition to Employees
(25:00) Pioneering New Territories: The Leap from Tech to Telecom
(30:00) Wrapping Up: Future Visions and Final Thoughts

TODAY’S GUESTS - Saurav Bhattacharyya
Saurav Bhattacharyya is the Chairman of ACE.SG, the national voice for the Singapore startup ecosystem, and a key trade association representing the interests of startups in Singapore. He currently also serves as the CEO and Managing Director of Proxtera Pte.
Connect with Saurav at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sauravbhattacharyya/ 

Pankaj Gupta
Pankaj has been a serial entrepreneur for over 20 years and has launched & built multiple successful IT & Telecom businesses. Currently, he is running VCLOUDX - a Singapore-based communication platform (CPaaS) provider under the brand EnableX (www.EnableX.io), as the Founder & CEO. With a passion to redefine how people communicate and collaborate, he conceptualized EnableX as a Omni-channel Customer Communication and Engagement Platform. 

Previously, he was the Country Manager & Managing Director at Arkadin India which was a joint venture between Arkadin – A global leader in Remote Communication & Collaboration services & ConferIndia which he started in 2004. During his tenure, Arkadin India grew as a leading collaboration services company in India and one of the fastest-growing subsidiaries for Arkadin worldwide.

He built multiple strong and strategic partnerships with leading Telecom companies & large enterprise customers in his tenure at Arkadin.

Connect with Pankaj at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/p-gupta/ 

TODAY’S HOST: Chandrima Das
Serial Entrepreneur and Venture Builder with 25+ years in Technology, Banking & Investment Management Industry across Asia and the UK. Hands on technologist with deep domain in wealth tech and capital markets.

Currently solving for Financial Wellness by empowering individuals and families catalogue, track and share their most important documents, assets, and information. To know their net worth & leave a legacy! 

Previous startup - Bento, SaaS Wealth Tech (acquired by Grab in 2019). 

Connect with Chandrima at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandrima-das/  

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

How do big events like the Singapore FinTech Festival or Dreamforce actually shape industries—and even nations?

In this episode, I chat with Amit Gupta and Harsh Rungta, two visionary leaders whose journeys are as impressive as the global meetups they frequent. Amit, a tech entrepreneur and Global Chair of TIE, and Harsh, a financial leader with a passion for innovation, share behind-the-scenes insights on the power of connections, collaboration, and community at these events.

Discover how these meetups go beyond the surface to spark innovation, attract investment, and build ecosystems—all while sharing personal stories and strategies to make the most of every encounter!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What makes meetups more than just meetings?
(00:30) The power move behind SFF's global success.
(02:30) Bhutan's bucket-list pitch that stole the show.
(05:30) Why the best events solve real-world problems.
(09:30) Can AI transform the future of conferences?
(14:30) Dreamforce: Innovation meets showmanship on a massive scale.
(18:00) Why kids are a hit at Berkshire Hathaway.
(25:00) TIE’s summits: Building entrepreneurial ecosystems globally.
(29:00) Exclusive retreats where ideas and bonds flourish.
(31:30) Turning quick chats into lifelong connections.

Harsh Vardhan Rungta
Successful, results-oriented professional with a solid record of accomplishments in a highly competitive, rapidly growing industry. Demonstrated leadership, problem solving, and planning skills resulting in bagging breakthrough clients and making inroads into new markets.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harsh-vardhan-rungta-b086656/

AMIT GUPTA
Chairman, Global Board of Trustees, TiE
Founder & Group CEO, Ecosystem Group
Co-Chair, MIIM

Amit believes in the power of the digital economy, and it is with that belief that he founded Ecosystem, a next-generation Technology Research and Advisory Platform, and its spinoff Kampd, a professional communities-led social learning platform. Ecosystem democratises access to cutting-edge innovation, through its acquisition of CoVentured, an Australia-headquartered innovation discovery platform serving Fortune 500 enterprises globally.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-gupta-5320171/ 

HOST
CHANDAN DEEP
Chandan is an operator and advisor with a keen interest in scaling up high-growth tech businesses in Asia. Chandan is currently a VP at B Capital, a global venture capital firm with $6.5 Bn AUM. In her role, she leads strategy and operations, partnering with founders and leadership teams of their portfolio companies to drive growth and GTM. Previously, she was one of the early employees for Twitter in the region post IPO, scaling out their commercial operations across 6 markets to $100 Mn+ revenue run rate.  Prior to her venture into tech, she spent several formative years in management consulting across BCG and Accenture specialising in tech, media and telecom sectors. She can be reached on her email at [email protected] and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandandeep/.
 
ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—
This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

What drives two young entrepreneurs to take bold risks?

In this episode, I sit down with Krish and Samyak, two young entrepreneurs who took the bold steps of leaving school to pursue their dreams. Krish shares his journey from gaming to building his own VC firm, while Samyak reveals how his passion for biotech and pet nutrition led him to make big moves in the industry. We talk about their unique paths, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the mentors who’ve guided them along the way. This conversation is packed with inspiration for anyone ready to chase big dreams early in life!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Could You Drop Everything to Follow a Dream?
(01:30) How a Teen’s Gaming Passion Turned into a VC Firm
(02:30) Leaving School, Starting a Company… What Drives Them?
(05:00) Facing Skepticism: Proving Yourself in an Adult World
(08:00) Mentors, Mishaps, and Moments That Mattered Most
(10:30) From ‘Cute Idea’ to Serious Contender—Their Startup Journey
(12:30) Agility with People: The Key to Startup Success?
(17:30) Pivoting Under Pressure: When to Let Go and Move On
(24:30) Integrity and Honesty—The Core Traits of True Founders
(29:30) One Piece of Advice Every Young Entrepreneur Needs

GUESTS,

SAMYAK BAID

I am Samyak Baid, the co-founder of Pawsible Foods, an innovative start-up dedicated to transforming the future of food through the development of mycelium-based single-cell protein. Our proprietary fermentation processes create protein that is not only cleaner and more secure but also more sustainable than traditional animal and plant-based options, addressing critical food security challenges.

KRISH ANURAG

Managing Partner, Chimera VC

My story started when I was 14 years old investing in public markets, Crypto, and early-stage tech startup investing where I made 7 concentrated investments.  I then started my first company on a full-time basis at the age of 15 building a launchpad focused on unifying and simplifying web 3 gaming to optimize the onboarding of web2 users into web3 gaming. I also spent 6 months working at a disruptive gaming startup based in India learning about the gaming industry in India and shadowing the CEO directly.

HOST
CHANDAN DEEP

Chandan is an operator and advisor with a keen interest in scaling up high-growth tech businesses in Asia. Chandan is currently a VP at B Capital, a global venture capital firm with $6.5 Bn AUM. In her role, she leads strategy and operations, partnering with founders and leadership teams of their portfolio companies to drive growth and GTM. Previously, she was one of the early employees for Twitter in the region post IPO, scaling out their commercial operations across 6 markets to $100 Mn+ revenue run rate.  Prior to her venture into tech, she spent several formative years in management consulting across BCG and Accenture specialising in tech, media and telecom sectors. She can be reached on her email at [email protected] and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandandeep/.

ABOUT TiE Talks

TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

Are Indian workplaces designed to support employee well-being? In this episode, I sit down with two close friends and passionate advocates, Bala Swaminathan and Ritu G. Mehrish, who are dedicated to rethinking corporate culture. Bala shares the heartbreaking events that pushed him to speak out on workplace stress and ethics, drawing on decades of experience in the Big Four. Ritu, an author and coach, brings her insights on mental health challenges facing today’s leaders. Together, we discuss how leaders can create workplaces where well-being is genuinely prioritized. Join us for this heartfelt and necessary conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Can we create workplaces where well-being thrives?
(01:00) The shocking story that pushed Bala to speak up
(02:30) Ritu’s insight: What corporate leaders are still missing
(03:30) Can workplace success coexist with mental health?
(04:30) The untold truth about mental abuse in the corporate world
(06:30) How the “no” boundary could change work culture
(14:00) Is hybrid work truly the best of both worlds?
(17:00) What does it mean for leaders to “walk the talk”?
(19:00) Why nostalgia makes us forget what needs to change
(24:00) The surprising connection between well-being and visibility

Ritu G. Mehrish
Ritu G. Mehrish is an executive coach and speaker with twenty years of corporate experience in companies such as Procter & Gamble, GE Capital and its spin-off, Genpact. Throughout her career, she has worked with, coached and conversed with leaders from diverse industries across the globe.
https://www.ritumehrish.com/ 

Bala Swaminathan
Bala Swaminathan is the Founder and CEO of a regulated fund management and wealth advisory business in Singapore, focusing on credit opportunities and advising accredited investors on their investment portfolio. He is also an investor in early-stage companies. With almost two decades of banking experience in Asia, Bala has a proven track record in building regional businesses and deep expertise in risk management. Prior to his current venture, Bala was Westpac Banking Corporation’s CEO of International Business Division between 2012 and 2018 with overall responsibility for Westpac’s operations in Asia, Europe & America, growing the Bank’s footprint and supporting Westpacs international customers. Bala was part of the Bank’s global leadership team in Sydney and built robust relationships with regulators and financial institutions in Australia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. He worked very closely with Australian companies doing business in Asia, as well as large companies expanding into Asia. Bala was closely involved with Australian and Chinese regulators to get Westpac an approval to trade AUD / RMB. He worked closely with the Australian High Commission in advocating for trade in Asia, and was a regular speaker at conferences in Australia, and he continues to maintain a strong relationship with large Australian banks.

Prantik Mazumdar
President, TiE Singapore | Ex-Dentsu & Happy Marketer | Venture Investor
Prantik Mazumdar is a respected entrepreneur, venture investor, and digital transformation catalyst, currently serving as President of TiE Singapore, where he supports and mentors startups across the region. As the co-founder of Happy Marketer, he built one of APAC’s most awarded digital marketing firms, leading to its acquisition by Merkle, part of Dentsu International. At Dentsu Singapore, he served as Managing Director, driving CRM, analytics, and marketing automation for global brands. Now, Prantik continues to shape the digital landscape through venture investments and by helping businesses navigate transformation and sustainable growth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prantikmazumdar/ 

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

What happens when two leaders from different industries come together with a shared mission to create a positive impact?

In this episode, I sit down with Maya Hari, CEO of Terrascope, and Michelle Cheo, CEO and Vice Chair of Mewah Group. Both are seasoned leaders who combine their deep business expertise with a passion for climate tech, health, and empowering small business owners. We explore their journey, how they turned shared values into a joint investing initiative, and the ways they’re making a difference through smart capital. Tune in now!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:30) The Magic of Impact and Smart Capital - How do you bring together purpose and profit?
(02:00) A Dinner Conversation that Sparked a Movement - What happens when two passionate minds meet?
(03:30) Can Operators Be Better Investors? - A bold claim that challenges the norm!
(08:30) The Secret Ingredient of Smart Capital - What truly sets smart capital apart from the rest?
(12:00) The Power of Trust in Partnerships - How do Maya and Michelle keep their partnership strong and productive?
(18:00) Can Rechargeable Batteries Save the Planet? Could a simple battery change the world?
(25:30) Impact Investing: More Than Just Money - Is financial return enough?
(38:00) Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers with Impact - What’s holding women founders back? 

Michelle Cheo
Deputy Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of Mewah International Inc.

Ms Michelle Cheo is the Deputy Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of Mewah International Inc. She joined the Group in 2003 and is responsible for the formulation and execution of overall strategy of the Group, business development, project execution, corporate risk and factory operations. Since joining the Group, Ms Cheo has been instrumental in expanding the supply chain of the Group, including acquiring and building additional refineries in multiple locations, expanding the premium speciality oils business, entering the biodiesel business and dairy sector. Prior to this, she was at ExxonMobil from 1997 to 2003 in the US and Singapore.
https://sg.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cheo-487638 

Maya Hari
CEO, Terrascope
Maya has built and led diverse organisations marrying cultural contexts having worked and lived in the US, France, India and Singapore. She brings together a passion for high-growth technology and sustainability as a CEO, investor and board director.

She serves as a board member of Sumitomo-backed insurtech company Singlife Holdings as well as board director for Axiata Group Berhad, a publicly listed Telecom and technology company in Asia.

She is an avid angel investor in technology and sustainability and is a key member of the ecosystem via networks such as XA, TiE, and YPO.
Maya's LinkedIn profile: http://sg.linkedin.com/in/mayahari 

AMIT GUPTA
Chairman, Global Board of Trustees, TiE
Founder & Group CEO, Ecosystem Group
Co-Chair, MIIM
Amit believes in the power of the digital economy, and it is with that belief that he founded Ecosystem, a next-generation Technology Research and Advisory Platform, and its spinoff Kampd, a professional communities-led social learning platform. Ecosystem democratises access to cutting-edge innovation, through its acquisition of CoVentured, an Australia-headquartered innovation discovery platform serving Fortune 500 enterprises globally.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-gupta-5320171/ 

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—
This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

Is it possible for impact investing to truly change the world? In this episode, we sit down with Sugandhi Matta, one of the founding partners of ABC Impact. She shares her incredible journey from traditional private equity to leading the charge in impact-driven investments. As a breast cancer survivor, Sugandhi’s personal experiences deeply shaped her mission to invest with purpose. We explore the delicate balance between profit and purpose, and dive into the evolving world of impact measurement. 

Tune in to hear Sugandhi’s inspiring story and her vision for the future of impact investing!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What does impact investing really mean for the future?
(01:00) Busting the biggest myth in impact investing—what you’ve been told is wrong.
(02:30) The healthcare revolution no one’s talking about—could this be the future?
(03:30) A life-changing moment that sparked a shift—how personal experiences shape careers.
(05:00) Social vs. Climate impact: Which one really makes a difference?
(07:30) The “Theory of Change” revealed—can it truly transform education?
(09:00) Measuring impact: How to balance perfection with progress.
(14:30) Can collaboration among investors unlock massive change for the planet?
(17:30) A personal story from Sugandhi: What really drives her passion for impact?
(26:00) The voice of the Global South—why it matters now more than ever.

Sugandhi Matta
Sugandhi is the Chief Impact Officer of Singapore’s impact investing private equity firm ABC Impact, a member of Temasek Trust Asset Management. The firm strives to deliver compelling market rate risk-adjusted financial returns alongside evidence-based, positive and measurable impact to society and the environment. As Chief Impact Officer, Sugandhi leads the firm’s approach towards assessing, measuring, consolidating and driving impact outcomes across its portfolio companies. She also invests for the firm in South and South East Asia.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sugandhimatta/

Manisha Seewal
Manisha is the President of the world's second fastest-growing PR agency - Redhill, where she focuses on doubling down their existing strong foothold in the Southeast Asia market while supporting the ongoing global expansion efforts in the USA, UK, Australia, and the Middle East. 

Before that, she was at eBay Australia (Sydney) as the CMO of Gumtree, Carsguide and Autotrader brands. One of her career highlights is being the first Group CMO of Carro where she led all aspects of growth marketing in 4 countries in Southeast Asia – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishaseewal 

Rebecca Martin
As the Head of Strategy at Elevandi, a non-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Rebecca plays a pivotal role in fostering an open dialogue between the public and private sectors, to bridge the gap between these sectors and to advance FinTech and the digital economy. Rebecca curates the Singapore FinTech Festival programme as its Head of Programming, bringing to the festival the brightest minds in the industry such as Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), and Balaji Srinivasan. Rebecca also leads the programming for other Elevandi initiatives such as the Point Zero Forum and Inclusive FinTech Forum.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-martin-52909371 

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

What makes someone leave behind a comfortable life in Asia for the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with Raj Verma, CEO of SingleStore, to dive into his fascinating journey from Australia and Hong Kong to becoming a tech leader in the heart of innovation. Raj opens up about the personal drive that fueled his success and his passion for AI, which he believes will change the world for the better. Join me as we explore Raj’s story, his challenges, and his vision for the future of technology.

Check out his book ‘The Time is Now’ on Amazon: https://www.amazon.sg/Time-Now-Journey-Into-Demystifying/dp/B0CN2L69RP

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) – Why would someone trade comfort for Silicon Valley chaos?
(01:30) – The real reason Raj left Asia for the Valley (it’s not what you think!)
(02:30) – The billion-dollar question: Is AI worth the hype?
(04:00) – What’s coming next? The impossible just became possible.
(06:30) – AI for good: How it’s transforming rural India in unexpected ways.
(09:30) – The truth about AI and wealth: Will it level the playing field?
(13:00) – AI and bias: The surprising dilemma we all need to know.
(16:00) – Are we living through the next Industrial Revolution?
(17:30) – The next generation’s take on AI: Optimistic or cautious?
(22:30) – The future of tech is here, but not where you'd expect.

Raj Verma
Raj Verma | Chief Executive Officer - SingleStore | Forbes Councils

Raj Verma is the Chief Executive Officer of SingleStore, the data platform that allows users to transact, analyze, and contextualize data in real-time. As CEO, he is responsible for leading the company, driving its growth, and charting its forward direction on behalf of its customers, investors, and employees. With over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, Raj has worked with clients across multiple industries and organizations, from start-ups to enterprise level.

Marc Nicholson
Originally from Montreal, Canada, Marc’s journey has seen him living in Haiti, being a child actor, a student at the US Naval Academy, doing a year of volunteer work in a remote village in Indonesia, three years volunteering on a suicide prevention hotline, being a national squash player, coaching the Cyprus National Squash Team, getting a Masters in Human Rights in The Hague, a spell at the Middle East Council of Churches, an MBA from London Business School, and 20 years as an entrepreneur, all of which culminated in founding 1880, a members club in Singapore dedicated to finding solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges through civil discourse and dissent.

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

What inspires a successful business leader to embrace sustainability and impact investing? In this episode, Amit Mehta, the Director of LNB Group, takes us through his journey from working across various industries, including his experience at Tata, to leading a family-owned business with a strong focus on sustainability. Amit shares how his upbringing and professional background have shaped his approach to business, emphasizing the significance of ethical practices and creating long-term value. Tune in to discover the challenges and rewards of managing a diverse portfolio of businesses, the role of family offices in sustainable investing, and how a commitment to doing good can drive success!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What can we learn from a century-old family business?
(01:30) How do you excel in multiple industries at once?
(02:30) What life lessons shaped Amit's approach to sustainability?
(05:00) How do you plant 100 million trees without owning any land?
(07:00) Is impact investing really just philanthropy?
(14:00) Why is sustainability the next big trend?
(16:30) Can agriculture be sustainable and profitable?
(22:00) How can family offices drive sustainability?

Amit Mehta
Amit is a qualified Chartered Accountant, M.Com besides being a member of various professional bodies like the Associate of Certified Treasury Managers (USA), Association of Corporate Advisers and Secretaries, Institute of Internal Auditors (USA). He is an alumni of the Harvard Business School, Boston and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata.

He has been associated with the LNB Group in various capacities for more than a decade. He plays a vital role in the company's business and group strategy and helps the various business CEOs and their teams. Apart from being a Director at the Group level, he also heads the Family Office.

He worked earlier at the Tata Group.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-mehta-05700686/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card-text&originalSubdomain=sg 

Manisha Seewal
Manisha is the President of the world's second fastest-growing PR agency - Redhill, where she focuses on doubling down their existing strong foothold in the Southeast Asia market while supporting the ongoing global expansion efforts in the USA, UK, Australia, and the Middle East. 

Before that, she was at eBay Australia (Sydney) as the CMO of Gumtree, Carsguide and Autotrader brands. One of her career highlights is being the first Group CMO of Carro where she led all aspects of growth marketing in 4 countries in Southeast Asia – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishaseewal 

Rebecca Martin
As the Head of Strategy at Elevandi, a non-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Rebecca plays a pivotal role in fostering an open dialogue between the public and private sectors, to bridge the gap between these sectors and to advance FinTech and the digital economy. Rebecca curates the Singapore FinTech Festival programme as its Head of Programming, bringing to the festival the brightest minds in the industry such as Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), and Balaji Srinivasan. Rebecca also leads the programming for other Elevandi initiatives such as the Point Zero Forum and Inclusive FinTech Forum.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-martin-52909371 

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

How does one transform a company from millions to billions? 

In this episode, we chat with Suresh Sundararajan from Olam International, who has been with the company since 1996, witnessing its growth from a $50 million business to a $50 billion giant. We delve into his background in finance, his role in making Olam public, and his leadership in the company's digital transformation since 2017. Suresh shares his insights on the importance of digital innovation for sustainability and talent acquisition.

IN THIS EPISODE

[00:00] Beginning of the journey
[01:00] Scaling from a $50 million to a $50 billion business
[05:30] Attracting the right talent for digital transformation
[10:30] How digital transformation drives sustainability at OLAM
[18:00] Exciting technology trends to watch
[26:30] Advancing Olam's ESG goals with technology
[31:00] Advice for ESG professionals

Suresh Sundararajan

Suresh is Olam’s Chief Digital Officer, a member of Olam International and Olam Global Agri’s Executive Committee and a key architect of Jiva.

He joined Olam in 1996 as Finance Manager in Cameroon before moving to Singapore in 1998 to head the Corporate Affairs function, which oversees Financial Accounting, Tax, Secretarial, Audit as well as the equity capital raising activities of the Group. In 2016 Suresh assumed the lead role for several corporate functions, including Digital, Tax, Legal, IT, Global Business Services and Strategic Investments. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suresh-sundararajan-8579b07/

Manisha Seewal

Manisha is the President of the world's second fastest-growing PR agency - Redhill, where she focuses on doubling down their existing strong foothold in the Southeast Asia market while supporting the ongoing global expansion efforts in the USA, UK, Australia, and the Middle East. 

Before that, she was at eBay Australia (Sydney) as the CMO of Gumtree, Carsguide and Autotrader brands. One of her career highlights is being the first Group CMO of Carro where she led all aspects of growth marketing in 4 countries in Southeast Asia – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishaseewal 

Rebecca Martin

As the Head of Strategy at Elevandi, a non-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Rebecca plays a pivotal role in fostering an open dialogue between the public and private sectors, to bridge the gap between these sectors and to advance FinTech and the digital economy. Rebecca curates the Singapore FinTech Festival programme as its Head of Programming, bringing to the festival the brightest minds in the industry such as Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), and Balaji Srinivasan. Rebecca also leads the programming for other Elevandi initiatives such as the Point Zero Forum and Inclusive FinTech Fourm.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-martin-52909371 

ABOUT TiE Talks

TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant eco-system of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

How can a trained architect influence global sustainability efforts through the built environment & real estate?
In this episode, we have Joelle Chen, a professional with over two decades of experience in stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development. Joelle shares her journey of leveraging architecture for sustainable practices in the construction industry, which is known for its substantial carbon footprint. We delve into her innovative approaches to reducing operational and embodied carbon, her advocacy for using sustainable materials, and the cutting-edge strategies being implemented to revolutionize building designs. Join us as Joelle explains how these efforts not only mitigate environmental impact but also aim to enhance community well-being!

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What does sustainability really mean in today's real estate industry? Joelle discusses the significant role of the built environment in global carbon emissions and the potential for radical transformation through sustainable practices.
(05:00) How are buildings contributing to carbon emissions? Joelle breaks down the concepts of operational and embodied carbon, explaining the impact of materials like concrete and steel.
(10:00) Can green steel revolutionize the construction industry? A dive into Joelle's work on green steel, discussing its environmental benefits and its potential to reshape the construction industry's approach to sustainability.
(15:00) What innovative technologies are emerging in sustainable building? Joelle highlights new technologies and methods in building construction that reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency.
(20:00) How can passive design principles be more widely applied? Exploring the advantages of passive design in reducing the energy demands of buildings and improving comfort levels through natural means.
(25:00) What is the future of sustainability in real estate? Joelle shares her vision for the future, including the role of regenerative design and the potential for buildings to actively benefit the environment and community.

Joelle Chen
Joelle Chen is a sustainability advocate in built environment & real estate, with a proven track record for strategic partnerships and winning work.
She wants developing processes to support decision-useful disclosures for investors, sustainability strategies for new developments, and decarbonisation of construction, focusing on real reductions, not reporting for reporting's sake.
She is fluent in board-level engagements and enjoys making sense of the complexity surrounding sustainable buildings and cities today.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellechen/

Manisha Seewal
Manisha is the President of the world's second fastest-growing PR agency - Redhill, where she focuses on doubling down their existing strong foothold in the Southeast Asia market while supporting the ongoing global expansion efforts in the USA, UK, Australia, and the Middle East.
Before that, she was at eBay Australia (Sydney) as the CMO of Gumtree, Carsguide and Autotrader brands. One of her career highlights is being the first Group CMO of Carro where she led all aspects of growth marketing in 4 countries in Southeast Asia – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. This includes Digital, Social, SEO, SEM, Brand, PR, Reputation, Research, and Creative, and drive growth metrics like Traffic, CPL, CAC, NPS, Customer acquisition + retention strategies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishaseewal 

Rebecca Martin
As the Head of Strategy at Elevandi, a non-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Rebecca plays a pivotal role in fostering an open dialogue between the public and private sectors, to bridge the gap between these sectors and to advance FinTech and the digital economy. Rebecca curates the Singapore FinTech Festival programme as its Head of Programming, bringing to the festival the brightest minds in the industry such as Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (NZ), Marc Benioff (Salesforce), Ben Horowitz (a16z), and Balaji Srinivasan. Rebecca also leads the programming for other Elevandi initiatives such as the Point Zero Forum and Inclusive FinTech Fourm.
In addition to her role at Elevandi and the Singapore FinTech Festival, Rebecca is also a Charter Member at TiE, and has previously served as a Strategic Advisory Council Member at ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN) and as Senior Executive Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Rebecca also previously held roles at organisations such as Money20/20, Pioneers.io, and Founders Forum.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-martin-52909371 

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant eco-system of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

—

This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Connect with us through the Crazytok website, LinkedIn, or Instagram.