Expert Panel

Shao Ming is the Chief Investment Officer at ABC Impact – an impact investing private equity firm aspiring to deliver both attractive market rate financial returns and an evidence based positive impact to the society and/or the environment. Shao Ming has over 20 years of institutional investing experience across leading investment firms. Shao Ming started his investing career with Temasek Holdings, before joining Citadel Investment Group. Subsequently, he led the SE-Asian investments for Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI). Shao Ming holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (1st Class Honors) and a Master of Engineering (Chemical) from the National University of Singapore. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Daniel Hersson is the senior fund manager at ADB Ventures. Previously at ADB, Daniel managed a multi-year program to support cleantech startups, accelerators and venture capital investors across Asia-Pacific. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the global energy and cleantech industry. Daniel is a recognized specialist on venture capital, strategy, startups, and innovation. Previously, he was Director of Strategy at BP Ventures, a leading global cleantech and energy-focused corporate venture capital fund. Daniel also helped set up Infuse Ventures, India’s first early-stage cleantech venture capital fund.

Alexandra is a member of the Investment team at Artesian Venture Partners. She invests in companies from pre-Seed to Series B. Alexandra looks after Artesian’s Clean Energy Seed Fund, which is an early-stage venture capital fund set up to invest in startups that support a reduction in carbon emissions. She has made over 50 investments in this fund. Alexandra is a startup mentor and Board Observer for several CleanTech companies. Prior to her work at Artesian, Alexandra was a member of SkyNews’ digital team. Alexandra has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Master of Business Law from the University of New South Wales.

Sophia is a managing partner at bp ventures. bp's purpose is reimagining energy for people and our planet. It wants to help the world reach net zero and improve people’s lives. It is focused on to growing new low carbon businesses, products and services, and - at the same time - dramatically reducing carbon in its operations across the globe. At bp Ventures, she is focused on new business & deal sourcing in the area of e-mobility, clean energy tech, as well as new (disruptive) tech / biz models that will help to decarbonise cities & companies, and help deliver systemic efficiency & resilience in rich and poor countries. Her target geographies are China, India, elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East, Israel, and the Caribbean. Sophia joined bp ventures from bp’s e-mobility team, having helped to design the company’s global e-mobility strategy, and then supported development & launch of customer-focused offers in China, India, UK, and Germany. Before joining bp, she worked as an innovator and business builder in the global consumer goods and services industry, ran her own award-winning business and qualified as a lawyer. She holds a Warwick MBA as well as degrees in science (McGill) and law (London).

Since January 2016, Richard Youngman has been CEO of San-Francisco based Cleantech Group. This followed 7 years of driving the growth of Cleantech Group's activities outside North America, especially in Europe and Israel, and Asia, based in Cleantech Group's office in London. Richard has more than ten years’ experience researching cleantech innovation, venture capital markets, and start-ups across Europe and globally. He is a regular keynote speaker at major cleantech events and is the driving force behind the annual Global Cleantech 100, a list of the world’s most promising private cleantech companies.

Brendon is the Head of Ventures & Research at CLP. His team is responsible for strategic investments in the venture space, engaging in global startup ecosystems, and helping to build capabilities and knowledge on emerging trends and technologies of strategic importance to CLP’s business through research and pilot projects.

Dr Will Rayward-Smith is a leading climate policy advisor to government and climate strategist to corporates. His robust techo-commercial analysis of different clean technologies supports his clients to embark on optimal decarbonisation pathways and unlock new value pools. Will works closely with multiple ASX100 clients, advising on their climate strategies and supporting portfolio implementation of decarbonisation initiatives, investments and clean growth opportunities. With government, Will has helped design practical and impactful climate policies, and supported successful business cases for over $2.7bn of funding allocation towards renewable energy infrastructure, decarbonisation and low carbon industries. At the national level, Will has been appointed as an advisor on hydrogen and bioenergy, delivering Australia’s inaugural National Bioenergy Roadmap and feasibility study for hydrogen export to various overseas jurisdictions.

Soohyun Bae provides strategic advice and operational support from her experience as a management consultant in the global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, especially on consumer, retail, and digital sectors.

Julien is based in Asia and deploys direct investments in early and growth-stage companies in China and in ASEAN for the Smart City venture capital team. Julien also supports Idinvest portfolio companies across digital sectors, to accelerate their expansion to Asian markets. Julien focuses on key technologies in the digitalization of industry and enterprise: artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, data analytics, new mobility services, and clean energy technologies. He has mainly invested in digital technologies with B2B business models and global reach:WeRide.ai (Driverless taxis, China), DST Car (EV Logistics, China), Grab (Ridesharing, logistics, payments app, Singapore),Neurala Inc. (Deep neural networks, US), TrustInSoft (Automated code analysis and flaw remediation, FR), Enlighted Inc. (IoT networks for buildings, US, acquired by Siemens), First Fuel Software (Energy data analytics, US, acquired by Uplight/Tendril), Organica Water Inc. (Decentralized waste water treatment, US/HK) and Actility (Low power IoT networks, FR). He is a board member and observer of several of these companies. Prior to joining Idinvest in 2011, Julien was based in China where he developed and acquired thermal, hydro, and wind power projects for EDF Group, one of the largest global electric utility companies. He shifted to technology start-ups in 2009, working with entrepreneurs to advise them on their deployments in the Mainland. Julien holds degrees from ESCP Europe, La Sorbonne University, Beijing University and the French School of Oriental Studies. He is a fluent Mandarin, English, French and Spanish speaker and has working capacity in Japanese.

Takuro Kimura spent over 30 years in investing with impact in emerging markets from International Finance Corporation (IFC) and financial institutions in the private sector. He has been involved in multi-billion investments in private equity, mezzanine and project finance, in multiple industries on a global basis, including Asia. At IFC, his roles included Business Head of IFC Tokyo Office, investing in emerging markets alongside Japanese corporates, Cairo-based Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, and Global Head for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services Department, and as a member of the management team of the Industry Group. He then joined the Orix Corporation where he set up and led a private equity team with focus on South East and South Asia in Healthcare, Food Value Chain and Logistics, before he founded G-Cubed Partners, Inc, investing in early stage ventures in frontier countries in Asia. Throughout his investing career, he has been committed to create impact, with inclusiveness, diversity and gender as part of the core criteria in the decision process. He holds an LL.B. from Kyoto University and MBA from Ecole des Haute Etudes Commerciales de Paris (HEC).

Mr. Nattawat Nirdnoy serves as Cleantech and Digital Investment Manager at GC Ventures. He joined GC in 2020. He drives corporate venture capital investments from thesis development and origination, through deal evaluation and execution. Prior to GC, he served large corporate clients in consulting projects across Southeast Asia in areas of Innovation Management, Enterprise risk management, and Digital Transform with global consulting firms. He holds an M.S. in International Business from the University of Edinburgh and a B.Eng. (International Program) from SIIT, Thammasat University.

Adam is a Venture Partner at Giant Leap, investor, advisor and director for a number of Australian and International companies. He has a background in consumer marketing and commercial strategy and is passionate about working with startups solving big problems. Giant Leap is Australia's first 100% impact venture capital fund. We invest in exceptional, rapidly scalable businesses that blend financial returns with deep social and environmental impact.

With over 20 years of experience in venture capital investment, investment banking and equity research, Dr. Wang is currently the Managing Partner of GRC SinoGreen, a venture capital fund manager focused on green technology investments. His investment approach is to identify technology/value chain discontinuities and then cultivate startup teams with innovative solutions and sustainable business models to bridge the gap. Dr. Wang provides hands-on assistance to his portfolio companies in all aspects of operations including business strategy, partnership and joint venture, corporate governance, executive search, fundraising, and IPO or M&A. On behalf of the Fund, he is currently a board director of Aiator, Carbon Lighthouse, and RayPower, and a board observer of Gradiant, and Incus. Dr. Wang also served as a director on the board of CNano Technology (688116.SS), Rancher Lab (now SUSE), and LedEngin (now Osram), and a board observer of Cepton (NASDAQ: CPTN). He played a key role in the investments of Voltronic Power (6409.TT), S2C (now SMIT), PHABuilder, Centrillion, Sentieon, and Googol Technology. Previously, Dr. Wang was a Managing Director at WK Technology Fund. His investments during this time include Aruba Networks (now HP), Ruckus (now Arris Group), Brion Technologies (now ASML) and Beken Corp (603608.SS). Prior to becoming a venture capitalist, Dr. Wang was the Global Head of Semiconductor Research at ABN AMRO Bank. Earlier, he worked as a Yield Management Engineer at KLA-Tencor in San Jose, CA, USA. Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a B.S. in Electrictrical Engineering from National Tsing Hua University.

Patti is the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Mana Impact, a company based in Singapore and Hong Kong, which makes impact investments and advisory. She is responsible for strategy, deal sourcing and evaluation, project design and management. An experienced cross-disciplinary professional with a background rooted in economics and finance, her sectors of expertise include access to finance, education and clean energy. Patti’s prior experience spans across various types of organizations, including financial institutions, foundations, corporations and non-profits, which have provided her with a unique ability to understand and navigate multiple stakeholder partnerships successfully. Her past employers include the World Bank, Citigroup and the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network. Patti is a native of Argentina and has working experience in Latin America, the United States, Asia and Europe – and is a Permanent resident of Singapore. She has a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Richmond, and a M.A. in International Development and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She speaks Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese and Danish.

Fariz leads the investment activities at Petronas Ventures, focusing on early to growth stage companies that develops innovative technologies in the future of energy & facilities, chemicals and advanced materials space. Prior to Petronas Ventures, Fariz was Senior Vice President of Investments with Khazanah in Kuala Lumpur and London, covering investments in the private equity and venture capital space.

Chayoot is a Venture Lead of Innovation Strategy at ExpresSo. He joined PTT in 2012, and has experience in many of PTT’s international businesses, namely, the hydropower plant, the coal-marketing, the palm-plantation businesses, and retail management. He currently executes the commercialization of various new research projects from the laboratory of PTT Innovation Institute. Chayoot enjoys working with various aspect of the future, starting from technology foresight to hands-on execution to shape the future. Chayoot received MS. in Engineering & Technology Innovation Management from Carnegie Mellon University and B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering (1st class honors) from Chulalongkorn University. In his leisure time, Chayoot loves to swim, play e-sport, play basketball, and watch movies.

Michael is currently Director of Industry & Technology Collaboration Department in PUB. As part of PUB’s Senior Management team, he leads PUB’s effort to grow water technologies by working and collaborating with the global water industry and stakeholders; and bring discoveries made in the lab to industrial application as quickly as possible, so that PUB and the rest of world can benefit from these cutting-edge research. Michael and his teams are also responsible for the smooth running and operations at PUB’s Singapore Water Exchange – the global marketplace for innovative water companies and technologies; as well as the successful organisation of the Singapore International Water Week - the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions.

Shrikant started his career in 1993 with Reliance Industries and worked at polyester manufacturing facility at Nagpur for 15 years. At Nagpur he worked in the area of Quality control, technical services and new product development. In 2008, Shrikant took internal change and shifted to Mumbai as part of Reliance Technology Group (RTG). At RTG Shrikant worked as a part of Strategy & Planning function and was responsible for design and implementation of Research & Technology Management processes for smooth operation of R&D function, including designing of a state-of-the-art R&D Centre in Navi Mumbai. In 2012, Shrikant shifted to Pune and is currently part of Reliance Innovation Leadership Centre (RILC), led by a global thought leader Dr. R.A. Mashelkar. The Reliance Innovation Leadership Centre (RILC) focuses on the entire ecosystem surrounding business innovation – people, processes, technologies, structures, and systems. This team leads innovation efforts across Hydrocarbon, Retail & Jio businesses of Reliance, with a focus on creating monetary value & building a culture of innovation. Shrikant is a postgraduate in Chemistry, with specialization in Polymer Science, from Institute of Science, Nagpur. He is a certified Six Sigma Black belt from Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore and has also done executive development program in Innovation Management from Harvard Business School.

Karthik started Sangam to find a new model to provide early stage support for climate change pioneers. He spends a lot of his time with the portfolio & within the clean technology eco-system in India & globally.

Yuko is program manager at Scrum Studio for GreenX, an open innovation platform that promotes business co-creation among major Japanese corporates and innovative startups in the cleantech/energy space. Prior to Scrum, she worked at Citigroup in the investment banking division, Deloitte in the energy and natural resources practice, and Moody's, covering Japanese electric utilities, automobile sectors. Scrum Studio is a subsidiary of Scrum Ventures, a venture capital located in both Tokyo and San Francisco focused on early-stage investments.

In his role at the Corporate VC arm of SMRT, Axel’s focus is to drive innovation through partnerships and investments in start-ups. Momentum's investment focus include mobility, deep tech and commuter experience. The fund has made 20 investments in start-ups and VC funds, and has created value in joint product development, joint business development, and a cross border joint venture. Prior to working on the set up of Momentum Ventures in 2017, he spent four years in corporate strategy covering areas such as autonomous vehicles, solar energy, micro-mobility and mobility-as-a-service. Axel joined SMRT in 2012 as a Management Associate. He holds a BSc in Management from the University of London.

Jeremy joined Solar Impulse during the second year of the round-the-world in the Mission control in Monaco. Since then, he has been mostly responsible for the Foundation's digital strategy, including product planning and technologies. In 2021, he relocated in Singapore to develop the foundation’s activities/partnerships in Asia-Pacific. Jeremy holds a Masters degree in Business Administration with major in Entrepreneurship.

Teng Lip is Head of ST Engineering Ventures (“STEV”) – the corporate venture capital unit of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX: S63) – a global technology, defence and engineering group specialising in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Teng Lip established STEV in 2017 and set up regional offices in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. STEV manages an AUM of US$ 150M comprising a portfolio of global start-ups in domains such as data analytics/AI, cybersecurity, connectivity, robotics, autonomous and other emerging technologies

Melvyn is the Founder of Singapore-based, TRIREC, which is the leading investment firm that was incorporated in 2015 with the aim of making a meaningful impact on addressing climate change through a disciplined investment approach by supporting companies and projects that share our belief in a sustainable future. TRIREC’s investment mandate is focused on the decarbonization theme and invests in early stage start-ups globally. He was the Deputy Head of Wealth Management for Asia at Schroders where he was responsible for the management and strategic development of the business for the region since 2019 till his retirement in early 2021. Melvyn chaired the Asia Investment Committee where he led the efforts in the formulation of investment philosophies and risk frameworks for the wealth management business. He was also the Co-Chair of the Private Assets Investment Committee for Schroders Wealth Management globally, with responsibilities of evaluating private investment opportunities. Melvyn sat on the boards of Schroder & Co (Asia) Limited and Schroder & Co (Hong Kong) Limited. Melvyn was the Co-Founder and Chair of Investment Committee at Thirdrock Group, which was the leading Asian independent asset manager, between 2011 and 2019, before the firm was acquired by Schroders. He started his career with Goldman Sachs where he spent 3 years in Singapore managing multi-asset global discretionary portfolios, followed by 8 years in Hong Kong as a leading member of the equity derivatives team with experience across structuring, trading and marketing of derivatives and structured products. Melvyn currently sit on the board of Sunseap Group and also serves in the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee of the firm. He previously sat on the boards of a few renewables and environmental companies, and Fintech startups in the South East Asia region as he has also been active as an early-stage investor for more than a decade. He volunteered as a District Councillor since 2014 for 6 years under the Environment Functional Committee with the South West Community Development Council in Singapore. The committee initiates and executes on community projects that brings awareness and engagement of environmental issues to the grassroots. Between 2018 to 2020, Melvyn served as a Technical Advisor to the National Research Foundation of the Prime Minister’s Office in Singapore. In 2018, Melvyn was selected and has been a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corp, which was founded by Vice President Al Gore, to spread awareness, shape public opinion, influence policy, and inspire our communities to act on climate change. Melvyn has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ross School of Business, Michigan and is a member of the International Alumni Advisory Committee for the University of Michigan since 2019. He is married with two boys.

After joining JSR Corporation, he worked in the Corporate Planning Department, where he was involved in the creation of strategies, including medium-term management plans, as well as the startup of corporate venture capital (CVC) activities and the execution of investments. He served as General Manager of the Management Division at JSR Micro NV (a European subsidiary handling electronics materials), and also served as General Manager of the Strategy Division at Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd., where he was involved in PMI management and business development activities. He joined UMI in April 2017. He graduated from the Keio University Faculty of Economics, and completed a Graduate degree in International Management from the Aoyama Business School (ABS) at Aoyama Gakuin University.