Global Knowledge Hub Forum August 2025

The Legacy, NTU@one-north Level 3, 11 Slim Barracks Rise, Singapore 138664

About

What is Global Knowledge Hub Forum August 2025?

Global Knowledge Hub Forum is a flagship innovation platform convened by Leave a Nest, bringing together MNCs, SMEs, startups, researchers, and ecosystem builders across the globe. The forum serves as a gateway for deep tech ventures to access industry partnerships, research collaborations, and cross-border support opportunities. This year’s forum will feature a range of thematic sessions, startup showcases, and 1-on-1 meetings between leading corporates and selected startups.

Schedule

August 20, 2025

Venue

The Legacy, NTU@one-north Level 3, 11 Slim Barracks Rise, Singapore 138664

Organizer

Leave a Nest Singapore

Target Participants

  • Multinational Corporates
  • International Government Institutions
  • Startups
  • Researchers
SCHEDULE

Time

CONTENT

MAIN HALL

SECOND HALL

BOOTH HALL

Time

8:30 AM

-

8:45 AM

Content

Opening remarks

Main hall

Opening remarks

Second hall

-

Booth hall

-

Time

8:45 AM

-

9:00 AM

Content

Special Ceremony

Main hall

D-0. Award Ceremony

Second hall

-

Booth hall

-

Time

10:00 AM

-

10:45 AM

Content

Booth Time

Main hall

-

Second hall

-

Booth hall

Booth time

Time

2:00 PM

-

3:00 PM

Content

Booth Time

Main hall

-

Second hall

-

Booth hall

Booth Time

Time

4:00 PM

-

4:30 PM

Content

Closing Remarks

Main hall

Closing Remarks

Second hall

-

Booth hall

-
sPEAKERS
AI_Faeze
Mr. Mohamad Faeze
Manager of Business Development Division at IHI Asia Pacific
Mohamad Faeze is the Manager of Business Development Division at IHI Asia Pacific, the regional headquarters of IHI Corporation in Asia, based in Singapore. He drives strategic efforts to deliver innovative energy, infrastructure, and smart industrial solutions across the Asia Pacific region. With over 15 years of experience in engineering, procurement, and business development, Mr. Faeze began his career at Cargotec Japan before advancing through key roles at IHI Asia Pacific. He holds an engineering degree from Saitama University.
AI_ Yamamoto
Mr. Satoshi Yamamoto
Section Manager, Ricoh Innovation Center in Asia (RICA), Ricoh Co., Ltd.
Mr. Yamamoto has been with Ricoh for about 20 years. In July 2023, he launched the Ricoh Innovation Center in Asia (RICA) to foster collaboration between Ricoh's R&D, research institutes, and startups in Southeast Asia. He has served as a technical leader and manager in advanced materials application and AI-based materials development acceleration. He also contributed to innovation policy for universities during his tenure at the Bureau for Science and Technology Innovation in Japan in 2020.
AI_ Kevin
Mr. Kevin Quah
CEO and Co-Founder of TicTag
Kevin is CEO and Co-Founder of Tictag, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence company helping companies use data to solve long-tail business problems with data-centric AI, while making an impact. Before Tictag, Kevin led technical sales at Taiger, a natural language AI solutions company, before becoming the Director of Growth overseeing strategy and expansion efforts. As a qualified advocate and solicitor in Singapore, he also served as the in-house legal counsel. Kevin’s passion lies in using technology as a force for good, making an impact both in how AI is created and how it is used.
AI_ Nurhan
Mr. Nurhan Raihan
Director of RIFFAI
Nurhan Raihan, is a distinguished policy analyst and social impact leader with advanced qualifications from Cambridge University's Bennett Institute of Public Policy and a Master of Political Science from The Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy. Currently serving as Country Director for ASEAN Youth Organization Singapore, Project Fellow with Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers, and previous COP29 Official Delegate, Nurhan also brings extensive diplomatic experience as an international delegate for the National Youth Council Singapore, through the Westminster Bridge Professional Network, and as a policy researcher at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco. As an official UNFCCC Working Group Representative, UNDP Asia-Pacific International Delegate, and Theirworld Global Youth Ambassador, his expertise spans climate diplomacy, sustainable development, and international affairs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Monozukuri_ Kobashi
Mr. Shojiro Kobashi
President and CEO, KOBASHI HOLDINGS CO., LTD
Shojiro Kobashi is the fourth-generation successor of a family-run agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1910. He officially took over the business in 2016. KOBASHI has long contributed to the mechanization of Japanese agriculture as an agricultural machinery manufacturer. In 2017, in line with a group restructuring, he established KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd., assuming the role of President and CEO. Under the corporate philosophy of “Cultivating the Earth (make the world better)“, he has worked to address global challenges by leveraging the company’s century-long heritage of experience, knowledge, and technology. In 2020, he founded KOBASHI ROBOTICS Co., Ltd., and launched the “Manufacturing Booster” program to comprehensively support startups engaged in product development and manufacturing. Through this initiative, he has actively built partnerships with deep-tech startups in Southeast Asia. He sees it as his mission to accelerate the real-world deployment of technologies that tackle the most pressing global issues through the power of manufacturing. He holds an MBA from Waseda University Graduate School of Business Administration.
JP Tech_ ozawa
Mr. Shunichiro Ozawa
First Secretary (Economic Section) of the Embassy of Japan in Singapore
Having been with the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) since 2015, he has been involved in forming the national strategic energy plan and promoting the use of nuclear energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was tasked with facilitating financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises. He has also served as chief secretary to the Parliamentary Vice Minister of METI, and encouraged reskilling initiatives of the workforce, among other duties. Since July 2024, he has been seconded to the Embassy of Japan in Singapore from METI. He is responsible for overseeing a wide range of policy areas, including trade, industry, energy, and start-ups. In this role, he has built up extensive contacts with the Singaporean government, local companies and Japanese corporations. He holds a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from Waseda University (2015).
UntroD_ Yamada Tohisa
Mr. Yamada Toyohisa
President and CEO of Yamada Shokai Holdings Co., Ltd.
In March 2004, he graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, majoring in Chemical Systems Engineering, and joined Yamada Shokai Co., Ltd. He was appointed director in May 2007. In May 2010, as head of the newly established Corporate Planning Office, he began working on improving accounting operations and the work environment. In March 2011, he was appointed Managing Executive Officer, and in March 2014, he was appointed Senior Managing Executive Officer, promoting the development of multi-skilled workers across business areas and departments. In September 2016, he was appointed Executive Vice President, and in May 2020, he was appointed President and CEO.
UntroD_ Henry
Mr. Henry Tao
Director of UntroD Capital Asia
Henry is part of the investment team of UntroD 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 an MBA degree.
UntroD_ Hai Ho
Mr. Hai Ho
CEO, Alterno
Hai Ho is a dynamic serial entrepreneur profoundly committed to sustainable development and technological innovation. Throughout his career, Hai has left an indelible mark on the travel, blockchain and climate tech sectors, demonstrating prowess in product development, team building, and fundraising. Central to his ethos is a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability: “To spearhead pioneering business models that catalyze industry-wide sustainable transformation.” This unwavering commitment is reflected in his notable features across prominent financial media outlets such as The Bloomberg Vietnam 2024 Catalysts, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Nikkei Asia, Tech In Asia, e27, The Next Web, Pacific Asia Travel Association and Shark Tank Vietnam.
UntroD_ Jin Rong GOh
Mr. Jin Rong Goh
Director of SolX
SolX Technologies is the first Filipino tech company offering integrated energy solutions. SolX delivers end-to-end services that drive energy savings through innovative technology. The company supports over 150 industrial and commercial facilities as clients, representing 500MW in contracted capacity and ₱1 billion in total energy savings. Jing Rong is an Assistant Professor of Economics (Practice) at Singapore Management University (SMU). He holds a PhD in Finance from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he was a Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholar. He also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from NTU, graduating as Valedictorian of his cohort. Jing Rong actively invests in and advises impact-driven startups across Southeast Asia.
UntroD_ Arjun
Mr. Arjun Bhattarai
CTO and Co-Founder, VFlowTech
Dr. Arjun Bhattarai is the Co-Founder and CTO at VFlowTech, a Singapore-based provider of vanadium-based redox flow batteries. Dr. Arjun has a strong background in renewable energy technologies and completed his PhD on improving redox flow battery performance. He has a deep understanding of vanadium-based redox flow battery technology and brings a wealth of industry experience to VFlowTech, with over 500 citations and numerous patents developed. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with Specialization in Energy and Environment from the University of Duisburg-Essen, and a Doctorate in Energy Storage, Material Science, and Vanadium Redox Flow Battery from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
UntroD_ Akihiro
Mr. Akihiko Nagata
Managing Director, UntroD
Mr Nagata has served as Director of Euglena Co., Ltd., since the pre-IPO phase and led the company's business strategy, finance, and the biofuel business. In 2021, he was appointed CEO and retired from the company in 2024. In 2015, he established the Real Tech Fund to promote deep-tech investment to address social issues. In 2024, , appointed as CEO of UntroD Capital Japan, which manages the fund. He also founded and managed Ame Kaze Taiyo, Inc, and serves as an advisor to HERALBONY
Louken_ Hao Ming
Mr. Lee Hao Ming
CEO of Louken Group
As CEO of Louken Group, Haoming leads the company’s strategic vision and growth, driving initiatives that help businesses scale across Asia and beyond. He also serves as Board Advisor to food biotech ventures ImpacFat and Less & Co, contributing expertise in strategy, business development, and fundraising. Previously, Haoming was Managing Partner at Huggs Coffee, where he restructured the business during Covid, scaled nationwide, and forged partnerships with brands like Samsung, Amazon, and Mandai Group. He co-founded Artbox Singapore, which drew over 700,000 visitors in just six days, and served as Regional Head of Strategy at Invade, spearheading major lifestyle events across Asia. A Prestige 40 Under 40 honouree, Haoming is also a dedicated youth mentor, guiding founders and young leaders through platforms like Mentoring SG.
Louken_ Noah
Mr. Noah Lee
CSO of Louken Group
Noah Lee is the Chief Strategy Officer at Louken Group, a venture builder and brand consultancy with over 25 years of experience in Asia. He began his career in Investor Relations, managing IPO communications and investor engagement for Singapore Exchange–listed companies, gaining valuable insight into how to position businesses for market confidence and investor appeal. He later co-founded a marketing communications and management consultancy, serving clients from Fortune 500 companies to SMEs — an experience that gave him both start-up grit and a broad business perspective. For over a decade at Louken, Noah has led branding and brand-to-market strategies that help businesses grow, expand internationally, and become household names. Today, he focuses on Louken’s ventures in the well-being economy, shaping their brand, market entry, and scaling strategies, while defining Louken’s investment approach to accelerate growth and impact across its portfolio
Louken_ Morus
Mr. Ryo Sato
CEO of Morus Inc.
Ryo graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Tokyo. During his time at university, he conducted practical research on proteins, amino acids, and sports nutrition as a member of the American football team. He began his professional career in the Textile Division of Itochu Corporation, where he managed raw material procurement and OEM production. Ryo later joined the venture capital firm Samurai Incubate, driving open innovation between Japanese corporations and global startups, and supporting new business development in the chemical, energy, and trading sectors. In 2021, he co-founded Morus Inc. with Professor Kazuo Shiomi of Shinshu University, a leading authority in silkworm research.
Louken_ Clayton
Mr. Clayton Tan
Founder of Omollomo
Clayton Tan is the Founder of Omollomo, a purpose-driven food brand creating nutritious granola and overnight oats while championing inclusive employment for persons with disabilities and individuals with special educational needs. A former fire safety engineer, Clayton transitioned into the food industry in 2022 to combine his passion for nutrition with his commitment to social impact. He leads product development and flavour innovation. Under his leadership, Omollomo has launched sold-out limited editions, co-created products with customers, and partnered with leading wellness organisations and corporate programmes, including AIA Vitality and Virgin Active. Outside of business, Clayton is a hands-on father of a four-year-old, a fitness enthusiast, and a firm believer in making healthy eating joyful and accessible. He is currently focused on expanding Omollomo’s reach while deepening its social and environmental impact in Singapore and beyond.
Louken_ XL
Mr. XL Lin
Founder, President and CEO of Esco Aster
XL Lin founded and manages the Esco Aster and Esco Healthcare Division within the Esco Lifesciences Group in 2009 developing the companies' very first cGMP downflow/containment booths and isolation systems from concept development to sales, project management, site-work, and validation. Under his leadership, Esco Pharma has expanded from just a small division to now having 3 factories globally in USA/UK and Singapore. He brings his unique skillset in social entrepreneurship, market development, strategic product development, globally alliance networking, sales/contract management, clean air/containment facility, and systems design/integration into Esco VacciXcell. XL Lin graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences from University of Sydney and he is currently pursuing various options for further studies.
PARTNERS