The MIT Startup Exchange Lightning Talks and Startup Exhibit listed below are part of the full agenda for the 2024 MIT Bangkok Symposium - Technologies & Policies for a Sustainable World.
The MIT Bangkok Symposium is the first regional conference in Thailand organized by the MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), in cooperation with Bangkok Bank, Ltd. The symposium will bring together industry, academic, and investment leaders from the Healthcare and BioTech ecosystem at MIT and across Southeast Asia to Bangkok, Thailand. Attendees will benefit from distinguished speakers and panelists, including industry luminaries, pioneers, investors, and world-class researchers, with whom they can interact during networking sessions. HealthTech and BioTech entrepreneurs from the MIT Startup Exchange will exhibit their transformative solutions in the Symposium and be open to discuss potential collaboration with attendees.
Co-Founder and CEO, AdaViv
Ian Seiferling (PhD, MSc.) is the CEO of AdaViv. With a background in biology and environmental science, Ian has worked extensively in domains such as plant science, urban agriculture, and climate adaptation. He has developed widely-used computer vision-based tools to measure and monitor the health of urban trees, and has led research on the spatially-explicit modeling of urban agriculture potential to feed urban populations. Ian's entrepreneurial and technological expertise enables him to bridge plant science, sensing, image processing, and data science in order to creatively put into practice cutting-edge methods that better understand crop plants. His research has been published in numerous high-impact academic journals, including Ecology, Conservation Ecology, and Nature Sustainability, and has been featured in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The Guardian. Originally from the prairie grain belt provinces of Canada, Ian is passionate about using his skills to make a meaningful impact on the world.
CEO, Kebotix
Dr. Ashish Kulkarni, Ph.D., is a successful innovator who has applied his expertise in chemical engineering and materials science to deliver breakthrough products and platforms in various industries. He has been researching how mature organizations can develop an innovation ecosystem to tap into the unique characteristics of start-up companies. Serving as Chairman & CEO of Kebotix , Kulkarni is committed to adopting AI/ML tools in the Chemicals, Materials and Building & Construction industries to drive sustainability & decarbonization. He has held executive positions at companies such as GAF Materials Corporation, a building materials company, Avantor, Inc., and Celanese, where he developed new innovation strategies and infrastructure to drive growth. He also has experience in global engineering and has held several patents and published articles in refereed journals. He serves on the board of directors for several companies, including Evercloak Materials, ConnectM, and Ghost Robotics.
Co-Founder and COO, TRAM.Global
Dr. Ryan Chin is Co-Founder & COO of TRAM Global -- a technology company that incentivizes sustainable actions and consumer behaviors to reduce carbon emissions globally through their digital marketplaces. TRAM computes, accounts, verifies and rewards carbon reduction by empowering people and communities to participate in the carbon reduction economy, enabling companies to directly connect with climate-conscious consumers.
Dr. Chin is also a Co-founder of Optimus Ride – a MIT spinoff autonomous vehicle company. As an entrepreneur he has built world-class engineering teams of AI, Behavioral Change, Blockchain, Design, Business, and Marketing experts. Along with Co-founder, Ramiro Almeida, he has raised over $100M in venture capital from reputable investors like Emerson Collective, Reid Hoffman and Eric Chen. Ryan spent 18 years at MIT inventing the concept of Smart Cities and developing the CityCar -- a foldable, electric, shared, two-passenger vehicle w/ General Motors and the Architect Frank O. Gehry. Time Magazine named the CityCar the “Automotive Invention of the Year” in 2007. Ryan has advised industry and government agencies. He was a member of the White House PCAST’s (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) working group in 2015 on “Technology and the Future of Cities.” Ryan received at MIT his Ph.D. and M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences and a M.Arch in Architecture.
Mr. Patrick Teyssonneyre is an entrepreneur and accomplished senior executive with over 20 years of global experience in Deep Tech Ventures, Climate Tech, and General Management of Innovation and technology. Patrick led the development of numerous Technologies, Products, and Applications into successful commercialization in the Chemical and Materials Industries. Patrick holds a B.S. in Materials Engineering and earned an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Dr. Paul Ark is a seasoned finance, strategy, technology, and business development professional, bringing over 25 years of hands-on management and deal experience across Asia, including stints in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street. As an active venture capitalist and angel investor, Dr. Ark emphasizes ESG, climate, gender diversity, impact, and sustainability in his investment approach. He is a dedicated advocate for girls' education and female empowerment.
Currently, Dr. Ark is engaged in doctoral research exploring the root causes of gender funding gaps within startup and venture capital ecosystems in Southeast Asia. His focus centers on human cognitive biases and systemic barriers originating within the VC industry, aiming to contribute valuable insights to address these challenges.
Disclaimer: MIT Startup Exchange can make introductions that ideally provide open ended discussions in order to share mutual interests and potentially create common ground that incite the parties to collaborate. MIT Startup Exchange introductions may eventually lead to mutual partnerships, but that is not in any way guaranteed by MIT, MIT Corporate Relations, MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) or MIT Startup Exchange, which takes no responsibility for these outcomes and no formal part in such discussions following our introduction. MIT Startup Exchange and its activities and events are not for purposes of soliciting investment or offering securities.