TECH PLANTER(en)

Judges from 2018 Season

• Dr. Yukihiro MaruFounder and CEO, Leave a Nest Group

  profile

  Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. is a leading knowledge based platform company in Japan. The company is comprised of Mastersʼ and Doctorate degree holders. Leave a Nest works on extensive projects relating to Science and Technology. Dr. Maru has great experience in supporting startups. One of the startups he was supporting called euglena Co., Ltd. was listed in the First section of Tokyo Stock exchange. Heʼ s expert in advising young entrepreneur in business development and venture spirit.

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  Dr. Yutaka Kuroki Director, Business Development and Corporate Strategy, Japan Tobacco Inc.

  profile

  Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) is a leading international tobacco company that is also actively present in pharmaceuticals and processed foods. Dr. Kuroki earned Ph.D. in Agricultural study from the University of Tokyo. He has played various roles in JT; such as a Researcher, R&D Strategy Manager, and Human Resource Director before joining the business development team. In his current team, he is playing a pivotal role in connecting JT to startup communities in South East Asia.

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  Dr. Natthaporn TakphoResearcher, Mitsui Chemicals Singapore R&D Centre, Pte. Ltd.

  profile

  Mitsui Chemicals Inc. is a Japanese chemicals company who provides performance materials, basic chemicals and functional polymeric materials. MCI has a strong passion to make a better society through the development of new technologies and innovations. Dr. Natthaporn is a researcher in Biotechnology division from Mitsui Chemicals Singapore R&D Centre. She is in charge of creating a new solution for sustainable development to meets the local needs in AP region, prior to Mitsui Chemicals’ technologies.

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  Dr. Nares DamrongchaiChief Executive Officer of Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS)

  profile

  TCELS is Thailand’ s public organization dedicated to fostering life sciences and make health industry Thailand’ s new engine of growth. Since 2013 Dr. Damrongchai is also Co-Chair of the APEC Life Science Innovation Forum, APEC's leading initiative on health and health sciences innovation. His previous experience includes R&D, policy research, technology foresight and innovation facilitation. He obtained the degree of Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge (Technology Management) and Doctor of Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Bioengineering).

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  Mr. Takashi AndoTechnical Director, euglena Co.,Ltd.

  profile

  euglena Co., Ltd. is a biotechnology venture company (listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange) from the University of Tokyo founded in 2005. They possess R&D on micro algae and cultivation technologies. They are developing wide range of businesses including health care, beauty care, feed and fuel. Mr. Ando is one of the founding members of euglena Co., Ltd., and launched the healthcare business, and cosmetics business as a corporate venture from 2013, and cultivated it as the main business. He currently develops new raw materials and develops new brands as Technical Director.

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  Mr. Vichian SuksoirDeputy Executive Director (Innovation Development), National Innovation Agency (NIA)

  profile

  Graduated from Chulalongkorn University with Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Vichian Suksoir is now a Deputy Executive Director in Innovation Development of National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand. He has worked on strategic planning and formulating new financial support mechanisms to promote innovation project for more than 10 years and undertaking a leading role in driving new innovative development in industries, including ethanol production from agricultural waste and lean automation with international collaboration.

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  Mr. Kelvin Ong CEO, FocusTech Ventures Pte. Ltd.

  profile

  With over 15 years of experience in precision engineering and technology, Kelvin is the Executive Director of Focus-Tech Holding, formerly the holding company of the Seksun Group, world’ s leading HDD component maker. As both an entrepreneur and active angel investor, he is also the founder and CEO of FocusTech Ventures (FTV), a seed stage investment firm and technology incubator, as well as FTV Labs, a venture studio dedicated to modernizing old-line industries with design and technology.

Finalists from 2018 Season

• NJ Lab, Protein Research Gr., KMUTT

  Recombinant human peptide: the novel option to reduce the use of antibiotics and preservatives.

• TriOCIN.

  Affordable skincare product which treats and cures cutaneous acne with an antibacterial protein component.

• Brain Dynamics

  Brain Monitoring System for enhancing stroke patient rehabilitation.

• Herb Republic

  Anti Acne Gel from Chromolaena Odorata leaf extract - a natural solution.

• Phyte-to SD Lab

  Sleep enhancement drink using GABA.

• Bionanomer

  Test Kit for Organophosphate Detection in the Agriculture industry.

• iVET

  iVET Pet Health Solution - a holistic healthcare system for pets.

• Atapy team

  Sookjai - a device to monitor activity and safety of elderly.

• einSense

  Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Enhanced Gas Sensor.