Meet Asia’s tech disruptors who are creating the blueprint for tomorrow

In June 2024, Nvidia became the most valuable company in the world, overtaking Microsoft and Apple with a valuation of US$3.4 trillion. And though it has since lost its position because of market fluctuations, the computing company remains a tech powerhouse with a market cap of US$3.1 trillion. Jensen Huang co-founded Nvidia at a Denny’s in 1993 and then grew the small chipmaker into a pioneer in accelerated computing, leveraging its graphics processing unit as a catalyst in gaming, graphics and eventually AI. Nvidia’s technologies play a critical role in several frontiers, including autonomous cars, AI factories, AI medical imaging and robotics. At this month’s Computex 2024 in Taiwan, the company signalled its continued support of AI, announcing new Nvidia GeForce RTX AI laptops, as well as real-time AI-based video enhancements through RTX videos.

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As founder of LGMS, Fong Choong Fook helps protect more than 1,000 financial institutions and corporations around the world from web threats such as unauthorized access and destruction of information. To establish defences in all aspects of an organisation, the independent security consultant provides penetration testing, compliance services, digital forensics and security training. Its suite of penetration testing services includes Red Team Assessment, where white hat hackers assess a company’s security readiness against real-world cyber threats, or a cyber drill, where various departments participate in a simulated response to a hypothetical attack. Furthering its commitment to security for all, LGMS also introduced StarSentry, its plug-and-play security solution for SMEs.

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“Balancing family and career has been an ongoing challenge in my life,” said Sheila Lirio Marcelo. “These experiences inspired me to establish Care.com with an exceptional team, but we still couldn’t fully address the cognitive burdens that families face, impacting their overall well-being, their family’s nutrition, and the daily stress that puts a strain on the entire family’s mental health.” To lighten the load of household leaders, the tech entrepreneur launched Ohai.ai in January 2024.

The startup’s virtual assistant, O, revolutionises home organisation by managing schedules, booking appointments, sorting through e-mails and more. Ultimately, the CEO seeks to help stay-at-home moms, single parents, children caring for ageing parents and disabled persons optimise their time, allowing them to focus on the things that matter most.

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In December 2023, Klook announced the completion of a US$210-million financing round, which brought its total funding amount to over US$900 million. The travel and leisure platform intends to use its latest funds to fuel growth through product innovation (city pass offerings), social and digital marketing (Klook Kreator programme) and AI integration. Today, the one-stop platform connects travellers to in-destination services, from ground transportation to experiential stays, in over 2,300 locations around the world. “We are pioneering a transformative era of travel, catering to a new generation of more digitally savvy travellers with bigger and bolder appetites for unique experiences,” said Eric Gnock Fah, COO and co-founder of Klook, in a statement.

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To accelerate digitalisation in Thailand, Yod Chinsupakul leads Line Man Wongnai (LMW), the online platform that connects consumers, riders and local businesses. The company, which merged Yod’s restaurant aggregator startup and Japan’s popular messaging app Line, offers food and grocery deliveries, taxi services, local business reviews and restaurant solutions. In 2023 LMW further strengthened its ecosystem with the integration of Line Pay across its services.

Yod, who recognises the urgency of environmental problems, also emphasises sustainability in its solutions. Two months after introducing a “no condiments” feature in its app, users opted out of receiving over 20 million condiments. The feature is expected to reduce 4,200 tonnes of plastic and food waste yearly.

Read Yod Chinsupakul’s full profile on full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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