About Us

Dr. Mark Hon

Dr Mark Hon is a serial entrepreneur and accredited private investor with experience in leading early stage companies from ideation to IPO. He is founder of Sugar Ventures in Singapore and venture partner at Garage Technology Ventures in the United States. A former professor of finance in Madrid, he was also visiting professor to universities in Oxford, United Kingdom and Deggendorf, Germany. In the private sector, he has formulated R&D commercialisation strategies for The Boeing Company and consumer electronics procurement road maps and mobile application strategies for France Telecom. Featured in Whos Who in the World, and Whos Who in America, he was also the past chairman of the Business Angel Network South East Asia (BANSEA) and serves on the evaluation panels of public sector funds that support entrepreneurship.

Mr James Tan

James Tan is Managing Partner at Quest Ventures, a leading venture fund for technology companies that have scalability and replicability in large internet communities. Prior to this, James was co-founder and COO of 55tuan, a NASDAQ listed e-commerce group that grew to more than 200 cities and 5,000 employees across China.

As the first Singaporean and one of the rarefied few foreigners to found a public listed internet company in China, and for his investments in the next generation of entrepreneurs, James was recognised as an outstanding overseas Chinese by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China. For his outstanding global contributions, James received the Alumni Award from the University of South Australia.

James currently serves as advisor, board member or trustee on the Applied Innovation Institute, Business Angel Network of Southeast Asia, Beijing CYL Joint Committee on Entrepreneurship Development, National Research Foundation CGAP Fund, Social Impact Catalyst, Sports Excellence Business, and Vietnam Angel Network.

Dr Alex Lin

Alex is currently the Deputy CEO of NTUitive, which is the technology and commercialization unit of the globally 11th rank Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He continues building ecosystems in the region and creating vibrant startup hubs for more tech adoption and economic progress. These knowledges are also formalized into the NTUit executive development curriculum.

Alex cofounded ICOra Asia, which advises companies on structuring their fundraising strategies via blockchain crowdfunding. Alex also advice regulators in the region with regards to Fintech, blockchain, and innovation ecosystems that enable startups, SMEs, and listed companies to raise project funding via an Initial Coin Offering (ICO).

When not busy with startups and new venture creation, Alex supports his multiple family office with investment portfolio ranging from brick and mortar (e.g. logistics) to tech (e.g. web services) companies.

Mr Clarence Ti

Clarence was appointed as the Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic in May 2014. The polytechnic has an enrolment of over 13,500 students and has over 1,700 staff. In this role, he leads the polytechnic in developing future ready graduates and has been promoting entrepreneurship, service-learning and overseas internships.    

 Prior to his appointment in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clarence served in various roles across a number of government agencies in areas of investment promotion, business & operations management, planning & co-ordination, and legislative & policy reviews. These agencies include the Singapore Economic Development Board, where he served in various capacities including as Head of Strategic Planning and Director of the San Francisco Centre, the Singapore Land Authority where he was Director of Land Business Management, the Ministry of Law where he was Director for Strategic Planning and the Ministry of Finance, where he served as Chief Executive of its Shared Services department, Vital. 

Mr Chiang Joon Arn

J.A. is the Markets Leader for EY’s Asia-Pacific Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS). The FAAS practice comprises of professionals who serve as advisors, both practical and innovative, helping clients address accounting and finance challenges. J.A.’s extensive experience includes providing financial advisory services to international and local clients, which include accounting for complex transactions in various sectors, US and regional capital raising, and tax restructuring. J.A. is passionate about promoting and growing Singapore’s entrepreneurial spirit to help strengthen a better future Singapore for all.