A panel discussion on working with corporates. Hear perspectives from a maritime corporate and a start-up on some of the unexpected challenges when working on open innovations and how to navigate them for successful pilot projects.

Moderator: Hugh Mason
CEO, JFDI.Asia and Adjunct Associate Professor, NUS (FoE)

Hugh is an entrepreneur with 30 years success leading ventures and building innovation communities around startups and corporations. Since 2012 Hugh has co-founded, mentored or invested in more than 70 startup companies, realising 30% IRR. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at National University of Singapore.

Panelist: Nakul Malhotra
VP Open Innovation Marine Products, Wilhelmsen Ships Services

As Vice President – Open Innovation, Marine Products for Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS), Nakul is instrumental in the ongoing execution of the company’s digitalisation strategy. Supporting a renewed focus on customer co-creation and speed of execution for product development, along with customer experience innovations, the Open Innovation philosophy is embedded in a deep sense of eco-system thinking and the ability to operate with permeable organisational boundaries to foster spin outs, spin ins, ideation, iteration and implementation of of ventures at scale. Nakul combines a wealth of maritime sales, operations and management experience, with qualifications in marine engineering and direct seafaring experience from his years working as an engineer. A keen commentator on maritime innovation and digitalisation, Nakul is a valued public speaker and industry panellist.

Panelist: Kristian Andreasen
CEO, Kanda

Coming from a background in Engineering and Computer Science. Kristian has always been fascinated by what happens when Humans meet new technologies. Kristian explores the field of VR and AR with an equal dose of fascination and utilitarian skepticism.