Katarina Hasbani has been working in the energy sector for 10 years. She is passionate about the role this sector plays in our future.
What’s your story?
I spent 15 years working on energy, 10 years for governments in Europe and the Middle East and 5 years in consulting and research roles, with the past 3 years in Asia. I have realised that I am not public official material but love working on energy – especially designing the future of energy systems. My new project EnRupt (https://www.wedisruptenergy.com) is looking at ways the energy sector will be disrupted through three major trends; decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation. Startups are coming up with some fascinating solutions and I want to get them executed faster and more efficiently in collaboration with major energy corporations.
What excites you most about your industry?
Energy is central to everything that we do. Me writing and you reading it, we are using energy. There is no economic development with energy. Energy is central to solving one of the biggest challenges of our times: Climate change. In the coming 5 to 10 years, the energy sector will be transformed, especially from the final customer perspective with new, cleaner and digital technologies. I am excited by the opportunity to make a better energy future for all of us, whether we live in big cities in Asia or remote rural areas in Africa.
What’s your connection to Asia?
Singapore has become my home. I have lived here for 3 years now. Also, my work takes me regularly across Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore definitely, for ease of doing business and its efficiency.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
The best strategy is useless without the right team. People make the difference between success and failure. So true.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by people I meet in my everyday life, rather than someone I see on the screen. In my work with Female Founders, a volunteer organisation which supports female tech entrepreneurs in Singapore, I have come across some exceptionally inspiring women. I have never seen so much resilience in action. It is so inspiring to see a woman beat all the prejudice, unconscious biases and cultural upbringing, build her own company and make it successful.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
The opportunities in space. We are nearing the moment when we will have power generation and manufacturing or data management centers in space. Space is the new frontier.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would have talked more to people who are more senior than me. Nothing beats experience.
How do you unwind?
I love doing sports alone, because I am an introvert and this is what helps me recharge, especially in my life, filled with communication. I go to the gym, I have a personal trainer and I go running. I love running early in the morning, when the streets are empty. I recently started doing it whenever I travel and it’s a great way to get to know a city.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Myanmar is my favourite city not only in Asia but it’s the most beautiful country I have ever visited. It’s beautiful landscape, fascinating culture and history and kind people. Bagan is a must-see magical place.
Everyone in business should read this book:
We should all be feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Shameless plug for your business:
EnRupt is building a new energy future. We are on the lookout for startups that innovate for and in the energy sector, by using or creating innovative hardware, digital and new tech solutions and business models. We want to partner with corporations and investors that inspire to be on the cusp of the energy revolution. We are starting in Singapore and we have cultivated strong links in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates) and in Europe. We want to ease the innovation flow between the regions and countries. Join us to build value in the new energy equation! https://www.wedisruptenergy.com
How can people connect with you?
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/katarinauherovahasbani
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009270102164
Email: [email protected]
Twitter handle?
@kuhas
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
