Read more about this serial entrepreneur who loves food and tech and combining the two!
What’s your story?
I came to Asia on my MBA program and graduated at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. My first roles were with bigger MNCs launching tech such as MicroFinancing and QR code businesses for feature phone.
I invested in my first start up in 2010 which is still going strong today (http://8villages.com/).
My favourite project at present is www.rumie.org.
I love the tech space and food. I’m currently the APAC director for CINIME and have launched www.neonpigeonsg.com in my “spare time.”
What excites you most about your industry?
I love the idea of transforming industries and making things more efficient. Here in Asia it’s all about leapfrogging what has happened in the west. Learn from stuff that hasn’t been done well and do it better with newer technologies!
What’s your connection to Asia?
I have roots in Asia. My family is from Hong Kong, I studied in Singapore.
I love all of Asia and have worked from India Microfinance to supply chain technologies in Tokyo. Every culture here has beauty and complexity and needs something different.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I love doing business in Tokyo. The Japanese have a beautiful culture and it takes a long time to get something going but you can believe in your partnerships and that you will all grow together.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Don’t ever think you understand everything. Use humility and listen to others – people who change the world will think on a scale that is completely different to the norm.
Who inspires you?
Luis Van Ahn
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Boyan Slat – a 20 year old scuba diver has come up with a very simple technology for cleaning the plastics from the ocean.
More proof for the book Abundance and the theory of DIY.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would focus on projects that make mega-cities better places to live – e.g. vertical farming/local fresh markets OR water recycling for in home plumbing OR solar vehicle infrastructure
How do you unwind?
Side investment projects with my friends. I am currently working on www.neonpigeonsg.com & www.rumie.org
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Hong Kong. It’s home – I love to run the trails, sail & surf
Everyone in business should read this book:
Abundance – it’s insanely optimistic but it gets you thinking on a scale bigger than you’ve ever seen before.
Shameless plug for your business:
Second screen technology offers immediate o2o for consumers to connect to the world around them.
Watching TV, sports, concerts or movies has always been a passive event – now with CINIME you can get more from your offline entertainment, online.
How can people connect with you?
[email protected]
Twitter handle?
@michael_macnab but i’m more of a follower than a poster
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
