AI Salon is a global community bringing together AI founders and builders, investors, operators and ecosystem partners to connect, learn and collaborate.

AI Salon Singapore returns on 21 October for another evening of fresh perspectives, candid conversations and meaningful connections.

This edition brings together Vinod Mahbobani from KFC / Yum! Brands and Yum Asia, Yongcheng Ong from Insignia Ventures Partners, and Denise Ang from HTX, with Durwin Ho moderating. Together, they bring distinct perspectives from global business, venture capital and public-sector technology.

What makes this mix valuable is the opportunity to hear how people with different responsibilities approach the same questions. What catches an investor’s attention? What matters to a global organisation? How does a public-sector technology leader think about opportunities, implementation and trust?

We’ll draw on our speakers’ journeys, lessons and experiences, while leaving room to explore the developments in AI that matter most when we meet. Expect thoughtful questions, lively exchanges and opportunities to bring your own perspective into the conversation.

At its heart, AI Salon is about the people.

Building a company or navigating new technology is easier when you can learn from those who have been there, exchange ideas with peers and meet people who challenge your thinking. Our aim is to create a welcoming space for those connections, helping Singapore’s AI community learn, grow and support one another.

Come with questions, share what you’re working on and leave with new ideas and people to follow up with.

More details on the speakers and programme will be announced soon.

What We Will Explore

  • How AI founders can find genuine commercial traction amid the hype

  • What investors look for when evaluating AI startups

  • How companies are moving from AI experimentation to deployment

  • The evolving opportunities around AI agents and automation

  • What differentiates defensible AI companies from thin product wrappers

  • Tactical lessons for founders building the next generation of AI startups

  • Singapore’s role as a hub for AI talent, capital and company building

Who Should Attend

  • AI founders and startup teams

  • Engineers, researchers and product builders

  • Venture capital investors and angel investors

  • Corporate innovation and technology leaders

  • Operators exploring practical AI adoption

  • Ecosystem partners supporting AI companies

  • Anyone actively building, investing in or working with AI

Agenda

6:00 pm – Doors OpenRegistration, food and drinks

6:30 pm – Welcome AddressAI Salon Singapore community update

6:40 pm – Opening Keynote / Founder SharingTo be announced

7:00 pm – AI Builder SpotlightsShort presentations from founders building and deploying AI products

7:20 pm – Panel DiscussionFounders, investors and technology leaders unpacking what is happening in AI today and where the market is heading next

8:00 pm – Audience Q&A

8:15 pm – Networking

9:00 pm – End

Programme and timings are subject to change.

Meet the Speakers

Vinod MahbobaniGlobal Chief Legal Officer, KFC at Yum! Brands; Executive Director, Yum Asia

Vinod brings a global business and legal leadership perspective, adding to the conversation on how large organisations navigate change, weigh opportunities and make decisions.

Yongcheng OngPrincipal, Insignia Ventures Partners

Yongcheng brings the venture capital perspective, offering a lens on founders, emerging businesses and the opportunities attracting investor attention.

Denise AngChief Strategy Officer & Director, AI Central, HTX

Denise brings a public-sector strategy and AI perspective, contributing to the discussion on how technology can be translated into practical capabilities and meaningful outcomes.

Moderator: Durwin HoManaging Partner, StartupX

Durwin brings together founders, investors and industry leaders through StartupX’s innovation programmes and AI Salon Singapore, creating space for candid conversations and shared learning.

Stay tuned for further speaker and programme updates.

Reach out to us and connect:

Durwin Durwin Ho | LinkedIn

Raymond Raymond Doraisamy | LinkedIn

Joyce Joyce Tay | LinkedIn

Meet the Partners

AI Salon

AI Salon is the global community bringing together AI founders and builders, investors, and partners to connect and collaborate. We are starting new chapters in every city so join us to build the largest Global AI community.

StartupX

StartupX is a global innovation partner for those building what’s next. We collaborate with corporates, governments, and startups to launch ventures, scale businesses, and drive bold transformation. Since 2018, we’ve supported startups from 110+ countries and partnered with some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. Founded by entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders, we built StartupX to challenge the status quo of how innovation gets done in Asia.

AIMX Network

The AIMX Network is a global community of users, AI leaders, practitioners and innovators seeking to answer the biggest question around AI today and the future: HOW.

The Network activates regional AI communities through curated events and activities around the world, to address real-world issues with emerging AI innovation while keeping the pulse on issues that impact AI for Industry.

Singapore Global Network

The Singapore Global Network (SGN) is an initiative by the Economic Development Board (EDB) to create a community of overseas Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans interested in Singapore. Founded in June 2019, its goal is to leverage its community to create opportunities for its members and Singapore more broadly.

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This community event is proudly brought to you by StartupX.