James is founder and CEO of ION Mobility, an automotive tech and lifestyle brand company focused on Southeast Asia with a 110+ strong team across its offices in Singapore, Indonesia,
Vietnam and China. ION's products combine advanced hardware and software technology with human-centred design to deliver smart electric motorcycles, energy storage and charging solutions
that are for everyone to use on the roads of Southeast Asia. The company has raised over US$25.5 million in funding since starting the development of its inaugural M1-S electric scooter in Jul 2020,
with its “Mobius” M1-S making its initial appearances in Jakarta and slated for initial delivery in 1H 2024.

Trained as an Electrical and Computer engineer, James has sat across all 3 sides of the table; first (2006 - 2009) as a public servant at Infocomm Development Authority (n.k.a. IMDA), then subsequently (2009 – 2013) as a venture capitalist at Neoteny Labs1 with Joichi Ito and later as an angel investor. Noteworthy investments run the range of software and hardware startups, including Viki, HelloSign, Formlabs, Animoca Brands, PlayCo, Carro, Parcel Perform, HipVan and GetGo. James then switched hats (2013 – 2019) to become a venture builder and serial entrepreneur at Silicon Straits, Silicon Straits Foundry2, GreyOrange3 and Wecash Southeast Asia4, before founding ION Mobility just prior to the pandemic. James has invested and operated in diverse industries spanning the likes of B2B and B2C internet, gaming, 3D printing, robotics, fintech and consumer lending, blockchain and most recently electric mobility – in and about the start-up ecosystems of Southeast and East Asia.

Kasturi is the Global Head of Battery Swapping and 2/3 Wheeler Electrification – making the switch to EVs an easier choice. Batteries are the beating heart of her business from 1st life to diagnostics, second life and recycling.

She is an experienced business leader, having worked on all things moving green – E-mobility, Hydrogen, Biofuels. A serial builder, she has built many 0 to 1 businesses in electric vehicles, e-commerce logistics, and EV infrastructure.

A chemical engineer and MBA by training, she started at Daimler, research emissions and fuels cells in Stuttgart, and a few hops later to being a hustler building India’s first electric tuk-tuk. She is best at building new businesses, with people who love pushing boundaries.

A mom and a runner, she is invested in making the strolls and runs free from huffs and puffs.

Wen Chong works in the ASEAN and Oceania sub-regional teams within the Country Analysis group and is responsible for the coverage and forecasts of Indonesia, New Zealand, Laos and Samoa.

Prior to joining EIU, Wen Chong worked at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, where he conducted reviews of macroeconomic policies, and facilitated panel discussions between academics and government representatives from various ASEAN countries. He also has research experience in academia, co-authoring several published papers.

Wen Chong holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Economics and Statistics from the National University of Singapore.

Sumana is a senior policy professional with 17 years of experience. Having worked at several dynamic and vibrant tech firms, Sumana designs and implements policies through advocacy, strategic communication and evidence-based analysis. With a flair for writing and communication, Sumana is able to negotiate complex engagements & cultivate senior-level internal/external relationships.

Sumana holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, as well as a B.A. in Political Science and Geography from UCLA.