As the digital revolution accelerates, AI, automation, and remote connectivity have become the norm. While convenience has reached unprecedented levels, underlying societal issues such as digital exclusion and emotional isolation persist. Contrary to the fear that technology may distance people from one another, a new wave of young Asian entrepreneurs is proving otherwise. These CEOs are using technology not only to foster efficiency but also to strengthen human connections. Here are eight pioneering leaders who are making a difference:
● Johnson Lim | Founder of GetGo (Singapore)
● Joonggwon Kim | Founder & CEO of Econnect (South Korea)
● Kubo Hayao | Founder & CEO of ABABA (Japan)
● Kavan Antani | Founder of IndieFolio (India)
● Felix Lee | Founder of ADPList (Singapore)
● Akshay Chaturvedi | Founder & CEO of Leverage Edu (India)
● Ty Lertwichaiworawit, Mint Leung | Co-Founders of WeGoWhere (Thailand)
● Ayako Shimizu | Founder of HIKALI Lab Inc. (Japan)
1. Johnson Lim | Founder of GetGo (Singapore)
Johnson Lim launched GetGo, Singapore’s premier car-sharing service. More than just a transport solution, GetGo fosters networking and community-building on the move. Lim envisions mobility as an opportunity for social engagement rather than mere transportation. Currently serving over 200,000 active users across 1,600 locations in Singapore, GetGo is eyeing expansion into other metropolitan cities like Seoul, Sydney, Taipei, and Tokyo.
2. Felix Lee | Founder of ADPList (Singapore)
Felix Lee responded to the job crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing ADPList, a global mentorship platform. By connecting job seekers with industry professionals, ADPList democratizes access to career advice and networking. Today, the platform hosts over 14,000 mentors across 140 countries, facilitating over 15 million minutes of mentoring sessions covering areas like product design, data science, and software development.
3. Joonggwon Kim | Founder & CEO of Econnect (South Korea)
Joonggwon Kim founded Econnect during the pandemic with the mission to ‘connect people.’ Econnect bridges users with over 900 professional fortune tellers, shamans, and astrologers through a real-time consultation network. Within four years, it has emerged as the leading online fortune-telling platform in South Korea, boasting over 250,000 monthly active users. Expanding beyond its core service, SaJunaru, the company is also exploring network marketing tailored to Korean consumers.
4. Akshay Chaturvedi | Founder & CEO of Leverage Edu (India)
Akshay Chaturvedi launched Leverage Edu to assist students in their study-abroad journeys through personalized mentoring and AI-driven career guidance. The platform analyzes individual aspirations and provides tailored educational and career paths. With over 9 million monthly visitors, Leverage Edu is transforming the education landscape not just in India but globally
5. Kubo Hayao | Founder & CEO of ABABA (Japan)
Kubo Hayao aims to humanize the job recruitment process through ABABA, an AI-driven job-matching platform. ABABA provides constructive feedback and mentorship to job seekers, addressing the shortcomings of traditional resume-based evaluations. Since its launch in 2020, the platform has been adopted by over 1,500 companies, with more than 37,000 job seekers benefitting from its services.
6. Ty Lertwichaiworawit & Mint Leung | Co-Founders of WeGoWhere (Thailand)
WeGoWhere, Thailand’s fastest-growing social networking platform, was founded by Ty Lertwichaiworawit and Mint Leung. Believing that meaningful relationships are built through shared experiences, they created a platform that helps users discover activities and connect with new people. WeGoWhere has now grown into a vibrant community of over 300,000 users.
7. Kavan Antani | Founder of IndieFolio (India)
Kavan Antani established IndieFolio as an on-demand talent marketplace for creative professionals. The platform connects designers, animators, content creators, and videographers with clients looking for creative expertise. Beyond job matching, IndieFolio fosters a community where creatives can showcase their work and enhance their skills. Currently, over 70,000 professionals are active on the platform.
8. Ayako Shimizu | Founder of HIKALI Lab Inc. (Japan)
Ayako Shimizu founded HIKALI Lab to address mental health through technology. The company offers Kokoroworks, an online therapy platform, and SPARX, a gamified mental health application. Through one-on-one clinical psychologist consultations and interactive role-playing therapy, HIKALI Lab is making mental health support more accessible in Japan.
These eight young entrepreneurs exemplify how technology can be leveraged to foster deeper human connections rather than replacing them. Their innovations emphasize empathy, social engagement, and accessibility, signaling that the future of technology lies not just in efficiency but in meaningful human-centric solutions. As their businesses continue to evolve, their impact on society will be one to watch.