NTU alumni showcase award-winning entrepreneurial spirit

By Sean Shagaran

Held in June 2021, the third edition of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) Singapore saw more than 100 local startups competing for three National Champion titles, and the chance to compete in the Global Finals later this year.

Kavya Kasiraman (NBS/2021) (left), Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of The AUthentic Platform, and Alan Goh (MAE/2005) (right), Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of NDR Medical Technology at Entrepreneurship World Cup 2021 Singapore National Finals.

Two startups founded by NTU alumni won in their respective categories. 

A new way to care for those in need

Hoping to provide practical solutions for individuals who require special care and attention, NTU alumna Kavya Kasiraman (NBS/2021) decided to take a leap of faith after completing her degree and established The AUthentic Platform. 

Kavya was inspired by her own experiences with a close family member diagnosed with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to start the social impact enterprise The AUthentic platform – a one-stop portal that aims to connect users in need of services related to ASD and similar conditions with specialised caregivers.

Though still in the idea stage, the platform won Kavya the Idea Stage title at EWC Singapore and is one of three National Champions who will appear in the Global Finals in November to compete against other outstanding entrepreneurs from around the world.

Kavya and her team comprising fellow NTU graduates were praised for their passion in wanting to empower the disadvantaged in society. “It’s a cause that my team and I are deeply passionate about and have had personal experiences with. We hope we're able to build on our work so far and the support we're receiving to create a social impact enterprise that helps people in need.”

Kavya has her sights set on launching AUthentic officially in August after she and her team complete the final stages of developing the application, beta testing, and onboarding service providers and users.

Advancing medical technology through artificial intelligence

Joining Kavya on the winners’ podium were two more NTU alumni, Alan Goh (MAE/2005) and Dr Jason Ng (SMA/2001), who co-founded NDR Medical Technology, a medical device company that specialises in the development of surgical robots. 

Driven by artificial intelligence, NDR’s patented Automated Needle Targeting (ANT) System helps surgeons to plan precise needle punctures to organs such as the lungs and spine during surgeries where precision is critical. By integrating AI technologies with existing types of medical imaging such as CT scanning, the start-up hopes to transform how minimally invasive surgeries are performed by providing clinicians with an automated anatomical targeting tool that is safe and efficient.

NDR Medical was established in 2015 and has grown significantly since its inception. Both the company and its founders have been the recipients of multiple entrepreneurship awards over the past six years, and they were awarded the title of National Champion (Growth Stage) at this year’s EWC Singapore.