Deep Tech Dialogues & New Directions: CCDS Alumni 2025

On 17 May 2025, the CCDS Alumni community came together for an energising afternoon of insights, inspiration, and industry wisdom at the 17th CCDS Alumni Association Annual General Meeting & Deep Tech Talk held at NTU’s LKC School of Medicine.

Titled “From Lab to Launch: Navigating the Startup Journey in Deep Tech Entrepreneurship,” the session pulled back the curtain on what it really takes to turn research into reality. Moderated by CCDS Pioneer Alumnus David Ho, the panel brought together:

• Kat Neo, Deputy Director at NTUitive
• Jay Prakash, CEO & Co-founder, Silence Laboratories
• Will Hoon, Chairman Asia, Stern Stewart

Together, they unpacked the challenges and rewards of building in the deep tech space;  from funding mechanisms to mindset shifts, and everything in between.

From Kat’s candid take on commercialisation, to Jay’s startup battlefield reflections and Will’s strategic lens on growth, lively discussions were sparked, and alumni walked away with more than just insights; they walked away fired up.

Assoc Prof Chan Syin (Associate Dean, Student Affairs & Alumni Engagement) presented tokens of appreciation to the panelists and moderator, before presiding over the AGM.

During the meeting, a new slate of office bearers was elected to lead the CCDS Alumni Association for the next two years:

• David Ho (Class of 1993), President, NTU CCDS Alumni Association
• Chua Yu-Jin (Class of 1993), Vice President
• Kenneth Tan (Class of 1994), Honorary Secretary
• Benjamin Choo (Class of 2004), Honorary Treasurer

The event also recognised the contributions of the outgoing committee members and thanked them for their dedicated service.

The conversations didn’t end with the panel; they spilled into lunch, where ideas and connections kept flowing.

L-R: Benjamin Choo (9th Management Committee), Tyrone Jiale Fecho, Foo Chee Yong (8th Management Committee), David Ho, Kenneth Tan, Chua Yu-Jin (9th Management Committee)