“NAV is not just about connecting startups and alumni; it’s about fostering meaningful partnerships that go beyond funding. We focus on bridging gaps in the ecosystem, enabling pre-seed founders to find mentorship, partnerships, or even insights they might not have considered. It’s a matchmaking platform where we aim to provide quality connections, and I see this as a stepping stone toward building a culture that supports early-stage ventures in Southeast Asia.” Sean Ang, Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures
“When you look at ecosystems like the U.S., you see angels reinvesting from successful exits, fueling innovation. Here in Singapore, most of our angels are ex-founders, consultants, or industry veterans recycling high incomes. It’s a very different mindset, but it’s not a disadvantage—it’s a unique starting point for us to build from. What we need now is a cultural shift to activate more individuals and broaden the scope of support for early-stage startups.” Sean Ang, Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures
“NUS is more than an academic institution; it’s a hub for entrepreneurial talent. Programs like NOC and GRIP have set the foundation for many of our region’s most successful startups. While there’s room for more commercialization of deep tech, what we’ve already achieved demonstrates the strength of combining academic rigor with government support and alumni engagement. I think the next step is building more pathways for students and researchers to translate their ideas into impactful ventures.” Sean Ang, Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures
Sean Ang is the Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures (NAV), a society that seeks to connect the NUS Alumni network to businesses in SEA for business matching opportunities (partnerships or investments). NAV is a value-driver to two different categories: senior NUS alumni and junior NUS alumni. Besides the core mission of helping people to reconnect with the alma mater, facilitating the interactions of these two distinct generations is another core mission that NAV has been very proud of enabling since our establishment 4 years ago.
Besides the alumni community, NAV is also committed to training the next generation that is passionate about being significant future contributors to the innovation industry. We recruit a batch of 50 new students (undergrads, masters, PhDs) every year, trained by retained senior NAV associates. On the backdrop of this committed resource, we organize 4 demodays quarterly interspersed with smaller networking events to grow the ecosystem.
Driven by his passion for connecting people, Sean is co-founding SEADS—a people-first platform transforming how entrepreneurs and investors navigate Southeast Asia’s fragmented early-stage investment ecosystem. Featuring a meticulously curated database of business angels, venture capitalists, and family offices, SEADS empowers entrepreneurs and investors alike by fostering meaningful connections and streamlining access to regional funding opportunities. Sean is starting SEADS with a fellow NAV alumni member.
Sean Ang, Chairman of NUS Alumni Ventures, and Jeremy Au discussed:
1. NUS Alumni Ventures: Sean shared how NUS Alumni Ventures (NAV), established in 2020, connects NUS alumni to startups across Southeast Asia for partnerships and investments. Inspired by Stanford Angels, NAV focuses on matchmaking rather than direct funding, organizing four major events annually to link startups with alumni in various industries. The platform engages both seasoned professionals and students, teaching investment analysis and fostering connections. Sean emphasized NAV’s role as a facilitator rather than an investment firm, focusing on SaaS, B2C, and B2B startups.
2. University Unicorn Founders: Sean highlighted NUS’s role as a key entrepreneurship hub in Southeast Asia, citing successful alumni-led companies like Carousell (Siu Rui, Lucas, and Marcus) and PatSnap (Jeffrey Tiong and Guang Tian). Programs like NUS Overseas College (NOC) and research initiatives such as GRIP drive innovation, although more commercialization of deep tech is needed. NUS attracts top talent through its strong academic programs, which create an environment for entrepreneurship and research to thrive.
3. USA vs. Singapore Angels: Sean discussed the distinct cultural landscape of Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem compared to the U.S., where angel investors often reinvest from successful exits. In Singapore, most angels come from traditional industries—banking, consulting, and law—recycling high incomes. This difference impacts startup funding dynamics. Sean noted NAV’s role in bridging gaps, activating alumni, and helping early-stage startups navigate this unique landscape through targeted, quality connections.
Jeremy and Sean also touched on the role of Block71 in connecting students with startups, the cultural importance of warm introductions and his new project to connect business angels and family offices across the region.