2324T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Kezia
KEZIA
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About Kezia
SMU email: kezia.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kezia-5417b81bb/
Academic Year: Year 4 (2020) - will be graduating in Year 5
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in FinTech)
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
My interest in joining TSM stems from my passion in the start-up world. I have a strong desire to become an entrepreneur as I believe in the power of innovation, problem-solving and creating something meaningful from the ground up. In order to achieve that goal of mine, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone, learning to be bold by deciding to run a start up (Advisia Digital) and telling myself to partake in activities/opportunities that will help me become a better entrepreneur.
By joining TSM, I believe that it will be an opportunity for me to gain practical insights, refine my entrepreneurial skills, and allow me to gain valuable knowledge that will help me in running my current start up as well as any ventures I will embark on in the future. At the same time, it provides access to valuable networks of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs/aspiring entrepreneurs, providing opportunities to connect with individuals who share similar interests.
- Where would you like to visit?
I aspire to visit tech giant companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla (to name a few) in Silicon Valley due to their remarkable impact on technology and innovation. These giants have redefined industries and pushed the boundaries of what's possible.
I would also love to visit the Y combinator headquarters. As a pioneer in startup incubation and acceleration, it has been instrumental in launching some of the most successful tech companies globally.
These visits would not only provide inspiration but also practical knowledge and networking opportunities, enriching my entrepreneurship journey.
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
I’m deeply interested in ventures in the technology realm. Technology is synonymous with innovation and progress, constantly evolving and presenting new opportunities to transform industries and improve lives. To name an example, the start-up I’m currently running, Advisia Digital is a technology solution provider- it gives me the chance to work with my team mates to innovate and develop new tools/ processes, strategising approaches to address client needs and sealing deals with clients from various industries. This can be incredibly rewarding overall.
Another field I am interested to delve in in the future is in the healthcare and MedTech Innovations field - Ventures focused on healthcare technology, telemedicine, digital health platforms, and medical device development. MedTech start-ups like Ease healthcare has made me inspired as they made women’s healthcare a lot more accessible in society. These startups have made a tangible difference in the lives of women. As someone who values equitable healthcare access and the well-being of women, witnessing the positive impact of such initiatives fills me with a sense of purpose in advocating for healthcare innovations that prioritise inclusivity and accessibility.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
Currently, I’m running Advisia Group (Digital) - an AI & technology solution firm and I have plans to continue running it long term. Through my internships in the technology and banking sectors, I have gained many valuable experiences and learnt a lot. Later this month, I will also be attending a few conferences in Jakarta (Tech in Asia) as well as Singapore (Tech Week) - which I believe are important in helping me get to know the technology scene better, providing me with networking opportunities, giving me insights on expanding to other markets, etc.
I currently also have plans to attend more courses outside of my curriculum (i.e. digital marketing course, etc.) to enhance my knowledge and run Advisia Group better. I am also constantly learning from the co-founders and the rest of the team, working on areas I can improve on and growing together.
Of course in the future, I will be open to running other businesses as well but as of now, I will mainly be focusing on running Advisia Digital.
Past Experiences
Startup:
- Advisia Group (Advisia Digital) - Director
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisia-indonesia/
We are Advisia Digital, an AI & technology solution firm committed to bringing cutting-edge AI-centered solutions which digitally enables our clients to achieve greater business value. With a passion for harnessing the power of technology, we empower organizations to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape and unlock their full potential.
Our team comprises experienced Solution Architects with broad exposure to a variety of end- to-end projects and real-world cases across industries such as E-commerce, FMCG, Telecommunications, Financial Services & Fintech, among others.
Internships:
- BNP Paribas Singapore Global Markets (APAC Operational Risk) (Dec 2022 - Jul 2023)
- Grab (GXS DigiBank) Business Architect (Aug 2022 - Dec 2022)
- OCBC Bank Singapore Global Markets (Digital Business) (Dec 2021 - Jul 2022)
Other Activites:
- Student Facilitator - ExploreSIS (2020)
- Student Facilitator - Metamorphosis (2021)