🏗️ Build or Die: Building Companies Early

Supported by OpenAI | Part of AI Engineer Week, Singapore

Some people wait to graduate. Wait to feel ready. Wait until conditions seem perfect. Others don't.

This is a curated gathering for founders who chose to start before the conventional timeline — and figured everything out along the way.

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🎯 What to Expect

The evening opens with a technical session powered by OpenAI, featuring live demonstrations and real-world workflows using their latest models — including Codex. Attendees will gain hands-on insights into how top teams are actually shipping today.

Following the technical deep-dive, a founder panel brings together unconventional builders for a candid conversation on starting early, scaling fast, and making bold decisions others wouldn't dare to.

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🗓️ Programme

🥂 Arrival & Networking

🚀 Aspire For Startups Sharing

🤖 OpenAI Session — Live Demo + Q&A
A hands-on walkthrough covering Codex and practical applications of OpenAI's latest models, complete with live workflows, real-world use cases, and an open Q&A with the OpenAI team.

🎁 Attendees receive API credits and Codex subscriptions

🎙️ Founder Panel
A frank discussion on building early, navigating scale, and embracing unconventional paths.

🍹 Networking & Refreshments

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🎙️ Featured Speakers

• Jonathan Liem — Founder of Inflect and Nex; began building at age 14, worked alongside a diplomat, now manages 7-figure contracts
• Willis Wee — Founder of Tech in Asia (YC W15), acquired by SPH Media in 2024
• Pairie Koh — Stanford University fellow at 17; researcher at Ego AI (YC W24)
• Ying Cong — Co-Founder of Glints; dropped out of Wharton School and paid back his bond to pursue building

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🔒 Introducing: Project Contrarian

A private members group for founders across APAC who skipped the traditional university route to build something out of the ordinary. Small, curated, and exclusively for those who are actively executing.

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📌 Register here: lu.ma/00hm86ph