Alumni Update
The Future is Sunny Harnessing the Power of Solar Energy
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 33
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 32 CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 34
6866 3
www.ionenergy.ai
Alumni Update
Please share your business background. Ion Energy Corporation is a renewable energy provider with advanced data analytics capability. We invest in solar rooftops (free installation under Private Power Purchase Agreement scheme: enjoy 20-50% electricity tariff discounts with zero investment or maintenance costs required!) and provide Engineering, Procurement, and Construction services for commercial and residential solar installations nationwide. Special discounts are available for residential solar installation for Concordian’s students, parents, faculty members and teachers! What motivated you to start your own business? I was starstruck by the power of solar since primary school days. I was gifted a solar-powered watch and was immediately amazed at how it can function perpetually, with no need for new batteries or manual winding. Although I didn’t immediately become an entrepreneur after graduation, my time at The Boston Consulting Group enabled experience in multiple industries, and it is here that I learnt of the beautiful win-win-win nature of solar: I get to run a rewarding business, customers get to enjoy great savings on their electricity, and of course the environment wins as we move towards a truly renewable and sustainable source of energy. Once this light bulb switched on in my head, I knew it was the right next step. My goal is to make solar more accessible, especially for households and small businesses, hence our mission to “make renewable energy possible for all”. What has been the most surprising thing about becoming an entrepreneur? How liberating and fulfilling it feels. Partly because I get to do something with real and physical end product instead of just moving pixels on a screen, but mainly because subconsciously I know I am doing my small part in making a difference. How did Concordian prepare you for your real-world life after school? Concordian and the IB Programme push us to become independent, to think critically and take responsibility of our future, equipping us with the necessary skillset and mental capacity to face any challenges with humility, integrity, and compassion. And of course, I always wish I tried harder in Mandarin classes given all my suppliers are now from China!
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 34
Please share your company's website or contact details. www.ionenergy.ai Please also free to get in touch with me directly at 092 949 8212, or LINE ID petemt.
69 67 3 CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 33 32
What advice would you give to the graduating class of 2022? “It’s always later than you think”: whilst ‘YOLO’ is a term used, abused, and firmly rooted in the last decade, I think this quote itself is pretty timeless, yet a good reminder of the passing of time. Although you guys are at a time where it seems like life has just truly begun, everything will fly by in the blink of an eye. Focus on what matters, and always make sure to give enough time of the day to your parents, families, and loved ones.
Alumni Update
Supercharged Bringing EV Innovation to Thailand
Please share your business background. I founded and I am now overseeing Future Charge Co., Ltd, a one-stop EV solution provider. We are Siemens Thailand's official partner in e-mobility and future grid components. Future Charge provides EV installation/management consultation, installation services, all types of EV-related hardware, and after-sales services. What motivated you to start your own business? When I studied in the UK, EV chargers and cars were very common. Coming back to Thailand, I realized that there is a huge opportunity in this industry since it is yet to mature. Having an engineering background also helped me a lot in the technical part of the business. What has been the most surprising thing about becoming an entrepreneur? Being an entrepreneur means you must understand every part of your business. I had to learn how to do corporate accounting, stock keeping, taxes, marketing, etc. It was very challenging but necessary in order to manage each part of the business efficiently. How did Concordian prepare you for your real-world life after school? Concordian has taught me how to manage my time efficiently, it is very important that you work smart because being a business owner means you will have to deal with so many tasks in a day. Knowing Mandarin has also helped me in communicating with customers and suppliers from China. What advice would you give to the graduating class of 2022? Don’t be afraid to try or start something new. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to make yourself grow.
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 33
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 34 32
70 68 3
Prima Ongvises (Aei) Class of 2014 Co-founder & CEO of Future Charge
Please share your company's website or contact details. www.futurecharge.co.th If anyone is interested in buying or interning at Future Charge, please send me an email via prima@ futurecharge.co.th.
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 32 33
CONCORDIAN IMPACT - ISSUE 34
Alumni Update
71 69 3