Hong Shao Kai is the APAC lead for manufacturing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider Tulip Interfaces, which was spun out of the MIT Media Lab. The company opened a Singapore office in 2024 to chart its expansion into APAC. Its other offices are in US, Germany, and Hungary.

 

1) Tell us more about Tulip Interfaces and what you do there.

Tulip Interfaces helps manufacturers modernise and improve their operations by putting powerful, easy-to-use technology directly in the hands of frontline teams. Our cloud-based, AI-enabled platform allows people on the shop floor to track production in real-time, connect data across systems, and gain a clear, holistic view of operations. This allows them to solve problems faster, work more efficiently, and continuously improve processes.

I first joined Tulip Interfaces when the company started to build its presence here more than a year ago. It was like working in a startup within a startup as I focused on setting up our capabilities for pre- and post-sales. Now that these areas have matured, I am moving to build up our support and customer success functions in APAC. We manage our operations across the region from Singapore, which involves overseas travel to client sites, pitching, running workshops, and implementing solutions for them.

2) What led you to your current role at Tulip Interfaces?

I am a biomedical engineer by training, but I’ve always been keen to learn more about the business side of things. To plug that gap, I took on roles in finance and consulting to gain exposure to these areas and make myself more well-rounded.

In 2020, I co-founded a startup by the name of Respire Diagnostics, which develops medical devices that use exhaled breath to identify biomarkers correlating to diseases. The idea behind this actually came from my final year thesis back at university, and I took a leap of faith to spin out the company from Imperial College when we received funding. It ended up being quite a roller coaster journey for me, from setting up a factory in Taiwan to running clinical studies in the UK and beyond!

The startup is now profitable with a stable business model, and I do not need to be involved in its day-to-day operations. Therefore, I decided it was a good time for me to relocate back to Singapore to spend more time with my loved ones. The timing aligned with Tulip Interfaces’ APAC expansion plan, and I felt that with my background, I could help the company build its operations in the region.

3) Your company’s work focuses on manufacturers. What’s the future of manufacturing and why is it a critical sector?

Working closely with manufacturers, I see firsthand how critical this sector is to Singapore’s economy, contributing around 20 per cent of our GDP and underpinning key industries like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aerospace and defence, as well as precision engineering.

For years, manufacturers have chased digital transformation, but progress often stalls, not because the technology fails, but because adoption does. What’s needed is continuous transformation — a people-driven, ongoing approach that replaces one-off, “big-bang” rollouts. Instead of rigid systems, manufacturers are turning to composability or modular, flexible architecture that lets operations build, adapt, and evolve tools iteratively.

This shift enables greater agility, resilience, and innovation, crucial in an era of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and rapid regulatory change. As manufacturing evolves, success will depend on our ability to adapt quickly and empower people on the ground. We have to see transformation not as a project, but as a core organisational capability.

4) You came into the world of tech with a bioengineering background. How was that transition like for you and what do you find most meaningful about your role?

Throughout my career, I have explored roles in different industries, so this is not my first rodeo! In fact, I am a good example of how it’s not a must to have a software background to work in the tech industry, but my expertise in engineering definitely helped to make the shift easier. Also, as life sciences clients account for a huge portion of our business, having a bioengineering degree was a huge plus in better understanding their needs.

What I find most meaningful about my job is seeing how the digital tools we have can help clients improve productivity and solve the pain points of on-the-ground operators. This role has given me enormous satisfaction as well by giving me the chance to build solutions from scratch. The process is often messy and ambiguous but on the flip side, you can create significant impact and learn the most through such experiences.

5) What words of advice do you have for young people on navigating an AI-driven world?

It is normal to feel concerned when disruptive technologies like AI are introduced. The skills we need to excel in our careers will change and jobs will become increasingly polarised. However, when one door closes, another will often present itself. We need to ensure that we are well-positioned to get our foot into the door. Staying curious and embracing continuous learning are critical to this. Equipping ourselves with the skills to use different tools is how we can get an edge and differentiate ourselves from others in the job market. 

As AI-natives, young people definitely have the skills to tide through this seismic shift since AI is already heavily intertwined into their daily lives. Identify the sectors or roles on an upward trajectory that align with your strengths and grab those opportunities.