Vivek Nair

Vivek Nair (he/him) is the managing director of Activate Singapore, where he supports scientist-founders transforming breakthrough research into companies. A scientist and entrepreneur, Nair brings over 15 years of experience founding, scaling, and exiting deep-tech ventures across Asia, Africa, and North America, spanning hydrogen, advanced materials, and energy storage. He also advises deep-tech founders internationally, including ventures preparing for public listings. Previously, Nair led open innovation across electric vehicles, batteries, and emerging technologies at Hyundai CRADLE Singapore, Hyundai Motor Group’s global corporate venture capital arm, and worked at McKinsey & Company. An inventor on more than 40 patent filings, he was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35. Nair holds a joint Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University and Loughborough University.