NEOM

Head of Innovation and Ecosystem Activation, Food Sector

Senior Manager, Technology & Innovation, Food, Energy-Water-Food

NEOM is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. We are looking for eager learners who are passionate about food and how digital technologies can impact lives. Ping us to learn more about how you can be part of the team innovating the future of food through design x hacks x policy.

Manager, Digital, Policy, & Innovation, Food, Energy-Water-Food

NEOM is a special economic zone in Saudi Arabia where global talents converge to pioneer ideas on the land of the future for the future of cities. As a Food Technology Consultant in the Food Sector, I lead the digital strategy and initiatives of the NEOM Food Sector with the following objectives:
Ensure food supply resilience and sustainability through traceability and advanced analytics
Enhance food production efficiency via environmental sensing and automation

Consultant, Technology, Food Sector

TOPIAN

Head of Innovation and Ecosystem Activation

Hustle Fund

Angel Squad Member

OpenClassrooms

OpenClassrooms is an online education platform for vocational training, providing courses in IT, technology, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. As a mentor, I support and accompany individual students once per week over video chat in order to help them get the most out of their learning on OpenClassrooms. I help students as they work on the projects that count towards the completion of their learning path. I also grade the projects that they do. Paths on OpenClassrooms are comprised of fully-online courses and projects, and completing the projects allows students to earn internationally-recognized degrees.

Mentor (Data Analyst / Data Scientist)

Startup Grind

Startup Grind in partnership with Google for Startups is a startup community actively educating, inspiring, and connecting entrepreneurs around the globe. We do this through our unique fireside-chat monthly events. As Chapter Director, I act as a bridge for founders, developers, and investors to create a #GiveFirst startup culture in Riyadh.

Events:
9/2019 - Mentor at Ideathon 2.0: The New Wave of Digitalization in Beijing
4/2019 - Founder Wellness and lessons from Silicon Valley for Startups in KSA 
2/2019 - Data insights and other lessons from MIT/Stanford/McKinsey for startups in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh Chapter Director

AngelHack

AngelHack empowers developers and communities globally through our signature hackathon series. As an Ambassador, I build the local tech and start-up communities and strengthen the local ecosystems and promote innovations by bringing together passionate and motivated individuals and organizing and running amazing hackathons.

Mentored and supported Jeddah Fintech Hackathon (https://www.hackathon.io/jeddah-fintech-hackathon/)

Riyadh Ambassador

City AI

City AI is a global community of AI practitioners with one goal: to enable everyone to apply artificial intelligence. As the Riyadh Ambassador, I promote the sharing of AI lessons learned through regular meetups, contribute to shaping global best practices in AI engagement, and chart the local AI ecosystem to enable players to leverage AI potential in various business use-cases.

Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties is a scientific commission that regulates health care-related practices and accreditation at all levels in Saudi Arabia. As a Consultant at the Knowledge Management Department, I advise the Director on data governance, data analytics, and data culture matters. Specifically, I:
Lead the advanced analytics group (AAG)
Propose and supervise projects in the scope of AAG
Explore data and derive insights using machine learning techniques
Propose proof-of-concepts for applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence
Develop and grow the staff in AAG

Consultant, Knowledge Management

General Assembly

Delivered 960 hours of instruction in applied data science at the Misk Academy to enable 60 early-professionals to transition into a Data Science career in Saudi Arabia
Adapted global data science curricula best practices to fit local market needs
Co-developed 50+ student data science projects for real-world applications with local companies

Lead Instructor (Data Science Immersive)

Saudi Aramco

Identified new technology joint venture opportunities by drafting 30 technical briefs for the Technology Management team
Reviewed in-house IP policies by interviewing 5 prolific in-house R&D scientists 
Developed an invention disclosure process to enhance knowledge flow and to inform IP strategy for the Intellectual Asset Management team

Intern - Technology Management

Innovation X Ecosystems @Topian, the NEOM Food Company

TL;DR
I turn bold ideas into sustainable reality. As Head of Innovation at NEOM’s food company, I fuse technology, sustainability, and food systems to shape a resilient, future-ready world. With a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a track record spanning research, entrepreneurship, and global partnerships, I’m passionate about driving transformative projects that advance Vision 2030.

Speaker bio:
Dr. Andrew Yip is the Head of Innovation and Ecosystem Activation at Topian, the NEOM Food Company. He is dedicated to curating sustainable innovations and strategic partnerships that will help the food sector reach its full potential. With his extensive experience in technology, innovation, and data governance, Dr. Yip is committed to driving positive change and creating innovative solutions for the industry, supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to promote economic diversification, job creation, and social and cultural development.

Dr. Yip holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and has been a NEOM pioneer since 2019. When he's not working, he enjoys tabletop gaming with friends and strangers alike.

Andrew Yip, PhD

Just back from the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. The scale is hard to comprehend—5,000+ exhibitors, 16 endless halls, a half-million-person buzz. It was a week of sensory overload in the best way, complete with robot boxing matches and UFO-looking transportation drone (yes, really).

A few observations have stuck with me:

1. Innovation is About Pivot, Not Just Product.
I saw HONOR, the phone maker, demoing everything from smart car OSs to AI-powered cat toys. It was a powerful lesson: true innovation isn't just a new flagship device; it's the agile application of core tech into wildly new markets.

2. The Middle East Isn't a "Market," It's a Partner.
The forum on China-Middle East tech was telling. Hearing from SenseTime's Riyadh joint venture and a speech by Mohammed Aljasser from PIF's TASAMA made one thing clear: this isn't a scattershot expansion. It's a deeply strategic, state-aligned push to build integrated ecosystems, perfectly synchronized with a national agenda like Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The focus and long-term commitment were key. Don't come and sell products, come build with us for the long haul.

3. Build it here. bring it everywhere.
My highlight was the KAUST Shenzhen hub presence at the fair. I reconnected with two of our TIE masters teams—one building a medical drone delivery service, the other recycling 3D printer waste at its source. Seeing these students, who operate between our two worlds, physically building the bridges we talk about was incredibly gratifying. 

I saw "Shenzhen speed" applied to global problems firsthand. It brought to mind Steve Jobs' pebbles observation that the best products come from conflict. It's not about agreement; it's about the friction of different perspectives grinding against each other until they create something sharper and new.

Which brings me to a final reflection:

The road to the future is not built alone and in isolation. 

True local demand and a global ecosystem of eager builders make the dream come true.

Saudi Premium Resident | Turning bold ideas into sustainable reality | Tech × Sustainability × Future Food Systems

Yuanfen isn’t just chance — it’s the quiet rhythm of kindred spirits crossing paths, again and again. 

From World AgriFood Innovation (WAFI) Conference panelists to innovation park bump-ins, to this midnight airport Starbucks chat (him fresh off Chengdu, me pre-dawn flight in Beijing) — Ming and I circled back to what matters: people, purpose, and bridging cross-border tech and cultural gaps.

Grateful for connections that feel less accidental, more meant to be.

They say, "اطلبوا العلم ولو في الصين" – "Seek knowledge, even if it is in China."

This ancient Arab proverb took on a profound new meaning for me at the recent Shentech bootcamp at the KAUST Shenzhen Innovation Hub. As a KAUST alumnus, returning to a KAUST ecosystem on the other side of the world was a powerful reminder that knowledge isn't confined to a place, but lives where curious minds from every field and corner of the globe come together. This I've got to experience bumping into my old friend Hattan while I was casually scouting the office and ended up with an hour-long conversation on deep tech commercialization, AI education, travels and food in China. Thank you for being a steadfast champion of diversity and living the Arabic proverb to its fullest!

At the event, the energy was incredible! It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, fellow alumni, and the brilliant startups I've been following. The collaborative spirit was palpable, and it was inspiring to see the deep-tech innovation taking root.

A recent fascination in bioplastics drew my attention to NuCarbon. They are tackling the massive issue of food waste, which contributes significantly to global carbon emissions . Their work focuses on converting liquid food waste into precursors for biofuels, bioplastics, and antimicrobial agents. This is transforming a global environmental liability into valuable chemical building blocks and paving the way for a more circular economy. Kudos to Pascal, Krishna, Hari, and Gabriel in pushing the frontier and demonstrating the possibility on our Thuwal campus. 
 
This bootcamp was more than just sessions and pitches; it was a melting pot of ideas. It reinforced my belief that the next great breakthroughs will happen at the intersection of disciplines and cultures. It was also a great pleasure to bump into the great shapers of the Chinese alumni chapter Dr. Jian Pan and Peng Zhan at the event. Thank you to the Shenzhen team of KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) (especially to Anita FANG and both Sarah's for their tieless coordination, and all the partners, especially the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen for orchestrating such a stellar event and visits. 

The journey of knowledge continues, and it is unequivocally a global one.

Look forward to meeting you all at The Garage today and tomorrow!

د.أندرو يب يسلّط الضوء في ملتقى EWAx على دور الابتكار وحوكمة البيانات في تشكيل قطاعات مرنة، وتطوير حلول غذائية مستدامة تخدم المستقبل

Dr. Andrew Yip highlights at the EWAx Forum the role of innovation and data governance in building resilient sectors and developing sustainable food solutions for the future.

A new partnership is being born. Stay tuned. #EWAx

Lovely sharing some thoughts on data-driven ecosystem with you both Max Leveau Oleksandr Kozyr at #EWAx

ناقشت الجلسة الحوارية الرابعة رحلة تطوير أنظمة الغذاء المستدامة، حيث أوضح الخبراء أن التحديات ليست تقنية فقط بل ثقافية في المقام الأول، وأن البيانات الدقيقة وبناء نماذج عمل مشتركة بين الشركات الناشئة والصناعة هي الطريق لابتكارات قادرة على النمو والتوسع عالمياً

The fourth dialogue session discussed the journey of developing sustainable food systems, where experts clarified that the challenges are not only technical but primarily cultural. They affirmed that accurate data and building shared business models between startups and the industry are the path to innovations capable of global growth and expansion

It's an understatement to say that KAUST changed my life. And I would love anyone in my network with the right aptitudes and attitudes to give this new house of wisdom a fair chance.

Professor at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

The KAUST Global Fellowship Program is accepting applications until January 15, 2026. This prestigious program attracts exceptional postdoctoral researchers from around the world to pursue independent, curiosity-driven research at KAUST. A slide deck with key information about the Fellowship, including eligibility criteria, application process, and timelines is attached for your reference.

Please note this opportunity to come and work here! 

Descartes had it backwards.

"I think, therefore I am" is a lonely truth. A brain in a jar can think.

But to feel alive? To truly be? That requires another.

I connect, therefore I am.

We are not just thinking minds, but beating hearts that find their rhythm in others.

So how do we start? At Startup Grind, we build on this idea with three simple mantras:

👉 #GiveFirst - Value creation over value extraction.
👉#MakeFriends - Build real relationships, not just contacts.
👉#HelpOthers - Your success is tied to the success you create.

These are the practices that turn a solitary thought into a shared existence.

Your turn: What's one small way you'll practice #GiveFirst this week? Share it below. 👇

With the TIE masters yellow it completes the seeds of unity of KAUST. 

May the clarifying lens ever clarifies.

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

View company: KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

Yesterday’s Commencement ceremony marked a historic milestone for KAUST with the graduation of the University’s first cohort from the Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) program.

This inaugural group represents a significant step in strengthening KAUST’s role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s innovation ecosystem. The TIE program prepares graduates to translate research into scalable solutions that support national priorities and contribute to the growth of a knowledge-based economy.

We are proud to celebrate this important achievement and the impact these graduates will deliver as they move into the next stage of their entrepreneurial and professional journeys.

#KAUST #Commencement2025 #AcceleratingImpact #TIEProgram #Entrepreneurship #SaudiVision2030

Well said. A useful and cost effective model beats any fancy model on the field.

AI Expert, CEO of 01.AI, Chairman/CEO of 创新工场 (Sinovation Ventures), Author of 'AI Superpowers', 'AI 2041'

Decent-quality LLMs from China are really helping make GenAI affordable and accessible to the world through open source.  Pursuing AGI with close models might be a winner-take-all game for U.S. big techs, but making AI more open will benefit researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists in building AI that works for them.  More in this Bloomberg interview:

Open article: Sinovation Ventures’ Lee on China-US AI Race by bloomberg.com

Sinovation Ventures’ Lee on China-US AI Race

Remode Company

Hey there! REMODE has been the go-to leadership coaching team for 30+ agency and e-commerce brand founders who were fed up with the constant hustle and bustle of daily operations.
 
✅ Dreaming of working ON the future of your business rather than sweating the small stuff?
✅ Wishing your organization works autonomously without you micromanaging every detail?
✅ Ready to make those changes yesterday, but feeling a bit lost on the "how"?

That's where REMODE swings into action. We're all about crafting a self-sufficient organization and levelling-up up your visionary leadership.

Feeling any of these?
❌ Frustrated that your team isn't moving as quickly as you'd like
❌ Afraid to take a break because everything might stall
❌ Doubting your leadership team can handle things in your absence
❌ Losing sleep over how to scale and refine the inner workings of your biz

Here’s the deal with teaming up with REMODE:

→ Sharper clarity → Amped motivation → Boosted team engagement → Greater independence in your operations → More profitable workflow → Extra breathing room for you to focus on the big picture

Fancy a chat? Book a free consultation, and let’s explore how we can get your business cruising at altitude:

👉 Book your chat here> https://calendly.com/leonremode/explore

🇱🇹| DTC Ecommerce Leadership Coaching - Let go of day-to-day chaos in 3 months. 

MentorPass

Offering my 15+ years in Ecommerce Leadership and Consulting as a Mentor with MentorPass. 

MentorPass is a consulting platform that connects high-growth consumer businesses with the world's top experts for 30 and 60-minute video consulting sessions. 

MentorPass helped clients 3x annual revenue, reduce customer acquisition costs by 45%, hire c-suite team members, and raise $10M+ financing rounds.

500+ happy customers, 200+ active mentors (selected from 10k+ mentor applications).

Brands include: Athletic Greens, Cuts, Kettle & Fire, Feastables, and more.

E-commerce Leadership Mentor

Creation

Board Member

Wise2Sync

Member

Lithuanian Business Angel Network LitBAN

Learning to invest in and support the Lithuanian startup ecosystem.

Linkedist

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools founders can use today. And Linkedist is your go-to company in the Nordics and Baltics that helps you harness the power of this social network. 

In my role as Linkedist’s (pro-bono) Advisory Board Member, I help to shape their path to success by tapping into my expertise in leadership, strategy and developing remote organizations and teams.

🇱🇹| Advisory Board Member

DOONAILS - We're hiring!

Leveraging the strategic framework of REMODE, I've served as the Fractional COO/CFO for Doonails, dedicating my expertise on a part-time basis. 

In this dynamic role, I partnered closely with the founders to architect the foundation of their organization, sculpting a robust structure that seamlessly integrates leadership excellence and financial acuity. 

My mission was to steer Doonails toward sustainable growth, ensuring their operations, leadership, and finances are primed for scaling. 

This collaboration not only enhanced Doonails' trajectory but also embodies REMODE's commitment to transforming businesses through insightful leadership and financial strategies.

Fractional Ecommerce COO/CFO (B2B)

In my capacity as a Leadership Coach for Doonails, I've have had the privilege of working alongside the four founders to redefine the company's vision and integrate the unique REMODE leadership framework. 

Together, we have elevated leadership capabilities across the team and have honed in on articulating and embodying the essence of Doonails' culture. 

Our collaborative efforts have been centered on cultivating a strong, unified leadership ethos that propels the organization towards its strategic goals, ensuring that every team member is aligned with and inspired by Doonails' forward-looking mission.

Ecommerce Leadership Coach

Integral Solutions

I've joined Integral Solution as (pro-bono) advisor out of the resonance with their mission and vision to battle mental health issues in the population. Mental health issues are rising and we need more holistic solutions.

My work at Integral Solutions consists of helping the founders set up a strategic plan, supporting in keeping the proper focus, creating economic opportunities, and advocating their future solutions to the world.

🇱🇹| Strategic Advisor

Cargo stream

Cargo Stream develops a robust and easy-to-use end-to-end collaboration platform, modernizing daily logistics management and making logistics sustainable towards the future. 

During my time as CEO I have:


- Created a renewed vision for the company
- Made the company more investable
- Put Cargo stream on the radar of large worldwide companies 
- Enhanced the brand’s perception with multiple speeches and events
- Enhanced strategic partnerships
- Built Customer Acquisition processes
- Built Customer Success processes

Chief Executive Officer

My journey with Cargo stream, which eventually led to me serving as acting CEO, started with me advising the founders on strategic growth and management.

🇱🇹| Strategic Advisor 

Next-Generation Leadership Consulting for Agencies | Save up to 30% in Operational Costs | Implement a Strong Vision in Under 3 Months | Founder @ REMODE |

REMODE has empowered 40+ e-commerce agency and brand founders to break free from the daily grind and regain control of their business.

✅ Are you ready to focus ON your business and stop sweating the small stuff?
✅ Is your goal to have an organization that runs smoothly without your constant involvement?
✅ Do you want to achieve this fast but feel stuck on where to start?

With REMODE, you’ll build an autonomous organization and unlock powerful leadership—faster than you ever thought possible.

1️⃣ Do-It-Yourself: REMODE Course – You get access to an entire course, walking you step-by-step through how to detach yourself from the daily chaos.

2️⃣ Done-With-You: REMODE Coaching – Audit + Course + Weekly guidance in a Live Q&A session + access to a private group for questions.

3️⃣ Done-For-You: REMODE 1:1 – We become a fractional part of your team, guiding you through intensive weekly sessions, workshops, and hands-on training—all with direct access to your personal expert through a dedicated messaging channel.

Does any of the following sound familiar?

❌ Your team’s execution feels painfully slow, leaving you frustrated.
❌ You feel chained to your business, knowing that time off means everything falls apart.
❌ You lack confidence in your leaders to run the business for you.
❌ You have sleepless nights worrying about missed growth opportunities because of the chaos.

Here’s what collaborating with us will offer you:

→ crystal-clear clarity
→ unstoppable motivation
→ sky-high engagement
→ a self-reliant team
→ streamlined, profitable operations
→ freedom to focus on your long-term vision.

Ready to break free from the daily grind and step back into the role of visionary entrepreneur? 
Let’s talk—send me a Direct Message.

Your transformation is closer than you think—let’s make it happen.

Leon van der Laan

If LinkedIn is part of your growth strategy, here’s something you’ll want to check out.

Linkedist just launched their Black Friday offer, and instead of a single discount, they introduced a stackable charm system where you can customize exactly what kind of visibility or support you want.

From GEO to content creation to full company profile audits - you choose what matters most, stack it, and get the discount.

Smart, simple, and actually useful.

Link below if you want to see the options.

And here’s a code for 5% off: LEON5

https://bit.ly/bf-leon

Leadership Coach in DTC Ecom | +10 years in Ecom | Helping DTC brands scale to 8-figures with the REMODE Framework™

Anxiety isn’t the enemy. It’s your body shouting, ‘something must change’.

For years, I chased comfort in corporate life.

Salary. Perks. Security. Everything paid for.

But something inside me started to shift. My son’s health scare woke me up. I realized I was living by other people’s goals, not my own.

That’s when anxiety hit. Insomnia, panic attacks, feeling stuck. At the time, it felt like a curse.

But here’s what I learned :

• Anxiety is a messenger, not a problem. My body was telling me to move, to grow, to stop ignoring my real needs.

• Resisting anxiety only makes it louder. When I tried to hide it or fight it with distractions, it got worse.

• Real change starts with self-awareness. In 2016, I wrote a letter from my future self. I described the life I wanted-and let myself feel it as real.

• The decision to leave corporate didn’t happen overnight. I prepared for two years, saved up, and faced every fear about the unknown.

• When I finally stepped out, anxiety faded. The stress was part of breaking free, not a sign to run back.

If you’re feeling that kind of pressure, know this: it’s not here to destroy you. It’s here to guide you.

Let anxiety be a signal, not a sentence.

Curious to hear: How has anxiety shaped your biggest decisions?

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Delegation isn’t about passing tasks—it's about transferring ownership.

Most founders think delegation means giving out tasks and checking them off. But if you still approve every move, you are not freeing your team—you are blocking them.

I see this play out in DTC brands all the time.

Founders feel chained to every decision. Every task needs their sign-off. The result? Slow progress, tired teams, and no real autonomy.

We do things differently.

We design for ownership.

Instead of saying “do this,” we use accountability matrices and tailored delegation models for every role.

Each person knows exactly what they own.

We run “ownership rituals” behind the scenes. These are moments where we transfer responsibility, step back, and let the team lead.

Sometimes it gets messy. Sometimes there are breakdowns. But those moments lead to breakthroughs.

When people know what they own, they step up.

They solve problems without waiting for permission.

They build the business with you—not for you.

True autonomy is built on systems, not slogans.

If you are still stuck in approvals, you are the bottleneck.

Want your team to take ownership? Give them the tools, the trust, and the space.

Reflect on your own process. Are you passing tasks, or are you transferring ownership?

Would love to hear your experience with building autonomy.

If your business depends on you every day, it’s not a business—it’s a bottleneck.

I learned this the hard way, working with 40+ eCom founders who were stuck in firefighting mode. Every day felt like a sprint, but nothing changed. Growth stalled. Stress took over. Freedom vanished.

That’s why I built the REMODE Framework™—a simple system for founders who want autonomy, clarity, and rapid growth.

Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Reflect
Audit your leadership. Where are you needed? Where does chaos start? This step shows you what’s broken.

2️⃣ Elevate
Set your North Star—mission, vision, and values. Your direction must be clear, or your team will drift.

3️⃣ Model
Build the future. Use SWOT analysis and goal setting. Get everyone rowing in the same direction.

4️⃣ Objectify
Make execution measurable. Use OKRs and clear plans. No more guessing or hoping for results.

5️⃣ Delegate
Let go. Build systems and accountability. Free up your time and give your team real ownership.

6️⃣ Excel
Optimize performance. Drive growth. Celebrate wins. Fix what slows you down. Repeat.

I use this model to help founders audit their leadership, design scalable systems, and empower their teams to own results.

When you step back, you stop being the bottleneck. Your business gets stronger. You get freedom.

Curious to hear: What’s the one thing keeping you stuck in the daily grind? Let’s talk.

PS, Can't believe how my AI version sucks 😆

taplio

The Battle

Andrew Yip, PhD

Leon van der Laan

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taplio

The Battle

Andrew Yip, PhD

Leon van der Laan

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Engagements

Likes

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