Everyone Wants to Launch, I Chose to Re-Enter

AI is everywhere these days. Open LinkedIn and it feels like every other post is shouting, “We’re integrating AI!” or “Look at our AI demo!” The truth? Most of the time you don’t even know if you’re watching a real product or just a shiny mock UI. A lot of hype, not a lot of substance.

So when I first saw a post by my ex-colleague, Dennis, who had co-founded an AI company, I’ll be brutally honest — I scrolled right past. Good for them, I thought, but who isn’t doing AI now? It just felt like another hype train.

Six months later, another ex-colleague reached out and told me that Dennis was looking for a Solutions Engineering leader. “You should ping him if you are keen to have a chat?” At first, I hesitated. But curiosity got the better of me, so I said yes.

That one-hour chat turned into something more. You know how sometimes, when you’re having kopi with a friend, the conversation just flows and you forget to check your watch? That’s how it felt. No gimmicks, no empty buzzwords. Just clarity, ambition, and a sense of “eh, maybe this one is different.”

The clincher came when Ed, showed me a live demo. Not slides, not a pitch deck, not “akan datang (coming soon) features.” A proper, working product with some big named customers.

And the first thought that popped into my head was: “Wah, this one got legs...”

Why I Jumped In

Over the years, I’ve learned that the right opportunities must tick certain boxes for me:

• Something fresh and exciting in tech.

• A chance to build — whether that’s a team, a process, or a culture.

• Good people I actually want to work with.

• And most importantly this time, something close to home.

ReN3 ticked them all.

This isn’t just another startup parachuting in from the Valley. It’s a company born right here in the region. A little bit of Singapore, a dollop of Malaysia, a serving of the Philippines, a sprinkle of Thailand… like a regional rojak. It feels regional in the best possible way — a product built with ASEAN DNA, not just repackaged for it.

And the timing? Spot on. The company isn’t brand new — it’s been around for four years. But now it’s at that magic moment; traction is building, the vision is clearer, the product is real, and the runway ahead looks exciting.

For me, that’s the sweet spot.

Looking Ahead

So here I am — part of ReN3 (that’s Re-Entry if you’re wondering).

While most startups are busy strapping on boosters trying to be the next rocket ship, we’re focused on something else; making sure customers don’t get lost in orbit. Instead of drifting in the AI hype atmosphere, we help them re-enter safely, grounded in real outcomes.

P/S: And yes, if you’ve spotted our logo — that little space capsule re-entering the atmosphere? Now you know why :)

I’m not going to pretend I know exactly where this journey will lead. Startups can be unpredictable, messy, and full of surprises. But that’s what makes them fun. I do know this: we’re building something real, something that makes AI less buzzword and more backbone.

And for me personally, it’s a chance to do what I love most: roll up my sleeves, build something from the ground up, and hopefully, help shape not just a product, but a culture.

So if you’re curious, stay tuned and follow along. Because honestly? I’m just as excited (and curious) as you to see where this goes.