Alexandra Zhang is the co-founder and CEO of Factorem, Southeast Asia's first on-demand, one-stop platform for custom manufacturing. Factorem leverages unused capacities from regional factories to deliver rapid, high-quality prototyping and production services to companies.

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

We enable hardware innovations by getting your custom designs manufactured into a high-quality physical product. At no minimum order quantity, you can now order custom parts in clicks and get them in days.

We are transforming the way manufacturing is done in the future.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I did a ten-day silence retreat (Vipassana Meditation) in my early days as a founder — 10 consecutive days of 10+ hours of meditation per day when I had no prior meditation experience. No technology, phones, journals, books, music, conversations or eye contact with others were allowed in the retreat. It was experiential. Will recommend!

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Having a twist of events when we thought we had reached a closed door. The biggest highlights have interestingly been closely related to our setbacks. This applies to securing funding, landing significant clients etc.

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Disruption in any kind of traditional industry (manufacturing, agriculture, construction).

Traditional industries excite me as there is a lot of untapped potential and opportunities for value creation. It takes a lot of hard work, and having the right people to build impact alongside you makes all the difference!

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Never stop showing up. Especially on the harder days. Trust in the process and the unfolding of life.

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

‍Travel and fitness! I am a huge believer of movement being an energy-giver.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Biscoff