Devi Sahny is the founder of Ascend Now, a Singapore-based edtech company that delivers personalized online courses. They support 3,500+ students, 30 international schools (with more than 20,000 students), and two governments’ education departments with their curriculum and courses.

The platform enables K12 Students by teaching two online courses: academic courses in line with international curriculums, and entrepreneurship (soft-skills) courses.

We deliver quality skills-based education globally through personalized, engaging and relevant learning to get students ready for the future workforce.

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

We provide personalized online courses to K12 students, with academic subjects and beyond.

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

I was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs before I founded Ascend Now. When I decided to do something in education, I just searched for the best place for education in the world. It says — Singapore! So, I bought a one-way ticket and arrived with one suitcase with all my belongings in Singapore when I was 23 without knowing a single person here, and here we started.

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

Growing my team — because they are the reason we have achieved what we have.

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

I think the beauty space is very interesting because there are many gaps in the consumer user journey, and there are still many opportunities. I am also interested in the customer service sector for F&B — so much more can happen there too.

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

Listen to the advice you give to others.

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

Educational pedagogies/frameworks

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Far from the madding crowd

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

Coconut / belgian chocolate.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.