Every great startup journey needs strong guidance. Behind the scenes of the Llama Incubator Program by Meta, a dedicated group of mentors has been driving real impact. Over three weeks, these experts helped 32 AI teams sharpen their product thinking, stress-test their ideas, and move faster from prototype to potential.

From business model reviews to go-to-market critiques, these mentors played a pivotal role in helping founders bridge the gap between ambition and execution. Their support ensured that the hackathon wasn’t just about building—it was about building with clarity, confidence, and customer relevance.

Why mentorship matters in early-stage AI

Building in AI—especially at the early stage—is filled with both possibility and risk. Founders often face the challenge of balancing what’s technically possible with what users actually need. Many teams begin with powerful models or impressive tech stacks, but struggle with scoping, prioritization, or knowing how to turn a concept into something scalable.

Mentorship helps ground those efforts. Whether it’s clarifying product-market fit, guiding architectural choices, or providing perspective on how investors and customers evaluate AI products, mentors bring the wisdom of experience. They offer a reality check that doesn’t slow progress—it accelerates it.

That’s what made the mentorship component of this hackathon so essential: it gave founders a structured way to push their thinking, iterate quickly, and build smarter, faster.

Also read: Powering AI change: How e27’s Open Innovation Team and Meta are shaping APAC

Meet the mentors: Product and strategy

Mentors who help founders refine ideas, scope MVPs, and sharpen long-term strategy.

Oliver Gilbert (Principal – Pilot44) – With 15+ years across startups, corporates, and non-profits in APAC, the US, and EU, Oliver helps bold ideas become products and ventures. His expertise spans venture strategy, storytelling, and product design, with milestones like launching a social impact tech startup across global markets. He defines success as giving founders clarity on customers and products—often by reframing one sharp question that unlocks momentum.
Raju Vishwas (Founder & CEO – Rethink Lab) – With 15+ years in web development and product leadership, including as Head of Product at Central Group, Raju now helps startups build and launch innovative digital products. His milestones include bootstrapping an events platform to $15K MRR and founding Rethink Lab. He defines success as giving founders clarity on what to build, helping them avoid wasted time and money, and moving forward with confidence.
Alex Miller (Co-Founder – Particle Alliance) – A serial entrepreneur, mentor, and investor, Alex has spent nearly 20 years shaping Asia’s startup ecosystem through roles at Renren.com, Accelerating Asia, and 500 Startups. Today he is co-founding Flexbike.app, Vibeinsight.ai, and ClimateFair.co, while mentoring 60+ startups on purpose, pitch, and product. His milestones include scaling Renren’s ad product from $5M to $50M revenue and MC’ing multiple Demo Days. He defines success as helping founders hit the right metrics—whether revenue, retention, or funnels—that unlock their next stage of growth.
Mustafa Rasheed (M.R. Consulting Services) – With 12 years across public, banking, and consulting roles, Mustafa has advised over 3,000 businesses on growth and strategy. He created the Masterclass on Fundraising in Singapore, used by 350+ founders across APAC. For him, success is when startups find sustainable revenue streams and reach true product-market fit.
Catherine Sofia Somi (Founder & CEO) – With a background in law, aerospace, and venture creation, Catherine has built ventures across HealthTech, SpaceTech, FinTech, PropTech, AI/GenAI, SaaS, NFT, and blockchain. Her milestones include founding TakeX and leading DZF333 and DZF Ventures. She advises startups on scaling, fundraising, and product-market fit, and defines success as helping founders execute ideas that are effective and uniquely differentiated in the market.
Anisul Hoque (Principal Product Manager – Optimizely) – Anisul leads Optimizely’s Digital Asset Management platform and previously oversaw its Content Marketing Platform, shaping features now used by global brands. With deep martech and SaaS expertise, he helps startups turn vague ideas into clear roadmaps, define MVPs, and align cross-functional teams. His milestones include launching Optimizely’s CMP at scale, driving strategy for the upcoming Brand Portal, and mentoring PMs to build strong product cultures.

Meet the mentors: Growth, GTM & Fundraising

Mentors who bring expertise in scaling startups, sales, and investor readiness.

Julian Low (Starstorm Ventures) – A SaaS operator turned VC, Julian has helped portfolio companies like Quickdesk, Paywhere, Wiz.ai, and Joyful scale to 7–8 digit sales while staying profitable. He focuses on GTM, fundraising, and customer experience, and defines success as when founders see customers fall in love with their products.
Moe Iman (CEO & Founder – OnlyFounders x Founders Hub Network) – A founder-led operator with 20+ years across Web3, AI, and finance, Moe has raised $10M+, advised ventures like PrivateAI and MEAN Finance, and onboarded 40,000+ users to new ecosystems. He’s building a global tokenized SaaS platform to empower decentralized startup networks. His proudest milestones include leading teams of 3,000+ and earning a Guinness World Record. For Moe, success means guiding founders to cut through noise, sharpen conviction, and take purposeful action.
Osman Ahmed (Venture Partner – Accelerating Asia) – Osman blends telecom, IoT, and venture capital experience with hands-on startup leadership as COO of Curium. He helps founders refine SaaS sales and go-to-market.
Olivier Dombey (Founder & Managing Director – AlphOmega8) – An award-winning executive with 30+ years in digital transformation and operations, Olivier has built and sold startups, lived in 8 countries, and managed P&Ls from $20K to $110M. Now based in Thailand, he leads AlphOmega8, serves as Co-President of La French Tech Bangkok, and supports local charities. He advises founders on streamlining operations and disciplined go-to-market execution, and defines success as earning genuine gratitude, positive reviews, and returning clients.
Sahaj Kothari (Founder – CapZara Capital) – A fractional CEO/CMO with two successful exits, Sahaj has driven $100M+ in revenue across the USA, UK, and UAE markets, working with brands like SKIMS, GOLI, and Coca-Cola. Recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year (runner-up) and in the UK Top 100 New Talent list, he advises founders on GTM, sales, and fundraising. He defines success as creating “aha” moments that give founders clarity and confidence, matched by teams hungry to act.

Also read: Building the next generation of e-waste advocates: e27 and Meta’s role in youth-led sustainability

Meet the mentors: Branding & Communication

Mentors focused on storytelling, narrative, and connecting with audiences.

Yvan Goudard (Comms Strategist – Y Consulting LLC) – With 20+ years across aviation, fintech, and communication, Yvan has supported startups and global brands like Etihad Airways. He helps founders sharpen their storytelling, align their teams, and build consistent narratives. For him, success is when a startup can explain what they do in one sentence with confidence.
Matas Danielevicius (Co-Founder – Whatnot Startup Studio) – An entrepreneur and actor, Matas has co-founded ventures including Gaorai (acquired) and helped incubate 150+ startups in Thailand. He advises founders on branding, business development, and fundraising, and defines success as giving teams the clarity and confidence to build meaningful, resilient ventures.

What’s coming up for Meta Llama Incubator

All 32 teams will showcase their progress at the invite-only demo day on 15 October, where their work will be evaluated by investors and ecosystem leaders.

Looking ahead, Meta and e27 are continuing their partnership to scale startup support throughout the region. Future innovation programs will draw on this mentor-led model—deeply collaborative, context-aware, and focused on building AI solutions that last.

From early brainstorms to final pitch decks, the mentors of the Llama Incubator Program by Meta have been instrumental in helping this cohort move with speed and purpose. Their insights, generosity, and sharp questions have shaped not just the outcomes of this program but the next generation of AI leaders.

Stay tuned as their guidance continues to echo through the region’s rising founders.

—

Startup moves happen fast. Get ecosystem updates first via e27’s WhatsApp channel.

The e27 team produced this article

We can share your story at e27 too! Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. You can reach out to us here to get started.

Featured Image Credit: Canva Images

The post The mentors behind the magic: Meet the experts guiding Singapore’s next AI breakthroughs appeared first on e27.