Vivek Manoharan, PhD

Scientist & Entrepreneur | Building Artificial Intelligence aka AI That Works (Minus the Hype) | Science Activist

India

About

Co-founder of Bipolar Factory, developing AI-powered solutions with a focus on tangible results and real-world impact. Biomedical (Biomechanics & Ergonomics) Scientist and Entrepreneur with an MS & Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Experienced in building and scaling startups as founder, including 221B Biomedical (backed by India Health Fund and Tata Trusts) and Test At Home (Block 71 Alum, incubated at the National University of Singapore - NUS Enterprise, an Antler Singapore company), focused on innovative healthcare solutions. Co-founded Ferne Health, Singapore, a pioneering sexual health startup (acquired), demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Ambassador, mentor, and lead facilitator at the UNLEASH and UNLEASH+ Innovation Lab. Passionate Young Indians (CII), SICCI, & Breakthrough Science Society member. Co-founder of TEDxNTU at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and a co-curator at the TEDxSingapore community. Former President (consecutively elected twice) of the Nanyang Technological University Graduate Student Council, where he advocated for 9,000+ graduate students. Founding Chairman of NTU World of Wisdom (NTU WOW), a student-run think tank and knowledge outreach institution at NTU, Singapore. Passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex problems and drive positive change at the intersection of science and society. Committed to lifelong learning and the pursuit of antifragility, embracing challenges and uncertainty as opportunities for growth. Driven by a deep curiosity about the world, with an interest in applying a scientific approach to exploring the unexplained aka Paranormal.

Experience

  • Co-founder & Head of Strategic Partnerships at Bipolar Factory
    Dec 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

    As a co-founder, I am responsible for science, strategic initiatives, outcomes, and partnerships. Through 'Oly,' we are leveraging AI-powered video and CCTV analytics to foster positive change, with a particular emphasis on the retail, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, traffic, and public sectors, among others. Our objective is to develop pioneering products using Ethical AI for the betterment of society. We have partnered with the textile and automotive industries to automate their manufacturing processes through cost-effective AI-driven solutions. Bipolar Factory seeks to innovate in retail and urban technology using ethical AI, machine learning, and computer vision. This collaboration will expedite our development and cultivate essential industry partnerships.

  • UNLEASH - Innovation lab for SDGs (8 yrs 5 mos)
    • UNLEASH Ambassador - Vice-lead of the UNLEASH Community Initiatives Committee
      Dec 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

      UNLEASH is, at its core, a mission to connect aspiring to equip young people to help create solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals. As an official UNLEASH ambassador and member of the UNLEASH Community Initiatives Committee, I help raise awareness and organize activities around the sustainability causes you and your community care about most through UNLEASH’s channels, which have a global reach of over 23M+ people! I am a part of UNLEASH’s Community Board and adding perspectives on how to improve our program, affecting the experiences of thousands of youth worldwide. I also evaluate applications for UNLEASH

    • UN SDGs Lead design thinking facilitator, mentor, expert and applications evaluator
      Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

      UNLEASH trained and certified facilitator in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals : UN SDGs or SDG design thinking and innovation process. Experience: Mentor : Mindforward program, UNLEASH + RIVET Applications Evaluator : UNLEASH, UNLEASH Plus Judge : UNLEASH & UNLEASH Plus Lead Facilitator : UNLEASH INDIA 2022 SDG 3 - Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) UNLEASH Hack Pakistan 2022 : Youth & Democracy UNLEASH Hack Mongolia 2022 : Inclusive Financing

    • UNLEASH Mentor, UNLEASH Plus Mentor, Expert & Judge
      Aug 2021 - Present · 5 yrs

      Facilitating team development and the implementation of solutions addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the pre-acceleration program UNLEASH+. UNLEASH is a global initiative uniting the world’s top talents to share ideas, build networks and grow solutions to help reach the SDGs. My mentees were the winners of the top prize in UNLEASH 2023. Mentor - UNLEASH Philippines 2025

  • Mentor-in-residence & Entrepreneurship Educator at 18startup
    Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Powered by build3. We help students to become a highly networked professional in the startup ecosystem, with demonstrated capabilities of building businesses, either as an entrepreneur or as an intrapreneur.

  • Strategic Advisor, India Expansion at EvolveCareers
    May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    EvolveCareers is a UK-India based EdTech company dedicated to supporting young people in their transition from education to the workforce. I am the co-founder advisor leading its expansion in India We deliver engaging, industry-driven, on-demand learning experiences that will equip young people with the tools to overcome common challenges, as well as provide them with unique access to global industry experts who offer invaluable insights into what employers truly value.

  • Founder & Chief Executive officer at 221B Biomedical
    Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

    221B Biomedical Private Limited is an India associate of Test At Home Pte. Ltd. Singapore ( TAH). We work closely with TAH, National University of Singapore and other partners in bringing COVID 19, TB, HIV and other medical technologies to the Indian market and community. It is supported, funded and accelerated by India Health Fund and Tata Trusts