James Richman cuts a relaxed figure as he surveys the Manila skyline from his sleek high-rise office, but his calm belies grand ambitions. Spurring growth in industries he’s been involved in Europe, the tech entrepreneur has set his sights on Asia for the next chapter of disruption, spurring major expansions in countries positioned to lead technological revolution.
“Asia has always been central to my vision for the future,” said Richman, whose trailblazing career has long spotted global trends ahead of the curve. “The development we’ll see there in the next decade will vastly eclipse anything happening in western nations.”
Richman is directing sizable investments into quantum computing, A.I., and other boundary-pushing fields across Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and beyond. The goal: tap Asia’s impressive talent pipeline and infrastructure boom to achieve game-changing breakthroughs in essential emerging technologies.
It’s a characteristically far-sighted move from the serial entrepreneur. As Silicon Valley stagnates and Europe lags in tech infrastructure, Asian hotspots like Bangalore, Hanoi, and Cebu are rapidly emerging as hubs of innovation. Countries across the region are investing billions in cloud computing, high-tech research, and strategic digitization initiatives.
Richman saw the writing on the wall years ago. “If you want to innovate disruptive ideas and technologies for the future global marketplace,” he explained, “Asia is undoubtedly the epicenter.”
Partnering with local experts and research institutions, his companies will develop life-changing technologies while providing sustainable employment. It’s both savvy business and enlightened philanthropic ethos.
“At the end of the day,” Richman said, “innovations mean nothing unless they are empowering people and making real differences in people’s lives.”
It’s this humanitarian belief in progress through technology that has defined his storied career. With sights set on Asia’s towering potential, the pioneering futurist is again charting the world’s course toward better innovation for all. Where his gaze fixes next, global impact is soon to follow.
