Chong Ing Kai: Chopstick Robots, ADHD Grit and Why Tinkering Beats Traditional STEAM – E649

Chong Ing Kai: Chopstick Robots, ADHD Grit and Why Tinkering Beats Traditional STEAM – E649

Author: Jeremy Au December 4, 2025 Duration: 34:50

Chong Ing Kai Founder and CEO of Stick’Em joins Jeremy Au to unpack how tinkering shaped his early years, how ADHD influenced his learning journey, and why he built a chopstick robotics kit to make STEAM education affordable for all. They explore how schools struggle with hands-on learning, why teachers need flexible tools rather than rigid kits, and how students learn better when they build instead of follow instructions. Their discussion covers the rise of open-ended tinkering, the pitfalls of screen-first childhoods, and the structural challenges of selling innovation into schools. Kai also shares how Stick’Em grew from a hundred-dollar prototype to a company used by thousands of students and how winning the Hult Prize at 22 changed his plans for global expansion.


02:42 Schools lacked quality STEAM programs: While working as a robotics trainer, Kai notices that schools rely on vendors who are businessmen rather than educators, creating weak learning experiences.

04:54 Chopsticks unlock creativity for kids: Kai shares why Stick’Em uses chopsticks, how they are cheap, sturdy, and open-ended, and how kids build robots, weapons, helicopters, and costumes in early tests.

07:05 Teachers adopt Stick’Em when it fits their real lessons: He explains how teachers use Stick’Em inside core subjects like social studies, ICT, science, and mother tongue — not just in after-exam activities.

11:38 Modern dopamine loops hit ADHD harder: Kai goes deep into TikTok, gaming, poor sleep, and how dopamine addiction creates pitfalls for impulsive students — plus how he manages these triggers as a founder.

18:48 Shifting the business model to recurring school revenue: Kai explains why selling hardware once was unsustainable and how Stick’Em now targets booklist placement so every P3 student receives a kit yearly.

29:39 Winning the Hult Prize transforms the company’s scale: He recounts entering the competition for mentorship, making semifinals and finals, and ultimately winning the million-dollar global prize because of traction and clarity.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/chong-ing-kai-chopstick-engineering

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com


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#STEMeducation #TinkeringMindset #ChopstickRobotics #GenZFounders #ADHDJourney #HandsOnLearning #EdTechInnovation #ParentingInTech #FutureOfLearning #BRAVEpodcast




There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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