Meet Kenneth, the CEO and co-founder of BeLive Technology, a pioneering force behind Southeast Asia’s rise in interactive live streaming. Starting in 2014, Kenneth recognised a powerful market shift—consumers were craving more authentic, real-time digital engagement. Drawing from insights during his time in Japan, he saw the potential to bring live video technology to Southeast Asia and launched BeLive, which has since powered over 5 billion minutes of video for global brands like Grab, Mediacorp, and Rakuten.
Today, under Kenneth’s leadership, BeLive has transformed from a platform into a full-fledged tech solutions company, and recently achieved the milestone of being listed on NASDAQ. With a strong belief in innovation with purpose, Kenneth continues to lead with clarity, integrity, and vision—bridging enterprise needs with scalable video tech solutions, while maintaining a strong culture rooted in transparency and self-awareness.
BeLive Technology started in 2014 and has since powered over 5 billion minutes of video. What inspired the founding of the company, and what gap did you see in the market back then?
When we started, we were already aware that live-streaming video was rapidly gaining popularity in the region. It really took off in China—although it wasn’t initially accepted, the trend soon became mainstream.
People there got used to watching live streamers perform and sell products, and consumers developed fierce loyalty towards these streamers, often trusting them like close friends.
Back in 2012, I was working in Tokyo, for a multinational company called DeNA, primarily focused on mobile games. We had also invested in a live-streaming platform called SHOWROOM, which enabled idols across Japan to connect with their fans via live video.
At the time, this wasn’t possible on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, which were mainly image- and text-based. This innovation allowed for real-time interaction, and it became immensely popular.
My co-founders and I saw an opportunity to bring something similar to Southeast Asia, starting with Singapore. At the time, there were popular platforms in China, Japan, and Korea, but not in our region. That was the gap we aimed to fill.
BeLive is now a NASDAQ-listed company, which is a huge milestone. What does this mean for your team, your clients, and your vision for the future?
We initially began as a platform, but we noticed increasing demand from enterprises for live-streaming and video solutions—specifically from those who wanted to own their own video and customer data.
That’s when we pivoted to providing our technology as a service to brands and organisations. BeLive Technology was born out of that demand. Today, we serve clients such as Grab, Rakuten, Trendyol in Turkey, and Mediacorp.
We deliver live and shoppable video experiences directly through their websites, powered by our core video technology, players, and infrastructure.
Becoming a NASDAQ-listed company allows us to take a long-term view. We are committed to delivering value not only to our customers and partners but also to our shareholders.
As pioneers in Southeast Asia, we have unique insights and networks, which enable us to deliver comprehensive digital transformation strategies—either with our own technology or through partners’.
As a NASDAQ-listed CEO, how do you balance investor expectations with innovation and company culture?
To me, these are not opposing forces—they coexist. Investors expect responsible innovation. We don’t innovate for the sake of it; we innovate to provide real value to our customers.
Our culture hasn’t changed since listing. In fact, it’s only strengthened. Of course, we now have more reporting and shareholder responsibilities, but we’ve always operated with a strong sense of accountability. Whether private or public, our goal has always been to innovate, maintain our culture, and deliver results—especially financial ones.
Self-awareness is key—not just for me, but for the organisation and its leaders. We must constantly learn, assess our strengths and weaknesses, and remain open to change and innovation.
What differentiates BeLive’s technology from other live-streaming platforms in the industry?
Our solutions have been tested at scale. Most live-streaming providers are focused locally—a European company would dominate Europe, an American one would focus on the US, and so on. But we are truly global.
We’ve proven our technology even in countries where network conditions are poor. Despite that, we’ve supported hundreds of thousands—and even millions—of concurrent users. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. While we do offer a SaaS platform, we also customise our solutions heavily.
Many of our clients require not only live video but also integration with loyalty programmes and customer retention systems. Video might be the entry point, but the customer journey continues beyond that—and we support it.
What principles guide your leadership as you scale a global technology business from Singapore?
Self-awareness is key—not just for me, but for the organisation and its leaders. We must constantly learn, assess our strengths and weaknesses, and remain open to change and innovation.
Transparency is another big one. That means owning up to mistakes, celebrating successes, and being honest about where we stand. When things go wrong, we address them openly and plan how to recover. That’s the kind of culture I try to foster.
What has been the most unexpected gift in your life, and how have you acknowledged it?
My family—my wife, my mum, and my two boys—has been the greatest gift. Entrepreneurship is often stormy, and having a “safe harbour” at home makes all the difference. Their support has allowed me to go this far, and I’m truly grateful for that.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
Singaporeans have always been resilient and adaptable. Since Mr Lee Kuan Yew positioned us as a hub for trade and diplomacy, we’ve had a unique global standing. We are bilingual—English and Chinese—which puts us in a strong position between two global powerhouses.
Singapore is also the only country in Southeast Asia that can consistently attract top expatriate talent, especially those looking to raise families in a secure environment. This gives us a chance to draw the best minds in AI, renewable energy, and emerging sectors.
I hope the next generation—including my own children—can learn from these talents, and eventually create home-grown innovations that drive the future.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d love to time travel—just to spend more time with my kids. I already spend as much time as I can, but I know that in 10 years, I’ll miss these moments deeply.
Right now, they’re young, I’m still relatively healthy, and we can play together. I know I’ll treasure this time forever.
Connect with Kenneth: LinkedIn.
