On October 15, 2025, founders, innovators, and tech dreamers gathered for Tea & Jam: From Sandbox to Scale — and left with more than caffeine and connections. Hosted by Jumpstart Disruptive Innovations (JDI) in partnership with Airwallex, the session dove deep into a founder’s favorite dilemma: when to stop tinkering and start scaling. After all, every startup loves to play in the sandbox, but stay there too long, and even the best-built castles start to crumble. The afternoon kicked off with warm welcomes and plenty of curiosity in the air. Then came the main event: a fireside chat between Mr. Mischa Schirris, Head of AI at Airwallex, and Mr. Darren Lai, Technology Leader & Coach at TechJDI. Mr. Darren Lai sharing insights with the founders on how to move from idea to implementation. (Photo_ JDI) Together, they peeled back the layers of what it truly takes to scale AI-driven products — balancing speed and stability, managing technical debt before it snowballs, and spotting the right moment to go from “vibecoding” to structured execution. Additionally, Mr. Mischa Schirris also shared how Airwallex continues to innovate through AI tools that simplify financial management, while Darren reminded everyone that scaling isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing smarter. Their exchange hit a key truth: trust and security aren’t add-ons; they’re the foundation for sustainable growth. Participants engaging in an in-depth discussion on scaling strategies (Photo_ JDI) Following the fireside chat, attendees broke into small discussion groups, each guided by facilitators Ms. Liyana, Mr. Alan Lim, and Mr. Darren Lai. The groups explored three key themes drawn from real startup experiences: Ms. Gladys Yuen from AirWallex presenting on the realities of growing AI-driven products while maintaining trust and security. (Photo_ JDI) These roundtables encouraged open, peer-led dialogue, where participants shared lessons from their own scaling journeys and exchanged practical advice on overcoming common bottlenecks. A moment of shared understanding as participants discuss what it truly takes to build for scale. (Photo_ JDI) As conversations unfolded, the energy in the room grew. Founders and product leaders connected over shared challenges and ambitions, exchanging ideas, contact details, and even early plans for collaboration. The atmosphere reflected the essence of Tea & Jam—a space for candid conversations and community-driven learning. Meaningful conversations take shape as participants brainstorm solutions to real-world scaling hurdles. (Photo_ JDI) During the session, Ms. Gladys Yuen shared real-world experiences on AI applications. (Photo_ JDI) As the day came to a close, participants walked away with clearer frameworks, stronger connections, and renewed energy to turn ideas into impactful products. JDI extends sincere appreciation to all speakers, partners, and attendees whose enthusiasm and insights made Tea & Jam: From Sandbox to Scale a meaningful gathering of minds. The shared learnings and ideas will be captured in a Community Playbook, continuing to inspire collaboration and innovation across the startup ecosystem. And the conversation doesn’t stop here — we’re already preparing the next Tea & Jam in November. Another opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and keep shaping the future of innovation — one sip at a time. Register your interest now: https://luma.com/xfg0pu46 Tea & Jam Fireside Chat – From Ideas to Implementation
Tea & Jam Roundtable Discussions
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Event Recap – Tea & Jam: From Sandbox to Scale By Airwallex & JDI
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