Meet Usha Perumal, the dynamic CEO at the forefront of Asia's green revolution. At Bluepreneur Asia Ventures, she's not just running a company; she's redefining what it means to be an eco-warrior in the business world.

🌻 How do you set your vibe for the day?

I start my day with a simple ritual that sets the vibe just right.

First, I open my window and take in the lush greens outside. It's like saying a big thank you to nature for everything it does for us. This small act fills me with gratitude.

Next, I grab my dumbbells for a quick 20-minute workout. It wakes up my body and gets the energy going. After my muscles are ready, I train my mind to stop thinking about anything. Just a few minutes of nothing. It’s refreshing.

Then comes the cold shower. Yes, it’s chilly, but it jolts me awake! While I’m getting ready, I play my favorite Spotify podcast playlists. It’s like having a morning chat with inspiring voices.

Lastly, I challenge myself: I come up with three curious questions about the world around me. It keeps my mind open and ready to learn.

This routine is my morning haven for me—a mix of gratitude, movement, stillness, and curiosity. It sets a strong tone for the day ahead.

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🛋️ How do you relax?

I think in my everyday life that requires me to wear many hats, I've found that relaxation is crucial. As simple as training myself to give myself a minute of completely not thinking of anything, swiftly changes my brain to a relaxed mode, an hour before bedtime, either hearing to soft music while lighting up a candle, or reading a few pages of my book.

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💼 How would you describe your work to someone outside of your field?

'An ecosystem builder’- I even use this on my Linkedin. Being a community manager at a pioneering flex space real estate industry and at the same time, championing to accelerate marine and freshwater driven startups, can be totally a different context. But the similarity in both of these jobs I hold, is being an active ecosystem builder. But if I were to explain to my 6 year old nephew, this is what I’ll say → Imagine a garden. All the plants and animals work together to make it a nice place. Well, I help make a garden for people who have ideas. I help them grow their ideas into big, strong things just like plants grow in a garden. And I support the plants by providing the right environment.

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🌟 What moment made you realise that, on top of empowering women, focusing on sustainability was also key?

The moment I realised that besides empowering women, focusing on sustainability was when I was a young girl writing an essay about air pollution. It was then that I began to understand the interconnectedness of environmental issues and their impact on vulnerable communities especially in Southeast Asia. The realisation that my actions could contribute to a healthier planet and empower others was a catalyst for my lifelong commitment to doing social good and sustainability.

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As I matured, my passion for environmental issues led me to pursue cleantech entrepreneurship. My early ventures focused on developing sustainable solutions, such as wirelessly charging electronic devices using solar energy.

Through experiences like the YSEALI fellowship and my environmental fellowship at East West Center Hawaii, I deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by coastal communities and the potential for sustainable solutions to address these issues.

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I believe that in my programs, empowering women is also essential for driving sustainable development. Why?

Women are often disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and climate change. Example, in the coastal regions, fishermen often migrate due to economical factors and seasonal changes of food population, leaving behind women who are unsure on how to earn a livelihood. By providing women with the tools and resources they need to become entrepreneurs and innovators in the marine sector, we strive to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

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Ultimately, my decision to focus on sustainability and women's empowerment is rooted in a deep belief that we have a responsibility to protect our planet and create a better world for future generations. Again, if not me, who else will?

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🏔️ As an avid hiker, where's your next adventure?

Do I love the mountains?? Yes, absolutely! There’s something about them that makes me appreciate more of nature’s wonders. Every time after hiking a mountain, I feel like a new person with so much wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.

There was once, when I had to go all the way to Lombok just to hike Mount Rinjani, and the guide told me that the weather would not make it possible for the hike to happen. I cried for a good one hour, and was feeling really sad. And I was about to quit my plans, head back to hiking Mount Agung again, until my guide convinced me to wait and stay for the day. Which I did, and I was so happy that I could summit Mount Rinjani.

Of course, I have a few plans made for the end of year and 2025, including hiking more volcano mountains in Indonesia, the Philippines and checking out Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro. Well, let’s see where life takes us?? Again there are many mountains I admire from random google searches, and all of them are really beautiful. Sometimes, it’s not the places but just being surrounded by mountains, gives me joy and a lot of happiness!

🤝 Do you enjoy networking?

I love it, but my approach to networking these days is quite different. I am particularly interested to understand a person’s point of view on a topic vs based on their professional titles. When hosting networking events at WORQ to even the community builders hangout, I love seeing people coming together, sharing their wisdom and building amazing stuff together. I have seen this from my days working with research fellows in the United States to speaking to room full of entrepreneurs in Malaysia and changemakers across Southeast Asia.

🌐 Best encounter at a networking event?

One of the best encounters would be when I was in Honolulu, speaking to a bunch of marine researchers, it was awkward, as I technically did not have any marine background, like I wasn’t a researcher unlike others who work on shark taggings, coral reefs studies. I had an inferiority complex because all I do is help marine businesses scale, and I felt the happiest leaving the room, as a lot of them appreciate the work I do, and understood what I am pursuing is an important way of solving marine problems. I felt the best at that point of time.

💖 What's your favourite thing about Mole?

Creativity at its best. I love tuning into Mole's content, there are so many human elements in it. The emphasis on human relationships. Try tuning to their promo content about their networking events, like super outside of the box!

🎧 What are you listening to now?

I am listening to Sorai by Nadin Amizah.

🍧 Favourite snack or dessert?

Pain Au Chocolat / Alcohol ice creams!

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Usha's story stands as a powerful testament to the impact of visionary leadership in the realm of sustainability.

Usha Perumal, the CEO of Bluepreneur Asia Ventures, stands out in the sustainable business landscape as a trailblazer dedicated to empowering startups in the Asia Pacific region. With an impressive portfolio that includes FLUXER, a solar-powered charging device initiative, and Carbon Tree, a project converting plastic cup waste into secondary products, Usha is revolutionising the approach to environmental sustainability.

At the helm of Bluepreneur Asia Ventures, Usha's vision extends to fostering innovation in the green tech, cleantech, and sustainability sectors. Through bootcamps, consultancy, and community-building efforts, she is not just accelerating startup growth but also nurturing the next wave of eco-conscious entrepreneurs.

Usha's commitment to making a difference is further amplified by her active role in mentoring women in business and young founders, proving her dedication to shaping a more sustainable and equitable business ecosystem.

Those keen on making a difference in the world, should connect with and follow:

• Usha's LinkedIn

• Bluepreneur Asia Venture's LinkedIn

By building a network with impactful leaders like Usha, aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers can contribute to a more sustainable future.