Navigating Science to Business - From Humble Beginnings to Global Success

As part of its commitment to fostering research excellence, the College of Science (CoS) and the Institute of Advanced Studies had the privilege of hosting Dr Serg Bell, Founder of Constructor Group and Acronis, on 26 September 2024, in a Fireside Chat moderated by Prof Simon Redfern, Dean of CoS. 

Dr Serg Bell's interesting sharing on his personal and professional journey.

Dr Bell candidly shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings as a young scientist during the collapse of the Soviet Union to becoming a cosmopolitan entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful IT companies and investment firms. As a newlywed scientist living through a time of poor conditions, necessity encouraged him to innovate. Driven by his circumstances and a desire to help others, he turned to entrepreneurship as a means to a better life. This path eventually led to his unexpected arrival in Singapore in 1992, where he initially worked with computers, electronics, telecom, and supporting software systems. Singapore has since become his home, and he has founded multiple global IT companies and venture firms focused on developing products that enhance operational efficiency and profitability for businesses and organizations worldwide. His latest venture which focues on education and technology innovation and his presence at NTU was therefore fitting.

During the Fireside Chat, Dr Bell highlighted several factors that make Singapore a conducive environment for startups in the science and technology sector. He observed that although Singapore's scientific landscape was less developed when he first arrived, its political stability, strong legal system, and overall safety provided a solid foundation for business growth. He stressed the importance of considering a country’s political climate and security when starting a new venture. Drawing from his extensive experience, Dr Bell noted Singapore's rapid advancements in both the scientific and economic fields within a short period. He expressed optimism for the country's continued progress along this trajectory.

Dr Bell added nuance to his perspective by addressing the challenges that arise from hiring within Singapore's relatively small talent pool. In response to a question from an audience member, he stressed the importance of expanding market reach beyond geographical boundaries to access a broader range of skills and talent. He shared his experience of Acronis as an example, which hires globally, with team members from over 80 different countries. This approach, he explained, helps to strengthen the ecosystem, ultimately boosting investor confidence in the industry.

Dr Serg Bell and Prof Simon Redfern engaged an attentive audience in the discussion on the transformative power of technology and its future impact.

Dr Bell addressed audience's inquiry about how science and technology can enhance our daily lives. While acknowledging the limitations of human capacity, he emphasised the transformative potential of technology. He cited the example of historians using AI to simulate historical events, demonstrating how technology can make abstract concepts more tangible and accessible. He expressed his belief that AI and other technological advancements can significantly improve our understanding of the world and our ability to navigate complex challenges.

Building on this theme, Prof Redfern posed a thought-provoking question about the future of universities in our rapidly evolving world. In response, Dr Bell highlighted the challenges scientists face in synthesising vast amounts of information and effectively communicating complex ideas. He expressed that existing communication tools are too rudimentary for these tasks and hopes for the development of more adaptive, dynamic, and interactive platforms that can facilitate more effective scientific communication. Though this remains a speculation, Dr Bell believes the first step is to establish a suitable system for storing and organising knowledge.

The event concluded with an intriguing question about how Dr Bell's life might have unfolded differently under different circumstances. In his response, he highlighted the role of chance and opportunity in shaping one's path. He likened life to a journey on the sea of reality, where external forces and personal choices can influence our direction.

Written by: Sofia Inaya Mo Si Ern | NTU School of Humanities (English), Undergraduate