Student Build Night: Inside VC & the Rise of AI-Native Global Startups

​Join us for a special First Fellows Student Build Night, where we introduce The First Fellows — January Capital’s program designed to support, empower, and accelerate student developers and early technical builders across Southeast Asia.

As part of AI.SEA week, along with our friends at UniLah! and AI Hackerdorm, we're bringing together students to share what world-class opportunities look like for young technical talent, how students can become part of the Fellows community (including applying for our all expense paid for trip to San Francisco next year!), and what it really takes to build or join the next generation of AI-native, global-first startups.

​We’ll break down the view from the inside of venture capital, and breaking down what it really takes to build and fund the next generation of AI-native and agentic startups, right here from Malaysia.

​You’ll hear directly from Andrew Lee, a Malaysian founder who has built AI-driven products used by global clients in mission-critical industries like semiconductors, aerospace, data centres — showing that world-class software can be built right here in Malaysia.

​We’ll cover:

• ​How venture capital works, and how investors evaluate early-stage AI founders

• ​How Malaysian founders can build for global customers

• ​What “AI-native” actually means and why it matters for the next decade of startups

• ​How to get involved in The First Fellows program

• ​Practical advice for students exploring AI, engineering careers, and early founder journeys

​The session wraps with an open AMA, networking and of course, food! This is a chance to meet fellow builders, ask real questions, and connect directly with the founders and VCs shaping the region’s AI ecosystem.