Keynotes
Talks that make innovation feel possible, for conferences, leadership teams and campuses.
See the three talksProf. Ir. Ts. Dr. Sivarao Subramonian
Engineer, inventor and Malaysia Best Innovator. Turning ideas into innovation, and innovation into impact.
35+
years turning engineering into innovation
20+
patents granted, filed and transferred
40+
national and international innovation awards
MYR20M+
research and innovation portfolio, led and contributed to
Malaysia Best Innovator. Presented by the Prime Minister.
For 35 years, Prof. Sivarao has turned research into patents, products and people who know how to innovate.
Before asking “Can we develop this solution?”, we must first ask: “Is this the right idea to develop?”
- FIMechE
- Chartered Engineer, UK
- P.Eng. (PEPC)
- PTech.
- RTTP, UK
- HRD Corp Accredited Trainer
One method. Idea to impact.
The Sprint Method is his own three-stage path. Every programme he runs is built on it. Pick a stage to see how it works.
Ideas burst out of one real challenge, and the best three rise to the top.
Find the problems worth solving. Generate ideas worth backing.
- Day 1Frame the problem
Move from symptoms to root causes and pick the problems most worth solving.
- Day 2Structured ideation
Replace brainstorming with frameworks that produce several strong options.
- Day 3Validate and plan
Test the best ideas, build action plans and pitch to simulated decision-makers.
Walk away witha ranked, validated portfolio of ideas, each with an owner
Test ideas against the market. Shape solutions people will adopt.
- Day 1Screen for viability
Score ideas on commercial criteria and stop the wrong ones before money is spent.
- Day 2Design the delivery
Build the systems, processes and governance to deliver the chosen ideas.
- Day 3Align and launch
Make the internal case, handle objections and lock in owners and timelines.
Walk away withimplementation roadmaps with owners, milestones and KPIs
Present the idea so decision-makers, funders and judges say yes.
- Day 1Build the story
Turn information-heavy slides into a narrative that drives a decision.
- Day 2Deliver under pressure
Rehearse live with coaching on presence and pacing, and handle tough questions.
Walk away withan approval-ready pitch, deck and the confidence to deliver it
What he brings to your organisation.
Sprint programmes
Two to three days that turn teams into innovators. Hands-on and HRD Corp claimable.
Browse 12 programmesAdvisory
Innovation systems, IP strategy and commercialisation, built to keep working after he leaves.
Ask about advisoryCompetition coaching
From first idea to winning pitch at national innovation competitions such as KIK and NH-CIC.
Ask about coachingTalks that start the right conversation.
Three talks, each built from work he has delivered. In English or Bahasa Malaysia, in person across Malaysia and the region, or online. Fees on request.
Is this the right idea? Why innovation fails before it starts
For leadership teams, innovation units and research managers
- The four early warning signs that an idea will stall
- A four-question check to run before any proposal goes forward
- One clear decision to take back to your team
Built from his 2026 writing and his book in progress
Check availabilityFrom laboratory to market: turning research into real-world solutions
For universities, research centres, technology transfer offices and funders
- How research moves from protection to transfer and real use
- What funders and industry look for before they commit
- Why technology transfer stalls, and how to unblock it
Delivered at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka (June 2026). He moderated the iIRID’26 industry forum on the same theme (October 2026).
Check availabilityThink AI, create the future: from smart ideas to impactful innovation
For students, young innovators and competition teams
- Using AI to generate and test ideas responsibly
- Turning a promising idea into a convincing pitch
- What judges look for at innovation competitions
Delivered as the keynote at i-GEN 2026, Alor Setar (March 2026)
Check availabilityMalaysia Best Innovator.
Presented by the Prime Minister.
Programmes for every kind of team.
Hands-on, two to three days, built around your real problems. Open any programme to see the full plan.
Organisational Performance SeriesFor corporates, GLCs, government agencies, SMEs and multinationals.
Innovation Sprint
Developing practical ideas and solutions
Turn real challenges into a ranked set of practical, validated ideas.
Commercial Sprint
Validating and implementing ideas
Take strong ideas to implementation readiness, with commercial checks at every step.
Power Pitch and Presentation
Getting approval for your ideas
A structured way to pitch that wins approval, funding and action.
Effective Workplace Communication
Teamwork and productivity
Communication habits that cut rework, misalignment and delays.
AI-Based Content and Slide Design
For convincing presentations
Use AI to build structured, executive-ready slides in far less time.
AI-Integrated Power Pitching
And automated presentation design
AI-built decks, structured stories and confident delivery in one system.
Production and Operational Performance SeriesFor production supervisors, engineers, middle managers and operational teams.
Micro-Innovation for Productivity
Manufacturing and operational teams
Make small, measurable improvements on the shop floor a daily habit.
Innovation Sprint for Middle Management
Productivity improvement
Move managers from firefighting to evidence-based improvement.
Effective Workplace Communication
Strengthening teamwork and productivity
Clear handovers and escalations that prevent rework and incidents.
Research and Innovation Excellence SeriesFor academics, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, research management centres and technology transfer offices.
Innovation Sprint for Academia
Generating high-impact research ideas
A structured way to generate, validate and prioritise fundable research ideas.
Commercial Sprint for Academia
Turning research into commercial-ready solutions
Move research from publication to licence, product or spin-off.
Power Pitch and Deck Design for Academia
Communicating research with impact
Present research so grant panels and industry partners say yes.
All programmes are HRD Corp claimable, can be tailored to your organisation, and are delivered with Apex Innovation Consulting.
Trusted by ministries, agencies and universities.
JKR
Royal Malaysian Customs
SIRIM
INTAN
Fire and Rescue Malaysia
ALAM
UNITEN
UPSI
ITB, Indonesia
Bangladesh Hi-Tech ParkAlso: Ministry of Works · Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) · Ministry of Higher Education · Ministry of Education · MyIPO · Department of Standards Malaysia · PLANMalaysia · Department of Fisheries Malaysia · Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia · a World Bank-funded programme for the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority
Recently.
From Laboratory to Global Market
Moderator, iIRID'26, UTeM, Melaka
Turning University Research into Real-World Solutions
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka
Think AI, Create the Future
i-GEN 2026, Alor Setar, Kedah
Registered Technology Transfer Professional programme
Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
Scaling Scientific Breakthroughs into Sustainable Solutions
ICASETM 2025, Jakarta
AI-Integrated Power Pitching for Leaders
Ministry of Works Malaysia
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Sprint Notes
One idea, one tool and one lesson from real innovation work with agencies, universities and companies. Once a month, short enough to read with your coffee.
Have an idea? Let's make it innovation.
Keynotes, programmes, advisory or coaching. Tell him what you are working on, and he will reply within one working day.