The AI startup founder and his web of lies

We also look at Tyme Group’s latest revenue milestone. [Read from your browser]( Daily Newsletter Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Daily Newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only Daily Newsletter and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](.  --------------------------------------------------------------- IN FOCUS In today's newsletter, we spotlight: - [The serial liar at the helm of up-and-coming AI startup Vizzio Technologies]( - Multicountry digital banking group Tyme’s revenue milestone - Other newsy highlights such as the startup closures across Southeast Asia --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} Changing your name is a hassle but a relatively easy effort in exchange for a new start. To change your legal name, a Singapore citizen can sign a document called a deed poll in the presence of a qualified lawyer for just S$50 (US$37). (This can vary depending on the law firm providing the service) Changing your legal name in official documents such as your identity card and passport costs another S$60 (US$45) and S$80 (US$60), respectively. Then there’s informing all relevant parties - including banks, insurance companies, and your employer - of the change, which takes time. This can be a cumbersome process, but again, it is a small effort for someone looking to lie low and avoid scrutiny. Lee Seng Fook, the former CTO of Elipva, a Singapore-based software development startup established in the late 1990s, didn’t change his legal name. But he went by “Dennis Lee” back then. He sought a fresh start in China after he was found to have faked his credentials and awards. Two decades later, he reemerged as “Jon Lee” when he founded AI startup Vizzio Technologies in Singapore. That seemed to do the trick for a while, though Lee’s past life - and new lies - eventually caught up with him. -- Melissa  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [Rising AI entrepreneur admits to faking his Cambridge Ph.D.]( Dennis Lee, the CTO of dot-com startup Elipva infamous for falsifying his credentials, has resurfaced as Jon Lee, CEO of AI firm Vizzio. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Tyme Group hit $160m revenue run rate in 2023]( The multicountry digital banking group, which caters to emerging markets, plans to launch cash advance products for Vietnamese SMEs. [Rently launches in Singapore ahead of series A raise]( Backed by Aument Capital Partner, the deposit-free property rental firm is looking to raise the fresh capital by the first quarter of 2024. ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [Tracking startup closures across Southeast Asia]( There are several reasons why startups in Southeast Asia go bust, but we lack data about it. This piece helps you track the region's macro-level trends. ---------------------------------------------------------------  EVENTS HAPPENING You can also check out a curated list of trending tech events [over here](. - [Tech in Asia x Workato: From Complexity to Simplicity - The Composable Enterprise Advantage on February 20]( Singapore-based IT, data, and digital transformation leaders are invited to join our executive roundtable and networking dinner at Kabuke, Singapore on February 20. Get a headstart in 2024 by keeping pace with evolving market needs. 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