NUS MBA graduate Laurent Corpataux (Class of 2023) has his roots in carpentry. Growing up in a small beautiful mountain town in Switzerland, Laurent’s first career was as a skilled federal carpenter.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Switzerland, he relocated to Indonesia to work in the nature-based solutions sector.
Now, Singapore has been his home for six years and counting. He will graduate with an NUS MBA in July and he has set a mission. Laurent aims to make the built environment in Southeast Asia more sustainable.
“Climate change poses big challenges but also opportunities. Leveraging nature-based solutions for the construction sector is a path that I will continue to push for,” said Laurent, who is on the lookout for like-minded partners.
He is the Co-Founder and Head of Häring Timber Technology in Singapore and a Co-Chair of the SwissCham Singapore Climate Tech Sub-Committee. The latter organises multiple events a year on green financing, circular economy, construction, and more. Laurent also wants to collaborate with partners in the vibrant NUS ecosystem on sustainable solutions and inspire the next generation of students.
A reforestation project in Southeast Asia, where Laurent develops the market for nature-based solutions.
The NUS education has moved him closer to his goals. Laurent shared, “Being a traditional craftsman turned first-generation university student in my family, I am grateful for the people who have been supportive of me as well as the opportunity to stretch my potential and study in Asia’s best university, and ultimately graduating successfully.”
Memorable experiences
The MBA course connected Laurent to a network of extraordinary people. From 2021 to 2022, Laurent co-initiated a sustainability campaign “+Pavilion” that educated the public on sustainability. A three-month exhibition at Marina Barrage saw more than 482,000 attendees.
NUS MBA students visiting +Pavilion to learn about the challenges and business opportunities of climate change in ASEAN.
Using this platform, he also co-organised a series of events on the topic of “Why bother: Climate Change – Leadership & Business Opportunities in ASEAN”. Laurent remarked, “To be given the opportunity to lead and raise awareness of both the challenges and the opportunities that climate change brings was a key experience during my time here.”
Tailoring his MBA journey towards his interests, Laurent took double specialisations in Finance and Strategy, adding to his knowledge repertoire. He also went on an exchange programme at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, gaining a first-hand view of Silicon Valley’s Bay Area entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Laurent went on exchange at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.
He recounted visiting BLOCK71 in San Francisco, a tech start-up ecosystem builder by NUS Enterprise. “I was immersed in yet another different way of doing business and there were lessons that I could draw for my work,” he shared.
Friendships are close to his heart. “The friendships forged with like-minded peers, who share my vision for a sustainable future, have been invaluable. The constant exchange of ideas and the collaborative spirit that permeate the campus are some things that I will miss.”
A get-together with fellow NUS MBA students
When asked to offer a personal message to his cohort mates, he said, “Let our shared passion continue to drive us forward. A collective action that creates impact starts with one’s action. Don’t underestimate the impact of your action and take the risk to venture and lead on a topic that you are passionate about. I look forward to staying connected with all of you.”
(All photos by Laurent Corpataux)
