Kevin Koo Yi Zen | Tech Enthusiast | Entrepreneur | Mentor
Kevin Koo Yi ZenTech Enthusiast | Entrepreneur | Mentor
- EMAIL : kooyizen@gmail.com
- PHONE : +6012-3658503
About me
PROFESSIONAL PATH
Passionate tech startup professional with a track record of driving innovation, growth, and market dominance. I have expertise in identifying untapped opportunities, leveraging emerging technologies, and building high-performing teams. I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with optimisation and scalability.
Work Experience
PAST EXPERIENCES
Chapter Lead
GoodWhale Pte. Ltd. (https://www.goodwhale.com)
Nov 2020 - Present
- Establish and effectively communicate team priorities in line with the overall objectives of the organization.
- Foster strategic alignment, streamline processes, and promote cohesive decision-making across multiple teams.
- Clearly define performance expectations for individuals based on their roles and levels, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Conduct regular performance and development discussions, delivering constructive feedback and providing coaching as needed.
- Formulate a comprehensive long-term technical outlook and roadmap, encompassing both current and future requirements, extending beyond team boundaries.
- Continually refine the roadmap to address anticipated future needs and infrastructure demands.
- Supervise system designs within the designated domain, critically evaluating product or system development code to resolve complex and ambiguous challenges.
- Conduct thorough code reviews for fellow engineers, offering constructive feedback to ensure adherence to best practices such as style guidelines, code integrity, accuracy, testability, and efficiency.
Full-Stack Web Developer
Tripfez Travel Sdn Bhd (https://www.tripfez.com)
May 2019 - Oct 2020
- Successfully revamped the existing website, resulting in the acquisition of 300 thousand users.
- Developed and implemented a content management-based system for the company's new website with Laravel.
- Re-architected the website using a microservice-based structure to enhance performance and scalability with Symfony.
- Optimised API calls and minimised database queries for improved efficiency.
- Integrated the BillPlz payment system, enabling consumers to make online bookings and payments.
- Implemented Webpack to reduce file size and implement cache-busting techniques.
- Built a component-based structure for Vue implementation on the website.
- Configured and maintained an AWS-based infrastructure for the website.
- Implemented security and cache layers (SSL wildcard certs, Fail2ban, FastCGI, Gzip).
- Established a CI/CD flow with Circle CI, automating code testing and eliminating manual deployment.
Chief Technology Officer/Co-Founder
Beacon Systems Sdn Bhd (https://www.beaconsbay.com)
October 2017 - January 2019
The following projects were done in parallel throughout my time in the company and lead by myself with a team of 5 of us in total.
- Beacon Accounting Software
- Sunway ITSSC - Project Management Software
- Sunway ITSSC - Billing & Task Management Software
- Palace of the Golden Horses - E-Membership System
- Broadline - Commission management system
- Bravel - E-commerce Marketplace
Co-Founder
Renarium
Jun 2016 - Apr 2017
- Developed an intermediary renting platform catering to the C-C market, facilitating the rental of household items.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify target demographics, competitive landscape, and potential growth opportunities.
- Validated user needs and preferences through user testing, ensuring the platform met their expectations and provided a seamless experience.
- Utilized effective pitching strategies to secure funding for the project, effectively communicating its value proposition and market potential.
- Organized and conducted user testing sessions to gather valuable feedback and insights, iteratively improving the platform based on user input.
Portfolio
MY WORK
Education
ACADEMIC CAREER
SCRUM MASTER CERTIFIED
SCRUM ALLIANCE
SEP 2021
FULL STACK WEB DEVELOPER BOOTCAMP
NEXT ACADEMY
OCTOBER 2017
BACHELORS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WITH MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
JULY 2016
DIGITAL MARKETING
DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTING SDN BHD
MAY 2018
Social Enterprise Experience
VOLUNTEERING
Global Brigades (Engineering), Tegucigalpa, Honduras
https://www.globalbrigades.org
June 2016
I volunteered to be a part of this brigade to Tegucigalpa with the sole mission of improving the community’s living standard.
Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras which contains numerous villages having a huge shortage of clean water. There are plenty of villages within this state that still relies on the traditional water pumping system to obtain their daily need of water. The villages also lack proper water treatment processes which have led to plenty of health problems.
I had the golden opportunity in putting some of my engineering knowledge that I have acquired from my degree into real-life applications:
- Data collection of water requirement through surveying the village (flow rate, pressure and volume)
- Design of pipe diameter and lengths
- Design of pipeline schematic
- Marking of pipeline schematic at the village
Kechara Soup Kitchen, Kuala Lumpur
http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen
December 2011
Kechara Soup Kitchen is an NPO established in Malaysia with a mission to provide to the poor and homeless around Malaysia. Although the organisation was established by a Buddhist Spiritual Guide, they believe in respecting others’ beliefs and do not discriminate when providing to the needy. The organisation does not only limit themselves to providing food to the homeless but also assist them in finding jobs for them to be able to sustain themselves.
I have participated in more than 10 occasions on the following social activities:
- Packing and distribution of food to homeless
- Helping survey homeless on their daily activities and also find suitable jobs for them
Personal Interests
LEISURE
CODING
I consistently want to learn as much as possible in the world of technology as I am very intrigued by it’s potential. I am currently in the midst of a Machine Learning course as I believe automation is the key to the future of all industries and am extremely fascinated in systems that are capable of making decisions on their own e.g. self-driving cars.
FUTSAL
To keep myself fit, I enjoy a weekly game of 5-a-side futsal with my friends. I usually prefer the goalkeeper position whenever I am to play casually or even competitively throughout the past five years.
3D Modeling (Solidworks)
SolidWorks is an AutoCAD software which I have picked up throughout my degree. During seasonal holidays, I enjoy freelancing and performing 3D Modeling works for some extra side income. It also acts as good practice as I am required to do a lot of 3D Modeling work for my degree. A portfolio of my personal work is available upon request.
Drumming
When young, I was initially introduced to the music world by learning how to play the piano. I then felt like I didn’t manage to feel any connection to music as compared to playing the drums which I then switched to. I realised I enjoy hearing music with a heavy base and began my love for drums. I am a certified grade 8 drummer.
E-Sports
During my downtime and when I am not working/studying, when I take breaks, I enjoy immersing myself in online strategy games which requires the combination of teamwork as well as planning and strategising. Eg. Dota 2, Artifact.