Hon Mandy-Asia’s 40 Under 40 2025
Taking a scientific idea out of the lab and into the real world is rarely straightforward. For Hon Mandy, CEO of ImpacFat, the journey has been one of translation and transformation. It was about turning complex scientific innovation into a biotech brand that resonates with markets, partners, regulators, and investors. ImpacFat’s evolution from breakthrough research to a category-defining company has not only begun reshaping food-tech but has also redefined Hon’s approach to leadership. Though not working directly in the lab, Hon has played a pivotal role in bridging science and business, interpreting highly technical research and communicating its value with clarity and conviction. Operating in an industry with few established playbooks meant navigating constant uncertainty, making difficult trade-offs, and balancing ambition with realism. Each decision required belief in the science, confidence in the team, and the courage to move forward without clear precedents. This journey has fundamentally reshaped Hon as a founder and leader. The focus has shifted from day-to-day execution to building lasting foundations, including assembling strong teams, nurturing a values-driven culture, and setting a long-term strategic direction. Learning to step back, trust experts, and empower others has become as critical as understanding the science itself. Leadership, for Hon, is about having all the answers and aligning people around a shared mission, providing direction through complexity, and moving forward together with purpose. In conversation with TradeFlock, Hon shares insights into her leadership philosophy, strategic decisions, and how ImpacFat is helping shape the future of food-tech.
Which early, unseen decisions shaped ImpacFat’s path as the world’s first cultivated fish-fat company?
Many of the most important decisions happened quietly, long before there were visible milestones. One major turning point was deciding to evolve our strategy beyond being purely a food-ingredient company. We chose to explore the full potential of our technology and reposition ImpacFat as a holistic wellness platform, expanding into multiple verticals such as skincare, supplements, pet food, and functional food ingredients. That shift allowed us to unlock broader impact and build a more resilient business model. Another key decision was choosing to engage regulators and industry partners early, even when commercialisation felt far away. It wasn’t always the fastest path, but it shaped how we built the company with credibility and long-term scale in mind. Lastly, being disciplined about who we work with and saying no when something didn’t align with our mission helped us grow with intention, and not just gain momentum.
What is your non-negotiable in building ImpacFat and its culture?
My non-negotiable is integrity. In terms of how we build the company, how we treat people, and how we bring our technology to the world. In deep tech and food innovation, trust is everything. That means being honest about what we can deliver, making decisions responsibly, and never cutting corners, even when it would be faster or easier. Culturally, this translates into building a team that values purpose, accountability, and respect. I want ImpacFat to be a place where people feel aligned with the mission, empowered to speak up, and proud of the impact we’re creating together.
Which change will shape Asia’s food-tech sector next, and how is ImpacFat staying ahead?
I believe the next five years will be defined by a shift from novelty to real-world adoption in food tech. The focus will move beyond just innovation to scalability, regulatory readiness, and consumer trust. Technologies that can deliver both performance and sustainability without compromising safety or cost, and these will be the ones that truly last. At ImpacFat, we’re preparing for this by building from the fundamentals. We’re engaging regulators early, prioritising applications that can reach market faster, and designing our technology to be flexible across multiple verticals, from wellness and nutrition to food and pet care. Staying ahead means not just advancing science but building a credible, responsible pathway to commercialisation.
What helps you balance conviction and adaptability as a founder in uncertain times?
What helps me stay grounded is always coming back to the ‘why’ behind ImpacFat. When the vision is clear, building a more sustainable and responsible way to produce essential nutrition becomes easier to navigate uncertainty without losing direction. That clarity gives me confidence, even when the path forward isn’t always obvious. At the same time, I’ve learnt that confidence doesn’t mean being rigid. I stay adaptable by listening closely to my team, partners, and the market, and by being willing to adjust how we get there, even while staying true to the mission. It’s about holding the vision firmly but the execution lightly.
