Recently, Zhejiang International College Students’ Innovation Competition 2024 came to a successful conclusion. Two student teams from the International Campus, Zhejiang University, were shortlisted for the finals and both won gold medals. Among them, the team led by Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran, a 25’ Malaysian undergraduate student in Automation jointly co-cultivated by ZJUI and the College of Control Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, won the gold medal with the project "WAMECO: Digital Waste Management Solution".
▲ Ma Junjie (seventh from the right) represents the team on stage to receive the award
▲ Group photo of Ma Junjie (middle) and his team members
WAMECO focuses on providing digital waste management solutions, utilizing technologies such as AI, IoT, and ML to develop the international solid waste trading platform-WAMECO Connect, which integrates "consulting+evaluation+trading+tracking," and develop SaaS WAMECO+Dashboard with automated solid waste management functions and ESG assessment enhancement services. At present, WAMECO Connect is conducting internal testing for three types of users - non waste management companies seeking sustainable development, waste management companies hoping to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve supply chain security, and partners committed to ecological and environmental protection.
The team has registered a company- WAMECO (Haining) Information Technology Services Co., Ltd. It is a technology company providing a digital global waste information service platform, dedicated to contributing to global sustainable development by revolutionizing the entire lifecycle management of solid waste. The company has been invited to join the Zhejiang University National University Science Park and its Juanhu Qizhen Incubator. Founded by entrepreneurs from four different countries, WAMECO has built an international, diverse professional team with members from seven countries, four universities, and nine different fields of expertise. WAMECO will establish its presence in the Yangtze River Delta region of China and expand its international business along the Belt and Road Initiative, actively building a global waste management ecosystem to advance the cause of global sustainable development.
Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran
Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran (Ma Junjie) is a 25’ Malaysian undergraduate student in Automation jointly educated by ZJUI and the College of Control Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University. He serves as the Vice President of the International Student Union at the International Campus, Zhejiang University. Monish is also an ambassador for the 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion program, jointly initiated by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Ant Group, and the co-founder and CEO of WAMECO. He has achieved numerous accolades, including second place in the Digital Trade Cup: BRI International Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, third place in the Juanhu Dream · First Bucket of Gold cultivation program, first place in the Zhejiang University 16th "Dandelion" College Students’ Innovation Competition, second place in the 10x1000 “Innovate for Impact: Pioneering Solutions through Tech for Inclusion” Video Contest, and the Exemplary Award in the 9th “Maker China” Medium-Small Enterprises Innovation Competition. Additionally, he participated as a forum speaker at the 2nd Global Digital Trade Expo.
▲ Ma Junjie participated in the Digital Trade Cup: BRI International Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition
▲ Ma Junjie (second from left) received an award the Zhejiang University 16th "Dandelion" College Students’ Innovation Competition
Although founding his own tech company at the age of 23 might seem incredible, the seeds of entrepreneurship had long been planted in Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran’s heart. From a young age, he exhibited an extraordinary business acumen. At just five years old, he was able to sell his drawings to friends and family to earn pocket money. He carefully selected his artworks, meticulously designed the packaging, and priced them reasonably, which ensured a steady demand for his creations. Moreover, having studied and grown up in Chinese schools, Monish has always had a deep interest in China. After studying Ray Dalio’s book The Changing World Order back in 2019, he gathered his own understanding of the world and decided to come to China for further study. He candidly admits that founding WAMECO was an unexpected decision; initially, he did not anticipate starting a business in China. However, after arriving in China, he met many kind, enthusiastic, and pragmatic people, and the Chinese culture and customs he read about in books became more vivid, which gave him the courage and confidence to embark on his entrepreneurial journey in China.
When applying to Zhejiang University, Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran was determined to address the issue of waste management. In the summer of 2023, he began conducting field research in China. After identifying the root causes of the waste management problem, he initially formed his team. The co-founders included Leonard Davidson, a 25’ undergraduate student in Automation jointly cultivated by ZJUI and the College of Control Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University; Roosmarijnde Koning, a 2021 graduate student in Chinese Studies at ZIBS; and Luo Min, a 2023 graduate student in Fine Arts at ZIBS.
In the early stages of the team’s formation, they faced many challenges and difficulties common to startups. Throughout this period, the co-founders consistently supported Monish in any business decisions, becoming his strongest backing on the entrepreneurial path. This unwavering support further solidified Monish’s determination to lead the team and manage the company well. Currently, the company has grown to a modest size, with about 15 employees from institutions such as Zhejiang University and Shanghai University.
▲Group photo of team co-founders
The entrepreneurial journey is far from smooth. Along the way, Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran encountered numerous unforgettable challenges. From late May to early June, Monish and his team members realized that their positioning and core services deviated from their original vision. Despite investing a significant amount of time and effort, their results were minimal. After intense internal discussions, they ultimately decided to shift their focus and development direction, which meant that the past six months of efforts were in vain. However, this also led them to discover a new path. Subsequently, they worked 18 hours a day, working tirelessly day and night, and even pulling all-nighters. By early August, they finally made considerable progress in their new direction. Monish admits that these experiences have made him more confident in his team. This not only demonstrated that the entire team was focused on working together to provide the best products for their customers, rather than being limited to individual efforts. “In short, our secret to entrepreneurship is gathering a group of like-minded people to accomplish a task,” Monish said. Although the entrepreneurial journey is fraught with difficulties, the unconditional trust and support of his partners have given Monish the courage to forge ahead. This has allowed WAMECO to shine with infinite possibilities and thrive in the eco-friendly market.
Although the company is still in the product-market fit stage, Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran, with his innovative ideas and unwavering confidence, will lead the team to continuously optimize products and services. They will actively explore new business models and marketing strategies, providing a constant source of momentum for the company’s sustained development.
Reflecting on his journey, Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran is deeply impressed by ZJUI’s strong academic community, excellent interdisciplinary platforms, and high regard for student needs. ZJUI places great emphasis on cultivating students’ ability to solve real-world problems and provides numerous opportunities for students to engage with different cultures. “The extensive academic research platforms at ZJUI have had a beneficial impact on my academic learning and personal growth, greatly stimulating my potential and passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Moreover, ZJUI’s location in Haining allows our team to maximize the benefits of local government policies, enabling dynamic interaction and mutual benefits between WAMECO, the Haining community, and ZJUI students,” Monish shared with us.
It wasn’t just the strong international atmosphere and the rapidly developing campus environment of the Institute that benefited him greatly; the companionship of good instructors and friends also made him immensely grateful. Particularly, he is thankful for Tenured Associate Professor Hu Huan of ZJUI, whom Monish Mithra Waran Maheswaran refers to as an “inexhaustible source of knowledge.” With his own experience in founding high-tech startups, Associate Professor Hu provided Monish with valuable guidance and assistance, including practical advice on contract signing, hardware development, and testing. This not only significantly accelerated the implementation and iteration speed of Monish’s team but also greatly boosted his confidence. “Professor Hu is an outstanding and respected instructor who has given our team many constructive suggestions in the professional field. Under his guidance, I hope we can continue to build WAMECO, fully realizing its potential and contributing to the global circular economy,” Monish shared.
▲ Photo of Ma Junjie and Tenured Associate Professor Hu Huan of ZJUI
Advice for ZJUIers:
1. To borrow a quote from Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
2. I used to be puzzled when my instructors didn’t give me direct answers, but now I understand why. The ability to think independently and learn autonomously is crucial.
3. There is no such thing as a right or wrong answer. In school, we are accustomed to binary answers, but in real life, you might do something that seems “wrong,” yet the outcome could be right. You can never predict this.
4. As long as your direction is clear and you are willing to explore, you will eventually find the answer.
