The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center proudly welcomes a dynamic new cohort of Milestone Makers, presented in partnership with the Asia Innovation Hub and TEALa. The Asia Milestone Makers are bold founders shaping the future of global innovation, spanning industries from biotechnology to tech-enabled restaurants, from consumer packaged goods to precision AI infrastructure. Together, they represent a new wave of cross-Pacific entrepreneurship grounded in purpose, resilience, and cultural authenticity.
Milestone Makers is the Center’s premier program for entrepreneurs committed to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through tailored mentorship, executive coaching, and access to a powerful network of industry leaders and startup experts, each founder in this cohort is taking tangible steps to accelerate business growth, raise capital, and create long-term environmental and economic impact.
From iconic hotpot chains and scalable SaaS solutions to novel therapeutics and globally inspired food brands, this cohort exemplifies the ingenuity and ambition of today’s purpose-driven entrepreneurs. As they define and pursue their most critical milestones over the next 12 weeks, they are not only growing their businesses, they’re expanding the narrative of what global leadership looks like.
Tony Hunsoo Ahn
CJ Foodville USA, Inc
MILESTONE: Secure 5 new corporate store leases by 6/30 to grow from 5 to 10 locations, creating welcoming and meaningful bakery experiences that strengthen brand presence and support both current and future franchise expansion.
CJ Foodville USA is the parent company of Tous les Jours, a French Asian bakery offering a wide range of items in a welcoming vibe that are perfect for any occasion, each made with the finest ingredients and utmost care, freshly baked every day.
Hung-Kai Kevin Chen
Elixiron Immunotherapeutics
MILESTONE: Build a roadmap to an IPO
Elixiron Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing revolutionary precision immunotherapies for neuroinflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Leveraging decades of research and development experience, Elixiron team has advanced two potential blockbuster drugs into clinical development, which include Enrupatinib for treating Alzheimer’s disease and Indemakitug for vitiligo. The company is a two-time winner of Alzheimer’s Association Part the Cloud award.
MILESTONE: Prove Wallace is built to scale in the United States by assembling a high-impact team and creating the systems that power rapid and repeatable growth.
Wallace is one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant brands, with over 20,000 locations, founded China in 2000. The brand specializes in grilled and fried chicken sandwiches, wings, and combo meals, offering tasty, affordable food made fresh to order.
MILESTONE: Identify and validate sales channels with the greatest potential for scalable growth in our wholesale and retail business.
Dough Zone USA is a fast growing Chinese restaurant brand specializing in dumplings and authentic regional dishes. Founded in Seattle Washington 11 years ago. We have expanded to 28 locations across four states. We are focused on delivering high quality consistent products through dine-in, take out, foodservice distribution and retail channels.
Jingsong Li
Usynova Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
MILESTONE: Identifying sales pipeline for future growth
Usynova Pharmaceuticals is an innovative biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer, two of the largest and fastest-growing areas in healthcare, with a combined global market exceeding $200 billion annually. Despite this scale, significant unmet medical needs remain. Usynova focuses on the highest-value segments of the drug development process: molecular discovery and early-phase clinical trials. Our discovery efforts address critical challenges in intellectual property, market differentiation, and scientific validation. Through early-phase clinical research, we establish key pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) markers, along with safety and efficacy profiles. To advance these therapies beyond early development, we collaborate with leading multinational pharmaceutical companies to support late-stage development and global commercialization.
MILESTONE: Complete a practical and feasible AI platform design proposal to empower the company’s next-generation products.
MenuSifu is a leading North American SaaS company delivering advanced technology solutions tailored for the restaurant industry. Our offerings include cutting-edge point-of-sale (POS) systems, payment processing, integrated online ordering, and marketing services—all designed to help restaurants streamline operations and make data-driven decisions. Trusted by over 12,000 restaurant owners, MenuSifu serves an average of 100 million tables and 170 million diners annually, holding the No. 1 market share among Asian restaurants in North America. With a 90x growth rate, our mission is to empower restaurant owners and managers with the tools they need for efficient, profitable operations. Our vision is to become the go-to provider for restaurant technology solutions, supporting businesses of all sizes in achieving growth, efficiency, and exceptional guest experiences.
MILESTONE: Develop and execute a U.S. go-to-market action plan to establish the foundation for a scalable retail channel strategy.
We’re a modern Taiwanese food brand bringing authentic, easy-to-cook flavors to global kitchens. Our hero product line features high-quality, air-dried noodles with signature sauces like goose oil with crispy shallot (plant-based) and garlic — deeply aromatic, umami-rich, and crafted for busy lifestyles. We also offer Taiwanese beef noodle soup and Chinese scallion pancakes. Shelf-stable and quick to prepare, our products blend cultural integrity with modern convenience. Currently in Costco Taiwan and select U.S. regions, we’re on a mission to make Taiwanese cuisine a global staple, one bowl at a time.
Russell Liu
Tang Bar
MILESTONE: Gain clarity on an accelerated 10X growth strategy from 10 to 100 stores.
At Tang Bar, we believe quick meals should nourish both body and spirit. Our build-your-own hotpot brings traditional comfort to modern routines through wholesome, flavorful bowls crafted your way. What sets us apart isn’t just our from-scratch broths—it’s how we serve them. Our teams remember regulars’ favorites, offer that extra herb sprinkle, and share genuine smiles, turning quick bites into daily joys.
Behind the counter, we grow together. Managers emerge from line cooks; ordinary work creates extraordinary careers. We’re not the fanciest, just thoughtfully consistent—making neighborhood meals a little warmer, one joyful bowl at a time.
Tammy Liu
Texture maker enterprise co. Ltd
MILESTONE: Develop and validate a strategic product roadmap for Texture Maker in the U.S.
Texture Maker is a food ingredients provider serving the baking and food service industries. We offer customized solutions — including product formulation, R&D consulting, and manufacturing support — to help turn your ideas into best-selling products.
MILESTONE: Prioritize strategic partnership and expand to global stage efficiently
Neurowatt powers the future of AI with scalable infrastructure and revenue-driven solutions that transform how intelligence is build, deployed, and monetized globally.
Matthew Zhang
Liuyishou International Management Company (Canada) Ltd.
MILESTONE: Create a business plan to find and secure institutional investors to incorporate store operations, central kitchen, and organizational people growth.
Founded in 2000 in Chongqing, China, Liuyishou Hotpot has grown to over 1,300 locations worldwide, including in the U.S., Canada, Dubai, Singapore, and Europe, making it one of the world’s largest hotpot chains. Known for its fashionably healthy image, premium ingredients, and authentic Chinese flavors, Liuyishou offers an interactive dining experience where guests cook marbled beef, wild mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables to perfection at the table.
Learn more about the Milestone Makers program here.
Do you have a unique perspective in your industry or field that you would like to share as a mentor? Apply to be a mentor for the Milestone Makers at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and pay it forward by emailing colin.mahin@thecenter.nasdaq.orgÂ
