By
Matthew Hearfield
August 1, 2025
Updated
August 8, 2025
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In this episode, Henry Maillet, CEO of MultiPeak Global Innovation Lab, shares how he's disrupting startup incubation with a human-first, hardware-forward approach. From turning magnetic bedsheets into sleep tech to recruiting street-smart talent from developing nations, Henry’s innovation playbook is anything but typical.
Listen to the full episode below:
Cross-Industry Innovation and the Power of Outsiders
Henry Maillet challenges the conventional wisdom that professionals must specialize in one industry. Instead, he built MultiPeaked to capitalize on the value of "outsiders", people who bring fresh perspectives from different sectors. His journey from luxury hospitality to tech incubation underscores a recurring theme: disruptive innovation often comes from those who see the world differently.
By observing overlooked inefficiencies, Henry has turned forgotten patents into usable technology for new industries. His insight: cross-pollinating ideas from disparate fields fosters breakthrough innovation.
Sleep Tech, Hardware, and the Future of Smart Hospitality
When it comes to hiring, Henry values grit, resourcefulness, and “street smarts” over academic pedigree. He specifically seeks individuals from hospitality and developing countries who have had to make real-world decisions under pressure.
His hiring filters are refreshingly human—such as checking a salesperson’s LinkedIn network, or assessing how candidates navigate stress. Emotional intelligence and real-world resilience, he argues, are more predictive of success than degrees.
Career Mapping and the Power of Clear Goals
Salman reflects on the importance of diversity when building high-performing teams. Diversity isn’t just about gender or race but includes different ways of thinking and problem-solving approaches. By assembling teams with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, Salman ensures that creative solutions emerge naturally, making the teams more resilient and innovative.
He also emphasizes the role of "oddballs" or outliers—those who challenge conventional thinking and push boundaries. The focus is on creating a collaborative environment where all team members are encouraged to contribute their unique viewpoints. This approach not only fosters a sense of belonging but also drives excellence in execution. By ensuring diversity in the team, Salman has been able to lead teams that thrive in solving complex problems and achieving ambitious goals.
The Future of Innovation in Singapore and Beyond
Henry also offers a compelling look at the future of innovation in Asia. He believes that innovation will continue to thrive, but it will require a shift in mindset from traditional approaches to embracing new solutions, particularly in sustainability and circular economy practices. The integration of military technology into everyday business solutions is one example of how the future is unfolding in unexpected ways.
If you’re interested in understanding what drives the startup culture in Singapore and how accelerators like MultiPeak are transforming the landscape, this episode offers an in-depth look at both the challenges and opportunities for innovation in Asia.
Key takeaways
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Henry believes true innovation comes from applying fresh perspectives across industries, rather than staying siloed in one field.
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By solving simple operational problems, Henry’s team turns overlooked pain points like making beds, into data-powered innovations that redefine guest experience.
- Henry prioritizes candidates with real-world resilience and creativity over academic credentials, especially those with “street smarts” and multicultural experience.
- He urges young professionals to map out their goals 5, 10, even 25 years ahead to create a structured path toward leadership and growth.
Article and quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
