Technology entrepreneur Natalie Loi is helping reshape the future of education through innovation, accessibility and purpose.
Since graduating from VU with a Bachelor of Business (International Trade & Marketing) in 2020, she has transformed a university project into a global technology company, using artificial intelligence and digital innovation to improve learning opportunities for millions of people around the world.
Background
Qualifications: Bachelor of Business (International Trade & Marketing), 2020
Job: Co-Founder and Head of Technology, UnBound
Finding purpose through innovation
Natalie’s passion for technology wasn’t sparked by computers, but by people. Drawn to VU’s practical approach to learning, she chose International Trade and Marketing because it encouraged communication, critical thinking and real-world application over memorisation. The University’s international twinning program also gave her the opportunity to study across Malaysia and Australia, broadening her perspective while helping her develop the confidence to work across different cultures.
That experience shaped the way Natalie approaches technology today. While she now works in artificial intelligence and digital innovation, she credits her business degree with teaching her to see technology through the lens of people rather than systems.
International Trade grounded me in economics and global systems, while Marketing taught me to understand human behaviour and cultural nuance. Although I work in technology today, this foundation helps me view technology through the lens of people, needs and context rather than just systems and code.
Outside the classroom, Natalie immersed herself in university life through the VU Business Club, where she met fellow student Ryan Kang. Together with classmates, they began exploring an idea that started simply as a fun project between friends, unaware it would one day become the foundation of their careers.
From classmates to co-founders
Like many university projects, UnBound began as an opportunity to try something new. For Natalie and her friends, there was no expectation of building a business. They simply enjoyed creating something together.
We had fun thinking of names, concepts and finding out how to make the idea come to life. You never know where a project will go, but the fun of starting a project with your friends is always a good time.
What began as a student pilot project has since grown into a multimillion-dollar technology company delivering immersive digital education, financial literacy programs and smart city solutions. Today, UnBound provides free digital education to more than 350,000 learners worldwide. Endorsed by Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, its interactive learning platform has been implemented in more than 2,300 schools, reaching close to two million students.
Working alongside governments, universities and industry partners, Natalie continues to champion technology that creates meaningful social impact. Rather than building innovation for innovation’s sake, she believes the greatest solutions are those designed around people and their communities.
Leading technology with purpose
As UnBound has grown, so too has Natalie’s influence as a technology leader. She has represented Malaysia on international stages, contributed to discussions surrounding ethical artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and continues to mentor young entrepreneurs and women pursuing careers in STEM.
Her work has earned recognition across Australia and Southeast Asia, including VU’s Rising Star Award and Spirit of VU Award, the Science, Digital and Technology Award at the 2025 Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia, and the Innovation Award at the 2026 Tatler Front & Female Awards. Despite these achievements, Natalie remains motivated by the impact her work has on others.
What I enjoy most is the feeling that my work actually matters. The best part is seeing technology become meaningful when it’s designed with people in mind, not just built for the sake of innovation.
Returning to VU to deliver workshops on artificial intelligence became one of the proudest moments of Natalie’s career, giving her the opportunity to share her experiences with students beginning journeys similar to her own. This year, she returns once again as a VU graduation speaker, completing a full-circle moment at the University where UnBound first began.
Advice for future innovators
Natalie encourages students and graduates to stay curious, embrace opportunities and never underestimate where a simple idea can lead.
Stay kind and stay curious, but also be more confident in taking up space. Speak up, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to share your ideas. The world needs people who build with purpose, not just people who chase titles.
For Natalie, success has never been measured solely by achievements, but by creating opportunities for others and using technology to make a positive difference. From a university project between friends to helping shape the future of education, her journey is a reminder that some of the biggest ideas often begin in the classroom.
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