Seelan V. Karthi | Founder & Managing Director

About Me

Prof. Sakthiaseelan V. Karthigasoo (Prof. Seelan) is a design thinking & innovation strategist and Adjunct Professor of Design Thinking & Innovation Management (Psychology) with the University of Augsburg, Germany. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Navlan Consultation LLP, specialising in organisational design, innovation, leadership and transformation across Asia and Europe. He holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science (Neural Network Applications – AI) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Design Thinking and Innovation Management at University Malaya. He is also a research collaborator with Bocconi University, Italy. His work integrates psychology, design, innovation and also AI-driven enterprise innovation

Areas of Expertise

• Design Thinking & Human-Centred Innovation

• Innovation Strategy & Organisational Transformation

• Corporate Innovation & Intrapreneurship

• Digital & AI-Enabled Innovation

• Innovation Governance & Operating Models

• R&D and Product Innovation Systems

• Culture Change & Capability Building

• Leadership Psychology in Design Thinking & Innovation Management

• Board-Level Strategy & Innovation Facilitation

Achievements

• Adjunct Professor of Design Thinking & Innovation Management (Psychology), University of Augsburg, Germany

• PhD Researcher in Design Thinking & Innovation Management, University Malaya; MSc in Computer Science (Neural Network Applications – AI)

• Research Collaborator, ICRIOS, Bocconi University, Italy; Startup Mentor, B4i, Bocconi University

• Founder & Managing Director, Navlan Consultation LLP – delivering innovation and leadership programs across Asia and Europe

• First in Asia to design and deliver six CCSD-accredited Strategic Design Thinking & Innovation Certification Programmes (ISO 17024:2012, TQV Switzerland, EAHEA-recognised)

• Recipient of the “Star Award for Best Design Thinking & Innovation Strategy 2025,” ME HR & Learning

• Advisor and recognised expert in global networks, including GLG (New York) and AlphaSights (London & Singapore)

• Internationally certified master trainer and facilitator in innovation, Six Sigma, leadership, and simulation-based executive learning

• Advisor and mentor on innovation, AI, and startup ecosystems, supporting 173 companies and 20 higher-education institutions across 19+ countries

• Successfully built 817 prototypes and implemented 126 innovation projects, generating combined cost savings or revenue impact exceeding USD 3.43 billion

Programs/Trainings

A. Accredited Certification Program

• Design Thinking Pathway

· Certified Strategic Design Thinking Practitioner (CSDTP) – 3 Days

· Certified Strategic Design Thinking Specialist (CSDTS) – 4 Days

· Certified Strategic Design Thinking Expert (CSDTE) – 5 Days

• Innovation Culture Pathway

· Certified Innovation-Centric Organisation Practitioner (CICOP) – 3 Days

· Certified Innovation-Centric Organisation Specialist (CICOS) – 4 Days

· Certified Innovation-Centric Organisation Expert (CICOE) – 5 Days

B. Innovation & Transformation Series

• Core Innovation Workshops

· Strategic Design Thinking – Spark innovation & build prototypes (2 days, project-based)

· Business Modelling & Pitching – 1-pager business model & pitch deck (2 days, project-based)

• Extended Innovation & Venture-Building

· Design Thinking & Design Sprints (4 days – training & coaching)

· Innovation Bootcamp – Prototypes, business models & pitch decks (5 days)

· Innovation Development / Hackathon Programme (10 days over 3–4 months)

· Design Thinking & Innovation Practitioner Programme (26 days over 12 months, project-based)

• Innovation Leadership, Strategy & Culture

· Strategic Thinking & Planning (2 days)

· Triumphing in a VUCA World – Towards an Innovation-Centric Company (2 days)

· Digital Innovation Culture & Customer Experience (3 days, project-based)

· Design i5 – Innovation Process & Culture (5 days, project-based)

• Transformation Deployment Programmes

· Towards an Innovation-Centric Company (training, coaching & advisory)

· Towards a Customer-Centric Company (training, coaching & advisory)