# Karl Mak

> Karl Mak is the Singapore-based co-founder and CEO of HEPMIL Media Group, the company behind SGAG and a regional creator-marketing network. With co-founder Adrian Ang, he developed a university-era meme page into a business spanning six Southeast Asian markets. His career includes the failed startup Televate, the launch of HEPMIL Creators’ Network and HEPMIL’s 2025 acquisition by Publicis Groupe.

- **Role:** Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer at HEPMIL Media Group
- **Organizations:** HEPMIL Media Group, SGAG, HEPMIL Creators’ Network, Bent Pixels Asia, Televate, National Museum of Singapore
- **Nationality:** Singaporean
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Economics, Singapore Management University, Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
- **Known for:** Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 honoree in Media, Marketing & Advertising, alongside Adrian Ang., Co-built HEPMIL into a group with over 300 employees across six Southeast Asian markets by its October 2025 acquisition announcement., Led HEPMIL through its US$10 million institutional Series A in 2021.

## Career timeline

- **2012** — Started SGAG with Adrian Ang, with early traction from a curry-sauce-shortage meme.
- **2013** — Graduated from SMU; the Televate software venture originated in a final-year project.
- **2015** — HEPMIL Media Group founded; MGAG launched in Malaysia.
- **2017** — Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia with Adrian Ang.
- **2018** — An acquisition proposal led to six months of due diligence before falling through, as Mak later recalled.
- **2020** — HEPMIL Creators’ Network launched.
- **2021** — HEPMIL announced US$10 million Series A; Bent Pixels Asia launched.
- **2025** — Publicis announced an agreement to acquire HEPMIL on 29 October; subsequent interviews describe the company as part of Publicis.
- **2026** — Joined the National Museum of Singapore advisory board from 1 January.

## Achievements

- Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 honoree in Media, Marketing & Advertising, alongside Adrian Ang.
- Co-built HEPMIL into a group with over 300 employees across six Southeast Asian markets by its October 2025 acquisition announcement.
- Led HEPMIL through its US$10 million institutional Series A in 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Discussed HEPMIL’s evolution, Publicis integration, financial reporting and creator commerce on Marketing Connected.
- **2026-01** — National Heritage Board records list his National Museum of Singapore advisory-board appointment effective 1 January 2026.
- **2025-12** — Explained to The Business Times why the founders selected the Publicis acquisition rather than a Series B round.
- **2025-10** — Publicis announced an agreement to acquire HEPMIL Media Group.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlmaks

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/karl-mak
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16