Lin Sun Fa

VISIONS OF TOMORROW. Lin Sun Fa has always been captivated by the futuristic visions portrayed in sci-fi movies, where cities run seamlessly and infrastructures work in perfect harmony. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emobi, Lin is now making strides to bring some of that vision to life. “I always liked sci-fi movies,” Lin says. “They showcase what cities might look like in the future, and I find it fascinating how everything happens seamlessly together.”

Emobi is at the forefront of revolutionizing the e-mobility industry. Their mission is to create a comprehensive EV charging ecosystem that connects all brands of electric vehicles with all brands of EV chargers. Whether you drive a Tesla, Rivian, or Lucid, Emobi’s technology ensures that you can charge your vehicle across the US and Canada. “We enable the technology so that the charger can identify the vehicle, the driver, and the payment information, making the charging experience seamless,” Lin explains. “All the driver needs to do is plug and charge.”

The path to founding Emobi was paved with Lin’s love for connecting different minds and navigating diverse perspectives. Born and raised in Indonesia, Lin moved to the US for college, where he studied cybersecurity at Purdue University. His multicultural background gave him a unique appreciation for multiple viewpoints, which has been invaluable in his entrepreneurial journey. “The most interesting part of being a founder is connecting with different minds,” Lin shares. “I’ve always enjoyed seeing things from multiple perspectives, and being a founder is about navigating all these pieces and connecting them together.”

Lin’s entrepreneurial spirit was inspired early on by his parents, both entrepreneurs themselves. However, his relationship with them became strained after he came out as gay during his sophomore year of college. “Growing up, it was very difficult to live as a gay man in Indonesia,” Lin recalls. “My parents stopped communicating with me, and I was alone in an unfamiliar territory with no financial backup, which significantly shaped my grit and resilience.”

Despite these challenges, Lin was determined to succeed. “Those moments with my parents, discussing business problems over dinner, were very helpful throughout my entrepreneurial journey,” he says. “Even though our communication was limited after I came out, those experiences taught me a lot about navigating hardships.”

A LEGACY OF INNOVATION. Lin’s vision for Emobi is driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy. “I want to leave some piece of advancement for the people that come after me,” Lin explains. “It’s not just about creating a product or technology, but also about sharing knowledge and helping others.”

Lin’s optimism about technology’s potential to improve the future is evident. “Every day, new technologies are invented, and our product continues to evolve,” he says. “The possibilities are limitless.” For Lin, staying abreast of the latest innovations and integrating them into Emobi’s offerings is key to driving progress in the e-mobility space.

While Lin is optimistic about the future, he is more cautious when it comes to taking advice from other people. “Take every bit of advice with a grain of salt,” he notes. “At the end of the day, we know what’s best for our company. Be open to feedback, but make decisions based on your own understanding of the situation.”

For young LGBTQ entrepreneurs, Lin hopes to see the barriers around sexual orientation and gender identity continue to break down. “Everyone can be a founder. We’re not gay founders or any other type of founder—we are founders, just as valuable as any other.” Reflecting on his journey, Lin acknowledges that being openly gay has been both an asset and a liability. “I choose to be openly gay because trust is vital in business,” he explains. “Hiding your identity can jeopardize business relationships. Being my true self allows me to build genuine, lasting connections.”