Vinesh Sinha, CEO and founder of FatHopes Energy.
I am only a few minutes into my conversation with Vinesh Sinha when the discussion takes an unexpected yet telling turn—towards education.
“I never set out thinking, ‘I want to be an entrepreneur or a startup founder,’” he says, leaning forward. “Those words weren’t even in my vocabulary. What I did know was that I wanted to solve real problems, starting with one that was personal—I didn’t like school. I couldn’t accept being forced into a rigid structure that boxed me in.”
We’re in the meeting room of the FatHopes Energy headquarters in Shah Alam, a setting that contrasts with Sinha’s effortlessly stylish presence—he’s dressed in a sharp blue two-piece suit, a grey t-shirt, and colourful socks. The juxtaposition is fitting for someone who defies convention at every turn.
“Education often limits you. If you’re an engineer, you’re expected to stay an engineer. If you’re a doctor, you’re a doctor for life. Dropping out of university was the best decision I ever made because it freed me,” he adds.
Sinha, the CEO and Founder of FatHopes Energy, walked away from the London School of Commerce to pursue something much larger than himself but eventually graduated from Harvard Business School in 2022—transforming waste into a sustainable biofuel, that was used as a diesel replacement in the early years and now AI Jet replacement for the aviation sector.
He spent over two years collecting waste oil from eateries and converting it into biodiesel. In 2010, he officially launched FatHopes Energy with the ambition of accelerating the advent of advanced biofuels. Today, his company stands as a pioneer in biofuel feedstock aggregation as well as biofuels production, playing a pivotal role in the global energy transition.
FatHopes Energy has been on a meteoric rise, driving real-world impact in global decarbonisation efforts.
From Talk to Action
When I ask about pitching his idea in the early days, his response reveals a core trait that defines his success—unapologetic authenticity. Some of the greatest disruptors in history—Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk—are known for their unorthodox approaches, and Vinesh belongs in that league.
“The difference between me and everyone else is: I do first, then I talk,” he states firmly. “In this industry, the barrier to entry is low, but the complexity is high. You can’t just talk your way into credibility. You have to prove it.”
He recalls his early meetings with investors—long-haired, young, and unconventional, he didn’t exactly fit the mold of a ‘reliable entrepreneur.’ But he turned that perception into an advantage.
“The key to earning trust is never pretending to know everything. When you pitch an idea, don’t talk about things you don’t understand or know, instead admit to what you don’t know. Investors don’t want flashy talk; they want trust. I made it clear—I wasn’t a know-it-all, but in this industry, I was the expert.”
Turning Waste Into a Multi-Billion-Dollar Opportunity
Vinesh’s ability to challenge perceptions is what turned FatHopes Energy into a game-changer. Where others saw waste, he saw untapped potential.
“The industry used to treat used cooking oil as waste. But the moment you stop calling it waste and start thinking about it as a resource, the entire game changes,” he says. “Just by shifting the way we think, Malaysia could potentially unlock billions of dollars of economic value in sustainable biofuels.”
Despite scepticism, Vinesh’s conviction never wavered.
“We have a problem with authenticity—we’re always trying to be someone else,” he says. “Our validation comes from external approval. But the truth is, people will only recognize you when it benefits them. The key is to be bold, embrace being wrong, and learn from mistakes. Success doesn’t teach you much. Failure do.”
A Relentless Fire That Won’t Burn Out
FatHopes Energy has been on a meteoric rise, driving real-world impact in global decarbonisation efforts. On the morning of our interview, the company announced a landmark memorandum of understanding with Malaysia Aviation Group to explore the use of waste cooking oil as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. It’s a milestone that cements FatHopes Energy’s role in shaping the future of cleaner air travel.
This follows another major partnership with Topsoe, a global leader in carbon reduction technologies, to develop a sustainable aviation fuel refinery in Malaysia. The project will convert renewable feedstocks and waste-based oils into advanced aviation biofuels, significantly reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint and mark the company’s foray upstream.
FatHopes Energy recently announced a partnership with Topsoe, a global leader in carbon reduction technologies, to develop a sustainable aviation fuel refinery in Malaysia.
“Even if I had sat down in 2008 and written the perfect business plan, reality would have turned out even better than the plan,” Vinesh reflects. “That’s the beauty of being open to possibilities. The moment you fixate on a rigid plan, you limit yourself.”
From Biofuels to Total Decarbonisation
This year, FatHopes Energy underwent a major strategic pivot. From being a leading biofuel feedstock aggregator, the company is now positioning itself as a key decarbonisation partner for the logistics and aviation industries.
“We realised that much of our hard work was benefiting refineries and end-users around the world, but we weren’t driving this impact at scale. That’s when we decided to go upstream into refining and focus on aviation—the sector where emissions reductions are the most challenging to abate,” he explains.
Measuring Success on His Own Terms
Almost an hour into our conversation, I remind Vinesh that The Peak last interviewed him in 2018. After 15 years of building FatHopes Energy, does he feel like he’s succeeded in his mission?
His response is immediate and telling.
“My ruler of success is fulfilment,” he says. “If I can sleep at night without regrets, that’s success. There’s no such thing as failure—I either win, or I learn. And the moment you shift to that mindset, the world won’t let you fail. Because you become the engine at the front of the train.”
One thing is certain—Vinesh Sinha is not just driving change. He’s leading Malaysia into a future where sustainability is not an afterthought but a fundamental pillar of economic growth. And with his relentless spirit, it’s only the beginning.
