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Khiem Nguyen's journey is proof that with the right mindset, you can turn big ideas into impactful realities. With a background in biomedicine and an ambition to create a biotech company, he joined the Student Fellowship to dive deeper into the startup world. Now, working on Celiva - a saliva-based screening kit for celiac disease - he’s proving that science and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. Here’s how Khiem is blending his passion for biotech with his drive to make a real-world impact.

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Ready to launch your career in startups? Join our next intake of Student Fellows.

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Startmate: Tell us a bit about yourself!

Khiem: I’m about to start my Master of Biotechnology at the University of Melbourne, but in the meantime, I’m juggling quite a few things. I manage a family-owned cafe, intern at a startup focused on mRNA vaccine development, and work on my own biotech project, Celiva.

I love keeping busy - whether it’s work, exercise, or writing in my free time, I always want to be learning and growing.

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Startmate: What got you interested in startups?

Khiem: I’ve always had a big-picture mindset. Growing up, I felt different from my peers - not in a bad way, just in how I thought about the future. I’ve never wanted to just fit into the mould of a traditional career path. I believe I’m meant to build something that makes an impact.

Startups, especially in biotech, give me that opportunity. There’s also a quote that really resonates with me: “Don’t be the best at something, be the only.”

That’s my north star - I don’t want to compete to be number one in an existing field, I want to create something completely new.

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Startmate: How did you first hear about the Student Fellowship?

Khiem: A good friend of mine, Kyle Reynolds, did the Fellowship before me, and he couldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was. Kyle is one of the most inspiring people I know, so I figured if he thought it was worth doing, I had to check it out.

At first, I wasn’t expecting too much - I thought it would just be another program. But the moment I started, everything changed.

The people, the energy, the ecosystem - it was completely different from anything I’d experienced before. Everyone was ambitious, driven, and eager to learn. The healthy competition really pushed me to absorb as much as I could about startups and biotech.

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Startmate: What did you love most about the Fellowship?

Khiem: The level of ambition and generosity in the community. It was competitive, but in the best way - people genuinely wanted to see each other succeed.

It wasn’t just about networking; it was about sharing ideas, challenging each other, and pushing the whole group forward.

The Founders Challenge was also a highlight. Seeing how quickly people went from ideas to actual pitches was inspiring, and it reinforced how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time if you just commit to it.

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‍Startmate: Did you pitch at the Founders Challenge?

Khiem: Yes! My team and I pitched Celiva - a saliva-based screening kit for celiac disease. Right now, diagnosing celiac disease is a long, painful process involving blood tests and endoscopies. We wanted to create a more accessible, non-invasive alternative.

We formed our team on the first day of the Fellowship, joining forces through a breakout session focused on biotech. After cycling through a few ideas, we landed on Celiva and quickly realised its potential.

Unlike many teams who stop after the Fellowship, we’ve kept building. We’re now working on developing a prototype and have been accepted into Launch Club to take it further.

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Startmate: How has the journey with Celiva been since the Fellowship?

Khiem: It’s been intense but rewarding. We’re still a team of four - Avi Jayaprabalan and I are based in Melbourne, and Tahra Allen and Pranav Kataria are in Sydney. We’ve only met virtually so far, but we’re planning to meet in person during Launch Club.

Right now, we’re focused on the technical side - developing the prototype with embedded antibodies and validating the science behind it. Biotech isn’t like software; you can’t build a product overnight. There are regulations, trials, and R&D hurdles. But we believe in the long-term value of what we’re building, and we’re in it for the long haul.

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Startmate: Any founders who inspire you?

Khiem: Two people stand out. First, Betty Zhang, she’s incredibly knowledgeable and well-read, and our conversation made me realise just how much there is to learn in the biotech space.

The second is Max Marchoine, founder of Superpower, a health tech startup. His company simplifies access to health insights by offering biomarker testing, telehealth consultations, and personalised prescriptions in one platform. His approach to business and the way he writes about startups really resonates with me. I see a lot of my own ambitions reflected in what he’s building.

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Startmate: Do you see yourself pursuing founding in the future?

Khiem: 100%. My ultimate goal is to be the CEO or founder of a biotech company that develops a drug or platform capable of saving lives.

That’s what drives me. Founding a company isn’t just about building a business - it’s about consistency, discipline, and resilience. I love the challenge of taking an idea, validating it, and turning it into something real.

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Startmate: What’s next for you?

Khiem: Right now, I’m starting my Master of Biotechnology while continuing to build Celiva. Our goal during Launch Club is to create a working prototype and start testing it. We’re also looking at potential pivots - biotech is unpredictable, so we have to be flexible with where the science leads us.

Beyond Celiva, I’m always learning. I run a LinkedIn newsletter called Calls to Action with my friends Kyle and Andrew, where we write short, motivational posts based on impactful quotes. I also have a blog where I share my thoughts on biotech, startups, and innovation. Writing helps me process everything I’m learning and solidify my thinking.

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Startmate: Any advice for students considering the Student Fellowship?

Khiem: The biggest motivator for me is learning, and if that’s something that drives you too, you’ll thrive in the Fellowship. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

Also, change your media diet. Read Paul Graham’s essays. If you’re interested in biotech, check out Building Backwards to Biotech by Stephanie Wisner. And if you’re looking for regular inspiration, follow Calls to Action on LinkedIn. The more you immerse yourself in this world, the faster you’ll grow.

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Khiem’s journey is just getting started, but his time in the Student Fellowship has helped him sharpen his vision, build momentum, and surround himself with the right people. If you’re curious about startups, biotech, or just learning how to turn ideas into reality, take a page from his book - jump in and start building. Check out more of Khiem's thoughts on Medium.

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