Shaping Cybersecurity's Future: From Singapore to Silicon Valley

In an industry where women are underrepresented, Camellia Chan and May Chng are proving that leadership in cybersecurity isn't just about experience—it's about vision. As the co-founders of Flexxon, they have redefined data security by creating the world's first AI-embedded, hardware-based cybersecurity solution and bringing it to customers worldwide.

When asked to pose candidly for a photo during the interview, Camellia Chan threw a playful punch towards May Chng, demonstrating a move from her kickboxing class. May, unfazed, laughed and played along. It was a lighthearted moment, but one that captured their partnership—fearless, unshakable, and ready for any challenge.

As co-founders of FLEXXON, Camellia and May are leading a revolution in cybersecurity, not just as entrepreneurs but as women thriving in a male-dominated industry.

They didn't start as cybersecurity veterans. Their journey began in industrial storage solutions, but when cyber threats surged and storage devices became prime targets, they saw an opportunity to transform how data is protected at its core.

"Ransomware attacks were rising, and traditional cybersecurity solutions weren't enough—especially against zero-day threats. That pushed us to rethink security from the ground up." - Camellia

Rather than waiting for software-based security to catch up, they made a bold move—securing storage as the last line of defence against threats.

From storage to cybersecurity: A pioneering shift

Flexxon's pivot wasn't just a business decision—it was a response to a growing crisis. Their industrial clients, managing sensitive and mission-critical data, began asking for better protection.

May recalled the moment they realised the opportunity. "Customers started asking if we had solutions to help them protect their data, and it became clear that we had a responsibility to step up."

Instead of adding another layer of external security, they went straight to the source. Their breakthrough? X-PHY—the world's first AI-embedded solid-state drive (SSD) that autonomously detects and neutralises cyber threats at the hardware level.

"Unlike traditional software security solutions that rely on updates and human intervention, X-PHY operates autonomously at the hardware level, detecting and neutralising threats in real time," says Camellia.

But launching a first-of-its-kind product posed a challenge: How do you convince an industry used to software-based solutions that hardware-first security is the future?

Breaking into the US market🇺🇸

Flexxon knew they needed to prove their innovation on the biggest stage. That meant one thing: expanding into the United States. They set up X-PHY Inc . in Silicon Valley and Maryland, positioning themselves among top industry players.

"Setting up in Silicon Valley was both an exciting and challenging journey," We are introducing a completely new approach to cybersecurity, and that required us to work twice as hard to prove our value," says May.

"The US market moves fast and demands immediate proof of value," says Camellia. "This pushed us to work extremely hard to showcase how X-PHY fills a critical gap in cybersecurity."

To navigate this fast-moving landscape, Flexxon connected with BLOCK71 Silicon Valley, gaining valuable mentorship and industry insights that helped sharpen their strategy in a highly competitive market.

Still, gaining traction in such a competitive market meant proving X-PHY's real-world impact. As they showcased its capabilities, strong interest from industry leaders followed, leading to multiple Proof-of-Concept (PoC) engagements—a testament to their persistence and belief in their vision.

Flexxon was no longer just a storage solutions company. They were now at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation.

📌Checklist for entering the US market

Flexxon’s co-founders share practical advice and lessons learned

1. Know your unique value proposition: The US market is highly saturated, so it’s critical to differentiate yourself. Introducing hardware-based AI cybersecurity was a completely new approach that helped us stand out

2. Build strategic partnerships: Partnering with industry leaders, tech innovators, and local experts accelerates credibility and opens doors. We’ve seen strong interest and PoC engagements by working with the right stakeholders.

3. Be ready to move fast: The pace of business in the US is rapid, and companies expect immediate proof of value. So, you need to be extra proactive, show results, and adapt quickly to feedback. 

4. Stay resilient and believe in your innovation: Entering a new market is always a challenge, but persistence is key. The US market is competitive, but it also rewards bold innovation and determination.

5. Invest in a local office: While technology allows for global connectivity, having a physical presence in the US is invaluable. Establishing our presence here strengthens our ability to serve enterprise customers, collaborate with government and industry stakeholders, and scale our business globally.

"We started our journey incubating at BLOCK71 Silicon Valley. The team, Angeline Tan and Vincent Song, have strengthened our understanding of the market and continue to provide invaluable support. We also leveraged the networking opportunities, events and support provided under BLOCK71’s global network." May added.

Leading in cybersecurity as women, and giving back

With 43 patents in its IP portfolio, Flexxon is proving that hardware-layer security is not just an idea—it is the future.

Yet, despite their success, Camellia and May are aware of how few women are leading in deep-tech industries. "Since women only make up about a quarter of the world's cybersecurity workforce, your presence in this field is already making a difference," said Camellia. "But we need to go further."

They believe bold ideas and persistence open doors, even in a highly competitive industry.

"The industry moves fast, but bold innovation and persistence open doors," says May. "If you have a strong solution and a clear mission, the right opportunities will come."

"Most importantly, don't let being the 'only woman in the room' hold you back," Camellia adds. "Your skills, ideas, and leadership are essential in shaping the future of cybersecurity."

To support others in the community, Camellia has recently started as Board Director & Founding Mentor at the Alma Atma Network, a new social organisation that aims to help students in the US access high-quality mentorship and resources, regardless of background.

Milestones

2021 : Launched the X-PHY® Cybersecure SSD, the world’s first AI-embedded fireware-based cybersecurity solution, enhancing data protection against cyber threats

2020: Received backing from Heliconia Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, supporting further innovation and expansion in the cybersecurity and storage solutions market

2015: Established a global presence across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East serving industries such as cybersecurity, industrial, medical and automotive (C.I.M.A)

2010: Expanded product portfolio to include USB flash memory drives, micro storage cards and embedded multimedia card (eMMC) storage systems, catering to industrial, medical and automotive applications

2007: Founded in Singapore, focusing on industrial NAND flash storage solutions

Scaling up and shaping the future of cybersecurity

Flexxon is not slowing down. Their focus is now on expanding the X-PHY ecosystem, strengthening their US presence, and forming strategic collaborations with enterprises, PC manufacturers, and governments to drive wider adoption of AI-powered security.

They have also been selected for a pilot IP financing programme, supported by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), and a local bank, to unlock further funding based on the value of their intellectual property.

Flexxon's innovation is transforming cybersecurity, but for Camellia and May, the mission goes beyond technology. It is about reshaping the industry itself—who gets to lead, who gets to build, and who gets to make an impact.

Flexxon is not just protecting the future of digital security—they are reshaping who gets to lead it.

Learn about BLOCK71 Silicon Valley's Market Exploration Programme for Summer 2025: https://block71siliconvalley.com/programs