Ajmal Samuel

Ajmal Samuel is a Hong Kong–based entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and social impact advocate whose life embodies resilience and reinvention. At 21, while serving in the Pakistan Armed Forces, a road accident left him paraplegic. What could have been a life-defining limitation instead became the catalyst for an extraordinary journey. Samuel went on to build a distinguished career in financial technology, founding and leading companies including Cityline, Hong Kong’s first online ticketing platform, OCTO3 Group Holdings, and FTS.Money, which focuses on global payments and fintech innovation. With over three decades of business experience across Asia, Samuel is recognized for his expertise in fintech, entrepreneurship, and market expansion. He has advised corporates and worked alongside non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and venture partners to bridge innovation and social impact.

Beyond business, Samuel has redefined physical and mental limits as a national-level endurance athlete, competing in rowing, handcycling, marathons, and triathlons. In 2023, he became the first adaptive paragliding pilot in Asia and Africa, a milestone captured in the documentary "Pendulum Control," which has been shortlisted for international film festivals. He has delivered over one hundred keynotes, panels, and workshops to audiences ranging from multinational corporations to universities, sharing his insights on diversity and inclusion, leadership under adversity, resilience, and the power of mindset. Samuel’s contributions have been recognized through multiple awards, including the Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award and the RTHK Outstanding Achiever Award, as well as being listed on the Zubin Foundation Diversity List.

Through his foundation, the Ajmal Samuel Foundation (ASF), he actively promotes adaptive sports, wellness, and inclusive policies across Asia. His speaking topics span fintech and innovation, entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, and resilience and leadership, inspiring audiences to rethink what is possible when courage replaces doubt. Samuel continues to headline events that connect business, social change, and personal empowerment, proving that a wheelchair is no barrier to ambition, leadership, or adventure.