Nanyang Technopreneurship Center

Nanyang
NanyangTechnopreneurship
Technopreneurship
Center
Center

A COLLECTION OF
ENTREPRENEURSHIP STORIES
MAKE
MAKEAAMEANINGFUL
MEANINGFUL OF OUR TIP ALUMNI
DIFFERENCE
DIFFERENCETO
TOHUMANITY
HUMANITY
About
AboutMSc
MScTIP
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AA unique
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A community of passionate
global entrepreneurs

© NANYANG
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MSc TIP
Master of Science Technopreneurship & Innovation Programme

Information
Information
is correct
is correct
at the
at the
timetime
of interview.
of interview.
 “The
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Nanyang
the Nanyang
for technology
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Technopreneurship
Nanyang Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship
Center (NTC)
Center (NTC)
(NTC) has has educated
has educated hundreds
educated hundreds
hundreds of of
of entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs and and
Center
entrepreneurial leaders through its flagship entrepreneurs
Master of Scienceand
entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial leaders through
leaders through its flagship Master
its flagship Master of of Science
Science
Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship and and Innovation
Innovation Programme
Programme (MSc (MSc TIP).
TIP).
Technopreneurship and Innovation Programme (MSc TIP).
The
The MSc
MSc TIPTIP helps
helps entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs developdevelop an an enterprising
enterprising mindset
mindset
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their entrepreneurs
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reality. WeWe are proud of
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TIP graduates
graduates and
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entrepreneurial stories and
stories and experiences
and experiences inspiring,
experiences inspiring, they
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holding the
the passion,
passion, acting
acting with
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principle
knowing the purpose,and holding the passion, acting with principle
and perseverance
and perseverance throughout
perseverance throughout the
throughout the journey.
the journey.
journey.
It
It is
is always
always our
our pride
pride and
and joy joy to
to showcase
showcase our our TIP
TIP
It is always our
alumni. pride
Hope and
you joy
enjoyto showcase
reading the our TIP
stories
alumni. Hope
Hope you you enjoy
enjoy reading
reading the the stories
stories

ENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISING
alumni. of these unique and talented people!
DEVELOP
DEVELOPAN
ANENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISINGMINDSET
MINDSET
of these unique and talented people!

ANENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISINGMINDSET
of these unique and talented people!
DEVELOP
DEVELOP
DEVELOP AN
AN
DEVELOPAN MINDSET
MINDSET
MINDSET
Dr
Dr Xia
Xia Zhiqiang
Zhiqiang
Dr Xia
Programme Zhiqiang
Director
Programme Director
Programme MSc
Director
MSc TIP
TIP MSc
MSc
MSc
MScTIP
TIP
TIP
TIP
MSc TIP
”” MSc
MScTIP
TIP
Master
Master
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InnovationProgramme
Programme

Revolutionary
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- Transformational
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Experience
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Experience
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Programme- Transformational
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Experience
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* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
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* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
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* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
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Preface
Preface
Preface
In November
In November 2014,
2014,NTCNTCembarked
embarked onona project
a project to to
document
document thethe
In November
entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial 2014,
stories
storiesNTC
of MSc embarked
of MSc TIPTIP on
alumni.
alumni.a project
The The to document
manifestation
manifestation was the
was
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a Facebook
a Facebook campaign stories
campaign of MSc
called
called TIP alumni. The manifestation was
#onthecontrary.
#onthecontrary.
a Facebook campaign called #onthecontrary.
Through
Through thisthis
campaign,
campaign, NTC NTC wants
wants
to to
shift
shift
people’s
people’s focus
focus
from
from
all allThrough
thetheglorified this
glorified campaign,
“rags
“rags
to to
riches”NTC
riches” wants
stories
storiesto
to toshift
thethe people’s
realreal focus
struggles
struggles from
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that
most all
most the glorified
entrepreneurs
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face to
face riches” stories
- a-challenging
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journey.
This most
Thiscampaignentrepreneurs
campaign also
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challenging
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the rewarding
wordword journey.
This campaign
“entrepreneur”
“entrepreneur” aalso
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and differentiate
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“entrepreneurship” as as
a skillset.
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“entrepreneur” as a noun and “entrepreneurship” as a skillset.
While
Whileit isit true
is true
that
that
passion,
passion, ideas
ideasandand
experience
experience cannot
cannotbebe
While it is true that passion, ideas and experience cannot be
easily
easilytaught,
taught, learning
learninghowhow to to
identify
identify
or or
create
createopportunities,
opportunities,
easily taught, learning how to identify or create opportunities,
acquire
acquire resources,
resources, andand
build
builda team
a teamto to
create
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acquire resources, and build a team to create something of
economic
economic and and
social
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value,
value, cancanbe.be.
economic and social value, can be.
Our Alumni

01

03

05

07

09

11

13

15

17

19
Dominic
Dominic Loke
LokeSingapore
Singapore
Dominic
ASTORIA
ASTORIA Loke
SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS Singapore
PTEPTE
LTDLTD
ASTORIA SOLUTIONS PTE LTD

Fannie
Fannie Kue Kue Singapore
Singapore
Fannie
JFDI.ASIA
JFDI.ASIA Kue
PTEPTE
LTDLTD Singapore
JFDI.ASIA PTE LTD

Shen
ShenGuoping
Guoping China
China
Shen
SUNLORD
SUNLORDGuoping
E-COMMERCE China
E-COMMERCE
CO CO
LTDLTD
SUNLORD E-COMMERCE CO LTD

John
John Chang
Chang
South
South
Korea
Korea
John
MED-EL
MED-EL Chang South Korea
MED-EL

Kong
Kong
Kong Fern
Fern
Fern Chiang
Chiang
Singapore
Chiang Singapore
Singapore
FOUR
FOUR
MEDIA
MEDIA
PTEPTE
LTDLTD
FOUR MEDIA PTE LTD

Levina
Levina
Yulianti
Levina Yulianti
Indonesia
Yulianti Indonesia
Indonesia
MARKPLUS
MARKPLUS
INSIGHT
MARKPLUS INSIGHT
INSIGHT

Nitesh
Nitesh
Shivapooja
Nitesh Shivapooja
India
Shivapooja India
India
GOOGLE
GOOGLE
INCINC
GOOGLE INC
INDIA
INDIA
INDIA

Tang
Tang
Tang Shiuh
Shiuh
Shiuh Huei
Huei
Huei Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
S HS H
H TANG
STANG
TANG && ASSOCIATES
& ASSOCIATES
ASSOCIATES LLP
LLPLLP

Ted
Ted
Ted Chen
Chen
Chen Chiu
Chiu
Chiu Hao
Hao
Hao Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan
EVERCOMM UNI-TECH
EVERCOMM
EVERCOMM
UNI-TECH
UNI-TECH

Tommy Ong Singapore

Tommy
Tommy OngOng Singapore
Singapore
RESVENUS LABORATORIES
RESVENUS
RESVENUS
LABORATORIES
LABORATORIES
01 #onthecontrary
Interview with Dominic Loke

What is work-life balance to you? A An individual who is passionate about

fixed 9am to 5pm work schedule?
Having the time after work for your
own personal well-being?
To Dominic Loke, Founder and CEO
of marine, oil and gas business
solutions provider Astoria Solutions,
it’s all about prioritising time,
maintaining efficiency levels and being 2003 and back then, the
able to delegate work.
his work and the mission is able to
make work less of a chore and more of
a collective set of enjoyable
and fulfilling tasks.
His Entrepreneurial Journey
Dominic started Astoria Solutions in

“There’s no correlation
between your work-life
balance and
how successful
you will be.”
“It really depends on how efficient you entrepreneurship community was not
are, and how well you delegate work,” as strong as it is today. If one was not
Dominic calmly puts it. strong-willed enough, he would
crumble under the negativity and
“Family is important too. I always pressure from doubters – even if it
encourage my staff to leave work on was out of genuine concern.
time to spend more time with their
loved ones.” To entrepreneurs, Few will disagree that the first step of
work-life balance is constantly being entrepreneurship is tough and
redefined. As someone juggling so entrepreneurs often have too much work
many roles, Dominic also points out on their hands to handle other
that passion would also help commitments, yet Dominic further
fuel the journey. challenged himself and pushed his
limits when he decided to take up a
 02
full-time Master of Science investments, it is an ideal platform
Technopreneurship and Innovation for knowledge-meets-application,”

02
Programme at theMaster
full-time Nanyang of Science says Dominic.
investments, it is an ideal platform

02
Technopreneurship
Technological
full-timeUniversity
Master of
of and Innovation
Singapore
Science for knowledge-meets-application,”
investments,
full-time Master of Science investments, itit is is an
an ideal
ideal platform
platform
Programme
Technopreneurship
whilst at the same time at juggling
the Nanyang
and Innovation
his Dwelling says
for moreDominic.
knowledge-meets-application,”
into how education aids
Technopreneurship and Innovation for knowledge-meets-application,”
Technological
Programme
duties at Astoria Solutions.at University
the Nanyang of Singapore the says
development Dominic. of one’s
Programme at the Nanyang says Dominic.
whilst at the same
Technological time juggling his Dwelling more skills,into
he how
alsoeducation
reveals aids
Technological University University of of Singapore
Singapore entrepreneurial
duties
whilst
“I was heading toatthe
at Astoria
the same
office Solutions.
time
early juggling
in the histhat thethe development
Dwelling
biggest more into
takeaway ofhow
one’s
from education
going aids
whilst at the same time juggling his Dwelling more into how education aids
entrepreneurial skills, he also reveals
morning todutiesclearat
duties Astoria
atwork,
Astoria Solutions.
before rushing throughthe
Solutions. thethedevelopment
course is the
development of
of one’s
importance
one’s
“I was heading to the office early in the entrepreneurial that the biggest skills, takeaway he from going
also
over to school, then coming back to of a self-reflection
entrepreneurial andskills,
being also reveals
hehonest to
reveals
“Imorning
was to clear
heading to work,
the before
office early rushing
in the through
that the the course
biggest is the importance
takeaway from
the office“Iover
was heading
during my to theand
breaks, office early inoneself,
then the that to the biggestand
ascertain takeaway
acknowledge from going
going
morning to school,
to then coming back to of a self-reflection and being honest to
heading backmorning to clear
to school,
school clearfor work,
work, before
before rushing
rushing through
through the the course
course is
is the
the importance
importance
the office
over to duringthen mymy breaks, back
coming and then one’s
to strengths
oneself,
of toand weaknesses.
ascertain and acknowledge
remainingover to school,
lessons, and then coming back to
finally of a self-reflection and being
a self-reflection and being honesthonest to to
heading
the office back
during to school
my breaks,for my and then one’s strengths
oneself, to and weaknesses.
ascertain and acknowledge
ending thethe office
day back
remainingback
heading
during
at
lessons,themyoffice,”
breaks, and“Once
and finally
then you oneself, to ascertain
understand and and
acceptacknowledge
your
heading back to to school
school for for my
my one’s
one’s strengths
strengths and and weaknesses.
weaknesses.
recalls Dominic.
ending thelessons,
remaining day back andat the
finallyoffice,”own strengths
“Once you and weaknesses,
understand and accept your
remaining lessons, and finally
recalls
ending Dominic.
the day back at the office,” you put ownyour
“Once egounderstand
strengths aside
andand you find your
weaknesses,
ending the day back at the office,” “Once you understand and
you and accept
accept your
“It was really challenging,
recalls Dominic. but I very someone youwho
own put your
can
strengths ego
doanditaside
better and
weaknesses,than youyou.find
recalls Dominic. own strengths and weaknesses,
“It was really the challenging,
benefits thatbut a I very someone
you whoegocanand do itworking
better than you.
much appreciate you put your ego aside and you find
It’s all about put your
efficiency aside and you to
find
much
“It was appreciate
really the
challenging, benefits
but I that
very a own It’s strengths,”
all about
someone efficiency and working to
formal education can bring to
“It was really challenging, but I very my job your someone who can do it better than you.
who can
he do
says. it better than you.
and role informal
much
my education can
appreciate
company.” the
much appreciate the benefits that a
bring to that
benefits my job a your
It’s own strengths,” heand says.
It’s all about efficiency and working to
all about efficiency working to
and role
formal in my company.”
education can bring to my job your
formal education can bring to my job Thereafter,your own
own strengths,”
a work-life he
he says.
balance
strengths,” is not
says.
and Thereafter, a work-life balance is not
While many and ofrole
his in
role in my
my company.”
counterparts
company.” learnt such an unattainable aspiration
While many of his counterparts learnt such an unattainable
Thereafter, a aspiration
the ropes thetheropes
hard way, he was anymore Thereafter,
- as Dominic a work-life
work-life balance is
puts balance
it, striking is not
not
a
While many theofhard
his way, he was learnt
counterparts anymore
such an - as Dominicaspiration
unattainable puts it, striking a
While
thankful that an many
education of his was counterparts
able to learnt
delicate such an unattainable
balance between aspiration
work and
thankful
the ropes that
the an education was able to delicate balance between work and
provide a the the hard
ropesenvironment
low-risk hard way, way,for he
hehimwas
was life is really anymore
anymore -- as
as Dominic
Dominic puts
puts it, it, striking
striking aa
provide
thankful athat
low-risk
an environment
education was for him
able to life is all
delicate about
really
balance each
all about
betweenindividual’s
each individual’s
work and
thankful that
to make mistakes and anask education
“stupid” was able own to style
delicate
and balance
their between
priorities and workgoals and
to make amistakes
provide low-risk and ask “stupid” ownisstyle and their priorities and goals
questions.provide low-risk environment
also aaccelerated
Itmake environment
learning
for
fortheyhim
him wishlife is really
life to really
achieve.
all
all about
about eacheach individual’s
individual’s
questions.
to It also accelerated
mistakes and ask learning
“stupid” they style
own wish to achieve.
to make mistakes and ask “stupid” own style and their priorities and
and their priorities and goals
goals
by allowing byhim
questions. to fail
allowing It fast,
him
also and fail andlearning
toaccelerated
fail fast, fail they wish to achieve.
questions. It also accelerated learning they wish to achieve.
cheap. cheap.
by
by allowing
allowing him him to to fail
fail fast,
fast, and
and failfail
cheap.
cheap.

“Family is important too. I always

“Family is important
“Family is too. I always
“Family is important
encourage my staff totoo.
important too. II always
leave work on time
always
encourage my
encourage staff
my to leave
staff to work
leave on time
work on time
to spend more
encourage time to
my staff with their
leave loved
work on ones.”
time
to spend more time with their loved ones.”
to spend more time with their loved ones.”
to spend more time with their loved ones.”

The First Investment Round “Being an entrepreneur, there’s no real

need
“Being “Beingto
andifferentiate clearly
nowhat is
The
The First First
Investment
The Investment Round
RoundRound
First Investment an
“Being an entrepreneur,
entrepreneur, there’s
there’s
entrepreneur, there’s no
no real
real real
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Dominic work
need and what is life.clearly
to differentiate What’swhat
important
is
need toneed
differentiate clearly
to differentiate whatwhat
clearly is is
met hismost
first investors in school. is thatand
work you enjoyiswhat you areimportant
doing,
Unlike most
Unlike
Unlike most entrepreneurs,
entrepreneurs,
entrepreneurs, Dominic
Dominic
Dominic work
work and andiswhat
what what life.
life. What’s
life.isWhat’s What’s important
important
“The program togetherinwith the and
is that’s
that you all thatwhat
enjoy matters.”
you are
met
met
met his first
his first investors
his first investors
investors intogether
school.
school. is that
in school. is that you you what
enjoy enjoy you
whatare are doing,
youdoing,doing,
abundant
“The program opportunities wasthe
with a great and
and that’s
that’s all
all that
that matters.”
matters.”
“The
“The program program
together together
with with the and that’s all that matters.”
place
abundantto source forthe
opportunitiesfunding,
was
abundant abundant
opportunitiesopportunities
was a was a
great a great
great
and toto
place meet the for
source right people for
place to
place to source forsource
funding,for funding,
funding,
and
and to meet the right
to meet the right people
people for
for
and to meet the right people for Find out more information here:
http://www.astoriasolutions.com
Find out more information here:
Find out more information here:
http://www.astoriasolutions.com
Find out more information here:
http://www.astoriasolutions.com
http://www.astoriasolutions.com

Dominic graduated with a Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation

in Nanyang
Dominic Technological UniversityScience
(NTU). Dominic is the Founder andInnovation
CEO of
Dominic graduated
graduated with with a
a Master
Master ofof Science in in Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship and and Innovation
Astoria
in Solutions,
Nanyang a Singaporean
Technological company
University (NTU). set up to help
Dominic is clients
the in the
Founder andmarine and
Dominic graduated
in Nanyangwith a Master ofUniversity
Technological Science(NTU).
in Technopreneurship
Dominic is the Founder and CEO
CEO of
and Innovation of
oil & gas
Astoria industriesa increase
Solutions, Singaporeanrevenue,
companyefficiency
set upand
to lowerclients
help costs.in the marine and
in Nanyang Astoria Solutions, aUniversity
Technological Singaporean company
(NTU). Dominicset up to help
is the clientsand
Founder in the
CEOmarine
of and
Founded
oil in 2003, Astoria Solutions is headquartered in Singapore and has
oil &
& gas
gas aindustries
Astoria Solutions, industries increase
increase
Singaporean
revenue,
revenue,
company set
efficiency
efficiency
up to help
and lower
lower costs.
andclients costs.
in the marine and
branchedinout
Founded to offices in Solutions
2003, Hyderabad and Dubai.
oil & gas industries 2003, Astoria
Founded inincrease Astoria Solutions
revenue,
is
is headquartered
efficiencyheadquartered
and lower
in
in Singapore
Singapore and
costs. and has
has
branched
branched out out to
to offices
offices in
in Hyderabad
Hyderabad and and Dubai.
Dubai.
Founded in 2003, Astoria Solutions is headquartered in Singapore and has
branched out to offices in Hyderabad and Dubai.
 03 #onthecontrary
Interview with Fannie Kue
Fannie is the quintessential
multilingual new age entrepreneur,
with vested interest in fashion and
technology.

We caught up with the current Chief

Operating Officer of startup accelerator
Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI.Asia),
to learn more about her job (which she

the startup scene, and about a frog

named Smoochy.

You are both the COO at
JFDI.Asia and the Founder of
Trader Q. How do you manage?
FK: I see myself more as a lifestyle
entrepreneur - I run Trader Q as a
side project as it’s self-sustainable.
I’ve scaled it down in order to focus
on my role at JFDI.Asia.
events and gatherings, I don’t really
see myself attending these sessions in
the capacity of work. Even in my free
time, I attend house/office-warming
parties and hang out with my friends
from JFDI! (laughs) I don’t see the
need to differentiate clearly between
work and life. My work is a huge part
of my life, and I love it!

I simply love it here at JFDI! To me,

it’s really not a job. Although, Friday
evenings and weekends are
sometimes spent on work-related
In your opinion, what are some
of the most common
misconceptions about
being an entrepreneur?
FK: People think that entrepreneurs
make a lot of money, in addition to
having their own free time and
flexibility. In reality, the chances of
making it big are really slim.
We need the passion and
perseverance to pull through
the tough times, and it’s really not as
easy as it seems. This is why to me
entrepreneurship is not a job, it’s a
passionate belief.
What are some of the other
challenges that you faced as an
entrepreneur?
FK: I feel that the biggest challenge,
as an entrepreneur is to find a team of
like-minded people that want to work
towards the same dream and vision.
Finding a group of people that you can
rely on, with the same commitment
level is really tough, but I’ve always
believed that a strong team is what
sustains your business.
Coming from an engineering
background, what made you take
the step towards
04
entrepreneurship, and even
taking further education in
technopreneurship?
FK: I always had plans to further my
education but at that time I felt an MBA
was more geared towards a C-level
corporate employee, which wasn’t what I
was looking for.
A formal education in entrepreneurship has
changed the way I think, especially since I
was more used to theoretical learning from
my engineering classes. I really enjoyed
the experiential learning aspect. Being
able to meet equally passionate people
from all over the world was such a great
and inspiring experience.
When I met real venture capitalists from
China, Malaysia and the U.S., it really
opened my eyes to what the real world was
like. It made me even more excited for the
entrepreneurship journey ahead.
My professor, Tan Teng Kee often quoted
from Martin Luther King. It became one
of the main guiding beliefs that
empowered me to dream big.

A good idea with a weak team does So do you think passion is a

not make a strong business. Neither
will a good team with a bad idea. That
being said, the latter is still better
since the team can always pivot and
brainstorm for a better idea.
must have for all entrepreneurs?
FK: Defintely! Passion is an important
factor, but we must also know when to let
go and make sacrifices at the right time.
I’ve seen many people become overly
driven by their belief in an idea that they
don’t know when to give up.

Some of these businesses do not and will

not go anywhere, but their founders
continue to pursue these dreams and
hope for the better - I call these startups
‘zombie startups’.

“I have a dream.”
—Martin Luther King

Find out more information here:

http://about.me/fannie.kue

Fannie is the Chief Operating Officer of Asia’s number one startup

accelerator Joyful Frog Digital Incubator Asia (JFDI.Asia). She is also the
Founder of Trader Q, a platform for retail buyers to view collections of
designer labels in advance, as well as a marketing and consulting services
provider for emerging fashion designers.
0505
0505
#onthecontrary
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aptly sumspeopleup –This minimise taking un
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ight timr Guoping’s
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st or, on
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Guoping’s staent d soon-to-be nights andrisks. entrepreneurs
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e idiomAs tean angel e, right te
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a no minimise taking unnecessaryur risks
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ug
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is risks sleepless
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precise s t e calculations, sleepless
As an a strategy e-commerceconsultant, e n tr e pa.reand
Asifounder, neursoon-to-be
shGuoping is no ca n co m nights and p
contingency plans.
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ne-commerce
gel innewcomer ip. In his deoiynights
ng as a and le.”
gambcontingency plans.
strateg vestor, founder,to the Guoping
entrepreneurship is no e s, entre
y cnewcomer s ta un iv er si ty , risks “The p r
biggest
e mistake arilyan entrepreneur
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n
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e G
u Wuujoia S ec on o ugh pre nreecfuel scosns er at to
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does not
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e
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entrepreneurs
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Guopin uaJiangsu g from Wujiang School Secondary in Jiangsu
p ai d w e s re m en ts , spendoes ding not necessarily
w ill
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q ui excessively
ta io s
e scenarconsiderations
careful
itky,was really satisfynincgommitmean
g fi t w province, univaeChina. that krewentrepreneurs
aornste-cnas have to make
orked“ItawasSchool
Jiangsu rsSpecialised d p is
la nnto ing fo
before moving tr e p r
forward
Specia
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ang Se China.acryheacr co th
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provinc d School in J id. “N
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ld wwell.ant to before h .” our fingerforward
moving
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the n ot manwas
work really u t to
satisfying
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basic too much time
a. a stable gsujobfothat
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mpaid , I ha
worst-case d the bas ic
scenarios
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the Iivfelt
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mpeerace
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at n ived
then,”
th a t
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“It was re ne ur sh ip e n tr e only let e c e s
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en“Not ep many dpeople exwould
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s hworst-case
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Plus, th stableand jobI thfelt very
at bp eahigup k an unknb
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ow
e
then,” r e fu through t, su apvpelyfingers.
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e work said. give this id w people would wantsomething fo (like
re motov only l
let
p c
ro d uc
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my onside to fall bac a
slipkek on an d I
and I fe was re“Not many
ally sati ell. so on mnost toxiincgthrough rastions
ce
lt very agive entrepreneurship) s that
e pofaisthsseperceived
io . tofosurw ffi ciren
a d t finan
our
w fingers. h
said. “N ccombe this up for something
et, thfyisinand isg al (like ncep Aptioans rt frohamd“Before gitarhne I th
took ou g
reedirenthe leap, I had the basic
o h“Yed th
plishigh-risk d bunknown.”
ret qmuisirco balasosic plained.
give th t manyentrepreneurship) ts anthat ig
is gesperceived emeto n ping–exthere
p e ople wo m in d se e n ,” h e p la ts , s p e conditions
id en ce ,” G uomet was demand for
is up fo uatld le have -
punknown.” th at n ning fo ng.” “Before n
co nf
dingI took to the leap, I had the basic
entrepr r sbe
o m high-risk
eth th and p weo a n t tooneoof k- ta
ls rismost toxic kir w orst-ca my o
product, m supply
u–cthere was low, I had
eneurs “Yet, ing (this liktreep is also nuathe
reneurship eq ly let opportu conditions se scemet h timewas demand for
be h igh-risk hip) th amindsets en thromisconceptions nit s ios wwas sufficient nafinances
r to fall back on and I
t is per and biggest
and u“Yet, this is calso
eiveone of the most our fing myiesproduct,
ugh toxic lip alsosupply ill low, I had
nknothat
mindsets
wn.”people
and e b
d
have
ig
biggestgto
e s-
t m
thatistake
misconceptions
e r s. had
sufficient
garnered
finances to
enough
fall back on and I
“Yet, th
“T h
entrepreneurship equals “Beforerisk-taking.”had also garnered enough explained.
confidence,” Guoping
an commit
is is als I took th
o onthat
e ofpeople have - that c
mindse
ts the mo
that pe and biggentrepreneurship r e p r e n e u r c
onditio e leap,
s met – confidence,” I had thGuoping explained.
ople ha e s t misco an ent
s t to x equals
ic m y p r o
n
risk-taking.”
ver he is th e r e e
was de basic
entrepr ve - tha nceptio
“The tbiggest
a k
n e w hs a t e duct, s
mistake u p p m an
eneurs
hip equ
t
is to s ufficien
t financ ly was low, I h d for
.”
als risk h
a gacan
ad also mblecommit e s to fall ad
an“The doing asmistake
biggest
entrepreneur
-taking
.” confide garnered eno
nce,” G ugh
back o
n and I
uoping
“The b an entrepreneur
is to take whatever can commit he is explain
ed.
iggeis
st to
an en trepren sdoing
mitake
t whatever
ake as a gamble.” he is
is to ta e ur cdoing as a gamble.”
ke wha an commit
doing a tever h
s a gam e is
 06
06
“Most importantly, my wife was very Entrepreneurship was seen as an
“Most importantly,
supportive my wife
of my ideas was very
emotionally Entrepreneurship
alternative route was seen for
– a route as an
people
supportive of my
and financially.” ideas emotionally alternative
who weren’t able to pursue people
route – a route for further
and financially.” who weren’t able
education,” saidtoGuoping.
pursue further
education,” said Guoping.
Money as a motivator
Money as a motivator However, he points out the shifting
However,
mindsetsheofpoints out
today’s the shifting
generation – that
On the topic of motivation, he too mindsets
On the topic education and knowledge is – that
of today’s generation
shared with of
usmotivation, he too
another common education
shared with us another common becomingand knowledge is
a cornerstone
misconception that many people becoming a cornerstone
misconception that many people of entrepreneurship.
have of entrepreneurs. of entrepreneurship.
have of entrepreneurs.
Guoping later went on to further his
“Many people feel that most Guoping later went on to further his
“Many people feel that most studies with the Master of Science
entrepreneurs do what they do studies with the Master of Science
entrepreneurs do what they do Technopreneurship and
because they want to earn big money. Technopreneurship and
because they want to earn big money. Innovation Programme.
Personally, I feel that this is a wrong Innovation Programme.
Personally, I feel that this is a wrong
and very dangerous mindset,” he said.
and very dangerous mindset,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in
“The value you bring to the society “I’ve always been interested in
“The value you bring to the society entrepreneurship and innovation since
should always be at the core of what entrepreneurship and innovation since
should always be at the core of what young, and took up many of such
youdo.
you do.ByByhelping
helpingpeople
peoplesolve their young, and took up many of such
solvetheir
modulesininmy
modules myuniversity
university days,”
days,” said
said
problems,the
problems, themoney
moneywillwillcome
come
Guoping. At that time, he
Guoping. At that time, he was anwas an
naturally,alongside
naturally, alongsidemore
moreimportant
important
undergraduatewith
undergraduate witha a major
major in in
thingssuch
things suchas asrespect
respect
Physics. He laughs as he recalls
Physics. He laughs as he recalls even even
andrecognition.”
and recognition.”
going as far as sneaking into
going as far as sneaking into other other

“If
“Ifyou’re
you’reonly
onlyout
outfor
forthe
themoney,
money,your
your universities
universitiestotoattend
attendmore
moreofof
such
such
journey
journeywill
willnot
notbe
beaapleasant
pleasantone.”
one.” lectures
lecturesbecause
becausehehe‘couldn’t get
‘couldn’t get
enough’
enough’ofofthese
theseclasses.
classes.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneursand
andeducation
education “The
“Thevalue
valueofofeducation
educationcannot
cannotbebe
emphasised
emphasisedenough. enough.AllAll
ofofmymyskills
skills
Guoping
Guopingshared
sharedwith
withus
ushow
how and
andfoundations
foundationswerewere obtained
obtained from
from
education
education has shapedhim
has shaped himinto
intothe
the mymytime
timeininschool,
school,which
which I think is is
I think aa
entrepreneur
entrepreneur he is today. “Backininmy
he is today. “Back great
my greatlaunching
launchingpad padforfor
budding
budding
time,
time,not
notmany
manypeople
peoplewere
wereable
abletotobe entrepreneurs
be entrepreneurstotoreally
reallypick
pick upup
allall
of of
enrolled
enrolledinto
intouniversity.
university. these life skills and networks.”
these life skills and networks.”

Find
Findout
outmore
moreinformation
informationhere:
here:
www.sunlordengine.com
www.sunlordengine.com

Guoping graduated with a Master of Science in Technopreneurship and

Guoping graduated with a Master of Science in Technopreneurship and
Innovation in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and is the Co-Founder of
Innovation in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and is the Co-Founder of
SunLord E-commerce Co Ltd.
SunLord E-commerce Co Ltd.
07 #onthecontrary
Interview with John Chang
A sales and marketing professional with
a zeal for entrepreneurship.
John began his enterprising career in
his hometown Korea, before furthering
his studies in Singapore. He is now
based in the United Kingdom as a
Product Manager for the global leader
in hearing implants MED-EL.
“Applying innovation and
intrapreneurship within
the corporate setting is definitely
risky but it’s the only
way ahead in my opinion.”
Hello from Singapore! You’ve
been quite mobile in your life so
far, having resided in three
countries – what influenced you
to make these decisions?
JC: Back in 2000 when I was still in
Korea, I was considering taking up an
MBA programme in the States, but
decided against it because the MBA
teaching materials were readily
available online. While I was
researching on similar courses, I
chanced upon the Master of Science
Technopreneurship and Innovation
Programme, Nanyang Technological
University (NTU), and I felt that it was
really ideal!
Furthermore, I have also been a great
admirer of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan
Yew and how he managed to build a
small city-state with such limited
natural resources. I was excited to
experience Singapore, and hopefully
be inspired to emulate these
successes in my own job.
You’re very passionate about
innovation and entrepreneurship
– would you care to share more?
JC: I have always wanted to be
innovative in my workplace. Corporate
life can be rather structured and
routine, and I didn’t enjoy that – I
wanted to constantly challenge the
status quo and improve myself.
In Korea especially, climbing up the
corporate ladder has a standard
template. You simply follow what your
seniors did, and be evaluated based
on your job scope requirements.
 08
08
08
I found
I found
I found
it challenging
it challenging
it challenging to to
make
to
make
make
ananan Along
Along
Alongyouryouryourintrapreneurship
intrapreneurship
intrapreneurship
impact
impact
impact
I found it challenging to make an
withwith
with
these
these
these
standard
standard
standard andandand journey
journeyAlong
journey what what your
what struggles intrapreneurship
struggles
struggles have
have
have
traditional
traditional
impact with these standard and
traditional procedures.
procedures.
procedures. Applying
Applying
Applying you youyou journey
faced
faced
faced while what
while
whiledoing struggles
doingdoing have
traditional procedures. Applying
withinthings you faced while doing
innovation
innovation
innovation and andand
intrapreneurship
intrapreneurship
intrapreneurship within
within things
thingsdifferently?
differently?
differently?
thethecorporate
the
innovation and intrapreneurship within
corporate
corporate setting
setting
setting
is is
definitely
is
definitely
definitely
risky
risky
risky
things differently?
the corporate setting is definitely risky JC: JC:Working
JC:Working
Working in ina inleading
a leading
a leading hearing
hearing
hearing
butbutit’s
butit’s
the
it’s
theonly
theonlyonly
wayway way
ahead
ahead
ahead JC: Working in a leading hearing
but it’s the only way ahead implant
implant
implant
company
company
company in in the in
themedical
themedical
medical
in in
my in
myopinion.
my opinion.
opinion. implant company in the medical
in my opinion. industry,
industry,
industry,
people
people
people always
always
always have
have
have
thethethe
industry, people always have the
misconception
misconception
misconception thatthatthat
wewe are
wearejust
are
just
a
justaa
HowHowHow has has has
further
further
further education
education
education misconception that we are just a
How has further education consumer consumer
consumer product
product
product company,
company,
consumer product company, instead
company, instead
instead
instead
helped
helped
helped you you
helped you
inin breaking
inbreaking
you breaking out
in breakingoutoutout of of a of
provider
a provider
a provider of oflife-changing
of
life-changing
life-changing
ofofthat
of that
that
mould?
mould?
mould? of a provider of life-changing
of that mould? technology.
technology.
technology. Our Our Our
direct
direct
direct
technology. Our direct users (the
users
users
users
(the
(the(the
surgeons
surgeons
surgeons
surgeons and clinicians) seeus
and and and
clinicians)
clinicians)
clinicians) seeseesee
us us
as as
usasas
JC:JC: Prior
JC: Prior
Prior
to to
JC: theto
thecourse,
the
Prior course,
tocourse,
the Icourse,
had
I had
I had
trouble
trouble
trouble
I had troubleonlyonly
only
a pharmaceutical
aonly
pharmaceutical
a pharmaceutical company,
company,
company, andandand
itand
it it it
a pharmaceutical company,
grasping
grasping
grasping thethe
graspingconcept
theconcept
concept of of of of
the concept is is
myis
myendeavour
myendeavour
endeavour to to
inspire
to
inspire
inspire
them
them
them
to to to
is my endeavour to inspire them to
entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship – I–did
entrepreneurship I–did
I not
did–not
Iknow
notknow
did know
if Iknow
not if Iif I think
if Ithink
think
differently,
differently,
differently, and and and
toandto
collaborate
to
collaborate
collaborate
think differently, to collaborate
waswaswas
interested
interested
interested in in
becoming
in
becoming
becoming ananan an and andand
work
work
was interested in becoming and work together withthrough
work
together
together
together with with with
us us
through
us through
us ananan
through an
entrepreneur
entrepreneur
entrepreneur myself.
myself.
myself.
However,
However,
However, after
after
afterafter entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial
entrepreneur myself. However, entrepreneurial mindset to helpthe
mindset
mindset
mindset to to
help
to
help
help
the the the
thethecourse,
the course,
course,
theI course,
was
I was
I was
enlightened
enlightened
enlightened
I was that
that
enlightened thatthat industryindustry
industry
asas well
aswell well
asas theasthe society
thesociety
society
industry as well as the society
entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship is is
not is
not
just
not
justa
just
career
a career
a career to togrow
to
grow
grow
entrepreneurship is not just a career toingrow
in
tandem.
in
tandem.
tandem.
in tandem.
path
path
path
butbut also
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Find
Find
FindFind
outout
more
out out
more
more more information
information
information
information
here:
here: here:
here:
http://www.medel.com
http://www.medel.com
http://www.medel.com
http://www.medel.com

John
John
John John
graduated
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in in
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in in
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University(NTU).
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theis
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MED-EL,
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a leading
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manufacturer
manufacturer of of of
innovative
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medical
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John John
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spearheaded spearheaded
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09 #onthecontrary
Interview with Kong Fern Chiang

Having furthered his studies with a

Master of Science in Technopreneurship
and Innovation at Nanyang Technological
University. Kong Fern Chiang chose to
kick start his career in one of the Big Four
accounting firms, instead of running his
own business - a rather unusual and
interesting case then.

Fast-forward to 2015, and Fern Chiang

now heads a team at his own integrated
marketing communications agency,
which is well on its way to celebrate its
10th Anniversary of operations.

We spoke with Fern Chiang to find out more

about his entrepreneurial journey, and the
motivations that keep him going.

Having completed a Master’s What triggered your interest in

degree in Technopreneurship
and Innovation, why did you
choose a career in accountancy
instead?
FC: My background was in
accountancy, plus I still wasn’t sure
what I wanted to do at that point of
time. During my undergraduate years,
the standard mindset we all had was
to enter one of the Big Four firms.
It was not until later that I realised this
was not what I wanted to do for the
rest of my life.
Looking back, my three years spent at
the accounting firm has also taught me
lessons and trained me in ways that
are useful even till this day - a
quantitative background that has been
very helpful when running my own
business, and the hardworking and
intense environment that has geared
me for the rapid life of an
entrepreneur.
entrepreneurship?
FC: During my time as a
post-graduate student, a certain quote
from my then-professor was
particularly ingrained in me - “At the
end of your runway, what do you want
other people to remember you for?”
His contagious energy and passion
rubbed off on me, and it piqued my
interest in this area. His stories and
pieces of advice, as well as the Silicon
Valley immersion trip during the
programme, led me to realise that I
wanted to be an entrepreneur – to be
in this environment, to be in this life.
I guess this thinking stayed dormant in
me for a while, before I realised that
since I was still young and had limited
liabilities, why not go for it?

“The world is very different now as

compared to years ago, and I feel
that competition is not the way
forward – creating
the right ecosystems is.”

It’s been 10 years now – that’s
quite a feat! We’re sure the
journey has been tough, but
what is it that has kept you going
all this while?
FC: As an employee, even if you’ve
reached the pinnacle, the company
will still be “a company”, and not “your
company” – there is no actual sense of
ownership. As an entrepreneur, part of
the satisfaction comes from
subsequently seeing something that
you’ve built from ground zero.
The rest of the satisfaction then comes
from helping people and impacting
their lives. As an entrepreneur, you are
directly making a difference to others -
you may only have changed three,
four or five people’s lives, but at the
very least, you’ve added some value
to the world. This mindset breeds
greater positivity, as compared to the
negative thoughts that corporate
employees often harbour.
10
of the traditional companies in my
industry see other companies as
competitors, instead of collaborators in
the same ecosystem.
By embracing the latter, it would
create an open platform for better
learning and exchange of ideas,
leading to greater innovation and value
creation for society.
What is the most important trait
that every successful
entrepreneur should have?
FC: Grit. Having passion is one thing,
to be driven to work towards your
ideas and dreams – but when stuff hits
the fan and issues such as finance
and manpower start to arise, it is your
grit that gets you through. The ability
to get one’s hands dirty and simply get
the job done is an often-overlooked
trait that all entrepreneurs should
possess.

You talk about the intense
working environment of the
corporate world. Isn’t it more
intense and competitive for
you now as
an entrepreneur?
FC: The world is very different now as
compared to years ago, and I feel that
competition is not the way forward –
creating the right ecosystems is. Many
In your own words, how would
you define entrepreneurship?
FC: Entrepreneurship is about having
the ability to find your way out of every
problem. Have an impossible target to
meet? Break it down into smaller,
achievable milestones. Every problem
is an opportunity - it is just a
matter of perception.

Find out more information here:

http://www.4media.com.sg

Kong Fern Chiang is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Four Media, an
integrated marketing communications agency. He graduated with a Bachelor of
Accountancy from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and went on to
further his studies with a Master of Science in Technopreneurship and
Innovation in NTU.
1 11 #onthecontrary
Interview with Levina Yulianti
“I really enjoyed the process of thinking,
going out of the way to create
and capture value, constantly seeking
out new opportunities and
meeting new people.”
With over 7 years of working experience,
Levina Yulianti has earned a respected
place high up in the corporate world.
Working in operations at the research
arm of a leading integrated marketing
consultancy firm, Levina shares with
us how pursuing the Master of Science
Technopreneurship and Innovation
Programme has helped her
corporate journey.
She tells us how each day
presents a learning opportunity for her,
and how, unlike what many people
feel, corporate life has helped to bring
out the best in her.
Hi there! Can you tell us about
your role and what you do
in your company?
LY: I am the Chief Operations at a
social and marketing research
business unit, specifically in building
syndicated research about the
Indonesian market and I also support
the ad-hoc research team. I lead a
team of 20 people, and each day is
just as dynamic as the next.
Even as an employee in a large
company, there is plenty of space to
exercise innovation and
entrepreneurial skills, contrary to what
many people believe.
How has being an
employee sharpened your
entrepreneurial skillset?
LY: As an intrapreneur, I do everything
I can to help my company grow as an
entrepreneur would, for his own
business.
Many people feel that by working in a
corporate company, you will slowly
‘kill’ your entrepreneurial spirit, which
is definitely untrue. As an employee, it
doesn’t mean that you have to leave
 12
your entrepreneurial skills behind.
Being an employee has actually
helped to bring out the best in me – I
am constantly coming up with new
and fresh ideas, breaking away from
the established models and templates
existing in the company.

From your examples, we can see

that entrepreneurship is not
something that is truly exclusive
to entrepreneurs alone.
To you, what does an
entrepreneurial mindset entail?

LY: Entrepreneurship to me is all about

being smart, creative and having the
ability to not just identify but also to act
on opportunities. These are traits that
can be exercised in every scenario,
and certainly in a corporate setting.

At my company, creativity and

productivity are of importance, as is a
different perspective on things. When I
was deciding between an MBA or a
Master of Science Technopreneurship
and Innovation Programme, my
company advised me to go for the
latter - from there, I was also very
pleased to learn that they shared the
same viewpoint as me, that
entrepreneurship is a skillset that can
be practised by everybody.
So why did you take up an
education in engineering at the
undergraduate level instead?
LY: I chose engineering, more
specifically industrial engineering, as I
felt that it would equip me with the
skills to get things done in not just the
most efficient way but also the
smartest way. As an engineer, I look to
simplify processes, and I think my
engineer foundation has
complemented my entrepreneurship
mindset very well.
Was there a particular moment
or memory in your life that
actually kick started your fervent
interest in entrepreneurship
and innovation?
LY: I was very much influenced by my
parents. My mom and dad are
entrepreneurs, having started a
business selling and distributing
snacks. Growing up, they have trained
me in the ‘ways’ of an entrepreneur,
and I really enjoyed the process of
thinking, going out of the way to
create and capture value, constantly
seeking out new opportunities and
meeting new people.
They have always challenged me to
be entrepreneurial - from selling
products to ideating for a charity
fundraiser. Thankfully, all of these little
lessons have shaped me into the
person I am today.

Find out more information here:

http://www.markplusinsight.com

Levina Yulianti is the Chief Operations at MarkPlus Insight, the social and
marketing research business unit of leading professional services firm MarkPlus
Inc. Levina graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the
Parahyangan Catholic University, before going on to further her studies with a
Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation in Nanyang
Technological University (NTU).
13 #onthecontrary
Interview with Nitesh Shivapooja
A true breaker of stereotypes, Nitesh
Shivapooja is not your typical entrepreneur.

Despite founding an award-winning

social venture, Onyx Social Ventures,
Nitesh went on to further his studies
in Technopreneurship and Innovation
and then chose to join the
corporate world after.

It was not any ordinary company; it was

Google India, one of the most sought after
companies to work for in India. We caught
up with Nitesh to find out more about his
experiences at Google, his first step into
entrepreneurship, as well as the
differences between a businessman
and an entrepreneur.

What’s your role at Google, and

how is it like working at a
company that is built on
creativity and innovation?

NS: I work with the Google Search

quality team as a strategist, and my
job is to provide the best quality of
search results to each and every of
our users. I also work on educating
webmasters all across the world on
these issues, by means of video
conferencing and social media!
It’s great working for a company like
Google – as a whole, they are always
looking out for innovative skills, and
everyone is very much encouraged to
think and implement their ideas
like entrepreneurs do for
their own companies.
So does having an
entrepreneurial mindset
help employees thrive
better at Google?
NS: Corporate entities do not hire
entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs – they
hire employees, and it is up to you to
“Corporate entities do not hire
entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs –
they hire employees, and it is up to
you to make yourself an intrapreneur
and drive innovation
within your team.”
make yourself an intrapreneur and
drive innovation within your team.
Google is really supportive of these
behaviours in terms of resources and
mentality, and ideas are valued no
matter how small the team and
product is. The environment here is
really healthy and nurturing to
innovators like us.
Within Google, innovation and
ideation is second nature to the
employees – however, from the
public eye, what are some of the
biggest misconceptions that
people have of entrepreneurs?
NS: I think there is an existing
confusion amongst many people
regarding the difference between a
businessman and an entrepreneur.
The term entrepreneurship is overused
these days, resulting in some degree
of misuse. A businessman runs a
business, which is more profit-driven
and straightforward – whereas an
entrepreneur has a bigger goal of
working towards eliminating the
world’s problems.
In my opinion, it is very important to
differentiate between these two terms,
as confusion and misuse would lead to
the dilution of the quality of
information out there.
People always feel that passion
and risk-tolerance are few of the
more important traits an
entrepreneur should possess.
What other traits are important
for an entrepreneur’s success?
NS: I think it is very important for an
entrepreneur to identify the problem
they are trying to solve, as well to
grasp an understanding of the
reasons behind this problem. Many
entrepreneurs are set to solve the
 world’s problems, and they go ahead
to develop their state-of-the-art
solutions – but what they fail to realise
is that there may not be problems that
require solving in the first place.
At Onyx, we also pursued
social entrepreneurship, and
successfully increased the
14
penetration of technologically
efficient firewood stoves in the
rural areas of India through a

“I don’t think
an entrepreneurial mindset is
something that can be easily
inculcated or cultivated – but it
definitely can be refined.”
During your university years, unique fund model. We won many
you also founded Onyx Social awards for our efforts. These together
Ventures. What were some of the with the passion in working on my
motivations behind ideas, are the little things that have
continuously pushed me forward.
your endeavours?

NS: Onyx Social Ventures was started Do you think that an

in my final year in school, where we
looked to generate greater awareness
about entrepreneurship in the college,
to encourage more aspiring
entrepreneurs to work towards their
projects, as well as to direct and
connect them to the right investors.
entrepreneurial mindset is
something that can be
cultivated?
NS: I don’t think an entrepreneurial
mindset is something that can be
easily inculcated or cultivated – but it
definitely can be refined. In fact, the
graduate programme that I went
through was very beneficial to me – it
polished my passion as well as
empowered me with basic skills such
as accounting, funding, programming
and many more.

Entrepreneurship is a way of life and

working with my professors, industry
experts and peers have given me a
chance to learn more about the
industry, how people work, as well as
thinking global – and these lessons
are invaluable to me.

Find out more information here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/niteshshivapooja

Nitesh is a Search Quality Strategist at Google India, and has been with the
company for almost three years now. He was also the Founder President of
Onyx Social Ventures, winning two national awards for innovation from the
National Entrepreneurship Network of India. He graduated with a Bachelor of
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological
University (VTU), and went on to further his studies with a Master of Science in
Technopreneurship and Innovation in Nanyang Technological University
(NTU).
15
15
#onthecontrary
#onthecontrary
Interview with Tang Shiuh Huei
Interview with Tang Shiuh Huei

Everyone has heard of billionaire It’s also about

Everyone has heard
entrepreneurs of billionaire
who have never completed It’s also about
trusting your gut
entrepreneurs whoit have
meannever completed
college, but does
college, but does itsuccess?
that formal
mean thatWhileformal
trusting your gut
education hinders no one
education
can prove hinders
if this is success? While
fact or fiction, no one
each For Shiuh Huei, Managing Partner of
can prove if this is fact or fiction,
individual would definitely have their owneach For
S H Shiuh
Tang &Huei, Managing
Associates Partner of
LLP,
individual would definitely have their own
story to tell. S H Tang & Associates LLP,
Chartered Accountants, this formal
story to tell. Chartered Accountants, this formal
education has definitely paid off.
education has definitely paid off.
“Education can help shorten the
“Education can
process and help shorten
reduce the risks
unnecessary
In 2003, three years into his business,
In 2003, three yearstointo his business,
process and reduce unnecessary Shiuh Huei needed revive his
taken,” Tang Shiuh Huei puts it. risks Shiuh Huei needed to revive his to
taken,” stagnating business. He decided
A graduate of the Masterputs
Tang Shiuh Huei it.
of Science stagnating
A graduate of the Master of Science take a leap of faith and join this to
business. He decided
Technopreneurship and Innovation take a leap of faith and
Technopreneurship Master’s programme at join this
the Nanyang
Programme offered and by Innovation Master’s programme at the Nanyang
Programme offered by University Technological University (NTU). “It was
Nanyang Technological Technological University (NTU). “It was
Nanyang 11 years ago, at a time when there
(NTU), he shares with usUniversity
Technological that a formal 11 years ago, at a time when there
(NTU), he has
shares with us was not much information or publicity
education allowed himthat a formal
to learn was not much
education has allowed him to learn available aboutinformation
this course. or publicity
from not just the instructors but also available about this course.
from not just the instructors I simply trusted my gut feeling.”
amongst peers. “It helps mebutpickalso
up I simply trusted my gut feeling.”
amongst peers. “It helps me pick
things pretty quickly, as well as realise up
things pretty quickly, as well as realise This bold move is something that he
that teamwork is so crucial in such This bold movetillisthis
something that he
that teamwork ishesoadded.
crucial in such revels in even day.
environments”, revels in even till this day.
environments”, he added.

“There
“There is
is no
no point
point looking
looking
back
back into the ‘what ifs’.”
into the ‘what ifs’.”
 AsAs
is is
and
toto

and
whether
whether
something
something
taught
taught
oror
that
not
that
through
not
can
through
entrepreneurship On
entrepreneurship
can bebe
formal
packaged
formal
packaged
education,
education, Shiuh
Onstruggles

Shiuh
strugglesand

Huei
Hueibelieves
believes
andchallenges

in in
challenges

taking
takingthings
things in in
16
16
Shiuh
Shiuh Huei
Hueifeels
feels
that
that
it depends
it dependsonon
thethe hishis
own
own stride.
stride.
AllAll
entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs will
will
individual
individualandandwhat
whatheheororshe
she
makes
makes face facechallenges
challenges everyday,
everyday, but
buthehe
outoutofof
the
the
programme.
programme. insists
insists
these
these are
are
more
more ofoflearning
learning
opportunities
opportunities instead
instead ofof
obstacles.
obstacles.
“Things
“Thingslike
liketeambuilding
teambuilding experiences
experiences
coupled
coupled with
withexperiential
experiential learning
learning “I “I
can’t
can’trecall
recall having
having faced
faced any
anymajor
major
made
made me me learn
learnmany
many things
things about
about failures.
failures.Probably
Probably I had
I had butbut
have
have
myself
myselfandand about
aboutworking
working with
withothers.
others. forgotten.
forgotten. There
There is is
nonopoint
pointlooking
looking
I went
I went
into
intothethecourse
course with
withananopen
open back
back into
intothethe‘what
‘what ifs’.
ifs’.
Ultimately,
Ultimately,
mind
mindand
and tolerance
tolerance forfor
uncertainty,
uncertainty, entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs carry
carry onon because
because wewe
andandmymy willingness
willingness totolearn
learnhashasalso
also enjoyenjoy what
what wewe dodoevery
every single
singleday.
day.
It’sIt’s
helped
helped me me benefit
benefit
a lot
a lot
from
from the
the allall
about
about connecting
connecting thethedots
dotsand
and
programme,”
programme,” hehe
explained.
explained. adding
adding value
value totoyour
your clients,
clients,
customers
customers
and
and
the
the
society.”
society.”

“I“Isimply
simplytrusted
trusted my
mygut
gutfeeling.”
feeling.”

Find
Find
outout
more
more
information
information
here:
here:
http://www.shtangassociates.com/index.htm
http://www.shtangassociates.com/index.htm

Shiuh
ShiuhHuei
Hueiis is
the
themanaging
managing partner
partner
ofof
SSHHTang
Tang&& Associates
Associates LLP,
LLP,
aa
Chartered
Chartered accountant
accountant and
and business
businessconsultancy
consultancyfirm.
firm.HeHegraduated
graduated from
from
Nanyang
Nanyang Business
Business School,
School,Nanyang
Nanyang Technological
Technological University
University(NTU)
(NTU)with
withaa
Bachelor
BachelorofofAccountancy
Accountancy andand
from
fromLondon
LondonSchool
SchoolofofEconomics,
Economics,
University
Universityofof
London
London with
with
a Bachelor
a Bachelorofof
Laws,
Laws,and
andwent
went onon
toto
further
further
hishis
studies
studiesand
andwas wasconferred
conferredwith
with
a Master
a Masterofof
Science
Science in in
Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship
and
andInnovation
Innovation in in
NTU.
NTU.
 17 #onthecontrary
Interview with Ted Chen

Passion precedes business ideas.

“Most people think ideas come naturally, Innovation Programme (MSc TIP).
but truth is that when I started my own There, I was able to tap into the
company, I had no idea what I wanted to networks and also learn from the
s aP
build. All I knew then, was my core
nois established, top-notch lecturers who
p M“ interest in renewable energy,”
had valuable real life experience in
tso tub said Chen Chiu Hao, Ted.
p t entrepreneurship.”
oe tur oc
elp si h apm liub
t n .d ni
tah h I ,y llA eret s No stranger to technology, innovation
a k I ts dia and the local entrepreneur community Singapore as a Base Camp
n d en r ni hC
t w ne ne at Nanyang Technological University,
eh awe hC oN
i rts dna Ted’s latest startup – Evercomm Yet, not everyone will be able to
elb aH u a
n ht
,o eg ta Uni-Tech – is the latest receiver of a receive the same takeaways. A formal
eT t r ol e aN eT
o n half a million dollar funding from
t c y ’ d education is just as good as what one
h ce ne la gna tal s -inU SPRING Seed Capital and Infocomm makes out of it, and how one chooses
h
o lon pert ceT tse hceT fla S Investment.
r h
yg ne lon trat i – lim IRP I s a to apply the acquired knowledge
ue go u t s il N vn thereafter in the real world.
c r laci – p l eh d no S G tse His startup aims to help enterprises
vE ta llo e em
siH
inU cre r tse f ra C de .tn s manage and reduce their energy costs For Ted, he went in knowing exactly
m o
c e n ipa u
t r
t
a through
n am t the use of data analytics. An
m vi e n i d a t a h
pu g uor a enterprise in Singapore alone what he needed, and what he wished
re f g a l ia na e average g rev to pick up through these courses. “I
fo mor I dn m
s r d ht hcan a nac spend up to $4 million per
o f n t
o de e eg easily knew that I needed more knowledge
c h u
ple t ec o es retn month
u e ae nomelectricity
o lis hton s bills – now imagine on the business and finance side of
mm t n e
e h d f
i r p s y
saving o just
n i va1% of that. things alongside tapping on the
re ri ta s ep e n g
s irp ene a a ni e u dn tcel tsuj eH t invaluable networks there.”
r n
se yg yla niS t p ticir He 1 creditsemost rc ehof this success not to
t o %
t s oc .sci pag 4$ lib y t fothe product d rp
sti doidea p
e rather to his past
xbut
t
s nA er lim o l
s .tah m u ire op “Singapore is a great place to run a
F o la noil n – o tso di tc cnefrom
experiences tscollege,
g- orf high-tech startup. Unlike Silicon Valley,
ro n
e ep i w o t f e s e a r m and teachings
post-graduate
a studies there are actually many grants here
a h w
t
r m
a sih tub orf taud sih
h t ip o nig
s
cu ar c m s e em
from his mentors and role I“ models. such as the Technology Enterprise
c enk e ec reht ello idut rotn a m’ e
k s tn Commercialisation Scheme that would
u t w no n s h ot ,eg a se na s o rts per a I
t o r support us without any equity
h h
I ta b e gnih i
t t
ot p s
i “I’m a strong believer
dn or d b
n
g ne that
e l a utcatnsuccessful
E
u n a e t entrepreneur
l i l e can r ube y l
made e randu taught. exchange,” Ted adds on.
s v t s a e
id inerp redn s
nis ola ula i hc omI actuallyredid ve naacMinor d
n a n d t b a uen rg sbu S
isg n elb iS“ sg .sle Entrepreneurship t ah m e niM hduring sr damy e ic
t e a
n
g gih s a da ro pi tau euq cne
w p t-h ht undergraduate i
n rudyears, e and ltn T e
ro cu a e eyup t ay Master
s i e hce ere us s ec subsequently
d n g ni took r a o o hc
e of
a ats era hc C u f s at m a ,s k n
r g tr a o l g u Science y Technopreneurship
n p u p o and
a d a er
ae .pu utc ht s mm pus .th M ruen
U l l a e r e p e a
iln m y ceT ilaic tro hcx ts s
re pih
n a nh as su na f o a
y olo oit tiw eg
g n h ” , dn
y o
E hcS a tu deT
me n a
The Entrepreneur Success
Formula
Despite having the bigger financial
support for the high-tech industry here
in Singapore, Ted did mention that
Silicon Valley has a higher percentage
of successful first-time entrepreneurs.
He attributed that observation to this
simple formula – Learning how to
learn.
As part of the new breed of high-tech
innovators, Ted is currently working on
raising Series A following the half a
18
million dollar funding so they can
continually deliver a better product
and make a difference to these
enterprises. Till this day, Ted remains
thankful for his time at MSc TIP, his
mentors, and his fellow entrepreneurs
who are continually inspiring his ideas.

“Many entrepreneurs I know at the

Valley are always so open to be
taught, mentored and even critiqued.
Even with many people pulling them in
opposite directions (which is bound to
happen to any entrepreneur), they
know how to apply that knowledge
and make up their own mind
correctly.”

Find out more information here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiuhaochen

Ted Chen Chiu Hao is the Founder and current Product Architect of
EverComm Uni-Tech Singapore, an energy startup founded by Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) graduates. Headquartered in NTUitive, the
startup provides end-to-end energy management solutions for enterprises
and it is the latest recipient of a half a million dollar funding from SPRING
Seed Capital and Infocomm Investment.

Ted graduated from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore with a

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic Engineering). He went on
to further his studies with a Master of Science in Technopreneurship and
Innovation in NTU.
19
19
19
#onthecontrary
#onthecontrary
#onthecontrary
Interview
Interview
with
with
Tommy
Tommy
Ong
Ong
Interview with Tommy Ong

TheThelevellevel
of change
of change andand programme
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andand participated
participated in in
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an entrepreneur
an entrepreneur facesfacestheprogramme
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eachunpredictability
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facesCenter’s Nanyang
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annual Technopreneurship
Business
Business PlanPlan
each day should come at no surprise.Competition, Center’s
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subsequently
subsequently Plan
clinching
clinching
Since
Sincethethefounding
founding of his
of his
company
company Competition,
thethe
firstfirst
runner-up subsequently
runner-up prizeprize
andand clinching
winning
winning
Since
eight
eight
years theago,
years founding
ago,
Tommy of Ong’s
Tommy hisOng’s
company
range
range about the
about first
$2,000 runner-up
$2,000 of startup prize
of startup and
funds.
funds. winning
eight
of products, years
of products, ago,
business Tommy
business model
modelOng’s
andand range
team team about $2,000 of startup funds.
haveof
haveproducts,
undergone
undergone business
a complete model
a complete and team"We"We
‘facelift’
‘facelift’ hadhad a great
a great
idea idea
basedbased on a onnovel
a novel
havetimes.
several
several undergone
times. a complete ‘facelift’ patented "We had
patented abiotechnology,
great idea based
biotechnology, theon
butbut thea team
team novel
several times. patented
decided
decided notnotbiotechnology,
to move
to move forward but
forward the
withwith team
it asit as
"Along
"Alongthethe way, way,
youyouwillwill
meet meetmanymany everyone decided
everyone had not
had totheir
theirmove
ownown forward
plans
plans with
afterafterit as
"Along
different
different the
people, way,
people, you
learn towill
learn tomeet
acceptaccept many
that everyone
that graduation
graduation andhadandtheir
didn’t
didn’town
think plans
think as after
as much much of of
different
things
thingschange, people,
change, andand learn
realise tothat
realise accept
that that it," recalls
graduation
it," recallsTommy. and
Tommy. didn’t
TheThe think
prize
prize as
money much of
money
things
nothing
nothing change,
will will
ever ever and
remain realise
remainthethe that
same," wasit,"
same," was recalls
split split
andandTommy.
everyone The
everyone prize
movedmoved money
on. on.
saysnothing
says
Tommy. will"Ironically,
Tommy. ever remainthethe
"Ironically, ideasame,"
the idea was
thatthat "However,
"However,split and
I went
I wenteveryone
forthforth
andand moved
assembled on.
assembled
says
eventually Tommy.
eventually getsgets "Ironically,
you you
off the
off the theground
groundidea that a new "However,
a new team team I went
withwith forth
twotwoof my and
of my assembled
friends,
friends,andand
isn'teventually
isn't
usually
usually thegets
oneyou
the thatoff
one that
youtheyouground
started we a
started we new
movedmovedteam
forward withwith
forward two of my
with
the the
ideafriends,
idea and
isn't
with."usually the one that you started post-competition.”
with." we moved forward with the idea
post-competition.”
with." post-competition.”
The
The
Highs
Highs
and
and
Lows
Lows Despite
Despite
thetherenewed
renewed hope hope
of of
The Highs and Lows Despite the renewed
commercialising
commercialising thethe hopewith
product
product of with
his his
Back
Back
in early
in early
2005,
2005,
TommyTommy waswas commercialising
newfound
newfound team,team, the
thethe
team product
teamsoon
soon with
fell fellhis
Back
inspired in
inspired early
by one
by one2005,
of his Tommy
of his
university was
university newfound
apart
apart
after
after team,
six six
months,the
months,team
much to to fell
soon
much
inspired
professors
professors by one
to develop of
to develophis university
a health
a healthfood apart
food Tommy’s
Tommy’safter six months,
disappointment.
disappointment. much
“One“Oneto of
of
professors
supplement
supplement to develop
capable
capable a health
of delivering
of delivering food Tommy’s
thethe
three
three disappointment.
co-founders
co-founders even even “One of
supplement
health
health
benefits
benefitscapable
multiple
multipleof delivering
times
times
thatthat the three
of of disappeared,
disappeared, co-founders
having
having even
misappropriated
misappropriated
redhealth
red
wine, benefits
wine,
but but multiple
without
without
anyany times
levels ofthat
levels of of moredisappeared,
more
thanthan
$80,000 having
$80,000 of misappropriated
of the the
company’s
company’s
red
alcohol.wine,
alcohol.
He He butproceeded
withouttoany
proceeded to levels
set set
up up ofa lean
a lean more
startup
startupthan
funds
funds $80,000
invested of
bythe
invested by company’s
an angel
an angel
alcohol.
team
team
of four He
of four proceeded
fromfrom
his his
Master’sto set up a lean
Master’s startup
investor
investor funds
just just
three invested
three
months
monthsby an angel
earlier.”
earlier.”
team of four from his Master’s investor just three months earlier.”
 “He
“Hesimply
simplyvanished
leaving
leavingme
vanishedinto
mewith
intothin
thinair,
withcompletely
completely
air,
20
20
nothing
nothingbut
butpiles
pilesupon
uponpiles
pilesofof
debts
debtsand
anddue
duepayments,”
payments,”
says
says Tommy.
Tommy. Prior
Priortotothethe unfortunate whatever's
unfortunate whatever's coming
coming next.
next.
Slowly,
Slowly,but but
incident,
incident, the
theother
other co-founder
co-founder hadhadalso
also surely,
surely, you
you refine
refine your
your skills
skills
and
and your
your
confessed
confessed that
thatsheshewanted
wanted toto continue confidence
continue confidence will
will
come
come back,"
back," says
says
herherfocus
focus ononherherexisting
existing business,
business, Tommy.
Tommy.
which
which might
might notnot
allow
allow herhertoto contribute
contribute
asas much
much toto
thetheteam
team asas sheshe wanted
wanted to.to.
Tommy
Tommy hadhadnono choice
choice butbut toto make
make thethe TheTheSlow SlowClimb Climb
painful
painful decision
decision ofofletting
letting her her go.go.
During
During these
these tumultuous
tumultuous periods,
periods,
“There
“There I was,
I was, allall
alone
alone in in
Malaysia,
Malaysia, notnot Tommy’s
Tommy’s biggest
biggest takeaway
takeaway was
wastoto find
find
knowing
knowing anyone
anyone orora word
a word ofof Malay
Malay stability
stabilityamidst
amidst all
allthethe
inevitable
inevitable
andand Cantonese,
Cantonese, nornordiddidI have
I have anyany volatility
volatility
and and chaos.
chaos. Along
Along thethe
way,
way, hehe
money
money left,”
left,”
said
said Tommy.
Tommy. “It“Itwaswas one
one changed
changed hishis
business
business model
model nonoless
less
ofofthethelowest
lowest points
points in in
mymy life."
life." than
thanfour
fourtimes,
times, streamlined
streamlined hishis
product
product
offering,
offering, formulation,
formulation, packaging
packaging design,
design,
NotNotoneone toto
give
give up,up,
Tommy
Tommy picked
picked and
andwaswas in in
a much
a much better
betterposition
position than
than
himself
himself upupandand soldiered
soldiered on, on, butbut ever
everbefore.
before. However,
However, challenges
challenges
things
things continued
continued toto
bebe bleak
bleak forfor
the
the continued
continued totosurface
surface everyday
everyday andand
next
next oneone year.
year. With
Withfunds
funds running
running lowlow were
were always
always trickier
trickier and
andtougher
tougher than
than
in in
hishis
savings
savings accounts
accounts andand not nothaving
having the
the
ones
ones before.
before.
even
evena proper
a properbed
bedand
andblanket
blanket
toto
sleep
sleep
in in
every
every
night,
night,
hehe
braved
braved

through
through thethetough
tough times
times and
and learnt
learnt "The
"Thefeeling
feeling ofofhaving
having built
builtallall
ofofthese
these
from
fromallall
ofofthese
these experiences
experiences totoslowly
slowly from
fromnothing
nothing is is
absolutely
absolutely satisfying,"
satisfying,"
improve
improve andand better
better hishis
skills
skills
andand said
saidTommy.
Tommy. Presently,
Presently, hishiscompany
company
knowledge
knowledge asas anan entrepreneur.
entrepreneur. Resvenus
Resvenus handles
handles thethe
import,
import, sales
sales
andand marketing
marketing forfor
more
more than
than fifteen
fifteen
“There
“Therewere
were countless
countless nights
nights I would
I would health health andandbeauty
beauty products,
products, including
including
soak
soakmymy face
face with
withtears,
tears, thinking
thinking toto a skincare
a skincare range
range andandfood
food
myself
myself that
thatI could
I could simply
simply pack
pack upupmymy supplements,
supplements, andandis is
running
running with
withanan
bags,
bags,gogo back
back home
home toto
Singapore,
Singapore, operational
operational turnover
turnover ofofoverover$4$4 million
million
andandcalling
calling it quits.”
it quits.” perperyear,
year,with
witha portfolio
a portfolio ofof
investments
investments andand real
realestate
estate worth
worth
ButButeach
each time,
time, Tommy
Tommy knew
knew thatthat
the
the more more than
than $20
$20 million.
million.
opportunities
opportunities were
were still
still
there
there andand hehe
could
couldnotnot afford
afford totodisappoint
disappoint "It"It
does
does notnot
matter
matter where
where your
your starting
starting
anybody,
anybody, especially
especially hishis
family
family – and
– and point pointis,is,
ororhow
how people
people perceive
perceive you,
you,
these
thesethoughts
thoughts quickly
quickly dissipated.
dissipated. what
whatmatters
matters is is
howhow youyou useusethe the
uncertain
uncertain environment
environment totomotivate
motivate youyou
"With
"Withevery
every rejection
rejection faced,
faced, I used
I used the
the toto dodomore,
more, better
better andand faster
faster forfor
things
thingsI had
I had learnt
learnttototake
take onon tomorrow."
tomorrow."
21
21 Embracing
EmbracingChaos
Chaosand
and growth
growth in in
a startup,
a startup,
oror
what
what
I like
I like
toto
Managing
ManagingPerpetual
PerpetualCrisis
Crisis call
call
the
the'big
'big
bang'
bang'
ofof
entrepreneurship!"
entrepreneurship!"

InInentrepreneurship,
entrepreneurship, chaos
chaos exists
existsin in
ToTo Tommy,
Tommy, thethe
success
success ofofa business
a business
many
many different
different forms
forms – in– in
thethe
is is
determined
determined bybya whole
a whole slew
slew ofof
marketplace,
marketplace, thethe regulations,
regulations, the
the
unpredictable
unpredictable elements.
elements. While
While aa
products,
products, thethe competition,
competition, thethe
highly
highly
regulated
regulated industry
industry may
may bebe
business
business models,
models, the
thepeople
people and
and
very
verywell
wellstudied
studied and
andprovides
provides
especially
especially thethe unwritten
unwritten rules
rules ofof
thethe
transparency
transparency andandstability,
stability,
it is
it is
hard
hard
industry.
industry. TheThe fears
fears ofofentering
entering
making
making a niche
a niche out
outofof
your
yourbusiness
business
unchartered
unchartered waters,
waters, the thepotential
potential
against
againstthethe
bigger
bigger and
andmore
more
failure
failure
ofofyour
your products,
products, thethelack
lackofof
established
established players.
players.
finances
finances strength
strength ororunpredictable
unpredictable
human
human behaviour
behaviour areare just
just
a few
a few ofofthethe
"Another
"Another lesson
lesson I have
I havelearnt
learnt is is
that
that
wewe
many
many issues
issues anan entrepreneur
entrepreneur faces
faces
should
shouldtrytry
notnottotoenter
enter
these
these industries,
industries,
each
each day.
day. "It"It
is is
withwiththis
thisperpetual
perpetual
butbut
instead
instead looking
looking toto
dabble
dabble with
with
sense
sense ofofcrisis
crisisthatthatyouyou will
willthink
thinkabout
about
chaos.
chaos.This
This chaos
chaos acts
acts
asas a catalyst,
a catalyst,
these
theseproblems
problems more.
more. AndAnd thethemore
more
offering
offering
a sense
a sense ofof
crisis
crisisthat
that
provides
provides
youyouthink
thinkabout
about these
these problems,
problems, thethe
thethe
momentum,"
momentum," explains
explains Tommy,
Tommy, who
who
faster
faster
youyouwould
would bebe spurred
spurred toto
worked
worked atatleast
least1616 hours
hours a day
a day
find
find
solutions
solutions toto them,”
them,” said
said Tommy.
Tommy.
continuously
continuously during
during the
thefirst
first
“There
“There areare
nono winners
winners in in
twotwoyears
yearsofof starting
starting up.
up.
entrepreneurship.
entrepreneurship. Only
Only survivors."
survivors."
“Only
“Only with
with
a conscious
a conscious effort
effort
toto
bring
bring
"This
"This
gives
givesyouyoua strong
a strongpush
push and
and
together
together the
the
right
right
factors,
factors,
atat
the
theright
right
inertia
inertia
toto
move
move ononand
andon.on.
TheThe
key
key
time
timein in
the
the
right
right
environment
environment ofof
chaos
chaos
thing
thing
here
hereis is
toto
foster
foster
that
that
sense
senseofof
will
will
there
there bebe
a slight
a slight
possibility
possibility
ofofrapid
rapid
crisis
crisis
wherever
wherever youyou
go."
go."

“With
“Withevery
everyrejection
rejectionfaced,
faced,I Iused
used
the
thethings
thingsI Ihad
hadlearnt
learnttototake
takeonon
whatever's
whatever'scoming
comingnext. next.Slowly,
Slowly,but
but
surely,
surely,you
yourefine
refineyour
yourskills
skillsand
and
your
yourconfidence
confidencewill willcome
comeback.”
back.”

Tommy
Tommy Ong
Ongis is
thethe
Founder
Founder and
and Chief
Chief
Executive
Executive Officer
Officer
of of
Resvenus
ResvenusLaboratories,
Laboratories, anan
importer
importer
and
anddistributor
distributor
of of
premium
premium quality
quality
health
health& beauty
& beautyproducts
productsbased
based in in
Kuala
Kuala
Lumpur,
Lumpur,Malaysia.
Malaysia. HisHis
company’s
company’s network
network spans
spans fromfrom
Southeast
Southeast Asia
Asia
to to
Middle
Middle East
East
and
and
Africa
Africa
and
and has
hasrecently
recently setset
upupa new
a newoffice
office
in in
Bangkok,
Bangkok, Thailand.
Thailand.

Tommy
Tommy graduated
graduatedwith
with
a Bachelor
a Bachelor of of
Engineering
Engineering from
fromthethe
Nanyang
Nanyang Technological
Technological
University
University
(NTU)
(NTU)
in in
2004,
2004,before
beforegoing
going to to
further
furtherhishis
studies
studies with
witha Master
a Master
of of
Science
Science
in in
Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship andandInnovation
Innovationin in
NTU
NTU 2005.
2005. HeHe also
alsosuccessfully
successfully obtained
obtaineda PhD
a PhDin in
Business
BusinessAdministration
Administrationfrom
from
thethe
University
University of of
Southampton
Southampton in in
2011.
2011.
 “The
“The
“The
“Thebest
best
best
bestway
way
way
wayto
toto
topredict
predict
predict
predictthe
the
the
thefuture
future
future
futureis
is is
isto
toto
tocreate
create
create it.” 
create it.” 
it.” 
it.” 
Foreword
Foreword
“The
“Thebest
bestway
waytotopredict
predictthe
thefuture
futureis- is
-toAbraham
tocreate
Abrahamcreate
it.” 
it.” 
Lincoln
Lincoln - Abraham
- AbrahamLincoln
- Abraham
Lincoln
- AbrahamLincoln
Lincoln

““ As
As one
As one of
one of Asia’s
of Asia’s leading
Asia’s
entrepreneurship
leading centres
leading
entrepreneurship education,
entrepreneurship
centres of
centres
education,
education, the the
of excellence
of excellence for
excellence
Nanyang
the Nanyang
for technology
for technology
technology
Technopreneurship
Nanyang Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship
Center (NTC)
Center (NTC)
(NTC) has has educated
has educated hundreds
educated hundreds
hundreds of of
of entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs and and
Center
entrepreneurial leaders through its flagship entrepreneurs
Master of Scienceand
entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial leaders through
leaders through its flagship Master
its flagship Master of of Science
Science
Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship and and Innovation
Innovation Programme
Programme (MSc (MSc TIP).
TIP).
Technopreneurship and Innovation Programme (MSc TIP).
The
The MSc
MSc TIPTIP helps
helps entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs developdevelop an an enterprising
enterprising mindset
mindset
The
and MSc
transform TIP helps
their entrepreneurs
business dreams develop
into an
reality. enterprising
We are proud mindset
and transform
and transform theirtheir business
business dreams
dreams into into reality.
reality. WeWe are proud of
are proud of our
of our
our
TIP
TIP graduates
graduates and
and the
the achievements
achievements they
they have
have accomplished.
accomplished. Not
Not
TIP graduates
only and the achievements they have accomplished. Not
only are
only are their
are their entrepreneurial
their entrepreneurial stories
entrepreneurial stories and
stories and experiences
and experiences inspiring,
experiences inspiring, they
inspiring, they
they
also
also provide
provide insights
insights into
into the
the real
real lives
lives and
and perspectives
perspectives of of
entrepreneursalso provide
and peopleinsights
alike.into
In the real
contrast lives
to and perspectives
conventional portrayal of
entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs and people alike. In
and people alike. In contrast contrast to conventional
to conventional portrayal
portrayal
and
and the
the sentiment,
sentiment, entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship should should not not bebe stereotyped.
stereotyped. It It
and
can the
be sentiment,
extremely entrepreneurship
rewarding, but is fullshould
of not
challenges be stereotyped.
too. It’s about It
can be
can be extremely
extremely rewarding,
rewarding, but but isis full
full of
of challenges
challenges too. too. It’s
It’s about
about
knowing
knowing the
the purpose,
purpose, holding
holding the
the passion,
passion, acting
acting with
with principle
principle
knowing the purpose,and holding the passion, acting with principle
and perseverance
and perseverance throughout
perseverance throughout the
throughout the journey.
the journey.
journey.
It
It is
is always
always our
our pride
pride and
and joy joy to
to showcase
showcase our our TIP
TIP
It is always our
alumni. pride
Hope and
you joy
enjoyto showcase
reading the our TIP
stories
alumni. Hope
Hope you you enjoy
enjoy reading
reading the the stories
stories

ENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISING
alumni. of these unique and talented people!
DEVELOP
DEVELOPAN
ANENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISINGMINDSET
MINDSET
of these unique and talented people!

ANENTERPRISING
ENTERPRISINGMINDSET
of these unique and talented people!
DEVELOP
DEVELOP
DEVELOP AN
AN
DEVELOPAN MINDSET
MINDSET
MINDSET
Dr
Dr Xia
Xia Zhiqiang
Zhiqiang
Dr Xia
Programme Zhiqiang
Director
Programme Director
Programme MSc
Director
MSc TIP
TIP MSc
MSc
MSc
MScTIP
TIP
TIP
TIP
MSc TIP
”” MSc
MScTIP
TIP
Master
Master
Masterof
Master ofof
ofScience
Science
ScienceTechnopreneurship
Science Technopreneurship
Technopreneurship&
Technopreneurship &&&Innovation
Innovation
InnovationProgramme
Innovation Programme
Programme
Programme
Master
MasterofofScience
ScienceTechnopreneurship
Technopreneurship& &Innovation
InnovationProgramme
Programme

Revolutionary
Revolutionary
Revolutionary
RevolutionaryProgramme
Programme
Programme
Programme- Transformational
- Transformational
- Transformational
Experience
- Transformational
Experience
Experience
Experience
Revolutionary
RevolutionaryProgramme
Programme- Transformational
- Transformational
Experience
Experience
Unique
Unique
curriculum
curriculum
andand
pedagogy
pedagogy Work
Workexperience
experience
preferred
preferred
butbut
Unique
Unique curriculum
curriculum andand pedagogy
pedagogy Work
Workexperience
experience
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butbut
Unique
Unique
curriculum
curriculum
andand
pedagogy
pedagogy notnot
Workcompulsory
compulsory
notWork
not experience
experience
compulsory
compulsory preferred
preferred
butbut
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship simulation
simulation
andand notEntrepreneurship
not
compulsory
compulsorystudy
Entrepreneurship study
awards
awards
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
experiential
experiential simulation
learning simulation
learning andand Entrepreneurship
andEntrepreneurship
and
subsidies*
subsidies* study
study
availableawards
available awards
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
experiential
experiential simulation
learning simulation
learning andand Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
andand
subsidies*
subsidies* study
availableawards
study
availableawards
experiential
experiential
learning
learning andand
subsidies*
subsidies*
available
available
Overseas
OverseasImmersion
ImmersionProgramme
Programme Full-time
Full-time
andand
part-time
part-time
study
study
Overseas
Overseas Immersion
Immersion Programme
Programme Full-time
Full-time
options
optionsandand
part-time
part-time
study
study
Overseas
OverseasImmersion
ImmersionProgramme
Programme Full-time
Full-time
optionsandand
options part-time
part-time
study
study
Suitable
Suitable
for for
graduates
graduates
from
from
all fields
all fields options
options
of Suitable
Suitable
study
of for for
study graduates
graduates from
from all fields
all fields
Suitable
Suitable
for
of study
of study for
graduates
graduates
from
from
all fields
all fields
of study
of study

* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
applyapply
* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
applyapply
* Terms
* Terms
and and
conditions
conditions
applyapply
 Nanyang Technopreneurship Center

Nanyang
NanyangTechnopreneurship
Technopreneurship
Center
Center

A COLLECTION OF
ENTREPRENEURSHIP STORIES
MAKE
MAKEAAMEANINGFUL
MEANINGFUL OF OUR TIP ALUMNI
DIFFERENCE
DIFFERENCETO
TOHUMANITY
HUMANITY
About
AboutMSc
MScTIP
TIP
AA unique
uniqueprogramme
programme that
thatmarries
marries theory
theory
with
withpractice,
practice,
this
this
Master
Master ofof
Science
ScienceTechnopreneurship
Technopreneurship &&
Innovation
Innovation Programme
Programme atat
NTU
NTU is is
modelled
modelled after
after #onthecontrary
the
theventure
venturedevelopment
development cycle,
cycle,
andandcovers
coversissues
issues
atat
various
various
stages
stagesofof
a startup's
a startup's growth,
growth,
from
from
ideation
ideationtoto
pitching
pitching
andandraising
raising
investment
investment funds,
funds, toto
exit
exit
strategies.
strategies.

A community of passionate
global entrepreneurs

© NANYANG
© NANYANG
TEL
TEL
+65
+65
TECHNOPRENEURSHIP
6790
6790
TECHNOPRENEURSHIP
6675
6675FAX
FAX
+65
+65
6792
6792
CENTER,
0467
CENTER,
NANYANG
0467EMAIL
EMAIL
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL
TECHNOLOGICAL
tipen@ntu.edu.sg
UNIVERSITY
tipen@ntu.edu.sgWEBSITE
WEBSITE
UNIVERSITY
www.ntu.edu.sg/ntc
www.ntu.edu.sg/ntc
MSc TIP
Master of Science Technopreneurship & Innovation Programme

Information
Information
is correct
is correct
at the
at the
timetime
of interview.
of interview.