It’s a match: Singapore’s Lunch Actually and Paktor merge to expand pool of potential suitors
Dating platforms Lunch Actually and Paktor have officially joined hands and merged to enhance users’ dating experiences.
In a statement released yesterday (September 9, 2024), the brands shared that this business move is to spark more romantic connections and support singles in their journey to find love.
For context, Lunch Actually provides a matchmaking service by arranging lunchtime dates for people who are too busy to actively look for a partner, while Paktor is a dating app that lets you meet people by swiping on profiles.
Given the increased dating app fatigue faced by users, Lunch Actually and Paktor have spotted a growing need for a holistic suite of integrated online and offline dating services, to boost singles’ chances of finding aligned partners.
It’s an interesting approach as many users typically go for one or the either (online or offline dating services). Hence, the goal of the merger is to address the pain points of using just one medium to find matches.
“Our strength lies in connecting people through technology and digital dating experiences. This merger is a timely one, enabling us to complement our online services with a wider range of offline services. We hope to offer singles fun and authentic dating experiences that lead to lasting romantic connections,” Alex Tam, Group CEO of Paktor, stated.
Sharing the same sentiment, Violet Lim, CEO of Lunch Actually, said, “This strategic merger will demonstrate the company’s commitment to charting a path towards sustained growth and market leadership in the ever-evolving dating landscape, paving the path for future acquisitions and continuous growth in the regional market,” she noted.
“It amplifies our capabilities, expands our reach, and enhances our resources. [It’s also] empowering us to touch more lives and craft more love stories across Asia than we ever dreamed possible.”
Joining forces for greater love?
The ultimate goal here is to tap into each agency’s resources and best practices to improve their services for customers. This includes gathering dating insights and preferences accumulated from each brand’s algorithms to increase users’ chances of success in finding a partner.
Regarding services, the agencies will offer enhanced personalised solutions that blend traditional dating wisdom with technology, such as relationship coaching.
Existing clients of the two platforms will likewise benefit from a wider range of services too. The details of this weren’t disclosed in the press release.
Moving forward, the brands will continue to operate independently but will be under a new holding entity called Lunch Actually Paktor Group. Violet will be taking on the role of Group CEO of this new entity.
Both companies were founded and are headquartered in Singapore. Together, they have a combined experience of over three decades in connecting singles across the region.
At the time of writing, Lunch Actually has a presence in three other countries outside of Singapore and 1.2 million members. On the other hand, Paktor is available in five other nations and boasts approximately 20 million users.
- Learn more about Lunch Actually here.
- Learn more about Paktor here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.
Also Read: Think you have a winning company culture? Get awarded & recognised by TalentCorp Malaysia.
Featured Image Credit: PR Newswire
Taobao finally launches an English interface for S’porean users along with exclusive deals
Taobao, the popular consumer-to-consumer shopping site from China, has just made a significant move to cater to its Singaporean users.
Starting today, the platform is rolling out an English-language interface, allowing non-Mandarin-speaking users to easily navigate and shop in English.
“The launch is a direct response to the market demand, reflecting our commitment to improving convenience and accessibility for our users,” said Taobao Singapore Country Head Jean Zhao in a press release today.
Given Singapore’s linguistic diversity, this update makes perfect sense, making the platform more accessible to non-Mandarin speakers who previously had to rely on translation tools.
“We believe this launch will open up new opportunities for Singapore shoppers to discover and enjoy the great diversity of products available on Taobao,” said Tmall Taobao World General Manager Jianqiu Ye.
What does the new English interface offer?
Singapore is the first market to experience Taobao’s English interface, with neighbouring Malaysia set to follow.
So, what can you expect? For starters, prices will now be displayed in Singapore Dollars (SGD), making it easier to track your spending.
The app will also feature product descriptions in English, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that you understand exactly what you’re buying.
Plus, the app’s overall design streamlines your shopping journey, making everything from browsing to checkout smoother.
At launch, the English version offers a curated list of trending items, and Taobao will add more categories and products in the coming days or months.
This approach guarantees that the variety and affordability you enjoy on the Chinese interface will soon be available on the English version as well.
Special perks to celebrate the launch
To sweeten the deal, Taobao is offering a few perks for a limited time:
1. New user exclusive: First-time users can score vouchers worth up to RMB100 (around S$18) on either the English or Chinese interface.
2. Free international shipping: Enjoy free shipping on eligible products over RMB199 (around S$37) from China to Singapore.
3. Free returns on your first order: If you buy something with the “local returns” label, you can return it for free to a local warehouse within 15 days.
How to access the new Taobao English interface
If you already have the Taobao app, simply update it to the latest version from the Apple App Store (for iOS users) or Google Play Store (for Android users).
You can log into the English interface with your existing Taobao account, and all your account details, including order history and saved addresses, will be right there.
With this update, shopping on Taobao just got a whole lot easier for Singapore’s non-Mandarin-speaking community.
- Learn more about Taobao Singapore here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.
Also Read: Think you have a winning company culture? Get awarded & recognised by TalentCorp Malaysia.
Featured Image Credit: Taobao
Out of 80+ nominees, 4 S’poreans won EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Here’s what they do.
Back for its 23rd year, professional services organisation Ernst & Young (EY) has announced the winners of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year (EOY) 2024 Singapore awards.
This year’s four category recipients were selected from a pool of over 80 nominations.
Who are this year’s EY EOY winners?
1. Edy Tan Wei Hock, CEO of Chye Thiam Maintenance (Environmental Services category)
As the CEO of Chye Thiam Maintenance, Edy Tan Wei Hock has transformed the homegrown brand from a local cleaning specialist in the 1980s to now one of the largest environmental services companies in Singapore.
Some of the company’s recent innovations include environmental robotics and analytics, as well as streamlined waste management solutions aimed at supporting a circular economy.
At the same time, the 50-year-old entrepreneur also shapes industry standards as VP of the Environmental Management Association of Singapore and a charter member of the Tripartite Cluster of Cleaners.
Besides these efforts, Edy is a board member of various charities and public committees, including Vice-Chairman of the Citizen’s Consultative Committee for Toa Payoh West-Thomson, Council Member of the Public Hygiene Council, and Advisory Committee member at imPAct@Hong Lim Green.
His dedication to public service was honoured with the Public Service Medal in 2018.
2. Samuel Yik, Managing Director of Dian Xiao Er Group (Food and Beverage category)
Transitioning from an audit career, Dian Xiao Er Group is Samuel Yik’s first dive into the F&B industry, and it’s become a leap of faith that paid off.
The casual Chinese restaurant opened in 2002 is now a renowned restaurant famed for its Herbal Roast Ducks, and boasts 16 outlets around Singapore. This dish is prepared fresh daily and uses top quality Cherry Valley ducks (or better known as Pekin ducks).
This success comes despite the numerous challenges Samuel faced, such as the SARS outbreak and bird flu.
According to EY’s press release, Samuel’s resilient entrepreneurial spirit was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when he managed to double the business’s revenue.
3. Anthony Chow, co-founder and CEO of igloocompany (Technology Solutions category)
The co-founder and CEO of igloocompany (igloo), Anthony’s foray into entrepreneurship is more unconventional than the others. He began by renting an Airbnb property where he lived and worked to test smart locks he was developing.
Nine years in, the business has expanded into numerous enterprise verticals and has made over 500,000 smart doors, as well as partnered with 2,000 businesses worldwide.
Speaking on the brand’s drive, Anthony stated, “True innovation at igloo stems from a deep-seated passion for driving the digital economy forward.” It’s also why they’re dedicated to creating a world without keys.
Outside of igloo, Anthony is committed to giving back and serves as an adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore. He’s also part of the Milken Institute’s Young Leader Circle.
4. Zachary Wang, co-founder and CEO of Neuron Mobility (Mobility category)
A serial entrepreneur, Zachary is the co-founder and CEO of Neuron Mobility, an e-scooter and e-bike operator in Singapore.
Being a tech company, Zachary shared that innovation is in the brand’s DNA, which is why he’s prioritised creating a culture of creativity and learning, and embracing critical thinking.
His enthusiasm for building smart cities led him to collaborate with councils to solve problems such as congestion, emissions, and to safely extend the range of existing transport networks.
Aside from Neuron Mobility, the 39-year-old businessman founded Rezeca Renewables back in 2009. He’s also spent a couple years building hydrogen fuel cell electric cars while at university.
23 years of spotlighting local talents
Similar to previous years, the four winners were selected by an independent panel of judges based on four globally benchmarked criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, growth, purpose, and impact.
Based on its press release, the chairperson of the judging panel is Susan Chong, Founder and CEO of Greenphyto Pte. Ltd. She had previously served three times as a judge at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year (WEOY) award.
On this year’s winners, she stated that all four recipients epitomise the foresight, agility, and courage of leading entrepreneurs.
“Be it investing in technology and innovation to redefine established ways of operating to venturing into foreign markets beyond Singapore or carving a niche for themselves, these entrepreneurs have changed the face of their industries, created new consumer demands and uplifted quality of lives in communities.”
Out of the four, one of the winners will represent Singapore at the annual WEOY award in 2025. This winner will be announced at the EY EOY Awards Gala that’s being held on November 18, 2024.
Alongside these four recipients, two other honorary awards were conferred in partnership with Bank of Singapore.
Honorary award winners
1. Lance Y. Gokongwei, President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (EY-Bank of Singapore Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence)
For context, this award is to recognise successful Southeast Asian businesses that contribute to the economy and community in the region.
As a second-generation entrepreneur, Lance grew JG Summit Holdings, Inc. to now possess a dynamic portfolio in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Its ventures span across various sectors like aviation, real estate, and telecommunications.
2. Tecity Group (EY-Bank of Singapore Family Enterprise Award of Excellence)
One of Asia’s most structured single family asset management office, Tecity Group is an investment management firm that provides competitive remuneration and global investment opportunities for business growth.
It’s now being helmed by the third generation and aims to keep the legacy of its founders alive through the group’s investment, public-listed, and philanthropic arms.
The goal of the EY EOY award programmes is to honour entrepreneurs who have created and sustained successful business ventures, as well as to coincide with the government’s focus on fostering entrepreneurship and grooming local entrepreneurs.
- Learn more about Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year programme here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.
Also Read: Think you have a winning company culture? Get awarded & recognised by TalentCorp Malaysia.
Featured Image Credit: EY
Sick of mooncakes? Here are 6 M’sian brands offering alternative Mid-Autumn treats.
From double yolk to snow skin, I’m an enjoyer of all kinds of mooncakes. But admittedly, there comes a point in the season where I start feeling a bit jelak.
If you’re like me, yet still want to indulge in the wholesome celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, here’s a list of alternatives to mooncakes you can enjoy this year.
1. Ice cream
Homegrown ice cream chain Inside Scoop is bringing back its ice cream mooncakes, and there are more flavours than ever.
Namely, the flavours are Musang King, Rocher, Unicorn, and Lucky Pistachio. For the mini mooncakes, there’s also an additional taro flavour. The collection is available in four pieces, or a mini nine-piece option.
These ice cream mooncakes are already sold out online, but may be available in select stores.
Price: RM128 for the four-piece, RM158 for the mini nine-piece
Where to order: In-store
Last order: While stocks last
2. Tiramisu tart
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Happy Cake is offering up adorable tiramisu bunny tarts this season.
The almond butter tarts are filled with dark chocolate ganache and topped with a layer of cookie crumbs. And of course, they’re crowned with the little tiramisu-filled bunny.
Price: RM38
Where to order: Instagram DM
Last order: N/A
3. Warabi mochi tart
A “one-man show” business based in Puchong, Flourysh Bakes is offering a delectable Matcha Kuromitsu Warabi Mochi Tart.
Made with authentic Okinawa Kuromitsu (Japanese sugar syrup), the tart balances the rich, dark sweetness of the syrup with the earthy notes of matcha as well as the soft and chewy warabi mochi.
It was inspired by one of the desserts the baker had in Hokkaido. It was so delicious that they had to create their own version.
Although this tart doesn’t seem to exclusively be for Mid-Autumn Festival, the brand deems it appropriate for the occasion.
Price: RM89
Where to order: Instagram DM
Last order: End of September
4. Choux
Would choux like to eat some choux?
Well, Pin by Eve’s got you covered. The choux connoisseur’s Mid-Autumn set this year comes in a lovely bamboo basket.
You can opt for regular-sized choux or mini ones depending on your preference. The flavours for the filling include: oolongan, earl grey, matcha, vanilla, pandan, and chocolate hazelnut.
Price: RM108 for eight regular choux, RM98 for 18 mini choux
Where to order: Instagram DM
Last order: While stocks last
5. Petit Gataeu
Champignons Patisserie is offering up a delectable autumn collection of petit gateaus (which refers to small cakes).
The one with a moon design is called Dahlia, featuring Jasmine white chocolate mousse, Yuzu pear compote, Jasmine tea pear compote, and salted crumble.
Meanwhile, the Apple & Berries one features redberries mousse, apple-infused berries tea compote, strawberry choux cake, and white chocolate crumble.
The cake with the Chinese lettering of qiu (meaning autumn) is called Autumn Oak. It comprises earl grey tea, blueberries infused with orange, earl grey cake, and salted crumble.
The Bunny is filled with orange mousse, apple-infused orange compote, coconut crunch, and orange genoise.
Then there’s the Choux Chocolat, which has chocolate choux, chocolate whipped ganache, dark chocolate guayaquil 64% mousse by Cacao Barry, dark chocolate ganache, chocolate joconde, and chocolate streusel.
Then there’s Elderflower, which has elderflower whipping ganache, pink guava jelly, guava compote, sponge, and white chocolate crunch.
Price: RM108/box (four small cake set) or RM135 (five small cake set)
Where to order: Website
Last order: September 17
6. Chocolate
This year, Chocolate Concierge and Mei by Fat Spoon have collaborated to deliver a chocolate mooncake collection.
It’s said to be inspired by “shared experiences of traditional family gatherings, where freshly cut fruits are served with warm tea to conclude a perfect reunion dinner.”
Here are the flavours:
- Dark Chocolate, Mango, Nori: This is the collection’s take on the classic egg yolk mooncake with the mango representing the yolk. It features Chocolate Concierge’s Chemor (Perak) origin dark chocolate. The nori gives a hint of earthy umami flavours.
- Strawberry & Matcha: This chocolate features a house-made strawberry compote, the tartness balanced by the deep matcha green tea. It’s encased in a white chocolate shell.
- Genmai: Covered by lightly smoked chocolate, this treat stars roasted rice ganache and puffed rice.
- Black Sesame: This chocolate is a toasty black sesame ganache layered with feuilletine crunch and a touch of sea salt.
Each set comes with eight pieces—two large (5cm) chocolates mooncakes and six small (3cm) chocolates.
The set also comes with a sachet of house blend tea comprising cacao husk and genmaicha. With nutty and smokey notes, this blend is designed to perfectly accompany the chocolate bites.
Price: RM168/box
Where to buy: WhatsApp
Last order: While stocks last
Special mention
Macarons
Although they are now sold out, we couldn’t help but highlight Madcarons’ gorgeous 2024 Mid-Autumn Collection too.
The limited-edition box of macarons features some truly beautiful designs, each one its own piece of art that you might feel hesitant to eat.
With six macarons in this set, the mooncake-inspired fillings are:
- Matcha Red Bean
- Hazelnut Pu-Er
- Butterfly Pea Coconut
- Peanut Butter Sesame
- Salted Egg Dark Choc
- Coffee Lotus
Price: RM129/box
If you’d like to enquire whether the brand will be creating new batches, you can can reach them via Instagram DM or WhatsApp +6018-2021050.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Also Read: 15 yrs of witnessing telco inefficiencies drove this duo to bootstrap RM100K to modernise it
Featured Image Credit: Pin by Eve / Champignons Patisserie / Madcarons
Forbes Singapore’s 50 Richest 2024: Who’s new, who’s back & who’s missing?
Singapore’s richest are richer than ever, according to Forbes’ annual Singapore’s 50 Richest list.
Forbes reported that the collective net worth of the country’s 50 richest tycoons has risen by over 10% to US$195 billion from last year to this year.
Familiar names reign at the top of the list, with Eduardo Saverin at the top. Saverin co-founded Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, with Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. His net worth grew from US$10.2 billion to a whopping US$28 billion over the past year.
But usual names aside, here are some changes to the list compared to last year’s.
Some newcomers & one returnee
A new entry on the list is the Wee family. Number 7 on the list of 50, the Wee family has a net worth of US$7.8 billion. They are the heirs of late banker Wee Cho Yaw, who was the chairman emeritus of United Overseas Bank when he passed away earlier this year in February at the age of 95.
Wee’s oldest son, Wee Ee Cheong, is currently UOB’s deputy chairman and CEO, while his younger son Wee Ee Lim has a board seat.
The family draws its wealth from stakes in UOB, property developers UOL Group, and Kheng Leong, as well as Haw Par, maker of the iconic Tiger Balm ointment.
Another newcomer is Ji Qi, founder and executive chairman of H World Group, one of China’s biggest multi-brand hotel groups. Ji also cofounded Trip.com, China’s largest travel booking site by revenue.
Formerly an expat, Ji Qi is now a citizen of Singapore, debuting on the list at number 23 with a net worth of US$2.35 billion.
The next new name would be George Raymond Zage III, who was number 48. His US$900 million net worth comes largely from the LGBTQ dating app Grindr shares. Grindr went public on the New York Stock Exchange through a SPAC merger in 2022.
He’s also the founder and CEO of Singapore-based investment firm Tiga Investments.
Not a newcomer but a returnee is Sea’s David Chen. In 2022, he had been number 48 but was missing on the list last year. This year, with a net worth of US$870 million, he’s last on the list at number 50.
He co-founded Sea in 2009 with Forrest Li and Gang Ye, both of whom are also on the list.
The absentees
So, who are those new names replacing?
As mentioned, the late billionaire Wee Cho Yaw has been succeeded by his family.
Previously number 38 on the list, Peter Fu Chong Cheng didn’t make the list this year.
He is the head of Kuo International, which was founded by his late father Peter Fu Yun Siak as a timber and wax trader.
Loo Choon Yong, the chairman of the board of directors of Raffles Medical Group, also dropped off the list.
Lastly, there’s Gordon and Celine Tang, who were previously number 49. The couple owns a controlling stake in property developer SingHaiyi, and their largest asset is a stake in Singapore-listed Suntec REIT.
- Learn more about Forbes Singapore’s 50 Richest list here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about billionaires here.
Also Read: After 4 yrs, this Melaka-founded private fitness brand is going global. First stop, Thailand.
Featured Image Credit: Imagine China/Newscom, Lippo Cikarang TBK, Sea
