S’pore’s youth are speaking up & they want to be heard, here’s how you can join the movement
[This is a sponsored article with the People’s Association.]
You’ve got ideas, concerns, and aspirations—but who’s really listening, especially if you’re from the younger generation?
Too often, youth perspectives are overlooked, but the FutureYOUth movement has been making moves to change that.
Led by the People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM), which was set up in 1971 as a core youth movement in Singapore, this nationwide initiative empowers young Singaporeans to take action on their top-of-mind concerns—with the full support of the People’s Association.
Here are the initiatives they’ve taken so far.
What have they done so far?
Since its launch in 2023, FutureYOUth has actively engaged youths, gathering insights from 127,000 of them to understand their biggest concerns across three themes: mental health, racial and religious harmony, and sustainability and the environment.
These themes were selected based on conversations with youths, reflecting the issues they care about the most.
To foster meaningful conversation and action, they’ve hosted a variety of events, engagements, and community initiatives like the FutureYOUth Marketplace, where youths could champion the causes they are most passionate about.
They’ve also organised and facilitated community bonding activities, helping youths connect with peers in their neighbourhoods and district-level focus group discussions to provide safe and inclusive spaces for young people to share their experiences, insights, and perspectives.
These initiatives were successfully implemented through PAYM’s collaboration with cause-based groups, faith-based organisations, interest groups, uniformed groups, schools and institutes of higher learning.
Through these efforts, FutureYOUth has gathered insights from Singapore’s youth on the three key pillars, and here’s what they had to say:
1. Mental Health
Mental health remains a pressing concern among Singapore’s youth, with slightly over a quarter of young adults aged 18 to 29 struggling with poor mental health. A more recent report also revealed that one in three youths aged 15 to 35 experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress.
Many young Singaporeans recognise the importance of seeking help—in fact, about 74.3% of respondents from the white paper by Project Hayat are willing to access support services for suicide in Singapore when needed.
That said, the report also stated that the majority of the respondents expressed hesitation to seek help, expressing concerns about the effectiveness and accessibility of mental health services.
These findings highlighted that prioritising mental health is more than just managing emotions and stress—it’s about fostering a strong support system and addressing mental health without stigma.
2. Racial & religious harmony
According to a survey by IPS and OnePeople.sg, the majority of youths in Singapore still see racism as a pressing issue, with younger respondents less likely to indicate a high level of racial and religious harmony—indicating that racism is still a prevailing issue.
However, there is growing optimism. Young people are more likely to express a strong belief in learning from other racial and religious groups, hinting that conversations around racial and religious harmony are more open today than they were a decade ago.
Additionally, 68.5% of respondents aged between 18 and 35 years old are reported to have smaller but more diverse social circles, reflecting the positive byproducts of growing up in a more racially and religiously integrated society.
3. Sustainability & environment
The impacts of climate change on Singapore’s weather are already being felt, with scientists estimating that the city-state experienced 122 extra days of dangerous heat last year.
A strong majority of youth recognise the urgency of the situation—76% of youth respondents expressed feeling fearful and sad about the potential impact of climate change, and one in two are taking active steps to reduce their environmental footprint.
Join the movement and maybe have fun, too!
With these findings, the FutureYOUth movement aims to spark conversation and empower the youth to lead initiatives for the wider community.
On March 1, 2025, they will be hosting a pivotal event at Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City, with booths full of fun activities for all. This event will mark a significant milestone in PAYM’s mission to ignite youth participation in building a caring, united Singapore.
Find out more about the event and be part of a movement that values youth perspectives here.
Also Read: After surviving cancer, this ex-architect started an eco-friendly clothing brand in S’pore
Featured Image Credit: People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM)
Qanvast’s ex-owner pivoted his biz to run wedding fairs, now makes million-dollar revenues/yr
Having a wedding is a big deal. From choosing the perfect venue to finding the dream dress, every detail matters.
However, finding the right vendors can be challenging and overwhelming, and unfortunately, it has resulted in some horror stories.
Common issues include couples not knowing whether they are getting what they paid for and being unable to compare different vendors side-by-side—the very pain points that Hitcheed is trying to solve.
Adapting to sustain
Chee Yang Tan, 48, is no stranger to entrepreneurship. He previously co-founded and launched the home renovations platform Qanvast with Benjamin Han and Daniel Lim in 2013 before he exited the business in 2016.
After his departure, Chee Yang pivoted to the wedding industry and started formulating a solution that could help other couples in organising their wedding. He soon launched a one-stop shop mobile app that allows users to discover different wedding vendors and engage them for their services.
This includes hotels and other venues, bridal studios, photographers, videographers, and other service providers such as florists, hair and makeup artists, and more.
With a clear concept, Chee Yang said that he invested S$70,000 of his personal savings, approached a variety of vendors, and relied on the skills he gained when he was at Qanvast, from cold calling and emails to meetings to try to onboard them onto the app.
However, that proved to be a major obstacle for the business, as many vendors were more familiar with traditional forms of advertising, such as magazines and trade fairs—leading him to experience multiple rejections. It also did not help that the mobile app was not getting traction in Singapore.
This was when Chee Yang made the decision that would change the trajectory of Hitcheed—to discontinue the mobile app and pivot to organising wedding events.
He explained that having physical events makes for more effective advertising for his vendors, and couples could get inspiration and meet different types of vendors at one location to enquire about their offerings.
Transitioning to wedding fairs
Currently, Hitcheed is known for its wedding fairs—Wedding Wonderland and Bridal Market, with the former being held thrice a year. The Bridal Market allows visitors the “rare” chance to try out gowns on-site, which Chee Yang claims to be the first to be offered in Singapore.
However, some vendors at wedding fairs often hard sell their products to visitors, and some have voiced it out.
Is Hitcheed any different?
After reading 12 Google reviews and a few social media posts from local creators, the general consensus was that there was no hard selling, and many couples were able to achieve their goals without much of a hitch.
While we admit that there was not a large enough sample size to determine their credibility, it seemed that the company attempts to switch things up to attract a wider audience by offering “trendy” event activities such as Personal Colour Analysis, Tarot Card Readings, and customised door gifts.
If it sounds gimmicky, let’s change our perspective slightly. Just like fashion and beauty, the wedding scene is one that changes often due to trends and consumer behaviours. Moreover, Hitcheed needed to establish itself amongst decade-old brands in the local wedding industry—all of which took time.
According to Chee Yang, the company held less than five to eight events each year and brought in around S$600,000-S$800,000 in annual revenue during their early days. Things only became more challenging when the events industry took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During COVID, we were not allowed to do any big scale events, and the company lost S$30,000-S$50,000 every month until 2023 when events can resume and slowly pick up.”
Fortunately for Hitcheed, the company found success from their wedding fairs and has since expanded its events portfolio beyond the wedding industry: Home By Hitcheed, which is their interior design event, Not So Little Fair for kids, and their most recent addition, Fitxpo for fitness enthusiasts.
-
Chee Yang also noted two trends in the wedding industry in Singapore today. The first is that smaller but “nicer” venues have become more popular, as more couples have become financially savvier with their weddings / Image Credits: (Top)-Claudine, (Bottom)-1-Atico -
Secondly, destination weddings to countries like Bali have also been getting more traction, which Hitcheed took in account when getting vendors to participate in their wedding fairs / Image credits: Conrad Bali, The Ritz Carlton Bali
However, with all of their events offering free admission to visitors, one might wonder—how did Hitcheed recover from the pandemic and earn their money?
Chee Yang shared that the company solely earns through booth sales, meaning that vendors are required to pay for a booth, which ranges between S$2,000 to S$20,000, depending on booth size.
He added that they are now holding 20 events a year and have expanded their team to cope with the demand, which allowed them to bring in S$3 million in annual revenue in 2024—but he does not plan to stop there.
In the short term, we will continue to hire more talented staff and we hope to double our number of events in the next two years. We are still taking up a very small market in the lifestyle consumer events space and will [also] be exploring more different event verticals in the next two years.
Chee Yang Tan, founder of Hitcheed
Also Read: Some say romance & work don’t mix, but this S’porean cake shop’s 2nd-gen owners beg to differ
Featured Image Credit: Hitcheed
You’ve likely seen this nose strip online. Here’s the truth behind the Malaysian biz.
If your online algorithm is anything like ours, you would have come across one of the countless videos PeakFlow, a local nose strip brand, has posted online.
They typically follow the same effective formula: “Someone tries PeakFlow.” These people could range from a student and influencers to pro athletes and even Malaysian politician Syed Saddiq himself.
If you looked up the business some months ago, you might’ve come across an interesting page on their website about the founder’s story. This page shared that the 54-year-old founder had struggled with a deviated septum and chronic nasal congestion.
Intriguing, right?
But speaking to the founder of PeakFlow, we learnt that the page was supposedly wrongly posted, and the information on it had been fictitious.
So, what’s the true story behind the business?
The real 23-year-old behind the business
Instead of being 54 years old like we thought, the founder, Kooi, is actually still a full-time student who’s pursuing civil engineering.
“The reason I started PeakFlow is that I am the kind of person that cannot have a boss or take orders or instructions,” he claimed to Vulcan Post. “I had a 9-5 job right after Form 6 and I hated it.”
Rather than a follower, Kooi is more of a risktaker and a hustler. He explained that one reason he started PeakFlow is because he’s “always looking for ways to make money.”
In fact, he has founded several other businesses before, including an e-cig business and a brand selling libido-enhancing chocolates.
The jump from those products to nose strips might seem quite big for some.
Kooi explained that the idea for PeakFlow came from his own interest in martial arts. While watching a match, he saw an ad for a brand selling a nose strip product that aided with sleep.
“The first thing I did after I found out about that was to check if there was anyone selling it on Shopee,” he said. “Luckily, there were only those nose strips that you can find in the pharmacy— skin-coloured, flimsy, and they don’t even do anything.”
He even bought the nose strip sponsoring the martial arts match he was watching, but felt that the product could be further improved. Believing that he could do a better job, he decided to start his own venture—PeakFlow.
Scientifically proven to help?
More than sleep aid, however, PeakFlow was designed to last through extreme activities.
“The traditional nasal strips are always marketed towards sleep,” he pointed out. “But why don’t we want better breathing at other times? Especially during sports, when we are out of breath. PeakFlow helps you breathe better, smoother, and recover faster. That’s what it does.”
He explained that the product has three spring-like bands built into the strip which work to expand the wearer’s nose, allowing smoother breathing.
“We purposely target the fitness market to differentiate ourselves with the nasal strips you find in the pharmacy,” Kooi shared.
According to PeakFlow’s website, benefits of the product include boosting performance, reducing snoring, enhancing recovery, elevating energy levels, increasing focus and concentration, supporting respiratory health, reducing daytime fatigue, and promoting oral health.
All these benefits sound great, but from what we can tell, PeakFlow hasn’t actually reported conducting any measurable research on these benefits.
It’s vital to note that some research has shown that there is no evidence to support that nose strips can enhance athletic performance.
It is reported by industry publications that they provide zero improvement in VO₂ max (a measurement of maximum oxygen consumption during exercise that’s often used as a proxy for aerobic fitness), heart rate, or RPE (rate of perceived exertion).
But then again, there are other studies that claim that athletes wearing external nose dilation strips’ respiration time to exhaustion was longer.
In any case, the sample size for many of these studies are quite small. Hopefully, PeakFlow will be able to conduct their own studies providing the eight benefits they listed. That said, benefits such as “increasing focus and concentration” may be hard to measure.
The website also uses language such as “unlock your full oxygen potential” through their products. Note that this claim doesn’t actually mean that your oxygen levels will be improved.
Kooi clarified, “PeakFlow is not designed to increase oxygen levels. It is to help you breathe smoother. Only when you put it on will you feel its effect.”
With a grain of salt
“I don’t know where you found this on the website, this is never published, and it is not real.”
This was the confused message that Kooi had sent us when asked about the founder’s “deviated septum.” At the time of us reaching out to the founder, the page had been live on their website, though it was later taken down.
Just goes to show that instead of assuming everything you see on the internet is true, it’s important to develop the habit of digging deeper and doing your due diligence.
Yet, it is somewhat inspiring to see how this young entrepreneur has been able to scale a simple idea into a full-fledged business.
There’s no doubt that Kooi has some marketing chops, having posted numerous viral videos online that have amassed millions of views.
He claims that PeakFlow has brought in RM1.9 million revenue in its first six months.
“I started PeakFlow with the last RM10,000 I have,” he claimed to Vulcan Post. “It’s not the capital that matters. You don’t need much to start a business.”
Believing in the product, the 23-year-old entrepreneur hopes to continue growing PeakFlow, perhaps even bringing it abroad.
Also Read: At 23, he coded a startup in his bedroom. Now, his M’sian HR firm serves 450+ global clients.
Featured Image Credit: PeakFlow
M’sia hit record RM163.6 billion in digital investments last year, MDEC credits these factors
Digital investments in Malaysia hit a record RM163.6 billion in 2024, more than triple of the RM46.8 billion in 2023.
According to a press release by MDEC, this is thanks to a stable government and pro-business policies in reinforcing the country’s reputation as a regional tech hub.
Moreover, strong infrastructure and strategic public-private partnerships have strengthened investor confidence in Malaysia as a leading digital hub.
MDEC further added that a supportive regulatory framework and Malaysia’s push into AI and quantum computing further accelerated growth, attracting high-value global investments.
These include investments from global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Bytedance.
This report follows the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)’s announcement that Malaysia secured RM378.5 billion in approved investments in total last year.
This is the highest in Malaysia’s history, marking a 14.9% year-on-year increase from the previous record of RM329.5 billion in 2023.
“As an agency under the Ministry of Digital, MDEC continues to work closely with MIDA and other government agencies to attract more strategic investments,” said MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil.
Attracting foreign and domestic investments
It’s clear that foreign investor confidence in Malaysia’s digital sector remains strong.
MDEC reported that the substantial top five countries with the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are Singapore (RM57 billion), the United States (RM23 billion), China (RM12 billion), Australia (RM2.6 billion), and India (RM2 billion).
At the same time, domestic direct investments (DDI) continue to rise. MDEC has played a pivotal role in this through strategic initiatives and programmes.
The top five states by Malaysia Digital (MD) companies’ inflows were recorded in the Klang Valley (RM136 billion), Johor (RM22 billion), Penang (RM3 billion), Sabah (RM423 million) and Sarawak (RM280 million).
Investments in data centres and cloud infrastructure accounted for 76.8% of total approved digital investments in 2024, a sharp rise from 55.5% in 2023.
The establishment of a dedicated Data Centre Task Force, spearheaded by MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, is set to drive further growth while ensuring it aligns with long-term sustainability goals, balancing expansion with environmental responsibility.
Anuar shared, “MDEC stands steadfast in sustaining this strong investment momentum and working closely with MIDA to achieve the targeted 5% investment growth in 2025.”
Tapping into the money
With Malaysia’s digital investments reaching unprecedented heights, there’s no better time for Malaysian SMEs and startups to ride this wave of growth.
The presence of global tech giants like Google and Microsoft signals opportunities for local businesses to embrace AI, cloud computing, and next-gen digital solutions.
Paired with strong government support and rising domestic investments, the stage is set for homegrown innovators to scale, compete, and lead in the digital economy.
Also Read: Not just a fad: How this entrepreneur plans to seriously grow Malaysia’s pickleball scene
Featured Image Credit: Microsoft
These 3 M’sian businesses beat 590 others to win the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Challenge 2024
[This is a sponsored article with Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad.]
What do Christy Ng, myBurgerLab, Amazin’ Graze, Salad Atelier, and BloomThis have in common?
Other than being popular Malaysian brands, they’re alumni of the BizSmart® Challenge by Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad.
Alliance Bank launched the BizSmart® Challenge in 2013 to celebrate and recognise Malaysia’s top emerging enterprises.
Now in its seventh edition, the bank introduced the “Accelerator Edition” in June 2024 to commemorate its 10-year milestone. It offers cash prizes, mentorship, business training, potential business funding from venture capitalists, and preferential financing opportunities.
This season, the panel of judges hailed from 1337 Ventures, 5X Capital, Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC), and Cradle to evaluate alongside Kellee Kam (Group Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Bank) and Raymond Chui (Group Chief Business and Transaction Banking Officer).
30 shortlisted contestants were selected from a pool of 593 entries and participated in a four-day accelerator programme and business coaching to prepare for the intense business pitching rounds. These finalists had to deliver a five-minute business pitch and a 60-second elevator pitch to secure a spot in the Top 10.
The Top 10 finalists were awarded the “Golden Ticket” to advance to the next stage, and for the first time, three Wild Cards (non-finalists) were awarded “Golden Tickets” due to their impressive business potential.
Fun fact: A concept introduced to the BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator in 2024, Wild Cards are businesses that impressed the judges with their high standards in delivering pitches during the 60-second elevator pitch round.
Alliance Bank shared that the purpose of the Wild Card is to encourage businesses that showed potential but were not placed within the Top 10. It provides a good opportunity to uplift more homegrown businesses.
During the Grand Finale, the 13 finalists pitched their businesses in under three minutes for a chance at a share of RM550,000 in cash prizes, funding, and financing opportunities.
Finally, three came out on top as 2024’s winners. Here’s who they are and what they do.
Meet the 3 Malaysian businesses who impressed the judges
1. BioLoop
Winning a total of RM265,000 and the title of Champion in 2024’s BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition is local biotechnology firm, BioLoop.
Founded in 2020 by Mah Jun Kit, BioLoop focuses on addressing global food security challenges and organic waste management. With a heavy focus on palm oil byproducts, the company converts waste into high-value protein and organic fertiliser.
This is achieved using Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL), where palm oil waste is fed to the larvae. After the larvae mature, they’re harvested and processed into protein-rich feed for aquaculture and poultry.
The byproduct of the larvae (called frass) serves as organic fertilisers that are packed with essential nutrients for plant growth. Combined, BioLoop’s approach offers a sustainable solution for producing animal feed and fertilisers while also diverting palm oil waste from landfills or being dumped in the estates.
Since its establishment, BioLoop has upcycled over 10,000 metric tonnes of organic waste and they’ve diverted over 20,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, they shared. To put it into perspective, that’s more than 50 blue whales’ worth of organic waste!
Aside from the cash prize, the firm was also awarded multiple accolades, such as the Cradle Partner Selection Award and CGC Category Award.
2. Gula Cakery
Coming in second place was Malaysian F&B group, Gula Cakery. The brand also won the CGC Category Award and brought home a total of RM105,000 for its dedication to quality and community.
Once a home baker, Nor Arieni Adriena has grown her first Kota Kemuning store into a business group with seven brands across more than 10 outlets—Gula Petite Cakery, Gula Creamery, Andra, Malaiqa, El Ocho, Arieni’s Roti Jala, and MN Coffee.
Despite expanding to other cuisines, Gula Cakery is probably best known for its cakes, the staple offering that propelled the brand forward.
The group is now in its tenth year of operations and remains a popular spot for neighbourhood crowds. Its latest outlet carrying the Gula Petite label recently opened in Sunway Pyramid’s newly renovated Oasis wing.
3. HiiVolt
The business that bagged the second runner-up title is HiiVolt, one of Malaysia’s first providers of extended warranties for hybrid vehicle batteries.
“We understand the unique challenges faced by hybrid vehicle owners and dealerships, and have designed our services to offer unmatched protection and peace of mind,” the brand’s website states.
With its service centre accredited by MyHijau, Malaysia’s official green recognition scheme, the business is dedicated to offering consumers a cost-effective solution that reduces automotive waste and carbon footprint.
Some of the company’s innovative solutions include eco-friendly battery regeneration and refurbishing services to further support the local green automotive industry.
Not part of the initial 10 finalists, HiiVolt is one of the three Wild Card participants.
In total, HiiVolt received RM65,000, which includes the Cradle Partner Selection Award, CGC Category Award, and Investor’s Choice Award by 1337 Ventures.
Celebrating excellence and recognising outstanding SMEs
The remaining 10 finalists did not walk away empty-handed as each of them received RM5,000 as part of the Entrepreneur Recognition Award from Alliance Bank.
Other award categories included:
- Partner Selection Award by Cradle, which was awarded RM10,000 to BioLoop, Fubizo, HiiVolt, Mindhive, and Ventamin
- CGC Category Award, which is valued at RM5,000, was awarded to Aenon Solutions, Asia Farms Network, BioLoop, Fubizo, Gula Cakery, HiiVolt, Mindhive, Sin Boon Kee, Ventamin, and Xin Seng Fatt
- Investor’s Choice Award by 1337 Ventures, was also awarded to Mindhive and HiiVolt to highlight their potential and offered capital funding to scale the business
These awards underscore the Bizsmart® Challenge programme’s dedication to nurturing a diverse array of high-potential SMEs by providing them with the tools and opportunities needed to make meaningful strides in their respective industries.
“With the invaluable support of our esteemed partners (CGC, Cradle, 1337 Ventures, and 5X Capital), we are committed to providing mentorship, industry insights, resources, and opportunities for SMEs to thrive,” said Mr. Kellee Kam, Group CEO of Alliance Bank.
“In our endeavour of becoming The Bank For Life, we remain focused on empowering the next generation of business leaders to make a meaningful impact in their industries and communities.”
To celebrate the journey and accomplishments of all participants, a special film of the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition will be released for public viewing soon.
This feature-length film covers the entire journey of 2024’s Challenge, sharing the stories and determination of participants in going through the six-month programme.
- Learn more about Alliance Bank BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition here.
- Read about other Malaysian startups here.
Also Read: Not just a fad: How this entrepreneur plans to seriously grow Malaysia’s pickleball scene
Featured Image Credit: Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
