Once an abandoned office, this Penang cafe is now known for fresh pasta & basque cheesecake
Before it was a popular eatery serving up cheesecakes and pasta, Syarikat Cafe in George Town, Penang had been an office. An abandoned one, at that. “We still recall the day when it all begun,” founders and couple William and Jolene recounted. “We were telling our friends and family about our plan of converting this […]
M’sian edutech startup bags RM1.2mil, aims to spread robotics education to rural areas
JAZRO, a Malaysian robotics education startup, announced an investment of RM1.2 million from Gobi Partners on October 3. The investment is made through the Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund. This fund is a part of Khazanah’s Future Malaysia Programme (FMP), an initiative under the sovereign wealth fund’s Dana Impak (Impact Fund) mandate, with the […]
Grab to invest S$4mil every year in response to drivers & riders’ call for better welfare
In some good news for Grab partners, come 2025, the multinational tech company will be significantly upgrading its holistic welfare programme for driver and delivery workers. Called GrabBenefits 2.0, this initiative will see Grab committing an annual investment of S$4 million to support the welfare of its platform workers in Singapore. Its press release states […]
S’pore bosses conflicted over employee work-life boundaries & productivity, new survey shows
The struggle between respecting work-life boundaries and maintaining productivity is a growing issue in Singapore’s business landscape. According to The Independent Singapore, a recent survey by Indeed revealed that while many employers recognise the need to protect employee well-being, concerns about productivity losses still dominate. Let’s take a closer look at what the data reveals […]
When he’s not directing films in Shanghai, this M’sian runs a “gallery cafe” in Penang
Joining Penang’s robust food scene last year was a new cafe and restaurant by the name of Whisk & Whiz. Situated within a heritage building in George Town, the eatery is decked out with uniquely artistic decor, serving up a variety of locally inspired and Western delights. Behind this cafe is Raymond Tan. Born in […]
These Sabahans have built a profitable biz built on all things avocado, from F&B to jewellery
Recently, while shopping at Bukit Bintang, I came across one of Pingmin Market’s events in front of The Starhill. With the afternoon heat, I was craving something light and refreshing. That’s when I spotted Avosome, a booth selling all things avocado. Manning the booth that day were founders Fung and Isabelle. “We’re a couple, partners […]
How these M’sian 3rd-gen cousins innovated their family’s 100+ Y/O biz to keep it thriving
“There is a duty to ensure that sam ching and other local rice wine recipes receive the same respect and enjoyment that other liquors are accorded,” Tay Chong Yoke, the 60-year-old helming Tong Ah Distillery (Tong Ah) with his second cousin Jason Tay, stated. Sure, there are plenty of old liquor brands available in Malaysia […]
Gigi Coffee is now halal-certified by JAKIM, hopes to inspire trust in Muslim consumers
Gigi Coffee, a popular homegrown coffee chain is now halal certified by JAKIM. That’s right, your morning (or evening) caffeine treat has gained JAKIM’s nod of approval. This comes after its outlets underwent a rigorous examination process to ensure that its food handling, preparation, and sourcing is up to halal guidelines. For context, there is […]
We visited CASETiFY’s 1st standalone studio in S’pore, and our jaws dropped. Here’s why.
This article has been updated to include CASETiFY’s comments from Vulcan Post’s enquiries. CASETiFY, the brand known for its fashionable yet sturdy phone cases, has just opened its first standalone studio at the heart of Singapore last Saturday (September 28). Located at ION Orchard, the studio is the largest outlet islandwide, with the brand aiming […]
After struggling to find donors for their dog, they started S’pore’s 1st canine blood bank
Dog parents may know that August 26 was International Dog Day. But aside from that, it was also the launch date of Bark Bank, Singapore’s first nationwide digital non-profit canine blood registry. However, even though the non-profit platform officially launched on that date, its story began long before that. Here’s the tale of how Bark […]
Feeling disconnected with his corporate job, this S’porean left to start a nasi lemak stall
If you walk along a container food park at Timbre+ One-North, Singapore, don’t be surprised if you spot veteran local celebrities Tay Ping Hui and Ix Shen casually hanging around a nasi lemak stall. That’s because this isn’t just any food stall—it’s Straits Club, founded by their long-time friend James Ong and his wife. This […]
TOKEN2049: Vitalik Buterin says crypto’s early days are over, so what’s next for the sector?
If you ask Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin about the current state of the crypto industry, he’d disagree with the majority view. Many claim the industry is still nascent, but it’s been years since crypto first emerged—Bitcoin has been around for about 15 years and Ethereum for over 10. Speaking at a recent keynote at TOKEN2049, Buterin […]
She started a dating platform that encourages M’sians to “swipe less”, aims to scale globally
Like many things, dating has become highly digitalised in modern society. Dating apps are commonplace, with people “sliding into DMs” regularly to connect with strangers. One of the platforms in Malaysia that wants to change this is Swipeless. As its name suggests, Swipeless wants people to swipe less and instead make dating offline again. This […]
Quitting her law career to bake cakes for a living wasn’t easy, but now she runs a cafe in PJ
When Lim Cheng Cheng (Cheng) decided to trade her high-profile career as a lawyer for baking, it wasn’t a single life-changing moment that sparked the transition. Rather, it was a combination of factors. Cheng, a former litigator, commercial director, and regional counsel with Fortune 500 companies, founded Swich in 2011, after over two decades of […]
5 brutal truths of running an F&B biz, as told by one of Petaling Street’s pioneering cafes
Gone are the days when the go-to spot for a catch-up session with friends are bars or shopping malls. Nowadays, people are looking for cafes to dish out the latest hot gossip. This is especially true if you’re a millennial or younger. Being part of the latter demographic, I’ve noticed that we typically seek cafes […]
CHAGEE returns months after its sudden exit in S’pore, we spoke to their execs to get the tea
Singaporeans love their bubble and milk teas, but only a handful of brands gained a cult following. Along with giants like KOI, Gong Cha, CHICHA San Chen, and local mainstays such as Each A Cup and LiHo, one brand stands out: CHAGEE. Previously known as Ba Wang Cha Ji (霸王茶姬), the brand has gained popularity for its drinks […]
Samsung axes thousands of jobs in global layoff round, including S’porean ones. Why now?
Samsung Electronics is trimming its workforce across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, as part of a global reduction in headcount, reported The Business Times today. These layoffs are reportedly part of a larger strategy to cut jobs in overseas subsidiaries, including Australia and New Zealand, aiming to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency. While Samsung has […]
Only one day’s notice: Dyson’s surprise layoff leaves S’porean employees & union blindsided
Dyson has laid off an undisclosed number of workers in Singapore while conducting a “surprise” layoff on October 1, 2024. With a short one-day notice, employees were left shocked and in a state of “low morale”. The Singapore-headquartered consumer electronics manufacturer performed the retrenchment exercise “very discreetly”, news outlet CNA reported in an article. Those […]
I had to find out why everyone’s crazy over Sony’s vlogging cams, so I tested its latest one
As a long-time DSLR enthusiast, I’m used to the feel and versatility of larger cameras designed for photography. So, when I got my hands on the new Sony ZV-E10 II vlogging camera, paired with the updated E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II lens, I was stepping into unfamiliar territory. While vlogging cameras are known for […]
Why this couple pioneered horse-assisted therapy for kids with special needs in Malaysia
Have you heard of hippotherapy before? And no, it’s not therapy involving hippopotamuses. Hippotherapy is also known as equine-assisted therapy, and refers to a form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. And the very first centre to offer […]
Popular S’pore ice cream brand Udders opens 1st KL store in Mid Valley with unusual flavours
If you’ve ever had a taste of Udders, you’ll know it’s not your typical ice cream brand. Since its inception in 2007, Udders has been capturing the hearts of ice cream lovers in Singapore and beyond with its bold and innovative flavours. From humble beginnings as a small ice cream parlour, Udders has expanded through […]
After 3 biz failures, she found success with her cookie brand that’s grown into a PJ cafe
If you’ve recently strolled through the vibrant suburb of Taman Paramount, a short walk away from the thrifting street, you might have spotted Chunky. It’s hard to miss the brand’s quirky-looking purple signboard next to other stores that have been around for longer. Although the store itself is quite new, the Chunky brand isn’t. In […]
Meet Secret Recipe’s newest addition to its portfolio, a French-inspired patisserie in KL
Recently, I came across a new patisserie brand by the name of Lapisan Pâtisserie (Lapisan) online. Located in Mid Valley Megamall, this spot specialises in French-inspired patisserie, with offerings ranging from cakes to pastries. I didn’t realise at first glance, but the business is actually run by the team behind Secret Recipe. Speaking to […]
First to graduate in her family, this M’sian doctor now runs her own one-stop clinic
[Written in partnership with Panacea Family Clinic, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] Growing up, you probably had a clinic near your home that was your go-to spot for anything medical. Such was the case for Dr Gokilavani Sekar Chandran, who goes by Dr Vani. Hailing from Segambut, Dr Vani’s family never […]
Madison Beer’s support saved this S’porean nail salon, how’s it doing a month later?
Some believe that everyone has their own “lady luck”, whether they are a family member or a mentor at work. For 21-year-old Hazel Wah, owner of nail salon Eden’s Atelier Co., her “lady luck” turned out to be global pop sensation Madison Beer, who made headlines for paying S$3,460 for the salon’s monthly rental on […]
SDEC 2024 will explore the latest trends in semicon, AI & ecommerce, here’s how to join
[This is a sponsored article with Sidec.] Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) is hosting their 9th annual Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this year. The annual Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) is back for its ninth year in October 2024. Hosted by the […]
This S’pore family has built up a vegetarian empire in the nation with 5 brands & counting
Growing up with a vegetarian father, Ai Lin and Ee Ren were more than familiar with Singapore’s vegetarian F&B landscape. Even as kids, it was clear to them that the options were limited. Whether that be a hawker centre or coffee shop, it wasn’t easy for them to find a place to dine at. So […]
People aren’t sending enough mail, so SingPost has shut down 12 branches in 2 yrs
Singapore Post (SingPost) has closed 12 of its post office branches in the last two years, amounting to one in five of its locations, according to The Straits Times. This move comes as part of the company’s effort to stay relevant in a rapidly digitalising world where fewer people rely on traditional mail. With 44 […]
MOM: Higher-income workers in S’pore get twice as many days of paid leave as the bottom ones
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. In a response to a parliamentary query earlier this month, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed that there are distinct differences in average and median days off between different income groups of resident (citizen and PR) workers in the economy. Higher pay […]
5 strategies that have helped Sunway Pyramid thrive, according to the mall’s GM
When Malakat Mall (AKA the viral “ghost mall”) in Cyberjaya announced their closure, we were curious to learn how it met that fate. Its Muslim-friendly concept is unique and can’t easily be found elsewhere. Theoretically speaking, shouldn’t it have been a big hit since Malaysia has such a large Muslim population? But after speaking to […]
