Malaysia’s Cradle has been tapped to lead the ASEAN Startup Initiative, here’s what that means
[Written in partnership with Cradle, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] Established in 2003, Cradle is the focal point agency for Malaysia’s early-stage startups. Administered by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Cradle’s mandate is to fund and support potential and high-calibre tech startups through its grant programmes, CIP […]
COVID-19 made her start a daycation booking site, now it works with 4,500+ hotels globally
Remember a couple years ago when we were all cooped up at home bored out of our minds? Yeah, I’m talking about the pandemic. Almost everyone was struggling in search of something to break out from the monotony that COVID-19 brought on. Singaporean expat Martha Waslen felt exactly the same. She’d usually bring her family […]
From Netflix stardom to court appearances: All of David Yong’s charges so far
If you have watched the Netflix series “Super Rich in Korea”, you might be familiar with David Yong. The 37-year-old Group CEO of Evergreen Group Holdings, whose real name is Yong Khung Lin, is notoriously known as one of Singapore’s top one per cent super-rich, where, like his other castmates, he showcased most of his material […]
M’sian agritech startup BoomGrow collabs with CelcomDigi to launch 5G & AI-powered farms
BoomGrow and CelcomDigi have announced a strategic partnership, an August 29 press release stated. Founded in 2021, BoomGrow provides hyper-local farming solutions designed to create healthier, more sustainable food systems. Through its patent-pending technology, the startup optimises conditions for plant growth, driving indoor vertical farming to new levels of precision and efficiency with reduced environmental […]
This M’sian family biz’s recipe for success is turning classic treats into eye-catching gifts
I’ve always been intrigued by the delicate beauty of madeleines. There’s a reason why their petite, scallop-shaped form and buttery flavour have captivated taste buds for centuries. But there were still surprises to be discovered, such as when I stumbled upon Bliss Curation’s unique take on these classic treats. Their blend of sweet and savoury […]
Flash Coffee hires ex-foodpanda CEO in a bid to reach profitability in Indonesia
There’s no hiding that Singapore-headquartered Flash Coffee has had a few turbulent years. Although the business is still headquartered in Singapore, Flash Coffee had liquidated its local operations last October. Founder and CEO David Brunier and director Sebastian Hannecker reportedly filed for a voluntary winding-up due to its liabilities on October 11. Prior to these reports, baristas […]
As Rotiboy KLCC closes down after 21 yrs, we look back at the Penang-born biz’s 26 Y/O story
After 21 years of service, the Rotiboy outlet at Suria KLCC will be shuttering for the last time on September 8, 2024. The coffee bun brand took to social media to make the bittersweet announcement, thanking customers and their KLCC outlet’s team for their support over the past two decades. “All good things must come […]
25% more S’poreans filed for bankruptcy in H1 2024 compared with 2023, what’s going on?
Recent data by the Ministry of Law shows that there has been an increase in the number of Singaporeans filing for bankruptcy in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period last year. From January to June 2023, 1,871 Singaporeans applied for bankruptcy, whereas from January to June 2024, 2,334 Singaporeans applied for […]
A new standard or the bare minimum? How S’poreans are embracing a healthier work-life balance.
Singaporeans are finally embracing a healthier work-life balance by starting with the basics—leaving work on time. This finding is based on a recent Reddit thread that sparked discussions on whether employees in Singapore stay back past working hours. “I’m working [from] 9AM to 6PM but at 6PM, [the] majority [of] people still stay and don’t […]
Why the Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i became my go-to laptop for work & play after just 2 weeks of use
It’s been one day and I already miss the Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i (14-inch, Gen 9). Who knew spending two weeks with the laptop would make me so attached? The Yoga Pro 7i, which was just recently released in Malaysian markets, is all about power, portability, and connectivity. This came just in time for me, […]
Where can you demand more? SBF survey reveals 7 industries desperate to employ S’poreans.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Continuing the findings from Singapore Business Federation (SBF)’s survey, following forecasts regarding salaries we reported yesterday, let’s look at which industries are starved of Singaporean talent. You would not only have a better chance of landing a job in these industries, but […]
Unhappy with S’pore’s pricey pet-sitting rates, he left retirement to start his own platform
Don’t tell my parents but having a pet as your companion is one of life’s greatest joys. I would know, I used to have 15 cats before moving out of my family home. They filled me with warmth and were always there whenever I needed comfort or a distraction. That said, having a furry (or […]
She started a poké bowl biz right out of uni, now it’s grown to 2 brands and 4 outlets in JB
When Yingying Teo (Jasmine) graduated from Taylor’s University at the age of 22, she didn’t know she was on the brink of starting a culinary revolution in Johor Bahru. Fresh out of her Business (Marketing) programme, she faced a crossroads familiar to many new graduates—finding a job or pursuing a passion. Jasmine chose the latter, […]
Boss’ nightmare or new work perk? We tried no working hours for 2 weeks, here’s our verdict.
From gym memberships to mental health days, there have been many trendy work perks that have come up over the years in an effort to improve employee morale and welfare. One popular benefit is flexible work hours, which has long been a thing. But how about this: no working hours. Of course, we don’t mean […]
Qoo10 reportedly lays off over 80% of its employees, only 20 staff remain in its S’pore office
Homegrown ecommerce platform Qoo10 has reportedly laid off more than 80 per cent of its Singapore-based workforce over the past two weeks. A total of 90 out of 110 staff members in Singapore have been impacted by the layoffs, but they were not offered any benefits due to a lack of funds, revealed former employees […]
S’pore wages to rise by ca. 11% in the next 12 months. Here are your odds of getting a raise.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. A few days ago, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) published a very detailed survey of the domestic business environment. The survey was conducted in July, and here are some key findings out of the impressive 112 page document about your prospects for […]
MDEC CEO Mahadhir Aziz exits after a transformative 3-year tenure
Datuk Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, the CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), will be stepping down from his role on August 31, 2024. This is following the completion of his successful three-year tenure as CEO, which concludes at the end of this month. As Mahadhir embarks on new challenges and opportunities, his departure opens the […]
The Hive closes down its last store in Bangsar after 8 yrs, but that doesn’t mean it’s failed
There was a time, perhaps, when Claire Sancelot would be hesitant to agree that she had led the zero-waste movement in Malaysia. But now, eight years into founding The Hive Eco Store, she’s not afraid to take credit for her work. “Women, you know, usually don’t like to say those kinds of things, but I’m […]
Why almost half of Singaporeans say they will never achieve financial freedom
If you’re not caught up with the news yet, close to half of Singapore residents say financial freedom isn’t a possibility. Specifically, four out of 10 Singapore consumers surveyed believe they’ll never achieve financial freedom based on their current trajectory. This is based on Singlife’s Financial Freedom Index 2024 that was just released two days […]
Thanks to the stacking of new benefits, unemployed S’poreans can receive up to S$4,000/mnth
Following PM Wong’s National Day Rally speech, much attention has been devoted over the past two weeks to the announced Jobseeker Support scheme, the first unemployment benefit scheme in Singapore’s history. Given the watershed moment that it is, it seems that much less focus was given to the even more generous SkillsFuture Level-Up programme, as […]
Today is merging with CNA, will become a digital long-form weekend magazine from Oct 1
Digital newsroom Today will be merged with CNA from October 1 this year. This move will see Today become the digital long-form weekend magazine of CNA. The merger will not result in any staff cuts, and all of Today‘s staff will be offered roles in CNA, said Mediacorp, the parent company of both publications, in […]
“Neither serious nor credible”: MoneySmart rejects MoneyHero’s S$10.5mil acquisition offer
Singapore’s personal finance company, MoneySmart, has firmly rejected a non-binding offer of approximately S$10.5 million (US$8 million) from MoneyHero Group to acquire the company, The Business Times reported. MoneyHero, known for its homegrown fintech platforms Seedly and SingSaver, made the unsolicited offer in August. MoneySmart’s board of directors unanimously decided that the approach was “neither […]
In just a yr, this ex-corporate leader bootstrapped two 6-figure indoor playgrounds in S’pore
It’s not often you hear of someone ditching their careers in the lucrative tobacco and alcohol industry to run a child-centric business. But this is exactly what Sophia Ng, the founder of Kidztropic (an indoor kids playground in Singapore), did. So… why? “The decision to change my career path was heavily influenced by my experiences […]
These 3 IT colleagues quit their careers to popularise potato rosti burgers in Malaysia
Who would’ve thought three former Information Technology (IT) colleagues would trade their keyboards for frying pans? Trio Potatoes, the brainchild of Tan Jih Soong (Soong), Tan Jin Xuan (Jin Xuan), and Chai Hao Xuan (Hao Xuan), emerged from a shared desire to escape the monotony of office life. At 28 years old, these three friends […]
Despite failed expansions, Taman Paramount’s Awesome Canteen is still going strong 11 yrs in
If you love cafe hopping, thrifting, or both, you would likely know about the haven that is Taman Paramount. And one of the stalwarts of the neighbourhood is none other than Awesome Canteen. Established in November 2013, Awesome Canteen has been operating for nearly 11 years. It was founded by Diane Ong along with her […]
Forbes Asia’s 100 To Watch 2024: 15 S’porean startups that made the list & what they do
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore might not always make headlines, but they’ve certainly captured the attention of investors. 15 homegrown startups have earned spots on this year’s Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, and they are anything but small in impact, offering a range of innovative solutions from space technology to advanced healthcare […]
Forbes Asia ’24: Investors’ eyes are on these 4 M’sian startups, yours should be too
Forbes Asia has dropped its 100 to Watch list, and not one, not two, but four Malaysian startups have been included this year. Unlike other round-ups by Forbes Asia such as its 50 Richest list, the 100 to Watch list primarily focuses on smaller companies and startups that have managed to raise funding from investors. […]
Taking medicine literally: This pharmacy launched Malaysia’s 1st smart medication lockers
Have you ever needed to pick up some medicine but all the pharmacies have closed? Or perhaps felt embarrassed about needing specific types of medication? Well, Alpro Pharmacy might just have the solution you need. Recently, the homegrown pharmacy company launched Na-Yao, which literally translates to “get medicine” in Mandarin Chinese. Na-Yao is a secure, […]
How this cute trailer selling fresh durians around KL is empowering farmers in Kelantan
Originally from Gua Musang, Kelantan, Mok has grown a deep interest in entrepreneurship over the years. Specifically, he’s interested in areas of it that celebrate local culture and community. This passion is what led him to start Kutip. Not just your usual durian brand, Kutip prides itself on its sourcing, working closely with durian farmers to […]
How AI-driven yuu Rewards Club simplifies loyalty and maximises savings for S’poreans
When it comes to loyalty programmes, Chen Peng, the Chief Executive Officer of minden.ai, is a seasoned expert. With over 20 years in the industry, his career has been dedicated to building and refining loyalty programmes across Southeast Asia. His journey began in 2003 when he worked on a coalition loyalty programme in Singapore—a challenging […]
