Supporting Our Startup Community

In the startup scene, it’s pretty common to see people stepping up to help one another, especially the young founders who are just diving into this wild world. It’s like a big family reunion, where we have a mix of seasoned pros who’ve been around for decades and fresh faces ready to take their first entrepreneurial leap.

Some of these folks might have been retrenched after years in the corporate grind, while others are finally saying, “Why not?” and giving entrepreneurship a shot. Each person comes with their own unique story and experience—some might not even need help, but when they do, I really hope our ecosystem is there to lend a hand.

Whether it’s free advice (which we all love), paid workshops, seminars, or just sharing some kopi over a chat, there are always people willing to support. It’s like having a safety net made of good vibes and shared knowledge!

Now, as some of you might know, I come from an unprivileged background. So I truly believe that when you connect the right people with the right skills, it can make a world of difference in their careers and lives.

Back when I started my business during my first year at polytechnic—studying Material Engineering, mind you—there wasn’t any startup ecosystem like we have today. Just a bunch of uncles hanging out at pubs or KTVs, talking big about business while sipping their beers. The support system was practically non-existent, and let me tell you, the odds of making it big in a startup were slimmer than my chances of winning the lottery!

Fast forward 30 years and after gathering some experience (and a few successes), I’m here to pay it forward. I want to support those brave enough to step out of their comfort zones and make changes in their lives. Because honestly, there’s nothing more fulfilling than building a decent business that brings both money and happiness to our families.

So let’s keep this spirit alive! Together, we can create an environment where everyone has a chance to thrive!