How did ArtKred come about?
It all began when I received a simple gift from a friend who went to Belgium. It made me want to know more about the art-buying industry and I ended up discussing the ArtKred idea with friends and family. The more I talked to artists, the more I liked the idea, and after lots of research and planning, I launched ArtKred in September 2011.

What’s up with the local arts scene?
It has a lot to offer. The artists within this space are rapidly emerging with fresh ideas, great stories and the potential to be world class. But as always, we need to do more to groom them and showcase their work.

How do you scout for talent to feature on ArtKred?
We browse sources we’ve found ourselves online or through referrals. We also put ourselves out there so that emerging artists can reach out directly to us.

With platforms like the Affordable Art Fair and Vue Privée flourishing in Singapore, how do you differentiate yourselves?
Our core strategy differs from others—we employ emerging tech trends to our advantage when showcasing and marketing the works of our artists. This way, we make them as accessible as possible to art lovers around the world.

What’s your motivation?
ArtKred started as a simple idea but has quickly turned into a passion with potential rewards. The monetary aspect is secondary to us—our main aim is to create value for artists and art lovers—but we understand it’s necessary to sustain the team.

What does it take to launch your own startup?
A good team and a healthy market are really important. Without them, the startup will not be able to build a decent product, much less sustain itself.

Who are some people you look up to?
I am the kind of person who has great respect for my child's kindergarten teacher, the Bangladeshi construction worker and the photographer who last took a picture of me. I am an identical twin, which means I've become pretty good at looking and reflecting on what another person is doing.

What are the five tools essential to having a healthy bank of ideas?
Take a lot of time off to give your brain time to think, isolate yourself so your brain can think up its own ideas, play with your kids to remind your brain to be curious about everyday things, change your environment so you are always reminded that there are many ways to do something, and avoid getting stuck in email and admin work each day. I just came back from a six-week island vacation in Sweden with my family and my brain is just boiling over with ideas.

Describe the most inspiring moment you've had in the past year.
The day I finished the construction of my new house on my island in Sweden. It's now the most inspirational place I have to sit and write my books. It's a crazy house that looks like a bird's nest!

What do you do with your ideas when they enter your head?
I write them down in The Idea Book so that I don't forget them! I dreamt a great idea last night and didn't find a pen and forgot it when i woke up. Still annoyed about that!

Has anyone you've ever spoken to in an audience made an impact on you?
I've spoken to over 1,500 different audiences but if I had to pick just one person, it'd have to be a 16-year-old girl I met in Sweden. She was so depressed she skipped school for six weeks and laid in bed the whole time. One day, her friend came over and showed her one of my speeches on YouTube. After that, she got up, went to the school principal and scolded him for not caring enough about depressed students. She also pushed the government to start a project for depressed young women—she succeeded. After, she set up a record company, went on tour with a Swedish rock star and had famous American songwriters mentor her. Talk about a speech changing a person's life.

What makes a city a great launchpad for startups?
My latest book One World. One Company talks about looking at your company as a global company—startup companies should follow that lead. A great launchpad city is one that makes its entrepreneurs think more globally. And this is the reason why I live in Singapore, though the startup scene here is still in its infancy.  

How has the publication of The Idea Book changed your life?
It has taken me around the world. Thanks to the book, I have been invited to speak in more than 45 countries from Iran to Iceland, and that has made me think about the world as one, instead of in terms of countries.

Asia on the Edge—who should be there?
People who want to know what's going on.

Asia on the Edge - Creative Mapping of Asia is happening September 7-9, 9am at The Arts House. See video below for an idea of what Fredrik Härén's speeches are like.

How did SAYS come about and where is it going?
SAYS was born out of conversations with advertising friends, who wanted new ways of engaging social media users with great content. We used SAYS to popularize a group buying site I co-founded called GroupsMore.com, which was later acquired by Groupon. Some of my former team members still run Groupon Malaysia and other Asia Pacific offices today. This is why I believe in what SAYS can do and replicating its power in new markets is naturally, the next step.

What was it like when you first launched?
SAYS first took off in 2010 in Malaysia, where there was a very active social media population. It was a very good test location for a global social media company and the response was encouraging. We grew to over 400,000 users, reached half the social media population in the country with our campaigns and worked with 70 of the country’s largest advertisers.

Why did you to decide to expand into Singapore?
My mom is Singaporean and I come back to visit family very often so it’s like my second home. We’re still testing the waters at the moment but with several thousand users and seven major advertisers signed up, it feels like it’s off to a good start.

Does the style of usage differ across the markets?
Yes and no. Some things don’t change. Users such as those in India and the Philippines, enjoy news and sharing them with friends. Australian users however, seem to have a different motivation behind sharing. It’s early days yet and we still have a lot to learn about the usage metrics. The landscape is also evolving. But as we launch more features, we’ll find out more about what’s important to focus on.

Local start-ups have invested in similar ventures—what do you think of them?
I like how quick Gushcloud rolls out new features. It seems that all of us are trying to crack this model in a major but scalable way. There’s a lot to learn from each other as we fine-tune our approaches.

What’s been some of your biggest challenges?
The scene is heating up and more players are making their moves in the key markets. Rocket Internet has even launched a clone of SAYS. Right now, we’re striving to innovate and scale faster while keeping quality standards. This stretches us a team and we’re excited about the challenge.

What do you think of the Singapore start-up scene?
It’s fun. I was speaking at the most recent Echelon event and am impressed by how Singapore is shaping up to be a great hub for startup activity.

What do you foresee for SAYS in the next five years?
As a product, it’ll be something useful to millions of people. As a company, it has to be a game-changing workplace. We’ve recently been featured on WorldBlu’s list of the World’s Most Democratic Workplaces alongside Zappos.com and it’s a small step towards what we really want to create: a great company that truly improves lives.
 

How did you come up with the idea for this company?
Tay Lay Suan: We noticed that travel agencies could not cater specifically to our needs, interests and safety requirements. On top of this, we found our female friends often unable to find travel companions.

What were the biggest challenges you faced?
TLS: Women-only tours have been around in the West for more than 10 years. However, getting Asian customers to buy into this new concept takes time and patience.

Do you have any advice for budding entrepreneurs?
TLS: Be prepared to do what it takes and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. After all, you only live once.

How do you see the business growing over time?
Anna Koh: Singaporeans love traveling. Women, whether single, married or retired do it. We expect our business to show healthy growth.

Why was the Singapore market suitable?
AK: Ladies in Singapore are adventurous, mature and sophisticated. They want to interact with foreign people and experience overseas culture. At the same time, they enjoy doing feminine things and like to travel without their family in tow.

What do you think of the startup scene in Singapore?
AK: Definitely vibrant! New businesses are sprouting everyday and the founders are younger too.

What are your expansion plans?
AK: Our target is to add 10 new locations in the next 12 months. We will also extend our reach to women outside of Singapore, to the entire region.

Three guys and a nail parlor—that’s a little unconventional. Whose idea was it?
Yijin runs Portrait International, a distribution company representing BioSculpture Gel, as well as other skincare and lifestyle brands supplied to salons and spas. He was the one who turned the integration of nail art with fashion into a business idea.

What was it like starting up?
Aside from the usual problems like finance and managing manpower in an industry we’re clearly unfamiliar with, the biggest challenge was being uncertain about the public’s response. Thankfully, things have worked out considerably well but we still have a long way to go in improving ourselves.

Have you done anything radical in the name of research?
In Singapore, you hardly see guys with buffed nails, much less guys wearing nail polish. Most guys we’ve asked about this immediately shy away, as if doing your nails is a sign you’ve lost your manhood. In that sense, everything we’ve done in the name of research—from learning about nail polish and gel manicures to experimenting with cutesy nail art—has been radical.

What do you think of the startup scene in Singapore?
It’s blooming, thanks to admirable efforts by government bodies in encouraging startups without intervening directly in them. Aside from the well-marketed funding programmes by SPRING Singapore, there are also underlying advantages that startups enjoy sometimes without even realizing, such as the country’s political stability and consistent economic growth. Singapore is a startup haven, and its people are just beginning to realize that.

How did you come up with the idea for this business?
I thought of the idea when I first moved to Asia back in 2008. Having to entertain corporate clients and guests as part of my job, I was constantly looking for a reliable site with good restaurant and bar recommendations. None of the existing sites actually gave good overviews, lists of menus, promotions, quality images and provided the convenience of online booking. I felt the need for a site that provides all that and rewards loyal users.

How did you come up with the company name?
It comes from the word “Abracadabra”. The word Abra also means “I have created” in Aramaic. I’ve created a new exciting option for those looking for good food and an easy way to make reservations.

Was it difficult to leave your job in banking?
Yes, it was difficult to take the leap of faith, say goodbye to regular paychecks for a while and adjust to a whole new lifestyle. No one can prepare you to run a startup. I've gathered three degrees and worked in different organizations, but the only way to learn how to be an entrepreneur is to be one! I am still learning.

You have 42 restaurants now. How quickly do you intend to expand?
We are not looking to just add to our numbers. I do not foresee having many more than 100 restaurants in Singapore. Our diners only want to visit the leading restaurants suitable for business engagements.

What do you think of the Singapore restaurant scene?
Singapore’s restaurant scene is extremely vibrant! It has grown immensely since my first visit four years ago. It’s all about fusion where east meets west.

How would you describe TinyFry’s if it was a person?
TinyFry’s is everyone’s favorite uncle, a kindly, approachable fellow with a twinkle in his eye and time for everyone. He is someone who knows when to just let you be yourself and when to dispense advice.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to turn this into a business venture.
My “eureka” moment was when I went to buy a camera about two years ago. The salesperson said, “Aiyah, why you want Canon, buy Nikon lah better!” I still left with the Canon G11 I wanted, but somehow felt less excited about it. That was when I realized that while gadgets have become easier and more fun to use, shopping for them hadn’t changed—it was still unnecessarily stressful.

Why do you think TinyFry’s worksin Singapore?
Our Millenia Walk outlet looks like a fast food restaurant and the one at Republic Plaza looks like a bakery—I think it is this that attracts people through our doors. Once inside, customers will realize that our product offerings are unusual and our prices low and transparent.

What do you think of the Singapore startup scene?
There seem to be more young entrepreneurs now than ever (or perhaps I’m just getting old) and that heartens me. I sincerely hope they are getting the support they need from financial institutions, the government, media, customers and fellow businesses.

Whose work do you admire most?
I first met the managing director of Spa Esprit Group, Cynthia Chua, as a young writer many years ago. Her vision, energy and nose for trends impressed me then and still do.

Any advice for a fellow entrepreneur?
It’s wise to surround yourself with people whose strengths are the exact things you’re weak in.

What’s a MakeShake?
It’s a customized milkshake—you can pick from ingredients like breakfast tea, chocolate fudge and cream cheese, and even throw in sweet treats like gummy bears and Hello Panda biscuits to create your own flavors.

How did you get this idea?
It was my friend (and co-founder) Seth’s idea. He was a bartender and had always been interested in mixing drinks. He also loves milkshakes.

You switched from doing PR for local live venue TAB to realizing an enterprise. What do you like about the way you work now?
I love meeting people and making my own decisions. Since I’m my own boss, I’m answerable only to myself and that allows me the flexibility to make changes quickly. It’s better to run your own ship than to be stuck in the office.

What were some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to face?
Building a brick and mortar business is a really big first step into entrepreneurship. We’ve had this idea for two years but only managed to execute it this year. Execution’s a major challenge.

What’s it like starting a business in Singapore?
Tough. Budgeting can be a real issue with the rental costs being as high as they are. You really need a steady capital.

How do you like the local startup scene?
Most of the startups in Singapore are IT-based, but Singapore is getting better. I have many friends now who share my aspirations and are willing to take risks, but we need more people who dare to be operationally-involved in their business.

Was it your love for sports that got you started?
Yes, definitely. I started doing sports regularly after I realized that my liver would not last very long if I continued with the way I was living—barhopping and socializing late into the night—in Dubai, where I’d co-founded an investment advisory boutique. I became fond of sports not only because it kept me fit, but also because it allowed me to make new friends. When I moved back to Singapore, I had an urge to set up a business and sports immediately came to mind.

What was the process like starting out?
It took about one day to put a rough plan and financial projections together. After I’d done that, I shared my idea with everyone who was willing to listen to it, hoping for someone to tell me how bad it was. No one did and in September 2011, I took over the operations of a futsal court operator in Punggol and haven’t looked back since.

What has been your proudest moment from this journey?
I don’t have just one proud moment—each time we complete an event, whether it’s a recreational sport open night or a tournament, is a proud moment for my team and I. People seem to think that event organization happens overnight, but in order to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, we work 12-hour days everyday. Nothing beats seeing a smile on the clients’ face.

Any less than positive feedback so far?
When we first invested in our indoor street basketball court, people said we were crazy. They were right about the abundance of courts in Singapore, but they’d missed the point. We cater to the “after-work athlete”, and having an indoor court that opens till late (we usually play basketball till 2am in the morning) makes absolute sense!

How would you describe Playlor! if it was a friend?
Playlor! is someone who brings out the best in me.

What makes Feecha different from other similar concept apps?
The local, neighborly aspect is what makes Feecha unique. A post about an amazing curry dish or a sales promotion around the corner is more relevant than something similar posted from halfway across the world on Facebook or Twitter. On Feecha, the people you talk to and the things you talk about literally share common ground.

How do you see it growing over time?
Feecha will grow one neighborhood at a time, from Tiong Bahru to Menlo Park, and then to Harlem and Mongkok. Currently, we have made Feecha available only in Singapore. Once we have achieved that and completed the Android version, we will begin to roll out Feecha globally.

Why did you choose to start it up here?
Singapore is an ideal location because for many of us, Singapore is home. It also has an excellent infrastructure and business environment though we wish it had better mobile internet. Is there any reason really for Singapore to lag so much behind Korea and Japan? Other than that, it’s an ideal test market—Singaporeans are English-speaking, smartphone-savvy, geographically isolated and quite frankly, fickle consumers. If we can win in Singapore, we can win anywhere.

What do you think of the startup scene in Singapore?
It’s young and it’s growing. I’ve been impressed with all the energy, variety, government support and media interest. We attended both Echelon and Startup Asia, which are two excellent startup events. The foundation is there for a Google to emerge from Singapore. There are still some elements missing, though. Singapore lacks mentors who have been a part of building a world class venture—everyone seems to be figuring things out for the first time. The mentorship model is what makes tech scenes like those in Silicon Valley, New York and Israel successful. Also, a lot of Singapore’s best go into finance, medicine and law, and even those with engineering backgrounds prefer to work for large corporations. Starting may be easy in Singapore but finding enough talent to scale may be a challenge. We’ve also been told that Singaporeans are not too supportive of local companies—their apps are often seen as inferior.

What have been some of the challenges involved in getting Feecha off the ground?
New users’ first instinct is to use Feecha like they do Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Instagram. When they do, they miss out on Feecha’s unique potential to help the user learn about a location and interact with the people in it. Our challenge has been to show users what new things are possible with Feecha. Fortunately, many have responded to our efforts with unbelievable engagement.

Is it already being used in ways you hadn’t foreseen?
We initially set out thinking Feecha was going to be a geographic directory of interesting things with social elements to it; something people check for a couple of minutes a day. What has surprised us is the unprecedented amount of social interaction and time that have gone into its usage—people love that they are interacting with others near them. They love Feecha’s “neighborhood feel”. We had two musicians who lived in the same area interacting for the first time over their common passion. It is those kinds of interactions that we have been floored to see. Feecha has become like a watering hole where animals from all walks of life in the same savannah can come together and hang out.