John T. Email & Phone Number

Singapore

Leading our engagement strategy with key stakeholders in the VC ecosystem:- Policy makers- Limited Partners- Startup Founders- Service ProvidersI strive to help make introductions that would maximise success for individuals and organisations.

Singapore

My original career plan, if I did not stumble into startups as a youth, was to work in the government. Part of the Futures, Strategy & Plans Division, then was a Founding member of the Intelligence & Futures team which studied global trends what would impact Singapore's economy.Felt that it was the right juncture to try getting into one of our country's economic agencies. Was fortunate to be able to join HQ despite my non-conventional background. My time in public service helped me gain immense appreciation for Singapore's growth and trajectory, and a lot of respect for individuals who shape the nation's growth behind the scenes.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai Huaxiang is a leading Chinese manufacturer for the global fashion industry, producing sweater products for top global brands such as Burberry, Versace and Zara.With the advent of fast fashion and manufacturing, the company founder who began as a local seamstress wanted to ensure that her workers were well taken care of even in the times of hyper growth.This guided our mission to create a foundation that:- Paid for medical bills for all current and ex-workers, especially for serious medical conditions which no longer allowed them to work- Paid for the further education of children of low wage workers so that lack of finances would not stop them from learning as a means out of the low income bracketI also leveraged the manufacturing capabilities of the company to develop a new streetwear brand called "OVERWORKED" which was showcased at fashion shows in China. All brand conceptualisation and development was done with Singapore creative talents.

Singapore

At the age of 17 years old, I endeavoured to raise funds for children growing up in rural parts of Asia so that they would pursue their education. Together with Justine Lee and Lim Jing Ying, we founded Soule which stood for "A sole for every soul". We created a brand that sold flip flops, sunglassess and accessories which channelled part of its profits towards social causes. This was the early days of Social Enterprise and played our small part in advancing that business model. The mission started with providing school shoes to children studying in rural mountainous regions, so that they had the proper footwear to walk to school. It expanded to sponsoring doctors and nurses on medical humanitarian trips to natural disaster zones in South East Asia. Soule were eventually hired by larger corporations as consultants to help craft their CSR policies and projects. This included clientele like Meiji & Samsung. Together with our clients, we impacted hundreds of lives with true philanthropic efforts.This journey lasted 7 years as the founding team decided to pursue our respective career & personal dreams, after building a company which took up all of our youth.

Bachelor'S Degree, International Business, Second Class Upper Honors

Diploma Of Education, Business Studies With Option In Entrepreneurship