31 good men making Singapore a better place

The guys curating co-living spaces

1/21

Yoan Kamalski and Zenos Schmickrath, Hmlet.

French CEO Yoan Kamalski, 29, and his American co-founder Zenos Schmickrath, 37, built Hmlet based on their own millennial needs: flexible leases (commit for three months minimum); a desire to connect with like-minded individuals; and a desire for great living spaces.

Rates start at $1,300 for a room and include utilities, weekly cleaning and quarterly servicing. Hmlet works with landlords to transform rooms and update the furniture for locals and expats. It introduces comfy cribs, provides convenience and creates a community for its residents in Asia (it acquired direct competitor We R Urban in July). It’s also active in Hong Kong.

The Singapore Hmlet is fully managing co-living buildings in Joo Chiat and Newton; the latter has more common spaces like a rooftop area and a pool.

Co-living is unlike living in a serviced apartment. There’s an emphasis on meeting great people – Yoan and Zenos are confident in their roommate-matching capabilities, and they organise regular social events.

Does your landlord organise bar takeovers at watering holes like Claypots Full Circle and Artemis? Didn’t think so.

The duo recognise that it’s important to build a network and friendships outside of work. But living well isn’t just about living in good company; it’s also about convenience. Since launching in 2016, Hmlet has introduced on- demand services such as hiring cleaners to do your laundry, iron your clothes and tidy your room. It is working on partnerships with F&B outlets, and wants residents to be able to order groceries easily too. Like online stores rolling out new apps, Hmlet will add new services in the future.

 

The guy giving us local popcorn flavours

2/21

Zac Chua, The Kettle Gourmet.

Plain ol’ sweet and savoury snacks just cannot make it anymore, and The Kettle Gourmet’s flavours – teh tarik, bak kwa and chicken rice (yes, believe it) – have proven to be a blessing and a viable business. The company has been selling 300 to 500 bags of popcorn daily – to corporate pantries as well – since last year. And the popcorn is now in petite 30g packs, sold at $10 for three.

“I was inspired when I saw a woman smuggling nasi lemak into the cinema. I was eating popcorn and thought: Why not infuse it within the popcorn? It would be more convenient, for sure,” says Zac Chua, 27, of his epiphany. (Sadly, nasi lemak popcorn didn’t quite make the cut, as Zac didn’t fancy being too trendy.)

Zac had previously dabbled in gaming apps and sold T-shirts, and the entrepreneur always knew he wanted to be his own boss. The Singapore Management University graduate started The Kettle Gourmet for less than $100: He created a website for under $10, bought a logo from a design marketplace for $7, and printed 50 name cards for $4. But he also hustled, built a Network, and adapted along the way.

Starting out, he tapped on a friend with a knack for baking. Now, he has a small team of bakers who bake the popcorn by hand daily in a central kitchen in Tai Seng.

They first chose flavours based on popular Singapore dishes, because Zac wanted the snacks to appeal to locals. Then he introduced seasonal varieties like bak kwa and Baileys for Chinese New Year and Christmas.

He also got lucky: The accidental start-up took off after he tested out the popcorn at a tech event. And he’s put the business lessons he learnt to good use. His late father was a venture capitalist who taught him the value of the dollar.

“When we first started, we sold individual bags, but then we realised that locking in pantry orders for an entire year helps us manage cash flow,” he explains.

What’s next? “I want to build an F&B conglomerate to introduce other snacks in addition to popcorn. That’s the end goal,” says Zac. He has already bought a chilli sauce company in Vietnam. Great, but Zac, we’re still holding out for that nasi lemak popcorn.

 

The guy helping us ship our stuff more affordably

3/21

Wiebe Helder, Cargobase.

Imagine a day in the near future: You’re in Milan, and have just bought some furniture, and maybe 25 cases of wine too. To ship it, you open an app, enter your requirements, and are hooked up to freighters with the lowest cost. You pick one. Done. You continue shopping.

The reality is that freighting heavy stuff is complex, intimidating and expensive. Whether you’re a big corp or a regular person, when you have to deal with a logistics company or a freight forwarder, it’s very expensive – it’s worth repeating. (Have you ever tried to ship a vintage car to Singapore?)

But someone has found a way to leave out the middleman, streamline the process, and save you a lot of money. Cargobase, a software company in Singapore, “helps Fortune 500 companies to automate the buying, tracking and invoicing process of freight services”, explains Wiebe, 33, the founder and CEO.

Think of it as Tinder for shipping. By connecting businesses and shippers directly, the service eliminates the need for expensive intermediaries. After some initial resistance from the industry, which was unwilling or unable to see a problem with the existing system, Cargobase eventually won over supporters in freight forwarding, like DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, and Panalpina – all happy to get on board. So while this platform is five years old, with 50,000 successful shipments,

Wiebe has just launched phase two of the project: Cargobase Mercado is here to help small and medium businesses find suitable logistics partners. And soon, this platform will be open to you, the flustered consumer. “The logistics industry runs predominantly on e-mail and spreadsheets, and that inspired me to create this platform. I received about 1,000 e-mails daily while I was working for freight forwarders, and it was driving me nuts. I realised there had to be a more efficient way,” Wiebe adds. Turns out, one of the oldest industries in the world was due a technological kick up its butt.

The guys making better and affordable contact lenses

4/21

Darryn Tan, Javad Namazie and Casey Ng, Two of a Kind.

Before Two of a Kind was launched, contact lens users weren’t exactly spoilt for choice. You essentially had to filter down to two options: Either pay a heavy mark-up for top-of- the-range lenses, or sacrifice quality for more pocket-friendly prices. Now, thanks to Singapore entrepreneurs Darryn, 39, and Javad, 39, the country’s first direct-to-consumer contact lens brand is making well-fitting, well-priced alternatives available.

The company’s subscription-based model for daily contact lenses - flexible options from monthly to annual plans -  is revolutionary. By being the first to bridge the gap between manufacturers and clients, it effectively eliminates a significant amount of profit margins on the supply chain which could push the retail price as high as 15 times the production cost. Basis, the brand’s unique daily hydrogel lens start at $18.75 to $25 per sleeve of 30 pieces, a third of the price of the competition, claims Darryn who is the co-founder and CEO of Two of a Kind.

There’s no compromise on quality, either. The lenses are made using a wet cast-moulding method, which means they don’t need to be rehydrated, so they have more consistent dimensions. As a result, Basis lenses have a smoother surface finish and a truer fit, so comfort is optimised. And fit is key to Two of a Kind (www. twooak.com). “‘One size fits all’ is a farce,” explains Darryn. “Individual fit is as important as quality. Our eyes are unique and complicated – all of us are two of a kind.”

That’s why all new customers receive an eye examination (compulsory before ordering) with the company’s in-house optometrists – led by lead optometrist Casey, 27 – as well as a free trial pair of lenses, no strings attached.

“We give each customer a thorough examination, but on top of that, instead of just checking their eyes so that we can prescribe a lens, we explain things so they understand a little bit more about their eyes and how they work,” Javad, co-founder and COO, elaborates. “We’ve found that most people really appreciate the consultations (at the brand’s North Canal Road shop) and these discussions with our optometrists. Our optometrists are really the stars of the show – we just answer phone calls and make coffee!”

The guy educating us on climate change

5/21

Professor Winston Chow, National University of Singapore.

Professor Winston Chow, 40, is one of three Singapore-based academics selected by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to contribute in 2021 to an international report on climate change. From heatwaves to rising sea levels, the issue is very real and could overwhelm Singapore. So for the next two years, Prof Chow will be ploughing through scientific literature and policy papers. His authorship will focus on East and South-east Asian coastal cities. The challenge is to distil all the information into a very short chapter and advise government officials on what has been done and what can be done.

“For instance, Singapore will be implementing a carbon tax this year. A decision partly made due to the results of previous reports, it’s to help stimulate investment in renewable energy,” he explains.

In the National University of Singapore assistant professor’s chapter, he’ll be the lead author in how cities, settlements and their key infrastructure are impacted by climate change. He was nominated by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, which passed on his resume to the UN body.

His impetus, though, was more modest. “When we were growing up, my two brothers constantly asked why Singapore was so hot. Whether we were out for makan, playing football, or at the beach,” says Prof Chow, explaining that his childhood adventures were what initially sparked his interest in climate change.

He guest lectures at other universities, junior colleges and secondary schools to give teachers the latest updates on his work (to educate the next generations). He covers updates on how climate change affects our everyday lives, and sometimes includes big-picture information that can’t be gleaned from textbooks, such as what’s happening here in real time (our erratic rainfall patterns, for example).

The IPCC work is pro bono and time-consuming. According to Prof Chow, the joke that academia takes up 24 hours a day couldn’t be more accurate. A lot of time is spent keeping up to date with scientific articles and policy papers, even if they’re not directly related to his area of research. But the father of two says: “My wife and I want our kids to know that their lives would be tremendously affected by climate change. And that at least I tried to make a difference at the level that I was asked to.”

The guy bringing the beats to the masses

Credit: Photo credit: Jared Rezel/ Colossal Photos

6/21

Manfred Lim, DJ and EDM producer.

Manfred (stage name Myrne), 23, is the first Singaporean to play at electronic music festivals Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and Tomorrowland in Belgium (crowd sizes: 165,000 and 185,000 respectively).

He also co-produced I Wanna Know, the lead single of American DJ-producer RL Grime’s latest album (after the latter hit him up on Twitter). And in March, Manfred’s first full-length album, (B4nger Project) with Singapore singer-songwriter Gentle Bones was released.

So you could say this student (still studying political science at Singapore Management University!) has had quite a year. And to think, it all started because of... the late Swedish DJ Avicii? Manfred was particularly intrigued by a hit song the mega-popular DJ Avicii (who passed away in April this year) had remixed, and started delving into his discography.

“In a video of Avicii working in a studio, there was a lot of fancy equipment and mixing desks, but he wasn’t using any of it. He was just on his computer,” Manfred says. It made him realise that he could do it too. This was in 2012.

Manfred worked on his technique, and also scavenged for obscure dance records – from the sparse syncopated rhythms of dubstep to throbbing bass music – to learn about different genres. “It gave me a clear idea of what other musicians had done, and what holes in the electronic music fabric were left for newcomers like me to fill.”

Since then, he has gone from performing at chalet parties for friends to DJing across the world. Yes, he’s worked hard, but luck certainly played a part.

He was visiting friends in Los Angeles when he met Brownies & Lemonade, the events group that showcases under-the-radar acts.

“They invited me to play on stage at Ultra Miami,” he says. “At Ultra Miami and Tomorrowland, I saw the flags of different countries and thought ‘this is sweet’ – that the sets I played in Singapore with my friends could be played in Europe, and the audience could like it too.

What I want to be is a pioneer of a kind of music that can transcend borders,” says Manfred, who was signed to American DJ Diplo’s music label Mad Decent.

Next, he aspires to be a singer-songwriter, introducing his own lyrics, melodies and vocals. “I’m trying to turn off the metronome and strip back to an analogue piece of work. So that even if it’s playing in the background of a cafe, it won’t feel out of place,” he explains. Myrne will be performing at It’s The Ship, Asia’s largest music festival at sea, from Nov 4-7, 2018.

The guy championing gender diversity on company boards

7/21

Lawrence Loh, NUS Business School and Center for Governance, Institutions and organisations.

Associate Professor Lawrence Loh’s mission is to wake businesses to the reality that it’s in their self-interest to hire more women business leaders, a finding based on science and data research. “We found that the more women directors you have on the board, the better the corporate governance performance. And the latter results in better financial performance,” he says, citing the findings of the gender diversity study (published in February) completed by his team at the NUS Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations.

The takeaway: Companies should make a conscious effort to seek out individuals, including women who have the right attributes, and not discount them because they aren’t men. Since publishing the study, he has spoken with the press and on panels to educate corporations on his findings. And he partnered with the Diversity Action Committee (DAC), an advocacy group comprising prominent members of the Singapore business community, to get the word out.

According to DAC, the proportion of all-male boards in SGX-listed companies is 49 per cent as of June. That’s still a whole lot. And while the professor is lecturing on the business aspects of academia, he wants to make real-world impact by providing information that corporations can put into practice – which the father of two says he’s already moving forward.

Next up, he plans to look at the effects of gender diversity on other aspects of company processes such as sustainability (environmental, social and governance issues) and business integrity (anti-corruption).

The guy taking award winning nature photos

8/21

Jayaprakash Bojan, photographer.

Jayaprakash Bojan, 42, a Singapore-based Nature photographer, made headlines last year when he clinched the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award. The winning shot – which beat 11,000 others, shows a male orang utan peering out from behind a tree in a river in Tanjung Puting national park in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The photographer credits the win to research and planning, as well as input from locals who knew the area best.

“I knew that proboscis monkeys were good swimmers, and I asked if there were any in the area,” recalls Jayaprakash. Instead, someone asked if he had seen orangutans in the river. It was surprising, for the primates were known to be afraid of water.

Intrigued, Jayaprakash rented a houseboat and staked out the spot with a friend and four rangers. They spent two days subsisting on coffee and instant noodles before they saw the elusive orang utan on the third morning. By then, he knew how he wanted to take the picture.

“I prefer to take pictures at eye level because it gives you a more intimate perspective,” he explains. It required going into water that rose to chest level – a risky move, because there could have been crocodiles in there – but he trusted the rangers to watch his back. “I spoke a lot about what I was planning to do, and the rangers actually helped me figure out which parts had a lower water level. We guessed that the orang utan would cross there, and were reasonably correct.”

In Jayaprakash’s winning shot, the orang utan is peering out from behind a tree to see if he is still there. The picture piqued the judges’ curiosity because it captured the animal’s vulnerable expression; the partially submerged orangutan was portrayed in a way not seen before.

On dry land, Jayaprakash teaches twice a week at M.A.D. School (a marketing, advertising and design school in Merchant Road), where he is an associate lecturer. And this year, he was one of the photographers engaged by National Geographic when it released a Singapore edition of the magazine. Although he started to focus seriously on nature photography only four years ago (he previously worked in IT), it came quite naturally to Jayaprakash, who grew up in the hills of Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, India – where his parents still live.

“People talk about conservation, but it’s hard and very tricky. My logic is simple – you’ll take care of something when you love it. As a wildlife photographer, my end goal is just for more people to fall in love with wildlife and nature.” He’s currently photographing primates for a book, which he reckons will take at least another year to complete.

The guy showing us that big ideas can be achieved on small budgets

9/21

David Liu, Aeronaut VR.

With Aeronaut VR, a virtual reality music video starring Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, David Liu, 35, became the first Singaporean to win the Digital Craft Grand Prix at this year’s prestigious Cannes Lion awards. He nabbed the accolade together with his co-director, Rob Ruffler, vice-president of Viacom Next.

The collaboration with the rock star might not have happened if David, who was working as creative director of VR at Viacom Next in New York, hadn’t met Ken Waagner from digital agency Isobar. Through him, David found out that Corgan was interested in the new possibilities VR technology presented, but had visions of a project on a mega level.

With David’s colleague, Rob, they managed to pivot frontman Corgan from a big-budget mindset to a more low-cost, low-key approach, but with ideas that were still grand in scale. They proposed something that could be done quickly and in time for his Aeronaut single launch, off his second solo album Ogilala, which was just a few months away from being released.

Rock great Corgan was sold. Rob persuaded Microsoft to give them unprecedented access to its proprietary holographic capture technology – Mixed Reality Capture Studios, which makes it possible to capture a performer in a photorealistic way for virtual reality and other fully 3-D applications.

They used it to capture Corgan performing Aeronaut, and added stunning backgrounds – watch the dazzling video on the Internet. It turned out to be a win-win for all, an approach David champions: “It is my hope that Aeronaut VR has pushed the envelope a little, inspiring filmmakers and creators all over to experiment with new mediums and not be too precious about how stories ‘should’ be told,” he says. “I hope that my win... will offer some credence to those of us who trudge through visionary new work that often doesn’t have a reliable quantitative return on investment.”

The guys keeping your bicycles safe

10/21

Ernesto M. Torres and Bruno Navarro, Securemybike. 

The Securemybike project (launched in January) is an underground parking system managed by these two Singapore-based Spaniards. Bruno, 31, and Ernesto, 30, are in charge of implementing, operating and maintaining three Automatic Mechanised Bicycle Parking Systems (AMBPS) in Kampung Admiralty, the country’s first integrated public Development.

These AMBPS, which can host 501 bicycles, are the biggest installations of their kind in the world. (They won the contract against Japanese and Korean competitors; their Spanish-manufactured systems were the only ones that allowed parking with additional gear such as baskets or child seats.) You simply rock up to the kiosk, pay your deposit, get a pin code, park your bike, helmet and gear into a storage cell, and the system will store the cell 3m underground.

It’s secure, inaccessible to anyone without the pin, bike retrieval takes less than 25 seconds, and all this for only 45 cents an hour – isn’t technology great? The service has more than 1,100 registered users to date. By 2020, Bruno predicts, it will have 400 regular monthly users.

Truth be told, Singaporeans don’t have the best relationship with bicycles (we’ve seen the damage done to bikes with no ownership), so this Securemybike initiative by the Land Transport Authority to tackle bicycle parking issues, such as theft and vandalism, is the next natural step after bike sharing.

Bruno believes that many bicycle users have started riding in Singapore by using the sharing schemes. He wants the system to “facilitate the safety of the user by protecting their bicycle, promote the usage of safety gear, increase the lifespan of the bicycles, reduce bicycle theft, as well as reduce the number of improperly parked bicycles in the streets”.

The duo, who run Smartcity Projects, a company founded on the principles of social entrepreneurship, see the introduction of bike sharing as a smart solution to ease traffic congestion and increase mobility in an Environmentally conscious way.

We have a long way to go to reduce our carbon footprint, but hopefully, we can get there on foot or on safe and secure bikes.

The guy creating humanist furniture to improve our lives.

11/21

Hunn Wai, Lanzavecchia + Wai.

If you’ve not had cause to use the Assunta chair designed by Wai and partner, or if you haven’t heard of its existence before this, then maybe you can count yourself fortunate. Or maybe not so fortunate, because – aesthetics-wise – you’ve missed the genius simplicity of a functional chair that helps you get up.

For seniors with decreased mobility, the act of rising from a chair is a real toil. What Assunta cleverly does is to let you use your body weight as leverage by stepping on the foot bar to tilt the chair, which naturally propels you to stand up. Wai set up his consultancy with Italian friend and business partner Francesca Lanzavecchia in 2009 to “inject humanity, poetry and intelligence into multiple scales, domains and contexts. We want to use our practice to generate value for the human experience”.

And while they’re known for collaborations with companies like Hermes, Tod’s and De Castelli, it’s their self-initiated “No Country for Old Men” redesign project – aimed at empowering the elderly – that truly scores points on the humanist scale. “We are currently working with an architecture office to create solutions for the elderly in Singapore.

I feel the design scene is rather open, optimistic and keen to define new contexts where our competencies and skill sets can be applied effectively,” he adds.

The guy helping us appreciate Singapore's biodiversity

12/21

Ivan Kwan, Nature Adventures SG.

Ivan Kwan, 36, is your go-to-guy if you want to learn more about Singapore's surprising biodiversity. The founder of Nature Adventures SG started his company because of his deep love of nature and wildlife.

Nature Adventures SG Organises guided walks on which attendees explore a wide range of habitats, including seashores at low tides, for two to four hours (about $100 an hour for groups of 10 to 20; book at https://natureadventures.sg).

Many Singaporeans don't realise the importance of functioning ecosystems and that our forests contain endemic species, plants and animals unique to Singapore's wildlife. With great awareness comes great action, hopefully. Ivan, a former conservation projects manager at the National Parks Board hopes that the knowledge passed on will prompt people to promote conservation and sustainability in their own ways.

What you can do:

1. Volunteer at the National Parks Board.

2. Support non-governmental organisations like Nature Society or Acres as a volunteer or a donor.

3. Help organise coastal clean-ups.

4. Less waste: Reduce single-use plastics usage and purchase sustainable seafood.

The guy giving us a reason to eat out late

13/21

Jeremmy Chiam, Le Binchotan

At this cosy, Tunnel-like, 35-seater restaurant, Chef Jeremmy marries French techniques with the centuries-old practice of grilling using Japanese binchotan charcoal – which gives the dishes a smoky sangfroid.

But in August, he rolled out the restaurant’s first limited-edition National Day Supper Series menu – an elevated late-night supper take on familiar Singapore hawker favourites such as Hokkien mee and satay, which ended on Aug 31. It was quite popular.

His Hokkien mee broth was based on the stock for French seafood bisque, while the skewers of springy Iberico pork collar were served satay-style – marinated in a medley of sauces, herbs and spices like gula melaka, garlic, lime, nutmeg and turmeric. Being able to experiment needs some technical chops. Before becoming the chef and owner of Le Binchotan in December last year, Jeremmy spent almost four years as an air steward flying to Paris to hone his kitchen skills by helping Hiroki Yoshitake, the Japanese chef of one-Michelin-starred restaurant Sola.

So in case you missed the first supper series, we’re told the next will be a Christmas special, featuring an off-menu cocktail inspired by fruitcake and an elevated bak kut teh inspired by the original. It will be available from Dec 17-29 (lunch and dinner for the cocktail; after 9.30pm for the bak kut teh). While you wait for that, Le Binchotan’s regular menu is available from Monday to Saturday, until midnight.

The guy helping men dress better

14/21

Johnathan Chiang, L.C Via & L.C Via Maison.

Jonathan Chiang believes in good old-fashioned quality craftsmanship.He founded L.C Via (www.lcvia.com) in 2014, turning the tailoring business he took over from his grand-uncle into a multi-artisan boutique stocking brands like St Crispin and Hong Kong bespoke suit makers W.W. Chan & Sons. “We provide more than just tailoring. We have artisanal shirt makers, tie makers, shoemakers, and stock bags, accessories, candles, furniture and even art pieces,” he adds.

Now, Jonathan takes his company to next-level luxe by moving it into a 370 sq m duplex space at 28A Nassim Hill. Besides the atelier, which carries brands such as The Refinery, a one-year-old Shanghainese label that specialises in handmade safari jackets and raincoats, and Acate, which offers Japanese-designed, Italian-made leather bags, the new address is also home to the Maison, an exclusive venue with a whisky lounge, private dining area, and event space.

The atelier is invite-only, for his mostly PMEB clientele (age range: late 20s to 60s), basically, men who appreciate bespoke tailoring that starts from $1,500 and can reach $5,000.

Jonathan intends to curate events and symposiums there “to have like-minded souls from different walks of life and backgrounds come together to inspire, learn, and bond over philosophies of life, principles and worldly issues”.

He’s also debuted his in-house tailoring line, which has two different cuts for clients. The “L” series, which pays homage to his grand-uncle who started his tailoring business 50 years ago, is a structured English cut but with Italian finishing details such as a Milanese buttonhole, lower button opening, and curved shoulders.

The “C” series is his take on Italian-inspired soft tailoring but with a fit better suited for Asian physiques. L.C Via will also feature art pieces from renowned artists like Jeff Koons and Pang Yongjie, vintage trunks from Rare by Oulton, and furniture carefully curated by Jonathan. Sounds like the perfect place to visit and watch our men shop while we sip on single malts and ogle works of art.

The guy preserving heritage through photographing buildings

Credit: Photo credit: CY Kong

15/21

Darren Soh, Photographer. 

Surely Golden Mile Complex, Pearl Bank Apartments and People’s Park Complex deserve to be conserved; Darren definitely thinks so, and he is doing his bit through photography.

His September exhibition at Objectifs, Before it all Goes: Architecture from Singapore’s Early Independence Years, featured nostalgic buildings and estates, many of which have been lost to larger development projects.

Built post-independence and in a modernist style in the 1970s, Golden Mile Complex, Pearl Bank Apartments and People’s Park Complex represented Singapore’s progressiveness then. These buildings have melded into the landscape of Singapore, rendering them iconic. 

Although Golden Mile Complex, for example, has had its detractors, Darren considers the building an essential part of Singapore’s urban landscape. He switched to architectural photography in 2008 when foreign magazines hired him to shoot architecture. Since then, he’s been photographing buildings. 

When asked what sparked his interest in conservation, the avid photographer solemnly explains: “Singapore’s landscape is always changing. We are always tearing down old buildings and building new ones.” Darren recognises the ever-evolving nature of our architectural landscape. And he knows that buildings are more than just concrete structures – they hold historical value and are sentimental spaces to many.

Capturing snapshots of iconic buildings before they are gone is the only way he can preserve them. With Queenstown Cinema, Buona Vista Swimming Complex and Tanglin Halt Estate no longer standing, he hopes that the multi-use facilities replacing these old structures will form their own histories and stories in time.

 

The guy turning your food waste into produce

16/21

Darren Ho, Citizen Farm.

Darren Ho, 30, has made Singapore more sustainable than ever. His company, Citizen Farm, embraces closed-loop agriculture. Using black soldier flies, Citizen Farm converts massive amounts of food waste into farm-friendly fertiliser. The industrious insects then become nutrient-rich feed suitable for fish and poultry.

All the science happens at the urban community farm at Jalan Penjara, where a passionate team is pursuing the goal of sustainable farming in urban Singapore.

Darren hopes to bridge the gap between nature and us. He's determined to show Singaporeans that even in our highly urbanised environment, locally produced, sustainable food grown in the city can be healthy and delicious. 

Citizen farm hosts regular educational workshops and farm tours, and curates Citizen Box, a subscription-based service (from $35 a week) that delivers the freshest farm produce right to you. We think this idea really flies. 

The guys providing insurance cover for freelancers

17/21

Chua Cheng Xun and Amerson Lin, Gigacover.

As freelancers themselves, long-time friends turned business partners Cheng Xun and Amerson knew that the independence and freedom of being self-employed also comes with risks and challenges. Although they never personally encountered the downsides, they had heard the laments of several friends who worked in the private-hire vehicle industry: Not only would they lose income whenever they were ill, but would also incur debt from the ongoing car rental.

The Tripartite Workgroup report, released by the Ministry of Manpower earlier this year, highlighted a lack of income protection insurance for self-employed persons.

Enter Gigacover, an insurance policy launched in May that is specially tailored to freelancers and Independent contractors – to protect them from loss of income as a result of prolonged illness or injury. Named Freelancer Income Protection or FLIP, the policy is uniquely flexible, allowing its holders to opt for shorter-term policies – weekly or monthly – unlike standard annual policies. It also makes it possible for policyholders to halt or change their cover at any time, without incurring penalties or cancellation fees.

The process is fully digital. Cheng Xun explains: “Income protection insurance for freelancers didn’t exist before we came onto the scene, and Gigacover’s insurance remains the first and only such product we know of in Singapore.”

The founders share the fervent belief that insurance is a social good, and that technology and data analytics can help make insurance fairer, cheaper, more flexible and more accessible.

 

Feedback from early adopters has been positive, and even though the company is still in its relative infancy, Gigacover continues to develop new ideas in anticipation of an expanding market. “We hope to be able to support freelancers in more ways beyond just providing income protection, and are working closely with several partners on this,” they add.

 

The guy promoting artisanal crafts

18/21

Colin Chen, The General Co.

Everybody appreciates old-school craft, but not so much the behind-the-scenes craftsmen. Colin Chen, 35, has gathered many of these artisans at The General Co (www.thegeneralco.sg) so that they have a place to teach eager tykes and pass on their knowledge.

These craftsmen have professional training from institutions in Florence (for leather craft and shoemaking), London (for gold leaf gilding), and Australia (for letterpress printing), as well as private training from other renowned craftsmen around the world – one of the leather artisans was trained by a former Hermes craftsman.

“The General Co hosts basic workshops (from $79) for educational purposes, to generate awareness and appreciation for processes, and to spark interest among the general public about craft trades,” Colin explains. These workshops serve to identify promising young individuals who might be keen to pursue craft trades professionally.

Some of the trades practised include metalwork, candle making, marquage, calligraphy and leatherwork. His company also helps craftspeople gain opportunities to work with big brands – for example, projects for Rolls Royce, Montblanc and Starbucks. Through such commissions, these once-anonymous tradesmen are now being recognised for their skill and individual artistry.

The workshop is in the industrial district of Jalan Besar, and Colin is growing it. The new studio will be a hybrid space, with a modern woodworking lab operated by carpentry specialists Roger&sons, a partial showroom, and maybe retail space for custom-made goods.

It will also house The Gathering Room, where The General Co will introduce more lifestyle-driven workshops that allow people to understand the slow process of making things, from embroidery to weaving, watercolouring, pasta making, and baking. It will include cocktail-making workshops, and even a series of workshops for younger adults and kids, so that parents can send their children there to pick up creative thinking skills.

The guys helping women achieve their best bodies

19/21

Leslie Kwok and Joel Tan, Beatx Studio.

Co-founders Leslie Kwok and Joel Tan opened Beatx Studio in the central business district in September, a more calibrated version of their original Bbounce Studio in the Orchard Area, which focuses primarily on hybrid rebounding (you bounce on trampolines while doing high-intensity circuit and boxing training). It's basically playtime for grown-ups set to upbeat tracks. 

They wanted to open a new space that would provide a variety of classes while keeping the rebounding concept strong. Beatx Studio takes it to the next level and houses four fitness concepts. These are the trademark rebounding, circuit training, boxing and ride. Each of the three thematic studios is designed and lit like a cool club.

Naturally, the two former national swimmers had experienced a whole range of workouts but they wanted to create a simple one to help everyday folks achieve the body they've always wanted. 

"There are many ways to train speed, strength and flexibility, but the average office worker isn't going to want to think about the combination of classes to tackle different segments. So instead of figuring out for yourself how much time you should be dedicating to the treadmill and yoga mat, hybrid rebounding covers the bases." explains Leslie, 45.

Their fitness concept incorporates vertical moves to increase lymph flow. It also combines jumping and resistance bands, weights and strength training. Reportedly twice as effective as running (saves time!), the low-impact workouts have proven popular among women, who outnumber men here four to one. 

The classes sound intimidating, but Leslie and Joel explain that they are devised so that newbies can work out at their own pace. Plus, they are fun.

Try a one-for-one class with a buddy for $18, or 10 classes for $220. Register at www.bbouncestudio.com.

The guy modernising the country club ethos

20/21

Aun Koh, Straits Clan.

Old-school country clubs are so over; our current go-getters (whether Gen X, Y or Z) need cool digs and new hangs, and Straits Clan is about as zeitgeisty as it comes. This new members’ club – which opened in May this year – prides itself on bringing together a community of driven individuals with an entrepreneurial, creative or social-change mindset. It’s modelled after London’s Soho House & Co, among others.

“Old-school country clubs were built for a specific generation or class, but today, people are looking for diversity and ways to connect with those who are different from them,” points out co-founder Aun Koh, 46, who curated the events for the club’s 900-plus members before chairing the board. The Straits Clan (https:// straitsclan.com) is a home (away from home) to its members, most of whom are from the finance, consulting, creative, and food and beverage fields.

Aun’s unique background makes him the ideal networker: He was deputy director of visual and literary arts at the National Arts Council; director of the expanded marketing, advocacy and Development department at the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre; as well as co-founder of culinary blog Chubby Hubby and strategic brand communications agency The Ate Group. So he’s always looking at ways to connect people from different backgrounds who share similar passions.

Straits Clan’s offbeat programming and events set it apart from other members’ clubs. Recent highlights include Pam Oei performing part sketch comedy, part musical Faghag, while Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu and actor Henry Golding were on a panel discussing the significance of an all-Asian cast in Hollywood. This month, members can look forward to a cookbook launch by Chalk Farm co-founder Bryan Koh; and management consultancy Bain & Company’s Boston partner, Chris Zook, will be talking about his latest book, The Founder’s Mentality.

Aun’s co-founders are managing director of The Lo & Behold Group, Wee Teng Wen, and Sally Sim, who has more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a background in private members’ clubs. They now have their sights set on regional expansion.

 

The guy elevating your drinking experience

21/21

Tron Young, The Bar Awards.

For five years now, Tron Young (and biz partner Emily Seow) have produced The Bar Awards to recognise creativity and talent in Asia’s bar industry. These are the awards the players in the booze industry want to win, and that means having to raise their game. The Bar Awards has expanded from Singapore to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. 

Singapore recently handed out 14 awards, including Best Specialist Concept, Most Creative Cocktail Programme, and Bartender of The Year. One more city will be added in 2019. (Psst…it’s either Manila or Taipei.) 

With its expansion, Tron has been able to create opportunities for regional bartenders to do guest shifts at various top bars – sort of like a summer exchange programme, but with only one night of madness. It started innocently enough in 2014, when Tron (formerly a head bartender) sent out casual surveys to find Singapore’s best bars and bartenders. 

“I then teamed up with Howard Lo and Tyler Hendrie of Liberty Spirits Asia to throw the inaugural awards party, and it rocked!” he says. He knew he was on to something bigger than just slinging cocktails. There were teething problems, of course, mostly with sponsorship and funding. The Bar Awards is still in its nascent stage, and it’s not fully profitable yet.

“As we get more financial sponsorship, we improve our awards experience for the community. There are so many amazing women bartenders in Singapore and across Asia, but they don't get the recognition they should. We are brainstorming ways to recognise them as well as encourage more women to join the hospitality industry,” he adds. You can help. Just order another round.