2122T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Tan Eng Khong

Template:Home2122T2 Express Yourself

About Eng Khong

SMU email: ektan.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briantanengkhong/
Academic Year: Year 2 (2020)
Degree: BSc Information Systems, Smart City Management and Technology Major

Why Virtual TSM?

What motivates you to join TSM?
I have always been passionate about coming up with game-changing ideas to make the world a better place with the emergence of technology. Through TSM, I believe that this trip will be an eye-opener for me to broaden my horizon and confidence in innovating new ideas and gaining exposure to the entrepreneurial scene in Silicon Valley which would serve as a good starting point for me to kickstart my entrepreneurial journey. Likewise, I am also deeply excited with the prospect of meeting like-minded individuals to build up on each other’s goal of being an entrepreneur.

Where would you like to visit virtually?
Silicon Valley, New York City, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Seoul

Starting a business

What types of business interest you?
Businesses that have the ability to scale and have a wide economic moat such as FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google). Businesses in the gig economy realm, Metaverse, MedTech and Fintech sector also caught my interest. Businesses in these sectors will probably be the future of tomorrow, and I am excited to see how these businesses can constantly come out with disruptive technologies to change the world.

What plans do you have in starting a business?
Starting a business requires one to not only have the technical competency but also managing people which is a skill I am trying to master. Therefore, during my time in University, I am trying to work on some of my hard and soft skills as well as broadening my connections before embarking on my entrepreneurial journey. I have also been working on my side-hustles such as investing into businesses via the US stock exchange and I hope that through my investments, I will be able to fund my own business in the near future.

Past Experiences (optional)

Projects/Competitions
- Shopee Product & Design Challenge 2021
Work
- Overseas Internship, Y’s Reading (Kumamoto, Japan)

CCA
- Training Director of SMU Civil Defence Lionhearter Chapter
- Member of SMU Archery Club
- Member of SMU Muay Thai Club
- Member of SMU Real Business

Volunteering
- Tech team, WISE - WASH in Southeast Asia
- Participated and planned for 2 overseas volunteering trips to Yunnan, China
- Meals on Wheels – An initiative that provides meal deliveries to homebound clients

What keeps you ticking? (optional)

"If you don’t give up, you still have a chance. Giving up is the greatest failure." – Jack Ma