1920T2 NewYorkCity/Participant Information/Kee Cheng Heng
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About Kee Cheng Heng
SMU email: chkee.2018@sis.smu.edu.sg
Facebook: Kee Cheng Heng
LinkedIn: Find me for coffee!
Academic Year: 2
Degree: Information Systems - Major in Cybersecurity
Fun Fact: I started to coach teams for recreational and competitive dragonboat when I was 17!
Applying for Subsidy: No
Why TSM New York City?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
Technopreneurship has always been something true to my heart and resonated deep within me since my polytechnic days. I spent my last semester taking up a Technopreneurship Incubation Programme in Ngee Ann Polytechnic instead of doing an internship. Through this module, i was given the luxury of time to spend 6 months of self directed learning to build a startup from the ground up. This gave me a good understanding on how to bootstrap a startup. I participated in accelerators and took the weekends to go for extra sessions and talks to better groom my knowledge as well as meet other like minded individuals. The thrill, rush and flexibility has me appreciating the difficulty yet beauty of such an unconventional path. I would like to share my experience with others as well as influence and help others on a similar route as myself. What better way than to participate in TSM with all like minded individuals in the same place?
- Why pick New York City?
I strongly believe that Singapore's market is way too small and we need to venture beyond our borders in order to scale effectively. Having been able to have the privilege to travel to US multiple times, it has definitely open my eyes to what the overseas market has to offer. I would like to see what other teams in NYC has done and what positive practices or efficient culture can be brought back into our local teams.
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Coming from a background of Business Information Technology has opened my eyes to the wide array of disciplines. By accident, I discovered the wonders of Service type companies. This was how I started off my company with $0 capital and manage to recycle the cash flow and multiply its worth by 300% year on year.
I am particularly interested in tech firms running their business on the key emerging technologies such as - Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Immersive Media. I would like to use this TSM as an opportunity to better understand the high growth factor of companies with investment and how they make use of seed funding rounds and series round to propel their growth. Through a better understanding of the key stakeholders and players in each use case, I hope to have a better grasp of the ecosystem.
- What plan do you have in starting a business? (list existing business)
1. HelloHolo
HelloHolo is the first Mixed Reality solutions agency in Singapore, established in August 2016, to provide local developers and companies with exclusive access to the Microsoft HoloLens - a self-contained holographic computer that enables people to engage with digital content and interact with holograms. HelloHolo was launched with the aim of helping developers and companies in the Asia-Pacific region to build the next generation of Mixed Reality applications and immersive experiences. By nurturing the mixed reality ecosystem, we will truly redefine the way we live, work and play.
- Bootstrap the company with no prior investment, broke even in five months, achieved 300% growth year on year
- Achieved a peak of $300k in revenue in FY2018 with only 4 part-time employees
- Four Direct Reports: Technical Lead, Creative Director, Sales Managers
- Expanded to 18 employees in FY2019 and had the opportunity to communicate with employees from different walks of life
- Developed local brand loyalty and established International Influence in Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil
- Spearheaded seven revenue generating business funnels for the company based on market demand of clients
2. Axension Studios LLP
- Developing turnkey IT solutions for SMEs to streamline their business processes. Assisting Startups to bootstrap their ideas. Consultancy for teams to implement the most optimum solution for their problem statements.
- Successfully deployed over 50 turnkey solutions in Singapore
- Spearheaded Singapore Dragon Boat Association Athlete system which handles over 8,000 athletes and smoothly automates race day check in process and flow for 120 races in a day
- Securely manage public data of local organizations and streamline legacy business processes through consultation and implementation
Past Experiences (optional)
Guest Lecturer at Singapore Institute of Technology
- Training 150 engineering students for using Immersive Media in the field of engineering
- 6 weeks programme, starting in Oct 2019
Adjunct Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Trained 34 Year 2 students in Diploma for Immersive Media & Game Design in the field of Extended Reality (VR/AR/MR)
- Invited for a second round of students in FY19/20
- Provided an in-depth analysis to the existing Immersive Media industry
- Taught the importance of User Interface and User Experience in Immersive Media applications and highlight new age interaction mediums of users
Technical Evangelist at Microsoft Singapore
- Microsoft Student Partner Programme Lead (Singapore)
- Bridge between Microsoft and Tertiary institutes in Singapore
- Leading 120 MSPs to complete over 50 technical workshops and events, reaching out to students across 12 institutes of Higher Learning
- Engage with local startups to pitch Microsoft BizSpark programme
- Converted over 5,000 students to leverage on the DreamSpark Azure for Students programme
Corporate Relations Director of The Mentoring Circle
At The Mentoring Circle, we aim to transform outstanding individuals into strong people builders. Founded on the principles of giving and professional excellence, our club envisions an SMU where future generations are consistently better than the last.
The Mentoring Circle is born to recognize the institution’s top performers and contributors and further accelerate their abilities to give back to the societies surrounding them. Throughout the year, the Circle will host several events for members which includes Circle Initiation, professional mentoring workshops, alumni sharing and social events.
- Organize and maintain company database and contacts
- Liaise with companies for company visits, talks and tie-ups
- Liaise with other clubs for potential partnerships involving TMC members
- POC and bridge between Companies and TMC for further collaboration opportunities
- Encourage the growth of mentoring initiatives in companies
Microsoft Student Partner @ SMU
- Represented Singapore at Microsoft Student Partner Annual Summit Conference in Australia FY19
- Microsoft Student Partner Singapore Regional Lead FY16
- Microsoft Student Partner Ngee Ann Polytechnic Campus Lead FY14 & FY15
Tech Executive of Ellipsis SMU Information Systems Society
- Organize Mentoring Mornings to bridge the gap between students from different years within the same course of study
- Part of the organizing committee to organize SIS day Coding challenge
Recreational Coach at Singapore Dragonboat Association
- Trained multiple teams for competitive races throughout the year
- Provided training routines and plans to help teams improve and achieve their personal bests
- Conducted over 300 orientation sessions for attendees to experience Dragonboat as a sport
What keeps you ticking?
I don't see problems. I see opportunities!
Hustle when you are young and full of energy. Tone down and settle down when you are older.
I play competitive soft darts on a weekly basis to destress and I find it an awesome way to network and get to know people from all walks of life!
