2223T1 Seoul/Participant Information/WenLiang
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About Wen Liang
Name: Goh Wen Liang
SMU email: wlgoh.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenlianggoh/
Academic Year: Year 2 (AY2021-22)
Projected Graduation: May/June 2023 (3 years)
Degree: BSc Computer Science (Cybersecurity Track) - 2nd Major in Tech for Biz Solns (Digitalization and Cloud Solutions Track)
Why TSM in Seoul?
What motivates you to join TSM?
I would like to understand more about what it takes to start a company from real world examples and stories of both successes and failures. I am also eager to see where a strong technical background could be helpful in the successes of starting a company.
I started my own unofficial startup at the age of 14 in 2013, initially running Minecraft game servers and creating a conducive environment for my peers and I to engage in playing Minecraft. Over the three years of its existence, it had grown from a server with only a handful of players to one with over two thousand active players, recording a total of over fifty years of accumulated play time from all players combined. During this period, I had been able to keep the server afloat on player contributions. Unfortunately, due to the decline in popularity and my lack of experience at that point in time, I had to cease operations in 2016.
During these three years of its operations, I was able to gain an insight on what it takes to not only run a small side business, but also people skills which were necessary to communicate and manage my own team of volunteers and moderators. I managed the day-to-day operations and picked up technical skills along the way, scaling up progressively and ensuring that the server remains available 24/7. Overall, it had left me with a more comprehensive understanding of what goes into starting a small business and looking beyond just the technological, but also the organisational aspect.
What do I want to get out of the TSM?
My small initiative has left a lasting impact on how I view startups. If offered a spot in the TSM, I would like to take the precious opportunity to learn more about the unique challenges of technological entrepreneurship, and how it differs from traditional larger businesses. I would like to learn about what makes or breaks a startup, and understand the factors that allow the startup scene to flourish in a country like South Korea, through accelerator programmes or otherwise.
The opportunity for me to go on the study mission will allow me to better understand the startup culture in another country like Korea, and give me the ability for me to contrast it with what we have in Singapore. I look forward to be able to forge new connections with startups in Seoul.
Where would you like to visit?
In general, I am interested in visiting technologically advanced countries, such as USA, Japan and South Korea. For Seoul in particular, I would love to know more about startups such as Petnow, S2W, Terra and visit startup incubators, as well as the Google startup campus in Seoul. Through visiting these places, I will be able to widen my horizons and learn about how such startups and companies leverage their deep tech expertise to develop innovative solutions that solve new and challenging problems.
Starting a business...
What types of business interest you?
Having had experience in the public sector internships and looking forward to embarking on one in the finance industry, I would like to be able to dive deeper into the startups of these industries. I feel that I am personally invested in being part of organisations that develop innovative technological solutions for the greater good.
What plans do you have in starting a business?
Having started a small initiative during my secondary school hosting Minecraft servers, I have explored what it takes to start a small informal startup. I desire to learn more about real companies as well as their successes and failures. Through this, I hope that I can be more equipped in exploring entrepreneurship in technology and hopefully turn my idea of blocking robocalls into a real solution for individuals and businesses.
Other thoughts
Having taken CS206 Software Product Management, it had also given me an insight into what it takes to run a startup and sell a product by first having the right vision and idea in mind. I had been involved development of a software solution which I ideated, roboCAPTCHA, which aims to be able to block robocalls with complete accuracy through new and innovative means.
At the end of the project, I was able to present my project to experts in the startup scene including guests from SMU IIE. Their inputs gave me invaluable insights on how to better deliver a compelling pitch presentation, and bettered my understanding of the various support provided to new companies.
Past Experience
Initiatives / Startups
Xeal Gaming Network (June 2013 - September 2016)
- Founded, owned and operated a game server network with over 2000 active players, at one point becoming the largest Minecraft server network in Asia.
- Developed server software and ran the necessary technology infrastructure on premises.
- Maintained cohesion and harmony among the playerbase through frequent events and seasonal games.
Internships
- Quantedge Capital - Software Engineering Internship (May - Aug 2022)
- Singapore Management University - Blockchain Research Assistant for Prof Don TA (Mar - May 2022)
- GovTech Singapore - Application Security Internship (May - July 2021)
- Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) - Malware Analyst Internship (May - Aug 2017)
- Cybersecurity Researchers of Waikato, NZ - Ransomware Analyst Internship (Mar - May 2017)
Other Relevant Work Experience
- Singapore Management University - Teaching Assistant for CS204 Interconnection of Cyber-Physical Systems
- Singapore Management University - Teaching Assistant for CS102 Programming Fundamentals II
- Nanyang Polytechnic - Computer Lab Assistant
CCA, Events and Volunteering
- Incoming President, SCIS ACE Committee (2022-23)
- Honorary General Secretary, Ellipsis 18th Management Committee (2022)
- Oversee the five Special Interest Groups (SIGs) under the purview of Ellipsis
- Responsible for all administrative correspondences and matters of the organisation
- Technology Executive, Ellipsis 17th Committee (2021)
- Workshop 2IC & Instructor, Ellipsis Java Programming Workshop 2022
- Event IC, Ellipsis Tic Tac Code 2021
- Workshop IC & Instructor, Ellipsis C Workshop 2021
- Workshop IC, Ellipsis Data Management Workshop 2021
- Technology Director, SMU Whitehat Society (2021-22)
- Technology & Infrastructure IC, Whitehacks 2022
- Instructor & Infrastructure IC, Cybersecurity Hacking Fundamentals 2021
- Volunteer, Project Hai Khun 1 (Virtual OCSP)
- Taught important life and career-building skills to underprivileged youths from Thailand and Myanmar
- Mentor, Coder's Assembly (2021 Term 1)
Competitions
- Placed 1st, Pythonic by Heicoders
- Placed 5th, SUTD iTrust CISS-OL 2021 (with SMU Whitehats)
- DSTA Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp 2016, 2017 & 2021
- GovTech CodeFiesta Hackathon 2021
- Cisco-CSA Cyber Youth Challenge 2021
- GovTech Stack the Flags CTF 2020
Academic Achievements
- Outstanding Project Award, SMU-X and Credit Suisse
- Dean's List AY2020-21
- SMU Merit Scholarship Award
What keeps me ticking!
The satisfaction of trying to make a positive difference in today's world - through technology.
