2324T1 Tokyo/Participant Information/Ow Joel
Info
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About Joel
SMU email: joel.ow.2022@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ow-jie-ren/
Academic Year: Year 2 (2023)
Degree: BSc Computer Science
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
I believe very strongly that a study of global markets provides a clearer lens to grasp the opportunities that technology brings to society, which led me to pursue both economics and computer science in SMU. I fervently want to explore how founders from a different society keep their edge in a diverse and highly volatile industry, and how I can incorporate these learnings into my dream to start my own business in the future. Even more so that it is Japan, known for its startups thriving in small niche markets. Moreover, Japan is also home to industry leaders like Sony, Fujitsu, and to a lesser extent, Line. It would be mesmerising to see the history of these home grown businesses over time and how intricate their business systems have become.
- Where would you like to visit?
Tokyo: Sony, Z Holdings, PayPay(Subsidiary of Z Holdings), Mercari, Ghibli, Inokashira Park! (contains Ghibli Museum)
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Businesses that make use of consumer data to provide meaningful day to day functionality for users, or can create holistic ecosystems that improve lifestyles. But I think more than that, businesses that have a sustainability approach, that are not 'growth first' but are regenerative and distributive by design according to Kate Raworth's doughnut economics. The intricacy and planning put into creating a technology business that truly benefits the consumer is very alluring to me.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
I probably would want to start a business in the financial or healthcare sector, focusing more towards individuals rather than large corporations. As someone who values improving society from the family unit level, this is where I would start. However, owing to my current lack of domain knowledge, both technical and indsutry level, I hope to be exposed to new experiences and insights to grow my skillset holistically through TSM.
Past Experiences
CCA:
- ELLIPSIS - Role: Technology Executive January '23 - December '24
- SMUX (Xploration Crew) - Role: Finance Associate January '23 - December '22
- Mentoring Circle - Role: Tech Mentee July '22 - April '23
- SMU Cru - Role: Member Aug '22 - Present
- SMU Christian Fellowship - Role: Member May '22 - Aug '22
- .HACK HEAP - Role: Participant May '23 - Jul '23
