2021T2 VirtualTSM/Participant Information/Erika Aldisa

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About Erika Aldisa!

Full Name: Erika Aldisa Gunawan (Gunawan is my surname)
SMU email: erikaaldisa.2018@sis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: LinkedIn
Academic Year: 3
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Information Systems, majoring in Smart-city Management & Technology (SMT)
2nd Major: NIL
Random fact: I have a very high tolerance for spicy food

Why Virtual TSM?

• What motivates you to join TSM?

I saw the xth run of TSM when I first joined SMU and I saw a senior going to Silicon Valley! So I made up my mind to sign up for TSM when I have cleared all my core modules and now here I am apply albeit for a virtual TSM!

My initial reasons on why I was attracted to TSM were:

- Global perspective: getting to learn about the technopreneurship scene outside Singapore/Asia and broaden my perspective on the industry, the challenges, success stories and experience told by the technopreneurs themselves

- Travelling: fun and even more fun to do with friends!

However, I still find virtual TSM attractive due to these reasons:

- Still global perspective! & yes clear global exposure while at that

- Engaging module: learning entrepreneurial skills through hands-on experience, learning how to do stakeholder management, how to prepare itinerary that the class enjoys, networking with companies and professionals, reflection

- get to know more like-minded peers who are interested in becoming technopreneurs themselves

• Where would you like to visit virtually?

Outside Asia, I want to visit Silicon valley and the city of San Francisco! In Asia, I think China is really becoming a powerhouse for tech start ups, tier 1 cities such as Beijing and Shenzhen and I would like to visit Shenzhen that houses Tencent, Huawei, DJI and AI start ups.

Starting a business

• What types of business interest you? Technology based that will change the way we do things

Impactful and sustainable businesses pique my interest. When businesses strive to make positive impacts and doesn't negatively impact the environment while doing that, that's the ideal world. These businesses might be tech related or non tech related as long as I resonate with their vision and mission. Definitely the tech related businesses that are changing the way we do things now are the AI start ups and robot mechanical start ups to improve automation and reduce human error. Some example are Konux, Mapillary and Samsara. Information technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and GRAB/GOJEK that offer broad range of services such as cloud solutions, software and hardware also interest me a lot because they try to make people's life easier and keep pushing the boundaries for technology improvement. This will increase overall productivity and it's good impact as well.

Some start ups/companies that have inspired me are Apple, ESRI, Qlue (Jakarta), Tencent (NetCity), GOJEK and Carousell.

• What plan do you have in starting a business? (list existing business)

I've always had a plan to open a F&B business with a friend since both of us are foodie, and regarding having my own tech start up, I did have some thoughts of starting one relating to smart technology such as using IoT to help drive better decision making that focuses its impact on the public sector. If I were to have a tech start up, I want my start up to impact everyone and the city/country, not to just make profit.

Past Experiences (optional)

You can also check my LinkedIn profile for my CV.

What keeps you ticking?

• A lot of things motivate me, my passion, my dream to achieve a fulfilling career journey, my parent's support. I'm think I'm naturally self-motivated because I can't stand not doing anything and I can't stand routine work so I try to include more elements in routine work such as rewarding myself, creating a fun schedule, spruce up my room/environment

• The thought of being stagnant as a person and not growing scares me because I want myself to grow and develop continually, even if it means small steps

• I also like to collect precious memories that I can look back on and in order to do this, I kept challenging myself to do more and to experience more