1718T2 Silicon Vallley/Participant Information/Clewyn Puah
Contents
About Clewyn
SMU email: clewyn.puah.2014@accountancy.smu.edu.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clewyn.puah
Academic Year: YA 2014/ 2015 (Final year student)
Degree: Accountancy
2nd Major: International Trading
One random fact: My relatives from my paternal side are mostly entrepreneurs while those from my maternal side are mostly working professionals.
Applying for Subsidy: Yes!!!
Why TSM Silicon Valley?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
I have always been enamoured by technology-based startups and companies because of the immense impact they have on human civilisation. With this TSM, I hope to gain deeper insights into some of the best tech-based startups and companies in the world, as well as surround myself around like-minded peers whom I can learn from. I hope that what I gained from this TSM can be applied to my business in some form or another, and that I will draw inspiration from the trip to magnify our impact in this society.
- Why pick Silicon Valley?
I would like to immerse myself in the bustling and vibrant environment Silicon Valley offers. With the high volume of innovative ideas being exchanged, and the energy radiated from entrepreneurs, I hope to be "infected" by Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial spirit, to become more inspired and motivated to find new ways of doing things. Silicon Valley also has the reputation of being a hotbed for many successful tech-based companies, and I would like to study the ecosystem there and these success stories in greater depth to understand how they could be applicable in Singapore's context.
- Ideal role in the trip: Refer to Role
Itinerary trip planner, logistics team, etc.
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
I am interested in tech-based startups/ companies that have the potential to make a difference in our everyday lives, as well as social enterprises that can create huge social impact. The type of tech-based businesses I am interested in spans from those that use software to those that employ hard sciences, and are able to apply innovation to their business to a great extent. Having a sustainable and scalable business model is also a must.
- What plan do you have in starting a business?
I currently run a social enterprise that upcycles and repurposes organic waste into higher value products. To date, we have created some social impact in terms of improving Singapore's environmental sustainability, while generating profits with our operations. With incubation support from SMU IIE and Lien Centre for Social Innovation, as well as funding from the Singapore government and other investors, we are channeling more resources to research & development for our products as we are keen to apply more technology to our start-up. We are also working with professors and researchers from SUTD and NTU to commercialise lab innovations that have the potential to make a big impact on people's lives. I plan to continue working on my business after graduation.
Past Experiences (optional)
Previously, I have interned at Singapore Airlines, Ernst & Young LLP, United Overseas Bank, Nexia TS Public Accounting Corporation and Sim Lian Group, and undertaken a wide range of functions ranging from Finance to Taxation to Auditing. From these interesting experiences, I have managed to learnt important accounting and finance skills that I was able to apply to my social enterprise, in terms of creating budgets, financial projections and seeking tax incentives. I currently take on the role of a CFO in my social enterprise.
Within the school community, I was particularly active within the entrepreneurial space, having been a member of the 3 SMU entrepreneurial clubs - SMU Real Business, SMU Eagles Inc. and SMU Ventures. I was also the Finance director and ex-president of SMU Ventures: The Entrepreneurship Society and represented SMU for the Asian Student Ventures' Forum, a regional business case competition conducted in South Korea, where we won the gold prize. Apart from that, I have also participated in many other entrepreneurial related events, workshops and competitions like the Real Business Weekend Hackathon, where my team came in second place. For non-entrepreneurial CCAs, I currently serve as vice-captain of SMU Volleyball and was also the Programmes director for SMU School of Accountancy CNY Gala Dinner. I am also an active member of SMU Aikido club (6th Kyu).
For non-school related activities, I have participated in multiple competitions such as Create4Good, Ideasinc., Makerthon 2016, which we emerged as one of the top teams featured.
What keeps you ticking?
Challenges. I believe that an entrepreneur's journey is especially arduous; an entrepreneur must deal with challenges 24/7 and resolve unexpected problems on the go. As such, I believe these challenges are what keeps me ticking and helps me to grow. Learning from these challenges is also immensely satisfying.
