Arvin Tang

"30 by 30 needs to be part of a larger whole-of-system strategy that takes into account other ways to assure food resilience". Transformation is not only breakthrough technologies like cell cultured meat etc... Innovating food manufacturing and food value chains and developing strategic partnerships with our agri-food exporting neighbours is transformative too. All go hand in hand

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🤔 So your kids made it into GEP. SO WHAT??? Enough with the sending of kids to tuition centres for "Gifted Education Programme (GEP)-prep courses". This article from NY Times that is featured in The Straits Times today is poignant on what makes a person successful. And it's not about how gifted, intelligent you are. Here's an excerpt" ================ "When you glimpse these lives, you also see the special power of drive. The people who change the world may be brilliant or not, but they almost all work their rear ends off." As Prof Lubinski and Prof Benbow wrote in one of their papers: “Arguably, the most widely agreed-on finding in the talent development literature is the inordinate amount of time truly outstanding performers give to their craft.” Great accomplishment is the marriage of ability and interest. The latter is what writer T.S. Eliot once called “the thrilling wire in the blood”. It’s the vital spark that makes people passionately curious about a subject, that makes them determined and relentless, that causes them to say to themselves: I’m going to figure this out, no matter what it takes. The people who contribute most aren’t worrying about how smart they are; they are focused on continual improvement, compounding what they learn day by day." ================ So stop hothousing our kids to be "smart". Guide them to find things that genuinely interest them and draw meaning from these interests to make them contribute good to society. And when they do, they will find their purpose and place in this world. They could be successful. WE NEED TO TEACH THEM THE SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM SUCCEED, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. And there is a way to do so systematically for anyone who have kids under our charge. Let's start this discussion. You don't have to be an educator to weigh in on this! Leave a comment! Eric Lam I am a venture innovator who helps entrepreneurs scale for exit. I wrote the book 📙The Fast Founder: from Startup to Exit in 36 Months 📕. I am also a passionate educator who helps teachers promote Emerging 21st Century Competencies. I co-wrote works on next generation learning and the staple biology textbook 📘Biology Matters 📗 used throughout Singapore and the region. Let's connect and get on the conversation to change the world! #education #gifted #kids #parenting #teaching #success #genius

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Interesting to read on the background and thinking behind key historic events such as 1. Merging of Nanyang University (Nantah) with University of Singapore to create the current National University of Singapore (NUS). 2. Creation of Nanyang Technological Institute, which eventually became the current Nanyang Technological University. 3. Changes in CPF rules, reducing from contribution rates of 25% each from employers and employees. 4. Introduction of Independent & Autonomous Schools. 5. Setup of National Research Foundation. 6. Conception of GIC. Personally, I am associated with NTU, GIC, NRF, alumni of NUS and an autonomous school, and benefited from the CPF system. Everyone reading a book might pick up different learnings based on our own experience. The following lessons jumped out at me: 1. Communication is key in major implementations. It is not only about communicating consistently and repeatedly, but also communicating from different angles to cover different points of view, different emphasis, different nuances. And to simplify things. 2. Being smart is good, but being wise is better. To have the wisdom to listen to the ground, listen to external experts, and then make the most suitable decision to move forward. There are no perfect solutions. “When you have analysed all the possible causes and explored all the possible options, and if you’ve eliminated all options but one, then you just have to make that decision, no matter how difficult it is.” Occam’s Razor - given competing hypothesis, go for the simplest explanation or solution. 3. A great leader has no sacred cows. Case in point, back in 1985, Mr LKY stated that there will not be CPF cuts in his national day rally speech. However, Singapore’s economy wasn’t doing well and the task force analysed that the high savings rate due to CPF was the key cause (read the book to find out why!). Mr LKY not only listened and agreed with the recommendation, but pushed the boundary further. “Despite his own beliefs and convictions, he was never one to dismiss a counter-argument if it made sense.” 4. “In times of change and crisis, people will ask questions of their leaders, such as: Is he steady? Does he panic? Does he criticise people? Does he call back people? As a leader, you need to make all decisions carefully, after giving it ample thought. But once you make a decision, you need to stick with it. Otherwise staff will lose confidence in themselves and in you.” “If good people don’t go into politics, bad people will. And the country will be ruined.” - LKY

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WARNING: Blatant marketing spiel ahead, please skip if you're allergic. But I know you'll read it anyway, because the rest of your news feed is so dull. I conduct two types of Generative AI Masterclasses for The Straits Times in Singapore. The Generative AI Masterclass: This is designed for the general public. We ran our first session in Feb (sold out), and the next one will be on 8th May (also sold out!). Our third session will be on 1st Aug and you can sign up for it now. In this course, I introduce the class to the inner workings of Gen AI and we go through different hands-on exercises to show how it can be applied to improve our daily work and personal lives. The Feb class was really interesting as the participants came from such diverse backgrounds and jobs, and many shared how they intend to use Gen AI for their own needs. The Generative AI Masterclass For Teenagers: Designed for students aged 13-16, my goal is to help them become a new type of AI-powered learner who will leap ahead of their classmates. (Don't you love how I instigate friendly competition?). I'm also looking forward to seeing what new and amazing things the students will generate in this workshop. The workshop is a one-time session on 19th June and it has limited seats. So parents of teenagers, if you want to get your kids out of your hair for a day and have them learn something really useful, you know what to do. I've placed the sign-up links in the comments, please let me know if you have any questions!

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I always say that sustainable growth is built on effective partnerships. With Vietnam's economy expected to soar to $760 billion by 2030, Singapore stands poised to leverage this growth in an interesting new partnership agreement. Amidst the evolving landscape of manufacturing shifts, green transitions, and the AI revolution, Singapore companies are increasingly turning their gaze towards the Vietnam region. The interdependent relationship between the two nations seems set to flourish even more, fuelled by Vietnam's strategic location, burgeoning economy, and forward-thinking policies. Singapore's significant investment surge in Vietnam, representing 25% of the total FDI inflow, underscores its pivotal role in driving economic growth and diversification. I can highly recommend taking a look at the insightful article below for more info on this matter. As Singaporean investors capitalise on Vietnam's robust market potential, they tap into a diverse array of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and technology. If you would like to know how to best approach these investors or initiate sustainable growth in your tech startup today, then let’s get in touch. Take a look at the Salamander Advisory Services site in the link below for more info: https://lnkd.in/gaAF-T82  

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Today’s announcement has been months in the making. I’m very happy to share a significant milestone for VentureBlick in Singapore: our appointment as an official programme partner of the Startup SG Accelerator programme! 🇸🇬   In my decades long healthcare career, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by startups in this space.   It’s not just about having a groundbreaking idea; it’s about navigating the complex landscape, finding the right resources, and most crucially, connecting with the right people.   Many startups need more than just guidance; they need someone to hold their hand through the journey and make those meaningful connections that can push them forward.   That’s precisely what we aim to do for healthcare at VentureBlick, and that’s what Startup SG aims to do for Singapore startups.   VentureBlick’s appointment as a programme partner of the Startup SG Accelerator’s programme partner network is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovation and driving real, tangible impact in the healthcare sector.   We’re on a mission to enable healthcare entrepreneurs to not just dream big but to turn those dreams into reality.   To all the visionary entrepreneurs out there, remember: you’re not alone in this journey. 💪🏼   Startup SG is an initiative of Enterprise Singapore. Thank you Enterprise Singapore, for placing your trust in us. 💚   #VentureBlick #HealthcareInnovation #Partnership

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What resonates : Providing hands-on assistance and strategic guidance can make a significant difference in navigating the challenges of building a successful business. The testimonial from Abel Teo, Co-Founder & CEO of Castomize, adds credibility to VentureBlick services, showcasing tangible results achieved through your support. Directing potential clients to a video testimonial and your website allows them to learn more about how VentureBlick can empower their startup with the right connections, resources, and strategies. Overall, it's a compelling message for startups in need of strategic support.

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Not all investors are a good match for your business. As a founder seeking investment from a VC, it’s crucial to first identify your strengths and determine what you need. Soo Boon Koh, the first Singaporean woman to break into Silicon Valley and the founder of Singapore’s first female-led venture capital firm, shares considerations when it comes to who you take investment from, as part of our discussion stage at She Loves Tech. #SheLovesTech

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Thank you Sainul Abudheen K from e27 (Optimatic) for sharing our 3 key takeaways from the recent soft launch of ASEAN GenAI Startup Report in Vietnam by GenAI Fund! Key Takeaway 1: Vietnam ranks the second highest in number of GenAI startups in ASEAN, following Singapore closely. We are seeing regional/global products being built in Vietnam, serving global users e.g. Eklipse.gg . Indonesia seems to be lagging behind in third spot with significant gap, but we do see a few bright sparks e.g. Meeting.ai Key Takeaway 2: There's a huge shift for a lot of GenAI startups in ASEAN towards B2B. However, selling to enterprises pose many challenges, and big tech like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud - Minnesota and Microsoft Azure will play a very influential role in accelerating that GTM process. bluesheets is one good example for the enterprise inroads they have made so far. Key Takeaway 3: GenAI startups in ASEAN are getting more sophisticated with their multi-modal and multi-cloud approach. OpenAI is clearly leading as the number 1 model provider, with other open-source model providers like LlaMa and Hugging Face following behind. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is still leading the pack in cloud provider, with Google Cloud - Minnesota and Microsoft Azure closing in with their GenAI offerings. Good news is all these players are ramping up various equity-free programs that provide more resources such as technical mentorship, access to GPUs to help startups accelerate their product development. Kudos to the key author, Denning Tan for penning this down. A lot more to be unpacked, and we will be making a few exciting announcements about our launch soon this week. Stay tuned! https://lnkd.in/gz9U9wXR

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A well written article by Elyssa Christine Lopez summarizing the pain points faced by #agetech startups in Southeast Asia. Straight to my heart on the struggles and little love that Immortalize.io face in this very important but often neglected and ignored startup space in Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the big picture trend is there. Fellow agetech startup founders, let's persevere, stay afloat and get ready for the inevitable arrival of the big wave!

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Lately I've heard some comments that the startup events and conferences are not worth the time anymore. When I pry deeper, it usually comes down to too many repeat events/speakers in Singapore and that sometimes the events are lacklustre compared to other regions. I understand that. I think if our region is to catch up with others, it really takes for people to show up and connect. If there's nothing to get, then maybe you'd have something to give with your time and presence. Because that's how an ecosystem gets better. Not people showing up because its good enough, but people showing up to make it good. Programming is important and in the hands of the organisers and speakers. But true value is in Connection and in the hands of the people who show up. I'll be at Echelon tomorrow with the Tin Men Capital investments team and we're hosting a gathering for B2B founders to connect with one another. All B2B founders + investors are welcome. No agenda, super informal, just a connection point for us B2B folks. Date: 15 May Time: 11.15am Join our whatsapp group chat to sign up and get updates: https://lnkd.in/gjfWUbdi Thanks e27 (Optimatic) for seeding the ecosystem and going through all the hard work of gathering everyone for one of the few large scale startup conferences in our sunny little island.

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There is a very strong co-relation between regulation, cost and risk in the healthcare market and this session gives a good overview of the process and how to evaluate the risks of investing in the HealthTech sector. #healthtech #venturecapital #regulation Dr Francois Fong Laurent Koehler DrWarren LINGER Ivan Germanov

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Go and check this post on this page a very good and detailed post for new entrepreneurs and start-ups.

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While our startup X Corp EduTech (Pte. Ltd.) is gaining more momentum, a lot of people I know are surprised to see me in a startup, I was a pretty bald figure in the local startup ecosystem but was playing more of an investor-mentor role in the system until Enterprise Singapore｜EnterpriseSG - Southeast Asia｜ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) | Startup SG kind of touched me as a #Singaporean. There are so many SG initiatives from our government to encourage and support local startups but yet our local youths are not stepping up whereas startup founders from all over the world are rushing in to get a piece of the Goodness #Singapore is providing for #entrepreneurship. It is SAD tho and I am often challenged by students I mentored that it is easier said than done, thus I made a BOLD decision to show them real time, real life, how to do it from ground O. Therefore, my #startup team mostly comprises of students, interns, fresh grads or aspiring youths and we always claimed that we are a startup, building tools for education, created by students for students. Yes, I am just trying to prove my point, my lecture, my speech and maybe to convince more locals to step up in starting up. I am sure you will find the help you need as long as you get into it. Don’t let yourself stop you from becoming a better you. Life is short, love life, live it the way you want it and not just throw yourself into a rat race and become just like any others. Come have your #internship with us and experience it yourself 🚀

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Have you ever wondered how AI is transforming our world and the ethical considerations behind it? Channel News Asia CNA's new documentary "Becoming Human" takes you on a journey to demystify the incredible use cases of AI and the potential dangers it poses. This compelling documentary features X0PA AI, highlighting the importance of ethical AI and how they are leveraging the AI Verify framework by IMDA. This framework ensures AI remains ethical, responsible, and explainable, keeping crucial checks and balances in place. Discover how AI is reshaping industries, enhancing human capabilities, and the essential safeguards needed to navigate this powerful technology responsibly. Watch the full documentary here: https://lnkd.in/d2YPBvdj #BecomingHuman #AI #X0PA #EthicalAI #AIVerify #IMDA #ChannelNewsAsia #Documentary #Technology #Innovation

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📣 I am #speaking tomorrow at an event organised by The Generative Beings community, Google, and Cloud Ace Singapore. As a speaker, I'll share insights on building a scalable #GenAI tech-stack with fellow GenAI leaders. I will also share how Explico Pte Ltd is leveraging this groundbreaking technology to revolutionise content delivery for educators. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 👉 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈: We're on the cusp of a new era in which GenAI is not just a tool but a transformational force. I'll unpack why GenAI captivates us and its profound implications for businesses, education, and tech innovation. 👉 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The core of my talk will detail the process and challenges in creating tech stacks that can grow with the demand, emphasising the critical role of GenAI in building scalable, efficient solutions. 👉 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐨'𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: Using Explico as a case study, I will illustrate the practical applications of GenAI in curating and customising educational content, making learning more accessible, engaging, and tailored to the needs of educators and learners alike. The future is here, and AI. Powers it ☀️ Join me as we explore the thrilling frontier of GenAI, witnessing firsthand how it's shaping industries and enhancing how we create, teach, and learn. 📍 This event on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, provides a remarkable opportunity for #startup founders and leaders to learn, collaborate, and connect with the Generative AI community. ⚡𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝐧𝐨𝐰: https://lu.ma/tgb-google Stay tuned for more updates, and I hope to see many of you at this event! Explico Pte Ltd Shivang Gupta (Shomu) Soumitra Miraj Gabriel Tham #explicoedu #GenAI #EduTECH #Innovation #AI #Networking #TechLeadership

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Best decision I made thus far in my business and entrepreneurial journey, is to bring in Sulfya Lim as part of the cofounding team to GoTechUp last year. Now as we’re building our case studies and pipeline, we managed to get a leg in to run POC with two key partners, for two separate and key projects, one being in the automotive industry and another is a education government agency of a very prominent country..😜(P/S: we are bridging the industry- education gap) I am now settling my handover of business operations in Malaysia and I’m going ALL in to build on my startup (Tech Up Advance) … hope the Asia and Global market is ready for me! 🎯🎯 As we’re moving to the next chapter of our development, the three of us (Sulfya Lim and Kah Fai Lok) realised we have a big gap and funding (or lack of, being one) and we need more AMAZING brain that can balance our insecurities and gaps and someone who’s willing to be paid in sweat equity. We are now focused on intentionally scouting for another co-founder among our connections (of course the best in the field), venture builders who want to build and go through this amazing journey with me. So if you’re a Tech entrepreneur who love games and challenging stuff like robotics, science, crazy with a ❤️ for education and have growth mindset, and you think you can cope with my pace (can ask Sulfya Lim and Kah Fai how crazy), let’s have coffee ☕️. I’ll be in SG next week and every 2 week thereafter. #gotechup #stillbuilding #failingglamorously

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