It is the ultimate homecoming story: our alumni, scattered across the globe, finding their way back to the little red dot to launch their own businesses.

From the historic town of Antwerp, Belgium, to bustling New York City, they have chased their dreams and conquered challenges, but there is something special about coming full circle.

We reached out to our alumni who have embraced the entrepreneurial world in Singapore, each carving out their unique path to success over the years.

CRU was founded in 2013 by siblings Beatrice (Bebe) Ding (class of 2009), Calvin Ding, and Valerie Ding (class of 2005), drawing inspiration from their upbringing in Los Angeles and Singapore. Over the last 10 years, CRU has branched out into other concepts like CruBox (boxing), CruYoga (yoga and meditation), and CRUHIIT (HIIT). The ever-growing CRU brand has three state-of-the-art studios: two in Singapore, on Duxton Road and Orchard Road, and one on the world-renowned Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. CruBox Los Angeles fuses authentic boxing techniques with beat-matching movements and has seen celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Usher, and Hailey Bieber come through its doors. CRU also offers a virtual studio, CRU TV, the “future of fitness” that comes with a bike, screen, and immersive app, allowing fitness enthusiasts to sweat to the beat of their favorite pack leaders. 

Websites: www.cru68.com, www.crutvofficial.com, www.wolfpackbycru.com

Instagram: @cru68official, @crutvofficial, @pupsbycru, @wolfpackbycru

Co-Founders of CRU: Valerie Ding (class of 2005) and Beatrice (Bebe) Ding (class of 2009)

In 2013, boutique fitness studios were non-existent, so we started with CruCycle, our indoor cycling brand, igniting the fitness culture on the island that year. Our classes aren't about competition; they offer an experience that fosters a sense of community—a Wolfpack.

When we embarked on our venture, there was no equivalent concept to what would become CRU in Singapore. During college breaks, we returned home to Singapore and felt a gap in the market. After graduating, we resolved to establish our own brand—a place where people could gather, exercise, and make positive changes in their lives. From a young age, we were around a family business-oriented environment, intrinsically learning lessons by being brought to the family office with our dad or our granddad, or listening to conversations with my aunts and uncles. Instilled with values like resilience and discipline, cornerstones for running one’s own business, we set out to create our legacy together. 

Collaborating with siblings can be fulfilling yet challenging. This was true for us for about the first five years, as it was not always smooth sailing and we stepped on each other's toes a lot. Despite our alignment on values, we sometimes had disagreements that turned intense and personal. However, identifying each individual's strengths and weaknesses was pivotal and allowed us to enhance our communication and vision. The Covid-19 pandemic posed additional hurdles, but we leveraged it as an impetus for a new venture—CRU TV, an at-home bike and digital platform. We continued to adapt and maintain a positive work environment, leading to invaluable lessons and demonstrating how resilience and innovation can sustain and advance a brand. 

With 90 percent of startups failing within the first year, reaching the 10-year mark with CRU is a monumental achievement for us. This year is particularly memorable as we expand into other locations in Southeast Asia, a significant milestone in our journey.

Our advice to those aspiring to start their own businesses in Singapore—don’t overthink it, and just do it! A lot of people let their fear of failure get in the way of what they can achieve. Singapore is probably one of the best places you could start a business, so if you have the opportunity, take it. And if you don’t, create the opportunity.

Co-Founder of Chalk Farm: Dawn Koh (class of 2006)

In 2010, upon my return to Singapore from London after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, I made the decision to join my brother's flourishing online cake business. Founded after his graduation from Cornell University, the venture already had a devoted following. The synergy between our respective expertise and passions laid a strong foundation for our collaboration. 

Securing a space at Paragon Shopping Center in 2013 was a significant milestone in our journey. The transition from online to brick-and-mortar provided invaluable hands-on experience, exposing us to the multifaceted intricacies of running a successful food and beverage establishment. From crafting delectable confections to managing operations, every aspect of the business demanded our attention and dedication. Despite the inherent challenges, including navigating a persistent manpower shortage, our unwavering commitment and the support of a dedicated team kept us going. 

Building on our initial success, we seized the opportunity to expand our reach further. In 2014, we opened our second outlet at Parkway Parade, extending our presence and catering to a broader clientele. Fast forward to 2021, and we embraced yet another opportunity for growth by expanding our Paragon location. This expansion allowed us to showcase an even larger collection of cakes, delighting customers and solidifying our position as a leading player in Singapore's culinary scene. 

For those venturing into entrepreneurship, I urge you to prioritize self-belief and resilience. Every challenge you face is a chance to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Embrace each hurdle as an opportunity for development, and never underestimate the power of perseverance.

Chalk Farm, whimsically named after a stop on London’s Northern tube line, was founded in late 2010. It is a cake company specializing in bold, wholesome, yet sophisticated cakes. We have become well-known for our Western and local flavors. 

Website: www.thechalkfarm.com 

Instagram: @thechalkfarmsg

Founder of Rock Daisy: Rachel Liou (class of 2008)

After pursuing business studies and corporate roles, my passion for fashion led me to take sewing classes while living in Antwerp, Belgium. The pandemic provided ample reason for me to dive deeper into technical skills, particularly in pattern making. While researching, I learned that fashion ranks among the top three carbon-emitting industries, trailing only behind energy and agriculture. This sparked a passion to drive change and devote my efforts to seeking solutions for our climate crisis, aligning with my passion in a meaningful manner. So, after 15 years abroad, I made the decision to return to Singapore and launch a sustainable fashion enterprise. Founded in February of 2024, Rock Daisy transcends being just a fashion brand; it embodies my personal journey and values.

Launching Rock Daisy was a monumental task. Navigating an ever-expanding value chain poses hurdles in sourcing sustainable suppliers for a budding brand like ours. With recent market entry, we grapple with crafting a retail strategy that harmonizes growth, brand image, and climate consciousness. These are exciting and unique problems, and I'm grateful I get to work on them.

From the experience of shooting our debut campaign at my grandmother's house to the proud moment of securing our first pop-up at Boutique Fairs, every milestone has been a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with sustainable options in the fashion industry. 

For aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore, I offer this advice: Stay true to your convictions and remain committed, as you will rely on this compass with every step you take. We are also fortunate that Singapore encourages entrepreneurship, so look out for suitable grants as well as organizations and communities that will help support your business.

Rock Daisy is a forward-thinking fashion brand founded on the principles of effortless style, intentional design, and sustainability. Dedicated to crafting classics that withstand the test of time, Rock Daisy embraces the fusion of global aesthetics to speak to the modern Asian woman.

Our debut collection, launched in February 2024, EDITION 1, is designed for equator weather, with oversized yet tailored silhouettes. Made with 100% nature-based fibers and TENCEL™ certifications, Rock Daisy apparel is breathable and moisture-wicking. Every piece is constructed for durability, with flat-felled and French seams, bias-bound edges, and topstitching that ensure the garment lasts. In a conscious move against overproduction and high carbon emissions, all pieces are made in small batches in Indonesia to reduce waste and shorten the supply chain.  

Website: rockdaisyapparel.com

Instagram: @rockdaisy_

TikTok: @rockdaisy_

Founders of MOOM: Mili Kale (class of 2009) and Maya Kale (class of 2012)

We embarked on a journey that intertwined our family bonds with our entrepreneurial aspirations. Being Singaporean by birth, returning home was always on our radar, and the COVID-19 pandemic acted as the impetus for our reunion and the launch of our joint venture, MOOM, in June 2021. 

Although Singapore offers a supportive environment for startups, we faced our fair share of challenges. Securing talent and office space proved expensive in a city renowned for its high rental costs, and managing overseas manufacturing during pandemic disruptions added to our obstacles.

Our determination and perseverance led to significant milestones for MOOM:

• Building a diverse team of seven full-time employees
• Raising an impressive $1.2 million seed round
• Defying the odds as female founders in a region where such funding is scarce
• Expanding into Malaysia with successful product launches in major retailers like Watsons and Guardian

Reflecting on our journey, we urge aspiring entrepreneurs eyeing Singapore's market to take advantage of the city-state's supportive government, tight-knit community, and abundance of innovation opportunities. Despite its size, Singapore provides an ideal environment for ambitious ventures to thrive. Singapore may be small, but its potential is immense, making it the perfect launchpad for entrepreneurial dreams to soar. 

At MOOM, we are on a mission to create natural remedies for the modern Asian woman in the form of holistic, expert-backed supplements. Our natural guidance, expert-backed formulations, and personalized care allow you to take the guesswork out of your wellness routine and create a modern-day ritual that supports you wholly and puts you in the driver’s seat of your health.

Website: www.moom.health 

Instagram: @moomhealth 

Founders of Agrata: James Fan (class of 2010) and Tim Tan (class of 2010)

We returned to Singapore in the late 2010s after we both experienced college and jobs in the US, as well as completing National Service in Taiwan for James. We both have strong roots and professional networks in Southeast Asia, and we realized we were passionate about sustainability and felt that aquaculture was an area in which we could put our knowledge to good use. We believe strongly in Southeast Asia’s growth story, especially when it comes to agriculture. With the advent of new technologies and operating methodologies, we felt the time was ripe to build out new, profitable value chains. Singapore is the perfect place to be based – an easy transit point to most Southeast Asian countries and a dependable business environment with access to strategic operational and capital partners. 

We started Agrata, our sustainable mud crab farming venture, to help transition the industry away from wild-catch harvesting of this species. Our goal is to help meet the growing demand for this resource, the foundation of Singapore's popular chili-crab and pepper-crab dishes. In doing so, we can relieve pressure on wild stocks, conserve mangrove ecosystems, and involve local communities in a productive cottage industry.

We’ve experienced many lows and highs while building our business! Lows include fundraising in a difficult macroeconomic environment, firing an employee for the first time, and contending with construction delays and regulatory hurdles. Highs include meeting our fundraising targets, breaking ground on our pilot hatchery facility, producing our first crablets (juvenile crabs), and hearing stories from partners who have joined us in an impact venture they are passionate about. We are especially proud of being the first company in the world to commercialize a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-based hatchery for the species and of not only designing environmental, social, and governance initiatives but also executing on them.

Our experiences at SAS helped bring us to where we are today. We both see great value in the school’s holistic approach to education, which results in a balanced worldview and knowledge set. Natural science courses taken during our years at SAS, as well as service opportunities such as mangrove cleanups and recycling efforts, helped develop passions that are realized in Agrata. To this day, James remembers a favorite seventh-grade project involving a self-made solar-panel boat racing across the swimming pool, while Tim credits international opportunities like Interim Semester with widening his perspectives and fostering intellectual curiosity. And for both of us, Mr. Hoe’s delicious meals encouraged a passion for contributing to Singapore’s cuisine by providing Singaporeans and consumers around the world with sustainably farmed mud crab to enjoy all year round!

Founded by two SAS and one UWC alumni, Agrata provides an end-to-end platform that equips farmers with material, technological, and managerial components for the integrated husbandry of mud crab, a high-value species that is currently majority wild-caught. Agrata has developed the world’s first RAS-based mud crab hatchery, which has outperformed traditional hatcheries by up to 13 times for larval survivability, the key to enabling sustainable production. 

Agrata provides crablets of Scylla serrata, the most sought-after species, to its farmers and works with them throughout the husbandry process, providing knowledge, technology, and financing for a successful harvest. Once harvests are complete, the company employs a buyback program that de-risks its farming partners and allows it to control the value chain of processing, marketing, and logistics to deliver the final product to global buyers.

Website: www.agrata.co

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/agrata-group