Singapore University of Social Sciences

Synopsis

This course presents participants with fundamentals of building a startup, by equipping them with key insights, best practices, essential knowledge, and capabilities to grow their business.

Participants will gain accelerated understanding of local startup ecosystem, develop go-to-market strategies before launching their product/services, and craft a compelling pitch. The course is conducted by seasoned entrepreneurs with strong industry knowledge and experiences and have built their own successful startups.

The course is a collaborative effort with ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship)

Startup SG Founder Grant

Participants who complete this workshop and Angel Investor Funding Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide (CET187) will fulfil the Entrepreneurship Training eligibility criterion as main applicants for the Startup SG Founder Grant (SSGF Grant)

Find out more at https://www.suss.edu.sg/experience-at-suss/entrepreneurship/startup-sg-founder-suss or contact [email protected] for enquiries on the SSGF Grant.

 

Who Should Attend

The course is suitable for anyone who is interested in acquiring skills and knowledge in building a viable business.

Topics

 

• Overview of Singapore Startup Ecosystem
• Understand what it takes to be a successful startup founder and how to build a founding team
• Introduction to business model canvas
• Developing customer discovery journey 
• Applying marketing sizing and competitor analysis
• Developing go-to-market strategy
• Developing your first pitching deck
• Mastering storytelling techniques  
• Introduction to startup accounting & finance 
• Introduction to tax and incentives for startups
• Overview of legal issues for startups
• Introduction to capitalization table
• Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) for startup
• Introduction to fundraising for startup
• Building an elevated pitch and pitch deck

 

Objective

Master the fundamental frameworks and processes of entrepreneurship.

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the local startup ecosystem and basics of starting a business
• Understand the venture creation process, value proposition, business model canvas and market analysis
• Understand concepts of go-to-market, financials, intellectual property, pitching, fundraising and valuation.

 

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Develop the skills to analyse the business idea against what is available in the market, assess whether the revenue model is sustainable.
• Analysis the current competitors, potential competitors, and indirect competitors.
• Develop and design pitch deck and able to pitch through storytelling.
• Identify go-to-market strategy for the business.

Schedule

Time	Agenda
Day 1
09.00 - 10.00	Overview of Singapore Startup Ecosystem
10.00 - 10.15	Break
10.15 – 12.15	Introduction to business model canvas
12.15 - 13.15	Lunch Break
13.15 - 14.15	Developing customer discovery journey
14:15 - 15:15	Applying marketing sizing and competitor analysis
15:15 - 15:30	Break
15:30 - 17:30	Developing go-to-market strategy
Day 2
09.00 - 11.00	What it takes to be a successful startup founder and how to build a founding team
11.00 - 11.15	Break
11.15 – 13.15	Developing your first pitching deck (Part 1)
13.15 - 14.15	Lunch Break
14.15 - 16.15	Mastering storytelling strategies
16.15 - 16.30	Break
16.30 - 17.30	Introduction to fundraising for startup
17.30 - 18.30	Introduction to capitalization table
Day 3
09.00 - 10.00	Overview of legal issues for startups
10.00 - 11.00	Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) for startup
11.00 – 11.15	Break
11.15 - 12.15	Introduction to startup accounting & finance
12.15 - 13.15	Lunch
13.15 - 14.15	Introduction to tax and incentives for startups
14.15 - 14.30	Break
14:30 - 16:30	Final Assessment – Pitch Presentation

*SUSS reserves the right to change the course dates, topics and trainers.

Assessments

• Pitching Business Idea (Elevated Pitch)

Requirements

• Participants with basic knowledge of English, statistics, and communication skills

 

About the Trainer

Saim Yeong Harng

Saim is a seasoned leader in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, innovation, and venture building. Known for founding and leading the award-winning, institution-backed venture CardsPal, which was successfully acquired, he continues his mission by sharing his expertise through coaching, mentoring, and advisory roles. Saim is passionate about supporting innovation and emerging leaders in the tech startup space.

 

Janson Seah

Janson is the CEO and Co-Founder of StaffAny, a rapidly growing workforce management solution in Southeast Asia which empowers thousands of employees by integrating Operations and HR to enhance business performance and efficiency. The company has raised $4.2 million from notable investors, including East Ventures, Far East Ventures, and GGV Capital.

 

Dexter Tiah

Dexter is a seasoned investment and strategy professional with over nine years of experience, currently serving as a Venture Partner at sif.vc and a Director at T3 Gaming Studio Pte Ltd, where he leads financial literacy workshops for youths. A CFA charterholder and certified Financial Risk Manager, he is the author of the acclaimed personal finance book "Laughs, Losses & Lessons."

 

Junxian Lee

Junxian is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of GoodWhale, a platform designed to help aspiring investors and has previously co-founded Moovaz and CashShield. He also played a key role in launching Shopee at SEA Ltd, serves as a Venture Partner at Iterative Venture Capital, and is actively involved in philanthropy and education, having received the NUS Business School’s Eminent Alumni Award.

 

Ang Ann Liang

Ann Liang is a seasoned practitioner in commercial disputes, specialising in both litigation and arbitration across various areas, including employment, shareholder disputes, product liability, technology, cybersecurity, and insolvency. His extensive experience encompasses issues such as non-competes, enforcement of arbitral awards, construction disputes, and defamation.

 

Lynn Soh

Lynn is a corporate lawyer with over 14 years of experience, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, and corporate advisory. Recognised as one of Singapore’s Rising Stars in 2023 and named one of Asia’s 40 Lawyers under 40 in 2020, she has previously worked at a Magic Circle firm and served as Vice President (Legal) for a healthcare group.

 

Ng Xian Hui

Xian Hui is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience, having worked with a Big 4 firm, a multinational corporation, and a fintech startup, and now runs his own accounting tech startup - Backbone, integrating automation to enhance efficiency for businesses. He regularly conducts seminars and training sessions on accounting and compliance, and holds multiple certifications from ICAEW and ISCA.

Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
   
2. Application form
   
   

Course Fee

¹ Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
² Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.

• Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.

• Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course.

• The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.

• Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice.

For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]