A team of Ngee Ann Polytechnic students beat 55 other teams from the various polytechnics to emerge as champions at the Entrepreneurs’ Challenge 2011 (also known as e-Challenge 2011). Organised by the University of Adelaide, the e-Challenge is a business plan competition, which aims to stimulate innovation and enterprising spirit amongst entrepreneurial hopefuls, and foster the successful development of new ideas into investment-ready, early-stage companies.
Calling themselves “Finest Fusion”, 2nd Year Business Studies (BS) students Ghee Jian Hui and Chng Wee Leong, and 3rd Year Molecular Biotechnology (MBIO) student Jason Wang, impressed the judges with their concept of “yeast meets west” pasta which was tastefully cooked and presented to the judges during the finals held on 12 November 2011. The judges commended them on their well-researched product with a feasible and well-thought-through business plan.
Pictured Left: Big smiles from the winners (left to right) Chng Wee Leong, Ghee Jian Hui and Jason Wang, together with Mr Chu Tee Seng, Director, NAA
However, the road to victory has not been easy. Jian Hui shares the struggles the team went through conceptualising the business idea, “It was tough juggling the competition and school work. I personally feel that every business plan was unique, but ours might have stood out because the value of our product lies in its health benefits and that was what we emphasised in our business plan. The modules we’ve taken, such as the Overseas Immersion Experience (OIE) and Enterprise Creation & Development (ECD) taught us how to conceptualise the business idea. In addition, our tutors from the School of Business & Accountancy (BA) and School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology (LSCT) gave us a lot of guidance and encouragement along the way.”
“Finest Fusion” is a good example of the success created by the synergy of two Schools, harnessing the strengths of each other.
Pictured Above: BA management showed up to lend their full support to the participating teams. From right to left, Mr Philip Lau, Director, BA; Miss Dorene Yeo, Senior Manager, BA; Dr Wayne Lee, Deputy Director, LSCT; and Ms Anna Yeow, Deputy Director, BA