A Champion for Entrepreneurship

From selling handmade crafts on Instagram in primary school, taking part in fundraising bazaars in secondary school, to leading entrepreneurial initiatives in polytechnic, Business Studies graduate Teoh Yi Wen has shown her enterprising spirit every step of the way.

Her desire to pursue the entrepreneurial pathway grew stronger after attending the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Entrepreneurship First Steps programme when she was in secondary school. The online course offered by NP’s Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office, The Sandbox (TSB), gave Yi Wen a sneak peek into the distinct entrepreneurship culture in the institution. Applying to NP through the Early Admissions Exercise was hence the natural step to take.

Despite earning multiple awards and scholarships, this straight-A student describes her polytechnic journey as "passion-fuelled” rather than grind-driven. She rarely felt overwhelmed while juggling many commitments, thanks to supportive lecturers, advisors, and peers.

“I believe in taking things day by day, and being present in the process,” she reflects. Her secret? Making intentional choices, such as joining co-curricular activities that are aligned with her goals.

It was no surprise then when Yi Wen took up the role of President of TSB Advocates, a group that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through student activities. Under her leadership, the group organised a series of fireside chats, hands-on workshops, and learning journeys to companies like LinkedIn and Mastercard. TSB Advocates clinched the Most Outstanding Club Award in 2023, a testament to the impact of their initiatives.

She also served as Marketing Director for TEDxYouth@NP, a student-initiated event featuring talks by local entrepreneurs and artistes, as well as live performances. Held in January 2024, the event was a success with a turnout of more than 300 students.

Beyond campus, Yi Wen extended her drive to uplift others through “Hey, You Got Mail”, a ground-up initiative that aims to alleviate social isolation among seniors through handwritten notes and care packs. The experience of being its Locale Head deepened her sense of empathy and strengthened her resolve to build more inclusive communities.

The entrepreneur in her mooted the idea of an enviro-tech start-up during her Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme experience at Holicay, a Vietnam-based travel company. “As people in developing countries become more affluent, waste generation becomes a greater challenge. I believe there are opportunities to better harness technology for more efficient ways of collecting and recycling waste,” she explains.

When asked what advice she would offer students with an entrepreneurial bent, Yi Wen shares, “Be part of a community. At NP, there is a very established entrepreneurial ecosystem that you can tap for resources and support. And don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

While being an entrepreneur is still on the cards, Yi Wen’s immediate plan is to further her studies. She is grateful to have received two university offers thus far, including a scholarship, and hopes to pursue a degree in Business Artificial Intelligence Systems.

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Top Grads & Award Winners

Top Grads

Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal and Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award