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Success Stories 
The Mestic Company
Having the passion for the Bicycle Motocross (BMX), Jason Poh always looks for suitable bicycle parts that can help him improvise his riding skills. The idea of creating his own line of BMX products strikes him when he had a hard time finding his ideal bicycle parts. He then designed and created his own BMX parts with the help of his father.
Sharing the same passion for entrepreneurship and BMX sport, the then 3rd year student from SP's Diploma in Banking and Finance partnered his best friend Faiz to set up a blog shop to earn some extra pocket money. He thought of applying for the YES! Startup Scheme when his blog shop gained more popularity among the BMX community. With the funding, he would be able to bring their business to a greater scale by putting in more money into R&D to expand his merchandise.
After months of hard work with the guidance from the Business Advisory Council in SP, Jason and Faiz finally clinched the $50,000 YES! Startup grant from SPRING Singapore in December 2010. This was one of the best Christmas presents they've ever received.
With the first disbursement of the YES! Startup fund, The Mestic Company has produced a range of quality BMX parts, alongside a line of apparels that is hugely welcomed by the BMX community. In addition, The Mestic Company has started supporting the local BMX riders by exposing them to the international BMX riders' standard through sponsorships.
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I Heart Board Games!
All they had was a shared love for designing board games, with no resources or capital. But they were determined to turn their hobby into something great. Coming to the rescue, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) threw a lifeline in the form of its YES! Startup scheme which aims to nurture and encourage youths to be enterprising and innovative through "hands-on" entrepreneurship learning.
Andrew Chia (right), a Singapore Polytechnic (SP) graduate who completed his Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, received a boost in April when he and his partner, Marjorie Straaten (left) clinched the YES! Startup grant worth $50,000.
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Stirring Hearts
It all started with a love for designing cards. Wanting to take it further, Ms Ereen Toh turned her passion into a business which received a boost in March when she was picked for the YES! Startups $50,000 grant.
YES! Startups scheme aims to nurture and encourage youths to be enterprising and innovative through "hands-on" entrepreneurship learning.
With the grant, the Business Administration (Marketing) graduate from the School of Business launched Stirring Hearts, a blogshop, where she publishes her card designs. Her handmade cards target the masses and the corporate market, and aim to "stir and touch the hearts of recipients".
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Sundays Pte Ltd
The Managing Director of "Sundays Pte Ltd", Larry Lam was a graduate of Diploma in Civil and Structural Engineering from School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering. Larry describes his brand as "a fashion line that focuses primarily on pushing the boundaries of men's wear in intelligent ways, striking a deep resonance between innovation and wearability."
"Taking big steps forward to fulfil your dream", this is how it feels and you would experience if you are venturing into a business on your own. Larry is currently pursuing a part-time diploma with School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences' Diploma in Creative Media Design. He took the risk to take big steps and decided to start his own men's wear. His sound business model, innovative concept and passion have convinced SPRING Singapore on awarding him with the grant.
His advice to those who wish to start their business – "The platform (to becoming an Entrepreneur) is just next to you, grab it or lose it forever."
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West Mouse
Wang Ke and Mao Nan, both Year 2 students from School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, is the first student team to receive the SP Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise Fund for Students.
Their small business is to provide fashionable, personal, interesting and affordable computer accessories for the quality and style-conscious consumers.
They have made their products easily accessible by having an online presence as well as at various computer shows and events.
Knowing that they are facing strong competition from various retailers selling computer accessories,
West Mouse aims to stand out by introducing a unique product – Foldable Laptop Table. The laptop tables were imported from China
and have been a fast-selling product. "We thought the idea of foldable laptop table will attract Singaporeans
because of the limitation of space in HDB flats.Also, many Singaporeans are always on the go. Having such a product will enable them to be more "mobile"."
The SPICES Fund has given them a great start by enabling them to import the unique products from China.
Two weeks after their grant, the first batch of stocks arrived in Singapore. Initially, the team were worried about the sales, however, just less than a week of selling online and at roadshows, the products were out of stock!
"That is the first time we tasted the feeling of earning money" - Mao Nan & Wang Ke
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ThinkersBox Pte Ltd
They came together with the simple dream and passion to bring about a change and make a difference in the way children learn and develop intellectually. Bryan Ang, graduate of EEE, Felicia Hoo, graduate of CASS and Eric Tan, graduate of ABE, were the first SP student venture that was awarded with the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme Startups (formally known as ETDF) Grant from SPRING Singapore. The funding has given them a great headstart as it allows them to venture into different business strategies and acquire resources to run their operations.
ThinkersBox currently runs the Learning Skills Programme in Unity Primary School. Their training programmes enable the students to develop their cognitive skills, equipping them with mental capacity and motivation for self-learning.
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The three students from DMIT, Diploma in Music and Audio Technology, Ng Tian Hwee, Reuben Shaun Raman, Mandric Tan and together with their mentor and SP lecturer, Mr Geoffrey Low came together to set up SoundFarm Production Studios. SPRING Singapore has given them $50 000 grant to kick start their music production company under the YES! Startups.
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Three students from School of Business' Diploma in Business Information Technology course- Suresh Kumar Sarad, Chng Siang Sheng and Royston Ong - proposed setting up an online advertising platform for gamers and bloggers.
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Two graduates from School of Business and School of Digital Media and Infocomm Technology came together to fulfil their dreams as Entrepreneurs. ExpressInMusic, a web portal that connects musicians and clients seeking for personalized music, was awarded the YES! Startup grant of $20 000. The grant has enabled them to kick start their business.
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