Channel NewsAsia 20 Jun 08;
SINGAPORE: The Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) has launched a nationwide campaign to encourage entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
With a tag line called "Why Not?", the month-long campaign is challenging local entrepreneurs to think out of the box for new ideas that will bring about change and go beyond the norm.
ACE hopes these ideas could be turned into enterprising ventures to raise Singapore's attractiveness as a business hub. To spur entrepreneurs, there will be a contest open to the public. Entries will be accepted until July 17, with the top prize at S$1,000.
Indeed, challenging the norm could just be a start to a thriving business idea.
Kenny Eng, director of Gardenasia, said: "Just several years ago, our management decided to say, 'hey, I think why not we try having F&B in farms and why not have farm-stay in farms as well'.
Just from that simple vision that they had, we explored it together as a team and we started to say, 'ok, let's do agri-tainment, you know, we can bring events to our farm'. We have now people coming over (to the farms) for workshops, retreats, wedding solemnisation, and over the weekends, you'll see people coming to our cafe to eat."
Inderjit Singh, CEO of Infiniti Solutions, said: "Many things that many government agencies used to say 'no' to, have become 'yes' today. Night (motor) race is an example of something that we have resisted for many years - in fact, racing in Singapore. And (now) the government has changed its mind...I think there are many opportunities when there are difficulties. For example, now the cost of living is a big issue, energy is a big issue. There's no reason why we cannot think of things to do."
The campaign is part of ACE's 5th anniversary celebrations. - CNA/ac/ir
'Why not' submit an idea on how to boost entrepreneurship?
Ong Bi Hui, Straits Times 21 Jun 08;
A NATIONWIDE campaign posing the blunt question 'Why not?' has been launched to garner ideas to promote entrepreneurship.
In effect, people are being asked: Why not start your own business? What innovations would make doing so easier?
To get people thinking, a contest has been launched with $1,000, $500 and $300 for the top three winners and five more $100 consolation prizes up for grabs.
The campaign is part of the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship, which was set up in 2003 to foster the spirit of enterprise in Singapore.
As well as seeking new ideas, the campaign also highlights previous suggestions that have helped to bring change to the business scene.
These include an online licensing scheme and the Over-the-Counter Capital scheme in which smaller firms can raise up to $5 million without a prospectus.
The launch yesterday at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station was attended by 20 local entrepreneurs and public sector representatives, including Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan.
Explaining the rationale for the campaign, Mr Lee said: 'Why not? represents a question that inspires paradigm shifts. We hope to set more Singaporeans thinking about new business ideas that they can initiate through this campaign.'
The contest aims to seek out the best ideas to help promote Singapore as an attractive business hub, nurture the entrepreneurial spirit or encourage innovation and competitive businesses.
The contest is open to all members of the public, and ideas can be submitted at www.ace.sg until July 17.
Campaign launched to promote entrepreneurship
Business Times 21 Jun 08;
ABOUT 20 entrepreneurs and public sector representatives yesterday launched a campaign called 'Why Not?' at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station to promote higher entrepreneurship in Singapore.
'Why Not?' is all about developing new ideas for local business - ideas that were not deemed viable a mere five years ago.
They include the Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS), to which businesses can apply, renew and terminate multiple business licences and permits with various government entities through one portal (www.business.gov.sg), and the F1 night race to be held here in September.
The campaign is part of the celebration of the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE).
Kim Faulkner, CEO, Activiste Pte Ltd and executive committee member of ACE, described optimistically how these developments can challenge contemporary established norms, stating how a simple idea and a group of people who ask 'why not?' can offer better alternative solutions to bring new ideas to fruition.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Minister-in-charge of Entrepreneurship, Lee Yi Shyan, was equally sanguine, saying that the young of today are turning innovative ideas into enterprising ventures. He observed a gradual mindset change in terms of entrepreneurial paradigms.
The top three ideas stand to win $1000, $500 and $300 respectively.
Besides, there are five $100 consolation prizes. The public can log on to www.ace.sg to submit their ideas till July 17.
