Basic HTML Version
FireFlyz | 27
STARTUP
Q: Canyou tell usmore about yourself andyour startup?
ChernShue:
I founded Net2Ads Venture; I previously was in semiconductor manufacturing
and interned at Intel US. Net2Ads helps retailers increase sales by engaging their customers
through printing promotional messages in a consistent, high-quality and non-intrusivemanner
using the store’s existing POS system on the back of the receipt.
YapChinKet:
Together with Christine Liew, I co-founded Shoppertise back in November 2013
and launched in April the following year. She is the designer who ensures Shoppertise is
mobile first and user-friendly from the ground up. As a geek, I understand the importance
of good usability design (UX design) and aim to create a wonderful user experience using
the best technology solutions from start to finish together with Christine’s artistic guidance.
Q: As a selected participant for this programme, howmuch and what did you learn from the
trip to the Silicon Valley?
ChernShue:
It was a very compressed and curated immersion programme which exposed us
to contacts, experience and the Silicon Valley environment. We got to experience first-hand,
what drives the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial spirit. It is a strangely very competitive yet
supportive community of people who strongly value time as a currency and expect others
to not waste it – we had to be fully prepared, ready to take initiative and keep up to speed
on things.
Chin Ket:
We had the opportunity to learn and apply the best tools, techniques and trends
Silicon Valley entrepreneurs used – success is never guaranteed and there’s no set formula
but we can make less mistakes and build successful businesses if we get the basics right.
Lessons from Silicon Valley
FireFlyz
speaks to two entrepreneurs under theMSCMalaysiaGlobal Linkages
program, an effort byMalaysia’sMultimediaDevelopment Corporation (MDeC) to
accelerate the growth of promisingMalaysian startups by linking themto the Silicon
Valley ecosystem
Chern Shue ... CEO
and Founder of
Net2Ads Venture.
Chin Ket and Christine of Shoppertise
grab a
We-fie
during their trip to San
Francisco.
San Francisco ... a foodie’s haven
Q: Howhas theMSCMalaysiaGlobal Linkages programmehelpedyou?
Chern Shue:
It positively contributed to my startup efforts because I was able to
strengthen relationships with some of my contacts in Silicon Valley and given the
opportunity to make new contacts and friends. I certainly felt more energised after the
trip as it positively reinforced and validated our assumptions.
ChinKet:
Well, it was a life changing experience becausewewere the only company from
Asia who made it as finalists in the CTIA Startup Lab for the CTIA (Wireless Carrier
Association) Super Mobility Show in Vegas. Attending master classes & workshops
conducted by top Silicon Valley mentors helped tremendously too – we were exposed
to a plethora of enlightening topics. I really enjoyed every bit of it!
Q: So…What’s not tomiss inSanFrancisco?Anygoodeatingor visiting spots?
ChernShue:
I loved how cool the weather was; we could literally walk for miles without
feeling uncomfortable. Public transport was a breeze and cycling to work was a real
and viable option! San Francisco gloriously celebrates food in various forms – such as
in taco trucks on the street, upmarket restaurants, or little cozy bistros. However, eating
out is expensive and start-ups must attract funding or make good money to stay there.
ChinKet:
I remember a lovely Sunday where we went to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge;
the magnificent view, accentuated by the crisp, clear windy air was simply spectacular.
Pier 39 has one of the best grilled crabs, clam chowders and fresh oysters in town.
Being Asian, we naturally gravitated towards rice and noodle dishes in Chinatown,
depending on the Yelp application for recommendations. These two places are definitely
must-stops in my book.