Food waste is a serious issue around the world, and Singapore is no exception. Driven by factors like climate change and geopolitical developments that pose threats to food production on a global scale, the need for a sustainable global food system has intensified over the years.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, global food systems are exerting significant pressure on both human and planetary health. They consume 70 per cent of the Earth’s water, contribute up to one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions produced by humans, and, through agriculture, pose a threat to over 86 per cent of the 28,000 endangered species in the world. 

In Singapore, the impact of climatic shifts and supply disruptions can be distinctly felt by the city-state, which imports more than 90 per cent of its food. To address this, the Singapore Food Agency has committed to gaining greater food resilience by setting a “30 by 30” goal, with the aim of producing 30 per cent of local nutritional needs by 2030.

However, with less than one per cent of land designated for farming, Singapore must produce more with fewer resources. Faced with these challenges, the nation needs to reduce food waste while increasing food production in a sustainable way. 

Where social consciousness meets food waste management

Driven by a strong sense of social consciousness, 33-year-old Singaporean entrepreneur Nathaniel Phua founded Ento Industries in 2020. Ento Industries is a yellow biotechnology firm and a subsidiary of local food waste management firm Tiong Lam Supplies.

Phua’s inspiration stemmed from witnessing the stark contrast between the significant food waste produced in Singapore and the persistent issue of global hunger, as highlighted by a United Nations report which projected that 300 million people worldwide may face food shortages by 2050. 

“I worry that my children may grow up in a world shaped by decisions made today. While I can’t revamp the food industry, I believe that I can play a role in making a difference,” said Phua.

In Singapore, food producers generally find it difficult to manage food waste due to the high cost of implementing waste management solutions. As a result, the city-state produced an estimated 813,000 tonnes of food waste, accounting for 12 per cent of the total waste produced, while as many as 783 million people worldwide faced hunger in 2022.  

Also Read: Hydroleap revolutionises wastewater treatment, leading industries into a sustainable future

However, picture a world where food waste is no longer a liability but a valuable asset for food production. To bring this vision to reality, Phua developed a method to valorise food waste using black soldier flies, an effective and affordable process which converts food waste and its byproducts into higher-value products that contribute to the food supply chain, such as feedstock for fish farms.  

Additionally, although the number of local food farms in Singapore has increased with government funding, the supporting industries such as feed and fertiliser production companies have not kept pace. The shortage of these supporting industries could significantly hinder Singapore’s pursuit of food security.

Fortunately, Ento Industries’ food waste management solution can help to address this challenge by enabling local food producers to reduce their reliance on imported animal feed and compost, strengthening Singapore’s food resilience. 

Using insects to save the world

For context, black soldier flies are capable of consuming a large amount of waste without producing any harmful emissions. In their larval stage, they can eat almost any organic matter, up to four times their body weight per day.

The nutrient-rich excrement produced by black soldier fly larvae can be used as fertiliser in agriculture to improve soil quality and crop yields, while the larvae itself can be harvested as a high-value animal feed. This makes black soldier flies a valuable tool for reducing food waste, improving food security, and creating a more sustainable food system in Singapore. 

Here are the steps involved in Ento Industries’ food waste management process: 

• Food waste is collected from restaurants, supermarkets, and other businesses. 
• The wastes are first treated and formulated into an optimal feed for black soldier flies.  
• These wastes are then fed to multiple batches of black soldier flies.  
• The black soldier flies break down the food wastes into a nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser. 
• The larvae of these black soldier flies are harvested and processed into a high-protein feed ingredient for pets and farm animals. 

Leading the way in food waste management, one step at a time

When Ento Industries first began, Phua had a clear understanding of the direction he wanted the company to take. As his team progressed, more ideas poured in, each sounding more attractive than the last.

As a result, they became somewhat hazy about their initial intentions and started working on multiple projects at the same time. The team soon realised that even though the company seemed to be picking up traction, it was losing capital. Phua felt that this experience helped him learn to remain laser-focused on his main goals and be more discerning when developing the business and bringing in new projects.  

Phua also believes that humility is the key to success in entrepreneurship and sets aside time to engage with his team regularly. 

“As business owners, we tend to think that we know what is best for the company – which may not always be the case. Keeping an open mind always helps me to look at my business from a different perspective and spot issues that I never knew were present.”

As a company that engages in both yellow biotechnology and waste management, it was difficult to recruit qualified manpower due to the stigma that existed in the industry. Hence, Phua worked with the various Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to have their students join them as interns. This helped to break the stigma of working in the yellow biotechnology industry, as many interns extended their term with the company, and some even expressed their interest in becoming full-time staff.  

To further mitigate the issue of manpower crunch, Phua adopted various project management and business automation tools such as human resource and finance software to streamline operations.  

“It can be a tough and arduous journey, but I think for me, it was the support from my peers and family that helped to keep me going. I have also been privileged enough to have had mentors to guide me at each stage of my journey, of whom the most notable was my late father-in-law, who taught me the importance of building lasting relationships in business,” said Phua.

Phua also recommends that aspiring entrepreneurs and young leaders surround themselves with people who are in the same space or on a similar journey as them. It is important to seek out a mentor who is willing to guide them along their journey, and the insights gleaned from someone who has had a similar experience can prove to be invaluable, he explained. 

Building trust and support

Ento Industries’ impressive contributions to food waste management in Singapore have been recognised, and the company has received funding support from private investors in 2023, including undisclosed funds from ESG-focused private investors Tak Wai Chung and Te-Ling Nai.

Chung is a Co-Founder of Xcelerate Group, a regional platform investing in and operating businesses in the governance, risk, and compliance sector, including sustainability, while Nai is experienced in growing and managing business operations both in startup environments and multinational organisations. 

The company has also obtained other notable grants to support its development of new products and services. These grants include: 

• EnterpriseSG Enterprise Development Grant in 2021: A government grant that provides funding for businesses to develop new products or services, expand their operations, or improve their productivity. Ento Industries received this grant in 2021 to help develop new products using black soldier flies. 

• DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant in 2020: A grant that is awarded to social enterprises working to address social or environmental challenges. Ento Industries received this grant in 2020 to help kickstart its pilot facility and increase capabilities. 

Collectively, the funding support from both government and private investors enabled Ento Industries to expand its operations and develop new technologies to further its mission of reducing food waste and enhancing food resiliency in Singapore, aligning with the city-state’s 30 by 30 goal.  

Also Read: Everything you should know about the future of futuristic food technology

The future of Ento Industries 

“I am excited about the potential of insect farming to help us solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as food waste and climate change. I believe that black soldier flies are a sustainable and scalable solution to these problems. I am committed to working with others to make insect farming a reality,” remarked Phua.

Since its inception in 2020, Ento Industries has grown to become one of Singapore’s leading providers of food waste management solutions using black soldier flies. It has since upcycled more than 500 tonnes of food waste.

Phua believes that the food waste management industry is still in its early stages and that interest in sustainable businesses and nature-based solutions is growing. He is confident that competition will increase and more businesses will enter the field. 

Building on its success, Ento Industries is expanding its operations to meet the growing demand for sustainable food waste management solutions. The company recently rolled out its food waste transformation initiatives to key partners in the food manufacturing and food and beverage sectors.

Phua envisions increasing its capacity to service and partner with a larger number of clients in Singapore in the future. Additionally, Ento Industries is working with IHLs like Republic Polytechnic to explore the use of insect-derived feed ingredients as a sustainable replacement for the current ingredients in fish feed for aquaculture farming. 

“I believe that the best anyone can do is to keep ourselves updated on the developments in the industry while fostering strong collaborations with key industry partners,” concluded Phua.

This is a multi-part business profile series by IndSights Research featuring accomplished business leaders from different industries in Singapore. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage business leaders to implement best practices in their companies to promote growth and development.

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Image credit: Ento Industries

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We often hear about people deciding to leave their jobs. But did you know that sometimes it’s the bosses who start pulling away first? And they might do it so quietly you don’t even notice until it’s too late.

It’s not always about the employee’s decision

When we hear stories of people leaving their jobs, it’s often portrayed as a unilateral decision – an act of empowerment or a bid for a better opportunity elsewhere. Yet, this is just one side of the coin.

On the flip side, many employers are also slowly ‘letting go’ of their employees, even if there isn’t an official notification that the employee’s position has been eliminated or that the employee’s services are no longer required.

What are those signs?

When employers decide that an employee no longer aligns with the company’s vision, they might not always communicate this directly. Instead, they might:

• Reduced responsibilities: Perhaps you’ve begun to notice a diminishing workload. Those crucial projects, once entrusted to you, are now allocated elsewhere. Even coveted new initiatives don’t seem to have your name on them.
• Stagnant career path: If there’s a blurred vision of your future trajectory within the company, it’s cause for reflection. Feeling that there’s a ceiling to your growth or lacking opportunities to lead or innovate should be red flags.
• Diminished learning opportunities: An organisation’s investment in training is a reflection of its belief in the potential returns from its talent. If you’re not being asked to join training sessions or workshops anymore, it’s a hint. It’s like being left out of the school field trip. Plus, if they give you tools or apps to learn and you’re not using them, they’ll think you don’t want to learn new stuff.

Also Read: How to support startups to survive the ‘tech-winter’

• Avoidance by immediate superiors: When your immediate boss begins avoiding eye contact, shies away from direct communication, or starts routing messages through another colleague, it’s a subtle yet clear sign. Scenario: You start your day expecting the customary morning salutation. Instead, your manager seems constantly distracted, entrusting project discussions to junior managers who relay messages back to you.
• Feedback vacuum: A sudden drop in feedback – neither positive nor negative – can also be a signal. Employers invested in your growth will provide constructive feedback. Scenario: Previously, after wrapping up a project, there would be a debrief session discussing what went well and areas of improvement. These sessions have now stopped or have vanished altogether.

Things change, and that’s okay

Change is the lifeblood of business. As markets transform and technologies redefine landscapes, adaptability becomes crucial. The ideal employee is one who can seamlessly adapt, evolving as the context demands. Employers don’t just seek a readiness to change; they value the agility and nimbleness to do so.

At times, the disconnect emerges when an employee becomes rigid, resisting evolving corporate cultures or technological shifts. Here, the issue isn’t merely skill-based; it’s about fitting into the evolving immune system of the company.

What can you do about it?

Instead of waiting for glaring signs, it’s beneficial for employees to stay proactive. Regular self-reflection can help you align with your company’s evolving goals. Seeking feedback, upskilling, and demonstrating adaptability can bridge the potential gap.

In conclusion, the world of employment is a two-way street. Just as employees might seek greener pastures, employers continually seek dynamic talent capable of infusing fresh vitality into the corporate landscape. Being aware, adaptable, and proactive can ensure that you’re not just growing but thriving, no matter where you are.

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Southeast Asia’s leading venture capital firm, East Ventures, has launched its first Indonesia-focused healthcare fund worth US$30 million.

East Ventures Healthcare Fund aims to empower and support promising startups that address the unique challenges and opportunities in the country’s healthcare landscape.

Also Read: East Ventures, SV Investment launch US$100M fund to bridge SEA, Korea startup ecosystems

“Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic healthcare markets with enormous potential for innovation and growth. With our extensive experience in investing across sectors and stages, we believe this healthcare fund will play a pivotal role in fostering and catalysing healthcare innovation in Indonesia,” said Willson Cuaca, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at East Ventures.

The VC firm is already an active investor in healthcare, with 30 companies in its portfolio, including Mesh Bio, AMILI, Aevice Health, Etana, and Diri Care. It has also invested in genomics startups, such as NalaGenetics and Nusantics.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the VC firm launched initiatives to strengthen the healthcare system in the archipelago. It includes the Indonesia PASTI Bisa (IDPB), a platform to support the government and private sector’s efforts in mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19 in the nation.

East Ventures has also taken part in supporting the journey of genomics development in Indonesia. Started with the donation to the Biomedical & Genome Science Initiative (BGSi), an initiative of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to provide precision medicine services for the community in August 2022 and provide sequencing needs in the form of reagents and consumables worth more than IDR 1 billion.

Also Read: East Ventures’s new multi-stage fund hits final close at US$550M

Early this month, East Ventures and Seoul-based SV Investment launched a new US$100 million fund. The East Ventures South Korea will open the investment corridor between the Southeast Asian and Korean venture ecosystems, including capital investment, knowledge transfer, and network sharing. The fund will invest in companies across biotech, healthcare, future mobility, green technology, and media & content.

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Australia-based employment management company Employment Hero has secured SGD229 million (~US$167 million) in a Series F growth round of financing for global expansion.

Led by global growth fund TCV, the round also saw participation from existing backers Insight Partners, AirTree, Seek, and OneVentures.

Also Read: When your employer is quietly quitting you: The untold perspective

The deal follows the company’s 2022 Series E of US$130 million and takes the total capital to over SGD572 million (US$416 million).

Founded by Ben Thompson and Dave Tong, Employment Hero has built an all-in-one platform to recruit, onboard, pay and manage talent. Its super-app Swag is a real-time control centre, empowering employees to manage their work and financial lives.

Since its inception in 2014, it has expanded to New Zealand, the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The firm claims to serve over 300,000 SMEs and 2 million employees globally.

Also Read: Gen Z is saying no to climbing corporate ladders. Here’s what it means for Singapore’s startup ecosystem

Founded and CEO Thompson said: “Within 12 months, Employment Hero will transcend the traditional confines of HR and Payroll. We will open doors to a world where talent flows like water through a pipe, right to your doorstep. That’s the future we’re building. Businesses can seamlessly plug into our unparalleled reservoir of talent, with automatic compliance and compensation mechanisms. No more time or hassle growing your business.”

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Image Credit: Employment Hero

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Flux Series: Marketing Leaders is happening at the St. Regis in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 November 2023. Are you working in the field of marketing? Don’t miss out on this focused and curated event designed especially for marketing professionals!

Visit Flux Series: Marketing Leaders for more information! Read on to get discounted tickets.

Partnerships are the cornerstone of success in any venture, and the forthcoming Flux Series: Marketing Leaders event exemplifies this principle. The Flux Series offers an exclusive platform for industry trailblazers to engage in immersive learning sessions, granting access to industry knowledge and actionable strategies that can fuel sustainable growth and profitability for your brand.

Set against the elegant backdrop of the St. Regis in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 15, 2023, the inaugural edition of the Flux Series promises to bring together influential marketing leaders. Their mission: to deliberate, brainstorm, and formulate actionable strategies for optimising marketing endeavors through AI-driven innovations and cutting-edge technology, all with the goal of achieving fresh marketing milestones for your company.

Within Flux Series: Marketing Leaders, attendees can anticipate enlightening keynote speeches, dynamic panel discussions, and hands-on workshops covering an array of topics surrounding the complex world of marketing. These sessions will delve into harnessing artificial intelligence to fortify marketing initiatives, cultivate deeper connections with customers, and explore the latest trends in technology.

Partners that are committed to our mission

Sponsors hold a pivotal role in the triumph of Flux Series: Marketing Leaders on multiple fronts. Firstly, they extend diverse forms of support and coverage for the various facets that make the event an enriching and exhilarating experience for participants.

Furthermore, sponsors contribute their wealth of expertise and insights, affording attendees exclusive benefits. Through their extensive networks and marketing channels, sponsors extend the reach of the event, offering valuable insights to a broader demographic.

Also read: Growth tailwinds poised to unlock the region’s startup potential

Equally significant is the presence of sponsors at the event. This creates invaluable networking opportunities for attendees to acquaint themselves with the products and services on offer. This facet aligns seamlessly with the core purpose of the Flux Series — to serve as a curated gathering for marketing leaders, fostering connections between all stakeholders. By championing Flux Series: Marketing Leaders, participants can engage with fellow marketing professionals, gaining access to industry best practices and actionable wisdom, ultimately forging novel partnerships and collaborations poised to propel business growth and triumph.

Meet CleverTap at Flux Series: Marketing Leaders

CleverTap is the all-in-one customer engagement platform that helps brands personalize and optimize all consumer touch points to improve user engagement, retention, and lifetime value. It’s the only solution built to address the needs of retention and growth teams, with audience analytics, deep segmentation, multi-channel engagement, product recommendations, and automation in one unified product.

The platform is powered by TesseractDB — the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering both speed and economies of scale.

Get discounted tickets today!

CleverTap is trusted by 2000 customers, including Electronic Arts, TiltingPoint, Gamebasics, Big Fish, MobilityWare, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco.

Also read: Diverse range of startups make it to X-PITCH 2023 TOP100

Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, and CDPQ the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with presence in San Francisco, New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Jakarta.

Apart from the dedicated keynote where a representative from the organisation will impart key insights on marketing in the time of AI, CleverTap’s presence at the Flux Series: Marketing Leaders is driven by two goals: to increase brand awareness and to generate a sales pipeline. With the Flux Series operating as a curated convergence of top marketing leaders from across the region, CleverTap is strategically positioned to help enable and empower a stronger customer journey among participating marketers.

Join Flux Series: Marketing Leaders

Flux Series: Marketing Leaders goes beyond conventional learning environments by providing a curated selection of growth-oriented content stages. These stages serve as dynamic platforms where attendees gain invaluable knowledge on how to leverage disruptive technologies and harness the power of AI to supercharge their marketing efforts. Here, participants get to immerse in active knowledge-sharing guided by industry trailblazers who will be lending their expertise and experiences. From decoding AI-powered tools to unveiling transformative marketing strategies, these content stages are designed to equip marketers with actionable insights that can be seamlessly integrated into their business strategies.

Also read: How PriyoShop is revolutionising the B2B procurement process

For marketing leaders aiming to elevate their company’s marketing goals, Flux Series: Marketing Leaders is a must-attend event. Join us in Jakarta on November 15, 2023, for a day of insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and unparalleled networking opportunities that will reshape the way you approach marketing in the digital age.

Join the Flux Series or become our partner and be a driving force in the AI-powered marketing revolution. To learn more about the event, you may visit the official Flux Series: Marketing Leaders page.

Get ready to embark on a journey that will not only deepen your understanding of AI-driven marketing but also equip you with the actionable insights needed to thrive in the dynamic world of modern marketing.

Join Flux Series: Marketing Leaders with discounted tickets here.

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