How Singapore built a startup ecosystem from scratch

THE big-name Singapore success stories that went from scrappy startup to billion-dollar unicorn are well in the limelight now. But 20 years ago, Singapore's startup scene was a ghost town of non-starters.

It took years of visionary planning, openness to foreign talent, and determined effort, to forge an ecosystem from scratch. In Brunch this Saturday in The Business Times Weekend, we find out the backstory from those who were there from the beginning, and look at how Singapore can mind the gaps that still lie ahead.

Tony Lombardo has big plans and is setting his sights high, as we discover in The Raffles Conversation. The Asia CEO of infrastructure and property group Lendlease, who will take on the top job as Lendlease Group CEO and managing director from June, tells how the group will move forward after a year of challenge and loss.

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble. In too many markets, there appear to be bubbles, bounces, and bulls. What is the retail investor, looking to build wealth, to make of this? The Science Of Wealth has some advice.

On our Health page, a cardiologist explains why treating heart disease and managing risk factors is crucial for the elderly.

In Fine Print, we review Standing Tall, the second volume of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's authorised biography, an intriguing mix of narrative, interview, and personal essay.

Also this weekend, we kick off a new series Fit to Lead, in our Life & Culture pages. We'll hear from leaders at the top of their game professionally who also push themselves hard physically. Kicking off the series, SGX CEO and goal-oriented gym nut Loh Boon Chye tells why fitness is an everyday priority for him.

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