Laid off during crisis, she went on to found a company worth S$8m

AT the height of her career, Shi Ru Xin was retrenched as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008. About 100 unsuccessful job applications later, she decided to take the plunge and start her own company.

That company is Xintesys, which develops enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Its clients today include camera and audio equipment retailer TK Foto, Luminous Dental Group and printing company Pin Press.

Xintesys has also caught the interest of private investors who are businessmen in Singapore. Financial records show that the company has paid-up capital of S$7.7 million. The investors declined to be named.