Urban E-Farm: A Visionary Venture by Student-Entrepreneurs

In the heart of an innovative journey, Sean Lee Juan Shen and Eddie Soong Chuk Ming, two diploma graduates from different fields, found a common ground in aquaponics. Inspired by a personal quest for chemical-free produce for health reasons, they transformed their hobby into an urban farming initiative. Their venture took shape with the support of the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)’s Sandbox Incubation Centre (ASBX), a nurturing ground designed to equip students with entrepreneurial skills.

Now in their final year, Lee, majoring in Business Management with a focus on E-Business, and Soong, specializing in Information Technology with an emphasis on Cloud Computing, have become the talk of the town as founders of an urban farm. Their farm boasts a monthly yield of 500kg of vegetables and 800kg of fish, catering to a growing demand for organic produce.

A recent visit by ASBX mentors, Prof Ir Ts Vinesh Thiruchelvam and Pn. Haslina Hashim, highlighted the success of this venture, noting its alignment with several United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger, good health and well-being, and responsible consumption and production.

The 16-week incubation at ASBX was a pivotal moment for Lee and Soong, allowing them to refine their business model through methodologies like effectuation, design thinking, and venture building. The program also offered them invaluable skills in communication, management, and critical thinking, under the guidance of mentor-lecturers like Pn Haslina.

ASBX’s mission is to offer students a platform to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path, providing support, mentorship, and practical experience in starting and scaling ventures. Through the program, students engage in deep dives into entrepreneurial research, idea refinement, and venture pitching, culminating in the development of a sustainable business model.

Lee and Soong credit their success to the complementary skills they brought to their partnership, with Lee focusing on the business aspects of the farm and Soong applying his technical expertise to the digital and operational infrastructure. Their shared vision and mutual understanding have been the cornerstone of their business partnership.

Their journey from students to successful entrepreneurs serves as a testament to the value of friendship, shared vision, and the transformative power of educational programs like ASBX in fostering the next generation of business leaders.