What do you get when you combine a passion for entrepreneurship with a solid foundation in accounting? For SMU Accountancy students Wilson Terng and Vivienne Yeoh, the answer is clear: success. As members of the Executive Committee of the SMU Start-Up Society (SSUS), they are determined to break the stereotype that entrepreneurship is the exclusive domain of business students. Both aspiring entrepreneurs. Wilson and Vivienne believe that accounting knowledge is not just useful – it’s crucial for building and scaling successful ventures. In this article, they reveal how accounting can be the secret weapon for future business leaders.

Congratulations on successfully organising the Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2024! Could you tell us more about the event and what made it such a wonderful experience? 

Wilson & Vivienne: Thank you for the opportunity to highlight how Accountancy students are pursuing interests beyond traditional expectations.
 

Entrepreneurship is often perceived as the domain of business students, but we are determined to break this stereotype. Through Entrepreneurs' Summit 2024, which we had the privilege of leading - Wilson as Event Chairman and Vivienne as Event Lead – we hope to show that entrepreneurship is for everyone, regardless of academic background.

The Entrepreneurs' Summit is SMU Start-Up Society (SSUS)'s flagship networking event, and this year, we raised the bar. We introduced exciting new segments such as booths showcasing products and services from local young startups, a performance by string ensemble Footnotes Ensemble, and a lucky draw, in addition to our usual panel discussion and networking opportunities.

We were privileged to host Mr Jack Lim, SMU Academy's executive director, as our Guest-Of-Honour, alongside an inspiring lineup of panellists: Mr Kelvin Tan (Founder of SG Interior and Co-Founder of Double Up Media), Mr Tommy Wong (Founder of Nothing But Cheese Burger), Mr Zen Chin (Co-Founder of Overdrive IOT), Ms Joanne Seah (Founder of Nine.N Official), and Ms Jane Tan (Founder of RÓA) who served as our panelists.
 

With over 200 participants, Entrepreneurs' Summit 2024 became the largest event SSUS has ever hosted. We are very proud of this achievement, and we see it as only the beginning of an exciting journey. As SSUS continues to grow, we are confident it will inspire more SMU students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

As Accountancy students ourselves, we hope to encourage more Accountancy peers to explore the startup world and realise that entrepreneurship can be their path to success too!

As Ex-Co members of SMU Start-Up Society, can you tell us more about the club and what you do? 

Wilson & Vivienne: SSUS aims to be SMU's most accessible and connected entrepreneurship club by connecting aspiring and budding entrepreneurs with seasoned professionals in the startup scene. Through networking sessions, sharing events, workshops, pitching competitions, and more, we create opportunities for students to connect, learn and grow. You might not be familiar with the name SSUS just yet, as we were known as SMU Real Business until recently, but we’re excited to continue expanding our reach and impact under our new identity.

Wilson: As Vice President, I work closely with the club President to set the strategic goals and vision for the year, while leading the club’s operations, marketing and administration to ensure we achieve our desired outcomes.
 

Vivienne: As Events Director, I co-lead a cross-functional team of directors together with either the President or Vice President in planning and executing events. Each event is designed with a strategic goal or KPI which we are required to meet.

In your opinion, how would you describe the start-up culture at SMU? What opportunities and support are available for students who are keen to pursue entrepreneurship? 

Wilson & Vivienne: The startup culture at SMU is robust and actively encouraged through a range of programmes and initiatives designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Some key opportunities and resources available to students include:

• Incubator Programmes: SMU's Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) offers an incubator that has successfully supported over 300 startups, helping them raise more than SGD 300 million. This programme provides essential coaching, mentorship, and funding, with a focus on nurturing early-stage startups.
• Protégé Ventures: Southeast Asia's first student-managed venture capital fund, Protégé Ventures invests between SGD 25,000 to SGD 50,000 in early-stage startups founded by students. In addition to capital, it offers mentorship tailored to meet the specific challenges faced by student entrepreneurs.
• Start Up Society: Our club further supports aspiring entrepreneurs by organising competitions such as the upcoming “Pitch-It!” event, where students can present their business ideas to industry leaders and investors, gaining valuable exposure and feedback.

With these resources and initiatives, SMU fosters a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem where students can bring their innovative ideas to life.

Given your interest in entrepreneurship and your background in accounting, what are your career aspirations after completing your SMU Bachelor of Accountancy?

Wilson & Vivienne: One common regret we’ve heard from the many entrepreneurs is that they waited too long to start, often due to the fear of failure. However, we believe failure should be embraced as part of the learning process. So why wait until after graduation? We are currently working on a startup that leverages technology to bring baked potatoes with customised toppings to Singapore, all without the need to queue! We believe this model will offer customers greater accessibility and convenience, allowing them to plan their meals around their busy schedule without skipping meals due to long queues. We’d love for you to support Tato Thoughts by visiting us!

Ready to take your aspirations to new heights? Applications for undergraduate programmes are now open!