Ahead of the RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) Showcase & Awards deadline later this month (end of May), we are delighted to share one of our RISE student success stories with you.
In 2021/22, Singaporean start-up The Moonbeam Co were awarded the title of ‘Most Innovative’ in the RISE Awards and Showcase. Since winning, the team have further committed to overcoming global inefficiencies in the management of food supply and waste as a means of meeting Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
The Moonbeam Co was founded by three U21 students from the National University of Singapore: Jia Wei Lim, Qi Herng Kong and Varden En Cheng Toh. Having connected over their “common interest in food, drinks and, most importantly, sustainability”, they decided to change the way that food waste is treated in Singapore, upcycling it to create sustainable, consumer-packaged products, including beer and granola.
Continually learning, it was the impact of winning the RISE Award which first “affirmed” what the team were doing and “instilled confidence” as they assumed the great responsibility of tackling real-world, global issues. As a result of U21, their start-up’s vision also changed to “a much more global one.”
In 2023, Qi Herng Kong spent three months in the UK, taking part in an incubator to further the start-up, which allowed him to gain “a more international perspective.” Provost Jenny Dixon and U21 Manager, Global Education, Amber Bartlett, also spent time at the Moonbeam laboratory during a visit to Singapore, tasting various products and witnessing first-hand the impact of RISE on this innovative company, which was formally registered last year.
Presenting at the APAIE conference in 2023, Qi Herng Kong reflected on the important platform that U21 provided, allowing him “to connect with like-minded students who want to make a difference in the world.” As they look to the future, Moonbeam’s founders are keen to support other emerging U21 entrepreneurs, and give back to the global network which has aided their success.
“We are exceptionally thankful to the U21 ecosystem and the National University of Singapore, who have helped tremendously. We are also grateful to various team members at U21 who have helped us to connect with many different people as we kickstarted our initial stages of internationalisation.” – Qi Herng Kong
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