These students became startup founders in 8 weeks. Here’s what they learnt

These students became startup founders in 8 weeks. Here’s what they learnt

Back in February, East Ventures launched My First $1000 – a youth entrepreneurship programme designed for students in Secondary 3 and 4, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics, and ITEs. The programme gave youths $250 in seed capital and 8 weeks to go to market. At the end of the programme, My First $1000 matched their revenues dollar-for-dollar – then took back a $300 "cost of capital".

In the end, out of 108 participating teams, 72 successfully generated revenues and were rewarded with matching grants. Of these teams, 41 earned their first $1,000 in revenue, with the most successful team generating over $25,000!

According to Cuaca, successful teams were ones that moved – and scaled – quickly and pushed through rejection. Collaboration was equally vital, requiring clear division of responsibilities across the CEO, CFO and CPO roles to ensure accountability.

Now, let's hear from four teams that nailed the challenge.

Say hi to: Revive Tech

The programme organisers presented this team with “The Eco Champion” award for generating strong revenue with an environmentally conscious business model.

What did you do?
We provided affordable refurbished laptops and repair services at discounted prices while reducing electronic waste.

How?
By sourcing our products from recycling suppliers in Japan and shipping them to Singapore. We also ordered parts in China and refurbished them to sell the finished products on Carousell.

Source of inspiration?
Coming from challenging backgrounds, we knew first-hand the struggles of lacking basic educational tools. So we decided to make a difference and give back to the community, by turning spare parts and scraps into something useful.

Lessons learnt?
We learnt to think about every possible thing that could go wrong. And to not assume the business plan would run smoothly because there are thousands of external factors that may affect the business when executing your plan. Don't be afraid to use AI to answer any doubt, and if all else fails, at least you tried and learnt from your mistakes.

Say hi to: Kampong Keepsakes

Bouncing back from an early production hiccup, this team reworked their idea on the fly and turned things around.

What did you do?
We made mahjong-themed keycap clicker keychains in blind boxes.

How?
By designing and 3D-printing our own clicker keychains.

Source of inspiration?
We got the idea for clicker keychains after seeing young people hang them on their bags. We also wanted to give them a local flavour by incorporating mahjong designs, as it is a pastime that resonates across generations here. Then, we added a blind box format to this, because after all, most of us love a surprise.

Lessons learnt?
This project opened our eyes to a world way bigger than what we could imagine. There were many business niches we had to learn on-the-go, and with time constantly on our minds, we had to adapt and pivot whenever we faced problems. We also learnt the importance of resilience.

Say hi to: Vita Nova

Fuelled by a love of historical fashion, this team turned cultural curiosity into an immersive experience for a new generation.

What did you do?
We operated a photo booth that offered the novelty of wearing traditional costumes without travelling overseas.

How?
Through costume rental, makeup, hairstyling, photography, and photo editing services, we created an experience to transport people into another time, while helping them appreciate the beauty, history, and culture behind each outfit.

Source of inspiration?
The idea began with a love for historical dramas and a memorable "hanfu" (traditional Han Chinese clothing) photoshoot in Chongqing, China. We realised that similar experiences in Singapore were often expensive for students, or focused mainly on Chinese attire. That inspired us to create a multicultural costume photography experience that was more accessible and affordable.

Lessons learnt?
We learnt that sometimes, you need to take a calculated leap of faith. While planning is important, entrepreneurship taught us that it is impossible to create a completely foolproof plan. If you spend too much time waiting for the ideal moment, you may never start at all.

Say hi to: Celestial Creation

Starting with a gifted 3D printer, this team turned a maker’s hobby into a real business – even building their own commission-based sales team.

What did you do?
We created one-of-a-kind hand-painted and customisable mechanical clickers and desk decorations.

How?
We used a 3D printer and hand-painted each item. Later on, we added mechanical components to our clickers.

Source of inspiration?
The idea began when one of us received a 3D printer and started experimenting with different models. After people around us praised the design and painting of the creations, we saw the potential to turn this hobby into a business.

Lessons learnt?
During the course of this programme, our technical precision and painting skills improved significantly, leading to a noticeable upgrade in our product quality. We also developed stronger communication skills, learning how to engage prospective buyers with a professional, polite, and reassuring tone to successfully close sales.