Vanessa Tan

I take ideas, test them, and turn them into reality. As Tech in Asia’s first product manager, I collect both business and user requirements, create hypotheses, run usability tests, and execute them with a team of developers and designers. I run with the belief that we should make products users want. - Led and launched Tech in Asia’s website redesign in December 2015 - Previously worked on Techlist - a platform that aims to connect startups with investors. Techlist has since been integrated into the main Tech in Asia site - Led a new research team to collect startup data that was critical for our jobs feature, scaling from just a few hundred startups in our database to over 10,000 startups with quality information in a few months.

I listen and craft Asian startup and founder stories for the rest of the world. I write stories that would later bring visibility to startups, help them gain initial traction and funding, and bridge connections between startups and relevant VCs/business partners. As one of Tech in Asia’s early hires, I wore different hats, taking on roles that range from business development to leading the marketing team. - Piloted a new column and a new video series titled ‘Lady E’ to raise profiles of women entrepreneurs in Asia and to inspire entrepreneurs of tomorrow. - Some of the popular startups I’ve covered during their early stages include Carousell, RedMart, and Burpple.

I was part of the founding team where I helped craft the bespoke ShakeOut program catered for startups looking for relevant mentors, business partners, and funding. - Crafted our portfolio startups’ PR strategies, sales decks, and pitches. Paved the way for these startups to eventually and successfully obtain funding. - One of the key persons bridging relationships with partners from government agencies, universities, corporates, and VCs that would help accelerate startups’ growth

I worked with portfolio startups on their PR and marketing strategies, analyzed trends, and identified potential companies in the information, communications, and technology sectors in Singapore for Quest Ventures to invest in. - Worked closely with startups to accelerate their growth through a combination of incubation services and programmes such as Founder Institute (China).

Tech in Asia is an online publication that covers technology and startup news in Asia. - Guest wrote articles on my thoughts as a foreigner on the technology and startup scene in China

I was the first foreign intern, under the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program, selected by Innovation Works (now known as Sinovation Ventures), took on the international business development manager role at its portfolio company XingCloud. XingCloud, now known as Elex Technology, was sold to Chinese Universe for US$434 million in 2014. At XingCloud, I assisted the CEO in business strategies, planning, and took part in negotiations with local game developers. I also took charge of all international communications and partnerships for the company. - Managed the company’s international partnerships and sealed the deal with Friendster as one of our distribution platform. - Designed marketing collaterals to be exhibited at TechCrunch Disrupt Beijing 2011, liaised with international media, and managed our social media accounts.

Clickworkz is the online marketing wing of LINSad. - Worked closely with various clients, mainly in the travel industry, on their online marketing campaigns. Clients include British Airways, Macau Government Tourist Office, Tourism Darwin, Tourism Tasmania, and Contiki Holidays. - Pitched to new accounts, such as Sentosa Singapore and Nanyang Polytechnic. - Specialized in social media and location-based marketing.

- Part of the core startup team. - Assisted the country manager to work on business planning, marketing efforts, various pricing packages, and sales strategies, while pursuing a full time degree in NUS. - Worked closely with clients and media/advertising agencies on their online campaigns, and achieved SGD$15,000 worth of sales third month into employment.

- Worked closely with the director on sales and business negotiations, with clients hailing from backgrounds such as UOB, OCBC, MayBank, and ABN AMRO. - Spearheaded various events, from client liaison to actual execution. - Brought in new client (O2 Skin), and achieved a profit of SGD$6,000. - Picked up Adobe PhotoShop and Macromedia Freehand from scratch to meet design demands of the local big banks.

Established since 1996, Recruit Express has emerged as the leading staffing solutions provider that has set a proven track record for matching the right people to the right organization within the shortest time. - Top performing temporary staff, where I exceeded the daily KPIs set - Conducted job interviews with people who are seeking for temporary positions. - Assessed candidates’ attitudes and aptitudes, before finding the right fit based on companies’ requirements and cultures.