Meet our MSc TIP Student, Solomon Chua!

From Passion to Impact: How TIP Empowered Solomon’s Entrepreneurial Leap 

For Solomon, spreading joy has always been at the heart of his entrepreneurial journey. Whether it was through serving freshly baked pastries and bubble tea, connecting pet lovers with furry companions, or helping others discover the healing power of music, one thing remained constant—his desire to make people happy. It wasn’t until he joined the NTU’s Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation Programme (MSc TIP) that he truly understood how to turn his passion into purposeful, scalable impact. 

Solomon’s journey into the world of business began in 2018, when he opened his first venture—a bakery and bubble tea shop. By 2022, he had shifted away from F&B and ventured into the pet retail business with a friend. That same year, he also co-founded a music school, leaning into his belief that music has the power to soothe and uplift the soul. 

Discovering the Missing Link 

Despite the meaningful impact of his ventures, Solomon found himself grappling with the familiar challenges that every entrepreneur knows all too well—operational difficulties, scaling limitations, and a lack of strategic direction. What could he do to propel his business going forward? Was there a knowledge gap he needed to fill to elevate his ventures? 

His turning point came when he learnt about the TIP programme from his supervisor at the Sino-Singaporean Talent Exchange Centre, a talent recruitment agency he joined in addition to running his music school. He decided to apply for the course, not just to learn how to effectively expand his business, but also to bridge the academic gap between himself and the PhD students he regularly interacted with at the agency.  

Transforming Passion into Impact 

The TIP programme did more than just introduce Solomon to business theories—it gave him a new lens through which to view his ideas. The watershed moment came when he reached out to Mr Anuj Jain, a TIP instructor who mentored him outside the classroom. “There were things he said, and concepts I learnt in class, that completely reshaped how I viewed my business,” he reflected. 

That new perspective led Solomon to reimagine his music school. No longer just a place for lessons, he began transforming it into a music and entertainment agency—a platform that could facilitate talent exchange and bridge commercial needs in music and the arts between countries. He began positioning himself not only as an educator, but also as a connector in the global arts ecosystem. 

What made this transformation even more remarkable was that Solomon came from a non-tech background. While the TIP curriculum includes a module on technology commercialisation, the enterprising young man found a way to adapt the lessons to his own field. “I may not know much about tech,” he admitted, “but I know a lot about arts and entertainment. So why not apply the same principles and build an ‘arts and entertainment commercialisation model instead?” 

Solomon credits much of his confidence to the practical, hands-on approach of the TIP curriculum, which he finds deeply relevant. “The TIP programme takes you from zero to one. It teaches you how to validate, plan, and execute a business idea from scratch,” he explained.  

From business ideation to pitching, every trimester gave him the opportunity to apply what he learnt in real time. He was not only able to connect what was taught in class to his past experiences, but also gained insights into how he could have done better. “Before TIP, I was always busy doing the tasks—focusing on the day-to-day operations. But now, I’m learning how to manage resources strategically and plan for long-term impact.”  

Practical Lessons, Lasting Networks 

Solomon is also grateful to renowned entrepreneur Professor Inderjit Singh, who provided him with a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship. “I really like the fact that TIP invited existing industry practitioners to be adjunct lecturers who were able to provide comprehensive, first-hand and practical insights into entrepreneurship,” he added. 

Additionally, Solomon found great value in the programme’s pitching exercises. Every trimester, students are given ample opportunities to present both individually and in groups, simulating the pressure and precision required in real-world investor pitches. “Now, if you ask us to pitch to VCs, we know what they’re looking for. We can handle their questions confidently.”   

He also pointed out that access to valuable networks beyond the classroom is particularly game-changing for startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs participating. Beyond acquiring skills and knowledge, building meaningful connections with lecturers, industry professionals and fellow entrepreneurs has been one of the most valuable aspects of the TIP experience.  

A Journey of Redemption and Reinvention 

Looking back, Solomon views his TIP experience not just as a professional milestone, but as a transformative journey of redemption and growth. He openly shared that he was a “bad student with poor grades” in his younger days. “I never did homework and often skipped classes. In my undergraduate days at LASALLE, there were some miserable episodes I had with my lecturers because I was so defiant back then. I just didn’t like to study.” 

That all changed at NTU, where he had the opportunity to reflect and redeem himself. “For the first time, I chose to study. No one forced me. And that choice made all the difference,” he shared. “I got the best academic results of my life—not straight As, but mostly As. And for the first time, I was even awarded a scholarship.”  

Solomon expresses his deep gratitude for the life-changing experiences at TIP and is constantly looking for ways to make a meaningful impact. He has since reconnected with one of his lecturers, informing her of his plan to turn his music school into a full-fledged arts and entertainment company. “I want to give back. We’re meeting next week to discuss how I can contribute,” he revealed.  

Having benefited from the course, Solomon firmly believes that TIP is for anyone with a heart for entrepreneurship. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve started a business before or not. What matters is your willingness to learn, to grow, and to seize the opportunities around you,” he emphasised.