User:Yngshin/sandbox

Cheong Chia Chou (born 19 November 1975) is a Singaporean techno-preneur who helms several regional businesses in Malaysia and Singapore. Born in Ipoh, Perak, Cheong graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with Honours from the prestigious National University of Singapore ("NUS”), and subsequently completed his Master’s Degree in Computer Science at the same university.

Early Years
Cheong was born in the quaint and idyllic town of Ipoh in Perak, Malaysia. He has an elder brother and elder sister, Cheong Chia Chieh and Cheong Chia Chen.

His entrepreneurial spirit was apparent from an early age. Back then when he was attending school, his classmates would go to him when they needed help in photocopying things. He would gather the materials and in return charge his classmates on top of the photocopy costs.

Cheong believes that his upbringing and early childhood experiences in Malaysia set the stage for his journey as an entrepreneur and businessman that he is today. He has always believed that computer programming is a powerful tool that can help human beings lead simpler, better and happier lives. When he was 17, Cheong went on to study Computer Science at NUS, Singapore.

Inspiration and Mentorship from Late Brother
Cheong’s journey as an entrepreneur is closely linked to that of his late elder brother, Cheong Chia Chieh. He credits Chia Chieh for opening his eyes to the value of entrepreneurial and business skills while he was still in university.

When Cheong started his first year at NUS in 1997, he embarked on part-time tutoring to fund his studies in order to ease his family’s financial burden. Concurrently, his elder brother Chia Chieh had started his first computer shop in Serdang, Selangor selling sub-assembly computers.

During the holidays, the brothers spent a lot of time together and the younger Cheong learned all he could from his elder brother, especially on negotiation techniques and innovation. The younger Cheong thought of himself as an introvert, but thanks to his brother who constantly pushed him out of his comfort zone, he learned to be more outspoken and people-oriented. Cheong was very inspired by his brother’s entrepreneurship and his ability to think differently.

In his second year, Cheong realised the potential of the Internet and writing HTML codes. The brothers started a new partnership where the more technically-conversant Cheong would handle the IT aspects and web page programming, while the elder, more business-savvy brother focused on business, marketing and sales. The following year, they extended beyond selling web pages to packaging system solutions along with web consultancy services.

Cheong then continued to pursue his Master’s Degree in Computer Science with NUS after declining his brother’s invitation to join him in expanding his business in Kuala Lumpur.

On 27 February 2016, Chia Chieh passed away from a rare illness known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Cheong has often said that working with his older brother had not only taught him about entrepreneurship but also inspired the entrepreneurial spirit in him.

Entrepreneurial Journey
An entrepreneur at heart, Cheong started his first venture with GeoFoto Pte Ltd in 1999 together with four of his professors from NUS to commercialise its various technologies. As the Co-Founder and Chief Architect, he collaborated with his alma mater to develop system architecture and marketed imaging technology. As an extension of his line of work, he subsequently designed a state-of-the-art online photo printing system (Print@Fuijcolor) which was sold to Fujifilm Singapore in 2001.

After leaving the company, Cheong went on to work at Systems@Work Pte Ltd (later acquired by WireCard AG) as its Business Solutions Director. He led a team in the planning and development of large-scale payment systems and innovative payment products including mobile applications to meet the growing demands of Malaysia’s online ePayments ecosystem. During this time, Fujifilm approached Cheong to explore the possibility of developing instant printing kiosks using Bluetooth mobile technology. He embraced the offer which led to the establishment of Pictureworks Pte Ltd (“Pictureworks”) in 2003. Together with his team, Pictureworks established the world’s first mobile photo printing kiosk – Cheki, which was then being installed at hundreds of kiosks in most of the Fujifilm outlets across Singapore.

The following year, Pictureworks started to leverage on WiFi solutions that allowed images to be transferred from camera to computer, enabling users to take pictures and get instant printouts from the printers at events. It was called PictureAnywhere. In 2008, Pictureworks was awarded the National Infocomm Award in the category of Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Private Sector - Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) for its PictureAnywhere innovation.

Due to the low barrier of entry to the industry business, Cheong eventually decided to restructure the business direction of Pictureworks.

Opportunity struck in 2006 when Cheong received offers of theme park roller coaster ride camera replacement. Pictureworks then started receiving offers to provide imaging services through ride-capture cameras attached to fixed locations on theme park roller coasters. Despite the small business volume at the time, Cheong accepted the offer and developed a system for the theme parks. As he spent more time refining the system, Cheong also slowly learned the ins and outs of the business model, which sparked his interest in advanced technologies in digital imaging solutions and mobile technology. This paved the way for Pictureworks to tap into the theme park business, which not only had a readily available customer base tied to theme park traffic, but also a high barrier of entry.

To build a unique selling point from the big players, Pictureworks revamped their system to be Cloud-based and Mobile-based, which led to the birth of its proprietary image solutions technology, PictureAirTM in 2011. Extending to its clientele covering theme parks and attractions, visitors are able to view, purchase and share their images on mobile phones, taking the visitors’ theme park experience to a new level.

Pictureworks Holdings Sdn Bhd and its subsidiaries including Pictureworks Pte Ltd (collectively known as ‘PW Group’) has today emerged as the official imaging service provider for more than 30 theme parks and attractions in the region, including major international theme parks such as LEGOLAND® Japan, LEGOLAND® Malaysia, and Kidzania in various parts of the world, among others. In early 2018, Pictureworks managed to secure tenders from Ocean Park and/or Water World in Hong Kong, as well as “Hello Kitty Shanghai Times” indoor theme park in Shanghai by Shimao Group Themepark Company.

According to Cheong, Pictureworks does very little marketing, with most of its projects coming through word-of-mouth referrals from within the industry.

Business Career
Following the sudden death of elder brother Chia Chieh in February 2016, Cheong was appointed the Managing Director of PUC Founder (MSC) Berhad (now known as PUC Berhad) on 1 December 2016. On 1 May 2017, he was appointed its Group Chief Executive Officer.

Following his appointment as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cheong introduced a new management team and initiated a rebranding exercise. The rebranding exercise saw the company’s name change to PUC Berhad (“PUC”), in order to reflect PUC’s new corporate identity and brand image as a digital lifestyle technology services provider. In November 2017, PUC received the ‘Excellent Brand Award’ from Worldwide Excellence Award (WEA).

Cheong considers partnerships essential for business success, a lesson he learned from his late brother. Some key partnerships that Cheong has engaged the Group with include partnering with Advwhere Limited to leverage on digital media influencers ; joining hands with ShenZhen Institute of Advanced Technology for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology ; and working with subsidiaries of Axiata Group Berhad on digital advertising and digital financial services. These efforts are in line with Cheong’s vision to building PUC into a world-class digital lifestyle services provider.

In line with this vision, Cheong has also led the Group through several acquisition initiatives. In June 2017, PUC acquired Enovax Pte Ltd, a Singaporean full-fledged integrated IT business solutions leader as the technology arm for PUC. In June 2018, after obtaining its shareholders’ approval to diversify its business into the digital imaging segment, PUC completed the acquisition of 33% stake in Pictureworks. Three months later, PUC concluded the acquisition of 12.348% equity interest in one of Malaysia’s leading online marketplaces, 11street Malaysia, which also saw Cheong taking the helm as the latter’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

Cheong spent years managing businesses in China, which opened his eyes to the country’s revolutionary digital ecosystem. He witnessed the impact of China’s gradual transformation into a cashless economy and the adoption of the new system in every segment of its business landscape, from conglomerates to street vendors. These observations inspired Cheong to create Presto.

Positioned as Malaysia’s revolutionary home-grown social marketing platform, Presto aims to introduce shoppers to a unique and rewarding online shopping experience, where shoppers can earn ‘cashback’ as more people purchase an item or service, as well as when they promote deals on their social media channels.

In September 2018, PUC introduced a mobile payment function, Presto Wallet, to complement the Presto application after obtaining approval from Bank Negara Malaysia to issue eMoney.

Cheong’s philosophy in business is summed up in a single quote: “Dare to change, or be changed”.

Awards and Honours

 * In 2018, Cheong received EY Entrepreneur of The YearTM 2018 Singapore Award for its ‘Media & Lifestyle’ category in his capacity of Managing Director of Pictureworks Pte Ltd.