I was rushing to the Singapore PHP User Group June Meetup this evening and I stopped along the way for dinner. The service was good and the staff there were friendly. I ordered a plate of “Char Siew Roasted Meat Rice”. Shortly after, a waiter came back with what I ordered with a warm smile and he stood by the side, only leaving when he saw that I had settled in and had no other requests. Just when I thought that my dinner experience was going to be above my expectations, I heard a woman’s voice lashing out. I raised my head and saw the lady boss of the restaurant reprimanding the waiter, repeatedly reminding him at the top of her voice that he has “NO RIGHT” to touch the Sales Log of the restaurant.

The waiter had tried to help out but he received a very unpleasant treatment from his boss. It may be that the sales log happened to be extremely sensitive information, but was lashing out at him really the best way to manage the situation? After a moment of apologies, the waiter continued to serve other customers with a customary smile.

I would never choose such a working environment if given a choice.

Large companies can afford to make the mistake of providing a less than desirable environment for their workers who are stuck to the companies for their paychecks. But startups do not have such liberty. Startups work in small groups initially and the work can be really intensive. Success and failure is such a thin line that startups tread on and a great working environment will more often than not give the boost that entrepreneurs need to pull them through a difficult phase.

I visited Garag3 2 days ago to do a presentation of a startup I am interning at and it was a tremendous experience to meet up with peers who are as upbeat about young people doing tech startups. What an eye opener it was.

Garag3 is powered and backed by a team of great people at E27 Singapore.

Justin of E27.sg presented the idea of Garag3 to us and the idea was fantastic. Having a space where wannabe entrepreneurs get to build their startups together and learn from each other. By bringing all these people together and leaving them to their own will, at the same place, it breeds culture. And I have to say that it is a great, open culture where people love what they do and are passionate. All the excitement, fun and enthusiasm bounces off everyone there and everyone feels the hype and rush to work on what could be the next big thing.

It is an environment where rigid is a word deleted from their dictionary. They work hard, they play hard. You can feel the energy the moment you enter the complex. It may not be a big place. Just two containers stacked and transformed into working offices. For these young people, starting in a small office with adequate equipment is sufficient. No need for cubicles, no need for a big sofa, no need for huge cupboards for keeping important documents. Just desks, chairs, light and their computers to get them going.

Bootstrapping should be a part of every startup, especially since they really need funds, and the funding that they acquire are not fantastic amounts to boast about. Every dollar they save is an extra dollar they have made as future cash inflow. Without a need for rent, Garag3 is the perfect place for bootstrapping a startup business.

Funding and mentoring will also be part of Garag3’s programme. Funding will come in the form of MDA Microfunding of up to SGD$55,000.

Do head over to e27.sg and Garag3 to read more about them and what they have to offer.
Whether you are a startup in need of a place or funding, or just wish to network with like-minded people, this is the place to head.

The address below is where you will find this fantastic place. Check it out.