Spotlight on mission-driven entrepreneurs in Singapore
Today’s Spotlight article features an entrepreneur focused not on profit margins, but on unlocking potential in the next generation. Meet John Tan, founder of Saturday Kids and Doyobi, and one of the most purpose-driven entrepreneurs in Singapore. Through his work in education, he’s helping kids across Asia develop the creativity, curiosity, and resilience they’ll need to thrive in a fast-changing world.
Interestingly, John didn’t start in education. He calls himself a “reluctant education entrepreneur.” In 2012, he co-founded Saturday Kids to offer weekend tech and coding workshops for children. What began as a small enrichment initiative has now reached thousands of kids in Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan.
Expanding learning beyond the classroom
Saturday Kids offers hands-on programs in coding, electronics, design thinking, and even failure. Its pedagogy is rooted in play-based exploration. These courses are not just about learning to code; they focus on learning how to learn. With support from organizations like Google and IMDA, Saturday Kids has also reached underserved youth through public-private collaborations.
In 2020, John launched Doyobi — a digital platform that equips educators with tools to build metacognitive and problem-solving skills. Designed for classroom use, Doyobi provides ready-made modules that teach collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking — all often missing in traditional education systems.
As a result, Doyobi has partnered with Teach For All, Singaporean schools, and other education systems across Asia to support 21st-century learning. In recognition of its impact, Doyobi was accepted into Y Combinator, one of the world’s most prestigious startup accelerators.
Entrepreneurs in Singapore building for impact
John Tan stands out in Singapore’s entrepreneurial landscape. He prioritizes long-term societal impact over short-term growth. In addition to his startups, he is an angel investor via 8Capita and sits on the board of the Mozilla Foundation, advocating for an open and ethical web.
He regularly speaks out about the dangers of rote learning and the urgent need to reimagine education for the AI-driven future. Through interviews and published articles, he emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity, empathy, and adaptability — not just hard skills.
John’s work has been spotlighted by the World Economic Forum, Channel News Asia, and The Straits Times, reinforcing his status as a leading voice in Asia’s education innovation scene.
From founder to future-shaper: Lessons for the next generation of entrepreneurs
John Tan’s journey proves that mission-led entrepreneurship can succeed without chasing unicorn status. His startups are not the largest — but they are creating ripple effects across education, youth development, and civic tech in Asia.
For aspiring founders in Singapore, his story provides a meaningful roadmap. Build with empathy. Scale with intention. Define success not by valuation, but by how many lives you improve.
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