What does it mean to build a nation today? In the Singapore of 2025, which is wealthier, more connected, yet grappling with deeper questions of equity, identity, and sustainability, it no longer rests solely in institutions or infrastructure. Increasingly, it’s in the hands of individuals: Founders, reformers, creators, and quiet disruptors who are laying the groundwork for a future shaped by progress and purpose. In this month's special, we spotlight a new generation of leaders reimagining what success looks like – from the boardroom to the art world, from hospitality to home services. Some are preserving legacy through reinvention; others are rewriting rules with fresh conviction. But all share a deep belief in Singapore’s promise and a determination to make their mark not just for today, but for generations to come.
JOSEPH ONG
Founder & Managing Director, 1-Group
Joseph Ong never set out to build a food and beverage empire. In fact, 1-Group – now Singapore’s largest lifestyle F&B group with over 30 unique concepts – began as his final year MBA project. Back then, Ong was still holding down a corporate role as Vice President at Symantec, testing an unconventional theory: That strategic thinking could outperform industry experience.
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“It would have been unthinkable, perhaps even irresponsible by traditional standards,” he reflects, recalling the early gamble. Yet in just one year, 1-Group generated over 2 million in revenue – a validation of what he would later formalise as Remote Entrepreneurship, a model grounded in structure, systems, and trust.
Ong’s philosophy has always been people-centric. At 1-Group, many of the current leaders started out in entry-level roles – interns, waitstaff, event coordinators – and grew into decision-makers under what he calls a Collective Leadership model. “It’s not about building an empire for one,” he says, “it’s about creating opportunities for many.”
His desire to reimagine Singapore’s social and culinary spaces is equally transformative. From conserved bungalows to rooftops and heritage sites, Ong and his team have breathed new life into forgotten pockets of the city, turning them into vibrant venues where people gather, celebrate, and connect.
(Related: The secret sauce to Singapore's F&B Success Stories)
As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence, Ong sees clear parallels between the nation’s trajectory and his own. “Much like Singapore, 1-Group began with a simple vision and limited resources,” he says. “What sustained us was a shared sense of purpose, resilience, and adaptability.”
Today, as the company prepares to expand overseas under Enterprise Singapore’s Scale-Up initiative, Ong remains focused on building not just a business, but a legacy that is rooted in leadership, ownership, and impact. “If there’s one thing I hope to leave behind,” he says, “it’s that we didn’t just build a company. We built people. And we gave meaning to places once overlooked.”
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