Ambitious former GIC scholar joins forces with Zuckerberg's sister to establish global business venture in Singapore
Debbie Soon, a Singaporean trailblazer, has carved out an extraordinary career path that spans various industries, from finance to fitness, mixed martial arts, and now Web3. Her latest venture, as the marketing head at Privy, a cryptocurrency wallet provider, is a testament to her relentless pursuit of innovation.
Soon's story began after completing her scholarship bond, working in traditional roles at Singapore's mixed martial arts organisation ONE Championship and the sovereign wealth fund GIC. In early 2021, amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she took a bold leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles without a job waiting for her. Her decision was driven by her desire to experience living and working in the US.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Soon's interest in the Web3 ecosystem grew alongside her passion for art. She co-founded HUG.art, a social marketplace for artists to showcase and sell their digital and physical work, alongside Randi Zuckerberg, the older sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. As Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, she utilises her diverse experience and networks to empower artists in the Web3 space.
Soon's approach to life is one of taking the plunge and seeing where it leads. This unconventional career trajectory has led her from finance and sports management in Singapore to Web3 entrepreneurship in the US. Privy, the company she works for, was recently acquired by payment technology firm Stripe, further solidifying her place in the Web3 world.
In summary, Debbie Soon's move from finance and sports management in Singapore to Web3 entrepreneurship in the US was driven by her willingness to embrace risk, her enthusiasm for crypto, and her desire to create a global impact through a social marketplace supporting artists. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those who are willing to take a leap of faith and follow their passions.
[1] Source: Debbie Soon's LinkedIn profile [2] Source: TechCrunch article titled "Stripe acquires crypto wallet Privy" dated 16th March 2023
Technology plays a significant role in Debbie Soon's education-and-self-development and career-development journey. Her interest in the Web3 ecosystem in Los Angeles led to the co-founding of HUG.art, a platform that utilizes technology to empower artists in the digital space. Furthermore, her work at Privy, a technology-driven cryptocurrency wallet provider, has not only been a testament to her technological prowess but also a stepping stone towards her global impact.
