NextGen
PHILANTHROPISTS
This year, two standout NTU students : Phoebe and Ding Ren stepped into an extraordinary opportunity: an internship in Silicon Valley at Sky9 Capital, arranged by Good Soil to accelerate their growth as future changemakers. As part of Good Soil’s vision to nurture global leaders and invest deeply in the potential of young people, this experience offered them a rare window into the world’s most innovative ecosystem. They had explored cutting-edge companies, met innovators shaping the tech landscape, and witnessed firsthand how bold ideas become real-world impact.
To capture their experience, we sat down with both interns for a candid interview. In their own words, Phoebe and Ding Ren share the moments that inspired them, the lessons that challenged them, and how this journey is reshaping the leaders they hope to become.
Phoebe and Ding Ren were not just participating in the myriad of activities, but rather transforming, and we are excited to share their reflections as they rise into the next generation of changemakers.
Please introduce yourself.
My name is Phoebe Yen, and I’m a Year 3 Finance major. I’m especially interested in startups, emerging technologies, and venture capital. I love exploring how new ideas become actual products and how businesses grow from just an idea on paper.
What surprised you the most about Silicon Valley’s innovation and venture capital ecosystem?
I was most surprised by how openly people embrace risk. It’s normal to try something, fail, and try again. People talk about their failures like they’re learning milestones, and I found that really refreshing. Compared to Singapore, where stability is often emphasised, Silicon Valley encourages people to dream big and take chances, even if it means falling short the first few times.
How did this experience help you grow as a young leader or changemaker?
This experience changed the way I think about what it means to live a fulfilling life. Before this, I used to think that personal goals and career goals were separate. But in Silicon Valley, I met a lot of people who brought their personal passions into their work, and it made me realise that both can support each other. It taught me to think bigger about the kind of impact I want to create and to be more intentional about the choices I make.
In what ways did the attachment shape your mindset about social innovation, entrepreneurship, or global problem-solving?
Being there made me more aware of how global many of today’s problems are, and how much potential technology has to solve them. I met founders and teams who weren’t just building products for profit but were trying to tackle issues in climate, healthcare, education, and financial access. It made me see entrepreneurship differently. It’s not just about having a good idea, but about creating something that can help people on a larger scale. I came back with a broader perspective and a stronger belief that young people in Singapore can also play a role in shaping global solutions.
Please introduce yourself.
Hi! My name is Ding Ren, I am a student from Singapore. I am a Y3 computer engineering student at Nanyang Technological University, and I am currently doing an internship at Sky9 Capital’s Venture Studio firm, Athena Labs, based in the SF Bay Area. I love all things science, robotics and abstract concepts in the study of intelligence, and I love the outdoors!
What inspired you to apply for this internship , and how does it align with your personal goals?
My rationale for applying to this internship position was extremely simple, I wanted global exposure outside of tiny Singapore, and I knew I wanted to work in startups more than big established companies. And in the field of tech which I am in, there is no better place than San Franciso and Silicon Valley. The culture of bold ideas, startups and networks almost make you seem out of place if you are not working on your own startup in SF.
What were your key responsibilities or projects while working? Were there any moments that stood out?
Worked on a couple of consumer facing apps and fintech apps. Since the team was small, I had to be in-charge of the entire stack, both front and back end, database design, as well as handle testing and deployment. Although the work was never-ending, I learnt so incredibly much during these few months.
