Daily Cuts - What makes a good lifestyle app?
Melanie Oliveiro speaks to Saim Yeong Harng, Founder of CardsPal, about how he created the app ...
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Saim Yeong Harng
Director
Evolvx
Saim Yeong Harng is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in digital transformation across consulting, financial services, and technology sectors. His journey is a testament to his passion for driving change and growth through innovation and engagement.
Saim’s career began conventionally, spending years as a business analyst and project manager in the banking sector, working on various large-scale projects covering products, processes, compliance, risk, and regulatory domains. However, his entrepreneurial spirit was ignited when he joined Standard Chartered Bank’s intrapreneur program in 2018, becoming one of the first batch of intrapreneurs at the bank.
It was during this time that Saim founded CardsPal, a mobile app that helps users maximize the benefits of their payment cards by recommending the best card to use at a particular merchant. Under his leadership as CEO and board director, CardsPal gained international recognition, winning awards such as the Digital CX Awards for Outstanding Transformation in Digital CX during Covid-19 and being nominated for the UX Design Awards in 2023.
His story
Saim’s core values include authenticity, innovation, and lifelong learning. He believes in compassionate leadership and fostering an inclusive environment where diverse ideas can excel. These principles guide his decision-making processes and entrepreneurial endeavors, ensuring that he stays true to his mission of creating positive impact.
One of the significant challenges Saim faced was steering CardsPal through its various growth phases, particularly during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating through market instability while ensuring the team remained motivated and focused was a daunting task. These experiences taught him resilience and the importance of adaptability, qualities that have profoundly shaped his leadership style and personal growth.
Saim uses his personal story and journey to inspire aspiring talents. “I believe everyone has talent, and by providing them with my 3M framework (mindset, management, and method), they can grow to overcome their limiting beliefs, find their inner voices, and become intrapreneurs within their organizations or personal lives,” he shared.
His career
Saim’s professional journey has been a diverse and enriching one, spanning over two decades in consulting, financial services, and technology. He has had the privilege of leading digital transformations, founding and scaling successful ventures, and contributing to the education and mentoring of future leaders.
Saim’s experiences at various companies exposed him to the nuances of venture building and intrapreneurship, which subsequently led him to entrepreneurship. From starting as a consultant to becoming the CEO of a digital venture, his experiences have shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.
Saim’s leadership extends beyond his role at CardsPal. He holds various positions, including being an Independent Director at Catch Them Young Ltd and Image Mission Ltd, a Mentor at Singapore Management University, a Certified Chair at the Advisory Board Centre, and a Fellow at Execs On Deck. Additionally, he is a member of the Young Business Leaders Network at the Singapore Business Federation and the SEA Founders organisation.
His passion
Saim’s passion for empowering and improving lives through innovation and engagement is evident in his work. He strongly believes that passion drives change and growth, and he is obsessed with building great products that fill market gaps and serve people.
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavours, Saim is actively involved in mentoring and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. He serves as a pro bono mentor in the Youth Business International programme, supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa, and is a CFTE Expert/Mentor at The Centre for Finance Technology and Entrepreneurship.
His speaking style
Saim has an inspirational and experiential speaking style that draws from his diverse professional journey and entrepreneurial ventures.
Keynotes
Recent Projects
Saim's career
2023 | Feature | Tech Crunch
Travel tech company utu announced its acquisition of CardsPal
This journey has been filled with invaluable learnings, profound reflections, and countless memorable experiences. It marks my very first successful exit ...
2023 | Podcast Series | MONEY FM 89.3
MONEY FM 89.3 - Your money by Michelle Martin
I am truly honored to be invited back to MONEY FM 89.3 after a span of two years. My conversation with Michelle Martin this time around took place in ...
2023 | Speaker | Singapore Fintech Festival 2023
Singapore Fintech Festival 2023: pay-it-forward office hours: innovation & entrepreneurship
Learn from innovation gurus and experienced founders on topics ranging from disruptive technologies, digital transformation, product development, go-to-market ...
2022 | Award | SC ventures
CardsPal wins award for outstanding transformation in Digital CX during Covid19
We are both thrilled and humbled to be recognized in this regard for our solutions at this year’s Digital CX Awards. A big thank you to all our partners across the bank ...
Recommendations
Saim, thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights at our team building event... We are grateful for your guidance and look forward to implementing these lessons in our work.
Nauman Bashir
Managing Director, Global Head of Digital Sales. Head of Digital, Data & Customer Value Management, Standard Chartered BankSo glad to meet you via the program, Saim. It was such an amazing learning! Thank you very much for your sharing and inspiration for us. The experience and insights are treasurable.
Claire Hsieh
Product ManagerMayoHR Taiwan
