Ex-Slack CFO Allen Shim on the growing tech ecosystem and global talent hub in Singapore

Allen Shim was one of the first 20 employees of Slack, the team communication and collaboration platform. Serving as its CFO until August 2021, he oversaw the company’s financial management strategy including areas such as global operations and accounting. Today, Shim is focused on advising companies and angel investing in startups in Singapore and Southeast Asia. 

Q: Could you tell us more about what you are doing now?

A: I started Anderson Point Consulting to focus on advisory work with the region's early-stage and private technology companies. Salesforce’s acquisition of Slack created a natural transition period for me, and my family and I wanted to explore living abroad. Singapore presented the most compelling choice for us because we valued a safe and stable environment and Singapore's growing tech ecosystem, and we relocated here in July 2021. Today, I advise and coach entrepreneurs and executives across various company growth stages and industries and serve as a board member at multiple companies. These engagements may include direct investment into the company as well.

Q: Why did you choose Singapore to do this work?

A: Singapore has stable governance and a growing economy. Its role as a regional hub has attracted talent and capital that has spurred the growth of more startups coupled with some notable exits and IPOs in the past years. All these factors gave me access to the types of companies and individuals I wanted to connect with by living in Singapore.

I am able to meet entrepreneurs and investors from multiple countries, such as India, Indonesia and Thailand, all while staying in Singapore, and I have also met early-stage and later growth-stage companies. The government has facilitated some of these interactions and, in the process, I have had good engagements with the public sector as well.
 

Q: How do you think Singapore’s talent pool is set to evolve?

A: The talent pool at the senior leadership levels is set to grow and mature. As we see more startup exits, there will also be a mindset shift for talent to see startups as good opportunities, despite it seeming riskier. Talent will increasingly need to develop more flexibility and adaptability to figure out solutions where no manual exists, to keep businesses moving at the pace that is required to succeed.

Q: What aspects of Singapore’s business ecosystem have you benefited from as a professional?

A: As a hub, there are more opportunities to meet people across the Asia Pacific, particularly in Singapore. Business travel from Japan, Korea, Australia, and even the US enables opportunities to make connections on an ongoing basis. Singapore’s visa programmes for global talent, including the Tech.Pass, give me the flexibility to contribute in different ways and to have a greater impact on more parts of the ecosystem.
 

Q: How have you and your family experienced Singapore as a city to live in?

A: This was a critical consideration in our decision to move here. I have two school-age children, now six and nine, that go to an international school here and are thriving. The quality of educational offerings and extracurricular activities is really exceptional.

The emphasis on public safety and a strong community also makes us less anxious in our daily lives. Since it is a multicultural society, my family is gaining a greater global perspective and appreciating different customs, cuisines, and traditions.