# James Chia

> James Chia is the Singapore-based co-founder and CEO of ArcLab, a mobile workforce-training platform. A Cornell alumnus and former Monetary Authority of Singapore reserve manager, he previously built educational games through Innervative and now focuses on training access for deskless workers. His public writing connects entrepreneurship with fatherhood, practical learning and customer service.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at ArcLab
- **Organizations:** ArcLab, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Innervative, SIM Global Education, The Hut | Edugrow for Brighter Tomorrows
- **Nationality:** Singaporean
- **Education:** Cornell University, Advanced Certificate in Learning & Performance, Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, Graduate Certificate in Workplace Learning, Institute for Adult Learning Singapore
- **Known for:** Co-founded ArcLab with Steven Chan., Received the Prime Minister’s Book Prize as a schoolboy., Led ArcLab through its first commercial platform launch and participation in EduSpaze’s pioneer cohort.

## Career timeline

- **Before ArcLab** — Worked in public service and reserve management at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, including its London office.
- **2013** — Created Oikonopolis, a game teaching economics and personal finance, through his first startup Innervative.
- **2017** — Tested an early six-week proof of concept, according to his 2021 HRTech Cube interview.
- **2018** — Incorporated ArcLab and released an early product.
- **2019** — Launched the full ArcLab platform in July and welcomed paying customers.
- **2020** — ArcLab joined EduSpaze’s pioneer cohort and received Bisk Ventures investment.
- **2024** — Published a CNA commentary on flexible work for frontline workers.

## Achievements

- Co-founded ArcLab with Steven Chan.
- Received the Prime Minister’s Book Prize as a schoolboy.
- Led ArcLab through its first commercial platform launch and participation in EduSpaze’s pioneer cohort.
- ArcLab was featured in HolonIQ’s Southeast Asia EdTech 50 and GSV Elite 200.

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — ArcLab reported that Chia joined Martin Goh for a Q&A at its first User Clinic of 2025.
- **2024-12** — Discussed customer research, multilingual access and product development in a New in Asia interview.
- **2024-04** — Published a CNA commentary exploring flexible hours and workloads for frontline workers.

## Links

- Website: https://jame5.medium.com
- LinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/jameschia88

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/james-chia
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-19