# John Cheng

> John Cheng is the Singapore-based founder and CEO of Innovate360 and a third-generation member of the family behind Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory. His career connects manufacturing operations, consumer product development and support for food startups through facilities, mentorship and market access. He also co-founded and chairs Feed 9 Billion.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Innovate360
- **Organizations:** Innovate360, Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory, Feed 9 Billion, Singapore Management University Business Families Alumni Group, Science Centre Singapore, Pro-Enterprise Panel
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Management; double major in Operations Management and Marketing, Singapore Management University
- **Known for:** Founded Innovate360, which reports supporting more than 100 agri-food tech startups since 2018., Developed Jewels Rock Sugar Sticks with institutional collaboration., Co-founded and chairs Feed 9 Billion.

## Career timeline

- **2007** — Graduated from SMU and worked at HSBC before joining the family business.
- **2008** — Joined Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory.
- **2015** — Co-founded the SMU Business Families Alumni Group; LinkedIn lists service from 2015.
- **2018** — Established Innovate360.
- **2019** — Received recognition in The Peak Future Shapers and Prestige 40 Under 40.
- **2020** — Named to Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow.
- **2021** — Launched foodculture.sg and became a Singaporean of the Year finalist.

## Achievements

- Founded Innovate360, which reports supporting more than 100 agri-food tech startups since 2018.
- Developed Jewels Rock Sugar Sticks with institutional collaboration.
- Co-founded and chairs Feed 9 Billion.
- 2019 The Peak Future Shapers honoree.
- 2019 Prestige 40 Under 40 honoree.
- 2020 Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow honoree.
- 2021 Straits Times Singaporean of the Year finalist.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Featured in Beyond 2359’s Backseat Guest interview, published by Hongqi Singapore on 19 October, discussing succession, trust and innovation.
- **2026-10** — Reported hosting Pro-Enterprise Panel members at Innovate360 for a facilities tour and discussion of the business environment.
- **2026-09** — Innovate360 participated in S-Tron China in Shanghai and visited partners and distributors including Bright Food Group, according to Cheng’s LinkedIn update.

## Links

- Website: https://innovate360.sg/team/john-cheng/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchengcl/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-cheng
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21