Ep 47: Lincoln Lee Ming (Co-Founder, Rice Inc & Winner of HULT Prize 2018)

Lincoln Lee Ming is a Malaysian social entrepreneur, biomedical
science graduate from University College London, UK & founder
of a social enterprise called Rice Inc., which seeks to combat
the 26 million tons of rice wasted during production every year
& help smallholder rice farmers break through the convoluted
supply chain 





In this STIMY episode, we cover how Lincoln’s entrepreneurial
streak first came up in his childhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(beginning at the age of 13!) and how he tried to organise a
Pokemon Walkathon just before leaving for his university studies.





Having arrived at UCL, Lincoln quickly realised in his second
year that he wanted to pivot to business / entrepreneurship. He
also learned about the most prestigious startup competition for
university students: the $1 million HULT Prize - which is said to
be harder to win than the lottery!





The HULT Prize took an entire year & came with lots of ups
and down. Lincoln shares the experience of being at the finals
(judges included Arianna Huffington!), how they have used the $1
million investment they won from the HULT Prize, the impact of
Brexit & COVID-19 on Rice Inc's operations, and what drives
him to do what he is now doing.





Highlights:


4:43: Losing his parents’ money at age 13 when dabbling in
entrepreneurship

8:10: Running a past year paper printing startup (by
pretending to still be students!)

12:17: Organising a Pokemon Walkathon

19:04: Learning about the $1 million HULT Prize

21:52: Finding a problem to solve

33:29: Introducing big changes after UCL & regional HULT
Prize rounds

34:54: Raising $20,000 in funds to visit Myanmar & run a
pilot program

45:58: Adventures in Myanmar 

51:29: Girls following Kisum

53:38: Attending the HULT Prize accelerator at Henry VII’s
former residence 

55:46: Working & playing (too) hard

59:59: Building connections with high-ranking people

1:03:16: How a UN security guard helped Sunrice / Rice Inc
win the HULT Prize competition in New York

1:13:21: Getting stuck inside the UN building at midnight

1:17:33: Balancing winning the HULT Prize with getting a 1st
class at UCL

1:20:33: What to do with an investment of $1 million at age
19

1:22:34: Impact of Brexit on Rice Inc’s operation

1:24:02: Getting into the top 5 caterer distribution services
& meeting with the Board

1:28:47: What keeps Lincoln going

1:30:07: When Lincoln knew that there was nothing else he
would rather be doing than this (Rice Inc)






Show notes: www.sothisismywhy.com/47