Founder of Singapore’s first privacy management software company went off the beaten path.

Kevin Shepherdson, CEO & Co-founder of Straits Interactive, took an unconventional path to achieving success. After a career in music and technology, he stumbled upon a business opportunity while training real estate agents. This led him to develop Spider Gate, the first "Do Not Call" registry solution in Singapore, which unexpectedly generated a million dollars in its first year.

One such “fortunate turn of events” that Kevin spoke of was developing the Spider Gate software 10 years ago, saying: "I just wanted to make a few hundred dollars a month, but I didn't expect that we would make 1 million in the first year!" (Photo by: Wu Shu Yong)

Seizing the potential of data privacy regulations, Kevin then developed Singapore's first privacy management software and ventured into providing training for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and consultancy in the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). By focusing on business operations and partnering with universities, Straits Interactive established itself as a market leader amid the evolving data protection landscape. The company continued to be agile though major challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting by shifting online and creating the largest data protection professional network in the region. Now, Kevin is pioneering the use of generative AI to help SMEs manage their digital transformation journeys, showcasing Straits Interactive's continuous innovation and impact.

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To read the full story and learn more about Kevin's remarkable journey with Straits Interactive, visit the original article published by Lianhe Zaobao on 4 Jan 2024.