Based on the material covered in this chapter, what questions would you ask the firm’s founder before making your funding decision? What answers would satisfy you?

Business Idea: To create self-sustaining restaurants that link local produce direct to the customer.

The Pitch: The Open Farm Community is a joint collaboration between The Spa Esprit Group, celebrity chef Ryan Clift, and food garden specialists Edible Garden.

Situated close to Singapore’s Botanical Gardens, it sets out to be much more than a simple restaurant: the idea is for customers to engage with the food they are eating at a more profound level, to understand how the food is grown and how it is transformed into a delicious meal.

The restaurant’s extensive grounds include an edible vegetable garden that is not only ideal for regular diners but also valuable for interaction and education. The service environment is specifically designed for adults to enjoy the food and drink while the children explore in safety.

The Spa Esprit Group is a Singaporean brand with a diverse portfolio mainly in the food-and-beverage markets.

They own 17 lifestyle brands and have a presence in 9 global locations. CEO Cynthia Chau, a lifestyle entrepreneur, launched the business in 1996 at the age of 24. She moved into the food-and-beverage market in 2007 when she opened House in Dempsey, which was a restaurant and bar with a spa above it.