How well do you know your
Crazy Rich Asians?
Tycoon Trails is an exhilarating outdoor team activity that brings out the hidden family business stories behind Singapore’s iconic buildings. It’s the ideal covid-era activity for corporate teams or groups of friends. Singapore will not be the same after trying Tycoon Trails!
This competitive game combines elements of a treasure hunt, a lecture series on family business, an escape room, and a heritage tour. With each route full of “Crazy Rich Asian” stories that symbolize family business patterns, the street game is fun, educational and also healthy.
Why Tycoon Trails?
Understand Asian family businesses
The game introduces participants to Asian family businesses in a seriously fun manner. Covering topics ranging from family feuds, corporate governance risks and family firm innovation, the games will provide a behind-the-scenes peek into how family firms operate. Other than leading to good dinner conversations, the insights gained will come in handy for doing business in the region.
Healthy experiential learning
Need more exercise during this zoomy period? Tycoon Trails gets teams walking around Singapore's landmarks. Participants work in teams to solve riddles, frantically consulting Dr. Google while moving from location to location. It's Covid-proof, insta-worthy and wholesome for body and mind.
Foster team spirit
Teams receive (slightly tongue-in-cheek) videos on family businesses, requiring them to solve riddles together to unlock the next venue. Correct and speedy answers will lead to more points, thus bringing out teams’ winning spirit.
How does it work?
Tell us what you need
The game can be customised if clients have specific needs. The focus could be more on learning about family businesses or on the fun side of team-building.
Team up participants
Participants will be divided into covid-proof teams. There are up to 7 different trails. Each team will have a different trail with a similar distance. Instructions and video links will be sent via Whatsapp. There is no need to download a special app or to create an account. There will be a pre-briefing video and a post-event briefing where the winner will be announced.
Get ready for serious fun!
The game is best played at the end of the day (or in the early morning) as it involves walking outdoors. Post activity refuelling in a family business restaurant can be organised after the game. Participants need a charged phone, comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, an umbrella and of course a smile!
Our story
The spark
This venture emerged from a successful teaching innovation in NUS Business School. Marleen came up with the idea of a gamified family business experience for her Master students to cheer them up during the most depressing CoVid period.
The million hours
Together with Mirza – an NUS Business School graduate who was a teaching assistant at the time – the game design emerged, after about a million hours of preparation (or, so it seemed). The format was perfected and tested on a few cohorts of enthusiastic NUS students.
The birth of Tycoon Trails
Seeing the excitement brought about by gamified learning, Marleen shared her innovation story with friends and acquaintances – who all wanted to experience it too! Thus, the idea was born to officially spin off a new venture called Tycoon Trails to offer a similar experience to a broader audience, in particular corporate groups, volunteer groups, or friends looking for a unique experience.
Join us
Tycoon Trails is always open for crazy requests. Help us grow so that this venture can (modestly) contribute to Singapore's dynamic private sector.
Meet our founders
Dr. Marleen Dieleman
Marleen is an associate professor at NUS Business School. She teaches and researches on strategy and corporate governance in Asian family business groups. Marleen has over 50 publications to her name, including books, articles in academic journals, book chapters, cases and reports on family business. Her work is featured regularly in international media such as The Economist, The Financial Times, Forbes and local media in Singapore such as Business Times. Marleen teaches family business courses at NUS at BBA, MSc and MBA level and received various teaching awards from NUS. She is a frequent speaker in conferences and has worked with various Asian business families as a consultant, workshop facilitator or board member.
Mirza Muhammad
Mirza is a graduate from NUS Business School who has a keen interest in entrepreneurship. Having a strong risk appetite has allowed him to seek out opportunities in the F&B and tech sectors. His drive and ability to multi-task efficiently keeps him motivated to excel in these areas but also helps him seek out new opportunities too.