On 20 March 2026 (Friday), CIE brought together a "starter pack" of expertise that every early-stage founder wishes they had on speed dial: speakers from a bank, an accounting firm, and a law firm, a powerful combo for anyone trying to turn an idea into a real, working venture. Designed for our 13 start-up teams in the GBA Youth Start-up and Social Innovation Programme, the session was all about the essentials: the steps you can't skip, the risks you don't want to discover too late, and the practical habits that make growth smoother. 

Instead of drowning participants in jargon, our speakers kept it grounded and easy to grasp. From financing and banking basics, to the "must-do" compliance and legal considerations, to the accounting realities behind cash flow and reporting: each segment translated professional know-how into founder-friendly takeaways. The best part was how the advice connected across disciplines: what you do with your accounts affects your tax and compliance; how you structure agreements affects risk; and how you plan funding affects your runway. For teams still in their start-up budding stage, that joined-up view was exactly what they needed. 

The room was also full of energy. Questions came in fast and our speakers met them with clear, practical answers that spoke directly to real startup situations. A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers and partner experts from the bank, accounting firm, and law firm for sharing so generously and facilitating such a confidence-boosting session.