About
DJ Tan earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from University College London as an A*STAR scholarship holder, then built a research career in Singapore spanning organic synthesis and the production of flavors and fragrances via biotransformation. He also established Starter Culture, a small food consultancy serving Singapore bars and restaurants, work that earned him a reputation as the city's "Prince of Fermentation."
CTO at Prefer
Intro paths
→
In turn, Ding can intro founders to Prefer's investors below.
Prefer's investors · 6
Co-founders at Prefer
JB

Jake BerberFounder
Experience
- PreferCo-Founder & CTOcurrent2022 — presentSingapore
- Starter CultureCo-Foundercurrent2018 — presentSingapore
- A*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI)Research Officer2020 — 2023Singapore
- Entrepreneur FirstFounder in Residence (EFSG12)2022 — 2023Singapore
- Biotransformation Innovation PlatformResearch Officer2017 — 2018Singapore
- A*STAR Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy & Environment (ISCE2)Research Engineer2016 — 2017Singapore
- A*STAR Scholars NetworkChairperson2016 — 2017Singapore
- Genome Institute of SingaporeResearch Intern2016Singapore
- Hwa Chong InstitutionTeaching Assistant2013Singapore
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering SciencesResearch Intern2013Singapore
- Republic of Singapore NavyDeputy Operations Officer2011 — 2012Singapore
Education
- UCLBachelor of Science (BSc), Chemistry2013 — 2016
- Hwa Chong InstitutionGCE 'A' Levels, Project Work2005 — 2010
Skills & more
Industrial Microbiology4Flavors4Food ManufacturingEntrepreneurshipBusiness DevelopmentProduct DevelopmentFermentationFood ScienceConsultingResearch2Data AnalysisGas Chromatography
+7 more
Organic SynthesisGrammarCoffeeAnalytical SkillsFlavour ChemistryTeamworkPublic SpeakingLanguages Chinese (Simplified) · English
- Our Singapore Leadership Programme Young Working Adults 2025 — National Youth Council
- PLANTBx: Plant Based Diets: Food for a Sustainable Future — edX
- NUTR104x: Nutrition and Health: Human Microbiome — edX
- FFESx: Sustainable Food Security: The value of systems thinking — edX
- FSS-WHS-2001-1.1 Follow Food and Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures — SkillsFuture SG
- BEERx: The Science of Beer — edX
- Barista Skills - Intermediate — Specialty Coffee Association
From Ding's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Ding Jie Tan work?
- Ding Jie Tan is CTO at Prefer.
- What companies did Ding Jie Tan found?
- Ding Jie Tan founded Prefer.
Founder mafias
Entrepreneur First mafia595
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Reid HoffmanBoard MemberFounded Manas AI +1Matthew WilsonVenture PartnerFounded Veratrak +2Rashid MansoorEntrepreneur, Inaugural CohortFounded Hadean +2Ruban KanapathippillaiEntrepreneur First 2024Founded Iterate AI +1Alice BentinckGeneral PartnerFounded Entrepreneurs First +1Matt CliffordCofounder and ChairFounded Entrepreneurs First +1
+ 588 more
UCL mafia112
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Nessan BerminghamDoctor of Philosophy - PhDFounded Korro Bio +2Gustavo GorensteinMaster of Science (M.Sc.)Founded bxblue +1Radu MaziluBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded PermitPortal +1Nodar DaneliyaFounded Shuttle +1Nicolas HourcardCorporate FinanceFounded QuestDB +1AndreaMaster of Science (MSc)Founded Spot Park
+ 105 more
Hwa Chong Institution mafia8
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Qin En LooiGCE A LevelFounded GlintsChee-We NgFounded Venti TechnologiesNorman WantoSingapore GCE A LevelsFounded GotradeKeng LowFounded FinantierThomas JiangGCE 'A'-levelsFounded MistleJoanne WangGCE A-LevelsFounded Copper Health
+ 1 more
Same school
Shared employers
Also worked at Entrepreneur First485
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockToby CoppelCo-founder and Partner at Mosaic VenturesBenedict EvansWrites a weekly technology newsletter read by close to 200,000 peoplePeterDeep Tech Investment Lead at Hummingbird VenturesAniTalent Team at Hummingbird VenturesIsabel FoxHead of Investor Relations at Hoxton Ventures
+ 479 more

























