Can Mushroom Farming Help Achieve Singapore's Food Security Goals? Ryan Ong of Fogo Fungi

Can Mushroom Farming Help Achieve Singapore's Food Security Goals? Ryan Ong of Fogo Fungi

Author: Jeremy Au March 23, 2026 Duration: 35:48

Is farming in a skyscraper-filled city a genius move or a foolish one? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au talks with Ryan Ong, the founder of Fogo Fungi. Ryan moved from a comfortable path in his family’s hospitality business to the "dark, cool, and laborious" world of indoor mushroom farming.

Ryan pulls back the curtain on the Singapore agritech scene, explaining why vertical farms are struggling and how he found a "sweet spot" growing gourmet Pink Oyster and Lion’s Mane mushrooms for Michelin-starred chefs.

We discuss:

The "Accidental" Founder: How a random YouTube video led a 26-year-old to start a bootstrap startup.

The Cold Chain Advantage: Why local mushrooms beat imports on shelf-life and "Day Zero" freshness.

The 1% Land Problem: A realistic look at Singapore’s food security goals and the high cost of energy and rent.

Gourmet vs. Commodity: Why $50/kg mushrooms are a viable business model when button mushrooms are not.

Leading "Unorthodox" Teams: How to hire and manage talent in an industry that AI cannot replace.


00:00 – Why "weirdos" are attracted to the mushroom industry

02:23 – Introduction to Fogo Fungi and Singapore indoor farming

04:18 – The career pivot: From hospitality to agriculture

08:47 – The YouTube video that sparked a mushroom startup

11:48 – Debunking common myths: Do mushrooms grow in the dark?

15:32 – Button vs. Gourmet: The unit economics of $50/kg crops

20:52 – Singapore’s "30-by-30" goal and the 1% land challenge

28:37 – How to gain experience: From bedroom kits to commercial farms


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/ryan-ong-fogo-fungi-mushroom-farming 

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com

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There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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