He built an app to bring neighbours closer. Keeping it going hasn't been easy
After nearly seven years running GoodHood.SG, founder Nigel Teo reflects on the challenges of sustaining the platform and the volunteers who have helped him along the way.
GoodHood.SG, a platform launched by founder Nigel Teo in 2020, aimed at reconnecting Singaporeans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the spirit of neighbourly connections having waned, Teo believed technology could help revive this sense of community. The platform allows users to list unwanted items or seek help with tasks, leading to over 120,000 users, over 120,000 items listed, and more than S$6 million worth of goods exchanged in just a few years.
However, securing funding has proven challenging. Teo, a former government scholar, supported himself through investments and simple living while running the initiative without pay. Initial funding came from a small grant, but it ran out quickly. Potential funders questioned his approach when he explained he had no business model, leading Teo to reconsider his stance on revenue generation.
He now seeks practical support from community partners. The platform relies on around 300 volunteers, who have endured emotional strain and burnout. Despite the difficulties, Teo remains optimistic, focusing on expanding GoodHood.SG one neighbourhood at a time with partners who share its vision.
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