The Americas represent significant trade opportunities, especially in soft commodities such as wheat, rice, corn, and sugar. The region offers competitive advantages in both price and value, especially for Oceanus’ existing wide networks in Asia.

Thus, “the first order of business”, Adrian said, “was setting up trade flows and live trades first, then financial flows.”

To this end, he has been spending a lot of time doing business development both in the U.S. as well as around the region. “I’ve been travelling a lot to make connections and build relationships in the region – I recent flew to Brazil and Mexico to meet with suppliers who are interested in Asian markets.”

This has not been without its challenges and adventures. The cultural shifts Adrian navigated have added an additional layer of complexity. The U.S. market is different from Asia, where Oceanus has deep roots. In the U.S., Adrian has found an open, collaborative business culture that thrives on innovation and sharing ideas. “It’s exciting and fast-paced here. It’s a very competitive environment, but people are open to listening, sharing, and exploring new possibilities together,” he reflected.

This differs from the business scene in the region. In Latin America, traders are more cautious, often wary of potential scams in the international trade scene. “In those markets, you need to spend time building trust. You have to assure them repeatedly that you’re a legitimate company,” Adrian noted.

Fortunately, being a listed company in Singapore has given Oceanus a unique edge in these markets. Adrian found that being from Singapore, known for its transparency and credibility, has opened doors. “When I speak to traders in Brazil and Mexico, they respect the Singapore brand.” This credibility has been instrumental in securing deals and building the foundation for lasting relationships.

Adrian shared two significant milestones: one with Mexico suppliers, in high-value commodities and starting with US$500,000 worth of trade, which he and his partners intend to grow to US$2million in the coming months.

Another one opportunity has been with a Brazilian sugar supplier – a strategic trade deal to export sugar to Thailand and China. The first deal moved 5000 metric tons of sugar, close to a trade value of US$2.5million. He is in discussion to grow this to an annual recurring volume of US$5-10million.

The time and effort invested in building relationships will pay off. “Grow the trust, and you’ll grow the volume,” Adrian reflected.

Tapping into the Tech and Innovation Ecosystem

Oceanus is also keen to leverage the vibrant tech ecosystem here to expand the footprint of its global trade financing platform, ODIN. The U.S. is a global capital markets hub, and Silicon Valley is where technology, innovation, and global business intersect.

To this end, shortly after arriving in May 2024, Adrian immersed himself in the local innovation scene and thriving tech ecosystem. He joined the Plug and Play’s accelerator program in Sunnyvale, California – a globally renowned innovation platform which has supported more than 90,000 start-ups. This has been immensely impactful for pushing the envelope on ODIN: “I’ve spoken to investors and funders, who we want to participate in ODIN platform. It’s looking promising – there is a lot of interest.”

His participation in the accelerator not only helped introduce ODIN to potential investors but also enabled Adrian to make key connections with major financial institutions, such as JP Morgan and several Japanese banks, as well as innovation studios. Through these connections, he has started to stamp ODIN’s presence in the local scene, and hopes to attract more participants to take the platform to new heights.

“A Year of Adaptation”

The move to the U.S. has not been without its personal challenges. Adrian recalled a humorous moment when his family drove around looking for a place to eat on Thanksgiving. After finding a popular dim sum restaurant with a large crowd outside, they realised that the so-called queuing system seemed to be “the louder you shouted, the faster you were served”.

Cultural quirks aside, Adrian and his family have embraced life in the Bay Area, where the local Asian community has been welcoming and supportive. Celebrating familiar festivals like the Mooncake Festival has helped Adrian and his family feel more connected to their roots. Food, too, has offered emotional comfort, with familiar places like Haidilao offering a taste of home.

Adapting to family life as an expat has been another challenge, especially with a young child attending a new school and the recent arrival of a baby daughter.  “I’ve been adapting like mad!” he quipped.

Besides his responsibilities overseeing Oceanus’ U.S.-based ventures, he still works closely with the Singapore team on ongoing projects. “I’m working a double-shift,” he joked. Still, the good thing about working here is that he has learned to be flexible, very disciplined, and set clear goals and targets for himself.

2025: A Pragmatic Expansion Strategy

Despite the very promising start, Adrian explained that pragmatism still had to be the guiding principle behind the U.S. move. There has to be a concrete reason for Oceanus to invest in setting up a base here.

“It’s important to move intentionally and pragmatically” – with Oceanus being a publicly listed company, understanding the regulatory landscape, tax implications, and the political climate is essential before making large-scale investments.

2025’s focus will be on growing ODIN and expanding trade flows through the platform. “I want to increase the volume of trade, bring in more buyers, and establish our presence as a trusted platform for global trade finance,” he said.

“My goal is to strike the right balance between stability and acceleration. It’s a fine line to walk, but I want Oceanus to continue pushing the envelope while ensuring we’re set up for long-term success,” Adrian concluded, noting that in the local business community, optimism is in the air and many are looking ahead to a year full of opportunity and growth in the region. “We are at the right place, at the right time.”

As Oceanus looks ahead to 2025, we are strategically poised to leverage our resources, technological innovations, and cross-cultural expertise to navigate the global trade landscape. Reach out to us if you’d like to collaborate with us in the U.S. and Latin America.