From powering real-time data visualizations for global banks to enabling businesses to manage massive information streams seamlessly, 3forge is a trailblazer in financial technology (or “fintech”) innovation. Its innovative full-stack platform integrates diverse data sources, creates interactive dashboards, and enables the rapid development of complex applications with minimal coding — a game-changer in industries like fintech requiring zero latency and real-time responsiveness. At the forefront of these software solutions are three DigiPen (Singapore) alumni — Wesley Chen, Lew Voon Kit, and Ryan Ng — who are part of the team driving the company’s success.
For each of the graduates, their journey into computer science all started with a shared passion for problem solving and video games. “I was fascinated by how systems and mechanics could be brought to life through code, transforming creative ideas into interactive experiences,” Ryan says. “This realization drove me to pursue a deeper understanding of the technical aspects behind video games.” Voon Kit and Wesley share similar sentiments, which led all of them to apply to DigiPen (Singapore) after completing their polytechnic studies. Voon Kit enrolled in BS in Computer Science and Game Design while Ryan and Wesley joined BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation
Wesley was the first to join 3forge in late 2021 when he was headhunted as the New York-headquartered company’s first Singapore-based employee. Though Wesley was initially passionate about pursuing game development, he was drawn to the opportunity to venture into an unfamiliar field and recognized the potential of 3forge’s groundbreaking platform. He took a leap of faith as 3forge’s first local hire and accepted the offer. The decision paid off, and Wesley was promoted to lead solutions engineer (APAC) within three years of joining the company.
Today, Wesley manages 3forge’s engineering efforts across its Singapore and Tokyo offices, overseeing everything from project development and client support to hiring and expansion plans. “Every day is very dynamic as it consists of a mix of servicing our global clientele of tier-one banks and financial institutions, project build-outs, software development, product demos, attending and presenting at conferences, and hiring to expand the team,” Wesley says.
Voon Kit and Ryan joined 3forge in 2022 and 2024 respectively. While both of them are solutions engineers, their day-to-day responsibilities differ. Voon Kit focuses on client training, troubleshooting, onboarding, and enhancing 3forge’s core product by developing new features and fixing bugs. Ryan’s role revolves around creating proof-of-concept solutions tailored to clients’ needs and providing support for integration requests.
Ryan recalls that one of the biggest challenges he faced since joining 3forge was having to come up with a proof of concept for a potential client shortly after joining the team. He had to tackle the project independently and quickly familiarize himself with technologies such as Apache Kafka and TCP adapters. Some of these were completely new to Ryan, and he relied on the problem-solving and debugging skills that he had developed in school to proactively find solutions and successfully deliver the project.
For all three alumni, 3forge’s dynamic and rewarding work culture is one of the biggest draws of working there. Voon Kit values the team’s commitment to creative problem solving and strong work ethic, while Ryan enjoys tackling complex challenges alongside colleagues who constantly inspire him by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Wesley echoes this sentiment, adding that the team is frequently exposed to new technologies and environments because of their range of clients. “We work with small companies of two to four individuals as well as with global giants such as Morgan Stanley that have projects spanning multiple continents,” he says. “Every project is different, and this forces us to adapt and grow.”
As they advance in their careers, all three alumni have ambitious goals for the future. Voon Kit looks forward to deepening his technical expertise and mentoring new hires at 3forge while Ryan aims to broaden his understanding of the financial world to contribute more effectively in his role. Wesley, meanwhile, remains focused on expanding 3forge’s presence in Asia, growing the team, and taking on new challenges as he strives to become a more well-rounded engineer and leader.