How a Singapore gelato SME scales sustainability with DBS support

Birds of Paradise, the Singapore gelato maker known for botanical flavours, has expanded from a single Katong boutique in 2016 to seven stores and is enrolling in DBS’ ESG Ready Programme to formalise its sustainability strategy, backed by financing and digital tools from DBS SME Banking Singapore.

Growth from one shop to seven — powered by a distinct flavour play

Founded with a goal to translate Southeast Asia’s botanicals into gelato, Birds of Paradise gained traction with signature flavours such as white chrysanthemum, strawberry basil and macadamia butterfly pea.

The brand opened its first boutique in July 2016 in Katong and has since grown to seven stores, including a recent opening at Vivocity. Its journey has earned recognition including the Michelin Selection and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre’s “Champions of Good” honours.

DBS SME Banking Singapore as a growth lever

From the outset, Birds of Paradise tapped DBS for dependable banking support to manage cash flow as it scaled. “Every business needs strong banking support… We turned to DBS from the start – its reputation gave us confidence it could meet our needs,” founder Edwin Lim said, citing cash-flow solutions and day‑to‑day tools.

The company works with a dedicated relationship manager and relies on DBS IDEAL, the bank’s business online platform, to monitor cash flow and approve transactions efficiently—workflow steps that became essential as outlets multiplied.

“We’ve had the privilege of supporting Birds of Paradise from its early days to becoming a household name,” said Sharon Tan, head of SME Banking at DBS Singapore. “Its shift towards greater sustainability reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership we strive to support at DBS SME Banking. We don’t just fund growth – we work alongside businesses, providing the capital, insights and networks they need to innovate responsibly and scale with resilience.”

The case underlines how DBS SME Banking Singapore integrates capital and digital banking to help small firms expand without losing operational discipline.

Formalising sustainability through an end‑to‑end programme

As the brand matured, management sought a more structured approach to sustainability beyond ad‑hoc initiatives. Birds of Paradise will join DBS’ ESG Ready Programme, an end‑to‑end framework that includes tailored training, a baseline carbon‑footprint assessment, a practical action plan, and access to specialists to guide decarbonisation.

It also keeps SMEs current on regulatory developments and stakeholder expectations. Founder Edwin Lim said the business aims to “do well and do good,” and the move signals a shift from tactical actions to a strategy designed to scale responsibly with DBS SME Banking Singapore.

Community giving baked into the business model

On its third anniversary, Birds of Paradise launched “All Sales Sunday,” donating an entire day’s sales—not just profits—to Equal, a charity providing animal‑assisted services; the initiative has become an annual tradition.

While accolades matter, the founders say the real milestone is customer affinity: winning a place in Singaporeans’ hearts for a home‑grown brand built on botanical flavours and steady back‑of‑house rigor with DBS SME Banking Singapore.

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Guest idea’s:

Sharon Tan
Head of SME Banking
DBS

Sharon Tan, Managing Director and Head of SME Banking at DBS Bank Singapore, leads the bank’s efforts to support small and medium enterprises in its largest market. She joined DBS as a Management Associate in 2009 and has since held senior roles across digital payments, consumer finance, wealth management, and retail banking.

Previously, Sharon served as Singapore Chief Operating Officer from 2022 to 2025, driving strategic priorities for the country franchise. Her 16-year career includes spearheading digital transformation in regional lending and card payments, integrating ANZ’s branch network in Asia, and scaling POSB’s unsecured lending business. She also served on the board of The Red Pencil and the Executive Committee of the Young Women’s Leadership Connection.