Singapore indie publication Rice Media has been acquired by Hustle Studios, the creative studio arm of Hustle Singapore. Founders Mark Tan and Julian Wong, who founded the news site in 2016, will step into advisory roles post the acquisition.
Under the new ownership, the publication's editorial operations will sit alongside Hustle's learning programmes and workshops.
"We started Rice because we believed Singaporeans deserved honest, thoughtful storytelling about their own lives," Tan said in a statement on Rice's website. "I think we've largely accomplished that mission. For the new generation, it has always been part of Singapore’s cultural and creative infrastructure,” a Hustle Singapore spokesperson added. “Our role is to support its next phase: not just continuing the storytelling, but creating more spaces where Singaporeans can reflect, create, and connect with one another.”
Hustle Singapore operates across creative skills training in media, marketing, and design, with Hustle Studios specialising in Gen-Z-led social content for brands.
In December 2025, Rice retrenched five editorial staff, including writers and a video editor. In 2020, the company employed 20 staff. Tan declined to disclose to local news media its current headcount or confirm how many staff would remain under new ownership.
The deal is the latest of consolidations among Singapore's indie media brands. In October 2025, Publicis Groupe acquired Hepmil Media Group, the parent of homegrown social platform SGAG. The company managed a network of 3,000+ creators and served 450 brands including Disney, Google and Uniqlo.
Source: Campaign Asia-Pacific
