In a fast-evolving global marketplace, where traditional retail models are being challenged by digital disruption and shifting consumer habits, few entrepreneurs stand out for their bold reinvention of how retail space is utilised. Pushpendra Sharma on pop-up stores is a journey not just about business, but about vision, transformation, and daring to defy the norm.
Pushpendra Sharma, the CEO and founder of Spaces Genie, is not your average real estate or retail consultant. Armed with a Master’s degree from Columbia University, and having lived and worked across five countries, Sharma embodies a rare blend of intellectual agility, cultural awareness, and entrepreneurial courage. Originally from India and now a proud Singapore-based innovator, his mission is clear: create a smarter, borderless, more accessible world of retail through short-term, high-impact retail spaces—pop-up stores.
Pushpendra Sharma: The Spark of an Idea – Turning Short-term Rentals into Long-term Value
Sharma’s insight came from his hands-on experience in real estate private equity, where he learned that vacant or underutilised spaces often hold untapped potential. Traditional long-term leases don’t always align with today’s fast-paced brand strategies. Pop-up stores, however, provide agility, flexibility, and innovation—three pillars that Sharma believes are redefining retail success.
Pushpendra Sharma on pop-up stores isn’t just about leasing spaces. It’s about empowering entrepreneurs, boosting asset value for landlords, and bridging the gap between space and brand. In a world where retail is both increasingly digital and intensely experiential, short-term rentals provide a dynamic solution.
And so, Spaces Genie was born—an online marketplace that connects retail space owners with brands, designers, and artists looking for temporary, curated retail opportunities. From kiosks and pushcarts to high-street storefronts and shop-in-shops, Spaces Genie offers a seamless way to list, discover, book, and launch a pop-up venture in Asia’s bustling markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Revolutionising Retail, the Smart Way
Before Spaces Genie, no centralised platform offered such a well-curated, tech-enabled experience. Sharma saw the missing link and filled it. The platform does more than just connect parties—it provides end-to-end support, from matching the right location to offering logistical and creative guidance, enabling brands to test markets, host flash sales, or explore new territories without the traditional overheads.
For landlords, this isn’t merely about renting out a corner—it’s a new revenue stream that increases net asset value and improves space productivity. For tenants, it’s a smart, scalable model that makes retail expansion feasible—even in some of the world’s most expensive markets.
Pushpendra Sharma: Haldy – Where Health Meets Innovation
While Spaces Genie disrupts how people access spaces, Sharma’s brand Haldy disrupts what people consume in them. Haldy is the world’s first sugar-free turmeric-infused breath mint, offering consumers a “Better For You” alternative that is convenient, tasty, and packed with curcumin—the bioactive powerhouse in turmeric.
Conceived from a personal quest to incorporate turmeric into daily life without the bitterness or inconvenience of pills and powders, Haldy is a testament to Sharma’s ability to spot overlooked opportunities. Manufactured in an FDA and BRCGS-certified facility in the USA, the product is housed in elegant, recyclable packaging smaller than a credit card and packed with up to 40 mints.
Haldy doesn’t claim to heal—it exists to refresh and nourish, delivering a subtle fusion of East and West, much like Sharma himself. It’s also a celebration of Singaporean creativity, designed in collaboration with local talent and rooted in the multicultural vibrance of its home country.
Leadership Beyond Convention
From his early days as an architecture graduate entering the high-stakes world of global real estate consulting, Sharma has always taken the road less travelled. Whether it was serving as class president at Columbia, leading sports teams, or transitioning from design to investment to entrepreneurship, his story reflects that leadership is not about fitting in—it’s about standing out for the right reasons.
He credits his broad worldview and adaptive skills to his cross-border experiences. “The world is interconnected, and ideas can flourish anywhere,” Sharma reflects. “The key is to remain curious, fearless, and willing to act before the perfect moment arrives.”
Indeed, if there’s one thing Sharma wishes he had done differently, it’s launching Spaces Genie earlier. “A simple beta version would’ve taught me so much,” he shares candidly. “But timing is everything. Today, we’re building stronger because we waited to build smarter.”
Recognised for Impact
Sharma’s dual ventures—Spaces Genie and Haldy—haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s been awarded numerous prestigious accolades, including:
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Singapore Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) NEO Startup Award 2024
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PAC Global Brand Marketing 2024 for New Brand – Food (Haldy)
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AmCham HERo Award 2024 (Ally of the Year: SME)
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Singapore SME 500 Award 2023
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Titan Business Startup of the Year Award 2023
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Muse Design Award 2023
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