[3][11] The son of a fishmonger,[12] Lim and his seven siblings grew up in a two-bedroom government flat in the Bukit Ho Swee public housing estate.

[13] To fund his university education, Lim worked part-time doing odd jobs as a taxi driver, cook and waiter.

[13] While working at Australian fast-food chain Red Rooster, Lim studied how businesses are started, how they grow, and how they scale up.

Lim owns a controlling stake in Spanish La Liga club Valencia CF,[18] and Hotel Football next to Old Trafford stadium in Manchester.

[21][22] Since becoming majority shareholder of Valencia CF in 2014, the club has qualified for the UEFA Champions League three times and won the Copa del Rey in 2019.

Separately, Salford City achieved four promotions in five seasons to reach League Two in 2019,[23] and won the delayed 2020 Papa John's Trophy.

The grant also aims to empower girls to pursue their interests in sports and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).