Two awards for young businesses in Asia

Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award

Recognising the young, bold ambition of businesses under 10 years old.

Congratulations to our 2023 finalists and winners

2023 WINNERS

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award!

Presented by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, Tan Kiat How at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on 23rd Nov 2023, Singapore-based Conex Healthcare and Profileprint, as well as Malaysia-based Troopers Innovation, snagged the Emerging Enterprise Award.

The first-ever Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award went to Singapore-based Redex Group and N&E Innovations, as well as Hong Kong-based Flex Fuel Hydrogen Development.

Last but not least, prisium and NEU Battery Materials – both based in Singapore – received the Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award.

Check out the award ceremony here

(From left) ProfilePrint COO Chin Kai Lun, Troopers Innovation COO Craig Goonting, Aprisium CEO Raghav Narayan, CoNEX Healthcare CEO Tan Swee Yen, N&E Innovations CEO Didi Gan, Flex Fuel Hydrogen Development CEO Steven Fong, Redex Group CEO Kang Jen Wee and NEU Battery Materials CEO Bryan Oh

CELEBRATING YOUNG AND BOLD AMBITIONS

Gain recognition for your business: Join Asia's leading business awards for SMEs and startups

We invite your business to shine at the Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award. Established in 2008, these awards have empowered startups and young businesses under 10 years old across Singapore and Asia, providing a springboard for growth.

The Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award, co-presented by OCBC and The Business Times, celebrate dynamic enterprises ready to innovate and expand. Finalists and winners gain access to invaluable resources to unlock their full potential.

Whether through growth or innovation, the Emerging Enterprise Award and the Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award are your chance to stand out. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business. Apply now and let your business success be recognised!

Key Dates

Submission deadline

7 June 2024

Finalist announcement

August 2024

In-person award gala

24 October 2024

MORE ABOUT THE AWARDS

Emerging Enterprise
Award

Recognises emerging enterprises that demonstrate an enterprising mindset. These are businesses that drive consistent, significant and sustainable growth, resulting in excellent business performance; and display the ability to scale and expand overseas.

Emerging Enterprise Award, up to 3 winners will each receive from:

OCBC – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to S$200,000 (or local currency equivalent, as set out in the terms and conditions);
The Business Times – Media publicity in print, digital, social media, radio, podcasts for Singapore and the region
RSM – Business Consulting Package worth S$15,000

Most Promising Startup, will receive from:

OCBC – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to S$100,000 (or local currency equivalent, as set out in the terms and conditions); and
The Business Times – Media publicity in print, digital, social media, radio, podcasts for Singapore and the region.

Emerging Enterprise
Sustainability Award

Recognises emerging enterprises that are capitalising on growth opportunities in the green economy, embedding sustainability in their businesses and leveraging technology and new solutions to drive the change and transition to low-carbon businesses and industries.

Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award, up to 3 winners will each receive from:

OCBC – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to S$200,000 (or local currency equivalent, as set out in the terms and conditions);
The Business Times – Media publicity in print, digital, social media, radio, podcasts for Singapore and the region
RSM – Business Consulting Package worth $15,000

Most Promising Sustainability Startup, will receive from:

OCBC – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to S$100,000 (or local currency equivalent, as set out in the terms and conditions); and
The Business Times – Media publicity in print, digital, social media, radio, podcasts for Singapore and the region

DO WELL, DO GOOD, DO NOW

Watch the highlights of last year’s awards ceremony as our finalists and winners took home the top accolades!

Applications shortlisted into the Awards undergo a rigorous 2-part judging process: Site visits (Physical and/or Virtual) as well as live Judging for applicants to present their business model, products and services to a panel of distinguished judges.

The carefully selected expert judging panel will review each entry based on the criteria set within each category, whilst also applying three key principles:

Clear and concise results and metrics
Measurable evidence of innovation, impact and scalability, with demonstrable, long-term commitment to a sustainable transformation
Relevance award category criteria

Meet the judges for 2024

Christie Chu
Head, Emerging Business and Commercial Banking Cash
OCBC Bank

Christie leads the Emerging Business (EmB) & Commercial Banking Cash in OCBC Bank. The business serves the growth of SMEs - sole proprietors, partnerships, and private limited companies from start-ups to Serial Entrepreneurs and high growth businesses across multiple industries. It offers a full suite of loans and cash solutions to help the growth of business owners (locally and foreign incorporated entities), including Funds and non-profit organisations. She is responsible for driving acquisition & engagement and digitalisation across the various platforms.

Chen Hui Fen
Editor
The Business Times

Chen Huifen is the Editor at The Business Times. She started her journalism career at Singapore Press Holdings more than 20 years ago. She has covered macroeconomics, policy, biomedical sciences, healthcare and SMEs before taking on a supervisory role a decade ago.

Stanislaus Jude Chan
Deputy news editor for public listed companies, financial markets, and environmental, social and governance (ESG)
The Business Times

Stanislaus Jude Chan is a deputy news editor at The Business Times, where he oversees the coverage of public listed companies, financial markets, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Over his career, he has covered real estate investment trusts (Reits) and climate conservation, as well as a range of business topics as a breaking news journalist.

Deborah Heng
Country Manager, Singapore
Mastercard

As Country Manager, Deborah leads all aspects of Mastercard business expansion in Singapore, working with banks, non-financial institutions and key merchants to drive business results. She also oversees the rollout of new payment solutions, focusing on innovation and partnerships. Previously, Deborah held multiple roles in Mastercard, managing strategic deals, revenue targets and investment budgets.

Jonathan Yuen
Head, Commercial Litigation & Employment (Disputes)
Rajah & Tann

Jonathan is the Head of the firm’s Legal Basix practice, which provides baseline and growth stage legal advice, representation and documentation to businesses. Leveraging the deep expertise and experience of Rajah & Tann’s many providing industry-leading practice groups, Jonathan supports all businesses, from emerging enterprises, start-ups and SMEs to high-growth companies.

Woo E-Sah
Partner & Head of Assurance
RSM

E-Sah currently leads the firm’s Assurance Practice. She handles assurance, initial public offerings and due diligence assignments for emerging businesses, multinationals, statutory boards, not-for-proﬁt organisations (NPOs) and public-listed companies. E-Sah also serves clients in other industries such as healthcare, shipping, manufacturing, retail and construction.

Dennis Lee
Partner & Head of Business Consulting
RSM

Dennis has extensive experience in external and internal audit, risk management, and corporate governance. He leads the business consulting division, providing these services to various companies and organizations in Singapore. Dennis also co-leads the firm's ESG practice, involved in projects related to ESG programs, frameworks, and risk management strategies. He has been featured in mainstream media and is a regular speaker at events on sustainability and climate change.

Lee Han Boon
Director, Innovation and Enterprise
A*STAR

Han Boon is the Director of Innovation Ecosystem Development at the Agency for Science, Technology & Research’s (A*STAR) Innovation & Enterprise Group. His current focus areas include coordination and proliferation of best practices in industry collaboration, technology commercialisation and deal structuring across the Group. He was previously the Director heading A*STAR’s Connectivity cluster, the team responsible for industry engagements and technology commercialisation initiatives in sectors relating to air, land and sea transportation.

Prior to that, Han Boon was Senior Vice President in the Commercialisation (Science and Engineering) Division at Accelerate Technologies (the commercialisation arm of A*STAR). At Accelerate, he led the team responsible for the commercialisation of A*STAR’s digital technologies through productisation and venture creation with industry partners. Under his lead, his team has executed more than 500 technology licences with local and foreign enterprises as well as A*STAR spin-offs. .

Radiana Soh
Director (Chemical, Materials & Sustainability), Innovation & Enterprise Group
A*STAR

Radiana leads a team that focuses on technology commercialisation, venture co-creation, licensing and joint collaborations.

With more than a decade of experience in technology development and commercialisation, she has taken on a broad spectrum of roles that spans across ideation, marketing, technology matching, productisation, business model formation, negotiations, manufacturing, process improvements and relationship management in partnerships.

Emily Liew
Assistant Managing Director, Innovation
Enterprise Singapore

Emily is the Assistant Managing Director of Enterprise Singapore, the government agency under the Ministry of Trade & Industry which champions enterprise development. She oversees the Innovation portfolio, covering startup and innovation ecosystem development, enterprise innovation incentives, venture building and global innovation networks. Previously, she led the Strategic Partnerships and Platforms Group, and was formerly Chief Data Officer and Executive Director of Strategic and Corporate Planning.

Geoffrey Yeo
Assistant Managing Director, Capabilities, Urban Systems & Solutions
Enterprise Singapore

Geoffrey is the Assistant Managing Director of Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore government agency which champions enterprise development. He oversees the group responsible for driving enterprise capabilities, in areas like Financing, Sustainability and Digitalisation, to support business growth and competitiveness. He also leads efforts to support the growth of companies in the Urban Systems and Solutions industries. Geoffrey currently serves on the board and investment committee of SEEDS Capital, the investment arm of Enterprise Singapore that catalyses investments into Singapore-based early stage technology startups.

Corrado Forcellati
Managing Director
Paia Consulting

Corrado guides a skilled and engaged team to help companies in Singapore and Southeast Asia embed sustainability into their strategies and business operations.

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HEAR WHAT OUR PAST WINNERS HAVE TO SAY

Jackson Aw, Founder, Mighty Jaxx (Singapore)

“Upon joining the Emerging Enterprise Awards, we found our NorthStar, a direction to undertake. Now we have grown beyond anything I thought it would be."

Tan Swee Yen, CEO, Conex Healthcare (Singapore)

“This is an experience that has nurtured me into a better leader, and provided clarity in what we want to do going forward into the future."

Craig Goonting, COO, TROOPERS Innovation (Malaysia)

“It is a really amazing experience, the judges showed honest interest and it’s great recognition on the regional Stage."

Steven Fong, CEO, Flex Fuel Hydrogen Development (Hong Kong)

“It’s absolutely important for a small company to have partners to grow and the Emerging Enterprise connects you with partners."

See our past winners

2023 WINNERS

Emerging Enterprise Award

CoNEX Healthcare

ProfilePrint

Troopers

CoNEX Healthcare

ProfilePrint

Troopers

Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award

N&E Innovations

Redex

FlexFuel

N&E Innovations

Redex

FlexFuel

Most Promising Sustainability Award

NEU Battery Materials

Apirisium

NEU Battery Materials

Apirisium

See our past winners

Before you apply

Eligibility requirements

Years of business operation

Up to 10 years (Up to 3 years of business operations for Most Promising Startup Award and Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award)

Business incorporation

Registered either as a Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, or Private Limited. Not applicable to listed company, lending institution or the lender's affiliates.

Note: For Indonesia: Registered either as a Limited Liability Company (Perseroan Terbatas or PT) or Limited Liability Partnership (Commanditaire Vennonntschap or CV)

Local Shareholding

At least 30%

Annual sales turnover as of the last financial year

Up to S$20 million or local currency equivalent

Business profile

Must be a registered business.

For example:

Singapore: Business profile with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
Malaysia: Business profile with Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) or Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM)
Indonesia: Company Registration Certificate (TDP) or NIB or Trading Business License (SIUP) or similar document
Hong Kong: Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate

Financial documentation must be provided

Latest financial statements for the last two financial years, including management statements. †For businesses that have only 1 year of operation, financial statements can be for the prior or current year, whichever is available.

Register now