Emerging Enterprise Award

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

Congratulations to our 2024 winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award!

Presented by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on 24 Oct 2024, Singapore-based Kskin Management and Pancare Medical, as well as Hong Kong-based Fano Labs snagged the Emerging Enterprise Award.

The Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award went to Singapore-based Pyxis Maritime and RushOwl Singapore, and Indonesia-based PT Peduli Alam Nusantara (Plana).

Last but not least, Life Lab Resources and The Powder Shampoo – both based in Singapore – received the Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award.

Check out the award ceremony here

(From left) Ng Shin, co-founder and CEO of RushOwl Singapore; Jlynn Chen, founder and CEO of The Powder Shampoo; Edward Chia, managing director of Life Lab Resources; Tommy Phun, founder and CEO of Pyxis Maritime; Joshua Chandra, co-founder of PT Peduli Alam Nusantara (Plana); Dr Miles Wen, co-founder and CEO of Fano Labs; Dr Ong Guan Hong, CEO of Pancare Medical; Brian Ng, director of Kskin Management;

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

Application Now Opens

Submission Closes on 30 June 2025

Finalist announcement

September 2025

Award Gala

November 2025

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 our 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

PARTNERS OF THE EMERGING ENTERPRISE AWARDS 2025

Presented by The Business Times

Preferred Payment Solutions Provider - Mastercard

Official Legal Advisor - Rajah & Tann

Official Auditor - RSM

A*STAR

Enterprise Singapore

Paia

Presented by The Business Times

Preferred Payment Solutions Provider - Mastercard

Official Legal Advisor - Rajah & Tann

Official Auditor - RSM

A*STAR

Enterprise Singapore

Paia

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."

Meet the judges

Christie Chu
Head, Emerging Business International
OCBC

Christie leads the Emerging Business International at OCBC. 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.

Iris Ng
Head, Emerging Business and Commercial Banking Cash Global Commercial Banking OCBC

Iris leads the Emerging Business and Commercial Banking Cash business at OCBC Singapore, focusing on digital-first SME strategies and modernization. She previously led the Middle Market segment and champions financing for high-growth sectors like digital economy and urban solutions. Iris also drives Sustainable Finance, having developed OCBC’s SME Sustainable Finance Framework, now adopted regionally. With over 25 years in commercial banking and deep expertise across industries, she partners with stakeholders to support SMEs in sustainability transitions.

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.

Mr Bennett Wong
Associate Director and ESG Advisory Practice Leader

Bennett is RSM Singapore’s ESG Advisory Practice Lead and has experience in corporate sustainability, having previously served as a Senior Manager with the sustainability team at Keppel Limited, working to drive the global asset manager and operator’s net-zero ambitions. Prior to this, he was a Principal consultant with Paia where he led the reporting and sustainability finance function.

Quek Kai Hoo
Chief Investment Officer, Venture Creation & Growth, Innovation & Enterprise Group

Mr Quek Kai Hoo is the Chief Investment Officer of Venture Creation & Growth, Innovation & Enterprise Group responsible for management of A*STAR’s spinoff portfolio and supporting deal structures for new ventures. Prior to A*STAR, Kai Hoo held many years of investment experience executing deals across venture capital, private equity fund-of-funds and real estate at sovereign wealth fund, venture capital firm and family office. He also has operational experience as general manager of precision engineering firms leading P&L responsibilities.

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.

Show

2024 WINNERS

Fano

Kskin

Pancare

Fano

Kskin

Pancare

Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award

Plana

Pyxis

Rushowl

Plana

Pyxis

Rushowl

Most Promising Sustainability Award

Lifelab

Thepowdershampoo

Lifelab

Thepowdershampoo

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.

Download and complete the details required within the Awards Entry Pack and email your application to EE2025@rsmsingapore.sg

Download the Awards Entry Pack

OUR ALUMNI

Every year, we honour the young and bold ambitions of emerging enterprises

See the complete list of our past winners who have won the Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award.

ASIA’S BEST SME BANK

The Emerging Enterprise is brought to you by OCBC Bank, Asia’s Best SME Bank.

Best SME Bank in
Asia-Pacific 2023-2024

Global Finance

Best SME Bank in
Asia-Pacific 2024

The Asian Banker

Best SME Bank in
ASEAN 2024

Asian Banking & Finance

Best SME Bank in
SEA

Alpha Southeast Asia

See all

PARTNERS OF THE EMERGING ENTERPRISE AWARDS 2025

Presented by The Business Times

Preferred Payment Solutions Provider - Mastercard

Official Legal Advisor - Rajah & Tann

Official Auditor - RSM

A*STAR

Enterprise Singapore

Paia

Presented by The Business Times

Preferred Payment Solutions Provider - Mastercard

Official Legal Advisor - Rajah & Tann

Official Auditor - RSM

A*STAR

Enterprise Singapore

Paia

Two awards for young businesses in Asia