Hats off to 100 top entrepreneurs

THEY are young, bold, successful and influential entrepreneurs and their outstanding achievements have inspired many others.

To encourage more of such young entrepreneurs, these figures will be honoured at a prestigious “The 100 Most Influential Young Entrepreneurs (The 100 MIYE)” gala dinner on Nov 24 at the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is not an awards night, but a gesture of appreciation whereby 100 creative and innovative young Malaysian entrepreneurs will be honoured.

“These young entrepreneurs have all set a certain standard and are pioneers in their own fields,” said Armani Media Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk K.K. Chua, the organiser of the event.

The 100 MIYE recipients comprise business leaders, founders and co-founders of successful startups and chief executive officers of well-known local companies.

To mark this prestigious event, an exclusive coffee-table book will be launched featuring key industry leaders in various fields such as art and style, education, entertainment, finance and investment, food and beverage, manufacturing, real estate and science, among others.

“The 100 MIYE recognition acknowledges successful businessmen under 45 years of age. They have been prominently featured in print and social media for their philanthropic work and other achievements.

“They have also made an impact in the social, economic and industrial landscape,” said Chua, an experienced property commentator and investor with more than 10 years’ experience.

Nominated by a panel of judges, these young entrepreneurs are not only committed and enthusiastic business leaders, but also innovators of new ideas with the skills to execute their great ideas in the market.

“They possess traits that have made them successful entrepreneurs. Their efforts have led to profitability and success, and made a positive impact in the industry,” Chua added.

“Our past year’s winner for instance, actress Neelofa, is one of the richest and most influential celebrities around. She has been in the limelight since she got into the tudung (headscarf) business because of her highly public profile.

“As a successful young influential entrepreneur, she has managed to build her empire over the years.”

Other entrepreneurs who were honoured at the same event last year were super model and businesswoman Amber Chia, Datuk Calvin Khiu of MK Curtain Group, actress, model and television host Nora Danish, business coach Jeevan Sahadevan and Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd executive director Mohd Imran Tan Sri Mohd Salim.

Recipients of 100 MIYE will be invited to attend a power breakfast with all the other recipients and take part in a business-matching session and networking exclusive lunch.

They will also be invited to a retreat to a chosen destination and might even attend a short business course at a prestigious university.

Last year’s recipients will also be invited to this networking exercise.

“We have a few attractive packages for the recipients which we will unveil later. Recipients of last year’s 100 MIYE also managed to leverage their businesses through this platform,” he said.

There is also the e-Young Entrepreneurs’ Outreach Fund, a fund-initiative to nurture young talents via engagement of prominent entrepreneurs with future stakeholders in academic institutions, who will share their experiences and mentorship in their entrepreneurship journey.

“We need to encourage more youths to go into entrepreneurship. Through this investment fund, 10 aspiring entrepreneurs will be given a grant and assistance to connect with other entrepreneurs,” concluded Chua.