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Emerging Enterprise 2025 Awards now open for nominations across Asia

Emerging Enterprise 2025 Awards now open for nominations across Asia

Singapore, 7 May 2025 – Nominations for the annual Emerging Enterprise 2025 Awards are now open to young businesses across Asia. 

Jointly organised by The Business Times and OCBC, the Emerging Enterprise Awards is now in its 18th year. Since inception, it has celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and resilience of young businesses that are under ten years old and have an annual turnover of up to $20 million. 

Last year, the awards saw over 650 applications from a broad mix of industries across Asia. Winners included Singapore-based companies Kskin Management Pte Ltd and PanCare Medical Pte Ltd, as well as Hong Kong-based Fano Labs Limited. The Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award was conferred on Singapore-based Pyxis Maritime Pte Ltd, RushOwl Singapore Pte Ltd, and Indonesia-based PT. Peduli Alam Nusantara. 

Emerging Enterprise Award

The Emerging Enterprise Award recognises emerging enterprises that demonstrate an enterprising mindset, drive consistent, significant and sustainable growth, and display the ability to scale and expand overseas, resulting in excellent business performance. Up to three enterprises will be recognised for this award. 

One enterprise that demonstrates a strong startup spirit and has developed a unique and commercially viable idea with long-term potential, will also stand to walk away with the Most Promising Startup Award. 

Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award

The 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 transition to low-carbon businesses and industries. Up to three enterprises will be conferred this award. 

One enterprise with a commercially viable green or sustainability-related business model that has long-term potential and demonstrates a strong startup spirit, will also stand to walk away with the Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award.

The Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award was introduced in 2023 on the back of growing sustainability adoption by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the region. OCBC’s sustainable financing commitments to SMEs across the region grew more than 40% in 2024 to over $9 billion. 

Ms Christie Chu, Head of Emerging Business International, Global Commercial Banking, OCBC, said: “With the challenges in the current macroeconomic climate, our regional EE2025 Awards platform is more important than ever in helping SMEs stand out and forge a differentiated proposition to their customers. Through the years, there has been good participation from young businesses that go on to scale and achieve greater things. We are confident that this year will be no different and that the Awards will remain a powerful platform for spotlighting SMEs and resilient entrepreneurs for their achievements in driving growth and development in Asia amidst a challenging business environment.”

Ms Chen Huifen, Editor of The Business Times, said, “As the 18th Emerging Enterprise Awards happens during a pivotal time of a shifting world order, we are seeking bold entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to lead in a dynamic regional landscape. Being responsive, adaptable and innovative are necessary traits. This is especially so when global uncertainty is at a high, and new ideas and novel applications could help to drive the region’s next phase of growth.”

Winners will walk away with attractive prizes including a 2-year interest-free term loan equivalent to $200,000 in the local country currency, and a consulting package by RSM Singapore for growing businesses worth $15,000 each. 

Interested businesses can obtain an application form at https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/events-awards/emerging-enterprise and submit their applications between 7 May and 30 June 2025. 30 businesses will be shortlisted and the winners will be announced at the end of November 2025. 

The Emerging Enterprise 2025 Awards is supported by preferred payment solutions partner Mastercard, official legal advisor Rajah & Tann Asia, official auditor RSM – Singapore, A*STAR – Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Enterprise Singapore and Paia Consulting. 

More details on the award categories and prizes can be found in the Annex.

For more information, please contact:  

Ow Yong Weng Long
Managing Director
Group Brand and Communications
OCBC
HP: (65) 9791 3734

Dawn Sin
Vice President
Group Brand and Communications
OCBC
HP: (65) 9652 6052

Vernice Eu
External Communications
SPH Media
Email: verniceeu@sph.com.sg

About SPH Media
SPH Media is a leading media group, with operations in the publishing of newspapers, magazines, and books in both print and digital editions. It also owns and operates other businesses such as radio stations and outdoor media. The mission of SPH Media is to be the trusted source of news on Singapore and Asia, to represent the communities that make up Singapore, and to connect them to the world. The businesses are held by SPH Media Trust, a public company limited by guarantee. For more information on SPH Media, please visit www.sph.com.sg, and our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

 

About The Business Times
Singapore’s only financial daily, The Business Times (BT), is the authoritative guide on local, regional and international business markets. In addition to corporate news and commentary, BT covers the startup, wealth, property, lifestyle and SME scenes, and tells you what you need to know about Asean and the world. It also has a young audience initiative known as Thrive. BT is part of SPH Media. For more information, please visit bt.sg.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebusinesstimes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-business-times
X: https://x.com/BusinessTimes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businesstimessg/
Telegram: https://t.me/BizTimes

About OCBC

OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.

OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services. 

OCBC’s private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore.

The Group’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has over 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions.

For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.

ANNEX

Emerging Enterprise 2025 Award Categories and Prizes

Emerging Enterprise 2025 is open to companies with up to 10 years of operations (or up to 3 years of business operations for Most Promising Startup Award), with the following criteria:

  • Annual Sales turnover: Up to SGD 20 million, or local currency equivalent, as of the last financial year
  • Business incorporation: Registered either as a Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, or Private Limited (or Sdn. Bhd.)

1. Emerging Enterprise Award

(i) The 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.

Prizes

Up to 3 winners (or their newly-established subsidiary, partnership or sole proprietorship, where applicable) will each receive from:

  • OCBC (or any of its subsidiaries in Malaysia, Indonesia and/or Hong Kong (collectively, “OCBC Subsidiaries” and each an “OCBC Subsidiary”) – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to SGD 200,000 (or MYR 600,000, or HKD 1,000,000, or IDR 2,000,000,000, 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; and
  • RSM – “Consulting Package for Growing Businesses” worth SGD$15,000.

(ii) Most Promising Startup Award 

Recognises emerging enterprises with a strong startup spirit. These are startups that have developed a unique and commercially viable idea with the potential to be sustained in the long run.

Prize

1 winner will receive from:

  • OCBC (or an OCBC Subsidiary) – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to SGD 100,000 (or MYR 300,000, HKD 500,000, IDR 1,000,000,000 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.

2. Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award 

(i) The Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award

Recognises businesses that prioritise sustainability, utilise technology and innovative solutions for a low-carbon future, and capitalise on green economy growth opportunities.

Prizes

Up to 3 winners (or their newly-established subsidiary, partnership or sole proprietorship, where applicable) will each receive from:

  • OCBC (or an OCBC Subsidiary) – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to SGD 200,000 (or MYR 600,000, or HKD 1,000,000, or IDR 2,000,000,000, 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; and
  • RSM – “Consulting Package for Growing Businesses” worth SGD$15,000.

(ii) Most Promising Startup Sustainability Award 

Recognises emerging enterprises with a strong startup spirit. These are startups that have developed a unique and commercially viable idea with the potential to be sustained in the long run.

Prize

1 winner will receive from:

  • OCBC (or an OCBC Subsidiary) – a 2 year, interest-free term loan of up to SGD 100,000 (or MYR 300,000, HKD 500,000, IDR 1,000,000,000 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.