Sustainability is the name of the game for this year’s Young Leader Award

Getting started is often the hardest part of any journey. For novice entrepreneurs, that feeling of not knowing what to do is amplified tenfold, if not more. At this point, you’d probably welcome all the help that you can get.

That’s where Red Club x Cartier – a global community of entrepreneurs supported by luxury maison Cartier – comes in. The group first presented the Young Leader Award (YLA) in 2022 to help provide leading entrepreneurs between the ages of 20 and 40 with the necessary support to grow their businesses and to give them global exposure and recognition.

(From left) Chee Yang Chen, head of Red Club x Cartier Singapore; Giada Zhang, president of Red Club x Cartier; Yanina Novitskaya, CEO of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania; and Richard Li, head of recruitment for Red Club x Cartier Australia / Photo credit: Red Club x Cartier

This year, YLA will be presented in Singapore with the theme “Tech for a Sustainable Future.” Given the city-state’s prominence in the tech sector and its track record for pushing green initiatives such as the Singapore Green Plan, the choice of theme and venue seems especially apt.

“YLA will help shine a light on newtech-driven solutions that have the potential to shape the future of people and the planet in a sustainable way – all for a better world,” says Giada Zhang, president of Red Club x Cartier.

“By supporting these changemakers, we hope to celebrate individuals who are addressing sustainability challenges and capture their spirit of making a positive, lasting impact,” she adds.

The Q&A below was edited for clarity and brevity.

1. Why choose a tech-based theme this year?

The theme every year is always linked to relevant challenges shaping the global economy and prevailing entrepreneurship trends. Sustainable tech is highly relevant to Southeast Asia and Oceania as these regions have thriving startup ecosystems and are home to many successful startups and venture capital firms.

2. What would the ideal candidate look like?

The first thing we look at is shared values. We dream of nurturing the next generation of socially conscious leaders who have a similar ethos and have specific values – curiosity, open-mindedness, generosity, and sharing – in common. Potential awardees should not only want to shape a better future for the planet and people, but they also feel the need to be part of a community that uplifts one another and inspires others.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

3. What are the prizes and benefits that winners can look forward to?

The winner will take home a grant of €50,000 (US$54,500), while the three runners-up will each receive €10,000 (US$10,900). They will also benefit from a tailored mentorship program led by the National University of Singapore Business School and The University of Sydney Business School – the academic partners for this year’s YLA.

(From left) Jumana Zahalka, vice dean of education and curriculum of NUS Business School, Chee, Li, Novitskaya, Zhang, and Suresh Cuganesan, deputy dean of University of Sydney Business School / Photo credit: Red Club x Cartier

Last but certainly not least, the winner will get international exposure and media visibility as well as ad hoc coaching and mentoring sessions from the Red Club x Cartier networks.

4. Could you tell me more about the mentorship and coaching programs?

Besides participating as jury members, our academic partners will work with Red Club members to design a bespoke mentoring program for the YLA winner, equipping them with the specific knowledge and skills needed to grow their business, amplify their voice, and innovate further to achieve even bigger goals.

Each year’s mentoring program is different as they are tailored to the winner. By capitalizing on the best of both academic and business worlds, we hope to offer the awardee a learning experience that is both unique and priceless.

Currency converted from euros to US dollars: US$1 = €0.91

Launched in 2019, Red Club x Cartier is a global membership community of young entrepreneurs that aim to positively influence society. Apply for its Young Leader Award here by January 31.

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This content was produced by Tech in Asia Studios, which connects brands with Asia’s tech community. Learn more about partnering with Tech in Asia Studios.