We’re searching for Southeast Asia’s first CTO of the Year

The entertainment scene has the Oscars, science and other intellectual fields have the Nobel Prize, literature and journalism have the Booker and Pulitzer prizes, respectively.

Photo credit: Robert Couse-Baker.

Regardless of industry, outstanding individuals have been – and should be – celebrated for their contributions toward humanity’s progress. Beyond that, awards like these showcase not just the best but also what’s possible, encouraging others to pursue their ambitions.

To inspire positive change and impact in our part of the world, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is partnering with Tech in Asia to launch the first-ever CTO of the Year awards. The goal is to recognize up-and-coming startup tech leaders in Southeast Asia and offer accomplished chief technology officers exciting prizes, networking opportunities, and more.

The mechanics

How will the CTO of the Year be chosen? Here’s the criteria:

1. Your startup is in the pre-series A to series B stage
2. Your firm is based in Southeast Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines
3. You lead a product or engineering team of 10 or more

You can either nominate yourself or someone who you think truly deserves the title. If you’re a founder who also manages your startup’s tech team but doesn’t officially hold the CTO title, you can still apply as long as you meet the other criteria.

Tech in Asia and AWS will shortlist the top three CTOs per country in the region, who will then take part in a semifinal round.

Shortlisted candidates have to prepare and submit a one-minute video to share an initiative or project that they’ve led. The video pitches will be assessed by our panel of experts and shared on Tech in Asia’s social channels for online voting.

Photo credit: 123RF

Semifinalists will be evaluated by our judges and the public based on:

• Visionary leadership: How effectively you lead and inspire your team, shaping the culture and direction of your company
• Innovation and product mastery: Your ability to drive innovation through cutting-edge tech and impactful product development
• Technical excellence: The depth of your technical knowledge and how you apply it to solve complex challenges and to scale your business
• Strategic business impact: Demonstrable effects on your company’s growth, sustainability, and long-term vision through tech

Those who make the cut will move on to the final round, which will happen at the Tech in Asia Conference on October 22. Finalists will make their last pitch on stage before the conference audience and respond to questions from our panel of senior judges.

Think you’ve got what it takes to win it all? Send your application here by July 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.