Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (“Alliance Bank”) hosted the first-ever Alliance Bank BizSmart Academy Young Entrepreneurs’ Conference 2013 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, last week. The conference provides a platform for aspiring and existing young entrepreneurs to learn from successful local business leaders and social-entrepreneurs.
The conference, done “TEDx-style” covers a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial themes – reflecting mutual concerns that young startups, digitally-savyy technopreneurs and second generation SME owners taking over a family business have.
An impressive and inspiring line-up of speakers, curated by NextUp.Asia (the same dynamic team who run the TEDxKL series) included industry leaders like Tan Sri Dato’ Liew Kee Sin of SP Setia Berhad Group; the remarkable and entertaining Rosham Thiran of Leaderonomics; multi-talented Low Ngai Yuen, Head of Kakiseni.com; Lim Li Lian, international franchise guru; and Ee Soon Wei, Heritage Preserver, of the Royal Press Malacca.
Tan Sri Dato’ Liew Kee Sin of SP Setia Berhad GroupLim Li Lian, international franchise guruRoshan Thiran of LeaderonomicsLow Ngai Yuen, Head of Kakiseni.com
The conference also featured a technology knowledge-sharing session facilitated by Microsoft Malaysia. The facilitators showcased Microsoft technologies like Office 365 and SkyDrive that SMEs can adopt inexpensively to accelerate their businesses.
Microsoft technology showcaseAdrian Chng, CEO of jobsDB Group
Adrian Chng, CEO of jobsDB Group facilitated a human capital sharing session later on in the day.
As part of the conference highlights, Alliance Bank announced the 13 finalist for its BizSmart Academy SME Innovation Challenge. The shortlisted participants include some familiar brand names – Biotree Biotechnology, Block Forty Eight, Christy Ng Shoes, Fru t Pop, MuayFit, myBurgerLab, Redtick, Smooshie Juice, Tapway, TextBookAsia.com, Softin Solutions, HighrisePro and The Last Polka.
Steve Miller, Alliance Bank
Steve Miller, Executive Vice President and Head of Group Business Banking said, “We were extremely encouraged by the quality of the submissions as it indicated that Malaysia’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive is thriving. We had a strong nationwide response and the submissions that we received were from a diverse range of industry sectors including bio-technology, e-commerce, retail and food & beverage.”
Alliance Bank received hundreds of submissions online over a one-month period. The shortlisted, high-potential young SMEs were given structured business coaching and training in Blue Ocean Strategy, mentored by the likes of Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin, exposed to media and branding opportunities, received training in recruiting and developing human capital by jobsDB Group and supported with new technology solutions by Microsoft.
The esteemed panel of judges includes Chairman Judge Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin; Azizah Ali, General Manager of Small & Medium Solutions and Partners, Microsoft Malaysia; Adrian Chng, CEO of jobsDB Group; Roshan Thiran, CEO of Leaderonomics; Malek Ali, Founder/Managing Director of BFM 89.9; Teh Kee Sin, National President, SMI Association of Malaysia; Steve Miller, Executive Vice President and Head of Group Business Banking, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad.
In November 2013, three selected finalists with the best business plans will proceed to a public voting phase and the winner will be revealed in December 2013.
The winner will be awarded RM250,000 in funding to implement the winning business plan, and will get an opportunity to visit Microsoft’s Centre of Excellence, complimentary Microsoft Office 365 subscription, a year-long recruitment services’ package worth RM25,000 from jobsDB Group, exclusive media exposure in mainstream publication.
Follow the progress of the 13 selected young SMEs along their SME Innovcation Challenge journey at www.BizSmart.com.my.
Vernon is the founder and chief editor of Vernonchan.com. A graphic designer by profession, he has a deep love for technology, cars, gadgets, food, and travel. He tweets too much and is also known as a caffeine bacterium ("life's too short for bad coffee"). Bleeds Blue (go Chelsea FC!) and considers BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo cars to have in the garage--hallmarks of a true petrolhead.
