Nanofilm Tech CEO Shi Xu named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017

NANOFILM Technologies International's chief executive, Shi Xu, has been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2017 Singapore by professional services organisation, EY.

The 16th EY EOY awards gala was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on Friday, graced by guest-of-honour Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence.

Dr Shi also received the EOY award under Advanced Manufacturing category. He will be Singapore's representative at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year (WEOY) to be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco in June 2018, where he will compete with more than 60 other country winners for the coveted world title.

The EY WEOY competition is the hallmark of the awards programme, offering a platform to profile local entrepreneurs among the world's best business leaders.

Dr Shi set up Nanofilm Technologies International Pte Ltd in 1999 with a startup cash of S$300,000. He has been the driving force behind Nanofilm's growth and business expansion.

"His vision and leadership has transformed Nanofilm from a small University spin off to a significant player in the coating technology and advanced manufacturing on the world stage with multi-national operations and a total staff of more than 1,500," Nanofilm said in a release on Friday.

The other three EOY category awards were also presented on Friday. Ascenz Pte Ltd's founder and chairman/CEO, Chia Yoong Hui, and co-founder cum director Sia Teck Chong, who is also chief technical officer, won the EOY award under the Maritime Technology Solutions category.

JK Tech Group chairman Lennon Tan won the EOY award under the Financial Services Technology Enablement category; PBA International CEO Derrick Yap won the EOY award under the Diversified Engineering category.