DO WELL, DO GOOD, DO NOW

Applicants shortlisted into the Emerging Enterprise Awards and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Awards undergo a rigorous 2-part judging process: Site visits (Physical and/or Virtual) as well as live Judging for applicants to present their business model, products and services to a panel of distinguished judges.

The carefully selected expert judging panel will review each entry based on the criteria set within each category, whilst also applying three key principles:

• Clear and concise results and metrics
• Measurable evidence of innovation, impact and scalability, with demonstrable, long-term commitment to a sustainable transformation
• Relevance award category criteria

Christie leads the Emerging Business (EmB) & Commercial Banking Cash in OCBC Bank. The business serves the growth of SMEs - sole proprietors, partnerships, and private limited companies from start-ups to Serial Entrepreneurs and high growth businesses across multiple industries. It offers a full suite of loans and cash solutions to help the growth of business owners (locally and foreign incorporated entities), including Funds and non-profit organisations. She is responsible for driving acquisition &engagement and digitalisation across the various platforms.

Iris leads the Emerging Business and Commercial Banking Cash business at OCBC Singapore, focusing on digital-first SME strategies and modernization. She previously led the Middle Market segment and champions financing for high-growth sectors like digital economy and urban solutions. Iris also drives Sustainable Finance, having developed OCBC’s SME Sustainable Finance Framework, now adopted regionally. With over 25 years in commercial banking and deep expertise across industries, she partners with stakeholders to support SMEs in sustainability transitions.

Chen Huifen is the Editor at The Business Times. She started her journalism career at Singapore Press Holdings more than 20 years ago. She has covered macroeconomics, policy, biomedical sciences, healthcare and SMEs before taking on a supervisory role a decade ago.

Stanislaus Jude Chan is a deputy news editor at The Business Times, where he oversees the coverage of public listed companies, financial markets, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Over his career, he has covered real estate investment trusts (Reits) and climate conservation, as well as a range of business topics as a breaking news journalist.

As Country Manager, Deborah leads all aspects of Mastercard business expansion in Singapore, working with banks, non-financial institutions and key merchants to drive business results. She also oversees the rollout of new payment solutions, focusing on innovation and partnerships. Previously, Deborah held multiple roles in Mastercard, managing strategic deals, revenue targets and investment budgets.

Jonathan is the Head of the firm’s Legal Basix practice, which provides baseline and growth stage legal advice, representation and documentation to businesses. Leveraging the deep expertise and experience of Rajah & Tann’s many providing industry-leading practice groups, Jonathan supports all businesses, from emerging enterprises, start-ups and SMEs to high-growth companies.

E-Sah currently leads her firm’s Assurance Practice. She handles assurance, initial public offerings and due diligence assignments for emerging businesses, multinationals, statutory boards, not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and public-listed companies. E-Sah also serves clients in other industries such as healthcare, shipping, manufacturing, retail and construction.

Bennett is RSM Singapore’s ESG Advisory Practice Lead and has experience in corporate sustainability, having previously served as a Senior Manager with the sustainability team at Keppel Limited, working to drive the global asset manager and operator’s net-zero ambitions. Prior to this, he was a Principal consultant with Paia where he led the reporting and sustainability finance function. 

A*STAR
Mr Quek Kai Hoo
Chief Investment Officer, Venture Creation & Growth, Innovation & Enterprise Group 

Mr Quek Kai Hoo is the Chief Investment Officer of Venture Creation & Growth, Innovation & Enterprise Group responsible for management of A*STAR’s spinoff portfolio and supporting deal structures for new ventures.  Prior to A*STAR, Kai Hoo held many years of investment experience executing deals across venture capital, private equity fund-of-funds and real estate at sovereign wealth fund, venture capital firm and family office. He also has operational experience as general manager of precision engineering firms leading P&L responsibilities.

Radiana leads a team that focuses on technology commercialisation, venture co-creation, licensing and joint collaborations.With more than a decade of experience in technology development and commercialisation, she has taken on a broad spectrum of roles that spans across ideation, marketing, technology matching, productisation, business model formation, negotiations, manufacturing, process improvements and relationship management in partnerships.

Emily is the Assistant Managing Director of Enterprise Singapore, the government agency under the Ministry of Trade & Industry which champions enterprise development. She oversees the Innovation portfolio, covering startup and innovation ecosystem development, enterprise innovation incentives, venture building and global innovation networks. Previously, she led the Strategic Partnerships and Platforms Group, and was formerly Chief Data Officer and Executive Director of Strategic and Corporate Planning.

Geoffrey is the Assistant Managing Director of Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore government agency which champions enterprise development. He oversees the group responsible for driving enterprise capabilities, in areas like Financing, Sustainability and Digitalisation, to support business growth and competitiveness. He also leads efforts to support the growth of companies in the Urban Systems and Solutions industries. Geoffrey currently serves on the board and investment committee of SEEDS Capital, the investment arm of Enterprise Singapore that catalyses investments into Singapore-based early stage technology startups.

Corrado guides a skilled and engaged team to help companies in Singapore and Southeast Asia embed sustainability into their strategies and business operations.