Neuron Mobility’s Zachary Wang named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Singapore
He will represent Singapore at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in June 2025
ZACHARY Wang, co-founder and chief executive of e-scooter sharing startup Neuron Mobility, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2024 Singapore.
Wang, who was the winner in the mobility category, beat three other EOY category winners to clinch the top honour.
As Singapore’s representative at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monte Carlo in June 2025, he will go up against 50 other country winners for the world title at the global competition.
Founded in 2016, Neuron Mobility designs and manufactures its own e-scooters and the technology that runs them.
Susan Chong, chairperson of the judging panel, lauded Wang’s “commitment to a strong purpose and sustainability”, as well as his serial entrepreneurial and innovative traits.
She noted that Wang has introduced a number of pioneering innovations at Neuron – including e-scooter battery swapping, geofencing control and integrated helmets – and has accelerated progress in personal mobility for smart cities.
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Today, Neuron has a presence in 30 cities, including those in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Chong said Wang’s “admirable combination of impact, innovation and business acumen” would put him in good stead to represent Singapore on the world stage in Monte Carlo.
The EOY is organised by professional services firm EY. Now in its 23rd year, the annual event recognises business leaders who show excellence in areas such as innovation, financial performance, social responsibility and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Winners were selected from over 80 nominations by an independent judging panel, based on their fulfilment of four globally benchmarked criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, growth, purpose and impact.
Speaking at the awards ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel on Monday evening (Nov 18), guest of honour Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong highlighted the important role entrepreneurs play in society.
Besides creating jobs and contributing to the economy, they “push the envelope of innovation and productivity”, exploring new products and services and evolving with time to stay ahead of the curve.
The EOY awards thus recognises entrepreneurs who continuously “repaint and reframe” Singapore’s economy “from different and innovative angles” – a never-ending process as the global economy and dynamics continue to shift, he said.
Externally, Singapore is facing geopolitical tensions, he noted, leading to trade disruptions, reduced investments and economic slowdowns. Competition for work from other countries, as well as competition for global talents, has also intensified.
Liew Nam Soon, Ernst & Young Solutions Singapore and Brunei country managing partner and EY Asean regional managing partner, said: “The world we face today remains uncertain and yet full of opportunities, shaped by the intersections of evolving trends, including technology disruptions and environmental urgency.”
Innovation is therefore key, he said. He noted that the democratisation of information and access to technology has also lowered the barriers of entry to entrepreneurship, presenting an opportunity for youth to explore entrepreneurship.
The three EOY category award winners who were in the running for the top award were:
- Environmental services: Edy Tan Wei Hock, chief executive officer of environmental cleaning and building maintenance services provider Chye Thiam Maintenance;
- Food and beverage: Samuel Yik, managing director of restaurant operator Dian Xiao Er Group;
- Technology solutions: Anthony Chow, CEO and co-founder of smart lock technologies startup igloocompany.
This year’s EOY winners came from traditional industries, as well as new sectors that have emerged with the rise of the digital and sharing economy, noted Chong.
“Be it investing in technology and innovation to redefine established ways of operating, venturing into foreign markets beyond Singapore, or carving a niche for themselves, these entrepreneurs have changed the face of their industries, created new consumer demands and uplifted quality of lives in communities,” she said.
EY also presented two honorary awards for Asean entrepreneurial excellence and family enterprise at the awards gala on Monday.
Tecity Group received the EY-Bank of Singapore Family Enterprise Award of Excellence. The group comprises investment arm The Tecity Family Office, public-listed arm Straits Trading Company, and philanthropic arm The Tan Chin Tuan Foundation.
Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings in the Philippines, received the EY-Bank of Singapore Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. The group has business interests in agro-industrial and commodities, real estate and hotel, air transportation, banking and petrochemicals.
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