Celebrating remarkable innovators
The extraordinary accomplishments that have been presented at the Top In Tech Innovation Awards 2021 were truly remarkable. As we continue to outmanoeuvre the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, companies and startups must build the "next normal".
We have seen how technology has been speeding up, especially through digital adoption and this certainly creates rapid response today, shapes the journey to the future, and sets tomorrow’s standard.
Therefore, a celebration of remarkable innovations shall always be in unison. This award was specially introduced to recognise all the tech-savvy innovators and give them the opportunity to open doors to new commercial possibilities.
The inaugural Top In Tech Innovation Award was brought to you by Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia, with the support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).
In his launching speech Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba said the recognition of the awards to companies, agencies and individuals who bring positive socio-economic impact to society is timely as it can serve as the motivator for the industry community and others to always be mindful of innovation.
This effort also complements the national development agenda based on the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia. Mosti hopes that the winners will be able to drive their aspirations further and inspire others too, he said.
“Driven by the technology revolution, the future of the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators has just begun. So let us create more opportunities out there for those who have the motive to invent and innovate,” added Syed Zulkifli Syed Ismail, vice-president of CEO’s office, Technology Park Malaysia during the award opening ceremony.
“These awards are meaningful to us because we want to showcase all the outstanding contributions that the recipients have made to the community and economy through digital adoption and innovative thinking, in the midst of an unprecedented socio-economic crisis,” Malaysiakini CEO Premesh Chandran said.
“Knowing that there are many leaders who have responded with courage and conviction in the face of the pandemic on leveraging technology to create a positive impact, we, therefore, must play our role in recognising these achievements and hope the awards will inspire others to adopt a similarly positive and innovative mindset,” Karamjit Singh, CEO, Digital News Asia added.
Special appreciation to partners and sponsors
Innovation partner - Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI)
Strategic partners - MyDigital, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC)
Digital Tech Education partner - Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation
Tech Ecosystem partner - Cyberview
Gold sponsors - redONE & Dagang NeXchange Berhad
Sponsors - ICT Zone, Time dotCom, SmartMore, HSBC and Idea River Run (IRR)
Ecosystem Partners - PIKOM, SIDEC, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Digital Penang, SME Malaysia, Exabytes Network, Internet Alliance and Digital Marketing Association Malaysia (DMAM)
Product sponsor - Oppo Malaysia
Media partners - Marketing Magazine and KiniTV
Amazing lineup of judges and panellists
We were honoured to have a peerless group of innovative leaders from Corporate Malaysia who led the judging panel in their respective award categories:
1. Most Promising category: Panel judges led by Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah, senior partner and co-founder of ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator.
The panellists: Dr Melissa Foo, Head of Sunway iLabs Venture Dr Melissa Foo and founder and CEO of Babydash Sdn Bhd Lavinie Thiruchelvam.
2. Best Pivot category: Panel judges led by Fave co-founder Joel Neoh.
The panellists: Dropee CEO and co-founder Lennise Ng, and CFO and co-founder of Rainforest Life Pte Ltd co-founder Jason Tan Yik Long.
3. Most Innovative category: Panel judges led by Commerce.Asia executive chairperson Ganesh Kumar Bangah.
The panellists: MRANTI chief ecosystem development officer Mohd Safuan Mohd Zairi, and Uniten’s chairholder/emeritus professor of Institute of Informatics and Computing in Energy (IICE) Halimah Badioze Zaman.
4. The Best Brick & Mortar Adoption category: Panel judges led by Ambank Group managing director wholesale banking Raja Teh Maimunah.
The panellists: Asean Advisory Singapore senior adviser Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, and Vistage Malaysia founder Richard Wong
5. Most Impactful Public Sector Agency Driving Digital Adoption: Panel judges led by Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Wong Siew Hai.
The panellists: Former CEO of Matrade Wong Lai Sum, and Zer0Hunger Sdn Bhd director and co-founder Sharizal Shaarani.
6. The Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration: Panel judges led by Wise AI senior technology adviser Thillai Raj.
The panellists: Strand Aerospace Malaysia CEO Naguib Mohd Nor, International University Malaya Wales past vice- chancellor Tay Kay Luan, and KWAP CEO Nik Amlizan.
7. The Young Innovator of the Year category: Panel judges led by Wise AI senior technology adviser Thillai Raj.
The panellists: Center of Applied Data Science (CADS) founder and CEO Sharala Axryd, and Ata Plus CEO and co-founder Elain Lockman.
8. The Innovator of The Year category: Panel judges led by TIME dotcom CEO Afzal Abdul Rahim.
The panellists: Center of Applied Data Science (CADS) founder and CEO Sharala Axryd , and Angel Investor start-up adviser Suresh Thiru.
Exclusive prizes
The winners of the respective categories were honoured for their technological ingenuity that brings innovation to life for a better future. The winners received:
a custom-designed Trophy by Biji-Biji Initiative
ad space worth up to RM30,000 from Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia
access to programs offered by MDEC that include:
- Equidam Valuation Report
- Green Lane for funding programmes
- free access packages for the Mentor+ platforms
- market access to GAIN programmes
products sponsored by Oppo Malaysia
The winners:
1. Top In Tech Innovation Awards 2021 Innovator of the Year: Johnson Lam Hooi Liang for KakiRepair.
Merit Mention: Muhammad Haris bin Harun for MyKSSR
2) Most Promising Startup: Proficient Software Solution
Merit Mention: Servedeck Innovation
3) Most Promising Growth Company: BloomThis Flora
Merit Mentions: EasyParcel and Innov8tif Solutions
4) Best Pivot Startup: Go Class for ModernLMS
5) Best Pivot Growth Company: Meraque Services
6) Most Innovative Startup: Pandai Education
Merit Mention: Ticket2U
7) Most Innovative Growth Company: BeliGas
Merit Mention: SS Rõver
8) Best Brick & Mortar Adoption: Manulife Insurance
Merit Mention: Skynet Worldwide
9) Most Impactful Public Sector Agency Driving Digital Adoption for Federal Level: Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
Merit Mention for federal level: Halal Development Corporation Berhad
Merit Mention for state level: University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
10) Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration: Nanocat, Universiti Malaya
Merit Mention: Forward School
11) Young Innovator of The Year: Team S.A.T for Enhance
Merit Mention: Brandon Chin Min Qiao for Project Leo, and Team Backstreet for PL Detector (People Limitation Detector)
Continue to create a dynamic and positive impact in the landscape and society through technology innovations. No matter if you are a new start-up, an SME, or a large company, all of your innovation stories matter. Pursue your outstanding innovations and inspire others in your journey.
If you missed the award ceremony, you can watch the replay of the Top In Tech Innovation Award 2021 here. You can also visit our award photo gallery here.
See you at the Top In Tech Innovation Awards 2022!
