KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): The EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) 2024 Malaysia awards has shortlisted a total of 13 nominees on Sept 26 in the Emerging, Technology, Woman and Master categories.

Under the Emerging Entrepreneur category, the top nominees include Thomas Pui Wee Hua, Ts Vic Pui Wee Kong and Yanni Ching Xin Yan from Entomal Biotech Sdn Bhd; Tzong Lee and Zare Lee from Trapo Marketing Sdn Bhd; as well as Allan Wong from Vanzo Asia Sdn Bhd.

For the Technology Entrepreneur category, the top nominees are Wilson Low Min Yew from Wilstech Sdn Bhd; George Lee from Innov8tif Solutions Sdn Bhd; Jeand Pua from Framemotion Studio Sdn Bhd; and Aniljit Singh from Juara Partners Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, Connie Go from Feytech Holdings Bhd; Nadira Mohd Yusoff from Kiddocare Sdn Bhd; and Datuk Ir Chow Pui Hee from Samaiden Group Bhd are the top nominees under the Woman Entrepreneur category.

Top nominees from the Master Entrepreneur category for this year’s awards are Ronnie Lim from OMS Group; Nicholas Ng from Frontken Corp Bhd; and Hoe Kian Choon from Cuckoo International (M) Sdn Bhd.

The nominees were determined by an independent panel of judges guided by a set of judging criteria that is consistently applied globally by the EOY programme.

The winners of the four categories, as well as the coveted EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Malaysia award, will be announced at an awards ceremony later in December this year. The winning individualwill then join other country award recipients from around the globe in June 2025 to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year (WEOY) 2025 award in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

“The EOY programme has spotlighted Malaysia’s business leaders for over two decades. These entrepreneurs have redefined business practices and embraced sustainability to build a better working world. We take pride in sharing their stories, showcasing their contributions to our communities and nation.

This year, we have seen a record number of individual nominees and increased representation of women across all categories, honouring the purpose of this programme and signifying the far-reaching impact it has on our country,” said Ernst & Young PLT Malaysia managing partner Datuk Abdul Rauf Rashid.

Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd consulting partner and programme director of EOY Malaysia Philip Rao added that the programme themed “The Art of Entrepreneurship” honours entrepreneurs who continuously repaint and reframe the economy.

“The theme acknowledges the artful balance of passion, determination, character and skill essential for businesses addressing complex challenges. Every year, Top Nominees are chosen for their entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to sustainable business, innovative new approaches and impact on diversity and inclusivity,” he said.

Notably, the nominees this year have generated RM5.6 billion in revenue, according to Rao, and created over 5,000 jobs, contributing substantially to community growth and nation building.

The panel of judges for the EOY 2024 programme include AEON (M) Bhd group chief merchandise and marketing officer Low Ngai Yuen; Aerodyne Group founder and group CEO Datuk Kamarul A Muhamed; Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation secretariat executive director Tan Sri Datuk Dr Rebecca Sta Maria; Bursa Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift; Hyrax Oil Sdn Bhd founder and group managing director Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin; JF Technology Bhd founder and group managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong and former Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation senior vice president Raymond Siva.

For more information about the EOY 2024 Malaysia programme and to submit a nomination, visit www.ey.com/my/eoy.