Attended by more than 200 guests, The ENA 2015 was organized by BNOW.org (Bangkok Now), a Bangkok networking community for SMEs, in conjunction with the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, Bangkok Entrepreneurs, Bangkok University, The Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce, The Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, UNESCO and Brand Now.
In the keynote address, Salinee Wangtal, Director of The Office of Small Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), said she was impressed to see a large turnout of young entrepreneurs.
Contrary to what business people thought, the Thai economy was in fact recovering and that SMEs contributed largely to the country’s GDP, Ms Salinee said.
The government has earmarked several million baht to support SMEs and this was available to both Thai and non-Thai companies registered in Thailand, she added.
The ENA 2015, with Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, Managing Director and founder of Thailand’s largest e-commerce service Rakuten TARAD Co Ltd, as honorary advisor, attracted more than 100 Thai and non-Thai entrepreneurs with a registered business in Thailand, representing a wide range of industries including tech, food and beverage, health, fashion, education, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), sports and construction, among others.
Pacharee Pantoomano Pfirsch, Chairwoman and founder of BNOW.org and the ENA, said the awards’ objective is to promote entrepreneurism, attract investors to Thailand and the Asean region, and revitalize the Thai economy and the SME sector.
Judges included Fred Mouawad of Synergia One, Paul Robere of Robere & Associates, Lay Cheng Tan of UNESCO, Michael I. Waitze, Managing Partner, Asia at ventureLab Growth Partners, Juthasree Kuvinchkul, Director of GrabTaxi Thailand, and Conor Bracken of Andovar.
Nominees of the ENA 2015 were judged on:
- Uniqueness
- Vision and potential growth
- Value in Thailand & Asean
- Eco-sustainability
- Striking achievements
- Overcoming challenges
- Recognition and traction.
The judges were impressed with the nominees coming from diverse backgrounds and industries.
“There were very thoughtful entrepreneurs with viable and scalable business models,” said Mr Mouawad.
Mr Robere noted that the process of selecting who the “best” entrepreneur was the panel of judges’ biggest challenge, as there were so many highly qualified individuals who had creative ideas.
“There were so many businesses that were great initiatives and worth recognition but we could only give out a limited number of awards,” added Juthasree Kuvinichkul.
The winners are:
- Most Outstanding Male Entrepreneur: Eatigo (Michael Cluzel, Group CEO and Co-Founder)
- Most Outstanding Female Entrepreneur: Solution Nine (Duangdhamon Kaewphongsri, Founder)
- Eco Entrepreneur: Equator Pure Nature (Peter N. Wainman, Founder)
- Creative Entrepreneur: Thinkatorium (Jonas Becker, Founder)
- Social Enterprise Entrepreneur: Siam Organic Co., Ltd. (Peetachai Dejkraisak, CEO and Co-Founder)
- Exceptional ASEAN/Foreign owned: Laiki (Pradeep Akkunoor, Director)
- Exceptional Thai owned: Parking Duck (Chayanon Visutthithada, CEO and Co-founder)
- Most Entrepreneurial Team: Banh Mi Bo (Richard Pham & Wanicha Watanawanichkorn, Founder)
- SME (30 to 100 employees): Monroe Consulting Group (John Stuart Tolmie, Founder)
- Micro SME (less than 30): Delishop (Pascal Martin, Director)
Of the more than B6 million in prizes presented, comprising of prizes to winners, gifts to attendees and raffle tickets.
Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation Thailand.
Sponsors for ENA included Thai AirAsia X, Acer, YouGov, Avon, Robere & Associates, Big Picture and Brand Now. Friends include Busy Bees @115, Kliquedesk, ONEDAY, 63 Bangkok and the Hive Bangkok.
Class Act Media proudly supported the Entrepreneur Now Awards (ENA) as media partner.