The Top In Tech Innovation Awards ceremony 2022 edition has truly showcased extraordinary accomplishments from individuals and enterprises that have been making waves in the region's tech industry.
Now in its second year, the award has grown to become a remarkable accolade in the tech space, to celebrate organisations, governments, the private sector as well as individuals that have been at the forefront of digitization with innovative products and services that keep the tech sector exciting.
This award is organised by Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia, with acknowledgement from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
In his launching speech, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) said that this award is an excellent platform for innovators, start-ups, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, individuals and government agencies to showcase their innovative strategies and continue to strive and thrive in this digital age.
Explore, plan and constantly be on our toes to innovate
“Innovation has become a lifeline for many of us. This award is about recognising dynamic players who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to innovate and transform their businesses through the adoption of technology, and MRANTI is proud to be the event’s innovation partner once again, together with Digital News Asia and Malaysia Kini,” said Dzuleira Abu Bakar, CEO of MRANTI.
“Technology is accelerating, and Malaysia needs to accelerate with these technological changes. We need the talent, the entrepreneurs, the venture capital and also the media players to champion it and together we will make it a great success. I hope the Top In Tech Innovation Awards will be a part of it,” said Premesh Chandran, CEO of MalaysiaKini.
“We have seen how technology has been speeding up and creating impact in many sectors and organisations, hence this award is created to recognise those who are doing meaningful and inspirational work,” explained Karamjit Singh, CEO of Digital News Asia.
A Huge Thank You to Our Exceptional Panel of Judges and Participants
1) Innovator of the Year
Lead Judge: Datuk NK Tong, Group Managing Director, Bukit Kiara Properties Sdn Bhd
and the Panellist:
Sharala Axryd, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Center of Applied Data Science (CADS)
Suresh Thiru, Start-up Advisor, Angel Investor
Nizam Mohamed Nadzri, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad
2) Most Value Creation
Lead Judge: Dr V. Sivapalan, Senior Partner & Co-Founder, ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator
and the Panellist:
Mohd Safuan Mohd Zair, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, MRANTI
Alan Ow Wui Kiat, CEO, Tenggara Capital
3) Young Innovator of the Year
Lead Judge: Prof. Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, APU / APIIT
and the Panellist:
Elain Lockman, CEO & Co-Founder, Ata Plus
Francesca Chia, CEO, Co-Founder, GoGet
4) Best Brick & Mortar Adoption
Lead Judge: Dato’ Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, Director, Dricopax Capital Limited, UK
and the Panellist:
Callum Chen, CEO, LH Plus Sdn Bhd, President, MCMTC
Richard Wong, Founder & Chief Listener, Vistage Malaysia & Singapore
5) Most Promising (Startup & Growth Company)
Lead Judge: Ganesh Bangah, Executive Chairman, Commerce.Asia
and the Panellist:
Dr Melissa Foo, Head, Sunway iLabs Venture
Lavinie Thiruchelvam, Founder & CEO, Babydash Sdn Bhd
6) Best Pivot (Startup & Growth Company)
Lead Judge: Chen Chow, Co-Founder, Fave
and the Panellist:
Lennise Ng, CEO & Co-Founder, Dropee (Replaced by Aizat, Co-Founder, Dropee)
Johnson Lam Hooi Liang, Chief Innovation Officer, SOLS247, Founder, KakiDIY / KakiRepair
7) Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration (Commercial & R&D)
Lead Judge: Thillai Raj, Chief Technology Officer, BAC Education Group
and the Panellist:
Naguib Mohd Nor, Chief Executive Officer, Strand Aerospace Malaysia
8) Most Impactful Public Sector Agency Driving Digital Adoption (Federal & State Level)
Lead Judge: Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association
and the Panellist:
Sharizal Shaarani, Senior Vice President, Business Development Office, NanoMalaysia Berhad
Dr. Gabriel Walter, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, QEOS
Our Special Appreciation and Gratitude to all of our Partners and Sponsors
This year’s Awards we were proud to have on board our:
Innovation Partner & Venue Host - Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI)
Digital Economy Partner - Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
Strategic Partners - MyDigital and Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC)
Digital Tech Education Partner - Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation
Sponsors - Axiata Digital & ICT Zone
Ecosystem Partners - PIKOM, Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation(SIDEC), Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Digital Penang, SME Malaysia, Internet Alliance and Proficeo
Product Sponsor - Pico VR
Media Partners - Sinar Daily, Marketing Magazine and KiniTV
A hearty well done to all of our Winners, Merit Mentions and Finalists!
“Vanilla is the world’s second most expensive spice and its demand often exceeds the supply. At Kairos Agriculture, we made it possible to cultivate vanilla and achieve its potential right here in Malaysia. With innovation and technology, Kairos Agriculture’s smart farm can help our vanilla planters produce better products and generate more yield,” said Ezra Tan, who won the Innovator of the Year award.
1) Top In Tech Innovation Awards 2022 Innovator of the Year:
Ezra Tan for Kairos Harvest
Merit Mentions:
Mathen Raj for Covid-19 Ventilator Prototype
2) Most Value Creation:
PolicyStreet
Merit Mention:
EasyParcel
3) Most Promising Startup:
Merit Mentions:
VictoryFarm At Rooftop
Swifty Gigs Sdn Bhd
4) Most Promising (Growth Company):
Meraque Services
Merit Mentions:
Dattel Sdn Bhd
5) Best Pivot Startup:
Shop Hubby
6) Best Pivot (Growth Company):
SAS Management for Vulsan X
7) Most Impactful Public Sector Agency Driving Digital Adoption - Federal Level
SME Corp. Malaysia
Merit Mentions:
Halal Integrated Platform by Halal Development Corporation
8) Most Impactful Public Sector Agency Driving Digital Adoption - State Level
Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Negeri Selangor for Smartbox Selangor
Merit Mentions:
Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre
9) Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration - Commercial
Merit Mentions:
Wawasan Open University
10) Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration - R&D
University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) for ProGreen Rubber
Merit Mentions:
UMCH Technology for WeHealth
11) Young Innovator of The Year:
Team Electrolance Solutions for Cloud Labs
Merit Mentions:
Team SMK Tok Bachok for Pembakar Indah Satay
Our Young Innovator of The Year, Manojkumar from Team Electrolance Solutions for Cloud Labs explained that their cloud based products are used for learning and programming.
“I have always had an interest in technology since I was young, which was also what motivated me to come up with this innovation. I wanted a single infrastructure to learn any technology such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and others. With this platform, we can make it accessible to everyone to learn tech”
One-of-a-kind 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 RM 30,000 from Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia
Access to programs offered by MDEC that include
- Equidam Valuation Report
- Green Lane Programmes
- Free access packages for the Mentor+ platforms
- Innovation Exchange (MIX) Programme
- MDEC 1-to-1 Office
- GAIN Programmes
and PICO 4 by PICO VR Malaysia
Every innovation story matters whether you are a new startup, a micro SME, SME, or a large corporation. Keep pursuing your inspiring innovations and encourage others to follow in your footsteps.
If you missed the award ceremony, you can watch the replay of the Top In Tech Innovation Award 2022 here. You can also visit our award photo gallery here.
Thank you for making the 2022 Awards such a massive success. We can’t wait to do it all again.
See you at the Top In Tech Innovation Awards 2023.
