Source: GES 2016. President Obama waves as he walks off the stage with Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Facebook with successful young entrepreneurs from Africa and South America after a panel discussion that he moderated. This is the occasion where he famously said he still had some time to go before he could wear a t-shirt like Zuckerberg, but could at least remove his jacket.
Former US President Barack Obama believes entrepreneurship is a driving force for economic growth. During his speech at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the US, he emphasized the power of turning ideas into businesses. These ventures, he argued, generate well-paying jobs, stimulate economic progress, and empower individuals to address global challenges like climate change and poverty.
He stated that starting businesses allows individuals and families to thrive, strengthens communities, and offers a constructive outlet for young people to create something meaningful. Furthermore, it empowers historically marginalized groups like women and minorities by providing a platform for contribution and leadership. This, in turn, fosters a culture of innovation and creativity that challenges the status quo.
Given that over half of the world’s population is under 30, Obama stressed the importance of equipping young people globally with the necessary tools to launch new ventures and create 21st-century jobs. He highlighted his encounters with inspiring young individuals globally who are finding innovative solutions in areas like sustainable energy and women’s employment. Their creativity, he remarked, holds immense potential.
He underscored the summit’s goal of providing more resources and support to these individuals who are making a difference and facilitating connections for sharing best practices and ideas.
In line with the spirit of empowerment, the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I Pitch Competition Finals took place at GES. This competition awarded US$70,000 in cash and additional prizes to 29 science and technology entrepreneurs from 23 countries and territories. These individuals were selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants from 135 emerging economies.
Winners from the Asia Pacific and Middle East region included:
Startup Stage:
1st place (US$15,000): Hoang Dao, Monkey Junior, Vietnam. Monkey Junior is an interactive app that utilizes proven teaching methods to teach children aged a few months to six years old how to read.
2nd place (US$7,500): Yap Chee Wei, HiGi Energy, Malaysia. HiGi Energy transforms invasive water hyacinth and agricultural waste into an eco-friendly cooking fuel.
3rd place (US$3,000): Muhammad Waqas, WonderTree, Pakistan. WonderTree develops interactive augmented reality educational games for children with cognitive or motor disabilities.
Honorable Mention (US$2,000): Md. Samid Razzak, 10 Minute School, Bangladesh. Ten Minute School provides educational resources through its online platform tailored to Bangladesh’s education system.
Idea Stage:
1st place (US$15,000) and Outstanding Female Entrepreneur (US$5,000): Samina Sarwat, Astha Purifier, Bangladesh. The Astha Purifier filter utilizes readily available and cost-effective rice husks to address arsenic contamination in drinking water.
2nd place (US$7,500), People’s Choice award (US$2,000), and Science and Technology Prize (US$3,000): Maher Maymoun, Solar PiezoClean, Jordan. Solar PiezoClean offers a waterless, automated dust-cleaning solution for solar panels.
3rd place (US$3,000): Layth Hamad, Clev-G, Jordan. Clev-G is a smart device for LPG cylinders that automates gas tracking and refilling.
Alex Foo, co-owner of Starteur, a psychometric profiling tool for entrepreneurs, attended GES 2016 thanks to sponsorship from Shopee, Garena’s e-commerce platform. This sponsorship aligns with Shopee’s corporate philosophy of nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. During a Shopee University session, Foo shared his experience with Shopee entrepreneurs and the media.
He emphasized the value of connecting with individuals who are more experienced, noting that such conversations accelerate growth and shorten the learning curve.
Interested in learning more? Check out the WorkSmart Asia blog post about Foo’s takeaways from GES 2016.
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