At an awards event in Melbourne, Richard Earl, Executive Chairman and Founder of Talent, announced the APAC regional winners for the 2016 Talent Unleashed Awards, naming the most talented and disruptive entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific Region and demonstrating the strength and diversity of the APAC technology sector.
With finalists and winners representing Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong at the awards event, the 2016 APAC winners capture the diversity of the game-changing entrepreneurs working to transform the healthcare, business, and banking and finance spheres.
In his speech, Mr Earl recognised the contribution the award winners have made to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
“The people we’re recognising tonight are five of the most passionate, determined, and innovative entrepreneurs and technology leaders in the Asia-Pacific Region,” Mr Earl said.
“It’s very pleasing to be able to recognise these individuals, the companies they are part of and the impact they’ve had on the communities in which they operate.”
“I’m particularly proud to be recognising three healthcare technology companies, which are operating out in our community every day and changing lives and health outcomes. The technology sector has a huge part to play in rapidly improving the ways in which we tackle healthcare issues, and setting new standards of immediate, personalised healthcare service in this crucial sector.”
Speaking at the awards, judge Jane Tewson commented on the work Talent is doing to bolster the Australian tech community.
“I simply love the fact that Richard has built a business which has the community at its core, because a healthy business needs healthy communities. This focus is at the core of the very essence of the Unleashed awards, sitting in the DNA of the company.”
The 2016 Talent Unleashed APAC Regional Award finalists are as follows:
Best Start Up – Social Impact: Odocs Eye Care, New Zealand
Best Start-Up – Tech Innovation: Clevertar, Adelaide, Australia
Best Digital SME – Tech Innovation: Prendi, Brisbane, Australia
Most Disruptive CIO / CTO: Neal Cross, DBS, Singapore
Best Tech IPO / Venture Capital Raising: ResApp Health, Perth, Australia
“It’s also important to recognise there were some very difficult decisions for the judges in selecting the winners from a shortlist of outstanding finalists,” said Richard Earl, “We look forward to seeing them unleash their vision at the Finals, when they’ll be up against several extraordinary entrepreneurs and business leaders from the UK and Europe,” he said.
The winners were chosen by an illustrious international judging panel, including Steve Wozniak, Sir Richard Branson, Jane Tewson (Igniting Change), Cliff Rosenberg (LinkedIn), Jade Zhang (Okmno Asia), Dan Radcliffe (International Volunteer HQ), Patrick Grove (Catcha Group), and Yat Siu (Outblaze). Jane Tewson, Dan Radcliffe, Cliff Rosenberg, Jade Zhang, Yat Siu and Michael Ilcynzski of SEEK will appear in person as Panellists alongside Silicon Valley icon Steve Wozniak at the global finals.
“The judging panel assembled this year is very exciting,” Mr Earl said. “It encompasses everything we’re looking for in the Awards – entrepreneurial spirit, a deep social consciousness, extraordinary business acumen, and a drive to succeed, and passion for innovation. Each judge is genuinely a global leader in their field – their feedback and comments has enabled the nominees to tap into the expertise and knowledge of business leaders at the very top of their game.”
The APAC Talent Unleashed winners have a month to prepare for the global grand final event in Sydney on August 18, where they will compete against the UK and European regional winners. The category winners from each region will have the chance to make a final live pitch to the judging panel, with the grand prize winners taking away a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Steve Wozniak as well as a bespoke trip to Silicon Valley in the United States where they will attend a cutting edge technology conference and a bespoke tour of some of the region’s leading tech companies.
