If you happen to’re an entrepreneur in Malaysia, you might need heard of SEBA (SME and Entrepreneurship Enterprise Awards), the annual initiative that spotlights and awards native SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Organised by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia (YUM) and curated by Xhale Asia Sdn Bhd (Xhale), SEBA has uncovered many SMEs, enterprises, and entrepreneurs within the area, typically recognising expertise earlier than different vital gamers do.
For one, it had recognised Carsome in its Technopreneur class in 2021 earlier than the homegrown startup attained unicorn standing.
That includes an illustrious solid of previous winners, SEBA is thought for its merit-based and stringent vetting course of, standing out amongst the myriad of varied enterprise award programmes within the nation.
The award returns this 12 months on November 30, 2023 for its eighth version. This 12 months, the SEBA 2023 Awards has adopted the theme of Unity Celebrating Entrepreneurs, and have chosen a various listing of entrepreneurs to rejoice.
Awards are separated into two major classes—the Entrepreneurs Award Phase and SMEs, Enterprises & Begin-Ups.
The previous recognises entrepreneurs in particular, with awards like Halal-preneur, Empowerment, Most Revolutionary, CSR Icon of the Yr, Main Entrepreneur, Strategic Entrepreneur, and Academic Entrepreneur, and Youth/Rising Entrepreneur.
In the meantime, the second phase celebrates companies as an entire, together with awards akin to CSR Award, Most Revolutionary, Most Promising, Finest SME/Enterprise, Model Strategic, Premium Prime 10, Finest Work Tradition, SME Model Excellence of the Yr, and Finest SME/Enterprise Answer Supplier.
However this 12 months’s awards have been taken to the following degree with the assistance of “Suzy”.
Integrating AI for a extra immersive expertise
2023 has seen nice developments on this planet of AI, and SEBA, too, is leveraging that expertise.
The award has built-in AI into their ecosystem by Suzy. The AI assistant will interact with visitors to make them really feel like they’ve their very own private assistant (PA) all through the occasion.
After consenting to receiving stay updates of the awards, entrepreneurs will obtain one of the best photos, movies, and bulletins from the occasion from Suzy.
Furthermore, entrepreneurs who register with Suzy at SEBA 2023 shall be eligible for a fortunate draw. Winners of this draw shall be introduced not simply by the occasion’s emcee, however by Suzy herself too.
However entrepreneurs don’t have to attend till November 30 to start out participating with Suzy, as anybody can connect with her on-line or by way of a QR Code and begin messaging her on WhatsApp straight away.
Simply go to seba.asia/suzy and textual content her “Hello Suzy, I wish to nominate myself or one other entrepreneur for SEBA Awards” to set off a dialog.
By chatting with Suzy earlier than the occasion, entrepreneurs who aren’t attending the occasion also can choose to obtain real-time updates about SEBA 2023.
This fashion, entrepreneurs nationwide can take part within the occasion, permitting them to tune in to the happenings as if they had been there.
Publish-event, Suzy will proceed to be lively, prompting visitors to share suggestions in regards to the occasion. These replies shall be funnelled again to the SEBA workforce to assist them perceive their viewers and efficiency higher.
Uniting entrepreneurs past the occasion
As an alternative of simply internet hosting a one-night occasion, SEBA is targeted on creating worth for all of the stakeholders concerned, even past the award ceremony.
The workforce shared, “Whether or not it’s serving to our awardees achieve recognition, organising a networking occasion to foster collaboration and partnerships, and now having Suzy help them now and in future, we stay steadfast that SEBA is a platform by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, at all times seeking to maximise worth creation between awardees, sponsors, and media companions.”
With the combination of Suzy, SEBA has turn into extra inclusive and linked than ever, aligning with the theme of Unity that it has adopted this 12 months.
However as mentioned by Henry Ford and quoted by Nitesh Malani, the founding father of SEBA and the Chairman of YUM, “Coming collectively is a starting. Conserving collectively is progress. Working collectively is success.”
SEBA would possibly mark the approaching collectively of an ecosystem, however to proceed fostering that united entrance, the popularity platform is already welcoming nominations for SEBA 2024 Northern version. As for the Central (Kuala Lumpur) and Borneo editions, names can possible be submitted beginning January subsequent 12 months.
- Be taught extra about SEBA right here.
- Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: SEBA
