The recent SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards (SEBA) 2023 was held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, serving as a distinguished venue to honour and acknowledge the achievements of small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. Hosted by the Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia, the event brought together an esteemed group of successful and innovative entrepreneurs and business leaders from the region.
The SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards 2023 featured a variety of categories, including Best SME, Best Startup, Best Innovation, Best Social Enterprise, and Best Young Entrepreneur. The awards were presented to businesses and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated outstanding performance and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the region's economy. The event was attended by more than 500 guests, including business leaders, investors, policymakers, and media representatives.
Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak graced the event as the guest-of-honour, alongside other notable individuals such as State Exco for Trade, Industry & Entrepreneur Development Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Nitesh Malani (Founder of SEBA and Chairman of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia), Tan Sri Dato’ Prof. Joseph Adaikalam (Founder President & Executive Chairman of Binary University), and Penang MOTAC director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, among others.
The award recipients reflected the theme of "Unity" as they came from various races in the country. Universal Peak Sdn Bhd was honoured with the Best Corporate Growth Strategy Award among the 500 companies that participated in the event. During an interview with SEBA, UP's Managing Director, Ir. Raj Kumar emphasized that success is not attributed to individuals alone but rather to the collective effort of the entire company and its people. He advised aspiring entrepreneurs to continuously seek knowledge and learn as it is the key to true success in life.
Overall, the SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards 2023 was a highly successful event that showcased the resilience, creativity, and innovation of small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. The event provided a valuable platform for networking, learning, and collaboration among industry leaders and highlighted the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth and development in the region.