Alliance Bank announces Top 13 BizSmart Challenge Accelerator Edition Finalists
Alliance Bank announced the top 13 finalists for its highly anticipated 2024 BizSmart Challenge Accelerator Edition.
These thirteen trailblazing businesses have been selected after a rigorous process of filtration involving
593 innovative applicants, 4 days Accelerator Programme and Business Coaching, 2 days of Business
Pitching and 1 day of Elevator Pitch.
The 2024 Accelerator Edition marks a landmark decade for the BizSmart Challenge, which has
evolved from a platform for entrepreneurial growth to an accelerator for industry-defining talent. As a
leader in the SME sector, Alliance Bank wanted to encourage the sector by pioneering the first
BizSmart Challenge in 2013 to foster the progress and development of growing SMEs, to identify rising
stars and to give back to Malaysia’s emerging entrepreneurs.
Brands that are household names today like Christy Ng, myBurger Lab, Tapping Tapir, BloomThis,
Signature Market, Amazin’ Graze, Chriszen, Salad Atelier, and Vanzo have come through the Alliance
Bank BizSmart Challenge in previous years, gaining cash prizes, loan financing and valuable business
acumen from Alliance Bank as they progress on their entrepreneurial journey.
“We are thrilled to present this year’s finalists, whose entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are truly
inspiring. They have reached our Grand Finale after months of honing their pitches, strengthening their
business stories and financials, and receiving mentoring from class-leading venture capitalists like
Bikesh Lakhmichand of 1337 Ventures and 5X Capital’s Natalie Tan.Alliance Bank’s BizSmart Challenge is committed to supporting sustainable business practices and empowering the next wave of industry leaders.”
– Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.
The finalists strived to impress the panel of industry veteran judges, featuring Mr. Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank, Mr Bikesh Lakhmichand, Founding Partner & CEO of 1337 Ventures, Ms Natalie Tan, Partner at 5X Capital, Mr Raymond Chui, Chief SME, Commercial and Transaction Banking Officer of Alliance Bank, along with Category Award sponsor representative Mr Sean Tan, Chief Business Officer from Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) and Ecosystem Partner, Mr Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle.
Entrepreneurs made literal “Elevator Pitches”
593 applicants from all across Malaysia were narrowed down into a group of Top 30 Shortlisted
Contestants. The Shortlisted Contestants then presented their pitches to the panel of judges with a unique format that also included a 60-second Pitch inside an elevator for the much-coveted Golden Ticket. Meanwhile, the elevator door of opportunity closed on those who failed to impress.
Impressed by the high standards in delivering their pitches, three additional wild cards were also awarded with Golden Tickets.
These 13 recipients stand a chance to win a share of the RM 500,000
cash prizes, in addition to business loans at preferential rates, branding exposure and potentially,
venture capital funding; empowering them to further scale their business. Total prize value exceeds RM
2 million.
Here are the Top 13 Finalists for the Alliance Bizsmart Challenge 2024
- Asia Farms Network – wholesale supplier of dairy products
- Aenon Solutions – automation, barcode and RFID specialist
- BioLoop – a biotech firm revolutionizing organic waste management
- Carching – an ad-tech mobility startup
- Flybear – an e-commerce fulfillment & distribution center
- Fubizo – food and beverage product development
- Gula Cakery – a bakery chain
- Mindhive – Al application developer
- Sin Boon Kee – traditional coffee manufacturer
- Ventamin – skin & wellness supplement manufacturer
- Xin Seng Fatt – soya sauce supplier
- Zoey Food Supply – a healthy, children-friendly food manufacturer
- Volt Motorsports – an automotive service provider
In a further innovation, and another first-of-its-kind effort in Malaysia, Alliance Bank is producing a
feature-length film that captures the stories and progress of the Alliance Bank BizSmart®Challenge
Accelerator Edition.
This film is set to premiere on 27 November at Aurum Theatre The Exchange TRX, KL as
a private screening for invited guests. The film will also serve to announce the next winners of the BizSmart Challenge Accelerator Edition.
For more information and updates on the Alliance Bank BizSmart Challenge Accelerator Edition,
head over to www.bizsmart.com.my.