In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, visionary individuals across various industries are reshaping norms, challenging conventions and driving innovation. From revolutionising traditional business models to spearheading sustainable initiatives, these trailblazers exemplify the spirit of creativity and resilience. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its random list of the ten most innovative entrepreneurs who have left an indelible mark upon their respective fields. Through their passion, ingenuity and unwavering commitment, they have not only carved out successful ventures but have also inspired others to pursue their own dreams.
Ivor Lim
Before the onset of the 2020 pandemic, Ivor Lim, a law graduate, discovered her passion for content creation and entrepreneurship. She has been consistently producing diverse and engaging content, from experiential videos that save her followers the trouble of trial and error, to sharing her travel experiences and cultural explorations. In parallel with her journey as a content creator, Ivor co-founded HYGR, an e-commerce business specialising in natural and sustainable personal care products. Despite her background in law, Ivor successfully navigated the entrepreneurial landscape. Starting from a modest studio room, HYGR expanded to a semi-D factory within four years, a testament to Ivor’s business acumen and dedication.
Melvin Chee
Melvin Chee, the mastermind behind RPG Commerce, leads the charge in creating and launching Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands. RPG Commerce’s disruptive approach has birthed numerous game-changers, challenging retail norms with its go-to-market strategies. Backed by a dynamic team of over 100 professionals spanning Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, RPG Commerce thrives on cross-functional synergy. Under Melvin’s guidance, RPG Commerce continues to redefine consumer experiences, reshaping the retail landscape with innovation and agility. With a relentless commitment to excellence, RPG Commerce stands as a beacon of innovation, propelling brands into the future.
Ariff Faisal & Haris Kamal
Ariff Faisal and Haris Kamal, the brains behind Kualesa, have sparked a sustainable revolution on the apparel scene. Kualesa, renowned for its bamboo and recycled material polos and t-shirts, stands as a beacon against fast fashion. Ariff’s awakening to the environmental harm caused by synthetic fibres led to the inception of Kualesa. His realisation, upon examining his wardrobe filled with polyester garments, ignited the brand’s ethos. Convincing his confidant, Haris, to embark on this journey as co-founder, they’ve transformed Kualesa from mere values to a symbol of style and comfort, challenging the fashion industry’s status quo.
Tan U-Mae
Tan U-Mae, the creative force behind bitter/sweet, embarked on her journey as a cake artist in 2016. Inspired by a fusion of baking and sugar art experimentation, she envisioned crafting exquisite cakes. Her background in fashion design and artistic upbringing fostered a unique perspective, attracting discerning clients seeking elevated confectionery. With the birth of Whipped in 2022, bitter/sweet‘s sister brand, U-Mae expands her repertoire to on-the-go desserts and snack boxes. From decadent whole cakes to convenient snack assortments, Whipped offerings promise moments of indulgence and relaxation for all.
Malisse Tan
Malisse Tan, the visionary behind BOBBLE, prioritises menstruating women’s needs and environmental consciousness. Committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, BOBBLE focuses on health, education, gender equality, sanitation and responsible consumption. Its menstrual products, crafted from GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, are toxin-free and ethically sourced. The products are also free from toxins, chlorine, perfumes and dyes. Embracing sustainability, BOBBLE utilises FSC Certified Paper for packaging, promoting biodegradability. As a testament to its impact, BOBBLE has garnered media attention, spotlighting its dedication to revolutionising menstrual care while championing environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Alvin Yuan
Alvin Yuan is the visionary behind HealthMetrics, a distinguished cloud enterprise platform designed to revolutionise how employers oversee employee benefits and healthcare expenses holistically. This innovative system empowers HR and Admin teams to efficiently streamline internal processes, effortlessly auto-populating employee benefits while offering comprehensive analytics and detailed reports. Through the HealthMetrics App, employees gain easy access to their health benefits data, enabling them to monitor their expenditures conveniently. Alvin’s dedication to enhancing workplace health management has garnered recognition, making HealthMetrics a trusted solution for businesses seeking holistic healthcare management.
Chang Yi Hern
Chang Yi Hern, the visionary behind JomRun, has transformed the fitness and endurance event industry. His brainchild offers a comprehensive platform where individuals can seamlessly discover and enroll in a myriad of activities, ranging from running races to yoga events. By consolidating a diverse array of fitness-related opportunities in one convenient location, JomRun empowers users to cultivate a holistic and fulfilling lifestyle. Thanks to Chang Yi Hern’s innovation, pursuing fitness goals and embracing new challenges has never been easier or more accessible.
Bobby Ong and TM Lee
Bobby Ong and TM Lee co-founded CoinGecko in 2014 with a noble aim: to democratise access to crypto data and equip users with actionable insights. This platform delves deep into the crypto realm, offering invaluable insights through reports, publications, newsletters and more. CoinGecko conducts fundamental analyses of the crypto market, tracking not only prices and market capitalisation but also community growth, code development, major events, and on-chain metrics. As the world’s largest independent cryptocurrency data aggregator, CoinGecko monitors over 14,000 crypto assets across more than 1,000 exchanges globally.
Chuah Kee Wei
Chuah Kee Wei, the visionary behind Agrain, embarked on a mission to promote healthy eating. His brainchild seeks to redefine the notion that nutritious meals must be bland and expensive. Agrain‘s diverse menu boasts carefully crafted dishes, ranging from hearty salads to comforting bowls and low-calorie ice creams. Each item is meticulously prepared with premium ingredients, prioritising wellness and taste. Kee Wei’s commitment lies in providing convenient, affordable, nutritious and delightful dining options for the health-conscious. Through Agrain, he aims to make wholesome eating accessible to everyone, ensuring that good food is not just a privilege but a right.
Huen Su San
Huen Su San, the mastermind behind COOKHOUSE Malaysia, has pioneered a collaborative space for food entrepreneurs to flourish. This innovative hub fosters a culture of co-working, co-sharing and co-creating, offering a supportive environment for artisans and culinary visionaries to thrive. With four strategic locations across Malaysia, COOKHOUSE serves as a hybrid cloud kitchen, equipped with central kitchen facilities, private rental options, shared cooking spaces, event venues and dining concepts. Su San’s vision is to unite individuals in the food industry under one roof, enabling them to harness collective resources, expertise and experiences for accelerated growth and success.
