JA Asia Pacific Crowns First Regional Student Company of the Year of 2023
June 1, 2023
JA Asia Pacific named its top JA student company today in its first in-person Company of the Year competition (COY) since 2019. Held in Gurugram, India, and co-hosted by JA India/tGELF, the annual celebration of youth entrepreneurship honored thirteen JA student companies from nine JA Asia Pacific locations.
Over four days, students presented their companies, participated in seminars, networked with professionals, and socialized with peers from around the region.
Meet the Teams
Guam: Persona spreads Chamoru culture and heritage through its puzzles, which feature original illustrations depicting legends of Guam.
Guam: Fu’una, named for the Chamoru goddess of creation, promotes and encourages sustainability on Guam through its
Hong Kong SAR–China: #hashBAG designs iPad bags specifically for young people. Available in four colors, the #hashBAG features six different embroidered designs that reflect Hong Kong SAR’s culture and youthful energy.
India: Soulsprout is revolutionizing compost production by harnessing the benefits of coffee by-products.
India: Tote.Tique’s tote bags and keychains help customers express themselves through accessories and promote environmental awareness and make a positive impact on the planet.
Indonesia: SIEVASCO SC’s Taska product line includes bags, lanyards, briefcases, clutches, and luxury purses made of upcycled tires. The tire-based material echoes leather without posing any threat to exotic animals.
Japan: O&O sells environmentally friend keychains, hairbands, placemats, chopstick cases, tote bags, coasters, and memo pads, all based on the theme, “make the earth and people happy.
Malaysia: DynamiC Enterprise sells products derived from passion, created with meaning, and produced with innovation, including rings, earrings, hair accessories, bookmarks, crocheted flowers, and the DynamiC-Utile Bag.
Philippines: Kalias Co. created the Sandulat Journal to promote mental wellness, freedom of expression, and personal growth and acceptance. The undated journal includes prompts based on Dr. Seligman’s PERMA model and Dr. Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset theory.
Philippines: Paraiba PH utilizes a variety of raw materials sourced from local artisan weavers for its Primera Laptop Bag.
Singapore: KLOSS offers an alternative to plastic-based single-use dental floss with its recyclable filament floss and bamboo charcoal flossers.
Singapore: Sensit’s Qube is a six-sided tactile cube for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The interchangeable, customizable faces for the Qube cater to customers’ different needs.
Thailand: The Kounter lap desk allows students to do homework wherever they need. The convenient desk includes a cushion and a storage compartment to help with everyday student needs.
The Program
Day 1 saw the student teams’ arrivals throughout the day and a welcome dinner. On Day 2, students participated in an icebreaker activity, mentoring sessions on business presentations with local professionals, a Project Management Essentials webinar with the Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), a fireside chat about values, and an inaugural program, which gave students a taste of local culture. Facilitated by Indian Revival Group, the inaugural program included an invocation to Ganesha; Nataraj, the cosmic dance of Shiva; and Tillana, a joyous dance of celebration. Day 3 kicked off with student company business pitches, followed by panel interviews with judges. In the afternoon, students enjoyed a tour of Dehli, followed by dinner at the hotel. On Day 4, the final day, the students set up booths to present the companies in a trade fair at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon. JA Asia Pacific announced the winners at the awards gala dinner that night.
The Winners
Third place – DynamiC Enterprise, JA Malaysia
Second place – Soul Sprout, JA India
First place, JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year – SIEVASCO, Prestasi Junior Indonesia (JA Indonesia)
As the first-place winner, SIEVASCO will go on to compete for the 2024 De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award with the five other regional champions to be named later this year.
Congratulations to all the JA student companies!