Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (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; who are all vying to win the top prizes in the 7th Edition of the reputed programme.
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,” said Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.
