OCBC Malaysia is inviting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country to participate in the Emerging Enterprise 2026 Awards, a regional platform designed to recognise high-potential businesses and celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation and cross-border growth.
Applications are now open and will remain so until 30 June 2026, giving eligible Malaysian companies the opportunity to gain regional recognition and access valuable resources to support their growth ambitions.
Recognising High-Potential Malaysian SMEs
First launched in Singapore in 2008, the Emerging Enterprise Awards has since expanded to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia, becoming one of the region’s notable SME recognition programmes.
The awards are open to companies that are less than 10 years old and generate annual revenue of up to RM62 million (SGD20 million). The programme seeks to identify and support promising businesses that demonstrate strong growth potential, innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.
According to Chan Kok Leong, Head of Emerging Business at OCBC Malaysia, Malaysia’s SME sector continues to play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation across industries.
“Malaysia’s SME landscape is both vibrant and diverse, having produced many successful enterprises that have gone on to pioneer and shape key industries. It is therefore crucial that we recognise their potential early and provide the support they need to grow,” he said.
Building on Malaysia’s Regional Success
The awards have already showcased the capabilities of Malaysian businesses on the regional stage.
At the 2025 edition, two Malaysian companies—Dodo Ventures Sdn Bhd and Green Environmental Engineering Sdn Bhd—emerged as winners against contenders from Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Nearly 100 Malaysian companies submitted entries last year, reflecting growing interest in the programme and highlighting the strength of the local SME ecosystem.
Commenting on the achievements of Malaysian participants, Chan noted that the success of local winners demonstrates the vision, competitiveness and resilience of Malaysian entrepreneurs.
“Through the Awards, we aim to continue putting a spotlight on Malaysian enterprises, championing their successes and supporting their growth as they scale, realise their ambitions, and further strengthen Malaysia’s SME sector,” he added.
Four Award Categories for Growing Businesses
The Emerging Enterprise 2026 Awards feature four categories designed to recognise businesses at different stages of growth and innovation:
- Emerging Enterprise Award
- Most Promising Startup Award
- Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award
- Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award
From 2026 onwards, up to six businesses will be recognised across the Emerging Enterprise Award and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award categories.
The programme also continues to place emphasis on sustainability, acknowledging businesses that are integrating responsible practices into their growth strategies.
Attractive Prizes to Accelerate Growth
Winners of the Emerging Enterprise and Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award categories will receive a range of prizes designed to support business expansion.
These include a two-year interest-free term loan of up to RM600,000, as well as a business consulting package from RSM Singapore worth up to RM45,000 per winner.
For businesses competing in the Most Promising Startup Award and Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award categories, winners will benefit from industry recognition and media exposure that can help raise their profile and strengthen market credibility.
A total of 30 businesses will be shortlisted, with winners scheduled to be announced in October 2026.
Supporting SME Growth Across the Region
The Emerging Enterprise Awards continues to serve as a platform for promising businesses to gain visibility, connect with industry leaders and access opportunities for regional growth.
The 2026 edition is supported by preferred payment solutions partner Mastercard, official auditor RSM Singapore, A*STAR – Agency for Science, Technology and Research, CBRE Pte Ltd, and Enterprise Singapore.
As Malaysian SMEs continue to expand beyond domestic markets and pursue new growth opportunities, initiatives such as the Emerging Enterprise Awards play an important role in recognising entrepreneurial achievement and supporting the next generation of business leaders.
Applications for the Emerging Enterprise 2026 Awards are open until 30 June 2026.
