HR Tech platform innovators, TROOPERS Innovation Sdn Bhd (TROOPERS), has done Malaysia proud by being named one of only three winners of the Emerging Enterprise Award category of the regional Emerging Enterprise Awards 2023 in Singapore.

The Awards was jointly organised by Singapore’s The Business Times and the OCBC Group, the region’s second largest banking group and Asia's Best SME Bank, and is open to all qualifying enterprises in Asia.

The other two winners in the category are Singapore companies, CoNEX Healthcare Pte Ltd and ProfilePrint Pte Ltd. Two other Malaysian companies made it to the final as well – Didian Realtor Sdn Bhd (Emerging Enterprise Award category) and BSL Eco Energy Sdn Bhd (Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award category).

Another five companies were also honoured for either being outstanding startups or for winning in the new Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award 2023.

Founded by Joshua Tan and Kelvin Lee, TROOPERS is a digital HR Tech platform for flexible work that aims to grant equitable access to flexible work for all Malaysians to work and earn in a legitimate, transparent, and accountable ecosystem. Since its inception in 2017, TROOPERS has grown to become Malaysia’s foremost flexible job-matching platform, working with a range of esteemed brands across Malaysia to meet all their flexible manpower needs. These include on-ground activations, offline marketing, merchandising, in-store promotion, logistics, warehousing, concerts and shared services.

As part of its ongoing commitment to building a flexible ecosystem, TROOPERS launched the TROOPERS App in 2021 which has since garnered over 220,000 verified users, generating over RM30 million in income for gig workers transacted on the app. As of August 2023, TROOPERS has expanded its offerings to companies and talents in Singapore.

Winning the Award means TROOPERS receives from OCBC the preferential financial facility of a two-year interest-free term loan of up to S$200,000 (or local currency equivalent, as set out in the terms and conditions); media publicity in print, digital, social media, radio, podcasts for Singapore and the region from The Business Times; and a Business Consulting Package worth S$30,000 from RSM.

Chief Operating Officer of TROOPERS, Craig Goonting (extreme left) along with his colleagues from TROOPERS Innovation Sdn Bhd (TROOPERS) who have done Malaysia proud by being named one of only three winners at the regional Emerging Enterprise Awards 2023. Others in the photo are (L-R) Chief Growth Officer, Ryo Lam; CEO & Co-founder, Joshua Tan; Chief of Staff, Jonathan Lim; Chief Technology Officer, Jon Cheng; and Co-founder, Kelvin Lee

Craig Goonting, chief operating officer of TROOPERS said: “We are so proud to represent Malaysia and honoured to have received such great recognition as the first and only Malaysian business recipient for this award for our efforts to digitise part time work across South East Asia. We hope the Troopers App will be able to redefine part time work and bring more legitimacy, accountability and transparency to the space to change the way people work across the region through the excellent supportive partner that OCBC has been in enabling our massive growth.”

The eight winners received their awards from Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development of Singapore.

Launched in 2008 and now in its 16^th year, the Emerging Enterprise Awards is an annual event that recognises the bold ambition of young businesses that are under ten years old, celebrating their business innovation, resilience and excellence.

It recognises emerging enterprises that demonstrate an enterprising mindset that drives consistent, significant and sustainable growth, resulting in excellent business performance. These businesses also displayed the ability to scale and expand overseas.

This is the first year the Emerging Enterprise Awards were opened to emerging businesses across the region. This year’s Emerging Enterprise Awards attracted over 600 applications from across various industries and countries in the region. A total of 30 companies were selected as finalists.

Commenting on the presence of a Malaysian company on the winner’s list in this year’s Awards, Mr Tan Chor Sen, CEO of OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad said: “The Emerging Enterprise Awards recognises those who demonstrate an enterprising mindset, something we are eager to encourage and spur on. These are businesses that drive consistent, significant and sustainable growth, resulting in excellent business performance; and display the ability to scale and expand overseas. My heartiest congratulations to TROOPERS for having done Malaysia proud by blazing the trail for others to learn from them and emulate for the future.”

For more information on the Emerging Enterprise Awards 2023, please visit:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/events-awards/emerging-enterprise

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