KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- ArtVenture with Sarah, Bondahaven and Me Books Asia emerged as the top 3 winners of AXA #TakeControl SME Challenge 2019. The prize giving ceremony was held at the head office of AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad (AXA), Kuala Lumpur on 25 November 2019, graced by the presence of En. Syed Nahar Syed Harun, Deputy Director of Corporate Management Division, SME Corporation Malaysia; Gan Teck Hooi, Founder of ICFO Solutions; Kristine Ng, CEO of Fundaztic; Wayne Lim, Group CEO of Malaysia SME® Media Group and En. Rizal Bin Mohd Yusof, Head of Strategy & Planning, SME Banking, AFFIN Bank Berhad.

The top 3 winners — ArtVenture with Sarah, a homegrown brand dedicated to helping children grow and discover fun through arts and crafts; Bondahaven, a breastfeeding specialist offering lactation consultation services and spa to mothers and Me Books Asia, a children bookstore aiming to make world-class education content accessible for children across Asia — were each rewarded with cash and prizes worth more than RM100,000 to take their business to greater heights:

Launched in July 2019, AXA #TakeControl SME Challenge aimed to empower 3 most aspirational entrepreneurs with the skills, funding and know-how to take control of their business growth and future. Recognising the growing prominence of SMEs in the country’s economy, AXA is committed to play an active role in supporting SMEs throughout their journey, in line with its Payer-to-Partner strategy. 
 
Emmanuel Nivet, CEO of AXA and also one of the panel judges, attributed the low coverage rate among SMEs to their lack of awareness on the need for business insurance and the mentality which does not prioritise risk. “With our experience, expertise and resources, we can create stronger awareness on risk mitigation topics among SMEs and offer the right solutions. We are proud to see how our contestants have grown and progressed throughout the Challenge. It shows more entrepreneurs are becoming aware of how they can find a reliable partner on business protection and risk management, while they focus on building and growing their business,” he said. 
 
AXA #TakeControl SME Challenge was open to all Malaysian SMEs nationwide. Interested participants were encouraged to submit their business ideas online via www.axasme.com. 10 finalists were shortlisted to undergo a structured business coaching to refine their business idea prior to a final face-to-face pitch with the panel of judges consisting of Emmanuel Nivet, CEO of AXA; Syed Nahar Syed Harun, Deputy Director of SME Corp Corporate Management Division; Ferdaus Toh bin Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Affin Islamic Bank Berhad; Wayne Lim, Group CEO of Malaysia SME® Media Group and Gan Teck Hooi, Founder of ICFO Solutions.
 
During the ceremony, Emmanuel also commended the tenacity, passion and excellent business tactics demonstrated by contestants during the Challenge.
 
“Selecting the top 3 winners was not an easy task given all the great business ideas that we had received. Each of our winner’s journey into business success tells a story fuelled by strong entrepreneurial spirit and vision, which we believe will serve as an inspiration for others follow. We look forward to their greater achievements and contributions, which augur well for our local community, business landscape and economy,” Emmanuel added. 

SOURCE: AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Sheena Ho 
Brand, Communications & CR
Tel: +603 2170 8548
Email: sheena.ho@axa.com.my

--BERNAMA