Malaysia’s first Young Entrepreneur X Factor, Dwi Emas International School

Shah Alam  June 16, 2019 – Young minds and fresh ideas took centre stage recently at Malaysia’s first Young Entrepreneur X Factor at Dwi Emas International School, known as the first Entrepreneurial School in the country. 

The Young Entrepreneur X Factor or YEX brought together innovators and entrepreneurs aged 9 to 17, allowing them to unleash their creativity in problem-solving and to collaborate, learn and ultimately “storify” their ideas through a pitch presentation. YEX was designed to allow business ideas, innovations and creative solutions to issues to flourish, and for the young innovators to be connected with entrepreneurial professionals, through mentoring sessions. 

“Although built around a competition, YEX was really aimed at developing the love of “storifying” one’s passion and ideas or solutions that can benefit the communities in turn. They were asked to tackle issues like e-waste, or to create toys that help learning, and other current issues. But we (the mentors and judges) were blown away when we witnessed a 13-year old with his app that solves parking problems, which he programmed it himself, and a 10-year old who wanted to save the ocean from pollution by writing and publishing about them in children e-story books! They even had that whole plan on marketing and funding channels figured out!” says Founder of Dwi Emas and Group CEO of Ace Edventure Group, Anne Tham.

“As an educator, we really wanted them (the story-tellers) to come through and have fun doing this, like how all learning should be! And they did, as much as we enjoyed watching them present!”, Anne added.

Participants were split into two age groups and were judged on Creativity, Content and Presentation by a panel of judges which included Arthur Chan (Chief Executive Officer, Endeavor Malaysia), Johnathan Lee (Executive Director of Ecosystem Development, MaGIC) as well as Mike Handcock (Chairman & Founder, Circle of Excellence), Prof. Abhi Veerakumarasivam (Chair, ASEAN Young Scientists Network and INGSA), Dr Rahmat Shazi (Strand Aerospace) and Vanitha Satchithandan (Sunway College) among others.

The 56 participants hailed from 33 different schools and education background, locally as far as Penang, and one all the way from Hong Kong.

The top 3 winners in Tween (aged 9-12) category were Emerson Chong Tze Wei, Ong Ee Xuan and Joe Chew Thong Yao respectively. Champion Emerson, aged 11 wowed the judges with his History-teaching game that would all begin with a learning quest in Japan.

In the Teen (aged 13-17) category, 14-year-old Zachary Liew Pui Hin's practical yet environmental-friendly idea of a vending device which dispenses liquid detergent stood out from the rest, which made him a victor while Sheldon Chong Tze Wern and Hee Yao Wen bagged 2nd and 3rd placing respectively.

Winners' prizes included bursaries to study at Dwi Emas International School and at Sunway College, a Business School programme in Bali, Mentorship sessions, Ipad units courtesy of UOB (M) Berhad, ChemCaper Bonding Game and Board game sets by Meeples. Rotiboy Bakeshoppe was on board to feed everyone for the 2-day event. 

Dwi Emas International School is part of Ace EdVenture Group, an authority of over 25 years in unconventional education who prioritises fun and engagement with students while preparing them with exam rigour.  In 2015, it pioneered in equipping students aged 6-19 with entrepreneurial skills and mind-sets so that they can better navigate the shifting landscapes of their future.