A trio from MiRXES, a biotechnology company that focuses on early detection tests for cancer, has been named this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2021 Singapore by professional services organisation, EY.
They are Dr Zhou Lihan, co-founder and CEO; Dr Zou Ruiyang, co-founder and chief technology officer; and Isaac Ho, chief investment officer.
This is the first time EY Singapore has given the top award to three individuals from the same company. “We are very honoured to have won this award,” said the trio in a prepared statement.
“The past 22 months have been an intense ride for MiRXES where we came together as one team and managed to leverage our expertise effectively to contribute Covid-19 tests to Singapore and globally.”
“We are glad that the team’s agility and mindset of doing good have been recognised. Innovation is key to developing and expanding MiRXES’ business — we are continually solving clinical unmet needs in diseases,” they add.
They received their award at an evening event on Nov 22 from Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development.
Zhou, Zou and Ho, who had already been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year — Biotechnology earlier, will go on to represent Singapore at the coming EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year (WEOY) to be held in June 2022. They will compete with contenders from over 60 other countries for the coveted world title.
“MiRXES tells a powerful story of how the combination of science and entrepreneurship can significantly impact human lives as well as support socio-economic goals,” says Wong Ngit Liong, chairperson of the judging panel.
“Having created the world’s first molecular blood test for early gastric cancer detection, Lihan, Ruiyang and Isaac found themselves in a unique position to tap on their existing technologies and pivot swiftly to develop and mass-produce Covid-19 test kits that were instrumental to Singapore’s fight against the pandemic,” says Wong, who is also executive chairman of Venture Corporation and himself a previous winner.
“They have demonstrated a strong sense of purpose, innovation and agility at staying true to their corporate mission of saving lives, and have worked relentlessly to amplify the Singapore brand abroad,” adds Wong.
Zhou, the co-founder and CEO, holds a doctorate in biochemistry from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, part of the National University of Singapore. The 39-year-old has authored or co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and has several patent applications.
Before founding MiRXES, Zhou led a team of researchers at the Bioprocessing Technology Institute, A*STAR to develop a novel microRNA (miRNA) qPCR assay platform for biomarker and therapeutic target discovery. In 2015, Zhou was recognised by MIT Technology Review as a member of “Innovators Under 35”.
Zou, co-founder and CTO, was head of bioinformatics at the miRNA Signature Identification Center, A*STAR. The 35-year-old holds a doctorate in chemical and pharmaceutical engineering from Singapore-MIT Alliance.
He also successfully completed his dual degree in 2007 where he attained a Bachelor of Science, molecular science and engineering from China’s Nankai University and also a Bachelor of Engineering, in molecular science and engineering from China’s Tianjin University. Zou has co-authored more than 10 publications and has eight patents and applications.
Ho, the chief investment officer, before MiRXES founded Singapore Health, and subsequently Venturecraft Group, a Singapore government-accredited co-investment partner and incubator in the health care and biomedical sciences sector.
Ho, 45, is a veteran in entrepreneurship, investment and business management. Under his leadership, Venturecraft Group was appointed as an accelerator under SPRING Singapore’s sector specific accelerator programme for biomedical sciences. Ho graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in commerce (marketing and management).
From toys to insurance
Besides the team from MiRXES, there are four other category winners this year.
Aaron Tan, founder and CEO of Carro is named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year — Digital Automotive Solutions. Carro is described as Southeast Asia’s largest online auto retailer. It is now in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Carro transacts over 100,000 vehicles annually with more than 90% of its transactions happening outside of Singapore. “We are seeking to professionalise this often-misunderstood trade — buying a car can be stress-free, pleasant and online,” he says.
Alex Chua, CEO, Goldbell Financial Services has been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year — Financial Services. Goldbell Financial Services (GBFS) is a subsidiary of Goldbell Group, Singapore’s largest commercial vehicles and industrial equipment distribution and leasing company.
During the lockdowns in this pandemic, GBFS helped SMEs with cash flow problems. “My team worked above and beyond to implement a fully digital flow process for reviewing and disbursing loans in under two days. It is also our modus operandi to treat the team and customers as a family, providing assurance and demonstrating to customers that we are here for the long haul.”
Jackson Aw, founder and CEO, Mighty Jaxx, named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year — Collectibles and Lifestyle Products. The company designs and manufactures tech-enabled collectibles and lifestyle products in partnership with brands ranging from Hasbro, Sesame Street, Toei Animation, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, DC Comics, Looney Tunes and more.
Aw calls his win an affirmation of what everyone in the company has been doing. “As we look to double our team of a hundred, their effort and innovation inspire and encourage each other to continue developing a future culture for today’s digital natives,” he adds.
Walter de Oude, founder and deputy chairman, Singlife, named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year — Digital Insurance Solutions. Singlife is a Singapore-based financial institution that aims to unlock the potential of money by making financial services more convenient, transparent and accessible.
“By aiming for the stars, we have grown Singapore Life into a business worth over $2 billion, given a team of awesome people a great purpose, and improved the financial lives of many. And we have only just started on our global journey,” says de Oude, who used to run HSBC Insurance.
This is the 20th anniversary of the awards, which made its debut here in Singapore in 2002. Since then, close to 100 entrepreneurs in Singapore have been honoured for their exceptional achievements.
“These winning entrepreneurs come from very diverse backgrounds and industries, and increasingly, we are seeing younger winners and businesses that are technologically driven or digital natives,” says Max Loh, Singapore and Brunei managing partner, Ernst & Young LLP, reflecting on the past and present winners.
“Yet, they embody several common qualities that make them unstoppable — unwavering conviction, innovation and agility — which enable them to forge ahead and seize opportunities in adversity,” he adds.
“For entrepreneurship to continue thriving in Singapore, we need to imbibe these qualities into future generations and create a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem that capitalises on the upsides of digitalisation, sustainability and globalisation,” says Loh.
Asean and family awards
In addition, EY has given out two special awards. One of which is the EY Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence award given to Djoko Susanto, founder of PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya, who started from a modest grocery stall in Indonesia to a chain of more than 16,000 stores hiring more than 130,000 people.
“From humble beginnings in running a modest grocery stall to leading a large retail business chain, Mr Susanto’s entrepreneurial journey and commercial success are remarkable and inspiring,” says Loh.
“Beyond the socio-economic impact made in terms of job creation, the company also gives back to the community, for example, through providing support and relief during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
As for Susanto, he lives by a motto: “Confidence, focus and hard work are the keys to success in seizing opportunities.”
The other special award presented by EY is the EY Family Business Award of Excellence to Goldbell Group, which is now helmed by the third generation. The award recipient is jointly selected by knowledge partners, Business Families Institute @ Singapore Management University and the Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise, Insead.
Loh believes that family enterprises are an important segment of Singapore’s economy. “The Goldbell Group builds upon its legacy of shared values and culture established by its founding generation to anchor its core business, and at the same time, innovate and grow into new areas of business led by the second and third generations.
Clearly, the entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive in the family, as they seek to chart a sustainable and long-term strategy for the business,” he adds.
Arthur Chua, CEO of Goldbell Group, says that the cornerstone of the company’s success lies in its 40-year legacy of strong values and culture, enduring partnerships and relationships, and market relevance.
“Receiving this award as the company’s third generation is a great honour and recognises our continued commitment to further growing the Goldbell brand through innovation and change,” he adds.
The official partners of the EOY awards are the Singapore Exchange (partner); Portfolio, The Business Times and The Edge Singapore (official media partners). The supporters are Action Community for Entrepreneurship; Enterprise Singapore; Singapore Business Federation; and SkillsFuture Singapore.
From left: Zhou Lihan of MiRXES, Max Loh of EY, Aaron Tan of Carro, Alex Chua of Goldbell Financial Services, Indranee Rajah, Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Office, Arthur Chua of Goldbell Financial Services, Pol de Win of SGX, Walter de Oude of Singlife and Jackson Aw of Mighty Jaxx / EY
