The winners of the Brunei Rice Bowl Startup Awards with the organisers and supporters of the event which was held last Friday, 3rd November 2017 at Progresif Headquarters Townhall, Gadong

The inaugural Brunei Rice Bowl Startup Awards (BRBSA) celebrated the winners last Friday, 3rd November at Progresif Headquarters Townhall, Gadong.

The top nominations for the night were judged by local panellist that are active in the development of the local startup community. The nominees underwent rigorous judging before the top ones were chosen.

Paul Taylor, CEO of Progresif, opened the awards night with his welcoming remarks followed by an introduction of the ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards (ARBSA) by Rubi-Ain Dahlan, Project Director of ARBSA, who flew in from Kuala Lumpur to attend the event.

“It is hoped that with this award and initiatives alike, we will be able to grow the Startup community considerably in the short future. We would like to see that entrepreneurship is seen as a first choice career option and not just as a last resort. We hope that BRBSA will able to assist in changing that mindset in our generation today,” said Charlotte Lim, Lead Organiser.

Paul Taylor, CEO of Progresif, giving his welcoming remarks to the audience

Rubi-Ain Dahlan, Director of ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards and Shamir C.Abdullah, Head of Sponsorship, ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards, sharing the benefits for the winners of each category

Some of the perks for the winners

Rubi-Ain Dahlan presented to the Startup of the Year to Agrome IQ International Sdn Bhd and received by founder Vanessa Teo. She was the biggest winner of the night with two awards. She was truly grateful towards her awesome team and also her family in supporting her business. Congratulations 😀

Radi El-Fassed, Progresif’s Head of Product Development, presented the Founder of the Year award and Vanessa Teo was the recipient

The awards night proceeded with its main event, starting off with awarding the Best Newcomer, presented by Shamir C.Abdullah, Head of Sponsorship, ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards followed by Best Social Impact Startup presented byPg Sarimah (Startup Hub), and continuing on with Yazid Azahari, Senior Project Manager at Microsoft (Brunei) who presented the winner of Best E-Commerce Startup. The fourth category was presented by Progresif’s Head of Product Development, Radi El-Fassed. Just before the final award was given out, there was a performance by Brunei’s very own Tropical Hornbills with two of their original numbers. Finally, the Startup of The Year was presented by ARBSA’s very own Rubi Ain-Dahlan

The winners received trophies which were 3D-printed, specially flew in from Kuala Lumpur, events ticket to the ARBSA in December of this year.

“It is not always you get to take part in celebrating innovation and innovative ideas, let alone giving out awards to them,” said Afiq Mohammed, Project Manager. “The categories were selected according to the volume of startups in those categories. This is also an indicator of where Brunei is with effect to its startup scene. I believe that BRBSA will be seen more than an event, but rather something to look forward to. Moreover, we believe that the award is to recognise the blood, sweat and tears of the humans behind the brands. We hope that there will be more companies up for nominations in the next edition and at the same time, more categories to be opened up.”

The event was made possible by the support of BRBSA’s Strategic Partner, Progresif, and DARe as Ecosystem Partner.

Yazid Azahari, Senior Project Manager at Microsoft (Brunei) presented to Best e-Commerce/Supply Chain Startup and Danny Sii tung Yang, founder of buycour.com won the award.

Danny came up with the idea since his family runs a forward company and it made sense that he was able to facilitate in terms of purchasing items online especially from China. He also plans to do local deliveries. He is also amazed how many customers are starting to make use of e-commerce in Brunei.

TOP NOMINEES

Startup of the Year – Agrome IQ International Sdn Bhd (winner), Al-Huffaz Management, Weekend Warriors, Sparkly Domestic Divas, Headhunter Sports, Shineblingz Enterprise and Lyfe Media.
Founder of the Year –  Firdaus Omar Faezal Murni, Hadi, Haji Mohammad Loqman Al-Hakim bin Haji Hamdan,Vanessa Teo (winner), Yusuf Flynn, Shinny Chia and Haji Muhammad Fahmi bin Lasa.
Best Social Impact Startup – Agrome IQ International Sdn Bhd, Heartwrite Co., Al-Huffaz Management (winner), Big BWN Cookout, Weekend Warriors and Sparkly Domestic Divas.
Best e-Commerce/Supply Chain Startup – Buycour Brunei (winner), JiFEE Technologies Sdn Bhd, Headhunter Sports, Nuara Group, Diyretrofurniture, Juste Leather Co and Al-Huffaz Management.
Best Newcomer –  Agrome IQ International Sdn Bhd, Weekend Warriors, Lyfe Media, Al-Huffaz Management, Shineblingz Enterprise and Heartwrite Co., Headhunter Sport (winner)

Yusuf Flynn, founder of Headhunter Sport claimed the Best Newcomer Award being presented by Shamir C.Abdullah, Head of Sponsorship, ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards

Haji Mohammad Loqman Al-Hakim bin Haji Hamdan receiving his award for Best Social Impact Startup for his company, Al-Huffaz Management from Pg Sarimah (Startup Hub)

The winners of the Brunei Rice Bowl Startup Awards

Pranika and I enjoyed the one hour event

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made a surprise visit the day after the official launch. It was a great gesture by His Majesty the Sultan and unlike other countries, our Sultan loves to connect with the people of Brunei, up close and personal. Image courtesy of @queennajmina

After many shifting and relocating, this looks to be a permanent spot for Pasar Gadong or what they call “Pasar Pelbagai Barangan Gadong”. Yea, it’s kinda of a long name but many of us are used to Pasar Gadong.

You will be surprised to how much the vendors are now paying as compared to before. Previously they will fork out as much as $300 to $400 per month. Now with a better set up and proper facilities, the vendors are only paying less than $40 per month which is a real steal.

The new facilities is a gift from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

These have been an ongoing problem for the market vendors since last year due to the reallocation. Hence now the problem have been solved with the support and involvement of the Brunei Government.

It has a proper shelter, high roofing, spacious and well built. I believe LSL contributed in this project (from what I heard). Perhaps there was one minor thing and that’s the smoking vents. I’m not sure if it’s working or not but some parts were smokey. Well, it’s just a minor thing but I hope it can be looked into.

It was great to know that some entrepreneurs were given micro-credit from DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) where they received finance to help move their businesses.

It was also a great sight to see His Majesty the Sultan making a surprise visit at the newly established Pasar Pelbagai Barangan and toured the premises. His Majesty was the favourite among the crowd where selfies became a common thing. Sellers and vendors also took the opportunity to thank His Majesty in person.

The Pasar Pelbagai Barangan was officially launched last week by Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The refurbishment of the market was done under the Julangan Titah Project, an initiative of the Office of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Let’s hope this will boost the economy for Brunei and make this one of the attractions for foreigners and tourists alike. I’ve already been there twice and I’m impressed. Just make sure we keep the place nice and clean and be grateful to His Majesty the Sultan in providing such facilities for vendors.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, members of Legislative Council and senior government officials attended the official opening last week

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) during the launch< /strong>

One of the recipients of the micro credit scheme

The attendees during the launch

One of the vendors at Pasar Pelbagai Barangan

I kinda like this churros

Vendors enjoying brisk business during the first few days of operations

Jaymee hunting for apam

I love the high ceiling and the structure of the pasar

It’s the durian season

Cakoi anyone?

Quite a crowd especially during night time