Award to Recognize SMEs and Start-Ups Thais and Non-Thais in the Kingdom

February 15th 2016, Bangkok - Bnow.org (Bangkok Now), a Bangkok networking community for startups, SMEs and a registered social enterprise based in Thailand, announced during a media group interview today that preparations are under way for the Entrepreneur Now Awards (ENA) 2016 scheduled to be held in October 2016.
Last year, ten awards were presented to various Thai and non-Thai entrepreneurs and the event was presided over by Khun Salinee Wangtal, Director General of the Office of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP).
Entrepreneur Now Awards is a program recognizing enterprising people and teams operating in the kingdom of Thailand. The objective of ENA is to promote entrepreneurism, attract investors to Thailand and ASEAN and revitalize the Thai economy and SME sector.
“Last year ENA attracted over 100 Thai and non-Thai entrepreneurs with a registered business in Thailand, representing a wide range of industries including tech, F&B, health, fashion, education, FMCG, sports and construction, among others,” said Pacharee Pantoomano Pfirsch, Founder of Bnow.org and Chairwoman of ENA, adding that this year she is looking forward to see more entries.

“According to the Federation of Thai Industries, there were about 2.7 million SMEs and start-ups in Thailand, providing more than 10 million jobs nationwide. These businesses are estimated to account for nearly 40% of the country’s GDP. FTI added that for the Thai economy to grow with stability, the country needs to balance it by boosting SME share of GDP to 40% in the future,” said Pacharee.

“As a social enterprise, ENA aims to support the start-up and SME community in Thailand. We want to garner more involvement from the various chambers of commerce in Thailand, including the start-up community. We believe that working collaboratively with such organizations will facilitate the recognition of enterprising people and teams. Ultimately, it creates a better market place for all,” added Pacharee.

“Our partners this year include Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, The Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce, GMASA, Creative Bangkok, Connecting Founders, Startup Bangkok, Travel Daily News and Brand Now. More partners are expected to join and we will also be announcing the working committee and judges at the press conference slated for mid-2016.”

This year, BNOW.org is organizing a series of events related to SMEs and Startups, which will culminate at The ENA 2016 Awards Night in October 2016.

These include:

 Feb 18th / 6.30pm-9pm at FCCT: Insight from investors and serial entrepreneurs: Why some start-ups success while others fail
 Mar 19th/11.30am-5pm at DraftBoard, Chidlom: Geek Girl Gathering: A Workshop on Digital Marketing and Coding for non-coders
 April 26th/ Discussion: Tips and Advice for SMEs on “How to Export to Other Markets”
 May 26th/ 9am-5pm: Entrepreneur Summit at Bangkok University School of Entrepreneurship and Management
 June/ Announcement of ENA 2016
 July –Aug / Accepting Nominations for ENA 2016
 Aug/ Walkabout Bangkok : Several companies will open their doors to visitors who can meet the founders, entrepreneurial team, and get insights from some of most creative and innovative organizations in Thailand.
 Sept/ Networking Night for ENA nominees and judges
 October/ ENA Award Night 2016

Winners of ENA 2015
• Most Outstanding Male Entrepreneur: Eatigo (Michael Cluzel, Group CEO and Co-Founder)
• Most Outstanding Female Entrepreneur: Solution Nine (Duangdhamon Kaewphongsri, Founder)
• Eco Entrepreneur: Equator Pure Nature (Peter N. Wainman, Founder)
• Creative Entrepreneur: Thinkatorium (Jonas Becker, Founder)
• Social Enterprise Entrepreneur: Siam Organic Co., Ltd. (Peetachai Dejkraisak, CEO and Co-Founder)
• Exceptional ASEAN/Foreign owned: Laiki (Pradeep Akkunoor, Director)
• Exceptional Thai owned: Parking Duck (Chayanon Visutthithada, CEO and Co-founder)
• Most Entrepreneurial Team: Banh Mi Bo (Richard Pham & Wanicha Watanawanichkorn, Founder)
• SME (30 to 100 employees): Monroe Consulting Group (John Stuart Tolmie, Founder)
• Micro SME (less than 30): Delishop (Pascal Martin, Director)

Over Baht 6 million of prizes were presented, comprising of prizes to winners, gifts to attendees and raffle tickets. Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation Thailand.

About BNOW.org
Started in 2003 by a group of friends and professionals who want to make a difference in the community, the motto of BNOW.org is to link and inspire. Entrepreneur Now Awards is a program recognizing enterprising people and teams operating in the kingdom of Thailand. The project’s goal is to foster the forward momentum for SMEs. For more information and updates, please visit www.entrepreneurnow.asia.