The much-anticipated finale of APU’s ASBX Accelerator program concluded this October 28, with team Foodport clinching the Best Pitch Award and earning the opportunity to present their startup idea to APU’s CEO, Datuk Parmjit. 

In a challenging five-week sprint, the accelerator saw three innovative teams, Foodport, SME Collab, and Pixalink, navigate through an intensive curriculum designed to morph their startup concepts into viable business ventures. The program, known for its rigorous approach, offered the student teams expert guidance, mentorship, and valuable networking opportunities within the thriving startup ecosystem.

The first two weeks of the program were dedicated to foundational aspects such as market validation, business models, minimum viable products (MVPs), and customer personas. In the third week, participants tackled the practicalities of setting up a business, from legal frameworks to engaging storytelling techniques essential for captivating potential investors. As the program progressed, each team was carefully paired with an industry mentor, drawing on the extensive experience of Mr. George Chmiel, Mr. Fabian Hoong, and Mr. Terence Chia to fine-tune their business proposals. 

The grand finale of the program featured a rigorous ten-minute pitch from each team, after which they faced a session of incisive questioning from a panel of esteemed judges, including Mr. Raymond Chin of the NCB Group, Mr. Nadeem Chaudhry from Noveentiq, and APU’s own Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Simon David Scott. The judges provided in-depth feedback, highlighting areas of potential growth and refinement for each pitch.  

The concluding ceremony celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of all the participants, with team Foodport emerging as the standout for their compelling pitch, which resonated with the panel of judges. This victory opens up an unprecedented chance for them to take their pitch to the corporate level, presenting their idea directly to the CEO of APU. 

This year’s ASBX Accelerator program underscores APU’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and transforming innovative ideas into business realities, setting the stage for what could be the next big name in the startup world.