KUCHING: Sarawak born Heineken Laluan has made the nation proud after emerging runner-up for the Business Innovation Category in the 2022 Shell LiveWIRE global Top Ten Innovators Award.
The 2022 Shell LiveWIRE global Top Ten Innovators Award is an entrepreneurial competition which rewards entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in innovation.
A total of 195 entrepreneurs from 17 participating countries around the world took part in this competition this year and the finals took place in Mexico City.
Chairman of Shell Malaysia and Senior Vice President of Upstream Malaysia Datuk Ivan Tan congratulated Heineken on his win.
“It is very inspiring to see passionate entrepreneurs from our nation being recognised globally for taking innovative businesses that grows and empowers not just themselves but also the community in which they live,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Heineken is the founder and chief executive officer of Syarikat Timogah, an e-commerce platform which enables small-scale and rural farmers to market and distribute their produce through online marketing.
His win comprises cash of USD10,000 and a year of global business mentoring and coaching to further upscale and develop his business.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Shell for the amazing entrepreneurship programme which has propelled him to develop his business further.
“I am truly grateful to be chosen as runner up for the business innovation category as this has further strengthened my belief on the benefit of my innovative business to the farming community.
“With this achievement, I am determined to continue empowering local communities to build agricultural businesses by exploring the untapped market potential of local natural produce in Borneo,” he said.
Established in 2017, Timogah which means famous in the local Bidayuh dialect is an e-commerce platform that promotes natural fresh produce and food products that are unique from Borneo.
It also helps local businesses and the farming community to reach out to more customers through its digital platform and tools.
As of today, Timogah has vendors comprising small farm owners and rural communities who are serving more than 3,000 households in Kuching.
