MALAYSIA produced three winners from nearly 600 regional applications at the Emerging Enterprise Awards 2026, recognised for innovations in data-centre infrastructure, industrial-waste recycling and inclusive feminine care.
Proudly demonstrating how home-grown ideas can translate into regional growth opportunities.
First launched in 2008 in Singapore and later expanded to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia, the OCBC Emerging Enterprise Awards is a prestigious regional platform recognising entrepreneurship, innovation and business growth.
Open to high-potential companies under 10 years old with an annual revenue of up to RM62mil, the awards span four categories: the Emerging Enterprise Award (EEA), Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award (EESA), Most Promising Startup Award and Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award.
This year, Hyperscale DCS Sdn Bhd received the Most Promising Startup Award, while Geomax Rubber Innovative Products Sdn Bhd and Lafre Global Sdn Bhd took home the EESA.
The winners were honoured at an awards ceremony held at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach on Oct 26.
Other Malaysian finalists include JC Infinity Sdn Bhd and Medicas Sdn Bhd.
Representing diverse sectors, these five companies exemplify the innovation, resilience and ambition that continue to drive Malaysia’s SME landscape forward.
Data centre innovator
Driven by the rapid growth of data centres across South-East Asia, Hyperscale DCS is transforming conventional data centre construction through an innovative off-site pre-fabrication approach.
Its design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) solution helps data centre project owners address growing demand for accelerated digital AI infrastructure deployment across the region.
To maintain its competitive edge, the company invests in research and development through technology and business collaborations with global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Taiwan and China.
These partnerships enable them to keep pace with the latest data centre infrastructure requirements, including those driven by next-generation AI technologies such as Nvidia’s Vera Rubin.
This year, the company established a regional presence in Singapore, strengthening engagement with major hyperscale AI data centre operators and supporting wider regional expansion.
“It is a great honour and a recognition of Hyperscale DCS’ hard work and achievements so far. It will be a major stepping stone for our regional expansion plans,” said Hyperscale DCS managing director Yuen Tat Yan, reflecting on its recognition in the awards.
The award marks another milestone as the company prepares for its next phase of growth, including surpassing the RM100mil annual sales turnover mark while positioning itself for future listing opportunities on a regional stock exchange.
Circular economy
For Geomax Rubber, sustainability starts with giving new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Established in 2018, the company developed patented technology that converts rejected nitrile gloves into eco-nitrile compounds used in footwear manufacturing.
Through its flagship brands, Fomula and Fosser, the company demonstrates how recovered materials can be transformed into products that deliver both environmental and commercial value.
“What drives us is the belief that waste should not automatically be the end of a material’s useful life. With the right technology, it can become the starting point for something new,” Geomax Rubber Innovative Products director Steven Ng said.
Its innovations support broader circular economy goals by reducing waste and lowering dependence on virgin raw materials, while maintaining the durability, comfort and performance expected by consumers.
The company’s win in the EESA category reflects its commitment to turning environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation. Looking ahead, the company aims to scale its circular business model and strengthen the case for sustainable manu-facturing across Asean.
Its long-term vision is to demonstrate that a Malaysian SME can achieve sustainable growth while contributing to a cleaner environment and inspiring businesses across Asean to view waste as a resource rather than a burden, he said.
Women’s health
For Lafre Global, social sustainability is about making feminine care more accessible while helping to normalise conversations about menstruation.
“We didn’t build Lafre Global by telling women what they need.
“We built it by listening to what they have been telling us all along,” Lafre Global founder Inthira Kalanjiam said.
What began with sanitary pads has grown into a women’s everyday-care brand, expanding from approximately 600 retail touchpoints at the end of 2024 to more than 1,800 across Malaysia in 2025 and 2026.
Product development is guided by ongoing conversations with women, inspiring offerings that range from period underwear in expanded sizes to intimate cleansing mousse and lotion tissues.
“Our goal is not to be the brand with the most products. It is to be the brand that understands women the most,” she said.
As the company strengthens its domestic presence and explores opportunities in Singapore and other South-East Asian markets, it continues to focus on building a purpose-driven business with sustainable regional growth potential.
Inclusive cosmetics
JC Infinity was established to address a parental dilemma: why is it so difficult to find beauty and skincare products that children enjoy and parents trust?
The business began by distributing products from a Korean start-up, but an unexpected setback became a turning point when the supplier ceased operations.
“Looking back, losing that supplier was the moment I stopped being a seller and started building an enterprise,” said JC Infinity founder Cherry Koay.
The experience led the company to develop its own formulations, intellectual property and brands, paving the way for future growth.
Through its interactive retail concept, Playlab at Bangsar Shopping Centre and an exclusive partnership with Guardian, the company launched ILY, a brand for children aged three to 12.
Today, its products are available at more than 250 retail locations across Malaysia and Singapore.
Among their innovations are child-sized facial masks that feature softer materials, larger eye openings and distinctive cat-shaped designs.
The product increases its appeal to children and is thoughtfully designed with children’s needs and comfort in mind.
“Behind the designs, we have brought together people whose expertise complements my own in formulation, microbiology, safety and halal development,” she said.
Looking ahead, the company is expanding its product architecture to grow alongside its maturing audience by launching Mybestie, a dedicated range for tweens and teens, as it prepares for expansion into Indonesia and Vietnam.
Regenerative innovation
In the healthcare sector, Medicas aims to make regenerative medicine more accessible, responsible and clinically relevant.
The company specialises in advanced cellular-based therapies, providing doctors with evidence-based solutions that support tissue repair, recovery and healthy longevity.
Their approach to innovation goes beyond adopting new technologies. It involves understanding doctors’ needs, patients’ experiences and gaps in existing treatment options.
Through collaboration with medical professionals, scientific advisers and laboratory experts, the company continually refines product quality, training and implementation.
As demand for regenerative healthcare solutions grows, Medicas is focused on strengthening doctor and clinic partnerships, expanding high-value revenue streams, broadening its geographic reach and increasing repeat business through institutional clients.
“Ultimately, our growth depends on trust. If we can continue to earn the confidence of medical professionals, support responsible clinical practice and demonstrate meaningful value, we believe Medicas can continue to grow sustainably.
“For us, success in healthcare is not measured by revenue alone. It is also measured by whether we are helping to create better possibilities for patients and their families,” said Medicas founder Shannen Khor.
For more information, visit ocbc.com/eeaward.
