Aug 26, 2020 – Organized by JA Asia Pacific, and this year hosted by JA Guam, the 2020 JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year Competition (JA AP COY) marks the 10th edition of the competition. Some 17 student companies took part in the first ever virtual iteration of the competition in the Asia Pacific region. The student companies represented 11 locations including: Brunei, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Turkmenistan. This year, two teams representing Indonesia, from SMAN 2 Denpasar and SMAN 3 Semarang, made Indonesia proud by achieving success in two categories. This follows the commendable success achieved by Indonesian students over the past four years at the Asia Pacific level.
The Emi Student Company from SMAN 2 Denpasar won Second Place overall. Their innovative product, the Versatile Jacket impressed the jury panel. It consisted of a jacket which is able to be transformed into a carry-bag. The intention is to provide consumers with a practical mean by which they can contribute to the reduction of the use of single-use plastic bags. They have also integrated technology into their latest business innovation. The Wake-y Jacket is equipped with a portable solar panel that can be used to charge cell phones and also be used as a sleep detector for drivers when they are on the road.
The second team, the Visco Student Company from SMAN 3 Semarang, won the Young Entrepreneurs’ Choice Award. In this competition, the students presented their eco-friendly products known as Sight and Soyase, which were developed from environmentally friendly materials. Soyase is a bag, wallet and pencil holder made of tofu waste. Sight is a decorative lamp made from recycled wood, equipped with an exotic silhouette typical of the cultures of the archipelago. Both student companies had been operating within the schools over a period of up to 8 months with support from Citi Foundation and Citi Indonesia.
During the virtual competition, student companies were evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of entrepreneurs, academics, and representatives from the local host nation business community. Participating student companies showcased their entrepreneurial skills and innovations through their Company Report, Business Video, and meeting with the judges virtually in the Pitch and Interview session.
The competition celebrated the accomplishments of JA Company Program students in the Asia Pacific region. During participation in the JA Company Program, students begin and operate their businesses with support from volunteers from their local business community. They develop and market a product or service with the goal of realizing a profit for their shareholders. The program reached more than 20,000 Asia Pacific secondary school students over the past year.
Please click on the following videos to watch the replay of the 2020 JA AP COY events.
