Grove and Neoh join Branson and The Woz in search for Asia's tech superstars
By Digital News Asia March 24, 2014
- Looking for those who have used tech to positively impact their community or business
- Winners also get to attend 5-day innovation workshop at Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship
PATRICK Grove (pic), the group chief executive officer of international investment firm Catcha Group; and Joel Neoh, international vice president of Asia Pacific for Groupon, are to team up with a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs including Sir Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak, in the hunt for Asia Pacific’s technology superstars as part of the 2014 Talent Unleashed Awards.
Now in its second year, the Talent Unleashed Awards is organised by Australia-based global recruitment company, Talent International, which provides ICT recruitment services to Asia Pacific and Europe.
The annual awards spotlight individuals who have used technological innovation to positively impact their community or business, and is expected to reach two million tech professionals, Catcha Group said in a statement.
Its cofounder Grove will join an expert-judging panel of industry influencers, technologists and innovators.
These include serial entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Branson; Silicon Valley icon and Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak; LinkedIn regional managing director Clifford Rosenberg; Richard Earl, founder and managing director of Talent International; and Neoh, who also cofounded Youth Asia.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Patrick (Grove) on the judging panel. [His] passion for technology is unsurpassed not only in the region but globally, which is why he was an obvious choice to approach for the Talent Unleashed Awards judging panel,” said Earl.
Catcha Group has played a significant role in catalysing the online sector in Asean and is the region’s largest online investor. The Group said it controls a portfolio of listed and unlisted online assets in excess of US$1 billion.
In March 2013, it committed to invest RM500 million in the region’s online industry over a period of five years.
“Talent Unleashed is one of the most exciting launch pads for entrepreneurs that I know,” said Grove.
“It not only provides entrepreneurs with a chance to be recognised for the transformative work that they have produced for their community or industry, but it puts them in front of some of the most influential entrepreneurs alive today.
“The extraordinary level of talent and sheer determination that I have seen in this region has never ceased to amaze me. I can’t wait to dig in,” he added.
The 2014 Talent Unleashed Awards has five categories: Rising Star, Inspirational Leadership, Best Start Up, Digital Content, and Community Impact. The awards will also include a People's Choice Award.
Winners will be announced in an awards ceremony in Sydney Australia in July, and will gain a place at a five-day business innovation workshop at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa.
Entries close 10pm, May 20 2014. More details are available at http://talentunleashed.co.
Related Stories:
Catcha’s Patrick Grove in Australia Unlimited’s global achiever list
Richard Branson on how to take on Goliath
Catcha to invest US$150mil in online businesses in Asean
Joel Neoh’s meteoric rise in Groupon: What now?
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