Cartier’s Young Leader Award winners share gems of thought on the future

Two weeks ago, I went to Singapore upon the invitation of luxury brand Cartier. My eyes were ready to be dazzled by fine jewelry, iconic wristwatches from their Panthere collection and, of course, their renowned Love Bracelets.

I saw none of these. Instead, I met young entrepreneurs with gems of thought about the world we live in and what they’re doing to improve it. Listening to them was a 40-carat experience.

The future is no longer the same as we used to perceive it. So we have to do something within our power to envision and achieve a better life for us all.

This was the spirit of the event presented by Red Club x Cartier, a global community of multicultural entrepreneurs celebrating the Young Leader Award (YLA) winners.

When Cartier was founded by Parisian watchmaker Louis Francois Cartier in 1847, did he ever imagine that his wristwatches would do more than mark time for decades that followed? More than a century later, Cartier would send an alarm to wake up our consciousness to realities and help fashion our future. To paraphrase a professor at the National University of Singapore: “We have gone through rock ‘n’ roll. It’s time we rocked the minds of people.”

Cartier’s Singapore event celebrated the 2024 edition of the Young Leader Award, which focused on “Tech for a Sustainable Future.” Initiated in 2021, the YLA recognizes and supports entrepreneurs aged 20 to 40 who lead socially impactful businesses.

Entries from 66 countries submitted technology-driven solutions to the current social and environmental problems the world faces.

Why does Cartier have that dedication to support entrepreneurs who can also be movers? Cyrille Vigneron, chairman of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy, explains: “At Cartier, we believe in the power of young leaders to drive meaningful change. The Young Leader Award is a testament to our commitment to those who contribute to shaping a better future. We are honored to support these extraordinary individuals who are making a tangible difference in our world by inventing across sectors solutions, stimulating economic progress while improving environmental and social well-being.”

The event started with an inspiring narrative by the 2023 YLA winner, Dr. Bea Bakshi of UK, whose C The Signs company is finding ways to improve early detection among cancer patients.

The winners

For 2024, Cartier chose two winners who will each receive a grant of 50,000 euros along with a mentorship program by this year’s academic partners, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, and the University of Sydney Business School.

Didi Gan, founder of N&E Innovations in Singapore, developed an edible antimicrobial derived from upcycled food waste. Cartier says this groundbreaking technology offers a sustainable alternative to traditional disinfectants, significantly reducing carbon emissions and providing both business-to-business and business-to-consumers applications.

“I’m deeply appreciative to be part of the YLA 2024 edition, empowering me to drive transformative changes towards a more sustainable planet by reducing the use of harmful chemicals,” Gan said.

Suraj Nandakumar, co-founder and CEO of Recity Network of India, was also awarded for his company’s effort to deliver environmental and economic value through ethically sourced, traceable post-consumer plastic recyclables.” Recity Network is a circular plastic asset management company.

“Recity Network is honored to be recognized by Red Club x Cartier, which highlights the significance of our efforts in promoting sustainability and plastic circularity. This accolade reinforces our commitment and inspires us to expand our influence, driving further progress to creating a more sustainable and innovative future,” said Nandakumar.

Two runners-up received 10,000 euros each.

Enrico di Oto, founder and CEO of OACP in Italy, focuses on rapid cancer diagnosis through advanced chemical and biotechnological solutions.

Aasawari Kane, founding member and head of PadCare Labs of India, innovates in recycling used menstrual pads into valuable materials, promoting menstrual hygiene management.

The awarding ceremony was held at the National Gallery, which carried a young vibe with a DJ playing the music of today’s generation. It was attended by thought leaders from business and the academe.

We listened as Giada Zhang, president of Red Club x Cartier (she is CEO and co-founder of Mulan Group) and the emcee, Charmaine Yee, discussed the vision of the club and the impact of the YLA. They also introduced two academic partners.

“The YLA is an important recognition of our world’s young talents. It underscores the significance of entrepreneurial spirit and the power of individual initiative. These resonate with the values that we embed in our students, which makes NUS Business School a natural ally of the YLA,” declared professor Andrew Delios, vice dean of Master of Sciences Programmes.

“We will work with the YLA winners drawing on the experience and expertise of our faculty and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will continue to support the fellowship in future years,” said Suresh Cuganesan, deputy dean and professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Sydney Business School.