In a bid to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and promote sustainable business practices, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., and Junior Achievement (JA) Asia Pacific recently announced the winners of the 17th annual FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) finals. The event, which drew students from across Asia, showcased innovative solutions for sustainable delivery and market entry strategies for Poland.
Close to 5,000 participants representing 10 Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) markets competed vigorously for the 60 coveted slots in this year’s regional finals. The culmination of the challenge saw students hailing from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam forming the winning teams.
This year’s ITC focused on addressing the growing concern of environmental sustainability in product delivery. Participants were tasked with developing market entry strategies for Poland, taking into account the rising awareness among consumers regarding environmental impact and the role corporations should play in promoting a sustainable future.
“We are operating in a vastly different environment today. Businesses are balancing new opportunities brought by rapidly advancing technologies like AI with challenges posed not only by economic uncertainties but also by climate change. These fresh young minds bring disruptive and innovative solutions to real-world problems. Nurturing entrepreneurs has long been a key focus for us at FedEx. By providing the next generation entrepreneurs with the right platform and tools, we are providing experiences that will fuel the pipeline of creators, innovators, and future leaders for what’s next,” according to Kawal Preet, President of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) Region at FedEx Express.
TAVI Takes Top Honors
The top honors went to Team TAVI, composed of Nguyen Ngoc Linh from Vietnam and Napat Worrasangasilp from Thailand. Their groundbreaking creation, BUFFERPUFF, is a biodegradable corn starch packing material designed to help companies minimize plastic waste in their delivery processes. This innovative solution earned them the coveted first-place spot.
SUSTAINOVATE Clinches Second Place
Team SUSTAINOVATE, represented by Tsaqif Ammar Sakti from Indonesia and Jeongwoo Lee from South Korea, secured the second-place position. Their project, Flexiwrap, is an eco-friendly packaging material crafted from upcycled memory foam, designed to protect fragile ceramic products during delivery.
CRESCO Seizes Third Place
The third-place honors went to Team CRESCO, comprised of Itsuki Son from Japan and Elyshia Alodia Binarto from Indonesia. Their ingenious creation, EcoFlow, is a durable and versatile bio-styrofoam crafted from locally sourced rice husks. This product aims to assist companies in reducing plastic usage while adhering to local regulatory requirements.
The FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge program is a collaborative effort between FedEx and JA Asia Pacific, a member of JA Worldwide. Over the past 17 years, nearly 45,000 students from across the AMEA region have benefited from this program. This year, the initiative received support from over 150 FedEx volunteers from 16 AMEA markets who mentored the students throughout the competition. In addition to its commitment to nurturing young entrepreneurs through JA ITC, FedEx has also organized the Small Business Grant Contest (SBGC) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across AMEA.
The distinguished panel of judges for this competition, consisting of entrepreneurs and business leaders, commended the students for their exceptional efforts and the seamless organization of the virtual competition. The event served as a testament to the innovative spirit and commitment of young minds towards creating a more sustainable and responsible business future.
The FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge continues to serve as a catalyst for fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices among the youth of the AMEA region, creating a brighter and more environmentally responsible future for all.