Introducing four entrepreneurs from the Gen.T community whose work creates a positive impact through responsible consumption
This Wednesday evening, September 25, is the final of the R.A.W. Prize.
Standing for Responsibility, Awareness and Wonder, the R.A.W. Prize is a grant to support a member of the Gen.T community whose for-profit or non-profit project catalyses responsible consumption and works towards the targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12).
The R.A.W. Prize is a collaboration between Gen.T and Luxarity, a social initiative of the Lane Crawford Joyce Group.
As well as the grant, the winner of The R.A.W. Prize will receive additional benefits, mentorship and access from both Lane Crawford and Gen.T that will help the winner further develop their project.
Of the dozens that applied, seven entrepreneurs from the Gen.T community—six of them Gen.T honourees—will pitch their business at the final, with judges from Gen.T and Luxarity announcing the winner on the night.
Here are four of the seven finalists. Introducing the co-founder of an online wellness community, the founder of a green engineering consultancy, and two companies that both tackle excessive waste in manufacturing.
Raja Jesrina Arshad
Co-founder, PurelyB
What is PurelyB?
PurelyB is Asia’s leading online wellness community and lifestyle brand. We make healthy living accessible, affordable and sustainable for all—guiding transformative lifestyle changes through our trusted digital health content and traditional natural health products, which are rooted in Asian heritage and co-created with the best health experts in the region.
What problem does your company aim to solve?
We want to help inspire and guide more communities to live healthier lifestyles and contribute towards reducing the growth of health risks and issues affecting us all today. We also want to provide remedies with a focus on local Asian heritage—ancient Asian remedies are powerful and effective, yet easily accessible and affordable.
Can you give us a humblebrag?
We've grown 2,000 percent and gained 4.5 million users in four years across 15 countries—including the US, UK and Australia—despite our effects being purely focused on Malaysia for the first three years.
How does your company’s work support UNSDG 12?
Through our content we advocate, inspire and encourage communities to adopt a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, focusing on clean-eating, reducing meat and zero waste initiatives. Our products are 100 percent plant-based, natural, organic and sourced locally.
Why should you win the R.A.W. Prize?
Our overall vision is to invigorate Asia, improve the quality of life of many and empower sustainable, holistic lifestyle change. We are the only local brand in Asia today that caters for the modern Asian consumer while also preserving our ancient Asian healing traditions and making healthy living accessible for all. With the support of the R.A.W. Prize we can further preserve Southeast Asia’s local herbal industry, improve the livelihoods of marginalised women and continue to make a positive difference in the health and wellbeing of our communities in Asia and globally.
What would you use the grant for, should you win?
We will further expand our targeted data-driven health and wellness content on a global scale so we can positively impact more lives and marginalised communities in a sustainable way.
What’s one thing you want the judges to know about you and your company?
My co-founders and I recognise that leading a sustainable healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a destination, and we will be there for our community members every step of the way.