RED CLUB x Cartier Celebrates the Young Leader Award 2024 in Singapore
RED CLUB x Cartier, a global community of multicultural entrepreneurs, celebrated the Young Leader Award (YLA) 2024 in a ceremony held on October 15 in Singapore. The event recognised the exceptional achievements of young leaders who are shaping the future through impactful, technology-driven solutions. This year’s event honoured two extraordinary young social entrepreneurs who are transforming the world with their innovative solutions.
From left to right: Suresh Cuganesan, Suraj Nandakumar, Lu Zhang, Didi Gan, Cyrille Vigneron, Yanina Novitskaya, Jumana Zahalka and Richard Li. © Cartier
Founded in 2019, RED CLUB x Cartier is a dynamic global community uniting multicultural entrepreneurs dedicated to shaping a better future. The Young Leader Award, initiated in 2021, is a hallmark of this mission, recognising and supporting entrepreneurs aged 20 to 40 who lead socially impactful businesses.
The 2024 edition focused on “Tech for a Sustainable Future,” spotlighting pioneering technology-driven solutions that address critical environmental and social challenges and saw entries from 66 countries, highlighting the global reach and diversity of the programme.
Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy, reaffirmed Cartier's dedication to supporting impact entrepreneurship. “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 honoured 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.”
Exceptional projects and winners
For this year’s edition of the Young Leader Award, the jury decided to honour two winners recognising the exceptional quality and impact of both projects. The winners for the 2024 edition are:
Didi Gan, Founder of N&E Innovations (Singapore), who developed an edible antimicrobial derived from upcycled food waste. This groundbreaking technology offers a sustainable alternative to traditional disinfectants, significantly reducing carbon emissions and providing both B2B and B2C applications. “I’m deeply appreciative to be part of the YLA 2024 Edition, empowering me to drive transformative change towards a more sustainable planet by reducing the use of harmful chemicals” said Gan.
Suraj Nandakumar, Co-founder and CEO of Recity Network (India), a Circular Plastic Asset Management Company that delivers environmental and economic value through ethically sourced, traceable post-consumer plastic recyclables. “Recity Network is honoured to be recognised 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 in creating a more sustainable and innovative future” said Nandakumar.
Both winners will receive a grant of €50,000, along with international exposure, media visibility, and a tailored mentorship programme by this edition’s university partners, the National University of Singapore Business School (NUS) and the University of Sydney Business School.
From left to right: Suraj Nandakumar and Didi Gan. © Cartier
The runners-up, Enrico Di Oto, Founder and CEO of OACP (Italy), and Aasawari Kane, Founding member and Head of Growth at PadCare Labs (India), will each receive €10,000.
Di Oto's company, OACP, focuses on rapid cancer diagnosis through advanced chemical and biotechnological solutions, while Kane’s PadCare Labs innovates in recycling used menstrual pads into valuable materials, promoting menstrual hygiene management.
The ceremony, held at the National Gallery, welcomed 150 guests, including entrepreneurs, academics, media, and thought leaders. Following a keynote address by Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy, emphasising the Maison’s dedication to supporting innovative entrepreneurs, Lu Zhang, Young Leader Award 2024 Jury Member and Founder & Managing Partner of Fusion Fund took the stage as the guest speaker, discussing the intersection of technology and sustainability.
The evening continued with an insightful fireside chat between Richard Li, Head of RED CLUB x Cartier Sydney Chapter and Co-Founder of July, and EMCEE, Charmaine Yee, exploring entrepreneurship, the vision of RED CLUB x Cartier and the impact of the Young Leader Award. Engaging discussions also took place in a discussion moderated by Charmaine Yee and featured this year’s two academic partners, the National University of Singapore Business School and the University of Sydney Business School, emphasising the critical role of education in nurturing entrepreneurial talent.
“The Young Leader Award 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 imbue in our students, which makes NUS Business School a natural ally of the YLA.” Professor Andrew Delios, Vice Dean of Master of Science Programmes at NUS Business School.
“We will work with the winning Young Leader drawing on the experience and expertise of our Faculty and entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will continue to support the fellowship in future years through promotion of the event and in showcasing the RED CLUB Members to our student body.” Suresh Cuganesan, Deputy Dean and Professor of Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Sydney Business School.
The celebration then featured the four selected finalists and concluded by Yanina Novitskaya, Chief Executive Officer of Cartier SEAO, who valued the precious support of Cartier’s partners in shaping a better future for generations to come.
The next edition is set to take place in 2026. The call for applications will open in autumn 2025, inviting a new wave of visionary entrepreneurs to present their transformative ideas.
