Pradeep Akkunoor (Sasin MBA’ 09), founder of Laiki Crackers, wins ‘Exceptional Asean/Foreign-owned Entrepreneur Award’, while Peetachai Dejkraisak (Sasin MBA’09), CEO of Siam Organic, wins ‘Social Enterprise Entrepreneur Award’
Bangkok, Thailand: Sasin made its presence felt at the inaugural Entrepreneur Now Awards 2015 by winning two of the ten awards, once again highlighting the school’s role in creating and promoting entrepreneurs in the region.
Pradeep Akkunoor won the award in recognition of his award-winning specialty rice crackers brand ‘Laiki Crackers’, which is now available in several distribution channels in the US, including over a 100 silicon valley offices, 10 major US airports, several leading specialty and grocery stores, as well as online through their website www.laikicrackers.com and www.amazon.com. With the potential for global expansion including in Thailand and ASEAN, the judges recognized him as ‘Exceptional ASEAN/Foreign-Owned’ Entrepreneur Award. Pradeep is a native of India and pursued his MBA at Sasin from 2009 to 2011.
Peetachai Dejkraisak won the ‘Social Enterprise Entrepreneur Award’ in recognition of the social contribution his venture, Siam Organic Co. Ltd., made towards the well-being of Thai farmers. Peetachai’s company launched ‘Jasberry Rice’ which is available at several stores such as Villa Market, Foodland, Tops Supermarket among others. Siam Organic claims to benefit over 500 famers growing Jasberry Rice and helped increase their profits by over 7 times compared to conventional farmers. Peetachai is Thai and graduated with an MBA from Sasin in 2011.
The Award Program was organized by Bangkok Now (BNOW), a leading entrepreneurial Networking Community in Bangkok, in partnership with Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM), the Irish Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok University, Bangkok Entrepreneurs, UNESCO, and international internet-based market research firm, Yougov.
A high profile panel of judges comprising of leading well-known entrepreneurs and professionals based in Bangkok, Thailand, selected the winners from a pool of nominees based on several criteria, such as vision and growth potential, value in Thailand and ASEAN, striking achievements, ability to overcome personal and professional challenges, and recognition and traction. This year’s judges included Fred Mouward, Chairman and CEO – Synergia One Group of Companies, Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, Managing Director and Founder at TARAD.com Co., Ltd., Paul Robere, Co-Coordinator of the AMCHAM SME Committee, Michael I. Waitze, Managing Partner, Asia at ventureLab Growth Partners, Lay-Cheng Tan, Programme Officer at the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Conor Bracken, Founder and CEO of Andovar and Juthasree Kuvinichkul, Co-founder Grab Taxi Thailand.