Technology Services Specialist Talent International has added Hong Kong technology entrepreneur Yat Siu, Founder and CEO of Outblaze and Co-Founder of Animoca, to its renowned judging panel for the Talent Unleashed Awards 2014.
Founder and Managing Director of Talent International, Richard Earl said he was thrilled the inventive and socially minded entrepreneur has joined the panel alongside Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Singapore based media and investment entrepreneur Patrick Grove.
“With the addition of Yat, we literally have a star studded collection of amazing entrepreneurs and change makers. All bring with them something different and yet they are united in the drive to uncover and nurture great technology talent,” said Mr Earl.
The Talent Unleashed Awards, created by Sydney based Talent International, were developed to reward and recognise exceptional technology talent and draw attention to the achievements in the industry with a view to increase awareness, investment and support for positive change-makers working in technology in Asia Pacific.
Yat Siu started Outblaze in 1998 as a software-as-a-service provider, pioneering white-label web-based messaging and communication services; at the peak of its activity in the messaging sector, Outblaze was reported to provide services to over 75 million users around the world. In 2009, Yat sold the Outblaze messaging division to IBM, which used the business unit to accelerate IBM LotusLive services for small and medium businesses.
Yat then pivoted Outblaze to focus on digital entertainment and set up a number of new ventures including Animoca, which quickly became a leading developer and publisher of mobile games and has been named by PocketGamer.biz as one of the global Top 50 developers two years in a row.
“What Yat has achieved in such a short time is astonishing and his vision for the technology industry is an inspiration. His outlook will surely inspire our candidates,” Mr Earl said.
“I look forward to a terrific event at this year’s Talent Unleashed Awards,” Yat Siu said. “It’s always a privilege to be called upon to assess innovative and creative technology ideas, and especially so in the distinguished company of my fellow judges,” Yat Siu said.
Yat Siu is also actively involved in socially meaningful issues related to technology and is a supporter of various non government organizations in Asia. He has received numerous accolades including Global Leader of Tomorrow at the World Economic Forum, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the DHL/South China Morning Post Awards.
The Awards nomination close on the 21st of May 2014 when candidates will be shortlisted. Regional winners will be announced ahead of APAC award events. The five global winners will win an all expenses paid five day business mentoring workshop at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa during Global Entrepreneurs Week.
