KUALA LUMPUR: Project Benih by Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre, and Project ERTH by Blue Bee Technologies are the first two winners of the inaugural Maxis Awards.

       Launched last month, the Maxis Awards is designed to empower, recognise and support outstanding Malaysian social enterprises whose initiatives and contributions drive positive impact for fellow citizens.

       Project Benih and Project ERTH topped the list with forward-thinking solutions towards nature conservation and environmental sustainability.

       The winners will benefit from digital solutions, consultations and promotions funded by Maxis to bring winning ideas to life.

       “The Maxis Awards stay true to our brand purpose of bringing together the best of technologies to enable people, businesses and the nation to Always Be Ahead in a changing world,” said Maxis brand and marketing head Tai Kam Leong.

       “We are thrilled to welcome our first two winners and look forward to supporting them to see through their projects to impact Malaysian society and beyond. We also hope to see more local enterprises participating in the next round.”

       Project Benih is an initiative to mitigate the biodiversity collapse caused by forest loss witnessed across the world. With digital solutions from Maxis, Project Benih will support its network of germination nurseries in bringing these trees from the rainforest to retail markets, supporting community-led restoration projects.

       Project ERTH is the first on-demand electronic recycling solution in Asean. With Maxis’ technological and marketing capabilities, they aim to promote proper electronic recycling practices.

       The project will utilise a network of gig-economy freelancers to collect old, used or unwanted electronics directly from Malaysian households and businesses. ERTH will pay cash or vouchers upon collection, and then reuse, repair or recycle the electronics to maximise their value.

       The second round of applications for the Maxis Awards is now open. Three more winning projects will be selected before the year end, and the winners will be announced next February.

       Each winner will receive up to RM150,000 in Maxis Business solutions such as cloud, ecommerce, IoT, technical expertise and a financial grant to help cover the operational needs of the initiative.

       Interested Malaysian enterprises can submit proposals from now until Nov 28 on projects that could have a significant impact on the community and drive positive change. The proposals will be evaluated by a panel of Maxis judges.

       Shortlisted enterprises will present their projects to the judges, and winners must fulfil the criteria based on innovation, role of technology, and clearly demonstrating added value to the community either economically, socially, and/or environmentally.

       Maxis is committing RM5mil worth of support to help develop and promote the winning projects over the course of the next year – from the ideation stage up until the execution and marketing of their projects.

       For more information on the Maxis Awards, go to https://www.maxis.my/maxisawards.