Celebrating the extraordinary folks who dare to be different

Join us in recognising the exceptional individuals who have made an impact in Singapore.

Every great achievement has a humble beginning. In the case of Eldwin Chua, his rise to being at the helm of a award-winning restaurant chain took root in a nondescript zichar stall in a 25-seater coffeeshop located in an industrial estate.

For this sterling achievement, the founder and CEO of the Paradise Group is one of Yahoo!’s Singapore 9 nominees this year, chosen for bringing quality cuisine -- which ranges from the affordable to the exquisite -- to Singaporeans frustrated by rising food costs, inflation and a bleak economic outlook.

Chua, 32, is not the only one who will be recognised this year.

Yahoo!’s S9 2012 nominees fall into three main categories – those who have created an impact in the demanding entertainment circuit; made a difference to people around them in the social enterprise arena; and carved out a pie for themselves in business scene.

Indeed, many of our business nominees have made it to the list after having had the courage and vision to take the road less travelled – whether it was turning an idea to bring Singapore’s legendary foodies together in a wildly successful online portal or translating a passion for fashion into one of the most recognised web shops selling female apparel here.

Those noted for their social enterprise, on the other hand, are there because they have gone the extra mile to care about what they see around them, and in the process, proved themselves worthy of inspiration.

Whatever their differences, all of them have one thing in common: They are aged between 21 and 35 who embody passion, vision, and ambition. Most of all, they are ordinary people who inspire through action and have left their stamp on Singapore’s cosmopolitan and constantly changing social landscape.