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Reexamine the significant business tales of the region, as featured in Forbes Asia's 20th Anniversary Retrospective, published in the September issue

Yearly unveiling of the 100 promising small firms and startups: Singapore's gaming tycoon Min-Liang Tan propels Razer with AI advancements

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Rewind to the most significant commercial narratives in the area, as showcased in Forbes Asia's...
Rewind to the most significant commercial narratives in the area, as showcased in Forbes Asia's 20th Anniversary Retrospective, appearing in the September issue

Over the past two decades, Forbes Asia has extensively covered entrepreneurial capitalism across the region. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the magazine, and the 5th year of the 100 To Watch list, serving as evidence of the high level of Asian entrepreneurial energy.

Prominent Entrepreneurs and Companies

Jack Ma & Alibaba (China)

Jack Ma, a prominent figure in Asia, revolutionised the E-Commerce industry in China and the region through his company, Alibaba. Ma has been featured on the cover numerous times, recognised for his vision, innovation, and social engagement.

Masayoshi Son & SoftBank (Japan)

Masayoshi Son and his SoftBank conglomerate have shaped the global digital economy with billions of investments in tech startups worldwide. SoftBank was portrayed as a "Tech Investor of the Superlative".

Li Ka-shing & CK Hutchison/CK Asset (Hongkong)

Li Ka-shing, often celebrated as the "Superman" of Hong Kong, represented companies like CK Hutchison and CK Asset. He was a symbol of far-sighted entrepreneurship and diversification.

Mukesh Ambani & Reliance Industries (India)

Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries from an oil conglomerate to a digital giant, significantly shaping India's mobile and online market. He has been frequently in the limelight for business expansion and innovation.

Zheng Shuangyi & Pinduoduo (China)

Zheng Shuangyi and Pinduoduo (now "PDD Holdings") created a social E-Commerce model that enabled group buying and redefined online shopping in China. Pinduoduo was praised for disruptive success and rapid growth.

Min-Liang Tan & Razer (Singapur)

Min-Liang Tan and Razer were celebrated as a paragon of Asian gaming and lifestyle innovation. Razer evolved from a hardware company to a global gaming brand.

Cher Wang & HTC (Taiwan)

Cher Wang and HTC (High-Tech Computer Corporation) symbolised Taiwan's rise as a tech powerhouse, particularly during the smartphone boom.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma & Paytm (India)

Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Paytm digitalised India, enabling millions of people access to cashless payments and digital financial services.

  • Nadiem Makarim (Gojek, Indonesia) Gojek was celebrated as the largest Super-App in Southeast Asia.
  • Evan Spiegel (Tencent Holdings, China) Tencent is recognised as an innovator in gaming, social media, and fintech.
  • Robin Li (Baidu, China) Baidu was portrayed as "Google of China" and a pioneer in AI technology.
  • Takafumi Horie (Livedoor, Japan) For his bold, although controversial business models (later fell from grace).
  • Lee Jung-hee (Hansol, South Korea) For leadership and diversification in a family-run conglomerate.

Common Success Factors

  • Disruptive Technology: Many of the aforementioned companies entered the market with new, digital business models.
  • Rapid Growth: Startups like Gojek or Pinduoduo reached their positions in record time.
  • Regional and Global Expansion: Companies like Alibaba, SoftBank, and Reliance grew rapidly beyond national borders.
  • Social Impact: Many entrepreneurs used their influence for social change (e.g., Paytm in financial inclusion).

Note

Forbes Asia regularly releases special issues and personal portraits. The specific cover stories vary from year to year, but many of the aforementioned personalities and companies have been highlighted multiple times due to their outstanding success and innovation.

For those seeking a comprehensive, year-by-year list, the Forbes archives should be consulted directly. The named individuals, however, accurately represent the most significant, innovative, and widely recognised entrepreneurs and companies in Asia over the past 20 years.

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