Entrepreneur Didi Gan is first winner from Singapore

Her medical technology company creates edible, non-toxic, natural sanitising solutions from food waste

- Joanne Soh

She beat over 500 social entrepreneurs worldwide to be named one of two winners of the Red Club x Cartier Young Leader Award (YLA) 2024.

Singaporean Didi Gan, founder of local medical technology company N&E Innovations, was recognised for making an impact through technology at the award ceremony held at the National Gallery Singapore on Oct 15.

“I am deeply honoured and proud to be the first Singaporean to receive this prestigious accolade,” Ms Gan, 37, told The Straits Times. “This achievement reflects not only my passion, but also the unwavering support of my incredible team,” said the married mother of three. Her company creates edible, non-toxic, natural sanitising solutions from food waste.

Red Club x Cartier was started in 2019 by French luxury brand Cartier as a means to connect global young multicultural entrepreneurs who seek to make a positive impact on society through their businesses.

The YLA, initiated in 2021, supports entrepreneurs aged 20 to 40 who lead socially impactful businesses.

The 2024 edition, with the theme Tech For A Sustainable Future, focused on pioneering technology solutions that address environmental and social issues, and it received 540 entries from 66 countries.

The other winner of YLA 2024 was India’s Suraj Nandakumar, whose company Recity Network recycles plastic waste, creating an ethical and fully traceable circular plastics economy in over 50 cities across the country.