Budding Filipino entrepreneurs of student company Hiraya took home the FedEx Access Award at the JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year competition finals in Tokyo, Japan for their idea “Pina bag.”
The said award goes to the team whose business idea is judged to have the highest potential to create jobs, grow small business, expand into other markets, and improve the environment.
Team Hiraya’s “Pina bag” is a versatile office bag which makes use of a combination of pineapple fabric and synthetic leather for a durable and high quality product.
Launched in 2011, the Asia Pacific JA Company Program aims to develop high school students’ abilities to organize and operate an actual business by providing economic education and business skills. This year, 19 student companies from 13 countries participated.
Team KASCA from Thailand took the first prize for their concept of a sustainable, multi-functional board made from compressed rice husk that serves mainly as a device stand but also doubles as a personal organizer for a wide range of everyday items. TeamGolden Great Ganesha Student Company (3G SC) from Indonesia came second with their idea of producing practical, multi-functional and highly durable attractive ethnic bags. Third place went to team Collar Couture from Guam, who designed a handcrafted couture bowtie with a twist – while designed primarily for pets, can also be repurposed for children, men, and as accessories.