EXTENDMAX – The SME100 Award is an annual accolade organized by SME magazine to honor the fastest-growing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. Established in 2009 in Malaysia, the award quickly rose to become a prestigious continental honor, coveted by SME businesses in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In Vietnam, this award is commonly referred to as the "SME100 Asia Award"
The History of the SME100 Award
The SME100 Awards, initiated by SME Magazine in 2009, aim to honor and recognize small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with outstanding growth and achievements in Southeast Asia. SME100 quickly became one of the most prestigious awards, widely acknowledged by business owners, investors, and the public for its objective, transparent, and data-driven evaluation process.
Since its inception, SME100 has expanded its scope and influence across many ASEAN countries with special programs such as the ASEAN Business Accelerator, offering learning opportunities and skill development for SME business owners. As a result, SME100 has evolved beyond just an award to become a platform for connecting and supporting business development through training activities, workshops, and major business events.
Nomination process for the SME100 Award
To participate in the SME100 Asia Award, businesses can self-nominate through the official award website at https://sme100.asia/ or be nominated by another company. In the 2023 and 2024 award seasons, with exceptional growth overcoming the challenges of the 2022 COVID pandemic and the 2023 economic recession, ExtendMax was nominated as a highly promising candidate.
Criteria and evaluation process for the SME100 Award
The award identifies and recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on a set of quantitative and qualitative criteria focusing on growth (revenue, profit, and market share) and resilience (best practices, sustainability, and vision) in overcoming market challenges during specific periods. Companies are required to provide the organizers with documentation that demonstrates outstanding financial growth compared to industry peers, as well as materials on their sustainability efforts and corporate vision.
The evaluation process is conducted rigorously according to international standards, involving five assessment rounds. Among these, the document evaluation and direct interviews with company leaders are the most critical, playing a significant role in securing the award.
The initial criterion for the award was to select the top 100 outstanding SMEs in each country. However, due to the extremely rigorous evaluation process, the number of companies winning the award each year is only around 20 to 50 businesses in each country. Compared to the number of nominated companies, only 5% to 15% of businesses pass the evaluation process and become recipients of the highly prestigious SME100 award in Asia. Below are some Vietnam data published by the organizing committee through the media:
- In 2021, the organizers selected only 32 outstanding companies to receive the award out of more than 300 nominated companies.
- In 2022, the award was given to 18 of the best companies from over 200 nominees.
- In 2023, a total of over 230 companies were nominated, and ExtendMax was one of the 33 outstanding companies honored on the winners' podium.
- In 2024, a total of 206 companies were nominated, with 20 companies proudly receiving the award. ExtendMax became a two-time recipient of this prestigious accolade.
SME100 Asia Award: The key to unlock great opportunities
The SME100 Award is recognized as the pinnacle of trust and a benchmark for reliability among business owners. Independently verified and data-driven, SME100 serves as a guarantee for potential partners, investors, and customers. The award affirms that your company has achieved a level of success that surpasses industry peers.
Additionally, the list of winning companies is widely published on prominent media and news platforms such as Yahoo Finance, PR Newswire, SME & Entrepreneurship Magazine, Bastille Post Global, Line Today, Siam News, Taiwan News, Vietnamnet, VNExpress, Tienphong, and other local news platforms enhancing access to potential customers and elevating the company’s standing.
Moreover, information about award-winning companies is stored in the "Hall of Fame" on the award's website. Each winner has a dedicated profile page showcasing the company.
>>> Xem thêm:
The list of companies that won the SME100 Award in 2023
The list of companies that won the SME100 Award in 2024
Special profile of a winning company on the award’s website
ExtendMax proudly won the SME100 Award for the 2nd consecutive time
Standing out from industry peers with a compound annual growth rate of over 20%, ExtendMax has successfully won the SME100 Award for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024. Below are the key factors behind our success.
- ExtendMax has provided in-depth and effective consulting services in areas such as conformity certification, civil cryptography licensing, and import/export services for major technology corporations. Our service quality is highly appreciated by clients for its professionalism and practical effectiveness.
- ExtendMax continuously researches and applies innovative solutions and digital transformation to optimize processes, reducing both time and costs for our clients. This has allowed the company to stay ahead in providing modern consulting services.
- ExtendMax is committed to delivering the highest value to clients through transparent and reliable consulting services. The long-term relationships we maintain with major partners such as Amazon, Lenovo, Cisco, Oppo, Panasonic, HPE, Palo Alto, and Arista are testaments to the company’s trustworthiness and reputation.
- ExtendMax boasts a highly skilled team with deep expertise in regulations and compliance requirements within the IT sector. Under the leadership of CEO Tran Thanh Phuong, our experts have guided the company through complex landscapes and achieved robust growth.
- ExtendMax is always focused on sustainable development, not only in market expansion but also in maintaining the highest quality of services. For us, success is not just about profits; we are also committed to positively contributing to the community and society through corporate social responsibility activities and policies, thereby enhancing the company’s overall value in the eyes of customers and partners.
Thanks to the aforementioned factors, ExtendMax has consistently maintained its leading position in the industry and won this award for two consecutive years. At the same time, we have been recognized for excellence by international organizations, receiving prestigious awards such as the Global Brands Award, GBFM Award, World Business Outlook Award, IBMA Award, Gazet International Award, and BRM Award. Notably, CEO Tran Thanh Phuong was awarded the "Business Icon of the Year 2024 in Vietnam" and honored by several international magazines.
>>> Read more: The Stevie Awards