Fighting COVID-19: Follow these 5 inspirational entrepreneurs in Asia on Instagram

From installing the first-ever mask dispenser in their city to preparing food daily for vulnerable communities across their country, here are five individuals in Asia leading the fight against COVID-19 to follow on Instagram.

Adrian Cheng: CEO of New World Development, Hong Kong 

Entrepreneur Adrian Cheng was one of the first in Hong Kong’s corporate world to stand with his city in the fight against COVID-19. Since January 2020, he’s led New World Development (NWD) to provide Hong Kong with a series of relief measures, including establishing a “community anti-epidemic fund” of HK$10 million. In response to public anxiety over mask shortage, Cheng has partnered with Master Dynamic Limited (MD) in setting up local mask production lines to produce 200,000 masks per day. Through this partnership, Cheng differentiates NWD’s mask production line from others through the use of patented bacteriostatic NanoDiamond technology. Together with MD, the company is currently working to develop a specialised mask coating that will kill bacteria and viruses.

Cheng’s innovation did not stop at improving mask functionality. To make his masks accessible to vulnerable communities, he stepped up with the launch of “Mask To Go” dispensers in May, the first service of its kind in Hong Kong. In partnership with 17 NGOs, “Mask to Go” dispensers were installed across Hong Kong’s 18 districts, enabling up to 40,000 eligible beneficiaries from disadvantaged groups to collect free medical masks over ten weeks. Through the use of “smart redemption cards”, NWD’s state of the art technology allowed its beneficiaries to conveniently collect their masks within 5 seconds, which minimised the possibility of crowding for optimal safety.

Learn more about Adrian Cheng on Instagram and read more about Adrian Cheng’s COVID-19 relief efforts here.

Wesley Ng: Founder and CEO of Casetify, Hong Kong

In the wake of the pandemic, Wesley Ng, founder and CEO of Casetify, launched COVID-19 relief project #CasetifyProtects through sales of their UV Sanitiser, whereby all its proceeds (up to US$100,000) went to GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. In April, the company launched its “Buy a Mask, Donate a Mask” initiative by selling a line of Casetify reusable cloth masks online. So far, more than 40,000 FDA-approved surgical masks have been donated to Direct Relief to help frontline health workers in need. 

Danny Yeung: CEO of Prenetics, Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based genetic testing company Prenetics, most known for its consumer DNA testing kits under CircleDNA, was quick to expand urgent COVID-19 testing across the city. Titled Project Screen, Danny Yeung pooled his company’s resources in making RT-PCR testing accessible for over 100,000 Hong Kongers. The company made testing affordable by collaborating with Prudential Hong Kong to offer a subsidy of HK$300 for local frontline workers and their families. 

Read more about Danny Yeung’s COVID-19 relief efforts here.

Min-Liang Tan: Co-founder and CEO of Razer, Singapore

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Min-Liang Tan showed no hesitation in reconfiguring Razer’s factory lines, pouring the gaming brand’s efforts into making masks instead of keyboards. As a part of their #RazerForLife initiative, the company has committed plans to set up Singapore’s first fully automated mask production and packing line to alleviate the mask shortage in Southeast Asia.

Abba Napa: Co-founder of The Moment Group, Philippines

One of Philippine’s most prominent restaurateurs, Abba Napa has led The Moment Group in actively responding to food shortages across the nation. The F&B conglomerate has prepared and delivered over 1,500 meals to hospitals, clinics, and even emergency quarantine facility construction sites on a daily basis. 

See also: When civic duty calls, entrepreneur Adrian Cheng responds – mask dispensers are here