The 9th Annual Business Awards of Macau recognized 31 winners across entrepreneurship, innovation, culture, and social responsibility during a gala ceremony held at Studio City and attended by nearly 200 leading figures from Macau’s business community.
Organized by MB Signature – Events Limited and the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers, the awards aim to promote business excellence across sectors while encouraging entrepreneurship and best industry practices in Macau.
The ceremony’s Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Simon Sio, founder and chairman of Lek Hang Group. Sio was recognized for his long-standing investment in cultural preservation and the revitalization of iconic local landmarks, including the historic Hotel Central and the Pou Seak restaurant and palace.
Excellence Awards in the same category went to Pamela Chan, managing director of Taipa Village Destination Limited, and Charles Shi, chairman of Macau Coffee Company Limited.
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In the “Leading by Example” category, the Gold Award went to Matthew Chao, founder, chairman and CEO of BoardWare Intelligence Technology Limited. A Macau native, Chao transformed a three-person startup founded in 2010 into the first Macau-based technology company listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Excellence Awards were presented to the Wushu General Association of Macau and poet and writer Un Sio San.
The Young Entrepreneur Gold Award was presented to Calvin Tinlop Chui, co-managing partner of Lektou Advogados. Excellence Awards in the category went to Garvie Huang Ka Wai, founder and CEO of Macao MicroInspect Technology (International) Company, Limited, and Johnny So, co-founder of Arooma Coffee Co., Ltd.
One of the highlights of the 2026 edition was the introduction of two new categories: Sustainability Awards and My City – My Brand Awards, reflecting Macau’s evolving business landscape and growing emphasis on sustainable development and local identity.
The first Gold Award in the “My City – My Brand” category was awarded to Valuen, the long-established tea distributor founded in 1965 and now run by its third generation. Excellence Awards went to Sam’s Workshop Bakery Company Limited and O’Che 1867. In the Sustainability category, JC Human Resources Consulting took the top prize, while Macau Organic Mix Limited and the Macau Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility in Greater China received Excellence Awards.
Paulo Azevedo, Chairman of Business Awards of Macau (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Akiko Takahashi, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Matthew Chao - Gold Award Winner of LEADING BY EXAMPLE (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Sio Chong Meng (Simon) - Gold Award Winner of ENTREPRENEUR (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Calvin Tinlop Chui - Gold Award Winner of YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR (Photo: Macau News Agency).
VALUEN - Gold Award Winner of MY CITY – MY BRAND (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Against Child Abuse (Macau) Association - Gold Award of NON PROFIT ORGANISATION (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Giuliano Peparini - Gold Award of ENTERTAINMENT LEADING (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Macau - Winner of Grand Merit Gold Award (Photo: Macau News Agency).
Group photo of the guests and jury panel of the Business Awards of Macau 2026 (Photo: Macau News Agency).
In innovation, AKL Intelligence Technology Limited secured the Gold Award, alongside Excellence Awards for Hou Chon Sports Club and Guardforce (Macau) Limited. In the Greater Bay Area category, powered by SJM Resorts, S.A., the Gold Award went to StarMac Entertainment & Production Limited.
The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Gold Award was presented to SABA Hospitality Technology Solutions, while Restaurante Litoral Taipa and Macao Newland Technology Co., Ltd. received Excellence Awards.
Among non-profit organizations, the Against Child Abuse (Macau) Association won the Gold Award, with Cheng Hok Macau Arts Development Association and Sin Meng Charity Association receiving Excellence Awards.
In entertainment, artistic director Giuliano Peparini received the Gold Award for his role in reinventing Macau’s resident show “The House of Dancing Water”. Excellence Awards went to Po Art Studio creative director Leong SonU and surrealist visual artist MCZ_THOMAS.
The Grand Merit Gold Award was presented to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Macau, succeeding the Macau Chamber of Commerce, which received the honor in 2025.
According to Paulo A. Azevedo, chairman of the Business Awards, the event seeks to recognize “the vision, work, dedication and often selflessness” of individuals and organizations that help strengthen Macau’s image. He also highlighted the awards’ growing international reach, the increasing number of local applicants and the rise of young entrepreneurs participating in the initiative.
The winners were selected by a 27-member jury panel, which evaluated contributions to entrepreneurship, industry standards and social development. Organizers also stressed that the awards remain fully independent, with no sponsors participating as candidates.
