Open for SOBA Alumni
2025-06-05 - 2026-04-08
SOBA Biz Club is a business group exclusively for Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) current partners, past participants and winners from 2010 – 2024.

Beyond being an awards programme, Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) has always been about fostering a community consisting of high calibre leaders willing to share their expertise to uplift one another.

SOBA Prestige
2026-01-16
Attendees can expect an insightful fireside chat delving into critical topics focusing on ensuring business continuity and effective scaling. Esteemed industry leaders and experts will convene to share insights, strategies, and best practices for SMEs navigating this crucial phase of growth.

Submission
2026-06-04 - 2026-10-15
Submission is open from 4 June 2026 – 15 October 2026. Download the submission kit for eligibility requirements and guidelines.

SOBA Submission Clinics
2026-06-16 10:00 - 2026-10-07 11:00 (Asia/Shanghai)
Submitting your company for SOBA?
Join our SOBA Submission Clinics and get step-by-step guidance on the entire submission process to ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Through these virtual clinics, participants will gain a clear understanding of the criteria, requirements, and best practices—maximizing their chances of recognition and success in SOBA 2025.
Register here for:

16 June 2026
SOBA Submission Clinic 1
2 July 2026
SOBA Submission Clinic 2
5 August 2026
SOBA Submission Clinic 3
2 September 2026
SOBA Submission Clinic 4
7 October 2026
SOBA Submission Clinic 5

SOBA Council Roundtable
2026-06-23 | Menara Star, Petaling Jaya

SOBA Connect
2026-07-28 | Menara Star, Petaling Jaya
At SOBA Connect, attendees will have the opportunity to receive valuable insights from sponsors and strategic partners, along with on-ground networking opportunities with accomplished business leaders.

SOBA Elevate
2026-08-11
SOBA Elevate is an exclusive forum for Malaysian business leaders to elevate their companies beyond current limits — optimising operations, overcoming challenges, and scaling regionally and globally. Through insights from industry experts and peers, as well as the exchange of ideas and best practices, participants gain the tools and connections needed to elevate growth and transform into globally competitive businesses.

SOBA Connect Penang
2026-09-29

Judging Round 1 (Virtual)
2026-11-16 - 2026-11-22
First round of judging will be from 16 – 22 November 2026. The Top of the Class Awards (“TOTC”) and Outstanding Achievement Awards (except the SOBA Mikro Recognition Award) for each tier will be reviewed by several panels of judges concurrently. TOTC finalists will be invited to present virtually before the panel of judges in English. SOBA Mikro Recognition Award will be judged by the nomination committee comprising elected sponsors’ representatives from Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, RHB Bank Berhad and official trade promotion partner Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Judging Round 2 (Virtual)
2026-12-02 - 2026-12-03
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to present virtually before the panel of judges in English.

Best in Customer Service Public Voting
2026-12-04 - 2026-12-21
For the “Best in Customer Service” awards, the panel of judges will shortlist the top 5 companies for public voting purposes. The public can vote for their preferred customer services provider via www.soba.com.my.

Judging Round 3 (Physical)
2027-01-12
Shortlisted participants will be invited to Menara Star to present physically before the panel of judges in English. Shortlisted participants will be re-assessed by the panel of selected judges during the final presentation to determine the winner of the Malaysian Business of the Year Award.
The Elite Entrepreneur of the Year and Malaysian Business of the Year Awards will be separately reviewed by a final panel of judges. The final panel of judges will include one representative from each of the initial panels of judges. The Elite Entrepreneur of The Year will be chosen out of the six (6) par excellence EOTY – Young , Male & Female winners in both tiers i.e. Below RM25 million and RM25 million & above categories.
The winner of the Malaysian Business of the Year Award in the respective tiers will be selected from three (3) shortlisted participants by a final panel of judges. Shortlisted participants will be identified based on the combined top three (3) TOTC scores. For avoidance of doubt, should a participant participate in all eleven (11) TOTC, only the best three (3) TOTC combined scores will be taken into consideration to qualify as a shortlisted participant for final judging as the Malaysian Business of the Year.

Gala Night
2027-03-31
