THP FBF students clinch double wins at
Alliance Bank Intervarsity Business Pitch Competition

From durian waste to sustainable fashion, and from surplus meals to food security solutions, UTAR students proved that meaningful ideas can begin in the classroom and resonate on the national stage. Transforming real-world challenges into viable business solutions, students from UTAR Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF) demonstrated how innovation, sustainability, and strong commercial thinking can drive tangible impact at the Alliance Bank Intervarsity Business Pitch Competition Grand Finale, held on 4 December 2025.

Two UTAR student-led projects stood out for their strong commercial potential and social relevance, earning the Grand Prize and First Runner-up titles against top competing universities nationwide. Addressing pressing national and global concerns, both projects reflected UTAR students’ ability to align business innovation with sustainability and social responsibility.

Grand Prize winner: Team DurDur – reimagining sustainable fashion

Emerging as the Grand Prize winner, Team DurDur presented Durra, Malaysia’s first modular fashion bag made from durian leather, a sustainable bio-material derived from durian waste. The team, comprising Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) Entrepreneurship students Yew Li Qing, Joey Koh Ming Sui, Heah Hui Yin, and Chow Zisin, impressed judges with their fusion of sustainability, innovation, and commercial feasibility.

Inspired by the growing issue of fashion waste and Malaysia’s abundance of agricultural by-products, the team transformed durian waste into a high-value fashion material. What sets Durra apart is its modular design, which allows users to mix and match accessories to create multiple styles using a single bag—reducing fast-fashion consumption while maintaining affordability and versatility.

Reflecting on their journey, the team shared, “Winning this competition validates our belief that a simple idea inspired by local culture and waste materials can become a meaningful business solution,” the team said, adding that the recognition strengthened their confidence in sustainable entrepreneurship.

The team described their preparation as rigorous, involving extensive market research, multiple rounds of material experimentation, financial modelling, and intensive pitch refinement. One of their key challenges was ensuring that the concept was not only creative, but also financially realistic, particularly when projecting return on investment and market demand.

Their achievement was strongly supported by UTAR’s academic curriculum and the guidance of their mentor, Ms Khor Hooi Ching, who encouraged the team to deepen their research and refine their financial assumptions. Constructive feedback from judges further strengthened the proposal, particularly in ensuring that projections were supported by credible industry data.

Beyond the competition, the recognition has reinforced the team’s confidence in sustainable entrepreneurship and inspired them to pursue future ventures in green business and product innovation.

For their outstanding achievement, Team DurDur walked away with a cash prize of RM3,000 and a certificate of recognition.

First Runner-up: Team Powerpuff Girls – tackling food waste with purpose

Securing the First Runner-up position, Team Powerpuff Girls presented SavEat, a socially impactful digital platform aimed at reducing food waste while enhancing food security. The team comprised Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) Banking and Finance students Summer Foo Sze Kay, Lim Xiao Rou, Wong Yu Qi, Ooi Wan Qing, and Low Zi Ling.

SavEat focuses on redistributing affordable surplus meals while collecting inedible food waste, such as peels and bones, for composting through strategic partners. This process helps reduce methane emissions generated from decomposing food waste and converts waste into fertiliser, reinforcing a circular economy approach.

Highlighting the significance of their idea, the team noted, “Malaysia generates around 17,000 tonnes of food waste daily, and a large portion of it is still edible. Through SavEat, we hope to address food waste while contributing to environmental sustainability and food security,” they said.

Preparation involved thorough discussions, market surveys, and continuous proposal refinement under the mentorship of Dr Chen Fanyu. While the technical aspects were demanding, the team identified confidence-building as their greatest challenge, particularly after observing strong competitors at the preliminary stages. Through rehearsal sessions and mentor support, they strengthened their pitching delivery and stage presence.

Judges commended the project’s potential and offered constructive recommendations, including expanding surplus meal distribution beyond nighttime operations and optimising the placement of EcoBins. This validation boosted the team’s confidence and opened new perspectives for further development.

For Team Powerpuff Girls, the achievement holds special significance as they approach graduation, marking a proud milestone in their academic journey and strengthening their readiness to meet future professional challenges.

Team Powerpuff Girls received a cash prize of RM2,000 along with a certificate of recognition for securing the First Runner-up position.

The double win at the Alliance Bank Intervarsity Business Pitch Competition highlights UTAR’s continued commitment to producing industry-ready graduates who are capable of applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges. Jointly organised to nurture entrepreneurial thinking among university students nationwide, the competition provides a platform for participants to develop innovative, market-ready solutions while gaining valuable industry exposure and pitching experience.