Filipino student joins young innovators from across Asia Pacific in developing sustainable solutions to real-world challenges

What happens when young people from different countries come together to solve real-world problems? For 48 students from across Asia Pacific, the experience became an opportunity to develop creative ideas, work with new teammates, and learn what it takes to turn an idea into a potential business solution.

Federal Express Corporation, together with Junior Achievement (JA), recently announced the winners of the 2026 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific finals, held in Singapore. The event also marked the 20th anniversary of the program, which has helped young people across the region develop entrepreneurial, business, and international trade skills.

This year’s competition attracted more than 4,000 students from eight markets, including Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Among the 48 students who made it to the Asia Pacific finals was Minette Cabaluna from the Philippines, who teamed up with Indonesia’s Rayden Cleverson Suhardi as Team Ventra.

Turning used packaging into sustainable solutions

For the finals, the students were challenged to create a market entry strategy for an innovative and sustainable product that repurposes used packaging materials into a solution that could deliver economic, environmental, or social value to local communities.

Cambodia was selected as the target market.

The challenge gave students an opportunity to think beyond the classroom. They had to consider a real market, understand the needs of a community, develop a practical product, and present their ideas to a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Students were also paired into teams of two from different markets, encouraging them to collaborate across cultures and learn from perspectives different from their own.

“As we celebrate the 20th year of the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge, we are proud of the lasting impact the program has had on thousands of young people across Asia Pacific. What began as an initiative to introduce students to international trade has evolved into a platform that develops entrepreneurial thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills. The talent, creativity, and global mindset demonstrated by this year’s finalists give us great confidence in the next generation of business leaders,” said Salil Chari, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.

Meet the winning teams

The first-place winners were Team Ascent, composed of Farra Santoso from Indonesia and Harry Jang from the Republic of Korea.

The pair impressed the judges with their idea for a lightweight thermal shield made from recycled industrial packaging. Designed for Cambodia’s hot climate, the solution aims to reduce heat entering existing buildings without electricity, potentially helping lower factory energy costs, protect workers from heat, and reduce waste.

Two teams were named runners-up.

Team Baksei, composed of Masato Hirozane from Japan and Sara Nileshkumar Jasani from Malaysia, developed a solution that transforms discarded soft-plastic packaging into durable, flood-resilient permeable tiles.

Meanwhile, Team Ventra, composed of Minette Cabaluna from the Philippines and Rayden Cleverson Suhardi from Indonesia, proposed a modular cooling solution made from recycled plastic waste that helps reduce indoor temperatures without electricity.

For the winning students, working with teammates from different countries was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“Winning the 2026 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge has been an unforgettable experience. Working with teammates from different markets challenged us to think beyond our own perspectives and develop solutions that could succeed on a global scale. Throughout the competition, we learned how international trade, sustainability, technology, and cultural understanding come together to solve real business challenges. Being part of the program’s 20th anniversary year makes this achievement even more meaningful, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and connect with talented students from across the region,” said Farra Santoso (Indonesia) and Harry Jang (the Republic of Korea), members of the winning team.

Vivek Kumar, President and Chief Executive Officer of JA Asia Pacific, also highlighted what the students’ accomplishments represent for the program’s two-decade history.

“These winners, and indeed all the 48 finalists, represent the very best of the impact that the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge was designed to achieve: young people with bold ideas, the courage to collaborate across cultures, and the ability to turn classroom learning into real-world business solutions. As the program marks its 20th year, their achievement is a powerful reminder that the future of trade and entrepreneurship in Asia Pacific is already taking shape in the hands of our youth,” said Vivek Kumar, President and Chief Executive Officer of JA Asia Pacific.

Celebrating 20 years of learning and entrepreneurship

The 2026 finals introduced several new elements to mark the program’s 20th anniversary.

For the first time, the program incorporated findings from a region-wide student survey that gathered more than 4,000 responses across 10 Asia Pacific markets. The survey provided insights into workplace readiness, entrepreneurial capability, global trade literacy, and students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence.

Alumni from across the program’s 20-year history also returned as mentors, judges, and speakers, creating opportunities for past and present participants to connect.

Since its launch, the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge has empowered more than 54,000 students across Asia Pacific through classroom learning, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on international business challenges.

The program gives young people opportunities to develop practical skills in business, economics, global trade, teamwork, and problem-solving—skills that can be valuable whether they eventually become entrepreneurs, business leaders, or pursue entirely different paths.

What the judges saw in the young entrepreneurs

The students also received feedback from entrepreneurs and business leaders who served as judges for the competition.

Dr Neo Kok Beng, Founder and CEO of NEO Aeronautics, said:

“Wonderful experience, a peek into our future leaders and I am impressed.”

Rina Neoh, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ficus Capital, shared:

“Judging this competition was a privilege. These young people brought sharp ideas, honest effort, and a real willingness to learn exactly what the next generation of business leader’s needs.”

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO of The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, emphasized the value of giving young people opportunities to step outside their comfort zones:

“I was motivated to take on the role of judge because we need to create safe spaces for young people to step out of their comfort zone, test ideas, and build confidence. Competitions like this give students a chance to think creatively, solve problems, think on their feet, and work with partners with different backgrounds, which are skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

As a judge, I wanted to offer useful feedback and encouragement. I also gained a lot from the experience seeing the capabilities of the next generation to have a tremendous impact on society. The students were thoughtful, organized and creative in the presentations. They leveraged all the tools available to them, created work that demonstrates their independent thinking and communicated their ideas clearly and with impact. They should be applauded for their courage, hard work and personal development. Be curious.”

Pranjal Taneja, Founder and CEO of Gumtoo, said:

“These students aren’t just learning about business—they’re demonstrating the problem-solving mindset and resilience that define true entrepreneurs. That’s what will drive real change in the world.”

Thaddeus Koh, Co-Founder of E27 (Optimatic), offered a simple piece of advice:

“Always innovate in technology, business model and workflows.”

Kriti Kapoor, Future of Work Strategist, also shared her observations about the students:

“I was motivated to join the judging panel because I believe young people need opportunities to apply what they learn to real-world challenges. Throughout the competition, I was impressed by the students’ creativity, customer insight, commercial thinking and confidence in presenting their ideas. The strongest teams combined a clear understanding of the problem with practical solutions, compelling storytelling and genuine collaboration.

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay curious, listen closely to the people you hope to serve, and become comfortable learning through experimentation. Organizations such as FedEx and JA value people who can think critically, communicate clearly, work across cultures, use technology responsibly and remain resilient when their first idea does not work. The most optimistic moment for me was seeing how thoughtfully the students responded to questions and feedback. Their willingness to adapt, learn and improve showed that the next generation is ready to build businesses that create both economic value and positive social impact.”

Taking learning beyond the competition

For the 2026 Asia Pacific winners, the learning experience will continue even after the competition.

In addition to their prizes, the winners will have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of global commerce through visits to FedEx operational facilities in their respective markets and direct engagement with FedEx team members.

The immersive experience will give them a closer look at logistics, supply chain management, and international trade. It complements the entrepreneurial skills they developed throughout the challenge.

For young people, opportunities like these show that learning doesn’t have to stay within the four walls of a classroom. Whether it’s collaborating with someone from another country, finding a creative use for discarded materials, or learning how a global business operates, real-world experiences can help students discover new possibilities for what they can create and contribute.

The FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge is jointly organized by FedEx and JA Asia Pacific, a Member of JA Worldwide. Now in its 20th year, the program continues to provide young people across Asia Pacific with opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, international business, sustainability, and collaboration.

In addition to supporting young entrepreneurs through the JA ITC, FedEx also organizes the Small Business Grant Contest (SBGC) to support small and medium-sized enterprises across Asia Pacific.