The Winners: Asia's Best Entrepreneurs Under 25

Back in July, we set off on something of a star search looking for the most interesting examples of Asian entrepreneurship. We asked readers of BusinessWeek.com to nominate standout young entrepreneurs, 25 or under. The goal was to identify Asia's new class of business risk takers who were globally aware, Internet savvy, and willing to pounce on a smart idea even if it meant insane working hours, sizable responsibilities, and financial risk early in life.

The response was overwhelming, and 200-plus nominations were narrowed down by a team of editors to a group of 20 finalists. They hailed from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan. Their business interests ranged from fast-food restaurants to cargo logistics to mobile-phone software applications. While this group of 20 often came from diverse backgrounds—from families of modest means to middle class upbringings—these aspiring startup stars shared a killer work ethic and a burning desire for excellence.