Across Asia, a growing number of differently-abled entrepreneurs are transforming the landscape of business and social change. These individuals have overcome significant personal challenges to build impactful ventures that empower others and foster inclusivity. From retail and technology to wellness and advocacy, their achievements reflect resilience, determination and a commitment to redefining perceptions of disability. In this edition, Top 10 of Asia highlights the top 10 most inspiring differently-abled entrepreneurs in Asia (in no particular order). These are individuals whose stories not only inspire but also demonstrate the power of inclusive progress across the region.
Amirul Safuan Mohd Ishak (Malaysia)
Amirul Safuan is a spinal cord injury survivor reshaping perceptions of ability in business. As the founder of Ameer Safone Ventures, he launched a purpose-driven fragrance brand and pioneered Malaysia’s AI skills training programme for persons with disabilities. Through his work, Amirul challenges exclusion in the workforce, showing that with the right support, talent thrives. His mission goes beyond advocacy—he’s creating inclusive economic pathways that prove inclusion isn’t charity, it’s strategy. By addressing why inclusion efforts often fall short and what employers still get wrong, Amirul is paving the way for workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
Toshiya Kakiuchi (Japan)
Toshiya Kakiuchi was born in Anjo, Japan in 1989 and uses a wheelchair due to a bone condition since childhood. Using his personal experience, he developed a business plan that won 13 domestic awards and eventually founded Mirairo Inc. in 2010 while still in university. Mirairo promotes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through initiatives like the Universal Manners Test and Mirairo ID, a digital disability ID. Mirairo received the Nippon Startup Awards 2023 from Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2023, and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in 2025.
Lee Thiam Wah (Malaysia)
Born in Klang and wheelchair-bound since infancy due to polio, Lee Thiam Wah is the visionary founder and CEO of 99 Speedmart, Malaysia’s largest mini-market chain with over 2,000 outlets nationwide. Starting with a small grocery store in 1987, he rebranded to 99 Speedmart in 2000 and grew the business into a retail powerhouse. Despite limited formal education, Lee’s resilience and entrepreneurial acumen have earned him multiple awards and a spot among Malaysia’s richest individuals. Beyond retail, he holds major investments in banking and F&B, including Burger King Malaysia and Singapore, and continues to champion inclusive business growth.
Shenaz Haveliwala (India)
Shenaz Haveliwala was pursuing an engineering degree when she was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 19, a condition that abruptly altered the course of her life. After years of managing daily seizures and undergoing brain surgery, she emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Shenaz began volunteering with the Samman Association (Mumbai chapter of Indian Epilepsy Association), supporting others facing similar challenges. She went on to establish Sobo Connect, a flexible workspace venture, and later launched a successful home-based salad business rooted in her passion for healthy living. Her resilience and commitment to advocacy have earned her international recognition and widespread respect.
Iftkhar Ali (India)
Diagnosed with polio at the age of one, Iftkhar Ali never let his condition define him. Raised with confidence and equality, he overcame early setbacks to earn his MBA from IIM Calcutta. After a decade in leadership roles across top firms, he founded ALIQAN Technologies—a fully bootstrapped venture that now marks 10 successful years. Today, ALIQAN serves industry leaders like HCL, Wipro, Genpact, Infosys, CPP Group, NEC Corporation and TietoEVRY. Iftkhar’s journey is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the power of education and networks. His calm determination and clarity of purpose have inspired many. By breaking barriers, he now empowers others to believe in their potential and pursue their goals—regardless of circumstances.
Rian Satrio Wibisono (Indonesia)
Rian Satrio Wibisono is a Deaf entrepreneur and founder of Dapur Cinta Tuli, a home-based food business in South Tangerang, Indonesia. After losing his job at a pastry kitchen during the pandemic, Rian joined a culinary training programme for persons with disabilities. With the support of Perempuan Tangguh Indonesia and only basic kitchen tools, he and his wife, who is also Deaf, began taking small orders from home. Today, they regularly cater boxed meals, brownies and desserts. Despite limited resources and ongoing challenges, Rian’s commitment to honest, quality work reflects his determination to build an independent and meaningful life.
Sukur Ibrahim (Malaysia)
Born with a condition known as dwarfism, Mohd Sukur Ibrahim has turned adversity into achievement through sheer determination and hard work. Despite early challenges securing employment due to his physical condition, he pursued an Information Technology degree at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. After multiple unsuccessful job applications, he founded MSI Solution Sdn Bhd, a successful carpet installation business serving mosques and offices nationwide. A motivational speaker and author, Sukur inspires others with his story of perseverance and self-belief. His journey highlights the importance of ambition, resilience and family support, proving that physical limitations need not define one’s path to success.
Sangita Desai (India)
Born with a condition called symbrachydactyly, Sangita Desai has only had one functional hand since birth. However, that has never stopped her as she powered through her life, even becoming the first Indian woman entrepreneur behind a line of grooming essentials for men. Using her knowledge of aesthetics, natural essential oils and business management, Sangita co-founded Raw Nature Company, the brand that offers a range of safe, botanical grooming solutions for men, which are cruelty-free, vegan and free of artificial colours, artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals. Today, Sangita stands proud as the first women in her industry and also an entrepreneur with a disability, further celebrating her power and strength throughout the adversities in life.
Tath Nika (Cambodia)
Blind since infancy, Tath Nika is a pioneering social entrepreneur and massage therapist who founded Nika’s Seeing Hands in Phnom Penh. As Cambodia’s first female blind massage therapist, she overcame widespread discrimination to build a business that empowers visually impaired individuals through safe employment and professional training. A passionate advocate for disability rights, Nika has travelled globally to teach massage therapy, championing dignity and opportunity for others like her. Through resilience and vision, she continues to challenge societal biases and hopes to expand her impact by creating more inclusive spaces for women and people with disabilities in Cambodia.
Edward Yee (Singapore)
Born with dyslexia, Edward Yee turned his learning difference into a powerful asset. A Rhodes Scholar and valedictorian at NTU, he co-founded GivFunds, supporting social enterprises in underserved parts of South Asia, and later launched Masref, a Swiss digital banking venture that serves communities in distressed economies. From struggling in school to driving change through impact finance, Edward’s journey shows how dyslexia can shape innovative thinking and social purpose. Inspired by his travels and a desire to help others, he now empowers people with learning differences to embrace their strengths and keep moving forward.