Created for fun, crowned with purpose! Launched in celebration of OtterHalf’s second birthday, The Otter Awards is an annual award recognising otter-ly outstanding businesses from our river of clients who share our values.

Meet the 2025 winners

Two years ago, our founding team created OtterHalf with one belief—that businesses have the power to contribute to a better world. Like otters, we thrive on collaboration, innovation, and resilience, supported by the very core values we live by, and celebrated in this year’s winners:

Stronger together

We support each other through the tough times, lift each other up when we fall, and come back stronger as a team.
Don't be an asshole

We believe that it's essential to treat others with kindness, respect, empathy, and authenticity whether they are our clients, colleagues, or members of the community.
Be a force for good

We strive to create positive change through our actions and decisions, whether it's supporting social causes, championing environmental sustainability, or contributing to the community.
Sustain momentum

We believe in maintaining progress and moving forward. This drives us to continually strive for growth and innovation in every aspect of our business, ensuring that we always push ourselves to achieve more.

And the winners are…

After 3 weeks of public voting from verified senior industry leaders and the wider community, we awarded 5 outstanding businesses for exemplifying our OtterHalf values.

Business of the Year
The Otter

The highest honour! Awarded to Haylee by FortyTwo for achieving the most votes across all categories—a testament to their expertise in carving their own path, making an impact, and leading with innovation.

Check out Haylee by FortyTwo

Most Sustainable Business
The Manatee

Awarded to REFASH and Flavours of Tomorrow Festival for leading with integrity, proving success doesn’t come at others’ expense. Because good business is done right—for people, for the planet, and without being an asshole.

Check out REFASH

Check out the Festival

Most Collaborative Business
The Salmon

Awarded to Haylee by FortyTwo for embodying 'Stronger Together'—thriving through collaboration, because success is best when shared.

Check out Haylee by FortyTwo

Most Helpful Business
The Beaver

Awarded to the SMU Alumni Giving team for actively uplifting others, supporting causes, and making an impact beyond their bottom line. Because real success means being a force for good.

Check out SMU's Alumni Giving Programme

Most Innovative Business
The Dolphin

Awarded to Spree for always finding creative ways to innovate, adapt and sustain momentum—because staying still isn’t an option in a world that’s constantly evolving.

Check out Spree (Formerly Swypebites)

What are our awards categories about?

At The Otter Awards, we celebrate businesses we've worked with—those that align with our core values of collaboration, empathy, social impact, and innovation. Eligibility for the awards requires prior engagement with OtterHalf, ensuring that every recognised business has been part of our ecosystem.

Our selection process ensures that every winner embodies what it means to thrive the Otter way. With votes coming in from verified senior industry leaders and the wider community, each award reflects a well-rounded view of the brands making the biggest impact.

✅ Demonstrates team work, empathy, social impact, and innovation.

✅ The highest honour, crowning the business with the most number of votes across all categories

🦦 Why Otter?
Otters thrive by working together, hunting in groups—just like our founding team, who came together after a layoff to build OtterHalf from the ground up. Playful yet strategic, they navigate challenges with curiosity and adaptability—much like the best businesses that stay agile, creative, and always ready to make a splash. As a Singapore-founded business, we can’t ignore how otters are starting to become a national icon as one of the few free-roaming animals in the country.
Business of the Year winners don’t just survive—they thrive, pushing boundaries, creating impact, and leading with innovation, all while having a little fun along the way.
✅ Demonstrates a commitment to collaboration and teamwork
✅ Embodies the “Stronger Together” ethos by co-creating, supporting, and elevating others
✅ The business with the most number of votes in this category gets crowned
🐟 Why Salmon?
Salmon swim upstream in schools, overcoming incredible odds to reach their destination.
Their journey mirrors businesses that thrive on teamwork and collaboration—proving that success is better when achieved as a team.
✅ Demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, empathy, and responsible business practices
✅ Embodies the “Don’t Be an Asshole” ethos by maintaining respect and integrity in all business dealings
✅ The business with the most number of votes in this category gets crowned
🌊 Why Manatees?
Manatees are gentle giants of the sea, known for their kindness, peaceful nature, and ability to coexist harmoniously with other marine life, including otters. This reflects businesses that lead with integrity, proving that success can be achieved without coming at the expense of others.
✅ Demonstrates commitment to social causes, or community initiatives while actively empowering and supporting others.
✅ Reflects the “Be a Force for Good” ethos by using business as a vehicle for positive impact
✅ The business with the most number of votes in this category gets crowned
🦫 Why Beavers?
While otters and beavers share the same habitats, beavers are the true builders—shaping ecosystems that benefit many species, including otters. They represent businesses that take action, create opportunities, and foster growth, leaving a lasting positive impact on the world.
✅ Demonstrates consistent innovation in marketing, operations, or business growth
✅ Embodies the “Sustain Momentum” ethos by constantly evolving and improving, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo
✅ The business with the most number of votes in this category gets crowned
🐬 Why Dolphins?
Dolphins are highly intelligent, playful, and always on the move—a perfect reflection of businesses that embrace curiosity, agility, and growth.

How did we choose the winners?

The Otter Awards called for open voting from both verified senior industry leaders and the wider community, with each vote counting equally.

At the end of the public voting process, the businesses with the most votes in each category were crowned winners. Among them, the overall winner—selected as the Business of the Year—was crowned The Otter.

Who are senior industry leaders? Decision-makers who shape strategy, drive growth, and influence industry impact, including:

✅ C-Level Executives
✅ Founders & Entrepreneurs
✅ Directors & Heads of Departments

Who is part of the wider community? The broader business network on LinkedIn and beyond—including professionals, employees, industry supporters, and even fans—whose insights and engagement contribute to recognising businesses.

Who were the nominees for 2025?