KUCHING: Applications are now open for the inaugural Youth Founder Mentoring Programme (YFMP) organised in line with the Sarawak government’s mission to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) said the programme, organised by Tegas Digital Innovation Hub, in partnership with FutureLab and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), is a six-month online mentoring programme tailored for young Sarawakian start-up founders studying at institutes of higher learning and fresh graduates.
“The mentoring programme aims to connect young start-up founders with experienced entrepreneur mentors from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore; equip young start-up founders with valuable knowledge and insights on entrepreneurship as well as provide real-time feedback on their business ideas and plans to build resilient entrepreneurs,” it said in a statement on Monday (Feb 22).
It said the programme prepares participants for the virtual demo day for a chance to pitch to potential angel investors, funding agencies and ecosystem partners as well as a green lane to participate in Tegas Startup Lab (Accelerator), Social Impact Accelerator and Sarawak Shell Livewire.
“I encourage all students and graduates of institutes of higher learning in Sarawak to apply for this first-of-its-kind mentoring programme. We believe in investing and building our Sarawakian talents to drive growth for our state,” said Tegas chairman Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister.
“Tegas will continue to support and empower our local startups to scale globally, through the soon to be completed Tegas Digital Village — expected to be launched by the chief minister (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg), by the middle of this year,” he added.
YFMP is open to all Sarawakian students (institute of higher learning), fresh graduates and early-stage start-ups with at least one Sarawakian co-founder. To apply, visit http://bit.ly/YFMP2021 (application closes 21 March).
