KUCHING: Volume Research & Development Sdn Bhd (Volume), a Bintulu-based start-up under the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) Start-up Lab accelerator programme (Batch 3), is one of the winners in ‘Teraju Superb (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Scheme) 2020’ held recently.
It was awarded RM500,000 for its ‘Collaborative Automated Industrial Cloud Kitchen’ system.
Organised by the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju), the 15th edition of the scheme has an allocation of RM15 million in business development grants for Bumiputera start-up founders nationwide.
For this edition, Superb stressed on innovative products and business models, in line with the government’s aims to reduce unemployment, strengthen business activities and at the same time, encourage the transition of local businesses to e-commerce and the gig economy.
“We are beyond grateful to have receive the RM500,000 funding and been one of the winners for Teraju Superb 2020.
“We see this experience as a great start in our journey as a tech start-up based in Bintulu, and we look forward to expanding our start-up globally.
“We also want to thank Teraju Sarawak and Tegas for their constant support and advice,” said Nehemiah Labar Ingan, founder of Volume.
Volume is a start-up focused on bringing commercial cooking and kitchen into the future, getting smart machines to do the cooking for customers.
It was selected to participate in the Tegas Startup Lab (TSL) third batch from August this year to January next year. Volume joined other outstanding start-ups in the programme namely Borneo Digital, Call Aladdin, Darmadia and RealFun Learning Centre.
TSL is a five-month seed/early-stage venture acceleration programme founded on the belief that connecting local start-ups with the right mentors, investors, and industry experts are the right way to achieve scale and generate explosive growth.
At the preliminary stage, Volume joined the Tegas Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp 2019 where Nehemiah had the chance to pitch his ‘Collaborative Automated Industrial Cloud Kitchen’ idea to early-stage investors, funding agencies, government leaders and industry players.
“We are happy and proud of Nehemiah and team for winning the prestigious competition. Tegas will further strengthen its ongoing partnership with Teraju Sarawak through collaboration in growing the local start-ups and social enterprises in the state,” said Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also Tegas chairman.
“The TSL accelerator programme is our investment to produce potential startups for the Tegas Digital Village, and towards empowering young entrepreneurs in Sarawak to scale globally.”
