KUCHING: The Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN) Sarawak is committed to its role as an effective platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences between startups and business angels.
Its chairman Datuk Patrick Liew said MBAN’s mission is also to connect local entrepreneurs with experienced business angels who can provide financial and mentorship support to take their businesses to the next level.
(A business angel is an individual with a high net-worth, and usually with business experience, who invests part of his or her assets in new and growing private businesses.)
“MBAN, consisting of 340 members, has supported over 600 startups and growth technology ventures to pitch for equity investment with an overall success rate of almost 20 per cent.
“And we have provided masterclasses and other training to over 600 investors and entrepreneurs over the years,” he said.
Patrick also added that MBAN will work towards building a solid network of business angels and entrepreneurs who can collaborate and support each other’s growth and success.
“With the support of our members, we will be able to create a thriving ecosystem for startups in Sarawak and contribute to the overall development of the region,” he said in his speech ahead of the launching ceremony of ‘Coffee and Conversations: The Sarawak Angel X Edition’ at TEGAS Digital Village in Kuching today (Feb 10).
Patrick said that for the past eight years with iCube – which was awarded the first certified Digital Hub Status in Sarawak by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) – he has seen rapid growth and acceleration within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
“I hope that we continue to preserve and make things happen for Sarawak,” he added.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer of Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Sudarnoto Osman said the establishment of the MBAN Sarawak chapter is one of the key initiatives that is aligned with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategies 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“We aim to create a vibrant ecosystem for tech start-ups in Sarawak and to drive the growth of the digital economy in this region,” he said.
