Kota Kinabalu: Applications are now open for the Iltizam Social Impact Accelerator Sabah (Isias) programme to promote social innovation and entrepreneurship to accelerate the growth of early-stage social enterprises and businesses in Sabah.
The six-month programme managed by the Youth Trust Foundation (myHarapan) and supported by Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (Ekuinas) through its corporate social responsibility arm, Iltizam and Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic), will run from February to July 2022.
Ekuinas is a private equity fund management company established by the
Government of Malaysia to promote equitable and sustainable Bumiputera wealth creation and economic participation based on the principles of marketfriendliness, merit and transparency via the creation of Malaysia’s next generation of leading companies.
In addition, Iltizam was established with a mission to serve and positively impact Bumiputera entrepreneurs and the broader community through three main pillars which are entrepreneurship, education and community.
myHarapan, is a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to empowering young Malaysians by supporting youth projects and initiatives that contribute to nation-building efforts.
Scenic is an initiative under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation Sabah (KSTI).
The initiative was approved by the cabinet of Sabah in Aug 2019 and aims to accelerate industries in Sabah through entrepreneurship,technology, innovation and creativity.
Together, these organisations aim to collectively foster sustainable growth amongst Sabahan social entrepreneurs by providing them with highly engaging experience and opportunities, skills and knowledge to build resilience in developing more positive impact.
Selected social enterprises will benefit from receiving financial assistance, mentorship and access to potential investors through a structured and intensive six (6) months programme.
It also provides participants with valuable access to markets, talent and additional capital while enabling them to meet crucial social outcomes.
Director of Stakeholders’ Interest Ekuinas, Hizwani Hassan said: “Ekuinas believes this programme will be a good launching pad as it is our hope that it will benefit social entrepreneurs in Sabah, especially in the remote areas, to learn new skills as all of us adapt to an age where we can no longer ignore technology and digitalisation in order to be relevant.
This is even more so now in the age of Covid-19 where it forces them to embrace technology faster than ever.”
Meanwhile, Viviantie Sarjuni, General Manager of Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic) said that the Social Entrepreneurship ecosystem has been around since 2014 and Malaysia was once ranked high as a pioneering country for social entrepreneurship back in 2016.
“We need to expand the same kind of support in Sabah as we do have so many potential SEs.
“The only thing is they don’t recognise themselves.
“With proper guidance and support we are confident that we can churn out as many SEs as we can in Sabah not only to help the economy but to solve pressing issues within the community.
“The SE business model will allow you to not only make money for yourselves but you will be able to elevate the economy of the affected communities, even solving environmental issues.
We encourage aspiring and current SEs in Sabah to participate in this Isia programme and to get the necessary assistance from the support system provided by the organisers” she added.
Isias is open to social enterprises and businesses registered under Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) or other recognised registration body with at least 51 percent Sabahan Bumiputera shareholding , and has been in operation in Sabah for at least six months and not more than three years with proof of traction in the form of revenue or customer acquisition.
Selected social entrepreneurs will participate in a series of bootcamps that will run from February to July 2022.
Only 10 top social enterprises and businesses will be selected for mentorship programme. Apply now at https://bit.ly/ISIAS2022 before Jan 5, 2022.
