KUCHING: Applications are now open for the first batch of the Social Impact Accelerator (SIA) programme which is organised in line with the Sarawak government’s mission to increase the number of successful social enterprises and promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.

According to a press statement, the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) will be working closely with their strategic partners, Youth Trust Foundation (myHarapan) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) for the programme.

“We are happy to join forces with Tegas and work towards creating a vibrant social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Sarawak. We believe the local social enterprises will deliver good to great impact for Sarawak and beyond,” said chief executive officer of myHarapan, Nurfarini Daing.

SIA is a six-month programme which aims to accelerate the growth of Sarawak based, early-stage social enterprises (SE) in order to effectively deliver good to great impact for Sarawak and beyond.

SEs selected for SIA will enjoy coaching and mentoring by seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, access to grants and funding, access to SMA-Tegas Digital Innovation Hub (KCH, BTU, MYY) and Escape by Etiqa Innovation Hub (KL) as well as access to Sarawak Digital Ecosystem (SDE) network.

The programme is supported by SMA and is one of the key programmes in SDE. Tegas is also collaborating with SMA in operating the SMA-Tegas Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.

The DIH serves as an inclusive platform to support and empower early-stage startups and social enterprises in Sarawak. Funded by SMA and managed by Tegas, DIH offers access to affordable co-working spaces, entrepreneurship education and venture acceleration programmes as well as access to SDE.

“The Sarawak government through SMA-Tegas Digital Innovation Hub is offering a free 3-month co-working pass in an effort to help Sarawakian startups and social enterprises affected by the current Covid-19 pandemic. We are also offering support for entrepreneurs on a regular basis via free webinars, online capacity building programmes, and digital accelerators,” said Tegas chairman Datu Len Talif Salleh, who is also Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment.

He also explained that under the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018 to 2025 (Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Action 37), the Sarawak government through SMA will establish one innovation centre in each division and facilitate others namely the private sector, universities, and local communities.

SIA is open to Sarawak-based social enterprises with at least 51 per cent Sarawakian shareholding, in operation for at least six months and not more than three years with proof of market traction in the form of revenue or customer acquisition.

To apply, visit http://bit.ly/SIAB2020