KUCHING: Applications for the TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp (TPAB) 2026 Cohort 8 are now open, offering aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups in Sarawak a platform to accelerate business growth.
The application period will close on Jun 15, while the five-day intensive programme is scheduled to take place from Jul 6 to 10 at TEGAS Digital Village here.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and TEGAS chairman Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the programme reflects TEGAS’ continued commitment to nurturing youth and entrepreneurial talent in the state.
“Beyond simply launching new companies, this initiative focuses on nurturing a new generation of bold thinkers and problem-solvers who can make a real impact in their communities while supporting Sarawak’s aspiration of becoming a prosperous and inclusive digital economy by 2030,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Jun 4).
He added that providing founders with the right skills, knowledge and support at an early stage is crucial to strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem and enhancing the competitiveness of local talent on both national and international stages.
The cohort is a partnership between TEGAS and Growth Through Innovation to help develop more resilient and competitive start-up founders.
Founder Ken Lau said the programme offers participants the opportunity to transform ideas into viable businesses through innovation-driven approaches, strategic execution and entrepreneurship powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The programme is tailored for local innovators, students, corporate leaders and aspiring founders who have business ideas but require guidance, market validation and support to develop sustainable business models.
Participants will undergo training in business fundamentals, problem identification and solution development, marketing strategies, digital marketing, product development and the use of generative AI for idea validation.
They will also learn how to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) through rapid prototyping and no-code technologies, while gaining insights into start-up finance, investor expectations and the development of data-driven pitch decks.
The programme will conclude with a Demo Day session, where participants will present their ideas and projects to investors, corporate partners and mentors.
To be eligible, each team must include at least one founder or co-founder from Sarawak. The programme is open to start-ups at the idea or early-growth stage that offer solutions to real-world challenges.
Each team may comprise up to four co-founders and is required to commit fully throughout the programme.
