MIRI: The inaugural expansion of the Startup54 intensive entrepreneurship programme into northern Sarawak concluded on Sunday, marking a major milestone in strengthening the state’s regional innovation and business ecosystem.
Held from June 19 to 21 at the TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub Miri, the intensive 54-hour boot camp successfully brought together 40 participants, primarily tertiary students from I-CATS University College and IBS College Miri, to transform theoretical academic knowledge into market-validated startup models.
Organisers project the high-octane event to yield between eight and 10 viable startup prototypes and business concepts, while concurrently identifying high-potential teams for entry into the prestigious TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp (TPAB).
A key objective of this year’s edition was leveraging Miri’s strategic geographical proximity to Brunei to stimulate cross-border commercial collaboration and expand regional digital networks.
Throughout the weekend, participants explored solutions across a broad spectrum of modern economic sectors, including digital services, sustainable technology, manufacturing, the creative industries and cross-border commerce.
The aspiring founders received hands-on mentorship and industry exposure from a diverse panel of specialists from both Malaysia and Brunei, covering disciplines such as digital marketing, artificial intelligence, finance, economics, and startup ecosystem development.
Notably, the speaker lineup featured co-founder of Retrospective Discovery and SAGO, Arif Abdul Rahman, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and insights with participants.
According to the organisers, Startup54 Miri serves as a vital practical platform for youth to experience the fast-paced realities of rapid business creation.
The initiative directly supports Sarawak’s overarching socio-economic aspiration to transition toward a highly digital, knowledge-based, and innovation-driven economy.
As the final pitching sessions concluded, officials noted that for the majority of these young participants, the curtain close on Sunday represented the true commencement of their journey toward scaling competitive local businesses.
