By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 3: Six Sarawakian entrepreneurs have completed the six-month SCALE Sarawak Cohort 3 programme, gaining mentorship, industry connections and business insights to strengthen their companies and pursue new growth opportunities.
Delivered by Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) in partnership with Endeavor Malaysia, the programme brought together founders and 17 mentors through six group mentoring sessions, seven workshops and 20 one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions.
According to a media release today, the engagements provided a platform for the entrepreneurs to address business challenges, refine their strategies and identify opportunities to expand their operations beyond their existing markets.
Several participating businesses recorded tangible progress throughout the programme, including service expansion, new business opportunities and plans to enter regional and international markets.
Among them was Let’z Play Therapy, which has expanded its operations by opening its third branch to bring early intervention services closer to more families.
The company has also strengthened its team with clinical leadership, psychologists and social workers, while broadening its services beyond core programmes to include speech and occupational therapy.
Despite its expansion, the centre remains committed to keeping its fees accessible to families across different income groups. It has also secured an increase in government contracts, enabling it to extend its services to more underserved communities.
Its founder, Erdy Izwan, said the programme and guidance from Endeavor and TEGAS had contributed significantly to his development as an entrepreneur and leader.
“Programmes such as SCALE Sarawak, together with the guidance and support of Endeavor and TEGAS, have played an important role in shaping my growth as an entrepreneur and leader.
“They have challenged me to communicate with greater confidence, approach negotiations more strategically, strengthen my decision-making, and develop a clearer direction for the business,” he said.
Erdy said Let’z Play Therapy remained committed to ensuring quality early intervention was accessible to families regardless of their financial circumstances.
“At Let’z Play Therapy, we believe that access to quality early intervention should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
“As we continue to grow, our commitment remains to make quality services more accessible, create meaningful opportunities, and extend our reach to underserved communities,” he added.
Another participant, Satok Bridge Digital, is advancing its regional expansion strategy, with confirmed pilot projects across Southeast Asia and other markets.
The company develops artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)-powered technologies for wildlife-conflict mitigation and tracking.
It has launched proof-of-concept deployments with international conservation partners, with broader implementation planned subject to successful validation.
Building on these developments, Satok Bridge Digital is exploring opportunities across several Asia-Pacific markets while identifying potential expansion into additional territories.
Its domestic business is also growing, with existing customers increasing their deployments following successful pilot projects.
Co-founder and chief executive officer Tham Tat Wei said the programme provided valuable opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.
“Our experience with Endeavor was truly impactful. The opportunity to learn from an exceptional calibre of mentors, ranging from entrepreneurs navigating business growth to leaders of established corporations, offered invaluable perspectives that challenged us to rethink how we build, strengthen, and sustain our business for the long term,” he said.
He encouraged other startups and entrepreneurs to participate in the programme and benefit from its mentorship opportunities.
The six-month programme concluded with a Business Panel Review, during which each entrepreneur presented progress against their six-month milestones and outlined priorities for the next stage of business development.
The review also allowed the founders to receive feedback from experienced business leaders, with the panel comprising Media Prima Group managing director Dato’ Rafiq Razali, Tanah Makmur Berhad group chief executive officer Dato’ Shahrul Nizam, Artem Ventures partner Tunku Omar, Borong founder emeritus and advisor Lennise Ng, and CloudJoi co-founder and chief operating officer Kevin Teh.
Razali, who also served as an Endeavor mentor, said the founders had demonstrated openness to feedback and a strong willingness to learn.
“The founders were open to feedback and eager to learn, and it was encouraging to hear what they have achieved over the past six months,” he said.
He said his engagement with Sarawak’s entrepreneurs had given him an appreciation of the determination and innovation driving the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As the businesses move into their next growth phase, he said, a key challenge would be transitioning from founder-led execution towards building resilient and scalable companies.
“These entrepreneurs have the foundation. Now it’s about having the audacious vision to build high-impact companies that resonate across Malaysia and beyond,” he added.
TEGAS chairman and Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the successful completion of the 2026 SCALE Sarawak programme marked an important milestone in efforts to support Sarawak’s economic transformation.
He said the collaboration with Endeavor had provided local entrepreneurs with access to high-level mentorship and valuable industry connections.
“We are proud to see these resilient, scalable companies now ready to innovate, thrive, and drive our state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem forward, directly advancing our long-term vision for a thriving and innovative digital economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Endeavor Malaysia managing director Shan Li Tay said the partnership reflected the organisation’s belief that high-impact entrepreneurs could emerge from anywhere.
“Through our partnership with TEGAS, Endeavor is proud to support Sarawak entrepreneurs as they strengthen their businesses, learn from experienced industry leaders and build connections that can support their growth,” she said.
Beyond the formal mentoring sessions, the programme also exposed participants to a wider network of entrepreneurs, investors and industry players.
Sessions were conducted in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, with TEGAS supporting the cohort’s travel to Kuala Lumpur for three of the five in-person sessions.
In the capital, participants also attended private Endeavor Malaysia events, including Endeavor’s Reverse Pitch and the Founders and Funders Pickleball Social Tournament.
The engagements provided opportunities to connect with members of Endeavor’s wider network, extending the entrepreneurs’ professional relationships beyond Sarawak.
TEGAS and Endeavor Malaysia said they looked forward to continuing their collaboration in supporting local founders as they strengthen their businesses, pursue larger markets and contribute to Sarawak’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. — DayakDaily
