Applications open for LIA Malaysia 2018 accelerator programme

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Leaders in Innovation Accelerator (LIA) has now opened applications for the LIA Malaysia 2018 Accelerator programme ( LIA Programme), an intensive 16-week programme of practical entrepreneurship skills and expert business mentoring.

The aim of the programme is to match Malaysian researchers, academics, independent technology entrepreneurs and early-stage technology start-ups with expert business mentors based in the UK, empowering home- grown talent to secure investment and accelerate their international business growth.

LIA in a statement yesterday said, the programme would be run in collaboration with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology ( MIGHT).

“It is an exciting follow- on to the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships ( LIF) programme, a Royal Academy of Engineering initiative supported by the UK Government’s Newton Fund.

Now in its fourth year, the LIF programme is an intensive residential programme of expert coaching and entrepreneurship training for innovation fellows from the 14 Newton Fund partner countries.

LIA Malaysia is the first incountry accelerator programme to spin out of the highly successful LIF Programme.” MIGHT president and chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman said: “MIGHT looks forward to working with our partners, the Royal Academy of Engineering, Oxentia and the Newton- Ungku Omar Fund to further strength collaboration between the UK and Malaysia in the areas of science, technology and innovation.

The Malaysian Leaders in Innovation accelerator clearly demonstrates the commitment of both countries to support sustainable development by up- skilling our technology and innovation research base.

“With the right opportunities and continued capacity-building in science and research, I believe Malaysia has the opportunity to lead innovation entrepreneurship at both the regional and global levels.

We wholeheartedly support the LIA Malaysia 2018 Accelerator programme mentoring Malaysian technology entrepreneurs on their journey to become significant global players.” Thirty of the most promising teams will initially be shortlisted to join a three- day boot camp in Kuala Lumpur, where 15 teams will then be selected for the one- onone 16-week mentored acceleration programme.

At the end of the programme, the participants will pitch to international investors and potentially secure funding for what could be Southeast Asia’s next Tech Unicorn.

The closing date for applications is July 16 and for the application form, selection criteria and further particulars, visit the LIA Malaysia website https://www.innovationleaders.global/.