S’wak Biodiversity Centre conducts insightful Venture Capital Ecosystem workshop
companies, investment bodies and startups have recently attended a Venture Capital Ecosystem workshop facilitated by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC).
Held in partnership with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC), Ficus Group Capital, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN), the workshop was part of the initiatives to develop venture capital ecosystem under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
The full-day workshop covered overview and trends of the venture capital industry, with its main focus on funding strategies and identifying opportunities especially in the field of technology and innovation.
During the workshop, participants were briefed by Melissa Chang from SBC on Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 Innovation cluster, as well as a tour of investment landscape on venture capital industry and start-up ecosystem by Abdullah Hidayat and Rina Neoh from Ficus Group Capital.
The workshop was also filled with insightful presentations of tax incentives relating to venture capital activities in Malaysia by Peter Wee from MBAN as well as the sharing of experience and testimonial on venture capital from MTDC Technology Venture Division Vice President Syed Hisham Alwi Syed Ibrahim.
SBC chief executive officer Dr Yeo Tiong Chia, in his remarks, said that innovation is important to maximise and accelerate transformation in order for Sarawak to become a highincome state.
He noted that the development of local start-ups enhanced with matching grants of publicprivate sector collaboration, will be further accelerated by establishing venture capital funds, partnering with investors and venture capitalists, as well as incorporating digitalisation and innovation.
The event proceeded with a tour of Sarawak Biodiversity Centre’s projects and facilities which showcases the centre’s potential in bio-based research.