By Alang Bendahara
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Selangor aims to bring the country’s fashion scene to greater heights with digitalisation, through the Selangor Fashion Accelerator (SFA) programme.
The inaugural event, organised by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), aims to assist Malaysian startups and small-and-medium entrepreneurs (SME) in developing a sustainable ecosystem for talents in the modest fashion sector by providing engaging experiences that will increase brand recognition in the market and industry.
SFA will focus on modest apparel which has evolved into a wardrobe staple over time and has gained wide acceptance, whether for religious or personal reasons.
“Adapting to these changes, we have finalised the theme to be ‘Modest Fashion’, which will focus on ready-to-wear (RTW) modest attire with a twist of modern and minimalistic elements. We are here to provide exposure and recognise our local fashion entrepreneurs for their contribution and hard work throughout the years.
“Fashion in the country has been pretty much a traditional industry, but it has high potential for growth. Which is why we are here to provide digital solutions to help local entrepreneurs and SMEs build their businesses,” said Sidec chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping at the announcement of the event at The Majestic Hotel here today.
The two-month programme will raise 16 fashion entrepreneurs to an investment and expansion-ready level by providing great coaching from experienced mentors and through comprehensive workshops.
Sidec has also gained major support from judges of different backgrounds and expertise which includes Malaysian national music icon and businesswoman Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin.
“Malaysia has a lot of fashion entrepreneurs and designers. In fact on social media we can see so many successful online fashion entrepreneurs. So we want to enhance their talent and capabilities through this programme,” she said.
Applicants must be a Malaysian fashion startup or SME with a minimum sales turnover of RM100,000 in 2020 or 2021, in business for less than five years, and produce (RTW) products classified as modest fashion.
The submission is open for a month from June 15 to July 15 and details are available at www.sidec.com.my.
The judges will choose 16 candidates who will receive training from August 1 to September 23, with six finalists chosen to pitch to investors and industry partners on the Demo Day, which will take place on October 8 at Pitch@Selangor 6, in conjunction with the 7th Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC), a side event for the 2022 Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The programme will include specially curated workshops and mentoring sessions led by
renowned fashion industry professionals.
It will be conducted via a hybrid class style (online and offline) with modules such as pitching fundamental skills, product market-fit, brand management and digital marketing, supplier and manufacturer sourcing, as well as brand identity or brand DNA.
Candidates will benefit with no fee and no equity, as well as receive an introduction to industry experts, brands, retailers, and manufacturers, business consulting and growth mentoring, plus access to Sidec’s investor network and potential funding.
The most promising business will have the potential to receive investment opportunities from VCs such as The Hive Southeast Asia and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB).
