By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 — 40 startup companies have taken advantage of the free training and guidance under the Selangor Accelerator Programme’s (SAP) sixth cohort since last week, said the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec)
Its e-commerce executive Mohamad Khairul Ikhwan Mohamad Saufi said the participating companies hail from a diverse range of sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability impact, health technology, agriculture technology, and biotechnology.
These startups were selected from over 200 applications received to participate in the three-month business development programme.
“We identified 40 startups who will undergo the intensive training, compared to 30 in the previous five series as we focused on many branches this time.
“Participants will be guided on how to pitch because, at the end of SAP, we aim to have them present in front of investors,” he said when contacted.
Mohamad Khairul added that after completing the training, 20 startups will be selected to make their final pitches in front of professional judges and investors at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on September 22.
“However, before that, all 40 startups will present at the semi-final stage, and from there, 20 will be chosen to proceed to the final pitch,” he said.
The number of startup applications to join SAP for the sixth cohort has increased by 36.4 per cent. Last year saw 225 applications while 2021 saw 165.
Since its introduction in 2018, a total of 120 e-commerce entrepreneurs have been successfully nurtured through the programme.
SAP is a structured three-month programme aimed at preparing startups to attract investments.
